Wall mounted assembly

• US 8,333,038 B2
• Filed: 02/08/2011
• Issued: 12/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Millerknoll Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Herman Miller Incorporated
• Inventors: Bates, Mark, Boyce, Andrew J., Kang, Chul Min, Katje, Michael J., Lyons, Susan R., Porter, Kurt E., Roetman, Jeffrey D., Sellers, Perry L., Zaccai, Gianfranco Dino
• Primary Examiner(s): WENDELL, MARK R
• Application Number:
  US13/023,007
• Publication Number:
  US 20110219706A1
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• Field of Search: 52/361, 52/365, 52/366, 522/381, 525/060.1, 525/060.5, 525/060.6, 525/78, 525/821, 525/861, 527/10, 211/190, 312/237, 312/282
• US Class Current: 52/36.6
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 95/008 Suspension fittings for cabinets to be hung on walls
• 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: A47B 96/067 Horizontal rails as suspension means in a cantilever arrangement suspension fittings for cabinets to be hung on walls A47B95/008
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 97/001 Wall mounting or suspension arrangements for blackboards or the like easels or stands A47B97/04
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/00 Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks work tops A47B77/022
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/181 Anti-splash devices in sinks, e.g. splash guards jet regulators E03C1/08

Abstract

A wall assembly includes at least one horizontally extending rail having a rear surface adapted to engage the wall. A plurality of horizontally spaced and vertically extending stiles are coupled to the rail, with the stiles disposed forwardly of the rear surface of the rail. A plurality of interface components are coupled to the plurality of stiles. In various embodiments, the stiles may be interconnected to draw together adjacent interface components. The interface components also may include overlapping upper and lower edges. The stiles may be vertically and/or horizontally (laterally and longitudinally) adjustable relative to the rail. A lock member may be provided to secure at least one of the stiles to the rail. Various systems and methods of assembly and use are also provided.

Claims

1. A wall assembly for mounting to a wall comprising:

at least one horizontally extending rail having a rear surface adapted to engage the wall;

a plurality of horizontally spaced and vertically extending stiles coupled to said at least one rail, wherein said stiles are disposed forwardly of said rear surface of said rail;

a plurality of interface components coupled to said plurality of stiles, said plurality of interface components comprising at least first, second and third interface components, wherein said first interface component is disposed above and adjacent to said second interface component, and wherein said third interface component is disposed adjacent at least said first interface component in a side-by-side relationship, wherein a lower edge of said first interface component overlaps an upper edge of said second interface component, said lower edge having a forwardly and downwardly extending bottom surface overlying a forwardly and downwardly extending upper surface of said upper edge, and wherein said first and third interface components comprise adjacent, abutting side edges, wherein said plurality of stiles comprises at least a pair of stiles spaced horizontally from said adjacent side edges on opposite sides thereof such that said adjacent, abutting side edges do not overlie either of said pair of stiles; and

a connector member extending across said adjacent, abutting side edges and between and coupled to said pair of horizontally spaced stiles, said connector member operable between an unclamped configuration and a clamped configuration, wherein said connector member draws said adjacent sides edges of said first and third interface components together when in said clamped configuration.

2. The wall assembly of claim 1 wherein said at least one rail comprises a channel formed along at least a length thereof.

3. The wall assembly of claim 1 wherein said at least one rail comprises a pair of vertically spaced upper and lower rails.

4. The wall assembly of claim 1 wherein said plurality of interface components further comprises a wash station, wherein said wash station comprises an upper edge having a forwardly and downwardly extending upper surface.

5. The wall assembly of claim 4 wherein said wash station further comprises a rim and an exterior surface forming an angle relative to a vertical plane, and a groove formed in said exterior wall around at least a portion of the periphery of the wash station below said rim.

6. The wall assembly of claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of interface components comprises a utility outlet.

7. The wall assembly of claim 1 wherein said stiles each comprise a plurality of keyholes, and said interface components each comprise at least one button shaped to mate with and engage one of said keyholes.

8. The wall assembly of claim 1 wherein said interface components comprise a rear surface horizontally spaced from said rear surface of said rail.

9. The wall assembly of claim 1 wherein no portion of said upper edge forms a trough.

10. The wall assembly of claim 1 wherein said stiles are vertically adjustable relative to said rail.

11. The wall assembly of claim 1 wherein said interface component comprises a front panel having a flexible pull comprising an elastomeric material.

12. The wall assembly of claim 1 wherein said lower edge of said first interface component is spaced from said upper edge of said second interface component.

13. A wall mounted assembly comprising:

a structural wall having an outer surface;

at least one horizontally extending rail having a rear surface engaging said outer surface of said structural wall, wherein said rail is connected to said structural wall;

a plurality of horizontally spaced and vertically extending stiles coupled to said at least one rail, wherein said stiles are disposed forwardly of said rear surface of said rail;

a plurality of interface components coupled to said plurality of stiles, said plurality of interface components comprising at least first, second and third interface components, wherein said first interface component is disposed above and adjacent to said second interface component, and wherein said third interface component is disposed adjacent at least said first interface component in a side-by-side relationship, wherein a lower edge of said first interface component overlaps an upper edge of said second interface component, said lower edge having a forwardly and downwardly extending bottom surface overlying a forwardly and downwardly extending upper surface of said upper edge, and wherein said first and third interface components comprise adjacent, abutting side edges, wherein said plurality of stiles comprises at least a pair of stiles spaced horizontally from said adjacent side edges on opposite sides thereof such that said adjacent, abutting side edges do not overlie either of said pair of stiles; and

a connector member extending across said adjacent, abutting side edges and between and coupled to said pair of horizontally spaced stiles, said connector member operable between an unclamped configuration and a clamped configuration, wherein said connector member draws said adjacent sides edges of said first and third interface components together when in said clamped configuration.

14. The wall mounted assembly of claim 13 wherein said interface components comprise a rear surface horizontally spaced from said outer surface of said structural wall, said rear surface and said outer surface forming a cavity therebetween.

15. The wall mounted assembly of claim 13 wherein said stiles are vertically adjustable relative to said rail.

16. The wall mounted assembly of claim 13 wherein said lower edge of said first interface component is spaced from said upper edge of said second interface component.

17. A wall assembly comprising:

at least one horizontally extending rail having a rear surface adapted to engage a wall;

a plurality of horizontally spaced and vertically extending stiles coupled to said at least one rail;

a plurality of interface components positioned side-by-side, wherein each of said interface components is coupled to at least a pair of said plurality of stiles;

at least one connector member extending between and coupled to at least a pair of horizontally spaced stiles supporting different interface components, wherein said plurality of stiles and said plurality of interface components are interconnected; and

a lock member configured to be moved from a locked position, wherein said lock member is coupled between one of said stiles and said rail such that said plurality of interconnected stiles and interface components are horizontally fixed relative to said rail and non-moveable along a length thereof, and an unlocked position, wherein said plurality of interconnected stiles and interface components are horizontally moveable relative to and along said rail.

18. The wall assembly of claim 17 wherein said lock member comprises a bracket secured to said one of said stiles and said rail with a plurality of fasteners.

19. The wall assembly of claim 17 further comprising an anti-dislodgement bracket connected to said stile and adapted to engage said rail so as to prevent said stile from becoming vertically separated from said rail.

20. A wall assembly comprising:

upper and lower horizontally extending and vertically spaced rails each having a rear surface adapted to engage a wall;

a plurality of horizontally spaced and vertically extending stiles coupled to said upper and lower rails, each of said stiles comprising a front surface, said plurality of stiles including a pair of horizontally spaced outermost stiles defining a space therebetween; and

a plurality of interface components coupled to said plurality of stiles, wherein said interface components mate with each other such that an entirety of said interior space and said front surfaces of said plurality of stiles are covered by said plurality of interface components wherein each of said interface components has opposite side edges, wherein all of said side edges disposed adjacent other side edges are in contact with each other such that no gaps are formed between said adjacent side edges; and

at least one connector extending across at least a pair of adjacent side edges and coupled between at least one pair of stiles spaced apart on opposite sides of said pair of adjacent side edges of said interface components and clamping said pair of adjacent side edges together so as to eliminate any gaps therebetween.

21. The wall assembly of claim 20 wherein each of said interface components has opposite top and bottom edges, wherein at least some of said top and bottom edges disposed adjacent other top and bottom edges are overlapping.

22. The wall assembly of claim 21 wherein said overlapping adjacent top and bottom edges of said interface components are spaced apart.