| Partition panel covering attachment assembly -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Partition panel covering attachment assemblyPartition panel covering attachment assembly description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070163190, Partition panel covering attachment assembly. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to an office partition panel system with removable decorative covers having slidable fingers adjacent peripheral edges thereof for retaining the covers to the panel frame. [0002] Modern offices and work environments use partition panels to subdivide open work spaces. The partition panels often include vertically-slotted posts and frames configured to support hang-on accessories and furniture, such as work surfaces, shelves, overhead cabinets and the like. Further, they include cover panels shaped to cover open spans within the frames as defined by the vertical frame members and cooperating horizontal frame members. In certain instances, these cover panels are configured so as to be removable, thereby allowing access to utilities carried within the frames. One problem associated with removable covers is that they must be tightly secured so that they will not rattle or exhibit looseness. Also, the outer aesthetic surfaces of the cover panels must be held flush to adjacent cover panels to provide a good appearance, even if the cover panels are slightly warped or bowed. At the same time, the cover panels must be readily removable or they defeat the purpose of being removable. [0003] Yet another problem occurs when the panels themselves are constructed of a material that expands and/or contracts under particular climate conditions, such as relatively high or low humidity. In such instances, the panels may expand and/or contract to a point that binds the coupling mechanism between the panels and the partition frames to a point that removal of the panel assemblies from the partition frames is hampered or impossible. In extreme conditions, the material of which the panels are comprised may expand or contract to a point that causes damage to the panels themselves, such as warping, splitting, cracking, etc. [0004] A partition system is desired that provides relatively easy coupling and removal of a panel assembly to and from an associated partition frame, while simultaneously preventing damage to a panel member of the panel assembly by allowing for expansion and contraction of the panel member subsequent to the assembly of the panel assembly with the partition frame. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] One aspect of the present invention is a partition panel system that comprises a frame assembly including a plurality of spaced and vertical frame members, and a plurality of horizontal frame members extending between and operably coupled with the vertical frame members, wherein at least a select one of the group consisting of the plurality of vertical frame members and the plurality of horizontal frame members includes a plurality of spaced panel hanging apertures. The partition system also includes a panel assembly operably coupled with the frame assembly and including a panel member having an outer surface, an inner surface and a peripheral edge, and at least one panel frame member coupled to the inner surface of the panel member proximate the peripheral edge of the panel member. The panel assembly further includes at least one clip member including an alignment portion that engages at least one of the hanger apertures of the frame assembly, and that is operably coupled with the at least one panel frame member such that the at least one clip member is slidable with respect to the panel member when the panel assembly is operably coupled with the frame assembly, thereby allowing for expansion and contraction of the panel member. [0006] Another aspect of the present invention is a partition panel assembly for covering open spans within a partition system that includes a frame assembly including a plurality of spaced structural frame members each including a plurality of forwardly-exposed spaced apertures, the panel assembly comprising a panel member having an outer exposed surface, an inner surface and a peripheral edge, and at least one panel frame member coupled to the inner surface of the panel member proximate the peripheral edge of the panel member. The partition panel assembly further comprises at least one clip member slidably received between the panel member and the at least one panel frame member and including an engagement portion adapted to engage at least one aperture of a structural frame member of a partition frame assembly, and that is operably coupled with the at least one panel frame member such that the at least one clip member is adapted to slide with respect to the panel member when the partition panel assembly is operably coupled with a partition frame assembly, thereby allowing for expansion and contraction of the panel member. [0007] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a partition panel assembly for covering open spans within a partition system that includes a frame assembly including a plurality of spaced structural frame members each including a plurality of forwardly-exposed spaced apertures, the partition panel assembly comprising a panel member having an outer exposed surface, an inner surface and a peripheral edge, and at least one panel frame member coupled to the inner surface of the panel member proximate the peripheral edge of the panel member. The partition panel assembly further comprises at least one clip member including an engagement portion adapted to engage at least one aperture of a structural frame member of a partition frame assembly, and that is operably coupled with the at least one panel frame member such that a majority of the at least one clip member is position between the panel member and the at least one panel frame member, thereby securely coupling the at least one clip member with the panel member and the at least one panel frame member. [0008] The present inventive partition panel assembly and associated overall partition panel system provides relatively easy coupling of the partition panel assemblies to and from the associated partition frame, while simultaneously preventing damage to panel members of the panel assemblies by allowing for expansion and contraction of the same under changing ambient conditions and subsequent to assembly. Moreover, the panel assembly and associated panel system have an uncomplicated design, can be quickly and easily assembled, are efficient in use, are capable of a long operating life, and are particularly well adapted for the proposed use. [0009] 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. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view a partition panel system including a plurality of panel assemblies embodying the present invention; [0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a partition frame assembly and a panel assembly; [0012] FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial perspective view of a vertical frame member; [0013] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the panel assembly; [0014] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of a vertical panel frame member of the first embodiment of the panel assembly; [0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a clip member of the first embodiment of the panel assembly, wherein alternative tabs are shown in dashed lines; [0016] FIG. 7 is a side view of two vertically-aligned panel assemblies, wherein light seals of each assembly are illustrated as overlapping; [0017] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the panel assembly; [0018] FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of a clip member of the second embodiment of the panel assembly; [0019] FIG. 10 is a side view of the clip of the second embodiment of the panel assembly; [0020] FIG. 11 is an end view of the clip member of the second embodiment of the panel assembly; [0021] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the panel assembly; Continue reading about Partition panel covering attachment assembly... Full patent description for Partition panel covering attachment assembly Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Partition panel covering attachment assembly patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Partition panel covering attachment assembly or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Explosion-absorbing panels and wall structures Next Patent Application: Mold resistant structural drywall track Industry Class: Static structures (e.g., buildings) ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Partition panel covering attachment assembly patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.64719 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Novartis , Pfizer , Philips , Polaroid , Procter & Gamble , 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
