Stacking connector for partitions

[0002] The present application is related to commonly assigned, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/060,913, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,358, entitled KNOCK-DOWN PORTABLE PARTITION SYSTEM, and commonly assigned, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/914,664, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,009,675, entitled KNOCK-DOWN PORTABLE PARTITION SYSTEM, commonly assigned, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/856,995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,899,035, entitled KNOCK-DOWN PORTABLE PARTITION SYSTEM, and commonly assigned co-pending patent application Ser. No. 09/293,196, filed on Apr. 16, 1999, entitled STACKING BRACKET FOR PARTITIONS, each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] The present invention relates to office partition panel systems, and in particular to a connector for stacking partitions that provides quick and easy on-site assembly.

[0004] The efficient use of building floor space is an ever-growing concern, particularly as building costs continue escalating. Open office plans have been developed to reduce overall officing costs, and generally incorporate large, open floor spaces in buildings that are equipped with modular furniture systems which are readily reconfigurable to accommodate the ever changing needs of a specific user, as well as the divergent requirements of different tenants. One arrangement commonly used for furnishing open plans includes movable or portable partition panels that are detachably interconnected to partition off the open spaces into individual workstations and/or offices. Such partition panels have sufficient structural strength to receive hang-on furniture units, such as worksurfaces, overhead cabinets, shelves, etc., and are generally known in the office furniture industry as “systems furniture.” Such partition panels have an acoustical sound-absorbing configuration to promote a quiet, pleasant work environment.

[0005] In an effort to accommodate the changing requirements of the users, “stacking” panel systems have been developed to permit the height of a partition panel to be extended if required for a particular application. Known stacking panel systems may be difficult to install, and further, the stacking panel may interfere with the routing of communications and/or power lines through the partition system. Accordingly, a stacking panel system alleviating the above-identified problems is desired.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a partition frame assembly including a lower partition frame. The lower partition frame has at least two elongated lower structural uprights, and the lower partition frame defines an upper edge. The lower partition frame further includes an upwardly-opening utilities channel extending adjacent the upper edge to permit lay-in of utility lines along the upper edge of the lower partition frame. An upper extension frame is positioned above the lower partition frame, and includes at least two elongated upper structural uprights, each of which is in vertical registry with the lower structural uprights. The partition frame includes first and second brackets, each of which rigidly interconnects a selected upper structural upright to a selected lower structural upright. Each bracket has a lower end rigidly interconnected with the selected lower structural upright, and an upper end rigidly interconnected with the selected upper structural upright. Each bracket has an upwardly-opening cut-out therethrough that is positioned in alignment with the utilities channel to permit routing of utility lines along the utilities channel and through the brackets.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is a partition frame assembly including a lower partition frame including at least two elongated lower structural uprights. The lower partition frame defines an upper edge, and includes an upwardly-opening utilities channel extending adjacent the upper edge to permit lay-in of utilities along the upper edge of the lower partition frame. An upper extension frame is positioned above the lower partition frame, and includes at least two elongated upper structural uprights, each of which is in vertical registry with the lower structural uprights. The partition frame assembly includes a pair of brackets, each of which rigidly interconnects a selected lower structural upright with a selected upper structural upright. Each bracket is generally Y-shaped, and defines an upper portion having a pair of upwardly extending legs with a clearance opening therebetween. Each of the upwardly extending legs is rigidly interconnected with a selected upper structural upright with the clearance opening positioned in alignment with the utilities channel to permit routing of utility lines through each of the brackets. Each Y-shaped bracket has a lower portion rigidly interconnected with a selected one of the lower structural uprights to rigidly interconnect the upper partition frame to the lower partition frame.

[0008] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a bracket for rigidly interconnecting an extension panel frame to a base panel frame. The bracket includes an elongated rigid body having a central portion and first connectors on an upper portion adapted to rigidly interconnect to an extension panel frame. The rigid body also has a second connector on a lower portion that is adapted to rigidly interconnect the bracket to a base panel frame. The bracket also includes a catch extending transversely from the central portion of the rigid body. The catch is shaped to engage a base panel frame to support the bracket and permit securing the second connectors to a base panel frame.

[0009] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method of interconnecting an extension panel frame to a lower panel frame of the type having at least one utility line extending within an upwardly-opening utility trough positioned along an upper edge of the lower panel frame. The method includes providing a bracket having a lower portion and an upwardly-opening clearance opening therethrough. The utility line is shifted out of the utility trough, and placed in the clearance opening through the bracket. The clearance opening is aligned with the utility trough, and the utility line is shifted into the utility trough. The bracket is secured to the lower panel frame, and the extension panel is positioned above the lower panel frame. The extension panel is secured to the bracket to interconnect the extension panel frame and the lower panel frame.

[0010] These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims, and appended drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a stacking partition system embodying the present invention, which includes a base panel, an extension panel, and connector brackets;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a pair of connector brackets, a base post, and an extension post of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 3 is an exploded, fragmentary, perspective view of the base partition frame of FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the connector bracket of FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the connector bracket of FIG. 4;

[0016] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the connector bracket of FIG. 4;

[0017] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the lower portion of another embodiment of the connector bracket;

[0018] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the connector clip of FIG. 4.

[0019] For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0020] The reference numeral 1 (FIG. 1) generally designates a partition frame assembly embodying the present invention, which is particularly designed for use in open office plans, and other similar settings and environments. In the illustrated example, partition frame assembly 1 includes a lower partition frame 2 includes at least two elongated lower structural uprights, such as posts 3. The lower partition frame 2 defines an upper edge 4, and includes an upwardly-opening utilities channel 5 extending adjacent the upper edge 4 to permit lay-in of utility lines 6, such as power or data lines along the upper edge 4 of the lower partition frame 2. An upper extension frame 7 is positioned above the lower partition frame 2, and includes at least two elongated upper structural uprights, such as extension posts 8, each of which is in vertical registry with a lower post 3. At least one bracket 10 rigidly interconnects each extension post 8 to a selected lower post 3. In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of brackets 10 interconnect each extension post 8 to a lower post 3. With further reference to FIG. 2, each bracket 10 has a lower end 11 that is rigidly interconnected with a selected lower post 3, and an upper end 12 rigidly interconnected with a selected extension post 8. Each bracket 10 includes an upwardly-opening cut-out 13 through the bracket 10 positioned in alignment with the utilities channel 5 when in the installed position to permit routing of utility lines 6 along the utilities channel 5 and through the brackets 10.

[0021] As described in more detail in the above-identified co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/856,995 entitled KNOCK-DOWN PORTABLE PARTITION SYSTEM, the partition frame 2 (FIG. 3) includes upper and lower beams 15 that extend between the posts 3. Each beam 15 includes four hooks 16 that are received within the slots or apertures 19 of connection ports 18. After the hooks 16 are received within the apertures 19, the ends of the beam are shifted downwardly to engage the book 16, and a movable lock 17 is rotated. An end portion of the lock 17 is received within opening 20 of connection port 18, thereby preventing disengagement of hooks 16. The knock-down construction of frame 2 permits quick and simple on-site assembly of the partition frame assembly.

[0022] The partition frame 2 may include a plurality of utility troughs 21 (FIG. 1). Utility troughs 21 have an upwardly-opening U-shape for routing of utility lines 6. Each utility trough 21 includes hooks 22 at one or more ends of the utility trough 21 that are received within apertures 19 to support the utility trough. A utility trough 21 can be placed above the upper beam 15, thereby forming the upper edge 4 of the lower partition frame 2 and providing utility channel 5. The upper end 24 of each post 3 has an upwardly-opening cut-out 23 that aligns with the utility trough 21 to permit uninterrupted lay-in of utility lines 6 between adjacent partition frames 2 along channel 5. One or more data receptacles 51 and associated data lines 52 may be mounted to the utility troughs 51 to provide for telephones and the like. One or more power receptacles 53 and associated power lines 54 may also be connected to the utility troughs 21 to provide electrical power for the various electrical devices in the office space.

[0023] With reference to FIG. 2, extension posts 8 have substantially the same construction as lower posts 3, and include one or more connection ports 18, and a cut-out 23 at the upper end 25 to permit lay-in of utility lines along the upper edge of the extension frame 7. The upper extension frame 7 includes a pair of extension posts 8, and at least one beam 15 to rigidly interconnect the extension posts 8. Extension frame 7 may also include one or more utility troughs 21 for routing of the utility lines 6. In addition, one or more cover panels 26 are mounted to both the upper and lower partition frames by clips 27 that are received in openings 28 of the lower posts 3 and extension posts 8.

[0024] With further reference to FIGS. 4-6, bracket 10 includes a clip 29 that is received on the lower edge 30 of cut-out 13. During installation of bracket 10, the bracket 10 is inserted into the open upper end 24 of lower post 3, and the downwardly extending leg 32 of clip 29 engages the lower, horizontal edge 31 of cut-out 23 of post 3 to prevent the bracket 10 from falling into the lower post 3. An upwardly extending hook-like portion 33 at the lower end 11 of bracket 10 is then shifted outwardly through large opening 34 of connection port 18. Hook 33 has width that is substantially equal to the width of opening 34, such that hook 33 fits snuggly against the side edges of opening 34 to prevent side-to-side motion of lower end 11 of bracket 10. The bracket 10 is then shifted upward slightly, such that the upper edge 36 of opening 34 is received within the gap 35 formed by the hook portion 33 of bracket 10. Leg 32 of clip 29 has sufficient flexibility to permit downward shifting of bracket 10 during installation, and also biases the bracket 10 upwardly, such that the edge 36 of opening 34 in post 3 remains in the gap 35 formed by hook 33 of bracket 10. After inserting a pair of brackets 10 into the open upper end 24 of lower post 3, the extension post 8 is positioned above the post 3, and shifted downwardly, such that the upper ends 12 of brackets 10 are received in the open lower end 39 of extension post 8. Bolts 38 are then inserted through the openings 40 of extension posts 8, and threaded into the threaded openings 37 in the upper end 12 of bracket 10. It is anticipated that, during assembly, a pair of the extension posts 8 would be interconnected by a structural beam 15 to form the upper extension frame 7, which would then be installed as a unit on a pair of the lower posts 3. Utility lines 6 may be installed in the utility channel 5 of the lower partition frame 2, such that the utility lines 6 are first grasped, and pulled out of the cut-out 23 of post 3 during installation. The brackets 10 are then inserted into the open upper end 24 of post 3 as described above, and the utility lines 6 are then placed in the cut-out 13 of bracket 10 and positioned in alignment with the utility channel 5 formed by the upper utility trough 21. Alternately, the utility lines 6 may be placed in the cut-out 13 of bracket 10 prior to inserting the bracket 10 into the open upper end 24 of post 3. The extension post 8 is then installed as described above. Extension posts 8 may include a cut-out 41 at the lower end 39 to provide additional clearance for utility lines 6. Bracket 10 preferably includes a pair of elongated clearance openings 42 that provide clearance for the hooks 16 of a beam 15 that is positioned directly below the upper utility trough 21.

[0025] As illustrated in FIG. 7, in an alternate embodiment, hook 33 includes a tapered, or sloped upper surface 45 that engages the upper edge 36 of opening 34 in sidewall 46 of post 3. The angled surface 35 ensures that the lower end 11 of the bracket is biased into contact with the sidewall 46 due to the upward force “P” on the bracket 10 generated by the leg 32 of clip 29.

[0026] With reference to FIG. 8, clip 29 is formed from a relatively thin spring steel, and has a main body portion 47, and a pair of U-shaped retainers 48 that secure the clip 29 to the lower edge 30 of cut-out 13 of bracket 10. Leg 32 extends downwardly at angle relative to the plane formed by bracket 10, and includes an end portion 49 that extends approximately parallel to the plane of bracket 10 to ensure that the clip 29 does not inadvertently disengage from the lower edge 31 of cut-out 23 of lower post 3.

[0027] In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims, unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.