Stacking bracket for partitions

• US 6,330,773 B1
• Filed: 04/16/1999
• Issued: 12/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation (Steelcase Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation (Steelcase Incorporated)
• Inventors: Williams, Patricia A., Walz, David A., Waalkes, Michael L., Rheault, Alan E., Chang, Joseph, Gravel, Donald P., King, Jonathan J., MacDonald, Douglas B., Sanders, Steven E., Dykstra, James R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thissell, Jennifer I.
• Application Number:
  US09/293,196
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• Field of Search: 522/39, 52/361, 52/366, 525/71, 522/207, 522/208, 525/80, 525/881, 522/71, 522/43, 527/263, 527/332, 527/361
• US Class Current: 52/239
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/7425 Details of connection of panels E04B2/7427 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/742 Details of panel top cap
• 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: E04B 2002/749 Partitions with screw-type jacks

Abstract

An extension panel for connection to a lower panel of the type having vertical uprights defining upper ends and including a utilities passageway extending along an upper edge of the lower panel for receiving utility conduits therein. The extension panel includes a pair of space-apart upright posts, and at least one beam extending between the posts and rigidly interconnecting the same. A pair of structural members extend downwardly from the lower ends of the posts to engage the lower panel and rigidly interconnect the extension panel and the lower panel. The structural members are laterally spaced-apart to define a downwardly-opening utilities opening therebetween. The utilities opening is positioned in alignment with the utilities passageway of the lower panel to permit utilities conduits to pass through the utilities opening when the extension is secured to the lower panel.

Claims

1. An extension panel for connection to a lower panel of the type having vertical uprights defining upper ends and including a utilities passageway extending along an upper edge of the lower panel for receiving utility conduits therein, said extension panel comprising:

a pair of spaced-apart upright posts, each having a lower end;

at least one beam extending between said posts and rigidly interconnecting the same;

a pair of structural members extending downwardly from each said lower and of each post to engage the upper ends of the vertical uprights of the lower panel and rigidly interconnect said extension panel and the lower panel;

said structural members laterally spaced-apart to define a transverse, downwardly-opening utilities opening therebetween,

said utilities opening positioned in alignment with said utilities passageway of the lower panel to permit utility conduits to pass through said utilities opening when said extension panel is secured to the lower panel.

2. The extension panel set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said posts of said extension panel include apertures therein for receiving connectors of hang-on accessory units; and

said structural members have sufficient strength to permit support of hang-on accessory units from said apertures of said extension panel.

3. The extension panel set forth in claim 2, including:

at least one threaded fastener adapted to interconnect the extension and lower panels.

4. The extension panel set forth in claim 3, wherein:

said structural members are shaped to be received within openings in the upper ends of the vertical uprights of the lower panel.

5. The extension panel set forth in claim 4, wherein:

said structural members comprise spaced-apart plate members.

6. The extension panel set forth in claim 5, wherein:

said structural members each include an opening therethrough to provide clearance for connectors of a hang-on accessory unit mounted on the vertical uprights of the lower panel.

7. An extension panel securable to a lower panel of the type having a utilities passageway extending adjacent the upper edge thereof that receives conduits therein, said extension panel comprising:

an extension panel frame defining vertically-extending side edges and a horizontal lower edge extending between said side edges and defining therewith a pair of spaced-apart lower corners, said side edges defining a vertical plane extending between said side edges;

said extension panel frame having a flat plate portion extending downwardly below said lower edge, said flat plate portion disposed transverse to said vertical plane; and

said flat plate portion having a downwardly-opening utilities cut-out therethrough positioned in alignment with said utilities passageway when said extension panel is secured to a lower panel to permit passage of utility conduits along said utilities passageway and through said utilities cut-out opening.

8. The extension panel set forth in claim 7, wherein:

said flat plate portion includes a pair of spaced apart downwardly extending structural connectors defining said utilities cut-out therebetween.

9. The extension panel set forth in claim 8, wherein:

said extension panel includes an extension frame having apertures for receiving connectors of hang-on accessory units; and

said extension frame and said flat plate portions have sufficient strength to permit support of hang-on accessory units from said extension frame.

10. The extension panel set forth in claim 9, wherein:

said cut-out through said plate portion is U-shaped.

11. The extension panel set forth in claim 10, including:

at least one fastener extending through said flat plate portion to interconnect said extension frame to the lower panel.

12. An extension panel securable to a lower panel of the type having a utilities passageway extending adjacent the upper edge thereof that receives conduits therein, said extension panel comprising:

an extension panel frame defining vertically-extending side edges and a horizontal lower edge extending between said side edges and defining therewith a pair of spaced-apart lower corners, said side edges defining a vertical plane extending between said side edges;

said extension panel frame having a flat plate portion extending downwardly below said lower edge, said flat plate portion disposed transverse to said vertical plane;

said flat plate portion having a downwardly-opening utilities cut-out therethrough positioned in alignment with said utilities passageway when said extension panel is secured to a lower panel to permit passage of utility conduits along said utilities passageway and through said utilities cut-out opening;

said flat plate portion including a pair of spaced apart downwardly extending structural connectors defining said utilities cut-out therebetween;

said extension panel including an extension frame having apertures for receiving connectors of hang-on accessory units; and

said extension frame and said flat plate portions having sufficient strength to permit support of hang-on accessory units from said extension frame;

at least one fastener extending through said flat plate portion to interconnect said extension frame to the lower panel; and

wherein;

said flat plate portion comprises a discrete connector bracket having an elongated member defining opposite ends, each said end having a U-shaped cut-out forming a utilities opening through said flat plate.

13. The extension panel set forth in claim 12, wherein:

said extension frame includes a pair of spaced-apart vertical frame members and upper and lower frame members extending therebetween and rigidly interconnecting said vertical frame members to define a rectangular perimeter of said extension frame, said lower frame member having openings in opposite ends thereof adjacent said vertical frame members;

said connector bracket received through a selected one of said openings in said lower frame members and secured to a selected one of said side frame members.

14. A bracket for interconnecting an extension panel above a lower panel of the type having a vertical frame member with upper apertures proximate an upper end of said vertical frame member for receiving connectors of hang-on accessory units, said bracket comprising:

an upper portion shaped to be rigidly secured to said extension panel;

a lower portion adapted to extend below a lower edge of the extension panel when said bracket is installed to the extension panel;

said lower portion including a transverse, elongated U-shaped cut-out to provide clearance through said upper apertures such that said bracket permits reception of support hooks of hang-on accessory units within said upper apertures;

said bracket including a downwardly-opening utilities opening permitting reception of utilities conduits therein, such that said bracket can be installed to a lower panel having utilities conduits extending along an upper edge thereof; and

wherein;

said bracket comprises spaced-apart plates defining said utilities opening therebetween.

15. The bracket set forth in claim 14, wherein:

each plate has an opening therethrough providing clearance for support hooks of hang-on accessory units.

16. A frame member for an extension panel configured to be interconnected to a lower panel along the upper edge of the lower panel;

said frame member defining at least one aperture adapted for reception of a first type of connector of a hang-on accessory unit; and

including

a blocking member positioned inwardly of said aperture and extending across at least a portion of said aperture to prevent full engagement of a second type of connector in said aperture.

17. A frame member as set forth in claim 16, wherein:

said frame member defines a sidewall having a vertical row of apertures therethrough; and

said blocking member extends along on inner side of said sidewall with at least a portion thereof in alignment with said apertures and spaced inwardly of said sidewall to permit full insertion of a first type of connector, yet preventing full insertion of a second type of connector.

18. A frame member as set forth in claim 17, wherein:

said blocking member comprises an elongated hat-shaped member extending along said apertures, and in alignment therewith.

19. A frame member as set forth in claim 18, including:

a hang-on accessory unit having a first type connector and a second type connector;

said first type of connector comprising a hook having an end portion defining a standard width, and

said second type of connector comprising a hook having an end portion defining a width greater than said standard width and preventing full insertion of said second type connector in said apertures.

20. An adapter bracket for connecting a first type of hang-on accessory unit having standard-sized connector hooks to a second type of partition having a lower panel and an extension panel, said bracket comprising:

a first portion configured to receive said standard-sized connector hooks and interconnect said adapter bracket with a hang-on accessory unit; and

blocking hooks having an enlarged end portion permitting full insertion into apertures of a lower panel, yet preventing full insertion into apertures of an extension panel having blocking members positioned inwardly from the apertures to thereby prevent excessive loading of said extension panel by said accessory unit.

21. The adapter bracket of claim 20, wherein:

said blocking hooks have a free end portion defining a width sufficiently large to prevent insertion into the apertures of an extension panel having a blocking member spaced inwardly in alignment with the apertures.

22. The adapter bracket of claim 21, wherein:

said first portion includes a row of apertures adapted to receive connector hooks of a hang-on accessory unit.

23. A partition system including at least a pair of side-by-side partition frames, each having a rectangular perimeter defining an upper edge and including a generally horizontal utilities passageway for routing utilities adjacent said upper edge of said frames, and wherein:

each said partition frame includes a connector bracket having a pair of downwardly extending extensions that are spaced apart to define downwardly-opening utilities cut-out aligned with said utilities passageway to permit generally horizontal routing of utilities through said utilities passageway and through said utilities cut-out, said connector brackets rigidly interconnected to one another and rigidly interconnecting said partition frames.

24. The partition system set forth in claim 23, wherein:

said partition frames each include a horizontal frame member having opposite ends and defining a top edge of said frame, said partition frames including a pair of vertical side frame members rigidly interconnected with said opposite ends of said horizontal frame member and defining opposite side edges of said partition frames, each of said partition frames having an opening through said horizontal frame members adjacent a selected one of said vertical side frame members; and

wherein;

said connector bracket comprises a first connector bracket; and

including;

a second connector bracket;

said connector brackets received within said openings in said horizontal frame member and positioned in alignment with one another in said partition frames, said connector brackets rigidly interconnected with said partition frames and with one another to thereby rigidly interconnect said partition frames.

25. A partition frame assembly, comprising:

a lower partition frame including a pair of spaced-apart structural uprights, said lower partition frame having a lower portion adapted to abuttingly support said lower partition frame on a floor surface, said lower partition frame having an upper portion defining an upper edge, said lower partition frame further including a utilities passageway shaped for routing of utilities conduits adjacent said upper edge;

an upper partition frame positioned above said lower partition frame, said upper partition frame defining a lower edge;

a pair of spaced-apart rigid structural members extending downwardly from said upper partition frame;

said structural members rigidly interconnected with said structural uprights of said lower partition frame such that said upper partition frame is rigidly interconnected with said lower partition frame; and

each structural member comprising a pair of rigid members extending downwardly therefrom said rigid member spaced apart to define a downwardly-opening U-shaped aperture therebetween, said apertures aligned with said utilities passageway to permit generally horizontal utilities conduits to pass through said aperture, and permitting installation of said upper partition frame to said lower partition frame without rerouting of existing utilities conduits extending along said utilities passageway of said lower partition frame.

26. The partition frame assembly set forth in claim 25, wherein:

said lower partition frame includes a pair of vertically spaced-apart beams extending between said structural uprights, said beams having opposite ends thereof rigidly yet releasably interconnected with said structural uprights.

27. The partition frame assembly set forth in claim 26, wherein:

said lower partition frame includes an upwardly-opening utilities passageway extending along said upper edge of said lower partition frame.

28. The partition frame assembly set forth in claim 27, wherein:

said lower partition frame includes [a] an elongated utility trough member positioned above said beams forming said utilities passageway.

29. The partition frame assembly set forth in claim 25, wherein:

said upper partition frame includes a pair of spaced-apart upper posts extending upwardly relative to said structural uprights of said lower partition panel; and

each upper post defining a lower end having a pair of Aid spaced-apart rigid members extending downwardly therefrom, said rigid members interconnected with said structural uprights to rigidly interconnect said upper and lower partition frames.

30. The partition frame assembly set forth in claim 29, wherein:

said upper posts and said structural uprights comprise tubular members, each having substantially the same cross-sectional shape and defining inner surfaces;

said rigid members comprise plates abutting said inner surfaces of said upper posts and said structural uprights.

31. The partition frame assembly set forth in claim 30, wherein:

said structural uprights define opposite side faces, each of which includes a vertical row of apertures for supporting hang-on accessory units; and

each said plate including at least one aperture therethrough positioned in alignment with said vertical rows of apertures in said structural uprights when assembled to provide clearance for hooks of hang-on accessory units.

32. The partition frame assembly set forth in claim 25, wherein:

said upper partition frame includes horizontally spaced-apart upper structural uprights vertically aligned with said structural uprights of said lower partition frame; and

said structural members comprise flat plates having a downwardly-opening U-shaped aperture therethrough positioned in alignment with said utilities passageway when said upper partition frame is installed on said lower partition frame.

33. The partition frame assembly set forth in claim 32, wherein:

said utilities passageway includes apertures through said structural uprights of said lower partition frame.