Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Including component designed to receive a disparate article... – Component having specific attachment for an article...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-02
2001-10-02
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Including component designed to receive a disparate article...
Component having specific attachment for an article...
C052S238100, C052S239000, C160S135000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06295764
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a wall panel system, and in particular, to stackable wall panel system comprised of upper wall panels disposed on and overlying lower wall panels.
Panel systems are commonly used to divide large, open office space into separate workspaces. For example, Herman Miller, Inc., the assignee of the present application, manufacturers and sells two such work space management systems: the ACTION OFFICE® system and the ETHOSPACE® system. Typically, workspace management systems are comprised of a series of wall panels arranged in various configurations. For example, wall panels can be connected in series in an end-to-end configuration, or they can be arranged around and connected to a corner post in a two-way, three-way or four-way configuration. Often, it is desirable to provide wall panels of differing heights so as to allow the user of the workspace to have flexibility in configuring the work space. For example, shorter wall panels can be used to ease and promote communication with a user of the workspace, e.g., at a reception area. Conversely, taller wall panels can be used to provide greater privacy for the user.
In other systems, upper wall panels can be arranged above lower wall panels so as to allow the user to reconfigure the workspace. In this way, the height of a wall panel defining in part the workspace can be altered with stackable upper wall panels, rather than removing entirely a lower wall panel and replacing it with a taller or shorter wall panel. Often, however, the addition or removal of stackable upper wall panels can involve complex, multiple parts and require excessive amounts of time and manpower to effect the necessary or desired change.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, one aspect of the invention is directed to an improved system of wall panels, including at least one upper and lower wall panel and a first and second corner post. The first corner post comprises an upper portion. An insert comprises a first end that threadably engages the upper portion and a second end that extends upwardly therefrom. The second corner post is disposed on the first corner post over the insert, and a connector engages the second post member and threadably engages the second end of the insert. The upper and lower wall panels are connected to the first and second corner posts respectively.
In another aspect, a pair of upper wall panels overlie a pair of lower wall panels, with each of the pairs of upper and lower wall panels arranged in an end-to-end configuration respectively. The lower wall panels each have a channel formed along a top portion thereof. A first draw block is disposed in the channels of the lower panels and is attached to the top portions thereof. Each of the upper wall panels includes an alignment clip mounted to the bottom thereof. The alignment clip includes a resilient portion that engages a lip portion formed along an upper edge of the lower wall panel channel. A second draw block and draw rod are used to connect the upper wall panels to one another and to the first draw block.
In yet another aspect, an end-of-the-run upper wall panel is connected to an underlying lower wall panel with an upper and lower draw block and a draw rod. The lower draw block is mounted in a channel formed in the underlying lower wall panel. In a preferred embodiment, an alignment clip attached to a bottom of the upper wall panel engages a portion of the lower wall panel.
The present invention provides significant advantages over other wall panel systems. In particular, the second corner post can be easily and quickly installed on the first corner post, thereby providing the user with the ability to easily reconfigure a workspace by adding or removing stackable upper wall panels. In addition, the second corner post can be installed without having to disassemble the connection between any lower wall panels and the first corner post. Similarly, upper wall panels can be quickly and easily installed in an overlying relationship with lower wall panels through the use of various draw blocks and draw rods, which are easy to manipulate and which are largely interchangeable as between various panel-to-panel and panel-to-corner post interfaces. Moreover, the upper wall panels can be installed without having to disassemble the connection between the lower wall panels. The alignment clip also provides the important advantage of maintaining the alignment of an upper wall panel on an underlying lower wall panel so as to improve the aesthetics of the system.
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patent: 5
Berridge Philip Longstreet
Compton Scott Walter
Gezon Bruce Robert
Lufkin Anthony David
Ramsdell Shane Michael
Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
Friedman Carl D.
Herman Miller Inc.
Nguyen Chi
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