Moveable and demountable wall panel system

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6688056
  • Patent Number
    6,688,056
  • Date Filed
    Friday, December 21, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, February 10, 2004
    20 years ago
Abstract
A moveable and demountable wall panel system including a plurality of panels each having opposite top and bottom distance channels, opposite left and right vertical posts, a panel covering, a ceiling rail, and an articulating floor channel. The distance channels and vertical posts are affixed to one another by connecting studs in order to form a rectangular support frame of the panel. The articulating floor channel is operatively connected to a bottom portion of the rectangular support frame by left and right glide assemblies mounted into receiving channels of the left and right vertical posts respectively. The articulating floor channel is used for operatively securing the rectangular support frame of the panel to a ground surface. Each vertical post has at least one receiving lip extending along a direction substantially parallel to the vertical axis of the panel.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates to a wall panel system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a moveable non-progressive mountable and demountable wall panel system.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




Fixed wall systems, moveable wall systems, and non-progressive wall systems are very well known in the art.




Some problems associated with fixed wall systems are the inability to displace and/or move the fixed wall systems once they are mounted; the inability to readily install passthrough components (wiring, etc.) after the fixed wall systems have been mounted; and the inability to readily change aspects and features of the fixed wall systems once they are installed. Furthermore, fixed wall systems are also disadvantageous because their installing is quite lengthy. For example, for conventional gyproc walls, one must first install supporting studs, then affix gyproc panels thereto, then plaster thereon, wait for drying of the plaster, sanding subsequently and then finishing the surfaces of the gyproc walls. It is well known in the art that the mounting of such fixed wall systems usually extends over several days and requires a great deal of manual labour, which is thus very inefficient and very cost ineffective.




Some of the problems associated with moveable wall systems are that, very often, their components are over-engineered (e.g. too heavy), different and specialized tooling is required for assembling such moveable wall systems, and the moveable wall systems generally comprise various different components which are not readily interchangeable. As a results of the above-mentioned, installation of such moveable wall systems is generally quite lengthy and cumbersome. Furthermore, it is well known in the art that such moveable wall systems, by virtue of their design, offer generally very poor sound proofing, light proofing and/or vibration proofing.




Some of the problems associated with non-progressive wall systems are the inability to independently change, move, and/or alter a particular component of the non-progressive wall system without affecting the other components operatively connected to said particular component. Indeed, by virtue of their design, non-progressive wall systems generally have several components which are intricately connected to one another and thus prevent one particular component thereof from being changed, moved, and/or altered without disturbing the other components of the non-progressive wall system.




Known to the Applicant are the following American patents which describe different wall panel systems: U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,040,847; 3,352,078; 3,363,383; 3,675,382; 4,167,084; 4,399,644; 4,640,072; 4,757,657; 4,825,610; 5,056,577; 5,159,793; 5,207,037; 5,379,560; 5,381,845; 5,491,943; 5,644,878; 5,735,089; 5,875,596; 6,112,485; and 6,122,871.




None of the above-mentioned patents seem to disclose or even suggest a movable non-progressive mountable and demountable wall panel system which would overcome several of the above-mentioned problems associated with the prior art.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




An object of the present invention is to provide a wall panel system which would satisfy some of the above-mentioned needs, and would thus be an improvement over the wall panel systems known in the art.




In accordance with the present invention, the above object is achieved by a moveable and demountable wall panel system comprising a plurality of panels used for defining an office space, each panel having a vertical axis and a horizontal axis, each panel comprising:




opposite top and bottom distance channels, the distance channels extending along directions substantially parallel to the horizontal axis of the panel;




opposite left and right vertical posts, the vertical posts extending along directions substantially parallel to the vertical axis of the panel, the distance channels and vertical posts being affixed to one another by means of connecting studs for forming a rectangular support frame of the panel;




a panel covering removably mountable onto receiving means of the rectangular support frame;




a ceiling rail operatively connected to a top portion of the rectangular support frame, the ceiling rail being used for operatively securing the rectangular support frame of the panel to a ceiling surface; and




an articulating floor channel operatively connected to a bottom portion of the rectangular support frame by means of left and right glide assemblies mounted into receiving channels of the left and right vertical posts respectively, the articulating floor channel being used for operatively securing the rectangular support frame of the panel to a ground surface, the glide assemblies being further used for displacing the rectangular support frame with respect to the floor channel along a direction substantially parallel to the vertical axis of the panel;




wherein each vertical post comprises at least one receiving lip extending along a direction substantially parallel to the vertical axis of the panel, each receiving lip being removably connectable to another receiving lip of a vertical post of a neighboring panel by means of a connector for selectively and removably connecting together a plurality of panels in order to define said office space.




Preferably, the receiving means comprise receiving grooves disposed along the vertical posts in a direction substantially parallel to the vertical axis of the panel and the panel covering comprises an outer panel shell and vertical stiffeners, the vertical stiffeners being securely affixed to lateral sides of the outer panel shell of the panel covering and being removably connectable onto the receiving grooves of the vertical posts for removably connecting the panel covering onto the rectangular support frame of the panel.




Preferably, the receiving means comprise a receiving groove disposed along the top distance channel in a direction substantially parallel to the horizontal axis of the panel and the panel covering comprises an outer panel shell and a top stiffener, the top stiffener being securely affixed to a lateral side of the outer panel shell of the panel covering and being removably hookable onto the receiving groove of the top distance channel for removably hooking the panel covering onto the rectangular support frame of the panel.




Preferably, the vertical stiffeners each comprise a bracket and a flexible clip securely affixed onto one another, the brackets being further securely affixed to the lateral sides of the outer panel shell of the panel covering and the flexible clips being removably connectable into the receiving grooves of the vertical posts.




Preferably, the panel covering comprises an outer panel shell and intermediate stiffeners, the intermediate stiffeners being securely affixed transversely onto the outer panel shell of the panel covering in a direction substantially parallel to the horizontal axis of the panel.




Preferably, the connectors may comprise fins, may comprise flexible skirts, and may be provided with covering caps.




Preferably, floor channel is securely affixed to the ground surface by means of fasteners, and the ceiling rail is securely affixed to the ceiling surface by means of fasteners.




Preferably, each glide assembly comprises a substantially L-shaped glide and a glide bolt. The substantially L-shaped glide preferably has an abutment flange and an insert, the insert being removably insertable into a receiving channel of a corresponding vertical post. Preferably also, the glide bolt is threadedly mounted into the abutment flange of the glide and has a pivot head articulately mounted to the floor channel by means of a rivet.




Preferably also, the pivot head of the glide bolt is positioned inside a longitudinal groove of the floor channel, and the rivet of the pivot head is constrained to slide along a transversal slot of the longitudinal groove of the floor channel. The insert of the glide preferably comprises two tongues removably mountable into respective receiving channels of a corresponding vertical post.




The invention and its advantages would be better understood upon reading the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, made with reference to the accompanying drawings.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is an exploded perspective view of a solid wall panel according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 2

is an exploded perspective view of a glass wall panel according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 3

is an exploded perspective view of some of the components of the wall panel shown in

FIG. 1

, said wall panel being shown in an exploded view with a base cover according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 4

is another exploded perspective view of what is shown in FIG.


4


.





FIG. 5

is a perspective view of an intermediate stiffener of the wall panel shown in FIG.


1


.





FIG. 6

is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate stiffener shown in FIG.


5


.





FIG. 7

is a partial sectional exploded view of some of the components of the wall panel shown in FIG.


1


.





FIG. 8

is a cross-sectional view of the bottom distance channel and the bottom stiffener of the wall panel shown in FIG.


1


.





FIG. 9

is a cross-sectional view of the bottom stiffener shown in FIG.


8


.





FIG. 10

is a partial sectional perspective view of some of the components of the wall panel shown in FIG.


1


.





FIG. 11

is another perspective view of what is shown in FIG.


10


.





FIG. 12

is yet another perspective view of what is shown in FIG.


10


.





FIG. 13

is an exploded perspective view of a stackable flyover cooperating with two vertical posts according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 14

is a partial enlarged view of what is shown in FIG.


13


.





FIG. 15

is a cross-sectional view of a connecting stud according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 16

is a side elevational view of the connecting stud shown in FIG.


15


.





FIG. 17

is a cross-sectional view of what is shown in FIG.


14


.





FIG. 18

is a cross-sectional view of what is shown in

FIG. 17

according to another preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 19

is a cross-sectional view of the stackable flyover shown in FIG.


17


.





FIG. 20

is a perspective view of a punched solid panel vertical post according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 21

is a perspective view of a ceiling rail cooperating with a notched vertical post according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 22

is a top plan view of the ceiling rail shown in FIG.


21


.





FIG. 23

is a sectional view of a glide assembly of the wall panel shown in

FIG. 1

, said glide assembly being shown cooperating with a floor channel according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 24

is a perspective view of the glide of the glide assembly shown in FIG.


23


.





FIG. 25

is a partial sectional view of two panel coverings


15


mounted onto a vertical post by means of a vertical stiffener according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 26

is a cross-sectional view of one of the vertical stiffeners shown in FIG.


25


.





FIG. 27

is a wall panel assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 28

is a wall panel assembly according to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 29

is a cross-sectional view of the connector shown in FIG.


28


.





FIG. 30

is a cross-sectional view of a connector according to another preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 31

is a wall panel assembly according to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 32

is a cross-sectional view of the building module connector shown in FIG.


31


.





FIG. 33

is a cross-sectional view of a wall panel assembly according to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 34

is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion shown in FIG.


33


.





FIG. 35

is a cross-sectional view of the furniture module connector shown in FIG.


34


.





FIG. 36

is a partial cross-sectional view of a wall panel assembly according to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 37

is a cross-sectional view of the double glazing gasket shown in the wall panel assembly of FIG.


36


.





FIG. 38

is a partial cross-sectional view of a wall panel assembly according to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 39

is a cross-sectional view of the center cap shown in the wall panel of FIG.


38


.





FIG. 40

is a partial cross-sectional view of a wall panel assembly according to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 41

is a cross-sectional view of a furniture module according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 42

is a cross-sectional view of a furniture module according to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 43

is a cross-sectional view of a furniture module according to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 44

is a cross-sectional view of a furniture module according to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 45

is a cross-sectional view of a furniture module according to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 46

is a cross-sectional view of a glass vertical post according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 47

is a cross-sectional view of a vertical post according to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, said vertical post being shown with a weatherstrip holder mounted into the interseptum thereof.





FIG. 48

is a cross-sectional view of a solid vertical post according to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 49

is a cross-sectional view of a building module according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 50

is a cross-sectional view of a corner post according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 51

is a cross-sectional view of a distance channel according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said distance channel being shown provided with a connecting stud.





FIG. 52

is a partial cross-sectional view of a wall panel assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 53

is a cross-sectional view of a distance channel according to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 54

is a cross-sectional view of a distance channel according to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 55

is a cross-sectional view of a distance channel according to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 56

is a cross-sectional view of a distance channel according to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 57

is a cross-sectional view of a transition channel according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 58

is a cross-sectional view of a wall post according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 59

is a cross-sectional view of a wall panel assembly according to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 60

is an exploded view of a door panel assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 61

is a partial sectional perspective view of the door assembly shown in FIG.


60


.





FIG. 62

is a cross-sectional view of the wall assembly shown in FIG.


61


.





FIG. 63

is a cross-sectional view of the door bumper shown in FIG.


62


.





FIG. 64

is a cross-sectional view of the door strike shown in FIG.


62


.





FIG. 65

is a perspective view of the door pivot shown in FIG.


60


.





FIG. 66

is a perspective view of the top pivot bushing shown in FIG.


60


.





FIG. 67

is a cross-sectional view of a vertical post according to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, said vertical post being shown with an opening filler strip mounted into the interseptum of the vertical post.





FIG. 68

is a perspective view of an assembled wall panel system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said assembled wall panel system being shown with glass panels and a door assembly such as the one of FIG.


60


.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION




In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar elements. The embodiments shown in the figures are preferred only.




Moreover, although the present invention as exemplified hereinafter was primarily designed for wall systems, it could be used with other objects and for other purposes, such as with furniture applications, for example, as apparent to a person skilled in the art. For this reason, expressions such as “wall” and any other references and/or other expressions equivalent thereto should not be taken as to limit the scope of the present invention and include all other objects and all other applications with which the present invention could be used and may be useful.




Similarly, expressions such as “wall” and “panel”, as well as any mutually equivalent expressions and/or compound words thereof, may be used interchangeably in the context of the present description. The same applies for any other mutually equivalent expressions, such as “covering” and “shell” and “screw” and “bolt” for example, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art.




In addition, although the preferred embodiment of the wall panel system


1


as disclosed hereinafter comprises various components such as intermediate stiffeners


47


, gaskets, connecting studs


21


, transition channels


9


,


11


, glide assemblies


25


, solid panels


3


, glass panels


3


, stackable flyovers


81


, etc., which are useful and present several substantial advantages, not all of these components are essential to the invention and thus should not be taken in their restrictive sense, i.e. should not be taken as to limit the scope of the present invention. It is to be understood, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art, that other suitable components and cooperations thereinbetween may be used for the wall panel system


1


according to the present invention, as will be explained hereinafter, without departing from the scope of the invention.




Broadly described, the wall panel system


1


according to the preferred embodiment of the invention as it is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, is a wall panel system


1


comprising a plurality of panels


3


used for defining an office space. Each panel


3


has a vertical axis


5


and a horizontal axis


7


. Each panel


3


has opposite top and bottom distance channels


9


,


11


, opposite left and right vertical posts


13


, a panel covering


15


, a ceiling rail


17


, and an articulating floor channel


19


. The top and bottom distance channels


9


,


11


extend along a direction substantially parallel to the horizontal axis


7


of the panel


3


. The left and right vertical posts


13


extend along a direction substantially parallel to the vertical axis


5


of the panel


3


. The distance channels


9


,


11


and vertical posts


13


are affixed to one another by means of connecting studs


21


so as to form a rectangular support frame


23


of the panel


3


. The panel covering


15


is removably mountable onto receiving means of the rectangular support frame


23


. The ceiling rail


17


is operatively connected to a top portion of the rectangular support frame


23


and is used for operatively securing the rectangular support frame


23


of the panel


3


to a ceiling surface. The articulating floor channel


19


is operatively connected to a bottom portion of the rectangular support frame


23


by means of left and right glide assemblies


25


mounted into receiving channels


27


of the left and right vertical posts


13


respectively. The articulating floor channel


19


is used for operatively securing the rectangular support frame


23


of the panel


3


to a ground surface. The glide assemblies


25


are also used for displacing the rectangular support frame


23


with respect to the floor channel


19


along a direction substantially parallel to the vertical axis


5


of the panel


3


. Each vertical post


13


has at least one receiving lip


29


extending along a direction substantially parallel to the vertical axis


5


of the panel


3


. Each receiving lip


29


is removable connectable to another receiving lip


29


of a vertical post


13


of a neighboring panel


3


by means of a connector


31


for selectively and removably connecting together a plurality of panels


3


in order to define the office space. By virtue of its design and its components, the present wall panel system


1


is a moveable non-progressive mountable and demountable wall panel system


1


.




Preferably, the receiving means comprise receiving grooves


33


disposed along the vertical posts


13


in a direction substantially parallel to the vertical axis


5


of the panel


3


and the panel covering


15


comprises an outer panel shell


35


and vertical stiffeners


37


, the vertical stiffeners


37


being securely affixed to lateral sides of the outer panel shell


35


of the panel covering


15


and being removably connectable onto the receiving grooves


33


of the vertical posts


13


for removably connecting the panel covering


15


onto the rectangular support frame


23


of the panel


3


, as better shown in

FIGS. 1

,


3


,


4


,


7


and


12


.




Preferably, the receiving means comprise a receiving groove


39


disposed along the top distance channel


9


in a direction substantially parallel to the horizontal axis


7


of the panel


3


and the panel covering


15


comprises an outer panel shell


35


and a top stiffener


41


, the top stiffener


41


being securely affixed to a lateral side of the outer panel shell


35


of the panel covering


15


and being removably hookable onto the receiving groove


39


of the top distance channel


9


for removably hooking the panel covering


15


onto the rectangular support frame


23


of the panel


3


, as better shown in

FIGS. 1

,


3


,


4


, and


7


.




Preferably, the vertical stiffeners


37


each comprise a bracket


43


and a flexible clip


45


securely affixed onto one another, the brackets


43


being further securely affixed to the lateral sides of the outer panel shell


35


of the panel covering


15


and the flexible clips


45


being removably connectable into the receiving grooves


33


of the vertical posts


13


, as better shown in

FIGS. 25-27

.




Preferably, the panel covering


15


comprises an outer panel shell


35


and intermediate stiffeners


47


, the intermediate stiffeners


47


being securely affixed transversely onto the outer panel shell


35


of the panel covering


15


in a direction substantially parallel to the horizontal axis


7


of the panel


3


, as better shown in

FIGS. 1

,


3


and


4


.




Preferably, the connectors


31


may comprise fins


49


, may comprise flexible skirts


50


, and may be provided with covering caps


51


, as better shown in FIGS.


7


and


27


-


35


. The connectors


31


are preferably shaped and sized to provide proper sound proofing, light proofing and vibration proofing to the wall panel system


1


.




Preferably, the floor channel


19


is securely affixed to the ground surface by means of fasteners, and the ceiling rail


17


is securely affixed to the ceiling surface by means of fasteners, as better shown in

FIGS. 21 and 22

.




Preferably, each glide assembly


25


comprises a substantially L-shaped glide


53


and a glide bolt


55


. The substantially L-shaped glide


53


preferably has an abutment flange


57


and an insert


59


, the insert


59


being removably insertable into a receiving channel


27


of a corresponding vertical post


13


. Preferably also, the glide bolt


55


is threadedly mounted into the abutment flange


57


of the glide


53


and has a pivot head


61


articulately mounted to the floor channel


19


by means of a rivet


63


, as better shown in

FIGS. 10-12

and


23


.




Preferably also, the pivot head


61


of the glide bolt


55


is positioned inside a longitudinal groove


65


of the floor channel


19


, and the rivet


63


of the pivot head


61


is constrained to slide along a transversal slot


67


of the longitudinal groove


65


of the floor channel


19


, as better shown in FIG.


12


. The insert


59


of the glide


53


preferably comprises two tongues


69


removably mountable into respective receiving channels


27


of a corresponding vertical post


13


, as better shown in

FIGS. 11

,


12


and


24


.




Preferably, the wall panel system


1


further comprises a base cover


71


and the base cover


71


preferably comprises a base cover insert


73


for removably mounting the base cover


71


onto the floor channel


19


of the panel


3


, as better shown in

FIGS. 3

,


10


-


12


, and


23


.




Preferably also, at least two connecting studs


21


are respectively and securely affixed at opposite ends of each of the top and bottom distance channels


9


,


11


, as better shown in

FIGS. 1

,


2


,


10


,


11


,


15


and


16


.




Preferably, each distance channel


9


,


11


and each vertical post


13


comprise at least one interseptum


79


, so that accessories of the panel system


1


can be removably mounted onto said intersepta


79


, as shown in several of the accompanying drawings.




Preferably, each panel


3


is stackable onto another panel


3


by means of stackable flyovers


81


inserted and fastened into the receiving channels


27


of the vertical posts


13


of the stacked panels


3


, as better shown in

FIGS. 13

,


14


,


17


and


18


. Preferably also, the stackable flyovers


81


comprise interference ribs


83


, as better shown in FIG.


19


.




Preferably, the vertical posts


13


may comprise punched marks


85


extending longitudinally along the vertical posts


13


, the punched marks


85


being used for hooking accessories onto the vertical posts


13


of the panel system


1


, as better shown in FIG.


20


.




Preferably also, the moveable and demountable wall panel system


1


according to the present invention may also comprise a door assembly


87


, as better shown in

FIGS. 60-67

.




Referring now to

FIG. 1

, there is shown an exploded perspective view of a solid wall panel


3


according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. As can be seen, the wall panel


3


preferably comprises two vertical members, known as “vertical posts”


13


, which are connected to two horizontal members, known as “distance channels”


9


,


11


. The left and right vertical posts


13


are connected to the top and bottom distance channels


9


,


11


to form a rectangular structural support frame


23


. The vertical posts


13


are preferably connected to the distance channels


9


,


11


by appropriate fasteners drilled into the sides of the vertical posts


13


and inserted into corresponding connecting studs


21


which are preferably securely affixed to the respective distance channels


9


,


11


, as better shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

. The solid wall panel


3


preferably comprises also an outer panel covering


15


which is removably mounted onto the rectangular support frame


23


formed by the vertical posts


13


and the distance channels


9


,


11


. The outer panel covering


15


preferably comprises an outer panel shell


35


, vertical stiffeners


37


securely mounted to the outer panel shell


35


for allowing the same to be removably fastened onto receiving grooves


33


of the vertical posts


13


of the panel


3


, and intermediate and top and bottom stiffeners


41


,


42


,


47


mounted transversely to the outer panel shell


35


. The intermediate stiffeners


47


are primarily used for providing the outer panel shell


35


with structural rigidity whereas the top stiffener


41


may be used for hooking and sustaining the outer panel shell


35


onto a corresponding receiving groove


39


of the top distance channel


9


. Although the bottom stiffener


42


is preferably not hooked onto a similar groove


39


of the bottom distance channel


11


, it nevertheless rests there against so as to ensure proper positioning of the outer panel covering


15


with respect to the bottom distance channel


11


, as better shown in FIG.


8


.




As also shown in

FIG. 1

, the wall panel


3


preferably also comprises a floor channel


19


which is destined to be securely affixed to the ground floor by means of suitable fasteners, such as carpet grippers for example. The wall panel


3


preferably also comprises left and right glide assemblies


25


for adjusting vertical positioning of the rectangular support frame


23


with respect to the articulating floor channel


19


. Preferably also, the wall panel


3


comprises connectors


31


for connecting two neighboring vertical posts


13


and thus adjoining two vertical wall panels


3


together. As better shown in

FIG. 21

, the top portion of the vertical post


13


is preferably notched to allow the guiding rail


17


to pass therethrough. As it can be easily understood, once an appropriate wall panel


3


is assembled, it may be installed into the ceiling rail


17


at an angle and then swiveled towards the vertical axis


5


in order to properly secure the articulating floor channel


19


to the ground floor and then adjust positioning of the rectangular support frame


23


with respect to the ceiling rail


17


by means of the glide assemblies


25


. Once the wall panel


3


is properly positioned in a vertical upright position, it is preferably provided with a base cover


71


so as to conceal the floor channel


19


, the bottom distance channel


11


and the glide assemblies


25


. The connectors


31


, panel coverings


15


, and base covers


71


are preferably shaped and sized so as to provide to the wall panel system


1


with a very sleek and clean look, as shown in the accompanying drawings.




Referring now to

FIG. 2

, there is shown an exploded perspective view of a glass wall panel


3


according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Similarly to the wall panel


3


shown in

FIG. 1

, the glass panel


3


shown in

FIG. 2

comprises left and right vertical posts


13


, top and bottom distance channels


9


,


11


, a floor channel


19


and glide assemblies


25


. Once again, the vertical posts


13


and the distance channels


9


,


11


are connected to one another so as to form a rectangular support frame


23


and the glide assemblies


25


cooperate with such rectangular support frame


23


so as to be able to displace it vertically in order to adjust the positioning of the wall panel


3


with respect to the ceiling. As shown in

FIG. 2

, a glass panel


3


is inserted into respective grooves of the vertical posts


13


and distance channels


9


,


11


, these grooves are commonly known as “interseptum”


79


, or “intersepta” (plural). Preferably, appropriate glazing gaskets are used between these grooves and the glass panels


3


so as to provide the wall panel


3


with appropriate sound proofing, light proofing and vibration proofing. The glass panel


3


also preferably comprises a floor channel


19


which is devised to be securely affixed to the ground floor and also preferably comprises a base cover


71


with functions similar to the ones described for FIG.


1


. Similarly to the above-mentioned, the vertical posts


13


are connected to the horizontal distance channels


9


,


11


by appropriate fasteners which are inserted into the side portions of the vertical posts


13


and into corresponding connecting studs


21


which are preferably securely affixed to the top and bottom distance channels


9


,


11


, as explained and illustrated hereinabove.




As better shown in

FIG. 3

, the intermediate stiffeners


47


are devised to be securely affixed onto the outer panel shell


35


in order to, among other things, provide the same with increased rigidity. Preferably also, the top stiffener


41


is to be securely affixed to a top lateral side of the outer panel shell


35


and is to be used for hooking the outer panel covering


15


onto a corresponding groove


39


provided to that effect on the top distance channel


11


of the panel


3


. As also shown, the horizontal bottom stiffener


42


is intended to be securely affixed to the bottom portion of the outer panel shell


35


and to cooperate with the bottom distance channel


11


in the preferred manner better illustrated in FIG.


9


. As better shown in

FIG. 3

, the outer panel covering


15


of a solid panel


3


preferably comprises an outer panel shell


35


, intermediate stiffeners


47


, top and bottom stiffeners


41


,


42


, and vertical stiffeners


37


. As mentioned hereinabove, the vertical stiffeners


37


are preferably securely affixed to the outer panel shell


35


along the left and right internal sides thereof and are intended primarily to removably fasten the outer panel covering


15


onto the corresponding receiving grooves


33


of the vertical posts


13


of the panel


3


, as better shown in FIG.


1


.




Referring now to

FIG. 7

, there is shown a partial sectional exploded view of some of the components of the wall panel


3


shown in FIG.


1


. More particularly, there is shown a cross-sectional configuration of the top distance channel


9


according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Indeed, the distance channel


9


comprises grooves


33


for removably receiving optional horizontal stiffeners (not shown) of the outer panel coverings


15


. The distance channel


9


also preferably comprises a corresponding groove


39


for receiving a top stiffener


41


of the outer panel covering


15


. Preferably also, the distance channel


9


also comprises a longitudinal interseptum


79


for receiving different modular components of the wall panel system


1


, such as a glass panel


3


, as in the case of FIG.


2


. It is worth mentioning here that other shaped and sized intersepta


79


may be used for mounting different accessories thereon, such as blinds for example. As also shown in

FIG. 7

, two vertical posts


13


are preferably adjoined to one another so as to connect two neighboring wall panels


3


by means of a connector


31


which may or may not be provided with a covering cap


51


. The covering cap


51


of the connector


31


is preferably selected to match the outer surface of the outer panel covering


15


(i.e. the outer panel shell


35


). It is worth mentioning that different finishes and textures may be used for the covering cap


51


of the connector


31


as well as for the outer panel shell


35


of the panel covering


15


, depending on the particulars of a user of the wall panel system


1


, as apparent to a person skilled in the art. For example, the covering cap


51


and the outer panel shell


35


may have a wood finish, a metallic finish, an upholstery finish, etc., and may be similar to one another or different from each other, depending on the particular wants and needs of a user of the wall panel system


1


. Advantageously, because all of the above-mentioned components of the wall panel system


1


are removably mountable and demountable onto the wall panel


3


, one may mix and match different configurations, as need may be.




Referring now to

FIG. 10

, there is shown a partial sectional perspective view of some of the components of the wall panel


3


shown in FIG.


1


. As illustrated in this figure, and as can be easily understood, the glide assemblies


25


enable to adjust vertically the rectangular structural support frame


23


formed by the vertical posts


13


and horizontal top and bottom distance channels


9


,


11


with respect to the floor channel


19


, and consequently with respect to the ceiling, or the ceiling rail


17


which is preferably affixed thereto according to the present invention. Caddy™ clips are preferably used for affixing the ceiling rail


17


to the ceiling surface, although other suitable fasteners may be used, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.




As better shown in

FIGS. 11 and 12

, the glide assemblies


25


preferably comprise a glide bolt


55


, a glide


53


, and a fastener. The glide


53


preferably comprises two tongues


69


which are insertable into corresponding grooves


33


of the vertical posts


13


and an abutment flange


57


which preferably extends perpendicularly with respect to the tongues


69


so as to form an abutment with the vertical post


13


, as better shown in FIG.


12


. The abutment flange


57


is preferably threadedly mounted onto the glide bolt


55


so as to enable a relative movement between the glide


53


and the glide bolt


55


by rotation of the glide bolt


55


. Preferably, as also shown in

FIGS. 11 and 12

, the glide bolt


55


preferably comprises a pivot head


61


which is operatively connected to the floor channel


19


by means of a suitable fastener, the latter guiding the sliding of the glide bolt


55


along a corresponding slot


67


of the floor channel


19


, as better shown in FIG.


12


. Preferably also, the fastener connecting the glide bolt


55


to the floor channel


19


is a rivet


63


, although other suitable means may be used, as apparent to a person skilled in the art. Preferably also and as better shown in

FIG. 23

, the glide bolt


55


has a square cross-sectional portion so as to facilitate rotation thereof by suitable means, such as a conventional wrench for example.




As can be easily understood, since the floor channel


19


is securely affixed to the floor, when the glide


53


is moved with respect to the glide bolt


55


vertically, then so will the vertical post


13


with respect to the floor because of the abutment of the flange


57


against the bottom portion of the vertical post


13


, as better shown in FIG.


12


.





FIG. 11

also shows how the connecting stud


21


is preferably securely affixed to the bottom distance channel


11


.




Referring now to

FIGS. 13-19

, and particularly to

FIG. 13

, there is shown a perspective view of a stackable flyover


81


cooperating with two vertical posts


13


of two wall panels


3


intended to be stacked onto one another. As can be easily understood, the stackable flyover


81


is used to connect adjoining vertical posts


13


, i.e. stacked them together, so as to enable to stack wall panels


3


onto one another. Among many other functions, the stackable flyover


81


is intended to impart to the vertical posts


13


with a sound structural integrity, as well as to provide both wall panels


3


stacked together with sound structural stability. The stackable flyover


81


is preferably devised to be snuggly inserted into the receiving channels


33


of the vertical posts


13


so as to enable quick and easy assembling of the same, by light taping for example. Preferably also, the stackable flyover


81


is made of a suitable material, so as to not allow jigger and so as to sustain the loads of the vertical posts


13


connected thereto, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.




According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, holes are drilled through the assembled vertical posts


13


and through the stackable flyovers


81


at predetermined ranges, as better shown in

FIG. 14

, and then suitable connecting fasteners are preferably passed therethrough, and into the connecting studs


21


, as can be inferred from in

FIGS. 1 and 2

, so as to hold the entire wall panel, formed of stacked panels


3


, together. Therefore, the vertical posts


13


are operatively connected to the connecting studs


21


of the horizontal distance channels


9


,


11


, whether simple or transition distance channels


9


,


11


, by means of the stackable flyovers


81


and appropriate connecting fasteners, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.




Preferably, the connecting stud


21


is a threaded metal receptacle that allows the connecting fasteners, such as screws for example, to be affixed to the distance channels


9


,


11


.




As can be easily understood, by inserting the connecting screws into the connecting studs


21


, one is able to align both stackable panels


3


and keep them in position with respect to one another.




As better shown in

FIGS. 13

,


14


and


17


, the vertical post


13


preferably comprises a receiving groove


33


for receiving the vertical stiffeners


37


of the panel coverings


15


. Preferably, these receiving grooves


33


are a half-round arc of about 270° sweep. The vertical post


13


also preferably comprises a longitudinal groove, known as an “interseptum”


79


and panel-to-panel receiving lips


29


, said panel-to-panel receiving lips


29


being used for receiving the panel-to-panel connectors


31


, as explained hereinabove. Preferably, the receiving lips


29


and the connectors


31


are preferably devised to be removably insertable and connectable onto one another.




In general, the vertical post


13


is one of the main vertical structural members of the wall panel support frame


23


and as a result thereof, may also be provided with punch marks


85


, as shown in

FIG. 20

, to receive slotted standards that could be used to hold shelf brackets or even hang other suitable accessories, such as overhead cabinets for example, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.




Preferably, as better shown in

FIG. 19

, the stackable flyover


81


comprises interference ribs


83


with are used to decrease to an appropriate extent surface contact between the stackable flyover


81


and the corresponding receiving channels


33


of the vertical posts


13


so as to ensure a proper cooperation between the latter two.




Referring now to

FIGS. 21 and 22

, one can see a preferred embodiment of the ceiling rail


17


according to the present invention. As better shown in

FIG. 21

, the ceiling rail


17


is preferably connected to the ceiling by means of suitable fasteners, such as caddy™ clips for example, and is preferably provided with a closed cell gasket to ensure once again, sound proofing, light proofing, and vibration proofing of the wall panel system


1


. The ceiling rail


17


has two projecting members which are preferably designed to be inserted into corresponding notched grooves of the vertical posts


13


, and into the inside of the top distance channel


9


. The ceiling rail


17


is preferably provided with oblong orifices provided at appropriate locations along the rail


17


so as to properly fasten the rail


17


to the ceiling surface, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.




Referring now to

FIG. 23

, there is shown a sectional view of the glide


53


, glide bolt


55


, articulating floor channel


19


, and base cover


71


of the wall panel


3


shown in FIG.


1


. As explained hereinabove, the glide


53


of the glide assembly


25


preferably comprises two tongues


69


which are to be inserted into corresponding receiving channels


33


of the vertical posts


13


and preferably also comprises an abutment flange


57


for sustaining the vertical post


13


into which the tongues


69


have been inserted. Preferably also, the glide bolt


55


is provided with an appropriate threading therealong so that the glide


53


may be threadedly engaged with the same so as to ensure proper relative displacement between the two. Preferably also, the glide bolt


55


comprises a pivot head


61


which is connected to a corresponding groove


65


of the floor channel


19


by means of a fastener, such as a rivet


63


for example. The pivot head and rivet assembly of the glide bolt


55


enable the same to rotate about the groove


65


of the floor channel


19


along a slot


67


provided to that effect, as better shown in FIG.


12


. Preferably also, the glide bolt


55


is provided with a square cross-sectional section so as to enable suitable rotating means, such as a ratchet or a wrench for example, to rotate the glide bolt


55


so as to displace the glide


53


with respect to the glide bolt


55


, as apparent to a person skilled in the art. By doing so, since the glide


53


is in an abutment relationship with the vertical post


13


, one may adjust vertical displacement of the wall panel


3


with respect to the ceiling and/or ground floor by appropriately turning the glide bolt


55


with respect to the glide


53


of the glide assembly


25


. Preferably, as also shown in

FIG. 3

, the wall panel


3


comprises a base cover


71


which comprises a covering, and a cover insert


77


which is preferably removably connectable to the covering, so as to define a slit enabling sliding of the base cover


71


onto a projecting member of the floor channel


19


. Preferably, suitable foam tapes are provided between the floor channel


19


and the ground in order to further provide the wall panel system


1


with light proofing, sound proofing, and vibration proofing.




Referring now to

FIG. 25

, there is shown a partial sectional view of two panel coverings


15


mounted onto a vertical post


13


by means of vertical stiffeners


37


. As shown in this figure, the outer panel coverings


15


are preferably mounted to the vertical post


13


by means of vertical stiffeners


37


, which are intended to be removably mountable into corresponding grooves


33


of the vertical posts


13


. As better shown in

FIG. 26

, the vertical stiffeners


37


preferably comprise a bracket


43


which is intended to be securely affixed to the outer panel shell


35


of the panel covering


15


and further comprise a flexible clip


45


which is removably insertable into the corresponding grooves


33


shown in FIG.


25


. The vertical clip


45


according to the preferred embodiment shown in

FIG. 26

is advantageous in that it offers a circular configuration and comprises two compressible wings which enable the panel coverings


15


to be mounted onto the vertical posts


13


with a certain slack and play.





FIG. 27

is a partial cross-sectional view of a wall assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 27

shows two vertical posts


13


which are connected to one another by means of connectors


31


. Furthermore, panel coverings


15


are mounted onto the vertical posts


13


by means of their vertical stiffeners


37


. Furthermore, according to this particular embodiment of the invention, the connectors


31


are preferably devised to ensure a flush surface with the outer panel shells


35


of the panel coverings


15


.




As better shown in

FIG. 29

, the flush connector


31


which is used to connect two neighboring vertical posts


13


, such as in the case of

FIGS. 27 and 28

, preferably comprises a connecting portion


89


, and a covering cap


51


. The connecting portion


89


is preferably made of a suitable material, such as PVC for example, and preferably comprises fins


49


which are intended to further increase gripping and mounting of the connector


31


onto the receiving lips


29


of the vertical posts


13


, and to further increase sound proofing, light proofing, and vibration proofing of the wall panel system


1


. The different components of the connecting portion


89


are preferably made integral to each other, that is are preferably made into one single piece from one single material. Preferably also, the covering cap


51


of the connector


31


is preferably connected to the connecting portion


89


by suitable means, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.





FIG. 30

illustrates a recessed connector


31


which may be used to adjoin neighboring vertical posts


13


, similarly to the connector


31


shown in

FIG. 29

, while enabling a recessed cavity between two neighboring vertical posts


13


. Indeed, it is worth mentioning here that different types of connectors


31


, such as the one shown in

FIGS. 29 and 30

, may be used to provided the outer part of the wall panel system


1


with different esthetic configurations.





FIG. 32

shows a preferred embodiment of a building module connector


31


allowing adjacent 90° corners to be connected in a non-progressive manner, such as in the case of FIG.


31


.





FIGS. 33

to


59


illustrate different embodiments of the components discussed hereinabove.




More particularly,

FIGS. 33 and 34

describe embodiments used for a furniture module connection in the case of a 90° corner. A furniture module connector


31


such as the one in

FIG. 35

, may be used. This type of connector


31


preferably comprises fins


49


for ensuring proper mounting of the connector


31


onto the receiving lips


29


of the different vertical posts


13


and also preferably comprises a flexible skirt


50


to ensure light proofing, sound proofing, and to some extent, vibration proofing, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.





FIG. 37

illustrates a double glazing gasket to be used in different possible wall assemblies, such as the one illustrated in

FIG. 36

, which corresponds to a double glaze vertical post assembly.





FIG. 38

shows another wall assembly comprising a center cap which is mounted onto the interseptum


79


of the vertical post


13


to provide a smooth finish between two glass panels


3


of a double glaze condition wall panel


3


.




A single glazing gasket such as the one shown in

FIG. 40

may be used for a glass panel


3


such as the one illustrated in FIG.


2


.





FIG. 41

illustrates a two-way square profile of a furniture module according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 42

illustrates a 180° post furniture module according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 43

illustrates a half-round two-way post corner furniture module according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 44 and 45

illustrate respectively three-way corner and four-way corner furniture modules.





FIGS. 46

to


59


illustrate different cross-sectional embodiments of the above-discussed various components of the wall panel system


1


according to the present invention. Indeed,

FIG. 46

illustrates a glass vertical post


13


.

FIG. 47

shows a vertical post


13


mounted with a weatherstrip holder


91


.

FIG. 48

illustrates a solid panel vertical post


13


.

FIG. 49

illustrates a corner profile building module.

FIG. 50

illustrates a 135° corner post


13


.

FIG. 51

illustrates a glass—glass transition distance channel


9


,


11


comprising a connecting stud


21


.

FIG. 52

illustrates a glass-solid transition distance channel


9


,


11


.

FIG. 53

illustrates a double glaze distance channel


9


,


11


.

FIG. 54

illustrates another double glaze distance channel


9


,


11


.

FIG. 55

illustrates a top-bottom distance channel


9


,


11


of a glass panel


3


.

FIG. 56

illustrates a top-bottom distance channel


9


,


11


of a solid panel


3


.

FIG. 57

illustrates a double glass transition channel


9


,


11


.

FIG. 58

illustrates an inner telescopic channel


9


,


11


of a wall post


13


.

FIG. 59

illustrates the wall post


13


of

FIG. 58

cooperating with different components of the panel system


1


.




Referring now to

FIG. 60

, there is shown an exploded view of a door assembly


87


according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Similarly to the wall panels


3


of the wall panel system


1


according to the present invention as explained hereinabove, the door assembly


87


comprises vertical posts


13


and a top distance channel


9


. The door assembly


87


preferably further comprises left and right center strikes


93


, suitable bumpers


95


, a top door pivot


97


, a bottom door pivot


99


, a bottom pivot plate


101


, and a bottom pivot base


103


. As better shown in

FIGS. 61 and 62

, the center strikes


93


are preferably mounted to the vertical posts


13


by means of projecting members which are removably insertable into the intersepta


79


of the vertical posts


13


, as better shown in FIG.


62


. The center strikes


93


preferably also each comprise an interseptum


79


onto which may be removably mounted a door bumper


95


, such as the one shown in

FIG. 63

, or other components explained herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.




Other suitable door strikes


93


and other embodiments of such, may be used, such as the one shown in FIG.


64


. The bottom pivot plate


101


is preferably inserted into a corresponding recessed cavity of the door


105


and is operatively connected by means of the bottom pivot


99


to the bottom pivot plate


101


which, similarly to the glide


53


, comprises corresponding tongues


69


which are removably insertable into the receiving channels


33


of the vertical posts


13


. As better shown in

FIG. 65

, the bottom pivot base


103


preferably comprises an abutment flange


57


having a hole into which a suitable fastener is inserted to connect the pivot base


103


onto the ground floor. The abutment flange


57


of the pivot base


103


is operatively connected to the door


105


by means of the bottom pivot


99


and other suitable connecting means, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.





FIG. 66

illustrates a preferred embodiment of the top pivot bushing


107


as used in the door assembly


87


of FIG.


60


.





FIG. 67

illustrates an opening filler strip


109


which may be used to close up the interseptum


79


of the vertical post


13


of the door assembly shown in FIG.


60


.





FIG. 68

is a perspective view of an assembled wall panel system


1


according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the assembled wall panel system


1


being shown with glass panels


3


and a door assembly


87


.




As may now be appreciated, the wall panel system


1


according to the present invention is an improvement over the prior art in that it provides variable sized, prefabricated panels


3


available in both furniture and building module, ceiling height (either flush or recessed base and ceiling conditions), clear story and/or free standing options. Furthermore, the present invention is an improvement over the prior art in that the wall thickness of a wall panel


3


is preferably 3½″ thus allowing for superior sound rating, as well as passthrough components, i.e. electrical wires, communication and network cables, air conditioning, fiber optic cables, and the like. The present invention is also advantageous in that the outer panel shells


35


are removable by means of specially designed connecting strips, i.e. connectors


31


. These connecting strips and the shells


35


are designed in such a way as to achieve on sight demountability. Moreover, they allow for field installation of electrical, communication and fiber optic wires. According to the present invention, the wall panel system


1


is also advantageous in that the adjustability at the ceiling is preferably ±1″. As explained hereinabove, the present invention is also advantageous in that the panels


3


are stackable onto one another. Indeed, the unique splice connector, i.e. flyover


81


, allows panels


3


to be stacked on top of each other, thereby allowing the stacked panels


3


to exceed a preferred 120″ in height. Furthermore, the panel wall system


1


according to the present invention is also advantageous in that the panel-to-panel connectors


31


gives both the ability to adjust for “panel creep” and, using the flush version, allows the system


1


to be used in “clean room” and fire-rated corridor environments. As explained hereinabove, the vertical and horizontal shapes of the wall panel system


1


are designed so that it can accommodate both single or double glazing, and a variety of blinds and privacy screens. Furthermore, the unique design of the lower glide assembly


25


allows for an adjustability of over a preferred 3″. Moreover, the panels


3


may be attached to drywalls by means of a telescopic wall connector


31


, as shown in the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the specially designed glazing posts


13


allow for electrical and communication wiring to be housed inside these posts


13


. Additionally, the outer panel shells


35


according to the present invention may be manufactured from a variety of materials, i.e. steel, wood, gypsum, plastic, fiberglass, etc., in a variety of finishes (fabric, vinyl, veneer, paint, laminates, for example). Furthermore, the wall panel system


1


according to the present invention is also advantageous in that it has the capacity to allow for pocket doors, pivot doors, and hinged doors. Furthermore, according to the present invention, there is a minimal number of “loose” components on the job site which allows for an easy and clean installation. Moreover, as explained hereinabove, the present invention is also advantageous in that it also allows for hanging componentry, i.e. worksurfaces, light accessories, and the like.




Of course, numerous modifications can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as described in the appended claims.



Claims
  • 1. A moveable and demountable wall panel system comprising a plurality of panels used for defining an office space, each panel having a vertical axis and a horizontal axis, each panel comprising:opposite top and bottom distance channels, the distance channels extending along directions substantially parallel to the horizontal axis of the panel; opposite left and right vertical posts, the vertical posts extending along directions substantially parallel to the vertical axis of the panel, the distance channels and vertical posts being affixed to one another by means of connecting studs for forming a rectangular support frame of the panel; a panel covering removably mountable onto receiving means of the rectangular support frame; a ceiling rail operatively connected to a top portion of the rectangular support frame, the ceiling rail being used for operatively securing the rectangular support frame of the panel to a ceiling surface; and an articulating floor channel operatively connected to a bottom portion of the rectangular support frame by means of left and right glide assemblies mounted into receiving channels of the left and right vertical posts respectively, the articulating floor channel being used for operatively securing the rectangular support frame of the panel to a ground surface, the glide assemblies being further used for displacing the rectangular support frame with respect to the floor channel along a direction substantially parallel to the vertical axis of the panel; each vertical post comprising at least one receiving lip extending along a direction substantially parallel to the vertical axis of the panel, each receiving lip being removably connectable to another receiving lip of a vertical post of a neighboring panel by means of a connector for selectively and removably connecting together plurality of panels in order to define said office space; the receiving means comprising receiving grooves disposed along the vertical posts in a direction substantially parallel to the vertical axis of the pane; and the panel covering comprising an outer panel shell and vertical stiffeners, the vertical stiffeners being securely affixed to lateral sides of the outer panel shell of the panel covering and being removably connectable onto the receiving grooves of the vertical posts for removably connecting the panel covering onto the rectangular support frame of the panel.
  • 2. A moveable and demountable wall panel system according to claim 1, wherein the receiving means comprise a receiving groove disposed along the top distance channel in a direction substantially parallel to the horizontal axis of the panel and wherein the panel covering comprises an outer panel shell and a top stiffener, the top stiffener being securely affixed to a lateral side of the outer panel shell of the panel covering and being removably hookable onto the receiving groove of the top distance channel for removably hooking the panel covering onto the rectangular support frame of the panel.
  • 3. A moveable and demountable wall panel system according to claim 2, wherein the vertical stiffeners each comprise a bracket and a flexible clip securely affixed onto one another, the brackets being further securely affixed to the lateral sides of the outer panel shell of the panel covering and the flexible clips being removably connectable into the receiving grooves of the vertical posts.
  • 4. A moveable and demountable wall panel system according to claim 1, wherein the panel covering comprises an outer panel shell and intermediate stiffeners, the intermediate stiffeners being securely affixed transversely onto the outer panel shell of the panel covering in a direction substantially parallel to the horizontal axis of the panel.
  • 5. A moveable and demountable wall panel system according to claim 1, wherein the connectors comprise fins.
  • 6. A moveable and demountable wall panel system according to claim 1, wherein the connectors are provided with covering caps.
  • 7. A moveable and demountable wall panel system according to claim 1, wherein the connectors comprise flexible skirts.
  • 8. A moveable and demountable wall panel system according to claim 1, wherein the floor channel is securely affixed to the ground surface by means of fasteners, and wherein the ceiling rail is securely affixed to the ceiling surface by means of fasteners.
  • 9. A moveable and demountable wall panel system according to claim 1, wherein each glide assembly comprises:a substantially L-shaped glide, said glide having an abutment flange and an insert, the insert being removably insertable into a receiving channel of a corresponding vertical post; and a glide bolt, said glide bolt being threadedly mounted into the abutment flange of the glide and having a pivot head articulately mounted to the floor channel by means of a rivet.
  • 10. A moveable and demountable wall panel system according to claim 9, wherein the pivot head of the glide bolt is positioned inside a longitudinal groove of the floor channel, and wherein the rivet of the pivot head is constrained to slide along a transversal slot of the longitudinal groove of the floor channel.
  • 11. A moveable and demountable wall panel system according to claim 9, wherein the insert of the glide comprises two tongues removably mountable into respective receiving channels of a corresponding vertical post.
  • 12. A moveable and demountable wall panel system according to claim 1, wherein the wall panel system further comprises a base cover.
  • 13. A moveable and demountable wall panel system according to claim 12, wherein the base cover comprises a base cover insert for mounting the base cover onto the floor channel of the panel.
  • 14. A moveable and demountable wall pane system according to claim 1, wherein at least two connecting studs are respectively and securely affixed at opposite ends of each of the top and bottom distance channels.
  • 15. A moveable and demountable wall panel system according to claim 1, wherein each distance channel and each vertical post comprise at least one interseptum, and wherein accessories of the panel system are removably mounted onto said intersepta.
  • 16. A moveable and demountable wall panel system according to claim 1, wherein each panel is stackable onto another panel by means of stackable flyovers inserted and fastened into the receiving channels of the vertical posts of said stacked panels.
  • 17. A moveable and demountable wall panel system according to claim 16, wherein the stackable flyovers comprise interference ribs.
  • 18. A moveable and demountable wall panel system according to claim 1, wherein the vertical posts comprise punched marks extending longitudinally along said vertical posts, said punched marks being used for hooking accessories onto said vertical posts of the panel system.
  • 19. A moveable and demountable wall panel system according to claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a door assembly.
Priority Claims (1)
Number Date Country Kind
2329591 Dec 2000 CA
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