PARTITION ASSEMBLY

• US 20090293388A1
• Filed: 05/27/2009
• Published: 12/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Inventors: Geister, Ryan, Hamilton, John R., Heidmann, Kurt R., Slager, Mark T., Youngs, Bradley D., Feldpausch, Michael J., Knauf, Marvin C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,910,435 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/220.7
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/7422 with separate framed panels without intermediary support posts
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7462 using resilient connectors, e.g. clips
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7466 using hooks
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7483 Details of furniture, e.g. tables or shelves, associated with the partitions
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/749 Partitions with screw-type jacks
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 2/52 with special adaptations for auxiliary purposes, e.g. serving for locating conduits E04C2/54 takes precedence; block-shaped elements therefor E04C1/39; floor structures incorporating ducts E04B5/48

Abstract

A beam assembly for subdividing a floor plan area comprises a horizontally-extending beam member including an interiorly-facing surface, a bottom wall having at least one aperture extending therethrough, and at least one horizontally-extending lower frame member located below the beam member. The beam assembly further comprises at least one vertical frame member extending between and coupled with the beam member and the at least one lower frame member, wherein the at least one vertical frame member extends through the at least one aperture and the bottom wall of the beam member and interferingly engages the interior-facing surface of the beam member.

Claims

1. A beam assembly for subdividing a floor plan area, comprising:

a horizontally extending beam member including an interiorly-facing surface, and a bottom wall having at least one aperture extending therethrough;

at least one horizontally extending lower frame member located below the beam member; and

at least one vertical frame member extending between and coupled with the beam member and the at least one lower frame member,

wherein the at least one vertical frame member extends through the at least one aperture in the bottom wall of the beam member and interferingly engages the interiorly-facing surface of the beam member.

2. The beam assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one coupler bracket operably coupled to the at least one vertical frame member and the beam member, thereby securing the vertical frame member to the beam member.

3. The beam assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one coupler bracket operably coupled to the at least one vertical frame member and the at least one lower frame member, thereby securing the vertical frame member to the lower frame member.

4. The beam assembly of claim 1 wherein the interiorly-facing surface of the beam member includes a first portion of an interference coupler, an upper end of the at least one vertical frame member includes a second portion of the interference coupler, and wherein the first portion and second portion of the interference coupler engage in an interference fit.

7. The beam assembly of claim 1 wherein the beam member includes at least one upwardly opening channel extending along a length of the beam member, and wherein the at least one channel is adapted to support work tools therefrom.

8. The beam assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one vertical member includes a horizontally-extending aperture adapted to receive electrical/communication lines therethrough.

9. A beam assembly for subdividing a floor plan area, comprising:

a horizontally extending upper frame member defining an uppermost edge of a beam assembly;

at least one horizontally extending lower frame member located below the upper frame member, the lower frame member being the lowermost horizontally extending frame member;

a plurality of vertical frame members extending between and coupling the upper frame member with the at least one lower frame member; and

a pair of cover members disposed on opposite sides of the vertical frame members, wherein each of the cover members extend from a first location in clear proximity to the upper frame member to a second location located beneath the lower frame member, wherein the pair of cover members cooperate to form a wireway therebetween that is located below the lower frame member.

5. The beam assembly of claim 13 wherein the interiorly-facing surface of the beam member includes a downward extension located between a pair of channels within the beam member, the downward extension and the pair of channels cooperating to form a pair of gaps therebetween, and wherein an upper end of the at least one vertical frame member is interferingly received within the pair of gaps.

6. The beam assembly of claim 5 wherein the downward extension includes an alignment aperture that extends longitudinally along the length of the beam member, and is adapted to receive an alignment member therein that aligns adjacent beam assemblies in an end-to-end relationship.

10. The beam assembly of claim 9 wherein the upper frame member comprises a beam member that includes at least one channel extending along a length of the beam member and that is adapted to support work tools therefrom.

11. The beam assembly of claim 9 wherein an upper edge of at least one of the cover member is spaced from the upper frame member a distance sufficient to allow electrical/communication lines to be routed between an upper edge of the at least one cover member and the upper frame member.

12. The beam assembly of claim 9 further comprising:

a first cover support member operably coupled to a bottom wall of the upper frame member and operably coupled to an upper edge of each of the cover members.

13. The beam assembly of claim 9 wherein the bottom edge of at least one of the cover members includes an integrally formed channel extending along a length of the cover member, and wherein the channel receives a portion of the second cover support member therein, thereby supporting the cover member from the second cover support member.

14. The beam assembly of claim 9 wherein the lower frame member includes a pair of spaced-apart lower frame members, and wherein the second cover member extends between and beneath the pair of lower frame members.

15. The beam assembly of claim 9, further comprising:

a power module located below the at least one lower frame member and within the wireway.

16. The beam assembly comprising at least a pair of the beam assemblies of claim 9 secured to one another in an end-to-end orientation, wherein the wireway between the pair of beam assemblies is uninterrupted.

22. The beam assembly of claim 9 wherein the bottom edge of at least one of the cover members includes an integrally formed channel extending along a length of the at least one cover member, and wherein the channel receives a portion of the second cover support member therein, thereby supporting the at least one cover member from the second cover support member.

23. The beam assembly of claim 9 wherein the lower frame member includes a pair of spaced-apart lower frame members, and wherein the second cover support member extends between and beneath the pair of lower frame members.

24. The beam assembly of claim 9 wherein at least one of the cover members includes a bottom edge space from a supporting floor surface sufficiently to allow routing of electrical/communications lines between the bottom edge and the floor surface.

17. A beam assembly for subdividing a floor plan area, comprising:

a horizontally extending beam member defining an upper edge of a beam assembly;

at least one horizontally extending lower frame member located below the upper frame member;

a plurality of vertical frame members extending between and coupling the upper frame member with the at least one lower frame member; and

a pair of cover members disposed on opposite sides of the vertical frame members, at least one of the cover members including an upper edge spaced from the beam member sufficiently to allow electrical/communication lines to be routed between the upper edge of the at least one cover member and the beam member.

18. The beam assembly of claim 17 wherein the at least one cover member extends from a first location substantially proximate the upper frame member to a second location located beneath the lower frame member.

19. The beam assembly of claim 17 wherein the beam member includes at least one upwardly opening channel extending longitudinally along a length of the beam member and that is adapted to support work tools therefrom.

20. The beam assembly of claim 17 further comprising:

a first cover support member operably coupled to a bottom wall of the beam member and operably coupled to an upper edge of each of the cover members.

21. The beam assembly of claim 20 further comprising:

at least one cover support clip operably coupled to the upper edge of at least one cover member and removably engaging the first cover support member, thereby supporting the at least one of cover member from the first cover support member.