The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 16, 2001
Filed:
Sep. 28, 1999
Michael L. Waalkes, Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Marcus K. Pressnell, Athens, AL (US);
Mark T. Slager, Caledonia, MI (US);
Michael R. Shields, Greensboro, NC (US);
Brian J. Kane, San Francisco, CA (US);
Robin Christopher, Athens, AL (US);
Dennis J. Boyle, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Peter N. Skillman, San Carlos, CA (US);
Charles A. Seiber, Atherton, CA (US);
Joseph Chang, Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Steelcase Development Inc., Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Abstract
A knock-down portable partition includes a rigid panel frame having a central portion. The partition includes at least one cover panel covering at least a portion of the central portion of the rigid panel frame. Connectors detachably mount the cover panel on the panel frame to facilitate assembly and removal of the cover panel on the panel frame. The rigid panel frame includes at least two vertical posts having an upper end, a lower end, and opposite side faces. The opposite faces have at least two beam connection ports thereon positioned adjacent the upper and lower ends of the associated one of the posts. The panel frame also includes upper and lower beams extending generally horizontally between the vertical posts adjacent the upper and lower ends thereof, and interconnecting the vertical posts adjacent the connection ports. The panel frame includes quick-disconnect connectors such as movable lock members positioned on one of the posts and the beams adjacent the connection ports. The movable lock members are movably mounted for shifting between an unlocked position and a locked position. The panel frame further includes lock engaging surfaces positioned on the other of the posts and the beams adjacent the connection ports. The lock engaging surfaces are located thereon and abuttingly engage the lock members when the lock members are shifted to the locked position to rigidly yet detachably interconnect the posts and the beams for quick and complete assembly and disassembly of the knockdown portable partition.