GB2343688A

GB2343688A - Honeycomb core structural panel

Info

Publication number: GB2343688A
Application number: GB9824868A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Terence Gilbey
Original assignee: FUTON Ltd
Current assignee: FUTON Ltd
Priority date: 1998-11-12
Filing date: 1998-11-12
Publication date: 2000-05-17
Also published as: GB9824868D0

Abstract

A structural panel 4 comprises a honeycomb core 4 sandwiched between an inner and outer flexible layer 2,3, the panel 1 having at least two non-coplanar sections 7,8 which meet at an edge 13, the outer layer 2 of the panel 1 being continuous and extending across said edge 13. A method of forming said panel and a method of constructing a shelving unit therefrom are also disclosed.

Description

Structural Panel The present invention relates to a structural panel or board and, in particular, to a structural panel having a honeycomb core and to a shelf and/or shelving unit formed from such a panel.

Panels or boards having a honeycomb structure are known and generally comprise a pair of parallel facing layers spaced from each other by a structural lattice formed by bending and bonding together thin sheets of material to form an array of cells or pockets which can have, for example, a hexagonal or rectangular cross-section.

Materials of this type have the advantage of being extremely lightweight, rigid and strong and so are commonly used in the construction and engineering industries. They are particularly advantageous in the aircraft industry as alloy honeycomb panels can be used to provide substantial strength to the skin and floor of an aircraft without dramatically increasing its weight. Honeycomb panels can also be made from cardboard and these are used in the packaging industry to prevent damage to goods whilst in transit. They are also used as an insert in, for example, hollow framed doors or partitioning wall panels which would bow or warp without the additional rigidity provided by the honeycomb panel. One existing honeycomb board of this type made from cardboard is known as"Duf lite"e manufactur Duf'te PI is mani Developments Limited of Cromwell Road, St. Neotts, Cambridgeshire PE19 1QW.

A problem with conventional honeycomb panels and boards is that they generally have a poor overall appearance and so are not used in circumstances in which they remain visible in the finished article in which they are used. The reason they are unattractive is largely because the side of the honeycomb core sandwiched between the two facing layers can be seen. For this reason, honeycomb panels are generally only used as inserts, in which case each panel is received within a wooden or plastics frame which surrounds at least the edges of the panel and serves to completely hide the side of the honeycomb layer from view. An alternative remedy is to stick beading to the panel over the edge of the honeycomb core to improve its appearance and finish.

However, the surface area to which the beading must be attached is very small and so it tends to displace easily and is prone to damage.

As honeycomb board is very light and strong, attempts have been made to use it in the construction of inexpensive self-assembly mass-market furniture such as free-standing and wall mounted shelving units and shelves. However, this has not been particularly successful. The edge of the honeycomb layer between the inner and outer facing layers defines the forward facing edge of a shelf remains visible when in the shelf is assembled in position and is particularly unattractive. Although the panels can still be used as inserts in, for example, a wooden frame which provides the exterior visible part of the shelf, this has the disadvantage of making each shelf considerably more expensive and time consuming to manufacture, thus increasing the overall cost of the shelf to the consumer.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially alleviate the aforementioned disadvantages.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a structural panel comprising a honeycomb core sandwiched between an inner and outer flexible layer, the panel having at least two non-coplanar sections which meet at an edge, the outer layer of the panel being continuous and extending across said edge.

Preferably, the two sections are positioned in back-to-back relationship so that their inner layers abut.

In an alternative arrangement, the two sections are normal to each other.

In a further alternative arrangement, a third section extends from the second section parallel to but spaced from the first section to provide a panel which is generally C-shaped in cross section.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of forming a structural panel from a sheet of material comprising a honeycomb core sandwiched between a flexible inner and outer layer, comprising the steps of : a) removing a portion of the inner layer and the honeycomb core, but not the outer layer, to leave a gap in the rear of the panel whose width is at least equal to the thickness of the honeycomb core; b) folding the two panel sections located on either side of said gap to configure the panel so that said panel sections are non-coplanar and meet at an edge across which the continuous outer layer extends.

Preferably, the gap is twice the thickness of the honeycomb core and the panel is reconfigured so that the two panel sections are back-to-back with their inner layers abutting.

The panel is alternatively reconfigured so that the two panel sections are normal to each other.

In an alternative arrangement, a second gap is formed in the rear face of the panel spaced from the first gap but parallel thereto to provide a third panel section and the panel is reconfigured into a C-shaped configuration in which the first and third panel sections are parallel to each other and the second panel section extends normally between said sections, the outer layer extending around the edges formed thereby.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of forming a shelf unit comprising at least one shelf supported between a pair of uprights, the or each shelf and uprights being made from a panel comprising a honeycomb core sandwiched between a flexible inner and outer layer, the method comprising the steps of : a) removing a portion of the inner layer and honeycomb core of the first panel to leave a gap therein whose thickness is at least twice the thickness of the honeycomb core; b) forming a wedge shaped cut-out in one of the panel sections on either side of the gap, said cut-out extending from an edge of said panel section towards the opposite edge but stopping short thereof; c) folding the two panel sections together to configure the panel into a first upright and provide a wedge shaped rebate in the panel; d) removing a portion of the inner layer and honeycomb core but not the outer layer of a second panel to leave a gap therein whose width is at least twice the thickness of the honeycomb core and folding the two panel sections to provide a V-shaped panel; e) inserting the V-shaped panel into the wedge shaped rebate in the first panel so that it is normal thereto; f) inserting a wedge between the folded panel sections of the second panel to force them apart and into engagement with the sides of the rebate to retain the second panel therein; g) repeating steps (a) to (c) in a third panel to provide a second upright ; h) inserting the other end of the second panel into the rebate formed in the third panel in accordance with step (g), and i) inserting a second wedge between the folded panel sections at the other end of the V-shaped second panel to force them apart and into engagement with the sides of the rebate in the third panel to retain the second panel therein.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a structural panel comprising a honeycomb core sandwiched between a inner layer and a flexible continuous outer layer, hinge means dividing the panel into sections connected by the flexible continuous outer layer, wherein the hinge means comprises a channel in the inner layer and honeycomb core extending towards the flexible outer layer, the width of the channel being at least substantially the same as the thickness of the panel, the arrangement being such that the sections are movable relative to each other by folding the outer layer in the region of the channel.

The hinge means preferably comprises a single channel dividing the panel into two sections, the width of the channel being at least twice the thickness of the panel, whereby the outer layer can be folded in the region of the channel such that the sections overlie each other, the portion of the flexible continuous outer layer in the region of the channel forming a spine.

Alternatively, the hinge means comprises a single channel dividing the panel into two sections, the width of the channel being substantially the same as the thickness of the panel to enable one panel section to be oriented substantially at right angles to the other panel section.

In an additional embodiment, the hinge means comprises two parallel channels spaced from each other to provide an middle panel section disposed between a pair of outer panel sections.

Preferably, the width of each channel is substantially the same as the thickness of the panel, to enable each of the outer panel sections to be oriented substantially at right angles to the middle panel section.

The channel preferably terminates at the inner face of the outer layer.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of attaching a honeycomb panel to a planar upright panel substantially at right angles thereto, the panel comprising a honeycomb core sandwiched between an inner layer and a flexible continuous outer layer, the upright panel having a front and rear edge and a rebate extending from the rear edge of the upright panel and having side walls that taper toward and terminate near the front edge, the method including the steps of: a) forming a channel, having a width at least twice the thickness of the panel, in the inner layer and honeycomb core extending towards the continuous outer layer to divide the honeycomb panel into two sections; b) bringing the two sections together by folding the outer layer in the region of the channel to form a V-section panel; c) inserting an end of the V-section panel into the rebate substantially at right angles to the upright, such that each panel section contacts a side wall of the rebate; d) driving a wedge member into the rebate between the two honeycomb panel sections to urge them apart and into engagement with the side walls of the rebate to retain the honeycomb panel in position in the rebate.

Preferably, the planar upright panel comprises a honeycomb core sandwiched between an inner layer and a flexible continuous outer layer, and the method includes the steps of forming the upright by : a) forming a channel, having a width at least twice the thickness of the panel, in the inner layer and honeycomb core extending towards the continuous outer layer to divide the upright panel into two sections; b) cutting a tapered slot in one section extending from the edge of the second panel towards the channel ; c) bringing the two sections into abutting relationship by folding the outer layer in the region of the channel, the slot forming the rebate in the folded upright panel.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided an assembly comprising a honeycomb panel and a planar upright panel substantially at right angles thereto, the honeycomb panel comprising a honeycomb core sandwiched between an inner layer and a flexible continuous outer layer and having a channel in the inner layer and honeycomb core extending towards the continuous outer layer to divide the panel into two sections brought together to form a V-section panel by folding the outer layer in the region of the channel such that a portion of the continuous outer layer in the region of the channel forms a spine between said sections, the planar upright panel having a front and rear edge and a rebate in the surface of the planar upright panel, the rebate extending from the rear edge of the planar upright panel and having side walls that taper toward and terminate near its front edge, an end of the V-section panel being located in the rebate such that each honeycomb panel section contacts a wall of the rebate, a wedge member being disposed in the rebate between the two honeycomb panel sections urging them apart and into engagement with the walls of the rebate to maintain the honeycomb panel in position therein.

Preferably, the planar upright panel comprises a second honeycomb panel comprising a honeycomb core sandwiched between an inner layer and a flexible continuous outer layer, the upright having a channel in the inner layer and honeycomb core extending towards the continuous outer layer to divide the planar upright panel into two sections, one section having a tapered slot extending from the edge of the upright panel towards the channel, the two sections being brought together into abutting relationship by folding the outer layer in the region of the channel, the slot forming the rebate in the folded upright panel.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of attaching a panel formed from a flexible material to a planar upright panel substantially at right angles thereto, the upright having a front and rear edge and a rebate extending from the rear edge having side walls that taper and terminate near its front edge, comprising the steps of : a) folding the panel to form a V-section panel having a panel section on either side of the fold ; b) inserting an end of the V-section panel into a rebate in a surface of the planar upright panel such that the each panel section contacts a side wall of the rebate, said V-section panel being disposed substantially at right angles to the upright panel, and d) driving a wedge member into the rebate between the two panel sections to urge each of them apart and into engagement with the side walls of the rebate to retain the end of the panel in position in the rebate.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, there is provided an assembly comprising a panel and a planar upright panel substantially at right angles thereto, the panel being formed from flexible material and folded to form a Vsection panel having two panel sections on either side of the fold, the planar upright panel having a front and rear edge and a rebate therein extending from its rear edge and having side walls that taper toward and terminate near its front edge, an end of the V-section panel being inserted into the rebate substantially at right angles to the upright panel such that each panel section contacts a wall of the rebate, and a wedge member being disposed in the rebate between the panel sections urging the panel members apart and into engagement with the walls of the rebate to retain the end of the panel in position in the rebate.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 illustrates a honeycomb panel having a single channel having a width equal to twice the thickness of the panel before being folded ; FIGURE 2 illustrates a honeycomb panel having two channels parallel to each other, before being folded ; FIGURE 3 illustrates the honeycomb panel of Figure 1 in a partially folded configuration; FIGURE 4 illustrates the honeycomb panel of Figures land 3 in a fully folded configuration; FIGURE 5 illustrates a honeycomb panel similar to that shown in Figure 1, but having a channel having a width equal to the thickness of the panel, in a folded configuration; FIGURE 6 illustrates the honeycomb panel of Figure 2 in a partially folded configuration ; FIGURE 7 illustrates the honeycomb panel of Figures 2 and 6 in a fully folded configuration; FIGURE 8 illustrates how the panel of Figure 1 and 3 can be attached to an upright to be used as a shelf; FIGURE 9A and 9B illustrate a perspective front and rear view respectively of an assembled free standing shelving unit formed using the panels of the invention, and FIGURE 10 illustrates how the panel of Figure 5 can be used as a shelf mounted to wall mounted brackets at either end ; FIGURE 11 illustrates how the panels of Figure 2,6 and 7 can be used as a shelf mounted to wall mounted brackets at either end.

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates a first panel 1 according to one embodiment of the invention having a continuous outer layer 2 spaced from an inner layer 3 by a cellular honeycomb structure 4 disposed between the inner and outer layers 2,3. A channel 5 is cut into the panel 1 by removing a strip of the inner layer 3 and a corresponding strip of the honeycomb structure 4 located beneath it, to expose a portion of the inner face of the outer layer 6. A sufficient portion of the inner layer 3 and honeycomb structure 4 is removed such that the width of the channel (, as shown on Figure 1) is equal to twice the thickness of the panel (Y), for reasons which will become apparent. The channel 5 divides the panel 1 into two panel sections 7,8.

Figure 2 illustrates a second panel 9 which is identical to Figure 1, except that a pair of channels 5a, 5b are cut into the panel 9 spaced from but parallel to each other. The channels 5a, 5b divide the panel 9 into three panel sections, a middle panel section 10 and a pair of outer panel sections 11,12. The width of the channels 5a, 5b (A in Figure 2) are equal to the thickness of the panel 9 Figures 3 and 4 illustrate how the sections 7,8 of the panel 1 of Figure 1 can be folded such that the sections 7,8 abut each other to create a double thickness panel as shown in Figure 4, with the continuous outer layer 3 extending between the sections 7,8 to provide the double layered panel with a spine or edge 13.

Figure 5 illustrates a third panel 14 which is identical to the panel 1 shown in Figure 1, except that it has channel cut into it which has a width which is equal to the thickness of the panel rather than twice its thickness. As with the panel 1 of Figure 1, the channel divides the panel 14 into two panel sections 15,16. The panel 14 of Figure 5 is shown in its folded configuration in which panel sections 15,16 are oriented at right angles to each other.

Figure 6 illustrates how the second panel 9 of Figure 2 can be folded about the portion of the outer layer extending between each of the outer sections 11,12 and the middle section 10 to form a"C"shaped member, as shown in Figure 7.

A preferred use of the first panel 1 described with reference to Figures 1,3 and 4, will now be described with reference to Figures 8,9A and 9B.

Figure 8 illustrates how one or more of the first panels 1, described above, can be attached to an additional upright panel 18 to form a free standing upright shelving unit, as shown in Figures 9A and 9B.

The additional upright panel 18 is identical to a first panel which has been folded as shown in Figure 4 so that the two sections 7,8 abut each other, except that a slot 19 is cut in the panel section 8 before it is folded against and glued to the panel section 7. The slot 19 has a horizontally disposed upper edge 20 and a angled lower edge 21, so that the slot 19 narrows or tapers from the rear edge 22 of the folded panel to a tip 23 which terminates a short distance from the front edge or spine 24 of the upright. The height (A as shown in Figure 8) of the slot at its tip 23 is equal to twice the thickness of the first panel 1.

To attach the first panel 1 to the upright 18, the first panel 1 is inserted into the slot such that a portion of its spine 13 at the edge of the panel 1 contacts the tip 23 of the slot 19 and faces in the same direction as the spine 24 of the upright panel, and such that the panel 1 and upright 18 are at right angles to each other. To retain the first panel in the slot 19, a wedge member 27 consisting of a solid tapered block of wood or plastics material is driven into the slot between the panel sections 7,8 such that the panel section 7 is urged against the upper edge of the slot 20 and the panel section 9 is urged against the lower edge 21 of the slot, thus retaining the panel 1 in position. The opposite end of the panel 1 is attached to a second upright member (not shown in Figure 8) in exactly the same way.

The upright 18 in the figures has two slots 19 to enable two panels 1 to be attached thereto. It will be appreciated that any number of slots may be provided in the upright for the attachment of a corresponding number of panels, and that the upper face of panel section 7 is disposed horizontally and acts as a shelf between a pair of uprights 18. As is clearly apparent from Figures 9A and 9B, the honeycomb structure is completely hidden when the assembled shelving unit is viewed from the front. Furthermore, the wedging arrangement for attaching the panel 1 to the upright 18 ensures that there are no visible means of attachment between them when the unit is viewed from the front, substantially improving the appearance of the assembled shelving unit.

It will be appreciated that the wedging arrangement for attaching one panel at right angles to an upright panel can be used with panels that are not made from honeycomb board. The only requirement being that at least a portion of the panel is flexible to enable it to be folded to form a spine and inserted into the rebate in the upright in which it is wedged by the wedging member.

The use of panel 14 shown in Figure 5, as a shelf will now be described.

This panel is preferably used as a shelf which is to be erected on a wall enclose on three sides, as shown in Figure 10. Wall brackets 25 are attached to each of the side walls and the panel is mounted on the brackets with panel section 15 disposed horizontally. Panel section 16 is oriented at 90 degrees to panel section 15 and therefore depends vertically from its front edge thereby rendering the honeycomb core invisible when the shelf is viewed from the front. As the panel is made from cardboard, it can easily be cut to length to fit gaps of varying dimensions.

Figure 11 shows how the panel 9 of Figures 2,6 and 7 can be used as a shelf in an identical way to that described with reference to panel 9, except that in this embodiment, the wall brackets 25 are completely hidden from view. The outer panel sections 11,12 being disposed horizontally both above and below the bracket 25, and the middle panel section 10 forming the front edge of the shelf.

Claims

Claims 1. A structural panel comprising a honeycomb core sandwiched between an inner and outer flexible layer, the panel having at least two non-coplanar sections which meet at an edge, the outer layer of the panel being continuous and extending across said edge.

2. A panel according to claim 1, wherein the two sections are back to back so that their inner layers abut.

3. A panel according to claim 1, wherein the two sections are normal to each other.

4. A panel according to claim 3, wherein a third section extends from the second section parallel to but spaced from the first section to provide a panel which is generally C-shaped in cross section.

5. A method of forming a structural panel from a sheet of material comprising a honeycomb core sandwiched between a flexible inner and outer layer, comprising the steps of : a) removing a portion of the inner layer and the honeycomb core, but not the outer layer, to leave a gap in the rear of the panel whose width is at least equal to the thickness of the honeycomb core; b) folding the two panel sections located on either side of said gap to configure the panel so that said panel sections are non-coplanar and meet at an edge across which the continuous outer layer extends.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the gap is twice the thickness of the honeycomb core and the panel is reconfigured so that the two panel sections are back-to-back with their inner layers abutting.

7. A method according to claim 5, wherein the panel is reconfigured so that the two panel sections are normal to each other.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein a second gap is formed in the rear face of the panel spaced from the first gap but parallel thereto to provide a third panel section and the panel is reconfigured into a C-shaped configuration in which the first and third panel sections are parallel to each other and the second panel section extends normally between said sections, the outer layer extending around the edges formed thereby.

A method of forming a shelf unit comprising at least one shelf supported between a pair of uprights, the or each shelf and uprights being made from a panel comprising a honeycomb core sandwiched between a flexible inner and outer layer, the method comprising the steps of: a) removing a portion of the inner layer and honeycomb core of the first panel to leave a gap therein whose thickness is at least twice the thickness of the honeycomb core; b) forming a wedge shaped cut-out in one of the panel sections on either side of the gap, said cut-out extending from an edge of said panel section towards the opposite edge but stopping short thereof; c) folding the two panel sections together to configure the panel into a first upright and provide a wedge shaped rebate in the panel; d) removing a portion of the inner layer and honeycomb core but not the outer layer of a second panel to leave a gap therein whose width is at least twice the thickness of the honeycomb core and folding the two panel sections to provide a V-shaped panel; e) inserting the V-shaped panel into the wedge shaped rebate in the first panel so that it is normal thereto; inserting a wedge between the folded panel sections of the second panel to force them apart and into engagement with the sides of the rebate to retain the second panel therein ; g) repeating steps (a) to (c) in a third panel to provide a second upright; h) inserting the other end of the second panel into the rebate formed in the third panel in accordance with step (g), and i) inserting a second wedge between the folded panel sections at the other end of the V-shaped second panel to force them apart and into engagement with the sides of the rebate in the third panel to retain the second panel therein.

9 A structural panel comprising a honeycomb core sandwiched between a inner layer and a flexible continuous outer layer, hinge means dividing the panel into sections connected by the flexible continuous outer layer, wherein the hinge means comprises a channel in the inner layer and honeycomb core extending towards the flexible outer layer, the width of the channel being at least substantially the same as the thickness of the panel, the arrangement being such that the sections are movable relative to each other by folding the outer layer in the region of the channel.

11. A panel according to claim 10, wherein the hinge means comprises a single channel dividing the panel into two sections, the width of the channel being at least twice the thickness of the panel, whereby the outer layer can be folded in the region of the channel such that the sections overlie each other, the portion of the flexible continuous outer layer in the region of the channel forming a spine.

12. A panel according to claim 10, wherein the hinge means comprises a single channel dividing the panel into two sections, the width of the channel being substantially the same as the thickness of the panel to enable one panel section to be oriented substantially at right angles to the other panel section.

13. A panel according to claim 10, wherein the hinge means comprises two parallel channels spaced from each other to provide an middle panel section disposed between a pair of outer panel sections.

14. A panel according to claim 13, wherein the width of each channel is substantially the same as the thickness of the panel, to enable each of the outer panel sections to be oriented substantially at right angles to the middle panel section.

15. A panel according to any preceding claim, wherein the channel terminates at the inner face of the outer layer.

6j. A method of attaching a honeycomb panel to a planar upright panel substantially at right angles thereto, the panel comprising a honeycomb core sandwiched between an inner layer and a flexible continuous outer layer, the upright panel having a front and rear edge and a rebate extending from the rear edge of the upright panel and having side walls that taper toward and terminate near the front edge, the method including the steps of: a) forming a channel, having a width at least twice the thickness of the panel, in the inner layer and honeycomb core extending towards the continuous outer layer to divide the honeycomb panel into two sections; b) bringing the two sections together by folding the outer layer in the region of the channel to form a V-section panel; c) inserting an end of the V-section panel into the rebate substantially at right angles to the upright, such that each panel section contacts a side wall of the rebate; d) driving a wedge member into the rebate between the two honeycomb panel sections to urge them apart and into engagement with the side walls of the rebate to retain the honeycomb panel in position in the rebate.

17. A method according to claim 16, the planar upright panel comprising a honeycomb core sandwiched between an inner layer and a flexible continuous outer layer, the method including the steps of forming the upright by: a) forming a channel, having a width at least twice the thickness of the panel, in the inner layer and honeycomb core extending towards the continuous outer layer to divide the upright panel into two sections; b) cutting a tapered slot in one section extending from the edge of the second panel towards the channel; c) bringing the two sections into abutting relationship by folding the outer layer in the region of the channel, the slot forming the rebate in the folded upright panel.

18. An assembly comprising a honeycomb panel and a planar upright panel substantially at right angles thereto, the honeycomb panel comprising a honeycomb core sandwiched between an inner layer and a flexible continuous outer layer and having a channel in the inner layer and honeycomb core extending towards the continuous outer layer to divide the panel into two sections brought together to form a V-section panel by folding the outer layer in the region of the channel such that a portion of the continuous outer layer in the region of the channel forms a spine between said sections, the planar upright panel having a front and rear edge and a rebate in the surface of the planar upright panel, the rebate extending from the rear edge of the planar upright panel and having side walls that taper toward and terminate near its front edge, an end of the V-section panel being located in the rebate such that each honeycomb panel section contacts a wall of the rebate, a wedge member being disposed in the rebate between the two honeycomb panel sections urging them apart and into engagement with the walls of the rebate to maintain the honeycomb panel in position therein.

19. An assembly according to claim 18, wherein the planar upright panel comprises a second honeycomb panel comprising a honeycomb core sandwiched between an inner layer and a flexible continuous outer layer, the upright having a channel in the inner layer and honeycomb core extending towards the continuous outer layer to divide the planar upright panel into two sections, one section having a tapered slot extending from the edge of the upright panel towards the channel, the two sections being brought together into abutting relationship by folding the outer layer in the region of the channel, the slot forming the rebate in the folded upright panel.

20 A method of attaching a panel formed from a flexible material to a planar upright panel substantially at right angles thereto, the upright having a front and rear edge and a rebate extending from the rear edge having side walls that taper and terminate near its front edge, comprising the steps of: a) folding the panel to form a V-section panel having a panel section on either side of the fold ; b) inserting an end of the V-section panel into a rebate in a surface of the planar upright panel such that the each panel section contacts a side wall of the rebate, said V-section panel being disposed substantially at right angles to the upright panel, and d) driving a wedge member into the rebate between the two panel sections to urge each of them apart and into engagement with the side walls of the rebate to retain the end of the panel in position in the rebate.

21. An assembly comprising a panel and a planar upright panel substantially at right angles thereto, the panel being formed from flexible material and folded to form a V-section panel having two panel sections on either side of the fold, the planar upright panel having a front and rear edge and a rebate therein extending from its rear edge and having side walls that taper toward and terminate near its front edge, an end of the V-section panel being inserted into the rebate substantially at right angles to the upright panel such that each panel section contacts a wall of the rebate, and a wedge member being disposed in the rebate between the panel sections urging the panel members apart and into engagement with the walls of the rebate to retain the end of the panel in position in the rebate.