Modular wire partitions

Abstract

 A modular wire partition (10) is disclosed for separating an interior space from an exterior space. The partition comprises at least two laterally spaced vertical posts (12) defining a gap therebetween. Each post has an inner surface (12A) facing the interior space, an outer surface (12B) facing the exterior space, and a side surface (12C) facing the gap. A wire mesh panel (16) is configured and dimensioned to span the gap. The panel is attached to the inner post surfaces (12A) and comprises a parallel array of horizontal wires (18) joined to an intersecting parallel array of vertical wires (20), with the vertical wires having intermediate sections projecting from adjacent horizontal wires. The intermediate sections are aligned horizontally to define a channel shaped reinforcing rib (24).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] In conventional modular wire partitions, individual panels are bordered along their peripheral edges by angles or other like strengthening elements. In the past, such strengthening elements have been considered necessary in order to provide the panels with the required degree of rigidity and structural integrity, even though they contribute disadvantageously to the overall costs of the panels, and complicate installation of the partitions in situations where space limitations require that the panels be cut into shorter sections.

[0002] A primary objective of the present invention is to eliminate the necessity of fabricating the panels with peripheral strengthening elements.

[0003] A companion objective of the present invention is to provide an improved means of interconnecting panels stacked one above the other.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In accordance with the present invention, a modular wire partition is adapted to separate an interior space from an exterior space. The partition comprises at least two vertical posts defining a gap therebetween. Each post has an inner surface facing the interior space, an outer surface facing the exterior space, and a side surface facing the gap.

[0005] A wire mesh panel is configured and dimensioned to span the gap between the posts. The panel comprises a parallel array of horizontal wires joined as by welding to an intersecting array of parallel vertical wires. The vertical wires have intermediate sections that project from adjacent horizontal wires and that are aligned horizontally to define a channel shaped reinforcing rib. The panel is attached to the inner surfaces of the posts. Preferably, the reinforcing rib of the panel projects into the exterior space and is recessed inwardly from a reference plane containing the outer surfaces of the posts.

[0006] Other features and attendant advantages of the present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] 

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a section of a modular wire partition in accordance with the present invention, as viewed from the interior space;

Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the modular wire partition, as viewed from the exterior space;

Figure 3 is a plan view of a section of the modular wire partition;

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken through the channel shaped reinforcing rib;

Figure 5 is an interior perspective view on an enlarged scale of the circled portion shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 6 is an exterior view of the components illustrated in Figure 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] With reference initially to Figures 1-3, a section of a modular wire partition in accordance with the present invention is shown at 10 separating an "interior space" from an "exterior space". The partition includes at least two (three being shown) vertical posts 12 defining a gap 14 therebetween. Each post has an inner surface 12A facing the interior space, an outer surface 12B facing the exterior space, and a side surface 12C facing the gap 14.

[0009] A wire mesh panel 16 is configured and dimensioned to span each gap 14. As shown in Figure 2, each panel comprises a parallel array of horizontal wires 18 joined for example by welding to an intersecting parallel array of vertical wires 20. As can best be seen by further reference to Figure 4, the vertical wires 20 have curved intermediate sections 22 projecting into the exterior space from adjacent horizontal wires 18. The projecting intermediate sections 22 are aligned horizontally to define a channel shaped reinforcement rib generally indicated at 24. An additional horizontal wire 18 preferably extends across the base of reinforcement rib 24.

[0010] The reinforcement ribs 24 project into the exterior space and as shown in Figure 3, are recessed inwardly from a reference plane "P" containing the outer surfaces 12B of the posts 12. The reinforcement ribs 24 provide added rigidity and structural integrity to the wire mesh panels, making it unnecessary to resort to welded peripheral strengthening elements such as angles or the like.

[0011] The wire mesh panels are attached to the inner surfaces 12A of the posts 12 by connector elements 26, a non-limiting example of which is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,430,984, the description of which is herein incorporated by reference.

[0012] In a typical installation, as depicted in Figure 1, it is not uncommon to arrange panels one above the other to achieve a desired height for the enclosure. In accordance with the present invention, and as can best be seen by further reference to Figures 5 and 6, mid panel support clips 28 are provided for connecting the top horizontal wire 18 of the lowermost panel of a given set of two panels, to the bottom horizontal wire of the uppermost panel in the set.

[0013] Each clip 28 comprises front and rear flanges 30, 32 joined by and projecting in a mutually spaced relationship from a bridging web 34. The front and rear flanges are adapted to overlap the adjacent bottom and top horizontal wires 18 of a vertically stacked set of two panels 16. Flange 30 faces the exterior space, and flange 32 faces the interior space. Flange 32 and the bridging web 34 are slotted as at 36 to receive the vertical wires 20 projecting from the horizontal wires overlapped by the clip. The flanges 30, 32 are additionally connected by a machine screw 38 or the like fastened with a nut 40. The clips 28 add strength and security to the upper and lower panels at locations between the posts 12.

[0014] The foregoing description has been set forth to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since further modifications of the described embodiments of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the scope of invention should be limited solely with reference to the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

[0015] What is claimed is:

Claims

1. A modular wire partition (10) for separating an interior space from an exterior space, said partition comprising:

at least two laterally spaced vertical posts (12) defining a gap (14) there between,
each of said posts having an inner surface (12A) facing said interior space, an outer surface (12B) facing said exterior space, and a side surface (12C) facing said gap;

a wire mesh panel (16) configured and dimensioned to span said gap, said panel
comprising a parallel array of horizontal wires (18) joined to an intersecting parallel array of vertical wires (20), said vertical wires having intermediate sections (22) projecting from adjacent horizontal wires, said intermediate sections being aligned horizontally to define a channel shaped reinforcing rib (24); and

means (26) for attaching said panel (16) to the inner surfaces (12A) of said posts.

2. The wire partition (10) of claim 1, wherein said reinforcing rib (24) is arranged to project into said exterior space and is recessed inwardly from a plane (P) containing the outer surfaces (12B) of said posts.

3. The wire partition of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein one of said horizontal wires (18) extends along the base of said reinforcing rib (24).

4. The wire partition of any of the preceding claims, wherein two of said panels (16) are arranged one above the other between said posts (12).

5. The wire partition of claim 4 further comprising a clip (28) for connecting the top horizontal wire (18) of the lowermost of said panels (16) to the bottom horizontal wire (18) of the uppermost of said panels (16).

6. The wire partition of any of the preceding claims, wherein said vertical wires (20) are welded to said horizontal wires (18) at locations where they intersect.

7. The wire partition of claim 5 or claim 6, wherein said clip (28) comprises front and rear flanges (30; 32) joined by and projecting in mutually spaced parallel relationship from a bridging web (34), said front and rear flanges being adapted to overlap said top and bottom horizontal wires (18) and to respectively face said exterior and interior spaces, and fastening means (38, 40) protruding through said flanges to thereby secure said clip in place.

8. The wire partition as claimed in claim 7, wherein one of said flanges (30; 32) and said bridging web (34) are slotted to receive vertical wires (20) joined to said top and bottom horizontal wires (18).

9. The wire partition of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein said fastening means (38, 40) protrudes through said flanges (30; 32) on one side of said vertical wires (20).

Drawing