Modular walling system, components and methods

Abstract

This invention relates to a modular walling system. The system includes a plurality of primary structural members. Each primary structural member has a generally channel-shaped cross-sectional profile with an outer wall defining surface and two flanges extending away from the outer wall defining surface. The system further includes a securing means which is configured to apply a securing force to retain pairs of primary structural members in a side-by-side relationship. The securing means is configured to secure adjacent flanges of respective pairs of the primary structural members such that the adjacent flanges are held together in secure face-to-face abutment by the securing force. A primary corner member having a solid construction is connectable between a first primary structural member with its outer wall defining surface extending in a first direction, and a second primary structural member with its outer wall defining surface extending in a second direction.

1 . A modular walling system, including:
 a plurality of primary structural members, each primary structural member having a generally channel-shaped cross-sectional profile with an outer wall defining surface and two flanges extending away from the outer wall defining surface;   securing means configured to apply a securing force to retain pairs of primary structural members in a side-by-side relationship, the securing means being configured to secure adjacent flanges of respective pairs of the primary structural members such that the adjacent flanges are held together in secure face-to-face abutment; and   a primary corner member having a solid construction, wherein the primary corner member is connectable between a first primary structural member with its outer wall defining surface extending in a first direction, and a second primary structural member with its outer wall defining surface extending in a second direction.   
     
     
         2 . A modular walling system according to  claim 1 , wherein the primary corner member has a first surface against which the first primary structural member can be mounted and a second surface against which the second primary structural member can be mounted such that the first primary structural member extends at a predetermined angle relative to the second primary structural member. 
     
     
         3 . A modular walling system according to  claim 2 , wherein the first and second surfaces of the primary corner module are arranged to extend at 90 degrees to each other. 
     
     
         4 . A modular walling system according to  claim 2  or  claim 3 , wherein the first surface of the primary corner member has substantially the same width as the length of the flanges of the primary structural members. 
     
     
         5 . A modular walling system according to any one of  claims 2  to  4 , wherein the second surface of the primary corner member has substantially the same width as the length of the flanges of the primary structural members. 
     
     
         6 . A modular walling system according to any one of  claims 2  to  5 , wherein the first surface of the primary corner member has one or more holes arranged to align with the holes in the flange of the respective primary structural member, wherein a threaded fastener can pass through the holes in the flange of the primary structural member and threadedly engage the holes in the first surface of the primary corner member, thereby to secure the primary corner member thereto. 
     
     
         7 . A modular walling system according to any one of  claims 2  to  6 , wherein the second surface of the primary corner member has one or more holes arranged to align with the holes in the flange of the respective primary structural member, wherein a threaded fastener can pass through the holes in the flange of the primary structural member and threadedly engage the holes in the second surface of the primary corner member, thereby to secure the primary corner member thereto. 
     
     
         8 . A modular walling system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the securing means includes at least one force distributing element which distributes the securing force of the securing means and wherein the force distributing element has a mounting formation configured for mounting a secondary structural member to a secured pair of primary structural members. 
     
     
         9 . A modular walling system according to  claim 8 , wherein the securing means includes a locking member, a pair of force distributing elements and a locking element securable to a securing formation at the distal end of the locking member, wherein the adjacent flanges are held between the pair of force distributing elements. 
     
     
         10 . A modular walling system according to  claim 9 , wherein the locking member has a shaft or pin, the shaft or pin being square or rectangular in cross-section and having a constant thickness along its length. 
     
     
         11 . A modular walling system according to  claim 10 , wherein the locking member includes a head having the same thickness as the shaft or pin. 
     
     
         12 . A modular walling system according to  claim 10  or  claim 11 , wherein each force distributing element is in the form of a spacer having a cylindrical sleeve with a through bore through which the shaft can pass for mounting the spacer onto the locking member. 
     
     
         13 . A modular walling system according to  claim 12 , wherein each spacer includes a first plate defining a first bearing surface at one end of the cylindrical sleeve and a second plate defining a second bearing surface at the other end. 
     
     
         14 . A modular walling system according to  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first plate and second plate has a receiving formation for receiving at least a portion of the head of the locking pin or the locking element when aligned therewith. 
     
     
         15 . A modular walling system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flanges of each primary structural member include a linear array of apertures, each aperture being configured for accommodating an associated securing means. 
     
     
         16 . A modular walling system according to  claim 12 , wherein the shape of each aperture is configured to correspond to the shape of the securing means. 
     
     
         17 . A modular walling system according to  claim 13 , wherein the shape of each aperture is square or rectangular. 
     
     
         18 . A modular walling system according to any one of  claims 9  to  17 , wherein the pair of force distributing elements defines a mounting formation for mounting secondary structural members to the structural wall section, thereby to form a secondary wall surface of the modular walling system. 
     
     
         19 . A modular walling system according to  claim 18 , wherein a mounting means is provided for interconnecting the associated primary structural members with the secondary structural members such that the secondary structural members are held in fixed spaced-apart relation relative to the primary structural members. 
     
     
         20 . A modular walling system according to  claim 19 , wherein the mounting means includes a plurality of support brackets, each support bracket being releasably mountable to a respective secondary structural member, and wherein each support bracket has a main plate with two outer arms and two inner arms extending outwardly from the main plate, the two outer arms being adapted for connecting the support bracket to respective flanges of a secondary structural member and the two inner arms defining engaging means for engaging the securing means to interconnect the secondary structural member with the primary structural members. 
     
     
         21 . A modular walling system according to  claim 20 , wherein one or more of the plurality of support brackets includes an accessory mount connected thereto, thereby to facilitate mounting of building service equipment. 
     
     
         22 . A modular walling system according to  claim 21 , wherein the accessory mount is arranged between an outer arm and an inner arm of the support bracket. 
     
     
         23 . A modular walling system according to any one of  claims 18  to  22 , wherein each secondary structural member is configured to be arranged in use such that the associated flanges sit at approximately the midpoint of the respective primary structural members of the pair of primary structural members to which the cladding member is mounted. 
     
     
         24 . A modular walling system according to  claim 23 , wherein the secondary structural members include end modules for forming an end wall surface for the secondary wall surface. 
     
     
         25 . A modular walling system according to  claim 24 , wherein each end module has a generally L-shaped profile with a flange for abutting against the flange of the next adjacent cladding member, and an end wall surface defining panel extending from the flange to provide a square end to the secondary wall. 
     
     
         26 . A modular walling system according to any one of the preceding claims, including a floor channel adapted to be positioned on the floor or foundation, wherein an operatively lower end of the primary structural panels of the respective structural wall section is received therein. 
     
     
         27 . A modular walling system according to  claim 26 , wherein the floor channel is generally C-shaped. 
     
     
         28 . A modular walling system according to any one of the preceding claims, including a top channel adapted to be secured to a roof or ceiling of the level or storey of the building above the floor, wherein an operatively upper end of the primary structural panels of the respective structural wall section is received therein. 
     
     
         29 . A modular walling system according to  claim 28 , wherein the top channel is generally C-shaped.