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US 2003/0201075 A1Published application
Reinforced support element for wall panel arrangement
AssigneesHaworth, Inc., Innotec Corporation
InventorsNicholas J. Fricano, Richard Dixon, Mark R. Smith, Jonathan R. DeYoung, Scott J. Leenstra
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An upright connector or support post usable in a space-dividing wall panel system formed from serially connected panel assemblies. The post includes a plurality of openings disposed in vertically spaced relation with one another which receive load-bearing elements such as hangers or hooks typically associated with furniture components. Dimples or deformations extend transversely along the upper and lower edges of the openings and provide increased strength at the attachment points along the post.
Claims25
A space-dividing wall system comprising:
- first and second portable upright panel assemblies each having a vertically elongate upright end edge and a pair of oppositely facing and generally planar vertically oriented side surfaces which extend transversely relative to the respective said end edges;
- and
- a vertically elongate support element interposed between the respective end edges of said first and second panel assemblies and having a pair of vertically elongate and oppositely facing walls, each of said walls defining therein a plurality of openings disposed in vertically spaced relation with one another for respectively receiving load-bearing connectors associated with a furniture component, wherein at least one edge of each said opening is deformed to define an inwardly projecting dimple which extends transversely along said one edge relative to the elongated direction of said post to reinforce said post adjacent said openings thereof.
A space-dividing wall panel system comprising:
- a pair of upright, vertically elongate and laterally spaced support posts each having a lower end disposed in supportive engagement with a floor, each said support post having a tubular configuration defining a generally hollow interior and an outwardly facing side wall defining therein a plurality of vertically spaced openings, each of said side walls having a deformed area defining a rib which extends generally horizontally along a lower edge of each of said openings to reinforce same;
- a panel assembly disposed between and supported on said support posts and defining a generally vertically oriented side surface;
- and
- a pair of laterally-spaced hook-like elements, one of said hook-like elements being engaged within a said opening of one of said support posts and the other said hook-like element being engaged within a said opening of the other said support post;
- and
- a furniture component positioned adjacent said side surface of said panel assembly and extending between and connected to said hook-like elements for support from said posts.
3 more elements
An upright space-dividing wall panel assembly comprising:
- a pair of generally vertically oriented and generally planar side surfaces and a pair of sidewardly-spaced upright end portions oriented transversely relative to said side surfaces;
- a pair of elongate and upright supports disposed in sidewardly-spaced relation with one another adjacent the respective end portions, each said support including at least one opening disposed in a side wall thereof, each said side wall defining a sidewardly projecting rib which is integral therewith and extends along a load-bearing edge of the respective opening in a direction transverse to the elongated direction of the respective support;
- and
- a furniture component and a pair of sidewardly-spaced hanger elements disposed generally adjacent opposite sides thereof, said hanger elements being respectively engaged within a pair of said openings disposed in the respective supports such that said furniture component extends therebetween.
1 more element
A support structure comprising:
- a vertically elongate first support element oriented in a generally upright manner, said first support element having a generally tubular side wall which includes therein at least one opening, said side wall being deformed to define a dimpled area which is integral with said side wall and extends along a load-bearing edge of said opening to reinforce same;
- and
- a second support element mounting a hanger thereon, said hanger being engaged within said opening to mount said second support element on said first support element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.