US5487246A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Utility panel system
Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc
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Filing: 1994-07-06
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Granted: 1996-01-30
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Expires: 2014-07-06
Abstract
Abstract A utility panel system is provided for open office spaces, and the like. Each utility panel has a relatively thick, skeleton-like frame, with a foot and opposite sides shaped for interconnection with like panel frames to create a substantially freestanding utility panel system. Cover panels are detachably connected to the opposite faces of each panel frame to enclose the same, and provide ready access to the panel interior. Horizontal utility troughs extend continuously between the opposite sides of each panel frame in a vertically stacked relationship. The utility troughs have open ends located at the opposite panel sides, and are positioned such that when adjacent utility panels are interconnected in a side-by-side relationship, the utility troughs are aligned to form multiple raceways. Panel connectors are provided to connect the utility panels with one or more of a variety of existing partition panels, such that the utility panels act as a spine which supplies utilities to the existing partition panels.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald R. Hodges
- 👤 George V. Weller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:04
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B2/00; E04B2/74; E04B2/7407; E04B2/7416; E04B2/7433; E04B2/7422; E04B2/7425; E04B2002/7483; E04B2002/7488; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S454/00; Y10S454/903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
238 words
A freestanding, portable utility panel for open office spaces and the like, comprising: a relatively thick, skeleton-like frame having: first and second oppositely oriented faces; a foot portion shaped to abuttingly support said utility panel on a floor surface; first and second oppositely positioned side portions shaped for operable connection with opposite sides of adjacent, like frames to create a substantially freestanding utility panel system; a first pair of rigid uprights positioned adjacent the first side portion of said frame along the opposite faces thereof; a second pair of rigid uprights positioned adjacent the second side portion of said frame along the opposite faces thereof; each of said uprights being tubular, with a rear face thereof connected adjacent the associated side portion of said frame, and a front face thereof extending outwardly of said rear face; each of said first and second pairs of uprights having at least two elongated connectors having opposite end portions thereof attached to and extending generally horizontally between said upright pair at vertically spaced apart locations thereon to rigidly interconnect the same in a mutually parallel, laterally spaced relationship to define an open interior portion of said utility panel through which utilities can be routed; and at least one cover panel shaped to cover at least a portion of one of the faces of said frame and being detachably connected therewith to provide ready access to said interior portion of said utility panel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
238 words
A freestanding, portable utility panel for open office spaces and the like, comprising: a relatively thick, skeleton-like frame having: first and second oppositely oriented faces; a foot portion shaped to abuttingly support said utility panel on a floor surface; first and second oppositely positioned side portions shaped for operable connection with opposite sides of adjacent, like frames to create a substantially freestanding utility panel system; a first pair of rigid uprights positioned adjacent the first side portion of said frame along the opposite faces thereof; a second pair of rigid uprights positioned adjacent the second side portion of said frame along the opposite faces thereof; each of said uprights being tubular, with a rear face thereof connected adjacent the associated side portion of said frame, and a front face thereof extending outwardly of said rear face; each of said first and second pairs of uprights having at least two elongated connectors having opposite end portions thereof attached to and extending generally horizontally between said upright pair at vertically spaced apart locations thereon to rigidly interconnect the same in a mutually parallel, laterally spaced relationship to define an open interior portion of said utility panel through which utilities can be routed; and at least one cover panel shaped to cover at least a portion of one of the faces of said frame and being detachably connected therewith to provide ready access to said interior portion of said utility panel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
A utility panel as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said foot portion includes at least one pair of vertically adjustable glides positioned at one of said first and second frame side portions adjacent opposite faces thereof, and being independently adjustable to facilitate varying the angular orientation of the opposite faces of said utility panel with respect to the floor surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A utility panel as set forth in claim 2, wherein: said foot portion includes first and second pairs of said vertically adjustable glides positioned at said first and second frame side portions, respectively.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A utility panel as set forth in claim 3, including: a plurality of cover panels juxtaposed to cover both faces of said frame, each being detachably connected therewith.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
77 words
A utility panel as set forth in claim 4, including: a panel connector having a first portion thereof connected with said frame, and a second portion thereof supporting a fastener mechanism shaped for detachable connection with an existing partition panel; said panel connector being configured so as to permit utilities in said utility panel to be fed into the existing partition panel, whereby said utility panel functions as a spine which supplies utilities to existing partition panels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A utility panel as set forth in claim 5, including: a plurality of said panel connectors, each having a different style fastener mechanism for detachable connection with different types of existing partition panels, whereby said utility panel is universally adaptable for use with each.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A utility panel as set forth in claim 1, wherein: each of said rigid uprights has a quadralateral plan shape.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A utility panel as set forth in claim 7, including: at least one utility trough shaped to receive and retain utilities therein, and extending continuously between the first and second side portions of said frame in a substantially horizontal orientation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
A utility panel as set forth in claim 8, wherein: said utility trough has generally open ends positioned adjacent the first and second side portions of said frame, and located such that when adjacent like utility panels are interconnected in a side-by-side relationship, the open ends of adjacent utility troughs are aligned to form a continuous, horizontal raceway.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A utility panel as set forth in claim 9, wherein: said uprights and said utility trough are fixedly interconnected.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
A utility panel as set forth in claim 10, wherein: said frame includes a second utility trough fixedly connected with said uprights, and extending continuously between the first and second side portions of said frame in a substantially horizontal orientation at a vertical elevation spaced a predetermined distance from said first-named utility trough.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A utility panel as set forth in claim 1, including: a plurality of cover panels juxtaposed to cover both faces of said frame, each being detachably connected therewith.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
77 words
A utility panel as set forth in claim 1, including: a panel connector having a first portion thereof connected with said frame, and a second portion thereof supporting a fastener mechanism shaped for detachable connection with an existing partition panel; said panel connector being configured so as to permit utilities in said utility panel to be fed into the existing partition panel, whereby said utility panel functions as a spine which supplies utilities to existing partition panels.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
A utility panel as set forth in claim 13, including: a plurality of said panel connectors, each having a different style fastener mechanism for detachable connection with different types of existing partition panels, whereby said utility panel is universally adaptable for use with each.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A utility panel as set forth in claim 1, wherein: each of said rigid uprights has a quadralateral plan shape.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
A utility panel as set forth in claim 1, including: at least one utility trough shaped to receive and retain utilities therein, and extending continuously between the first and second side portions of said frame in a substantially horizontal orientation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
58 words
A utility panel as set forth in claim 16, wherein: said utility trough has generally open ends positioned adjacent the first and second side portions of said frame, and located such that when adjacent like utility panels are interconnected in a side-by-side relationship, the open ends of adjacent utility troughs are aligned to form a continuous, horizontal raceway.
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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) | 1999-01-29 | 1999-07-31 | 2000-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-01-29 | 2003-07-31 | 2004-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-01-29 | 2007-07-31 | 2008-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |