Claims
- 1. A space-dividing wall panel system comprising:
- a plurality of generally rectangular upright wall panels serially-connected together so as to define a vertically enlarged wall extending upwardly from a floor, each said wall panel having a panel frame disposed in load-bearing relation with the floor;
- said panel frame comprising a pair of laterally spaced vertical uprights defining opposite ends of said wall panel and horizontal first and second cross members extending laterally between said uprights, said first and second cross members being disposed in vertically spaced relation and having opposite ends rigidly connected to said uprights, each said upright having a width defined between opposite outward facing side surfaces thereof, each of said first and second cross members being horizontally enlarged so as to each have a width defined by laterally extending side surfaces that is greater than said width of said uprights, said first cross member including at least one elongate first channel extending between said opposite ends thereof, said first channel being disposed outwardly of said side surfaces of said uprights in a non-interfering relation therewith and having opposite first and second open ends which open laterally from said opposite ends of said base panel, said first channel being substantially aligned with a serially-adjacent one of said first channels of a serially-adjacent wall panel;
- each serially-adjacent pair of said first channels having said first open end of one said first channel aligned in communication with said second open end of the other said first channel to define a continuous uninterrupted first track extending laterally between said serially-connected wall panels, said first track being accessible from an exterior of said base panels; and
- at least one connector assembly having mounting means for mounting a workstation component thereto and connector means for connecting said connector assembly to said first track of said base panel, said connector means having a hook-like member slidably engaged with said first channel, said connector means being slidable between serially-adjacent base panels along said first track.
- 2. The wall panel system according to claim 1, wherein said second cross member includes at least one elongate second channel extending between said opposite ends thereof, said second channel being disposed outwardly of said uprights in a non-interfering relation therewith and having first and second open ends which open laterally, one of said first and second open ends being substantially aligned respectively with a serially-adjacent one said second channel of a serially-adjacent wall panel, said serially-adjacent second channels defining a continuous uninterrupted second track which is accessible from an exterior of said base panel and which is spaced vertically from said first track.
- 3. The wall panel system according to claim 2, wherein each of said first and second cross members respectively include a pair of said first and second channels, said channels of each said pair being disposed outwardly from and on opposite sides of each said upright such that said first and second tracks are accessible from respective opposite sides of said wall panel.
- 4. The wall panel system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second cross members is a box-like cross beam which extends laterally between said uprights and has opposite ends thereof rigidly connected to the uprights, said cross beam having a vertically enlarged height defined by upper and lower walls thereof which is a substantial portion of a vertical height of said uprights, and said width defined by said side surfaces on opposite sides thereof which are vertically enlarged and extend vertically between said upper and lower walls, said side surfaces of said box-beam being spaced outwardly from said respective side surfaces of said uprights.
- 5. The wall panel system according to claim 4, wherein said first channel is disposed on said cross beam.
- 6. The wall panel system according to claim 4, wherein said cross beam has an interior defined by said upper and lower walls and said opposite side faces, said interior including an interior core therein which provides structural strength to said cross beam.
- 7. The wall panel system according to claim 1, which includes a third cross member which extends substantially horizontally between said uprights, said first, second and third cross members being vertically spaced one from the other, said third cross member being horizontally enlarged so as to have said width which is greater than said width of said uprights, said second and third cross members respectively including second and third elongate channels extending laterally between said opposite ends thereof, said second and third channels being disposed outwardly of said uprights in a non-interfering relation therewith to define continuous uninterrupted second and third tracks spaced vertically from said first track, said connector assembly being engageable with at least one of said first, second and third tracks.
- 8. The wall panel system according to claim 7, wherein said second cross member is disposed vertically between said first and third cross members, upper and lower horizontal raceways being defined in open interiors disposed above and below said second cross member, said second cross member including a vertical passage extending therethrough in communication between said upper and lower raceways for communicating said upper raceway with said lower raceway.
- 9. The wall panel system according to claim 8, which includes at least one cover panel to which covers one of said upper and lower raceways on one side thereof, said cover panel being connected to said frame by mounting means for mounting said cover panel in an outwardly spaced relation from said side surfaces of said uprights to define a respective horizontal passage between each said outward facing side surface and an opposing inward facing surface of said cover panel, said covered raceway opening laterally from opposite ends of said wall panel through said respective horizontal passages defined by said uprights on said cover panel.
- 10. The wall panel system according to claim 9, wherein said cover panel is defined by horizontal upper and lower edges, at least one of said upper and lower horizontal edges of said cover panel being spaced vertically from an adjacent one of said first, second or third cross members to define a horizontally elongate gap therebetween which is in communication with one of said upper and lower raceways.
- 11. The wall panel system according to claim 1, wherein said first track opens upwardly along a longitudinal length thereof, said hook-like member of said connector assembly including a downwardly depending leg which seats within said first track and is slidable therealong.
- 12. The wall panel system according to claim 11, wherein said first track has longitudinally spaced apertures along a bottom surface thereof which apertures open upwardly, said downwardly depending leg of said connector assembly comprising at least one projection which seats within a corresponding one of said apertures so as to prevent sliding of said connector assembly along said first track when engaged therewith.
- 13. The wall panel system according to claim 12, wherein said apertures also open sidewardly from a back wall of said first track which faces sidewardly, said hook-like member including a sidewardly extending leg which projects sidewardly from said downwardly depending leg, said sidewardly projecting leg including at least one projection which seats within a corresponding one of said apertures through said back wall.
- 14. A space-dividing upright wall panel disposed in a load-bearing relation with a floor, comprising:
- a pair of laterally spaced apart vertical uprights defining opposite ends of said wall panel, each said upright having outward facing side surfaces on opposite sides thereof which define a width of said uprights;
- at least one box-like cross beam which extends laterally between said uprights and has opposite ends thereof rigidly connected to said uprights, said cross beam having a vertically enlarged height defined by upper and lower beam walls thereof which is a substantial portion of a vertical height of said uprights, and a width defined by vertically enlarged side faces on opposite sides thereof which face outwardly and extend vertically between said upper and lower walls, said side faces being spaced outwardly from said respective side surfaces of said uprights such that said width of said cross beam is greater than said width of said uprights;
- at least a first cross member connected between said uprights a vertically spaced distance from said cross beam, a horizontal first raceway being defined by an open interior of said wall panel which is formed vertically between said first cross member and said cross beam and extends laterally between said uprights, a frame of said wall panel being defined by said uprights, cross beam and first cross member; and
- at least one cover panel which covers said horizontal raceway on one side thereof, said cover panel being connected to said frame by mounting means for mounting said cover panel in an outwardly spaced relation from said side surfaces of said uprights to define passages, each said passage being defined respectively between said upright side surface and an opposing inward facing surface of said cover panel, said passages opening laterally from said opposite end of said wall panel such that said first raceway opens laterally from said opposite ends of said wall panel through said respective passages.
- 15. The wall panel according to claim 14, wherein at least one of said upper and lower beam walls of said cross beam extends outwardly of said side surfaces on opposite sides of said uprights, said one beam wall including at least one elongate first channel extending between said opposite ends thereof, said first channel being spaced outwardly from said side surfaces of said uprights and having opposite first and second open ends which open laterally from the opposite ends of said wall panel.
- 16. The wall panel according to claim 15, wherein the other of said upper and lower beam walls of said cross beam extends outwardly of said side surfaces on opposite sides of said uprights, said other beam wall also including at least one said first channel disposed outwardly of said uprights.
- 17. The wall panel according to claim 15, wherein at least two said wall panels are serially-connected together, each serially-adjacent pair of said first channels of a serially-adjacent pair of said wall panels having said first open end of one said first channel aligned in communication with said second open end of the other said first channel to define a laterally elongate first track, said first track being accessible from an exterior of said wall panels.
- 18. The wall panel according to claim 17, which includes at least one connector assembly slidably connected to said first track, said first track opening upwardly and said connector assembly including a vertically depending leg which seats within said track and is continuously slidable therealong, said connector assembly including a furniture component connected thereto.
- 19. The wall panel system according to claim 18, wherein said cover panel includes upper and lower edges with are substantially horizontal, at least one of said upper and lower edges of said cover panel being spaced vertically from an adjacent one of said cross beam and said cross member to define a horizontally elongate gap therebetween, said gap being in communication with said first raceway for providing entry and exit of cabling to said wall panel.
- 20. The wall panel according to claim 14, which includes an additional extension panel which is vertically stackable on an upper end of said wall panel, said extension panel including mounting means for mounting said extension panel in a vertically extending position on said wall panel, said extension panel having a substantially rectangular frame which includes a laterally spaced pair of vertical uprights and at least one second cross member extending therebetween, said second cross member including a laterally elongate second channel disposed outwardly of side surfaces of said vertical uprights in a non-interfering relation therewith.
- 21. The wall panel according to claim 20, wherein said second channel includes opposite first and second open ends which open laterally from the opposite ends of said extension panel, one said wall panel being disposed serially-adjacent to another said wall panel to define a serially-adjacent pair of said wall panels, each of said wall panels having at least one said extension panel connected thereto, each serially-adjacent pair of said second channels of a serially-adjacent pair of said extension panels having a first open end of one a second channel aligned in communication with said second open end of the other said second channel to define a laterally elongate second track, said second track being accessible from an exterior of said extension panel, at least one connector unit being slidably engaged with said track so as to be continuously slidable therealong between serially-adjacent extension panels.
- 22. The wall panel according to claim 14, wherein said cross beam has a hollow interior defined by said upper and lower beam walls and said side faces.
- 23. The wall panel according to claim 22, wherein said upper and lower beam walls and said side faces are independent components rigidly joined together in a box-like configuration.
- 24. The wall panel according to claim 22, wherein a substantially solid core is disposed within said hollow interior.
- 25. The wall panel according to claim 14, wherein said first cross member is disposed at lowermost ends of said uprights, said first cross member being tubular and defining a horizontal second raceway therethrough, said first cross member including a vertical passage in communication with said second raceway and said first raceway of said base panel which is disposed between said first cross member and said cross beam.
- 26. The wall panel according to claim 17, wherein said first cross member includes at least one elongate second channel extending between said opposite ends thereof, said second channel disposed outwardly of said uprights in a non-interfering relation therewith and having one of opposite open ends substantially aligned with a serially-adjacent one of said second channels of a serially-adjacent base panel assembly, said serially-adjacent second channels defining a continuous uninterrupted second track which is accessible from an exterior of said base panel and which is spaced vertically from said first track.
- 27. The wall panel according to claim 26, wherein said first and second channels open upwardly, said lower wall of said cross beam extending outwardly of said side surfaces on opposite sides of said uprights and including at least one third channel extending between said opposite ends thereof, said third channel being disposed outwardly of said side surfaces of said uprights in a non-interfering relation therewith and being substantially aligned with a serially-adjacent one said third channel of a serially-adjacent wall panel assembly, each serially-adjacent pair of said third channels being aligned in communication to define a continuous uninterrupted third track extending laterally between said serially-connected wall panel assemblies, said cross member being removably connected to said uprights so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis between first and second positions and reattached thereto, said second channel opening upwardly in said first position when said wall panel is positioned with said first channel opening upwardly, and said second channel opening upwardly in said second position when said wall panel is positioned with said third channel opening upwardly.
- 28. A wall panel assembly for carrying cabling and supporting loads of a workstation comprising:
- a generally upright rectangular panel frame which is disposed in a load-bearing relation with a floor and has connector means at opposite ends of said frame to connect additional serially-adjacent wall panels thereto, and a plurality of vertically enlarged cover panels which extend laterally between said opposite ends and are removably positioned on opposite sides of said frame;
- said frame comprising elongate vertical elements which are laterally spaced one from the other proximate the opposite ends of the frame, and a plurality of horizontally elongate horizontal elements extending laterally between said vertical elements, said horizontal elements being vertically spaced one from the other so as to define at least one open interior defined vertically between a vertically adjacent pair of said horizontal elements and laterally between said vertical elements disposed proximate said opposite ends;
- at least one of said horizontal elements including channel means for defining at least one horizontally elongate first channel extending laterally between said opposite ends of said frame and disposed in non-interfering relation with said vertical elements, said channel being generally enclosed on a front side by a channel wall and opening upwardly from a top surface of said horizontal element, said first channel having opposite open ends which open laterally from said respective opposite ends of said frame, each said channel being in communication with a laterally adjacent channel of a laterally adjacent frame; and
- said cover panels including mounting means for mounting said cover panels to said frame in outwardly spaced relation from said vertical elements so that an end passage is defined respectively between each outward facing side surface of said vertical element and an opposing inward facing surface of said cover panel, each said end passage opening laterally from said opposite ends of said wall panel and being in communication with said hollow interior.
- 29. The wall panel according to claim 28, wherein cabling is provided, and said hollow interior has said cabling disposed therein and said cover panel has a laterally extending edge which is vertically spaced from one said horizontal element disposed adjacent thereto to define a side passage between an exterior of said wall panel and said hollow interior, said cabling extending through at least one of said end passages and said side passage.
- 30. The wall panel according to claim 28, wherein at least a portion of said vertical elements have a width defined by said opposite side surfaces which is less than a width defined by opposite outward facing surfaces of said horizontal elements to define said end passage.
- 31. The wall panel according to claim 28, wherein each said horizontal member includes said channel means for defining at least one said horizontally elongate channel therein.
- 32. The wall panel according to claim 31, wherein said channel means defines two of said first channels, said first channels being disposed outwardly of said vertical elements.
- 33. The wall panel according to claim 28, which includes an additional extension panel which is vertically stackable on an upper end of said wall panel, said extension panel including mounting means for mounting said extension panel in a vertically extending position on said base panel, said extension panel having a substantially rectangular frame which includes a laterally spaced pair of vertical uprights and at least one cross member extending therebetween, said cross member including one said second channel disposed outwardly of opposite side surfaces of said vertical uprights in a non-interfering relation therewith.
- 34. The wall panel according to claim 28, which includes at least one connector assembly for mounting a workstation component thereto and connector means for connecting said connector assembly to said first channel, said connector assembly including a vertical rail supported by said connector means and a U-shaped gap-filling channel slidably fitted to said rail and horizontally movable toward and away from said cover panels.
- 35. The wall panel according to claim 27, wherein cabling is provided, and said wall panel includes said cabling which is disposed in said hollow interior and extends through at least one of said passages.
- 36. In a space-dividing wall panel system for use in defining a vertically enlarged wall extending upwardly from a support surface, said wall panel system including a wall panel defined by vertically spaced upper and lower edges and laterally spaced opposite panel ends which extend vertically between said upper and lower edges, comprising the improvement wherein said wall panel includes a plurality of horizontally elongate channels which extend between said opposite panel ends and have opposite open ends which open laterally through said opposite panel ends, said channels each having a horizontally elongate open side which opens outwardly away from said wall panel and extends between said opposite open ends to permit access to said channel from an exterior of said wall panel along an entire length of said channel, each said channel being defined on an outer side thereof by an outer channel wall which extends horizontally along the length of said channel and defines a horizontal edge of said open side, said channels being vertically spaced apart wherein at least one of said channels is disposed vertically between said upper and lower edges of said wall panel, said channel wall of at least one of said channels being joined to a bottom wall of said channel so as to extend upwardly therefrom, the wall panel system further including a connector assembly supported on an exterior of said wall panels, said connector assembly including a downwardly-extending first connector part engaged with one of said channels such that said connector assembly is vertically supported solely by said upwardly-extending channel wall of said one of said channels, said first connector part being slidable laterally along said respective track defined by said one of said channels wherein said respective track permits continuous uninterrupted sliding of said connector assembly along the entire length of said track.
- 37. The wall panel system according to claim 36, wherein a said plurality of channels are defined on each opposite side of said wall panel.
- 38. The wall panel system according to claim 36, wherein first and second said channels are disposed proximate said upper and lower edges receptively and a third said channel is disposed vertically between said upper and lower edges.
- 39. The wall panel according to claim 36, wherein a plurality of said wall panels are serially-connected together in end-to-end relation to define a wall, each said channel of one of said wall panels being horizontally aligned with a corresponding one of said channels of another of said wall panels connected thereto to define a respective continuous track extending along a length of said serially-connected wall panels.
- 40. The wall panel system according to claim 39, wherein said connector assembly includes a second connector part connected to another of said channels, said first and second connector parts being slidable laterally along said respective tracks.
- 41. The wall panel system according to claim 39, wherein a vertically enlarged cover tile extends vertically between a pair of said channels, said open sides of said channels extending respectively along upper and lower edges of said cover tile, said connector assembly including a vertically elongate support member which is supported on said first connector part and is spaced outwardly from said cover tile to define a space therebetween, said cover tile being removable from said wall panel through said space.
- 42. A space-dividing wall panel comprising:
- a panel frame disposed in load-bearing engagement with a floor, said panel frame comprising a pair of laterally spaced vertically extending uprights and a cross member extending therebetween, each opposite end of said cross member including a vertically elongate channel which extends vertically through said cross member and has an open side that opens laterally from said opposite end, each said upright being fixedly secured in a respective one of said channels through said open side thereof and being supported in said respective one of said channels along a vertical length thereof, said cross member including opposite side surfaces which face outwardly away from said wall panel and are spaced outwardly of said channels, said uprights projecting vertically from said channels to define a hollow interior of said wall panel which is defined by said uprights and said cross members, said wall panel including cover panels which are mounted to said frame so as to substantially enclose said hollow interior, a horizontally elongate gap being provided between a horizontal edge of at least one of said cover panels and a horizontal edge of said cross member wherein said gap is in communication with said hollow interior.
- 43. The wall panel according to claim 42, wherein said cross member comprises a rectangular frame defined by vertically spaced apart horizontal rails and laterally spaced apart vertical rails which are joined to said horizontal rails, said vertical rails defining said opposite ends of said cross member and including said channels to support said uprights.
- 44. The wall panel according to claim 43, wherein rectangular panels are mounted to the opposite sides of said rectangular frame so as to define said opposite side surfaces of said cross member.
- 45. The wall panel according to claim 42, wherein said cross member defines at least a pair of horizontally elongate channels which extend horizontally between said uprights and are disposed outwardly of said uprights, said channels having opposite open ends which are disposed outwardly of said uprights and open laterally from the opposite ends of said wall panel.
- 46. The wall panel according to claim 42, wherein said hollow interior and said cross member have modular heights which are substantially equal.
- 47. The wall panel according to claim 46, wherein said uprights extend upwardly from said cross member such that said hollow interior defines an upper raceway, said uprights extending downwardly away from said cross member to define a lower raceway.
Parent Case Info
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This is a continuation-in-part of our copending application Ser. No. 08/692,344, filed Aug. 5, 1996 (Atty Ref: Haworth Case 205), and entitled PANEL ARRANGEMENT now abandoned.
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Foreign Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
2 075 014 |
Feb 1993 |
CAX |
680 980 A5 |
Dec 1992 |
CHX |
Non-Patent Literature Citations (4)
Entry |
Teknion Furniture Systems Inc. brochure entitled "3 reasons why Teknion could change your mind about office furniture systems.", 1982 (8 pages). |
Article "Innovative construction sets Office Specialty's Platform panel system apart" by Marilyn Zelinsky, 1995 (2 pages). |
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U.S. Application Ser. No. 08/660,504, Wall Panek System, filed Jun. 7, 1996. |
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
692344 |
Aug 1996 |
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