초록 ▼

An office panel partition includes a panel frame having at least two uprights and a horizontal structural member rigidly interconnecting the uprights. The panel frame has a first side and a second opposite side, and the panel frame defines at least four apertures on the first side thereof. The parti

An office panel partition includes a panel frame having at least two uprights and a horizontal structural member rigidly interconnecting the uprights. The panel frame has a first side and a second opposite side, and the panel frame defines at least four apertures on the first side thereof. The partition also includes a cover member having a major planar surface defining an exterior surface of the partition. The cover member includes at least four projections that are removably insertable into the at least four apertures to removably secure the cover member to the frame. The apertures are arranged in at least two vertically spaced horizontal rows and at least two horizontally spaced vertical columns. The apertures in a first one of the columns have different horizontal dimensions than those of the apertures located in the other of the columns. Each of the projections has a range of lateral positions when inserted into a respective one of the apertures. The range of lateral positions provided by the apertures in the first one of the columns is less than the range of lateral positions provided by the apertures in the other row of the columns. The apertures located in a first one of the rows has vertical dimensions that are different than those located in the other of the rows. The range of vertical positions provided by the apertures in the first one of the rows is less than the range of vertical positions provided by the apertures in the other of the rows.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A partition for open office space and the like, comprising: a rigid frame adapted to be supported in a generally vertical orientation along an associated floor surface to partition the open office space into individual workstations, and including: a first connector disp

The invention claimed is: 1. A partition for open office space and the like, comprising: a rigid frame adapted to be supported in a generally vertical orientation along an associated floor surface to partition the open office space into individual workstations, and including: a first connector disposed on said frame at a predetermined location; a second connector spaced vertically apart from said first connector; a third connector spaced horizontally apart from said first and second connectors; a fourth connector spaced vertically apart from said third connector and horizontally apart from said first and second connectors; a cover adapted for connection with said frame to cover at least a portion of said frame, and including: a fifth connector engaging said first connector in a manner which generally prevents both horizontal and vertical movement of said fifth connector relative to said first connector; a sixth connector spaced vertically apart from said fifth connector, and engaging said second connector in a manner which generally prevents horizontal movement of said sixth connector relative to said second connector, yet permits predetermined vertical movement of said sixth connector relative to said second connector; a seventh connector spaced horizontally apart from said fifth and sixth connectors, and engaging said third connector in a manner which generally prevents vertical movement of said seventh connector relative to said third connector, yet permits predetermined horizontal movement of said seventh connector relative to said third connector; and an eighth connector spaced vertically apart from said seventh connector and horizontally apart from said fifth and sixth connectors, and engaging said fourth connector in a manner which permits both predetermined horizontal and vertical movement of said eighth connector relative to said fourth connector. 2. A partition as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said first, second, third and fourth connectors detachably engage said fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth connectors respectively to permit removal and replacement of said cover on said frame. 3. A partition as set forth in claim 2, wherein: one of said first and fifth connectors comprises a first aperture. 4. A partition as set forth in claim 3, wherein: one of said first and fifth connectors comprises a first projection shaped for removable insertion into said first aperture for removably securing said cover to said frame. 5. A partition as set forth in claim 4, wherein: said frame includes first and second side faces on opposite sides thereof; said cover extends over at least a portion of said first side face; and said first aperture is disposed on said first side face of said frame. 6. A partition as set forth in claim 5, wherein: said frame includes first and second uprights extending generally vertically along opposite sides thereof; and said first aperture is disposed on one of said first and second uprights. 7. A partition as set forth in claim 6, wherein: said first aperture extends through an adjacent wall of said first upright on said first side face of said frame. 8. A partition as set forth in claim 7, wherein: said first projection is disposed on said cover and extends rearwardly from a back side of said cover. 9. A partition as set forth in claim 8, wherein: said second, third and fourth connectors comprise second, third and fourth apertures respectively disposed on said first side face of said frame. 10. A partition as set forth in claim 9, wherein: said first and second apertures are disposed on said first frame upright; and said third and fourth apertures are disposed on said second frame upright. 11. A partition as set forth in claim 10, wherein: said first aperture has a width that is substantially equal to the width of said second aperture. 12. A partition as set forth in claim 11, wherein: said first aperture has a height that is less than the height of said second aperture. 13. A partition as set forth in claim 12, wherein: said third aperture has a width that is substantially equal to the width of said fourth aperture. 14. A partition as set forth in claim 13, wherein: said third aperture has a height that is less than the height of said fourth aperture. 15. A partition as set forth in claim 14, wherein: said width of said first and second apertures is less than the width of said third and fourth apertures. 16. A partition as set forth in claim 15, wherein: said height of said first and third apertures is less than the height of said second and fourth apertures. 17. A partition as set forth in claim 16, wherein: each of said first, second, third and fourth projections has a common projecting configuration. 18. A partition as set forth in claim 17, wherein: each of said projections with said common projecting configuration has a range of lateral positions when inserted into a respective one of said first, second, third and fourth apertures, and wherein; said range of lateral positions provided by said first and second apertures is less than said range of lateral positions provided by said third and fourth apertures. 19. A partition as set forth in claim 18, wherein: each of said projections with said common projecting configuration has a range of vertical positions when inserted into a respective one of said first, second, third and fourth apertures, and wherein; said range of vertical positions provided by said first and third apertures is less than said range of vertical positions provided by said second and fourth apertures. 20. A partition as set forth in claim 19, wherein: each of said first, second, third and fourth projections includes a second projecting configuration which differs from said common projecting configuration, and is removably inserted into said first, second, third and fourth apertures respectively. 21. A partition as set forth in claim 20, wherein: at least one of said first and second apertures has a generally T-shaped front elevational configuration. 22. A partition as set forth in claim 21, wherein: at least one of said third and fourth apertures has a generally C-shaped front elevational configuration. 23. A partition as set forth in claim 22, wherein: said cover comprises a panel member having a major planar surface defining an exterior surface of said partition. 24. A partition as set forth in claim 23, wherein: said panel member has a generally rectangular front elevational shape defined by a top edge, a bottom edge and opposite side edges. 25. A partition as set forth in claim 24, wherein: said first and second projections are disposed along one of the side edges of said panel member, and said third and fourth projections are disposed along the other one of the side edges of said panel member. 26. A partition as set forth in claim 25, including: at least two clips extending along the top and bottom edges of said panel member. 27. A partition as set forth in claim 26, wherein: said frame includes a repositionable horizontal beam attached to said first and second uprights, and having apertures in which said clips are received. 28. A partition as set forth in claim 27, wherein: said frame includes an upper horizontal frame member rigidly connected with upper ends of said first and second uprights, and having apertures in which said clips are received. 29. A partition as set forth in claim 28, wherein: said frame includes a lower horizontal frame member rigidly connected with lower ends of said first and second uprights, and having apertures in which said clips are received. 30. A partition as set forth in claim 1, wherein: one of said first and fifth connectors comprises a first aperture. 31. A partition as set forth in claim 1, wherein: one of said first and fifth connectors comprises a projection. 32. A partition as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said frame includes first and second side faces on opposite sides thereof; said cover extends over at least a portion of said first side face; and said first, second, third and fourth connectors are disposed on said first side face of said frame. 33. A partition as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said frame includes first and second uprights extending generally vertically along opposite sides thereof; and said first and second connectors are disposed on said first upright, and said third and fourth connectors are disposed on said second upright. 34. A partition as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said second, third and fourth connectors comprise second, third and fourth apertures respectively disposed on said first side face of said frame. 35. A partition as set forth in claim 34, wherein: said first aperture has a width that is substantially equal to the width of said second aperture. 36. A partition as set forth in claim 34, wherein: said first aperture has a height that is less than the height of said second aperture. 37. A partition as set forth in claim 34, wherein: said third aperture has a width that is substantially equal to the width of said fourth aperture. 38. A partition as set forth in claim 34, wherein: said third aperture has a height that is less than the height of said fourth aperture. 39. A partition as set forth in claim 34, wherein: said first and second apertures have a width that is less than the width of said third and fourth apertures. 40. A partition as set forth in claim 34, wherein: said first and third apertures have a height that is less than the height of said second and fourth apertures. 41. A partition as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said first, second, third and fourth connectors comprise first, second, third and fourth apertures respectively; and said fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth connectors comprise projections having a common projecting configuration. 42. A partition as set forth in claim 41, wherein: each of said projections with said common projecting configuration has a range of lateral positions when inserted into a respective one of said first, second, third and fourth apertures, and wherein; said range of lateral positions provided by said first and second apertures is less than said range of lateral positions provided by said third and fourth apertures. 43. A partition as set forth in claim 41, wherein: each of said projections with said common projecting configuration has a range of vertical positions when inserted into a respective one of said first, second, third and fourth apertures, and wherein; said range of vertical positions provided by said first and third apertures is less than said range of vertical positions provided by said second and fourth apertures. 44. A partition as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said cover comprises a panel member having a major planar surface defining an exterior surface of said partition. 45. A partition as set forth in claim 44, wherein: said panel member has a generally rectangular front elevational shape defined by a top edge, a bottom edge and opposite side edges. 46. A partition as set forth in claim 45, wherein: said fifth and sixth connectors are disposed along one of the side edges of said panel member, and said seventh and eighth connectors are disposed along the other one of the side edges of said panel member. 47. A partition as set forth in claim 45, including: at least two clips extending along the top and bottom edges of said panel member. 48. A partition as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said frame includes a repositionable horizontal beam. 49. In a partition system of the type having a plurality of rigid frames interconnected to partition open space into individual areas, and a plurality of cover members detachably mounted on said frames in an edge-to-edge relationship to define narrow gaps between adjacent marginal edges of said cover members, the improvement of a cover mounting arrangement, comprising: at least one set of frame connectors disposed on each of said frames, comprising: a first connector disposed on an associated one of said frames at a predetermined location; a second connector spaced vertically apart from said first connector; a third connector spaced horizontally apart from said first and second connectors; a fourth connector spaced vertically apart from said third connector and horizontally apart from said first and second connectors; at least one set of cover connectors disposed on each of said covers, comprising: a fifth connector engaging said first connector in a manner which generally prevents both horizontal and vertical movement of said fifth connector relative to said first connector; a sixth connector spaced vertically apart from said fifth connector, and engaging said second connector in a manner which generally prevents horizontal movement of said sixth connector relative to said second connector, yet permits predetermined vertical movement of said sixth connector relative to said second connector; a seventh connector spaced horizontally apart from said fifth and sixth connectors, and engaging said third connector in a manner which generally prevents vertical movement of said seventh connector relative to said third connector, yet permits predetermined horizontal movement of said seventh connector relative to said third connector; and an eighth connector spaced vertically apart from said seventh connector and horizontally apart from said fifth and sixth connectors, and engaging said fourth connector in a manner which permits both predetermined horizontal and vertical movement of said eighth connector relative to said fourth connector, whereby said narrow gaps between said adjacent marginal edges of said cover members maintain a substantially uniform width for improved aesthetics. 50. A partition system as set forth in claim 49, wherein: said panel frames include hanger slots disposed along said narrow gaps between said adjacent marginal edges of said cover member to facilitate mounting accessories on said partition system. 51. A partition system as set forth in claim 50, wherein: said first, second, third and fourth connectors detachably engage said fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth connectors respectively to permit removal and replacement of said covers on said frames. 52. A partition system as set forth in claim 51, wherein: said frame includes first and second side faces on opposite sides thereof; said cover extends over at least a portion of said first side face; and said first, second, third and fourth connectors are disposed on said first side face of said frame. 53. A partition system as set forth in claim 52, wherein: said first, second, third and fourth connectors comprise first, second, third and fourth apertures respectively disposed on said first side face of said frame. 54. A partition system as set forth in claim 53, wherein: said fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth connectors comprise first, second, third and fourth projections extending rearwardly from a back side of said cover. 55. A partition system as set forth in claim 54, wherein: said first aperture has a width that is substantially equal to the width of said second aperture. 56. A partition system as set forth in claim 55, wherein: said first aperture has a height that is less than the height of said second aperture. 57. A partition system as set forth in claim 56, wherein: said third aperture has a width that is substantially equal to the width of said fourth aperture. 58. A partition system as set forth in claim 57, wherein: said third aperture has a height that is less than the height of said fourth aperture. 59. A partition system as set forth in claim 58, wherein: said width of said first and second apertures is less than the width of said third and fourth apertures. 60. A partition system as set forth in claim 59, wherein: said height of said first and third apertures is less than the height of said second and fourth apertures. 61. A partition system as set forth in claim 60, wherein: each of said first, second, third and fourth projections has a common projecting configuration. 62. A partition system as set forth in claim 61, wherein: each of said projections with said common projecting configuration has a range of lateral positions when inserted into a respective one of said first, second, third and fourth apertures, and wherein; said range of lateral positions provided by said first and second apertures is less than said range of lateral positions provided by said third and fourth apertures. 63. A partition system as set forth in claim 62, wherein: each of said projections with said common projecting configuration has a range of vertical positions when inserted into a respective one of said first, second, third and fourth apertures, and wherein; said range of vertical positions provided by said first and third apertures is less than said range of vertical positions provided by said second and fourth apertures. 64. A partition system as set forth in claim 63, wherein: each of said first, second, third and fourth projections includes a second projecting configuration which differs from said common projecting configuration, and is removably inserted into said first, second, third and fourth apertures respectively. 65. A partition system as set forth in claim 64, wherein: said frame includes a repositionable horizontal beam. 66. In a partition of the type having at least one rigid frame adapted to be supported in a generally vertical orientation along an associated floor surface to partition open space, and at least one cover detachably mounted on said frame to selectively cover at least a portion thereof, the improvement of a cover mounting arrangement, comprising: a first connector disposed on said frame at a predetermined location; a second connector disposed on said frame, and spaced vertically apart from said first connector; a third connector disposed on said frame, and spaced horizontally apart from said first and second connectors; a fourth connector disposed on said cover, and detachably engaging said first connector in a manner which generally prevents both horizontal and vertical movement of said fourth connector relative to said first connector; a fifth connector disposed on said cover, spaced vertically apart from said fifth connector, and detachably engaging said second connector in a manner which generally prevents horizontal movement of said fifth connector relative to said second connector, yet permits predetermined vertical movement of said fifth connector relative to said second connector; a sixth connector disposed on said cover, spaced horizontally apart from said fourth and fifth connectors, and detachably engaging said third connector in a manner which generally prevents vertical movement of said sixth connector relative to said third connector, yet permits predetermined horizontal movement of said sixth connector relative to said third connector. 67. A partition as set forth in claim 66, wherein: one of said first and fourth connectors comprises a first aperture. 68. A partition as set forth in claim 67, wherein: one of said first and fourth connectors comprises a first projection shaped for removable insertion into said first aperture for removably securing said cover to said frame. 69. A partition as set forth in claim 68, wherein: said frame includes first and second side faces on opposite sides thereof; said cover extends over at least a portion of said first side face; and said first aperture is disposed on said first side face of said frame. 70. A partition as set forth in claim 69, wherein: said first projection is disposed on said cover and extends rearwardly from a back side of said cover. 71. A partition as set forth in claim 70, wherein: said second and third connectors comprise second and third apertures respectively disposed on said first side face of said frame. 72. A partition as set forth in claim 71, wherein: said fifth and sixth connectors comprise second and third projections respectively disposed on the back side of said cover. 73. A partition as set forth in claim 71, wherein: said first aperture has a width that is substantially equal to the width of said second aperture. 74. A partition as set forth in claim 73, wherein: said first aperture has a height that is less than the height of said second aperture. 75. A partition as set forth in claim 74, wherein: said width of said first and second apertures is less than the width of said third aperture. 76. A partition as set forth in claim 75, wherein: said first and third apertures have a height that is less than the height of said second aperture. 77. A partition as set forth in claim 76, wherein: each of said first, second and third projections has a common projecting configuration. 78. A partition as set forth in claim 77, wherein: each of said projections with said common projecting configuration has a range of lateral positions when inserted into a respective one of said first, second and third apertures, and wherein; said range of lateral positions provided by said first and second apertures is less than said range of lateral positions provided by said third aperture. 79. A partition as set forth in claim 78, wherein: each of said projections with said common projecting configuration has a range of vertical positions when inserted into a respective one of said first, second and third apertures, and wherein; said range of vertical positions provided by said first and third apertures is less than said range of vertical positions provided by said second aperture. 80. A partition as set forth in claim 79, wherein: each of said first, second and third projections includes a second projecting configuration which differs from said common projecting configuration, and is removably inserted into said first, second and third apertures respectively. 81. A partition as set forth in claim 80, wherein: at least one of said first and second apertures has a generally T-shaped front elevational configuration. 82. A partition as set forth in claim 81, wherein: said aperture has a generally C-shaped front elevational configuration. 83. A partition as set forth in claim 82, wherein: said frame includes a repositionable horizontal beam. 84. In a reconfigurable partition system having a plurality of individual panels with opposite sides thereof detachably interconnected in a predetermined configuration to define at least one workstation, the improvement of a panel-to-panel connector, comprising: a generally T-shaped opening disposed in the side of a first one of said panels, and including an enlarged upper portion thereof having a predetermined width, and a narrower lower portion thereof communicating with said upper portion, and having a width less than the width of said upper portion; a bracket having a flange portion thereof connected with the side of a second one of said panels, and a generally T-shaped tongue portion thereof extending laterally outwardly from said flange portion, and including an enlarged head shaped for reception through the upper portion of said opening, and a narrower root shaped for close reception in the lower portion of said opening to selectively capture said head within the lower portion of said opening; said tongue portion being shaped to position said head a predetermined vertically spaced apart distance from said opening in said first panel when said first and second panels are disposed in a horizontally aligned, side-by-side position, such that said first and second panels must be mutually shifted to a non-aligned position to insert the head of said bracket into said opening, and having a predetermined length measured between said root and said flange, whereby shifting said first and second panels back to said horizontally aligned side-by-side position tenses said bracket and draws the sides of said first and second panels closely together. 85. A partition system as set forth in claim 84, wherein: said tongue portion of said bracket is flexible. 86. A partition system as set forth in claim 85, wherein: said tongue portion of said bracket is resiliently flexible, and elastically deforms when said first and second panels are in said horizontally aligned side-by-side position to bias the sides of said first and second panels together. 87. A partition system as set forth in claim 86, wherein: said tongue portion of said bracket is closely received in said opening to horizontally align said first and second panels. 88. A partition system as set forth in claim 87, wherein: said sides of said panels each have an upper portion and a lower portion when said first and second panels are oriented in a generally upright position; said opening is disposed adjacent the lower portion of said first panel; and said bracket is disposed adjacent the lower portion of said second panel, and defines a lower bracket. 89. A partition system as set forth in claim 88, including: an upper bracket detachably connecting the upper portion of said first panel with the upper portion of said second panel. 90. A partition system as set forth in claim 89, wherein: said upper bracket comprises a plate having vertically oriented fastener apertures extending through opposite ends thereof. 91. A partition system as set forth in claim 90, wherein: said first and second panels each have an upper surface with a vertically oriented fastener receiving opening therein adjacent the associated side; and including fasteners extending through said fastener apertures in said plate and into the fastener openings in the upper surfaces of said first and second panels. 92. A partition system as set forth in claim 91, wherein: said fastener apertures in said plate are spaced apart a first distance; and said fastener openings in the upper surfaces of said first and second panels are spaced apart a second distance, which is greater than said first distance, such that tightening said fasteners draws the upper portions of said first and second panels closely together. 93. A partition system as set forth in claim 84, wherein: said sides of said panels each have an upper portion and a lower portion when said first and second panels are oriented in a generally upright position; said opening is disposed adjacent the lower portion of said first panel; said bracket is disposed adjacent the lower portion of said second panel, and defines a lower bracket; and including an upper bracket detachably connecting the upper portion of said first panel with the upper portion of said second panel, comprising a plate having vertically oriented fastener apertures extending through opposite ends thereof, and fasteners extending through said fastener apertures in said plate and into fastener openings in upper surfaces of said first and second panels. 94. A partition for open office spaces, comprising: a freestanding base panel adapted to be supported on an associated floor surface, and including an upper edge with at least one vertically extending mounting aperture therein, and an upwardly opening, horizontally extending utility channel configured to receive and retain lay-in utilities therein; a stacker panel adapted to be detachably supported on said upper edge of said base panel in a vertically stacked relationship to selectively increase the overall height of said partition, and including a lower edge with at least one vertically extending mounting aperture therein positioned in vertical alignment with said mounting aperture in said upper edge of said base panel; and at least one bayonet connector detachably interconnecting said base panel and said stacker panel in said vertically stacked relationship, and having a generally Y-shaped front elevational configuration defined by a lower shank portion thereof and a pair of upper extension portions thereof forming a U-shaped open area therebetween; said shank portion being telescopingly received in said vertically extending mounting aperture in said base panel, and said upper extension portions being telescopingly received in said vertically extending mounting aperture in said stacker panel, such that said U-shaped open area aligns with said utility channel in said upper edge of said base panel to permit utilities to be routed horizontally through said partition. 95. A partition as set forth in claim 94, wherein: said bayonet connector is generally flat; and said vertically extending mounting apertures in said base panel and said stacker panel comprise elongate slots in which said bayonet connector is closely received. 96. A partition as set forth in claim 95, wherein: said bayonet connector includes an elongate slot extending from said open area between said upper extension portions to a predetermined location along said shank portion. 97. A partition as set forth in claim 96, including: fasteners positively securing said upper extension portions of said bayonet connector with said stacker panel. 98. A partition as set forth in claim 97, wherein: said fasteners are arranged to diverge said upper extension portions of said bayonet connector when tightened to securely engage said bayonet connector in said elongate slots in said base panel and said stacker panel.