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Claims  |
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I claim
1. A frame for a free-standing, vertical divider wall comprising: a
plurality of structural components having identical generally C-shaped
cross sections; each of which has a guideway having opposed flanges and
extending longitudinally of said structural component at least in
proximity to the ends thereof; at least two of said structural components
being disposed as vertical support members; a connector plug received
within at least the guideway of a vertically disposed support member; at
least two of said structural components being horizontally disposed and
vertically spaced as top and lower members; at least one anchor and at
least one aligning block received within the guideway of a horizontally
disposed member; said aligning block presents lug means which extend
longitudinally outwardly of said horizontally disposed member; fastening
means operative between said anchor and said connector plug to secure a
corner connection between said horizontally and vertically disposed
members in order to delineate a quadrilateral panel receiving locus; and,
at least one notch recessed in said opposed flanges of said vertically
disposed members, the lug means presented from said aligning block being
received in said notch.
2. A frame, as set forth in claim 1, further including connecting means
being secured between the anchors in adjacent, longitudinally abutting
structural components to effect a releasable joinder between said
longitudinally abutting structural components.
3. A frame, as set forth in claim 2, in which said connecting means
comprises: a nut and bolt combination cooperatively interengaging the
anchors within said adjacent, longitudinally abutting structural
components; and means to maintain said conjoined structural components in
alignment.
4. A frame, as set forth in claim 3, in which the structural components are
provided with lateral cavities in addition to said guideway, said cavities
extending longitudinally of said components at least in proximity to the
ends thereof; and in which the means to maintain alignment comprises a
rigid member insertably received within the opposed cavities of the
adjacent, longitudinally abutting structural components.
5. A frame, as set forth in claim 3, in which the C-shaped cross section of
said structural member comprises: a web; parallel side walls extending
outwardly of said web and terminating in opposed flanges, an inwardly
directed rib extending longitudinally along the medial portion of each
flange; a pair of stepped, inwardly directed, parallel ribs extending
along said web; each stepped rib having a summit portion and a ledge
portion; the summit portion on each said stepped rib being aligned with
the corresponding opposed rib on the flanges of the C-shaped cross
section; said ledge portions lying in lateral opposition, one with the
other; said ribs each forming at least a portion of the four corners
delineating said guideway.
6. A frame, as set forth in claim 5, in which said lateral cavities are of
generally rectangular cross section; each said lateral cavity being
presented between one of said side walls in said C-shaped cross section
and the rib closest in proximity thereto; said cavities in successive
structural members being opposedly in register when said structural
members are longitudinally abutted; said means to maintain alignment
comprising a rigid bar insertably received within said opposedly
registered lateral cavities.
7. A frame, as set forth in claim 5, in which the anchor is of generally
H-shaped configuration and has a central body portion and two pair of legs
extending oppositely outwardly of said body portion; a bore provided
through said body portion to receive said nut and bolt combination.
8. A frame, as set forth in claim 1, in which the connector plug presents a
cover cap the configuration of which is congruent with the outer
configuration of said structural component.
9. A frame, as set forth in claim 1, in which the connector plug has a body
portion slidably received in said guideway; fastening means connecting
said body portion to the web of the vertical support member in which said
connector plug is received; an anchor plate attached to said body portion;
a bolt receivable through said anchor and said aligning block to be
threadably received in said anchor plate.
10. A frame, as set forth in claim 1, in which each said structural
component has a web, parallel side walls extending outwardly of said web
and terminating in opposed flanges; an inwardly directed rib extending
longitudinally along the medial portion of each flange; a pair of stepped,
inwardly directed, parallel ribs extending along said web; each stepped
rib having a summit portion and a ledge portion; the summit portion on
each said stepped rib being aligned with the correspondingly opposed rib
on the flanges of the C-shaped cross section; said ledge portions lying in
opposition, one to the other; each of said ribs being located adjacent a
corner of said guideway; said connector plug having a body portion
slidably received in said guideway.
11. A frame, as set forth in claim 1, in which the horizontally disposed
lower member is secured to vertical support members upwardly of the
surface on which said vertical support members rest; laterally spaced
stanchions secured to, and extending downwardly from, said lower member;
leveling means mounted in said stanchions and engageable with the surface
on which said vertical support members rest; positioning lips presented
from said stanchion; at least one cover plate; said cover plate having a
hook portion releasably to engage the appropriate lips; and releasable
locking means to secure said cover plate beneath said lower member.
12. A frame, as set forth in claim 11, in which a channel having a web and
side flanges is secured to said lower member; the web of said channel
engaging the web of said structural member with the side flanges of said
channel extending downwardly from said lower member; said locking means
connected between said cover plate and the corresponding side flanges in
said channel.
13. A frame, as set forth in claim 12, in which said positioning lips are
spaced downwardly of, and in substantial alignment with respect to, the
side flanges of said channel.
14. A frame, as set forth in claim 13, in which said stanchion is of
generally U-shaped configuration with a pair of legs extending upwardly
from a base, each leg terminating in a mounting tab by which said
stanchion is secured to said lower member; said leveling means and said
positioning lips mounted on said base.
15. A frame, as set forth in claim 14, in which the legs of said stanchion
are haunched to provide at least one passageway between the legs and at
least one said cover plate in the direction of said cover plate.
16. A frame for a free-standing, vertical divider wall comprising: a
plurality of structural components having identical generally C-shaped
cross sections; each of which has a guideway having opposed flanges and
extending longitudinally of said structural component at least in
proximity to the ends thereof; at least two of said structural components
being disposed as vertical support members; a connector plug received
within at least the guideway of a vertically disposed support member; said
connector plug presents a cap plate the outer configuration of which is
congruent with the outer configuration of said structural component; at
least two of said structural components being horizontally disposed and
vertically spaced as top and lower members; at least one anchor and at
least one aligning block received within the guideway of a horizontally
disposed member; said aligning block presenting lug means which extend
axially outwardly of said horizontally disposed member; notches being
recessed in the opposed flanges of the vertically disposed support member
to receive said lug means; said notches being located such that the cap
plate will lie in the same plane as the web of the horizontal member when
the connecting plug is received in the vertical member secured to said
horizontal member; and, fastening means operative between said anchor and
said connector plug to secure a corner connection between said
horizontally and vertically disposed members in order to delineate a
quadrilateral panel receiving locus.
17. A frame for a free-standing, vertical divider wall comprising: a
plurality of structural components having identical generally C-shaped
cross sections; each of which has a guideway extending longitudinally of
said structural component at least in proximity to the ends thereof, a
web, parallel side walls extending outwardly of said web and terminating
in opposed flanges, an inwardly directed rib extending longitudinally
along the medial portion of each flange, a pair of stepped, inwardly
directed, parallel ribs extending along said web; each stepped rib having
a summit portion and a ledge portion; the summit portion on each said
stepped rib being aligned with the correspondingly opposed rib on the
flanges of the C-shaped cross section; said ledge portions lying in
opposition, one to the other; each of said ribs being located adjacent a
corner of said guideway; at least two of said structural components being
disposed as vertical support members; a connector plug received within at
least the guideway of a vertically disposed support member; said connector
plug having a body portion slidably received in said guideway; at least
two of said structural components being horizontally disposed and
vertically spaced as top and lower members; at least one anchor and at
least one aligning block received within the guideway of a horizontally
disposed member; said aligning block presenting lug means which extend
longitudinally outwardly of said horizontally disposed member in which it
is received; and said vertically disposed members carrying notches in the
opposed flanges thereof to receive said lug means; and, fastening means
operative between said anchor and said connector plug to secure a corner
connection between said horizontally and vertically disposed members in
order to delineate a quadrilateral panel receiving locus wherein a lateral
cavity of generally rectangular cross section is presented between each
side wall of said vertical member and the ribs in closest proximity
thereto; an anchor plate and outrigger stabilizing plates being secured to
said body portion; said stabilizing plates being slidably received within
said lateral cavities.
18. A frame, as set forth in claim 17, in which the connector plug presents
a cover cap the outer configuration of which is congruent with the outer
configuration of said structural component.
19. A frame, as set forth in claim 18, in which the notches recessed in the
opposed flanges of the vertically disposed support members are located
such that the cap plate will lie in the same plane as the web of the
horizontal member when the connecting plug is received in the vertical
member secured to said horizontal member.
20. A frame for a free-standing, vertical divider wall comprising: a
plurality of structural components having identical generally C-shaped
cross sections; each of which has a guideway extending longitudinally of
said structural component at least in proximity to the ends thereof; at
least two of said structural components being disposed as vertical support
members; at least two of said structural components being horizontally
disposed and vertically spaced as top and lower members; an anchor and an
aligning block received in the guideway of horizontally disposed members;
and a connector plug received within at least the guideway of said
vertically disposed member; fastening means operative between said anchor
and said connector plug to secure a corner connection between said
horizontally and vertically disposed members in order to delineate a
quadrilateral panel receiving locus; a retaining flange being secured to
said connector plug; a spline translatable within the plane of said frame;
and, means on said spline engageable with said retaining flange to
restrict the range through which said spline is translatable.
21. A frame, as set forth in claim 20, in which said spline has a
channel-shaped cross section with a web portion; a release catch that is
selectively engageable with said retaining flange being mounted on said
web portion.
22. A frame for a free-standing, vertical divider wall comprising: a
plurality of structural components having identical generally C-shaped
cross sections; a web, parallel side walls extending outwardly of said web
and terminating in opposed flanges; at least two of said structural
components being disposed as vertical support members; at least two of
said structural components being horizontally disposed and vertically
spaced as top and lower members; a slide guide assembly engageable with,
and movable along, said opposed flanges in said horizontally disposed top
and lower members; wherein each slide guide assembly is separable along a
median plane into laterally juxtaposed slide blocks; said slide blocks
each having a lug with a bore therethrough; said bore being oriented
transversely with respect to said median plane and the bores in the
laterally juxtaposed slide blocks being registrable to receive a pivot
pin; said pivot pin connecting said slide blocks into a slide guide
assembly and said slide guide assembly to said spline; each said slide
block also having a slideway embracingly to engage one of said opposed
flanges; and a spline extending between said slide guide assemblies in the
top and lower members; and, means to conjoin said top and lower members to
said vertical support members in order to delineate a quadrilateral panel
receiving locus.
23. A frame, as set forth in claim 22, in which each said slide guide
assembly comprises: a pair of juxtaposed slide blocks; each said slide
block having a body portion provided with a slideway embracingly to engage
one said opposed flanges; and means by which to attach said spline to said
juxtaposed slide blocks.
24. A rectangular frame for a free-standing, vertical divider wall
comprising: a plurality of structural components having identical
generally C-shaped cross sections and having a guideway extending
longitudinally of said structural component at least in proximity to the
ends thereof, said guideway having opposed flanges; at least two of said
structural components being disposed as vertical support members and two
horizontal support members formed of said structural components and being
horizontally disposed and vertically spaced as top and lower members, at
least one of said top and lower members being formed of at least two
abutting structural components; an anchor secured within said guideway
proximal the end of each said horizontally disposed structural component
effecting a releasable jonder between longitudinally abutting structural
components and effecting a releasable joinder between horizontally and
vertically disposed support members, said anchor having a central body
portion; a bore longitudinally extending through said body portion; means
connecting a pair of said anchors to provide said longitudinally abutting
structural components; a connector plug received within said guideway
proximal the end of each said vertically disposed structural member; and
means fastening said anchor and said connector plug to secure a corner
connection between said horizontally and vertically disposed member.
25. A frame, as set forth in claim 24, further including an aligning block
having a bore therethrough and carried in said guideway of each said
horizontally disposed structural member adjacent said anchor block; lug
means carried by said aligning block extending longitudinally outwardly of
said horizontally disposed member; and, at least one notch recessed in
said opposed flanges of said vertically disposed member to receive said
lug means, wherein said means for fastening passes through said bores in
said anchor and said aligning block and is received in said connector
plug.
26. A frame, as set forth in claim 25, in which said connector plug
presents a cover cap the configuration of which is congruent with the
outer configuration of said structural component.
27. A frame, as set forth in claim 25, wherein said means for connecting
comprises: a nut and bolt combination cooperatively interengaging said
anchors within said adjacent, longitudinally abutting structural
components; and means to maintain said conjoined structural components in
alignment.
28. A frame, as set forth in claim 27, in which said structural components
are provided with lateral cavities in addition to said guideway, said
cavities extending longitudinally of said components at least in proximity
to the ends thereof; and in which the means to maintain alignment
comprises a rigid member insertably received within the opposed cavities
of the adjacent, longitudinally abutting structural components.
29. A frame, as set forth in claim 28, in which the C-shaped cross section
of said structural member further comprises: an inwardly directed rib
extending longitudinally along the medial portion of each flange; a pair
of stepped, inwardly directed, parallel ribs extending along said web;
each stepped rib having a summit portion and a ledge portion; the summit
portion on each said stepped rib being aligned with the corresponding
opposed rib on the flanges of the C-shaped cross section; said ledge
portions lying in lateral opposition, one with the other; said ribs each
forming at least a portion of the four corners delineating said guideway.
30. A frame, as set forth in claim 29, in which said lateral cavities are
of generally rectangular cross section; each said lateral cavity being
presented between one of said side walls in said C-shaped cross section
and the rib closest in proximity thereto; said cavities in successive
structural members being opposedly in register when said structural
members are longitudinally abutted; said means to maintain alignment
comprising a rigid bar insertably received within said opposedly
registered lateral cavities.
31. A frame, as set forth in claim 30, in which said connector plug has a
body portion slidably received in said guideway; fastening means
connecting said body portion to the web of the vertical support member in
which said connector plug is received; an anchor plate attached to said
body portion; a bolt receivable through said anchor and said aligning
block to be threadably received in said anchor plate.
32. A frame, as set forth in claim 24, further including an aligning block
having a bore therethrough and carried in said guideway of each said
horizontally disposed member adjacent said anchor block; a retaining
flange being secured to said connector plug; a spline translatable within
the plane of said frame; means on said spline engageable with said
retaining flange to restrict the range through which said spline is
translatable.
33. A frame, as set forth in claim 32, in which said spline has a
channel-shaped cross section with a web portion; and a release catch that
is selectively engageable with said retaining flange being mounted on said
web portion.
34. A frame, as set forth in claim 33, further including a slide guide
assembly engageable with, and movable along, said opposed flanges in said
horizontally disposed top and lower members; said spline extending between
said slide guide assemblies in the top and lower members.
35. A frame, as set forth in claim 34, in which each said slide guide
assembly comprises: a pair of juxtaposed slide blocks; each said slide
block having a body portion provided with a slideway embracingly to engage
one of said opposed flanges; and means by which to attach said spline to
said juxtaposed slide blocks.
36. A frame, as set forth in claim 35, in which each slide guide assembly
is separable along a median plane into laterally juxtaposed slide blocks;
said slide blocks each having a lug with a bore therethrough; said bore
being oriented transversely with respect to said median plane and the
bores in the laterally juxtaposed slide blocks being registrable to
receive a pivot pin; said pivot pin connecting said slide blocks into a
slide guide assembly and said slide guide assembly to said spline.
37. A frame, as set forth in claim 24, in which the horizontally disposed
lower member is secured to vertical support members upwardly of the
surface on which said vertical support members rest; laterally spaced
stanchions secured to, and extending downwardly from, said lower member;
leveling means mounted in said stanchions and engageable with the surface
on which said vertical support members rest; positioning lips presented
from said stanchion; at least one cover plate; said cover plate having a
hook portion releasably to engage the appropriate lips; and releasable
locking means to secure said cover plate beneath said lower member.
38. A frame, as set forth in claim 37, in which a channel having a web and
side flanges is secured to said lower member; the web of said channel
engaging the web of said structural member with the side flanges of said
channel extending downwardly from said lower member; said locking means
connected between said cover plate and the corresponding side flanges in
said channel.
39. A frame, as set forth in claim 38, in which said positioning lips are
spaced downwardly of, and in substantial alignment with respect to, the
side flanges of said channel.
40. A frame, as set forth in claim 39, in which said stanchion is of
generally U-shaped configuration with a pair of legs extending upwardly
from a base, each leg terminating in a mounting tab by which said
stanchion is secured to said lower member; said leveling means and said
positioning lips mounted on said base.
41. A frame, as set forth in claim 40, in which the legs of said stanchion
are haunched to provide at least one passageway between the legs and at
least one said cover plate in the direction of said cover plate. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to free-standing, knock down, readily assembled and
disassembled, relocatable wall panels and space dividers which are used to
compartmentalize open floor areas as desired for intended functional
usage. There are in the prior art many types of wall panels the appearance
of which is useful in designing and arranging floor plans for buildings to
meet various functional needs of offices, homes or the like.
The movable walls and dividers represented by the prior art are of such
construction, however, that they are not adaptable either to quick
assembly or to new and changing materials and design concepts for
decorating or redecorating. In addition, the prior known wall panels are
burdensome to assemble and, in some instances, do not provide sufficient
separation of office functions to prevent noise or other distracting
influences from the next adjacent area, and do not have the appearance of
a permanent wall.
The present invention relates to improvements, in the movable wall and
divider art and particularly with respect to the wall frame, the
components from which the wall frame is fabricated and certain unique
structural adjuncts incorporated in said wall frame.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a wall
frame for a free-standing wall or space divider in which both the vertical
and horizontal members thereof incorpoate a standardized structural
component.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a wall frame, as
above, in which the standardized structural component common to both
vertical and horizontal members is readily adapatable for interconnection
along a common axis or at right angles with respect to each other.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a wall
frame, as above, in which unique connector members cooperatively
interengage the structural components to effect a secure, but selectively
releasable, connection therebetween.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a wall frame,
as above, to which a vertically oriented spline may be conveniently
attached for translation laterally of itself within the plane of that
portion of the frame to which it is secured.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a wall frame, as
above, in which that connector member employed at the top of the
vertically oriented component may be in the form of a plug to accomplish
three objectives -- viz., to provide a finished end surface at the
uppermost terminus of the vertically oriented component; to provide an
anchor means to which a horizontal component may be releasably secured;
and, to provide a means by which to restrict movement, to a predetermined
degree, of the spline member associated with the vertically oriented
member in which the connector plug is received.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a wall
frame, as above, the components of which may be uniquely interconnected
with provision for lateral walls which may emanate not only from the
modular junctions in a reference run of such a wall but also from any
desired location therealong.
It is an even further object of the present invention to provide a wall
frame, as above, the concept of which permits the exterior finish thereof
to be either metallic or wooden.
These and other objects, as well as the advantages thereof over existing
and prior art forms, will be apparent in view of the following detailed
description of the attached drawings and are accomplished by means
hereinafter described and claimed.
In general, the frame for a free-standing wall or divider embodying the
concept of the present invention employs a plurality of structural
components of at least substantially identical cross-sectional
configuration. These components are disposed vertically as the support
members and are disposed horizontally as the vertically spaced, top and
lower members.
The cross section of the structural component is of generally C-shaped
configuration and has a web, parallel side walls extending outwardly from
the web and terminatng in opposed flanges. A series of ribs extending
longitudinally within the otherwise hollow C-shaped cross section of the
structural component divides the interior thereof into generally three
longitudinal areas -- viz., the ribs contribute to the formation of the
four corners of a rectangular guideway and the side walls, in conjunction
with the ribs in closest proximity thereto, define cavities, one on each
lateral side of the guideway.
An anchor is receivable within the guideway and may be fixedly secured
thereto. In order to effect a releasable connection between longitudinally
abutting members having the configuration of the aforementioned structural
component, a nut and bolt combination may connect between the anchors in
the longitudinally abutting members; proper alignment therebetween is
maintained by at least one bar which extends from the lateral cavity in
one member into the corresponding lateral cavity in the abutting member.
The same anchor means may also be employed in the formation of a releasable
corner connection between two perpendicularly abutting members having the
configuration of the aforesaid structural component. That is, the anchor
is fixedly received within the guideway of the longitudinal component, and
an aligning block is also preferably received therein. The aligning block
presents lug means that interfit with appropriately located recesses in
the vertical member. A connector plug is received in the vertical member,
and a bolt may extend through the anchor and aligning block to be
tightened within a threaded bore in an anchor plate presented from the
connector plug.
The connector plug may also employ outrigger plates receivable within the
lateral cavities of the vertical support member to stabilize the
disposition of the connector plug therein, and when the connector plug is
employed at the top of a vertical support member, a cover cap is also
presented from the connector plug to impart a finished surface to the top
of the vertical support member.
By locating the horizontally disposed lower member a predetermined distance
upwardly of the surface on which the vertical support members rest, a
leveling means may be secured thereto. The leveling means is carried on
stanchions secured beneath the lower member. A unique interconnection is
provided between the stanchions and a cover plate on each side of the wall
to facilitate mounting and de-mounting of the cover plate and at the same
time provide a passageway parallel to the cover plate within which utility
lines can be received.
A series of unique connecting brackets are employed which allow wall frames
embodying the concept of the present invention to be interconnected at any
desired location, and at least one such bracket also permits connection at
selected angles.
The present wall construction provides one or more quadrilateral openings
into which one or more panel members may be received, and the panel
members may be releasably secured by vertically oriented members which are
movable selectively to be receivable in grooves along the vertical edge of
the panel members. The configuration of the structural component employed
in the present invention permits the use of a unique slide guide assembly
to which vertically oriented splines can be secured for lateral
translation -- the slide guide assembly being separable along a median
plane into laterally juxtaposed slide blocks that are mounted for movement
along the flanges of the C-shaped structural component comprising the
horizontally disposed members.
The concept of the present invention also contemplates that the structural
component itself present the exterior finish surface of the frame or may
be adapted, in an alternative arrangement, to present a wooden fascia.
Accordingly, one preferred, and an alternative, embodiment of the
structural component employed by the concept of the present invention to
provide the basic frame members for a free-standing wall or divider,
together with various adjuncts to that frame, are shown by way of example
in the accompanying drawings and described in detail without attempting to
show all of the various forms and modifications in which the invention
might be embodied; the scope of the invention being measured by the
appended claims and not by the details of the specification.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective of a free-standing, vertical, divider
wall embodying the concept of the present invention and depicting
exemplary, interconnected runs thereof;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred structural component from
which the horizontal and vertical frame members in a wall embodying the
concept of the present invention may be made;
FIG. 3 is a perspective of an anchor employed in making connections between
structural components of the type depicted in FIG. 2 oriented as either
longitudinally abutting, or perpendicularly abutting, members;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view, at slightly reduced scale, depicting a
releasable connection between longitudinally abutting frame members;
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective of a releasable connection between
perpendicularly abutting frame members, and particularly a connection
between a top member and a vertical support member;
FIG. 6 is a vertical section through a wall frame embodying the concept of
the present invention which depicts not only the perpendicularly abutting
connection between a vertical support member and a horizontally disposed
top member but also the perpendicularly abutting connection between the
support member and a lower member as well as the leveling mechanism
supported from said lower member;
FIG. 7 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 7--7 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a frontal elevation of a connector plug as used in a
perpendicularly abutting connection between a lower member and a vertical
support member;
FIG. 9 is a cross section thro | | |
