IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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출원번호 |
UP-0034466
(2005-01-13)
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등록번호 |
US-7603821
(2009-11-10)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Eberlein, David C.
- Van Dyk, Daniel R.
- Waalkes, Michael L.
- Dhanoa, Davinder S.
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출원인 / 주소 |
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대리인 / 주소 |
Price, Heneveld, Cooper, DeWitt & Litton, LLP
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
17 인용 특허 :
34 |
초록
▼
An off-module connector system for a partition system detachably connects a first partition with a second partition in a non-parallel, angular relationship at a location on the first partition between the opposite side members thereof. The off-module connector system includes top and bottom connecto
An off-module connector system for a partition system detachably connects a first partition with a second partition in a non-parallel, angular relationship at a location on the first partition between the opposite side members thereof. The off-module connector system includes top and bottom connector brackets, which engage the attachment slots on the panel frames to securely, yet removably, mount the two partition panels in an off-modular relationship.
대표청구항
▼
The invention claimed is as follows: 1. In a partition system of the type having at least first and second partition panels, each including a generally rectangular frame defined by rigidly interconnected top, bottom and opposite side members, with a plurality of horizontal slots extending along sai
The invention claimed is as follows: 1. In a partition system of the type having at least first and second partition panels, each including a generally rectangular frame defined by rigidly interconnected top, bottom and opposite side members, with a plurality of horizontal slots extending along said top member, a plurality of vertical slots extending along said opposite side members, at least one vertically oriented mounting aperture disposed adjacent one end of said top member, and a skin covering at least a major portion of said frame, while leaving said horizontal slots and said vertical slots exposed, the improvement of an off-module connector detachably connecting said first partition panel with said second partition panel in a non-parallel, angular relationship at a location on said first partition panel between said opposite side members thereof, comprising: a top connector bracket having a hook portion of said top connector bracket detachably engaged in one of said horizontal slots on said first partition panel, and a plate portion of said top connector bracket positioned generally opposite of said hook portion of said top connector bracket, and including at least one vertically oriented fastener aperture positioned to mate with said mounting aperture on said second partition panel; a first fastener inserted through said fastener aperture in said top connector bracket and engaged in said mounting aperture on said second partition panel; a bottom connector bracket having a hook portion of said bottom connector bracket detachably engaged in one of said vertical slots on said second partition panel, and a plate portion of said bottom connector bracket positioned generally opposite said hook portion of said bottom connector bracket, and including at least one horizontally oriented fastener aperture positioned overlying said skin of said first partition panel at a vertical location aligned with said bottom member of said first partition panel; and a second fastener inserted into said fastener aperture in said bottom connector bracket, extending through said skin of said first partition panel and anchored in said bottom member of said first partition panel to securely, yet removably, mount said second partition panel on said first partition panel in an off-modular relationship. 2. A partition system as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said second fastener comprises a threaded, self-piercing screw adapted to be driven through said skin and anchored in said bottom member of said first partition panel without pre-drilling an associated aperture. 3. A partition system as set forth in claim 2, wherein: said top connector bracket is generally flat with said hook portion and said plate portion thereof being substantially coplanar. 4. A partition system as set forth in claim 3, wherein: said bottom connector bracket is generally flat with said hook portion and said plate portion thereof being substantially coplanar. 5. A partition system as set forth in claim 4, wherein: said one vertically oriented fastener aperture in said plate portion of said top connector bracket defines a first vertically oriented fastener aperture; and said plate portion of said top connector bracket includes a second vertically oriented fastener aperture spaced a predetermined distance from said first vertically oriented fastener aperture. 6. A partition system as set forth in claim 5, wherein: said first and second partition panels each include two of said vertically oriented mounting apertures disposed adjacent both ends of said top member, and positioned for vertical alignment with said first and second vertically oriented fastener apertures in said top connector bracket. 7. A partition system as set forth in claim 6, including: a third fastener inserted through said second vertically oriented fastener aperture in said top connector bracket and engaged in a vertically aligned one of said two vertically oriented mounting apertures on said second partition panel. 8. A partition system as set forth in claim 7, wherein: said hook portion of said top connector bracket protrudes laterally outwardly from said plate portion of said top connector bracket. 9. A partition system as set forth in claim 8, wherein: said hook portion of said bottom connector bracket protrudes vertically upwardly from said plate portion of said bottom connector bracket. 10. A partition system as set forth in claim 9, wherein: said top connector bracket defines a first top connector bracket; said first and second partition panels each include at least three of said vertically oriented fastener apertures disposed adjacent both ends of said top member; and including a second top connector bracket having a hook portion thereof detachably engaged in another one of said horizontal slots on said first partition panel, and a plate portion thereof positioned generally opposite of said hook portion of said second top connector bracket, and including at least one vertically oriented fastener aperture positioned to mate with a vertically aligned one of said mounting apertures on said second partition panel; and a fourth fastener inserted through said fastener aperture in said second top connector bracket and engaged in one of said mounting apertures on said second partition panel. 11. A partition system as set forth in claim 10, wherein: said second top connector bracket is generally flat with said hook portion thereof protruding laterally outwardly in a direction generally opposite that of said hook portion of said first top connector bracket to positively, yet detachably, interconnect said first and second partition panels. 12. A partition system as set forth in claim 11, wherein: said one vertically oriented fastener aperture in said plate portion of said second top connector bracket defines a first vertically oriented fastener aperture; said plate portion of said second top connector bracket includes a second vertically oriented fastener aperture spaced a predetermined distance from said first vertically oriented fastener aperture; and including a fastener inserted through said second vertically oriented fastener aperture in said second top connector bracket and engaged in a vertically aligned one of said vertically oriented fastener apertures on said second partition panel. 13. A partition system as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said top connector bracket is generally flat with said hook portion and said plate portion thereof being substantially coplanar. 14. A partition system as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said bottom connector bracket is generally flat with said hook portion and said plate portion thereof being substantially coplanar. 15. In a partition having at least first and second panels, each including a frame defined by rigidly interconnected top, bottom and opposite side members, with a plurality of horizontal slots extending along said top member, a plurality of vertical slots extending along said opposite side members, at least one mounting surface disposed adjacent said top member at an end thereof, and a skin covering at least a portion of said frame, while leaving said horizontal slots and said vertical slots exposed, the improvement of an off-module connector detachably connecting said first panel with said second panel in a non-parallel, angular relationship at a location on said first panel between said opposite side members thereof, comprising: a top connector bracket having a hook portion of said top connector bracket detachably engaged in one of said horizontal slots on said first panel, and a plate portion of said top connector bracket detachably connected with said mounting surface on said second panel; a bottom connector bracket having a hook portion of said bottom connector bracket detachably engaged in one of said vertical slots on said second panel, and a plate portion of said bottom connector bracket including at least one horizontally oriented fastener aperture positioned overlying said skin of said first panel at a vertical location aligned with said bottom member of said first panel; and a fastener inserted into said fastener aperture in said bottom connector bracket, extending through said skin of said first panel and anchored in said bottom member of said first panel to securely, yet removably, mount said second panel on said first panel in an off-modular relationship. 16. A partition as set forth in claim 15, wherein: said fastener comprises a threaded, self-piercing screw adapted to be driven through said skin and anchored in said bottom member of said first partition panel without pre-drilling an associated aperture. 17. A partition as set forth in claim 16, wherein: said top connector bracket defines a first top connector bracket; and including a second top connector bracket having a hook portion thereof detachably engaged in another one of said horizontal slots on said first panel, and a plate portion thereof detachably connected with said mounting surface on said second panel. 18. A partition as set forth in claim 17, wherein: said hook portions of said first and second top connector brackets protrude laterally outwardly in opposite directions to positively, yet detachably, interconnect said first and second partition panels. 19. A partition as set forth in claim 18, wherein: said bottom connector bracket is generally flat with said hook portion and said plate portion thereof being substantially coplanar. 20. A partition as set forth in claim 19, wherein: said fastener defines a first fastener; said mounting surface includes at least two vertically oriented mounting apertures; said plate portion of each of said first and second top connector brackets includes at least one vertically oriented fastener aperture positioned to mate with a mounting aperture in said mounting surface on said second panel; and second and third fasteners inserted through said fastener apertures in said first and second top connector brackets and engaged in said mounting apertures on said second panel. 21. A partition as set forth in claim 15, wherein: said top connector bracket defines a first top connector bracket; and including a second top connector bracket having a hook portion thereof detachably engaged in another one of said horizontal slots on said first panel, and a plate portion thereof detachably connected with said mounting surface on said second panel. 22. A partition as set forth in claim 21, wherein: said hook portions of said first and second top connector brackets protrude laterally outwardly in opposite directions to positively, yet detachably, interconnect said first and second partition panels. 23. A partition as set forth in claim 15, wherein: said bottom connector bracket is generally flat with said hook portion and said plate portion thereof being substantially coplanar. 24. A partition as set forth in claim 15, wherein: said fastener defines a first fastener; said mounting surface includes at least one vertically oriented mounting aperture; said plate portion of each of said top connector brackets includes at least one vertically oriented fastener aperture positioned to mate with said mounting aperture on said mounting surface on said second panel; and a second fastener inserted through said fastener aperture in said top connector bracket and engaged in said one mounting aperture on said second panel. 25. A method for detachably interconnecting partition panels in a non-parallel, off-modular relationship, comprising: providing first and second partition panels, each including a frame defined by rigidly interconnected top, bottom and opposite side members, with a plurality of horizontal slots extending along the top member, a plurality of vertical slots extending along the opposite side members, at least two mounting surfaces disposed adjacent opposite ends of the top member, and a skin covering at least a portion of the frame, while leaving the horizontal slots and the vertical slots exposed; providing a top connector bracket having a hook portion of the top connector bracket shaped for detachable engagement in one of the horizontal slots on the first partition panel, and a plate portion of the top connector bracket positioned generally opposite the hook portion of the top connector bracket; inserting the hook portion of the top connector bracket into a selected one of the horizontal slots on the first partition panel to detachably retain the same therein; detachably connecting the plate portion of the top connector bracket with one of the mounting surfaces on the second partition panel; providing a bottom connector bracket having a hook portion of the bottom connector bracket shaped for detachable engagement in one of the vertical slots on the second partition panel, and a plate portion of the bottom connector bracket positioned generally opposite the hook portion of the bottom connector bracket, and including at least one horizontally oriented fastener aperture positioned for overlying the skin on the first partition panel at a vertical location aligned with the bottom member of the first partition panel; inserting the hook portion of the bottom connector bracket into a selected one of the vertical slots on the second partition panel to detachably retain the same therein; and inserting a fastener into the fastener aperture in the bottom connector bracket, driving the fastener through the skin of the first partition panel, and anchoring the fastener in the bottom member of the first partition panel to securely, yet removably, mount the first partition panel on the second partition panel in an off-modular relationship. 26. A method as set forth in claim 25, wherein: said fastener inserting step comprises driving a threaded, self-piercing fastener through the skin and into the bottom member of the first partition panel without pre-drilling an associated aperture. 27. A method as set forth in claim 26, wherein: said detachably connecting step includes: forming a vertically oriented mounting aperture in the one mounting surface on the second partition panel; forming a vertically oriented fastener aperture in the plate portion of the top connector bracket; vertically aligning the fastener aperture in the plate portion of the top connector bracket with the mounting aperture in the one mounting surface on the second partition panel; and inserting a fastener through the fastener aperture in the top connector bracket and engaging the same in the one mounting aperture on the second partition panel. 28. A method as set forth in claim 27, including: providing a second top connector bracket having a hook portion thereof shaped for detachable engagement in another one of the horizontal slots on the first partition panel, and a plate portion thereof positioned generally opposite the hook portion of the second top connector bracket; inserting the hook portion of the second top connector bracket into another one of the horizontal slots on the first partition panel to detachably retain the same therein; and detachably connecting the plate portion of the second top connector bracket with the one mounting surface on the second partition panel. 29. A method as set forth in claim 25, including: providing a second top connector bracket having a hook portion thereof shaped for detachable engagement in another one of the horizontal slots on the first partition panel, and a plate portion thereof positioned generally opposite the hook portion of the second top connector bracket; inserting the hook portion of the second top connector bracket into another one of the horizontal slots on the first partition panel to detachably retain the same therein; and detachably connecting the plate portion of the second top connector bracket with the one mounting surface on the second partition panel.
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