Abstract:
A free-standing fabricatable vertical wall or space divider is useful for partitioning buildings and/or office complexes. The wall is made up of a plurality of individualized and decorative flush panel units which are interchangeable and which are adapted to be readily inserted within a wall frame and locked into place without any visual showing of vertical supports used to lock the panels in place. The panels may be removed, redecorated and replaced as needed. Shelving or other appurtenances are attachable to the hidden vertical supports. The entire wall panel and/or divider is capable of replacement when it is desired to rearrange or enlarge or change a given floor space. Identical walls or dividers of the same basic construction are transversely connectable to each other.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
     This is a continuation-in-part of Copending Application Ser. No. 581,740 filed May 29, 1975 now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is in the field of movable wall panels and space dividers which may be made to conform and fit a desired functional usage. There are in the prior art many types of wall panels and designs useful in designing and arranging floor plans for buildings to meet various functional needs of offices, homes or the like. 
     Typical of such prior art is that shown in the following patent references: 
     
         ______________________________________U.S. Pat. Nos.______________________________________1,154,622    2,730,209   2,787,8122,832,101    3,694,975   3,713,2573,049,197    3,492,766   3,429,6013,488,908    3,852,926   2,107,6243,299,594    3,075,253   2,371,3003,194,361    3,377,756   3,643,395Great Britain Patents Nos.______________________________________179,840 (1922) 197,184 (1923)Italy Patent No. 553,280 (1956)Sweden Patent No. 129,429 (1950)______________________________________ 
    
     These movable walls and dividers are of such construction, however, that they are not adaptable to quick assembly or to new and changing material and design concepts for decorating or redecorating. In addition, the prior known wall panels are burdensome to assemble and, in some instances, do not provide sufficient separations of office functions to prevent noise or other distracting influences from the next adjacent areas, and do not have the appearance of a permanent wall. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention has for its object to provide a free standing wall or vertical divider which is capable of placement within any building complex to form cubicles or areas for different functional purposes in accordance with a desired floor plan. 
     The invention permits the utilization of identically pre-constructed elements such as frames and panels which can be quickly assembled in desired patterns of functional usage in building spaces, and which can be readily moved with changes in floor plan or decor. 
     Generally the invention is directed to a free-standing vertical divider wall useful in separating or dividing areas, especially within buildings, to form offices, classrooms and the like. The structure of the invention basically incorporates a quadrilateral frame, of desired thickness, the inside space defined by the frame being filled with one or more decorative panels. First vertical support members of thickness less than the thickness of the frame extend internally along each of the inside vertical frame sections. These first support members may be movable in a horizontal direction and include apertures for the placement of hidden locking devices, keepers or brackets for the support of shelves or other appurtenances. If a plurality of panels are used, there is at least one second vertical support member positioned to the upper and lower horizontal frame sections so as to be movable in a horizontal direction yet retained to the upper and lower horizontal frame sections. The vertical second support members divide the space horizontally between the first supports being movable to permit a plurality of panels to substantially fill the divided space inside the frame. The panels have grooves or recesses along their vertical edges into which the support members are caused to operate and thus permit the insertion of each of the panels. The second vertical support members are then moved to a mid-position relative to the edges of adjacent panels and temporarily locked in place by hidden keeper members inserted into apertures in the support members. Each of the panels includes a resilient peripheral edge that, in essence, makes the panel slightly larger than the space it is to fill, thus being compressible to the actual dimensional space when in place. Because of the resiliency, the aforementioned keepers and/or shelf brackets are readily insertable into apertures vertically formed in the support members. The bottom of the frame member may include a hollow box into which appropriate utility lines may be carried to appropriate outlets within the walls. Appropriate openings are provided, prior to insertion of the panel members, to level the framework in its desired position. Once the panels have been inserted these openings are unseen. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the wall or divider of this invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the wall or divider of this invention, including shelves supported thereon. 
     FIG. 3 is a side sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 8. 
     FIG. 4 is a side sectional view taken along the line 4--4 of FIG. 2. 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5--5 of FIG. 8. 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional view along the lines 6--6 of FIG. 10. 
     FIG. 7 is a partial sectional frontal view of a corner wall frame construction without panels. 
     FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are front elevational views showing the method of assembling a three-panel wall or divider of this invention. 
     FIG. 11 is a partial sectional frontal view of an alternate construction for retaining vertical wall supports used in the invention. 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a panel locking and alignment member. 
     FIGS. 13 and 14 are perspective views of shelf support brackets. 
     FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a shelf bracket keeper. 
     FIG. 16 is a partial side sectional view depicting means to attach transverse walls or dividers together. 
     FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 16. 
     FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a bracket used in the connections shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. 
     FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a modified panel embodiment. 
     FIG. 20 is a top elevational view depicting the drawstring means to lock fabric type cover panels in place. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in the various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
     Referring now to the drawings, where like numbers are used for like elements throughout and, in particular, reference is made to FIG. 1 wherein the wall or divider unit of this invention is generally indicated by the numeral 10. The wall generally comprises a basic frame having upper and lower horizontal members 12 and 14 and vertical members 16 and 17. Additional vertical structural members 18 and 19 may be made a part of the frame as shown. The frame will be made of a desired wall thickness 20. In one embodiment of the invention a basement box 21 extends below the lower horizontal frame 14 and is adapted to contain levelling legs and utility lines, e.g., telephone, electricity, or fluids, not shown in this view. Appropriate outlets 22 are provided for connection therewith. The box, in another embodiment may be made a part of the other frame members with the same functional usage. Interiorly of the frame and described in greater detail hereafter are a plurality of decorative panel units designated 24A, 24B and 24C. 
     In the front elevational view of FIG. 2 shelves 25 and 26 are shown as they would be hung on the wall of this invention, in manners hereinafter described. As shown the wall is assembled in such a manner that only the outer frame members 12, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 21, and the desired ornamental replaceable panels 24A, 24B and 24C are exposed to view, with the internal structural members substantially hidden as shown by the dotted lines. As such a novel wall is provided wherein the panels substantially fill the space within the defined frame, yet are easily assembled, removed or replaced as hereinafter described. 
     The internal structural members are described in reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6. FIG. 3 is the right-hand side while a mirror image thereof will comprise the left-hand side. 
     The inner end framework includes first tubular support members 30, which are of a thickness less than the thickness 20 of the frame. These first support members 30 are vertically positioned to the inside of said frame within a vertical recess 32 within the respective vertical frames 16 and 17. The member includes a plurality of vertically aligned apertures 31. The vertical first support members are movable in a horizontal direction being retained within their recessed 32 by upper and lower corner plates 34 and 36 which are attached to frames 16 and 17. (See FIG. 10) The frontal width of said first support members is designated as &#34;X&#34;. 
     As shown in FIG. 3 the horizontal leg of said lower corner plates include opening 37 aligned with opening 38 of the base frame to permit a tool to engage levelling screw 39 which may include a foot pad as shown in FIG. 4. The upper and lower horizontal frames include respective recesses 40 and 42 particularly described hereafter relative to the secondary support members. 
     Cover plates 43 and 44 comprise identical members or strips which cover respective recesses 40 and 42 being attached to respective frame members 12 and 14 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 yet spaced to create therebetween upper and lower guide slots 45 and 46 with enlarged openings 47 (Shown in FIG. 5). 
     Intermediate the frame members 16 and 17 is at least one second vertical support member 50, each having a plurality of vertically aligned apertures 51 such as universal slots capable of accepting universal fixtures. In the embodiments shown two of such members are necessary. These vertical supports are preferably made of rectangular or square tubing of a dimension less than the thickness of the frame (preferably equal to the thickness of the first support members 30 and have a frontal width 52 which is no greater than twice the width (2X) of a first support member. Each of the second support members 50 are identical in construction and include upper and lower bolts 54 and 56 threaded to the respective top and bottom support member 50 and which operate within appropriate and respective upper and lower guide slots 45 and 46. The respective bolt heads 55 and 57 are insertable in one or more enlarged openings, as 47 in FIG. 5, of the cover plates. Lock nuts 58 and 60 retain the bolts fixed in position. The second vertical support members are adapted for horizontal sliding movement (See arrows in FIGS. 5 and 11) either side of a division line (e.g., one-half, one-third as shown, etc.) between the interior space formed by frame members 12, 14, 16 and 17. In the embodiment shown, this space is divided into three equal spaces. 
     The base member 21&#39; in FIG. 4 is to show another embodiment including levelling screw 62, associated nut 64, and a foot pad 66 formed as a part of the screw. Suitable openings 68 are provided for screwdriver or other tool to permit adjustment through the lower frame 14. The openings in all embodiments are fully hidden from view when the panels 24 are in place and may have temporary dust covers as desired and not shown. 
     Panel members 24A, 24B and 24C are identically constructed. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the panels describe a basic quadrilateral framework 70 interconnected by a central plate 72. Suitable filler 74, e.g. acoustic or other insulation materials is received between the frame structure 70 and 72. Around the outer periphery of frame 70 are strips of resilient material (e.g., sponge rubber, vinyl or soft plastics) 76 and 78. Preferably the strips increase the outer peripheral dimension of the frame slightly greater than the frame opening to receive the panel. Thus, the panels are compressibly retained to each other and the frame members without further movement but yet will permit the panels to be readily inserted and removed. Covering the framework is fabric 80. It is to be understood, however, that the outer covering may be any decorative material, albeit wood, fabric, masonry, or other decorative designs and materials, all of which are within the purview of this invention and dictated by an interior designer&#39;s skill. The framework of panels is adapted to substantially fill each of the horizontally divided areas inside the frame. Each of the panels includes vertical grooves 82 and 84 on each side thereof, each of the grooves being of a thickness slightly larger than the thickness of the vertical support members but having a frontal width that is no less than the frontal width of the second support members 50. 
     The support members 50 are movable either side of the imaginary division line for each space for a distance equal to at least the width 52 of said second vertical supports. Although grooves 85 and 86 are shown in the upper and lower horizontal portions of the panel frames 70 (See FIG. 4) this is not absolutely necessary (e.g., see FIG. 16). 
     The horizontal basement box portion 21 is adapted to receive, as best shown in FIG. 3, appropriate utility (telephone and electrical, communication, and fluid) which are adapted to be connected to suitable outlets 22. Connections are made to utility usages within the panels for other appurtenances attached therewith, e.g., as shown in FIG. 20. Conduit means is provided in the panel, e.g., via the vertical grooves 82 and 84 or through the vertical support members 30 and/or 50. 
     FIGS. 12, 13, 14 and 15 describe typical devices for attachment to the apertures in vertical supports 30 and 50. Keeper 90 is used to retain the vertical supports in the assembled position relative to panels 24 and are insertable through aligned apertures 31 or 51 as necessary. Shelf bracket 92 includes support mounting clips 94 for insertion within the apertures 31 or 51 between adjacent panels 24. Shelf 25 or other apurtenances are attached to shelf mounting clips 96 as shown in FIG. 4. The shelf clips comprise upper and lower parts spaced a distance 97 and 97&#39; slightly larger than the vertical dimension of the lower shelf rod 120. Grooves 99 and 99&#39; in both upper and lower parts are slightly larger than the horizontal dimension of the shelf rods. The upper part is rounded as shown while the lower part is square cut. The spacings prevent the shelf rods from coming out of the clips if accidentally raised vertically. FIG. 14 describes a bracket 92 that will straddle a panel joint. In FIG. 15 a locking keeper 98 is depicted as being used to prevent vertical movement of the bracket 92 as shown in FIG. 4. 
     OPERATION 
     Referring now to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, a typical operation is shown for constructing the wall and/or divider of this invention. A first panel unit 24A is placed into position as shown by first moving a second support member 50L to its extreme position to the right of its imaginary division line. The wall panel 24A is then placed such that its vertical groove 84 will straddle the first vertical support, designated 30L in these views. In the event said first vertical support 30L is movable, further locking of the panel is achieved by moving same to the right to straddle the panel groove 84. One or more keepers 90 are inserted into the support apertures 31 between the left edge of panel 24A and frame 17. Thereafter the movable support 50L is then moved horizontally to the left into the appropriate groove 82 of the panel 24A. As a second step a similar procedure occurs on the right hand side of the wall of this invention by moving the support 50R to the left of its center division inserting the panel 24C such that its vertical groove 82 straddles the first support member 30R. If member 30R is movable, then it may be moved to the left to lock panel 24C in place using keepers 90. Thereafter second support 50R is moved to the right of its imaginary division line so as to be enclosed within the groove 84 of the panel 24C. In this position, as shown in FIG. 9, the third panel 24B may then be inserted into the space provided. Thereafter an appropriate spatula or thin blade-like tool or instrument is placed between the panels and the frame to move the second supports 50L and 50R to the right and to the left, respectively, so as to be centered at the panel division line as shown in FIG. 10, thus locking the panels with keepers 90 or shelf brackets 92 in ultimate desired position. 
     Openings 31 and 51 at parallel locations on the other supports are adapted to receive brackets 92 or 92&#39; appropriately placed by the insertion of clips 94 or 94&#39; between the panels or panel and frames in the matching apertures to the position shown in FIG. 4. Shelf clips 96 or 96&#39; are adapted to receive, retain and support shelf units as generally indicated by the numerals 25 and 26. Horizontal rods 120 are adapted to fit, lock, and be retained by the retaining clips 96 or 96&#39;. The bracket 92 or 92&#39; is then locked into place so as not to be movable vertically by keeper 98 positioned above the bracket 92 in the manner shown. 
     MODIFICATIONS 
     FIG. 11 described a modified vertical support construction. Vertical supports 30 and 50 include respective upper and lower &#34;L&#34; and &#34;T&#34; sections 130 and 132 movable in appropriated recesses covered by respective plates 131 and 133. 
     FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 describe means whereby one or more second walls can be attached transversely or angularly to a first wall or divider. A transverse wall bracket 110 includes a lip 112 insertable in upper and lower guide slots 45 and 46 while panel 24 is removed. Fasteners 114 are used to connect to the transverse wall frame 19. The panel of the first frame may be replaced and the operation of assembly for the transverse panel commences as described. The panel of the transverse frame may be of different height as shown. 
     FIG. 19 depicts an assembly view of a typical office or room cubicle formed with the walls or dividers of this invention as may be modified for different functional purposes. As shown a two-panel unit is transversely attached to a three-panel unit at the corners thereof in distinction to the construction of FIGS. 16 and 17. One of the panels is divided horizontally to include an audio-visual panel insert 140 which is coverable by hinged doors 142 and 144. Panel 24B would be thus modified. The panels could be divided vertically too. A general utility shelf or credenza 146 (glass or wood) is also shown attached to the two-panel wall using universal shelf brackets 147. Typically, 1/2&#34;  long slots are spaced 1&#34;  center to center. An insertable panel 148 modifies panel 24A&#39; into three sections. Panel 148 providing further means to connect with utility line needs such as means 150 to connect with a telephone, for example, or other needs to eliminate exposed lines from the floor connectors 22. The wall is also readily adaptable to connect with utility line connectors from floor connectors 22&#39; as shown or to outlets 152 above the floor in panel 148. 
     When using a fabric panel member 80 one means for readily removing same for cleaning or changing is with a drawcord 87 and 88 formed in the outer peripheral edge. FIG. 20 depicts a preferred manner of attaching the rings 88 of drawstring ends 87A and 87B of a fabric panel 80 to the screw heads 89 in the recess groove 85. 
     Although a plurality of panels 24 have been shown the concepts of the invention include a single panel design omitting the need for a secondary divisional support 50, but utilizing movable first supports 30 in the vertical end.