Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 0221001~ 1997-09-03
PANEL FOR PANEL SYSTEM IN RACEWAY CABLE RETENTION AND
ACCOMODATION APPARATUS
This is a divisional application of application
serial no. 2,102,285 filed on 2 November, 1993.
FIELD OF THE INVENT~ON
The present invention relates to a raceway
cable retention and accommodation apparatus having the
dual functions of providing a support for a panel and
providing a support for cables located behind the panel.
BACRGRO~JND OF T~B INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a modular
panel system which is easily constructed and allows for
easy installation of the wiring necessary in an office or
hospital-like environment. It is well known to employ
modular wall systems in offices and hospitals to create
individual work stations which present a sense of privacy
for those working at the station, while at the same time
the wall system provides a more open working atmosphere.
One essential attribute of any modular wall system is the
ability to be positioned in a myriad of different config-
urations so as to be adaptable to the different functions
of the office or hospital and adaptable to various perma-
nent features already present in the office or hospital.
An example of such a modular wall system is U.S. Patent
No. 5,038,539, assigned to Herman Miller, Inc.
Modular wall systems were developed in which
internal conduits were provided in the walls. In some
embodiments, the internal conduits were formed by forming
a recess in the wall and attaching brackets inside the
recess. The brackets were used to support a panel that
formed an exterior part of the modular wall. Wiring and
such were then placed in the internal conduit defined by
the recess, brackets, and the panel.
CA 0221001~ 1997-09-03
One disadvantage of such prior modular wall
systems is that they have a limited capacity in the amount of
wiring that they can accommodate.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present
invention is to provide a modular wall system which provides
for increased capacity for wiring present in the modular wall.
Another object of the present invention to provide
a simple bracketing system to improve cost and decrease the
time of installation of wiring and the panel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a raceway cable
retention and accommodation apparatus which has a support
surface and a bracket to support a cover. In one embodiment,
the raceway cable retention and accommodation apparatus
comprises a cover extending along a first direction. The
cover is attached to a C-shaped bracket connected to a support
surface.
The above-described raceway cable retention and
accommodation apparatus provides a simple bracket which leads
to improved attachment of a cover to a modular wall system.
Furthermore, the raceway cable retention and accommodation
apparatus defines an inner conduit space which provides for
improved capacity for retaining cables.
The present invention also relates to a bracket
comprising a mounting portion, a first leg connected to the
mounting portion, a second leg connected to the first leg, and
a third leg connected to the second leg. The mounting portion
and the first, second, and third legs are configured so as to
define a J-shaped structure. The J-shaped bracket is attached
to the support surface by a mounting device.
The above-described mounted bracket allows for
improved ease in attaching a cover in a snap-on fashion. The
mounted bracket allows for increased cable capacity and allow
for "laying-in" cable.
CA 0221001~ 1997-09-03
The present invention provides a panel for a panel
system which has five lateral surfaces angled with respect to
each other. The panel has a first surface, a second surface
connected to the first surface, and a third surface connected
to the second surface. Furthermore, the panel has a fourth
surface connected to the third surface and a fifth surface
connected to the fourth surface. The panel is configured such
that the first and second surfaces are mirror images of the
fourth and fifth surfaces with respect to a plane which is
perpendicular to the third surface. In addition, the first
surface defines an acute angle with respect to the plane.
The above-described panel provides for easy snap-
on installation to a bracket. The panel also allows for
defining an inner conduit which has increased capacity for
retaining cables. The panel also has an aesthetically
pleasing look.
The present invention is also related to an
improved panel system. The improved panel system has a first
panel and first and second posts spaced from each other. The
first and second posts are connected to each other by a
connection piece. A C-shaped bracket is mounted to the
connection piece and the panel is attached to the C-shaped
bracket.
The above-described panel system provides for
improved modification in the configuration of the system in
response to customized requirements in the field.
The above-described panel system provides a panel
which juts out beyond a plane containing adjoining panels
resulting in increased cable capacity and improved ease in
positioning cables in the wall when compared with the planar
adjoining panels.
The above-described panel system provides for
unobstructed horizontal wire and cable routing capabilitity,
which is called "laying-in" in the art.
The above-described panel system provides for
CA 0221001~ 1997-09-03
selectable vertical wire and cable ingress and egress. The
panel system also provides logical interface capability with
power and signal cable entry from floors, walls and from power
poles.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a view of a panel system employing an
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a section of the
panel system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a view of the panel system of FIG. 2
with cables present;
FIG. 4 is a top cross-sectional view of a corner
section of the panel system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5A is a view of a first embodiment of a
bracket related to the present invention;
FIG. 5B is a view of a second embodiment of a
bracket related to the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a view of an embodiment of a panel used
in the present invention;
FIG. 7A is a front view of the bracket of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7B is a side view of the bracket of FIG. 5
with the panel of FIG. 6 attached thereto;
FIGS. 7C-E illustrate the FIG. 7B embodiment of
the present invention with various cables contained therein;
FIG. 8A is a front view of a second embodiment of
a bracket related to the present invention;
FIG. 8B is a side view of the bracket of FIG. 8A;
FIG. 9A is a front view of a third embodiment of
a bracket related to the present invention; and
FIG. 9B is a side view of the bracket of FIG. 9A.
FIG. 10A is a front view of a cap related to the
present invention;
FIG. 10B is a side view of the cap of FIG. 10A;
FIG. llA is a plan view of a second embodiment of
CA 0221001~ 1997-09-03
a retention panel used in the present invention;
FIG. llB is a front view of the retention panel
of FIG. llA;
FIG. llC is a side view of the retention panel of
FIG. llA; and
FIG. 12 is a top cross-section view of an
extrusion used in the embodiment of FIGS. 1, 9A-9B, and 11 A-
C.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention is best understood upon
viewing a preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. In
FIG. 1 a modular wall panel system 2 is illustrated comprising
a plurality of walls 4 which are positioned in a desired
arrangement. Each wall comprises a bottom panel 6, retention
panel 8 located above bottom panel 6, and top panels 10
located above the retention panel 8. Section A illustrates
an opening in which no top panels 10 are present and a
retention panel 8 is supported by vertical aluminum extrusions
12. Of course the number of bottom panels 6 located below
retention panel 8 and the number of top panels 10 located
above retention panel 8 may vary depending on the desired
appearance of the wall panel system and the wiring needs of
the room. It is contemplated to use more than one retention
panel 8 on a wall 4 to allow for an increased cable handling
capacity.
One aspect of the present invention is shown in
FIG. 2, wherein a section B of the wall panel system 2 of FIG.
1 is illustrated. Section B illustrates an opening in which
no top panels 10 are present for illustrative purposes.
Section B of FIG. 2 also has retention panel 8 removed so as
to expose the inner parts of a raceway.
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-- 6
cable retention and accommodation apparatus denoted gen-
erally as 14. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the raceway
cable retention and accommodation apparatus comprises C-
shaped brackets 16 which are attached or mounted to a
support surface 18, wherein support surface 18 is located
on a post 20 or a connection piece such as an adjustable
expansion bar 22. Each end of the adjustable expansion
bar 22 is attached to a post 20 by well known means such
as nuts and bolts. In one embodiment, the expansion bar
22 comprises two pieces slidable with respect to each
other so as to be adjustable in length. Such an expan-
sion bar 22 can be adjusted to have lengths of 36", 42",
or 48", but other lengths are also possible depending on
the desired wall length. In another embodiment the con-
nection piece may be fixed in length, but with variable
lengths of bar 22 made available. Each of the brackets
16 have a mounting portion 24 allowing the brackets 16 to
be attached to the adjustable expansion bar 22 or posts
20 by such well known mounting devices as nuts and bolts
26 and the like. Once the brackets 16 are attached to
the expansion bar 22 and posts 20, cables 28 are strung
through brackets 16 as seen in FIG. 3. A C-shaped reten-
tion panel 8 is then attached to the brackets 16 in a
snap-on manner to produce the wall panel system of FIG.
1. Panel 8 has a flexible filler strip 30 attached to
each end thereof. It is contemplated that the cable
retention and accommodation apparatus is designed to be
an integral component of existing wall panel systems,
such as the Etho-Space wall panel system described in
U.S. Patent No. 5,038,539 assigned to Herman Miller, Inc.
and manufactured and available from Milcare, Inc., a
Herman Miller Company. It is further contemplated that
the cable retention and accommodation apparatus is adapt-
ed to other configurations besides the straight line 180~
passage of FIGS. 1-3, such as (1) inside 90~ corners (See
FIG. 4); (2) inside 135~ corners; and (3) through T-con-
nections required for panel support.
CA 0221001~ 1997-09-03
The wall panel system of FIG. 1 comprises a
rectangular top panel 10 and a rectangular bottom panel 6
which are adjacent to retention panel 8. Top panel 10
and bottom panel 6 are aligned with each other and are
parallel to and offset from surface 84 of retention panel
8 such that the thickness of panels 6 and 10 is different
from retention panel 8. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS.
1, 6, 7C-E, and 9B, an zppealing appearance is
accomplished by having the edges 32 and 34 of panels 6
and 10, respectively, be parallel with and adjoining
corresponding edges 36 and 38 of retention panel 8 formed
between surfaces 80 and 82 and between surfaces 86 and
88, respectively.
Besides allowing for multiple walls 4 to be
connected in a linear manner as shown in FIGS. 1-3, the
cable retention and accommodation apparatus 16 allows for
the walls 4 to be configured to form a corner 40 as shown
in FIG. 4. Corner 40 is formed by two posts 20 in which
their support surfaces 18 for brackets 16 are perpendicu-
lar with respect to each other. Each post 20 has a brac-
ket 16 attached to the support surface 18 and where each
bracket 16 has a corner retention panel 42 attached ther-
eto in a snap-on fashion. Corner retention panels 42
have the same shape as the retention panels 8 of FIGS. 2
and 3 up to the brackets 16. However, the top surface 44
and the bottom surface (not shown) of each corner panel
42 have an extension 46 extending beyond the bracket 16.
The other three surfaces of the corner panels 42 are
mitred as shown in FIG. 4. The posts 20 are attached to
each other by a curved piece 48 and by a draw tube assem-
bly as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,038,539. As seen
in FIG. 4, once the two corner panels 42 are snapped into
place they form an inner corner and, in addition, their
flexible filler strips 30 overlap at 50. The panels 42
are mitred at the appropriate angle for producing either
a 90~ or 135~ corner. A cable 28 is threaded through the
brackets 16 and around the corner. Furthermore, rear
CA 0221001~ 1997-09-03
panels 52 may be attached to the other sides of posts 20
and curved piece 48. Rear panels 52 comprise straight
sections and a curved section. The curved section is
adjacent to curved piece 48. Rear panels 52 have a C-
shaped cross-section similar to panels 42, as shown in
FIG. 6. The straight sections of rear panels 52 are
attached by C-shaped brackets (not shown) attached to
post 20 in a manner similar to that of the C-shaped brac-
kets 16 which attached panels 42. The curved section of
rear panels 52 is preferably attached to two C-shaped
brackets attached to each end of curved section 48. Once
the straight and curve sections of rear panels 52 are
attached to the C-shaped brackets, flexible filler strips
overlap. Thus, a cable retention panel system may be
formed for outside corners as well as inside corners.
Though the above example illustrates a 90~ corner other
configurations of the cable retention panel system are
contemplated, such as a 135~ corner.
FIG. 5A illustrates a first embodiment of the
bracket 16 used in the wall panel system of FIGS. 1-4,
7A-E, 8A-B, 9A-B, 10A-B, and llA-C. Bracket 16 is pref-
erably made of 0.065 (16 gauge) sheet metal, but other
materials having sufficient strength to support the re-
tention panel and the cables. Bracket 16 comprises three
elements, a mounting portion 24 and two J-shaped struc-
tures 54. J-shaped structures are preferably made of
0.033 spring steel. Mounting portion 24 preferably is
rectangular and has a plurality of holes for mounting the
bracket 16 to a support surface 18. Each J-shaped struc-
ture has four planar legs 56, 58, 60, and 62 connected to
each other. Each J-shaped structure 54 has leg 56 placed
parallel to and attached to the mounting portion 24 in a
well known way such as spot welding to form a C-shaped
bracket.
FIG. 5B illustrates a second embodiment of the
bracket 16 which can also be used in the wall panel sys-
tem of FIGS. 1-4, 7A-E, 8A-B, 9A-B, 10A-B, and llA-C.
CA 0221001~ 1997-09-03
g
The particulars of the second embodiment of the bracket
16 are the same as those for the first embodiment of FIG.
5A described above, however, the second embodiment em-
ploys a pivoting blocking element 64. Blocking element
64 retains wires in place so none fall out when panel 8
is not attached to the C-shaped bracket. Blocking ele-
ment 64 is made of 0.047 steel. Blocking element 64 has
a width of approximately 1.25" and a length of approxi-
mately 2.80". At a bottom end of blocking element 64 a
tab 66 is formed which is parallel the remaining portion
68 of the blocking element 64. Tab 66 has a length of
approximately 0.430" and is displaced from the plane of
portion 68 by approximately 0.063". The top end of bloc-
king element 64 has a radius of curvature of approximate-
ly 0.625" and a hole 70 which is aligned with a corre-
sponding hole 72 in top leg 62. Hole 72 is located ap-
proximately 0.250" from the free end of leg 62. Blocking
element 64 is pivotally attached to top leg 62 via rivet
74. The blocking element 64 is able to rotate from an
open position exposing the gap between legs 62 to a
closed position closing the same gap. In the open posi-
tion, one is able to insert cables 28 through the C-brac-
kets. In the closed position, the blocking element 64 is
pivoted so that tab 66 fits behind bottom leg 62, thus,
ensuring cables 28 are retained between the brackets 16
while retention panel 8 is snapped into place.
Mounting portion 24 may have several preferred
embodiments. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 7A, and 8A, a first
embodiment of the mounting portion 24 comprises a rectan-
gular sheet, preferably made of 0.065 (16 gauge) sheet
metal. In a preferred embodiment, the rectangular sheet
has a width of approximately 2.0" and a length of approx-
imately 6.375". Furthermore, the rectangular sheet has a
plurality of holes and/or slots to have mounting devices
26 inserted therein. It is preferred that there are a
pair of holes aligned with each other so as to be paral-
lel to a length-wise edge of the rectangular sheet.
CA 0221001~ 1997-09-03
-- 10 --
The pair of holes are separated by approximately
1.0" and are approximately 0.5" from the length-wise edge
and each of the holes is 2.687" from a width-wise edge
closest thereto. The pair of holes will be aligned with
the opening of the C-shaped bracket 16. Furthermore, the
mounting portion 24 comprises another pair of holes and a
slot which are aligned with each other so as to be paral-
lel to a second length-wise edge of the rectangular
sheet. The pair of holes are separated by approximately
3.625" and are approximately 0.5" from the length-wise
edge and each of the holes is 1.375" from a width-wise
edge closest thereto. The slot is located between the
second pair of holes and separated from each hole by
approximately 1.75". The second pair of holes and the
slot will be offset from the opening of the C-shaped
bracket 16.
FIGS. 9A-B illustrate a second embodiment
of the mounting portion 24 which is essentially the same
rectangular sheet described previously for the first
embodiment. The second embodiment differs from the first
embodiment by having a L-shape in which the sheet is bent
at a right angle approximately 0.75" from the length-wise
edge closest the slot. Thus, an L-shaped mounting por-
tion is formed having a length of approximately 6.375"
and one rectangular section having a width of approxima-
tely 1.25" and another rectangular section perpendicular
to the other section and having a width of approximately
0.75". The mounting portion 24 preferably has holes
configured as in the first embodiment with the only vari-
ation being that the slot is eliminated. It is preferred
that #10 x 3/4" screws and 0.218" diameter holes and
slots are used for mounting the bracket 16 in the various
embodiments described above except for the embodiment of
FIGS. 9A-B. In the embodiment of FIGS. 9A-B, ~10-24
machine screws are used.
Once each J-shaped structure 54 is intercon-
nected to the mounting portion 24 the configuration of
CA 0221001~ 1997-09-03
the J-shaped structure 54 is easily described. The four
legs of a J-shaped structure are mirror images of their
respective legs on the other J-shaped structure with
respect to a plane perpendicular to and bisecting the
length of the mounting portion 24. Legs 58 form an angle
of approximately 30~ with respect to the plane. Legs 60
form an angle of approximately 45~ with respect to the
plane. Legs 62 are parallel to legs 56, the support
surface 18 and the mounting portion 24.
In a preferred embodiment, the thickness and
width for leg 56 is approximately 0.033" and 1.25", re-
spectively. The thickness and width for legs 58, 60, and
62 is approximately 0.033" and 1.25", respectively. The
length of each of legs 56 is approximately 2.0". The
length of each of legs 58 is approximately 0.812". The
length of each of legs 60 is approximately 1.562". The
length of each of legs 62 is approximately 1.687" and the
separation between the legs 62 is approximately 1.812".
Though the above dimensions and angles are preferred it
should be apparent that other dimensions and angles are
contemplated depending on the desired appearance and
cable capacity.
As shown in FIGS. 7A and B, bracket 16 may be
attached to post 20 by inserting mounting devices 26,
such as sheet metal screws, into holes present in the
mounting portion 24 offset from the legs and which are
aligned with corresponding holes in the post 20. In
another embodiment, a bracket 16 may be attached to an
expansion bar 22 as shown in FIGS. 8A and B. Screws are
inserted into holes present in the mounting portion 24
aligned with the legs and which are aligned with corre-
sponding holes in the expansion bar 22.
In yet another embodiment shown in FIGS. 9A-B,
bracket 16 is attached to the vertical extrusions 12 of
Fig. 1. Bracket 16 has an L-shaped mounting portion 24
which has a section perpendicular to legs 62. A
CA 022l00l~ l997-09-03
- 12 -
preferred embodiment of the L-shaped mounting portion was
described previously. The bracket 16 is preferably is
attached to a rectangular section having a width of 1. 25'
such that the bracket 16 is in contact with the other
perpendicular section. As seen in FIG. 12 vertical ex-
trusions 12 define a cavity space wherein cover posts 20
are located. Vertical extrusions 12 have slots 75 in
which rectangular nuts 76 are able to slide down into a
mating position. The slots 75 face in a direction per-
pendicular to the side in which the covers 8 face. Nuts
76 may be formed as separate pieces or formed by two
tapped holes in a single piece which slides in the slot.
Machine screws 78 are inserted into holes present in the
mounting portion 24 and tightened into rectangular nuts
76 which are aligned with the holes.
Once the C-shaped brackets 16 are attached to
the support surfaces 18, one or more cables 28 are strung
through the brackets 16 SO as to be contained in each
J-shaped structure and the C-shaped bracket. Then reten-
tion panel 8 engages legs 58, 60, and 62 SO as to be
attached to brackets 16 in a snap-on manner.
FIG. 6 illustrates a preferred embodiment of
the retention panel 8. Retention panel has five planar
and rectangular surfaces 80, 82, 84, 86, and 88 connected
to each other. Surfaces 80 and 88 are mirror images of
each other, as well as surfaces 82 and 86, with respect
to a horizontal plane perpendicular to and bisecting
along the length surface 84. Surface 80 is angled down-
ward with respect to the horizontal plane and surface 88
is angled upward with respect to the horizontal plane so
that each form an acute angle of approximately 30~ with
respect to the horizontal plane. Surfaces 82 and 86 each
form an angle of approximately 45~ with respect to the
plane. Surfaces 80 and 82, as well as surfaces 86 and
88, subtend an angle of approximately 105 ~ . Surface 84
is parallel to legs 56, the support surface 18 and the
mounting portion 24 when attached to brackets 16 in a
CA 0221001~ 1997-09-03
-- 13 --
snap-on manner. Thus, retention panel 8 is preferably C-
shaped.
In a preferred embodiment, the surfaces 80, 82,
84, 86, and 88 are made of approximately 0.100" extruded
plastic having a desired color. The length of each of
the surfaces varies depending on the desired length of
the wall employing the panel. For the retention panel
shown in FIG. 6, the width of rectangular surfaces 80 and
88 is approximately 0. 51' . The width of rectangular sur-
faces 82 and 86 is approximately 1. 56211 . The width of
rectangular surface 84 is approximately 5 .188". Though
the above dimensions and angles are preferred it should
be apparent that other dimensions and angles are contem-
plated depending on the desired appearance and cable
capacity.
Another preferred embodiment of retention panel
8 is illustrated in FIGS. llA-C. The retention panel 8
of FIGS. llA-C is preferably attached by the brackets 16
to the vertical extrusions 12 of FIG. 1. The second
embodiment of retention panel 8 is exactly the same as
the retention panel 8 described previously regarding
FIGS. 2 and 6, except for a few differences. One differ-
ence is that surfaces 80 (not shown) and 88 contain
notched out areas 90 and support areas 92. For retention
panels having lengths of approximately 30" or 48",
notched areas 90 have a length of approximately 3 . 25'1 and
the length of the support area 92 is approximately 23 . 51'
or approximately 41. 51', respectively. The notched areas
90 preferably have a width of approximately 0. 51' . As
seen in FIGS. llB-C, a support piece 94 is attached to a
center section 90 located in the interior portion of the
retention panel at surface 88 and approximately 1. 751'
from each end of the support area 92. Support piece 94
preferably is made of 18 gauge sheet metal and is L-
shaped, wherein each leg of the L-shaped piece is approx-
imately 0. 51' wide and approximately 19" or approximately
371' long, respectively. The support piece is preferably
CA 022l00l~ l997-09-03
-- 14 --
attached to retention panel 8 by rivets 96 or other well
known attachment devices.
As shown in FIGS. lOA-B, an end cap 98 is in-
serted to fit snugly in the open ends of retention panel
8 present at an end wall. Cap 98 presents an appealing
appearance to the modular wall panel system and prevents
access to the cables therein. Cap 98 preferably is made
of 18 gauge steel. Cap 98 comprises in one embodiment a
rectangular-like mounting section 100 with a length-wise
edge connected to a second section 102. Section 100
preferably has a width of approximately 1.5" and a length
of approximately 6.375". Section 100 has a length-wise
edge unattached to section 102 that has three indenta-
tions 104, 106, and 108. Indentations 104 and 108 are
located approximately 1.375" from each corresponding
width-wise edge of section 8 and have a depth of approxi-
mately 0.266" and a radius of curvature of approximately
0.109". Indentation 106 is slot-like in shape having a
width of approximately 0.125" and a radius of curvature
for the inner corners of approximately 0.109". As seen
in FIG. lOB, section 102 is a planar sheet having a shape
approximately the same as the cross-sectional shape de-
fined by retention panel 8 and brackets 16. Section 102
has a width of approximately 2.0" and a length of approx-
imately 7.562" as measured from corners 104.
Preferably, cap 98 is placed into position
after bracket 16 has been mounted. Indentations 104,
106, and 108 engage the sheet screws which are inserted
into the offset pair of holes and slot of the mounting
portion 24. Next the screws are tightened so as to hold
the bracket 16 and cap 98 into place. Then retention
panel 8 is snapped into place onto bracket 16 and section
102. Thus, the cable retention space is sealed off by
section 102.
As shown in FIGS. 7C-E, when the retention
panel 8 is snapped into place onto brackets 16 there is
formed a cable retention space with improved cable capac-
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-- 15 --
ity. In the embodiment of FIG. 7C, it is shown that the
cable retention space created is capable of containing
ten 3/4" diameter flexible conduit cables. In the em-
bodiment of FIG. 7D, it is shown that the same cable
retention space of FIG. 7C is capable of containing six-
teen 1/2" diameter flexible conduit cables. Furthermore,
the embodiment of FIG. 7E, illustrates that when 1/2"
diameter flexible cables are bundled together the cable
retention space is cable of containing thirty 1/2" flexi-
ble conduit cables (3 bundles each containing 10 1/2"
cables) and five 3/4" diameter flexible conduit cables.
While the invention has been described with
relation to certain presently preferred embodiments,
those with skill in this art will recognize other modifi-
cations of the invention which will still fall within the
scope of the invention, as expressed in the accompanying
claims.
