Office panelling system

According to the present application, a modular office panelling system is disclosed which provides increased flexibility in office layout. Each panel is generally rectangular and securable to adjacent panels along the vertically opposing edges via a flexible plastic hinge. Stacked panels are secured as a unit by structural members which extend between the panels. These members are slidably received in endcaps of the panels thereby simplifying field installation of the system. Each panel of the system is designed about a steel framework which releasably supports decorative panels to either side of the framework. The framework has a number of apertures to allow wiring to pass therethrough, concealed by the decorative panels. In addition, the structure of the present panelling system permits the hanging of display cabinets and other equipment substantially along the entire upper edge of each panel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to an office panel system formed from a 
plurality of interconnected panels or partitions and in particular to an 
improved panel structure which provides increased flexibility and ease of 
use. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Wall systems or office panelling systems formed from a plurality of 
interconnected pre-fabricated and portable panels are well known. Such 
systems are being extensively used to subdivide office space in new 
buildings to define smaller work areas which are physically separated. 
Initially, systems of this type were introduced as an economical 
alternative for dividing large office space into smaller working units, 
however their popularity has increased due to the flexibility and the 
reduced cost in rearranging the office space at times of corporate 
restructuring. The emphasis has shifted from a low cost method of dividing 
office space to a method of dividing office space into workable units 
having a pleasant appearance and the capability of being easily varied 
from time to time. 
Normally, the panels are connected by flexible hinges in order to maintain 
alignment of the panels and to further allow the panels to be angled 
relative to one another. This provides a great deal of flexibility with 
respect to the horizontal modularity of office panelling systems however, 
little attention has been directed to the need to provide an office 
panelling system which is modular in the vertical direction. In order to 
provide an office panelling system which is acceptable to corporations, 
the system must not only divide the space in a manner which allows 
flexibility but it should also provide electrical power in an easy and 
convenient fashion. It should also allow communication lines to be 
provided at various points in the system. Furthermore, the structure 
should be capable of receiving hanging equipment designed to simplify 
particular job functions. Due to the increased sophistication of the user, 
the office panelling system should now fulfill all the requirements of 
office automation and be compatible with equipment being used in office 
automation. 
The following patents disclose various types of office panelling systems 
which generally use flexible hinges for reception within extruded endcaps 
of office panels. Canadian Pat. No. 1,024,324, Canadian Pat. No. 
1,058,371, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,425,171; 3,592,289; 3,990,204; 4,060,294 and 
4,133,153. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,133,153 discloses electrical raceways provided at the base 
of the panel to facilitate the transmission of electrical power through 
the office panels. U.S. Pat. No. 4,060,294 is a more sophisticated 
structure which has a particular logic system for the prewired panels and 
sockets are provided at the base of the panel for connecting various 
office equipment such as typewriters and printers. U.S. Pat. No. 3,990,204 
is typical of patents which generally show the use of flexible hinges in 
combination with extruded endcaps which are applied to the panels. In 
addition to these patents which generally show the use of free standing 
office panels, there is another system marketed which is based on a beam 
supported generally at desk height with this beam being capable of 
supporting additional partitions above. This system provides a positive 
support surface above floor level to which partitions are added above 
between columns secured to the beam. Another example of a wall dividing 
system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,486,287 which shows vertical 
modularity between columns which extend from the floor to the ceiling. As 
can be appreciated, it is not always desirable to have the columns extend 
from the floor to ceiling and the advantages of vertical modularity are 
not realized as the resulting product has poor visual appeal. 
The structure of the present invention seeks to overcome the disadvantages 
of the prior art systems while still providing an office panelling system 
which is easily assembled, easily varied, and compatible with the 
requirements of office automation. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An office panelling system, according to the present invention, comprises a 
plurality of panels secured to horizontally adjacent panels by first 
joining members. Each panel includes means for cooperating with a second 
panel to positively secure the second panel atop said first panel in an 
aligned manner, such that the height of the panelling system is variable. 
The panels can be secured in the stacked relationship prior to assembly of 
the system. 
According to an aspect of the present invention, a panelling system 
comprises a plurality of generally rectangular panels securable to 
horizontally adjacent panels along the vertical opposing edges with each 
panel including means for receiving a support member proximate the ends of 
said panel whereby a second panel may be positively secured atop a first 
panel by two structural members extending between the stacked panels. 
According to an aspect of the invention the office panelling system 
comprises a plurality of similar panels joined together by flexible 
hinges, each panel having a body portion to which extruded endcaps are 
secured. Each of the endcaps include two parallel slots running 
approximately the height of the panel for securing the hinges. The endcaps 
are secured to opposite ends of the body and in combination allow 
securement of adjacent panels along opposing ends. Each panel is adapted 
to receive additional panels atop thereof such that the office panelling 
system is vertically adjustable by stacking panels. The stacked panels are 
secured by structural members extending between the panels. 
According to a further aspect of the invention an office panelling system 
comprise a plurality of similar panels joined together by flexible hinges 
with each panel having a steel framework to which extruded endcaps are 
secured. The endcaps include slots for securing hinges and the endcaps are 
secured to opposite sides of the frame. These endcaps allow securement of 
adjacent panels along opposing sides and each panel is capable of being 
secured to an adjacent panel by a flexible hinge. Each panel is further 
adapted to receive additional panels atop thereof to provide vertical 
adjustability with these stacked panels secured by structural members 
slidably received in the endcaps of the panels which transmit and 
distribute forces exerted on the panels. 
According to yet a further embodiment of the invention, an office panelling 
system comprises a plurality of similar panels connectable to adjacent 
panels by at least one hinge strip, each panel having a generally 
rectangular frame including extruded endcaps secured along the ends of the 
frame. Each of these endcaps extends substantially over the full height of 
the panel and has two slots substantially the length of the panel for 
receiving the hinge strip. Each endcap has a slot for receiving a 
structural member having a generally C-shaped cross-section whereby the 
structural member when received in the first panel extends partially above 
the panel to be received in the endcap of a similar second panel 
positioned above the first panel. In this manner the panels are positively 
secured in a stacked relationship. 
According to an aspect of the invention the injection molded hinge for use 
in an office panelling system is made of a plastic material and comprises 
two elongate body members joined by a web of reduced thickness relative to 
the body members. Each of the body members includes an engagement bead 
along the outer edge of the body member and generally extends in the 
length thereof. The engagement beads of the body members terminate at a 
different position in the length of the hinge to facilitate insertion of 
the hinge in a corresponding slot of an office panel. 
According to an aspect of the invention a panel for an office panelling 
system comprises a generally rectangular frame made of steel to which 
extruded endcaps are secured on opposite sides of the frame. Two 
rectangular decorative members are provided and include means for 
releasably engaging the frame. These members are sized to approximately 
cover one side of the frame with an air space being defined between the 
members of sufficient size to allow telecommunication harnesses and 
electrical power cables to pass through the frame and concealed by the 
panels. 
According to yet a further aspect of the invention an office panelling 
system comprises a plurality of similar panels with each panel having a 
generally rectangular steel framework with endcaps secured along the 
vertical edges of the panel. The endcaps include means for receiving one 
edge of a plastic hinge with the other edge of the hinge for engagement in 
an adjacent panel. Each endcap is adapted to receive a structural member 
which extends above the panel to be received in the endcap of a panel 
stacked above. In this manner stacked panels are secured relative to one 
another and the height of the office panelling system may be varied 
according to the number of stacked panels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
As shown in FIG. 1, the base office panels 2 have a generally rectangular 
steel frame 8 to which extruded endcaps 6 are applied. One of these panels 
is shown with an upper panel 4 positioned to be stacked above the base 
unit 2. This upper panel also has a generally rectangular steel frame to 
which extruded caps 6 are applied. In order to connect the base panel to 
the upper panel, structural members 12 are slideably received within the 
endcap of both the upper and the base unit to positively secure the two 
panels. The upper panel can be removed from the base panel if it is 
vertically withdrawn. These members transmit and distribute forces exerted 
on the panels to the endcaps and subsequently to the steel frame. 
The base panel 2 has three compartments 20, 22 and 24 which extend across 
the panel with the lower two compartments being used to allow the passage 
of electrical wiring harnesses and telecommunications wiring through the 
length of the panel. It is preferred that the compartment 22 is used for 
the electrical wiring and covers are normally applied to close the opening 
to provide an electrical conduit. In this case a passage way 21 is 
provided through the electrical conduit 22 to allow the telecommunication 
wiring to pass through the electrical conduit up to the upper compartment 
20. As can be seen the ends of the panel have two apertures 23 and 25 to 
allow the electrical harness and telecommunication wiring to pass through 
connected panels. The upper compartment 20 has a number of receptacles 27 
which are secured in the dividing structural member between compartment 20 
and the electrical conduit compartment 22 for electrical connection to a 
power supply available in compartment 22 and to expose the receptacle 
within the upper compartment 20 to receive electrical plugs of office 
equipment. Thus electrical equipment may be connected to the electrical 
power supply via receptacle 27. Telecommunication wiring such as telephone 
wiring can be brought through the passage way 21 to compartment 20 and be 
directly connected. Preferrably compartment 20 is provided with a separate 
cover for ease of access. 
The hinge member 10 is slideably received within the endcaps 6 and allows 
hinging of the panels relative to one another along the vertical axis of 
the hinge. 
In contrast to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 shows the base panel 2 including decorative 
panels 34 which have an upholstered outer surface. These members are 
adapted to releaseably engage the frame member 8 by means of clips 36 
secured to the back of the members. The compartment 20 is covered either 
side by upper decorative members 30 (only one shown) which include an 
easily deformable resilient member 32 secured to the lower edge thereof. 
Member 30 can either be hingedly secured to the panel along its top edge 
or have other means which allows the easy removal thereof. Member 30 would 
be removed when a person wishes to connect any electrical equipment to the 
power source via the receptacles or to connect a telephone. The cord 
passes out of the lower edge of compartment 20 and resilient member 32 
deforms in the area of the cord. In some circumstances member 30 will be 
connected to the panel by means of male and female snap connectors 
positioned at the corners of the member 30. 
The base unit of the office panelling system is approximately 36 inches in 
height and power is accessible through a compartment 20 which is generally 
about 30 inches above floor level. Therefore, after member 30 has been 
removed, the office worker can connect the electrical equipment at 
approximately desk level, and any excess electrical cord may be stored in 
compartment 20. Similarly telecommunication equipment is connected at desk 
level as it is brought in through conduit 24 and allowed to pass through 
conduit 22 into the upper compartment via passage 21 shown in FIG. 1. 
In assemblying the system, it is preferred to stack the panels as required 
and then join horizontally adjacent panels by inserting hinge 10. 
Further details of the system can be seen in FIG. 3 where to the left hand 
side of the panel two upholstered decorative members 34 and 30 are shown 
in engagement with the frame 8 of the panel concealing the electrical 
harness 52 and the feeder wires 54. As can be seen between the upper 
decorative panel members 30 and within compartment 20, a receptacle 56 is 
provided for receiving the plug 51 of an electric office machine. The cord 
50 of this piece of equipment passes beneath the uppe member 30 and 
locally deforms the resilient member 32. In this way cords of electrical 
equipment can be connected to a power source within the office panel and 
the cord passes through the panel to the piece of equipment. Excess cord 
may be stored between the upper panels 30 within the compartment 20. 
The top member of all panels is provided with two vertically extending lips 
42 defining a generally recessed interior portion 40 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 
and 3. These lips 42 allow the clip 44 to positively engage the office 
panel and support a filing cabinet or display case 48 to the exterior of 
the panel as shown in FIG. 3. As can be seen, a bracket 44 is connected by 
a screw or bolt arrangement to the rear face 46 of the piece of equipment 
48 and a number of these brackets along the length of the component allow 
it to be hung along the length of the office panel. As these lips 42 
extend the full length of the panel and are only discontinued at the ends 
of the panel, the office equipment may be hung at any point along the 
length of the panel and can even traverse two panels. In this manner the 
position of the component 48 relative to the office panel is quite 
variable and there is no requirement that the component be mechanically 
secured to an upright support column. This provides a high degree of 
variability with respect to the placement of accessory equipment. 
In order to provide a finished top surface to the upper most stacked 
panels, plastic extruded top caps are used (not shown) which cover the 
recessed portion 40. This cap has downwardly extending leg portions which 
provide a press fit with the interior walls of the recess. 
The panels as shown in FIG. 4 show one method of interconnecting the 
electrical conduits of two adjacent panels orientated at an angle relative 
to one another. In order to satisfy various electrical codes, a shielded 
cable is mechanically connected to adjacent panels which are angled 
relative to one another. This connection is capable of sustaining some 
stress which is required. In order to accomplish this, the shielded cable 
60 used to join two adjacent panels is mechanically secured by clips 62 
which cooperate with the interior wall of the end of each panel. The clips 
engage the ribs of the shielded cable and secure the cable within the 
panel. In this manner the individual wires 61 within the shielded cable 
are not exposed to stress. The actual electrical wiring harness within the 
conduit 22 can take many forms, however one particular advantageous wiring 
harness has a plurality of connectors which allow fast connection to 
receptacles which have a lower portion exposed to the conduit. 
Details of the extruded endcap 6 and the extruded hinge 10, preferably made 
of polypropylene, are shown in FIG. 5. The endcap includes two dove-tail 
parallel slots 70 located either side of the endcap and extending the full 
length thereof. These slots are sized to receive the dove-tail shaped 
securing bead 17 located to one end of each planar portion 11 of the 
hinge. Planar portions 11, are joned by a thin web 19 having a reduced 
thickness relative to the planar portions. Thus the pivoting of the planar 
members occurs about the web 19 and the planar members are fairly rigid 
relative to this section. Both of planar members 11 include a C-shape 
extension 15 which cooperates with the dove-tail 17 of each planar member 
to positively secure the hinge to the endcap. This C-shaped member engages 
the horizontally extending lip 74, either edge of the endcap, and this 
member effectively distributes the stress exerted on the hinge member 
between dovetail 17 and the C-shaped member. The planar portions 11 of the 
hinge, extend outwardly from the endcap in a fairly rigid manner such that 
two panels are pivotally connected along the hinge axis defined by the web 
19. The planar members and web cooperate and thereby limit the movement of 
the panels relative to one another. 
The hinge strip is designed to project beyond the frame of the panel to 
provide a hinge axis at or near the surface of the decorative panel 
members. This allows the hinging of panels at any angle without damaging 
the decorative panels which are sized to cover the frame including the 
extruded aluminum endcaps. 
The panels shown in FIG. 5 are at an angle relative to one another however, 
where panels are joined in a straight line two hinge strips are secured 
between the abutting panels such that all planar portions 11 extend 
outwardly of the endcap. When two hinges are secured in this manner very 
little movement of the panels along the length of the panels is possible 
as members 11 are quite rigid and do not easily bend. This makes it 
possible to provide a strong connection in the longitudinal direction of 
the panels yet, if one hinge strip is removed, the panels may easily be 
angled relative to one another. 
Each endcap also has two aligned slots 71 opening onto one another at the 
interior edges of the endcap. These slots are for receiving a planar 
member used to close the endcap if this end is to be exposed. In this way 
only the dove-tail slots 70 and lip portion 74 are exposed and the panel 
looks finished. 
One of the benefits of this system can be seen in FIG. 7 wherein a numbers 
of office panels have been joined to define an office workspace. In this 
case three panels are in stacked relationship that being a base panel 2 
and two upper panels 4A and 4B, each joined to the panel below by 
structural members not visible. Along one wall of this work unit a pass 
through panel 100 has been provided which allows communication between 
this work unit and the work unit on the opposite side of the wall. Due to 
the modular stackability of this system, the pass through unit 100 can be 
employed where necessary and as situations change, these units can be 
replaced such that a continuous wall is provided. It should also be noted 
that desk 102 has been cantilevered outwardly from the office panelling 
system and is supported in a similar manner to the office equipment as 
shown in FIG. 3. The lower horizontal member of compartment 20 has a shape 
similar to the top edge of each panel for hanging of equipment. To further 
support the desk 102, struts 104 are provided for distributing forces 
exerted on the desk. These struts are positioned to align with a vertical 
portion of the steel frame. The upper edge of the upper panel 4B supports 
filing cabinet 106 which have been suspended in the manner shown in FIG. 
3. The hook securement of office accessories to the top edge of each panel 
or to the lower horizontal member of compartment 20 is possible through 
the gap defined by the slight vertical spacing of decorative panels at the 
junction of stacked panels or between decorative panels of a single office 
panel. 
A further advantage of this system is shown in FIG. 6. The office work unit 
shown defines a reception area having low portion 200 of the reception 
area comprising only base units, a second wall 202 having two upper panels 
to provide privacy on that wall, and the rear wall 204 having four stacked 
panels with hanging display cases 206. Therefore, modular walls of 
different heights are possible which provide greater flexibility in laying 
out of the useable office space. 
This system is of great assistance to corporations which frequently change 
office structure and do not find the existing layouts suitable to their 
needs. The panels are readily connected by the hinge strips 10 which are 
cut in lengths of about 15 inches to facilitate insertion within the 
endcaps. Stacking of panels does not require specialized tools and can 
easily be completed by unskilled labour. Base panel units do require the 
feeding of electrical wiring and telecommunication wiring although this is 
a fairly simple procedure. This allows field erection to be completed 
without the manufacturer's assistance and as such greatly simplifies 
distribution of the product. Custom layouts can be ordered and shipped 
directly to the purchaser, made up of the various standard panels and 
fastening hinges. The layout can be changed and the panels can be reused 
to reflect the changes. The office panelling system further provides power 
at desk height and allows the hanging of display equipment or storage 
equipment at various locations along the horizontal edge of the panels. In 
contrast to many office panelling systems, the exact location of this type 
of equipment is not critical as a wide degree of flexibility is possible 
as the bracket members are positionable along substantially the entire 
length of the panels. 
A modified base unit of the office panelling system is disclosed in FIG. 8 
and is generally designated as 250. It should be noted that because this 
base panel is of an alternate construction, new numbers have been assigned 
to the various components although they may closely correspond with 
components described in earlier figures. The upper edge of the structural 
framework for the panel is defined by member 254 having two rail portions 
256 either edge of member 254 with a central and a center recess portion 
255 positioned therebetween. The upper rail portion is similar to the 
upper edge of the earlier described office panels and is adapted to 
receive a bracket for hanging of various office component accessories. A 
number of hinges 253 are shown in position on the rails 256 and these 
hinges are used to support the upper decorative panel 252. The lower 
larger decorative panel 251 is releasably secured to the panel in a manner 
similar to that described in the earlier figures. The top plastic 
extrusion 258 is shown and is designed such that the legs 259 fit within 
the central recess portion 255 of the upper member 254 to provide a 
positive engagement therewith. The upper surface of the extrusion provides 
a generally planar finished surface for the top edge of the panel. 
In addition, the upper member 254 has an aperture 260 which allows 
telecommunication wiring to either pass down through the panels or extend 
upwardly into the panels. The side edges of the panel are generally 
defined by members 262 and the endcaps 264. Each of the members 262 is 
preferrably of a steel material and provides the necessary vertical 
structural integrity of the panel. Each endcap 264 will be rivited or 
bolted to this member and essentially is used for connecting panels. 
A number of bracing members extend in the horizontal direction of the panel 
and serve to define separated horizontal compartments within the panel. 
Bottom member 266 is of a U-shape cross-section and defines the lower edge 
of the panel. An aperture has been provided midway in the length to allow 
electrical power and telecommunication wiring to gain entrance into the 
panel. This power or telecommunication wiring is then brought upwardly in 
the panel as previously described. Immediately above the base member is a 
further horizontal member 278 which is also of a U-shape cross-section and 
has a brace 280 extending the length of the member 278. This acts as a 
stiffening member to avoid twisting of the panel and increases the 
rigidity of the structure. This member also defines a conduit to allow 
telecommunication wiring to pass through the various panels and also 
allows the wiring access to the desk height accessible space between the 
upper member 254 and member 268 through the conduit generally shown at 272 
defined by the cover member 276 in cooperation with the channel 271. An 
aperture 274 is shown in member 268 and a similar aperture is located in 
the bottom member. Thus a telecommunication conduit is defined above and 
partially within the structural member 278 and below the additional 
structural member 269. Member 269 again horizontally extends across the 
width of the panel and in cooperation with member 268 and the cover 276 
define an electrical conduit. As the electrical conduit must be 
self-contained, a similar cover member 276 would be secured to the other 
side of the panel however for simplicity it has not been shown. 
Therefore the base office panel as shown in FIG. 8 has an upper area or 
compartment which is covered by the decorative panels 252. This upper area 
wthin the structural framework is defined by the structural member 254 in 
combination with the structural member 268. Immediately below this area 
and between structural member 268 and 269 is the electrical conduit 
raceway. A small conduit is vertically located within this area to allow 
telecommunication wiring to pass upwardly through the electrical raceway 
in a manner such that it is not in communication therewith. 
The upper surface of member 268 includes a central planar area having a 
number of apertures 270 which are sized to receive electrical receptacles 
with the lower portion of each receptacle extending through member 268 
into the electrical raceway. Beneath the electrical raceway a 
telecommunication raceway is provided generally defined between the lower 
surface of structural member 269 and member 280. As can be appreciated 
each of these raceways have apertures located in both the side members 262 
and the endcap 264 to allow the electrical wiring harness and the 
telecommunication wiring to pass between adjacent panels. 
Also shown in FIG. 8 is the vertically extending joining members 282 which 
are slidably received within the endcap 264. These are used to join panels 
which are to be stacked and thus allow the system to be extended in the 
vertical direction. Also shown in FIG. 8 is the plastic extrusion member 
284 which is received within the endcap and generally closes the center 
recess of the endcap. 
All the horizontal members of the base panel are used to define the 
electrical raceway, the telecommunication raceway and the compartment at 
the upper edge of the panel, however, they also serve to provide 
structural rigidity to the base unit. It can be appreciated that a 
twisting moment could be exerted on the panel and these members serve to 
reduce the effect of this force. 
In FIG. 9 a modified cross-section of the panel connecting hinge 286 member 
is shown. This hinge generally has two planar body members 288 and 
engagement beads generally designated as 291. The engagement bead has a 
forward engagement surface 290 which is angled relative to the body 
members 288 and extends toward the web 294 of the hinge. This web 294 
defines the pivot axis of the hinge. Extending in the opposite direction 
from the forward face 290 is the rearward engagement surface 292. This 
rearward surface is received within the slot of the endcap and details of 
the slot are generally shown in FIG. 11. An outer planar surface is 
generally defined between the rearward and forward engagement surfaces. 
The hinge is made of a plastic material, preferrably made from 
polypropylene, and is produced by injection molding. The injection molding 
is required to assure the required tolerances are maintained and therefore 
an extrusion hinge is not suitable. The web 294 is of a reduced thickness 
relative to the body member to permit hinging. Also these hinges are 
preferrably of a length of about fifteen inches to permit insertion of the 
hinge progressively in sections as opposed to one continuous length. 
A further injection molded hinge is shown in FIG. 10 and is used for 
securing the decorative panel 252 to the upper support member 254. As can 
be seen this hinge has two engagement lips 296 and 298 which cooperate 
with the center recess 255 and the lower edge of the rail 256. Thus, this 
member can be snapped on the upper rail and the center portion 300 can be 
hinged outwardly and is directly securable to the back of member 252 by 
engagement stud 302 engaging an aperture in the rear face of the panel. 
This provides a very simple manner for hingedly connecting the decorative 
panel 252 to the upper rail and allows access to be obtained to the upper 
compartment. 
Further details of the injection molded panel connecting hinge and 
additional structural members are disclosed in FIG. 11. The injection 
molded hinge as shown, has been partially inserted within two endcaps of 
adjacent panels. Engagement bead 285 is partially inserted within a slot 
of the endcap while the engagement bead 283, to the opposite side of the 
hinge strip is in staggered relationship to the first bead and therefore 
has not yet engaged the slot of the adjacent endcap. This greatly 
simplifies insertion of the hinge strip within the endcap and can be 
accomplished in a number of ways such as having the engagement beads of a 
length less than the overall length of the hinge strip and being staggered 
relative to one another or one of the beads can be of a shorter length and 
positioned within the length of the hinge strip. The point to be noted is 
that the beads are to be so related such that one bead can be partially 
fed into the slot of an endcap independent of the other bead and the 
associated endcap. Furthermore the lead-in portion of the engagement bead 
has been angled to further facilitate insertion of the hinge. 
In addition to the staggered engagement beads, engagement ridges 287 have 
been shown and extend across the base of the engagement bead. These ridges 
provide a tight fit of the engagement bead within the slot of the endcap 
and reduce the contact surface area between the engagement bead and the 
slot. The engagement ridges 289 located on the bead 285 are also staggered 
in relation to the engagement ridges 287 located on the opposite 
engagement bead 283. This again allows one of the beads to engage within 
the slot and then allows the other bead to become snug in the slot and 
thus allows the hinge to be progressively inserted within the slots of the 
endcap. These ridges and the modified construction of the engagement beads 
allow easier insertion of the hinge in the endcaps. 
Connecting members 310 have been inserted in each of the endcaps. These 
members have arms 312 which slidably engage within the center recess of 
the endcap and also have further engagement slots 314. As can be seen 
members 310 can be slidably received within the endcap and maintained in 
place either by a rivet or a screw, not shown. Once bridging a structural 
member 316 can be inserted within the slots 314 to thereby rigidly connect 
two endcaps in a particular orientation. This further stiffens the overall 
system and avoid inadvertent relocation of one panel relative to the 
other. 
FIG. 12 shows further detail of the top extrusion 258 which is inserted 
within the upper surface of a panel. The extrusion has legs 259 which 
provide a snug fit within the center recess. In addition an end piece 360 
is shown which is positively received within the endcaps. In order to 
provide a transition between the space defined by two adjacent panels at 
an angle, a cap member 400 may be provided which is slidably received 
within the center recess and engaged thereby. A similar engagement is 
provided with respect to the endcap of panel 350. These caps have a 
extending portion 402 to be received within the recess of the endcap and 
also have a lower skirt 404 to provide a more finished contour with 
respect to the vertical direction. Optionally a skirt member may be 
provided to enclose the area beneath cap 400. Details of the end piece for 
the endcap are shown in FIG. 13 where it can be seen that member 362 has a 
lower extending member 364 and a rearwardly extending member 366. The 
upper planar surface is provided by surface 362. Member 364 engages within 
the slot 261 of the endcap and the rearward portion 366 engages beneath 
the top extrusion 258. These injection molded caps are provided to finish 
the top edge of any exposed endcaps. 
Details of other endcaps are shown in FIGS. 14 through 16 with various 
types of members being shown. In each case there are a number of extending 
tabs which engage within the slots of an endcap. In FIG. 14 cap member 410 
is disclosed and is used to cover the space defined by four panels joined 
together in a cross configuration. Each of the members 412 are engagable 
within one of the slots 261 of an endcap. 
In FIG. 15 a modified endcap is shown for joining two panels at an angle 
relative to one another. As can be appreciated this is for a fixed 
orientation of the panels. The cap generally shown as 430, has two 
extending tab members 432 for engagement within the two panels disposed at 
an angle relative to one another. 
In FIG. 16 a further endcap is shown generally designated as 440 having 
extending tabs 442 for engagement within the slot. This cap would be used 
for joining three adjacent panels. 
As can be appreciated these caps are specialized and the panels must be 
maintained at a certain angle relative to one another. The purpose of the 
caps is to provide a finished surface and essentially closes the area 
defined between two joined adjacent panels. The connecting members of FIG. 
12 are advantageously used in combination with the endcaps of FIGS. 14 
through 16. 
Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been 
described herein in detail it will be appreciated by those skilled in the 
art that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit 
of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.