US3916972A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Partition system
Assignee: Steelcase Inc
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Filing: 1973-09-28
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Granted: 1975-11-04
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Expires: 1993-09-28
Abstract
Abstract The specification discloses a partition system including a single link for joining adjacent partitions which can be used to join them in rigid aligned relationship or in an angular and preferably pivotable relationship while still maintaining a smooth flowing rather than staggered inside corner appearance.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank S Breiner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 16:15
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B2/00; E04B2/74; E04B2/7407; E04B2/7416; E04B2/7422; E04B2/7425; E04B2/7427; E04B2/7431; E04B2002/7483
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
442 words
A partition system comprising: first and second partitions and a link for joining said partitions, each of said partitions having fastening means to facilitate fastening of said partition to said link; said link having a body and a leg projecting from said body; a first set of at least three connectors located in said body, a first two connectors of said first set for cooperating with said first partition fastening means and a third connector for cooperating with said second partition fastening means for joining said first and second partitions together in alignment with one another; said link having a separate second set of at least three different connectors, a first and second connector for cooperating with said first partition fastening means and a third connector for cooperating with said second partition fastening means for joining said first and second partitions together in an angular relationship with respect to each other; said first set of connectors being located so as to be in alignment with said first partition when said link is joined to said first partition by said first two connectors of said first set of connectors, whereby said second partition will be in alignment with said first partition when joined to said third connector of said first set of connectors; at least said third connector of said second set of connectors being located in said leg; said leg and said first set of connectors being oriented with respect to each other such that said leg is in alignment with said first partition when said link is joined to said first partition by said first two connectors of said first set of connectors; said leg being oriented with respect to said first two connectors of said second set of connectors such that said leg projects generally laterally out of alignment with respect to said first partition when said first two connectors of said second set of connectors is used to join said link to said first partition, said second set third connector cooperating with said second partition fastening means to define a pivotal connection therebetween such that said second partition can be pivoted with respect to said first partition when joined thereto through said second set of connectors, whereby when said second partition is joined to said second set third connector in an angular relationship, the inside corner defined by said first and second partitions will be relatively smooth flowing and less staggered than would be the case if said second set third connector were in alignment with said first partition when said link is joined to said first partition by said first two connectors of said second set of connectors.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
442 words
A partition system comprising: first and second partitions and a link for joining said partitions, each of said partitions having fastening means to facilitate fastening of said partition to said link; said link having a body and a leg projecting from said body; a first set of at least three connectors located in said body, a first two connectors of said first set for cooperating with said first partition fastening means and a third connector for cooperating with said second partition fastening means for joining said first and second partitions together in alignment with one another; said link having a separate second set of at least three different connectors, a first and second connector for cooperating with said first partition fastening means and a third connector for cooperating with said second partition fastening means for joining said first and second partitions together in an angular relationship with respect to each other; said first set of connectors being located so as to be in alignment with said first partition when said link is joined to said first partition by said first two connectors of said first set of connectors, whereby said second partition will be in alignment with said first partition when joined to said third connector of said first set of connectors; at least said third connector of said second set of connectors being located in said leg; said leg and said first set of connectors being oriented with respect to each other such that said leg is in alignment with said first partition when said link is joined to said first partition by said first two connectors of said first set of connectors; said leg being oriented with respect to said first two connectors of said second set of connectors such that said leg projects generally laterally out of alignment with respect to said first partition when said first two connectors of said second set of connectors is used to join said link to said first partition, said second set third connector cooperating with said second partition fastening means to define a pivotal connection therebetween such that said second partition can be pivoted with respect to said first partition when joined thereto through said second set of connectors, whereby when said second partition is joined to said second set third connector in an angular relationship, the inside corner defined by said first and second partitions will be relatively smooth flowing and less staggered than would be the case if said second set third connector were in alignment with said first partition when said link is joined to said first partition by said first two connectors of said second set of connectors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
The partition system of claim 1 in which said connectors of said first set of connectors are interconnected by a first line in the face of said link and said connectors of said second set of connectors are interconnected by a second line in the face of said link wheReby a user can tell at a glance which connectors are to be used in conjunction with one another.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The partition system of claim 1 in which said first set of connectors comprises a fourth connector cooperating with said second partition fastening means whereby when said first set of connectors is used to join said first and second partitions together, the first and second partitions are held in rigid alignment with respect to one another.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
The partition system of claim 3 in which said second set third connector is located in the end of said leg for cooperation with said fastening means on said second partition, and one of said first and second connectors is located in the body of said link and the other of said first and second connectors along the length of said leg, between said third connector at the end of said leg and said body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
The partition system of claim 4 in which said connectors of said first set of connectors are interconnected by a first line in the face of said link and said connectors of said second set of connectors are interconnected by a second line in the face of said link whereby a user can tell at a glance which connectors are to be used in conjunction with one another.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
145 words
The partition system of claim 4 in which said first set of connectors are oriented in said body such that said body is generally in alignment with the longitudinal plane defined by said first partition when said link is joined to said first partition by said first set of connectors; said second set of connectors being oriented with respect to said link such that said link is oriented at an angle with respect to the longitudinal plane defined by said first partition when said link is joined to said first partition by said second set of connectors; said body of said link being sufficiently small and being configurated such that it fits within the confines of the opposite faces of said first partition when oriented in alignment with respect to said first partition and when oriented at an angle with respect to said first partition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
105 words
The system of claim 6 in which said leg of said link includes one edge wall extending generally straight outwardly from one edge wall of said body, said leg including another edge wall which extends generally at an angle outwardly from another edge wall of said body such that when said link is oriented at an angle with respect to the longitudinal plane defined by said first partition, said angular edge wall of said leg is positioned generally within the confines of the opposite faces of said first partition whereby only the end of said leg projects laterally out of alignment with said first partition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
100 words
The partition system of claim 7 in which said leg terminates at a head, said angular edge wall extending outwardly to its juncture with said head; said link including an inwardly deviating notch at the juncture of said head of said leg and said angular edge wall of said leg whereby a large head is provided at which said third connector of said second set of connectors is located, said notch eliminating an excess of link material protruding into the inside corner defined by said first and second partitions when joined in an angular relationship with respect to one another.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
143 words
The partition system of claim 1 in which said first set of connectors are oriented in said body such that said body is generally in alignment with the longitudinal plane defined by said first partition when said link is joined to said first partition by said first connectors; said second set of connectors being oriented with respect to said link such that said link is oriented at an angle with respect to the longitudinal plane defined by said first partition when said link is joined to said first partition by said second set of connectors; said body of said link being sufficiently small and being configurated such that it fits within the confines of the opposite faces of said first partition when oriented in alignment with respect to said fIrst partition and when oriented at an angle with respect to said first partition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
105 words
The system of claim 9 in which said leg of said link includes one edge wall extending generally straight outwardly from one edge wall of said body, said leg including another edge wall which extends generally at an angle outwardly from another edge wall of said body such that when said link is oriented at an angle with respect to the longitudinal plane defined by said first partition, said angular edge wall of said leg is positioned generally within the confines of the opposite faces of said first partition whereby only the end of said leg projects laterally out of alignment with said first partition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
100 words
The partition system of claim 10 in which said leg terminates at a head, said angular edge wall extending outwardly to its juncture with said head; said link including an inwardly deviating notch at the juncture of said head of said leg and said angular edge wall of said leg whereby a large head is provided at which said third connector of said second set of connectors is located, said notch eliminating an excess of link material protruding into the inside corner defined by said first and second partitions when joined in an angular relationship with respect to one another.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
217 words
A partition system comprising: first and second partitions and a link for joining said partitions; each of said partitions having a first and second fastening means for facilitating joining of said link to each of said partitions; said link having a body and a leg projecting from said body; said body including a first set of four connectors, two of said connectors being provided for cooperating with said first and second fastening means of said first partition and two of said connectors being provided for cooperating with said first and second fastening means of said second partition whereby said first and second partitions are joined together in rigid aligned relationship with respect to each other; said link including a second set of at least a first connector and a second connector, at least said second connector being located generally at the end of said leg of said link, said first connector of said second set of connectors cooperating with one of said first and second fastening means of said first partition and said second connector of said second set of connectors cooperating with one of said first and second fastening means of said second partition whereby said first and second partitions can be joined together by said link in pivotable, angular relationship with respect to one another.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
217 words
A partition system comprising: first and second partitions and a link for joining said partitions; each of said partitions having a first and second fastening means for facilitating joining of said link to each of said partitions; said link having a body and a leg projecting from said body; said body including a first set of four connectors, two of said connectors being provided for cooperating with said first and second fastening means of said first partition and two of said connectors being provided for cooperating with said first and second fastening means of said second partition whereby said first and second partitions are joined together in rigid aligned relationship with respect to each other; said link including a second set of at least a first connector and a second connector, at least said second connector being located generally at the end of said leg of said link, said first connector of said second set of connectors cooperating with one of said first and second fastening means of said first partition and said second connector of said second set of connectors cooperating with one of said first and second fastening means of said second partition whereby said first and second partitions can be joined together by said link in pivotable, angular relationship with respect to one another.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
85 words
The partition system of claim 12 in which said second set of connectors includes a third connector located in said body, said second set first connector being located generally between said second set third and second connectors; said first partition including a third fastening means located equidistant from said first and second fastening means; said third connector cooperating with said third fastening means of said first partition whereby said link is rigidly joined to said first partition and is pivotally connected to said second partition.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
120 words
The partition system of claim 13 in which said first and third connectors of said second set of connectors are oriented in said link such that when said link is connected to said first partition thereby, said link is oriented at an angle with respect to said first partition with said leg projecting generally laterally out of alignment with respect to said first partition, whereby the inside corner defined by said first and second partitions will be smoother flowing and less staggered than would be the case if said leg were located in alignment with said first partition when said first and third connectors of said second set of connectors is used to join said link to said first partition.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
68 words
The partition system of claim 14 in which said connectors of said first set of connectors are interconnected by a first line in the face of said link And said connectors of said second set of connectors are interconnected by a second line in the face of said link whereby a user can tell at a glance which connectors are to be used in conjunction with one another.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-03 | 1979-05-05 | 1979-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-03 | 1983-05-05 | 1983-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-03 | 1987-05-05 | 1987-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |