US 6,964,138 B2Granted

Wall panel system

AssigneeHNI Technologies Inc.

InventorsMark Carroll, Tom Michel, Timothy J. Nichols, Martin J. Traver, Osama E. Abusada, Jason L. Thorn, Travis E. Wright

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Abstract

An improved wall panel system is disclosed. The system includes wall panel assemblies, each assembly having a pair of side frame members having slotted channels, top and bottom steel tubes and fork connectors for attachment to the side frame members, a top cap, lower metal supports and a plastic base rail channel and cover. The system also includes a universal connector post, a universal I-beam shaped connector, a universal bracket, a variable height bracket and adjustable corner and end caps. The corner and end caps are scored to allow removal of cap walls resulting in an inventory of fewer parts and system versatility. A removal tool is also disclosed.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A wall panel system comprising:

a wall panel assembly, said wall panel assembly including two vertically oriented side frame members, a horizontally disposed top frame member being connected to said side frame members, and a horizontally disposed top cap connected to said top frame member;
an elongated vertically disposed universal connector post;
an elongated connector connected to said connector post and to one of said side frame members;
a bracket attached to said top frame member and to said connector post, said bracket having a first end portion including two openings for receiving fasteners to connect to said top frame member and a second end portion to be connected to said connector post;
a corner cap engaging and covering a to end of said universal connector post;
a horizontally disposed bottom frame member connected to said side frame members;
and
a pair of panel supports connected to said bottom frame member;
and wherein
said elongated connector has an I-beam shaped section;
and
said connector post includes four walls, each with a central slot, four rectangular channels, and four pairs of circular channels.

9 more elements

A method for assembling a wall panel system comprising the steps of:

providing a universal connector post;
providing at least two wall panel assemblies;
providing vertically disposed I-beam shaped connectors;
placing said I-beam shaped connectors into channels of selected side frame members of said wall assemblies and into selected channels formed in said universal connector post;
providing brackets;
fastening said brackets to said wall panel assemblies and to said universal connector post;
fastening top caps to said wall panel assemblies;
providing a universal corner cap;
removing one or more side wall portions from said corner cap to accommodate said brackets;
and
engaging said corner cap with a top end of said universal connector post.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/145,338Filed 14 May 2002
Published: US 2003/0213193 A120 Nov 2003
Granted: 15 Nov 2005
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

E04B 2/7425
With separate framed panels without intermediary support posts: details of connection of panels
E04B 2002/742
With free upper edge, e.g. for use as office space dividers: details of panel top cap
E04B 2002/7446
With free upper edge, e.g. for use as office space dividers: post-like profiles for connecting panels at an angle
E04B 2002/7474
Details of connection of sheet panels to frame or posts: using releasable connectors actuable with a key or a tool