Panel interlock system

• US 5,069,263 A
• Filed: 02/08/1990
• Issued: 12/03/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc. (HNI Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hon Industries Incorporated (HNI Corporation)
• Inventors: Edwards, Larry
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson, Jr., Robert W.
• Application Number:
  US07/476,797
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 52/239, 52/36, 52/241, 52/282, 52/586, 52/632, 160/135
• US Class Current: 160/135
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 5/00 Screens shutters closing an opening E06B9/02; fly-screens E06B9/52; Draught-deflectors
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/7425 Details of connection of panels E04B2/7427 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/0068 Modular articulated structures, e.g. stands, and articulation means therefor

Abstract

A panel interlock system for connecting a plurality of wall panels together is disclosed. A locking clip is attached to the vertical edges of each wall panel. A vertical filler tube is used to connect adjacent wall panels together. The vertical filler tube is disposed between wall panels and slid down over locking clips which engage inner grooves extending through the length of the vertical filler tube. The vertical filler tube engages the locking clips in a concealed cam-action fastening technique.

Claims

1. An arrangement for joining first and second partition members at adjacent substantially vertical side edges thereof, each such side edge having an upper portion adjacent the top of the partition member and a lower portion adjacent the bottom of the partition member, the arrangement comprising:

an elongated retainer post having a lower portion and a first connecting element affixed within said lower portion, said first connecting element including an aperture defined in the bottom end of said post, said retainer post being disposed between and in contact with the side edges of the first and second partition members,

a second connecting element mounted on said first partition member adjacent one of said side edges and within said lower portion thereof,

said second connecting element defining a cam surface disposed at an angle less than 40°

relative to such vertical edges and exposed to and engageable with said first connecting element when said post and respect panel are assembled,

whereby said first connecting element may engage said second connecting element in a cam-action fastening technique thereby drawing said first partition to said retainer post as said engagement occurs.

2. An arrangement for joining first and second partition members at adjacent substantially vertical side edges thereof, each such side edge having an upper portion adjacent the top of the partition member and a lower portion adjacent the bottom of the partition member, the arrangement comprising:

an elongated retainer post having a lower portion and a first connecting element affixed within said lower portion, said retainer post being disposed between and in contact with the side edges of the first and second partition members,

a second connecting element mounted on said first partition member adjacent one of said side edges and within said lower portion thereof,

said second connecting element defining a cam surface disposed at an angle less than 40° and

greater than 5°

relative to such vertical edges and exposed to and engageable with said first connecting element when said post and respective panel are assembled,

said second connecting element including a second surface which is exposed to and engageable with the first connecting element, said second surface being elongated and parallel to said vertical axis of said first partition member for reducing the possibility of separation due to lateral forces,

whereby said first connecting element may engage said second connecting element in a cam-action fastening technique thereby drawing said first partition to said retainer post as said engagement occurs.

3. An arrangement for joining first and second partition members at adjacent substantially vertical side edges thereof, each such side edge having an upper portion adjacent the top of the partition member and a lower portion adjacent the bottom of the partition member, the arrangement comprising:

an elongated retainer post having a lower portion and a first connecting element affixed within said lower portion, said retainer post being disposed between and in contact with the side edges of the first and second partition members, and said first connecting element including a set of grooves disposed in an aperture at the bottom end of said post,

a second connection element mounted on said first partition member adjacent one of said side edges and within said lower portion thereof,

said second connecting element defining a cam surface disposed at an angle less than 40° and

greater than 5°

relative to such vertical edges and exposed to and engageable with said first connecting element when said post and respective panel are assembled,

said second connecting element includes a second surface which is exposed to and engageable with the first connecting element for reducing the possibility of separation due to lateral forces,

a third connecting element on said second partition member, said third connecting element including a cammed surface and a second surface, said cammed surface canted between 5° and

40°

outward from the vertical axis of said second partition member, and said post further including a fourth connecting element for engaging said post with said third connecting element,

whereby said first connecting element may engage said second connecting element in a cam-action fastening technique thereby drawing said first partition to said retainer post as said engagement occurs.

4. A retainer post for use in joining partition members with clip elements, said post comprising:

an elongated member having an upper and a lower portion and a vertical opening which may straddle the side edge of such a partition member, said lower portion having an aperture at the bottom, said aperture including means for engaging said clip elements of said panels, and wherein said vertical opening includes a set of parallel, vertical grooves for engaging said partition members.

5. An arrangement for joining first and second partition members at adjacent substantially vertical side edges thereof, each such side edge having an upper portion adjacent the top of the partition member and a lower portion adjacent the bottom of the partition member, the arrangement comprising:

an elongated retainer post having a lower portion and a first connecting element affixed within said lower portion, said retainer post being disposed between and in contact with the side edges of the first and second partition members,

a second connecting element mounted on said first partition member adjacent one of said side edges and within said lower portion thereof,

one of said first and second connecting elements defining a cam surface disposed at a significant angle relative to such vertical edges and exposed to and engageable with the other of said connecting elements when said post and respective partition members are assembled, and

said one connecting element also defining a second surface parallel to said vertical edges, said second surface exposed to and engageable with the other of said connecting elements when said post and respective partition member are assembled, wherein, relative to said cammed surface, said second surface reduces the possibility of separation of the post and partition member due to lateral forces.

6. The arrangement of claim 5 wherein said second surface is in direct lateral abutment with said first connecting element when said post and respective partition member are assembled.

7. An arrangement for joining first and second partition members at adjacent substantially vertical side edges thereof, each such side edge having an upper portion adjacent the top of the partition member and a lower portion adjacent the bottom of the partition member, the arrangement comprising:

an elongated retainer post having a lower portion and a first connecting element affixed within said lower portion, said retainer post being disposed between and in contact with the side edges of the first and second partition members, and said first connecting element including an aperture defined in the bottom end of said post,

a second connecting element mounted on said first partition member adjacent one of said side edges and within said lower portion thereof,

said second connecting element defining a cam surface disposed at a significant angle relative to such vertical edges and exposed to and engageable with the other of said connecting elements when said post and respective partition members are assembled, and

said second connecting element also defining a second surface which is exposed to and engageable with said first connecting element when said post and respective partition member are assembled, wherein, relative to said cammed surface, said second surface reduces the possibility of separation of the post and partition member due to lateral forces.