Patent US4193233A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4193233A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable panel stabilizer
Assignee: Steelcase Inc
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Filing: 1978-05-24
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Granted: 1980-03-18
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Expires: 1998-05-24
Abstract
Abstract The specification discloses a stabilizer for free standing room divider panels in which a vertical leg includes a hook bracket which hooks into a slotted standard on the panel and a foot projects laterally from the leg and engages the floor. The hooked bracket includes hooks which face upwardly instead of downwardly. Instead of providing a leveler on the foot, the hook bracket is adjustably positioned within the leg so that the hooks can be adjusted upwardly into their receiving slots while the foot remains flush on the floor.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold L. VandenHoek
- 👤 Frank S. Breiner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:32
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B2/00; E04B2/74; E04B2/7407; E04B2/7416; E04B2/7422; E04B2/82; E04B2/825; E04B2002/749
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
In a stabilizer having attachment means for attaching the stabilizer to a free standing panel, the improvement comprising: said stabilizer including a vertical leg which is at least partially hollow on the interior therof, said hollow interior opening to the rear of said leg; track means located within said hollow of vertical leg, said attachment means being movably mounted upon said track means within said stabilizer leg and projecting rearwardly through said opening; adjustment means securing said attachment means to said stabilizer whereby one can move the attachment means up or down on said track means within said stabilizer leg by operating said adjustment means thereby facilitating adjustment of the stabilizer relative to a panel without actually changing the level of the stabilizer foot on the floor on which it rests.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a stabilizer having attachment means for attaching the stabilizer to a free standing panel, the improvement comprising: said stabilizer including a vertical leg which is at least partially hollow on the interior therof, said hollow interior opening to the rear of said leg; track means located within said hollow of vertical leg, said attachment means being movably mounted upon said track means within said stabilizer leg and projecting rearwardly through said opening; adjustment means securing said attachment means to said stabilizer whereby one can move the attachment means up or down on said track means within said stabilizer leg by operating said adjustment means thereby facilitating adjustment of the stabilizer relative to a panel without actually changing the level of the stabilizer foot on the floor on which it rests.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The stabilizer of claim 1 in which said attachment means comprising a bracket having hooks projecting therefrom, said hooks projecting upwardly relative to said stabilizer whereby said hooks hook upwardly into slots in a panel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The stabilizer of claim 2 which includes a flat, low profile horizontal foot extending from the base of said leg.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The stabilizer of claim 1 in which said track means comprises a pair of rails with a space therebetween, said attachment means being located within said space between said rails and including flange means for embracing opposite sides of said rails.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The stabilizer of claim 4 in which said adjustment means comprises a threaded bolt rotatably mounted within said stabilizer, limiting means in said stabilizer limiting said bolt from vertical movement, said attachment means including a nut secured thereto into which said threaded bolt is threaded.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The stabilizer of claim 5 in which said attachment means includes a clearance space for the threaded shank of said bolt.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
The stabilizer of claim 6 in which said limiting means comprise the top of said stabilizer and a shoulder plate secured within said stabilizer and spaced a short distance from said top; said shoulder plate being spaced from said top a distance just sufficiently large to accommodate the head on said adjustment bolt.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
The stabilizer of claim 5 in which said limiting means comprise the top of said stabilizer and a shoulder plate secured within said stabilizer and spaced a short distance from said top; said shoulder plate being spaced from said top a distance just sufficiently large to accommodate the head on said adjustment bolt.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The stabilizer of claim 1 in which said adjustment means comprises a threaded bolt rotatably mounted within said stabilizer leg, limiting means in said stabilizer leg limiting said bolt from vertical movement, said attachment means including a nut secured thereto into which said threaded bolt is threaded.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The stabilizer of claim 10 in which said attachment means includes a clearance space for the threaded shank of said bolt.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The stabilizer of claim 1 which includes a flat, low profile horizontal foot extending from the base of said leg.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
98 words
The stabilizer of any one of the preceding claims combined with a panel assembly including a panel foot at the bottom corner thereof, a leveler glide threaded into said panel foot and a bottom wall extending along the bottom of said panel away from said panel foot; a generally L-shaped rigidifier assembly having a first plate secured to said bottom wall of said panel assembly and a channel-shaped leg extending generally perpendicular therefrom, said channel-shaped leg having a bottom wall which extends beneath the bottom of said stabilizer and spaced sidewalls which embrace the bottom of said stabilizer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The stabilizer and assembly of claim 12 in which said bottom of said stabilizer includes a pair of spaced recesses therein into which said sidewalls of said channel extend.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
67 words
The stabilizer and assembly of claim 13 in which said first plate of said generally L-shaped rigidifier assembly includes a slot extending from one end thereof which fits over the leveler glide, and a catch at the other end thereof; said bottom wall of said panel assembly including a slot therein into which said catch projects to thereby secure said generally L-shaped rigidifier assembly to said panel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
The stabilizer and assembly of claim 14 in which said catch includes a pair of tangs which can be bent away from one another to prevent said catch from being removable from said slot in said bottom wall of said panel assembly.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The stabilizer of claim 1 combined with a panel, said panel including means receiving said attachment means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
The stabilizer and panel of claim 16 in which said means receiving said attachment means comprise slots and said attachment means comprises a bracket having hooks projecting therefrom, said hooks projecting upwardly relative to said stabilizer and hooking into said slots in said panel.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The stabilizer of claim 17 which includes a flat, low profile horizontal foot extending from the base of said leg.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
The stabilizer of claim 18 in which said track means comprises a pair of rails with a space therebetween, said attachment means being located within said space between said rails and including flange means for embracing opposite sides of said rails.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
The stabilizer of claim 19 in which said adjustment means comprises a threaded bolt rotatably mounted in said stabilizer, limiting means in said stabilizer limiting said bolt from vertical movement, said attachment means including a nut secured thereto into which said threaded bolt is threaded.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The stabilizer of claim 20 in which said attachment means includes a clearance space for the threaded shank of said bolt.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
53 words
The stabilizer of claim 21 in which said limiting means comprise the top of said stabilizer and a shoulder plate secured within said stabilizer and spaced a short distance from said top; said shoulder plate being spaced from said top a distance just sufficiently large to accommodate the head on said adjustment bolt.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
48 words
The stabilizer of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 5, 14, 16, 17, 18, or 19 in which said adjustment means operably connects said attachment means to said stabilizer whereby operation of said adjustment means in and of itself moves said attachment means in said track means.
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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) | 1983-03-18 | 1983-09-17 | 1984-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-03-18 | 1987-09-17 | 1988-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-03-18 | 1991-09-17 | 1992-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |