Modular space dividing panels having wire management channels

• US 5,025,603 A
• Filed: 04/04/1990
• Issued: 06/25/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Herman Miller Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Herman Miller Incorporated
• Inventors: Johnson, Gary C.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHILCOT, RICHARD E
• Application Number:
  US07/504,588
• Time in Patent Office: 447 Days
• Field of Search: 52/221, 52/239, 52/241, 52/220, 52/36, 52/238.1, 160/351, 160/135, 160/127, 174/48, 174/49
• US Class Current: 52/220.7
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/7425 Details of connection of panels E04B2/7427 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7488 Details of wiring
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 2/521 serving for locating conduits; for ventilating, heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/288 in modular walls, e.g. wall panels

Abstract

A modular space dividing panel comprising a pair of panlike frames. Each frame has a side wall with inwardly directed flanges at the edges thereof which form a bottom wall, a pair of end edge walls, and a top wall. The frames are positioned and assembled together in facing relationship such that at least portions of the bottom walls, the end edge walls, and the top walls overlap in contacting relationship. The top walls include portions that define therebetween a substantially continuous channel that extends along an upper edge of the panel. The channel is of a size to receive communication and/or electrical wiring therein. A top cap extends along the upper edge of the panel and overlying the channel and is releasably secured to the top walls of the frames.

Claims

1. A modular space dividing panel comprising:

a pair of panlike frames having a side wall with inwardly directed flanges at the edges thereof forming a bottom wall, a pair of end edge walls, and a top wall, the frames being positioned in facing relationship wherein at least portions of the bottom walls, the end edge walls, and the top walls overlap in contacting relationship, and means in the respective top walls to define therebetween a substantially continuous channel extending along an upper edge of the panel, the channel being of a size to receive communication and/or electrical wiring therein;

means for securing the panlike frames together in facing relationship;

a top cap extending along the upper edge of the panel and overlying the channel; and

means for releasably securing the top cap to the top walls of the frames in overlying relationship to the channel.

2. A modular space dividing panel according to claim 1 wherein the channel defining means includes an L-shaped flange in the top wall of each frame.

3. A modular space dividing panel according to claim 2 wherein each L-shaped flange includes a pair of legs that are substantially perpendicular to each other.

4. A modular space dividing panel according to claim 3 wherein one of the pair of legs of one frame overlaps in contacting relationship one of the pair of legs of the other frame when the frames are in the assembled configuration.

5. A modular space dividing panel according to claim 3 wherein each overlapping leg includes a notch that defines first and second leg portions.

6. A modular space dividing panel according to claim 5 wherein the first leg portion of said on frame overlies and contacts the first leg portion of said other frame, and the second leg portion of said other frame overlies and contacts the second leg portion of said one frame.

7. A modular space dividing panel according to claim 6 wherein the securing means comprise at least one fastener for fastening the panlike frames together.

8. A modular space dividing panel according to claim 7 wherein the bottom wall of each frame includes a notch separating a first bottom wall portion from a second bottom wall portion thereof.

9. A modular space dividing panel according to claim 8 wherein the first bottom wall portion of one frame overlies and contacts the first bottom wall portion of the other frame, and the second bottom wall portion of said other frame overlies and contacts the second bottom wall portion of said one frame.

10. A modular space dividing panel according to claim 4 wherein the bottom wall of each frame includes a notch separating a first bottom wall portion from a second bottom wall portion thereof.

11. A modular space dividing panel according to claim 10 wherein the first bottom wall portion of one frame overlies and contacts the first bottom wall portion of the other frame, and the second bottom wall portion of said other frame overlies and contacts the second bottom wall portion of said one frame.

12. A modular space dividing panel according to claim 1 wherein the pair of frames are substantially identical in shape.

13. A modular space dividing panel according to claim 12 wherein each frame is formed from a sheet of metal of relatively thin gauge.

14. A modular space dividing panel according to claim 1 wherein the releasable top cap securing means includes a pair of resilient legs.

15. A modular space dividing panel according to claim 14 wherein the legs releasably engage the top walls of the panlike frames.

16. A modular space dividing panel according to claim 14 wherein the channel defining means include an L-shaped flange in the top wall of each frame and the legs releasably engage the L-shaped flanges.

17. A modular space dividing panel according to claim 1 further comprising means for mounting the panel to a support, the panel mounting means including a top wedge block having a portion defining a channel formed therein, the channel being of a size to receive communication and/or electrical wiring therein.

18. A panel according to claim 17 wherein the top wedge block includes a base and a pair of legs extending from the base in spaced apart fashion, the legs defining the wedge block channel therebetween.

19. A panel according to claim 18 wherein the top wedge block is secured to a side edge of the panel, the wedge block channel being aligned with the panel channel.

20. A panel according to claim 19 the panel mounting means further including a top draw block engagable with the top wedge block and means for drawing the wedge block and the draw block together to securely mount the panel to the support.

21. A panel according to claim 20 wherein the drawing means includes a threaded rod that is engagable with the draw block and the wedge block to draw them together.

22. A panel according to claim 19 the panel mounting means further including a bottom wedge block, a bottom draw block, and means for drawing the bottom wedge block and the bottom draw block together to securely mount the panel to the support.

23. A panel according to claim 22 wherein the bottom wedge block is mounted to a side edge of the panel.

24. A modular space dividing panel comprising:

a pair of panlike frames having a side wall with inwardly directed flanges at the edges thereof forming a bottom wall, a pair of end edge walls, and a top wall, the frames being positioned in facing relationship wherein at least portions of the bottom walls, the end edge walls, and the top walls overlap in contacting relationship, and means in the respective top walls to define therebetween a substantially continuous channel extending along an upper edge of the panel, the channel being of a size to receive communication and/or electrical wiring therein;

means for securing the panlike frames together in facing relationship; and

means for mounting the panel to a support, the mounting means including a top wedge block having a portion defining a channel formed therein, the channel being of a size to receive communication and/or electrical wiring therein.

25. A panel according to claim 24 wherein the top wedge block includes a base and a pair of legs extending from the base in spaced apart fashion, the legs defining the wedge block channel therebetween.

26. A panel according to claim 25 wherein the top wedge block is secured to a side edge of the panel, the wedge block channel being aligned with the panel channel.

27. A panel according to claim 26 the panel mounting means further including a top draw block engagable with the top wedge block and means for drawing the wedge block and the draw block together to securely mount the panel to the support.

28. A panel according to claim 27 wherein the drawing means includes a threaded rod that is engagable with the draw block and the wedge block to draw them together.

29. A panel according to claim 26 the panel mounting means further including a bottom wedge block, a bottom draw block, and means for drawing the bottom wedge block and the bottom draw block together to securely mount the panel to the support.

30. A panel according to claim 29 wherein the bottom wedge block is mounted to a side edge of the panel.

31. A panel according to claim 24 wherein the support is a second panel of substantially identical construction.

32. A panel according to claim 31 wherein the first and second panels are mounted together at the side edges thereof.

33. A panel according to claim 32 wherein a top wedge block is mounted to the side edge of each panel, each wedge block channel being aligned with its respective panel channel and further wherein the wedge block channels are aligned with each other so as to define a substantially continuous wire management channel extending along the upper edges of the panels.

34. A panel according to claim 33 further comprising a top cap extending along the upper edges of the panels and overlying the channels, and means for releasably securing the top cap to the top walls of the panels in overlying relationship to the channels.