US 6,295,775 B2Granted

Raceway construction for panel

AssigneeHaworth, Inc.

InventorsThomas J. Osterman, Richard D. Elushik

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A raceway structure which is fixedly attached to and extends longitudinally along one horizontally extending edge of a panel assembly. The raceway structure includes a U-shaped channel member which resiliently but releasably snaps into engagement with longitudinally spaced supports which are fixed to and project downwardly from the bottom frame rail of the panel. The supports occupy only minimal space within the channel member. The raceway channel member is provided with increased height relative to its width to provide upper and lower interior channel regions which accommodate power and telecommunication cabling systems. The supports are releasably engaged with upper edges of the channel member and provide the primary support for securing the channel member to the panel. The supports also provide a support or backing for the side covers of the channel member at a location disposed vertically intermediate upper and lower edges thereof so that the side covers, even with their increased vertical extent, retain their desired flat vertical configuration and can withstand side impacts which are typically imposed thereon.

Claims21

Dependent claims

An upright wall panel system including a plurality of upright panel assemblies which are longitudinally serially connected, each said panel assembly including an upright panel member having a raceway structure fixed to and extending longitudinally along a lower edge of said panel member for accommodating at least one of power and telecommunication cabling systems therein, said raceway structure comprising:

an upwardly-opening U-shaped channel member positioned adjacent and extending longitudinally along the lower edge of the panel member and defining therein a longitudinally extending interior channel for accommodating said one power and telecommunication cabling system;
said channel member having a bottom wall which is spaced downwardly from and extends parallel with said lower edge, and a pair of substantially parallel side covers which at lower ends join to opposite sides of said bottom wall and which project upwardly and terminate at upper ends which are positioned adjacent opposite sides of said lower edge of said panel member;
a pair of upright supports fixed to said panel member in longitudinally spaced relation therealong and cantilevered downwardly from the lower edge thereof so as to project downwardly into said interior channel, each said support defining a sidewardly projecting lower part which extends transversely across substantially the entire width of the interior channel at a location disposed substantially centrally between upper and lower ends of the channel member, said sidewardly projecting lower part dividing said interior channel into longitudinally extending upper and lower channel regions, said support including an upright column which is rigidly joined to said sidewardly projecting lower part and projects vertically upwardly for securement to the panel member, said upright column being spaced inwardly a substantial distance from and centrally between said pair of side covers so as to define open passages on opposite sides of said upright column between said upright column and said side covers, said open passages being a part of said upper channel region, and said lower channel region being unobstructed by said supports.

an upwardly-opening U-shaped channel member positioned adjacent and extending longitudinally along the lower edge of the panel member and defining therein a longitudinally extending interior channel for accommodating said one power and telecommunication cabling system;
said channel member having a bottom wall which is spaced downwardly from and extends parallel with said lower edge, and a pair of substantially parallel side covers which at lower ends join to opposite sides of said bottom wall and which project upwardly and terminate at upper edges which are positioned adjacent opposite sides of said lower edge of said panel member;
and
a support fixed to said panel member and cantilevered downwardly from the lower edge thereof so as to project downwardly into said interior channel, said support defining a sidewardly projecting part which extends transversely across substantially the entire width of the interior channel at a location disposed substantially centrally between upper and lower ends of the channel member and supportingly engages the respective said side covers intermediate the upper and lower edges thereof, said sidewardly projecting part dividing said interior channel into longitudinally extending upper and lower channel regions, said lower channel region being unobstructed by said support.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/325,523Filed 3 Jun 1999
Published: US 2001/0002522 A17 Jun 2001
Granted: 2 Oct 2001
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

H02G 3/288
In walls: in modular walls, e.g. wall panels
E04B 2/7433
With free upper edge, e.g. for use as office space dividers: with panels and support posts
E04B 2002/7487
Removable non-load-bearing partitions; Partitions with a free upper edge: partitions with slotted profiles
E04B 2002/7488
Removable non-load-bearing partitions; Partitions with a free upper edge: details of wiring

Family

US 2001/0002522 A1Published application
US 6,295,775 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Timeline

Citations

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