Wall system

Abstract

The invention relates to a wall system for a presentation stand or exhibition stand (100), comprising a rectangular frame (40) and wall elements (10) for fastening to the frame (40). The wall elements (10) have connection contacts (13, 14), a carrier plate (15) and conductor tracks (11, 12) which are arranged next to one another and are each electrically conductively connected to one of the connection contacts (13, 14). According to the invention, at least one transverse strut (41) is provided, lines (44) for connecting the connection contacts (13, 14) running in said transverse strut. At each of the two ends of the transverse strut (41), an electrical connector (42) is arranged, which fits into openings (45) in members of the frame (40) and has electrical contacts (42b) which contain permanent magnets and can be moved relative to a housing (42c) of the electrical connector (42) counter to the restoring force of a spring.

Description

[0001] MW04E005WO 15.08.2025 / M / la

[0002] patent application

[0003] Applicant:

[0004] MagnWall GmbH

[0005] Am Mühlbach 1 71384 Weinstadt Germany

[0006] Representative:

[0007] TWELMEIER MOMMER & PARTNER Patent and Lawyers mbß Westliche Karl-Friedrich-Straße 56-68 75172 Pforzheim

[0008] wall system

[0009] Description

[0010] The invention relates to a wall system for a presentation or exhibition stand. A wall system with the features mentioned in the preamble of claim 1 is known from WO 2020 / 201396 A1. Such wall systems comprise a frame and wall elements that are attached to the frame. The wall elements have electrical connection contacts, a carrier plate, adjacent conductive traces that are electrically connected to the contacts, and a cover layer. Adjacent conductive traces of the wall elements are electrically insulated from one another. Walls constructed from such a wall system can be used, for example, in shops or at trade fairs for the presentation of goods.

[0011] Electrical devices, such as monitors, can be attached to the wall using magnets and connected to a power supply via current collectors that contact conductive traces in the wall elements with multiple pins. Such current collectors are known, for example, from DE 10 2019 108 726 A1 and WO / 2023 / 110985 A1.

[0012] One advantage of such wall systems is that a wall constructed from them can be flexibly adapted to changing requirements. For example, when redecorating a shop, electrical appliances can simply be removed from the wall and installed elsewhere without requiring qualified electricians.

[0013] Particularly in trade fair construction, an important requirement for wall systems is that the assembly and disassembly of walls that enable the power supply of monitors and similar devices can be carried out as quickly and with as little effort as possible.

[0014] The object of the present invention is to show a way in which this requirement can be met even better.

[0015] This problem is solved by a wall system with the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of dependent claims.

[0016] A wall system according to the invention comprises a frame, preferably rectangular, which has hollow legs, in particular hollow longitudinal legs, wall elements, and cross braces. These cross braces have several functions. On the one hand, the cross braces enable simple and reliable attachment of the wall elements to the frame; on the other hand, electrical conductors are arranged in the cross braces, via which the wall elements can be connected to a power source. For this purpose, electrical connectors are arranged at both ends of the cross braces, which fit into through openings in the longitudinal legs of the frame. The electrical connectors have electrical contacts containing permanent magnets and are movable against the restoring force of a spring relative to a housing of the electrical connector.Advantageously, several frames with crossbars and attached wall elements can be quickly placed next to each other, so that the electrical contacts of the connectors of adjacent frames contact each other through magnetic force, thus enabling a simple connection of the wall panels to a power source.

[0017] When assembled, each crossbar has an angle bracket at both ends. This bracket has a first surface for attaching to one of the frame's longitudinal legs and a second surface for securing one of the wall elements. During assembly, the crossbars can, for example, be inserted into the angle bracket. The electrical connectors are rotationally fixed to the angle brackets when assembled, meaning they cannot twist relative to them. For example, the first surface of the angle brackets can have a non-circular opening into which a section of one of the connectors is inserted, with a corresponding non-circular circumference. The angle brackets thus ensure that the electrical contacts of the connectors are always aligned, allowing for easy contact with the contacts of another connector.

[0018] The crossbars can be designed, for example, as tubes, e.g. square tubes, or profiles, e.g. U-profiles, and have an opening in their circumferential surface from which connections for the wall elements are led out.

[0019] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the crossbars have a length no greater than the distance between opposite legs of the frame. To mount the crossbars with angle brackets, electrical connectors, and the cables connected to them, the connectors are first inserted from the inside through opposite openings in opposite legs of the frame. Then, the crossbar with the cables arranged therein is positioned between the opposite legs of the frame, and finally, the connectors are attached to the respective ends of the crossbar, for example, by inserting an end section of the connectors into the crossbars. To facilitate the assembly and disassembly of walls, the plug connection between the connectors and the crossbars can be reversible.The connectors can therefore be repeatedly inserted into or onto the crossbars and then pulled out of or lifted off the crossbars.

[0020] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the connectors are designed to bear the load of a wall element attached to their crossbar when the connectors are inserted with a rear section into their crossbar and with a front section into one of the openings of one of the legs of the frame.

[0021] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the electrical contacts of the electrical connector are rotatably movable relative to the connector housing. For example, the electrical contacts can be held by a contact carrier that is rotatably movable relative to the connector housing. In this way, any misalignment of the contacts can be compensated for.

[0022] The permanent magnets can form electrical contacts. However, it is also possible for the permanent magnets to be arranged alongside the electrical contacts within the electrical connector. If the contacts are separate from the permanent magnets, they can be made of materials such as aluminum or copper, resulting in advantageously low electrical resistance. In this case, the permanent magnets can be positioned next to the electrical contacts. Alternatively, it is also possible to embed permanent magnets within electrical contacts, or vice versa.

[0023] Further details and advantages of the invention are explained with reference to exemplary embodiments of the invention and the accompanying drawings. Identical and corresponding components are identified by matching reference numerals in the various drawings. The drawings show:

[0024] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of walls with electrical appliances attached to them;

[0025] Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a wall element; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of the wall element with covering;

[0026] Fig. 4 shows a schematic sectional view of the wall element with a current collector;

[0027] Fig. 5 schematically shows an enlarged representation of the pantograph;

[0028] Fig. 6 shows a schematic front view of a wall constructed from a wall system according to the invention.

[0029] Fig. 7 is a schematic rear view of Fig. 6;

[0030] Fig. 8 is an exploded view of Fig. 6;

[0031] Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of an electrical connector for the wall system with an elbow fitting and electrical conductors; and

[0032] Fig. 10 is a schematic representation of the connector.

[0033] Figure 1 schematically depicts a presentation or measuring stand 100, which has several wall elements 10 with electrical loads 5 attached to them. Each side of the presentation or measuring stand 100 can be composed of a plurality of individual wall elements 10, the construction of which is explained below.

[0034] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a wall element 10 without a cover layer. The wall element 10 has first electrical conductors 11 of a first polarity and second electrical conductors 12 of a second polarity. The first and second electrical conductors 11, 12 are arranged alternately, at least in sections, and are electrically insulated from each other. Fig. 3 shows the wall element 10 with its electrically insulating cover layer 18. Fig. 4 shows a side view of a wall element 10 and a current collector 20 attached to the wall element 10. Fig. 5 shows an enlarged view of the current collector 20 on the wall element 10.

[0035] 10 has a carrier plate 15, for example made of ferromagnetic steel, which is electrically insulated from the conductor tracks 11 , 12 by an insulating layer not shown, and a mounting plate 19, for example made of wood or plastic.

[0036] The wall element 10 has a first electrical connection contact 13 and a second electrical connection contact 14. As shown in Fig. 4, the first electrical connection contact 13 is electrically connected to the first electrical conductors 11. The second electrical connection contact 14 is electrically connected to the second electrical conductors 12. The first electrical connection contact 13 and the second electrical connection contact 14 are located on the back of the carrier plate 15 and the mounting plate 19, respectively. For example, flat connection contacts 13, 14 can be provided.

[0037] The current collector 20 has a plurality of at least two, in particular at least three, contact pins 21a, 21b, 21c. The current collector 20 is designed to be attached to the wall element 10 such that at least one of the contact pins 21a contacts one of the first electrical conductors.

[0038] 11 is contacted and at least one other contact needle 21b is contacted by one of the second electrical conductors. A first contact needle 21a, a second contact needle 21b, and a third contact needle 21c of the majority of contact needles can be arranged such that they lie on a circle.

[0039] To attach the current collector 20 to the wall element 10, the wall element 10 and the current collector 20 can be configured such that the current collector can be magnetically attached to the wall element 10. For example, the current collector 20 can have one or more magnets 32. The conductor tracks 11, 12 and / or the carrier plate 15 can have a magnetic material so that the current collector 20 can adhere to them by magnetic force. The contact pins 21a-c of the current collector can be connected to a rectifier 22. The rectifier can be part of the current collector or part of an electrical load 5 that can be connected to the current collector. The rectifier 22 is configured to provide an output voltage of defined polarity based on an input voltage applied to at least two of the contact pins 21a-c. Output pins 24a and 24b can be provided for this purpose, to which an electrical consumer 5 can be connected.The rectifier can have at least two, in particular at least three, inputs 23a-c and two outputs 24a,b, each of the at least three inputs 23a-c being connected or connectable to a respective contact pin 21ac. The current collector can have a contact spring 26 for the contact pins to provide a defined contact pressure.

[0040] Figure 6 schematically shows a rear view and Figure 7 a front view of a wall constructed from a wall system according to the invention. Figure 8 shows an exploded view of this wall, which has a rectangular frame 40 and one or more wall elements 10 attached to one or more hollow cross members 41. Electrical conductors 44 run within the cross members 41 and lead to the electrical connection contacts 13, 14 of the wall elements 10. The electrical conductors 44 can be, for example, cables or wires sheathed in an insulating layer.

[0041] The cross members 41 can be designed as a tube, for example a square tube, or as a profile, for example a U-profile (i.e., a profile with a U-shaped cross-section). At both ends of the cross members 41, each carries an electrical connector 42 and an angle bracket 43. The electrical connector 42 is shown in Fig. 9 together with an angle bracket 43 and electrical conductors 44. The angle bracket 43 has a first surface that rests against the frame 40 and a second surface that rests against one of the wall elements 10. This second surface of the angle bracket 43 can be bonded to one of the wall elements 10 and / or have openings for screws or other fasteners. The cross members 41 can rest flat against a rear surface of the second surface of the angle bracket 43. The electrical connectors 42 are attached to the ends of the cross members 41.For example, the connector 42 can have a body or housing section 42a that is inserted into one of the cross members 41 and whose shape prevents rotational movement relative to the cross member 41. The electrical connector 42 fits into through openings 45 of the longitudinal legs of the frame 40 and has electrical contacts 42b to which the conductors are connected.

[0042] 44 are connected. The contacts 42b contain permanent magnets and are movable against the restoring force of a spring relative to a housing 42c of the electrical connector 42. The spring for generating the restoring force can be part of a separate component 42d of the connector 42.

[0043] Advantageously, the first surface of the angled piece 43 can have an opening that deviates from a circular shape, through which one of the electrical connectors 42 projects. By inserting the electrical connector 42 with a suitable section of its housing 42c into the opening of the first surface of the angled piece 43, a unique orientation of the connector 42 and its electrical contacts 42b can be enforced. This facilitates the electrical connection of the connector 42 of a cross member 41 of a first frame 40 to a connector 42 of a cross member 41 of an adjacent frame 40. The rear section of the electrical connector 42, which is inserted into the cross member 41, can then be thinner than a front section of the connector 42, which encloses the openings.

[0044] 45 the longitudinal leg of the frame 40 fits.

[0045] The crossbar 41 shown in Figures 7 and 8 has an opening in a circumferential surface from which electrical lines 44 are led out to contact the connection contacts 13, 14 of the wall elements 10.

[0046] Fig. 10 schematically shows an embodiment of a connector 42. The connector 42 has a housing 42c that surrounds a contact carrier 42f. The contact carrier 42f can, for example, be designed as a circular cylindrical plastic block in which the electrical contacts 42b of the connector 42 are embedded. The contact carrier 42f is rotatably movable relative to the housing 42c. The electrical contacts 42b can be permanent magnets. In the embodiment shown, permanent magnets 42e are embedded as separate components in the contact carrier 42d. Any misalignments between two connectors that are intended to make contact can thus be corrected by a rotation of the contact carrier 42f, which is caused by the permanent magnets 42e. The contact carrier 42f can also provide axial rotation.

[0047] It can be moved by the force of a return spring.

[0048] Reference symbol list Consumer Wall elements Conductor tracks Conductor tracks Connection contact Connection contact Carrier plate Cover layer Current collector AC Contact needles AC Inputs Magnets Crossbar Connector a Body b Contacts c Housing d Component e Permanent magnet f Contact carrier Elbow Cables Openings 0 Presentation or measuring stand

Claims

Patent claims 1. Wall system for a presentation or exhibition stand (100), comprising a rectangular frame (40) having legs with openings (45) extending transversely to the frame (40), and wall elements (10) for attachment to the frame (40), wherein the wall elements (10) have electrical connection contacts (13, 14), a carrier plate (15), and adjacent conductor tracks (11, 12) which are electrically connected to each of the connection contacts (13, 14), characterized by at least one cross member (41) in which electrical conductors (44) for connecting the electrical connection contacts (13, 14) of the wall elements (10) to a power source run, wherein an electrical connector (42) is arranged at each of the two ends of the cross member (41) in a rotationally fixed manner, which fits into the openings (45) of the legs of the frame (40) and provides electrical contacts (42b) which are connected to the lines (44),The crossbar (41) contains permanent magnets and is movable against the restoring force of a spring relative to a housing (42c) of the electrical connector (42), wherein the crossbar (41) has an opening in a circumferential surface from which electrical leads (44) are led out for contacting the connection contacts (13, 14) of the wall elements (10), and wherein an angle piece (43) is attached to each of the two ends of the crossbar (41), which is rotationally fixed to the electrical connector (42), having a first surface for restraint against one of the legs of the frame (40) and a second surface for attachment to one of the wall elements (10).

2. Wall system according to claim 1, characterized in that the second surface of the angle piece (43) has openings for screws for fastening one of the wall elements (10).

3. Wall system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first surface of the angle piece (43) has an opening that deviates from the circular shape, in which one of the electrical connectors (42) is inserted.

4. Wall system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the crossbars (41) are square tubes.

5. Wall system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the crossbars (41) lie flat against a rear side of the second surface.

6. Wall system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support plate (15) is made of a ferromagnetic iron alloy and sits on a mounting plate (19) which rests against the second surface of the angle piece (43).

7. Wall system according to claim 6, characterized in that the mounting plate (19) is made of wood or plastic.

8. Wall system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical connectors (42) have a rear section that fits into the crossbars (41) and a front section that fits into the openings (45) of the legs of the frame (40).

9. Wall system according to claim 8, characterized in that the rear section of the electrical connector (42) is thinner than the front section.

10. Wall system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connectors (42) are designed to bear the load of a wall element (10) attached to their cross member (41), when the connectors (42) are inserted with a rear section into their cross member (41) and with a front section into one of the openings (45) of one of the legs of the frame.

11. Wall system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical contacts (42b) of the electrical connector (42) are rotatably movable relative to the housing (42c) of the connector (42).

12. Wall system according to claim 11, characterized in that the connector (42) has a contact carrier (42f) which holds the contacts (42b) and which is rotatably movable relative to the housing (42c) of the connector (42).

13. Wall system according to claim 12, characterized in that the permanent magnets (42e) are arranged in the contact carrier (42f) next to the electrical contacts (42b).

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