Building space divider system

Abstract

A building space divider system for providing one or more rooms in a building space, the building space divider system comprising at least two framework beams and coupling strips, in which the framework beams extend in a longitudinal direction, and the framework beams include longitudinal beam coupling parts where two of the framework beams are back-to-back coupled via the coupling strips, each coupling strip comprising two strip parts each having a beam coupling end extending along a longitudinal side of the strip part for coupling to the beam coupling part of the framework beam, and a strip coupling end extending along an opposite longitudinal side of the strip part.

Claims

1. A building space divider system (1) for providing one or more rooms (2, 3) in a building space, said building space divider system (1) comprising floor beams, at least two framework beams (7, 7, 7, 7), ceiling support beams (25), corner beams (28), coupling strips (12) and wall panels (8), said floor beams, framework beams, ceiling support beams, and corner beams forming a room framework, wherein said framework beams (7, 7, 7, 7) extend in a longitudinal direction, have a cross section having a coupling end (9) having a first width (W1) and an opposite wall panel end (10) having a second width (W2), said second width (W2) larger than said first width (W1), and said framework beams (7, 7, 7, 7) comprising longitudinal beam coupling parts (11), wherein two of said framework beams (7, 7, 7, 7) are back-to-back coupled via said coupling strips (12) that are opposite at both sides of said coupling end with said first width W1, each coupling strip (12) comprising two strip parts (13, 14) each having a beam coupling end extending along a longitudinal side of the strip part (13, 14) for coupling to one of said beam coupling parts (11) of one of said framework beams (7, 7, 7, 7), and a strip coupling end extending along an opposite longitudinal side of said strip part (13, 14) for coupling two strip parts (13, 14) together for forming said coupling strip (12), and wherein said strip coupling ends comprise parts forming a closure (17) in form of a zipper.

2. The building space divider system of claim 1, wherein said coupling strips (12) comprise two strip parts (14) having a beam coupling end having a tongue with a neck, and wherein said framework beams comprising a longitudinal undercut groove, said tongue (15) fitting in said undercut groove (11), and having a coupling end for coupling said framework coupling parts together for coupling framework beams together.

3. The building space divider system of claim 1, wherein said framework beams (7, 7, 7, 7) comprise a longitudinal abutment surface (19) that abut one another when two framework beams (7, 7, 7, 7) are placed back-to-back, and the framework beam (7, 7, 7, 7) comprise two undercut grooves (11) running longitudinally along two sides of the abutment surface (19).

4. The building space divider system of claim 1, wherein said ceiling support beams (25) are substantially identical to said framework beams (7, 7, 7, 7).

5. The building space divider system of claim 1, wherein said corner beams (28) have at least two adjacent sides provided with framework beam holding parts and with an undercut groove extending in longitudinal direction.

6. A method for providing one or more rooms in a building space using the space divider system according to claim 1, wherein one of said strip parts is coupled to one framework beam and another, complementary of said strip parts is coupled to the other framework beam, said framework beams are placed back-to-back, and strip coupling ends of the strip parts are coupled for coupling said framework beams.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, showing an embodiment of a construction element, and showing in:

(2) FIG. 1 a perspective view of a space in a building that is provided with a building space divider system so as to provide rooms;

(3) FIGS. 2-12 cross sections as indicated in FIG. 1, in which

(4) FIG. 2 shows a cross section through coupled framework beams with wall panels, as indicated in FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 3 shows a cross section of a floor beam a framework beam with wall panels, as indicated in FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 4 shows a cross section showing a framework beam as a ceiling support beam with wall panels and a ceiling beam, as indicated in FIG. 1;

(7) FIG. 5 shows a cross section of a corner beam with framework beams and wall panels, as indicated in FIG. 1;

(8) FIG. 6 shows a cross section at a coupling of an outer wall and an inner wall, showing a T coupling of framework beams with wall panels, as indicated in FIG. 1;

(9) FIG. 7 shows a cross section at a glass part showing the framework beams holding glass panels as wall panels, as indicated in FIG. 1;

(10) FIG. 8 shows a cross section at the glass part of FIG. 7 showing the floor beam holding the glass panel of FIG. 7, the cross section position indicated in FIG. 1;

(11) FIG. 9 shows a cross section of ceiling beam resting on a ceiling support beam as indicated in FIG. 1, and

(12) FIG. 10 shows a cross section of a coupling beam.

(13) The drawings are not necessarily on scale.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(14) FIG. 1 a perspective view of a space in a building that is provided with a building space divider system 1 so as to provide one or more rooms, here two rooms 2, 3. Using the current building space divider system 1, walls 4 and a ceiling 5 can be created that provide the rooms 2, 3. These rooms 2, 3 can be free standing in the building space, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

(15) In FIGS. 2-12 cross sections as indicated in FIG. 1 are discussed.

(16) FIG. 2 shows a cross section through coupled framework beams with wall panels, as indicated in FIG. 1. Two framework beams 7, 7 are depicted. These framework beams 7, 7 are placed back-to-back. The framework beams 7, 7 are coupled using coupling strips 12. This keeps the framework beams 7, 7 together with backs 19 against one another.

(17) The framework beams 7, 7 when seen in cross section have a coupling end 9 and a wall panel end 10. The wall panel end has surfaces 18 against which wall panels 8 are attached. The surfaces 18 extend a width W2. The coupling end has a width W1 which is smaller than W2.

(18) There are several ways in which a coupling strip 12 can be attached to a framework beam 7, 7. Here, the framework beams 7, 7 have longitudinal beam coupling parts 11. These coupling parts allow beam coupling ends 15 of the coupling strip 12 to be attached to the framework beams 7, 7. Here, the framework beams 7, 7 are provided with rails, here in the form of undercut grooves 11. The coupling strip beam coupling ends 15 are provided with a thickened part 15 that fits in the undercut groove 11. This comprises a neck 16 that extends out of the undercut groove 11. This provides an easy attachment of the coupling strip 12 to be attached to a framework beam 7, 7. The undercut grooves 11 of the framework beams 7, 7 open towards one another when the framework beams 7, 7 are places back-to-back against one another. Thus, a coupling strip 12 can be formed as a ribbon with beam coupling ends 15 at both opposite sides. This allows strength and a simple design. The framework beams 7, 7 are placed back-to-back with abutting surfaces or coupling end abutment 19. At two opposite sides of the abutting surface, each framework beam 7, 7 has an undercut groove 11.

(19) The coupling strips 12 have in fact two parts 13, 14 that are connected to one another via a releasable connection. Here, each strip part 13, 14 is provided with part of a zipper. Thus, coupling strip parts 13, 14 can be connected by zipping them up. This provides an easy way of coupling, without use of additional tools. Other releasable connections that may be considered are buttons, hooks and loops, and the like.

(20) In the embodiment, the back sides of the framework beams 7, 7 are provided with resilient profiles 20 that can be snapped onto the framework beams 7, 7. The resilient profiles extent beyond the back surfaces of the framework beams 7, 7. In that way, when framework beams 7, 7 are pushed against one another when coupling the framework beams 7, 7 back-to-back, the resilient profiles are pressed onto one another, sealing any remaining space between the coupled framework beams 7, 7.

(21) FIG. 3 shows a cross section of a floor beam 21 carrying a framework beam 7 with wall panels 8, as indicated in FIG. 1. Another framework beam 7 is vertical with respect to a floor and here rests on the framework beam 7 that is parallel to a floor and to a floor beam 21. Two sealing profiles 24 seal any remaining space between the framework beam 7 and the floor beam 21. The floor beam 21 rests here on floor damping profiles 23 that are snapped onto the floor beam 21. The floor beam 21 has a longitudinal space that is adapter for receiving a framework beam coupling end 9. The sealing profiles 24 extend in that receiving space.

(22) In FIG. 3, the wall panel 8 is provided with a wall panel lower attachment profile 46. This lower attachment profile 46 hooks behind part of the framework beam 7. It holds the wall panels against the panel abutment 18.

(23) FIG. 4 shows a cross section showing a framework beam 7 as a ceiling support beam with wall panels 8 and a ceiling beam 25, as indicated in FIG. 1. The ceiling beam 25 comprises two abutments 26, here simple rails, that are spaced at a distance W1 and adapted to receive a framework beam coupling end 9. The framework beam 7 rests on framework beams 7, 7 discussed above. The ceiling beam 25 here comprises a facia board 27. In an embodiment, not shown in the drawing, the facia board or profile 27 comprises ends that are attached to one another to extend larger ends. To that end, the fascia boards can be coupled using rails and coupling parts. In an embodiment, in stead of simple rails as shown in FIG. 4, both abutments 26 any comprise rails for holding coupling parts or coupling ends.

(24) FIG. 5 shows a cross section of a corner beam 28 with two framework beams 7 coupled to it. Wall panels 8 are attached to the framework beams 7. The position of this corner beam 28 is indicated in FIG. 1. The corner beam is provided with beam coupling parts 31 that are identical to the beam coupling parts 11 of the framework beams. This allows to use a coupling strip 12 to couple a framework beam 7 to a corner beam 28 without requiring additional provisions. The framework beams 7 are placed against the corner beam 28 with their backs. The corner beam 28 is provided with abutments 30 for retaining the framework beams 7 from sliding in a direction normal to the longitudinal direction, i.e., from sliding to the left and right or up and down. The abutments 30 are here simple rails 30 at a distance W1 for receiving the coupling ends 9 of the framework beams 7.

(25) At the corner, the two framework beams 7 are attached to the corner beam 28 using a detail that is further explained when discussing FIG. 10.

(26) At the outside corners, the framework beams are coupled using the already explained coupling strip 12. At the inside corner, an undercut groove 11 is provided. In this inside corner, a special embodiment of the coupling strip 12 is provided. In this embodiment, the coupling strip 12 has two identical strip parts 13 with a tongue that fits in the undercut grooves 11 of the framework beams 7 and that are coupled via a strip part that has a tongue 15 fitting in the undercut groove of the corner beam 28. In this embodiment, the strip parts 13 are coupled to the central strip part via a zipper. Thus, again, the strip parts can be provided in the undercut grooves, and after placement of the framework beams 7, the zippers can be zipped up to coupled the framework beams 7 to the corner beams 7. As insulation, filler blocks 20 are again provided as explained. After coupling of the framework beams 7, the wall panels 8 can be installed.

(27) FIG. 6 shows a cross section at a coupling of an outer wall and an inner wall, showing a T coupling of a framework beam 7 with wall panels 8, as indicated in FIG. 1. between two wall panels, a gap or slit 36 remains. Framework beam 7 is here provided with an inner wall coupling part 35. Here, it is a plastic part, in particular an elastomeric part that is flexible enough to be pushed into the slit 36, but stiff enough to remain in the slit 36.

(28) Here, the panel abutment walls 65 that provide the panel abutment are indicated, and the coupling end abutment wall 66. that provide coupling abutment 19 for is similar framework beam are indicated. These walls all to not need to be exactly smooth, but provide an abutment surface that is planar. Also, the first coupling wall 67 and second coupling wall 68 are indicated.

(29) FIG. 7 shows a cross section at a glass part showing the framework beams 7, 7 holding glass panels 37 as wall panels, as indicated in FIG. 1. Here, sealing strips 38 are provided to keep the glass panels 37 in the framework beams 7, 7 in a flexible manner.

(30) FIG. 8 shows a cross section at the glass part of FIG. 7 showing the floor beam holding the glass panel of FIG. 7, the cross section position indicated in FIG. 1. Again, sealing strips 38 are provided to hold the glass panel 37 in a flexible manner. The sealing strip 7 is usually from an elastomeric material.

(31) FIG. 9 shows a cross section of ceiling beam 25 resting on a ceiling support beam 7 and a board 27 as indicated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4.

(32) The ceiling beam 25 has some features to include functionality for air conditioning or ventilation and for illumination of the room. The ceiling beam 25 largely is a beam with a rectangular cross section. It has ventilation channels 42 that extend in longitudinal direction. The arrows at both sides indicate entrance and exit of air. This air can simply be ventilation air, but may also be fully conditioned air. The ceiling beam 25 further comprises a rail for mounting a lighting mount 43. The lighting mount 43 can hold for instance an LED lighting. A lighting element 44 covers the lighting mount 43 and can for instance provide more diffuse light. The lighting element 44 can also extend the ventilation outlet as indicated in the drawing. The lighting element 44 here snaps onto the ceiling beam 25. In an embodiment, the lighting element is a plastic element, for instance of a milky transparency.

(33) The ceiling beam 25 further has rails for holding ceiling panels 45. The ceiling beam 25 can be a metal beam, for instance aluminium, or e polymer beam, for instance fiber-reinforced.

(34) FIG. 10 shows a (vertical) cross beam 60. It can hold four framework beams 7 as shown, allowing making up to four adjacent rooms. The further particulars are also discussed in reference to FIG. 5. The cross beam 60 may also be used as a corner beam when attaching two framework beams 7 perpendicularly and for instance covering the other two cross beam support surfaces 62. In the embodiment, there are four cross beam undercut grooves 61 provided in the corners of the cross beam 60.

(35) It will also be clear that the above description and drawings are included to illustrate some embodiments of the invention, and not to limit the scope of protection. Starting from this disclosure, many more embodiments will be evident to a skilled person. These embodiments are within the scope of protection and the essence of this invention and are obvious combinations of prior art techniques and the disclosure of this patent.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

(36) 1 building space divider system 2, 3 rooms 4 wall 5 ceiling 6 room dividing wall 7, 7, 7, 7 framework beam 8 wall panel 9 framework beam coupling end 10 framework beam panel end 11 Undercut groove 12 coupling strip 13, 14 coupling parts 15 tongue 16 neck 17 coupling means 18 panel abutment 19 coupling end abutment 20 filler block 21 floor beam 22 floor beam floor side 23 floor damping rubber 24 sealing lip 25 ceiling beam 26 ceiling beam framework beam holder 27 board 28 corner beam 29 attachment side 30 framework beam holding part 31 locking part 35 inner wall coupling part 36 inner wall coupling part receiving slit 37 glass panel 38 glass panel sealing strip 40 framework beam support surface 41 wall panel attachment rail/profile 42 ceiling beam ventilation duct 43 ceiling beam lighting mount 44 lighting element 45 ceiling panel 46 wall panel lower attachment profile 50 cross beam 51 cross beam undercut groove 52 cross beam support surface 60 cross beam 61 cross beam undercut groove 62 cross beam support surface 65 panel abutment wall 66 coupling end abutment wall 67 first coupling wall 68 second coupling wall W1 framework beam coupling end width W2 framework beam panel end width