Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Module or panel having discrete edgewise or face-to-face... – With joining means of dissimilar material and separate from...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-08
2001-07-03
Canfield, Robert (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Module or panel having discrete edgewise or face-to-face...
With joining means of dissimilar material and separate from...
C052S584100, C052S240000, C052S282500, C052S270000, C052S127500, C052S127900, C052S127110, C052S741100, C052S745110, C052S745140
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253517
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a universal connector system, and more particularly to arrangements for connecting modular panels, surfaces or partitions together and more particularly to arrangements for connecting such partitions or surfaces of modular panels together.
2. Prior Art
Sectional panels and modular walls are the frequent source of a modem office facility today. Such modular panels are assembled with included hardware, requiring assembly skill and patience, in the all too frequently arduous task of finding the pieces and putting them all together.
Desks, floors and modular panel assemblies all desperately need a system for connecting, aligning and arranging those assemblies in a neat and orderly fashion, permitting rapid assembly and disassembly as necessary.
It is an object of the present invention, to provide an improved universal connector system for walls, desks, work surfaces or floor components which require no special tools, skills or left/right-handed components.
It is a further object of the present invention to reduce the time and complexity involved required to assemble modular components for floors, walls, desks or like work surfaces.
It is a further object of the present invention, to provide a desk, modular panel and work-surface assembly arrangement utilizing a universal connector arrangement which may be pre-attached to that modular component and assembled without tools, extra parts or special assembly equipment required, which tools and extra parts are often misplaced or lost prior to assembly of such components.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a modular component assembly arrangement utilizing a universal connector arrangement as part of that modular component. Such an assembly arrangement is intended to permit alignment, securement, and disassembly of modular components without the need of numerous parts, assembly training or extended periods of time for accomplishing these tasks.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a tensile connector arrangement assembly for joining and aligning a plurality of modular components together. Those modular components may comprise portions of a free-standing desk and return, modular wall panels, or work-surfaces such as tables or floor surfaces. Applications include modular components which require quick and easy assembly for the end user or require repeated re-configuration.
Each tensile connector arrangement assembly includes an elongated connecting rod and a first-end joint which is disposed generally transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongated rod itself, and a second-end having a locking joint disposed generally transversely to the longitudinal axis of the connecting rod shaft. The connecting rod is shown in the aforementioned co-pending application, and in an improved embodiment, has an opening in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the shaft of the connecting rod to facilitate securement or release of the rod from a corner block to which it is attached. The opening may comprise a slit or a round opening to permit the entry of a tool therein to permit pivoting movement of the connecting rod about its first-end, which first-end pivots in a hinge in a second corner block attached to a further modular panel or the like, which hinged relationship is described in my aforementioned co-pending patent application.
The corner block for receiving the tensile connecting rod is generally similar to that of the aforementioned co-pending application, having a generally L-shaped base with a locating hole and a locating pin disposed on its outer face, and a pair of mounting holes on an upper surface to permit the mounting block to be attached to a modular panel or the like. The improved corner block of the present invention has a pair of upstanding guides arranged perpendicular to the uppermost surface, and generally parallel to a pair of pivot hinges disposed therebetween. The upstanding guides permit electrical wires to be arranged between the guides and the pivot hinges in a safe and secure manner. The improved corner block has a groove arranged in each of its side faces parallel to the upper surface, so as to permit a topcap to be slid and secured therewith. A drilled and tapped hole is arranged through the groove on each side of the improved corner block, and on which to mount a base plate. A ramp is arranged in the uppermost surface of the corner block along one side edge to permit the insertion of a flat screwdriver to help dislodge a tensile connecting rod from engagement with the cammed locking detents of the locking fingers.
In an embodiment where the corner block may be utilized along the lowermost side of a modular panel, desk component or wall assembly, a tapped hole may be arranged through the generally horizontally disposed planar surface to permit a leg to be threadably received therein, to permit adjustment of height of that particular panel. The upstanding guides may have a tapped and drilled hole therethrough, for attaching electrical or baseplates thereon.
The present invention also includes a modified corner block arrangement (a transition block) when one panel is to be attached and securely aligned to a further panel, and the first panel is somewhat shorter or lower than the second panel. The transition corner block may generally include an L-shaped corner block similar to that shown in
FIGS. 6
A, B, and C of the aforementioned co-pending application. The transition connector corner block has a pair of locking fingers which extend upwardly from its location on the corner of a lower first panel, upon which is mounted an elongated high-low connector. The high-low connector has a lower knuckle joint with a pair of slots extending through that knuckle joint to mate with the locking fingers on the lowermost transition connector corner block. A second transition connector corner block is mounted on the upper end of the elongated high low connector. The high-low connector is pivotably secured to the lowermost transition connector corner block and brought into alignment with a tensile rod pivotably engaged to the pivot hinges of a full corner block mounted on the uppermost corner of an adjacent panel to which the shorter panel is attached. Upon pivoting engagement of the knuckle joint with the blocking fingers of the lowermost transition connector corner block, the connector rod is arranged to be pivoted into locking engagement with the cammed locking detents on the locking fingers of the upper transition connector corner block on the uppermost end of the high low connector.
A further embodiment contemplated for the present invention for connecting a lower or shorter panel to a taller or higher panel is disclosed wherein a full connector corner block has a track connector arranged therewith. The track connector comprises a generally triangularly shaped web of sheet material having a tapered end having an interlockable symmetric shaft extending generally transversely therefrom. The triangular web of planar material has a broad end having a plurality of fingers arranged angularly thereto. The shaft of the track connector at its narrow end, is arranged to mate with the semicircular engaging portions of the pivot hinges on the transition block to which it is attached. A pair of track connectors are arranged from each side of the corner block, each of these shafts of the pivot connectors having an interlocking bar and receiving ramp for engaging the opposing barb of its adjacent track connector. A plurality of fingers extend from the wide end of the web of the track connector and are arranged so as to engage slots on an accessory track on the adjacent larger panel to which the shorter panel is to be attached. These accessory tracks, as described on the taller panel, are common in the art for supporting shelves or accessories.
The invention further contemplates an elongated wall mount connector having a transition connector corner block arranged at each end thereof. The elo
Canfield Robert
Halgren Don
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