US4356672A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Partitioning system
Assignee: MillerKnoll Inc
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Filing: 1980-02-08
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Granted: 1982-11-02
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Expires: 2000-02-08
Abstract
Abstract A partitioning system for segmenting an open area into smaller compartment-like regions includes a grouping of multifunction, interchangeable standardized component parts which are selectively utilized according to the partitioning panel designs to be assembled and the particular configuration desired. The partitioning system includes structural wall panels of a unitized, laminated gypsum sheet construction, window panels, acoustical screens, and door members. Angled joints between adjacent panels include a corner spacer which has a series of radially spaced slots for receipt of face plate members with resultant included angles of either 90°, 135° or 180° and the face plate members are configured for snap-fit with variously styled partitioning panel connectors. The partitioning system is configured for easy and quick assembly and disassembly as well as revisions of the particular layout by merely unsnapping certain partitioning panels and reattaching different panels or the same panel in a different orientation. Each panel-to-panel joint may be configured with slotted standards for support of hang-on furniture thereby incorporating a further desirable feature.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald H. Beckman
- 👤 Howard K. Yarme
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:56
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B2/00; E04B2/74; E04B2/7407; E04B2/7453; E04B2/7448; E04B2/7409; E04B2/7411; E04B2002/7483
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
A partition assembly for segmenting an open area having a floor and a ceiling into smaller compartment-like regions, said partition assembly comprising: a plurality of space-dividing, generally rectangular panel members extending from said floor to said ceiling and joined together along adjacent longitudinal edges; a panel joint assembly positioned between said adjacent edges for joining said panels along said adjacent longitudinal edges, said joint assembly including a panel connector attached to each of said adjacent edges of said panel members; a face plate adapted for lateral snap-fit receipt of said panel connector, said face plate member having a central attachment portion; and a corner spacer adapted for attachment with a plurality of said face plate members, said corner spacer including a plurality of attachment means equally radially spaced about a center portion thereof for receiving said central attachment portion of said face plate members, said attachment means governing panel-to-panel angular relationships, said attachment means adapted to mate with said central attachment portion in a nesting relationship so as to permit free lateral nesting and removal of said central attachment portion from a corresponding attachment means; and means separate from said attachment portion and said attachment means for releasably securing said attachment portion and said attachment means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
206 words
A partition assembly for segmenting an open area having a floor and a ceiling into smaller compartment-like regions, said partition assembly comprising: a plurality of space-dividing, generally rectangular panel members extending from said floor to said ceiling and joined together along adjacent longitudinal edges; a panel joint assembly positioned between said adjacent edges for joining said panels along said adjacent longitudinal edges, said joint assembly including a panel connector attached to each of said adjacent edges of said panel members; a face plate adapted for lateral snap-fit receipt of said panel connector, said face plate member having a central attachment portion; and a corner spacer adapted for attachment with a plurality of said face plate members, said corner spacer including a plurality of attachment means equally radially spaced about a center portion thereof for receiving said central attachment portion of said face plate members, said attachment means governing panel-to-panel angular relationships, said attachment means adapted to mate with said central attachment portion in a nesting relationship so as to permit free lateral nesting and removal of said central attachment portion from a corresponding attachment means; and means separate from said attachment portion and said attachment means for releasably securing said attachment portion and said attachment means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The partition assembly of claim 1 wherein said panel members are constructed of two gypsum sheets spaced apart by coreboards in a laminated arrangement, each of said panel members having a peripheral edge groove for receipt of said panel connectors, said panel connectors being slidable within said groove for adjusting the spacing between said adjacent edges.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The partition assembly of claim 1 wherein each face plate member has a lateral cross-section of a generally U-shaped main body portion and two outwardly-extending oppositely directed arms, the interior surface of said main body portion configured for snap-fit receipt of said panel connectors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The partition assembly of claim 3 wherein said attachment means is a slot and said attachment portion of said face plate member is a central tab which extends towards said slot and from the base of said U-shaped main body portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The partition assembly of claim 2 which further includes a plurality of slotted standards configured for support of hang-on furniture, said slotted standards being attached to said panel connectors and disposed in the space between said adjacent panel edges.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The partition assembly of claim 1 which further includes a ceiling runner and a floor track, said ceiling runner arranged for attachment to the open area ceiling and including a downwardly-opening panel member receiving groove, said floor track arranged for anchoring to the open area floor and configured for receiving said panel members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The partition assembly of claim 1 wherein said panel members are constructed of two gypsum sheets spaced apart by coreboards in a laminated arrangement and further including a plurality of slotted standards configured for support of hang-on furniture, said slotted standards being attached to said panel connectors at the space between adjacent panel edges.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The partition assembly of claim 7 which further includes a plurality of ceiling support joists anchored to the uppermost edge of said panels and extending across said regions, each of said support joists being secured to a plurality of ceiling suspension arms for support of a suspended ceiling for said compartment-like regions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
The partition assembly of claim 1 which further includes a plurality of ceiling support joists anchored to the uppermost edge of said panels and extending across said regions, each of said support joists being secured to a plurality of ceiling suspension arms for support of a suspended ceiling for said compartment-like regions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
206 words
A partition assembly for segmenting an open area having a floor and a ceiling into smaller compartment-like regions, said partition assembly comprising: a plurality of space-dividing, generally rectangular panels including at least one structural wall panel extending between said floor and said ceiling and at least one acoustical screen panel, said panels being joined along adjacent longitudinal edges; a panel joint assembly positioned between said adjacent edges for joining said panels along said adjacent longitudinal edges, said joint assembly including a panel connector attached to said adjacent edges of said panels; a face plate member adapted for lateral snap-fit receipt of said panel connector; and a corner spacer adapted for attachment with a plurality of said face plate members, said corner spacer including a plurality of face plate attachment means equally radially spaced about a center portion thereof, said attachment means governing panel-to-panel angular relationships, said attachment means adapted for receipt of said face plate members so as to permit free lateral nesting and removal of a portion of each of said face plate members with a corresponding one of said attachment means; and means separate from said face plate member and said attachment means for releasably securing said face plate members to said attachment means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
206 words
A partition assembly for segmenting an open area having a floor and a ceiling into smaller compartment-like regions, said partition assembly comprising: a plurality of space-dividing, generally rectangular panels including at least one structural wall panel extending between said floor and said ceiling and at least one acoustical screen panel, said panels being joined along adjacent longitudinal edges; a panel joint assembly positioned between said adjacent edges for joining said panels along said adjacent longitudinal edges, said joint assembly including a panel connector attached to said adjacent edges of said panels; a face plate member adapted for lateral snap-fit receipt of said panel connector; and a corner spacer adapted for attachment with a plurality of said face plate members, said corner spacer including a plurality of face plate attachment means equally radially spaced about a center portion thereof, said attachment means governing panel-to-panel angular relationships, said attachment means adapted for receipt of said face plate members so as to permit free lateral nesting and removal of a portion of each of said face plate members with a corresponding one of said attachment means; and means separate from said face plate member and said attachment means for releasably securing said face plate members to said attachment means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
The partition assembly of claim 10 wherein said panel members are constructed of two gypsum sheets spaced apart by coreboards in a laminated arrangement, each of said panel members having a peripheral edge groove for receipt of said panel connectors, said panel connectors being slidable within said groove for adjusting the spacing between said adjacent edges.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The partition assembly of claim 10 wherein each face plate member has a lateral cross-section of a generally U-shaped main body portion and two outwardly-extending oppositely directed arms, the interior surface of said main body portion being configured for snap-fit receipt of said panel connector.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
The partition assembly of claim 12 wherein said attachment means is a slot and each of said face plate members further includes an outwardly-protruding tab at the base of said U-shaped main body portion, said tab being received in one of said plurality of slots of said corner spacer for joining said panels.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The partition assembly of claim 10 which further includes a plurality of slotted standards configured for support of hang-on furniture, said slotted standards being attached to said panel connectors and disposed in the space between said adjacent panel edges.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
The partition assembly of claim 14 wherein said attachment means is a slot and said face plate member further includes an outwardly-protruding tab adapted for receipt by one of said plurality of slots of said corner spacer, said outwardly-protruding tab being secured in said slot by said securing means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
176 words
A partition assembly for segmenting an open area having a floor and a ceiling into smaller compartment-like regions, said partition assembly comprising: a plurality of generally rectangular, space-dividing panel members extending from said floor to said ceiling joined together along adjacent longitudinal edges, each panel member having a peripheral edge groove extending along said longitudinal edges; a panel joint assembly positioned between said adjacent edges for joining said panels along said adjacent edges, said joint assembly including a panel connector having a base portion slidably insertable into said groove and an outwardly-extending connector portion extending beyond said edge of said panel member and forming oppositely-facing mounting surfaces; a face plate member adapted for lateral snap-fit receipt of said connector portion of said panel connector; a corner spacer adapted for attachment with a plurality of said face plate members; means for securing said face plate member to said corner spacer; and a plurality of slotted standards configured for support of hang-on furniture, said slotted standards being attachable to a corresponding one of said oppositely facing mounting surfaces.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
176 words
A partition assembly for segmenting an open area having a floor and a ceiling into smaller compartment-like regions, said partition assembly comprising: a plurality of generally rectangular, space-dividing panel members extending from said floor to said ceiling joined together along adjacent longitudinal edges, each panel member having a peripheral edge groove extending along said longitudinal edges; a panel joint assembly positioned between said adjacent edges for joining said panels along said adjacent edges, said joint assembly including a panel connector having a base portion slidably insertable into said groove and an outwardly-extending connector portion extending beyond said edge of said panel member and forming oppositely-facing mounting surfaces; a face plate member adapted for lateral snap-fit receipt of said connector portion of said panel connector; a corner spacer adapted for attachment with a plurality of said face plate members; means for securing said face plate member to said corner spacer; and a plurality of slotted standards configured for support of hang-on furniture, said slotted standards being attachable to a corresponding one of said oppositely facing mounting surfaces.
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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) | 1985-11-01 | 1986-05-03 | 1986-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-11-01 | 1990-05-03 | 1990-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-11-01 | 1994-05-03 | 1994-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |