Modular Partition System

Abstract

A modular partition system comprises a plurality of panels and at least one connecting strip. Each of the plurality of panels comprises two support members extending generally perpendicularly to a plane of the modular partition system and a central panel extending between said two support panels. The plurality of panels are arranged such that the central panels of each of the plurality of panels are generally mutually parallel and one support member of each of the plurality of panels is adjacent to a support member of an adjacent panel. The at least one connecting strip cooperates with a support member from each of two of the plurality of adjacent panels so as to connect said two of the plurality of adjacent panels.

1 - 41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . A support beam comprising:
 a web panel having first and second opposed surfaces;   a first flange attached to the web panel proximate a first edge of the web panel; and   a second flange attached to the web panel proximate to the second edge of the web panel, wherein the first and second flanges are formed from a metal material; and   wherein the first and second flanges are each attached to the first and second opposed surfaces, said attachment of the first and second flanges to the first and second opposed surfaces of the web panel being achieved by crimping the first and second flanges to the support panel using tool to punch, clinch or crimp the first and second flanges to the first and second opposed surfaces of the web panel by driving the tool into an exterior surface of each of the first and second flanges so as to cause plastic deformation of the surfaces of both the first and second flanges and the web panel.   
     
     
         43 . The support beam of  claim 42 , wherein the attachment of the first and second flanges to the first and second opposed surfaces of the web panel is achieved at a plurality of positions along the length of the support beam by a plurality of dimples or recesses on the exterior surface of first and second portions of the first and second flanges. 
     
     
         44 . The support beam of  claim 43 , wherein each of the plurality of dimples or recesses has a dimension of the order of 4 to 6 millimeters, each of the plurality of dimples or recesses has a depth of the order of 3 to 4 millimeters, and a distance between the centres of adjacent dimples or recesses is of the order of 40 millimeters. 
     
     
         45 . The support beam of  claim 43 , wherein the dimples or recesses formed on the first portion of the first flange are offset relative to the recesses formed on the second portion of the first flange; and wherein the dimples or recesses formed on the first portion of the second flange are offset relative to the recesses formed on the second portion of the second flange. 
     
     
         46 . The support beam of  claim 42 , wherein, in cross section, the first and second flanges are each of the form of a hollow or tubular structure, wherein, in cross section, the first and second flanges each comprise a continuous loop of material from the first surface to the second surface, and wherein the continuous loop of material comprises a first portion that is in contact with the first surface and a second portion that is in contact with the second surface. 
     
     
         47 . The support beam of  claim 46 , wherein the attachment of the first and second flanges to the first and second surfaces of the web panel is via surfaces of the first and second flanges which are complementary to and in engagement with the first or second surfaces. 
     
     
         48 . The support beam of  claim 42 , wherein each of the first and second flanges comprise: a wall portion which is generally perpendicular to a plane of the web panel and the wall portion is provided with a feature for engagement with the first or second edge of the web panel. 
     
     
         49 . The support beam of  claim 48 , further comprising a resiliently deformable member provided on the wall portion of at least one of the first and second flanges. 
     
     
         50 . The support beam of  claim 49 , further comprising at least one elongate member, the elongate member being movably connected to the first or second flange and the resiliently deformable member being disposed between the elongate metal member and the first or second flange. 
     
     
         51 . The support beam of  claim 48 , further comprising one or more engagement features for connection to a resilient bar, the one or more engagement features being provided on the wall portion of at least one of the first and second flanges. 
     
     
         52 . The support beam of  claim 48 , further comprising one or more hanging features for connection to a supporting structure that is generally perpendicular to the support beam, the one or more hanging features being provided on at least one of the first and second flanges. 
     
     
         53 . A method of forming a support beam of  claim 42 , the method comprising:
 web panel; and   providing a web panel;   providing a first flange formed from a metal material;   providing a second flange formed from a metal material;   attaching the first flange to the web panel proximate a first edge of the web panel; and   attaching the second flange to the web panel proximate to a second edge of the web panel; and wherein the first and second flanges are each attached to first and second opposed surfaces of the web panel   wherein attaching the first flange to the web panel proximate a first edge of the web panel comprises:   positioning the first flange adjacent to the first edge of the web panel such that a first portion of the first flange is adjacent the first surface of the web panel and a second portion of the first flange is adjacent the second surface of the web panel; and   using a punch to crimp the first portion of the first flange to the first surface of the web panel in at least one position; and   using a punch to crimp the second portion of the first flange to the second surface of the web panel in at least one position; and
 wherein attaching the second flange to the web panel proximate a second edge of the web panel comprises: 
   positioning the second flange adjacent to the second edge of the web panel such that a first portion of the second flange is adjacent the first surface of the web panel and a second portion of the second flange is adjacent the second surface of the web panel; and   using a punch to crimp the first portion of the second flange to the first surface of the web panel in at least one position; and   using a punch to crimp the second portion of the second flange to the second surface of the web panel in at least one position.   
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the attachment of the first and second flanges to the first and second opposed surfaces of the web panel is achieved at a plurality of positions along the length of the support beam. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the plurality of positions along the length of the support beam that the first portion of the first flange are crimped to the first surface of the web panel are offset relative to the plurality of positions along the length of the support beam that the second portion of the first flange are crimped to the second surface of the web panel; and wherein the plurality of positions along the length of the support beam that the first portion of the second flange are crimped to the first surface of the web panel are offset relative to the plurality of positions along the length of the support beam that the second portion of the second flange are crimped to the second surface of the web panel. 
     
     
         56 . A support beam comprising:
 a web panel having first and second opposed surfaces;   a first flange attached to the web panel proximate a first edge of the web panel; and   a second flange attached to the web panel proximate to the second edge of the web panel, wherein the first and second flanges are formed from a metal material; and   wherein the first and second flanges are each attached to the first and second opposed surfaces, said attachment of the first and second flanges to the first and second opposed surfaces of the web panel being achieved by crimping the first and second flanges to the support panel so as to form a plurality of recesses, each of the plurality of recesses having a closed shape and wherein the metal of the first or second flange is deformed into the web material around substantially the entire perimeter of the closed shape.   
     
     
         57 . The support beam of  claim 56 , wherein each of the plurality of recesses has a dimension of the order of 4 to 6 millimeters, each of the plurality of recesses has a depth of the order of 3 to 4 millimeters, and a distance between the centres of adjacent recesses of the plurality of recesses is of the order of 40 millimeters. 
     
     
         58 . The support beam of  claim 56 , wherein the plurality of recesses formed in the first flange on the first surface are offset relative to the plurality of recesses formed in the first flange on the second surface. 
     
     
         59 . The support beam of  claim 56 , wherein the plurality of recesses are formed by plastically deforming the first flange, the second flanges, and the web panel.