Partitioning system having removable panels

Claim 2

In a partitioning system for partitioning a room having a floor a ceiling and wall into smaller room units, comprising: a pair of parallel, upstanding framing members disposed in a spaced-apart relationship, each said framing member having an inwardly extending, vertically elongated recess formed therein; means for securing an uppermost end portion of said framing member to the ceiling of the existing room. panel means forming at least one partitioning panel extending between said framing members, said panel means having opposite end edge portions spaced from, and disposed adjacent to said framing members, thereby to form a gap between each of said framing members and the adjacent, confronting end edge portions of said panel means, said panel means having an inwardly extending, vertically elongated recess formed in each of said opposite end edge portions in confronting relationship with said recesses of said pair of framing members; a pair of upstanding, elongated connecting members respectively connecting said pair of framing members to said opposite end edge portions of said panel means. each said connecting member being partially received in each of said confronting recesses respectively formed in said pair of framing members and in said panel means and being substantially vertically co-extensive with said panel means, thereby to close the gap, each of said connecting members being configured relative to said recesses to be closely received therewithin for preventing relative lateral movement between said panel means and said framing members; concealed biasing means urging at least one of said connecting members outwardly of one of its associated recesses and into firm engagement with a bottom wall portion of the opposite one of its associated recesses, thereby to apply a compression force for holding said panel means in firm assembly and permitting movement of said connecting member against the urging of said biasing means to a position for enabling the removal of said panel means.

Claim 3

A partitioning system as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for securing an uppermost end portion of said framing member to the ceiling of the existing room comprises: an L-shaped bracket having a first planar leg portion and a second planar leg portion disposed at right angles to said first leg portion; said first leg portion being attached to the ceiling; and said second leg portion being secured to said framing member.

Claim 4

A partitioning system as defined in claim 2 further characterized by: said recess of said framing member formed with a pair of inwardly opening, opposed, undercut slots in an uppermost end portion of the framing member for receiving opposed edge portions of one of said leg portions of said means for securing said framing member to the ceiling.

Claim 5

In a partitioning system for partitioning a room having a floor a ceiling and walls into smaller room units, comprising: a pair of parallel, upstanding framing members disposed is a spaced-apart relationship, each said framing member having an inwardly extending, vertically elongated recess formed therein; means for elevating a lowermost end portion of said framing member above the floor of the existing room to prevent carpeting which is placed on the floor from being depressed by supporting said framing member panel means forming at least one partitioning panel extending between said framing members, said panel means having opposite end edge portions spaced from, and disposed adjacent to said framing members, thereby to form a gap between each of said framing members and the adjacent, confronting end edge portions of said panel means, said panel means having an inwardly extending, vertically elongated recess formed in each of said opposite end portions in confronting relationship with said recesses of said pair of framing members; a pair of upstanding, elongated connecting members respectively connecting said pair of framing members to said opposite end edge portions of said panel means, each said connecting member being partially received in each of said confronting recesses respectively formed in said pair of framing members and in said panel means and being substantially vertically co-extensive with said panel means, thereby to close the gap, each of said connecting members being configured relative to said recesses to be closely received therewithin for preventing relative lateral movement between said panel and said framing members; concealed biasing means urging at least one of said connecting members outwardly of one of its associated recesses and into firm engagement with a bottom wall portion of the opposite one of its associated recesses, thereby to apply a compression force for holding said panel means in firm assembly and permitting movement of said connecting members against the urging of said biasing means to a position for enabling the removal of said panel means.

Claim 6

In a partitioning system for partitioning a room having a floor a ceiling and walls into smaller room units, comprising: a pair of parallel, upstanding framing members disposed is a spaced-apart relationship, each said framing member having an inwardly extending, vertically elongated recess formed therein; means for elevating a lowermost end portion of said framing member above the floor of the existing room to prevent carpeting which is placed on the floor from being depressed by supporting said framing member panel means forming at least one partitioning panel extending between said framing members, said panel means having opposite end edge portions spaced from, and disposed adjacent to said framing members, thereby to form a gap between each of said framing members and the adjacent, confronting end edge portions of said panel means, said panel means having an inwardly extending, vertically elongated recess formed in each of said opposite end portions in confronting relationship with said recesses of said pair of framing members; a pair of upstanding, elongated connecting members respectively connecting said pair of framing members to said opposite end edge portions of said panel means, each said connecting member being partially received in each of said confronting recesses respectively formed in said pair of framing members and in said panel means and being substantially vertically co-extensive with said panel means, thereby to close the gap, each of said connecting members being configured relative to said recesses to be closely received therewithin for preventing relative lateral movement between said panel and said framing members; concealed biasing means urging at least one of said connecting members outwardly of one of its associated recesses and into firm engagement with a bottom wall portion of the opposite one of its associated recesses, thereby to apply a compression force for holding said panel means in firm assembly and permitting movement of said connecting members against the urging of said biasing means to a position for enabling the removal of said panel means.

Claim 7

A partitioning system as defined in claim 4, wherein said means for elevating said lowermost end portion of said framing member includes: a plate member having a planar configuration with a lowermost end portion thereof formed to provide at least one downwardly extending, tapered projection for passing through said carpeting and for engaging the floor of the existing room; said recess of said framing member formed with a pair of inwardly opening, opposed, undercut slots in a lowermost end portion of the framing member for receiving opposed edge portions of said planar plate member; and means for fixedly attaching said plate member to the lowermost end portion of said framing member with said projection extending therebelow.

Claim 8

In a partitioning system for an existing room having a floor, a ceiling and walls, the system comprising: a pair of parallel, upstanding framing members disposed in a spaced-apart relationship, each of said framing member having an inwardly extending, vertically elongated recess formed therein; panel means forming at least one partitioning panel extending between said framing members, said panel means having opposite end edge portions spaced from, and disposed adjacent to said framing members, thereby to form a gap between each of said framing members and the adjacent, confronting end edge portions of said panel means, said panel means having an inwardly extending, vertically elongated recess formed in each of said opposite end edge portions in confronting relationship with said recesses of said pair of framing members; a pair of upstanding, elongated connecting members respectively connecting said pair of framing members to said opposite end edge portions of said panel means, each of said connecting member being partially received in each of said confronting recesses respectively formed in said pair of framing members and in said panel means and being substantially vertically co-extensive with said panel means, thereby to close the gap, each said connecting members being configuRed relative to said recesses to be closely received therewithin for preventing relative lateral movement between said panel means and said framing members, and each said connecting member including means for receiving a tool to move said connecting member against said means for releasably biasing said connecting member to a position wherein said connecting member is out of engagement with said recess of one of said panel means and said framing member; concealed biasing means urging at least one of said connecting members outwardly of one of its associated recesses and into firm engagement with a bottom wall portion of the opposite one of its associated recesses, thereby to apply a compression force for holding said panel means in firm assembly and permitting movement of said connecting member against the urging of said biasing means to a position for enabling the removal of said panel means.

Claim 9

In a partitioning system for an existing room having a floor, a ceiling and walls, the system comprising: a pair of parallel, upstanding framing members disposed in a spaced-apart relationship, each of said framing member having an inwardly extending, vertically elongated recess formed therein; panel means forming at least one partitioning panel extending between said framing members, said panel means having opposite end edge portions spaced from, and disposed adjacent to said framing members, thereby to form a gap between each of said framing members and the adjacent, confronting end edge portions of said panel means, said panel means having an inwardly extending, vertically elongated recess formed in each of said opposite end edge portions in confronting relationship with said recesses of said pair of framing members; a pair of upstanding, elongated connecting members respectively connecting said pair of framing members to said opposite end edge portions of said panel means, each of said connecting member being partially received in each of said confronting recesses respectively formed in said pair of framing members and in said panel means and being substantially vertically co-extensive with said panel means, thereby to close the gap, each said connecting members being configuRed relative to said recesses to be closely received therewithin for preventing relative lateral movement between said panel means and said framing members, and each said connecting member including means for receiving a tool to move said connecting member against said means for releasably biasing said connecting member to a position wherein said connecting member is out of engagement with said recess of one of said panel means and said framing member; concealed biasing means urging at least one of said connecting members outwardly of one of its associated recesses and into firm engagement with a bottom wall portion of the opposite one of its associated recesses, thereby to apply a compression force for holding said panel means in firm assembly and permitting movement of said connecting member against the urging of said biasing means to a position for enabling the removal of said panel means.

Claim 10

In a system for partitioning a room having a floor, a ceiling and walls into smaller room units, comprising: a pair of parallel, upstanding framing members disposed in a spaced-apart relationship, each said framing member having an inwardly extending, vertically elongated recess formed therein; panel means forming at least one partitioning panel extending between said framing members, said panel means having opposite end edge portions spaced from, and disposed adjacent to said framing members, thereby to form a gap between each of said framing members and the adjacent, confronting end edge portions of said panel means, said panel means having an inwardly extending, vertically elongated recess formed in each of said opposite end edge portions in confronting relationship with said recesses of said pair of framing members; a pair of upstanding, elongated connecting members respectively connecting said pair of framing members to said opposite end edge portions of said panel means, each said connecting member being partially received in each of said confronting recesses respectively formed in said pair of framing members and in said panel means and being substantially vertically co-extensive with said panel means, thereby to close said gap, each of said connecting members being an elongated, vertically extending member having a configuration in transverse cross-section including a recess, said recess having a medial bottom portion with a pair of side portions laterally extending outwardly from opposite side edge portions of said medial bottom portion and arranged at generally right angles thereto for preventing relative lateral movement between said panel means and said framing members; concealed biasing means positioned between said panel means and said recess in said connecting and engaging said medial bottom portion member urging at least one of said connecting members outwardly of one of its associated recesses and into firm engagement with a bottom wall portion of the opposite one of its associated recesses, thereby to apply a compression force for holding said panel means in firm assembly and permitting movement of said connecting member against the urging of said biasing means to a position for enabling the removal of said panel means.

Claim 11

In a system for partitioning a room having a floor, a ceiling and walls into smaller room units, comprising: a pair of parallel, upstanding framing members disposed in a spaced-apart relationship, each said framing member having an inwardly extending, vertically elongated recess formed therein; panel means forming at least one partitioning panel extending between said framing members, said panel means having opposite end edge portions spaced from, and disposed adjacent to said framing members, thereby to form a gap between each of said framing members and the adjacent, confronting end edge portions of said panel means, said panel means having an inwardly extending, vertically elongated recess formed in each of said opposite end edge portions in confronting relationship with said recesses of said pair of framing members; a pair of upstanding, elongated connecting members respectively connecting said pair of framing members to said opposite end edge portions of said panel means, each said connecting member being partially received in each of said confronting recesses respectively formed in said pair of framing members and in said panel means and being substantially vertically co-extensive with said panel means, thereby to close said gap, each of said connecting members being an elongated, vertically extending member having a configuration in transverse cross-section including a recess, said recess having a medial bottom portion with a pair of side portions laterally extending outwardly from opposite side edge portions of said medial bottom portion and arranged at generally right angles thereto for preventing relative lateral movement between said panel means and said framing members; concealed biasing means positioned between said panel means and said recess in said connecting and engaging said medial bottom portion member urging at least one of said connecting members outwardly of one of its associated recesses and into firm engagement with a bottom wall portion of the opposite one of its associated recesses, thereby to apply a compression force for holding said panel means in firm assembly and permitting movement of said connecting member against the urging of said biasing means to a position for enabling the removal of said panel means.

Claim 12

A partitioning system as defined in claim 1, further characterized by: said recess of said framing member providing a pair of opposed, planar wall surfaces spaced apart a distance to fittingly receive said connecting means.

Claim 13

A partitioning system as defined in claim 8, further characterized by: said recess of said panel means providing a pair of opposed, planar wall surfaces spaced apart a distance to fittingly receive said connecting means.

Claim 14

A partitioning system as defined in claim 9, further characterized by: said pair of opposed planar wall surfaces of said recess of said panel means disposed co-planarly with said pair of opposed planar wall surfaces of said recess of said framing member.

Claim 15

A partitioning system as defined in claim 7, further characTerized by: said connecting means including an elongated, vertically extending member with said first portion thereof providing a pair of parallel, laterally disposed wall surfaces spaced apart a distance to fittingly engage said recess of said framing member, and with said second portion providing a pair of parallel, laterally disposed wall surfaces spaced apart a distance to fittingly engage said recess of said panel means.

Claim 16

A partitioning system as defined in claim 10, further characterized by: said connecting means including an elongated, vertically extending member having a H-shaped configuration in transverse cross-section, i.e. having a planar medial portion with a pair of laterally extending side bars disposed on opposed edge portions of said medial portion and arranged at right angles thereto; said pair of side bars being spaced apart a distance to provide a pair of laterally disposed, outwardly facing, parallel wall surfaces for fittingly engaging said parallel wall surfaces of said recess of said framing member and said parallel wall surfaces of said recess of said panel means.

Claim 17

A partitioning system as defined by claim 7, further characterized by: said means for releasably biasing said connecting means outwardly of one of said recesses and into engagement with a bottom wall surface of said other recess includes at least one coiled spring interposed between said connecting means and a bottom wall surface of said recess of said panel means.

Claim 18

A partitioning system as defined in claim 7, further comprising: said panel means being disposed with an uppermost edge portion thereof spaced from the ceiling to provide an opening between the panel and the ceiling; and means for closing said opening between said uppermost edge portion of said panel means and the ceiling of the existing room.

Claim 19

A partitioning system as defined in claim 14, and further characterized by: said connecting member including tool-engagement notches formed on at least one laterally projecting face thereof at a position disposed in alignment with the gap between said framing members and said opposite end portions of said panel means, thereby enabling the engagement of a tool in said connecting member for member the same against the urging of said biasing means to facilitate assembly and disassembly of a partition.

Claim 20

In a partitioning system for an existing room having a floor, a ceiling and walls, the system comprising: a pair of parallel, upstanding framing members disposed in a spaced-apart relationship, each said framing member having an inwardly extending, vertically elongated recess formed therein; panel means forming at least one partitioning panel extending between said framing members, said panel means having opposite end edge portions spaced from, and disposed adjacent to said framing members, thereby to form a gap between each of said framing members and the adjacent, confronting end edge portions of said panel means, said panel means having an inwardly extending, vertically elongated recess formed in each of said opposite end edge portions in confronting relationship with said recesses of said pair of framing members; said panel means being disposed with an uppermost edge portion thereof spaced from the ceiling to provide an opening between the panel and the ceiling; and means for closing the opening formed between said uppermost edge portion of said panel means and the ceiling includes an elongated, horizontally disposed member secured to the ceiling and formed with a downwardly opening channel; and said uppermost edge portion of said panel means being fittingly received within said channel a pair of upstanding, elongated connecting members respectively connecting said pair of framing members to said opposite end edge portions of said panel means, each said connecting member being partially received in each of said confronting recesses respectively formed in said pair of framing members and in said panel means and being substantially vertically co-extensive with said panel means, thereby to close the gap, and each said connecting members being configured relative to said recesses to be closely received therewithin for preventing relative lateral movement between said panel means and said framing members; concealed biasing means urging at leas one of said connecting members outwardly of one of its associated recesses and into firm engagement with a bottom wall portion of the opposite one of its associated recesses, thereby to apply a compression force for holding said panel means in firm assembly and permitting movement of said connecting member against the urging of said biasing means to a position for enabling the removal of said panel means.

Claim 21

In a partitioning system for an existing room having a floor, a ceiling and walls, the system comprising: a pair of parallel, upstanding framing members disposed in a spaced-apart relationship, each said framing member having an inwardly extending, vertically elongated recess formed therein; panel means forming at least one partitioning panel extending between said framing members, said panel means having opposite end edge portions spaced from, and disposed adjacent to said framing members, thereby to form a gap between each of said framing members and the adjacent, confronting end edge portions of said panel means, said panel means having an inwardly extending, vertically elongated recess formed in each of said opposite end edge portions in confronting relationship with said recesses of said pair of framing members; said panel means being disposed with an uppermost edge portion thereof spaced from the ceiling to provide an opening between the panel and the ceiling; and means for closing the opening formed between said uppermost edge portion of said panel means and the ceiling includes an elongated, horizontally disposed member secured to the ceiling and formed with a downwardly opening channel; and said uppermost edge portion of said panel means being fittingly received within said channel a pair of upstanding, elongated connecting members respectively connecting said pair of framing members to said opposite end edge portions of said panel means, each said connecting member being partially received in each of said confronting recesses respectively formed in said pair of framing members and in said panel means and being substantially vertically co-extensive with said panel means, thereby to close the gap, and each said connecting members being configured relative to said recesses to be closely received therewithin for preventing relative lateral movement between said panel means and said framing members; concealed biasing means urging at leas one of said connecting members outwardly of one of its associated recesses and into firm engagement with a bottom wall portion of the opposite one of its associated recesses, thereby to apply a compression force for holding said panel means in firm assembly and permitting movement of said connecting member against the urging of said biasing means to a position for enabling the removal of said panel means.

Claim 22

In a partitioning system for partitioning a room, having walls, a ceiling and floor, into smaller units, the system comprising: a pair of parallel, upstanding framing members disposed in a spaced-apart relationship, each said framing member having an inwardly extending, vertically elongated recess formed therein, with at least one of said framing members being disposed adjacent an existing wall and having vertically elongated sockets opening toward the existing wall; and a flexible sealing strip carried in said vertically elongated sockets and being urged into firm engagement with the existing wall by the compression provided by said concealed biasing means, whereby said flexible ceiling strip conforms to the configuration of the existing wall to provide a seal between said framing member and the existing wall, panel means forming at least one partitioning panel extending between said framing members, said panel means having opposite end edge portions spaced from, and disposed adjacent to said framing members, thereby to form a gap between each of said framing members and the adjacent, confronting end edge portions of said panel means, said panel means having an inwardly extending, vertically elongated recess formed in each of said opposite end edge portions in confronting relationship with said recesses of said pair of framing members; a pair of upstanding, elongated members respectively connecting said pair of framing members to said opposite end edge portions of said panel means, each said connecting member being partially received in each of said confronting recesses respectively formed in said pair of framing members and in said panel means and being substantially vertically co-extensive with said panel means, thereby to close the gap, each of said connecting members being configured relative to said recesses to be closely received therewithin for preventing relative lateral movement between said panel means and said framing members; concealed biasing means urging at least one of said connecting members outwardly of one of its associated recesses and into firm engagement with a bottom wall portion of the opposite one of its associated recesses, thereby to apply a compression force for holding said panel means in firm assembly and permitting movement of said connecting member against the urging of said biasing means to a position for enabling the removal of said panel means.

Claim 23

In a partitioning system for partitioning a room, having walls, a ceiling and floor, into smaller units, the system comprising: a pair of parallel, upstanding framing members disposed in a spaced-apart relationship, each said framing member having an inwardly extending, vertically elongated recess formed therein, with at least one of said framing members being disposed adjacent an existing wall and having vertically elongated sockets opening toward the existing wall; and a flexible sealing strip carried in said vertically elongated sockets and being urged into firm engagement with the existing wall by the compression provided by said concealed biasing means, whereby said flexible ceiling strip conforms to the configuration of the existing wall to provide a seal between said framing member and the existing wall, panel means forming at least one partitioning panel extending between said framing members, said panel means having opposite end edge portions spaced from, and disposed adjacent to said framing members, thereby to form a gap between each of said framing members and the adjacent, confronting end edge portions of said panel means, said panel means having an inwardly extending, vertically elongated recess formed in each of said opposite end edge portions in confronting relationship with said recesses of said pair of framing members; a pair of upstanding, elongated members respectively connecting said pair of framing members to said opposite end edge portions of said panel means, each said connecting member being partially received in each of said confronting recesses respectively formed in said pair of framing members and in said panel means and being substantially vertically co-extensive with said panel means, thereby to close the gap, each of said connecting members being configured relative to said recesses to be closely received therewithin for preventing relative lateral movement between said panel means and said framing members; concealed biasing means urging at least one of said connecting members outwardly of one of its associated recesses and into firm engagement with a bottom wall portion of the opposite one of its associated recesses, thereby to apply a compression force for holding said panel means in firm assembly and permitting movement of said connecting member against the urging of said biasing means to a position for enabling the removal of said panel means.

Claim 24

In a partitioning system for partitioning a room, having walls, a ceiling and floor, into smaller units, the system comprising: a pair of parallel, upstanding framing members disposed in a spaced-apart relationship, each said framing member having an inwardly extending, vertically elongated recess formed therein; panel means forming at least one partitioning panel extending between said framing members, said panel means having opposite end edge portions spaced from, and disposed adjacent to said framing members, thereby to form a gap between each of said framing members and the adjacent, confronting end edge portions of said panel means, said panel means having an inwardly extending vertically elongated recess formed in each of said opposite end edge portions In confronting relationship with said recesses of said pair of framing members, and each of said recesses having a pair of planar, vertically extending, spaced-apart sidewalls of an interconnecting bottom wall; a pair of upstanding, elongated connecting members respectively connecting said pair of framing members to said opposite end edge portions of said panel means, each said connecting member being partially received in each of said confronting recesses respectively formed in said pair of framing members and in said panel means and being substantially vertically co-extensive with said panel means, thereby to close the gap, each said connecting members being configured relative to said recesses to be closely received therewithin for preventing relative lateral movement between said panel means and said framing members; each said connecting member having a planar medial portion and a pair of side bars extending laterally of, and disposed on opposite end edges of, said medial portion and arranged at right angles thereto in an H-shaped configuration, said pair of side bars being spaced apart a distance to provide a pair of laterally disposed, outwardly facing wall surfaces for fittingly engaging said sidewalls of said recesses, thereby to provide lateral support for said panel means; concealed biasing means urging at least one of said connecting members outwardly of one of its associated recesses and into firm engagement with a bottom wall portion of the opposite one of its associated recesses, thereby to apply a compression force for holding said panel means in firm assembly and permitting movement of said connecting member against the urging of said biasing means to a position for enabling the removal of said panel means, said concealed biasing means including at least one coil compression spring having opposite end portions operatively engaging said bottom wall of one of said recesses and said medial portion of said connecting member and being contained between, and concealed by, said pair of side bars of said connecting member.

Claim 25

In a partitioning system for partitioning a room, having walls, a ceiling and floor, into smaller units, the system comprising: a pair of parallel, upstanding framing members disposed in a spaced-apart relationship, each said framing member having an inwardly extending, vertically elongated recess formed therein; panel means forming at least one partitioning panel extending between said framing members, said panel means having opposite end edge portions spaced from, and disposed adjacent to said framing members, thereby to form a gap between each of said framing members and the adjacent, confronting end edge portions of said panel means, said panel means having an inwardly extending vertically elongated recess formed in each of said opposite end edge portions In confronting relationship with said recesses of said pair of framing members, and each of said recesses having a pair of planar, vertically extending, spaced-apart sidewalls of an interconnecting bottom wall; a pair of upstanding, elongated connecting members respectively connecting said pair of framing members to said opposite end edge portions of said panel means, each said connecting member being partially received in each of said confronting recesses respectively formed in said pair of framing members and in said panel means and being substantially vertically co-extensive with said panel means, thereby to close the gap, each said connecting members being configured relative to said recesses to be closely received therewithin for preventing relative lateral movement between said panel means and said framing members; each said connecting member having a planar medial portion and a pair of side bars extending laterally of, and disposed on opposite end edges of, said medial portion and arranged at right angles thereto in an H-shaped configuration, said pair of side bars being spaced apart a distance to provide a pair of laterally disposed, outwardly facing wall surfaces for fittingly engaging said sidewalls of said recesses, thereby to provide lateral support for said panel means; concealed biasing means urging at least one of said connecting members outwardly of one of its associated recesses and into firm engagement with a bottom wall portion of the opposite one of its associated recesses, thereby to apply a compression force for holding said panel means in firm assembly and permitting movement of said connecting member against the urging of said biasing means to a position for enabling the removal of said panel means, said concealed biasing means including at least one coil compression spring having opposite end portions operatively engaging said bottom wall of one of said recesses and said medial portion of said connecting member and being contained between, and concealed by, said pair of side bars of said connecting member.

Claim 26

In a system for partitioning an existing room having an floor, a ceiling and walls into smaller room units, comprising: at least one vertically extending framing member formed to provide an elongated recess; means forming a partitioning panel having an elongated recess in confronting relationship with said recess of said framing member; means connecting said panel to said framing member, said connecting means being interposed between said panel means and said framing member and having a first portion received within said recess of said framing member and a second portion received within said recess of said panel means; and means for securing an uppermost end portion of said framing member to a ceiling of an existing room, said means including an L-shaped bracket having a first planar leg portion adapted for attachment to the ceiling and a second planar leg portion disposed at right angles to said first leg portion and being adapted to be secured to said framing member, and said recess of said framing member being formed with a pair of inwardly opening, opposed, undercut slots for receiving opposed edge portions of said second planar leg portion.

Claim 27

In a system for partitioning an existing room having an floor, a ceiling and walls into smaller room units, comprising: at least one vertically extending framing member formed to provide an elongated recess; means forming a partitioning panel having an elongated recess in confronting relationship with said recess of said framing member; means connecting said panel to said framing member, said connecting means being interposed between said panel means and said framing member and having a first portion received within said recess of said framing member and a second portion received within said recess of said panel means; and means for securing an uppermost end portion of said framing member to a ceiling of an existing room, said means including an L-shaped bracket having a first planar leg portion adapted for attachment to the ceiling and a second planar leg portion disposed at right angles to said first leg portion and being adapted to be secured to said framing member, and said recess of said framing member being formed with a pair of inwardly opening, opposed, undercut slots for receiving opposed edge portions of said second planar leg portion.

Claim 28

In a system for partitioning an existing room having a floor, a ceiling and walls into smaller room units, comprising: at least one vertically extending framing member formed to provide an elongated recess; means forming a partitioning panel having an elongated recess in confronting relationship with said recess of said framing member; means connecting said panel to said framing member, said connecting means being interposed between said panel and said framing member and having a first portion received within said recess of said framing member and a second portion said within said recess of said panel means; and means for elevating a lowermost end portion of said framing member above a floor of an exiSting room to prevent carpeting which may be placed on the floor from being depressed by supporting said framing member, said means including a plate member having a planar configuration with a lowermost end portion thereof formed to provide at least one downwardly extending, tapered projection for passing through the carpeting and for engaging the floor of the existing room, said recess of said framing member being formed with a pair of inwardly opening, opposed, undercut slots for receiving opposed edge portions of said plate member, and means for fixedly attaching said plate member to said framing member with said projection extending below a lowermost end of said framing member.

Claim 29

In a system for partitioning an existing room having a floor, a ceiling and walls into smaller room units, comprising: at least one vertically extending framing member formed to provide an elongated recess; means forming a partitioning panel having an elongated recess in confronting relationship with said recess of said framing member; means connecting said panel to said framing member, said connecting means being interposed between said panel and said framing member and having a first portion received within said recess of said framing member and a second portion said within said recess of said panel means; and means for elevating a lowermost end portion of said framing member above a floor of an exiSting room to prevent carpeting which may be placed on the floor from being depressed by supporting said framing member, said means including a plate member having a planar configuration with a lowermost end portion thereof formed to provide at least one downwardly extending, tapered projection for passing through the carpeting and for engaging the floor of the existing room, said recess of said framing member being formed with a pair of inwardly opening, opposed, undercut slots for receiving opposed edge portions of said plate member, and means for fixedly attaching said plate member to said framing member with said projection extending below a lowermost end of said framing member.