Panel connection structure

Abstract

To provide a panel connection structure that eliminates the need for screwing and bolting to facilitate connection work.SOLUTION: In a panel connection structure that has a plurality of panels connected together by making end faces thereof abut on each other, the plurality of panels have fitting grooves formed on their top sides and reverse sides of their frame bodies, respectively, and are connected together by fitting plate-like connection members from above and below, respectively. The connection member is in a substantially "mountain" shape, and while projection parts on both sides are fitted in openings provided to lateral fitting grooves of the respective frame bodies, base parts are fitted in the lateral fitting grooves. Center projection parts are fitted in longitudinal fitting grooves. Consequently, the plurality of panels are connected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a structure for connecting panels to each other in a partition that partitions an office space or the like, and particularly to a structure for making the connection using plate-like members.

Background Art

[0002] As prior arts disclosing a structure (panel connection structure) for making a connection using plate-like members when abutting and connecting end faces of a plurality of panels, there are Patent Documents 1 to 3.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] A panel connection structure that makes a connection using plate-like members has a simple structure, and moreover, the connecting members can be manufactured at low cost. In Patent Documents 1 to 3, the plate-like members are connected by screwing and bolting. In Patent Document 3, the members are fitted, but then fixed with bolts. Also, the connection at the upper part of the panel is by screwing.

[0005] Screwing and bolting are reliable fixing methods, but they are somewhat time-consuming. If the panels can be connected only by fitting while using plate-shaped members, the connection work will be simplified. However, there has been no such panel connection structure.

[0006] This invention has been made to solve the above problems, and while using plate-shaped members that are simple in structure and can be manufactured at low cost, it provides a panel connection structure that does not require screwing or bolting and simplifies the connection work.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] This invention is a panel connection structure in which the end faces of a plurality of panels are butted against each other and connected, where fitting grooves are provided respectively above and below the end face of the frame body of the panel, and a plurality of the panels are connected by inserting plate-shaped connecting members from above and below respectively. The connecting member has a substantially "M" shape, and the convex portions on both sides of the connecting member are respectively inserted into openings provided in the fitting grooves (hereinafter referred to as "lateral fitting grooves") of the lateral frame members of the frame body, and the base portion connecting the convex portions on both sides is inserted into the lateral fitting grooves. Further, the central convex portion of the connecting member is inserted into the fitting groove (hereinafter referred to as "longitudinal fitting groove") of the longitudinal frame member of the frame body to connect a plurality of the panels.

[0008] Two slits may be provided in the central convex portion, and the bottom of the longitudinal fitting groove of the frame body may be configured to be inserted into each of the slits.

[0009] A notch for receiving a plug for preventing detachment is provided on the side opposite to the convex portion of the connecting member. A recess is provided in the lateral fitting groove of the frame body at a position corresponding to the notch. The anti-detachment portion provided on the plug may be configured to be inserted into the recess.

Effects of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, since a plurality of the panels are connected by the connecting member, screwing is not required, and the work for connection can be easily performed. There is also an effect that the strength of the connecting member at the connecting portion is improved by forming the connecting member in a substantially mountain shape. Furthermore, a slit is provided in the convex portion of the connecting member, and the bottom portion of the vertical fitting groove is fitted therein, so that the connection can be surely performed. The fitting by the slit suppresses rotation and makes it difficult to come off. Furthermore, the drop prevention plug can prevent the connecting member from dropping off. By fitting the drop prevention plug, there is also an effect that the connection strength is further improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Embodiment for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, a panel connection structure according to an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] FIG. 1(a) is a front view showing a state where two panels 1 and 1 are connected, and FIG. 1(b) is a right side view of the same. FIG. 1(c) is a front view of the lower connecting member 180B.

[0014] In FIG. 1, two panels 1 and 1 are linearly connected by a flat lower connecting member 180B and an upper connecting member 180U. By bending each connecting member, the two panels 1 and 1 can be bent and arranged. For example, by using a lower connecting member 90B bent at 90 degrees, the two panels 1 and 1 can be bent at 90 degrees and arranged (the display of the panels bent and arranged is omitted in FIG. 1). The lower end member 180E having a member functioning as a leg is fitted into the end panel 1. Unlike the lower connecting member 180B and the lower connecting member 90B, the lower end member 180E does not have a panel connecting function. In terms of whether it can be fitted or not, these members 90B, 180B, 180E, and 180U can be fitted into any of the four corners of the panel 1. Note that the numbers 90 and 180 indicate the bending angles of the members (180 means 0 degrees, planar), and the alphabet B is used for the bottom, U is used for the top, and E is used for the end. These members can also be applied to other angles (for example, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, etc.).

[0015] The lower connecting member 180B has a substantially "M" shape. Two slits are provided in the central convex portion thereof.

[0016] Figure 2 shows the lower connecting member 90B, the lower connecting member 180B, the lower end member 180E, and the upper connecting member 180U. All of them are flat plates, and the detailed structures are common. The lower connecting member 90B is bent at 90 degrees at its center. The connecting members 90B, 180B, and 180U all have a substantially "Mountain" shape that is symmetric about the left and right. The lower end member 180E has a shape obtained by cutting the "Mountain" - shaped connecting member in half along its central axis of symmetry.

[0017] They are all common in that they include a connecting member base 20 that connects a plurality (three, only 180E has two) of convex portions, a connecting member central convex portion 21, a fitting slit 211, and a connecting member end convex portion 22. Except for the upper connecting member 180U, they all include a cut - out portion 201 for receiving the retaining member and a leg member 23. The leg member 23 is provided on the side that becomes the lower surface when inserted (the side opposite to the convex portion) and contacts the floor to support the weight of the panel.

[0018] Regarding the dimensions of the connecting members 90B, 180B, 180U, and 180E, the distance x1 from the axis of symmetry to the fitting slit 211, the distance x2 to the end of the central convex portion 21, the width x3 of the end convex portion 22, and the height x4 of the base 20 correspond to the size of the fitting groove. This will be described later. The interval of the fitting slits 211 is twice x1, and the width of the central convex portion 21 is twice x2.

[0019] Figure 3 shows the panel 1 and the connecting members 180B, 180U, and the end member 180E in the inserted state, and Figure 4 shows an exploded perspective view of the panel 1. Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the lower left of the frame of the panel 1.

[0020] Panel 1 includes two vertical frames 11 and a horizontal frame 12, and four corner members 13. They constitute the frame of Panel 1. The vertical frame 11 and the horizontal frame 12 are joined by a frame joining member 18. Inside the frame, a panel core 14 is incorporated. In the middle, it is provided with a rod-shaped reinforcing part 15 in the horizontal direction. The reinforcing part 15 is joined to the vertical frame 11 by a reinforcing part joining member 19. Sound-absorbing materials 16 are provided on both sides of the panel core 14. In the example of the figure, it is divided into an upper sound-absorbing material 16U and a lower sound-absorbing material 16D by the reinforcing part 15. Both sides of the frame and the sound-absorbing material 16 are entirely covered by an outer skin 17.

[0021] The frame joining member 18 includes a rectangular plate 18a with two female threads cut. In a state where this plate 18a is fitted into a notch 122 provided at the end of the horizontal frame 12, a screw 18b is passed through a screw through-hole 113 provided in the vertical frame 11 and screwed into the female thread of the plate 18a, so that the vertical frame 11 and the horizontal frame 12 are firmly joined. The same applies to the reinforcing part joining member 19.

[0022] On the lower surface of the horizontal frame 12, a notch 121 for receiving an end convex part 22 and a leg member 23 of a lower connecting member 180B is provided. The corner member 13 is provided with fitting protrusions 131, 132 for joining with the vertical frame 11, and by fitting into a fitting part 111 (described later) of the vertical frame 11 and its end face, the corner member 13 is attached to the vertical frame 11.

[0023] Figure 6 is an explanatory view of the end of the vertical frame 11. Figure (a) of the same figure is a front view, Figure (b) is a left side view, Figure (c) is a bottom view, and Figure (d) is a perspective view of the end of the vertical frame 11 seen from the direction of the arrow in (a).

[0024] The vertical frame 11 is provided with an outer peripheral groove 114 facing outward and an inner peripheral groove 115 facing inward along its length direction. The outer peripheral groove 114 houses the end of the outer skin 17. The inner peripheral groove 115 houses the end of the panel core 14. The depth of the outer peripheral groove 114 corresponds to x1 in Fig. 2. The outer peripheral side of the end of the vertical frame 11 is notched (notch portion 112), and two holes (screw through holes 113) corresponding to the screw holes of the plate 18a are provided on the inner peripheral side. Due to the notch portion 112, a driver can be inserted here to easily tighten the screw 18b. The inner peripheral side portion 116 of the vertical frame 11 where the end of the horizontal frame 12 abuts in the tightened state of the screw is slightly cut (the width is narrowed), making it easier to position.

[0025] Fig. 7 is an explanatory view of the end of the horizontal frame 12. Fig. (a) of the same figure is a front view, Fig. (b) is a bottom view, Fig. (c) is a left side view, and Fig. (d) is a perspective view of the end of the horizontal frame 12 seen from the direction of the arrow in (a).

[0026] The horizontal frame 12 is provided with an outer peripheral groove 124 facing outward and an inner peripheral groove 125 facing inward along its length direction. The outer peripheral groove 124 houses the end of the outer skin 17 and receives (is inserted with) the base portion of the connecting member 20. The inner peripheral groove 125 houses the end of the panel core 14. The depth of the outer peripheral groove 124 corresponds to x4 in Fig. 2. The outer peripheral side near the end of the horizontal frame 12 is notched (notch portions 121, 121'). The end convex portion 22 is placed in the notch portion 121', and the portion of the base 20 to which the leg member 23 is attached is received in the notch portion 121. The size of the opening formed by combining the notch portions 121 and 121' corresponds to x3 in Fig. 2.

[0027] Figure 8 is an explanatory view of the corner member 13. The center shows a front view, with a left side view and a right side view on its left and right, and a top view and a bottom view above and below it. The corner member 13 includes fitting protrusions 131 and 132 for coupling to the vertical frame 11, a vertical outer peripheral groove 134 communicating with the outer peripheral groove 114 of the vertical frame 11 (with different depths), and a horizontal outer peripheral groove 135 communicating with the outer peripheral groove 124 of the horizontal frame 12. The fitting protrusion 131 fits into the fitting portion 111 of the vertical frame 11, and the fitting protrusion 132 fits into the inner peripheral side of the vertical frame 11. The depth of the vertical outer peripheral groove 134 corresponds to x2 in FIG. 2. The depth of the horizontal outer peripheral groove 135 corresponds to x4 in FIG. 2.

[0028] Figure 9 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the connecting portion in a state where two panels 1, 1 are connected by the lower connecting member 180B.

[0029] The convex portion 22 at the end of the connecting member fits into the openings of the cutout portions 121, 121' of the horizontal frame 12, and the base portion 20 of the connecting member fits into the outer peripheral groove 124 of the horizontal frame 12 and the horizontal outer peripheral groove 135 (horizontal fitting groove) of the corner member 13. The central convex portion 21 of the connecting member fits into the vertical outer peripheral groove 134 of the corner member 13 and the outer peripheral groove 114 (vertical fitting groove) of the vertical frame 11. Through these two fittings, the two panels 1, 1 are connected at the lower part. Similarly, they are connected at the upper part by the upper connecting member 180U. Screwing is not used for this connection.

[0030] In addition, the fitting slit 211 fits into the bottom 114' of the outer peripheral groove of the vertical frame 11. The fitting slit 211 is designed to fit tightly into the bottom 114' of the outer peripheral groove (the width of the slit and the thickness of the groove bottom are approximately the same), enabling a stronger connection.

[0031] The connection state of the upper connecting member 180U is the same as that of the lower connecting member 180B except for the presence or absence of the leg member 23.

[0032] It is also possible to provide a non-screw loosening prevention structure in the above connection structure. With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, an explanation of the structure will be added. Only a part of the horizontal frame 12 and the connecting member is shown to make the drawings easier to view.

[0033] Fig. 10(a) is a front perspective view of a state where a connecting member is inserted into the horizontal frame 12 and a retaining plug 30 is inserted therein, and Fig. 10(b) is a right side view thereof. Fig. 11(a) is a rear perspective view, Fig. 11(b) is a view when the horizontal frame 12 is removed from (a), and Fig. 11(c) is a perspective view of the retaining plug.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 10(b), a recess 124b is provided near the outer periphery of the outer peripheral groove 124. The retaining plug 30 is inserted into the cutout portion 201 for receiving the retaining member in a state where the connecting member is inserted. A barb 301 (a needle-like protrusion formed by cutting, which is called "reverse barb" or "reverse thorn" and is designed not to come out after being inserted) provided on the plug 30 fits into the recess 124b to function as a retaining means. The barb 301 is a portion for preventing detachment.

[0035] According to the connection structure according to the embodiment of the invention, since screwing is not required, the work related to connection becomes easy. In addition, the fitting by the slit suppresses the rotation at the connection portion of the panel and makes it difficult to come off, enabling a firm connection. By using the retaining plug, it is possible to prevent the detachment of the connecting member, options, etc.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0036] 1 Panel 11 Vertical frame (vertical frame member) 111 Insertion portion of 131 112 Notch 113 Screw through hole 114 Outer peripheral groove (vertical fitting groove) 114’ Bottom of outer peripheral groove (bottom of vertical fitting groove) 115 Inner peripheral groove 116 Portion where the end of the horizontal frame contacts 12 Horizontal frame (horizontal frame member) 121 Notch (escape portion for leg member) 121’ Notch 122 Notch 124 Outer peripheral groove (horizontal fitting groove) 124’ Bottom of outer peripheral groove Recess for retaining 124b 125 Inner peripheral groove 13 Corner member 131 Fitting projection 132 Fitting projection 134 Vertical outer peripheral groove (vertical fitting groove) 135 Horizontal outer peripheral groove (horizontal fitting groove) 14 Panel core 15 Reinforcing part 16 Sound-absorbing material 17 Outer skin (skin) 18 Frame connection member 19 Reinforcing part connection member 20 Connecting member base 201 Notch part for receiving retaining member 21 Central convex part of connecting member 211 Fitting slit 22 End convex part of connecting member 23 Leg member 30 Retaining plug 301 Return (anti-drop-off part) 90B Lower connecting member (90 degrees, flat plate shape) 180B Lower connecting member (180 degrees, flat plate shape) 180E Lower end part member (flat plate shape) 180U Upper connecting member (180 degrees, flat plate shape)

Claims

1. In a panel connection structure in which end faces of a plurality of panels are butted against each other and connected, a panel connection structure for connecting a plurality of the panels by providing fitting grooves respectively above and below the end face of the frame of the panel and inserting plate-shaped connecting members from above and below respectively, the connecting member has a substantially "M" shape, convex portions on both sides of the connecting member are respectively inserted into openings provided in fitting grooves (hereinafter referred to as "lateral fitting grooves") of lateral frame members of the frame, a base portion connecting the convex portions on both sides is inserted into the lateral fitting grooves, and further, a convex portion at the center of the connecting member is inserted into a fitting groove (hereinafter referred to as "longitudinal fitting groove") of a longitudinal frame member of the frame to connect the plurality of the panels. A panel connection structure characterized by this.

2. The panel connection structure according to claim 1, wherein two slits are provided in the central convex portion, and bottoms of the longitudinal fitting grooves of the frame are respectively inserted into the slits.

3. A notch for receiving a plug for preventing dropping is provided on the side opposite to the convex portion of the connecting member, a recess is provided in the lateral fitting groove of the frame at a position corresponding to the notch, The panel connection structure according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that a dropping prevention portion provided on the plug is inserted into the recess.

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