Patent US2402565A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3831330A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Panel system
Assignee: Steelcase Inc
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Filing: 1973-07-09
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Granted: 1974-08-27
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Expires: 1993-07-09
Abstract
Abstract A partition system including a frame to which different types of covering panels can be readily hooked into place. Vertical wiring channels are provided at the end elements of the frame and covers are provided which simultaneously cover the wiring channels and mask the edges of the panel. Brackets for supporting superstructure can be secured to the end elements of the frame in channels which are defined by an end trim piece on one side and by a wall of the wiring channel on the other side. Adjacent partitions can be secured together angularly by means of a single link at the top and a single link at the bottom thereof. They can be secured in alignment by a pair of adjacent links at the top and at the bottom. Vertically spaced platforms can be mounted on feet at the bottom of the partitions to define space wiring channels. Telescoping end caps are provided for covering the ends of the wiring channels and the top portion of each end cap can be telescoped downwardly to allow access to the connecting links at the bottom of the partition. The wiring channels can be covered on either side by a molding which is releasably securable to the bottom of the partitions. In the case of wiring which must pass from one partition to another where the partitions are to be disposed at an angle, a telescoping corner cap is provided. Finally, special connector brackets are provided for connecting partitions of different heights to one another at various angles.
Inventors
- 👤 W Tacke
- 👤 R Ormiston
- 👤 Kay R Mc
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:35
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B2/00; E04B2/74; E04B2/7407; E04B2/7416; E04B2/7422; E04B2/7427; E04B2/7431; E04B2/7425; E04B2002/7483
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A partition comprising: a frame including a vertical end element at each end thereof and a horizontal element extending between said vertical elements generally at the bottom thereof; a foot at each end of said frame, said foot having a top wall, sidewalls, a bottom wall and being open through its center in a direction generally parallel to the plane of the partition; said vertical end element extending below the level of said horizontal element and being secured to said top wall of said foot; said top wall of each said foot including means for securing a first platform thereto to define a wiring channel between said first platform and said horizontal member; said bottom wall of each of said feet including means for securing a second platform thereto for defining a second wiring channel between said first and second platforms and through said openings in said feet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
A partition comprising: a frame including a vertical end element at each end thereof and a horizontal element extending between said vertical elements generally at the bottom thereof; a foot at each end of said frame, said foot having a top wall, sidewalls, a bottom wall and being open through its center in a direction generally parallel to the plane of the partition; said vertical end element extending below the level of said horizontal element and being secured to said top wall of said foot; said top wall of each said foot including means for securing a first platform thereto to define a wiring channel between said first platform and said horizontal member; said bottom wall of each of said feet including means for securing a second platform thereto for defining a second wiring channel between said first and second platforms and through said openings in said feet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The partition of claim 1 in which: an end cap is secured to each of said feet at the outside end thereof to thereby cover the ends of said channels; said end cap including a knockout portion which can be removed in the event that it is desirable to pass wiring or the like through said end cap and into said wiring channels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
86 words
The partition of claim 2 in which: said partition includes panel means extending upwardly generally from said horizontal element; joining means at the bottom ends of said panel means for joining adjacent partitions together; said end cap including first and second telescopically interfitting members; said first member being positioned adjacent the bottom of said panel means and being slidable downward onto said second member to allow access to said partition joining means; both said first and second members of said end cap including overlapping knockout portions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
The partition of claim 1 including panel means extending upwardly generally from said horizontal element; a molding for covering each side of said wiring channels; a tab projecting outwardly from each side of each of said feet and being resiliently flexible downwardly; said molding including a top edge abutting the underside of said panel means and a bottom edge including recesses therein which matingly engage said tab.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
A partition comprising: panel means; a base below said panel means; means at said base of said partition for joining adjacent partitions together; a telescoping end cap secured to the ends of said partition for covering said base; said end cap including first and second telescopically interfitting members; said first member being slidable with respect to said second member to allow access to said partition joining means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
A partition comprising: panel means; a base below said panel means; means at said base of said partition for joining adjacent partitions together; a telescoping end cap secured to the ends of said partition for covering said base; said end cap including first and second telescopically interfitting members; said first member being slidable with respect to said second member to allow access to said partition joining means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The partition of claim 5 said base includes a wiring channel therein extending from one end thereof to the other and in which each of said first and second telescopically interfitting members includes a knockout portion whereby said portion can be removed to facilitate passing wiring to said base.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
The partition of claim 5 including panel means extending upwardly generally from said horizontal element; a molding for covering each side of said wiring channels; a tab projecting outwardly from each side of each of said feet and being resiliently flexible downwardly; said molding including a top edge abutting the underside of said panel means and a bottom edge including recesses therein which matingly engage said tab.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
75 words
The partition of claim 5 in which: each of said first and second telescopically interfitting members comprises a front wall joined to spaced sidewalls; the sidewalls of said first member extenDing a shorter distance from their said front face than the sidewalls of said second member extend from their front face; said sidewalls of said second member being bolted to said base ends, the heads of said bolts overlapping said sidewalls of said first member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
170 words
A partition comprising: panel means; a wiring channel extending across the bottom of said panel means from one end thereof to the other; means at the end and bottom of said panel means for joining adjacent partitions together; said means for joining adjacent partitions together comprising means for pivotally joining adjacent channels about an axis generally at the inside corner edges of said partitions, thereby leaving the ends of said partitions generally visible; a telescoping corner cap including a first member having means for securing to the bottom, generally outside edge of one partition at the end of said wiring channel and a second member having means for securing to the bottom, generally outside edge of the other partition at the end of its said wiring channel; each of said first and second corner cap members including a curved sidewall and a top wall which is shaped generally like a segment of a circle; said first and second members telescopically interfitting whereby the angle between adjacent partitions can be varied.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
170 words
A partition comprising: panel means; a wiring channel extending across the bottom of said panel means from one end thereof to the other; means at the end and bottom of said panel means for joining adjacent partitions together; said means for joining adjacent partitions together comprising means for pivotally joining adjacent channels about an axis generally at the inside corner edges of said partitions, thereby leaving the ends of said partitions generally visible; a telescoping corner cap including a first member having means for securing to the bottom, generally outside edge of one partition at the end of said wiring channel and a second member having means for securing to the bottom, generally outside edge of the other partition at the end of its said wiring channel; each of said first and second corner cap members including a curved sidewall and a top wall which is shaped generally like a segment of a circle; said first and second members telescopically interfitting whereby the angle between adjacent partitions can be varied.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
74 words
A partition comprising: panel means; feet depending below said panel means and defining an open area at the base of said panel means; a molding for covering each side of said open area; a tab projecting outwardly from each side of each said foot and being resiliently flexible downwardly; said molding including a top edge abutting the underside of said panel means and a bottom edge including recesses therein which matingly engage said tabs.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
74 words
A partition comprising: panel means; feet depending below said panel means and defining an open area at the base of said panel means; a molding for covering each side of said open area; a tab projecting outwardly from each side of each said foot and being resiliently flexible downwardly; said molding including a top edge abutting the underside of said panel means and a bottom edge including recesses therein which matingly engage said tabs.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
The partition of claim 10 in which each said molding comprises a piece of sheet metal bent inwardly at its top to define said top edge and then inwardly and upwardly at its bottom to define said bottom edge; said recesses comprising slotted apertures in said bottom edge.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-26 | 1978-02-25 | 1978-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-26 | 1982-02-25 | 1982-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-26 | 1986-02-25 | 1986-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |