Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Multiroom or level – Partition secured to and crossed by preconstructed barrier
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-09
2002-06-04
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Multiroom or level
Partition secured to and crossed by preconstructed barrier
C052S238100, C052S489100, C052S762000, C052S764000, C052S775000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06397533
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a space dividing or partitioning system, such as for use in an office environment. More specifically, the invention relates to such a system that can be easily assembled and disassembled providing numerous space dividing configurations.
A wide variety of office space partitioning or dividing systems are known. Many such systems include individual pre-assembled wall panels that are rigidly interconnected to each other to form a sectioned wall assembly. A pre-assembled panel typically includes a factory assembled panel frame that receives a decorative tile. The decorative tile typically includes a hook member extending from its back face surface that is received in a notched opening in the panel frame. The hook members on each of the tiles allow the tile to be hung from the panel frame. In such a system, it is common to provide a power distribution system toward the lower end of each wall panel, incorporating power receptacles at spaced locations. It is also known to provide power and/or communication distribution in each panel substantially at desk height.
While this type of wall construction functions well and has met with success, it involves certain drawbacks. For example, since each of the decorative tiles includes a hook member extending from its back face surface, care is required in storage and transportation of the individual tiles so as not to bend the hook members on the decorative tile. Further, the space occupied by the hook members prevents the tiles from being efficiently stacked for shipment or storage, and the tiles must be protected to prevent damage which maybe caused by the hook members when the tiles are stacked. Additionally, since the panel frames are typically pre-constructed, if the office owner wishes to reconfigure the panel system, additional panels having the desired configuration must either be retrieved from storage or ordered from the panel manufacturer.
Field-installed panel systems have been developed to overcome certain limitations of wall systems based on prefabricated panel frames. These systems generally include posts and horizontal support members which are selectively engageable with the posts. The posts and horizontal support members are assembled together to construct the skeleton of a wall, and tiles are engaged with the posts to form a wall system. In known systems of this type, however, a module defined by a pair of posts and horizontal support members interconnected therebetween cannot be reconfigured, such as by changing the location of the horizontal support members, without disassembling the entire module. In these systems, if the office owner wishes to add additional horizontal support members to the panel frame or alter the location of existing horizontal support members, the panel frame must be disassembled and the vertical uprights separated to permit the positioning of the horizontal support member therebetween.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a space dividing or partitioning system incorporating field-assembled panel frames. It is a further object of the invention to provide such a system that includes horizontal support members attached between spaced vertical posts, where the horizontal support members can be attached to the vertical posts without separation of the vertical posts. Another object of the invention is to provide such a system that can be quickly and easily reconfigured with a minimal amount of labor. Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a system that can be constructed from a minimal number of core components, such that storage space for the components when not in use is minimized. A still further object of the invention is to provide such a system in which the decorative tiles are hung to each panel frame by independent tile retaining hooks not permanently attached to either the tile or the panel frame. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a tile frame for each of the decorative tiles that can be assembled from individual tile frame members welded at overlapping locations. A still further object of the invention is to provide such a system including horizontal support members that can be attached between the vertical posts in either an upright or an inverted manner. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a novel method of mounting power and data communication wires beneath the individual panels. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a space dividing or partitioning system that can be assembled and disassembled into numerous configurations, including half wall, full wall, and “off-module” mounted walls. A further object of the invention is to provide an overhead storage member that can be slidably mounted within a channel formed in each of the horizontal support members, such that the overhead storage member can be mounted “off-module” and slid between adjacent panel frames.
Generally, the invention contemplates a space dividing or partitioning system for use in a building having a floor and a ceiling. The space dividing system of the invention includes a series of interconnected wall modules or panels, each formed from a field-assembled panel frame and one or more decorative tiles hung on the panel frame. Each panel frame is formed from a pair of vertical posts and at least one horizontal support member positioned between the vertical posts. The vertical posts are configured such that each post is common to adjacent wall modules or panels. Each vertical post may be formed from one or more post sections interconnected by a splice section. The post sections may be either a half post section or a full post section.
Each of the half post sections and full post sections includes a series of vertically aligned receptacles extending from their front and rear face surfaces. The receptacles are spaced and sized to receive attachment members contained on each end of the horizontal support member.
Each horizontal support member defines opposed first and second ends, and is formed from a bottom wall and a pair of opposed sidewalls. The bottom wall of each horizontal support member includes a pair of cut-outs extending from both the first end and the second end of the horizontal support member. The cut-outs allow the horizontal support member to be mounted between a pair of vertical posts that are spaced apart a distance less than the length of the horizontal support member without first separating the vertical posts.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a tile retaining hook is inserted into a hook opening formed in the panel frame. The tile retaining hook extends from the panel frame and is received within a hook channel formed in the decorative tile to be hung on the panel frame. The tile includes a pair of hook channels formed on each corner that extend at a 90° angle with respect to each other. The tile can thus be mounted to the panel frame either vertically or horizontally, depending upon the user's requirements.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a horizontal support member is inverted and mounted near the bottom end of the panel frame. The inverted horizontal support member provides the required support for an electric wireway extending between adjacent joined panels.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, each horizontal support member is configured to provide access to openings contained on the vertical post when the horizontal support member is mounted between a pair of vertical posts. An opening formed in the horizontal support member is alignable with an opening formed on the vertical post when the horizontal support member is mounted to the vertical post. A tile retaining hook extends through the aligned openings and functions to interlock an end of the horizontal support member with the vertical post. Additionally, proper alignment of the opening in the horizontal support member and the opening in the vertical post ensures proper construction of the panel frame.
In accordance with another aspect of the
Gayhart Jon W.
Hornberger Timothy G.
Mansfield Andrew
Tse Yung
Boyle Fredrickson Newholm Stein & Gratz S.C.
Friedman Carl D.
Green Christy M.
Krueger International Inc.
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