Connector for partition system

• US 6,173,545 B1
• Filed: 11/03/1999
• Issued: 01/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc. (Steelcase Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc. (Steelcase Incorporated)
• Inventors: Feldpausch, Stephen J., Feldpausch, Michael J., Hofman, William K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILKENS, KEVIN DOUGLAS
• Application Number:
  US09/432,358
• Time in Patent Office: 440 Days
• Field of Search: 52/361, 52/364, 52/365, 52/366, 522/39, 522/81, 522/84, 524/812, 525/821, 527/451, 527/451.3
• US Class Current: 52/239
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 57/425 introduced by a vertical pivoting movement
• 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 2/7433 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 2002/7462 using resilient connectors, e.g. clips
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7466 using hooks
• 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: E06B 3/5045 specially adapted for furniture E06B3/52 takes precedence

Abstract

A partition system includes a first partition having a face and a horizontal row of slots accessible through the face, and a second partition having an abutting end adapted to be positioned adjacent the face. The first partition includes a frame and covers on the frame that define a horizontally extending gap for accessing the slots. A connector for interconnecting the abutting end to the face includes a one-piece U-shaped clip having a pair of legs forming a first end with opposing hooks configured to securely horizontally engage the slots in the face, and having an intermediate section forming a second end configured to securely engage the abutting end. The intermediate section is resilient such that the legs can be flexed together to an install position for insertion into a selected slot and can be flexed apart to a retaining position where the hooks are positioned to securely engage the selected slot in the first partition. The intermediate section and the legs form an interior space therebetween shaped to closely receive a fastener when the legs are in the retaining position so that the existence of the fastener between the legs prevents the legs from being moved to the install position. A method is also defined related to the above.

Claims

1. In a partition system having a partition with a face including an off-module attachment system accessible through the face, and a connector for securing furniture components to the face of the partition, an improvement comprising:

a clip having a pair of legs forming a first end with hooks securely engaging the off-module attachment system in the face and having a resilient intermediate section connecting the legs, such that the legs can be flexed together to an install position for insertion into the off-module attachment system in the partition and flexed apart to a retained position.

2. The improvement defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of the resilient intermediate section and the pair of legs form an area for receiving a fastener to secure the clip to a furniture unit.

3. The improvement defined in claim 2, wherein the intermediate section forms a U-shaped section with the legs.

4. The improvement defined in claim 3, including a fastener inserted into the area, wherein a presence of the fastener prevents the legs from being flexed from the retained position to the install position.

5. The improvement defined in claim 4, including a second partition positioned at an angle relative to the first-mentioned partition and that is connected to the clip by the fastener.

6. The improvement defined in claim 5, wherein the connector comprises a stamped part.

7. The improvement defined in claim 6, wherein the clip comprising a one-piece stamped part.

8. The improvement defined in claim 1, wherein the legs and the resilient intermediate section are formed from contiguous and integrally-connected material.

9. The improvement defined in claim 1, wherein the clip is a one-piece stamped part.

10. The improvement defined in claim 1, wherein the resilient intermediate section has a narrowed section to facilitate flexure at a predetermined location.

11. The improvement defined in claim 1, wherein the hooks face in opposite directions.

12. The improvement defined in claim 11, wherein the off-module attachment system defines a horizontal plane, and the resilient intermediate section is constructed to cause the legs to flex in a direction parallel the horizontal plane.

13. A method of attaching a furniture component to a partition having a face and an off-module attachment system accessible through the face, comprising steps of:

providing a furniture component having an abutting end adapted to be positioned adjacent the face;

providing a clip for securing the abutting end to the face, the clip including a pair of legs forming a first end with opposing hooks configured to securely engage the off-module attachment system in the face, and having a resilient intermediate section;

flexing the legs together to an install position for insertion into the off-module attachment system in the partition;

flexing the legs apart to a retaining position and securely engaging the hooks with the partition, the intermediate section and the legs forming an interior space therebetween; and

preventing the legs from being inadvertently moved to the install position by inserting an object in the interior space.

14. A clip for use in a partition system, the partition system having a partition with a face including an off-module attachment system accessible through the face, and a connector for securing furniture components to the face of the partition, comprising:

a clip having a pair of legs forming a first end with hooks adapted to securely engage the off-module attachment system in the face and having a resilient intermediate section connecting the legs in a U-shaped arrangement, such that the legs can be flexed together to an install position for insertion into the off-module attachment system in the partition and flexed apart to a retained position, the resilient intermediate section and the pair of legs forming an open area; and

a fastener shaped to fit into the open area and hold the legs in the retained position, the fastener further including an end adapted to secure the clip to the furniture component.

15. The clip defined in claim 14, wherein the connector comprises a stamped part.

16. The clip defined in claim 15, wherein the clip comprising a one-piece stamped part.

17. The clip defined in claim 14, wherein the legs and the resilient intermediate section are formed from contiguous and integrally-connected material.

18. The clip defined in claim 14, wherein the hooks face in opposite directions.

19. The clip defined in claim 14, wherein the off-module attachment system defines a horizontal plane, and the resilient intermediate section is constructed to cause the legs to flex in a direction parallel the horizontal plane.