Patent ID: 6802168
Filing Date: 2004-10-12
Classification: E04B,E04C

Abstract:
A modular wall panel, comprising:a panel frame having first and second vertical support members; a plurality of connector pins coupled to the first vertical support member and extending from said panel frame substantially horizontally, each of the connector pins having a convex substantially spherical surface spaced from, facing, and diverging from said panel frame; a plurality of connector slots formed in the second vertical support member, each of the connector slots having a V-shaped portion, having a wide region of sufficient width to receive the connector pin therethrough, and converging to a width in said V-shaped portion sufficiently narrow to retain the connector pin therein; a locator pin coupled to the first vertical support member and extending substantially horizontally, the locator pin having a diameter; and a locator slot formed in the second vertical support member, the locator slot having a width that is larger than the diameter of the locator pin; wherein adjacent modular wall panels may be releasably coupled by vertically raising one panel with respect to the other panel until the connector pins of one of the panels are aligned with the wide region of the corresponding connector slots of the other of the panels, moving the panels toward each other and then vertically lowering the one panel to substantially a level of the other panel such that each of the connector pins is disposed within the V-shaped portion of the corresponding connector slot; and wherein the locator pin includes a first cylindrical portion and further comprises a machine screw extending longitudinally through the first cylindrical portion and threadingly engaging the first vertical support member, thereby coupling the locator pin to the first vertical support member.