GB2172624A - Cable duct in adjustable panel-and-post space-divider - Google Patents

Abstract

The duct comprises a collar 20 round each post 11 and a horizontal duct 16 through each panel 13. Collar 20 is provided with clip-on covers 23, 24, 25, which can be of various angles of arc to allow of corresponding angles between panels. The junction of three panels at one post can also be accommodated. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A space dividing assembly This invention is concerned with space dividing systems such as are used, for example, in the partitioning of office space. The invention is principally concerned with a method for ducting service cables from panel to panel in a free standing "panel and post" dividing system as disclosed herein.

A complex of workstations formed from a panel and post space dividing system presents difficulties for the ducting, at mid height, of service cables, such as electricity and data communication cables, to the individual workstations.

One method of delivering services to the individual workstations comprises the delivery of the cables to a base or kickplate subtting the lower edge of a panel and leading the service cables to each workstation through a series of kickplates arranged coextensively with the kickplate into which the service cables were initially delivered.

Alternatively horizontal ducting means are affixed by some method within the panels at a convenient height, such as desk height, said ducts being disposed coextensively with each other and the service cables led therethrough to each workstation. Service outlets can be positioned within each workstation on a plate cover which is usually affixed to the ducting means.

Both of these methods present difficulties when ducting the service cables around the posts. It is possible to duct cables through the posts by drilling holes therethrough but this substantially degrades the flexibilty of the system in that the geometry of the complex cannot thereafter be easily modified to accommodate different relative orientations of adjacent panels.

Alternatively, ducting means can be affixed to the face of the panels and continued coextensvely over the posts rather than through or around them.

However this method results in an inflexible system.

All the above methods require multiple componentry which is time consuming to fabricate, expensive to instal and expensive ro rearrange.

An object of the present invention is to ameliorate the difficulties associated with the ducting of service cables around the posts.

There is disclosed herein a space-dividing assembly comprising at least one vertical post which supports at least one vertical panel, said post and panel having co-operating couplings enabling said panel to be supported by said post in a desired orientation relative thereto, and service accommodation means enabling the delivery of service cables to said panel from a position spaced angularly from said panel about said post, said service accommodation means including a collar extending angularly about said post and passing through said panel and extending from said position, said collar providing at least one channel within which said cables may extend from said position to be delivered to said panel.

A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a panel and post space dividing system; Figure 2 is a horizontal section through the complex referred to in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a preferred method of attachment of a collarto a post; Figure 4 is a schematic part sectioned top plan of the panel and post system of Figure 1, illustrated in more detail; and Figure 5is a schematic part sectioned side elevation of the system as illustrated in Figure 4.

In the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a free-standing panel and post space dividing system 10. the system 10 includes a plurality of vertical posts 11 to rest on or to be fixed to a floor surface 12. The posts 11 support a plurality of panel assemblies 13, with each panel assembly comprising a frame consisting of vertical members 14 supporting between them panel sections 15. The panel sections 15 are spaced so as to provide a cavity to receive a horizontally extending service duct 16.

Each post 11 is provided with a pair of spaced rings 17 which provide upwardly open recesses to receive projections 18 fixed to the members 14. The projections 18 have a lip 19 which are located within the recesses defined by the rings 17. Accordingly, the panel assemblies 13 are movable angularly about the posts in order to locate the panel assemblies 13 in the desired position.

To enable service cables to be delivered to the panel assemblies 13, there is provided annular collars 20 which extend angularly about a respective post 11 and pass through adjacent panels 15 to enable the cables to pass therebetween. Each collar 20 has a plurality of channels 21 which correspond to the number of channels 22 formed in the ducts 16.

A cover strip is provided to extend along each of the ducts 16, which cover strip would be provided with suitable service outlets. There is further provided clip on covers 23, 24 and 25, respectively extending 70", 15" or 165 around the posts 11. These covers 23,24 and 25 can be arranged in suitable combinations to accommodate the usual orientations of adjacent panels as either 90" or 1800. In addition the 75" cover 25 could be fabricated from a suitable flexible material to allow for the relative orientation of adjacent panels to be other than 90" or 1800.

Turning now to Figures 4 and 5 in particular, wherein there is schematically depicted in plan and side view the junction of three panel assemblies 13 at a respective post 11. In Figures 4 and 5 there is particularly illustrated a cover 26 having end portions 27 to extend from adjacent panels 13 and a central flexible portion 28 which enables the panel assemblies 13 to be located at any desired position within a particular angular range. There is further illustrated clip on covers 29 particularly designed to couple panel assemblies 13 which extend at 900.

In the particular embodiment illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the duct 16 has four channels 30, each being provided by a generally U-shaped section which is open upwardly. The collar is made up of one or more 45" sections.

Claims (5)

1. A space-dividing assembly comprising at least one vertical post which supports at least one vertical panel, said post and panel having co-operating couplings enabling said panel to be supported by said post in a desired orientation relative thereto, and service accommodation means enabling the delivery of service cables to said panel from a position spaced angularly from said panel about said post, said service accommodation means including a collar extending angularly about said post and passing through said panel and extending from said position, said collar providing at least one channel within which said cables may extend from said position to be delivered to said panel.

2. The space-dividing assembly of claim 1 wherein each vertical panel comprises a frame including two vertical generally parallel co-extensive transversely spaced members between which two panel sections extend, said panel sections being spaced so as to provide a generally horizontally extending recess to receive a service duct which communicates with said collar.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said service duct provides at least one channel which is horizontally aligned with the channel of said collar.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein each post is provided with a pair of vertically spaced rings, and each panel assembly is provided with a pair of projectionswhich engage said rings so that each panel is supported thereby and is selectively angularly movable about the post.

5. Aspace-dividing system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.