TEMPORARY HOARDING

The present invention relates to a temporary hoarding, particularly though not exclusively, for use during construction or refurbishment of a building.

Temporary hoardings are typically used to conceal construction and building work from general view for safety, security and aesthetic reasons. They are normally single use apparatuses built to the specific dimensions of the particular area that is to be covered by the hoarding.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved temporary hoarding.

According to the invention there is provided a temporary hoarding for erection between a floor and a ceiling, the hoarding comprising:

• a generally rectangular framework, adapted to stand on a floor,

• a non-adjustable hoarding panel supported on the framework to extend up from the floor,

• an adjustable hoarding panel supportable on the framework between the top of the fixed panel and the ceiling, and

• support means attachable to the ceiling for supporting the top of the adjustable hoarding panel.

It is envisaged that the temporary hoarding may include: • a stabiliser hinged to the framework for deployment behind the hoarding to stabilise the hoarding in an upright position.

Preferably the stabiliser for such a temporary hoarding will have an adjustable leg for adjusting the uprightness of the hoarding.

In another embodiment the temporary hoarding will include:

• fastening means for fastening the bottom of the frame to the floor.

Preferably, the fastening means is a hook and link fastener.

Normally, the panels will be arranged with the non-adjustable panel overlapping in front of a part of the adjustable panel. However the panels can be arranged with the adjustable panel overlapping in front of the non-adjustable panel.

The framework and the non-adjustable panel can be arranged with the panel surrounded by frame members. However in the preferred embodiment, the non- adjustable panel and the adjustable panel can be arranged in front of the frame members, being located in channels incorporated in the frame members.

Normally, the framework will be a rectangular framework and include:

• a pair of upright in use, non-adjustable side members along respective sides of the non-adjustable panel and • a respective pair of adjustable side members for the adjustable panel, these latter side members being telescopically received in the former side members.

Preferably wherein the temporary hoarding is adapted by provision of apertures in either or both of the pairs of side members to be secured to another adjacent temporary hoarding as by fastenings engaging in the apertures.

The support means can be brackets securing the adjustable hoarding panel the ceiling. Alternatively:

• the support means can be a channel member fixable to the ceiling for receiving the top of the adjustable panel and/or the top of adjustable side members and securing it and/or them to the ceiling;

• the support means can be a flanged member fixable to the ceiling providing abutment against which the top of the adjustable panel and/or the adjustable members can abut for securing it and/or them to the ceiling.

To help understanding of the invention, a specific embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wall of temporary hoardings of the invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side view of one of the hoardings of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front view of the frame only of one of the hoardings of Figure 1, with its stabiliser folded in;

Figure 4 is a side view of the frame of Figure 3, with its stabiliser folded out;

Figure 5 is a scrap plan view of a joint between two temporary hoardings at a level where an upper adjustable and lower non-adjustable panels over lap;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of another series of temporary hoardings of the invention;

Figure 7 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the one hoarding of Figure 6, taken on the line VII-VII in Figure 8; and

Figure 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the hoarding, taken on the line VIII-VIII in Figure7.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 5 the drawings, a series of temporary hoardings 1 are erected between a ceiling C and a floor F.

Each individual hoarding has plastic coated steel box section framework 2, comprised of a pair of uprights 3,4, top, intermediate and bottom cross-members 5,6,7 and a panel height clamping member 8 depending from the intermediate cross member.

The upright 3 has a pair of longitudinally extending slots 9, whilst the upright 4 has captive nuts 10 at corresponding heights, whereby adjacent hoardings can be bolted 11 together at slightly varying heights, to accommodate floor unevenness.

The uprights have F-section guides 12 (of aluminium or plastics material) riveted to them along side faces 14. The guides provides a channel 15 at its flanges 16 in which a non-adjustable panel 17 of fire-resistant material is positioned with the edge trims 18 accommodating slack between the width of the channel and the thickness of the panel. Tight fit of the panel and its trims in the channel is not necessary, since in the use the panel can rest on the floor.

The guides define a further channel 18 between the inner flange 16 and the front face 19 of the uprights for an adjustable panel 21, also having edge trims 22. This panel can be adjusted up to the ceiling. It is held in position be a clamp 23 having a clamp bolt 24 for securing its position on the depending member 8. The clamp is secured to the adjustable panel at a position behind the non-adjustable panel 17.

A further F channel 31 is secured to the ceiling and receives the top of the adjustable pane. Thus the hoarding closes the floor to the ceiling with similar adjacent panels providing a continuous wall.

The hoardings are stabilised individually in their up right positions by stabilising arms 41 hinged to one of the uprights. Each arm has a triangulation brace 42 and a height adjustable foot, for accommodating unevenness of the floor.

Turning now to Figures 6, 7 & 8, a second, lighter weight temporary hoarding will now be described. It has a framework 102 of plastics material extrusions, including a pair of upright sides 103,104 and top, intermediate and bottom cross members 105,106,107.

The uprights are hollow, square section 110 extrusions with integral F-section guides 112 provided at their front faces, for a non-adjustable front panel 117 and an adjustable rear panel 121, these also being of plastics material. The cross members are bonded to the inside faces 114 of the uprights.

Telescopically received inside the uprights are secondary uprights 151, of square section plastics extrusion, internally reinforced with steel tube where the application is expected to place considerable bending stresses on these uprights. These uprights are slotted 152 at their tops.

The hoarding is secured in place both at its top and its bottom. At the bottom, a hook and loop fastener strip 153 is bonded to the underside of the bottom cross member, with a complementary strip 154 bonded to the floor F. At the top, an F section extrusion 131 is fixed in any suitable manner, particularly with screws (not

shown) to the ceiling C. It has a first flange 132 against which the top of the adjustable panel 121 is abutted and fixed - again with screws indicated at 133. This fixing will normally support the panel's weight. The secondary uprights are lifted to the ceiling extrusion, their slots 152 receiving the second flange 134 of the extrusion 131. End ones of the screws 133 fasten the panel 121, the uprights 151 and the extrusion 131 together. Further screws 135 fix the panel to the uprights down their extent to the frame work 102.

Where the hoarding is fully extended vertically and extra assurance is required of the support of the adjustable panel and the upper uprights, screws 136 can be secured parallel with the top cross member through the two pairs of uprights where they overlap.

Further adjacent hoardings can also be screwed 137 together at their uprights.

It will be appreciated that the above described temporary hoardings are advantageous in being adjustable in height and assembled width, robust, lightweight, demountable, easily transportable and re-useable.