Cover member lock for partition panels

A lock mechanism for removably attaching a partition cover member to an associated frame, comprising:

• a pivoting lock member having a protruding lock tab shaped for reception in an associated slot in a cross-member of the frame;
• a connecting member for rotatably connecting said lock member to a surface of the cover member in a manner which permits said lock member to be rotated about a center of rotation between an insertion position wherein said lock tab is in registry with the cross-member slot and an engaged position wherein said lock tab is engaged with the frame cross-member to positively yet removably lock the cover member on the frame;
• and
• at least one frictional member configured to be connected to the cover member and extending through said pivoting lock member;
• wherein said at least one frictional member frictionally holds said pivoting lock member in position when said lock tab is received with the associated slot in the frame cross-member, thereby connecting said lock tab with the frame cross-member to positively yet removably lock the cover member to the frame cross-member.

A partition for spatially dividing open building space and the like, comprising:

• a frame having at least one slotted frame cross-member;
• a cover member having a rear surface, and being configured to enclose at least a portion of said frame;
• a pivoting lock member having a protruding lock tab shaped for reception in an associated slot in said frame cross-member;
• and
• a connecting member for rotatably connecting said lock member to a surface of said cover member in a manner which permits said lock member to be rotated about a center of rotation between an insertion position wherein said lock tab is in registry with said cross-member slot and an engaged position wherein said lock tab is engaged with said frame cross-member to positively yet removably lock said cover member on said frame;
• and
• wherein said lock tab has a smaller lateral displacement from said center of rotation of said pivoting lock member in said engaged position than in said insertion position.