Patent US2969018A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4449337A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable base for office landscaping system
Assignee: Steelcase Inc
•
Filing: 1982-03-15
•
Granted: 1984-05-22
•
Expires: 2002-03-15
Abstract
Abstract The specification discloses a wall panel base construction including a foot, a wall panel supporting assembly, and a plurality of oppositely threaded members extending between the foot and the supporting assembly. The lower portion of each threaded member is secured within a block, which is in turn pivotally supported on the foot to prevent the threaded members from jamming during height adjustment. The blocks are also laterally shiftable with respect to the foot to further accommodate movement of the threaded member during height adjustment.
Inventors
- 👤 Larry P. Gzym
- 👤 Lloyd G. Ritzema
- 👤 David K. Haadsma, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 03:50
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B2/00; E04B2/74; E04B2/82; E04B2/825; E04B2002/749
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A wall panel base construction comprising: means for supporting a wall panel; foot means for supporting said base construction on a surface; a block member defining a threaded bore; means for supporting said block member within said foot means for tilting and shifting movement with respect to said foot means; and an upwardly extending threaded member having a lower threaded portion adjustably secured within said threaded bore within said block member, said threaded member having an upper portion supporting said wall panel support means, said threaded member thereby operatively supporting said panel support means on said foot means, whereby the height of said panel supporting means above said foot means can be adjusted by rotating said threaded member, and whereby said block member tilts and shifts to accommodate tilting and shifting of said threaded member with respect to said foot means to prevent said threaded member from jamming within said block member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A wall panel base construction comprising: means for supporting a wall panel; foot means for supporting said base construction on a surface; a block member defining a threaded bore; means for supporting said block member within said foot means for tilting and shifting movement with respect to said foot means; and an upwardly extending threaded member having a lower threaded portion adjustably secured within said threaded bore within said block member, said threaded member having an upper portion supporting said wall panel support means, said threaded member thereby operatively supporting said panel support means on said foot means, whereby the height of said panel supporting means above said foot means can be adjusted by rotating said threaded member, and whereby said block member tilts and shifts to accommodate tilting and shifting of said threaded member with respect to said foot means to prevent said threaded member from jamming within said block member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A wall panel base construction as defined in claim 1 wherein said block member includes external groove means and said block member support means includes rib means for extending into said groove means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A wall panel base construction as defined in claim 2 wherein said block member supporting means comprises a socket snap-fitted within said foot means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A wall panel base construction as defined in claim 3 wherein said rib means comprises a pair of spaced ribs positioned on opposite sides of said block member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A wall panel base construction as defined in claim 4 wherein said spaced ribs are generally parallel to one another.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A wall panel base construction as defined in claim 3 wherein said socket comprises a plastic material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A wall panel base construction as defined in claim 2 wherein aid groove means comprises an annular groove.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A wall panel base construction as defined in claim 2 wherein said upper portion is threaded in a direction opposite to said lower threaded portion; and wherein said upper threaded portion is secured within said wall panel supporting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A wall panel base construction as defined in claim 8 wherein said wall panel support means comprises a threaded socket in which said upper threaded portion is secured.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A wall panel base construction as defined in claim 8 wherein said threaded member comprises means mediate said lower and upper threaded portions for grasping said threaded member to rotate said threaded member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
128 words
A wall panel base construction comprising: panel support means for supporting a wall panel; foot means for supporting said base construction on a surface; block means for defining a bore; block support means for supporting said block means on said foot means for tilting movement with respect to said foot means; and third support means for operatively supporting said panel support means on said foot means, said third support means including height adjusting means for adjusting the height of said wall panel support means above said foot means, said height adjusting means having a first portion supported within said block means and a second portion supporting said panel support means, whereby said block tilts with said height adjusting means with respect to said foot means during height adjustment.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
128 words
A wall panel base construction comprising: panel support means for supporting a wall panel; foot means for supporting said base construction on a surface; block means for defining a bore; block support means for supporting said block means on said foot means for tilting movement with respect to said foot means; and third support means for operatively supporting said panel support means on said foot means, said third support means including height adjusting means for adjusting the height of said wall panel support means above said foot means, said height adjusting means having a first portion supported within said block means and a second portion supporting said panel support means, whereby said block tilts with said height adjusting means with respect to said foot means during height adjustment.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A wall panel base construction as defined in claim 11 wherein said block support means is further for supporting said block for lateral movement with respect to said foot means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A wall panel base construction as defined in claim 12 wherein said block support means comprises a socket supported within said foot means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
A wall panel base construction as defined in claim 13 wherein said socket comprises a pair of spaced ribs; and wherein said block means defines groove means for interfitting with said ribs.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A wall panel base construction as defined in claim 14 wherein said ribs are generally parallel to one another.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A wall panel base construction as defined in claim 14 wherein said groove means comprises said block means defining an annular groove.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
A wall panel base construction as defined in claim 13 wherein said socket is snap-fitted into said foot means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
A wall panel base construction as defined in claim 17 wherein said socket comprises a plastic material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
A wall panel base construction as defined in claim 11 wherein said bore in said block means is threaded; and wherein said first portion of said height-adjusting means is threaded and positioned within said bore.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
A wall panel base construction as defined in claim 19 wherein said second portion of said height-adjusting means is threaded in a direction opposite said first portion and secured within said wall panel support means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
A wall panel base construction as defined in claim 20 wherein said wall panel support means comprises a threaded socket in which said second portion of said height-adjusting means is secured.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
A wall panel base construction as defined in claim 20 wherein said height adjusting means further comprises means between said first and second threaded portions for grasping said height-adjusting means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
A wall panel base construction as defined in claim 22 wherein said grasping means comprises a hex portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2540622A
Cited
US2877875A
Cited
US3111723A
Cited
CH404164A
Cited
US3216678A
Cited
US3386216A
Cited
US3885361A
Cited
US3771273A
Cited
US3899857A
Cited
US3979864A
Cited
US4056903A
Cited
US4086734A
Cited
US4103463A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-05-22 | 1987-11-21 | 1988-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-05-22 | 1991-11-21 | 1992-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-05-22 | 1995-11-21 | 1996-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |