US3370389A - Wall partitions - Google Patents

Description

J. MACALUSO WALL PARTITIONS Feb. 27,- 1968 2 SheetsSheet 1 Filed March 17, 1965 FIG. 3

INVENTOR. J'OSEPH MACALUSO QMQWIM ATTORNEY J. MACALUSO WALL PARTiTIONS Feb. 27, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 17, 1965 FIG.6

FIG. 5

INVENTOR.

JOSEPH MACALUSO "66ml! WM ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofi ice 3,370,389 Patented Feb. 27, 1968 3,370,389 WALL PARTITIONS Joseph Macaluso, Clark, N.J., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Royalmetal Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 17, 1965, Ser. No. 440,367 14 Claims. (Cl. 52-239) ABSTRACT F TEE DISCLOSURE A wall partition unit having a tubular post member with a recess running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular post member and with a channel set back within the recess also running parallel to the longitudinal axis post and adapted to receive and engage an insertable member. in addition, the wall partition unit has a panel with a recess running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the panel strip and a channel set back within the recess also running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the panel strip and adapted to receive and engage an insertable member. Further the wall partition unit has a panel with a first edge disposed in the chanel of the tubular post member and a second edge engaging the panel strip.

The present invention relates to wall partition units which may be easily assembled and disassembled.

In the past few years, movable wall partitions have become extremely popular in the construction of ofiices. In such construction, the wall partition panels are joined to rigidly fixed posts by inserting studs, carried on the panel edges, into apertures in the faces of the posts. The panels may be fixed to the posts on one, two, three or four of the faces of the posts dependent on whether the post acts as an edge of an entrance, or joins two panels together, or acts as a corner for two or more office compartments.

Rather than have separate posts with apertures on one, two, three or four faces, it has long been desired to provide a so-called universal post which can accommodate the joinder of two, three or four panels and can also accommodate different types of panels, such as a complete wall or a partial wall having a glass section. Heretofore, this has been accomplished by providing a post with apertures on all four sides of the post and then plugging up those apertures which were not actually used to receive studs. The plugs clearly detract from the appearance of such wall partitions.

In one type of wall partition construction, the panel or more accurately a partial panel extends, for example, to only half the height of the post. A glass section which fits into the post and the top edge of the partial panel constitutes the remainder of the enclosure surface. At times, it is desired to use a partial panel without the glass section. When used this way, the exposed edge of the partial panel detracts from the appearance of the Wall partition.

The present invention contemplates a new type of unversal post construction for wall partitions along with a new type of panel strip for a wall partition panel. It will be seen that this new post and this new panel strip may be provided with decorative facing strips which result in an attractive wall partition. In addition, because of the particular construction of this new post and this new panel strip, there is an improvement in the grasping of glass sections which are held by the post and the panel strip.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved wall partition unit.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a wall partition unit which may be provided with decorative effects, thereby rendering the wall partition unit an attractive structure.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a wall partition unit which also provides improved grasping of glass sections.

A Wall partition unit constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a tubular post member having at least one recess running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular post member and a channel set back within the recess also running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular post member and adapted to receive and engage an insertable member. The wall partition unit of the invention further includes a panel strip having a recess running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the panel strip and a channel set back within the recess also running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the panel strip and adapted to receive and engage an insertable member. The Wall partition unit of the invention additionally includes a panel having a first edge adapted for insertion into the channel in the tubular post member and a second edge adapted to receive and engage the panel strip.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects thereof, reference is had to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wall partition unit constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view, in perspective, of a post for a wall partition unit constructed in accordance with the present invention along with a post cap and post foot- FIG. 3 is an exploded view in cross-section taken along line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-section view of a portion of a wall panel;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of one form of panel strip constructed in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-section view of a portion of a wall panel with a flat cap strip in position.

Referring to FIG. 1, a wall partition unit constructed in accordance with the present invention comprises a post 10 (three posts are shown in FIG. 1), a panel 20 and a panel strip 30. Although shown as a partial panel, the panel 20 may be a complete panel such as the one designated by reference numeral 41}. A second partial panel 50 and a glass section 50 are also shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, wherein the post 10 of FIG. 1 is shown in detail, the post includes a tubular member 11 which is fitted onto a post footing 12, and receives a post cap 13 which serves as a closure for the post. Both the post footing 12 and the post cap 13 have four angular members which fit into the corners of the tubular post member 11. The angular members on the post footing 12 are all identified by the reference numeral 14, while the angular members on the post cap 13 are all identified by the reference numeral 15. The angular members 14 are provided with ridges 16, while the angular members 15 are also provided with similar ridges 17. When the tubular post member 11 is inserted through the post footing 12, it engages the customary adjustable glide (not running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular post member. The side walls of the recesses, all identified by the reference numeral 18a, form acute angles with the back walls of the recesses all identified by the reference numeral 181).

Within each recess 18 is a channel 19 which also runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular post member 11. The channels 19 have such cross-section as to adapt them to receive and engage insertabie members. The

back walls of the channels 19 are provided with apertures 19a for receiving and locking spring loaded studs carried by the partition panels.

The panel 20, shown in cross-section in FIG. 3, has a first edge adapted for insertion into the channel 19 of the tubular post member 11. In particular, this edge is provided with a tongue 21 of suitable dimensions which fits into the channel 19. The remainder of the panel, although shown as a hollow member having two wall portions 22 and 23 and supporting ribs 24, may take various other forms and configurations.

A facing strip 27 which may be inserted into the channels 19 of a tubular post member 11 is also shown in cross-section in FIG. 3. The facing strip is composed of a face portion 25, having desired decorative features, and

two legs or extensions 26 which fit into the channels 19. The face portion 25 is so dimensioned as to extend from one side wall 18:: of recess 18 all the way across to the other side wall. However, a facing strip having a face portion with a width only as great as the width of channel 19 may also be accommodated. The choice of a particular facing strip is merely one of preference for a desired decorative effect. The legs 26 may be an integral part of the facing strip and be rigidly fixed to the face portion 25 in which case the facing strip is inserted into the channel 19 and the recess 18 by sliding it in from the top or bottom of the post. Alternatively, the legs 26 may themselves be resilient or be resiliently attached to the face portion 25 thereby permitting snap-fit insertions of the facing strips into the channels 19. A facing strip may be provided without the legs 26 and may be inserted by simply sliding it into the recesses 18 whereupon it will be held in the acute angle formed between the side wall 18a and the back wall 18b.

The glass section 60 of FIG. 1 and its associated rubber support strips 61 are also shown in cross-section in FIG. 3. When the glass section 60 and the rubber support strips 61 are inserted into the channels 19, the end portions 61a, 61a of the rubber strip are fitted into the acute angles formed by the side walls 18a and the back walls 18b of the recesses 18. This creates an improvement in the grasping of the glass section 60, since the two parts of the rubber support strip 61 are forced inward towards each other.

FIG. 4 is another cross-section view of a partition panel taken along a second edge of the panel. This edge, corresponding to the top edge of the partial panel 20 shown in FIG. 1, is adapted to receive and engage panel strip 30 of FIG. 1. FIG. is a cross-section view of panel strip 30. Upon an examination of FIG. 5, it becomes apparent that the cross-section of the panel strip 30 is similar to the cross-section of one of the sides of tubular post member 11. In particular, the panel strip 30 is provided with a recess 31 running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the panel strip. The side walls 310, 31a of the recess form acute angles with the back walls 31b, 31b of the recess. Within each recess is a channel 32 which also runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the panel strip. The channel 32 has such a cross-section as to adapt it to receive and engage insertable members such as the facing strip, and the glass section and associated rubber support strips all shown in FIG. 3. When used to support a glass section, the panel strip 30 receives the glass section and the associated rubber support strips in the same way as does the tubular post member 11. When no glass section is to be used, a facing stn'p may be inserted into the channel 32 and the recess 31 so as to provide a desired decorative effect or a flat cap strip 25a may be used as illustrated in FIG. 6.

The panel strip of FIG. 5 is provided with two legs or extensions 33 which fit against the side and bottom edges of flanged portions 35 and 36 of the side walls 22 and 23 of the panel shown in FIG. 4.,As was the case in connection with the legs 26 shown in FIG. 3, the legs 33 may be so constructed as to adapt the panel strip for either sliding or snap-fit insertion into the partition panel.

Where there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of this invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention and it is, therefore, aimed to cover all such changes and modifications as fall Within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is: 1. A Wall partition unit comprising: a a tubular post member having at least one recess having a back wall running parallel to the longitudinal axis of said tubular post member and a channel in said back wall set back within said recess also running parallel to the longitudinal axis of. said tubular post member and adapted to receive and engage an insertable member;

a panel strip having a recess running parallel to the longitudinal axis of said panel strip, said recess having a back wall and a channel in said back wall set back within said recess also running parallel to the longitudinal axis of said panel strip and adapted to receive and engage an insertable member;

and a panel having a first edge disposed in said channel in said tubular post member and a second edge on gaging said panel strip.

2. A wall partition unit according to claim 1 wherein the side walls of the recess in the panel stripform acute angles with the back walls of this recess.

3. A wall partition unit according to claim 1 wherein the side walls of the recess in the tubular post member form acute angles with the back wall of this recess.

4. A wall partition unit comprising:

a tubular post member having four sides with a recess with a back wall in each side running parallel to the longitudinal axis of said tubular post member and a channel in said back wall set back within each recess also running parallel to the longitudinal axis of said tubular post member and adapted to receive and engage an insertable member;-

a panel strip having a recess running parallel to the longitudinal axis of said panel strip, said recess having a back wall and a channel in said back wall set back within said recess also running parallel to the longitudinal axis of said panel strip and adapted to receive and engage an insertable member;

and a panel having a first edge disposed in one of said channels in said tubular post member and a second edge engaging said panel strip.

5. A wall partition unit according to claim 4 wherein the side walls of each recess in the tubular post member form acute angles with the back walls of these recesses and the side walls of the recess in the panel strip form acute angles with the back walls of this recess. a

6. The wall partition unit of claim 1 wherein said second edge of said panel has a pair of flange portions for engaging said panel strip, and wherein said panel strip has a pair of leg extensions engaged with said pair of flange portions of said panel for retaining said panel strip on said panel.

7. The wall partition unit of claim 1 wherein a support strip and a glass section is disposed in said support strip. a

8. The wall partition unit of claim 7 wherein said panel has said first edge disposed in a lower portion of said channel of said tubular post and wherein a support strip and a glass section are disposed in the upper portion of said channel of said tubular post.

9. The Wall partition unit of claim 1 wherein said panel strip has a fiat cap strip with portions disposed in said recess to hold said cap strip on said panel strip.

10. The wall partition unit of claim 4 wherein said second edge of said panel has a pair of flange portions for engaging said panel strip, and wherein said panel strip has a pair of leg extensions engaged with said pair of flange portions of said panel for retaining said panel strip on said panel.

11. The wall partition of claim 4 wherein a support strip and a glass section is disposed in said support strip.

12. The wall partition unit of claim 11 wherein said panel has first edge disposed in a lower portion of said channel of said tubular post and wherein a support strip and a glass section are disposed in the upper portion of said channel of said tubular post.

13. The wall partition unit of claim 4 wherein said said recess to hold said cap strip on said panel strip.

6 14. The wall partition of claim 4 wherein one of said recesses of said tubular post has a facing strip with a pair of legs disposed in the channel of said one of said recesses for retaining said facing strip on said tubular post.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,867,856 1/1959 Cudini 52731 X 3,084,483 4/1963 Cipriani 52235 X 3,147,518 9/1964 Horgan 52731 X 3,178,775 4/1965 Tassell 52-239 X 3,189,140 6/1965 Luss 52-242 X 3,261,625 7/1966 Cripe 52239 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,231,738 1960 France.

JOHN E, MURTAGH, Prim'ary Examiner.

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