Steelcase Inc.

Michael D Elsholz

Karl Jahn Mead

Robert E Jeffers

Gregg Robert Draudt

Richard Scott Hand

David J Battey

Robert J Luchetti

David A Shipman

Ronald A Dykstra

Allen C Hager

Steven F Goodman

James D Houda

Scott H Russell

Roy W Fink

Michael E Tingley

Harold Halvorson, Jr

Gary S Juhlin

Anthony A Stachowiak

Anne C Ackerly

Steven C Gortsema

David P Churchill

Peter C Greenberg

James H Davies

Russell P Whitaker

Steven D DeSmit

William H Palermo

Peter J Schauer

Genevieve Wing

Todd M Ostrander

Fredrick M Brickley

A wall start panel for knock-down portable partition systems of the type having a plurality of panels, each having standard width posts interconnected by structural members in a spaced-apart relationship to define a standard panel width. The wall start panel includes at least one structural member and a standard width post having a unitary construction and including a connection port. The standard width post also has opposite side faces defining a standard post width therebetween. The wall start panel further includes a wall start post having a connection port and having opposite side faces defining a width therebetween substantially less than the standard post width. The structural member spans between and releasably interconnects the standard width and wall start posts in a spaced-apart relationship. The wall start panel has a substantially standard panel width, such that the wall start post can be secured to an existing wall without use of a trim piece to close off the wall start panel.

Wall start for panel systems

A wall structure for dividing building space includes several different freestanding base panels such as an internally open partition panel, a sound-deadening partition panel, a glass-supporting partition panel, and a doorway-supporting partition panel, and further includes an overhead system comprising a structural expressway construction, a transom subframe, covers for the subframe, and a glass module attachable to the subframe. The structural expressway construction has a torque box bracket for moving support from an inboard location spaced from the vertical side edge of the base panels to the vertical side edge. The transom subframe mounts atop the different base panels, and telescopingly extends into mating engagement with a ceiling channel. The opening between the ceiling channel, the top of the structural expressway construction, and the transom subframes can be selectively covered with either covers or a window subassembly that releasably engages structure on the ceiling channel, the structural expressway construction and the subframes.

Overhead structures for wall system

A floor-to-ceiling partition wall system includes a plurality of partition panels, each having panel frames interconnected along opposite side edges thereof. The partition panels have cover panels mounted on opposite side faces thereof to form a partition wall having substantially planar side surfaces. A utilities infeed panel has an infeed panel frame with opposite vertical side edges that are interconnected with side edges of adjacent partition panel frames such that the infeed panel forms an integral portion of the partition wall. The infeed panel frame defines first and second opposite side faces, and a vertically-extending central space connected to an opening in the ceiling. A first cover panel is connected to the first side face. A second cover panel is removably connected to the second side face of the infeed panel frame, and closes off the central space. The second cover panel permits access to the central space for utilities management upon removal of the second cover panel.

Utilities infeed panel

A partition system for subdividing a building space includes a partition frame including a top frame member and intermediate frame members, cover panels releasably attached to the partition frame to cover the partition frame, and a floor channel including an upwardly facing channel for supporting the partition frame. An upper trim system includes a top cap configured to engage and cover the top frame member, and further includes an end cap configured to engage and cover an end of the intermediate frame members, and still further includes a corner piece for aesthetically interconnecting the top cap and the end cap. A lower trim system includes an elongated base trim side piece attached to the floor channel for covering a lower portion of the partition frame, and further includes a base trim end shoe attached to the partition frame for covering an end of the frame along the building floor. In a preferred form, the partition frame includes at least two horizontal frame members having cantilevered ends with notches formed therein. The end cap has a body configured to cover a vertical side edge of the partition frame at the ends. The end trim cap further has legs configured to engage the notches in the ends of the at least two horizonal frame members to retain the end cap to the partition frame. In a preferred form, the notches include barbs to fricitonally retain the legs. The partition frame includes a leveler attached to a bottom of the partition frame for leveling the partition frame. The base trim end piece includes a spring clip for holding the base trim piece to the partition frame proximate the building floor. The spring clip slidably vertically engages the base trim end piece so that the base trim end piece can be adjusted downwardly adjacent the building floor even when the leveler is adjusted to change a height of the partition frame.

Partition construction and trim system therefor

A partition construction for subdividing a building space includes a partition frame having an open interior and defining a front side, a first cover covering a section of the partition frame with apertures for providing utility access, and a second cover slidably supported on the partition frame proximate the first cover. The second cover is slidable parallel the front side between a closed position covering the open interior and an open position providing access to utilities in the open interior. The second cover is semi-flexible so that it can be simultaneously slid along the partition frame and flexed away from the partition frame to a disengaged/removed position, thus allowing it to be removed even when the second cover is 'trapped' on the partition frame by a furniture component attached to or positioned in front of the partition frame. A plurality of secondary covers are configured to snap attach to the first cover over the apertures, the secondary covers including a duplex receiving secondary cover, a telecommunication jack secondary cover, a flexible wire-routing secondary cover, and an aesthetic aperture-covering secondary cover.

Partition construction with novel removable covers

An interlock mechanism is provided for furniture units and the like of the type having two or more drawers, and functions to permit only one of the drawers to be opened at any given time, so as to avoid tipping, etc. The interlock includes a plurality of blocks slidably mounted in a vertical guide, with an actuator provided for each drawer. Each actuator comprises an arm having an upper portion pivotally mounted to the guide, and a lower portion with a notch shaped to selectively engage a pin on the associated drawer, such that closing and opening the drawer rotates the arm between corresponding unlocked and locked positions. Each actuator also includes a wedge pivotally connected with the lower portion of the arm, and slidably supported on the guide to reciprocate inbetween adjacent blocks when the associated drawer is opened, so as to lock closed all remaining drawers. Preferably, the vertical guide is formed in a unique, upright stiffener channel in the case, so as to maximize the lateral space available for the drawers.

Drawer interlock

Growing community of inventors

Grand Rapids, MI, United States of America

Michael D Elsholz