Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02216~6~ 1997-09-26
W096/33323 PCT/C~96100246
MODU~AR OFFICE FURNITURE PARTITION
This application is a continuation in part
application of U.S. patent application Serial No.
08/423,650, filed April 17, 1995 which is a continuation in
~ part of U.S. pa1:ent application Serial No. 08/136,809,
filed October 15, 1993 and issued as ~.S. Patent 5,406,760.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an upright partition for
use in a modular office furniture system, having an open
internal frame inward of removable cladding panels within
which cables, wires and electrical power conduits may be
enclosed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of modular office furniture systems is
currently very wide spread in modern office interior
design. The adva.ntages of using partitions in a modular
office system include increased efficiency in the use of
space and individual offices with permanent walls may be
largely eliminated in open office designs. As a result, a
tenant of leased commercial space may minimize the cost of
leasehold improvements, and may occupy and vacate premises
rapidly through assembly and disassembly of modular
components.
Conventi.onally, a partition comprises an interior
hollow rectangular frame constructed of roll formed sheet
metal channel sections welded together in a rigid assembly.
Electrical wiring.and communication cables are accommodated
in the hollow interior of the partitions, and are passed
between partitions through holes punched in the webs of
frame members. Partitions are connected together at their
vertical end frame members into various geometric office
maze patterns and cladding panels are hung on the frames to
enclose and conceal the supporting frames and wiring.
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Commonly the vertical frame members have a series
of longitudinally spaced slots within which dogs extending
from the cladding panels are engaged. In a like manner
shelves, desktop brackets, filing cabinets and other
components of the modular office furniture system are hung
~n the partitions to r~rl~t~ the r~ ~ furniture
assembly.
The fabrication of conventional partition frames
often involves several operations which require special
tooling and machine setups. For example, where frame
members are constructed of formed sheet metal channels,
openings for wiring, notches for connections to other frame
members and slots for hanging accessories are punched in a
flat sheet metal blank. The blank is then bent into a
channel shape in a rollforming operation, or on a brake
press. The formed channels are then fitted together in a
jig and welded at rigid connections.
It will be apparent that where different sized
frame members are used and where the configuration of
members vary, numerous machine setup modifications must be
made. Production may involve the preparation of a number of
different frame member configurations each of which may
require separate inventory, machine setups, production
scheduling and drawings. Therefore it is desirable to
simplify the design of frame members as much as possible to
~;n;~;~e production costs, inventory requirements, and
provide maximum flexibility in manufacturing scheduling.
It is also desirable to minimize the use of
welding as a means for connecting frame components. The
heat from welding can distort metal frames, and a further
manufacturing step may be required to straighten metal
frames which have become twisted, or cambered through the
welding process. In addition, welding thin sheet metal
frames may require relatively highly skilled workers, and
quality control supervision.
A welded metal frame is for all practical
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-- 3
purposes, impossible to modify after fabrication. An
improperly fabricated welded metal frame must be scrapped
and very little of the material can be salvaged for reuse.
If a purchaser of a partition system wishes to modify the
furniture layou~, whole partitions cannot be modified
easily. Therefore modi~icati~n rlAnc a~ to th~
rearrangement of existing partitions, or purchasing new
partitions of di~ferent ~;rAn~sions.
Despite the above disadvantages however, welded
metal partition frames remain the most commonly used type
since the strength is high and manufacturing cost is low
compared to conventional alternatives.
A significant recent development in partition
design relates to the increasing demands being put on office
furniture to accommodate various communication devices such
as computers, telephones, facsimile machines, printers and
the like.
In order to accommodate the increasing number of
electrical and communication wires required in most modern
office environments, wire or cable raceways through the
hollow interior of partitions have been provided. The
common conventional location for such a raceway is at the
base or cap of a partition.
The in~ividual conventional partitions each have a
raceway or several raceways which communicate with each
other when assembled in a modular partition wall. The
raceway also commonly communicates with the electrical
system of the occupied building through vertical power poles
which extend up through the drop ceiling of the building
office space or through monuments and access openings in the
floor of the office space.
United States Patent No. 4,133,153 to Hage
describes a typical conventional partition raceway. The
base portion of the Hage partition is essentially a hollow
accessible beam within which electrical and communication
wiring can be placed. The conventional partition frame is
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-- 4
connected to the top of the hollow beam forming the cable
raceway.
United States Patent No. 5,038,539 to Kelly et al
describes another example of a partition system which may
accommodate cables at the base and at the cap of a
conventional partition system. The vertical frame members
are not modified in such a system but rather the cables are
passed over the vertical frame members around their outward
edges. This type of system may accommodate limited numbers
of relatively thin cables retaining them within the space
occupied by the cladding panels.
An alternative conventional method of passing
wires between frames is described in United States Patent
No. 4,535,S77 to Tenser et al. In this conventional system
openings are made in the web section of vertical frame
members. The electrical and communication wiring are
threaded through the web openings. Therefore wires are not
visible but are entirely concealed by the cladding panels.
An advantage of this system is that the outward edges of
vertical frame members remain completely clear. Accordingly
the attachment of other components of modular office
furniture systems is not impeded by cables overlapping the
openings upon which shelves and other components are hung.
A distinct disadvantage of such a system is the
need to thread cables through the openings. When
installing, moving or maint~;~;ng computers or other office
equipment, it may become frequently necessary to install and
remove the cables. Increased labour costs and wear on the
cables results from such a system. However since the web
portion of the frame member contributes minimally to the
strength of the frame member, providing such openings does
not reduce the strength of the frame significantly.
Since most office equipment is operated on the top
of a desk or table, current partition designs often include
what is known as a "waist-line" waist height cable
raceway. Electrical receptacles and various wires are
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-- 5
accommodated at waist height thereby eliminating wires which
hang down from table top to "base-line" receptacles located
at the bottom of a partition. Use of a waist-line raceways
simplifies installation and maintenance of equipment by
eliminating the need for the installer to crawl under
furniture to access a base-Lin~ C~hl ~ ~o~ica~
receptacles. The use of a waist height raceway also
generally reduces the length of cables required between
devices all located at a table top elevation.
An open interior partition system is sold under
the trade mark OPTIMA by Design Finish Studio of Israel.
This conventional partition is constructed of vertical sheet
metal channel posts with pairs of horizontal round tubes.
The pairs of horizontal tubes at each of their ends are
inserted into specially designed molded plastic end
connectors. The plastic connectors are snap-locked into the
interior throat ~f the vertical channel posts to complete a
rigid connection. The partition accommodates wires and
cables within its interior by threading wires etc between
the pairs of tubes and through openings punched in the webs
of the vertical post channels.
This type of partition remains at a disadvantage
since special molded connectors must be used, and the wires
must be threaded between partitions through openings in the
web of the posts.
Threading of wires through openings increases the
time and effort required to install, remove and maintain
office equipment, and increases wear on the outer insulated
surfaces of the wiring, thereby reducing its service life.
However in such a conventional partition, since
the entire internal space is open, between pairs of
horizontal tubes, wires and cables may be accommodated at
any level within an individual partition in the interior
behind removable panels. Additionally, the panels are
coupled to the horizontal beams with resilient tabs,
rendering the entire internal cavity easily accessible
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- 6 -
through removable panels.
Therefore it is desirable to provide a partition
which may easily accommodate electrical and communication
cables preferably at any height in a manner which simplifies
the installation, removal and maintenance of such equipment.
Also it is desirable to protect and conceal wiring
and receptacles as much as possible behind cladding panels
while main~ining the structural integrity of the partition
frame.
The simplification of frame construction may
result in significant cost savings in respect of the type of
fabrication machinery used in manufacturing, savings in
inventory costs, and enhancement of production scheduling.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention addresses the disadvantages of the
prior art in a novel manner through the provision of an
upright partition for use in a modular office furniture
system.
The partition of the invention has a frame which
is open within its interior providing clearance for wires
and cables enclosed between cladding panels on the frames
exterior. The frame is simply constructed of vertical posts
and horizontal beams connected together at rigid overlapping
joints. Saddle brackets are used to secure rounded tubular
beams to square tubular posts with screws or rivets. The
overlapping of beams on the posts provides a rigid
connection and also defines a wire accommodating raceway
between adjacent partitions. The raceway is defined outward
of the outward post faces inward of the cladding panels and
preferably at least to the beam outer faces.
Therefore, it will be apparent that by simply
cutting posts and beams to length, and connecting them with
such brackets and screws, a partition frame may be quickly
fabricated. Preferably the partitions are assembled in a
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- 7 -
factory environment and shipped to the customer. If desired
however, the partitions may be shipped to the site in
compact bundles reducing the bulk and cost of
transportation. The partitions then may be assembled and
erected at their final location. The ability to disassemble
and reassemble the partition f~ames als~ ~;~s th~ ~ h~
in moving the partitions to new premises and adds
flexibility in redesigning their office layout.
Preferably, the beams are paired together at
spaced apart elevations with the post located between beams
of the pair. Therefore, the wires may pass between paired
beams within the interior of the partition and may be passed
over the outward surface of the posts between adjacent
partitions. The cladding panels are coupled to the beams
with resilient clips such that all panels are easily
removable to provide access to the interior of the
partition. Wires may pass between adjacent partitions over
the outward face of the posts and enclosed inward of the
panels. The overlapping of the beams spaces the panels away
from the posts thereby providing an adequately sized cable
raceway bounded by the beams outwardly and at top and
bottom, and bounded inwardly by the adjacent post.
Accordingly the invention specifically provides:
an upright partition for use in a modular office furniture
system, the partition comprising: a frame comprising: two
vertical posts each having outward opposing faces defining
spaced apart parallel forward and rearward planes; a
plurality of horizontal beams, at least one beam in each
said plane, each beam having an inward face and an outward
face, the inward face of each beam being connected to one
said outward face of an associated post in an overlapping
moment resisting connection; and a plurality of cladding
~ panels each connected to one said beam; whereby an internal
cavity is defined inward of the outward faces of said beams,
and a raceway is defined outward of said outward post faces
and inward of the outward faces of said beams.
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In another aspect, the present invention provides,
in a modular office furniture system comprising a plurality
of rectangular, upright partitions, a securing assembly for
securing together two partitions end-to-end in a straight
line; the partitions each having a rectangular frame having
two vertical, rectangular end posts, each end post having
end face and an opposing inner face, the end face defining
an end surface of a partition; each end post having a first
aperture in its end face and a second aperture in its inner
face, the first and second apertures being in vertical
alignment with each other and being horizontally centred on
each end post; the securing assembly securing together two
end posts of adjacent partitions with the end faces of the
two end posts abutting, the apertures in the two end posts
being in alignment to define a horizontal guideway through
the two end posts; said securing assembly comprising: an
elongated fastener element having two cylindrical threaded
ends and an enlarged intermediate portion therebetween, the
fastener element being inserted into the guideway with its
enlarged intermediate portion received against rotation in
the first apertures in the end faces of the two posts; and
two sleeve nut means threaded onto the threaded ends of the
fastener element, each sleeve nut means comprising a head
and a circular sleeve, the sleeve of each sleeve nut means
being rotatably received in the second aperture in the inner
face of one of the two end posts, the head of each sleeve
nut means abutting the inner face of one of the two end
posts.
Preferably, the enlarged intermediate portion of
the fastener element and the first apertures in the end
faces of the two end posts have a regular, polygonal shape
and the intermediate portion is closely received against
rotation in the first apertures of the two end posts. More
preferably the second apertures are of the same size and
polygonal shape as the first apertures, the preferred shape
being square.
Preferably, the securing assembly of claim 1,
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g
wherein the elongated fastener element has conical portions
between its enl.arged intermediate portion and the two
cylindrical ends for ease of insertion of the fastener
element into the apertures.
In yet. another aspect, the present invention
provides, in a modular office furniture system comprising a
plurality of rectangular, upright partitions, a connecting
system for securing together two partitions at a preselected
angle to each other, the preferred angle being 90~; the
partitions each having a rectangular frame having two
vertical, rectanglular end posts, each end post having an end
face and an opposing inner face, the end face defining an
end surface of a partition; each end post having a first
aperture in its end face and a second aperture in its inner
face, the first and second apertures being in vertical
alignment with each other and being horizontally centred on
each end post; the connecting system securing together two
end posts of adjacent partitions, the end faces of the two
ends posts being at the preselected angle to each another;
the connecting system comprising: a modular connecting
bracket having two vertical end flanges and a horizontal
bight therebetween, each end flange having a hole and being
secured to the en,d face of one of the two end posts with its
hole in substantial vertical and horizontal alignment with
the first and second apertures of one of the two end posts
to form a guideway through the flange and the apertures, the
bight extending between the flanges and extending forwardly
from the end faces of the two end posts; and a bolt inserted
into each guideway and securing the flanges to the end faces
of the end posts, the bolt being retained by a nut.
In a preferred embodiment, the bolt means
comprises a head, a lower threaded portion and an enlarged
intermediate portion therebetween, the head abutting one
flange of the connecting bracket, the intermediate portion
received against rotation in the flange hole and the first
aperture in the end face; and the nut comprises a sleeve nut
threaded onto the threaded end of each bolt, each sleeve nut
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-- 10 --
comprising a head and a circular sleeve, the sleeve of each
sleeve nut being rotatably received in the second aperture
in the inner face of one of the two end posts, the head of
each sleeve nut means abutting the inner face of one of the
two end posts.
Preferably, the enlarged intermediate portion of
each bolt and the first apertures in the end faces of the
two end posts have a regular, polygonal shape, and more
preferably the second apertures are of the same size and
polygonal shape as the first apertures, the preferred shape
being square. It is also preferred that the bolt
additionally comprises a conical portion between the lower
threaded portion and the enlarged intermediate portion to
ease insertion of the bolt through the post apertures and
the flange hole.
In yet another aspect, the present invention
provides , in a modular office furniture system comprising a
plurality of rectangular, upright partitions, a system for
securing together three partitions at a preselected angle of
90~; the partitions each having a rectangular frame having
two vertical, rectangular end posts, each end post having an
end face and an opposing inner face, the end face defining
an end surface of a partition; the system comprising: a
connecting system as described above securing together an
end post of a first partition and an end post of a second
partition with a first modular connecting bracket, the end
faces of the end posts being at 90 degrees to each other;
and a connecting system as described above securing together
an end post of the second partition and an end post of a
third partition with a second modular connecting bracket,
the end faces of the end posts being at 90 degrees to each
other; one vertical flange of the first connecting bracket
and one vertical flange of the second connecting bracket
being secured to the end face of one end post of the second
partition by one bolt; the first and second modular
connecting brackets being identical to each other.
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W096/33323 PCT/CA96/00246
In yet another aspect, the present invention
provides, in a modular office furniture system comprising a
plurality of rectangular, upright partitions, a system for
providing a decorative end covering on a partition; the
partition having a rectangular frame comprising two vertical
end posts and a plurality of horiz~ntal beams arranged in
pairs, each beam ext~n~ i ng between and connected to the two
end posts and having hollow, open ends proximate the end
posts, the beams of each pair being connected to opposite
sides of the end posts, the partition having at least two
pairs of beams, one pair proximate its bottom and one pair
proximate its top; the system comprising: at least two
cover plate supports provided on an end of the partition,
each cover plate support having an end plug inserted into
the open ends of one pair of beams and securing the cover
plate support to the partition, each cover plate support
extending outwardly from the ends of a pair of beams and
having upper an~ lower surfaces provided with upper and
lower cover plate connectors, respectively; and at least one
cover plate providing a decorative appearance to an end of
the partition, each cover plate extending vertically between
two cover plate supports, the cover plate having an upper
end secured to the lower cover plate connector of a first
cover plate support and a lower end secured to the upper
cover plate connector of a second cover plate support.
In yet another aspect, the present invention
provides, in a modular office furniture system comprising a
plurality of rect:angular, upright partitions, a system for
providing a decorative end covering on the converging ends
of two partitions; the ends of the partitions converging at
a preselected angle of 90 degrees; the partitions each
having a rectangular frame comprising two vertical end posts
,. and a plurality of horizontal beams arranged in pairs, each
beam extending between and connected to the two end posts
and having hollow, open ends proximate the end posts, the
beams of each pair being connected to opposite sides of the
end posts, each partition having at least two pairs of
CA 022l6~6~ l997-09-26
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- 12 -
beams, one pair proximate its bottom and one pair proximate
its top; a first partition of the two partitions having two
pairs of beams in vertical alignment with respective pairs
of beams of a second partition; the system comprising: at
least two triangular cover plate supports, each extending
horizontally between, and secured to, the converging ends of
the partitions, each cover plate support having a first end
plug inserted into the open ends of a pair of beams of the
first partition and ext~n~ing horizontally outwardly
therefrom, and having a second end plug inserted into the
open ends of a vertically aligned pair of beams of the
second partition and extending horizontally outwardly
therefrom, each cover plate support having upper and lower
surfaces provided with upper and lower cover plate
connectors, respectively; and at least one cover plate
providing a decorative appearance to the converging ends of
the two partitions, each cover plate extending vertically
between two triangular cover plate supports, the cover plate
means having an upper end secured to the lower cover plate
connectors of a first triangular cover plate support and a
lower end secured to the upper cover plate connector of a
second triangular cover plate support.
In yet another aspect, the present invention
provides in a modular office furniture system comprising a
plurality of rectangular, upright partitions, a system for
providing a decorative end covering on the converging ends
of three partitions; the ends of adjacent partitions
converging at a preselected angle of 90 degrees; the
partitions each having a rectangular frame comprising two
vertical end posts and a plurality of horizontal beams
arranged in pairs, each beam extending between and connected
to the two end posts and having hollow, open ends proximate
the end posts, the beams of each pair being connected to
opposite sides of the end posts, each partition having at
least two pairs of beams, one pair proximate its bottom and
one pair proximate its top; each partition of the three
partitions having two pairs of beams in vertical alignment
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with respective pairs of beams of each other partition of
the three partitions; the system comprising: at least two
rectangular cover plate supports, each ext~n~;ng
horizontally between, and secured to, -~he converging ends of
the partitions, each cover plate support having an end plug
inserted into the open ends of a vertically aligned pair of
beams of each of the three partitions, each cover plate
support having upper and lower surfaces provided with upper
and lower cover plate connectors, respectively; and at least
one cover plate providing a decorative appearance to the
converging ends of the three partitions, each cover plate
exten~ing vertically between two rectangular cover plate
supports, the cover plate having an upper end secured to the
lower cover plate connector of a first rectangular cover
plate support and a lower end secured to the upper cover
plate connector ~f a second rectangular cover plate support.
In yet another aspect, the present invention
provides, in a modular office furniture system comprising a
plurality of rectangular, upright partitions, a system for
providing a decorative covering over a gap between
converging ends of four converging partitions; the
converging ends of adjacent partitions converging at a
preselected angle of 90 degrees; the partitions each having
a rectangular frame comprising two vertical end posts and a
plurality of horizontal beams arranged in pairs, each beam
exten~;ng between and connected to the two end posts and
having hollow, open ends proximate the end posts, each
partition having at least two pairs of beams, one pair
proximate its bottom and one pair proximate its top; a first
partition having one pair of beams in vertical alignment
with a pair of beams of each other partition, the vertically
aligned pair of beams of the first partition being proximate
" the top of the first partition; the system comprising: a
rectangular horizontal cover plate extending between, and
secured to, the converging end of each partition, the cover
plate having an end plug inserted into the open ends of a
vertically aligned pair of beams of each partition and an
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upper decorative surface.
In yet another aspect, the present invention
provides an upright partition for use in a modular office
furniture system, the partition comprising: a frame
comprising: two vertical end posts and a plurality of
horizontal beams arranged in pairs, each beam extending
between and connected to the two end posts and having
hollow, open ends proximate the end posts, the beams of each
pair being connected to opposite sides of the end posts, the
partition having at least two pairs of beams, including an
uppermost pair of beams proximate an upper end of the
partition; a pair of cladding panels forming a decorative
outer covering over at least the upper portion of the
partition, each cladding panel extending vertically between
a beam of the uppermost pair and a beam of another pair of
beams along one side of the end posts, each cladding panel
being secured at its top to a beam of the uppermost pair.
In yet another aspect, the present invention
provides, in a modular office furniture system comprising a
plurality of rectangular, upright partitions, a system for
attaching cladding panels to a frame of a partition; the
partition having a rectangular frame comprising two vertical
end posts, a plurality of horizontal beams arranged in
pairs, each beam having inward and outward faces and
extending between and connected to the two end posts, the
beams of each pair being connected to opposite sides of the
end posts, and a plurality of cladding panels extending
vertically between pairs of beams and forming a decorative
covering of the partition; the system comprising: a
plurality of modular panel retaining clips securing the
cladding panels to the partition, each panel clip secured
. between a pair of beams and having side surfaces received in
a tight friction fit against the inward faces of the pair of
beams, each panel clip having at least one panel securing
means to which a cladding panel is releasably secured.
Further aspects of the invention will become
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- 15 -
apparent upon review of the following detailed description
of the preferred embodiment of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the invention may be readily
understood, a preferred embodiment of the invention will be
described by way of example with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
Figure l shows a frontal perspective elevation
view of an assembled modular office furniture partition wall
including multiple vertical partitions, with a central
partition having a modified utility access panel;
Figure 2 is a frontal perspective view, of the
wall of Fig. l, with the upper and lower cladding panels
removed to reveal the internal partition frame;
Figure 3 illustrates an elevation view of adjacent
vertical posts, of the wall of Fig. l, showing two abutting
partitions with their supporting feet and horizontal beam
frame members;
Figures 4, and 5 are sectional plan views along
lines 4-4 and 5-5 of Fig. 3;
Figure 6 is a sectional elevation view along line
6-6 of Fig. 5;
Figure 7 is a sectional elevation view along line
7-7 of Fig. l showing the structure of the utility access
panels with electrical power bus, and cable hanger;
Figure 8 is a sectional plan view along line 8-8
of Fig. 7;
Figure 9 is a sectional plan view along line 9-9
of Fig. 7;
Figure l0 is an isometric detail view of a typical
saddle bracket connection joining a horizontal beam to a
vertical post in an overlapping rigid connection;
Figure ll is a perspective view of the connection
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- 16 -
between four adjacent partition frame posts in an X-shaped
configuration;
Figure 12 is an exploded view of the component
parts of the connection shown in Fig. 11;
Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view of the
toggle clamp used to connect adjacent frames together; and
Figure 14 is a detail elevation view of an
installed toggle clamp.
Figure 15 is a sectional, exploded perspective
view of a connecting system of the present invention for
securing together two partitions end-to-end.
Figure 16 is a sectional, perspective view of the
connecting system of Fig. 15 securing together the vertical
end posts of two partitions.
Figure 17 is a sectional, exploded perspective
view of a connecting system of the present invention for
securing together three partitions at a preselected angle.
Figure 18 is a plan view of the connecting system
of Fig. 17 securing together the vertical end posts of three
partitions.
Figure 19 is a plan view illustrating a connecting
system, similar to that shown in Figs. 17 and 18, securing
together the vertical end posts of four partitions.
Figure 20 is a sectional, exploded perspective
view illustrating a first stage in providing a decorative
end covering on a partition according to the present
invention, wherein an end plug is inserted into a pair of
horizontal beams.
Figure 21 is a rear perspective view of the end
plug shown in Fig. 20.
Figure 22 is a sectional, exploded perspective
view illustrating a second stage in providing a decorative
end covering on a partition according to the present
invention, wherein a single cover plate retainer is
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W096/33323 PCTICA96/00246
- 17 -
connected to the end plug to provide a single cover plate
support.
~ Figure 23 is a rear perspective view of the single
cover plate retainer shown in Fig. 22.
Figure 24 is a sectional, perspective view
illustrating the assembled single cover plate support of
Fig. 23.
Figure 25a is a sectional, exploded perspective
view illustrating the attachment of single cover plates to a
partition provided with four single cover plate supports as
shown in Fig. 24.
Figure 25b is a sectional plan view showing the
manner in which a single cover plate is connected to the
resilient spring connector of the single cover plate support
shown in Fig. 24.
Figure 25c is a sectional plan view showing the
resilient spring connector of Fig. 25a having snapped into
engagement with the single cover plate support.
Figure 26 is a sectional, perspective view
illustrating three partitions according to the present
invention converging at an angle of 90 degrees and connected
together by brackets.
Figure 27 is a sectional, exploded perspective
view illustrating a first stage in a system for providing a
decorative covering over the converging ends of the
partitions shown in Fig. 26.
Figure 28 is a top plan view of a dual cover plate
retainer used in the system for providing a decorative
covering over the converging ends of the partitions shown in
Fig. 26.
Figure 29 is a side elevation view of the dual
cover plate retainer of Fig. 28.
Figure 30 is a top plan view of a triple cover
plate retainer used in the system for providing a decorative
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- 18 -
covering over the converging ends of the partitions shown in
Fig. 26.
Figure 31 is a rear elevation view of the triple
cover plate retainer of Fig. 30.
Figure 32 is a sectional, exploded perspective
view illustrating a second stage in providing a decorative
covering over the converging ends of the partitions shown in
Fig. 26.
Figure 33 is a sectional perspective view
illustrating the completed decorative covering over the
converging ends of the partitions shown in Fig. 26.
Figure 34 is a sectional, exploded perspective
view illustrating a system according to the present
invention for providing a decorative covering over a top gap
between the converging ends of four partitions.
Figure 35 is a sectional perspective view
illustrating the first stage in a system according to the
present invention for hanging cladding panels on a partition
using modular panel clips.
Figure 36 is a sectional perspective view
illustrating the modular panel clip of Fig. 35 installed
between a pair of horizontal beams.
Figure 37 is an exploded perspective view of the
modular panel clip of Fig. 35.
Figure 38 is a sectional perspective view of a
partition according to the present invention provided with
cladding panels and decorative end and top coverings.
Figure 39 is sectional elevation view along line
39-39 of Figure 38.
Figure 40 is a perspective view of a modular panel
clip of Fig. 39.
Figure 41 is an end elevation view of a partition
according to the present invention having a simplified
cladding panel according to the present invention.
CA 02216~6~ 1997-09-26
WO g~/33~ PCT/CA96/00246
-- 19 --
DETATT~n DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
OF THE INVENTION
Office partition walls are assembled from adjacent
rectangular partitions as shown in Figure 1. A partition is
generally clad with panels 5 and 7. The panels 5 and 7 are
constructed of ~ painted sheet metal cover which may be
filled with sound absorbing insulation and covered with
sound absorbing ~abric or other materials. Upper and lower
panels 5 may be fitted with windows, or screens if
desired. Adjustable legs 4 are provided to level the
partition wall along its length.
The novel construction of the partition frame is
illustrated in Figure 2. Upper and lower panels 5 have been
removed leaving only the central panels 5 and 7 behind which
electrical conduits, communication wires etc. are housed.
Accordingly, upper and lower panels 5 may be wholly
eliminated, or in part, from the partition frames if the
interior designer wishes to present a more open office
atmosphere. Fwrniture components such as desk tops,
shelves, and cabinets can be suspended from the posts 1 of
the partition frame independently whether or not a design
includes the uppermost and lowermost cladding panels 5.
The frames of the partition are very simply
constructed of two vertical posts 1 and horizontal beams
2. The beams 2 are preferably arranged in parallel pairs on
both sides of the posts 1. Pairing of the beams 2
strengthens the frame and allows use of standard panel
dimensions.
The beams 2 are connected to outward opposing
front and rear faces of each post 1 in an overlapping moment
resisting connection.
Figure 10 shows the preferred means by which the
posts 1 and beams 2 are connected in an overlapping rigid
manner. The beams 2 are shown as tubular in transverse
CA 02216~6~ 1997-09-26
Wo~1333~ PCT1CA96100246
- 20 -
section having a "racetrack" sectional shape. The tubular
beams 2 have an arcuate upper portion and an arcuate lower
portion with a straight intermediate portion between. The
arcuate upper and lower portions are preferred by semi-
circular. This section is advantageous in that the section
is easily drawn or extruded from metals such as steel and
aluminum or from plastic. The section has a relatively high
moment of inertia to resist torsion and flexure, and can be
easily connected to the posts l and panels 5, as shown.
The beams 2 and posts l are connected, as shown in
the typical connection detail of Fig. lO, with brackets 3
having a saddle portion 20 of internal profile mating the
external profile of the beams 2. The brackets 3 also
include flange portions 2l above and below the saddle
portion 20. The flange portions 2l lie over and are
connected to the outward forward or rearward face 22 of the
associated posts l. In the embodiment shown in Figure 10,
the flange portions 2l are perforated and the bracket 3 is
connected to the post l with self tapping screws 23. Other
conventional means may also be used such as rivets, bolts,
spot welding or puddle welding (not shown).
The cladding panels 5 include resilient clips (26
and 27 in Fig. 6) for releasably coupling each panel 5
between associated parallel upper and lower pairs of beams
2. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the cladding
panels 5 are positioned outward of, overlying and coupled to
the beams 2. Due to the thickness of the saddle portion 20
of the brackets 3 shown in Figure l0, a gap is present
between the beams 2 and the adjacent top or bottom edge of
the panels 5.
The partition is formed from an open gridwork of
posts l and beams 2. As a result, the partition has an open
interior cavity which advantageously permits the passage of
wires and cables generally indicated as 32.
As seen in Figure 6 the cavity is made up of a
vertically extending central post space 40 together with
CA 022l6~6~ l997-09-26
W096/33323 PCTICA96/00246
- 21 -
horizontally exten~; ng raceways 41 adjacent and open to the
central post space 40.
The central post space 40 is de~ined between the
posts 1, that is between a forward plane including the
forward face of each post 1 and a rearward plane including
the rearward face of each post 1. The central post space 40
extends vertically between the spaces, parallel forward and
rearward planes and between interior faces of the posts 1.
The central post space 40 extends continuously vertically
throughout the height of the partition and is open upwardly
to above the top of the partition and is open downwardly to
below the lowest beam 2 of the partition.
A plurality of raceways 41 extend horizontally
between the beams 2 outward of and respective of the forward
or rearward planes. The raceways 41 extend the full width
of each partition and are open at each end to beyond the
exterior end faces of the posts 1.
The raceways 41 are inward of the panels (5 and 7)
and preferably extend forwardly and rearwardly from the
respective forward or rearward plane at least the thickness
of the beams 2.
The raceways 41 are open on their inner sides to
the central post space 40 over the entire distance between
the posts l. Wh.ereas the central post space 40 ends at the
interior end faces of the posts 1, the raceways 41 provide
for a passageway for cables 32 horizontally past the posts 1
outward of the posts 1 inward of the panels 5, 7.
Similarly the central post space 40 provides a
passageway for cables 32 vertically past the beams 2 inward
of the beams 2 and inward of the panels 5, 7. With the
raceways 41 and central post space 40 in communication, the
cavity permits cables 32 to be passed vertically through the
portion between the posts 1 inside the beams 2 and
horizontally across a partition and between adjacent
partitions in the raceways outside the posts 1, between the
~eams 2 and in~ide the panels 5, 7. In the context of
CA 02216~6~ 1997-09-26
W096/33323 PCT/CA96/00246
- 22 -
Figure 2, with a plurality of corresponding panels 5
removed, a continuous raceway 41 will extend along the
entire width of the three joined partitions into which
cables 32 may easily be laid.
Referring to Figures 3 through 9, the details of
construction of the partition frame are illustrated. In the
embodiment illustrated the posts 1 are hollow structural
square steel tubes. The posts 1 include a vertical series
slots 24 in their outward forward and rearward faces. The
slots 24 are used to adjustably and removably support hanger
means for suspending various furniture components upon the
posts 1 of each partition.
Adjacent posts 1 of adjacent partition frames are
connected with releasable securing means in the form of
toggle clamps 25 as shown in Figure 3.
Adjustable height legs 4 are provided at the base
of each post 1 to support the partition frame, and level the
assembled partition wall on the supporting floor surface.
Preferably the beams 2 are arranged in parallel
pairs, with one beam 2 of each pair being connected to the
outward opposing faces of each vertical post 1. The pairs
of beams 2 are vertically spaced from other pairs of beams 2
at uniform vertical intervals.
The panels 5, as shown in Figure 6, are releasably
coupled between associated parallel upper and lower beams 2
with resilient clips 26 and 27. The lower resilient clip 26
rests upon the upper arcuate curved surface of the lower
beam 2. The upper resilient clip 27 has an inward leading
lip 28 which guides the upper clip 27 over the lower
semicircular rounded surface of the upper beam 2 in order to
resiliently engage the upper beam 2.
Figure 9 shows a sectional view in the plan which
illustrates further details of the clips 26 and 27.
Advantageously the clips 26, 27 are formed of plastic
together with a panel bulkhead 29 which closes and masks
CA 022l6~6~ l997-09-26
W096/33323 PCT/CA96/00246
- 23 -
both ends of the panel 5.
Figure 9 shows that between ends of adjacent
panels 5 there is a vertical gap of width "g" provided. The
gap "g" enables 1_he insertion of the hanger means 30. The
hanger 30 has an inward end which has inward facing dogs 31
to co-act with selected slots 24 in the outward face of the
posts l. The inward end of the hanger 30 is bent in an
offset S-shape i~ order that the cladding panels 5 cover
over the slots 24 and the inward end of the hanger 30. As a
result, the slots 24 and associated offset parts of the
hanger 30 are not visible when the panels 5 are installed.
The hangers 30 extend outwardly from the posts through gap
"g" and may be ~sed in known manner to support furniture
components such as desktops, shelves, cabinets and the like.
A particularly advantageous feature of the
partition according to the invention relates to the capacity
to accommodate cables and wires 32 in a novel fashion having
regard to the interior cavity comprising the central post
space 40 and the raceways 41 described earlier. While many
different configurations may be adopted to pass cables and
wires 32 between partitions and into and out of the interior
cavity, one preferred embodiment is illustrated. Referring
to Figure 7, Figure 7 shows a portion of a raceway indicated
and referred to as raceway 4lb, underneath an upper panel
indicated as Sb, adapted to carry horizontally extending
communication wires 32b and another portion of the same
raceway indicated and referred to as raceway 4la, underneath
recessed panel 7 adapted to carry horizontally extending
electrical cables 32a. As shown in Figure 7, in a preferred
embodiment, the intermediate panels 5 may be used to house
communication wires 32b for computers and other office
equipment. Intermediate panels 5a maybe used to house
electrical power outlets 8, an associated electrical power
bus 33 and associated electrical power cables 32. Since
such wires 32b, cables 32a and power bus 33 are commonly
required to be hidden, the embodiment of Figure 2 shows the
intermediate panel 5b and recessed panel 7 remaining
CA 022l6~6~ l997-09-26
W096/333~ PCT/CA96/00246
- 24 -
installed, whereas the other panels 5 are removed.
In Figure 7 in dotted outline, an optional
cladding panel 5a is shown installed over recessed panel
7. The recessed panel 7 has an upper portion 7a which is
inwardly upwardly recessed so as to not extend forwardly
beyond the faces of the post 1 in order to provide space for
vertical passage of the wires 32b from the raceway 41b to
equipment which is external to the partition panels 5.
Passing the wire 32b in raceway 41b downward adjacent the
upper portion of recessed panel 7 and then out under the
panel 5b effectively and simply masks the entry of wires 32b
into the partition.
Above the recessed panel 7, wires 32b are
accommodated within a cable support tree 34. The cable
support tree 34 is attached with screws to an inner end face
of an adjacent post l. The tree 34 comprises a vertical
member with vertically spaced apart series of laterally
ext~n~;ng cable support arms 35. As drawn, the tree 34 has
support arms 35 ext~n~;ng into raceway 41b on the right side
only, for clarity. However, it will be understood that arms
may advantageously be provided on the left side as
well. A modified cable support arm 36 includes an outward
extension to engage supporting rods 37 secured to the rear
of the removable cladding panel 5b. The removable panel 5b
may be removed by pushing the bottom edge inward, which
pivots the panel 5 about the boss 44 below the panel centre
line to snap the top rod 37 out of engagement with the top
modified arm 36. While the cable support trees are shown
attached to each post, depending on the width of a panel 5,
additional support trees 34 may be provided inserted between
the posts 1 supported by the beams 2.
Advantageously, as best illustrated, in Figure 7
wires 32b pass along the entire width of each partition and
between adjacent partitions via horizontal cable raceway
41b. The raceway 41b as illustrated is of depth "d1" is
bounded by the outward face of the post l and panel 5b, and
-25-
of height "h1" bounded vertically by the horizontal beams 2
of two vertically spaced apart pairs of beams 2.
The lower portion 7b of the recessed panel 7
covers an electrical bus 33. Electrical power cables 32a
are shown to pass horizontally to buses 33 in adjacent
panels via raceway 41a. Raceway 41a is illustrated as
having depth "d2" and height "h2". The buses 33 are fixed
to the posts 1 or beams 2 and include electrical outlets 8
on each side. To ensure the safety of the installation, the
recessed panel 7 is connected to the posts 1 and the bus
assembly with screws or other relatively permanent
connectors. Accidental access to live electrical components
is avoided therefore.
Electrical outlets 8 are accommodated by merely
punching holes in the appropriate locations through the
lower portion of the recessed panel 7. If access to the
electrical bus 33 and electrical outlets 8 is not required,
an optional cladding panel 5a (as shown in dotted outline in
Figure 7) may be installed over the recessed panel 7 in
order to provide an uninterrupted finished appearance.
Alternatively, the power bus 33 component may be eliminated
entirely from that partition.
The optional cladding panel 5 may be conveniently
stored within the cavity of the partition, behind an upper
panel 5 for example, if access to the electrical outlets 8
and recessed panel 7 is desired.
The central post space 40 provides vertical
passage throughout the entire height of the partitions other
than where blocked by the bus 33. Figure 7 schematically
illustrates a length of electrical cable 32a extending to
one end of bus 33, past the bus 33 up the central post space
40 from below the lowermost beams 2, to up to the height of
the cable tree 34. As illustrated, between the panels 7 the
central post space 40 has been narrowed to a vertical duct
40a of depth at least as great as the thickness of cable
32. Panels 7 need not be recessed inside the forward and
CA 02216~6~ 1997-09-26
W096/33323 PCT/CA96/00246
- 26 -
rearward faces of the posts 1. When electrical power is
accessed at floor level, the central post space 40 may be
used to pass cables 32a upwardly from a power source in the
floor and the bus 33. When electrical power is accessed
from ceiling level, conventional power poles may be used
which communicate with upper portions of the central post
space 40 downwardly to the bus 33.
Electrical cables 32a are preferably armored in
metal, and pass across the entire width of a partition and
between adjacent partitions through the horizontal raceway
41a. Commercially available modular buses 33 are preferably
used having outlets on both sides with pigtail conduits 32a
for interconnection in lengthwise series along the length of
the assembled partition wall.
Therefore the specific combination of the upper
raceway 4lb and the lower cable raceway 4la, and central
post space 40 of the partition provide convenient means to
house cables 32a and wires 32b hidden from view behind
removable panels 5b and recessed fixed panel 7. All cables
32a and wires 32b may pass easily between adjacent
partitions within the cable raceways 4la or 4lb between the
vertical posts 1 and exterior cladding panels 5 and 7.
Preferably the intermediate panel 5b which covers
the cable supporting tree 34 is positioned immediately above
desktop height. The recessed panel 7 is positioned
immediately below desktop height. Since the raceways 4la
and 41b pass on the outward surface of the posts 1, slots 24
which support hanger brackets 30 cannot be accessed in the
;rm~iate area of the raceways 4la or 4lb when cables or
wires 32 are to be housed within the raceways. However,
this feature is not particularly disadvantageous, since in
general, hanger brackets 30 are positioned above desktop
height for shelves and filing cabinets, whereas hangers 30
are positioned below desktop height to support desks, and
filing cabinets.
Therefore hangers 30 in the immediate area above
-
CA 022l6~6~ Isg7-09-26
W096/33323 PCT/CA96100246
- 27 -
desk top height are not generally required. If a design
calls for hangers 30 in that specific location, it is a very
simple matter to position the cable tree 34 at a higher or
lower panel 5 location. Since the entire internal cavity 40
of the partition is open, wires 32b and cables 32a may be
relocated anywhere within the interior c~vity 40 of t~e
partition to meet the requirements of a specific design.
Figures 11 and 12 show the details of the
connection between four adjacent partitions in an X-shaped
pattern. It will be apparent that connections of two or
three adjacent panels in L-shaped or T-shaped patterns or
between panels in other than 90~ orientation can be
accomplished in an analogous manner.
The leading hook-shaped ends of the toggle clamps
25 extend through slots in the posts 1 and engage a slotted
opening 13 in the X-shaped connector 14. Upturned legs 15
are pressed against the lateral surface of the posts 1 and
clamped securely. Further securement of the connection may
optionally be provided by bolting arrowhead-shaped
connectors 16 to connector 14 with the end inserts 16a of
each connectors telescopically received within the interior
of the open ends of the associated tubes 2. The arrowhead
connectors 16 include mating apertures in order to bolt them
to the X-shaped connector 14.
It has been found by experimentation that only one
X-shaped connector 14 need be used at the mid-height level
to securely connect four adjacent frames. Additional
strength may be achieved if necessary in specific
circumstances by providing additional X-shaped connectors 14
as shown in Figure 11. Preferably though, only one X-shaped
connector 14 need be used, and for additional stability and
strength arrow-head connectors 16 may be used without
connector 14. In this case disks 42 are used as a vehicle
to which to secure adjacent arrow-head connectors 16
inserted into the interior of each pair of beams 2
throughout the height of the partition. The use of
CA 02216~6~ 1997-09-26
W096/33323 PCT1CA96100246
- 28 -
relatively expensive toggle clamps 25 therefore can be
minimized without sacrificing the strength of the
connection.
In order to secure abutting partitions together in
a straight run, a single toggle clamp 25 may preferably be
used. As shown in ~igures 3 and 9, the pairs of beams 2 at
the top and bottom of the abutting partitions may be joined
together with inserts 43 which are force fit within the open
ends of abutting beams 2 and span across between abutting
beams 2.
The individual partitions in accordance with the
present invention have been found to have surprisingly great
strength and rigidity on an individual basis. When
partitions are joined together end to end with inserts 43
received in the open ends of abutting beams 2 the combined
partitions have yet increased and surprising strength and
structural integrity.
In order to fabricate partitions, and assemble
partitions in accordance with the invention, the following
method of production is followed.
The posts l and beams 2 are cut to length from
mill stock lengths according to the desired finished
dimensions of the partition. Elongate slots 24 are cut into
each of the two outward faces of each post l. Elongate
slots 46 to accommodate toggle clamps 25 are also cut in the
side faces of each post l. Holes for screws to attach the
saddle brackets 3 are drilled in the outward face of each
post l, and holes are drilled in the side faces of each post
l near their base to receive self-tapping screws which
secure the legs 4 in place.
Beams 2 and posts l are then electrostatically
coated. The painting operation is carried out by painting
posts l and beams 2 hung side by side in parallel within an
electrostatic painting booth. Compared to the painting of a
relatively open welded frame, the painting of posts l and
beams 2 before assembly is more efficient.
CA 02216~6~ 1997-09-26
W096/33323 PCT/CA96/00246
- 29 -
In general, it is more efficient to assemble the
partitions in a high production factory environment using
jigs, workstations, specialized tools, and handling
equipment. The assembled frames may then be shipped to a
site for erection.
However, an advantage of the partition design is
that, if desired, the frames of the partitions may be
constructed on site using simple tools and relatively
unskilled labour~ The posts 1, beams 2, saddle brackets 3,
feet 4, panels 5 and 7, and other components may be packaged
in cartons or compact bundles for transport to a site.
Two posts 1 are laid down on one outward face
parallel to each other. A jig is preferably used in factory
assembly to speed up assembly however it will be understood
that a jig is not necessary since the predrilled holes for
the saddle brackets 3 will ensure proper spacing and
alignment of beams 2 and posts 1 when assembled on site.
Beams 2 are overlapped upon the outward face of the posts
1. Saddle brack:ets 3 are positioned over the ends of the
beams 2 and are secured in place with self-tapping screws 23
using a power screwdriver. The partially assembled frame is
then turned over and the second beam 2 of each parallel pair
of beams 2 is secured to the opposite outward face of each
post in a like manner.
As shown in Figures 3 and 5, legs 4 have a cast
metal body 4a with a slotted clip 4b upon which the bottom
edge of the post 1 is positioned and an upper flange 4c
through which self-tapping screws are driven to secure the
leg body to the side face of each post 1 base. The cast
body also includes a vertical threaded bore to house a
threaded shaft 4d. The lower end of the shaft 4d is
pivotally connected to a foot base, thereby providing height
adjustment to level the partition on uneven floor surfaces.
The assembled frames are erected and connected
together in the desired pattern through the use of toggle
clamps 25. When X-shaped, T-shaped, L-shaped or other frame
CA 022l6~6~ l997-09-26
W096/33323 PCT/CA96/00246
- 30 -
connections are desired, as shown in Figures 11 and 12,
slotted connectors 14 and arrowhead connectors 16 are used
to complete a rigid assembly.
To join posts of two partitions together in a
straight run, as best shown in Figure 14, the arm 44 and
hook 45 of the toggle clamp 25 is inserted through aligned
elongate slots 46 in the side faces of the posts 1. The
hook 45 engages the side face 47 of the second post 1 remote
from the remaining body of the clamp 25. From the exploded
view of Figure 13, it will be apparent that when the clamp
handle 48 is rotated 90 degrees, the abutting cam faces 49
and 50, and 51 and 52 co-act to clamp the posts 1 between
the hook 45 and the shoulder face 53.
The cable trees 34 are installed throughout the
length of partition wall to be served by office equipment.
Modular electrical buses 33 is installed in the
desired locations. Electrical power cables 32a are run from
a power source vertically up or down the partition of one
interior cavity to one bus 33 location and the horizontally
through the raceway 4lb across the width of that partition
and to adjacent partition. Recessed panels 7 are secured to
the cable trees 34 with self-tapping screws.
Furniture components, such as desktops, shelves,
filing cabinets etc., are suspended from the posts 1 upon
hanger brackets 34 by inserting the dogs 31 of the hangers
34 into the slots 24 of the posts l. Panels 5 are then
resiliently coupled to the beams 2 where desired, covering
over the slots 24 and the inward ends of the hangers 30.
Office equipment such as computers, facsimile
machines, telephones, printers, modems, ICU servers etc. are
installed within the office space often supported upon the
shelves or desktop components. Wires are passed between
equipment external to the partition panels 5 and the cable
tree 34 housed within the internal cavity 40 of the
partition frame.
CA 02216~6~ 1997-09-26
WO 96/333~3 PCT/CA96/00246
- 31 -
Wires 32b and cables 32a, are passed between
adjacent partitions through the raceway 4lb and supported at
intervals along the length of the partition wall upon the
cable trees 34. The armored electrical power cables 32a are
passed through the raceway 41a. When all wires 32a have
~een installed, the rods 37 of ~v~ panel 5b are engaged
upon the modified support arms 36 of the cable trees 34 to
enclose the wires 32b within the interior cavity of the
partitions.
The partition described above therefore provides a
simple construction for a partition. Rigid connections
between the posts 1 and beams 3 are readily provided by the
simple means a1taching brackets 3 at the appropriate
levels. The partitions may be substantially fabricated by
simply cutting beams 2 and posts 1 to the appropriate
length. The partitions may be shipped to the site in
knocked-down bundles, and erected on site using simple tools
and relatively unskilled labour. The customer may easily
disassemble and reassemble the partitions during moving or
when rearranging the office layout.
Cables 32a and wires 32b and electrical bus 33 are
conveniently housed within the hollow interior cavity of the
partition. Wires 32b and electrical power cables 32a are
readily accessible behind removable panels 5a and 5b. The
need to thread such wires and cables 32 through openings in
the posts 1 is eliminated by the provision of two outward
raceways 41a and 41b. As a result the installation, removal
and maintenance of office equipment is simplified, and wires
and cables 32a and 32b are not subjected to the level of
wear occasioned through use of conventional partition
designs.
Only the intermediate cladding panels 5a and 5b
are required in most cases, as shown in Figure 2, to cover
the electrical bus 33 and wires and cables 32a and 32b. The
remaining upper and lower panels 5 may optionally not be
provided if desired, thereby further reducing the cost of
CA 022l6~6~ l997-09-26
W096/33323 PCT/CA96/00246
- 32 -
the partition wall. The surface finish and connection
detail design may be undertaken to result in an exposed
structural "high tech" look which is relatively inexpensive
and is currently popular in architectural and interior
design.
A very simply constructed partition is provided
which meets the increasingly onerous requirements for
~ accommodating the numerous electrical and communication
cables 32 of modern office equipment.
In the preferred embodiments, as shown in Figure
6, the panels 5 have an end cap, indicated as lO0, with an
inner edge 102 such that raceway 41 is defined between edge
100 and the outer face of the posts 1. The panels 5 need
not have such end caps lO0. Avoidance of the end caps 100
can increase the depth of the raceways 41.
In the preferred illustrated embodiment, the
cladding panels 5 have been shown to overlap and be outward
of the beams 2. It is to be appreciated that the cladding
panels 5 may be provided to not overlap the beams 2 but to
be between the beams 2 with the panels 5 being open at their
ends and in effect hollow to define the horizontal raceways
within the panels 5 between the beams 2.
Although this disclosure has described and
illustrated certain preferred embodiments of the invention,
it is to be understood that the invention is not restricted
to these particular embodiments. For example, the beams 2
and posts 1 may be constructed of any commonly available
section, or of specially fabricated sections through
extrusion, such as : hollow rectangular tubes, square tubes,
round tubes, oval tubes, extruded members, drawn tubes,
channel members, I-beam members, and angle members. The
panels 5 as well may be constructed having an external cover
made of various commonplace materials such as : roll formed
sheet metal; extruded aluminum; extruded plastic;
fibreboard; and fabric. Therefore, the invention includes
all embodiments which are functional or mechanical
CA 022l6~6~ l997-09-26
W096/33323 PCT/CA96/00246
- 33 -
equivalents of the specific em~o~ nts and features that
have been described and illustrated herein.
Figures 13 and 14 show a first securing assembly
for securing together two partitions end-to-end in a
straight line.
A second, more preferred securing assembly llO is
shown in Figures 15 and 16 for securing together two
partitions in accordance with the present invention having
rectangular frames with vertical, rectangular end posts 1.
For clarity, Figures 15 and 16 illustrate only small
portions of two vertical, rectangular end posts l belonging
to adjacent partitions. However, it is to be understood
that each end post 1 forms part of a rectangular, upright
partition.
The posts 1 each have an inner face 132, an end
face 134, and two side ~aces 136. Each end face 134 defines
an end surface of its associated partition. The posts 1 are
joined with their respective end faces 134 abutting.
Each post 1 has a square aperture 140 in its inner
face 132 and a square aperture 142 in its end face 134.
Figure 15 does not show the entire apertures 140 and 142 but
for clarity shows the posts 1 as being cut off through the
apertures 140 and 142.
As shown in Figure 15, the securing assembly 110
comprises an elongated fastener element 114 having two
cylindrical threaded ends 116 and an enlarged intermediate
portion 118 therebetween. Fastener element 114 has conical
portions 120 forming a transition between intermediate
portion 118 and threaded ends 116.
- The securing assembly 110 also comprises two
sleeve nuts 122. Each sleeve nut 122 comprises a head 124
and a sleeve 126 having a threaded interior 128 adapted to
thread onto a threaded end 116 of fastener element 114. The
head 124 of sleeve nut 122 is provided with a depression 130
adapted to receive a fastening tool. Figure 15 shows a
particularly preferred hexagonal depression 130 adapted to
CA 022l6~6~ l997-09-26
W096l33323 PCTICA96100246
- 34 -
receive a fastening tool with a hexagonal bit, such as an
allen wrench.
The posts 1 are joined as follows. Firstly, the
posts 1 are roughly aligned so that the apertures 142 in
their end faces 134 are in rough vertical and horizontal
alignment. Then, a first sleeve nut 122 is threaded on to a
first threaded end 116 of fastener element 114. The second
threaded end 116 of fastener element 114 is inserted through
the aperture 140 of a first post 1 until enlarged
intermediate portion 118 becomes received in apertures 142
of both posts 1 and the sleeve 126 of the first sleeve nut
122 becomes received in an aperture 140 of the first post 1
with the head of the first sleeve nut 122 abutting the inner
face of first post 1.
The securing assembly 110 is then completed by
sliding second sleeve nut 122 into aperture 140 of the
second post 1 and threading the second sleeve nut 122 onto
the second threaded end 116 of fastener element 114. The
sleeve nuts 122 are then tightened using a fastening tool
until end faces 134 abut one another and the heads 124 of
sleeve nuts 122 are received against inner faces 132, as
shown in Figure 16.
As the apertures 142 in the end faces 134 of posts
1 are sized and shaped to receive the enlarged intermediate
portion 118 against rotation, rotation of either sleeve nut
122 will result in tightening of the securing assembly. It
is also greatly preferred that, as shown in Figures 15 and
16, the apertures 142 and the enlarged intermediate portion
118 have the same square shape and are closely sized to have
the same cross-sectional shape as the intermediate portion
118. This results in the insertion and tightening of the
fastener element 114 in the apertures 142 drawing the posts
1 into precise horizontal and vertical alignment.
The conical portions 120 of fastener element 114
assist in sliding element 114 through apertures 140 and 142
and particularly in assisting in aligning the posts 1 in
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initial insertion of the fastener element 114.
The aperture 140 in the inner face 132 of each
post 1 is sized and shaped to rotatably receive the sleeves
126 of the sleeve nuts 122. Apertures 140 are small enough
to prevent heads 124 of the sleeve nuts 122 from passing
therethrough but large enough to allow enlarged inte, ?~; ~te
portion 118 of fastener element 114 to pass therethrough.
Although Figures 15 and 16 show the apertures 142
and intermediate portion 118 of fastener element 114 as
being square, it is to be understood that that apertures 142
and the intermediate portion 118 may independently be of any
shape as long as intermediate portion 118 is retained
against rotation in apertures 142 and preferably provide
complementary surfaces for locating the posts 1 into
alignment. More preferably, aperture 142 and intermediate
portion 118 have the same regular polygonal shape, i.e. all
sides of the pol~gon being of the same length. This allows
for ease of insertion of the enlarged intermediate portion
118 into apertures 142.
It is also preferred that the inner face 132 and
outer face 134 of each post 1 have apertures 140 and 142 of
identical shape and size. Further, it is preferred that
apertures 140 and 142 be centred midway between side faces
136 of each post 1 and be aligned vertically. The identical
size, shape and placement of holes 140 and 142 makes the
inner and end faces 132 and 134 of each post 1 reversible,
simplifying assembly of the partitions.
In the embodiment of Figures 15 and 16, the end
faces 134 of each post 1 are preferably drawn together with
- or without the spaces indicated as 43 in Figure 3.
Figures 11 and 12 illustrate a first connecting
system for securing together two or more partitions at
preselected angles to one another.
Figures 17 to 19 illustrate a second, more
preferred, system for securing two or more partitions at an
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angle to each other. Figure 17 shows three identical
rectangular, vertical end posts la, lb and lc. Each end
post 1 forms a part of a rectangular frame of a rectangular,
upright partition however for convenience, all details of
the partitions, except for the end posts 1, are omitted in
Figures 17 to 19.
The end faces 134 of posts 1 are shown in Figure
17 as being at a preselected angle of 90~ to one another,
that is with the preselected angle between the end faces 134
of posts la and lb being 90~ and the preselected angle
between the end faces 134 of posts lb and lc being 90~.
The connecting system of Figures 17 to 19 utilizes
a plurality of modular connecting brackets 144. As best
seen in Figure 17, each bracket 144 comprises two vertical
end flanges 148 connected by a central horizontal bight
portion 150. The bracket 144 is constructed so that the
angle between the vertical planes containing the end flanges
148 is the same as the preselected angle between the end
faces 138 of adjacent posts 1, that is 90~.
Figure 17 illustrates a particularly preferred
connecting bracket 144 having a horizontal bight portion 150
which is flat, has the same width as flanges 148 and
describes a 90~ arc between the end flanges 148.
Figure 17 shows posts la and lb in the process of
being joined to one another at the preselected angle of 90~
by one modular connecting bracket labelled 144a. The end
flanges 148a of connecting bracket 144a abut against the end
faces 134 of the respective posts la and lb. The central
horizontal bight portion 150a of bracket 144a extends
outwardly from, and generally forms a L-shape between, the
end faces 134 of respective posts la and lb.
Figure 17 also shows a second modular connecting
bracket 144b in position to join posts lb and lc to one
another at the preselected angle of 90~. One end flange
148b of bracket 144b is shown as abutting a flange 148a of
bracket 144a against the end face 134 of post lb.
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The connecting system also comprises bolts 152 and
nuts 154 to secure each end flange 148 to an end face 134 of
a post 1.
Each f~ange 148 is secured by passing a bolt 152
through an aperture 156 in flange 148, and through aperture
142 in end face 134 of post 1. The bolt 152 comprises a
head 158 and a shank 160, the shank 160 having a lower,
cylindrical threaded portion 162 onto which nut 154 is
threaded and an upper enlarged portion 164 which is received
against rotation in the apertures 142 and 156 in post 1 and
flange 148, respectively. Preferably, a conical portion 166
is provided on the shank 160 between threaded portion 162
and enlarged portion 164 to assist in inserting bolt 152
through apertures 156 and 142.
Figure 17 shows the aperture 142 and the enlarged
portion 164 having a preferred square shape, with aperture
142 being shaped and sized to permit enlarged portion 164 of
shank 160 to be closely received against rotation in
aperture 142 in post 1. It is to be understood that
apertures 142 and 156 and enlarged portion 164 may be of any
shape as long as enlarged portion 164 is received against
rotation in one or both of apertures 142 and 156.
As discussed above in reference to Figures 15 and
16, the apertures 142 and 144 of post 1 are preferably of
the same shape and size and are preferably horizontally
centred in the respective faces of the posts 1. This
permits preferred interchangeability of the inner and end
faces 132 and 134, respectively. Also, the apertures 140
and 142 of adjacent posts 1 are preferably vertically
aligned so that the bracket 144 extends horizontally between
adjacent posts 1.
~, The apertures 156 in flanges 148 are preferably in
the form of vertically elongated slots. This permits the
brackets 144 to be shifted vertically by a small amount
relative to aperture 142 in post 1, to permit more than one
flange 148 to be connected to a single post through a single
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pair of apertures 142 and 144 in each post 1.
Preferably, the brackets 144 are connected to
posts 1 with their end flanges 148 ext~n~;ng vertically
upwards to allow for easier installment of bolts 152.
Figure 18 is a top plan view showing how the three
vertical posts la, lb and lc of Figure 17 are joined
together by two identical modular connecting brackets 144a
and 144b having the orientation as shown in Figure 17, i.e.
with both brackets 144a and 144b having flanges 148a and
148b, respectively, extending upwardly and with bracket 144a
connecting posts la and lb, and bracket 144b connecting
posts lb and lc.
Similarly, Figure 19 illustrates a connecting
system for securing together four partitions at a
preselected angle of 90~, the connecting system of Figure 19
utilizing four identical modular connecting brackets 144 to
secure the end posts 1 of four adjacent partitions spaced
from and at a preselected angle to one another. In Figure
19, the four vertical end posts 1 are labelled la, lb, lc
and ld, with the brackets similarly numbered 144a, 144b,
144c and 144d. Each end post 1 has vertical flanges 148 of
two different modular connecting brackets 144 secured to its
end face 134. In Figure 19, each bracket 144 has one end
flange 148 abutting against the end face of a post 1 and the
other flange 148 abutting against a flange 148 of another
bracket 144. This arrangement is necessary in a connecting
system having four identical modular connecting brackets
144. In an alternate arrangement, (not shown), four
partitions are secured together at a preselected angle go~
using only three modular connecting brackets 144. This is
done merely by eliminating any one of the modular connecting
brackets 144 shown in Figure 19.
Figures 20 to 25c illustrate a preferred system
for installing a decorative cover plate on the end surface
140 of a rectangular, upright partition in accordance with
the present invention.
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The preferred cover plate connecting system shown
in Figures 20 to 25c has a two part cover plate support 222,
comprising separate end plug 178 and a cover plate retainer
200. The end plugs 178 are connected to the partition first
and are therefore described first below.
Figures 20 and 21 illustrate a preferred end plug
178 and its ins~.rtion into the open ends 172 of a pair of
horizontal beams 2. The end plug 178 is generally U-shaped
and comprises a pair of parallel legs 180 adjoining a
horizontal bigh1: portion 182. The end plug 178 is
preferably integrally molded from a resilient, yet rigid,
plastic material. The legs 180 are adapted to be securely
received in the open ends 172 of beams 2 and preferably
comprise a plurality of adjacent, vertical ribs 184
connected by horizontal webs 186. The ribs 184 are shaped
and sized to be closely received in the open ends 172 of
horizontal beams 2. The legs 180 are inserted into open
ends 172 until all ribs 184 are received inside beam 2 and
stop 188 abuts the end face 190 of beam 2.
The bight 182 of end plug 178 preferably comprises
a forwardly facing convex portion 192 and a flat horizontal
portion 194 behind convex portion 192, extending between
legs 180. The horizontal portion 194 has a pair of
shoulders 196 adapted to abut the end face 134 of post 1
when legs 180 are fully inserted into beams 2, leaving a
vertical slot 198 (shown in Figure 22) extending laterally
between the horizontal portion 194 of bight 182 and the end
face 138 of post 1, and extending longitudinally between the
shoulders 196. The fully inserted end plug 178 is shown in
Figure 22.
Figures 22 and 23 illustrate the second component
of the cover plate support, namely cover plate retainer 200.
Figure 22 illustrates cover plate retainer 200 as
having a convex outer surface, and a hollow inner surface
having a connecting mechanism 202 to attach the cover plate
retainer 200 to the end plug 178. The cover plate retainer
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200 has an upper surface comprising a bulbous plug connector
204, a lower resilient spring connector 206 and a lip 208
between connectors 204 and 206, the lip 208 extending about
the outer periphery of cover plate retainer 200.
As shown in Figure 23, connecting r?c.h~n;s~ 202
comprises a vertical snap connector 210 having downwardly
extending legs 212 which are adapted to slide vertically
into the vertical slot 198 between the end face 134 of post
1 and the horizontal portion 194 of end plug 178. The legs
212 are retained in place by shoulders 214 which snap into
secured engagement with flat horizontal portion 194 of end
plug 178.
Figure 23 shows connecting mechanism 202 further
comprising a support 216 provided between each leg 212 and
the inside of cover plate retainer 200. Each support member
216 has a slot 218 shaped to receive the convex portion 192
of bight 182 when cover plate retainer 200 snaps into
engagement with end plug 178.
The cover plate retainer 200 may be integrally
formed from a single piece.of resilient, rigid plastic.
However, the legs 212, and at least the tips 220 of spring
connector 206 are preferably formed from thin, resilient
pieces of metal such as aluminum.
Figure 24 illustrates one assembled cover plate
support 222 attached to the end face 134 of post 1. The
cover plate support 222 comprises an end plug 178 and a
cover plate retainer 200. The cover plate retainer 200,
having had its vertical snap connector 210 inserted into
vertical slot 198, is securely attached to end plug 178.
As shown in Figure 24, the resilient spring
connector 206 of cover plate retainer 200 extends forwardly
of the bight 182 of end plug 178.
Figure 25a illustrates a preferred manner in which
a decorative covering may be provided over the end surface
138 of a partition by connecting a plurality of cover plates
-
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224 to cover plate supports 222. The partition 168 shown in
Figure 25a has four pairs of parallel horizontal beams 2 and
therefore has four cover plate supports 222, which have been
numbered 222a, 222b, 222c and 222d for convenience.
The lowermost cover plate support 222a has been
assembled "upside down" compared to the others by inserting
the legs 212 o~ cover plate retainer 200 upwardly into
vertical slot 198. Therefore, cover plate support 222a has
its bulbous plug connector 204 facing downwardly and its
resilient spring connector 206 facing upwardly. Remaining
cover plate supports 222b, 222c and 222d are assembled as
shown in Figures 22 to 24 with bulbous plug connector 204
facing upwardly.
As shown in Figure 25a, each cover plate 224,
labelled 224a, 224b and 224c, is a thin, planar member which
has a convex, C-shaped transverse cross-section providing
wrap around corners 226, and with the convex shape of cover
plate 224 de~ining an inner cavity 228. The wrap around
corners 226 are adapted to allow each cover plate 224 to
both form a snap connection with the resilient spring
connectors 206 and to slidingly engage a bulbous plug
connector 204 of a cover plate support 200.
Lower most cover plate 224a is in position to be
snapped into engagement with resilient spring connectors 206
of cover plate supports 222a and 222b in the manner shown in
Figures 25b and 25c.
Figures 25b and 25c are cross-sectional views in a
horizontal plane through a spring connector 206 and a cover
plate 224, showing the spring connector 206 and cover plate
224 in isolation. Figure 25b shows cover plate 224 being
pressed against spring connector 206 in the direction of
arrows A, with wrap around corners 226 of cover plate 224
forcing tips 220 of spring connector 206 to bend inwardly in
the direction of arrows B.
Cover plate 224 is pressed in the direction of
arrows A until tips 220 bend sufficiently to snap into wrap
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around corners 226 as shown in Figure 25c. Resilient tips
220 then return to their original, unbent configuration and
spring connector 206 becomes securely engaged inside cavity
228 of cover plate 224.
The intermediate cover plate 224b is shown as
being partially installed, wlth its lower end having been
slid downwardly over the upper bulbous plug connector 204
(not shown) of cover plate support 222b. The plug connector
204 is shaped and sized to be securely received in cavity
228 of cover plate 224b.
Once the lower end of cover plate 224b has been
slid over plug connector 204 of cover plate support 222b as
described above, the upper end of cover plate 224b is
pivoted toward cover plate support 222c and snapped into
engagement with its resilient spring connector 206, as
described above with reference to cover plate 224a.
Figure 25a illustrates an uppermost cover plate
224c having been installed between cover plate supports 222c
and 222d. The lower end of cover plate 224c has been slid
into engagement with plug connector 204 (not shown) of cover
plate support 222c and the upper end of cover plate 224c has
been snapped into engagement with resilient spring connector
206 (not shown) of uppermost cover plate support 222d. As
shown in Figure 25a, the forwardly extending horizontal lips
208 of cover plate supports 222c and 222d are preferably
flush with the installed cover plate 224.
As shown in Figure 25a, the bulbous plug connector
204 of uppermost cover plate support 222d is exposed at the
upper terminal end of the decorative end covering on the end
surface 138 of partition 168. Similarly, the bulbous plug
connector 204 of lowermost cover plate support 222a will be
exposed, facing downwardly, at the lower terminal end of the
end covering after attachment of lowermost cover plate
224a. The exposed smoothly rounded surfaces of the bulbous
plug connectors 204 provide a decorative appearance to the
upper and lower terminal ends of the decorative end covering
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on partition 168.
In addition, the upper surface of the partition
168 shown in Figure 25a is provided with a top cover plate
230 being generally convex and positioned on top of the
uppermost pair o~ horizontal beams 2. The plug connector
204 of uppermost: cover plate support Z22d is preferably
flush with the upper surface of top cover plate 230 and
provides a smooth transition between the decorative end
covering on the end surface 138 of the partition 168 and the
top cover plate 230 on the top surface of the partition 168.
In a modular office furniture system comprising a
plurality of partitions according to the present invention,
it is frequently desirable to have two or more partitions
meeting at a preselected angle in a manner as shown in
Figures 17 to 19~ The present invention provides a system
for forming a de~~orative covering over the converging ends
of two or three partitions having ends converging at a
preselected angle. Reference is made to Figures 26 to 34
describing such a system.
Figure 26 illustrates three partitions 232, 234
and 236 according to the present invention having ends
converging at a preferred preselected angle of about 90~, as
measured between adjacent partitions. The partitions shown
in Figure 26 are each identical to those described above,
having vertical, rectangular end posts 1 and pairs of
horizontal beams 2. The end posts 1 of the respective
partitions 232, 234 and 236 are labelled la, lb and lc for
convenience.
End posts lb and lc are of identical height and
are both greater in height than end post la. Preferably, as
shown in Figure 26, the pairs of horizontal beams 2 are
spaced apart a constant distance D, with each partition
having a pair of beams 2 proximate its top and a pair of
beams 2 proximate its bottom. The constant spacing D
between the pairs of beams 2 allows vertical alignment of
adjacent partitio~s.
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Figure 26 shows the three posts la, lb and lc
being joined by two modular connecting brackets 144a and
144b of the type shown in Figure 17. When the posts 1 are
viewed in a plan view, they have an orientation identical to
that shown in Figure 18, with the modular connecting
hrackets 144a and 144b connecting the three posts 1 to on~
another.
After the three partitions 232, 234 and 236 have
been secured together at the preselected angle by modular
brackets 144, the next step in providing a decorative
covering is to insert end plugs 178 into the open ends 172
of each pair of horizontal beams 2 as illustrated in Figure
20. Figure 27 shows the partitions of Figure 26, however
with end plugs 178 inserted into the ends 172 of each pair
of beams 2.
Figure 27 labels the three levels of horizontal
beams 2 as A, B and C from top to bottom. At level A, there
are two partitions 234 and 236 intersecting at 90~ to one
another.
A cover plate support is formed at level A,
comprising the end plugs 178 at level A and a dual cover
plate retainer 238. As shown in the top plan view of Figure
28, dual cover plate retainer 238 is generally triangular,
having two substantially straight sides 240 converging at
90~, each straight side 240 adapted to abut the end faces
134 of posts lb and lc, and a third, convex side 241. As
shown in side elevation Figure 29, each straight side 240
has a downwardly extending vertical snap connector 242 which
is preferably identical to that shown in Figure 23 and is
preferably connected to the cover plate retainer 238 in the
same manner as shown in Figure 23. The vertical snap
connector 242 preferably has two downwardly extending legs
244 and is adapted to snap into engagement with an end plug
178 by insertion of the legs 244 of each snap connector 242
into a slot 198, as described above with reference to snap
connector 210 of cover plate retainer 200.
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The upper surface 246 of dual cover plate retainer
238 is provided with two bulbous plug connectors 248, each
plug connector 248 ext~n~;~g along substantially the entire
length of a stralght side 240. These bulbous connectors 248
are preferably identical in shape and size to plug connector
204 described above.
Ext~n~;ng downwardly from the lower surface 250 of
dual cover plate retainer 238 is a resilient spring
connector 252 similar in shape to that shown in Figures 22
and 23. The spring connector 252 of dual cover plate
retainer 238 extends along substantially the entire convex
side 241 and preferably has the same convex shape as convex
side 241.
Returning to Figure 27, a cover plate support is
provided at level B comprising three end plugs 178 and a
triple cover plat:e retainer 256.
The triple cover plate retainer 256 is shown in
the top plan view of Figure 30 as having a generally square
shape, with three substantially straight sides 2S8 and a
fourth, concave side 260. As shown in Figure 31, each of
the straight sides 258 is provided with a vertical snap
connector 262 having downwardly extending legs 264, vertical
snap connector 262 preferably being identical to that shown
in Figure 23. The legs 264 of each snap connector 262 are
inserted into a slot 198 between an end plug 178 and a post
1. .
The triple cover plate retainer 256 has an upper
surface 266 provided with three bulbous plug connectors 268,
each extending along substantially the entire length of a
straight side 258. The bulbous plug connectors 268
preferably have the same size and shape as bulbous plug
connector 204. The triple cover plate retainer 256 has a
lower surface 270 which is provided with a resilient spring
connector 272 extending along substantially the entire
length of concave side 260 and having the same concave shape
as side 260.
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At lowermost level C of Figure 27, a cover plate
support is formed from a triple cover plate retainer 256 and
three end plugs 178, as in level B. However, in level C,
the triple cover plate retainer 256 is reversed so that its
vertical snap connectors 262 are directed upwardly and
inserted iltO s~ts 198 farmel hy end plugs ~78 so that the
resilient spring connector 272 is extGn~;ng upwardly. This
is analogous to the reversing of single cover plate support
222a shown in Figure 25a.
Figure 32 illustrates the partitions of Figure 17
but with the assembled cover plate supports at levels A, B
and C installed on partitions 232, 234 and 236.
To provide a decorative covering over the
converging ends of partitions 234 and 236 between levels A
and B, a double cover plate 276 is provided between the
cover plate supports of level A and level B. The double
cover plate 276 has a similar configuration to the single
cover plate 224 shown in Figure 25a, having a substantially
convex, C-shaped transverse cross-section with wrap around
corners 278. The double cover plate 276 is however wider
than the single cover plate 224.
The double cover plate 276 is installed by first
securing its lower end to the bulbous plug connectors 268 on
the upper surface 266 of triple cover plate retainer 256 at
level B. For convenience, the bulbous plug connectors 268
of triple cover plate retainer 256 at level B are labelled
268a, 268b and 268c in Figure 32.
The double cover plate 276 slidingly engages only
plug connectors 268b and 268c, the wrap around corners 278
of double cover plate 276 sliding down over and engaging end
points P of plug connectors 268b and 268c, points P being
shown in Figure 30.
The remaining bulbous plug connector 268a on the
upper surface 266 of triple cover plate retainer 256 does
not engage a cover plate but rather provides a decorative
transition between the triple cover plate retainer 256 and
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the top surface of partition 232, which may preferably be
provided with a top cover plate (not shown) similar to that
shown in Figure 25a.
Then, in a similar fashion to single cover plate
224 shown in Figure 25a, the upper end of double cover plate
276 is snapped i~to secure engagement with resilient spring
connector 252 of dual cover plate retainer 238 at level A.
The forward lip 254 of dual cover plate retainer 238 is
preferably flush with the outer surface of installed double
cover plate 276.
Figure 32 also illustrates a triple cover plate
280 to be joined between the triple cover plate retainers
256 at levels B and C. Because the triple retainer 256 at
intermediate level B has its resilient spring connector 272
directed downwar~ly and triple cover plate retainer 256 at
lowermost level C has its resilient spring connector 272
directed upwardly, the upper and lower ends of triple cover
plate 280 are simply snapped into secured engagement with
the resilient spring connectors 272 of the triple cover
plate retainers 256 at levels B and C, respectively. The
triple cover pla~_e 280 is secured in a similar manner as
single cover plale 224a described above with reference to
Figure 25a.
Like single cover plate 224 and double cover plate
276, triple cover plate 280 has wrap around corners 282.
However, unlike cover plates 224 and 276, triple cover plate
280 preferably has a concave shape so that it does not
substantially extend out of the plane of partitions 232 and
236.
As in the case of cover plate retainers 200 and
238, triple cover plate retainer 256 has an outwardly
extending lip 274 which, when the triple cover plate 280 is
installed, is preferably flush with the outer surface of
triple cover plate 280.
Figure 33 illustrates the partitions of Figure 32
but with the double cover plate 276 and triple cover plate
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280 installed on the converging partitions 232, 234 and 236.
Figure 34 illustrates part of a modular office
furniture system in accordance with the invention comprising
a plurality of rectangular, upright partitions wherein the
ends of four partitions 284, 286, 288 and 290 of the present
invention converge with the angle between adjacent
partitions being 90~. Partitions 284, 286, 288 and 290 have
identical construction, comprising vertical, rectangular end
posts 1 and a plurality of pairs of horizontal beams 2.
When four partitions meet as shown in Figure 34,
no vertical cover plates are used to cover the ends of the
partitions since the ends of the panels 284, 286, 288 and
290 face toward one another. However, a quadruple
horizontal cover plate 292 is provided to cover the top gap
between the converging ends of the partitions 284, 286, 288
and 290.
In order to secure quadruple cover plate 292 to
the ends of the converging partitions 284, 286, 288 and 290,
end plugs 178 are first inserted in the open ends 172 of
horizontal beams 2 as shown in Figure 34 and as discussed
above.
As shown in Figure 34, the upper surface 294 of
cover plate 292 is substantially square in shape, having
four identical substantially straight sides 296, each of
which abuts an end face 134 of a post 1 of a respective
partition when cover plate 292 is installed. The upper
surface 294 is provided with four bulbous plug connectors
298, each of which extends along substantially the entire
length of a side 296. The bulbous plug connectors 298 are
preferably identical in shape to the bulbous plug connector
204 described above.
The quadruple cover plate 292 is secured to end
plugs 178 in an identical manner as that discussed above
with reference to cover plate retainers 200, 238 and 256.
Each side 296 of horizontal cover plate 292 is provided with
a downwardly extending vertical snap connector 300
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comprising two legs 302 which snap into engagement with the
vertical slot 198 in an identical manner as that discussed
above.
Re~erellce is now made to Figures 35 and 36 which
illustrate one type of preferred modular panel clip 314
according to the present invention useful for coupling
cladding panels t;o a partition. Panel ret~;n;ng clip 314 is
secured between a pair of horizontal beams 2 by firstly,
inserting panel clip 314 between beams 2 with its front
surface 316 and its rear surface 318 (not shown)
substantially parallel to beams 2, as shown in Figure 35.
Panel retaining clip 314 is then rotated by 90~ about
vertical axis ~, shown in Figure 35, to adopt the
orientation shown in Figure 36, which shows panel retaining
clip 314 securely engaged between two beams 2 with its front
surface 316 facing end post 1 and transverse to the
horizontal beams 2.
As see~ in Figure 35 each beam 2 of partition 304
has a substantially flat inward face 306, a substantially
flat outward face 308 opposite the inward face 306, a
smoothly rounded upper surface 310 and a smoothly rounded
lower surface 312.
As shown in Figure 36, side surfaces 320 of panel
clip 314 form a tight friction fit with horizontal beams 2
to securely retain clip 314 in the position shown in Figure
36. Side surfaces 320 each have an upper engaging portion
322 which engages the upper surface 310 of a beam 2, a side
engaging portion 324 which engages the inward face 306 of a
beam 2, and a lower engaging portion 326 which engages the
lower surface 312 of a beam 2.
Figure 36 shows panel clip 314 having a pair of
upper resilient arms 328 extending outwardly above beams 2
adapted to securely retain a top cover plate 230, the same
as top cover plate 230 shown in Figure 25a. Top cover plate
230 has a generally C-shaped convex transverse cross-section
with wrap around corners 332. Top cover plate 230 is
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-- SO --
installed by pressing it down over resilient arms 328 until
tips 334 of resilient arms 328 snap into engagement with
wraparound corners 332, becoming securely engaged therein.
This is analogous to the securing of single cover plate 224
discussed above with reference to Figures 25a, 25b and
25c. To reta~n top cover plate 23~ in place on top ~f
partition 304, it is to be understood that at least two
panel retaining clips 314 must be provided, one clip 314
preferably positioned proximate each end of a pair of beams
2.
Figure 36 also shows panel clip 314 as having a
pair of lower legs 336, each extending under and outwardly
of a beam 2. These lower legs 336 function to retain a
cladding panel, as more fully discussed below.
As shown in Figure 37, panel clip 314 preferably
comprises an upper section 338 and a lower section 340,
which may preferably be easily connected and disconnected.
The provision of separate, connectable sections enhances the
modularity of panel clips of the present invention.
Different sections can be joined together to build panel
clips having various functions.
Sections 338 and 340 have respective flat vertical
mating surfaces 342 and 344 adapted to abut one another,
with upper horizontal mating ledge 346 and lower horizontal
mating ledge 348 of upper section 338 abutting upper
horizontal mating ledge 350 and lower horizontal mating
ledge 352 of lower section 340, respectively.
To retain upper section 338 and lower section 340
against movement relative to one another when they are
connected, a key 354 is provided on upper section 338 which
is closely received in keyhole 356 in lower section 340.
Figure 38 illustrates a side perspective view of a
partition 358 according to the present invention, partition
358 being joined end to end with another partition 359,
preferably in the manner discussed above with reference to
Figures 15 and 16.
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Figure 39 is a schematic cross-sectional end view
through partition 358 along line 39-39 in Figure 38.
Partition 358 comprises end posts 1 and four pairs of
horizontal beams 2. Figure 39 illustrates five different
configurations of clips adapted to secure different elements
to the partition. These five clips are ~rnm top to bottom:
clip 3~0 between beams 2a;
clip 370 between beams 2b;
clip 390 secured to inner faces of the posts 1;
clip 410 secured between beams 2c; and
clip 422 secured between beams 2d.
Each of the clips are formed from two sections
snap fitted together in the same manner as the clip 314
shown in Figure 37, however with different sections which
have different purposes as will become apparent.
Secured to the uppermost pair of beams 2a of
partition 358 is a first panel retaining clip 360 having an
upper section 33~ identical to that shown in Figure 37 with
upwardly extending resilient arms 328 to retain a top cover
plate 330 (not shown). Lower section 362 of clip 360 is
adapted to retain an upper end of a pane of glass 364,
having a slot 366 in which glass 364 is received.
The second panel retaining clip 370 retained
between horizontal beams 2b comprises an u~pper section 372
and lower section 340. The upper section 372 retains the
lower end of pane of glass 364 in slot 374 identical to slot
366 in lower section 362 of clip 360. The lower section 340
of clip 370 is identical to the lower section 340 of panel
clip 314 shown in Figure 37. The lower section 340 has
lower legs 336 adapted to engage and retain the upper end of
a cladding panel as is described below.
As shown in Figures 38 and 39, two decorative
sashes 368, each of which is an elongate, thin sheet-like
cover member, are provided at the upper and lower edges of
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glass 364 to conceal the clips 360 and 370 and cover the gap
between the pairs of beams 2a and 2b, respectively. As
shown in Figure 38, sash 368 preferably extends into and is
retained in snap fit in slots 366 and 374 of clips 360 and
370, respectively.
The third panel retaining clip 390 is shown in
Figure 39 as being located between pairs of ~eams 2b and 2c
to secure the lower end of a cladding panel and the upper
end of a cladding panel as described below. This panel clip
390 is shown in isolation in Figure 40. Like panel clip
314, clip 390 may comprise separate upper and lower sections
which are snap fitted together. Panel clip 390 is not
retained between a pair of horizontal beams 2 and therefore
does not have a side surface shaped to secure the ret~;n;ng
clip 390 between a pair of beams 2. Rather, ret~;~;ng clip
390 has a hole 392 through which a screw (not shown) may
preferably be provided to secure panel clip 390 to the inner
face of a vertical post, such as an end post 1. Clip 390
has an upper section 391 and a lower section 393. The upper
section 391 is adapted to engage a lower end of a cladding
panel as is described later. The lower section has a head
394 and a pair of outwardly and upwardly extending arms
396. A downwardly inclined slot 398 is formed between head
394 and each arm 396. The lower section 393 has legs 402
adapted to engage the upper end of a cladding panel.
Clip 410 between beams 2c has an upper section 39S
having a head 394 and arms 396 identical to those of upper
section 391 of clip 390 adapted to receive the lower end of
a cladding panel. Clip 410 has a lower section 397 having
lower legs 336 identical to those of lower section 340 of
clip 370 and adapted to receive an upper end of a cladding
panel.
Clip 422 between beams 2d has an upper section 399
having a head 394 and arms 396 identical to those of upper
section 391 of clip 390 and adapted to receive a lower end
of a cladding panel. Clip 422 has a lower section 411
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specialized for ~oupling between the post 1 and a cast metal
body 4a carryin~ adjustable legs 4. The clip 422 is not
retained in place only by beams 2d. Rather, it is provided
with a slot 432 which fits over cast metal body 4a between
threaded shaft 4d and upper flange 4c, shown in Figure 3.
The securement of the cladding panels to the
partition through use of the clips in now described with
reference to Figure 39. Figure 39 shows two cladding panels
Sb and 5 similar to the cladding panels shown in Figure 1.
Each cladding panel 5b, 5 carries on its rear surface two
vertically extending coupling brackets 401, one located near
each end of the panel and adapted for releasable engagement
with two correspondingly spaced clips carried on the
partition.
For example, cladding panel 5 is shown in Figure
39 as extending between lowest clip 422 and clip 410 with
the coupling bracket 401 of the panel 5 engaging the upper
section 399 of clip 422 and the lower section 397 of clip
410.
As shown, the bracket 401 has near its lower end a
downwardly extending leg 400 which is adapted to fit into
slot 398 between head 394 and an arm 396 on the upper
section 399 of clip 422. The bracket 401 has near its upper
end a resilient arm 384 which extends rearwardly below a
slot 378 having an upper wall 380 and a lower wall 382. The
arm 384 ends at an upwardly extending tip 386. The arm 384
is adapted to snap engage under lower legs 336 on the lower
section 397 of clip 410 when the legs 336 are received in
slot 378.
Both panels 5 and 5b shown in Figure 39 have
similar coupling brackets 401 and each is adapted to be
releasably coupled by engagement with similar slots 398 and
legs 336 carried on different of the clips. Panel 5 is
shown in Figure 19 in a position secured to the partition.
Panel 5b is shown in an intermediate position ready to
either be removed or secured. As seen, the leg 400 on the
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bracket 401 of panel 5b is received in slot 398, with the
leg 400 engaging head 394 of the upper section 391 of clip
390 so that the panel 5b is retained in this intermediate
position. From this position the panel 5b can be snapped
into engagement by pushing its upper end towards the
partition to sn~p arm 384 under leg 336 of clip 370.
Alternatively, from this position the panel 5b can be
removed by lifting upwardly. While not shown in Figure 39,
another panel 5a as shown in Figure 1 may be provided with
its bracket 401 to be coupled to the upper section 395 of
clip 410 and the lower section 393 of clip 390 in the same
manner as panels 5 and 5b.
Figure 39 illustrates a system for coupling of
recessed panel 7 utilizing clip 390 which has a specialized
lower section 393 to engage the upper end of panel 7 as
follows. The lower section 393 of clip 390 has forwardly
and rearwardly pivotable legs 402. Left leg 402a shown in
Figure 39 is pivoted forwardly and right leg 402b is shown
as being unpivoted, or vertical. Finger tabs 403 are
preferably provided on each leg 402 to allow legs 402 to be
gripped for pivoting. When the legs 402 are vertical, a
narrow slot 404 is formed between the leg 402 and the side
surface 406 of clip 390. This narrow slot 404 is adapted to
receive the upper end of recessed cladding panel 7 in a
tight friction fit.
The upper end of cladding panel 7 is inserted into
slot 404 as follows. One leg 402 of clip 390 is pivoted
away from its vertical position and the upper end of
cladding panel 7 is pushed upwardly against the side surface
406 of clip 390, preferably until it abuts end wall 408.
When the cladding panel 7 is in this position, leg 402 is
pivoted back to its vertical position to securely retain the
upper end of cladding panel 7 in slot 404.
Reference is now made to Figure 41, which shows an
alternate cladding panel 434 which may act as a replacement
for panels such as 5. Panel 434 is a simplified panel
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comprising a thin sheet of metal which hangs from an
uppermost pair of horizontal beams 2a of a partition 436 to
the next pair of beams 2b, to provide an economical, simple
cladding panel. The upper end 438 of cladding panel 434 is
shaped to hook over the upper surface 310 of a beam 2a and
also has a horizontal tip 440 extending inwardly between
pair of beams 2a. When two such panels 434 are installed on
opposite sides o~ partition 436, as shown in Figure 41, tips
440 meet between beams 2a to provide a top covering for
partition 436.
Cladding panel 434 preferably extends downwardly
proximate the p~lane of the outward faces 308 of the
horizontal beams 2a to the lower pair of beams 2b. Cladding
panel 434 preferably has an inwardly extending lower end 442
which engages the outward face 308 of a beam 2b.
Cladding panel 434 is preferably made from an
ine~n~ive material such as sheet metal, which may
preferably be perforated to provide a decorative appearance.
Although Figures 20 to 34 illustrate end covering systems
for partitions having pairs of horizontal beams, it is to be
appreciated that similar end covering systems may be
provided for partitions not having pairs of horizontal beams
as shown in Figures 20 to 34. For example, an end covering
system may be provided wherein cover plate retainers,
similar to those shown in Figures 20 to 34, are secured
directly to the end faces of the end posts of the
partitions, for example, by screws. Such a system would not
require end plugs such as end plugs 178 shown in Figures 20
to 34 and could be used in a partition not having pairs of
horizontal beams. The cover plate retainers directly
attached to the end posts would preferably have bulbous plug
connectors and resilient spring connectors as shown in
Figures 20 to 34 and would preferably secure the cover
plates in an ident:ical manner as that shown in Figures 20 to
34.
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Although Figure 1 illustrates a partition having
a simplified decorative end covering, it is to be
understood that a decorative end covering such as that
shown in Figures 25 and 38 could be provided on the
partition shown in Figure 1.
Reference is made again to Figures 1 to 12 which
refers to the upright partition as having a frame
comprising vertical post 1 and horizontal beams 2. It is
to be appreciated that the vertical posts 1 comprise
elongated internal frame members and that the horizontal
beams 2 comprise elongated external frame members both
forward and rearward of the vertical posts or internal
frame members. Similarly, the frame comprises the open
grid work of posts 1 and beams 2 and, in effect, comprises
a skeleton frame in which the posts 1 comprising internal
frame members form a central layer and the beams 2 comprise
front and rear layers of spaced-apart external frame
members. In this context, the central post space 40 is
defined between the vertical posts 1 as internal frame
members with the central post space 40 extending between
the top and the bottom edges of the frame. The raceways 41
defined to the front and to the rear of the posts 1 define
front and rear utility management raceways defined between
external beams or frame members either as a front layer in
front of the posts 1 or as a rear layer in the rear of
posts 1. The central space and the front and rear utility
management raceways 41 are in communication such that
utilities such as wires and cables can be managed and
selectively and conveniently routed through the entire
cavity comprising the central post space 40 and the front
and rear raceways 41 the entire height of the frame, the
entire width of the frame and to adjacent partitions.
The invention discloses and teaches a method of
constructing a wall for subdividing space including
CA 02216~6~ 1997-09-26
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providing a plurality of individual partitions as shown to
comprise the frames of posts 1 and beams 2 with their
plurality of co~rers 5, interconnecting the frames of the
partitions to form a continuous wall construction with the
internal cavities of each partition in communication with
the internal cavity of an adjacent partition, selectively
routing utilities such as wires and cables and the like
through the internal cavities of adjacent partitions and,
subsequently, releasably attaching covers to cover the
partitions and contain wires and cables therein.
The invention also provides a novel wall
construction comprising a plurality of partitions as
illustrated in 1:he drawings joined together to adjacent
partitions.
In the preferred embodiments of the invention
described above, each cover plate support is comprised of
one or more end l?lugs 178 and a cover plate retainer. The
end plug 178 is coupled to the end of the partition such
that a vertical slot 198 is formed for engagement by the
cover plate retainer. In the preferred embodiments, the
end plugs 178 are U-shaped and have two parallel legs 180
adjoining a horizontal bight portion 182. The end plug 178
is secured to th,e end of the partition by inserting legs
180 into the open ends 172 of beams 2. The coupling of the
end plug 178 to the end of the partition by the legs 180
being received in the ends of the beams is but one
preferred coupling system. It is to be appreciated that
end plugs providing such vertical slots 198 may be coupled
to the end of the partition by various other m~r-h~n;~ms
alternate to the legs 180. For example, the bight portion
could be coupled directly to an end post 1 as by screws,
rivets or other fasteners or by adapting the bight portion
to engage or snap fit into holes provided in the end face
of the posts.
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The preferred end plugs provide the vertical
slots 198 to be engaged by the cover plate retainer. It is
to be appreciated that other systems for coupling the cover
plate retainer to the end plugs could be provided,
including fasteners such as screws, rivets and the like to
secure the cover plate retainer to end plugs secured to the
end of the frames.
The preferred embodiments illustrate a cover
plate system comprising one or more plugs 178 and a
separate cover plate retainer. It is to be appreciated
that a unitary cover plate could be provided which is
merely secured in the same manner to the ends of the
partition at desired locations as, for example, by screws
or other fasteners.
Although the invention has been described in
connection with certain preferred embodiments, it is not
intended that it be limited thereto. Rather, it is
intended that the invention cover all alternate embodiments
as may be within the scope of the following claims.
