U.S. patent number 3,788,378 [Application Number 05/163,368] was granted by the patent office on 1974-01-29 for floor area divider.
This patent grant is currently assigned to OSF Industries Limited. Invention is credited to Sydney Murray Sobel.
United States Patent |
3,788,378 |
Sobel |
January 29, 1974 |
FLOOR AREA DIVIDER
Abstract
A floor area divider for use in planning and dividing the floor
area of a room into a number of separate work spaces, each space
being organized as to size and shape for the particular use to
which the area is to be put. The divider may consist of a single
free stand panel or a plurality of panels hingedly connected
together to provide an enclosure which defines a particular space
in relation to adjoining spaces. Each panel includes a rectilinear
metal frame of rigid tubular material generally square in cross
section with the frame subdivided into one or more panel sections.
Each panel section is enclosed within a panel sleeve made in
half-sections so that a pair of mating halves can be mounted on or
removed from its respective frame without the use of tools. Hinges
allow two or more panels to be joined together and placed at any
angle to one another. The panel sleeves are arranged in
edge-to-edge relationship to completely conceal the frame. The
partition is easily moved from place to place by manpower without
the use of any tools. The components can be assembled to form the
partition without the use of tools and can, likewise, be
dismantled.
Inventors: |
Sobel; Sydney Murray (Toronto,
Ontario, CA) |
Assignee: |
OSF Industries Limited
(Toronto, Ontario, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
22589736 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/163,368 |
Filed: |
July 16, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
160/135; 160/351;
160/229.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B
2/7427 (20130101); A47G 5/00 (20130101); E04B
2002/7483 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47G
5/00 (20060101); E04B 2/74 (20060101); A47g
005/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;160/135,229,351
;52/212,238,239,481 ;211/177,148 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Caun; Peter M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Riches; George H.
Claims
I claim:
1. A floor area divider for use in planning and dividing a floor
area, said divider consisting of a manually movable partition which
comprises:
a. a unitary substantially rigid rectilinear frame consisting of a
pair of vertical end frame members and top and bottom horizontal
frame members, said members being formed of rigid material having a
rectilinear cross-section;
b. upper and lower mounting plates fixed to an end face of each
vertical end frame; each plate having a threaded orifice to
threadedly receive one part of a two part hinge;
c. a pin having an enlarged head projecting from the end face below
each mounting plate;
d. an end cap having upper and lower plate receiving recesses
formed in one of its faces, including a key-hole slot formed in the
face below each recess receiving the heads of said pins whereby the
cap is mounted on the end face of each vertical member; and
e. a rectilinear sleeve divided into front and back sleeve sections
enclosing said frame section, said front and back sections having
support means engaging with the top and bottom frame members to
releasably hold the sleeve sections against vertical displacement
and having interengaging complementary fastener means releasably
securing the sleeve sections against separation and lateral
displacement.
2. A floor area divider for use in planning and dividing a floor
area consisting of a manually movable partition which room
comprises:
a. a unitary substantially rigid rectilinear frame consisting of a
pair of vertical end frame members, a plurality of intermediate
vertical frame members modularly spaced between said end vertical
frame members, and top and bottom horizontal frame members joining
the top and bottom ends of all the vertical frame members into a
unitary structure, said intermediate vertical frame members
dividing the rectilinear frame into a plurality of modular oblong
panel sections;
b. upper and lower mounting plates fixed to the end face of each
vertical end frame; each plate having a threaded orifice to
threadedly receive one part of a two part hinge;
c. a pin having an enlarged head projecting from the end faces and
below each mounting plate;
d. an end cap having upper and lower plate receiving recesses
formed in one of its recesses, including a key-hole slot formed in
the end face below each recess receiving the heads of said pins
whereby a cap is mounted on the end face of each vertical
members;
e. a rectilinear sleeve covering each oblong panel section, each
sleeve being divided into front and back sleeve sections enclosing
said frame, said front and back sleeve sections having support
means engaging with the top and botom frame members to releasably
hold the sleeve sections against vertical displacement and having
interengaging complementary fastener means releasably securing the
sleeve sections against separation and lateral displacement.
3. A floor area divider consisting of a plurality of manually
movable partitions hingedly connected together, each partition
comprising:
a. a rectilinear frame of rigid tubular material having a
rectilinear cross-section and consisting of a pair of end vertical
frame members, a plurality of intermediate vertical frame members
modularly spaced between said end vertical frame members, and top
and bottom horizontal frame members joining the top and bottom ends
of the vertical frame members into a unitary structure, said
intermediate vertical frames dividing the rectilinear frames into a
plurality of identical oblong panel sections; each of the vertical
frame members having modular spaced slots on each front and back
faces, which slots receive brackets for the support of
interchangeable components;
b. an end cap removably mounted on the end face of each end
vertical frame member by a pin and key-hole slot device on the said
end face and the opposing face of the post;
c. upper and lower slots in the end post which slots register with
upper and lower screw-threaded holes in the said end face;
d. a rectilinear sleeve covering each oblong panel section, each
sleeve being divided into front and back sleeve sections enclosing
said frame, said sleeve sections having interengaging complementary
fasteners whereby each pair of sleeve section is releasably held in
position on said frame; and
e. complementary hinge components carried by the contiguous end
vertical frame members of a pair of dividers arranged in end-to-end
relationship, said hinge components connecting said contiguous end
vertical frame members together to thereby join said plurality of
partitions into a unitary structure.
4. A floor area divider for use in planning and dividing a floor
area consisting of a plurality of manually movable partitions, each
partition comprises:
a. a unitary substantially rigid rectilinear frame consisting of a
pair of vertical end frame members, a plurality of intermediate
vertical frame members modularly spaced between said end vertical
frame members, and top and bottom horizontal frame members joining
the top and bottom ends of all the vertical frame members into a
unitary structure, said intermediate vertical frame members
dividing the rectilinear frame into a plurality of modular oblong
panel sections;
b. upper and lower hinge mounting plates fixed to the end face of
each vertical end frame; each plate having a threaded orifice to
threadedly receive one part of a two part hinge;
c. a pin having an enlarged head projecting from the end faces and
below each mounting plate;
d. an end cap having upper and lower plate receiving recesses
formed in one of its recesses, including a key-hole slot formed in
the end face below each recess for receiving the heads of said pins
whereby a cap is mounted on the end face of each vertical
member;
e. a rectilinear sleeve covering each oblong panel section, each
sleeve being divided into front and back sleeve sections enclosing
said frame, said front and back sleeve sections having support
means engaging with the top and bottom frame members to releasably
hold the sleeve sections against vertical displacement and having
interengaging complementary fastener means releasably securing the
sleeve sections against separation and lateral displacement, and
complementary hinge components carried by contiguous end vertical
frame members of a pair of dividers arranged in end-to-end
relationship, said hinge components detachably connecting said
contiguous end vertical frame members together to thereby join said
plurality of partitions into a unitary structure.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a modular divider system for dividing a
large room area into individual use areas to provide an element of
individual privacy which is essential in any work environment. This
permits the space planner to divide the space into any
assymmetrical configuration to enclose related functions, define
traffic avenues and integrate the total room space into the
available floor area in the most efficient manner. The divider is
useful for dividing a room such as a large office, into smaller
work areas or the basement of a home into, for example, study
areas, recreation areas, workshop areas, etc. Such dividers allow
for easy rearrangement of the areas to keep in tune with changing
requirements.
The area dividers provide a measure of privacy creating an
atmosphere of almost total closure with acoustical and visual
privacy and at the same time, facilitating intercommunication
between other occupants of the divided areas of the room when
desired.
The prior art, such as that illustrated in Canadian Pat. No.
847,657 issued July 28, 1970 to Harry Cohn, Jr. et al. and granted
Papsco Building Products, Inc., San Carlos, California, United
States of America, discloses a foldable movable partition for use
as a space divider for dividing a room area. A problem involved in
this structure is that it doss not provide for a basic unit which a
space planner can use to provide a 120.degree. honeycomb network, a
90.degree. rectilinear arrangement or any other assymmetrical
configuration to enclose other use functions, define traffic
avenues and integrate the total space into the more available floor
area in the most efficient manner. Another problem with the patent
disclosure is that it provides for no versatility in decor to suit
the particular environment or the wishes of the person who will be
making use of the particular space.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The invention in its simplest form, consists of a panel consisting
of an inner tubular frame, an outer sleeve and two end posts. The
frame consists of vertical end frame members and horizontal upper
and bottom frame members and is constructed with 14-gauge 1 inch by
1 inch tubular stock, welded into a rigid structure for strength
and longevity. The vertical frame members are slotted on each side
to receive conventional brackets which support a series of
interchangeable components. The brackets and slots do not form part
of this invention. Any conventional slotted arrangement for
receiving and supporting shelf brackets may be used.
The panel sleeves are constructed in two half sections so that they
can be mounted on and enclose the frame. Preferably, the sleeve is
made of melamine, fabric, acoustical or fire retardent material
depending on the particular use of the divider.
The end posts are removably mounted on the vertical end frame
members, the purpose for which will be made clear later in the
disclosure.
Preferably, the rectilinear frame is made to provide for a
plurality of frame sections formed by intermediate vertical posts
which are modularly spaced. These posts are also slotted on each
side. Frames having two or three panel sections, each section
having its separate panel sleeve will be the ones most commonly
used.
In its simplest form, the floor area divider consists of a
rectilinear frame consisting of a pair of vertical frame members
joined together by top and bottom horizontal frames, said members
being formed of rigid tubular material having a rectilinear
cross-section; an end post removably mounted on the end face of
each vertical member by a complementary pin-and-slot device on the
said face of the vertical member and the opposing face of the post;
upper and lower slots in the end post which slots register with the
upper and lower screw-threaded holes in the end face; and a
rectilinear sleeve divided into front and back sections enclosing
said frame sections having interengaging complementary devices
whereby each pair of sleeves are releasably held in position on
said frame .
The invention will now be described in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates a plurality of partitions of this invention
hingedly connected to form a free standing divider;
FIG. 2 is a cross-section on the line 2--2 with the end post
detached;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pair of partitions in detached
relation to illustrate details of construction relative to the
hinge structure and mounting of the end posts;
FIG. 4 is a plan view to illustrate three partitions hingedly
connected together by a common hinging device;
FIG. 4A is a plan view to illustrate four partitions hingedly
connected together;
FIG. 5 is a cross-section on the line 5--5 of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a three-way hinge;
FIG. 7 illustrates, in elevation, one of the half sections of a
panel sleeve; and
FIG. 8 is a section on the line 8--8 of FIG. 7.
FIG. 1 shows a plurality of the dividers hingedly connected
together to form a work area. It consists of four panels A,B,C, and
D hingedly connected together to form a work center which is
completed by adding a 120.degree. desk surface E and a shelf F. In
this particular illustration, the panel is designed to have a
height of 78 inches which creates an atmosphere of almost total
closure suitable for conference areas and other specialized
situations where the greatest degree of acoustical and visual
privacy is desired. However, the panels may be of lesser height
such as 54 inches or 66 inches depending on the degree of privacy
desired. It will be seen from the foregoing, that the height of the
panels will depend on the particular use.
Each of the panels is of identical construction and therefore only
the panel A need be described in detail. This panel consists of an
inner tubular frame which comprises vertical end frame members
10,11, horizontal upper and bottom frame members 12,13 welded
together and constructed with 14-gauge 1 inch by 1 inch tubular
stock into a rigid structure for strength and longevity. The frame
is divided into three identical oblong panel sections by
intermediate vertical frame members 14,15. The bottom horizontal
frame member 13 incorporates, at each end thereof, threaded
levellers 16,17, the leveller at the free ends of the divider
incorporate a support plate 18,19 with the levellers 16,17 to
maintain the free ends in a vertical position. The threaded
levellers 16,17 and the support plates 18,19 respectively are
identical and are interchangeable. Each of the vertical frame
members are slotted on each side to receive brackets which support
a series of interchangeable components such as desks, shelves,
drawers, etc. The slots which have been identified by the numeral
20, will be coordinated with the particular type of bracket to be
used in conjunction with the components. Each of the vertical end
frame members, 10,11 are each provided with upper and lower hinge
mounting plates 21,22, each plate being provided with three
threaded holes 23,24,25 to provide a triple hinge connection for
forming a divider having three panels radially arranged as shown in
FIG. 4 with the hinge construction illustrated in FIG. 6 which
construction will be described later.
Each of the vertical end frame members 10,11 have mounted thereon,
a removable end cap 26. The inside face of the end cap is grooved
as indicated at 27 with enlarged recesses 28,29 which register with
hinge mounting plates 21,22 respectively, the recesses being large
enough so that the post 26 can be moved up and down without
interference from the hinge mounting plates 21,22. The cap 26 is
pierced by slots 30,31 which open into the recesses 28,29
respectively and will register with the plates 21,22 when the post
is mounted to its respective vertical end frame member. The cap 26
is mounted to the respective vertical end frame member by a
pin-and-slot arrangement consisting of key-hole slots 32,33 and 34
and pins 35,36 and 37. The cap is mounted to the vertical end frame
member by bringing the end cap into position and then with an
upward push, the pins are engaged in the slots with sufficient
interference to retain the cap in position. The post is mounted in
this manner so that the panel can be lifted without dislodgement of
the cap 26. After mounting the cap 26 on their respective vertical
end frame members, the complementary hinge members 38,39 are
threaded into the appropriate threaded holes in this hinge mounting
plate. With the completion of the assembly as above outlined, the
panels A,B,C, and D can be hingedly interconnected and become free
standing.
When it is required to hingedly connect two panels in end to end
relationship such as the panels A,B, the complementary hinge parts
39,39 are as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In this instance, the hinge
part 38 is in the form of a threaded bolt which is entered in the
threaded hole 23 of the hinge mounting plate 21 and has a pintle
38a and the other complementary part 39 is in the form of a
threaded eye-bolt which will be threaded into the threaded hole 24
of the hinge mounting plate 22. To connect the two panels together
it is only necessary to insert the pintles 38a in the respective
eyes of the bolt 39. The hinge for interconnecting the three
radially oriented panels shown in FIG. 4, is illustrated in FIG. 6.
Eye-bolts 39,39b are mounted in the threaded holes 23,24 of the
hinge plate on two of the abutting panels. The other complementary
hinge part 38 is provided with a pintle 38b which is long enough to
extend up through the eyes of each of the eye-bolt just mentioned
and this complementary hinge part 38 is threaded into the bottom
threaded hole 25 of the hinge mounting plates 21,22 of the third
panel. It is to be understood that more than three such panels may
be radially oriented by appropriately modifying the hinge plates
22,23 by the addition of threaded holes. FIG. 6A shows a hinge
arrangement for connecting four panels together. In this case,
there is added to the arrangement shown in FIG. 6, an eye-bolt 39c,
the eye of which is large enough to receive the eye-bolt 39b. The
eye-bolt 39c is slotted as shown at 43 so that the shank of the
eye-bolt 39b will permit the eye-bolts 39b and 39c to nest together
without interference.
A snap-on base which snaps onto the bottom horizontal frame member
13 may be provided for electric light wiring, telephone lines, etc.
and the panels can be equipped with convenient outlets for the same
in arrangements to suit individual needs.
The panel is completed by enclosing the frames within sleeves. In
the present illustration, the frame is divided into three panel
sections of identical size by the intermediate vertical frame
members 14,15, each section being enclosed within a panel
sleeve.
Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, it will be seen that each panel
sleeve is made, in the illustrated modification, in two sleeve half
sections generally indicated by the numbers 41,42. Each half
section consists of a laminate sheet 43 of a total width when
mounted in position, to overlap the slots 20 in the vertical frame
members outlining a frame section sufficient to conceal the same
without interfering with the insertion of the brackets. The
laminate sheet has an external covering of melamine or
alternatively a fabric.
When it is desired that the sleeve will be used as a bulletin board
and also for areas of moderate noise level, each half section
incorporates a layer of polyfoam and also a layer of homosote
board, the whole exterior being covered with a choice of fabrics.
When it is desired to provide a sleeve having acoustical properties
for areas where noise level is relatively high, the panel board may
be replaced by a fiberglass panel with a layer of polyfoam finished
off with a fabric covering.
The internal surface of each half section has mounted thereon, the
necessary means for mounting the panel half section on the frame
members and also complemental fastening means for securing the two
half sections together. The means comprises a top rail 44, a bottom
rail 45, and four side plates 46,47,48,49. A lower rail 53 is
positioned below the top rail 44, and the slot 50 formed
therebetween receives the upper horizontal memer 12. The bottom
rail 45 rests on the bottom frame member 13 having a ledge 62 which
fits into channel 63 formed in bottom rail 45. The side plates
46,47 are uniformly spaced along one edge and set inwardly
therefrom so that the vertical frame members and the plates will be
in edge-to-edge relationship. The other side plates 48,49 are
similarly located along the other edge of the laminate sheet. The
rails and side plates are secured to the laminate sheet by staples.
The plates 46,47,48,49, the top rail 44 and the bottom rail 45 are
each provided with nylon brushes 54,55,56,57,58,59,60 and 61
respectively, which forms one half the complemental fastening means
which mate with the other half of the complemental fastening means
carried by the oppositely disposed sleeve section to thereby secure
the two sleeve sections together. When two half sections are
brought together in back-to-back relationship, the upper and bottom
frame members are located in face-to-face relationship, the two
half sections being secured together by the complementary
fasteners.
* * * * *