BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various types of partition systems have been developed for offices and other such areas. Examples of partition systems can be found in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,910,306, 6,009,675, 6,079,173, 6,098,358, 6,276,103, 6,301,846, 6,442,909, 5,899,035, the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Partition systems of this type have a knock-down (“KD”) construction, whereby posts and beams are assembled on site at the time the partition is installed. Other known commercially available partition systems generally utilize a plurality of rigid rectangular frames that have a general construction similar to a picture frame.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention is a free standing post and beam partition system that has a rigid frame that includes two or more upright posts, each defining opposite side faces. The system also includes upper and lower beams with opposite ends thereof connected to side faces of the posts. The improvement to the partition system includes an upright sheet that may comprise an opaque material or light transmitting material. The sheet defines generally planar vertical opposite side faces and horizontally extending upper and lower edges, and vertically extending opposite side edges that together form a generally quadrilateral perimeter. The improvement also includes at least one bracket positioned above the upper beam. The bracket has an upwardly opening channel that receives at least a portion of the lower edge of the sheet of light transmitting material. The bracket includes movable clamp members engaging the opposite side faces of the sheet of light transmitting material and adjustably securing the sheet of material in a manner that permits the sheet of light transmitting material to be tilted to a user-determined angle whereby the sheet can be adjusted and aligned with sheets of light transmitting material of adjacent panels.
These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a partition system including a frameless glass mounting system according to one aspect of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a partially fragmentary exploded isometric view of a frameless glass mounting system according to another aspect of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a pair of side-by-side partition frames including frameless glass mounting arrangements according to another aspect of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a partially fragmentary enlarged view of the system of FIG. 3 taken along the line IV-IV; FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a partially fragmentary enlarged view of a portion of the frameless glass mounting system of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a system according to another aspect of the invention showing a canopy member;
FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a system according to another aspect of the invention showing a storage unit; and
FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of a system according to another aspect of the invention showing a transaction top.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
With reference to FIG. 1, a partition system 1 includes a plurality of partition panels 2A-2H that may comprise post and beam systems of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,910,306, 6,009,675, 6,079,173, 6,098,358, 6,276,103, 6,301,846, 6,442,909, 5,899,035 “Post and Beam Partition System Patents.” Each partition panel 2A-2H may include a frame 10 (See frames 10A and 10B, FIG. 3) and cover panels 4A-4H. A pair of cover panels 4 are utilized in connection with each frame 10 on opposite side faces of the frames 10. Each of the individual partition panels 2A-2H may include a frame 10 having upright posts 12A-12C (see also FIG. 3) that are rigidly interconnected by upper beams 14 and lower beams 16. The upper beams 14 and lower beams 16 may have substantially the same construction, and connect to ports 18 as disclosed in more detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,910,306, 6,009,675, 6,079,173, 6,098,358, 6,276,103, 6,301,846, 6,442,909, 5,899,035. In general, each beam 14, 16 includes quick connectors 20 on opposite ends thereof that provide for rigid connection to the post 12A-12C.
As shown in FIG. 3, adjacent frames 10A and 10B connect to a single upright post 12A. Thus, post 12A defines a junction that structurally interconnects adjacent partition frames 10A and 10B.
In the illustrated example, post 12B comprises a post utilized for in-line partition panel configurations, the post 12A comprises a “X” junction post, and posts 12C comprises a “T” junction post. However, the posts 12 may have a variety of configurations, examples of which are disclosed in the Post and Beam Partition System Patents.
Referring again to FIG. 1, partition system one may include frameless upper panels 25 which include sheets 27 (see also FIG. 3) that are mounted to upper edge portions 28 of partition panels 2. Sheets 27 may comprise glass or other light-transmitting material. For example, sheets 27 may comprises frosted glass, translucent colored glass, clear or transparent glass. The sheets 27 may also comprise polymer sheets that are transparent, colored, frosted, clear/transparent, or virtually any other configuration. Still further, sheets 27 may comprise sheets of wood or other material if a non light transmitting configuration is required for a particular application. Still further, various openings or other patterns (not shown) such as an array of perforations could be formed in the sheets 27 if required for a particular application.
With reference to FIG. 2, a lower edge portion 29 of each sheet 27 is connected to the frame 10 by a pair of bracket or support assemblies 30. Each support assembly 30 includes a bracket member 32 having a base wall or web 34 that extends horizontally, and a pair of spaced apart upwardly extending side walls or webs 36.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, bracket member 32 has a generally U-shaped cross section forming a central channel 38 that receives a lower edge portion 40 of sheet 27. With further reference to FIG. 2, each bracket member 32 includes outwardly extending tabs 44 with openings 46 that receive threaded fasteners 42. Threaded fasteners 42 engage threaded openings 48 and upper side 49 of beam 14 to thereby rigidly secure the bracket members 32 to the beam 14. A thin rectangular strip or pad 51 is received in the central channel 38 of each bracket member 32 to cushion lower edge 31 of sheet 27. The pad or strips 51 may be made of a polymer or other material, and preferably comprise relatively low friction material that provides for sliding of lower edge 31 of sheet 27.
As described in more detail in the Post and Beam Partition System Patents, each U-shaped cutout 62 includes a horizontally extending lower edge 80. A polymer clip 82 having a downwardly-opening groove may be positioned on the edge 80 to thereby cushion the sheet 27 and prevent damage to lower edge 31 of sheet 27.
A pair of pads or clamp members 54 are received in central channels 38 of bracket members 32. Lower edge portion 29 of sheet 27 is received between clamp members 54. Threaded fasteners 56 extend through threaded openings 58 in side walls or webs 36 of bracket members 32. Threaded fasteners 56 contact outer side faces or surfaces 60 of clamp members 54 to thereby clamp the lower edge portion 29 of sheet 27.
As described in more detail in the Post and Beam Partition System Patents, posts 12 include upwardly opening U-shaped cutouts 62. Referring back to FIG. 3, sheets 27 have an overall width “W” defined between vertical edges 64 that is somewhat greater than a horizontal dimension “W1” between side faces 68 of posts 12. Thus, lower corners 70 of sheets 27 are disposed in U-shaped cutouts 62 of posts 12 when the frameless system 25 is assembled to the frame 10 of partition system 1. In this way, adjacent sheets 27 form a gap “G” (FIG. 3) between adjacent vertical edges 64. The gap “G” may be quite small whereby adjacent sheets of material 27 provide a uniform appearance.
Referring again to FIGS. 4 and 5, when assembled, the fasteners 56 are tightened to clamp the clamp members 54 against the opposite side surfaces 26 of sheet 27. The combined thickness of sheet 27 and clamp members 54 is less than a width of central channel 38 defined by bracket member 32. Thus, threaded fasteners 56 can be selectively tightened to shift the sheet 27 side-to-side in the direction indicated by the arrow “H1” (FIG. 5), or in the vertical direction “V”. Still further, the sheet 27 may be tilted about the lower edge 31 by selectively tightening upper and lower threaded fasteners 56A and 56B, respectively. Still further, the sheets 27 can be shifted in a horizontal direction as indicated by the arrows “H2” (FIG. 3).
Thus, the bracket assemblies 30 permit adjustment of adjacent sheets of material 27 to align upper horizontal edges 72 of adjacent sheets 27, and also to provide for uniform gaps G between adjacent sheets 27. Still further, adjustment of the tilt angle T (FIG. 5) permits adjacent sheets 27 to be adjusted such that the side surfaces 26 of adjacent sheets 27 are substantially co planar.
When assembled, a pair of elongated trim pieces 74 are secured to the frame 10 by spring clips 76 to form an elongated opening 78 therebetween that receives lower edge portion 29 of sheet 27.
Each of the clamp members 54 may include a spring clip 77 (FIG. 2) that engages lower edge or lip 84 of each trim piece 74. The clips 77 provide for vertical adjustment of trim pieces 74 whereby trim pieces 74 of adjacent partition panels 2 can be vertically adjusted and aligned.
Sheet 27 is preferably transparent glass or polymer. However, sheet 27 may also comprise an opaque or translucent glass or polymer material. For example, the sheet 27 may comprise colored glass or polymer, or the side faces 26 of sheet 27 may be frosted or otherwise coated to provide the desired degree of light transmission and the desired appearance. Still further, sheet 27 may comprise wood or other material if required for a particular application.
The frameless mounting system 25 of the present invention permits an upright sheet of material to be installed along the upper edge of an existing partition frame 10. The bracket assemblies 30 permit the sheet of material 27 to be adjusted upwardly, sidewardly, and rotationally to thereby align adjacent sheets of material 27 to provide a uniform appearance.
With further reference to FIG. 6, an angled “canopy” member 86 may be supported by one or more bracket assemblies 30. The canopy member 86 includes a generally planar, upright lower portion 86A and an angled upper portion 86B. Canopy member 86 includes a frame structure 88 and outer skins or covers 90 and 91. The outer covers 90 and 91 may comprise fabric or other material that provides a pleasing appearance. Frame 88 includes a sheet-like lower portion 93 that engages the bracket assembly 30 in substantially the same manner as the lower edge portion 40 of sheets 27 as described in more detail above. The frame 88 and lower portion 93 may be made from steel or other suitable material. Canopy member 86 may have a single angled upper portion 86B, or it may have first and second angled upper portions 86B and 86C, respectively. If the canopy member 86 includes first and second upper portions 86B and 86C, the canopy member 86 is generally Y-shaped in cross section. The upper portions 86B and 86C may be configured to extend out over a work area adjacent the partition system to provide an additional degree of privacy. The position of canopy member 86 may be adjusted utilizing bracket assemblies 30 in substantially the same manner as sheets 27 as described in more detail above. The canopy member may have a width that is the same as the width “W” (FIG. 3) of sheets 27.
With further reference to FIG. 7, a storage unit 94 may also be supported utilizing one or more bracket assemblies 30. The storage unit 94 includes a lower blade-like portion 95 that engages the bracket assemblies 30. The storage unit 94 includes a lower horizontal member 96 having an upwardly-facing support surface 97. Storage unit 94 optionally includes end walls 98 and upper wall 99, and vertical divider 100 that together form storage spaces 101 having side openings 102. Storage unit 94 may optionally include movable doors 103 that selectively close off openings 102. The storage unit 94 may comprise an upper structure 105 that is substantially similar to commercially available C:SCAPE storage units available from Steelcase Corporation of Grand Rapids Mich., that is attached to the lower portion 95 utilizing a bracket structure 104. The upper structure 105 may be made from wood, steel, or other suitable material. Lower portion 95 may be made from steel or other material having sufficient strength to support upper structure 105. The position of storage unit 94 may be adjusted utilizing bracket assemblies 30 in substantially the same manner as described above in connection with sheets 27.
With further reference to FIG. 8, bracket assemblies 30 may also be utilized to support a work surface such as a transaction top 110. The transaction top 110 includes a plate or blade-like support 111 that is secured to the top structure 113 by brackets 112. Top structure 113 may comprise wood or other suitable material, and support 111 and brackets 112 may be made from steel or the like. The support 111 adjustably engages the bracket assemblies 30 in substantially the same manner as described in more detail above in connection with the sheets 27.
It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
Patent Grant
9169640
