Modular wall panel system
First Claim
1. A modular wall panel, comprising:
- a first vertical support member forming a first side of the panel;
a second vertical support member forming a second side of the panel;
a plurality of horizontal support members coupled between the first and second vertical support members, thereby forming a panel frame;
a first display surface coupled to the panel frame and forming a third side of the panel;
a plurality of connector pins coupled to the first vertical support member and extending substantially perpendicular to the first side, each of the connector pins having a first diameter at a first junction between the connector pin and the first side, and a second diameter at a point on the connector pin spaced from the first junction, wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter; and
a plurality of connector slots formed in the second vertical support member, each of the connector slots having a dogbone shape comprising two spaced apart end portions connected with a central slot, each of the end portions having a third diameter and the central slot having a first width, wherein the third diameter of the end portions is larger than the second diameter and the first width of the central slot is larger than the first diameter and smaller than the second diameter;
wherein first and second adjacent wall panels may be releasable coupled by vertically raising either the first panel with respect to the second panel or vice versa until the connector pins of one panel are aligned with one of the end portions of corresponding connector slots of the other panel, moving the one panel toward the other panel and then vertically lowering the one panel to substantially a level of the other panel such that each of the connector pins is retained in the central slot of the corresponding connector slot.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A modular wall panel system in which individual panels are constructed with a lightweight aluminum frame. In a preferred embodiment, the frame is substantially filled with a foam core material and decorative display surfaces are affixed to opposite sides thereof. One edge of the panels contains a plurality of specially shaped connector pins, while the opposite edge has a plurality of connector slots having a "dogbone" configuration. Therefore, a similar panel placed adjacent to the first panel may be mated thereto by engagement of the connector pins with respective connector slots in the other panel. The pins/slots are shaped and sized so that the connector pin may enter/exit the connector slot at either end of the dogbone but not in the center slot of the dogbone. Secure coupling with fast assembly/disassembly is thereby achieved, without tools or detachable components. Furthermore, the dogbone shape of the slot allows panels to be removed from either side.
81 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A modular wall panel, comprising:
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a first vertical support member forming a first side of the panel; a second vertical support member forming a second side of the panel; a plurality of horizontal support members coupled between the first and second vertical support members, thereby forming a panel frame; a first display surface coupled to the panel frame and forming a third side of the panel; a plurality of connector pins coupled to the first vertical support member and extending substantially perpendicular to the first side, each of the connector pins having a first diameter at a first junction between the connector pin and the first side, and a second diameter at a point on the connector pin spaced from the first junction, wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter; and a plurality of connector slots formed in the second vertical support member, each of the connector slots having a dogbone shape comprising two spaced apart end portions connected with a central slot, each of the end portions having a third diameter and the central slot having a first width, wherein the third diameter of the end portions is larger than the second diameter and the first width of the central slot is larger than the first diameter and smaller than the second diameter; wherein first and second adjacent wall panels may be releasable coupled by vertically raising either the first panel with respect to the second panel or vice versa until the connector pins of one panel are aligned with one of the end portions of corresponding connector slots of the other panel, moving the one panel toward the other panel and then vertically lowering the one panel to substantially a level of the other panel such that each of the connector pins is retained in the central slot of the corresponding connector slot. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification