Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6688056
-
Patent Number
6,688,056
-
Date Filed
Friday, December 21, 200123 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, February 10, 200420 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Friedman; Carl D.
- McDermott; Kevin
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 052 2431
- 052 2381
- 052 468
- 052 469
- 052 511
- 052 1261
- 052 2207
- 052 290
- 052 4812
-
International Classifications
-
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 |
|
US Referenced Citations (51)
Foreign Referenced Citations (3)
Number |
Date |
Country |
2 002 674 |
Mar 1993 |
CA |
1 450 017 |
Nov 1966 |
FR |
1 526 637 |
May 1968 |
FR |