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[0001] The present invention relates to dry wall construction and, in particular, it concerns profiles for use with panel elements such as plasterboard and partitions employing such profiles.
[0002] It is known to construct partitions such as internal walls, false ceilings and cladding by constructing a “dry wall” structure from plasterboard supported by metal brackets. The metal brackets are typically cut to size on site from elongated strips with a simple U-shaped cross-section. These brackets are attached to the floor, walls and/or ceiling, as required, and additional brackets are attached thereto to form a framework. Panel elements are then attached to the framework and the partition is finished by use of fillers, paints and the like.
[0003] Partitions of this type suffer from a number of disadvantages. Firstly, the plasterboard itself is highly susceptible to damage through exposure to water. To avoid such exposure, a waterproof plinth of material such as ceramics is often used. This, however, adds greatly to the costs of both labor and materials. Secondly, proper finishing of corners and edges is a highly skilled procedure, taking considerable time to achieve high quality results.
[0004] There is therefore a need for profiles for use in dry wall construction which would facilitate formation of precise corners and edges, and which would provide a waterproof plinth without the need for attachment of supplementary plinth elements.
[0005] The present invention provides profiles for use with panel elements and partitions employing such profiles.
[0006] According to the teachings of the present invention there is provided, a partition comprising: (a) a panel element having a front face and a rear face separated by a dimension termed thickness, the front and the rear surfaces being delineated at least in part by an edge of the panel element; and (b) a profile having: (i) a ridge deployed substantially in abutment with the edge of the panel element, (ii) a substantially planar attachment surface integrally formed with the ridge and extending therefrom so as to be adjacent to the rear face, the attachment surface being attached to the panel element, and (iii) a substantially planar flange surface integrally formed with the ridge and extending therefrom substantially parallel to the attachment surface and in a direction primarily away from the panel element so as to form a flange extending for at least about 1 cm beyond the edge of the panel element.
[0007] According to a further feature of the present invention, the substantially planar flange surface forms a flange extending for at least about 2 cm, and preferably at least about 4 cm, beyond the edge of the panel element.
[0008] According to a further feature of the present invention, the profile further includes an end wall integrally formed with the flange surface and extending substantially perpendicular thereto.
[0009] According to a further feature of the present invention, the profile further includes a second substantially planar flange surface, a second ridge, and a second substantially planar attachment surface, connected to the end wall and configured for receiving an additional panel element substantially parallel to the panel element.
[0010] According to a further feature of the present invention, the profile further includes a second substantially planar flange surface, a second ridge, and a second substantially planar attachment surface, configured for attachment to an additional panel element deployed non-parallel to the panel element, the planar flange surfaces being integrally formed so as to define a corner portion.
[0011] According to a further feature of the present invention, the profile is referred to as the first profile and has an extensional direction, the partition further comprising a second profile configured for engaging the first profile and extending therefrom in a direction substantially perpendicular to the extensional direction.
[0012] According to a further feature of the present invention, the profile has a closed form.
[0013] The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
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[0025] The present invention provides profiles for use with panel elements and partitions employing such profiles.
[0026] The principles and operation of profiles according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.
[0027] Referring now to the drawings,
[0028] Generally speaking, profile
[0029] It will immediately be apparent that the present invention provides profound advantages over conventional dry wall construction techniques. Specifically, profile
[0030] Before addressing the features of the present invention in more detail, it should be noted that the invention may be implemented using a wide range of materials with suitable mechanical properties, for the profiles and for the panel elements. Materials suitable for the profiles of the present invention include, but are not limited to, aluminum, steel and polymer materials. The panel elements are typically, although not necessarily, plasterboard. Examples of other sheet materials suitable for implementing the present invention include, but are not limited to, wood and wood-substitute materials. For conciseness of presentation, the invention will be described herein with reference to a non-limiting example employing plasterboard sheets.
[0031] The word “profile” as used herein in the description and claims is used to refer to an elongated structural element which has a substantially constant cross-sectional form along substantially the entirety of its length. Thus, in many cases, profiles will be illustrated by means of a cross-sectional view only. The profiles are typically made to a standard length and then cut to the required size. It should be noted that the cross-section of a profile may in some cases vary along its length with respect to various openings which may be provided to allow passage of electrical cables, to provide ventilation, or may be provided to reduce the quantity of material used in production of the profile.
[0032] On a further matter of terminology, reference will be made to “cladding-type” applications and “wall-type” applications. These terms are used herein to designate, respectively, applications in which only one, or both, sides of the partition are normally visible. Thus, “cladding-type” applications include applications such as soundproofing, thermal and aesthetic cladding, false ceilings and ductwork of all kinds. “Wall-type” applications include walls and space partitions such as are used in homes and offices.
[0033] Turning now to the features of the present invention in more detail, as already mentioned, flange surface
[0034] Flange surface
[0035] Optionally, a small overhang
[0036] For convenience and quality of finishing, all parts of the profiles of the present invention which are visible after assembly, in this case, flange surface
[0037] It should be noted that profile
[0038] Other than the form of the profiles used, the procedure for constructing a partition according to the present invention generally parallels the conventional procedures used for dry walls. Initially, profiles are deployed along floors, ceilings and walls where the partition is to be located and are attached by any suitable technique. Where required, additional support elements, such as various corner profiles to be described below, are added. Plasterboard sheets or other panels are then attached to the attachment surfaces by any suitable technique. For plasterboard, the most common technique is the use of self-drilling screws which drill themselves through both the plasterboard and the attachment surface. The surface of the sheets may then be finished by painting or the like, as desired.
[0039] Turning now to
[0040] Here too, the advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent. The preformed corner profile avoids the highly skilled task of finishing a corner formed from abutting plasterboard sheets. At the same time, the use of a metallic corner piece offers much greater wear resistance and longer lifetime than can be provided by plasterboard in an exposed corner position.
[0041] Turning now to FIGS.
[0042] Specifically, turning first to
[0043] Turning now to
[0044] Turning briefly to
[0045] Turning now to
[0046] It should be noted that the structure of
[0047] It should also be noted that the present invention is not limited to profiles for the outer periphery of partitions. By way of example,
[0048] Turning finally to
[0049] It will be appreciated that the above descriptions are intended only to serve as examples, and that many other embodiments are possible within the spirit and the scope of the present invention.
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