초록 ▼

Apparatuses and methods for connecting office furniture components are disclosed. One embodiment includes a two-piece bracket that attaches a vertical panel adjacent to and extending upward from the top of a second vertical panel, the bracket forming two channels having openings in opposite directio

Apparatuses and methods for connecting office furniture components are disclosed. One embodiment includes a two-piece bracket that attaches a vertical panel adjacent to and extending upward from the top of a second vertical panel, the bracket forming two channels having openings in opposite directions. Another embodiment includes a two-piece bracket that holds two vertical wall panels together, the bracket including a U-shaped member and an L-shaped member connected to one another to form an S-shaped member. Another embodiment includes a two-piece bracket that receives the edge of a panel in a channel between the two pieces and includes a contact surface between the two pieces that is angled to increase the pressure exerted on the panel. Still another embodiment includes a two-piece bracket that holds a shelf atop a wall panel and includes an L-shaped member and a T-shaped member that connect to form a Π-shaped member.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A modular furniture system, comprising: a first bracket member with a base, a longer side portion and a shorter side portion, each of the longer side portion and the shorter side portion extending away from the base to a respective distal end, the longer side portion and the shorter side portion

1. A modular furniture system, comprising: a first bracket member with a base, a longer side portion and a shorter side portion, each of the longer side portion and the shorter side portion extending away from the base to a respective distal end, the longer side portion and the shorter side portion being unequal in length with the distal end of the longer side portion being farther from the base of the first member than is the distal end of the shorter side portion, the base, the longer side portion, and the shorter side portion defining a first channel that snugly receives a first modular office furniture panel; anda second bracket member with a base and a side portion, the side portion extending away from the base to a distal end, the base of the second bracket member being removably connected to the distal end of the longer side portion of the first bracket member by a fastening member, the fastening member being farther from the base of the first bracket member than is the distal end of the shorter side portion, the first and second bracket members forming a second channel between the first and second bracket members, and the second channel snugly receiving a second modular office furniture panel, the first bracket member being U-shaped and the second bracket member being L-shaped, the first and second bracket members forming an S-shaped bracket when connected to one another. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second bracket members securely hold the second modular office furniture panel adjacent a top of the first modular office furniture panel. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the fastening member extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the side portions of the first and second bracket members, the first modular office furniture panel comprising a wall panel, and the second modular office furniture panel comprising a privacy panel. 4. The system of claim 1, the second channel opening in a first direction in which the first channel does not open, the first channel opening in a second direction in which the second channel does not open, the first and second directions being opposite. 5. A modular furniture system, comprising: a first bracket member with a base, a longer side portion and a shorter side portion, each of the longer side portion and the shorter side portion extending away from the base to a respective distal end, the longer side portion and the shorter side portion being unequal in length with the distal end of the longer side portion being farther from the base of the first member than is the distal end of the shorter side portion, the base, the longer side portion, and the shorter side portion defining a first channel that snugly receives a first modular office furniture panel; anda second bracket member with a base and a side portion, the side portion extending away from the base to a distal end, the base of the second bracket member being removably connected to the distal end of the longer side portion of the first bracket member by a fastening member, the fastening member being farther from the base of the first bracket member than is the distal end of the shorter side portion, the first and second bracket members forming a second channel between the first and second bracket members, and the second channel snugly receiving a second modular office furniture panel, wherein the fastening member is elongate, the fastening member being inserted into a distal end of the base of the second bracket member. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the fastening member includes a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis being perpendicular to but non-intersecting with the shorter side portion. 7. A modular furniture system, comprising: a first bracket member with a base and two side portions, each side portion extending away from the base to a respective distal end, the base and two side portions defining a first channel that snugly receives a first modular office furniture panel; anda second bracket member with a base and a side portion, the side portion extending away from the base to a distal end, the base of the second bracket member being removably connected to the distal end of a first bracket member side portion by a fastening member, the first and second bracket members forming a second channel between the first and second bracket members, the second channel snugly receiving a second modular office furniture panel, the first and second bracket members being configured to exert a clamping force on the second modular office furniture panel wherein the clamping force is adjustable via actuation of the fastening member, wherein the first bracket member is U-shaped and the second bracket member is L-shaped, the first and second bracket members forming an S-shaped bracket when connected together. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the first and second bracket members securely hold the second modular office furniture panel adjacent a top of the first modular office furniture panel. 9. The system of claim 7, wherein the fastening member extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the side portions of the first and second bracket members, the first modular office furniture panel comprising a wall panel, and the second modular office furniture panel comprising a privacy panel. 10. The system of claim 7, the second channel opening in a first direction in which the first channel does not open, the first channel opening in a second direction in which the second channel does not open, the first and second directions being opposite. 11. The system of claim 7, wherein the fastening member comprises a screw. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the clamping force is adjustable via rotation of the screw. 13. A modular furniture system, comprising: a first bracket member with a base and two side portions, each side portion extending away from the base to a respective distal end, the base and two side portions defining a first channel that snugly receives a first modular office furniture panel; anda second bracket member with a base and a side portion, the side portion extending away from the base to a distal end, the base of the second bracket member being removably connected to the distal end of a first bracket member side portion by a screw, the first and second bracket members forming a second channel between the first and second bracket members, the second channel snugly receiving a second modular office furniture panel, the base of the second bracket member including a first surface facing generally in a direction of a second surface of the distal end of the first bracket member side portion, the first surface and the second surface being non-parallel to each other such that a clamping force exerted by the first and second bracket members on the second modular office furniture panel is adjustable via turning of the screw, wherein the first bracket member is U-shaped and the second bracket member is L-shaped, the first and second bracket members forming an S-shaped bracket when connected together. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the first surface and/or the second surface are non-perpendicular to the screw. 15. The system of claim 13, wherein the first and second bracket members securely hold the second modular office furniture panel adjacent a top of the first modular office furniture panel. 16. The system of claim 13, wherein the screw extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the side portions of the first and second bracket members, the first modular office furniture panel comprising a wall panel, and the second modular office furniture panel comprising a privacy panel. 17. The system of claim 13, the second channel opening in a first direction in which the first channel does not open, the first channel opening in a second direction in which the second channel does not open, the first and second directions being opposite.