Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE OF THE INVENTION
ADJUSTABLE WALL SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an adjustable wall
system. More specifically, the presenf invention is concerned with a
freestanding adjustable wall and area partitioning system that can be
assembled and disassembled.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Free standing and self supporting adjustable walls are
known in the art. These walls can include wall dividers and to be used
to partition space in offices for example. These walls are built by
assembling horizontal runners to standing vertical standards in order to
form a frame and then mounting panels to this frame.
Prior art wall constructions have been proven to be
difficult to assemble and disassemble especially adding or removing
panels. Many of these constructions are also difficult to add auxiliary
display shelves and other hardware to.
There thus remains a need for an improved adjustable
wall system.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an
improved adjustable wall system.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
More specifically, in accordance with the present
invention, there is provided an adjustable wall system comprising:
a plurality of longitudinal horizontal members;
a plurality of longitudinal vertical members, each. of
the vertical members comprising a mounting side being mountable to
the horizontal members, and an opposite panel-receiving side; and
a plurality of panels, each the panel comprising a
decorative face and an opposite mounting face, the mounting face
comprising mounting elements for removably rnounting the panel to the
panel-receiving side of the vertical members,
whereby when mounting the vertical members to the
horizontal members and the panels to the vertical members a wall is
thus formed.
In an embodiment, the mounting elements comprise
clipping elements for being clipped to the panel-receiving side of the
vertical members.
In an embodiment, the clipping elements are provided
near the lateral edges of the panels.
In an embodiment, the mounting elements comprise
gripping elements for gripping the panel-receiving side of the vertical
members.
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In an embodiment, the panel gripping members
comprise a resilient member and another adjacent surface.
In an embodiment, the vertical member panel-
receiving side comprises a protrusion, the resilient member and the
surtace configured to grip the protrusion therebetween by way of the
resilient member acting against the protrusion and the surface.
In an embodiment, the vertical member panel-
receiving side comprises a lateral protrusion, the panel mounting face
being recessed with respect to the panel decorative face exposing a
backside portion of the decorative face, the exposed backside portion
and a the mounting element gripping the lateral protrusion
therebetween when a the panel is mounted to a the vertical member.
In an embodiment, the mounting element comprises a
resilient body.
In an embodiment, the mounting element extends
from the panel and comprises a free end forming a shoulder, the
shoulder gripping the lateral protrusion against the exposed backside
portion when the panel is mounted to a the vertical member.
In an embodiment, the recessed panel mounting face
comprises an intrusion adjacent to the exposed backside portion, the
mounting element comprising a tail end being fitted into the intrusion
and an opposite free end forming a shoulder, the shoulder gripping the
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lateral protrusion against the exposed backside portion when the panel
is mounted to a the vertical member.
In an embodiment, the panes mounting face is
recessed near both opposite lateral edges of a the panel, a the panel
comprising mounting elements at both lateral edges thereof for being
mounted to two adjacent the vertical members.
In an embodiment the panel lateral edges comprise
top and bottom portions comprising respective mounting elements.
In an embodiment, the vertical member panel-
receiving side comprises two opposite lateral protrusions and a central
portion therebetween.
In an embodiment, the vertical member panel
mounting side comprises an extension extevlding from the mounting
side and contiguous with the two opposite lateral protrusions.
In an embodiment, a given panel is mountable to the
lateral protrusions of two adjacent vertical members mounted on at
least one given horizontal member.
In an embodiment, the vertical members are mounted
to the horizontal members forming a frame, the panels being mounted
to the vertical members in a side by side fashion thus forming a wall,
each the vertical member central portion being exposed between two
laterally adjacent the panels.
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In an embodiment, the central portion comprises
auxiliary-member-mounting elements for mounting display members
thereto.
5
In an embodiment, the central portion comprises
adjacent extending walls defining an opening therebetween, an insert
being mounted within the opening, the insert comprising the auxiliary-
member-mounting elements.
In an embodiment, the two lateral protrusions form a
vertical channel therebetween contiguous with the central portion
opening, the insert being a longitudinal member snugly fitted within the
vertical channel.
In an embodiment, the auxiliary-member-mounting
elements comprise sockets formed in the inserts.
In an embodiment, the auxiliary members comprise
mounting elements being fitted into the sockets via the central portion
opening.
In an embodiment, the auxiliary members are
selected from the group consisting of display members, merchandising
hardware, shelves, decorative fixtures, lights, beams, construction
members and combinations thereof.
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In an embodiment, the central portion comprises a
closed configuration to act as a strip-spacer between adjacent panels.
In an embodiment, the adjustable wall system further
comprises a leveler member for supporting the formed wall on a floor
surtace.
In an embodiment, the vertical members comprise
respective top and bottom ends, the horizontal members comprising
opposite sides and wherein when farming the wall, the bottom ends of
the vertical members are mounted to both the opposite sides of a given
bottom the horizontal member, the given bottom horizontal member
comprising a leveler member mounting element for mounting the
leveler member thereto.
In an embodiment, the leveler member comprises a
pedestal and stem extending therefrom, the leveler member mounting
element comprising an aperture for receiving the stem therethrough.
In an embodiment, the pedestal protrudes further
than the vertical member bottom portions mounted on the both sides of
the given bottom horizontal member.
In an embodiment, the protruding pedestal comprises
apertures so as to be bolted to the floor~surface.
In an embodiment, when the vertical members, the
horizontal members, and the panels are assembled to form the wall,
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the wall comprises a top most horizontal member and bottom most
horizontal member, horizontal rows of side by side panels, and wall-
edge vertical members at each lateral end of the wall.
In an embodiment, the adjustable wall system further
comprises a longitudinal top cap covering the tap most horizontal
member.
In an embodiment, the adjustable wall system
according further comprises a baseboard cover for covering space
between the floor surface and the bottom most the row of panels.
In an embodiment, the adjustable wall system further
comprises longitudinal end caps for covering the and wall-edge vertical
members at each lateral end of the wall.
In an embodiment, the horizontal members comprise
longitudinal ends configured to receive corner bracket members for
forming a corner between one assembled wall and another assembled
wall.
In an embodiment, the corner brackets comprise a
curved configuration.
In an embodiment, the corner brackets comprise an
angular configuration.
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In an embodiment, the panels comprise corner
panels, the corner panels comprising a configuration corresponding to
the configuration of the corner brackets.
In an embodiment, a given vertical member mounting
side comprises laterally extending leg members comprising fastening
elements. In an embodiment, these fastening elements comprise
apertures.
In an embodiment, a given horizontal member
comprises corresponding fasteners corresponding to the vertical
member fastening elements. In an embodiment, thesecorresponding
fasteners comprise apertures.
In an embodiment, the vertical member mounting side
comprises locators.
In an embodiment , the horizontal members comprise
corresponding-locators for corresponding to the vertical member
mounting side locators.
In an embodiment, the horizontal member comprises
a tab extending therefrom for mounting another the horizontal member
thereto thus providing for building a divider wall on a formed wall.
In an embodiment, the tab is substantially
perpendicular to the length of the given horizontal member.
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In an embodiment, the horizontal members comprise
respective longitudinal ends configured to be mounted to similarly
constructed horizontal members.
In an embodiment, the vertical members comprise
respective top and bottom end configured to be mounted to similarly
constructed horizontal members.
In an embodiment, when the panels are mounted to
the vertical members forming a wall run, a region of the panel-receiving
face is exposed between two adjacent panels.
In an embodiment, this region comprises auxiliary-
member mounting elements for receiving auxiliary members.
In an embodiment, this region comprises a spacer.
In accordance with another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided an adjustable wall system comprising:
a frame comprising plurality of free standing vertical
members mounted along their longitudinal lengths to a plurality of
horizontal members along both sides of the longitudinal lengths of the
horizontal members; and
wall-runs comprising a plurality of panels mounted to
the frame, the panels comprising mounting elements near the lateral
edges thereof for being mounted on two adjacent the vertical members,
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wherein when the panels are mounted to the vertical
members they expose a region of a the vertical member between two
adjacent panels.
5 In an embodiment, the exposed region comprises
auxiliary-member mounting elements for mounting auxiliary members
thereto.
In an embodiment, the auxiliary members are
10 selected from the group consisting of display members merchandising
hardware, shelves, decorative fixtures, lights, beams, construction
members and combinations thereof.
In an embodiment, this exposed region comprises a
spacer.
In an embodiment, the adjustable wall system further
comprises a plurality of wall runs.
!n an embodiment, this at least one the wall run is in a
substantially perpendicular relationship to another the wall run.
In an embodiment, the wall run comprises a straight
configuration.
In an embodiment, the wall run comprises an angular
configuration.
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In an embodiment, the walll run comprises a curved
configuration.
In an embodiment, the horizontal members and the
vertical members comprise respective mutually mating locators.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present
invention there is provided an adjustable wall system comprising:
a plurality of longitudinal horizontal members;
a plurality of longitudinal vertical members for being
mounted to the horizontal members, each of the vertical members
comprising a panel-receiving members; and
a plurality of panels, each the panel comprising a
gripping elements near the edge thereof for being removably mounted
to the panel-receiving elements of two adjacent the vertical members.
In an embodiment, the panel gripping members
comprise a resilient member and another adjacent surface.
In an embodiment, the vertical member panel-
receiving members comprise a protrusion, thE~ resilient member and the
surface configured to grip the protrusion the~rebetween by way of the
resilient member acting against the protrusion and the surface.
In an embodiment, when tfie panels are mounted to
the vertical members a region defined by the vertical members is
exposed between two adjacent panels.
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In an embodiment, these exposed region comprises
auxiliary-member mounting elements for mounting auxiliary members
thereto.
In an embodiment, the auxiliary members are
selected from the group consisting of display members merchandising
hardware, shelves, decorative fixtures, lights, beams, construction
members and combinations thereof.
In an embodiment, the exposed region comprises a
spacer.
In an embodiment, horizontal members and the
vertical members comprise respective mutually mating locators.
In accordance with yet a further aspect of the present
invention there is provided an adjustable wall system comprising:
a plurality of longitudinal vertical members, each of
the vertical members comprising a mounting side for being mountable
to a surface and an opposite panel-receiving side; and
a plurality of panels, each the panel comprising
comprising mounting elements for removably mounting the panel to the
panel-receiving side of the vertical members,
whereby when mounting the vertical members to the
horizontal members and the panels to the vertical members a wall is
thus formed.
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In an embodiment, the adjustable wall system further
comprises surface-mounting elements mountable to a surface, the
vertical members mountable to the surface mounting elements.
In an embodiment, the vertical member comprises a
mounting side for mounting to the surface-mounting elements, a the
vertical member mounting side and a the surface-mounting element
comprising respective mutually mating locators.
In an embodiment, the surface mounting element
comprises a Z-formed clip comprising a surface mounting portion and a
vertical member mounting portion.
In an embodiment, the vertical members comprising a
panel-receiving members.
In an embodiment, the panel-receiving members
comprise protrusions.
In an embodiment, the panel mounting elements
comprise a resilient member and another adjacent surface for fitting
therebetween a the panel-receiving member when the panel is
mounted to a the vertical member, the resilient member being biased
against the panel-receiving member and towards the adjacent surface.
In an embodiment, the adjacent-surface is a shoulder
formed by the panel and the panel-receiving members comprise lateral
protrusions.
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In an embodiment, the panel mounting elements
comprise an element selected from the group consisting of clipping
elements and gripping elements.
In an embodiment, when the panels are mounted to
the vertical members a region defined by the vertical members is
exposed between two adjacent panels.
In an embodiment, the exposed region comprises
auxiliary-mounting elements for mounting auxiliary members thereto.
In an embodiment, the auxiliary members are
selected from the group consisting of display members merchandising
hardware, shelves, decorative fixtures, lights, beams, construction
members and combinations thereof.
In an embodiment, the exposed region comprises a
spacer.
In an embodiment, the surface being mounted by the
vertical member comprises a wall surface.
!n accordance with yet another aspect of the present
invention there is provided a longitudinal vertical member for an
adjustable wall system comprising a backings surface for mounting the
vertical member thereto and panels mountable to the vertical members
for forming a wall when assembled, the vertical member comprising:
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a -mounting side for being mounted to the backing
surface; and
a panel-receiving side opposite the mounting side
comprising panel-receiving protrusions and a central portion
5 therebetween.
In an embodiment, the panel-receiving protrusions is
opposite lateral protrusion extending from a main body of the vertical
member.
In an embodiment, the main body extends from the
mounting side.
In an embodiment, the protrusions receive respective
panels.
In an embodiment, the central portion is exposed
when the respective panels are mounted thereto.
In an embodiment, the exposed central portion
comprises auxiliary-member receiving elements for receiving an
auxiliary member.
In an embodiment, the exposed central portion
comprises a spacer.
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In an embodiment, the backing surface comprises a
surface selected from the group consisting of a wall, a horizontal
member, a surface-mounting element and a combination thereof.
In an embodiment, the vertical member further
comprises locators for being mounted a predetermined area of the
backing surface.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present
invention there is provided a panel for mounting to an adjustable wall
system comprising a frame comprising vertical members mounted to a
backing surface, the panel comprising:
opposite faces, ateral edges and top and bottom
ends;
at least one mounting element mounted to one. the
face near at least one the later edge;
a surface formed at the one face and being adjacent
to the mounting element;
wherein the mounting element is so biased towards
the adjacent surface as to wedge a portion of the frame therebetween
when mounting the panel to the frame.
In an embodiment, this portion of the frame is a
portion of the vertical member.
In an embodiment, the vertical member portion
comprises a protrusion.
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In an embodiment, the mounting element extends
from the panel and comprises a free end forming a shoulder.
In an embodiment, the panel further comprises an
intrusion, the mounting element comprising a tail end being fitted into
the intrusion.
In an embodiment, the panel further comprises
mounting elements at both the lateral edges 'thereof.
In an embodiment, the panel further comprises
mounting elements near both the top and bottom ends.
In an embodiment, the bae:king surface comprises a
surface selected from the group consisting of a wall, a horizontal
member, a surface-mounting element and a combination thereof.
Other objects, advantages and features of the present
invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non
restrictive description of embodiments thereof, given by way of
example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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In the appended drawings where like elements are
referenced by like reference numerals and in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an assembled
adjustable wall system in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective of the adjustable wall system
of Figure 1 being partially disassembled;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the wall frame of the
present invention in accordance with an embodiment thereof;
Figure 4 is a top view of the vertical member of the
present invention in accordance with an embodiment thereof;
Figure 5 is a top view of the vertical member of the
present invention in accordance with another embodiment thereof;
Figure 6 is a partial perspective view of a panel
mounted to the wall frame of the present invention in accordance with
another embodiment thereof;
Figure 7 is a top partial view of a panel mounted to
the vertical member of the present invention in accordance with
another embodiment thereof;
Figure 8 is a partial perspective view of a the wall
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frame showing the tabs, horizontal extensions and the levelers of the of
the present invention in accordance with an embodiment thereof;
Figure 9 is bottom partial perspective view of the
frame showing a horizontal member being substantially perpendicularly
mounted to another horizontal member in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
Figures 10, 11 and 12 are top views of the corner
brackets of the present invention in accordance with three respective
embodiments thereof;
Figure 13 is a partial perspective view of a panel and
an auxiliary member mounted to the frame in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 14 is a perspective view of the of an
assembled adjustable wall system including auxiliary elements in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 15 is a top view of tuvo panels and an auxiliary
element mounted to the vertical member in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
Figures 16A, 16B and 16C are lateral elevation views
of three baseboards in accordance with three respective embodiments
of the present invention;
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Figure 17 is a lateral elevation view of a Z clip
mounted to a vertical member in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention; and
5 Figure 18 is a lateral elevation view of a J channel
mounted to a vertical member in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention.
10 DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT
With reference to the appended drawings an
embodiment of the invention will be herein described so as to exemplify
the invention and not limit its scope.
Figures 1, 2 and 14 show an adjustable wall system
15 20 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
With reference to Figure 1, 2 and 3 the adjustable wall
system 20 includes a plurality of horizontal members 22 in the form of
longitudinal runners having mounted thereto vertical members 24 in the
form of longitudinal vertical standards, thus forming a frame 26 (see
20 Figure 3).
Referring to Figure 3, the horizontal runners 22
include opposite longitudinal sides 28 and 30 for mounting the vertical
standards 24 thereto.
With respect to Figures 4 and 5, there are shown two
non-limiting embodiments of the vertical standards 24A and 24B
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respectively. Both vertical standard embodiments 24A and 24B include
a mounting side 32 and respective panel-receiving sides 34A and 34B.
The mounting side 32 includes laterally extending leg members 36
including fiastening elements 38 and locators 39. As better shown in
Figures 6 and 7, these fastening elements 38 are apertures to be
aligned with corresponding apertures 40 on a given side 28 of the
horizontal runner 22 so as to bolt the vertical member 24 to a given
horizontal runner 22 via fastening elements 42, such as bolts.
Furthermore, to facilitate assembly of the vertical standards 24 to the
horizontal runners 22 this, locators 39 are mated with horizontal
member locators 41. Locators 39 are in the form of protrusions; while
locators 41 are in the form or corresponding apertures. As shown, the
sides 28 and 30 are wall members upwardly extending from a base
floor 29.
Returning to Figures 1 and 2, the adjustable wall
assembly includes a plurality of panels 44, which are removably
mounted to the vertical standards 24.
With particular reference to Figures 6 and 7, panel 44
includes a front or outer decorative face 46 <~nd on opposite mounting
face 48 which includes a mounting element 50 for mounting the
panel 44 to the panel-receiving side 34 of a given vertical member 24.
As shown, the mounting face 48 is recessed and exposes a backside
portion 52 of the decorative face. As will be explained herein, this
backside portion 52 acts as a gripping shoulder.
Turning back to Figures 4 and 5, the panel-receiving
sides 34A and 34B of the vertical standards 24A and 24B include
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lateral protrusions 54 formed by extruded aluminum, for example, and
a central portion 56A (for vertical standards 24A, and 56B (for vertical
standard 24B). Also, as shown, the vertical standards 24A and 24B
include a main body 58 that extends away from the mounting side 32.
Turning again to Figure 7, the mounting element 50 is
in the form of a resilient clip member extending from the panel 44 and
having a free end that forms a shoulder 60. Hence, resilient
shoulder 60 and backside portion shoulder 52 grip a lateral
protrusion 54 therebetween by way of shoulder 60 acting against
lateral protrusion 54. The panel members 44 include such mounting
elements 50 near both their lateral edges 62 (see Figures 6 and 7) and
in this way, they are removably mounted in a snap fashion between
two adjacent vertical members 24. Furthermore, the mounting clip 50
includes a tail portion 64 that is fitted into an intrusion 66 formed in the
panel 44 and adjacent to the backside portion 52. This tail portion 64
includes teeth 68 for being wedged in intrusion 66.
Returning to Figures 1 and 2, the wall system 20
provides for a straight wall 70 to be divided by a divider vNall 72. In this
embodiment, the divider wall 72 is substantially perpendicular to the
straight wall 70. In this respect, and turning to Figures 8 and 9, the
horizontal runners 22 include tabs 74 substantially perpendicular
thereto. These tabs include fastening elements 76 such as apertures
for being mounted to a similarly constructed vertical runner 22' (see
Figures 1 and 9).
With reference to Figure 8, the horizontal runners 22
include longitudinal ends 78 which are configured to receive similarly
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constructed horizontal members 22' in order to extend a wall run, for
example. In this respect, an extension element 80 can be used to
mount two horizontal runners 22 and 22' together.
Referring generally to Figures 1 and 2 and particularly
to Figures 3 and 8, the adjustable wall system 20 also includes a
leveler member 82. The leveler member 82 includes a pedestal 84
from which extends a stem 86 that is connected to the lowermost
horizontal member 22. The pedestal 84 protrudes from both sides of
the walls 70 and 72 (as shown in Figure 1 and more clearly in Figures
10, 11, and 12) and includes an aperture 88 so as to be bolted on the
floor. The leveler 82 provides for stability of the freestanding walls 70
and 72.
UVith reference to Figures 1, 2, and 14 the adjustable
wall system 20 also includes a longitudinal top cap 90 for capping off
the uppermost horizontal runner 22.
Furthermore, the adjustable wall system 20 includes
longitudinal end caps 92 and 94 for covering the vertical members 24
that are near the edges of the wall and a portion of the horizontal
runners 22 which protrude beyond the vertical standards at the ends of
the frame 26. In this respect, horizontal runners 22 can be provided
with longitudinal end cap connectors 96.
Turning now to Figures 10, 11, and 12, the
longitudinal ends 78 of the horizontal runners 22 are configured to
receive a corner bracket member configured to create a corner such as
corner bracket members 98A, 98B, and 98C, which are shown in
Figures 10, 11, and 12 respectively and which form 90° angles,
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45° angles, and a curved configuration respectively. Of course,
corresponding panels are used to cover the longitudinal corners of a
wall defined by the foregoing brackets such as 44A, 44A' in Figure 10,
44B, and 44B' in Figure 11, and 44C, and 44C' in Figure 12.
With reference to Figures 4 and 15, the vertical
standard 24A includes a central portion 36A of its panel-mounting
side 34A that is open, this opening 100 is defined by two opposite
extending wall members 102 and 104. This opening 100 provides
access to a channei 106 that is defined by the extruded lateral
longitudinal protrusions 54 and the open area 108 defined by the main
body 58. Channel 106 is configured to snugly receive therein an insert
110 therein. As shown in Figure 13, the insert 110 is socketed and
hence, includes a plurality of sockets and/or apertures 112 for receiving
an auxiliary element 114 in the form of a beam in this example. As
shown in Figure 13, the insert 110 protrudes beyond the vertical
standard 22. In this way, the beam 114 includes mounting elements
116 in order to be hooked into the sockets 112 of socket insert 110.
Turning to Figure 15, an auxiliary element 118 shown including a
mounting element 120 in order to be fitted into the socket '112 of the
insert 110. Hence, as shown in Figure 14, the present adjustable wall
system provides for exposed regions 122 defined by the vertical
standards 24 between panels 44 for attaching thereto a variety of
auxiliary elements such as a lamp 124 or a shelving member 126 and
the like.
Referring to Figure 5, the vertical standard 34B
includes a panel-mounting side 34B with a central portion 56B that is
closed, hence, when the panels 44 are mounted onto the frame 26, as
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shown in Figures 1 and 14, the exposed regions 122 are accent-strip
spacers between the panels.
With reference to Figures 16A, 16By and 16C, a
variety of baseboards 128, 130, and 132 are respectively provided.
5 These baseboards 128, 130, and 132 can be used to cover the bottom
portion 134, as shown in Figure 14 of wall runs 136 and 138. In an
alternative embodiment, the panel, as shown in Figure 1, is made up of
3 smaller sectional panels 44', 44", 44"', and it is possible that the
lowermost panel 144"' is spaced from the floor exposing the lowermost
10 horizontal runner 22. In this case, the baseboards will be used to cover
this opening. The baseboards may be provided in a variety of
embodiments, for example, baseboard 128 has a concave moulding,
baseboard 130 has a slanted moulding, baseboard 132 has a curved
moulding. Of course, standard rectangular mouldings can also be
15 provided as well as other types of suitable and decorative mouldings.
With reference to Figure 16, a wall adjustable system
200 is shown comprising a vertical standard 24 and a backing surface
133 for mounting the vertical standard 24 thereto. A surface mounting
element can be use in the form for a metal Z-clip 134, to exemplify one
20 non-limiting embodiment, is shown to be secured onto the vertical
standard 24 to act as reinforcement to existing standard sheet rock
walls, for example. Hence, vertical standard 24 is mounted to a vertical
member receiving portion 135 via fastener (not shown) by aligning their
respective apertures 38 and 139 to receive the fastener (screw, bolt
25 etc.). The vertical member locator 39 is aligned with a corresponding
locator (not shown) on the Z-clip 134 to facilitate mounting. A surface-
mounting portion 141 is mounted to the surface 133 via a fastener
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26
through aperture 143. Panels 44 are then mounted to adjacent vertical
members 24 as previously explained.
Figure 18 shows a top or bottom metal J channel
member 136 which can be used to align the vertical standards 24,
securing them to standard cinder block perimeter walls, for example.
In operation, the vertical standards 24 will be mounted
on both sides 28 and 30 of the horizontal runners 22. Hence, vertical
standards 24 are mounted along the longitudinal length of the
horizontal runners 22, and horizontal runners 22 are mounted. along the
longitudinal length of the vertical standards 24, thus forming the
frame 26.
As shown in Figure 2, a divider frame can divide a
straight frame via perpendicularly mounting horizontal runners to other
horizontal runners via the use of tabs 74. Levellers 84 can be used in
order to stabilize the frame 26 onto the floor, as well as to bolt the
frame onto the floor thus creating a stable and freestanding wall. As
aforementioned, the wall runs need not to be straight and can be
provided in a variety of configurations via the corner brackets such as
corner brackets 94, 98A, 98B, 98C, and other corner brackets that can
be contemplated by a skilled artisan within the scope of the present
invention. Once the wall frame 26 of the desired configuration has been
built, panels 44 can be clipped to the vertical standards 24 exposing a
region 122 of these vertical standards 24 that, in one embodiment, can
be used as accent spacers (see embodiment 24B of Figure 5) or can
be used as auxiliary mounting elements (see embodiment 24A of
Figure 4). In this last embodiment, a variety of auxiliary mounting
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elements, such as those shown in Figures 13, 14, and 15, can be
mounted to various wall runs.
Therefore, the adjustable wall system can be used to
provide a variety of partitions, wall spaces for office areas or walls for
displaying merchandise, and the like.
Using the surface mounting element 134 a wall can
be built on a wall surface 133.
These walls are freestanding and can be extended,
rearranged or adjusted in any way, as described hereinabove.
Having now described an embodiment of the present
invention, various other embodiments, which are within the scope of
the invention, will be described herein without limitation thereto, and
only to further exemplify the present invention and not limit the scope
thereof.
The horizontal members 22 may be in a variety of
forms. They may be made by a series of shorter longitf,~dinal runners
that can be mounted to each other or a variety of telescoping runners
that can be locked at certain lengths.
The vertical members 24 can be mounted to the
horizontal members 22 by a variety of ways known to the skilled
artisan. In the embodiment of an open verkical member 24, such as
vertical member 24A, the apertures 112 for receiving auxiliary elements
of a variety of sorts can be directly built within the vertical standard. Of
course, the vertical member 24 need not have a central portion that
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protrudes outwardly in order to be used either as an auxiliary member
mounting element or a spacer, as described hereinabove, and as such,
the laterally protruding elements 54 may flank a flat central region 56
that is not exposed when panels 44 are mounted thereto. In this case,
the lateral edges of two adjacent panels 44 will abut each other. The
lateral protrusions 24 may be provided in a variety of suitable
configurations in order to provide for a panel to be mounted thereto, as
described herein.
A variety of locators 39 and 41, known to one having
skill in the art, to facilitate mating the horizontal members with the
vertical members can be provided within the scope of the present
invention.
The horizontal and vertical members 22 and 24 and a
frame 26 can be provided in a variety of suitable materials, as will be
understood by one having skill in the art.
The horizontal members 22 can also be mounted to
another surface such as a wall 133 and hence comprise surface mouint
elements. In this regard, the surface mounting elements 134 comprise
any element that can be mounted to a surface and that can receive the
vertical members 24 of the present invention.
Panels 44 can be provided in a variety of shapes and
configurations for designing various wall runs, as is knowin in the art. Of
course, the decorative faces 46 can be provided in a variety of colours
and allures depending on the taste and preferences of the user. Panels
44 can also be provided in a variety of suitable materials such as wood,
plastic, various cushion materials, metal, and the like. Again, this will
CA 02476368 2004-07-30
29
depend on the taste and preferences of the user. A variety of mounting
elements can be used in order to mount the panels 44 onto adjacent
vertical members 24. Such mounting elements include magnets or
various resilient members that may grip or clip the vertical member 24
with the aid of a shoulder created by the panel members, as described
herein. Of course, in another embodiment, the lateral protrusions may
include sockets, and the panels may include hook members to be
connected to these sockets.
Therefore, the adjustable wall system described
herein and claimed in the appended claims provides a variety of
adjustable wall runs for partitioning spaces such as offices, or using the
walls for merchandising or displaying other display rnembers. The
adjustable wall can therefore be assembled and disassembled or
adjusted according to need by extending or shortening it horizontally
andlor vertically by adding or removing auxiliary members, by adding
or removing divider walls by adding or removing corners.
It is to be understood that the invention is not limited
in its application to the details of construction and parts illustrated in the
accompanying drawings and described hereinabove. The invention is
capable of other embodiments and of being practiced in various ways.
It is also to be understood that the phraseology or teriminology used
herein is for the purpose of description and not limitation. Hence,
although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way
of embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the
spirit, scope and nature of the subject invention as defined in the
appended claims.
