Partition assembly

• US 8,910,435 B2
• Filed: 05/27/2009
• Issued: 12/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Inventors: Feldpausch, Michael J., Knauf, Marvin C., Youngs, Bradley D., Slager, Mark T., Heidmann, Kurt R., Hamilton, John R., Geister, Ryan
• Primary Examiner(s): LAUX, JESSICA L
• Application Number:
  US12/472,859
• Publication Number:
  US 20090293388A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,029 Days
• Field of Search: 522/381, 522/39, 524/812, 522/41, 522/42, 522/43, 522/207, 524/63, 524/65, 524/66
• US Class Current: 52/220.7
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/7422 with separate framed panels without intermediary support posts
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7462 using resilient connectors, e.g. clips
• 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 2002/749 Partitions with screw-type jacks
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 2/52 with special adaptations for auxiliary purposes, e.g. serving for locating conduits E04C2/54 takes precedence; block-shaped elements therefor E04C1/39; floor structures incorporating ducts E04B5/48

Abstract

A beam assembly for subdividing a floor plan area comprises a horizontally-extending beam member including an interiorly-facing surface, a bottom wall having at least one aperture extending therethrough, and at least one horizontally-extending lower frame member located below the beam member. The beam assembly further comprises at least one vertical frame member extending between and coupled with the beam member and the at least one lower frame member, wherein the at least one vertical frame member extends through the at least one aperture and the bottom wall of the beam member and interferingly engages the interior-facing surface of the beam member.

Claims

1. A beam assembly for subdividing a floor plan area, comprising:

a horizontally extending beam member defining an uppermost edge of a beam assembly;

a lowermost horizontally extending lower frame member located below the beam member;

a plurality of vertical frame members extending between and coupling the beam member with the lower frame member; and

a first cover member disposed on a side of the vertical frame members and a second cover member disposed on an opposite side of the vertical frame members, at least one of the cover members including an upper edge spaced from the beam member sufficiently to allow electrical/communication lines to be routed from a location adjacent the beam member, between the upper edge of the at least one cover member and the beam member, and to a wireway located between the first cover panel and the second cover panel, wherein at least one of the cover members extends from a first location substantially proximate the beam member down at least to a second location located at a lowermost edge of the lowermost lower frame member, wherein the spacing between the horizontally extending beam member and the at least one cover member is configured for the electrical/communication lines to pass from outside the beam assembly to the wireway.

2. The beam assembly of claim 1 wherein the beam member includes at least one upwardly opening channel extending longitudinally along a length of the beam member and that is adapted to support work tools therefrom.

3. The beam assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

a first cover support member operably coupled to a bottom wall of the beam member and operably coupled to an upper edge of each of the cover members, wherein the first cover support member is separate from the vertical frame member.

4. The beam assembly of claim 3 further comprising:

at least one cover support clip operably coupled to the upper edge of at least one cover member and removably engaging the first cover support member, thereby supporting the at least one of cover member from the first cover support member.

5. The beam assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one cover member extends from the first location to beneath the lowermost lower frame member.

6. The beam assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper edge of the at least one cover member is an uppermost edge.

7. A beam assembly for subdividing a floor plan area, comprising:

a horizontally extending beam member defining an uppermost edge of a beam assembly;

a lowermost horizontally extending lower frame member located below the upper frame member;

a plurality of vertical frame members extending between and coupling the upper frame member with the at least one lower frame member; and

a first cover member disposed on a side of the vertical frame members and a second cover member disposed on an opposite side of the vertical frame members, at least one of the cover members including an upper edge spaced proximate and vertically below the beam member sufficiently to allow electrical/communication lines to be routed from a first position located outside of the beam assembly, between the upper edge of the at least one cover member and the beam member, and to a wireway located between the first cover member and the second cover member, wherein the spacing between the horizontally extending beam member and the at least one cover member is configured for the electrical/communication lines to pass from outside the beam assembly to the wireway.

8. The beam assembly of claim 7 wherein the beam member includes at least one upwardly opening channel extending longitudinally along a length of the beam and supporting a worktool therefrom.

9. The beam assembly of claim 7 wherein at least one of the cover members extends from a first location substantially proximate the beam member down at least to a second location located at a lowermost edge of the lowermost lower frame member.

10. The beam assembly of claim 9, wherein the at least one cover member extends from the first location to beneath the lowermost lower frame member.

11. The beam assembly of claim 7 further comprising:

a first cover support member operably coupled to a bottom wall of the beam member and operably coupled to an upper edge of each of the cover members.

12. The beam assembly of claim 11 further comprising:

at least one cover support clip operably coupled to the upper edge of at least one cover member and removably engaging the first cover support member, thereby supporting the at least one of cover member from the first cover support member.

13. The beam assembly of claim 7, wherein the upper edge of the at least one cover member is an uppermost edge.

14. A beam assembly for subdividing a floor plan area, comprising:

a horizontally extending beam member defining an uppermost edge of a beam assembly;

a lowermost horizontally extending lower frame member located below the beam member;

a plurality of vertical frame members extending between and coupling the beam member with the lower frame member; and

a first cover member disposed on a side of the vertical frame members and a second cover member disposed on an opposite side of the vertical frame members, at least one of the cover members including an upper edge spaced from the beam member sufficiently to allow electrical/communication lines to be routed from a location not located between the first cover panel and the second cover panel, between the upper edge of the at least one cover member and the beam member, and to a wireway located between the first cover panel and the second cover panel, wherein at least one of the cover members extends from a first location substantially proximate the beam member down at least to a second location located at a lowermost edge of the lowermost lower frame member, wherein the spacing between the horizontally extending beam member and the at least one cover member is configured for the electrical/communication lines to pass from outside the beam assembly to the wireway.

15. The beam assembly of claim 14, wherein the beam member includes at least one upwardly opening channel extending longitudinally along a length of the beam member and that is adapted to support work tools therefrom.

16. The beam assembly of claim 14, further comprising:

a first cover support member operably coupled to a bottom wall of the beam member and operably coupled to an upper edge of each of the cover members, wherein the first cover support member is separate from the vertical member.