Supports – Brackets – Specially mounted or attached
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-23
2001-03-20
Ramirez, Ramon O. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Brackets
Specially mounted or attached
C052S036600, C248S243000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202965
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to modular office furniture and, in particular, to a secure locking system for contiguous panels of the furniture which allows such panels to be used in either orientation.
II. Description of the Prior Art
Modular office systems have become increasingly popular for their ease of installation and relatively low cost in association with the flexibility such systems provide. Office cubicles, desks and partitions can be easily rearranged or disassembled as personnel requirements change. However, these office systems must also be stable enough to withstand continuous use while also being capable of delivering essential utilities such as electrical power, telephones and computer networking. Because of the modular construction of such office systems, supplying such utilities must be conveniently accomplished. It is also desirable to organize the utility wiring throughout the modular system to facilitate repair or replacement.
Prior known office systems are very rigid in their construction variations. Typically, a frame is provided to which appropriate panels, drawers and desktops are mounted. Wiring may be run through the frame or between panels. connected to form cubicles and partitions are configured for assembly in only one orientation. This requires the manufacture and inventory of two sets of panels to allow complete assembly of an office system.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior known modular office system by providing modular panels which may be assembled in either of a dual orientation and locked together to prevent inadvertent disconnection.
The furniture panels which are assembled to form a modular office system such as partitions and cubicles have a substantially planar configuration with a floor engaging bottom edge and a finished top edge. The panel includes at least one side edge which facilitates connection to a contiguous panel. Intermediate panels will include two side edge connections while an end panel will include a finished side edge for aesthetic purposes.
The side edge of the panel will include a plurality of T-shaped tabs adapted to be received in corresponding slots of an upright frame member. Upon inserting the tabs into the slots, the panel is shifted downwardly so as to lock the cross-portion of the tab behind the slot. To prevent inadvertent disconnection of the panel, a fastener bar is deployed to prevent movement of the panel. The bar is laterally shiftable from within the panel to an extended position engaging the upright frame member.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2127280 (1938-08-01), Zimbalist
patent: 2534952 (1950-12-01), Comer
patent: 2956688 (1960-10-01), Galassi
patent: 3353684 (1967-11-01), Chesley
patent: 3601432 (1971-08-01), Fenwick et al.
patent: 3666303 (1972-05-01), Huls
patent: 3730108 (1973-05-01), Stroh
patent: 3794281 (1974-02-01), Munsey
patent: 3966158 (1976-06-01), Boundy
patent: 4048768 (1977-09-01), Good
patent: 4133433 (1979-01-01), Wolf
patent: 4154419 (1979-05-01), Breidenbach
patent: 4171789 (1979-10-01), Vander Hoek et al.
patent: 4198913 (1980-04-01), Haworth et al.
patent: 4387872 (1983-06-01), Hogue
patent: 4971281 (1990-11-01), Steinbeck
patent: 5116007 (1992-05-01), Von Gunton et al.
patent: 5135194 (1992-08-01), Laughon et al.
patent: 5433327 (1995-07-01), Benvenuti et al.
patent: 5494246 (1996-02-01), McCarthy et al.
patent: 5538213 (1996-07-01), Brown
Doigan Lloyd D.
Ramirez Ramon O.
The Marvel Group, Inc.
Zarins Edgar A.
LandOfFree
Panel fastening system for modular office furniture does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Panel fastening system for modular office furniture, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Panel fastening system for modular office furniture will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2482102