Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Including component designed to receive a disparate article... – Component having specific attachment for an article...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-26
2001-05-15
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Including component designed to receive a disparate article...
Component having specific attachment for an article...
C052S036100, C052S036400, C052S036600, C211S090010
Reexamination Certificate
active
06230445
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to adjustable racks, and more particularly relates to an adjustable rack that is adapted for adjustable attachment to a partition system, and further is itself adjustable to facilitate attachment of wall-supported components to the rack.
Recently, a novel partition system was developed by Steelcase that permits attachment of items to the partition system in any one of a plurality of horizontally spaced discrete attachment locations. However, further adjustability is desired. Specifically, there is a need for a universally adjustable bracket adapted to receive and support components on the partition system, where the connection sites on the particular component of choice are not precisely known ahead of the time of installation. Known adjustable brackets are not able to satisfactorily accommodate a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and weights of components without requiring a myriad of parts and pieces. Further, the adjustable bracket should flexibly provide for vertical adjustability and also provide for management of wires and cabling from the component into the partition system.
Accordingly, an adjustable rack is desired that is reliable, is relatively non-complex, solves the aforementioned problems, and has the aforementioned advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, a wall system includes a wall section having a horizontal frame defining a horizontal row of attachment sites, and an adjustable bracket including a pair of vertical blades constructed to engage selected ones of the attachment sites. The adjustable bracket further includes at least one telescoping horizontal support spanning between and supported by the pair of vertical blades, and still further includes universal connectors for engaging the telescoping horizontal support.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method includes steps of providing a wall having a frame with a horizontal row of attachment sites thereon, and providing an adjustable bracket configured to selectively engage the attachment sites. The adjustable bracket includes a pair of vertical blades, at least one horizontally extendable support, and universal connectors. A component is provided having attachment locations thereon. The method includes attaching the pair of vertical blades to the wall at a spacing sufficient to receive the component therebetween, and attaching the at least one horizontally extendable support to the pair of vertical blades including adjusting a length of the at least one horizontally extendable support. The method still further includes using the universal connectors to attach the component to the at least one horizontally extendable support, including adjusting the universal connectors to engage the attachment locations.
These and other features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to a person of ordinary skill upon reading the following description and claims together with reference to the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3425568 (1969-02-01), Albright
patent: 3514883 (1970-06-01), Albright
patent: 3563182 (1971-02-01), MacFarlan et al.
patent: 4619486 (1986-10-01), Hannah et al.
patent: 4883330 (1989-11-01), Armstrong et al.
patent: 5220871 (1993-06-01), Grund et al.
patent: 5746034 (1998-05-01), Luchetti et al.
patent: 5746035 (1998-05-01), Seiber et al.
patent: 5852904 (1998-12-01), Yu et al.
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Exhibit A is a brochure entitledKnoll—Hannah Desk System,18 pages, dated Oct. 1986.
Exhibit B is a brochure entitledKnoll—Hannah Desk System,13 pages, undated but published in 1986.
Exhibit C is a publication entitledKnoll—Hannah Desk System—Electrical Assembly Guide,(12 pages, undated but published in 1986.
Exhibit D is a publication entitledKnoll—Hannah Desk System—Assembly Guide,12 pages, undated but published in 1986.
Andrus Heather
Arko Robert P.
Klinker Scott
Yurchenko James
Chavez Pat J.
Friedman Carl D.
Price Heneveld Cooper DeWitt & Litton
Steelcase Development Inc.
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