Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Multiroom or level – Partition secured to and crossed by preconstructed barrier
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-13
2001-11-06
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Multiroom or level
Partition secured to and crossed by preconstructed barrier
C052S220700, C052S220200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311441
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Within existing architectural structures, landlords and businesses increasingly desire to make functional and aesthetic changes to interior spaces without significantly altering the building in a permanent way. These changes are made to transform the appearance of existing walls or displays, to accommodate new technology, or to provide for more efficient use of space. In order to effectuate these changes, existing walls must be modified or an independent wall system inserted.
For example, in the banking industry, small branch banks are being installed in remote locations, such as grocery stores, malls and superstores. While the space required to accommodate a branch bank may be small, for example, simply the space required for an ATM, installation is complicated, time-consuming and expensive. Because alterations are being made to an existing wall structure, a contractor or specialist must be hired. Existing wiring and plumbing must be located in order to avoid damage to these areas or to interface with the new equipment. Preparation of the space, including destruction of a portion of an existing wall, is noisy and disruptive and creates dirt and debris that may be a hazard to customers. As such, during the installation process either the entire store must be closed or a sufficient area around the work site roped off until completion. Given its complexity, installation is frequently a time-consuming process. Once completed, if problems arise, the contractor or specialist must be called. Further, the location cannot be removed without an even greater expenditure of time and money. Finally, the appearance of the branch bank, including artistry and advertising, cannot be easily changed.
In addition to wanting to make changes to existing wall structures, landlords and businesses frequently desire to “create space” by dividing large, open area into individual work spaces. In response to this need, a number of partition systems have been devised. In this regard, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,746,034 and 5,784,843. One type of partition system includes partial height partition panels detatchably interconnected. Another such partition system includes modular furniture wherein freestanding furniture units are positioned side-by-side with privacy screens utilized to create individual work areas. The success of these systems depends upon their flexibility and their ability to adapt to ever-changing space planning requirements. Additionally, these systems must be capable of providing necessary electrical, plumbing and telecommunications utilities to resulting workspaces. Structural integrity frequently is an issue with these partitions as they are interconnected to form a relatively complex system. Further, sturdiness of construction frequently must be balanced against mobility of the partition system.
While some of the functional difficulties of existing wall panels and partition systems have been addressed, the appearance or aesthetic character of these systems has not received attention. Moreover, the ability of such structures to convey information, artistry, or advertising has not been realized. While systems in the past may have a decorative component, they do not provide the artistic flexibility or changeability that is as consequential as design functionality. For businesses, such as restaurants, noticeable variations in interior appearance are a sign of success and are a reinvestment in the customer.
A need exists for a wall system that meets varying functional requirements, is mobile and easily installed, yet also gives a user the capability of easily transforming its appearance.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is addressed to a module and system for establishing an artistically enhancing and structurally robust space defining periphery within the interior of a facility. The system is formed with interconnected support modules which typically are about eight feet tall and formed in unitary fashion from sheet steel having a ferrous metal content to achieve magnetic responsiveness. These basic and robust structures incorporate vertical side support components which are spaced apart to define a forwardly open cavity surmounted by flat magnetically responsive panel support surfaces. Upper and lower utility channels are manufactured with the support modules for providing raceways for electrical and other utility lines extending along interconnected combinations of the wall defining module components. The support modules stand upon a floor somewhat independently and are capable of being retained in such standing vertical orientation by interconnecting them utilizing three or four bolt and wingnut assemblies. The lower, utility channel containing region of each module is configured to support a hand removable baseboard to provide easy access to continued utilities. Additionally, this lower region incorporates a channel-form upwardly opening panel lower support or platform.
A thin, decorative and typically flexible module panel is positioned against the forward facing panel support in a manner enclosing the noted cavity. Support of this panel is achieved initially by placing its lower edge upon the lower support or platform and erecting it into a vertical orientation such that the thin panel stands in structural compression upon its lower edge. The vertical orientation of this relatively large but thin panel is maintained by providing a magnetic interaction between the periphery of the rearward surface of the panel and the peripherally disposed forwardly facing magnetically responsive flat panel support surfaces. In this regard, relatively small attachment force is required to retain the verticality of the panels. To develop this magnetic coupling, polymeric strip magnets are adhesively fixed to the periphery of the rearward face of each panel. Advantageously, such magnetic coupling of the panels to the support modules permits their easy removal and replacement such that the decor developed with the panels easily is altered by the user. In effect, the wall modules are designed for future image revision. Additionally, because of their modularity, the modules themselves can be repositioned within a facility.
With such a wall module structuring, panels carrying decorative wall finishes are featured, as well as panels carrying art images, graphics and advertising. By mounting lighting appliances such as florescent tubes within the interior cavities of the modules, image carrying transparent panels may be backlit to evoke a dramatic visual effect.
The support modules are readily formed having a curvature to enhance their architectural flexibility and by virtue of the magnetic coupling of the panels, essentially all surfaces including both the forward region and the rearward region of each wall module may carry panels. Additionally, the system lends itself to utilization of smaller panels such as beam defining panels which, again contribute to architectural flexibility and may be utilized in conjunction with the mounting of commercial doors with the wall modules. Architectural capabilities for the system are enhanced by permitting the complimentary expansion of the magnetically supported decorative panels to mounting at the surfaces of preexisting facility walls. To carry this out, a lattice of brackets and magnetically responsive panel support components is anchored to a wall surface. By providing this form of dual component lattice, variations from verticality or plumb of a wall, as well as distortions thereof can be accommodated for easily. Following formation of the wall-borne lattice, the panels are mounted in the same fashion. In this regard, the lower edge of the larger panel is abuttably positioned upon an upwardly open platform and the panel peripheries are then magnetically retained in a vertical orientation. Of course, the wall-borne panels easily may be removed for decorative revision.
Another feature of the system of the invention provid
Alexander Joseph S.
Beavers Dale W.
Shlayn Doris
Friedman Carl D.
Mueller and Smith LPA
The Artglo Company
Varner Steve M.
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