WO2006089758A1

WO2006089758A1 - System for moving and positioning an element

Info

Publication number: WO2006089758A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/001690
Authority: WO
Inventors: Franciscus Antonius Van De Heijden
Original assignee: Stichting Famecon
Priority date: 2005-02-25
Filing date: 2006-02-20
Publication date: 2006-08-31
Also published as: NL1028408C1

Abstract

A system for moving and positioning an element in a building space which system comprises a number of interconnected rails along which the elements can be moved and which are mounted to the ceiling of the space, wherein that each element is provided with a vertical shaft on which two wheels are rotatably mounted, and that the lower surface of each wheel is resting upon flanges connected to the rails, and the shaft of the wheels is extending between the two flanges.

Description

System for moving and positioning an element

The invention relates to a system for moving and positioning an element in a building space which system comprises a number of interconnected rails along which the elements can be moved and which are mounted to the ceiling of the space.

Such systems are generally known.

Most of these system are using a number of linear rails with no interconnection, so that the element can only be moved along linear paths and positioned somewhere in these paths. In case it is required to have each element moved along a more complicated rail system, such as a grid system, so as to enable each element to be positioned at any location in the grid system, the system for moving the element is either complicated so as to allow movement in all directions, or moving the element will require substantial forces.

It is an object of the invention to provide a system of the above mentioned nature in which these problems have been avoided.

This object is obtained in that each element is provided with a vertical shaft on which two wheels are rotatably mounted, and that the lower surface of each wheel is resting upon flanges connected to the rails, and the shaft of the wheels is extending between the two flanges.

In this way it becomes possible to have a stable positioning of the element as it is hanging on two wheels which are resting on two different surfaces between which a shaft is passing which carries the elements. Moreover the movement is very smooth and easy as each wheel can make its own movement and rotation.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following description, reference being made to the annexed drawings. Herein is : Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-section of a profile to be used in connection with the invention,

Fig. 2 is a side view of the profile of Fig. 1

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal cross-section of the profile of Fig. 1 showing the mounting of an additional hook

Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-section of two profiles according to Fig. 1 and 2 in a connecting mode.

Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-section according to Fig. 4 of a modified embodiment of two profiles in the connecting mode.

Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-section of a system for moving wall panels or the like along a guide system in,a building space

Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of a modular rail-system for moving wall panels or the like

In the figures 1 and 2 there is shown a profile to be used in accordance to the invention. As shown in Fig. 1 the profile 1 has a substantially U-shaped cross- section with three flanges 2, 3, 4 and one open side 5. The profile 1 can be made by shaping a metal plate into the configuration shown in Fig. 1. Preferably the profile 1 as such has a square cross-section, each side having the same width.

In each flange 2, 3, 4 there is made a number of hooks 5, the hooks in the different flanges being positioned at the same location as seen along the longitudinal axis of the profilei , as clearly shown in Fig. 2. The hooks 5 are obtained by cutting out a rectangular section 6 ending at one end in a circular opening 7, whereas the other end is part of a semi-circular cutting line 8. By means of this cutting line 8 a tongue like member 9 is obtained which is still connected to one flange of the profile 1 with a straight line 10, but is actually divided into two parts by the cut-out section 6. By bending the tongue-like member along the connecting line 10 and a second line 11 the hooks 5 are obtained as shown in Fig. 1 and 2 which has a main part parallel to the flange to which the hook is connected.

As seen along the longitudinal axis of the profile 1 and between each pair of neighbouring hooks in the flange 3, which is the central flange of the profile, there is provided a pair of H-shaped cut-outs, the central line of said cut-out being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the profile 1.

The flange portions 12, 13 thus obtained are bent inwardly as shown in Fig. 2 and forms hook like members. Holes 14, 15 are provided in the flange 3 in the direct neighbourhood of the bent lines of the flange portions 12, 13 which holes 14, 15 have a longitudinal dimension perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the profiles which is substantially equal to the width of the hooks 25. By deviding the profile 1 according to one or both lines A, B a bud end is obtained which can be hooked into the hooks 25 so as to obtain a construction of two profiles perpendicular to each other as shown in Fig. 5 and 6.

In Fig. 3 there is shown how hooks corresponding to the hooks 25 can also be obtained in the open side 5 of the profile. For this purpose a strip 16 is provided having the general shape shown in Fig. 3, of which the free end 17 has the same shape and dimension as the hooks 25 provided on the flanges. The rest of the strip 16 has a width which is almost equal to the free internal width of the profile between the two flanges 2 and 4.

In this way the other end of the strip 16 can rest upon a flange portion 13, whereas a portion 18 of the strip 16 rests against the internal end portions 19, 20 (see Fig. 1) of the plates forming the profile 1. In this way all four sides of the profile 1 can be provided with hooks 25.

In Fig. 4 there is schematically shown how a profile 1A positioned in a horizontal position can be connected to a profile 1B positioned in a vertical position. As shown a hook 25 is inserted into an opening 12, the flange portion 13 resting upon the portion of the hook 25 between the two bent lines 10, 11. For a defined set of profiles the distance between the hooks 25 and the openings 14, 15 has been standardized, so that by serving the profiles according to the lines A-A/B-B a system is obtained which will fit.

In Fig. 5 there is shown a modified embodiment with respect to Fig. 5. The modification consists in the presence of a ratchet like protusion 20. By having some spring-tension in this protusion 20, which can easily be obtained by making it as a plate like member, the one profile 1A can be easily hooked into the profile 1 B by pushing it over the protusion 20. Removal is also possible by pushing back the protusion 20 e.g. by means of a screw driver.

In Fig. 6 there is shown a schematic cross-section of the guide system for positioning a system at any location in a building space.

In the embodiment shown the system is used for positioning a wall system inside the space, which wall system is composed of a number of panels 44 which are mounted within a frame made of profiles 43 which are identical to the profile 1 as described before. The profiles 43 may be covered by some decorating material 42, e.g. wood or the like, which can be connected to the profile 43 by means of the hooks 25. The upper horizontal profile 43 of each panel 44 of the wall system is hanging on at least two bolts 45 and nuts 46 extending upwardly through one of the openings in the upper flange of the profile 43, which corresponds to flange 3 of the profile 1 in Fig. 1. On the upper part of each bolt 45 there are rototably mounted two wheels 47, 48 the upper one 47 having a smaller radius than the lower one 48. The wheels 47, 48 are kept in place by means of a flange 49 provided at the upper end of the bolt 45. In the embodiment shown the shaft of the bolt 45 is protected by means of bushes 50, 51 whereas the wheels 47, 48 are mounted on the bolt through ball bearings 52, 53. The bush 51 also serves to maintain a defined distance between the two wheels 47, 48.

As shown in Fig. 10 the wheels 47, 48 are in a horizontal position which means that their circumferential surface is vertically oriented. The upper end of the bolt 45 with the wheel 47, 48 is mounted inside a profile 55 which is identical to the profile 1 of Fig. 1 , the bolt 45 extending through the open side corresponding to side 5 of the profile of Fig. 1. Inside the profile 55 there are mounted two horizontal flanges 56, 57. The flange 56 is part of a L-shaped profile and is connected to the side wall 58 corresponding to flange 2 of Fig. 2 and extends towards the bolt 45, leaving a small clearance between the edge of the flange 56 and the bush 50 around the bolt 45. This flange provides a support for the lower flat surface of the wheel 48. The other flange 57 is part of a T-shaped profile and is connected to the side wall 59 corresponding to flange 1 of Fig. 1 and extends towards the bolt 45, leaving a small clearance between the edge of the flange 57 and the bush 51 around the bolt 45. This flange 57 provides a support for the lower flat surface of the wheel 47. In this way the panel 44 is movable along the length of the profile 55 supported by the flanges 56, 57. In view of the double support provided by the wheels 47, 48 movement of the panel along the profile 55 is relatively smooth and easy.

Between the profile 55 and the profile 43 ceiling plates 59 may be provided which just have an open passage for the bolts 45, in order to have a clean appearance. The open passage is corresponding to the position of the profile 55.

The profile 55 is also connected to a bolt 60 and nut 61 , which extends through one of the opening in the flange 62 corresponding to the flange 3 of the profile 1 in Fig. 1. The upper end of the bolt 60 is provided with a flange 63 which rests upon a U-shaped plate 64 which is mounted inside a profile 65 corresponding to profile 1 of Fig. 1. The profile 65 is positioned in such a way that the bolt 60 is extending through an opening 66 corresponding to opening 5 of the profile 1. The U-shaped plate 64 has its open end oriented downwardly and is resting upon a flexible bag 68, which is otherwise resting upon another U-shaped plate 69 which rests upon the ends of the profile 65 corresponding to the ends 19, 20 of the profile 1 of Fig. 1. The profile 65 itself is connected to the ceiling 70 of the building by any suitable means. The flexible bag 68 is connected to a hose 71 by means of which the flexible bag 68 can be inflated or deflated. By inflation of the bag 68 the whole system of the profile 55 and 52 is somewhat lifted so that the wall panels 44 are lifted from the floor and can be easily moved. Once in place the bag 68 can be deflated.

In Fig. 7 there is shown how the grid system of the profiles 55 is made so as to enable any wall position to be moved to a defined position. The lines 74 in Fig.

7 correspond to the flanges 57 of Fig. 6, whereas the lines 75 correspond to the flange 56 in Fig. 6.

As seen along each individual profile 55 the position of the flanges 56, 57 is changing from one side to the other side of the profile at each intersection with profiles 55 positioned perpendicular to the individual profile. Moreover as seen in each square, the profiles 55 forming said square type have the same type of flanges at the inner side and the outer side respectively of the profiles.

By means of this system it becomes possible to positively engage the wheels 47, 48 at any position and keep them movable all over the grid system.

It is obvious that the invention is not restricted to the embodiment described above, but that modifications may be applied without departing from the inventive concept.

Claims

1. A system for moving and positioning an element in a building space which system comprises a number of interconnected rails along which the elements can be moved and which are mounted to the ceiling of the space, characterized in that each element is provided with a vertical shaft on which two wheels are rotatably mounted, and that the lower surface of each wheel is resting upon flanges connected to the rails, and the shaft of the wheels is extending between the two flanges.

2. A system according to claim 1 , characterized in that the rails are mounted in grid-like pattern.

3. A system according to claim 2, characterized in that the grid-like pattern is composed of a first set of rails parallel to each other, and a second set of rails perpendicular to the rails of the first set.

4. A system according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rails have a U-shape with the open end directed downwardly and that one supporting flange is connected to one of the legs of the U-shape and the other supporting flange is connected to the other leg of the U- shape.

5. A system according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper wheel has a smaller diameter than the lower wheel.

6. A system according to claim 3, characterized in that the vertical position of the flanges is changing from one side to the other side of the shaft at each intersection between rails of a different set.

7. A system according to claim 3, characterized in that the rails of the two sets together form a number of squares, and that in each square the rails o have a first level of flanges at the inner side of said square and a second level of flanges at the outer side of said square.

8. A system according to anyone of the claims 1-7, characterized in that means are provided for lifting the element during movement.