Partition panel system with adjustable overhead storage

• US 6,076,308 A
• Filed: 01/28/1998
• Issued: 06/20/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
• Inventors: Battey, Joylene M., Lyon, LaDene S., Lindale, Michelle L., Stachowiak, Anthony A., Dammerman, Kurt P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kent, Christopher T.
• Application Number:
  US09/015,047
• Time in Patent Office: 874 Days
• Field of Search: 52/36.1, 52/36.6, 52/239
• US Class Current: 52/36.6
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/066 with power or communication connection interface
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2037/005 Tables specially adapted for laboratories
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/00 Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/06 characterised by means for holding, fastening or concealing cables
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0069 with rack
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/01 Office wall with desktop function
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 47/025 with panels connected together without three dimensional frames A47B47/0025, A47B47/005, A47B47/0066, A47B47/042 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 57/425 introduced by a vertical pivoting movement
• 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: A47B 96/04 Partition walls adjustable A47B57/58
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 96/06 Brackets or similar supporting means for cabinets, racks or shelves A47B96/022 takes precedence; aspects of adjusting height or inclination A47B57/00 ; brackets for the display of articles A47F5/08
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/7422 with separate framed panels without intermediary support posts
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/7425 Details of connection of panels E04B2/7427 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/7433 with panels and support posts
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/7453 with panels and support posts, extending from floor to ceiling
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/7455 Glazing details
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7461 Details of connection of sheet panels to frame or posts
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7462 using resilient connectors, e.g. clips
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7483 Details of furniture, e.g. tables or shelves, associated with the partitions
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7487 Partitions with slotted profiles
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7488 : Details of wiring
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/749 : Partitions with screw-type jacks
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 11/00 : Stairways, ramps, or like structures mounting or marking-off stairways E04F21/26; of temporary use during building construction E04G27/00; means for facilitating access to swimming pools E04H4/144; means for facilitating access to swimming pools E04H4/144; appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk A61H3/00; Balustrades; Handrails ladders permanently attached to fixed structures E06C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/5045 : specially adapted for furniture E06B3/52 takes precedence

Abstract

A partition panel system including a partition frame with vertically spaced horizontal frame members defining first discrete attachment locations, a pair of horizontally spaced blades adjustably attached to selected ones of the first discrete attachment locations, the blades including opposing inner surfaces defining vertically spaced second discrete attachment locations, and shelves adjustably attached to selected ones of the second discrete attachment locations. This allows the shelves to be horizontally and vertically adjustably supported on the partition frame in a selected one of a variety of positions. At least one shelf has a front portion with edges that extend partially around in front of the blades, thus providing increased surface area. The shelves are supported on the blades by shelf supports. Connectors on the ends of the shelves are movable between engaged and disengaged positions for securely engaging the shelf supports. Antidislodgement brackets are provided on the blades that are movable between locked and unlocked positions, the antidislodgement brackets when in the locked position securing the blades to the horizontal frame members. In one form, the blades and shelf form an assembly comprising a binder bin, which includes a closeable door guided by tracks attached to sides of the binder bin.

Claims

1. A partition panel system comprising:

a partition frame with vertically spaced horizontal frame members defining a horizontal row of first discrete attachment locations;

a pair of horizontally spaced blades releasably attached to selected ones of said first discrete attachment locations, said blades including opposing inner surfaces defining vertically spaced second discrete attachment locations;

at least one shelf releasably attached to selected ones of said second discrete attachment locations;

whereby the at least one shelf is horizontally and vertically adjustably supported on said partition frame in a selected one of a variety of different discrete positions.

2. The partition panel system defined in claim 1, wherein each of the blades includes a safety catch that is movable between a locked position wherein said safety catch engages a selected one of said horizontal frame members preventing removal therefrom, and an unlocked position allowing detachment of said blades from said horizontal frame member.

3. The partition panel system defined in claim 2, wherein said first discrete attachment locations comprise a horizontal row of slots in each of said horizontal frame members, and each of said blades include rear protrusions that are engageable with at least a selected one of said slots in said horizontal frame member to releasably attach said blades to said partition frame.

4. The partition panel system defined in claim 3, wherein said blades each comprise a vertically elongated upright attachment member and a corresponding upright side wall, said upright attachment member including said rear protrusions on a rearward side of said upright, and including front protrusions on a forward side of said upright;

said upright side wall having openings along a vertical rearward edge thereof that removably engage said front protrusions of a corresponding upright to thereby removably attach said side wall to said corresponding upright.

5. The partition panel system defined in claim 4, wherein said side wall includes a second safety catch that is movable between a locked position wherein said second safety catch engages said upright attachment member preventing removal therefrom, and an unlocked position allowing detachment of said side wall from said upright attachment member.

6. The partition panel system defined in claim 5, wherein said side wall has a passageway forming an opening adjacent said rearward edge of said side wall, and forming an opening adjacent at least a selected one of said second discrete attachment locations to allow routing of power and communications lines from said partition panel to said shelves through said passageway.

7. The partition panel system defined in claim 1, wherein said second discrete attachment locations comprise at least one vertical row of slots on said opposing inner surfaces of said blades, said shelves defining opposite side edges, each having protrusions that engage said slots in said blades to releasably attach said shelves to said blades.

8. The partition panel system defined in claim 7, wherein said shelf includes shelf locks adjacent each opposite side edge, each shelf lock movable between a locked position engaging a blade to lock said shelf to said blade, and an unlocked position wherein said shelf lock is disengaged from said blade to permit detachment of said shelf from said blade.

9. The partition panel system defined in claim 8, wherein said partition panel system includes hangers defining said protrusions on said shelf side edges, each hanger having an L-shaped support flange, said L-shaped support flange defining horizontally and vertically-extending legs engaging a side edge of said shelf for support thereof, said horizontal leg of said L-shaped support flange being configured to receive a quick-connector to thereby lock said shelves to said hangers.

10. The partition panel system defined in claim 9, wherein said hangers are formed from sheet metal and said protrusions on said hanger extend perpendicularly from opposite ends of said vertical leg of said L-shaped flange, each of said protrusions including an upwardly-extending hook that opens transversely inwardly, said hooks being insertable and rotatable to an installed position in said slots in said blades such that said vertical leg contacts said inner surface of said blade when in the installed position.

11. The partition panel system defined in claim 1, wherein said shelf defines a bottom wall of a bin, said bin including a pair of side walls and a top wall;

said top, bottom and side walls defining front edges that form a substantially rectangular front opening of said bin, said bin including a door and a pair of guides operably interconnecting said door and said bin for guided movement between an open position away from said front opening and a closed position covering at least a portion of said front opening.

12. The partition panel system defined in claim 11, wherein said guides each include upper and lower tracks fixed to inner surfaces of said side walls, said tracks forming a transversely-oriented Y-shaped section, said upper track forming an upper leg of said Y-shape, and said lower track forming a lower leg of said Y-shaped section with parallel, adjacent portions of said upper and lower tracks forming a base portion of said Y-shaped, said door defining upper and lower edges and a pair of side edges, each side edge including spaced-apart upper and lower guide-engaging members that slidably engage said upper and lower tracks, respectively, such that said lower edge of said door rotates upwardly and said door simultaneously translates rearwardly when moving from said closed position to said open position.

13. The partition panel system defined in claim 10, wherein said second discrete attachment locations comprise at least one vertical row of slots on said opposing inner surfaces of said blades, said shelves defining opposite side edges, each having protrusions that engage said slots in said blades to releasably attach said shelves to said blades.

14. The partition panel system defined in claim 13, wherein said shelves each include shelf locks adjacent each opposite side edge, each shelf lock movable between a locked position engaging a blade to lock said shelf to said blade, and an unlocked position wherein said shelf lock is disengaged from said blade to permit detachment of said shelves from said blades.

15. The partition panel system defined in claim 14, wherein the protrusions are defined by hangers that include a L-shaped flange defining horizontal and vertical legs, the horizontal leg engaging an associated side edge of the shelf for support thereof, the horizontal leg of the L-shaped flange being configured to receive a quick-connector that removably locks said shelves to said hangers.

16. The partition panel system defined in claim 15, wherein said hangers are formed from sheet metal and said protrusions on said hanger extend perpendicularly from opposite ends of said vertical leg of said L-shaped flange, each protrusion including an upwardly-extending hook that is insertable and rotatable to an installed position in the slots in the blades such that said vertical leg contacts said inner surface of said blade when in the installed position.

17. The partition panel system defined in claim 16, wherein said shelf defines a bottom wall of a bin, said bin including a pair of side walls and a top wall;

said top, bottom and side walls defining front edges that form a substantially rectangular front opening of said bin, said bin including a door and a pair of guides operably interconnecting said door and said bin for guided movement between an open position away from said front opening and a closed position covering at least a portion of said front opening.

18. The partition panel system defined in claim 17, wherein said guides each include upper and lower tracks fixed to inner surfaces of said side walls, said tracks forming a transversely-oriented Y-shaped section, the upper track forming an upper leg of said Y-shaped section, and said lower track forming a lower leg of said Y-shaped section with parallel, adjacent portions of said upper and lower tracks forming a base portion of said Y-shaped section, said door defining upper and lower edges and a pair of side edges, each side edge including spaced-apart upper and lower guide-engaging members that slidably engage said upper and lower tracks, respectively, such that said lower edge of said door rotates upwardly and said door simultaneously translates rearwardly when moving from said closed position to said open position.

19. The partition panel system defined in claim 18, wherein said upper and lower tracks comprise U-shaped channels, and wherein said guide-engaging members comprise cylindrical protrusions that are received with said U-shaped channels for sliding engagement therewith.

20. A partition panel system comprising:

a partition panel;

a pair of horizontally spaced-apart upright blades defining front edges away from said partition panel, said blades attached to a front of said partition panel; and

a plurality of shelves defining side edges, said shelves being attached between said blades, at least one shelf having a front portion with side edges that extend partially around said front edges of said blades.

21. The partition panel system defined in claim 20, wherein each of said blades defines an opposing inner surface and outer surface on an opposite side thereof and a blade thickness therebetween, said inner and outer surfaces of said blades having a curved shape such that the blade thickness decreases adjacent said front edges of said blades, said side edges of said front portion of said at least one shelf each having a shape corresponding to a corresponding inner surface of said blades.

22. The partition panel system defined in claim 21, wherein said inner and outer surfaces of said blades include planar portions defining a vertical center plane therebetween, said inner and outer surfaces of said front edges of said blades defining an elliptical cross-sectional shape, the major axis of the ellipse being coincident with a center plane of said blades, said side edges of said front portion of said at least one shelf having an elliptical curved shape corresponding to said blade and in close alignment therewith.

23. The partition panel system defined in claim 22, wherein said blades are made from sheet metal that is bent in a curved manner to form the elliptical cross-sectional shape of said front edge of said blades, thereby forming a cavity within said blade.

24. The partition panel system defined in claim 23, wherein said inner surfaces of said blades include a vertical row of second discrete attachment locations, said at least one shelf being releasably attachable to said blades at said discrete attachment locations to provide vertical adjustment of said shelf.

25. The partition panel system defined in claim 24, wherein said second discrete attachment locations comprise slots, said at least one shelf defining opposite side edges with protrusions that engage said slots to releasably attach said at least one shelf to said blades.

26. The partition panel system defined in claim 25, wherein said at least one shelf includes a shelf lock adjacent each side edge of said shelf, said shelf lock movable between an unlocked position permitting detachment of said shelf from said blades, and a locked position wherein said shelf is locked to said blades.

27. The partition panel system defined in claim 26, wherein said partition panel includes vertically spaced horizontal frame members defining a horizontal row of first discrete attachment locations, said blades being releasably attached to said first discrete attachment locations to thereby provide horizontal adjustment of said shelves.

28. The partition panel system defined in claim 27, wherein said first discrete attachment locations comprise slots in said horizontal frame members, and wherein said blades include upper hooked portions adjacent an upper end, and lower hooked portions adjacent a lower end of said blades, said upper and lower hooked portions releasably engaging said slots in said horizontal frame members.

29. The partition panel system defined in claim 28, wherein said blades comprise a vertically elongated upright attachment member and a corresponding upright side wall, said upper and lower hooked portions being located along a rear edge of said upright attachment member adjacent upper and lower ends thereof, said vertical spacing between said upper and lower hooked portions being adjustable, said upright including forward hooks along a forward edge of said upright, said blades including openings along a vertical rear edge that releasably engage said forward hooks.

30. A partition panel system comprising:

a partition panel;

a pair of horizontally spaced blades attached to a front of said partition panel and having opposing inner surfaces;

shelf inner supports on said opposing inner surfaces of said blades;

a shelf with ends engaging said shelf inner supports; and

shelf locks on said ends movable between locked and unlocked positions, said locks when in said locked position securing said shelf to the shelf supports and preventing said shelf supports from being dislodged from said blades.

31. The partition panel system defined in claim 30, wherein each shelf lock comprises a quick-connector.

32. The partition panel system defined in claim 31, wherein said shelf supports comprise a vertical row of openings on said inner surfaces of said blades.

33. The partition panel system defined in claim 32, wherein each of said shelves include a pair of hangers, each having a support flange extending along an inner side thereof for supportive releasable engagement with an end of said shelf, said hanger defining protrusions extending from an outer side thereof that are configured for releasable engagement with said openings in said blades.

34. The partition panel system defined in claim 33, wherein said support flange has an L-shape with a vertical leg and a horizontal leg, the horizontal leg configured to receive said quick-connector to secure the shelf to the blades.

35. The partition panel system defined in claim 34, wherein said protrusions on said hangers extend perpendicularly from said vertical leg of said support flange and include an upwardly-extending U-shaped hook portion, such that said hanger is removably attached to said blades by insertion of said hook portion in said slots followed by downward rotation of said hanger to bring said vertical leg into abutting contact with said inner surfaces of said blades.

36. The partition panel system defined in claim 35, wherein said quick-connector comprises a one-half-turn fastener.

37. The partition panel system defined in claim 36, wherein said partition panel includes a panel frame with a pair of vertically-spaced horizontal members, each having a horizontal row of slots therein, said blades including vertically spaced-apart upper and lower hooked portions that are configured to releasably engage selected ones of the slots.

38. The partition panel system defined in claim 37, wherein said blades include antidislodgement brackets movable between locked and unlocked positions, the antidislodgement brackets when in the locked position securing the blades to the horizontal frame members.

39. The partition panel system defined in claim 38, wherein said vertical spacing between said upper and lower hooked portions is adjustable to account for variations in the distance between said horizontal rows of slots in said horizontal members.

40. A partition panel system comprising:

a partition panel having vertically spaced-apart horizontal frame members defining horizontally-spaced discrete attachment locations;

a pair of horizontally spaced-apart blades having upper and lower ends configured to securely engage said vertically spaced-apart horizontal frame members of said partition panel at selected ones of said horizontally spaced discrete attachment locations, at least one of said upper and lower ends being vertically adjustable relative to the other of the upper and lower ends;

a shelf attached between the blades; and

antidislodgement brackets on said blades movable between locked and unlocked positions, said antidislodgement brackets when in said locked position securing said blades to said horizontal frame members, said blades and shelf attachable to said partition panel in a selected location optimally suited for particular circumstances of use.

41. The partition panel defined in claim 40, wherein said horizontally-spaced discrete attachment locations comprise a horizontal row of slots in each of said horizontal frame members, said blades including vertically spaced-apart hooked portions, each of which releasably engages selected ones of said slots.

42. The partition panel defined in claim 41, wherein said antidislodgement brackets are slidably mounted to said blades adjacent the upper hooked portions and include a protruding portion that engages a selected one of said slots, preventing movement of said blades relative to said horizontal frame members to thereby lock said hooks into engagement with said slots.

43. The partition panel defined in claim 42, wherein said lower hooked portions are adjustably attached to said blades by a threaded member to allow adjustment of the vertical spacing between said upper and lower hooked portions.

44. The partition panel system defined in claim 43, wherein said shelf defines a bottom wall of a bin, said bin including a pair of side walls and a top wall;

said top, bottom and side walls defining front edges that form a substantially rectangular front opening of said bin, said bin including a door and a pair of guides operably interconnecting said door and said bin for guided movement between an open position away from said front opening and a closed position covering at least a portion of said front opening.

45. The partition panel defined in claim 44, wherein each of said side walls have a bottom edge, and wherein said blades define inner and outer surfaces, said partition panel system including a pair of hangers releasably attaching said bin to said blades, each hanger including an L-shaped support flange and a forwardly-extending tab, said bin further including a slot that receives said tab.

46. The partition panel defined in claim 45, wherein said support flange of said hanger is configured to receive a quick-connector that locks the bin to the hangers.

47. The partition panel defined in claim 40, wherein said blades include an interior passageway forming a first opening adjacent a shelf, and a second opening adjacent a horizontal frame member for routing of communications and power cables therebetween.

48. The partition panel defined in claim 47, wherein said blades are formed from sheet metal that is bent to form a curved forward edge and having substantially parallel inner and outer planar portions defining inner and outer surfaces, respectively, of said blades and defining a substantially open interior forming said passageway, said blades including at least one brace within said open interior rigidly interconnecting said inner and outer planar portions at a location that is spaced-apart from said curved forward edge.

49. The partition panel defined in claim 48, wherein said shelf has a pair of side edges and includes a front portion and a rear portion, said front portion being located further away from said partition than said rear portion, said side edges tapering outwardly adjacent said front portion such that said front portion is wider than said rear portion and extends around said curved forward edge of said blades.

50. A partition panel system comprising:

a partition panel; and

a binder bin configured for attachment to said partition panel, said binder bin including;

opposing side walls with inner surfaces, and a top wall and a bottom wall extending between said side walls to define an enclosable cavity with an opening;

opposing molded track members attached to said inner surfaces of said opposing side walls, said track members each defining a pair of integrally-formed guides; and

a door with a bottom edge and opposite ends each including a pair of guide-engaging members, each slidably engaging a selected one of said guides, said guides being configured to guide the opening and closing of said door so that when said door is opened a bottom of said door pivots initially outwardly and upwardly, and then said door slides under said top panel.

51. The partition panel defined in claim 50, wherein said tracks include upper and lower guides forming a horizontally oriented Y-shaped section with said legs of the Y-shaped section opening towards said opening of said binder bin, and wherein said upper guide forms an upper leg of said Y-shaped section, and said lower guide forms a lower leg of said Y-shaped section, said upper and lower guides having parallel horizontal portions that form a horizontal base portion of said Y-shaped section.

52. The partition panel defined in claim 51, wherein said guides have a generally U-shaped cross section, and said guide-engaging members on said doors comprise protrusions that are spaced-apart to prevent racking and are slidably received within said U-shape for guided movement therealong.

53. The partition panel defined in claim 52, wherein said lower leg has an approximately vertical portion at an end opposite the horizontal base portion with a curved portion forming an approximately quarter-circular curved section extending between the horizontal base portion and said opposite end.

54. The partition panel defined in claim 53, wherein said upper leg formed by said upper guide has an approximately horizontal portion at an end opposite said horizontal base portion.

55. The partition panel defined in claim 54, wherein said track members are molded from a polymeric material.

56. The partition panel system defined in claim 50 wherein said partition panel has vertically spaced horizontal frame members defining horizontally spaced discrete attachment locations, and wherein said binder bin is releasably attached to selected ones of said horizontally spaced discrete attachment locations.

57. The partition panel defined in claim 56, wherein said tracks include upper and lower guides forming a horizontally oriented Y-shaped section with legs of the Y-shaped section opening towards the opening of the binder bin, wherein said upper guide forms an upper leg of said Y-shaped section, and said lower guide forms a lower leg of said Y-shaped section, said upper and lower guides having parallel horizontal portions forming a base portion of said Y-shaped section.

58. The partition panel defined in claim 57, wherein said guides have a generally U-shaped cross section, and said guide-engaging members on said doors comprise protrusions that are spaced-apart to prevent racking and are slidably received within said U-shape for guided movement therealong.

59. The partition panel defined in claim 56, wherein said horizontally-spaced discrete attachment locations comprise a horizontal row of slots in said horizontal frame member, and wherein said bin includes upper and lower hooked portions releasably attached to selected ones of said slots.

60. The partition panel defined in claim 59, wherein said binder bin includes an antidislodgement bracket that is movably mounted adjacent said upper hooked portion and movable between a locked position wherein a portion of said antidislodgement bracket is received within a slot preventing disengagement of said upper hooked portion from said slots, and an unlocked position wherein said upper hooked portion is removable from said slots.

61. The partition panel defined in claim 60, wherein said partition panel includes a pair of horizontally spaced-apart blades with opposing inner sides, said binder bin being releasably attached to said inner sides of said blades.

62. The partition panel defined in claim 61, wherein said blades each have discrete attachment locations on said inner sides, said binder bin including protrusions that engage said discrete attachment locations.

63. A partition panel system for offices and the like, comprising:

at least two substantially planar partition panels defining orthogonal front surfaces, said panels being joined along a vertical junction;

a vertically elongated corner support member aligned with, and adjacent to, said vertical junction and attached to at least one of said partition panels, said corner support member having a tubular cross-sectional shape with a front face and a rear face with a first vertical row of slots in said front face and a second vertical row of slots in said rear face;

a corner shelf defining upper and lower surfaces and a rear edge with at least two substantially straight portions orthogonal to one another and configured to align with said front surfaces of said partition panels in close proximity thereto, said corner shelf including a support member adjacent said rear edge, said support having an extension engaging a selected one of said slots in said front face and also engaging a selected one of said slots in said rear face to removably support said corner shelf on said partition panel system.

64. The partition panel system for offices according to claim 63, wherein said partition panel system includes a pair of blades with front and rear edges, said blades being removably attached to said partition panels, and wherein said corner shelf defines opposite side edges, each having a front portion extending around said front edges of said blades.

65. The partition panel system for offices according to claim 63, wherein said partition panels each include vertically spaced-apart horizontal members defining horizontally spaced discrete attachment locations thereon, said blades being removably attached to selected ones of said horizontally spaced discrete attachment locations.

66. The partition panel system for offices according to claim 65, wherein said horizontally spaced discrete attachment locations comprise slots in said horizontal members, and wherein said blades include upper and lower hooked portions, each of said blades including an antidislodgement bracket movable between an unlocked position and a locked position, in the locked position a portion of said safety catch being received within a selected one of said slots, thereby preventing accidental dislodgement of said blade from the horizontal members.

67. The partition panel system for offices, comprising:

at least two substantially planar partition panels defining orthogonal front surfaces, said panels being joined at a vertical junction, and including a partition frame with vertically spaced-apart horizontal members defining horizontally spaced first discrete attachment locations thereon;

a pair of horizontally spaced blades releasably attached to selected ones of said first discrete attachment locations, said blades including opposing inner surfaces;

a corner shelf with opposite ends that are each releasably attached to a selected one of said opposing inner surfaces.

68. The partition panel system for offices according to claim 67, wherein said opposing inner surfaces of said blades define vertically spaced second discrete attachment locations whereby said corner shelf is vertically adjustably supported on said partition frame.

69. The partition panel system for offices according to claim 68, wherein said first discrete attachment locations comprise slots in said horizontal members, said blades including upper and lower hooked portions engaging selected ones of said slots in said horizontal members, and wherein said second discrete attachment locations comprise slots in said opposing inner surfaces, said opposite ends of said corner shelf having protrusions releasably attaching said corner shelf to said blades.