Panel fence

Abstract

The present invention provides a panel fence that is easy to install on-site and can be easily given specific functions such as heat insulation or soundproofing. [Solution] A panel fence comprising a pair of left and right side frames fixed to a structure and formed in the vertical direction, and a plurality of panels 4 installed between the left and right side frames and arranged in a row in the vertical direction, wherein each of the left and right side frames has a groove formed thereon with open sides facing each other, and each panel is attached and fixed to the left and right side frames by fitting its respective end portions into the grooves of the left and right side frames and inserting them, and the panel has a groove 4a formed thereon with one side in the front-to-back direction open, and the inside of the groove is filled with a filler material 31.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a panel fence including a pair of left and right side frames fixed to a structure and formed in the vertical direction, and panels installed between the left and right side frames and arranged in a plurality in the vertical direction.

Background Art

[0002] Each panel is attached and fixed to the left and right side frames by fitting and inserting the end portions near the left and right sides of the panel into the groove portions of the left and right side frames. An engaging portion that can be detachably engaged with another panel is formed at at least one of the upper and lower end portions of the panel. A panel fence shown in Patent Document 1 is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] For the panel fence of the above document, since a plurality of panels can be stacked vertically and engaged with each other and sequentially assembled, installation is facilitated. On the other hand, since the space is partitioned by the thickness of the panel, there is a drawback that the performance such as heat insulation or sound insulation is low.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present invention is a panel fence including a pair of left and right side frames fixed to a structure and formed in the vertical direction, and panels installed between the left and right side frames and arranged in a plurality in the vertical direction. An object of the present invention is to provide a panel fence that is easy to install on site and can easily impart a predetermined function such as heat insulation or sound insulation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, this invention comprises a pair of left and right side frames fixed to a structure and formed in the vertical direction, and a plurality of panels installed between the left and right side frames and arranged in a row in the vertical direction. Each of the left and right side frames has a groove formed thereon with open sides facing each other, and each panel is attached and fixed to the left and right side frames by fitting its respective edge portions into the grooves of the left and right side frames and inserting them, and the panel has a groove formed thereon with one side in the front-to-back direction open, and the inside of the groove is filled with a filler material to lock it in place.

[0007] The device may include a closing member that closes at least a portion of the open part of the groove, and the filler material may be filled and locked in the space between the groove and the closing member.

[0008] An engaging portion may be formed on at least one of the upper and lower ends of the panel to engage with another panel in a removable manner, and the closing member may be removably engaged with the engaging portion.

[0009] The engaging portions may be provided at the upper and lower ends of the panel, and the closing member may be locked to the upper and lower engaging portions.

[0010] The closing member may be provided with one or more exposure holes that expose the filler material filled inside the groove. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] Since the panel fence can be installed by assembling the panels vertically, on-site installation is easy, and by using insulation or soundproofing materials as fillers, it is also easy to impart the desired performance to the panel fence. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of the panel fence of the present invention. [Figure 2]Figure 1 is a perspective view of the main part of the panel fence. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a plan view of the main part of the panel fence shown. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a side view of the main part of the panel fence shown. [Figure 5] This is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the insulation material provided on the panel. [Figure 6] This is a side view of the blocking panel. [Figure 7] This is an enlarged rear view of the main part of the blocking panel. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the panel fence of the present invention, and Figures 2 to 4 are perspective views, plan views, and side views of the main parts of the panel fence shown in Figure 1. The panel fence 1 comprises at least two side frames 3 fixed to vertically formed support columns (structures) 2, a plurality of panels 4 installed between a pair of adjacent side frames 3, 3, an upper frame (frame body) 6 having a U-shaped or U-shaped cross section open at the bottom and extending in the left-right direction, and a lower frame (frame body) 7 having a U-shaped or U-shaped cross section open at the top and extending in the left-right direction.

[0014] Support columns 2 are structures that constitute at least a part of a building or structure, and are arranged in a row horizontally. Hereinafter, the direction in which the support columns 2 are arranged is defined as the left-right direction, and the front-back and up-down directions are determined based on this.

[0015] This support column 2 is an H-shaped steel beam extending vertically, and fixing grooves 8, which form a U-shape (U-shape in the illustrated example) in cross-section, are formed along its entire length on each of its left and right sides. The fixing grooves 8, 8 of adjacent support columns 2, 2 in the left-right direction have their open portions facing each other.

[0016] The side frame 3 has a U-shaped or U-shaped (in the illustrated example, U-shaped) cross-sectional shape and is formed in the vertical direction. With this shape, a groove portion 9 that is open in one direction is formed over the entire length of the side frame 3. Incidentally, since a pair of left and right fixing grooves 8, 8 are provided in each support column 2, it is possible to attach and fix a pair of side frames 3 to each of the plurality of support columns 2.

[0017] This side frame 3 is fitted and fixed in the fixing groove 8 in a state where the opening direction of the groove portion 9 is directed along the opening direction of the fixing groove 8 (specifically, the same or substantially the same direction). Therefore, when the side frames 3 are respectively fitted into the pair of left and right fixing grooves 8, 8 that face each other in parallel, the groove portions 9, 9 of the side frames 3, 3 that are adjacent to each other on the left and right are in a state where the open ends face each other in a parallel state.

[0018] The pair of left and right side frames 3, 3 whose open portions of their respective groove portions 9, 9 face each other are formed in shapes that are symmetric with each other left and right. In the following description, the side where the fixing groove 8 and the groove portion 9 face each other is referred to as the "left and right inner side", and the side where they do not face each other is referred to as the "left and right outer side".

[0019] The panel 4 is set such that its thickness direction is the front-rear direction and is formed in the left-right direction. This panel 4 is fixed between the left and right support columns 2 (between the left and right side frames 3, 3) by inserting and fixing the left and right ends thereof into the groove portions 9, 9 of the left and right side frames 3, 3 in a fitted state. A plurality of these panels 4 are stacked one above the other and are attached and supported between the left and right side frames 3, 3. Adjacent ones of the plurality of panels 4 arranged in the vertical direction are connected to each other in a state where they are detachably engaged with each other by the engaging portions 11, 12.

[0020] The upper frame 6 is fitted and fixed to the upper end side of the uppermost panel 4A, which is the panel at the highest position among the plurality of stacked panels 4. Specifically, the upper end portion of the uppermost panel 4A is fitted and fixed in the groove of the upper frame 6.

[0021] The lower frame 7 is fitted and fixed to the lower end of the bottommost panel 4B, which is the lowest panel among the stacked panels 4. Specifically, the lower end of the bottommost panel 4B is fitted and fixed into the groove of the lower frame 7.

[0022] As described above, multiple panels 4 arranged vertically are placed between adjacent left and right support columns 2,2 via side frames 3,3, and each pair of adjacent vertically adjacent panels 4,4 are engaged with each other by engaging parts 11,12, thereby integrating the stacked multiple panels 4. The panel fence 1 is then formed by fitting the upper frame 6 and the lower frame 7 onto the uppermost panel 4A and the lowermost panel 4B, respectively.

[0023] In the illustrated example, one panel fence 1 is installed, but multiple panel fences 1 may be arranged in parallel in the left-right direction, with their left and right ends shared.

[0024] Next, the configuration of the side frame 3 will be described in detail based on Figures 2 and 3.

[0025] The side frame 3, formed in the vertical direction, integrally comprises side walls 13 positioned on its left and right outer sides with their thickness direction oriented in the left-right direction, a vertical front wall 14 extending inward from the front end of the side wall 13 with its thickness direction oriented in the front-rear direction, and a vertical rear wall 16 extending inward from the rear end of the side wall 13.

[0026] This side frame 3 is made of an elastically deformable metal material (specifically aluminum), and can be elastically deformed to expand or contract the front-to-back width (groove width) of the groove 9.

[0027] Furthermore, since the cross-sectional shape of this side frame 3 is the same or substantially the same throughout its entire length (vertical direction), it can also be manufactured by extrusion molding. Incidentally, in this example, it is formed by sequentially bending a single metal plate.

[0028] One of the front wall 14 and the rear wall 16 (the rear wall 16 in the illustrated example) is a curved wall formed by bending at one or more points, while the other (the front wall 14 in the illustrated example) is a flat wall formed flat. The curved wall 16 protrudes inward to the left and right compared to the flat wall 14.

[0029] The flat wall 14 is formed in a flat, plate-like shape with its thickness direction oriented in the front-to-back direction.

[0030] The curved wall 16, in a plan view, has a vertical base portion 17 formed along the flat wall 14 and located on the side wall 13 side, a vertically tapered portion 18 that is bent or curved (in the illustrated example) continuously from the base portion 17 toward the flat wall 14 side, and vertically tapered portions 19 that are bent or curved (in the illustrated example) continuously from the tapered portion 18 toward the left and right inward sides. The curved wall 16 has a crank-shaped cross-section due to these three parts: the base portion 17, the tapered portion 18, and the contact portion 19. The contact portion 19 protrudes inward to the left and right from the flat wall 14.

[0031] The side wall 13 integrally has a pair of front and rear corner sections 13a and 13b. The corner section 13a on the flat wall 14 side is inclined inward to the left and right toward the flat wall 14 in a cross-sectional view and is integrally continuous with the flat wall 14. The corner section 13b on the curved wall 16 side is inclined inward to the left and right toward the curved wall 16 in a cross-sectional view and is integrally continuous with the curved wall 16. Compared to the corner section 13a on the flat wall 14 side, the corner section 13b on the curved wall 16 side is larger and has a gentler slope.

[0032] As described above, this side frame 3 can be elastically deformed so that the groove width of its groove 9 expands or contracts. When no force is applied, the distance between the flat wall 14 and the base 17 of the bent wall 16 is formed to gradually widen towards the open side of the groove 9, and the minimum width between the base 17 and the flat wall 14 becomes approximately the same as the groove width W1 in the front-rear direction of the fixed groove 8.

[0033] By elastically deforming the side frame 3 so that the left and right inner portions of the front wall 14 and the rear wall move apart and closer together, the groove width of the side frame 3 is expanded and contracted. By inserting the side frame 3 into the fixing groove 8 of the support column 2 while it is elastically deformed to reduce the groove width as described above, the side frame 3 is securely and firmly fixed to the fixing groove 8 by the elastic restorative action during deformation.

[0034] Incidentally, the maximum front-to-back width W2 of the side frame 3 when no force is applied is wider than the groove width W1 of the fixing groove 8. Therefore, the side frame 3 cannot be fitted into the fixing groove 8 unless it is elastically deformed to reduce the groove width. When the side frame 3 is fitted into the fixing groove 8, the flat wall 14 of the side frame 3 and the base 17 and contact portion 19 of the bent wall 16 become parallel to each other, and the groove width between the contact portion 19 and the flat wall 14 becomes approximately the same as the front-to-back thickness of the panel 4, or slightly wider than that front-to-back thickness.

[0035] Furthermore, the left and right inner ends of the front wall 14 and the rear wall 16 are folded back and overlapped to form folded-back portions 14a and 16a. The folded-back portion 14a of one of the front wall 14 and the rear wall 16 (the front wall 14 in the illustrated example) is folded over to form a stepped locking portion on the inner surface which is the surface that the panel 4 is in contact with, while the folded-back portion 16a of the other is folded back to the outer surface which is the surface opposite to the surface that the panel 4 is in contact with.

[0036] In this way, when one end of the panel 4 is fitted and inserted into the groove 9 of the side frame 3 which is fitted and fixed in the fixing groove 8, one side surface of the panel 4 (the front surface in the illustrated example) comes into contact with the locking portion 14a, and the other side surface comes into contact with the contact portion 19, thereby firmly and securely fitting and fixing the panel 4 into the groove 9 of the side frame 3.

[0037] The locking portion 14a that forms this step efficiently secures the left and right ends of the panel 4 within the groove 9 of the side frame 3, and also efficiently prevents the panel 4 from being pulled out of the groove 9. On the other hand, since the locking portion 14a is a folded portion, the front and rear thickness is kept to a minimum.

[0038] Furthermore, the two folded-over sections 14a and 16a in the side frame 3 improve the strength of the edge portion and also have the effect of eliminating snagging.

[0039] As mentioned above, the elastic force of the side frame 3 itself allows it to be fitted and secured into the fixing groove 8, and this alone provides sufficient fixing strength. However, the side frame 3, which has been fitted and secured into the fixing groove 8, may also be separately fixed to the support column 2 with fasteners such as bolts or screws.

[0040] Next, the configuration of panel 4 will be described in detail based on Figures 1 to 4.

[0041] Panel 4 is formed in the left-right direction, and its cross-sectional shape is the same throughout its entire length, so it can be formed by extrusion molding. However, in this example, it is formed by sequentially bending metal sheets such as aluminum or iron.

[0042] Specifically, panel 4 integrally comprises a main body portion 21 whose thickness direction is oriented in the front-rear direction, and protruding portions 22 and 23 which are formed by bending (specifically, bending) from the upper end and lower end of the main body portion 21 toward one side in the thickness direction of the main body portion 21 (specifically, one side in the front-rear direction, which will be referred to as the "open side" hereafter, and in the illustrated example, the rear side), and is formed as a whole in a channel shape.

[0043] Panel 4 has a groove 4a formed along its entire length, with the open side being open due to its overall shape. In addition, a wedge-shaped, U-shaped, U-shaped, or arc-shaped recess 21a is formed in the middle of the main body 21 in the vertical direction, along its entire length (left-right direction).

[0044] The aforementioned engaging portions 11 and 12 are integrally formed on the open side of the upper and lower protrusions 22 and 23 of panel 4, extending along the entire length of panel 4. In addition, corner portions 24 and 26 are formed at the connection points between the main body portion 21 and the protrusions 22 and 23.

[0045] Each of the upper and lower engaging portions 11 and 12 is formed in a wedge shape, arc shape, U-shape, or U-shape (U-shape in the illustrated example) with one side (hereinafter referred to as the "opening side," and in the illustrated example, the upper side) open and the other side (hereinafter referred to as the "recessed side," and in the illustrated example, the lower side) recessed. With this configuration, the upper and lower engaging portions 11 and 12 of each panel 4 are formed in a recessed shape that opens in the same direction. The open and opening side portions of each engaging portion 11 and 12 (specifically, the rear end and upper part) are folded inward into their recessed shape to form folded portions 11a and 12a.

[0046] To engage the upper and lower panels 4, 4, the concave outer surface of the engaging portion 12 formed at the recessed (lower) end of one panel 4 is fitted with the concave inner surface of the engaging portion 11 formed at the open end (upper end) of the other panel 4, which is positioned lower and recessed than the panel 4, to secure them in a detachable manner. During this fixing, the concave portion of the engaging portion 11 on the open side elastically deforms in a direction that reduces its front-to-back width, and the concave portion of the engaging portion 12 on the recessed side elastically deforms in a direction that expands its front-to-back width, thereby firmly fitting the engaging portions 11, 12 together in a detachable manner.

[0047] The portions of the protruding parts 22 and 23 other than the engaging parts 11 and 12 are formed flat to form contact parts 27 and 28. When the engaging parts 11 and 12 of the upper and lower panels 4 and 4 are engaged by interlocking the protruding and recessed parts, the contact parts 27 and 28 come into contact with each other on a planar surface, and the upper and lower corner parts 24 and 26 form a wedge-shaped recess (indentation) 29 in a side cross-sectional view, with the front open. The corner parts 24 and 26 may be designed to form a U-shape, a U-shape, or an arc shape, etc.

[0048] In the engagement of these engaging portions 11 and 12, the folded portion 11a on one side functions as a locking portion, increasing the engagement strength between the two. This engagement can be performed even when the left and right ends of the panel 4 are fitted and fixed into the grooves 9, 9 of the side frames 3, 3, respectively. Incidentally, when the left and right ends of the panel 4 are inserted into the corresponding grooves 9, the lateral movement of the panel 4 is restricted.

[0049] Furthermore, in order to increase the joint strength between the engaging portions 11 and 12, the engaging portions 11 and 12 may be connected and fixed together with screws or bolts (not shown).

[0050] Furthermore, in the illustrated example, folded-over portions 6a and 7a are formed at the front and rear open ends of the upper frame 6 and the front and rear open ends of the lower frame 7, which are folded back towards their respective front and rear outer surfaces, thereby improving the strength of these ends.

[0051] Furthermore, the side frames 3 and panels 4 are elastically deformable, and this elastic deformation allows for the formation of clearances between their contact surfaces. These clearances are utilized to support members such as the upper frame 6 and lower frame 7.

[0052] However, when this panel fence 1 is used as a partition between the interior and exterior, the outer space and the inner space are separated only by the thickness of the main body 21, resulting in lower performance in heat insulation, sound insulation, and other specified properties, and causing comfort issues. To improve this problem, a filler material 31 (see Figure 5) made of a material that can be elastically deformed or a fluid that hardens into a solid over time is filled into the grooves 4a of each panel 4 and secured in place.

[0053] If this filler 31 is made of a material with high thermal insulation properties or a material with high sound insulation properties, it becomes easy to impart the required performance to the panel fence 1.

[0054] Next, the composition of the filler material 31 will be described in detail based on Figures 5 to 7.

[0055] Figure 5 is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the filler material provided in the panel, and Figures 6 and 7 are a side view and an enlarged rear view of the main part of the closed panel. The groove 4a is filled with filler material 31 without any gaps or with minimal gaps. The filler material 31 is made of materials that match the function to be provided to the panel fence, such as conventionally known heat insulating materials, sound insulating materials, or combinations thereof. For example, as a sound insulating material, it is possible to use a resilient and deformable product such as "e-WOOL" (registered trademark). As a heat insulating material, it is possible to appropriately select from various materials that are resilient and deformable, such as urethane, or materials that are fluid and harden and have high heat insulating properties.

[0056] Incidentally, since the filler material 31 may be discharged to the outside of the groove 4a, each panel 4 is provided with a closing panel (closing member) 32 that closes at least a portion (in this example, almost all or most) of the open part of the groove 4a. The closing panel 32 is fixed to the panel 4 by being detachably engaged with at least one (both in the illustrated example) of the upper and lower engaging portions 11, 12 of the panel 4.

[0057] To explain in more detail, the closing panel 32 is oriented in a direction that aligns with the thickness direction of the main body portion 21 of the panel 4, and is formed over the entire length of the panel or substantially the entire length, closing off substantially the entire open portion of the groove 4a. The recessed side (lower side) of the closing panel 32 is bent (specifically, flexed) toward the open side (rear) as described above to form a locking portion 33, and this locking portion 33 gives the closing panel 32 an L-shape when viewed from the side.

[0058] Then, with the filler material 31 filled inside the groove 4a of the panel 4, the locking portion 33 of the closing panel 32 is inserted in a fitted state into the recessed portion of the engagement portion 12 on the recessed side of the panel 4 and locked (engaged), and the opening side (upper side) of the closing panel 32 is brought into contact with the surface (front) of the engagement portion 11 on the opening side (upper side) that is opposite to the open side and locked (engaged), thereby the closing panel 32 is detachably attached and fixed to the panel 4 with the filler material 31 sealed inside the groove 4a.

[0059] Furthermore, the closing panel 32 has multiple exposed holes 32a. These exposed holes 32a are evenly distributed throughout the portion of the closing panel 32 other than the locking portion 33, and a portion of the filler material 31 filled in the groove portion 4a is exposed to the open side (rear side) as described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 2 Pillar (Structure) 3 Side frames 4 panels 4a Groove 9 grooves 11 Engagement part 12 Engaging part 31 Filling material 32. Closure panel (closing member) 32a exposure hole

Claims

1. A pair of left and right side frames fixed to the structure and formed in the vertical direction, It comprises panels installed between the left and right side frames and arranged in a row in the vertical direction, Each of the left and right side frames has a groove formed where the open sides face each other. Each panel is attached and secured to the left and right side frames by fitting its respective left and right edges into the grooves of the left and right side frames. The panel has a groove formed on one side in the front-to-back direction that is open. The groove portion is filled with a filler material and locked in place. A panel fence characterized by the following features.

2. The groove portion is provided with a closing member that closes at least a portion of the open part of the groove, The filler material is filled and locked into the space between the groove and the closing member. The panel fence according to claim 1.

3. At least one of the upper and lower ends of the panel is formed with an engaging portion that engages with another panel in a removable manner. The closing member is detachably engaged with the engaging portion. The panel fence according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned engaging portions are provided at the upper and lower ends of the panel, respectively. The closing member is locked into the upper and lower engaging portions. The panel fence according to claim 3.

5. The closing member is provided with one or more exposure holes that expose the filler material filled inside the groove. The panel fence according to claim 2.

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