Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Multiroom or level – Partition secured to and crossed by preconstructed barrier
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-18
2001-01-09
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Multiroom or level
Partition secured to and crossed by preconstructed barrier
C052S238100, C052S243000, C052S282200, C052S284000, C052S036600, C052S749100, C160S135000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170211
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a demountable or moveable wall having the appearance of a permanently installed, floor-to-ceiling wall, and in particular to a demountable wall that can readily assembled, wired, and disassembled using a minimal number of standard components.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
Modern offices frequently require rearrangement of office space in order to address changing personnel needs and different interactions between personnel resulting from changes in the company's strategic direction. Also, many offices are in rented spaces where the management will desire to minimize the cost of significant upfitting when the office may be moved to another location. At the same time, there is a desire for an office that will be attractive both to employees and visitors.
A common way of addressing these needs is through the use of moveable, full-height partitions that can be readily rearranged into offices, workstations or cubicles. In many instances, however, greater privacy as well as improved aesthetics is desired. Therefore, the industry has also developed moveable or demountable wall systems that more closely approximate the appearance and privacy afforded by permanent floor-to-wall structures or millwork.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,155,955 to Ball et al. describes a wall system in which a plurality of panels or other structural rectangular frames are joined to create a wall that extends to above door height and includes a lockable door. The side edges these frames are attached to upright connecting members, and the top of the wall is covered with an enlarged cornice providing a location for wiring and lighting. The lower ends of the upright members include adjustable feet to level the wall.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,517 to Mitchell et al. describes a floor-to-ceiling wall system comprised of a ceiling channel attached to the ceiling, a floor channel attached to the floor and vertical studs connecting the ceiling and floor channels. The wall system also includes horizontal stringers joining the studs, and panels attached to the stud surfaces.
These and other prior art demountable wall systems, however, require considerable steps in assembly and disassembly, including the fastening together of numerous parts, as well as attachment to the ceiling and/or the floor. Moreover, the wall systems require essentially custom manufacture to fit the desired space, substantially increasing their cost and decreasing their utility when it is desired to move the wall to another location. Also, the walls often have the appearance of temporary structure instead of permanent walls. Thus, there is a continuing need for an aesthetically pleasing wall system that can be readily assembled and disassembled using a minimal number of components. There is also the need for a wall system that has the appearance of a permanent floor-to-ceiling wall without the necessity of attaching the wall to the ceiling or to the floor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an easily demountable or moveable wall having the appearance of a permanently installed, floor-to-ceiling wall, and in particular to a demountable wall constructed of a minimal number of standard components. The invention also relates to the use of a plurality of these walls joined together to form a wall system.
In general, the demountable wall is comprised of a plurality of rectangular vertical panels supported within, but not fastened to, a framework of H-shaped support members. The wall can also include various attachment members that are fitted within the H-shaped members. These attachment members can be used to support the wall on a floor, close the opening between the top of the wall and a ceiling, connect walls, and mount doors.
A unique feature of the invention is that the wall components are not fastened to each other except at the wall ends and corners. That is, the upper and lower ends of intermediate vertical frame members merely abut the upper and lower horizontal framing members, while the panel members are merely inserted into the facing slots of framing members. As a result, these components can be easily and quickly fitted together and separated.
The rectangular vertical panels forming the wall may be identical or different. Each panel may be formed of wood, metal, plastic, glass or any combination of these materials. For example, the panel can be formed of a rectangular glass panel with a surrounding wooden frame. In addition, the framing members are desirably formed of wood.
Each H-shaped member used to frame the wall panels includes opposed panel-receiving slots or grooves, sized to receive the wall panels. That is, the thickness of the wall panel will be approximately the same dimension as the slot width, so that the panel can be inserted into the slot. It will be understood that the term “H-shaped member” is intended to describe the cross-sectional configuration of the support member, and is not intended to suggest any particular orientation of the member.
The H-shaped member may be more specifically defined as an elongated member having a rectangular cross-section with rectangular slots in two opposed faces, the slots being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the member. Unlike most of the framing members of prior art demountable walls, the framing members in the present invention are preferable made of wood.
Since all of the framing members can be of the same cross-sectional shape, it is possible to cut all members with the same settings on the saw or other equipment, and then simply cut the members to a desired length. Moreover, due to the manner is which the walls are constructed, the members can be cut to standard lengths that are useful under a variety of conditions.
More specifically, the basic wall frame is comprised of a lower horizontal H-shaped member with upper and lower opposed rectangular slots; an upper horizontal H-shaped member with upper and lower opposed slots; and one or more H-shaped vertical panel connecting members with opposed side slots. The upper and lower horizontal H-shaped members and the H-shaped vertical panel members can all have the same cross-sectional shape and dimensions. The wall also includes one or more vertical rectangular panels having a thickness substantially equal to the width of the slots on the H-shaped members, so that the edges of the panel can be snugly inserted into the facing slots of the H-shaped members.
The wall is constructed by inserting the lower edges of each vertical panel in the upper slot of the horizontal lower framing member. The sides of each panel are fitted into facing slots of vertical framing members, and the top ends of the panels are capped by inserting the upper edges of the panels into the lower slot of a horizontal upper framing member.
In order to position the wall on a floor or other horizontal surface, the wall may also include a horizontal mounting member fitted into the lower slot of the lower H-shaped member. This mounting member preferably has a horizontal cross-section with opposed upper and lower surfaces, outer and inner faces, and a width approximately equal to the width of the lower slot of the lower H-shaped member, so that the upper end of the mounting member can be snugly inserted into the lower slot of the lower H-shaped member. Vertically adjustable feet of conventional construction are secured to the lower surface of the mounting member to level the wall.
In order to hide the adjustable feet and simulate the appearance of a wall that is permanently affixed to the floor, the outer and inner faces of the mounting plate may be covered with detachable side members or plates. Each side plate may be of a horizontal cross-section with a height approximately equal to, or slightly less than, the height of the horizontal lower H-shaped member. The plates may be releasibly attached to the outer and inner faces of the lower H-shaped member with suitable fasteners.
To simulate a wall that is permanently attached to the ceiling, a vertically a
Boyce Products Ltd.
Friedman Carl D.
Horton Yvonne M.
Rhodes & Mason PLLC
LandOfFree
Demountable wall system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Demountable wall system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Demountable wall system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2450945