US 6,202,381 B1 · Method for reconfiguring a wall panel system

Abstract

A wall panel including a rectangular frame, a pair of wall members and a thin decorative sheet covering the wall members. The frames includes two spaced apart, generally parallel vertical frame members and spaced apart, generally parallel horizontal lower and upper frame members. The horizontal frame members are connected to the vertical frame members at opposite ends thereof to form the rectangular frame. Each of the frame members includes a core member and a pair of sidewall members attached to opposite sides of the core member. The wall members are attached to the sidewalls on opposing sides of the frame members. A decorative sheet covers the outer surface of each wall member. A method for manufacturing the frame members includes providing a fixture with spaced apart first, second and third surfaces. A hanger bracket is mounted to the vertical frame core member and is positioned in the fixture such that the hanger bracket engages the first surface. The sidewalls are positioned on opposite sides of the core in the fixture and engage the second surface. The sidewalls are attached to the core member. A method for making the panel includes providing a fixture. The frame members are inserted in the fixture so that each one engages a fixture surface. A wall member is mounted on each side of the frame, with a filler member disposed inside the frame between the wall members.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for reconfiguring a system of wall panels comprising:

providing at least one substantially square vertical corner post comprising four sides each terminating in an upper and lower edge, four corners formed at the junctures of the respective sides, and an outwardly facing groove running vertically along each of said corners;
providing a plurality of wall panels, each of said wall panels having a vertically extending hanger bracket disposed along at least one side thereof, each of said hanger brackets terminating in an upper and lower edge;
providing a plurality of pairs of upper and lower draw members, each of said lower draw members engaging one of said lower edges of said corner post and a lower edge of one of said hanger brackets, each of said upper draw members engaging one of said upper edges of said corner post and one of said upper edge and one of said slots of said hanger brackets;
connecting each of said pairs of upper and lower draw members with a draw rod so as to connect each of said plurality of wall panels to said corner post;
removing at least one of said plurality of wall panels so as to expose at least one of said sides of said corner post;
providing a cover comprising at least a pair of edges;
covering said at least one exposed side of said corner post with said cover by releasably engaging a pair of said grooves on said corner post with said edges of said cover.

4 more elements

A method for reconfiguring a system of wall panels comprising:

providing at least one substantially square vertical corner post comprising an elongated tube having a plurality of sides each terminating in an upper and lower edge and an outwardly facing channel formed along a length of said tube;
providing a plurality of wall panels, each of said wall panels having an vertically extending end portion terminating in an upper and lower edge;
providing a plurality of pairs of upper and lower draw members, each of said lower draw members engaging one of said lower edges of said corner post and a lower edge of one of said wall panels, each of said upper draw members engaging one of said upper edges of said corner post and one of said upper edge of said wall panel, wherein said upper draw block in each of said pairs overlies said lower draw block in said pair;
connecting each of said pairs of upper and lower draw members with a draw rod, wherein at least a portion of said draw rod is disposed in said channel;
removing at least one of said plurality of wall panels so as to expose at least one of said sides of said corner post;
providing a cover;
covering said at least one exposed side of said corner post with said cover.

4 more elements

A method for reconfiguring a system of wall panels comprising:

providing at least one substantially square vertical corner post comprising an elongated tube having a plurality of sides, each of said sides comprising a pair of inwardly facing channels formed along a length of said tube, each of said channels terminating in an upper and lower edge;
providing a plurality of wall panels, each of said wall panels having an vertically extending end portion terminating in an upper and lower edge;
providing a plurality of pairs of upper and lower draw members, wherein each of said upper draw members having at least a pair of draw surfaces engaging said upper edges of said channels formed along one of said sides of said corner post and at least one opposite draw surface engaging said upper edge of said wall panel end portion, wherein each of said lower draw members having at least a pair of draw surfaces engaging said lower edges of said channels formed along one of said sides of said corner post and at least one opposite draw surface engaging said lower edge of said wall panel end portion, wherein said upper draw block in each of said pairs overlies said lower draw block in said pair;
connecting each of said pairs of upper and lower draw members with a draw rod;
removing at least one of said plurality of wall panels so as to expose at least one of said sides of said corner post;
providing a cover;
covering said at least one exposed side of said corner post with said cover.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method for reconfiguring a wall panel system

Life of this patent

Method for reconfiguring a wall panel system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20