WALL ASSEMBLY SYSTEM

• US 20130186023A1
• Filed: 01/20/2012
• Published: 07/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Nobile, Matthew A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,613,167 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/242
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/7427 with adjustable angular connection of panels
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 2007/126 in an axial direction
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 2007/128 in a radial direction
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 7/12 to allow easy detachment of the hinge from the wing or the frame E05D15/507 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 7/123 specially adapted for cabinets or furniture
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/626 Plates or brackets
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/142 Partition walls
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/60 for other use

Abstract

A system for assembling a wall including first and second panels is provided. The system includes a plurality of caps that are slip-fittable onto respective corners of the first and second panels. First and second pairs of the plurality of caps include hinge-caps configured to be pivotably coupled with one another via first and second hinges. The first and second pairs of the plurality of caps are configured for respective association with first and second pairs of opposite corners of the first and second panels such that the first and second panels are disposable in a shoulder-to-shoulder configuration with the first and second panels being pivotable about a rotational axis defined through the first and second hinges or movable relative to one another.

Claims

1. A system for assembling a wall including first and second panels, the system comprising:

a plurality of caps that are slip-fittable onto respective corners of the first and second panels, a first pair of the plurality of caps including hinge-caps configured to be pivotably coupled with one another via a first hinge and a second pair of the plurality of caps including hinge-caps configured to be pivotably coupled with one another via a second hinge,

the first pair of the plurality of caps being configured for association with a first pair of opposite corners of the first and second panels and the second pair of the plurality of caps being configured for respective association with a second pair of opposite corners of the first and second panels such that;

the first and second panels are disposable in a shoulder-to-shoulder configuration with the first and second panels being pivotable about a rotational axis defined through the first and second hinges or translationally movable relative to one another in a direction transversely oriented relative to the rotational axis.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second panels comprise sound absorbing acoustic panels.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein a third pair of the plurality of caps include a pair of caps that are slip-fittable onto respective outer corners of the first and second panels.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein a portion of the plurality of caps comprise foot assemblies.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the foot assemblies are vertically adjustable.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of caps has a set width that is sized for a thickness of the first and second panels.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of caps has an adjustable width.

8. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a pivot-stop to prevent the first and second panels from pivoting through a predefined angle range.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second hinges permit pivoting of the first and second panels beyond one hundred and eighty degrees.

10. The system according to claim 9, further comprising a support system to vertically support the first and second panels in any pivoting angle, including one hundred and eighty degrees where the first and second panels are aligned.

11. A hinge-cap for a wall assembly system including first and second panels, the hinge-cap comprising:

first and second hinge-cap parts,

the first hinge cap part including first and second transverse spine portions and forward and aft plates that each extend from corresponding edges of the first and second spine portions to define a space into which a corner of the first panel is receivably slip-fittable such that a first side of the first panel interferes with the first spine portion and a second side of the first panel, which is adjacent to the first side of the first panel, interferes with the second spine portion, and

the second hinge-cap part including first and second transverse spine portions and forward and aft plates that each extend from corresponding edges of the first and second spine portions to define a space into which a corner of the second panel is receivably slip-fittable such that a first side of the second panel interferes with the first spine portion and a second side of the second panel, which is adjacent to the first side of the second panel, interferes with the second spine portion; and

a hinge configured to be pivotably coupled to corresponding components of the first and second hinge-cap parts such that the first and second hinge-cap parts are pivotable about a rotational axis, which is defined to be transversely oriented relative to a dimension along which respective thicknesses of the first and second panels are defined, or translationally movable relative to one another in a dimension along which respective widths and the respective thicknesses of the first and second panels are defined.

13. The hinge-cap according to claim 11, wherein a distance between the forward and aft plates is set at a thickness of the spine.

14. The hinge-cap according to claim 11, wherein a distance between the forward and aft plates is adjustable.

15. The hinge-cap according to claim 11, further comprising a pivot-stop disposed on at least one of the first spine portions of the first and second hinge-cap parts to prevent the first and second hinge-cap parts from pivoting through a predefined angle range.

16. The hinge-cap according to claim 11, wherein the hinge permits pivoting of the first and second hinge-cap parts beyond one hundred and eighty degrees.

17. The hinge-cap according to claim 11, further comprising foot assemblies respectively coupled to the second spine portions of the first and second hinge-cap parts.

18. The hinge-cap according to claim 17, wherein the foot assemblies are vertically adjustable.

12. (canceled)

19. A method of assembling a wall, comprising:

selecting first and second panels for disposition thereof in a shoulder-to-shoulder configuration;

slip-fitting hinge-caps including first and second hinges onto first and second pairs of opposite interior corners of the first and second panels, such that the first and second panels are respectively pivotable about a rotational axis defined through the first and second hinges or translationally movable relative to one another in a direction oriented transversely relative to the rotational axis;

slip-fitting hinge-less end caps onto first and second pairs of opposite outer corners of the first and second panels; and

pivoting the first and second panels about the rotational axis or translationally moving the first and second panels relative to one another.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising:

reversing the slip-fitting hinge-caps on the first and second pairs of the opposite interior corners of the first and second panels; and

re-pivoting the first and second panels about the rotational axis and/or re-translationally moving the first and second panels relative to one another.