Customizable partition system

• US 7,461,484 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2003
• Issued: 12/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Inventors: Slager, Mark T., Jeffers, Robert E., Kelley, Michael P., Pelman, Todd, Hand, Richard Scott, Battey, David J., Mead, Karl J., MacDonald, Douglas B., McColley, Gaylan M., Palermo, William H., Hoekstra, Joshua W., Throndset, Steven J., Olvera, F. Javier, Roberts, Micah E., Fink, Roy W.
• Primary Examiner(s): KATCHEVES, BASIL S
• Application Number:
  US10/367,249
• Publication Number:
  US 20040020137A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,125 Days
• Field of Search: 52/361, 522/39, 522/43, 522/71, 522/933, 522/207, 522/369, 160/130, 160/135, 411/508, 242/89
• US Class Current: 52/220.7
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/7425 Details of connection of panels E04B2/7427 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7418 Accessories supported on the free upper edge, e.g. auxiliary panels, noise abatement devices
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7446 Post-like profiles for connecting panels at an angle
• 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

Abstract

A partition system includes an internally-open partition frame having permanent and removable frame members forming multiple vertical and horizontal wireways, with both lay-in and feed-through wire routing. Utility support brackets are attachable for good wire management. The partition frame supports a wide variety of customizable and functional surface components, including a markerboard wall surface, a slatwall, a colored/covered wall surface, a wall surface including utility outlets, a transparent window. The partition frame includes continuous horizontal and vertical rows of slots that flexibly and adjustably support furniture accessories, such as a worksurface, at selected heights and locations along the partition system. Covers are provided that maintain a very high-quality appearance with uniform lines and gaps. Some covers include adjustable edge-mounted light seals for eliminating light leaks and unsightly areas. Further, the present partition system provides flexibility, customizability, rearrangeability, reconfigurability, and an intuitive assembly.

Claims

1. In a partition system for dividing open office space into individual workstations, the improvement of a partition panel, comprising:

a panel frame including a plurality of outwardly opening mounting apertures;

a removable component including a plurality of outwardly extending spring clips frictionally engaging said mounting apertures in said panel frame to detachably retain said component on said panel frame; and

a separate, removable locking clip nesting within and engaging one of said spring clips on said removable component, and including a barb which engages said panel frame in a locked position and positively prevents removal of said one spring clip from said panel frame, and positively interconnects said removable component and said panel frame in said locked position;

said locking clip having a flexible portion configured for flexing which includes a release leg that is actuated to flex said locking clip to shift said barb out of engagement with said panel frame and into an unlocked position wherein said removable component can be removed from said panel frame.

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

said locking clip engages a resilient portion of said one spring clip.

3. A partition panel as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

said one spring clip includes mutually angled legs which define a wedge-shaped portion shaped to releasably engage said mounting apertures in said panel frame; and

said locking clip is positioned in said wedge-shaped portion of said one spring clip.

4. A partition panel as set forth in claim 3, wherein:

said locking clip includes mutually angled legs shaped for close reception between said mutually angled legs of said one spring clip.

5. A partition panel as set forth in claim 4, wherein:

said mutually angled legs of said locking clip define said flexible portion thereof.

6. A partition panel as set forth in claim 5, wherein:

said component comprises a cover panel.

7. A partition panel as set forth in claim 5, wherein:

said component comprises a utility module.

8. A partition panel as set forth in claim 5, wherein:

said one spring clip is constructed from high-strength resilient metal.

9. A partition panel as set forth in claim 8, wherein:

said locking clip barb protrudes into an interior portion of an associated one of said mounting apertures and resiliently engages said panel frame to positively prevent inadvertent removal of said component from said panel frame.

10. A partition panel as set forth in claim 9, wherein:

said one spring clip includes a centrally disposed window shaped to receive therethrough said mutually angled legs of said locking clip.

11. A partition panel as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said one spring clip includes mutually angled legs which define a wedge-shaped portion shaped to releasably engage said mounting apertures in said panel frame; and

said locking clip is positioned in said wedge-shaped portion of said one spring clip.

12. A partition panel as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said locking clip includes mutually angled legs shaped for close reception within said one spring clip.

13. A partition panel as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said component comprises a cover panel.

14. A partition panel as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said component comprises a utility module.

15. A partition panel as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said one spring clip is constructed from high-strength resilient metal.

16. A partition panel as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said locking clip barb protrudes into an interior portion of an associated one of said mounting apertures and resiliently engages said panel frame to positively prevent inadvertent removal of said component from said panel frame.

17. A partition panel as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said one spring clip includes a centrally disposed window shaped to receive therethrough said mutually angled legs of said locking clip.

18. A partition panel as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said locking clip includes mutually angled legs defining said flexible portion thereof.

19. A security system detachably interconnecting first and second components, comprising:

at least one mounting aperture disposed in said first component;

at least one spring clip connected with said second component and frictionally engaging said mounting aperture in said first component to detachably interconnect said first and second components; and

a locking clip nesting within and engaging said spring clip on said second component, and including a barb which engages said first component in a locked position and positively prevents removal of said spring clip from said first component, and positively interconnects said first and second components in said locked position;

said locking clip having a flexible portion configured for flexing which includes a release leg that is actuated to flex said locking clip to shift said barb out of engagement with said first component and into an unlocked position wherein said second component can be removed from said first component.

20. A security system as set forth in claim 19, wherein:

said locking clip engages a resilient portion of said one spring clip.

21. A security system as set forth in claim 20, wherein:

said one spring clip includes mutually angled legs which define a wedge-shaped portion shaped to releasably engage said mounting apertures in said first component; and

said locking clip is positioned in said wedge-shaped portion of said one spring clip.

22. A security system as set forth in claim 21, wherein:

said locking clip includes mutually angled legs shaped for close reception between said mutually angled legs of said one spring clip.

23. A security system as set forth in claim 22, wherein:

said mutually angled legs of said locking clip define said flexible portion thereof.

24. A security system as set forth in claim 23, wherein:

said one spring clip is constructed from high-strength resilient metal.

25. A security system as set forth in claim 24, wherein:

said locking clip barb protrudes into an interior portion of an associated one of said mounting apertures and resiliently engages said first component to positively prevent inadvertent removal of said second component from said first component.

26. A security system as set forth in claim 25, wherein:

said one spring clip includes a centrally disposed window shaped to receive therethrough said mutually angled legs of said locking clip.

27. A security system as set forth in claim 19, wherein:

said one spring clip includes mutually angled legs which define a wedge-shaped portion shaped to releasably engage said apertures in said first component; and

said locking clip is positioned in said wedge-shaped portion of said one spring clip.

28. A security system as set forth in claim 19, wherein:

said locking clip includes mutually angled legs shaped for close reception within said one spring clip.

29. A security system as set forth in claim 19, wherein:

said one spring clip is constructed from high-strength resilient metal.

30. A security system as set forth in claim 19, wherein:

said locking clip barb protrudes into an interior portion of an associated one of said mounting apertures and resiliently engages said first component to positively prevent inadvertent removal of said second component from said first component.

31. A security system as set forth in claim 19, wherein:

said one spring clip includes a centrally disposed window shaped to receive therethrough a portion of said locking clip.

32. A security system as set forth in claim 19, wherein:

said locking clip includes mutually angled legs defining said flexible portion thereof.