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The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. In an upright space divider system including a plurality of horizontally
interconnected upright space divider panels, said system also including a
post assembly joined to and projecting upwardly along one vertical end
edge of at least one said panel, the improvement wherein said post
assembly includes:
a hollow upright post extending upwardly along said one end edge of said
one panel throughout substantially the full vertical height thereof, said
post having a generally tubular outer wall having a cross section which is
substantially greater than the width of said one panel;
said post being defined by a plurality of separate vertically elongate post
segments which circumferentially cooperate to define the cross section of
the post, each said post segment having a peripheral wall segment which
defines only part of the outer wall of said post;
securing means including a vertically elongate securing element which is
separate from said post segments for joining circumferentially adjacent
pairs of post segments together;
each said post segment having a securing flange fixed to the respective
peripheral wall segment and projecting inwardly into the interior of the
post;
said post having a slotlike opening which opens inwardly thereof through
said outer wall and extends vertically throughout substantially the full
height thereof;
said one panel begin positioned so that said one end edge thereof projects
horizontally through said slotlike opening into the interior of said post;
and
connecting means disposed interiorly of said post for connecting the one
end edge of said one panel to one of said securing flanges, said
connecting means including a vertically elognate connecting element which
is separate from said post segments and said panel.
2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said tubular post has a diameter
which is at least about twice the thickness of the wall panel.
3. A system according to claim 1, wherein said securing and connecting
members are of substantially identical cross sections.
4. In an upright space divider system including a plurality of horizontally
interconnected upright space divider panels, said system also including a
post assembly joined to and projecting upwardly along one vertical end
edge of at least one said panel, the improvement wherein said post
assembly includes:
a hollow upright post extending upwardly along said one end edge of said
one panel throughout substantially the full vertical height thereof, said
post having a generally tubular outer wall having a generally circular
cross section which is substantially greater than the width of said one
panel;
said post being defined by a plurality of separate vertically elongate post
segments which circumferentially cooperate to define the cross section of
the post, each said post segment having a peripheral wall segment which
defines only part of the outer wall of said post, at least two said wall
segments each extending through an arcuate extent of about 90.degree.;
securing means for joining circumferentially adjacent pairs of post
segments together;
each said post segment having a securing flange fixed to the respective
peripheral wall segment and projecting inwardly into the interior of the
post;
said post having a slotlike opening which opens inwardly thereof through
said outer wall and extends vertically throughout substantially the full
height thereof;
said one panel being positioned so that said one end edge thereof projects
horizontally through said slotlike opening into the interior of said post;
and
connecting means disposed interiorly of said post for connecting the one
end edge of said one panel to one of said securing flanges.
5. A system according to claim 4 wherein each of said wall segments has a
vertically extending edge portion provided along at least one vertical
edge thereof, the edge portions on said two post segments being disposed
directly adjacent and in generally opposed relationship to one another,
each said edge portion having a vertically elongate slot formed therein,
and said securing means comprising a vertically elongate securing element
slidably received within the slots of the opposed edge portions for
rigidly securing said two wall segments in adjacent relationship.
6. A system according to claim 5, wherein the securing flange terminates in
a vertically extending edge portion having a vertically elongate slot
therein, and said one end edge of said one panel also having a vertically
elongate slot formed therein and disposed in close proximity to the slot
in said last-mentioned edge portion, and an elongate securing member
slidably engaged in the slot of said one panel and the slot of said
last-mentioned edge portion for joining said one panel to the securing
flange.
7. A system according to claim 6, wherein said securing member and securing
element are identical and each includes a pair of vertically elongate
securing portions joined together by a hinge portion, each said securing
portion begin vertically slidably engage within a respective one of said
slots.
8. In an upright space divider system including a plurality of horizontally
interconnected upright space divider panels, said system also including a
post assembly joined to and projecting upwardly along one vertical end
edge of at least one said panel, the improvement wherein said post
assembly includes:
a hollow upright post extending upwardly along said one end edge of said
one panel throughout substantially the full vertical height thereof, said
post having a generally tubular outer wall having a cross section which is
substantially greater than the width of said one panel;
said post being defined by a plurality of separate vertically elongate post
segments which circumferentially cooperate to define the cross section of
the post, each said post segment having a peripheral wall segment which
defines only part of the outer wall of said post;
said post includes at least two substantially identical said wall segments
which have vertical edges thereof disposed adjacent one another and
rigidly joined together by said securing means, each of said two wall
segments having a vertically extending edge portion provided along at
least one vertical edge thereof, the edge portions on said two post
segments being disposed directly adjacent and in generally opposed
relationship to one another, each said edge portion having a vertically
elongate slot formed therein;
securing means for joining circumferentially adjacent pairs of post
segments together, said securing means comprising a vertically elongate
securing element slidably received within the slots of the opposed edge
portions for rigidly securing said two wall segments in adjacent
relationship;
each said post segment having a securing flange fixed to the respective
peripheral wall segment and projecting inwardly into the interior of the
post;
said post having a slotlike opening which opens inwardly thereof through
said outer wall and extends vertically throughout substantially the full
height thereof;
said one panel being positioned so that said one end edge thereof projects
horizontally through said slotlike opening into the interior of said post;
and
connecting means disposed interiorly of said post for connecting the one
end edge of said one panel to one of said securing flanges.
9. A system according to claim 8, wherein the securing flange terminates in
a vertically extending edge portion having a vertically elongate slot
therein, and said one end edge of said one panel also having a vertically
elongate slot formed therein and disposed in close proximity to the slot
in said last-mentioned edge portion, and an elongate securing member
slidably engaged in the slot of said panel and the slot of said
last-mentioned edge portion for joining said one panel to the securing
flange.
10. A system according to claim 9, wherein said securing member and
securing element are identical and each includes a pair of vertically
elongate securing portions joined together by a hinge portion, each said
securing portion being vertically slidably engaged within a respective one
of said slots.
11. In an upright space divider system including a plurality of
horizontally interconnected upright space divider panels, said system also
including a post assembly joined to and projecting upwardly along one
vertical end edge of at least one said panel, the improvement wherein said
post assembly includes:
a hollow upright post extending upwardly along said one end edge of said
one panel throughout substantially the full vertical height thereof, said
post having a generally tubular outer wall having a cross section which is
substantially greater than the width of said one panel;
said post being defined by a plurality of separate vertically elongate post
segments which circumstantially cooperate to define the cross section of
the post, each said post segment having a peripheral wall segment which
defines only part of the outer wall of said post;
securing means for joining circumstantially adjacent pairs of post segments
together;
said post is of a generally circular cross section having a diameter which
is substantially greater than the width of said panel, said post including
at least four pole segments each defining an arcuate peripheral wall
segment which is part of the outer wall of said post, said post segments
being disposed in a circular array so that opposed edges of adjacent pole
segments are disposed closely adjacent one another and joined together by
said securing means;
each said post segment having a securing flange fixed to the respective
peripheral wall segment and projecting inwardly into the interior of the
post;
said post having a slotlike opening which opens inwardly thereof through
said outer wall and extends vertically throughout substantially the full
height thereof;
said one panel being positioned so that said one end edge thereof projects
horizontally through said slotlike opening into the interior of said post;
said post having only a single said slotlike opening formed therein whereby
said post is directly joined to only a single said panel; and
connecting means disposed interiorly of said post for connecting the one
end edge of said one panel to one of said securing flanges.
12. A system according to claim 11, wherein said post includes at least two
said wall segments which are substantially identical and extend through an
arcuate extent of about 90.degree., said two wall segments having adjacent
vertical edges joined together by said securing means, said post including
a third said wall segment having one vertical edge disposed adjacent and
rigidly joined to the remaining vertical edge of one of said two wall
segments, said post including a fourth wall segment having a vertical edge
disposed adjacent and rigidly joined to the remaining edge of the other of
said two wall segments, said third and fourth wall segments extending
through arcuate extents less than 90.degree. and having the remaining
vertical edges thereof sidewardly spaced apart to define said vertically
elongate slotlike opening therebetween.
13. A system according to claim 12, wherein each of said third and fourth
wall segments have a said securing flange projecting inwardly thereof, and
said connecting means including a pair of connecting members, one said
connecting member being connected between the securing flange on the third
wall segment and the one end edge of said one panel, the other connecting
member being connected between the securing flange on the fourth wall
segment and said one end edge of said one panel.
14. In an upright space divider system including a plurality of
horizontally interconnected upright space divider panels, said system also
including a post assembly joined to and projecting upwardly along one
vertical end edge of at least one said panel, the improvement wherein said
post assembly includes:
a hollow upright post extending upwardly along said one end edge of said
one panel throughout substantially the full vertical height thereof, said
post having a generally tubular outer wall having a cross section which is
substantially greater than the width of said one panel;
said post being defined by a plurality of separate vertically elongate post
segments which circumferentially cooperate to define the cross section of
the post, each said post segment having a peripheral wall segment which
defines only part of the outer wall of said post;
securing means for joining circumferentially adjacent pairs of post
segments together;
each said post segment having a securing flange fixed to the respective
peripheral wall segment and projecting inwardly into the interior of the
post;
said post having a slotlike opening which opens inwardly thereof through
said outer wall and extends vertically throughout substantially the full
height thereof;
said one panel begin positioned so that said one end edge thereof projects
horizontally through said slotlike opening into the interior of said post;
said vertically elongate slotlike opening extending through an arcuate
extent which is in the neighborhood of 90.degree., said one panel having
the one end edge thereof projecting into said slotlike opening
horizontally adjacent one side edge thereof;
a second said panel having an end edge thereof positioned so as to project
into said slotlike opening horizontally adjacent the other side edge
thereof, said one and second panels projecting horizontally in generally
perpendicular relationship to one another;
connecting means disposed interiorly of said post for connecting the one
end edge of said one panel to one of said securing flanges, said
connecting means also connecting one of said securing flanges to said end
edge of said second panel; and
connecting structure for horizontally securing the said end edges of said
one and second panels directly together. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an upright space divider system of the type
formed from a plurality of joined upright wall panels, such system being
used for dividing large interior office spaces into smaller spaces, and in
particular to an improved post assembly which cooperates with one or more
of the wall panels.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Upright space systems formed from a plurality of series-connected wall
panels are extensively utilized in offices and the like for dividing large
interior spaces into smaller work areas. Such space divider systems
typically employ individual upright wall panels which have adjacent
vertical edges thereof either fixedly or hingedly joined together. In some
such systems, the vertical end edges of adjacent panels are substantially
directly connected together, such as through an intermediate hinge or
other suitable vertical spline which provides either a fixed or
horizontally hinged relationship. In other such systems, adjacent panels
are interconnected through intermediate upright posts which typically
provide vertical support for the wall panels and hence either fixedly or
hingedly connect to the vertical edges of the adjacent panels. In systems
of this latter type, the intermediate posts typically have a maximum width
or diameter which substantially corresponds to the panel thickness. The
posts thus function primarily for supporting the panels in an upright
position, and as such are typically provided with minimum cross-sectional
dimensions to minimize the effect thereof on the overall visual aspects of
the system, and are disposed adjacent and outwardly of the vertical end
edge of the panel and couple directly thereto.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an upright space
divider system which typically involves panels which directly serially
connect to one another either fixedly or hingedly, but wherein the system
is additionally provided with an improved post arrangement which can
cooperate with the wall panel system to provide additional functional
characteristics. More specifically, the improved post arrangement
preferably has a cross section which is substantially greater than the
panel thickness, and in addition is adapted to partially telescope over
the end of one or more panels. The post arrangement defines therein an
inwardly opening slot which is vertically elongate so as to permit an end
edge portion of the panel to project therein. The slot can accommodate the
end edge of a single panel or can be of sufficient angular extent to
accommodate the end edge portions of two panels oriented in generally
perpendicular relationship to one another.
In the improved wall system of this invention, the post arrangement is
defined by a plurality of vertically elongate post segments which
individually define only a part of the peripheral extent of the post. The
post segments have opposed flanges which accommodate securing elements to
permit the post segments to be fixedly locked together to create a
generally hollow post, preferably of circular cross section. The post
segments also have inwardly projecting cantilevered flanges which
cooperate with the edge of the wall panel which projects into the slot so
that a vertically elongate securing element can be coupled between the
wall panel edge and one of the inwardly project securing flanges.
Other objects and purposes of the present invention will be apparent to
persons familiar with structures of this general type upon reading the
following specification and inspecting the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view which illustrates a wall system according to
the present invention, and particularly illustrates a single panel
disposed with a vertical edge portion thereof engaged with an upright post
assembly.
FIG. 2 is a reversely-oriented side elevational view of the arrangement
shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the post assembly.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along
line 4--4 in FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 but showing the post and panel in
a separated condition.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragment view of a portion of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a variation wherein the post
cooperates with a corner as defined where two generally perpendicularly
extending panels meet.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially
along line 8--8 in FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 8 but showing the posts and panels
in a separated condition.
Certain terminology will be used in the following description for
convenience in reference only, and will not be limiting. For example, the
words "upwardly", "downwardly", "rightwardly" and "leftwardly" will refer
to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The word
"upwardly", will also be used in reference to the normal vertical
orientation of the panel and post. The words "inwardly" and "outwardly"
will refer to directions respectively toward and away from the geometric
center of the panel or post and designated parts thereof. Said terminology
will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and
words of similar import.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a fragmentary portion of an
upright space divider system 11 of the type used in offices and the like
for dividing large areas into smaller working areas. The system 11
includes a plurality of upright wall panels 12 (only one shown in solid
lines in FIG. 1), which panels are typically of generally rectangular
profile and are adapted to be disposed in selected orientations, such as
typically in aligned or perpendicular relationship. FIG. 1 illustrates two
such panels 12 in generally aligned relationship, and as is typical, the
opposed vertical end edges of adjacent panels are suitably joined together
by a rigid or hinge structure.
In the present invention, the panels 12 are typically provided with edge
rails 14 extending vertically along the ends thereof, which edge rails 14
have a pair of undercut slots 15 formed therein adjacent opposite sides
thereof, which slots project vertically throughout substantially the full
height of the panel. These slots 15 are designed to accommodate part of a
connecting or securing element 16 therein, which element in effect
constitutes a vertically elongate hinge strip. This connector 16 includes
a pair of vertically elongate hinge plate 17 joined along one edge by a
hinge 18 (namely a plastic or "living" hinge), and each hinge plate 17 has
a generally L or T-shaped part 19 projecting outwardly from one side
thereof. The connector or hinge strip 16 is adapted to join adjacent
vertical edges of two panels 12 together, such being accommodated by
inserting the part 19 into one of the grooves 15 on one panel, and by
inserting the other part 19 into an opposed groove 15 formed on the edge
of an adjacent panel. The structure of the connector or hinge strip 16,
and its manner of connection between adjacent panels, is conventional so
that further description is believed unnecessary. Reference is also made
to U.S. Pat. No. 3,990,204 which illustrates and describes this hinge
strip and its connection between adjacent panels in greater detail.
The wall system 11 of the present invention, as illustrated by FIGS. 1 and
2, also induce an upright post assembly 13 which, in the arrangement
illustrated by FIGS. 1 and 2, cooperates with the end edge of a single
panel, namely a free end edge of the panel 12.
As illustrated by FIG. 3, the post assembly 13 includes a generally hollow
upright cylindrical post 21 which, at its lower end, is fixedly secured to
a generally cylindrical support or base member 22, the latter being of
small vertical height and having a vertical height generally corresponding
to the height of the panel base 23 so as to be compatible therewith. The
hollow or tubular post 21 projects upwardly throughout the full height of
the panel. The upper end of post 21 bears against a generally cylindrical
cap 25 which projects upwardly through a small vertical extent above the
upper edge of the wall panel. This cylindrical top cap 25 may, if desired,
be provided with a suitable light fixture mounted thereon so as to project
upwardly therefrom, and one illustration of such is shown by means of the
upwardly-opening bowl-shaped reflector or diffuser 26, the latter being
positioned in surrounding relationship to an electrified lighting element
such as the small fluorescent light tube 27.
Considering now the structure of the hollow post 21, and referring to FIGS.
4 and 5, this post 21 is defined by a plurality of individual post
elements 31, namely by four post elements 31A, 31B, 31C, 31D in the
embodiment of FIGS. 1-5.
As to the structure of the post elements or segments, and referring
specifically to the post segment 31A, it includes an arcuate peripheral
wall segment 32 which preferably extends through an angular extent of
about 90.degree.. This arcuate peripheral wall segment 32, at the terminal
vertical edges thereof, is fixedly and integrally joined to support
flanges 33 which project generally radially inwardly from the arcuate wall
segment toward the vertical centerline of the post. Each of the support
flanges 33 has an undercut groove 34 formed therein and extending
vertically throughout the length thereof. The groove 34 as associated with
each flange 33 opens outwardly in a circumferential direction oriented
generally away from the arcuate extent of the respective wall segment 32.
Thus, the pair of undercut grooves 34 associated with the pair of support
flanges 33 as defined on opposite edges of the wall segment 32 hence open
generally outwardly in opposite directions with respect to one another
relative to the circumferential extent of the post.
The post segment 31 also has a securing flange 37 which is fixedly secured
to the peripheral wall segment 32, such as at the midpoint thereof in the
illustrated embodiment. This flange 37 projects generally radially
inwardly in cantilevered relationship from the wall segment 32. Securing
flange 37 is, like the support flanges 32, vertically elongated so as to
extend over substantially the full vertical extent of the arcuate wall
segment 32.
Securing flange 37, adjacent the inner free end thereof, is provided with a
flange portion 38 which projects horizontally so as to extend in generally
horizontally parallel relationship to one of the support flanges 33. This
flange portion 38 also defines therein an undercut groove 39 which extends
vertically throughout the length thereof, with this groove 39 being
identical to the grooves 34. Groove 39 as associated with flange portion
38 opens outwardly in the opposite direction from the groove 34 associated
with the flange 33 which extends horizontally parallel with the flange
portion 38.
The post segment 31B is identical to the post segment 31A and hence will
not be described in detail. The post segments 31A and 31B can be disposed
in circumferentially adjacent and abutting relationship, the latter being
achieved by positioning the support flanges 33 in directly opposed and
abutting engagement with one another. When in this latter relationship,
the undercut grooves 34 defined in the opposed support flanges 33
communicate with one another and permit a securing rib or spline,
specifically and preferably one of the connectors or hinge strip 16, to be
slidably inserted therein so as to join the adjacent edges of the post
segments 31A and 31B together.
Since each of the support flanges has radially inner and outer portions
which abuttingly engage respective opposed portions on the other support
flange, whereby the connector strip 16 is totally captivated therebetween,
the connector strip 16 effectively creates a rigid securement between the
adjacent abutting edges of the post segments 31A and 31B.
As illustrated by FIGS. 4 and 5, the securing flanges 37 associated with
the post segments 31A and 31B are reversely oriented. This is merely by
vertically rotating one of the post segments (such as 31B) 180.degree.
relative to the other post segment (such as 31A) and then securing
adjacent post segments together since each post segment has identical
support flanges 33 associated with each vertical edge thereof.
Referring now to the post segment 31C, it is substantially identical to the
post segment 31A in many respects in that it again has an arcuate
peripheral wall 32 provided with an identical support flange 33 along one
vertical edge thereof, and a securing flange 37 project inwardly
therefrom. However, the arcuate wall 32 of segment 31C is of lesser
arcuate extent, namely being substantially less than 90.degree. and
preferably being more in the order of 60.degree. to 75.degree., whereby
the arcuate wall segment 32 of post segment 31C terminates at a free
vertically-extending edge 41, which edge is not provided with a support
flange 33 thereon.
The remaining post segment 31D is identical to the segment 31C in that the
arcuate wall segment extends through an arcuate extent significantly less
than 90.degree. so as to terminate in a free edge 41. The segments 31C and
31D are identical but, in order to result in the securing flanges 37
thereof being reversely oriented as illustrated by FIG. 5, the one segment
31D is vertically rotated 180.degree. relative to the other segment 31C.
With the segments 31C and 31D oriented as illustrated by FIG. 5, the
support flange 33 along one edge of the segment 31C abuts the opposed
support flange 33 on the segment 31B, and the connector strip 16 couples
these opposed support flanges together to rigidly join the pole segment
31C to the adjacent pole segment 31B. The pole segment 31D is similarly
rigidly joined to the adjacent pole segment 31A.
With the four segments joined as illustrated by FIG. 5, the four segments
are all rigidly joined together to form a generally hollow tubular support
post of circular cross section, and the opposed free edges 41 of the
segments 31C and 31D are horizontally spaced apart so as to define
therebetween a slotlike opening 42 which extends vertically throughout
substantially the full length of the post and which opens inwardly into
the open interior of the post. The horizontal width of this slotlike
opening 42, namely the horizontal spacing between opposed edges 41,
substantially corresponds to the thickness of a said panel 12 so as to
permit a portion of the panel 12, adjacent one end edge thereof, to be
inserted through the slot 42 partially into the interior of the post
substantially as illustrated by FIG. 4.
With the edge portion of the panel 12 inserted through the slot 42 into the
interior of the post, which insertion normally occurs through an extent
which preferably is at least about one-half of the radius of the support
post, the end rail 14 of the panel is disposed directly opposite the
flange portions 38 associated with the post segments 31C and 31D. It
should be noted that the flange portions 38 on the post segments 31C and
31D are oriented so that they are generally coplanar and project
horizontally toward one another so that the free ends thereof are disposed
in more closely adjacent relationship, whereby the grooves 39 open
outwardly toward the slotlike opening 42. Thus, this results in the pair
of grooves 15 as defined in the end rail 14 being disposed substantially
directly opposite the pair of outwardly facing grooves 39. The panel 12
can then be rigidly secured with respect to the post by utilization of a
pair of connector or hinge strips 16. More specifically, a hinge strip 16
is slidably inserted into each opposed pair of grooves 15 and 39,
substantially as illustrated by FIG. 4, to thus fixedly secure the panel
12 and post 21 together.
With the post and panel rigidly assembled as illustrated by FIG. 4, the
post 21 still defines therein a hollow interior of significant cross
section, which hollow interior can be readily utilized to permit passage
therethrough of electrical or communication cables, including cabling for
the light which may optionally be mounted on the upper end of the post.
Referring now to the variation illustrated by FIGS. 7-9, this embodiment of
the post assembly 13' is designed to cooperate at the corner between two
generally perpendicularly-extending panels 12A and 12B.
Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the post 21' is in this variation defined by
only three post segments, namely the post segments 31A, 31C and 31D, the
latter being identical to the respective segments described above with
respect to FIGS. 1-6. Since the post 21' includes only a single 90.degree.
post segment, namely the segment 31A, this results in the vertically
elongated slotlike opening 42', as defined between the opposed free edges
41 of the post segments 31C and 31D, extending through an arcuate extent
slightly in excess of 90.degree.. The large horizontal width of this
opening 42' enables the edge portions of two perpendicularly extending
panels 12A and 12B to project generally inwardly into the interior of the
hollow post substantially as illustrated by FIG. 8.
With the post 21', the segments 31C and 31D are again oppositely vertically
oriented so that the securing flanges 37 thereof project circumferentially
in opposite directions. That is, the flange portions 38 project
circumferentially in generally opposite directions, and more specifically
are disposed within planes which are generally perpendicular, although the
slots 39 are again oriented so as to open generally outwardly through the
slots 42'. When the end edge of panel 12A is inserted into the interior of
the post, the edge rail 15 on panel 12A is disposed closely adjacent the
flange portion 38 on the post segment 31D, and in fact one of the grooves
15 disposed directly opposite the respective groove 39, whereby a first
connector or hinge strip 16 is slidably inserted therein to join the panel
12A to the securing flange 37 of the post segment 31D.
In similar fashion, when the edge portion of panel 12B is inserted into the
interior of the post, one of the grooves 15 is disposed directly opposite
the slot 39 formed in the securing flange 37 of the post segment 31C, and
a second identical securing strip or hinge 16 is slidably engaged with
these slots to secure the panel 12B to the post segment 31C.
To further rigidly secure the panels to one another and to the posts, a
third identical hinge strip 16 is slidably inserted into the remaining
grooves 15 as disposed adjacent the abutting corners of the panels 12A and
12B, thereby resulting in a very strong and rigid securement of the panels
12A and 12B to one another and to the post 21', substantially as
illustrated by FIG. 8.
With the arrangement of the present invention, by utilizing a first pair of
identical post segments 31A and 31B and a further pair of identical post
segments 31C and 31D, a rigid hollow post can be created and can be
positioned so as to accommodate therein an end portion of a single panel,
as illustrated by FIG. 4, with the post segments and the panel being all
rigidly joined to one another through the use of identical hinge strips
16, with hinge strips themselves are also usable for joining two such
panels directly to one another.
Similarly, by use of the same identical pair of pole segments 31C and 31D,
and in conjunction with only a single one of the segments 31A or 31B, the
post can be rigidly created and joined to a pair of perpendicularly
extending panels, such as illustrated by FIGS. 8 and 9, so that the post
defines a corner structure for improving the overall appearance of the
wall system, and at the same time providing interior space for electrical
cabling or the like. This variation of FIGS. 7-9 again uses all identical
hinge strips 16 for directly joining adjacent post segments, for directly
joining adjacent post segments and wall panels, and for directly joining
adjacent wall panels.
With the improved arrangement of the present invention, the post 21 or 21'
is preferably of circular cross section, and preferably has a diameter
which is significantly greater than the panel thickness. In fact, the
diameter of the post 21 is preferably at least twice the thickness of the
typical wall panel and, in the illustrated embodiment, the diameter is
about three times the wall panel thickness.
While the hollow tubular post is preferably of circular cross section, it
will be recognized that it can also have other cross-sectional
configurations, such as square or rectangular. Such hollow tubular post,
for example if of a square cross section, would again be formed of post
segments which would cooperate with themselves and with one or more panels
in the same manner as described above.
The construction of the post segments permits such segments to be readily
extruded for the economy of manufacture.
Although a particular preferred embodiment of the invention has been
disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized that
variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, including the
rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the present invention.
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