FRAMELESS GLASS MOUNTING SYSTEM

• US 20130326976A1
• Filed: 06/07/2013
• Published: 12/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Inventors: Jeffers, Robert E., Fink, Roy
• Granted Patent: US 9,169,640 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/239
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2220/0077 Lighting for furniture, e.g. cupboards and racks
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 83/001 Office desks or work-stations combined with other pieces of furniture, e.g. work space management systems
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/7416 with free upper edge, e.g. for use as office space dividers
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/7422 with separate framed panels without intermediary support posts
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/7424 Glazing details
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7418 Accessories supported on the free upper edge, e.g. auxiliary panels, noise abatement devices
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7461 Details of connection of sheet panels to frame or posts
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7483 Details of furniture, e.g. tables or shelves, associated with the partitions

Abstract

A frameless mounting system for glass or the like includes one or more bracket assemblies that adjustably interconnect a sheet of material along an upper edge of an existing partition system. The bracket assemblies permit the sheet of material to be adjusted upwardly or sidewardly to align the sheets of material with adjacent sheets of material. Furthermore, the sheets of material can be tilted as required to align adjacent sheets. The sheet of material is preferably transparent glass, but may comprise various other materials such as polymers, translucent materials, frosted, or opaque materials.

Claims

1. A freestanding partition system, comprising:

a rigid partition frame including a pair of horizontally spaced apart upright frame members and vertically spaced apart upper and lower horizontal fame members extending between and interconnecting the upright frame members;

cover panel is secured to opposite sides of the rigid partition frame;

a generally upright sheet of light transmitting material defining generally vertical opposite side faces, generally upper and lower edges, and generally vertical opposite side edges that together define a generally quadrilateral perimeter;

a support assembly supporting the sheet of light transmitting material on the partition frame above the upper horizontal frame members, wherein the support assembly includes a bracket having an upwardly opening channel, and wherein at least a portion of the lower edge of the sheet of light transmitting material is disposed in the channel, the support assembly including at least one clamp engaging the opposite side faces of the sheet of light transmitting material and adjustably securing the sheet of material to the bracket such that the sheet of light transmitting material can be tilted to a required angle to align the sheet with sheets of light transmitting material of adjacent panels.

2. The freestanding partition system of claim 1, wherein:

the bracket includes first and second upwardly extending portions that are spaced apart whereby the upwardly opening channel is formed between the first and second upwardly extending portions.

3. The freestanding partition system of claim 2, wherein:

the clamp includes threaded members that threadably engage at least one of the first and second upwardly extending portions of the bracket.

4. The freestanding partition system of claim 3, wherein:

the support assembly includes at least two threaded members that are vertically spaced apart such that rotation of the two threaded members causes horizontal movement of the two threaded members to thereby permit adjustment of an angular position of the sheet of light transmitting material relative to the rigid partition frame.

5. The freestanding partition system of claim 4, wherein:

the support assembly includes a pair of vertically spaced apart threaded members threadably engaging the first upwardly extending portion of the bracket.

6. The freestanding partition system of claim 5, wherein:

the pair of vertically spaced apart threaded members comprises a first pair of threaded members; and

including;

a second pair of vertically spaced apart threaded members threadably engaging the second upwardly extending portion of the bracket.

7. The freestanding partition system of claim 6, wherein:

the first and second pairs of vertically spaced apart threaded members comprise first and second upper screw members and first and second lower screw members, and wherein the first and second upper screw members are aligned with one another, and wherein the first and second lower screw members are aligned with one another.

8. The freestanding partition system of claim 7, wherein:

the first and second upwardly extending portions of the bracket comprise first and second upright sidewalls, the bracket further comprising a generally horizontal base wall extending between the first and second upright sidewalls; and

wherein;

the clamp includes first and second pads that contact the opposite side faces of the sheet of light transmitting material, and wherein the threaded members engage the pads to clamp the sheet of light transmitting material.

9. The freestanding partition system of claim 1, wherein:

each upright frame member defines oppositely facing vertical side faces, and wherein the upright frame members are spaced apart to define a horizontal dimension between the vertical side faces of the upright frame members; and

;

the sheet of light transmitting material defines a width between the generally vertical opposite side edges that is greater than the horizontal dimension.

10. An extension system for adjustably supporting sheets of material along an upper edge of a freestanding partition system, the extension system comprising:

a plurality of sheets of material, each sheet defining generally vertical opposite side faces, generally horizontal upper and lower edges, and generally vertical opposite side edges, wherein the vertical side edges of adjacent sheets of material are spaced apart to define gaps therebetween, each gap defining a dimension, and wherein the sheets of material define a first horizontal position in a first direction along the lower edges, and a second horizontal direction that is transverse to the first direction;

a plurality of support assemblies, each support assembly including a base portion configured to engage a freestanding partition system, and wherein at least one support assembly engages each sheet of material adjacent the lower edge thereof and supports the sheets of material in generally upright positions relative to the support assembly, each support assembly including movable adjustment members that permit the sheet of material to be adjustably retained at first and second selected horizontal positions relative to the base portion, a selected vertical position relative to the base portion, and a selected angular position relative to the base portion whereby the positions of the sheets of material can be adjusted relative to an upper edge of a freestanding partition system, such that the dimensions of the gaps between adjacent sheets of material are substantially the same, and whereby the sheets of material can be vertically aligned with one another with the upper edges of adjacent sheets of material being horizontally and vertically aligned with one another.

11. The extension system of claim 10, wherein:

the base portion of each support assembly comprises a bracket.

12. The extension system of claim 11, wherein:

the bracket includes an upwardly-opening channel, and wherein at least a portion of the lower edges of the sheets of material are received in the upwardly-openings channels.

13. The extension system of claim 12, wherein:

the movable adjustment members engage the opposite side faces of the sheets of material adjacent the lower edges thereof.

14. The extension system of claim 13, wherein:

the movable adjustment members comprise at least one pair of clamp members engaging the opposite side faces of the sheets of material.

15. The extension system of claim 14, wherein:

each support assembly includes at least one threaded member threadably engaging each bracket, the threaded members moving horizontally relative to the brackets upon rotation of the threaded members, and wherein the threaded members generate forces that clamp the clamp members against the opposite side faces of the sheets of material.

16. The extension system of claim 10, wherein:

the sheets comprise light-transmitting material.

17. The extension system of claim 10, wherein:

the sheets comprise a substantially transparent material.

18. A method of securing a sheet of material to an upper edge of a freestanding partition system of the type having a rigid frame, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of sheets of material;

providing a plurality of support assemblies having base portions and movable adjustment members;

securing the bases of the support assemblies to a rigid frame of a freestanding partition system;

moving the sheets of material to a desired position;

causing the movable adjustment members to retain the sheets of material at the desired position.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein:

the movable adjustment members comprise clamps that engage opposite sides of the sheets.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein:

the support assemblies include threaded members that are rotated to cause the clamps to engage opposite sides of the sheets.