US4798035A — Floor-to-ceiling wall system

Claim 1

Independent Claim 274 words

A floor-to-ceiling portion system comprising: a partition for placement in proximity to an existing wall; a rigid channel for mounting on an existing wall and including spaced rigid sidewalls engaging the opposite sides of said partition at the end thereof and a base wall joining said channel sidewalls; a pair of flexible cover members, said rigid channel and said cover members including cooperating mounting means whereby one of said flexible cover members is mounted to cover each of the opposite sidewalls of said rigid channel; said mounting means includes a slot at each side of said rigid channel being defined by a pair of back walls, jutting rearwardly from said base wall and then extending in a direction generally parallel to said base wall, and in opposite directions to one another, to thereby define at each side of said rigid channel a slot between each of said back walls and said base wall, and a prong flange on said flexible cover extending in one direction which is frictionally fitted into said slot; and each of said cover members including an elongated flexible cover flap, which is longer than each of said sidewalls of said rigid channel, whereby said flexible cover flap extends outwardly past the end of said partition and into engagement with a side of said partition to present to the viewer a generally flush, continuous appearance at the end of said partition in the vicinity of said pre-existing wall; said flexible cover flap having a resiliency which permits said cover flap to be resiliently pulled outward a significant amount so that access may be had to the covered end of said partition.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 274 words

A floor-to-ceiling portion system comprising: a partition for placement in proximity to an existing wall; a rigid channel for mounting on an existing wall and including spaced rigid sidewalls engaging the opposite sides of said partition at the end thereof and a base wall joining said channel sidewalls; a pair of flexible cover members, said rigid channel and said cover members including cooperating mounting means whereby one of said flexible cover members is mounted to cover each of the opposite sidewalls of said rigid channel; said mounting means includes a slot at each side of said rigid channel being defined by a pair of back walls, jutting rearwardly from said base wall and then extending in a direction generally parallel to said base wall, and in opposite directions to one another, to thereby define at each side of said rigid channel a slot between each of said back walls and said base wall, and a prong flange on said flexible cover extending in one direction which is frictionally fitted into said slot; and each of said cover members including an elongated flexible cover flap, which is longer than each of said sidewalls of said rigid channel, whereby said flexible cover flap extends outwardly past the end of said partition and into engagement with a side of said partition to present to the viewer a generally flush, continuous appearance at the end of said partition in the vicinity of said pre-existing wall; said flexible cover flap having a resiliency which permits said cover flap to be resiliently pulled outward a significant amount so that access may be had to the covered end of said partition.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 104 words

The partition system of claim 1 in which said partition comprises a generally vertical stud and a pair of exterior panels, one panel being located on each of two opposite sides of said stud and embracing a portion of said stud, but leaving a portion of said stud to project beyond said panels; said channel sidewalls being spaced at such a distance as to relatively closely embrace said projecting portion of said stud; said flexible cover comprising a leg extending in a direction generally opposite to that in which said prong flange extends, said cover flap extending laterally from the end of said leg.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 31 words

The partition system of claim 2 in which there is a slight space between said channel sidewalls and said stud which is closed by a length of compressible, polymeric foam material.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 34 words

The partition system of claim 3 in which there is a slight space between each of said exterior panels and said vertical stud which is closed by a length of compressible, polymeric foam material.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 73 words

The partition system of claim 2 in which said flexible cover includes a foot at the juncture between said prong flange and said leg, said foot extending laterally to either side thereof and to either side of the opening of said slot in said rigid channel whereby said foot abuts the surfaces of said rigid channel which are adjacent either side of said slot, thereby providing a firm footing for said flexible cover.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 50 words

The partition system of claim 5 in which a relatively short shoulder flange extends laterally from said leg, in generally flush alignment with said cover flap, for a distance sufficient to close to appearance any gap between said leg and said permanent wall to which said rigid channel is secured.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 103 words

The partition system of claim 1 in which said partition comprises a generally vertical stud and a pair of exterior panels, one panel being located on each of two opposite sides of said stud and embracing a portion of said stud, but leaving a portion of said stud to project beyond said panels; said channel sidewalls being spaced at such a distance as to closely embrace said projecting portion of said stud; said flexible cover comprising a leg extending in a direction generally opposite to that in which said prong flange extends, said cover flap extending laterally from the end of said leg.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 73 words

The partition system of claim 7 in which said flexible cover includes a foot at the juncture between said prong flange and said leg, said foot extending laterally to either side thereof and to either side of the opening of said slot in said rigid channel whereby said foot abuts the surfaces of said rigid channel which are adjacent either side of said slot, thereby providing a firm footing for said flexible cover.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 50 words

The partition system of claim 8 in which a relatively short shoulder flange extends laterally from said leg, in generally flush alignment with said cover flap, for a distance sufficient to close to appearance any gap between said leg and said permanent wall to which said rigid channel is secured.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 26 words

The partition system of claim 9 in which said rigid channel is formed of extruded metal and said flexible cover is formed of extruded polymeric material.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 26 words

The partition system of claim 7 in which said rigid channel is formed of extruded metal and said flexible cover is formed of extruded polymeric material.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 26 words

The partition system of claim 2 in which said rigid channel is formed of extruded metal and said flexible cover is formed of extruded polymeric material.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 26 words

The partition system of claim 1 in which said rigid channel is formed of extruded metal and said flexible cover is formed of extruded polymeric material.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 41 words

The partition system of claim 1 in which said partition comprises a pair of spaced exterior panels, said panels being spaced at a distance such that they snugly embrace the external surfaces of said spaced rigid sidewalls of said rigid channel.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 214 words

A floor-to-ceiling partition system comprising: a partition for placement in proximity to an existing wall in which said partition comprises a generally vertical stud and a pair of exterior panels, one panel being located on each of two opposite sides of said stud and embracing a portion of said stud, but leaving a portion of said stud to project beyond said panels; a rigid channel for mounting on an existing wall and including spaced rigid sidewalls, said channel sidewalls being spaced longitudinally from said exterior panels and spaced apart at such a distance as to relatively closely embrace said projecting portion of said stud; a pair of flexible cover members, said rigid channel and said cover members including cooperating mounting means whereby one of said flexible cover members is mounted to cover each of the opposite sidewalls of said rigid channel; and each of said cover members including an elongated flexible cover flap, which is longer than each of said sidewalls of said rigid channel, such that said flexible cover flap extends outwardly past the stud of said partition and into engagement with one of said exterior panels of said partition to present to the viewer a generally flush, continuous appearance at the end of said partition in the vicinity of said pre-exiting wall.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 214 words

A floor-to-ceiling partition system comprising: a partition for placement in proximity to an existing wall in which said partition comprises a generally vertical stud and a pair of exterior panels, one panel being located on each of two opposite sides of said stud and embracing a portion of said stud, but leaving a portion of said stud to project beyond said panels; a rigid channel for mounting on an existing wall and including spaced rigid sidewalls, said channel sidewalls being spaced longitudinally from said exterior panels and spaced apart at such a distance as to relatively closely embrace said projecting portion of said stud; a pair of flexible cover members, said rigid channel and said cover members including cooperating mounting means whereby one of said flexible cover members is mounted to cover each of the opposite sidewalls of said rigid channel; and each of said cover members including an elongated flexible cover flap, which is longer than each of said sidewalls of said rigid channel, such that said flexible cover flap extends outwardly past the stud of said partition and into engagement with one of said exterior panels of said partition to present to the viewer a generally flush, continuous appearance at the end of said partition in the vicinity of said pre-exiting wall.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 83 words

The partition system of claim 15 in which said rigid channel includes a base wall joining said channel sidewalls, said slots at each side of said rigid channel being defined by a pair of back walls, jutting rearwardly from said base wall and then extending in a direction generally parallel to said base wall, and in opposite directions to one another, to thereby define at each side of said rigid channel a slot between each of said back walls and said base wall.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 26 words

The partition system of claim 15 in which said rigid channel is formed of extruded metal and said flexible cover is formed of extruded polymeric material.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 65 words

The partition system of claim 15 in which said cooperating mounting means on said rigid channel and each said flexible cover comprise a slot located at a base of each of said rigid channel sidewalls and opening laterally outwardly with respect to said rigid channel sidewalls, and a prong flange on said flexible cover extending in one direction which is frictionally fitted into said slot.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 90 words

The partition system of claim 18 in which said flexible cover includes a leg extending in a direction generally opposite to that in which said prong flange extends and a foot at the juncture between said prong flange and said leg, said foot extending laterally to either side thereof and to either side of the opening of said slot in said rigid channel whereby said foot abuts the surfaces of said rigid channel which are adjacent either side of said slot, thereby providing a firm footing for said flexible cover.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 50 words

The partition system of claim 19 in which a relatively short shoulder flange extends laterally from said leg, in generally flush alignment with said cover flap, for a distance sufficient to close to appearance any gap between said leg and said permanent wall to which said rigid channel is secured.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 83 words

The partition system of claim 20 in which said rigid channel includes a base wall joining said channel sidewalls, said slots at each side of said rigid channel being defined by a pair of back walls, jutting rearwardly from said base wall and then extending in a direction generally parallel to said base wall, and in opposite directions to one another, to thereby define at each side of said rigid channel a slot between each of said back walls and said base wall.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 26 words

The partition system of claim 21 in which said rigid channel is formed of extruded metal and said flexible cover is formed of extruded polymer material.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 149 words

A floor-to-ceiling partition system comprising: a partition for placement in proximity to an existing wall in which said partition comprises a generally vertical stud and a pair of exterior panels, one panel being located on each of two opposite sides of said stud and embracing a portion of said stud, but leaving a portion of said stud to project beyond said panels; and a rigid channel for mounting on an existing wall and including spaced rigid sidewalls embracing the opposite sides of said projecting portion of said stud and spaced longitudinally from the exterior panels there being a slight space between each of said rigid sidewalls and its adjacent stud surface, said space being filled by a length of compressible, polymeric material to eliminate rattling movement between said rigid channel and said stud and to minimize the passage of sound from one side of said partition to the other.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 149 words

A floor-to-ceiling partition system comprising: a partition for placement in proximity to an existing wall in which said partition comprises a generally vertical stud and a pair of exterior panels, one panel being located on each of two opposite sides of said stud and embracing a portion of said stud, but leaving a portion of said stud to project beyond said panels; and a rigid channel for mounting on an existing wall and including spaced rigid sidewalls embracing the opposite sides of said projecting portion of said stud and spaced longitudinally from the exterior panels there being a slight space between each of said rigid sidewalls and its adjacent stud surface, said space being filled by a length of compressible, polymeric material to eliminate rattling movement between said rigid channel and said stud and to minimize the passage of sound from one side of said partition to the other.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 102 words

The partition system of claim 23 comprising: a pair of flexible cover members, said rigid channel and said cover members including cooperating mounting means whereby one of said flexible cover members is mounted to cover each of the opposite sidewalls of said rigid channel; and said cooperating mounting means on said rigid channel and each said flexible cover comprise a slot located at a base of each of said rigid channel sidewalls and opening laterally outwardly with respect to said rigid channel sidewalls, and a prong flange on said flexible cover extending in one direction which is frictionally fitted to said slot.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 90 words

The partition system of claim 24 in which said flexible cover includes a leg extending in a direction generally opposite to that in which said prong flange extends and a foot at the juncture between said prong flange and said leg, said foot extending laterally to either side thereof and to either side of the opening of said slot in said rigid channel whereby said foot abuts the surfaces of said rigid channel which are adjacent either side of said slot, thereby providing a firm footing for said flexible cover.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 80 words

The partition system of claim 24 in which each of said cover members include an elongated flexible cover flap, which is longer than each of said sidewalls of said rigid channel, such that said flexible cover flap extends outwardly past the stud of said partition and into engagement with one of said exterior panels of said partition to present to the viewer a generally flush, continuous appearance at the end of said partition in the vicinity of said pre-existing wall.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 34 words

The partition system of claim 23 in which there is a slight space between each of the exterior panels and said vertical stud, said space being filled by a length of compressible, polymeric material.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1992-01-17	1992-07-18	1993-01-17	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1996-01-17	1996-07-18	1997-01-17	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2000-01-17	2000-07-18	2001-01-17	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Floor-to-ceiling wall system

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