Unitary panel module and connector
OwnerGordon J. Pollockinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Improved unitary panel modules are used in constructing a partition. The panel modules are assembled and then shipped to a location where they are to be installed. Each unitary panel module includes an adjustable base assembly and a resiliently compressible head assembly. When a partition is being constructed, a second unitary panel module is connected with the first panel module by an improved connector assembly. The connector assembly includes a connector member having hooks which engage a vertical support member on one of the panel modules and slots which are engaged by hooks on another panel module.
Claims17
A panel assembly for use in constructing a partition, said panel assembly comprising a main frame, a pair of parallel main panel members fixedly connected to opposite sides of said main frame, said main frame including a rectangular array of wall sections having major side surfaces extending perpendicular to and disposed between said main panel members, a first rectangular array of flange sections disposed between said main panel members and connected with and extending outwardly from a first edge portion of said rectangular array of wall sections, each flange section of said first rectangular array of flange sections having an outer major side which is engaged by a first one of said main panel members, means for connecting said first main panel member to said first rectangular array of flange sections, a second rectangular array of flange sections disposed between said main panel members and connected with and extending outwardly from a second edge portion of said rectangular array of wall sections, each flange section of said second rectangular array of flange sections having an outer major side which is engaged by a second one of said main panel members, and means for connecting said second main panel member to said second rectangular array of flange sections, said rectangular array of wall sections and said first and second rectangular arrays of flange sections corresponding to at least partially define a rectangular recess which is disposed between said main panel members and opens outwardly from said rectangular array of wall sections toward edge portions of said main panel members and is co-extensive with perimeters of said main panel members, a vertically adjustable base assembly disposed adjacent lower end portions of said main frame and main panel members, an upper end portion of said base assembly being disposed between said main panel members in the rectangular recess between said first and second rectangular arrays of flange sections, a vertically adjustable head assembly disposed adjacent upper end portions of said main frame and main panel members, a lower end portion of said head assembly being disposed between said main panel members in the rectangular recess between said first and second rectangular arrays of flange sections, a first vertical support member connected with said base assembly and extending upwardly from said base assembly along a first side of said main frame to said head assembly, said first vertical support member being disposed between said main panel members in the rectangular recess between said first and second rectangular arrays of flange sections, and a second vertical support member connected with said base assembly and extending upwardly from said base assembly along said main frame to said head assembly, said second vertical support member being disposed between said main panel members in the rectangular recess between said first and second rectangular arrays of flange sections, said first and second vertical support members each including means disposed between said main panel members in the rectangular recess between said first and second rectangular arrays of flange sections for use in connecting said panel assembly with an adjacent element of the partition.
An assembly comprising a first panel assembly, said first panel assembly including a first pair of main panel members and a first longitudinally extending support member connected with and disposed between said first pair of main panel members, said first support member including a longitudinally extending web section having a vertical major side surface extending perpendicular to and disposed between said main panel members, a first longitudinally extending flange section disposed between said main panel members and connected with and extending outwardly from a first edge portion of said web section toward an edge portion of a first panel member of said first pair of main panel members, and a second longitudinally extending flange section disposed between said panel members and connected with and extending outwardly from a second edge portion of said web section toward an edge portion of a second panel member of said first pair of main panel members, said first and second flange sections cooperating with said web section to at least partially define a longitudinally extending recess in said first support member, said first support member including surface means connected with said web section for defining a plurality of longitudinally extending openings having longitudinal axes extending parallel to longitudinal axes of said first and second flange sections, a second panel assembly disposed adjacent to said first panel assembly, said second panel assembly including a second pair of main panel members and a second vertical support member connected with and disposed between said second pair of panel members, said second support member including a longitudinally extending web section having a vertical major side surface extending perpendicular to and disposed between said main panel members of said second pair of main panel members, a first longitudinally extending flange section disposed between said main panel members of said second pair of main panel members and connected with and extending outwardly from a first edge portion of said web section of said second support member toward an edge portion of a first panel member of said second pair of main panel members, and a second longitudinally extending flange section disposed between said panel members of said second pair of main panel members and connected with and extending outwardly from a second edge portion of said web section of said second support member toward an edge portion of a second panel member of said second pair of main panel members, said first and second flange sections of said second support member cooperating with said web section of said second support member to at least partially define a longitudinally extending recess in said second support member, said second support member including a plurality of retaining surfaces connected with said web sections of said second support member, and connector means for interconnecting said first and second panel assemblies, said connector means including an elongated movable connector member having a plurality of hook elements each of which extends into one of the openings in said first support member, said connector member being movable upwardly and sidewardly relative to said first and second support members from a release position in which said connector member is supported in the recess in said first support member by engagement of said hook elements with said first support member to an engaged position in which said hook elements on said connector member extend into the openings in said first support member and in which connector surface means on said connector member engages said retaining surfaces on said second support member, said first and second support members being interconnected by said connector member when said connector member is in the engaged position by engagement of said hook elements with said first support member and by engagement of said connector surface means with said retaining surfaces on said second support member, said connector member having actuator surface means for receiving an upwardly directed force to move said connector member upwardly from the release position toward the engaged position, said connector member having cam surface means for transmitting force between said connector member and said first support member to move said connector member sidewardly out of the recess in said first support member into the recess in said second support member as said connector member moves upwardly under the influence of force applied against said actuator surface means, said first flange section of said first support member being disposed in abutting engagement with said first flange section of said second support member when said connector member is in the engaged position, said second flange section of said first support member being disposed in abutting engagement with said second flange section of said second support member when said connector member is in the engaged position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.