Wall panel system

• US 6,729,085 B2
• Filed: 02/05/2002
• Issued: 05/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Millerknoll Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Herman Miller Incorporated (Millerknoll Incorporated)
• Inventors: Martin, David B., Van Weiren, Steven M., Dinneweth, Mark James, Verkaik, Thomas L., Breuker, Kevin Scott, Newhouse, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SZUMNY, JONATHON A
• Application Number:
  US10/068,801
• Publication Number:
  US 20020129574A1
• Time in Patent Office: 819 Days
• Field of Search: 522/39, 52/241, 52/361, 525/78, 525/822, 525/841, 525/902, 527/201, 527/261, 527/263, 52/366, 521/271.1, 522/81
• US Class Current: 52/239
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 5/003 Combinations of clamps
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 5/12 using toggle links
• 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 2002/7479 Details of connection of flexible sheets to frame or posts
• 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

A stackable wall panel assembly including a lower wall panel having a top, a bottom, vertically extending ends and opposite sides and an upper wall panel having a top, a bottom, vertically extending ends and opposite sides. A vertically extending stanchion has a lower end connected to the top of the lower wall panel and an upper end connected to the bottom of the upper wall panel. The bottom of the upper wall panel is spaced from the top of the lower wall panel to form an open space between the upper and lower wall panels. In a preferred embodiment, a rail extends between the stanchions. Also in a preferred embodiment, a cover covers the space formed between the upper and lower wall panels. In another aspect, a second stanchion is connected to the top of the upper wall panel and a second upper wall panel is connected to the top of the second stanchion. In one preferred embodiment, draw members connect the first upper wall panel to the first stanchion and connect the second upper wall panel to the second stanchion. Alternatively, a draw block, insert and draw rod are used to connect the first upper wall panel to the lower wall panel, and to connect the first and second upper wall panels. In another aspect, a draw rod connects a lower connector post to a first upper connector post, with a spacer post disposed therebetween. A method for assembling a stackable wall panel assembly is also provided.

Claims

1. A stackable wall panel assembly comprising:

a lower wall panel comprising a top, a bottom, vertically extending opposite ends and opposite sides;

a first upper wall panel comprising a top, a bottom, vertically extending opposite ends and opposite sides, wherein said bottom of said upper wall is positioned above said top of said lower wall;

a first draw block connected to said lower wall panel;

an insert releasably engaged with said first draw block;

a second draw block engaged with said upper wall panel; and

a draw rod connecting said insert and said second draw block.

2. The stackable wall panel assembly of claim 1 wherein said first draw block comprises a cavity, and wherein said insert comprises a catch portion removeably received in said cavity.

3. The stackable wall panel assembly of claim 2 wherein said first draw block comprises a shoulder defining in part said cavity, and wherein said catch portion of said insert engages said first draw block shoulder so as to prevent movement therebetween in at least one direction.

4. The stackable wall panel assembly of claim 3 wherein said cavity has an opening on at least one end shaped to receive said catch portion therethrough, and wherein said insert is rotatable between at least an engaged position wherein said catch portion engages said shoulder and a disengaged position wherein said catch portion is aligned with said opening for passage therethrough.

5. A stackable wall panel assembly comprising:

a lower wall panel comprising a top, a bottom, vertically extending opposite ends and opposite sides;

a first upper wall panel comprising a top, a bottom, vertically extending opposite ends and opposite sides;

a first draw block connected to said lower wall panel, said first draw block comprising a shoulder defining in part a cavity;

an insert releasably engaged with said first draw block, wherein said insert comprises a catch portion removeably received in said cavity, wherein said catch portion engages said shoulder so as to prevent movement therebetween in at least one direction;

a second draw block engaged with said upper wall panel; and

a draw rod connecting said insert and said second draw block;

wherein said cavity is open on opposite sides of said first draw block, wherein said catch portion is moveably disposed in said cavity from at least one of said open sides of said first draw block, and wherein said first draw block has an end opening formed in opposite ends thereof, said end openings communicating with said cavity, and wherein said insert comprises a neck portion extending through one of said end openings.

6. The stackable wall panel assembly of claim 5 wherein said insert further comprises a stop portion spaced from said catch portion, said stop portion engaging one of said ends of said first draw block to prevent movement therebetween in a direction opposite to said at least one direction.

7. The stackable wall panel assembly of claim 5 wherein said draw rod is a first upper draw rod, and further comprising a lower draw rod extending through said other of said end openings of said first draw block.

8. A stackable wall panel assembly comprising:

a lower wall panel comprising a top, a bottom, vertically extending opposite ends and opposite sides;

a first upper wall panel comprising a top, a bottom, vertically extending opposite ends and opposite sides;

a first draw block connected to said lower wall panel;

an insert releasably engaged with said first draw block;

a second draw block engaged with said upper wall panel;

a draw rod connecting said insert and said second draw block; and

a second upper wall panel comprising a top, a bottom, vertically extending opposite ends and opposite sides, wherein said second upper wall panel is supported above said first upper wall panel, a third draw block engaged with said second upper wall panel, a second insert releasably engaged with said second draw block, and a second draw rod connecting said second insert and said third draw block.

9. The stackable wall panel assembly of claim 8 wherein said second draw block comprises a cavity, and wherein said second insert comprises a catch portion removeably received in said cavity of said second draw block.

10. The stackable wall panel assembly of claim 9 wherein said second draw block comprises a shoulder defining in part said cavity, and wherein said catch portion of said second insert engages said second draw block shoulder so as to prevent movement therebetween in at least one direction.

11. The stackable wall panel assembly of claim 10 wherein said opposite end of said lower wall panel comprises a hanger bracket, wherein said first draw block engages an end of said hanger bracket.

12. A connector assembly for use with a stackable wall panel assembly comprising:

a first draw block comprising a cavity having a cavity;

an insert comprising a catch portion removeably received in said cavity, wherein said insert is releasably engaged with said draw block;

a second draw block; and

a draw rod connecting said insert and said second draw block.

13. The connector assembly of claim 12 wherein said first draw block comprises a shoulder defining in part said cavity, and wherein said catch portion of said insert engages said first draw block shoulder so as to prevent movement therebetween in at least one direction.

14. A connector assembly for use with a stackable wall panel assembly comprising:

a first draw block comprising a shoulder defining in part a cavity;

an insert comprising a catch portion removeably received in said cavity, wherein said insert is releasably engaged with said draw block, and wherein said catch portion engages said shoulder of said first draw block so as to prevent movement therebetween in at least one direction;

a second draw block; and

a draw rod connecting said insert and said second draw block;

wherein said cavity is open on opposite sides of said first draw block, wherein said catch portion is moveably disposed in said cavity from one of said open sides of said first draw block, and wherein said first draw block has an end opening formed in opposite ends thereof, said end openings communicating with said cavity, and wherein said insert comprises a neck portion extending through one of said end openings.

15. The connector assembly of claim 14 wherein said insert further comprises a stop portion spaced from said catch portion, said stop portion engaging one of said ends of said first draw block to prevent movement therebetween in a direction opposite to said at least one direction.

16. The connector assembly of claim 14 wherein said draw rod is a first upper draw rod, and further comprising a lower draw rod extending through said other of said end openings of said first draw block.

17. A connector assembly for use with a stackable wall panel assembly comprising:

a first draw block comprising a shoulder defining in part a cavity;

an insert comprising a catch portion removeably received in said cavity, wherein said insert is releasably engaged with said draw block, and wherein said catch portion engages said shoulder of said first draw block so as to prevent movement therebetween in at least one direction;

a second draw block; and

a draw rod connecting said insert and said second draw block;

wherein said cavity has an opening on at least one end shaped to receive said catch portion therethrough, and wherein said insert is rotatable between at least an engaged position wherein said catch portion engages said shoulder and a disengaged position wherein said catch portion is aligned with said opening for passage therethrough.

18. A connector assembly for use with a stackable wall panel assembly comprising:

a first draw block comprising a cavity;

an insert comprising a catch portion removeably received in said cavity, wherein said insert is releasably engaged with said draw block;

a second draw block;

a draw rod connecting said insert and said second draw block;

a third draw block;

a second insert releasably engaged with said second draw block; and

a second draw rod connecting said second insert and said third draw block.

19. The connector assembly of claim 18 wherein said second draw block comprises a cavity, and wherein said second insert comprises a catch portion removeably received in said cavity of said second draw block.

20. The connector assembly of claim 19 wherein said second draw block comprises a shoulder defining in part said cavity, and wherein said catch portion of said second insert engages said second draw block shoulder so as to prevent movement therebetween in at least one direction.