CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under the Paris Convention to Australian Patent Application no. AU2019903470 filed in Australia on Sep. 18, 2019, all contents of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to room or space divider devices or partitions. More particularly, it is a partition interconnection device for use as non-structural walls which extend between the floor and the ceiling of the room.

BACKGROUND

Buildings typically include large open areas which can be divided into smaller room spaces by any of a number of space divider and panel systems that have been developed. These space divider arrangements typically use upright space-dividing wall panels which connect together to subdivide the room area into a plurality of smaller workstations of desired size and configuration. Such panels, especially for office areas, are typically less than floor to ceiling height. Typically, a plurality of upright space dividing wall panels is used which serially connect together panels together. These systems use straight connectors, which are typically used as a separate piece to connect together serial panels together. Introduction of additional components such as straight connectors add to the inconvenient fabrication costs for the purpose extending panel length.

Other conventional panels for use in dividing space are instalment of solid panels. Such panel systems tend to be rather costly due to increased material used in the fabrication of the solid panels and are heavy and difficult to install. An example of partitioning system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,344,475.

Other existing panel systems typically include heavy, rigid frames made from frame members which are cut to a pre-measured length and permanently welded to one another. Additionally, the panel frames typically include a large number of additional components for attaching the panel frames to one another, and also for attaching the panel to the ceiling of the room space. The large amount of different parts increases both the cost and the difficulty of manufacturing and installing existing floor to ceiling panel systems. As a result of the complexity of the design of existing floor to ceiling wall panel systems, the installation and removal of the panel generally requires trained and experienced workers such that modifications to the configuration of the panel system cannot easily be made. An example of a rigid partitioning system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,593.

There is a long felt need to provide a wall panel system which includes a minimal number of components to serially connect the panels which is easy to install to a desired surface.

Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

SUMMARY

Problems to be Solved

It is an aim and objective of the present invention to provide an improved modular device for dividing room space.

It may be advantageous to provide a modular device with a corrugated portion for reinforcing the strength of the planar surfaces of the panel.

It may be an advantage to provide a modular device that can mate or connect serially with another corresponding modular device.

It may be an advantage to provide a further reinforcement material between the corrugation portion and the planar surfaces of the panel for increasing the rigidity of the panel.

It may be an advantage to provide a low cost settable polyurethane foam which can become solid between the corrugation portion and the planar surfaces of the panel.

It may be an advantage to provide a panel constructed from a substantial amount of recycled or recyclable materials.

It may be an advantage to provide a base plate for use on the panel for securing the panel to the floor or a platform or a flat surface.

It may be an advantage to provide a corner piece for changing the direction of the panel extension.

It may be an advantage to provide a complementary male terminal cap for rendering the last panel as a smooth rectangular piece.

It may be an advantage to provide a complementary female terminal cap for rendering the front panel as a smooth rectangular piece.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

Means for Solving the Problem

A first aspect of the present invention may relate to a modular device adapted for subdividing room space, the modular device may comprise a panel comprising a corrugated portion which may be positioned between a first planar surface and a second planar surface of the panel. The peaks of the corrugated portion may be in engagement with the first planar surface and the troughs of the corrugated portion may be in engagement with the second planar surface. The first planar surface and the second planar surface may each have a first end and a second end. The first and second ends of the first planar surface are respectively opposite relatively to the first and second ends of the second planar surface. The second planar surface may be parallel to the first planar surface and the corrugations may be parallel to the vertical axis of the panel. A concave female portion may be positioned along the vertical axis in the panel, wherein the concave female portion may be formed from at least: the first end of the first planar surface, the first end of the second planar surface, and a curved portion from the corrugated portion. A convex male portion may be positioned along the vertical axis of the panel, wherein the convex male portion may be positioned outside of the second end of the first planar surface and the second end of the second planar surface, wherein to extend the length of the panel, the convex male portion of a first panel may be adapted to engage with the concave female portion of a second panel.

Preferably, the modular device may further comprise a male cap, wherein the male cap may be adapted to cover the female portion of the last panel.

Preferably, the modular device may further comprise a corner portion, wherein the corner portion may comprise a female corner cap and an adjacent male part; wherein the female corner cap may be adapted to engage with the male portion of the front panel, wherein the adjacent male part may be adapted to engage with the female portion of the next panel; and wherein the adjacent male part may be extended outwardly from an outer surface of the female cap at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the length of the panel.

Preferably, the angle may be 90° relative to the longitudinal axis of the length of the panel.

Preferably, the modular device may further comprise an elongated base plate adapted for attaching to a base of the panel, wherein the length of the elongated base plate may be shorter than the length of the base of the panel.

Preferably, the elongated base plate may have a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the base plate may be adapted to engage with a first end of the base of the panel, wherein the female portion of the panel may be outside the first end of the base plate.

Preferably, the second end of the base plate may be adapted to engage with a second end of the base of the panel, wherein the male portion of the panel may be outside the second end of the base plate.

Preferably, the base plate may comprise a plurality of legs extending perpendicularly away from the longitudinal axis of the base plate, wherein each leg of the plurality of legs has a floor securing means.

Preferably, the panel may be constructed from at least one polymer selected from the group of: acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyethylene, polycarbonate, polyamide, high impact polystyrene, and polypropylene.

Preferably, the female portion may further comprise a securing means positioned in the female portion.

Preferably, the modular device may further comprise an elongate U bracket or U shaped bracket along the longitudinal axis of the panel, wherein a base of the U bracket may be mountable to the ceiling of room space, and wherein the arms of the U bracket may be adapted to secure with the top of the panel.

Preferably, the panel may be formed form at least one selected from the group of: extrusion, and injection moulding.

Preferably, the modular device may further comprise a panel reinforcement positioned between the first planar surface and the second planar surface, wherein the panel reinforcement may be polyurethane foam.

Preferably, the sinusoidal wavelength to amplitude ratio of the corrugation may be in the range of: 1:1 to 3:1.

Preferably, the sinusoidal wavelength to amplitude ratio of the corrugation may be 2:1.

Preferably, the height of the panel may be in the range of: 1 metre to 3 metres, the length of the panel may be in the range of: 1 metre to 4 metres, and the thickness of the panel may be in the range of: 20 millimetres to 80 millimetres.

Preferably, the height of the panel may be 1 metre, the length of the panel may be 2.4 metres, and the thickness of the panel may be 50 millimetres.

