Partition panel with infill arrangement

• US 6,533,019 B1
• Filed: 10/20/2000
• Issued: 03/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc. (Steelcase Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation (Steelcase Incorporated)
• Inventors: Rheault, Alan E., Ruiter, Joel T., King, Jonathan J., Malnor, John S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Blair M.
• Application Number:
  US09/693,225
• Time in Patent Office: 879 Days
• Field of Search: 160/351, 522/39, 527/70, 403/220, 403/226, 403/396
• US Class Current: 160/351
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/7422 with separate framed panels without intermediary support posts
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7479 Details of connection of flexible sheets to frame or posts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7171 Two rods encompassed by single connector

Abstract

A partition panel for office systems includes a rigid panel frame having a generally rectangular perimeter and a generally rectangular opening therethrough. The panel frame has a base configured to abuttingly support the panel frame freestanding on a floor surface. The panel frame includes a row of openings configured to support hang-on accessories. The partition panel also includes at least four H-shaped connectors, each of which is secured to said panel frame adjacent each side of the rectangular opening. A rigid sheet is secured to the frame by the connectors, and spans at least a substantial portion of the rectangular opening.

Claims

1. A partition panel for office systems, comprising:

a rigid panel frame having a generally rectangular perimeter and at least one horizontally extending frame member defining a horizontal axis, said rigid panel frame defining an enlarged opening through a central portion of said frame;

a sheet of rigid material disposed within and substantilly spanning said enlarged opening;

at least one connector supporting said sheet within the opening, said connector comprising a one piece member defining first and second oppositely opening slots, said horizontally extending frame member engaging said first slot and forming a couple therewith that prevents rotation of said connector about said axis of said horizontal frame member, and wherein an edge of said sheet is received in said second slot.

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

said frame member has a generally quadrilateral cross-section defining opposite side faces and an inner face, said first slot having parallel side walls fitting closely along said side faces to form said couple.

3. The partition panel set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said enlarged opening is rectangular with spaced apart upper and lower edges; and

said connector comprises a first connector, said partition panel further including at least three additional connectors, each being substantially identical to said first connector, a first pair of said connectors disposed at said upper edge, and a second pair of said connectors disposed at said lower edge. .

4. The partition panel set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said sheet is opaque.

5. The partition panel set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said sheet is made of a light transmitting material.

6. A partition panel for office systems, comprising:

a rigid panel frame having a generally rectangular perimeter and at least one frame member defining a first axis and opposite side faces, each having spaced apart engagement portions, said rigid panel frame defining an enlarged opening through a central portion of said frame;

a sheet of rigid material disposed within and substantially spanning said enlarged opening;

at least one connector supporting said sheet within the opening, said connector defining first and second oppositely opening slots, said first slot defining spaced apart side surfaces, at least a portion of said frame member received in said first slot with said spaced apart engagement portions of said frame member engaging portions of said side surfaces of said first slot to prevent rotation of said connector about said axis, and wherein an edge of said sheet is received in said second slot, said connector being rotatable about a second axis substantially orthogonally to said first axis.

7. The partition panel set forth in claim 6, wherein:

said opposite side faces of said frame member are substantially flat; and

said side surfaces of said first slot are substantially flat and fit closely against said side faces.