Steelcase Inc.

Steven J Throndset

Robert E Jeffers

David J Battey

Mark T Slager

Douglas B MacDonald

Roy W Fink

Allen C Hager

Steven E Sanders

Dean K Hubbard

Karl Jahn Mead

Richard Scott Hand

Todd A Pelman

Marvin C Knauf

Linda M Parker

Michael P Kelley

Robert W Corl, Iii

William H Palermo

Joshua W Hoekstra

David E Ward

Gaylan M McColley

F Javier Olvera

Micah E Roberts

A partition system includes an internally-open partition frame having permanent and removable frame members forming multiple vertical and horizontal wireways, with both lay-in and feed-through wire routing. Utility support brackets are attachable for good wire management. The partition frame supports a wide variety of customizable and functional surface components, including a markerboard wall surface, a slatwall, a colored/covered wall surface, a wall surface including utility outlets, a transparent window. The partition frame includes continuous horizontal and vertical rows of slots that flexibly and adjustably support furniture accessories, such as a worksurface, at selected heights and locations along the partition system. Covers are provided that maintain a very high-quality appearance with uniform lines and gaps. Some covers include adjustable edge-mounted light seals for eliminating light leaks and unsightly areas. Further, the present partition system provides flexibility, customizability, rearrangeability, reconfigurability, and an intuitive assembly.

Customizable partition system

An office panel partition includes a panel frame having at least two uprights and a horizontal structural member rigidly interconnecting the uprights. The panel frame has a first side and a second opposite side, and the panel frame defines at least four apertures on the first side thereof. The partition also includes a cover member having a major planar surface defining an exterior surface of the partition. The cover member includes at least four projections that are removably insertable into the at least four apertures to removably secure the cover member to the frame. The apertures are arranged in at least two vertically spaced horizontal rows and at least two horizontally spaced vertical columns. The apertures in a first one of the columns have different horizontal dimensions than those of the apertures located in the other of the columns. Each of the projections has a range of lateral positions when inserted into a respective one of the apertures. The range of lateral positions provided by the apertures in the first one of the columns is less than the range of lateral positions provided by the apertures in the other row of the columns. The apertures located in a first one of the rows has vertical dimensions that are different than those located in the other of the rows. The range of vertical positions provided by the apertures in the first one of the rows is less than the range of vertical positions provided by the apertures in the other of the rows.

Panel system

An apparatus is provided that includes a floor channel having a floor-engaging flange and a raised flange with an aperture. A partition has a leveler assembly including a threaded leveling glide that can be rotated for adjusting the height of the partition relative to a floor surface. The leveling glide includes a shaft that extends through the aperture and further includes a head positioned below the raised flange that is larger than the aperture so that the head cannot be pulled through the aperture. The leveling glide also includes an upper end section positioned above the floor channel, and each of the head, the shaft, and the upper end section have non-circular cross sections shaped so that they can be engaged by tools to rotate and adjust the leveling glide. Also provided is a method of (a) providing a floor channel having a floor-engaging flange and a raised flange with an aperture, (b) providing a partition having a leveler assembly that includes a threaded leveling glide with a shaft extended through the aperture, a head positioned below the raised flange that is larger than the aperture, and an upper end section positioned above the floor channel where the shaft, the head, and the upper end section are each shaped so for engagement by a tool, and (c) selectively engaging one of the shaft, the head, or the upper end section of the leveling glide with a tool to rotationally adjust the height of the partition relative to the floor surface.

Partition and floor channel construction

A portable partition panel is provided for open office plans, and the like, and includes a panel frame and removable cover panels that removably attach thereto. Clips on the cover panels releasably engage side frame segments of the panel frame, and hooks on the bottom of the panel frame releasingly engage mating apertures on the cover panel to form a detachable interconnection therebetween. A top cap includes a catch which pulls the cover panels against the panel frame as the cap is installed to assist in securely, yet removably attaching the cover panels to the panel frame. Connectors on the cover panels can be removed and reinstalled, so that the cover panels can be installed in a second orientation to hide mars upholstery tears, and the like. Also, the panel frame includes an upwardly open channel for receiving articles such as wires in a raceway. The upper segment of the panel frame further includes a reduced cross-section that allows cables to be routed from the utility channel into the interior of the partition panel. Also, the side clips have a unique design which causes them to remain on the cover panel during removal and also controls the releasing motion of the panels.

Partition panel

Growing community of inventors

Kentwood, MI, United States of America

Steven J Throndset