U.S. patent application number 10/015090 was filed with the patent office on 2002-05-09 for pocket door for modular partition system.
Invention is credited to Barmak, Jack.
Application Number | 20020053174 10/015090 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24347520 |
Filed Date | 2002-05-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020053174 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Barmak, Jack |
May 9, 2002 |
Pocket door for modular partition system
Abstract
A pocket door panel for use within a modular partition system is
based upon a standard partition panel having vertical end members
joined by spaced horizontal C-section members secured to opposite
sides of the vertical end members with the mouths of the C-section
members facing outwardly. The pocket door panel has one vertical
end member replaced by two J-section members secured to the
horizontal members and defining an elongated vertical opening
between them. A generally rectangular door is adapted to slide
horizontally into the opening and the pocket within the panel
defined by the horizontal members. Rollers are mounted within the
panel above and below the door to engage the top and bottom of the
door and guide the horizontal sliding movement of the door. The
inner edge of the door includes a leveling device that slidably
engages one or more horizontal members to prevent the vertical
movement of the inner edge of the door.
Inventors: |
Barmak, Jack; (Thornhill,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WEINGARTEN, SCHURGIN, GAGNEBIN & LEBOVICI LLP
TEN POST OFFICE SQUARE
BOSTON
MA
02109
US
|
Family ID: |
24347520 |
Appl. No.: |
10/015090 |
Filed: |
December 11, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10015090 |
Dec 11, 2001 |
|
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|
09586894 |
Jun 5, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/220.7 ;
52/238.1; 52/239; 52/243.1; 52/479 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 2002/749 20130101;
E04B 2/7424 20130101; E04B 2002/7488 20130101; E06B 3/4654
20130101; E04B 2002/7462 20130101; E04B 2/7425 20130101; E04B
2002/7483 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/220.7 ;
52/239; 52/238.1; 52/243.1; 52/479 |
International
Class: |
E04C 002/52; E04H
003/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A pocket door panel for use in a partitioning system, the
partitioning system having a panel frame structure, the pocket door
panel comprising: (a) a panel frame arranged in a vertical plane,
having a cavity therein, and having an elongated vertical opening
at an end perpendicular to said vertical plane, said opening being
in communication with said cavity; (b) a door arranged in said
vertical plane, having top, bottom and side frame members, and
being adapted to slidably enter said cavity through said opening,
said door having a closed position and an open position and being
horizontally movable between said closed position and said open
position; and (c) rollers mounted on said panel frame within said
cavity and adapted to engage said top and bottom frame members to
slidably guide said door between said positions.
2. A pocket door panel for use in a partitioning system, the
partitioning system having a panel frame structure, the pocket door
panel comprising: (a) a panel frame arranged in a vertical plane
having a vertical end frame member and a vertical pocket end frame
member spread apart and arranged perpendicular to said vertical
plane, said vertical pocket end frame member defining an elongated
vertical opening, and having horizontal frame members arranged
parallel to said vertical plane in vertically spaced pairs and
secured to said vertical end frame member and said vertical pocket
end frame member; (b) bottom rollers secured between a bottom pair
of said horizontal frame members and top rollers secured between a
top pair of said horizontal frame members; and (c) a door
comprising a horizontal top, a horizontal bottom, a vertical
leading and a vertical trailing door member, said door members
being connected to generally define a rectangle in said common
plane, said door being adapted to slide horizontally within said
opening between an open position and a closed position, and wherein
said top door member engages said top rollers and said bottom door
member engages said bottom rollers.
3. The pocket door panel of claim 2, wherein said vertical trailing
door member is located between said vertical end frame member and
said vertical pocket end frame member of said panel frame, the
pocket door panel further comprising a leveling device secured to
said trailing door member and slidably engaging at least one of
said horizontal frame members to prevent vertical movement of said
trailing door member when the door is slid between an open and
closed position.
4. The pocket door panel of claim 2, wherein each said roller
comprises a housing, a wheel support member slidably mounted to
said housing, a wheel rotatably mounted upon said wheel support
member and an adjustment means and wherein said housing is secured
between said horizontal frame members, said wheel support member is
slidably operable to adjust the vertical distance between said
wheel and said housing so that said wheel may engage said door
member, and said adjustment means is operable to fix said wheel
support member in place.
5. The pocket door panel of claim 4, wherein said adjustment means
is a screw.
6. The pocket door panel of claim 2, wherein at least one of said
rollers is tension mounted such that said rollers firmly engage
said top and bottom door members.
7. The pocket door of claim 2, wherein said vertical pocket end
frame member comprises two vertical j-section members spaced apart,
the space therebetween defining said opening.
Description
[0001] The present invention is a continuation-in-part of patent
application Ser. No. 09/586,894 filed Jun. 5, 2000. application
Ser. No. 09/586,894 is incorporated herein and made a part of the
present application.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to modular partition systems such as
are used to partition office or other workspace, and to support
work surfaces and storage and other modules.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Such systems are typically formed of vertical panels which
are interconnected at their edges to form desired partitions. Such
systems impose both horizontal and vertical modularity on the
resulting structure. The horizontal modularity entails that the
dimensions of the walls of the structure can be varied only in
increments imposed by available panel sizes. There is also a
problem accommodating cabling which must be threaded through the
ends of the panels and is difficult to alter after the system is
installed. Some such systems make use of panel frames with clip-on
cladding, as exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,406,760 (Edwards) in
which the panels comprise horizontal frame members disposed
outwardly of vertical frame members such that, when panels are
secured together in the same plane, the horizontal members are
aligned to form continuous rails on which furnishings may be
located horizontally without regard to the modularity of the
panels. Cabling may be passed horizontally between the outside
panels and the vertical members, and vertically between the
horizontal members, facilitating cabling.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,904 also uses panels having narrow
vertical members and spaced horizontal box beams of greater width
supporting external cladding and providing channels which locate
clips supporting furnishings or panels at any desired horizontal
location. The box beams are provided with vertical pass-through to
permit vertical cabling, horizontal cabling being accommodated
between the box beams. The latter nevertheless are complex
fabrications, and complicate assembly of the panels.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In is an object of the present invention to provide a
partitioning system which provides for flexible location of
furnishings, and junctions between partition walls, yet can be
assembled from simple modular components.
[0006] The invention relies on a panel frame structure comprised of
vertical members of substantially lesser thickness than the panels
to be formed, which may be joined end-to-end in a modular manner,
and side-by-side to join vertical ends of adjacent panels, and
horizontal C-section rails secured to opposite sides of the
vertical rails with mouths of the C-sections facing outwardly.
Cladding panels are secured by vertically-spaced sets of spring
clips engaging respectively upper and lower surfaces of
vertically-spaced horizontal rails, and worksurfaces and other
furnishings are secured to a clamp member engaged within the
C-section of horizontal rails. The relationship of the horizontal
and vertical members allows for easy cabling, and the use of the
clamps permits panels and furnishings to be located without
substantial regard to the horizontal modularity of the system. The
basic panelling system requires a minimum number of different
modular parts.
[0007] Accordingly, the invention provides a partitioning system
having a panel frame structure, each panel frame having vertical
end members arranged in a common plane and adapted to be joined
end-to-end with those of other panels, and horizontal frame members
arranged in vertically-spaced pairs and secured to opposite side
faces of the vertical members, the horizontal members each being of
C-section with openings of the C-sections facing outwardly.
Preferably the system further includes cladding panels and clips
securing the panels to the frame structure externally of the
horizontal members, or the clips being secured to the panels and
engaging a top surface of one horizontal member, and a bottom
surface of another horizontal member vertically spaced from said
one horizontal member on the same side of the frame structure.
[0008] Preferably, the system also includes at least one clamp
member entering a horizontal member through the opening of its
C-section and releasably clamped therein, and at least one of a
furnishing support, a work surface and a further panel attached to
the clamp member.
[0009] In another aspect, the present invention includes a pocket
door panel for use in a partitioning system, the partitioning
system having a panel frame structure, the pocket door panel
including a panel frame arranged in a vertical plane, having a
cavity therein, and having an elongated vertical opening at an end
perpendicular to the vertical plane, the opening being in
communication with the cavity; a door arranged in a vertical plane,
having a top and a bottom edge and adapted to slidably enter the
cavity through the opening, the door having a closed position and
an open position and being horizontally moveable between the closed
position and the open position; and rollers mounted on the panel
frame within the cavity and adapted to engage the top edge and the
bottom edge of the door to slidably guide the door between the open
and closed positions.
[0010] In yet another aspect, the pocket door panel further
includes a leveling device attached to a vertical edge of the door
and slidably engaging a horizontal member of the panel frame to
prevent the edge of the door from moving vertically and/or
laterally.
[0011] The invention is described further below with reference to a
presently-preferred embodiment as illustrated by the accompanying
drawings:
SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is an isometric view showing basic frame modules
forming the basis of a preferred embodiment of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary isometric view illustrating how
adjacent coplanar frames are connected;
[0014] FIG. 3 is an end view of a partition formed of assembled
frame modules with panels attached;
[0015] FIG. 4 is an isometric view illustrating the connection of
four partitions of different heights at their vertical edges;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary end view of a panel frame
illustrating the attachment of cladding panels and of brackets
supporting furnishings or other panel frames;
[0017] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a cladding panel prior to
attachment;
[0018] FIGS. 7 through 10 are fragmentary isometric views of
brackets for supporting panels, furnishing units and work surfaces
at points intermediate the length of panel frames;
[0019] FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a leveler foot at the base
of a column of a panel frame;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a fragmentary isometric view of an alternative
form of cladding panel;
[0021] FIG. 13 is an isometric view of a partition unit
incorporating cable organizers so as to provide a raceway at any
height on either face of a panel frame;
[0022] FIG. 14 is an isometric view of a cable organizer;
[0023] FIG. 15 is an isometric view illustrating the mounting of
window panels;
[0024] FIG. 16 is an isometric view of a pocket door panel and a
sliding door;
[0025] FIG. 17 is an exploded isometric view of a pocket door panel
and a sliding door;
[0026] FIG. 18 is a fragmentary isometric view of a roller unit,
threaded rods and nuts for use in connection with a pocket door
panel and sliding door;
[0027] FIG. 19 is an isometric view of a roller unit including
reinforcing metal plates;
[0028] FIG. 20 is an isometric view of a roller unit without
reinforcing metal plates;
[0029] FIG. 21 is a fragmentary isometric view of a leveling device
according to the present invention; and
[0030] FIG. 22 is a fragmentary isometric view of another leveling
device according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, at least the spines of partitions in a
system according to the invention are made up of panel frame
modules; in the example shown, a 105 cm high base module 2 which
may be built up to any desired panel height by the addition of 60
cm and or 30 cm modules 4 and 6. The individual modules are made up
of vertical end members 8 of hollow rectangular section, and
C-section horizontal members 10 secured by fasteners or otherwise
to the vertical members with the opening 12 of each C-section
facing outwards. Additional intermediate vertical members (not
shown) can be added, if required, either during installation or at
any time thereafter, being secured to the horizontal members by
fasteners passing through the holes 14.
[0032] The vertical members 8 of the modules may be connected by
tongues 16 fitting within and secured by fasteners to the
rectangular sections. Adjacent panel frames may be connected as
shown in FIG. 2 by bolts 20. This figure also shows the fasteners,
in this example screws 18, securing the horizontal members. The
panels are completed as shown in FIG. 3 by clipping cladding tiles
22 or other cladding elements such as raceway covers 24 to the
upper and lower external surfaces of the horizontal members 10 as
seen in FIG. 3. The cladding tiles may be installed and removed
independently without interference with adjacent tiles. Tiles may
be interchanged to renovate the system or to suit decorative
schemes. Each vertical member 8 is provided at its lower end with a
levelling foot 26 (see FIG. 11) having a threaded shaft 20 which
screws into a bracket 28 secured by a screw 30 in engagement with
the member 8. The offset position of the levelling foot and its
shaft 20 relative to the member 8 facilitates levelling of panels
whether manually or using a power tool. A scuff protector 31 may be
clipped to the lowest members 10 to close the gap between the
panels 22 and the floor.
[0033] At the intersection of three or four panels, the panels may
be secured, instead of by bolts 20, by shorter bolts 32, engaging
turned-up flanges of cups 34, as best seen in FIG. 4, which also
shows the frames 36 of cladding tiles 22, as well as raceway covers
24. As shown, panels of different heights may be connected in this
manner.
[0034] As best seen in FIG. 5, the C-shaped horizontal members
support the cladding tiles 22 and raceway covers, by means of
spring clips 40, which may be installed on raised lances or secured
with fasteners to the frame of the tile. As seen in FIG. 6,
oppositely-acting rows of these clips are secured to the frame 36
of the tile.
[0035] Heavier duty connections to the panel frames intermediate
the module lengths are made through brackets as shown in FIGS. 5
and 7 to 9. A portion 42 of each bracket forms a cantilever with an
inclined distal portion 44 which is easily inserted within the
C-section of a horizontal member so as to engage its bottom wall.
It can then be clamped in place by a clamp member 46 which engages
the top and upper outer walls of the C-section and is secured in
place by fasteners, in this case, a screw or screws 48. The outer
end 50 of the cantilever formed by the portion 42 may take various
forms, according to application. In FIGS. 5 and 8, it is turned
downwardly (or upwardly if the bracket is mounted upside down as
seen at the bottom of Figure) to support a bracket 52 or brackets
52 and 54, used to support heavy furnishings such as cabinets. The
clamp member 46 may include a projecting tab 47 designed to lock
into a corresponding slot in the back of a cabinet (not shown) to
lock the latter in place on the bracket.
[0036] In FIG. 7, each portion 50 may support a bolt 56, enabling a
panel 58 to be secured perpendicular to the first panel at any
point along the length of a panel 60.
[0037] In FIG. 9, the end 50 is turned outward horizontally and
forms a mounting plate 62 which supports a work surface 64 to which
it is secured by screws 66.
[0038] In FIG. 10, an inner end of a bracket 67 is upturned (not
shown) to engage within an upper portion of a C-section, while its
outer end is cranked outwardly and secured by a screw 69 or other
fastener to the top of an auxiliary column 68 which is provided
with a vertical row of vertical slots 70 to accept cantilever
brackets such as the bracket 72. The reaction from a work surface
64 supported by such a bracket is sustained by a leveler foot at a
lower end of the column 68 which bears all the vertical load
applied through the bracket, while screw 74 bearing on a lower
horizontal member sustains torsional loads, which screw may be
turned to adjust the angle of the work surface.
[0039] It will be appreciated that the brackets described above
with reference to FIGS. 5-10 permit installation of branch panels,
work surfaces, cabinets and shelving at any point along a spine
formed by the panels, without regard to the horizontal modularity
of the latter.
[0040] FIG. 12 shows a form of panel 78 which may be used in place
of a panel 22, and presents a series of horizontal C and G-section
channels 76 which may support various types of brackets supporting
furnishings which can then be moved horizontally without regard to
the modularity of the panel frame.
[0041] It is a feature of the panel system of the present invention
that the horizontal C-section members 10 provide stand offs for the
cladding tiles 22 and other cladding elements from the vertical
columns 8, allowing ample space between the tiles and the columns
for raceways 80 (see FIGS. 3 and 13). Brackets 82 secured between
members 10 on opposite sides of the vertical members provide
support for modules of modular electric bus equipment 92, such as
outlets and connectors which may be installed at any desired
height, while cable organizers 86 have base members having tabs 87
which lock into slots 89 in the members 10 (see FIG. 1), and hinged
side flaps 88 which allow cables 90 to be inserted into them.
[0042] It will be seen that the basic partition structure described
so far can be made up from a relatively small inventory of parts.
While the panel frame modules 2, 4 and 6 may be pre-assembled, they
are formed from lengths of rectangular section tube, lengths of
C-section, plates forming the tongues 16, and the brackets 82.
While the parts may be bolted together, it may be preferable in
pre-assembled modules to weld the parts together. The cladding
tiles comprise simple frames 36 to which the clips 40 are attached,
with a fabric or other cladding, while the raceway covers may be
pressed from sheet metal and the clips 40 attached. In suitable
locations, the cladding tiles may be replaced by window units, or
soundproof or other panels. As seen in FIG. 15, window units may be
formed with head and sill members 94 which may be plastic
extrusions and clip onto respectively lower and upper halves of the
C-section members 10, and stiles 95 which may similarly be plastic
extrusions and clip around vertical members 8 to provide together a
frame retaining a glazing or other panel 96. This figure also shows
how a panel may be fitted with a top trim 98 clipped over upper
portions of C-section members 10. Heavier duty connections to
branch panels or other furnishings may be made in a module
independent manner using the clamps described with reference to
FIGS. 5 and 7 through 10, again using a minimal number of basic
parts and no tools other than wrenches and screwdrivers.
[0043] The raceways 80 provide ample space for horizontal cable
runs, while plenty of space for vertical runs and modular bus units
is provided between the horizontal rails 20. The cables are easily
installed, and panels can be moved without cutting existing
cables.
[0044] Reference is now made to FIGS. 16 and 17 which show a panel
102 adapted to accommodate a sliding door 100. The panel 102 is
similar to the panel described above in that it includes the
vertical end member 8 and C-section horizontal members 10. One
vertical end member 8 of the panel 102 is replaced with two spaced
vertical pocket members 104 that define an opening 106 for the
sliding door 100. The pocket members 104 are J-section members
secured by fasteners or otherwise to the horizontal members 10.
Brackets 82 are secured between horizontal members 10 at the top
and bottom of the panel 102. Also secured between horizontal
members 10 at the top and bottom of the panel are roller units 108
(FIG. 18) which are positioned with their axes of rotation
perpendicular to the plane of the panel 102. Each roller unit 108
is secured between the horizontal members 10 by threaded rods 120
and nuts 122 (FIG. 18).
[0045] The sliding door 100 includes a top frame member 110, a
bottom frame member 112, an inner vertical frame member 114 and an
outer vertical frame member 116. The frame members 110, 112, 114
and 116 define a generally vertical plane containing the sliding
door 100, and are joined in a generally rectangular configuration.
The sliding door 100 is operable to slide horizontally within the
panel 102 between opposing horizontal members 10. The top and
bottom frame members 110 engage the top and bottom roller units 108
to facilitate and guide the horizontal movement of the sliding door
100.
[0046] Reference is now made to FIGS. 19 and 20, which show an
isometric view of a roller unit 108. The roller unit 108 includes a
plastic housing 124 which contains a die-cast assembly 126. Two
plastic rollers 128 are mounted upon the outside end of the
die-cast assembly 126. The die-cast assembly 126 is slidably
mounted to the plastic housing 124 such that the distance of the
plastic roller 128 from the plastic housing 124 is adjustable. The
die-cast assembly 126 is secured in a position by means of an
adjusting screw in the threaded adjustment hole 132. The adjusting
screw exerts frictional pressure upon the die-cast assembly 126 to
prevent any further movement relative to the plastic housing 124.
The die-cast assembly 126 may have horizontal ridges or notches
upon its surface that engage the adjustment screw so as fix the
die-cast assembly in place and prevent further movement. The
plastic housing 124 has four mounting holes 134 for securing the
roller unit 108 to a structure. The mounting holes 134 accommodate
the threaded rods 120 (FIG. 18). In this embodiment, the plastic
housing 124, die-cast assembly 126 and plastic rollers 128 are a
commercially available pre-assembled unit.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 19, the plastic housing 124 is reinforced
by metal plates 130 placed on either side of the plastic housing
124. The metal plates 130 are adapted to reinforce the plastic
housing 124 while accommodating the threaded rods 120 through the
mounting holes 134 and the slidably adjustable movement of the
die-cast assembly 126. In a further embodiment, the plastic rollers
128 and die-cast assembly are tension mounted to the plastic
housing 124, for example, by a spring, to ensure the plastic
rollers 128 firmly and securely engage the top and bottom frame
members 110 and 112.
[0048] Referring now to FIG. 21, the movement of the sliding door
100 is further guided and controlled through the cooperation of one
or more of the horizontal members 10 and of a leveling device 118
secured to the inner vertical frame member 114. The leveling device
118 slidably engages the one or more horizontal members 10,
preventing the vertical movement of the inner vertical frame member
114 due to any force upon the outer vertical frame member 116. This
prevents distortion of the generally rectangular frame of the
sliding door 100 and prevents the sliding door 100 from pitching
forwards as it slides outward from the panel 102. In one
embodiment, the leveling device 118 comprises a bracket mounted
upon the inner vertical frame member 114, the bracket having
mounted thereupon two or more rollers adapted to engage the upper
and lower surfaces of a horizontal member 10.
[0049] The stationary top and bottom rollers 108 and the leveling
device 118 permit the sliding door 100 to operate free of any
contact with elements external to the panel 102. The sliding door
100 requires no contact with the floor upon which the panel 102
sits, nor any contact with the ceiling or a door frame extending
over the doorway opening. Accordingly, the panel 102 and sliding
door 100 are a modular unit usable in connection with the modular
partition system. The pocket door panel 102 may be installed next
to any other conventional panel of the modular partition
system.
[0050] FIG. 22 shows a further embodiment of a leveling device 140.
The leveling device 140 is secured to the inner vertical frame
member 114 using an appropriate fastener. The leveling device 140
comprises an upper bracket 142 and a lower bracket 144. Each
bracket 142, 144 comprises a front face 146 abutting the surface of
the inner vertical frame member 114, vertical outer faces 148
extending therefrom in vertical planes parallel to the direction of
sliding movement of the sliding door 100 and horizontal flanges 150
extending outwards from the vertical outer faces 148. The vertical
outer faces 148 and flanges 150 of the brackets 142, 144 form a
c-shaped channel for receiving a horizontal member 10 on either
side of the brackets 142, 144. The inner surfaces of the c-shaped
channel formed by the brackets 142, 144 are provided with a low
friction material 152 to enable low-friction sliding engagement
with the horizontal members 10. The brackets 142, 144, in
cooperation with the horizontal members 10, permit the sliding door
100 to slide horizontally in the direction of its plane, but
prevent vertical and/or lateral movement.
[0051] The basic panels which form the spine of the system do not
depend on the attachment of legs, work surfaces or other
furnishings for their rigidity, and tables, desk or other moveable
furniture may be placed adjacent the panels without being attached
to them.
[0052] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from the spirit or essential
characteristics thereof. Certain adaptations and modifications of
the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art.
Therefore, the above discussed embodiments are considered to be
illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being
indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing
description, and all changes which come within the meaning and
range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be
embraced therein.
* * * * *