Panel-based modular wall system

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6311441
  • Patent Number
    6,311,441
  • Date Filed
    Monday, March 13, 2000
    24 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, November 6, 2001
    22 years ago
Abstract
Wall modules are formed with a steel upstanding support module having integrally formed vertical spaced apart support components with forwardly facing panel support surfaces. Utility channels are fabricated into the upper and lower regions of the support module and a horizontal panel lower support with an upwardly facing platform is provided about the lower portion of the module. A baseboard which is removable provides access to a lower utility channel. Thin, typically flexible panels having strip magnets adhesively bonded to the rearward surface about their periphery, are positioned such that the lower edge of the panel is abuttibly compressibly engaged with the platform and the panels are held in verticality by the magnetic interaction of the strip magnets with the flat module panel support surfaces. The decorative panel magnetic mounting approach may be expanded to preexisting facility walls utilizing a wall-borne lattice system.
Description




CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS




STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH




Not applicable.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




Within existing architectural structures, landlords and businesses increasingly desire to make functional and aesthetic changes to interior spaces without significantly altering the building in a permanent way. These changes are made to transform the appearance of existing walls or displays, to accommodate new technology, or to provide for more efficient use of space. In order to effectuate these changes, existing walls must be modified or an independent wall system inserted.




For example, in the banking industry, small branch banks are being installed in remote locations, such as grocery stores, malls and superstores. While the space required to accommodate a branch bank may be small, for example, simply the space required for an ATM, installation is complicated, time-consuming and expensive. Because alterations are being made to an existing wall structure, a contractor or specialist must be hired. Existing wiring and plumbing must be located in order to avoid damage to these areas or to interface with the new equipment. Preparation of the space, including destruction of a portion of an existing wall, is noisy and disruptive and creates dirt and debris that may be a hazard to customers. As such, during the installation process either the entire store must be closed or a sufficient area around the work site roped off until completion. Given its complexity, installation is frequently a time-consuming process. Once completed, if problems arise, the contractor or specialist must be called. Further, the location cannot be removed without an even greater expenditure of time and money. Finally, the appearance of the branch bank, including artistry and advertising, cannot be easily changed.




In addition to wanting to make changes to existing wall structures, landlords and businesses frequently desire to “create space” by dividing large, open area into individual work spaces. In response to this need, a number of partition systems have been devised. In this regard, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,746,034 and 5,784,843. One type of partition system includes partial height partition panels detatchably interconnected. Another such partition system includes modular furniture wherein freestanding furniture units are positioned side-by-side with privacy screens utilized to create individual work areas. The success of these systems depends upon their flexibility and their ability to adapt to ever-changing space planning requirements. Additionally, these systems must be capable of providing necessary electrical, plumbing and telecommunications utilities to resulting workspaces. Structural integrity frequently is an issue with these partitions as they are interconnected to form a relatively complex system. Further, sturdiness of construction frequently must be balanced against mobility of the partition system.




While some of the functional difficulties of existing wall panels and partition systems have been addressed, the appearance or aesthetic character of these systems has not received attention. Moreover, the ability of such structures to convey information, artistry, or advertising has not been realized. While systems in the past may have a decorative component, they do not provide the artistic flexibility or changeability that is as consequential as design functionality. For businesses, such as restaurants, noticeable variations in interior appearance are a sign of success and are a reinvestment in the customer.




A need exists for a wall system that meets varying functional requirements, is mobile and easily installed, yet also gives a user the capability of easily transforming its appearance.




BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The present invention is addressed to a module and system for establishing an artistically enhancing and structurally robust space defining periphery within the interior of a facility. The system is formed with interconnected support modules which typically are about eight feet tall and formed in unitary fashion from sheet steel having a ferrous metal content to achieve magnetic responsiveness. These basic and robust structures incorporate vertical side support components which are spaced apart to define a forwardly open cavity surmounted by flat magnetically responsive panel support surfaces. Upper and lower utility channels are manufactured with the support modules for providing raceways for electrical and other utility lines extending along interconnected combinations of the wall defining module components. The support modules stand upon a floor somewhat independently and are capable of being retained in such standing vertical orientation by interconnecting them utilizing three or four bolt and wingnut assemblies. The lower, utility channel containing region of each module is configured to support a hand removable baseboard to provide easy access to continued utilities. Additionally, this lower region incorporates a channel-form upwardly opening panel lower support or platform.




A thin, decorative and typically flexible module panel is positioned against the forward facing panel support in a manner enclosing the noted cavity. Support of this panel is achieved initially by placing its lower edge upon the lower support or platform and erecting it into a vertical orientation such that the thin panel stands in structural compression upon its lower edge. The vertical orientation of this relatively large but thin panel is maintained by providing a magnetic interaction between the periphery of the rearward surface of the panel and the peripherally disposed forwardly facing magnetically responsive flat panel support surfaces. In this regard, relatively small attachment force is required to retain the verticality of the panels. To develop this magnetic coupling, polymeric strip magnets are adhesively fixed to the periphery of the rearward face of each panel. Advantageously, such magnetic coupling of the panels to the support modules permits their easy removal and replacement such that the decor developed with the panels easily is altered by the user. In effect, the wall modules are designed for future image revision. Additionally, because of their modularity, the modules themselves can be repositioned within a facility.




With such a wall module structuring, panels carrying decorative wall finishes are featured, as well as panels carrying art images, graphics and advertising. By mounting lighting appliances such as florescent tubes within the interior cavities of the modules, image carrying transparent panels may be backlit to evoke a dramatic visual effect.




The support modules are readily formed having a curvature to enhance their architectural flexibility and by virtue of the magnetic coupling of the panels, essentially all surfaces including both the forward region and the rearward region of each wall module may carry panels. Additionally, the system lends itself to utilization of smaller panels such as beam defining panels which, again contribute to architectural flexibility and may be utilized in conjunction with the mounting of commercial doors with the wall modules. Architectural capabilities for the system are enhanced by permitting the complimentary expansion of the magnetically supported decorative panels to mounting at the surfaces of preexisting facility walls. To carry this out, a lattice of brackets and magnetically responsive panel support components is anchored to a wall surface. By providing this form of dual component lattice, variations from verticality or plumb of a wall, as well as distortions thereof can be accommodated for easily. Following formation of the wall-borne lattice, the panels are mounted in the same fashion. In this regard, the lower edge of the larger panel is abuttably positioned upon an upwardly open platform and the panel peripheries are then magnetically retained in a vertical orientation. Of course, the wall-borne panels easily may be removed for decorative revision.




Another feature of the system of the invention provides a wall module and wall decorating system which is easily installed by relatively unskilled labor. No particular or specialized talents are required for establishing the system within a facility.




Because there is no rigid connection evoked with the magnetic interaction of the panel supporting strip magnets and an associated panel support surface, the panels inherently will accommodate for any temperature induced expansion or contraction phenomena.




Other objects of the invention will, in part, be obvious and will, in part, appear hereinafter. The invention, accordingly, comprises the apparatus and system possessing the construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which are exemplified in the following description.




For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a pictorial representation of one modular wall system design of the invention;





FIG. 2

is a front view of adjacently coupled wall modules according to the invention with portions broken away to reveal internal structure;





FIG. 3

is a sectional view taken through the plane


3





3


in

FIG. 2

;





FIG. 4

is a sectional view taken through the plane


4





4


in

FIG. 2

;





FIG. 5

is a sectional view taken through the plane


5





5


in

FIG. 2

;





FIG. 6

is a partial sectional view taken through the plane


6





6


in

FIG. 2

;





FIG. 7

is a rear view of a panel according to the invention;





FIG. 8

is a sectional view taken through the plane


8





8


in

FIG. 2

;





FIG. 9

is a partial sectional view showing the connection of a side of one wall module with a rear back support of another wall module;





FIG. 10

is a sectional view showing the connection of the side of one module with a forward flange of another module;





FIG. 11

is a partial sectional view of an alternate baseboard arrangement for the wall module system of the invention;





FIG. 12

is a pictorial representation of the wall panel system of the invention;





FIG. 13

is a broken away sectional view showing the mounting of a vertical panel support component in accordance with the invention;





FIG. 14

is a sectional view showing the mounting of a horizontal panel support component according to the invention;





FIG. 15

is a partial sectional view showing a structure for mounting wall panels according to the invention at an inside comer;





FIG. 16

is a partial sectional view showing the mounting of adjacently disposed panels at a vertical panel support component assemblage and bracket assemblage;





FIG. 17

is a partial sectional view showing the mounting structure for positioning wall module panels according to the invention at an outside comer; and





FIG. 18

is a partial sectional view showing a vertical component assemblage and wall panel at a vertical termination of the wall panel system.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION




While the wall system and modular wall components of the invention enjoy a broad flexibility in terms of the decor or esthetic effect which they present, the resultant wall assembly is quite structurally robust. Each wall module has a width, for example, of 32 to 36 inches and a height of eight feet or more and is formed of eighteen gauge steel. Notwithstanding, the inherent weight and structural integrity, the resultant wall surfaces may exhibit artistry, for example, providing scenes, advertising or graphics. This artistry can be changed or maneuvered from one position to another such that a merchant may evoke a different visual experience for the customer, for example, as conveniently as on a yearly basis. When the wall structure is totally self standing, for example, defining a wall periphery within a preexisting building space, the verticality of the walls is established by, in effect, turning comers, an arrangement wherein certain of the modules will be attached to others at a right angle or some other desired angle. In general, while modular flexibility is provided, the modules themselves are custom produced in a factory setting for any given customer. However, those produced modules will retain the flexibility of carrying utilities such as electrical power, lighting and low voltage communication raceways. Typically one side of each module will support a relatively thin panel which is retained in a vertical orientation by strip magnets which are adhesively adhered to the inward surface of the panel about there inwardly facing periphery. Because these thin panels, i.e., {fraction (3/16)} inch to about ¼ inch thickness, are maintained in a vertical orientation, they are retained in a material compressive state, in effect, being supported along their lower edge. With such support, the relatively light attachment achieved with strip magnets is all that's required to maintain this verticality and thus support a portion of the panel weight at the noted lower edge. Vertical orientation support by the magnets permits easy erecting and removing the panels. However, experience with the panels shows that a substantial amount of magnet surface area is derived with a strip magnet approach to attachment. Because the magnets are attracted to a flat surface, temperature related expansion or contraction is inherently accommodated for. The robustness of the wall modules also permits the supporting of doors and any of a variety of implements.




Referring to

FIG. 1

, a portion of a wall system according to the invention is represented generally at


10


. System


10


is formed as a sequence or series of wall modules


12


-


18


of somewhat standardized dimension which are combined with two customized components, a window supporting module


20


and an overhead beam connector module


22


. Modules


12


and


13


are interconnected at a right angle while modules


13


and


20


are coupled in a straight wall defining side-to-side arrangement. However, one side of window module


20


and module


14


again are seen to be connected to define a right angle. Thus, as positioned upon a floor


24


, the slightly privatized region also provides structural support for system


10


. Within that privatized region defined between modules


12


and


14


, for example, a shelf as at


26


may be mounted to support a computer, telephone equipment or the like.




Wall module


15


is seen to be connected in a side-to-side manner with module


14


and is configured with a curvature to provide an architecturally pleasing effect. Similarly, the wall module


16


is curved and connected in side-to-side fashion with module


15


. In the arrangement shown, the thin magnet supported panels are positioned in an inward sense, the panel


28


attached to module


16


being formed as an optically transparent polymeric sheet carrying a light transmissible display image. The internal cavity incorporated within module


16


carries a light generating fixture extending vertically and providing a backlit display with respect to panel


28


. The panel


28


may be provided as a laminar polymeric structure formed, for example, of a thermoplastic polycarbonate condensation product of disphenol-A and phosgene sold under the trade designation “Lexan”. Wall modulse


17


and


18


similarly are formed with a curvature and are connected in side-to-side fashion. The exposed ends or sides of the wall modules may be covered with a magnetically attached end panel of thin dimension, three such end panels being represented at


30


-


32


.




The lower, floor


24


engaging region of each of the panels a modular wall panel is formed having a base support assembly each of which contains a lower utility channel which are inter communicative from wall module to wall module. These base support assemblies are covered with a baseboard which, preferably, is at least partially magnetically attached to the wall modules. Such baseboards may be of a singular length for a given pattern of wall modules or one may be provided for each wall module. The baseboards preferably extend not only along the panel side for removable access to the utility channel, but also are employed at the rearward side or back support side of the panels both for aesthetic reasons and for protecting the lower regions of those back surfaces of the modules from commercial cleaning equipment and the like. Accordingly, baseboards may be seen at


34


,


35


and


36


at the bottom regions of respective wall modules


14


-


16


. The noted utility channels preferably are divided into an upwardly disposed base line raceway channel for providing a.c. line current and electrically supporting such components as electrical outlet


38


. Additionally, an auxiliary raceway may be provided below that base line raceway for carrying low voltage communication lines, an outlet for such a low voltage function being represented at


40


extending through baseboard


34


. Additional baseboards are shown at


42


-


44


in connection with respective modules


20


,


13


and


12


. It may be noted that baseboard


44


extends beneath the side panel


30


and is positioned rearwardly of the panel supporting face of module


12


. In similar fashion baseboard


36


extends beneath the side surfacing panel


31


. Baseboards also are seen at


45


and


46


located beneath the panel supporting sides of wall modules


17


and


18


, baseboard


46


being shown extending beneath the side panel


32


. Access to the noted utility channel is provided at that side of each wall module carrying the large panel structure. Each of the wall modules further incorporate an upper support assembly which also may carry a utility channel which is, for example, in electrical communication with the lower utility channel via vertical raceway channels. For certain of the wall module designs, this upper raceway is covered with a magnetically attached small upper panel, for example, as at


48


in conjunction with module


20


;


49


in conjunction with wall module


16


;


50


in conjunction with beam module


22


;


51


in conjunction with wall module


17


; and


52


in conjunction with wall module


18


. The upper raceways or utility channels provide electrical circuit inputs to lighting fixtures within module


16


, as well as to modules


22


,


17


and


18


. The magnetically supported panel


50


positioned upon beam module


22


is seen to carry an illuminated exit sign represented generally at


54


. Upper raceway channels within modules


17


and


18


are seen to support overhead light fixtures shown respectively at


56


and


58


. These fixtures will illuminate a design or artistic presentation retained by the associated wall panels.




Referring to

FIG. 2

, the structure of two side interconnected wall modules represented generally at


70


and


72


is revealed, the figure looking into the panel covered sides of each of these modules. Wall modules


70


and


72


includes an upstanding support module represented respectively at


74


and


76


. Each of the support modules


74


and


76


are formed having two generally vertically oriented support components which are connected and preferably intricately formed with a back support and are mutually spaced apart in generally parallel relationship a module widthwise extent. That widthwise extent is selected to support a panel about the edges. In the figure, one side support component for support module


74


is shown in general at


78


, while an oppositely disposed side support component for support module


76


is seen in general at


82


. It may be noted from a drawing that the wall module


72


is formed with a curvature similar, for example, to wall module


16


as shown in FIG.


1


.




Looking additionally to

FIG. 3

, it may be seen that support module


74


is formed with a side support component


80


spaced from side support component


78


. These side support components


78


and


80


are integrally formed with a back support


86


. In similar fashion, support module


76


includes a side support component


84


arranged parallel to component


82


and formed integrally along with support component


82


with a back support


88


.

FIG. 3

further reveals the curvature of wall module


72


and that side support component


78


is configured having a web


90


and an integrally formed flange


92


which serves as a forward panel support surface. In this regard, the material forming the support module


74


is magnetically responsive, for example, being formed of sheet steel. The term “forward” is used herein in the sense of being that portion of a support module which is open so as to provide access into an internal cavity such as that shown at


94


in connection with wall module


70


. The opposite side support component


80


is similarly formed with a web


96


and forwardly disposed flange


98


. Flange


98


provides another vertically disposed magnetically responsive forward panel support surface and, along with web


96


, is integrally formed with the back support


86


.




In similar fashion, side support component


84


is formed with a web


100


and flange


102


. Flange


102


functions to provide a vertically disposed magnetically responsive forward panel support surface which is flat. Correspondingly, the side support component


82


incorporates a web


104


and flange


106


, the latter also providing a magnetically responsive flat vertical panel support surface. It may be noted that the curvature for the wall module


72


as provided, inter alia, by a curvature formed in the back support


88


. A thin, polymeric panel


108


such that is described at


28


in connection with

FIG. 1

is positioned vertically against the support module


70


. In similar fashion, an opaque panel


110


is positioned against the forward face of support module


76


. Note in

FIG. 3

that panel


110


is depicted having a lesser thickness than panel


108


and provides removable access to an internal cavity represented generally at


114


. For the instant demonstration, the outwardly exposed surface of back support


88


of the wall module


72


may be decorated as a conventional wall, for example, by being painted or being provided with a thin covering. However, the wall modules also may support decorative panels along the back supports. For example, a decorative thin panel


112


is seen to be magnetically supported at the ferrous metal back support


86


at wall module


70


.




Each of the vertical side support components extends upwardly from a lower portion at which location they are rigidly attached to a base support assembly. In

FIG. 2

, such a base support assembly is represented generally at


116


extending between the vertical side supports of support module


74


. As represented in

FIG. 4

, this base support assembly is configured with the associated support module


74


as having a square cross section and resembling a box beam. Assembly


116


is seen to extend from a bottom or floor adjacency location represented at


118


to an upper support location as represented generally at


120


. The latter location may be employed, inter alia, to support a baseboard utilizing one of a number of available attachment techniques permitting facile removal of the baseboards for accessing internal utilities. Such a forward baseboard is represented at


122


. The base support assembly


116


is formed of magnetically responsive material, for example a ferrous metal such as sheet steel. Assembly


116


encloses a utility channel represented generally at


124


which is accessible from forward facing access openings three of which are seen in

FIG. 2

at


126


-


129


.

FIG. 4

reveals that the channel


124


is configured having an upwardly disposed base line raceway channel


132


which is configured to carry line electrical leads from a utility, while immediately beneath the channel


132


is an auxiliary channel


134


which, for example, carries low voltage lines for communication and the like. Punch-out type openings extend through the web portions of all side support components so as to provide the electrical communication from one wall module to the next adjacent one. Such punch-out type openings are shown in

FIG. 4

at


136


. The line raceway channel


132


supports a variety of implements including, for example, a conventional electrical outlet as at


138


extending through the baseboard


122


. Similarly, an electrical box for supporting such an outlet is seen at


140


. In general, polymeric grommets or the like are positioned within the openings


136


to protect wiring.




The upper portions of each of the side supports of the support modules are similarly connected to circular upper support assemblies. Such an upper support assembly is shown in general at


142


in

FIG. 4

with respect to the support module


74


and at


144


in

FIGS. 2 and 5

with respect to support module


76


. These upper support assemblies are rigidly attached to the vertical side supports, for example, by welding and, are provided with access openings. Two such access openings are shown at


146


and


147


in

FIG. 2

in connection with support assembly


144


. The flat forward or outward surface of the assembly


144


, being magnetically responsive sheet steel, provides a connecting face or surface for the magnet coupling of the panels as at


110


.





FIGS. 4 and 5

reveal that the upper support assemblies


142


and


144


are configured incorporating upper line raceway channels shown respectively at


150


and


152


. Channels


150


and


152


carry electrical utility lines for supporting electrical appliances and the like. As in the case of the lower support assemblies, communication from one wall module to a next adjacent one is provided by knock-out openings holes two of which are shown in

FIG. 4

at


154


extending through web


96


and two of which are shown in

FIG. 5

at


156


extending through web


104


. The latter figure additionally shows a cross sectional view of the base support assembly


160


of support module


76


. As in the configuration of base support assembly


116


, the assembly


160


extends between the side supports


82


and


84


of support module


72


(

FIG. 3

) and is weldably connected therewith. The support


160


also is formed having the curvature associated with support module


72


as does the upper vertical support


144


. Assembly


160


includes a utility channel represented generally at


162


which, when the wall modules


70


and


72


are interconnected as shown in

FIGS. 2 and 3

, will be aligned with the utility channel


124


of support module


74


. Utility channel


162


is similarly structured having an upper base line raceway channel


164


for supporting conventional utility cables and a low voltage auxiliary raceway channel


166


intended for supporting lower voltage communication cable and the like. Punch-out type openings as at


168


are provided within the web


114


for providing utility channel communication with any next adjacent connected wall module. The base support assembly


160


, as before, extends from a floor adjacency location


172


to an upper support location


172


, and provides a magnetically responsive, ferrous metal surface to support magnet attachment of baseboard


122


.




To provide electrical communication between the utility channels at the baseboard assemblies and the channels at the upper support assemblies, vertical raceway channels may be provided at select vertical support components.

FIG. 3

reveals one such vertical raceway channel with respect to module


74


at


180


. Communication with the base line raceway channel


132


(

FIG. 4

) is provided by knock-out openings, two of which are represented at


182


. With the arrangement thus shown, electrical line communication or continuity readily is established between a base support assembly and an associated upper support assembly. Such an arrangement provides operational support, for example, for the array of florescent light generating tubes represented generally at


184


in

FIGS. 2-4

which function to provide back lighting for a display at panel


108


. The upper support assembly utility channel


150


additionally is seen to provide power for a horizontally disposed florescent tube fixture


186


as seen in FIG.


4


. The lighting thus provided functions as a ceiling illuminating indirect light arrangement. As represented in

FIGS. 2 and 5

, direct lighting from overhead can be supported from the upper support assembly channel, for example, as provided at light fixture


188


.




The modular wall system of the invention has an important use in retail and service environments where the public is invited to positions of adjacency with the wall modules, whether standing, walking or sitting. A typical member of the public will have a tendency to lean at the shoulder height against an opaque wall or, when sitting, to touch or strike a wall at a wainscot location. However, the psychological tendency for such members of the public is not to lean against or strike a flat display of art, graphics or similar types of information, for example, as represented at backlit panel


28


shown in

FIG. 1

or similarly backlit panel


108


shown in FIG.


2


. Where the modular wall structures are configured to establish a wall periphery utilizing opaque panels as at


110


shown in

FIG. 2

, then cross supports are provided which are fixed between the oppositely disposed side supports at an elevation above the floor or height effective to structurally support the flat module panel against force asserted upon panel forward surface by the shoulder of a standing adult human, for example, at a level of about 4½ to 5 feet. Such a cross support is shown in

FIGS. 2 and 5

at 200. Formed of magnetically responsive material such as a ferrous metal, the forward face or surface of the cross support


200


is flat for providing abutting engagement with the rearward surface of the panel such as that of


110


. Preferably, a strip magnet is interposed between the rearward face of the panel


110


and the forward face of cross support


200


. In similar fashion, a cross support


202


is positioned at a typical wainscot height, i.e., at about an elevation of 30 inches above the floor. As the case of support


200


, the support


202


is weldably fixed to the oppositely disposed side support of the support module and presents a flat forward surface or face for abutting engagement with a panel such as that at


110


. A strip magnet preferably is interposed between the rearward surface of the panel


110


and that forward face of the cross support


202


. Such strip magnets are adhesively attached to the panel.




Erecting a peripheral wall structure utilizing the wall modules as at


70


and


72


involves initially moving the support modules into juxtaposed position upon the floor of a facility. The support modules then are leveled using threaded leveling assemblies seen protruding from the floor adjacency locations


118


and


170


represented in FIG.


2


. The leveling assemblies may be implemented as paired machine screws or bolts the tips of the forwards ones of which are seen in

FIG. 2

at


204


-


207


. A corresponding set of leveler assemblies is provided immediately adjacent and rearwardly of assemblies


204


-


207


, two of which are revealed in

FIGS. 4 and 5

respectively at


208


and


209


. The support modules are structurally robust and self supporting on the floor in which they are positioned. They are maintained in adjacency and inter-coupled by the simple expedient of interconnecting adjacent surfaces with relatively light bolt, washer and wingnut assemblies.

FIG. 3

reveals one such wingnut arrangement interconnecting support modules


74


and


76


. In this regard, a bolt, washer and wingnut connection is shown in

FIG. 3

in general at


212


coupling the side or web


80


of support module


74


with the side or web


84


of the support module


76


. Typically, three or four such nut and bolt assemblies are employed for this connection.




Upon completion of the positioning, leveling and interconnecting of support modules, for example, as at


74


and


76


, the removable baseboards, main panels and upper panels are installed along with selected utilities and appliances. In a preferred arrangement, both main panels and baseboard are partially mounted utilizing a horizontally disposed panel lower support which extends between the side supports adjacent the upper support locations shown respectively in

FIGS. 4 and 5

at


120


and


172


. In this regard,

FIG. 4

reveals oppositely and horizontally disposed panel lower supports


214


and


215


, while

FIG. 5

reveals oppositely disposed panel lower supports


216


and


217


.




Looking to

FIG. 6

, the structuring of the panel lower support and particularly those at


216


and


217


is revealed in cross-sectional detail. Support


216


is connected between the side support components with an array of rivets extending into base support assembly


160


, one such rivet being shown at


218


. The support


216


is formed having a baseboard connector assembly shown at


220


which is of generally U-shape to define an elongate horizontally disposed receiving cavity


222


, one leg of which is a forwardly protruding, I-shaped engaging stud or component


224


having an enlarged elongate outwardly disposed head. The opposite leg of the receiving cavity


222


forms an outwardly extending upwardly disposed platform


226


which in combination with an outwardly extending elongate horizontal leg


228


defines an upwardly opening channel for receiving the lower edge


230


of panel


110


. With the arrangement, the platform


226


then supports the weight of that panel which is not accommodated by magnetic coupling with the support modules


76


. Baseboard


122


is configured of a flexible polymeric material which is formed by extrusion with a forward face


232


containing an array of serrations represented generally at


234


which minimize scuffing and the like caused by commercial cleaning equipment. Rearward face


236


of baseboard


122


is generally flat but includes a lower open channel


238


within which a flexible strip magnet


240


is adhesively retained. The inwardly disposed surface of magnet


240


magnetically engages the baseboard lower support surface


242


provided as a portion of the forward surface of base support assembly


160


. A baseboard connector assembly component is provided as a horizontally extending receiving cavity


244


which is configured for positioning over the engaging stud


224


of panel lower support


216


. With the arrangement shown, the access openings within the assembly


160


are covered by baseboard and the baseboard is readily removed from the wall module by hand to provide, for example, access into the internal utility channel.




For most implementations of the wall system, a given wall module will also be provided with a rearward face baseboard. Accordingly, in

FIG. 6

, panel lower support


217


is seen connected through the base support assembly


160


and back support


88


by an array of horizontally disposed rivets, one of which is seen at


246


. Support


217


is identical to support


216


, containing a U-shaped baseboard connector assembly represented generally at


248


having a receiving cavity


250


functioning to receive the top edge of a flexible polymeric baseboard represented generally at


252


. An elongate horizontally disposed engaging stud


224


extends outwardly to receive and connect with a corresponding receiving cavity


254


formed within the rearward face of baseboard


252


. The rearward face of the baseboard


252


additionally includes a channel


256


within which a flexible strip magnet


258


is adhesively secured. Magnet


258


forms a lower connector which magnetically engages the rearward surface of back support


88


. With the arrangement shown, the baseboard


252


readily is installed and removed by the user.





FIG. 6

illustrates the leveling assemblies


207


and


209


at a greater level of detail. For example, assembly


207


includes a machine screw


260


which is threadably engaged within a threaded bore


262


formed within the bottom of base support


160


. To retain the screw


260


at a proper position in engagement with a floor shown at


264


, a locking nut


266


is provided which engages the lower surface of assembly


160


. In similar fashion, the leveling assembly


209


includes a machine screw


268


which is threadably engaged within a bore


272


to be adjustably engaged with floor


264


and which is locked in position by locking nut


270


.




Returning to panel lower support


216


, wherein the lower edge


230


of panel


110


is compressibly engaged in a vertical orientation with platform


226


, it may be observed that the rearward face


280


of the panel


106


supports another adhesively attached magnetically responsive panel connector component implemented as a strip magnet


282


formed identically as strip magnet


240


. The strip magnet


282


extends along the lower edge


230


of panel


110


. It is magnetically attracted to the forward facing upper surface of the base assembly


160


.




Where a panel is applied to the back support, for example, as shown in connection with

FIG. 3

where a rearward panel


112


is magnetically attached to back support


86


, then as shown in

FIG. 4

, panel


112


is compressibly supported by panel lower support


215


. Note that the lower edge of panel


112


is positioned for support upon a horizontal platform thereof corresponding with that described at


226


in FIG.


6


. Such a platform at the back support is shown in the latter figure at


284


in conjunction with panel lower support


217


. In similar fashion as panel


110


, panel


112


incorporates a horizontal magnetically responsive connector at its lower edge which is implemented as a flexible strip magnet adhesively connected to the rearward face of panel


112


. That strip magnet is shown at


286


in FIG.


4


.




The preferred arrangement of the wall system is one wherein the strip magnets are adhesively attached to the rearward face of both the main panels as well as the upper panels. A preferred type of strip magnet is a high energy magnet which is a composite of strontium and/or barium ferrite particles oriented within a thermoplastic polymer matrix. The magnets having a width of about one inch and a thickness of about 0.060 inch with an adhesive backing are preferred. Such magnets are available at energy values of 1.2 MGOe or 1.4 MGOe and are marketed, for example, by MSI, Inc. of Marietta, Ohio.




Looking to

FIG. 7

, the pattern of attachment of the magnet strips, for example, upon the rearward face


280


of panel


110


is revealed. Lower edge magnet strip


282


reappears. It is combined with vertical strip magnets


288


and


290


extending adjacent the edges of the panel


110


and an upper strip magnet


292


extends adjacent the upper edge of panel


110


. Two cross strip magnets shown at


294


and


296


are adhesively attached to the rearward surface


280


at locations for engagement with the earlier described cross supports shown respectively at


200


and


202


in

FIGS. 2 and 5

. Strip magnet


290


, for the embodiment shown, is a panel connector component which is located at one panel edge and which has a generally “L” shape which provides a bead which extends forwardly around the edge of the panel


110


. Looking to

FIG. 8

, the modified strip magnet is illustrated. Note that the connector includes a rearward surface which is in contact with flange


102


and extends forwardly about the edge of panel


110


to define a bead


300


. This bead


300


achieves what may be called an “expositial transition” which is particularly useful where panels of greater and lesser thickness are juxtaposed. Such an arrangement is shown in

FIG. 8

in connection with panels


108


and


110


which are adjoin the bead


300


.




Vertical strip magnets which are adhered to the rearward surface of panel


108


at its vertically standing edges are revealed in

FIG. 3

at


302


and


304


. Correspondingly, strip magnets


306


and


308


are seen attached to the rearward face of panel


112


in that figure. Strip magnets also are applied about the four edges of panels applied to the outside surfaces of ends or web components of the wall module as described at


30


and


32


in FIG.


1


. While the main panels may extend to the very top of a given support module, it is convenient to provide top panels which are hand removable by virtue of their magnetic connection to the upper support assemblies to provide access to utility channels and the like. These panels are formed having strip magnets adhered to their rearward surfaces about their peripheral edges.

FIG. 2

reveals such an upper or top panel


310


attached to support module


74


and an upper or top panel


312


magnetically attached to support module


76


. Top or upper panel


312


reappears in

FIG. 5

in connection with horizontally disposed strip magnets


314


and


316


positioned for magnetic attachment with the upper support assembly


144


. Upper or top panel


310


is shown in

FIGS. 4

coupled to upper support assembly


142


by magnet strips including those shown at


318


and


320


. The figure also shows horizontally disposed strip magnets


322


and


324


located at the respective top and bottom edges of forward panel


108


.

FIG. 4

also shows an upper or top panel


326


magnetically attached to back support


86


by strip magnets including those shown at


328


and


330


, while the horizontally disposed strip magnets associated with the top and bottom edges of rearward panel


112


are shown respectively at


332


and


334


magnetically coupled with the back support


86


.




The wall modules of the wall system are individually structurally robust, exhibiting a wall strength greater than a conventional commercial studded wall. To maintain them in a free standing orientation requires only fasteners of substantial simplicity, for example, the bolt-washer-wingnut assembly as described in


212


in numbers of three or four for each attachment. Looking to

FIG. 9

, a sectional view of a right angle attachment wherein the side or web of one wall module is connected to the back support of another is provided. In the figure, a wall module


340


having a forward panel


342


magnetically affixed thereto by magnet strips as at


344


is coupled at its back support


346


with the web or side


348


of a wall module


350


. Module


350


is seen to have a forward panel


352


affixed thereto by strip magnets, one being shown at


354


. The back support


356


of wall module


350


is integrally formed with the web


348


and modules


340


and


350


are interconnected by three or four bolt-washer-wingnut assemblies one being shown at


358


. The attachment shown in

FIG. 9

also may be employed, for example, in attaching the beam module structure


54


shown in

FIG. 1

with the back of wall module


16


. Further in this regard, the upper panel


50


, carrying the exit sign


54


, is configured in the manner of module


350


including panel


352


and magnet strip


354


. Preferably, magnet strips are adhered to the rearward surface of the panel


50


about all four edges. The opposite connection of the beam module


22


with wall module


17


will have appearance similar to the connection shown in FIG.


10


.




Where the side of one wall module is coupled with the forward surface of another wall module, an adaptation preferably is made with respect to the former. That adaptation provides for increasing the width of one flange and corresponding increasing the width of the wall module to accommodate the enlarged flange. Looking to

FIG. 10

, such a connection is revealed wherein the side support web or side


360


of a wall module


362


is coupled with the enlarged side component flange


364


of a wall module


366


which is enlarged in it's widthwise dimension. Wall module


362


is shown supporting a forward panel


368


as above-described, such connection including vertically disposed strip magnets


370


and


372


. Correspondingly, a forward panel


374


is coupled, inter alia, by vertical strip magnets


376


and


378


to flanges


364


and


377


. Connection between wall module


362


and


366


, as before, is by three or four bolt-washer-wingnut assemblies, one of which is shown at


379


.




While the baseboard and panel lower support embodiment of the instant wall system shown in

FIG. 6

is the preferred structure, a rigid baseboard, for example, formed as an aluminum extrusion may be employed to incorporate both a baseboard and panel lower support function. Referring to

FIG. 11

, the bottom region of a wall module is sectionally portrayed in a manner similar to FIG.


6


. Represented in the figure is a wall module


380


having a back support


382


to which is rigidly attached a base support assembly represented generally at


384


. Leveling screw assemblies


386


and


388


are seen extending through threaded bores within the base support assembly


384


to a supporting contact with a floor


390


. The lower utility channel within the base support assembly


384


is shown at


392


. A rigid baseboard is represented generally at


394


and is seen to incorporate a forward surface


396


and a rearward surface


398


. Formed within the rearward surface


398


are two horizontally extending elongate cavities


400


and


402


. Adhesively positioned within cavity


400


is a strip magnet


404


which is magnetically adhered to the baseboard lower support portion or surface of base support assembly


384


. Correspondingly, upwardly disposed channel


402


adhesively retains a strip magnet


408


which is magnetically adhered to an upper baseboard support portion or face of the base support assembly


384


shown at


408


. Note that the bottom edge


410


of the baseboard


394


is in compressive contact with floor


390


and that the baseboard extends to an upwardly open panel lower support portion represented generally at


412


. That portion


412


, as before, includes a platform


414


which functions to compressibly support a portion of the weight of panel


416


at its lower edge


418


. A strip magnet


420


is shown adhesively attached to the rearward surface of panel


416


which extends horizontally in adjacency with panel lower edge


418


and is in magnetic connection with the upper forward surface of the base support assembly


384


.




In addition to providing upstanding peripheral definition within an open interior space, the modules described herein will, from time to time, be associated with a preexisting wall. Thus, a need arises for mounting the compression-magnetically vertically stabilized thin panels to a wall. Such an arrangement of the system is depicted in FIG.


12


and is represented generally at


430


. In the figure, a portion of an upstanding wall module as above-described is shown in general at


432


having been connected on a side-to-side basis with a next upstanding wall module


434


. Modules


432


and


434


are leveled as above-described and stand upon a floor


436


. Wall module


432


is seen to support a thin module panel


438


, the bottom edge of which rests against a forward, upwardly opening panel receiving and supporting channel


440


which, in turn, is positioned just above a baseboard


442


. Above the panel


438


is a magnetically mounted upper panel


444


. Wall module


434


is similarly structured, having a module panel


446


the bottom edge of which resides in another forward, upwardly opening panel receiving and supporting channel


448


also positioned just above baseboard


442


. Above the principal panel


446


is a magnetically supported upper panel


450


. One panel


446


or


438


carries an L-shaped magnetic strip the forwardly protruding bead or spacer component thereof being shown at


452


.




Wall module


434


is connected to an upwardly disposed beam module represented generally at


454


which is configured similarly to that described at


22


in FIG.


1


. In this regard, the module


454


magnetically supports a thin panel


456


which carries an illuminated exit sign. Wall module


434


, beam module


456


and a jamb


458


support a commercial door


460


.




With the present demonstration, the decor evoked with the modular wall system including modules


432


and


434


is continued to a fixed wall represented generally at


462


having what may be termed an outside corner


464


and an inside corner


466


. Looking initially to the wall segment represented generally at


468


, a starting procedure for the mounting of wall panels is represented. At the wall segment


468


, there are seen to be three sequences of vertically aligned attachment brackets identified generally at


470


-


472


. Within the sequence


470


there is provided a bottom bracket represented generally at


474


over which is vertically positioned and aligned a top bracket represented generally at


476


. Vertically aligned between brackets


474


and


476


is an upper intermediate attachment bracket represented generally at


478


and a lower intermediate attachment bracket represented generally at


480


.




In a similar arrangement, the attachment brackets within sequence


471


include a bottom bracket shown generally at


482


. Aligned over this bottom bracket is a top bracket represented generally at


484


. Below bracket


484


is an upper intermediate bracket represented generally at


486


and vertically aligned therewith is a lower intermediate bracket represented generally at


488


. The attachment brackets of sequence


472


are geometrically altered to accommodate for their proximity to the inside corner


466


. As before, however, the sequence includes a bottom bracket represented generally at


490


and aligned over it is a top bracket represented generally at


492


. An upper intermediate bracket is represented at


494


and a lower intermediate bracket is represented at


496


.




Now looking to the structure of the bracket itself, bottom bracket


474


is seen to have an outwardly extending horizontal bottom flange assembly


500




a


which is positioned at a user selected height above the floor


436


. In general, any baseboard structures will remain of a conventional variety, inasmuch as the previously standing walls will contain utilities provided during wall construction or the like. It may be observed, however, that the horizontal bottom flange


500




a


is formed of paired, parallel, spaced apart bracket flanges


501




a


and


502




a


which are formed integrally with and extend outwardly from a base plate which, in turn, is attached to the wall


468


. The components of the horizontal bottom flange assembly at bracket


482


are similarly numerically identified but with a “b” suffix. Finally, the L-shaped bracket


490


incorporates a horizontal bottom flange assembly


500




c


with paired parallel flanges


501




c


and


502




c


which are extending only in one direction away from the corner


466


.




Bracket


474


further includes a vertical bottom flange assembly


504




a


which extends vertically upward from the middle of horizontal flange assembly


500




a


and includes paired, parallel, spaced apart bracket flanges which extend outwardly from the wall


468


and are revealed at


504




a


and


505




a


. A similar vertical bottom flange assembly is shown at bottom bracket


482


, the components thereof being identified with the same numeration but with the suffix, “b”. The vertical bottom flange


504




c


for bottom bracket


490


is identically structured and the components thereof are identified with the same numeration and suffix, “c”.




Top bracket


476


is structured identically as bottom bracket


474


but is mounted in a vertical reversed sense. In this regard, the horizontal top flange assembly is shown at


508




a


. Assembly


508




a


is configured with outwardly extending horizontal top paired flanges identical to those described at


501




a


and


502




a


in connection with bracket


474


. Identical structuring at bracket


484


is shown at


508




b


and the inside corner bracket


492


shows a top horizontal bracket at


508




c


. That bracket is structured essentially identically as assembly


500




c


at bracket


490


. Extending downwardly from the horizontal top flange assembly


508




a


is a vertical top flange assembly


509




a


. Assembly


509




a


is configured identically as the vertical bottom flange assembly


504




a


. In similar fashion, a vertical top flange assembly


509




b


extends downwardly from horizontal top flange assembly


508




b


and vertical top flange assembly


509




c


extends downwardly in bracket


492


from the horizontal top flange assembly


508




c.






Now looking to the upper intermediate bracket


478


, a generally cross-shaped arrangement is provided. The vertical component of this shape is a vertical upper intermediate flange assembly


512




a


formed of paired, parallel, spaced apart flanges


513




a


and


514




a


. Similarly, attachment bracket


486


is formed with vertical flanges


513




b


and


514




b


and bracket


494


is formed with vertical flanges


513




c


and


514




c


. The horizontal upper intermediate flange assembly for bracket


478


is identified at


515




a


and is seen to intercept the vertical upper intermediate flange assembly


512




a


. Assembly


515




a


is formed with paired, parallel outwardly extending flanges


516




a


and


517




a


. In similar fashion, bracket


486


is formed with horizontal upper intermediate flange assembly


515




b


and associated flanges, while bracket


494


is formed with a corresponding horizontal upper intermediate flange assembly


515




a


and associated flanges. The elevation of flange assemblies


515




a


-


515




c


above the floor


436


may be selected, for example, to accommodate a force imposed upon a wall panel from the shoulder of a leaning human being.




Now looking to the lower intermediate bracket


480


, a vertical lower intermediate flange assembly is represented at


520




a


. Assembly


520




a


is structured essentially identically as the assembly


512




a


shown at bracket


478


. Similarly, the vertical flange assembly for bracket


488


is shown at


520




b


and the corresponding vertical flange assembly for bracket


496


is shown at


520




c


. The horizontal lower intermediate flange assembly for bracket


480


is represented at


521




a


. That assembly, as well as assemblies


521




b


and


521




c


are structured essentially identically as respective assemblies


515




a


,


515




b


and


515




c.






Following the mounting of the sequences of vertically aligned attachment brackets as represented generally at


470


-


472


, channel-form panel support components are mounted upon the brackets and, following their proper alignment, will present magnetically responsive panel connector surfaces in what appears as a rectangular lattice. Formed with the bottom horizontal panel support component will be an upwardly opening panel receiving and supporting platform which, as before, receives the bottom edge of each main panel to retain it in compressive support as the panel is held to verticality by the magnetic attachment provided by rearward surface mounted magnet strips. A portion of this lattice assembly is revealed at wall segment


530


which extends between the outside corner


464


and inside corner


466


. In this regard, portions of a sequence of vertically aligned attachment brackets are shown generally at


532


. In this regard, a vertical top flange assembly


534


forming the vertical component of an L-shaped bracket similar to that shown at


508




c


is shown. At the bottom of the sequence


532


a vertical bottom flange assembly is shown at


536


representing one component of a bracket identical to that shown at


490


. Below and aligned with vertical top flange assembly


534


is a vertical upper intermediate flange assembly


538


. Assembly


538


is a component of a T-shaped bracket identical to that shown at


494


. Beneath assembly


538


is a vertical lower intermediate flange assembly


540


. Assembly


540


is one component of a T-shaped bracket which is identical to bracket


496


. The horizontal bottom flange assembly associated with vertical flange assembly


536


is shown having been covered or combined with a bottom horizontal panel support component or base snap molding


542


. Panel support component


542


is configured having an outwardly extending, upwardly opening panel receiving and supporting platform


544


which is configured to receive the bottom edge of the panel. The outwardly facing flat surface of the panel support component


542


provides a magnetically responsive bottom panel connector surface


546


. In general, the panel support component


542


is formed of a ferrous metal and thus the surface


546


is suited for magnetic engagement with a strip magnet adhesively affixed in adjacency with the bottom edge of the panel. A top horizontal panel support component or top snap molding is shown at


548


. Similarly, an upper intermediate horizontal panel support component and a lower intermediate panel support component are shown respectively at


550


and


552


.




An elongate vertical panel support component or vertical snap molding will be positioned over and fastened to the vertical flange assemblies


534


,


538


,


540


and


536


. A corresponding vertical panel support component particularly suited for an outside corner mounting is represented generally at


554


. Component


554


presents a flat, magnetically responsive connector surface


556


. A similar surface is shown at


558


which extends within wall segment


560


. Surfaces


556


and


558


are configured to provide a point defining panel edge receiving structure


562


. Wall segment


560


is illustrated showing a lattice-like structure of the panel support components, certain of which are seen at


564


-


567


. A panel receiving and supporting platform extends horizontally at


570


and is represented providing abutting compressive support to the vertically oriented panel


572


. A top, L-shaped cover or top L-clip


574


is shown extending above the lattice arrangement of support components.




Referring to

FIG. 13

, the installation of a vertical panel support component and an associated panel is shown in sectional detail and in broken away fashion at


580


. For convenience, the support component


580


is illustrated in connection with its mounting to earlier described brackets


474


and


476


in conjunction with wall


468


and floor


436


. For the instant demonstration, wall


468


is seen to be out of verticality or out of plumb, this condition being particularly evidenced at the wall region


468


′. Vertical panel support component


580


has a channel-form cross section with two inwardly depending flanges extending from a web or base which functions as a noted panel connector surface. One such flange is shown at


582


and the base or connector surface is shown at


584


. Note that the edge


586


of the flange


582


extends gradually outwardly from its bottom end


588


to its top end


590


. With such an arrangement, the connector surface


584


may be made to be vertical or plumb. The support component


580


is attached through its flanges to the vertical bottom flange assembly


504




a


utilizing self-tapping sheet metal screws or the like, one of which is represented at


592


. A similar connection is made with vertical top flange assembly


509




a


as represented by the self-tapping sheet metal screw


594


. The figure shows that the attachment brackets


474


and


476


are attached to the wall


468


through holes formed within the web or base portions of the flange assemblies. The size of anchor employed will depend upon the type of wall and condition thereof. For simplicity, common screws in combination with fender washers are illustrated at


592


in connection with bracket


474


and at


594


in connection with bracket


476


. Note that a bottom horizontal support component having a channel-form cross sectional configuration at


596


slides over or surmounts the horizontal bottom flange assembly


500




a


, and in particular over the flange components


501




a


and


502




a


. This support component


596


is retained in position by self-tapping metal sheet screws one of which is shown at


598


. Note additionally that the support component


596


incorporates an integrally formed, upwardly opening panel receiving and supporting platform


600


.




A top horizontal panel support component


602


having a channel-form cross sectional configuration similarly is slidably nestably positioned over horizontal top flange assembly


508




a


. Additionally placed over the upper flange of assembly


508




a


is an L-shaped top L-clip or cap


604


. Support component


602


and cap


604


are retained in position by self-tapping sheet metal screws, one of which is revealed at


606


. With the arrangement shown, a panel


608


is positioned such that its bottom edge


610


is abuttably positioned upon platform


600


and its magnet strips are located for magnetic engagement with the panel support surfaces. In the figure, vertical magnet strip


612


, which is adhesively secured to the rear surface of panel


608


, is seen to be in magnetically attractive contact with connector surface


584


. A horizontally disposed magnet strip


614


, which is adhesively attached to the rearward surface of panel


608


, is seen to be in magnetic attachment with the magnetically responsive connector surface


616


of bottom horizontal support component


596


. Correspondingly, an upper horizontally disposed magnet strip


618


is seen to be in magnetic contact with the magnetically responsive connector surface


620


of top horizontal panel support component


602


. Similar connections are provided, for example, with respect to intermediate brackets


478


and


480


but which are not shown in the instant figure in the interest of clarity.




Referring to

FIG. 14

, a typical mounting of a horizontal flange assembly, horizontal panel support component and wall panel is represented generally at


630


. In the figure, a horizontal flange assembly, represented generally at


632


, is seen to be mounted upon a wall


634


. Assembly


632


includes two, spaced apart, parallel flanges


636


and


638


integrally formed and extending from a web or base


640


. That base


640


is seen to be attached to the wall


634


using an anchor arrangement herein represented as a screw and fender washer assembly


642


. Nestably, slidably positioned over the horizontal flange assembly


632


is a horizontal panel support component


644


formed of magnetically responsive material and having spaced apart parallel flanges


646


and


648


integrally formed with and extending inwardly from base or web


650


. Connection between the support component


644


and the flange assembly


632


is by self-tapping sheet metal screws, one of which is represented at


652


. With this arrangement, the base


650


provides a panel connector surface which becomes magnetically attached to a strip magnet


656


adhesively attached, in turn to the rearward surface of a wall panel


658


.




Referring to

FIG. 15

, a sectional view of the mounting of the wall panel system at an inside corner is provided. For clarity, the identifying numeration associated with the upper intermediate bracket


494


and vertical flange assembly


558


described in

FIG. 12

is utilized. Wall segments


468


and


530


again are identified in the figure along with an identification of the inside corner line


466


. Vertical flange assembly


512




c


again is shown to be formed of outwardly extending flanges


513




c


and


514




c


. These flanges are integrally formed with an assembly base or web


662


. The flange assembly


512




c


is seen to be connected with the wall segment


468


by an anchor arrangement here shown as a screw and fender washer assembly


664


. Nestably positioned over the vertical flange assembly


512




c


is a vertical panel support shown generally at


666


and comprised of two, parallel, spaced apart flanges


668


and


670


which are integrally formed with and extend inwardly from a base or web


672


, the outwardly disposed surface


674


thereof thus forming a panel connector surface. Vertical panel support


666


is fixed to the flange assembly


512




c


by self-tapping sheet metal screws one of which is represented at


676


.




Vertical upper intermediate flange assembly


538


is seen to include vertical, spaced apart parallel flanges


678


and


680


which are integrally formed with and extend outwardly from a base or web


682


. Base


682


is coupled to the wall


530


by a user selected anchor assembly, here shown as a fender washer and screw assembly


684


. Nestably positioned over the flange assembly


538


is a vertical support component


686


having spaced apart parallel flanges


688


and


690


which are integrally formed with and extend from a magnetically responsive base or web


692


which serves to define a panel connector surface


694


. Support component


686


is connected to flange assembly


538


by self-tapping sheet metal screws one of which is shown at


696


.




A wall panel


698


to which a vertically disposed strip magnet


700


is adhesively attached is seen to be magnetically coupled to the connector surface


694


. The forward surface


702


of panel


698


is seen to be thus located in relatively close adjacency with flange


670


of panel support


666


. A transversely disposed wall panel


704


to which an earlier-described L-shaped magnet strip


706


is adhesively attached is seen to magnetically supported at connector surface


674


. Note that the bead portion


708


of the magnet strip


706


extends between the side edge of panel


704


and forward surface


702


of panel


698


. Such an arrangement achieves an artistically desirable interceptive union between panels


698


and


704


.




Referring to

FIG. 16

, a vertical magnetic support of adjacent wall panels is illustrated in sectional fashion. In the figure, a vertical flange assembly represented generally at


716


is shown to comprise paired, vertical, spaced apart, parallel flanges


718


and


720


which are integrally formed with and extend outwardly from a base or web


722


. Base


722


, in turn, is coupled to a wall


724


by a screw and fender washer assembly


726


. Nestably positioned over the vertical flange assembly


716


is a vertical panel support component


728


. Panel


728


is formed having two, spaced apart, parallel flanges


730


and


732


which extend inwardly from and are formed integrally with a magnetically responsive base or web


734


. The outwardly disposed face of the base


734


forms a magnetically responsive connector surface


736


. Surface


736


magnetically supports a wall panel


738


which extends to a panel edge


740


. A vertical strip magnet


742


is adhesively attached to the rearward surface of panel


738


adjacent the edge


740


and is in magnetic attachment with the connector surface


736


. Adjacent the panel


738


is another wall panel


744


which extends to a vertically disposed panel edge


746


. A strip magnet


748


of the above-noted L-shape variety is adhesively attached to the rearward face of panel


744


adjacent edge


746


. Magnet


748


has an integrally formed bead structure


750


which is seen to establish the vertical union between panel edges


740


and


746


to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance for the wall panel system.




Referring to

FIG. 17

an outside corner mounting implementation of the system is portrayed in sectional fashion. For clarity, components representing the outside corner


464


described in conjunction with

FIG. 12

are identified with the same numeration. In this regard it may be observed that wall segment


560


is shown to intersect wall segment


530


to define the comer


464


. Mounted upon wall


560


adjacent the corner


464


is the vertical flange assembly


760


of a bracket. Flange assembly


760


includes two parallel, spaced apart vertical flanges


762


and


764


which extend outwardly from a base or web


766


. Bracket connection is provided, inter alia, by a suitable anchor, here represented as a screw and fender washer assembly


768


.




In similar fashion, the vertical flange assembly of another bracket is shown to provide paired, outwardly extending, parallel flanges


772


and


774


which are integrally formed with a web or base


776


. The bracket associated with assembly


770


is attached to the wall


530


by suitable anchors. In the instant figure, a screw and fender washer assembly


778


is seen to be extending into wall


530


.




The vertical panel support components are modified for this outside corner installation. In this regard, one such panel support component is shown at


780


. Component


780


incorporates a singular flange


782


which is attached by self-tapping sheet metal screws, one of which is shown at


784


, to the inside surface of flange


764


. Extending normally from the flange


782


is a base


786


, the outward surface of which forms the panel connector surface


558


. Base


786


continues to form an angular panel receiving slot assembly


788


. In similar fashion, a modified vertical support component


790


is shown to be formed with a singular flange


792


extending normally from a base


794


, the outwardly disposed face


556


of which forms a panel connector surface. Flange


792


is attached to the interior surface of flange


772


by self-tapping sheet metal screws, one of which is shown at


796


. Base


556


is seen to extend to a panel receiving slot assembly


798


which cooperates in adjacency with assembly


788


to define an outside wall corner


800


.




Panel


572


is seen connected with a vertically oriented strip magnet


802


which is adhesively attached in adjacency with panel edge


804


. In turn, the edge


804


is seen to be inserted within the panel receiving slot assembly


788


. In similar fashion, a panel


806


supports an adhesively attached strip magnet


808


which is positioned adjacent the panel edge


810


and is magnetically attached to the connector surface


556


. Note, as before that the edge


810


of panel


806


extends within the panel receiving slot assembly


798


.




Referring to

FIG. 18

, an assemblage for terminating or ending a wall panel system according to the invention is revealed generally at


810


. In the figure, a vertical flange assembly of a bracket is shown generally at


812


to incorporate paired, parallel, spaced apart flanges


814


and


816


which are integrally formed with and extend from a base or web


818


. Base


818


and its associated bracket is attached to a wall


820


by an assemblage of anchors one of which is represented herein as a screw and fender washer assembly


822


. Nestably positioned over the vertical flange assembly


812


is a vertical panel support component


824


. Component


824


is formed having paired, parallel, spaced apart vertically oriented flanges


826


and


828


which are integrally formed with and extend inwardly from a web or base


830


, the outwardly disposed face of which forms a panel connector surface


832


. Support component


824


is attached to the vertical flange assemble


812


by self-tapping sheet metal screws one of which is shown at


833


. A wall panel


834


is seen extending to a panel edge


836


and a vertically disposed strip magnet is adhesively attached to its rearward face at a location for magnetic attachment to the connector surface


832


. Additionally attached to the flanges


816


and


828


is a vertically oriented, L-shaped end cap


840


having a forwardly positioned flange


842


. End cap


840


is attached to the flanges


816


and


828


by self-tapping sheet metal screws one of which is shown at


844


. In positioning the panel


834


, the edge thereof


836


is seen to be located so as to be covered by the flange


842


. Since certain changes may be made in the above-described apparatus and system without departing from the scope of the invention herein, it is intended that all matter contained in the description thereof or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense



Claims
  • 1. A system for providing a paneled surface upon an interior wall extending from the floor of a facility, comprising:a first sequence of vertically aligned attachment brackets fixed to said wall including: (a) a first bottom bracket having an outwardly extending first horizontal bottom flange assembly located a predetermined height above said floor, and an outwardly extending first vertical bottom flange assembly located above said first horizontal flange assembly, (b) a first top packet having an outwardly extending first horizontal top flange assembly located a height corresponding with a panel height above said first horizontal bottom flange, and an outwardly extending first vertical top flange assembly located below said first horizontal top flange assembly; a second sequence of vertically aligned attachment brackets fixed to said wall and spaced horizontally from said first sequence of vertically aligned attachment brackets, including: (a) a second bottom bracket having an outwardly extending second horizontal bottom flange assembly located in horizontal alignment with said first horizontal bottom flange assembly and an outwardly extending second vertical bottom flange assembly located above said second horizontal flange assembly and spaced from said first vertical bottom flange assembly a distance corresponding with a panel width; (b) a second top bracket having an outwardly extending second horizontal top flange assembly horizontally aligned with said horizontal top flange assembly, and an outwardly extending second vertical top flange assembly located below said second horizontal top flange assembly; a first vertical panel support component connected with said first vertical bottom flange assembly and said first vertical top flange assembly and having an outwardly disposed, magnetically responsive first vertical panel connector surface; a second vertical panel support component conencted with said second vertical bottom flange assembly and said second vertical top flange assembly and having an outwardly disposed, magnetically responsive second vertical panel connector surface; a first bottom horizontal panel support component connected with said first horizontal bottom flange assembly and said second horizontal bottom flange assembly and having an outwardly disposed, magnetically responsive bottom panel connector surface; a first top horizontal panel support component connected with said first horizontal top flange assembly and said second horizontal top flange assembly and having an outwardly disposed magnetically responsive top panel connector surface; an upwardly opening panel receiving and supporting platform fixed to said first bottom bracket and said second bottom bracket and extending outwardly from said bottom panel connector surface; and a first thin wall panel having panel forward and rearward surfaces with generally rectangle defining bottom, top and first and second panel edges, and having magnetically responsive panel connector components located at said rearward surface adjacent said first and second panel edges, a said connector component adjacent said first panel first panel edge being in removable magnetic connection with said first vertical panel connector surface, a said connector component adjacent said first panel second panel edge being in removable magnetic connection with said second vertical panel connector surface, and said first panel bottom edge being in compression deriving abutting supporting engagement with said panel receiving and supporting platform.
  • 2. The system of claim 1 in which:a said magnetically responsive connector component is located adjacent said first panel top panel edge; and said connector component adjacent said first panel top panel edge being in removable magnetic connection with said top panel connector surface.
  • 3. The system of claim 2 in which:a said magnetically responsive connector component is located adjacent said first panel bottom panel edge; and said connector component adjacent said first panel bottom panel edge being in removable magnetic connection with said bottom panel connector surface.
  • 4. The system of claim 1 in whichsaid first sequence of verically aligned attachment brackets include: (c) A first upper intermediate bracket having an outwardly extending first horizontal upper intermediate flange assembly located at an elevation above said floor selected to structurally support said first thin wall panel against inwardly directed force asserted upon said first thin wall panel forward surface adjacent thereto by the shoulder of a leaning, standing adult human, and an outwardly extending first vertical upper intermediate flange assembly located in adjacency with said first horizontal upper intermediate flange assembly; said second sequence of vertically aligned attachment brackets includes: (c) a second upper intermediate bracket having an outwardly extending second horizontal upper intermediate flange assembly horizontally aligned with said first horizontal upper intermediate flange assembly, and an outwardly extending second vertical upper intermediate flange assembly located in adjacency with said second horizontal upper intermediate flange assembly; said first vertical panel support component is connected with said first vertical upper intermediate flange assembly; said second vertical panel support component is connected with said second vertical upper intermediate flange assembly; including a first upper intermediate horizontal panel support component connected with said first horizontal upper intermediate flange assembly and said second horizontal upper intermediate flange assembly and having an outwardly disposed, magnetically responsive upper intermediate horizontal panel connector surface; and said first wall panel includes a magnetically responsive horizontally disposed connector component located at said rearward surface at a location for effecting removable magnetic engagement with said upper intermediate horizontal panel connector surface.
  • 5. The system of claim 1 in which:said first sequence of vertically aligned attachment brackets include: (d) a first lower intermediate bracket having an outwardly extending first horizontal lower intermediate flange assembly located at an elevation above said floor corresponding with a wainscot height selected to provide structural support of said first thin wall panel adjacent thereto against inwardly directed force asserted upon said first thin wall panel forward surface and an outwardly extending first vertical lower intermediate flange assembly located in adjacency with said first horizontal lower intermediate flange assembly; said second sequence of vertically aligned attachment brackets includes: (d) a second lower intermediate bracket having an outwardly extending second horizontal lower intermediate flange assembly horizontally aligned with said first horizontal lower intermediate flange assembly, and an outwardly extending second vertical lower intermediate flange assembly located in adjacency with said second horizontal lower intermediate flange assembly; said first vertical panel support component is connected with said first vertical lower intermediate flange assembly; said second vertical panel support component is connected with said second vertical lower intermediate flange assembly; including a first lower intermediate horizontal panel support component connected with said first horizontal lower intermediate flange assembly and said second horizontal lower intermediate flange assembly and having an outwardly disposed, magnetically responsive lower intermediate horizontal panel connector surface; and said first wall panel includes a magnetically responsive horizontally disposed connector component located at said rearward surface at a location for effecting removable magnetic engagement with said lower intermediate horizontal panel connector surface.
  • 6. The system of claim 1 in which:said magnetically responsive first and second vertical panel connector surfaces are substantially flat and formed with ferrous metal; and said magnetically responsive panel connector components are flat magnet strips of predetermined widthwise dimension fixed to said first panel rearward surface.
  • 7. The system of claim 1 in which:said first horizontal bottom flange assembly, said first horizontal top flange assembly, said second horizontal bottom flange assembly and said second horizontal top flange assembly are each formed of paired, parallel spaced apart bracket flanges extending outwardly from said wall; and said first bottom horizontal panel support component and said first top horizontal panel support component are each formed as a channel having inwardly extending paired parallel channel flanges mutually spaced apart a distance effective to engage said paired bracket flanges and a flat outwardly disposed web, the outwardly disposed surface of which is a respective said magnetically responsive bottom panel connector surface and said magnetically responsive top panel connector surface.
  • 8. The system of claim 1 in which:said first vertical bottom flange assembly, said first vertical top flange assembly, said second vertical bottom flange assembly and said second vertical top flange assembly are each formed of paired, parallel spaced apart bracket flanges extending outwardly from said wall; and said first vertical panel support component and said second vertical panel support component are each formed as a channel having inwardly extending, paired parallel channel flanges mutually spaced apart a distance effective to engage said paired bracket flanges and a flat outwardly disposed web, the outwardly disposed surface of which is a respective said magnetically responsive first vertical panel connector surface and said magnetically responsive second vertical panel connector surface.
  • 9. The system of claim 1 comprising:a third sequence of vertically aligned attachment brackets fixed to said wall and spaced horizontally from said second sequence of vertically aligned attachment brackets, including: (a) a third bottom bracket having an outwardly extending third horizontal bottom flange assembly located in horizontal alignment with said second horizontal bottom flange assembly and an outwardly extending third vertical bottom flange assembly located above said third horizontal bottom flange assembly and spaced from said second vertical bottom flange assembly a distance corresponding with a panel width, (b) a third top bracket having an outwardly extending third horizontal top flange assembly horizontally aligned with said second horizontal top flange assembly, and an outwardly extending third vertical top flange assembly located below said third horizontal top flange assembly; a third vertical panel support component connected with said third vertical bottom flange assembly and said third vertical top flange assembly and having an outwardly disposed, magnetically responsive third vertical connector surface; said first bottom horizontal panel support component being connected with said third horizontal bottom flange assembly; said first top horizontal panel support component being connected with said third horizontal top flange assembly; said upwardly opening panel receiving and supporting platform is connected to said third bottom bracket; and a second thin wall panel having panel forward and rearward surfaces with generally rectangle defining bottom, top and first and second panel edges, and having magnetically responsive panel connector components located at said rearward surface adjacent said first and second panel edges, a said connector component adjacent to said second panel first panel edge being in removable magnetic connection with said second vertical panel connector surface, a said connector component adjacent said second panel second panel edge being in removable magnetic connection with said third vertical panel connector surface, and said second panel bottom edge being in compression-deriving abutting supporting engagement with said panel receiving and supporting platform.
  • 10. The system of claim 9 in which:said magnetically responsive first, second and third vertical panel connector surfaces are substantially flat and formed with ferrous metal; and said magnetically responsive panel connector components are flat magnet strips of predetermined widthwise dimension fixed to said first panel rearward surface and said second panel rearward surface.
  • 11. The system of claim 9 in which:said magnetically responsive first, second and third vertical panel connector surfaces are substantially flat and formed with ferrous metal; and said magnetically responsive connector component located adjacent said second wall panel first panel edge is configured in generally L-shaped, having a forwardly extending bead-defining spacer portion extending adjacent said second wall panel first panel edge and outwardly from said second panel forward surface.
US Referenced Citations (8)
Number Name Date Kind
D. 405976 Beall Feb 1999
4470232 Condevaux et al. Sep 1984
5277006 Ruster Jan 1994
5341615 Hodges et al. Aug 1994
5406760 Edwards Apr 1995
5930963 Nichols Aug 1999
6167664 Reuter et al. Jan 2001
6173536 Boyce Jan 2001