Patent Application
20090224118
This patent disclosure relates generally to hanger systems and, more particularly, to adjustable hanger systems adapted for disposition in overhanging relation to upper boundary edges of modular office panels or other support wall structures to permit the hanging of objects in substantially adjacent relation to the support wall faces at positions below the upper boundary edges.
In office environments it is common to find workspace partitions in the form of modular wall panels. These panels are typically not designed to run from floor to ceiling but rather are free-standing and are assembled as modules to enclose or partially enclose a workspace thereby forming a so-called “cubicle” workspace. Wall panel systems provide a substantial benefit in the workplace environment by affording the ability to rapidly reconfigure a workspace with minimum disruption and with no need to move walls. Thus, such systems have gained wide acceptance.
Many forms of wall panel systems are known, having various constructions and different aesthetic characteristics. By way of example only, one common form of office panel is a self-supporting substantially planar construction formed from a metal frame surrounding a core of relatively lightweight material such as fiberboard or fiberglass, having sound deadening capabilities. Often, these panels are covered with pieces of fabric supplied in patterns which are meant to enhance the particular decor of the office environment. By way of example only, and not limitation, illustrative wall panel constructions which incorporate outer fabric constructions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,086,606 in Finses and U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,924 to Mason, both of which are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
Due to the physical construction of typical office panel systems, it is generally impractical to mount personal or work-related articles across the panel faces. In this regard, typical mounting options such as nails, screws, tacks and the like have the disadvantage of puncturing the decorative covering and inner core materials. Such puncturing may substantially degrade the appearance of the panel, thereby reducing the ability to reuse the panel in a different configuration at a later time. High levels of perforation also have the possibility of reducing sound insulation properties. Likewise, non-perforating adhesive techniques such as glue, tape and the like may also damage the panel surface when the adhered items are removed. In addition, such adhesive techniques may provide relatively limited holding strength. Thus, such adhesive techniques may be of limited use in supporting larger items.
The present invention offers advantages and alternatives over the prior practices by providing a hanger system adapted to be positioned in adjustable, spanning relation across an upper surface of a wall panel structure with leg members extending generally downwardly in substantially adjacent relation to outwardly projecting faces of the wall panel structure. At least one of the leg members is adapted to operatively support personal and/or business articles in hanging relation across a face of the wall panel structure.
In accordance with one aspect, a hanger adapted for disposition in overhanging relation to a cubicle wall panel structure is provided. The hanger includes a deformable base adapted for disposition atop the cubicle wall panel structure. The base includes a deformable member extending in a substantially sinusoidal pattern at least partially along a distance between a first end and a second end of the base. A first leg element extends downwardly from a position adjacent the first end and a second leg element extending downwardly from a position adjacent the second end. The first leg element includes at least a first laterally projecting support element adapted to engage a hanging article at a position outboard from the wall face. The distance between the first end of the base and the second end of the base is adjustable by manual compression and/or expansion of the substantially sinusoidal pattern.
Other advantages and aspects of the present invention will become apparent through reference to the following detailed description and/or through practice of the invention.
The following drawings which are incorporated in and which constitute a part of this specification illustrate several exemplary embodiments and constructions consistent with this disclosure and, together with the general description given above, and the detailed description set forth below, serve to explain the principles of the invention wherein:
While the invention has been generally described above and will hereinafter be described in connection with certain potentially preferred embodiments and procedures, it is to be understood that in no event is the invention to be limited to such illustrated and described embodiments and procedures. On the contrary, it is intended that the present invention shall extend to all alternatives and modifications to the illustrated and described embodiments and procedures as may embrace the broad principles of this invention within the true spirit and scope thereof.
As will be described further hereinafter, an improved hanger system for use in conjunction with office panel wall structures is provided. The improved hanger system is adapted for support across an upper surface of the office panel wall structure. Downwardly extending legs are adapted to provide hanging support to personal and/or business articles.
Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein to the extent possible, like elements are designated by like reference numerals throughout the various views. Referring jointly to
Regardless of the construction or arrangement of the wall panel structure 12, the exemplary wall panel hangers 10 illustrated in
The width adjustment and hanging support features of the exemplary wall panel hangers 10 may be understood through joint reference to
In the exemplary construction, the sinusoidal pattern of deformable base 30 resides in a plane adapted to be positioned substantially parallel to the upper boundary surface 24 of the wall panel structure 12 when the hanger 10 is in an operative position as shown in
As best seen in
As best seen through joint reference to
In the exemplary arrangement, the expansion and/or contraction does not substantially alter the plane of the deformable base. That is, the expansion and/or contraction is carried out within the plane. Thus, the wall panel hanger 10 maintains a relatively low profile across the upper boundary surface 24. Once a desired operative width is achieved, the angled arms 35, 37 in combination with central member 33 provide a stable base which substantially resists rocking motion. The snug fit is maintained by the downwardly extending leg elements 40, 42. As will be appreciated, the sinusoidal pattern of the deformable base need not be in the form of a mathematically precise sine or cosine function. Rather the term “sinusoidal pattern” is meant to embrace any expansible or contractible pattern having a general wave-like configuration. Moreover, the first end 32 and the second end 34 need not be perfectly aligned. That is, a line running between the first end 32 and the second end 34 need not intersect central member 33 at a right angle. Rather, it is contemplated that any generally opposed relation may be utilized.
With the wall panel hanger 10 clamped in position over upper boundary 24, a stable support is provided for carrying out the hanging function. In the illustrated construction, the first leg element 40 includes a proximal portion engaging the deformable base 30 and a distal portion defining a lateral extension element 44. While the lateral extension element 44 is illustrated in the form of a simple hook structure, any number of other structures may likewise be utilized if desired. By way of example only, such other structures may include other hooking configurations, platforms, rings and the like as may occur to those of skill in the art. Moreover, while only a single lateral extension element 44 is illustrated, it is also contemplated that multiple extension elements of similar or dissimilar configuration may be utilized at various positions along the first leg element. Regardless of the configuration, the lateral extension element 44 preferably extends away from the first leg element to an operative position spaced apart from the show surface 20 of wall panel structure 12 to facilitate engagement with hanging articles. In this regard, it is to be understood that while the lateral extension element 44 is illustrated as extending outwardly at a substantially right angle to show face 20, it is likewise contemplated that other angled arrangements which provide spacing between the support element 44 and the show surface 20 also may be utilized if desired.
As previously noted, the second leg element 42 extends generally downwardly from a position adjacent the second end 34. In the illustrated construction, the second leg element 42 includes a proximal portion engaging the deformable base 30 and a distal portion defining a force distribution anchor 46 of enhanced diameter. In the illustrated construction, the force distribution anchor 46 is substantially planar and is adapted to reside against an outer face of wall panel structure 12. The force distribution anchor 46 may enhance the stability of the wall panel hanger 10 by providing added weight to the side opposite support element 44. The force distribution anchor 46 may also be used as an attachment for hanging articles if desired.
While the force distribution anchor 46 is illustrated in
It is also contemplated that the force distribution anchor may be eliminated entirely if desired. By way of example only,
In the event that lateral extension elements are utilized to provide hanging support at both sides of a wall panel hanger, there is no need for such lateral extension elements to be identical. To the contrary, in many environments of use it may be desirable to use different constructions at opposing sides of the wall panel hanger. By way of example only, and not limitation,
Of course, it is contemplated that any number of other structures and combinations may likewise be utilized. In this regard, it will be appreciated that the foregoing description provides examples of the disclosed system and technique. However, it is contemplated that other implementations of the disclosure may differ in detail from the foregoing examples. All references to examples herein are intended to reference the particular example being discussed at that point and are not intended to imply any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure or claims more generally. All language of distinction and disparagement with respect to certain features is intended to indicate a lack of preference for those features, but not to exclude such from the scope of the claims entirely unless otherwise indicated. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
Accordingly, this disclosure contemplates the inclusion of all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the appended claims as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is contemplated unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
