Loading patent…
AssigneeSteelcase Development Corporation
InventorsDouglas B. MacDonald, Steven E. Sanders, Mark T. Slager, Dean K. Hubbard, Roy W. Fink, Steven J. Throndset, David J. Battey, Robert E. Jeffers, Allen C. Hager
Estimating the term…
An office panel partition includes a panel frame having at least two uprights and a horizontal structural member rigidly interconnecting the uprights. The panel frame has a first side and a second opposite side, and the panel frame defines at least four apertures on the first side thereof. The partition also includes a cover member having a major planar surface defining an exterior surface of the partition. The cover member includes at least four projections that are removably insertable into the at least four apertures to removably secure the cover member to the frame. The apertures are arranged in at least two vertically spaced horizontal rows and at least two horizontally spaced vertical columns. The apertures in a first one of the columns have different horizontal dimensions than those of the apertures located in the other of the columns. Each of the projections has a range of lateral positions when inserted into a respective one of the apertures. The range of lateral positions provided by the apertures in the first one of the columns is less than the range of lateral positions provided by the apertures in the other row of the columns. The apertures located in a first one of the rows has vertical dimensions that are different than those located in the other of the rows. The range of vertical positions provided by the apertures in the first one of the rows is less than the range of vertical positions provided by the apertures in the other of the rows.
An office panel partition, comprising:
A partition panel for dividing floor space, comprising:
A partition panel, comprising:
A partition panel, comprising:
A partition panel, comprising:
A freestanding partition system, comprising:
A freestanding partition system, comprising:
The partition system of claims wherein:
A freestanding partition system comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
Drawings are temporarily unavailable. Open the PDF at USPTO
From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
With separate framed panels without intermediary support posts: details of connection of panels
With free upper edge, e.g. for use as office space dividers: accessories supported on the free upper edge, e.g. auxiliary panels, noise abatement…
With free upper edge, e.g. for use as office space dividers: post-like profiles for connecting panels at an angle
Details of connection of sheet panels to frame or posts: using resilient connectors, e.g. clips
Term ended 15 Feb 2022 (estimated)
The present invention relates to open office plans and the like.
The efficient use of building floor space is an ever-growing concern, particularly as building costs continue to escalate. Open office plans have been developed to reduce overall officing costs, and generally incorporate large, open floor spaces in buildings that are equipped with modular furniture systems which are readily reconfigurable to accommodate the ever-changing needs of a specific user, as well as the divergent requirements of different tenants. One arrangement commonly used for furnishing open plans includes movable partition panels are detachably interconnected to partition off the open spaces into individual workstation and/or offices. Such partition panels are configured to receive hang-on furniture units, such as worksurfaces, overhead cabinets, shelves, etc., and are generally known in the office furniture industry as “systems furniture”. Another arrangement for dividing and/or partitioning open plans includes modular furniture arrangements, in which a plurality of differently shaped, freestanding furniture units are positioned in a side-by-side relationship, with upstanding privacy screens attached to at least some of the furniture units to create individual, distinct workstations and/or offices. Both of these types of modular furniture systems, as well as others, have been widely received due largely to their ability to be readily reconfigured and/or moved to a new site, since they are not part of a permanent leasehold improvement.
At present, some types of furniture systems utilize vertical rows of slots to support hang-on furniture units. Also, systems have been developed that utilize horizontal rows of slots for supporting hang-on furniture units such as storage units, worksurfaces and the like. Existing furniture systems commonly include cover panels that are attached to a partition frame to close off the frame and provide visual and audio privacy for the worker. However, existing furniture systems may not provide sufficient flexibly to permit the location of the hang-on furniture units to be readily adjusted. Furthermore, positioning of the cover panels on existing systems may be problematic.
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a partition panel system embodying the present invention;
FIG. 1B is a partially exploded, perspective view of the partition panel system of FIG. 1A;
FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a partition frame;
The present application is related to co-pending Patent Application Ser. No. 10/076,709, entitled PARTITION PANEL WITH MODULAR APPLIANCE MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT, filed on Feb. 15, 2002, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1A. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
The reference numeral 1 (FIGS. 1A and 1B) generally designates a partition system 1 embodying the present invention, which is particularly designed for use in open office plans, and other similar settings and environments. Partition system 1 includes a plurality of partition frames 2 that are rigidly interconnected to define a workspace 3 that may include various hang-on furniture units such as a worksurface 4, shelf 5, or storage unit 6. As described in more detail below, a plurality of cover panels or “skins” 7 may be connected to the partition frames 2 to close off the partition frame 2 and provide privacy for a user. Trim members 7A, 7B and 7C cover the edge portions of the frames 2, and base trim 7D closes off the lower portion of the partitions. Lower frame members 10 are spaced above floor surface 18 to define a lower horizontal raceway 152. Power lines 153 and power receptacles 154 in raceway 152 provide power to the partition system.