Abstract:
A partition and wall system includes a partition with trim piece(s) securely attached to a top edge and vertical side edges of the partition. One or both of the trim piece(s) have a T-slot running along their length, to which accessories can be secured by use of T-fasteners that extend into the slot and engage blind surfaces at a bottom of the slot. The accessories include such things as screens, hooks, lights, panels, shelves, wire managers, utility-using devices, and the like, and can be easily arranged by office workers in optimal and customized arrangements, thus improving efficiency and adding function and value to the office arrangement.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to partitions having trim pieces covering one or more top and vertical side edges of the partitions. 
     Partition systems are often used to subdivide building space. It is important that the partitions be aesthetically trimmed out to look their best, since partitions are highly visible and can dominate the aesthetics of an office or work area. Further, the trim should preferably be securely attached and also should provide durable protection for edges of the partition so that the partitions not only last a long time, but also look good for a long time. Still further, the trim should preferably not interfere with the partition system, such that the trim permits rearrangeability and reconfiguration of the partitions. The trim should not add an excessive number of parts and expensive pieces, and preferably should not complicate interconnection of partitions and trimming out of the rearranged pieces. However, there is tension between these different concepts, and there is no easy solution. In particular, it is difficult to maintain trim alignment in long runs of partitions and at 90-degree corners in partitions, while also providing releasability and removability of the trim. This problem becomes worse when trim is used for more than merely providing a visually clean surface, as discussed below. 
     Modern offices are becoming smaller and smaller, and there is an increasing effort to optimize use of office space as well as to make maximum use of every bit of available space. Further, business owners have found that it can be very important to allow workers to customize their areas and make the areas their “own”, because workers will tend to work harder, have a better attitude, and therefore be more productive. Designers have focused their attention on the area in front of partitions and on the partition itself for many years. However, the area in and around the edges of partitions has often been ignored, with many designers taking the position that it must be kept visually “clean” and the trim must be kept absolutely as low-cost as possible. Consistent with that philosophy, manufacturers of partitions spend much of their resources in making partition frames as strong as possible, and then trim out and cover the partition frames with less expensive materials. However, the low-cost non-structural trim can be a barrier to attaching accessories in and around edges of the partition (i.e. in the plane of the partition), since by definition, the trim covers up the edges of the partition so that the partition “looks good”. Some partition systems include brackets that extend around the edge trim and that are connected to the partition frame. Usually, the brackets have a thin section for fitting through a narrow access slit past the trim into the partition frame. However, the narrowness of the access slit causes an increase in a length of the bracket, causing the accessory to be spaced away from the partition frame, such that these style brackets have to be beefed up in order to provide the structural support required for supporting accessories having significant weight. Also, keeping in mind that trim covers edges of a partition, the trim tends to drive the accessories away from positions immediately adjacent the edges of the partition. Accordingly, an apparatus is desired solving the aforementioned problems and having the aforementioned advantages. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a partition system includes a partition having opposing faces defining front and rear planes, a top edge, and vertical side edges, and at least one trim piece attached to the partition and extending along at least one of the top edge and side edges, the trim piece aesthetically covering at least a portion of the one edge. The trim piece has a body extending between the front and rear planes with an attachment feature located between the planes that is adapted to receive a fastener for securing an accessory to the body of the trim piece. The trim piece is made of a structural material capable of carrying and supporting the accessory during use of the accessory. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a partition system includes a partition having a top edge and vertical side edges, the top edge being elongated and extending across the partition between the vertical side edges. The top edge includes an upper surface that defines a slot positioned between front and rear portions of the top edge. An accessory with a fastener extends into the slot to retain the accessory to the partition. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a trim system is provided that is configured and adapted to cover a side or top edge of a partition or wall. The trim system includes a trim piece having a width selected to at least partially cover the edge. The trim piece is elongated and has a transverse section defining a longitudinally-extending slot with at least one blind surface. An accessory with a fastener is provided that is shaped to fit into the slot and engage the blind surface to retain the accessory to the trim body. 
     These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an office arrangement including partitions with trim pieces embodying the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the partition frames of FIG. 1, including the top trim piece, end trim piece and side covers exploded away from the closest one of the partitions; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross section of the trim piece shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3A is a cross section of a modified trim piece similar to FIG. 3 but having a top recess; 
     FIGS. 4-7 are top, side, bottom, and end views of a partition frame from FIG. 2; 
     FIGS. 8-9 are cross sections taken along the lines VIII—VIII and IX—IX in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the circled area X in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 11 is a cross section taken along the line XI—XI in FIG. 10, including a trim piece mounted thereto; and 
     FIGS. 12-16, FIGS. 17-19, FIG. 20, and FIG. 21 show various accessories adapted for engagement with the T-slot of the trim piece of FIG.  1 . 
     More particularly, in regard to FIGS.  12 - 21 : 
     FIG. 15 is a cross section taken along the line XV—XV in FIG. 14; 
     FIG. 15A is an end view of the tunnel-shaped wire manager, which fits into the end piece of the wire manager as shown in FIG. 13 in phantom lines, and FIG. 15B is a perspective view of a top trim piece with a through formed therein for feeding wires from under the tunnel member through the trim piece into an internal cavity of a partition frame; 
     FIG. 16 is a cross section taken along the line XVI—XVI in FIG. 13, which shows an inner end of the end piece of the wire manager, and its engagement with the T-slot in the trim piece, and the engagement of the tunnel-shaped wire manager with the end piece; 
     FIGS. 17-18 are side and bottom views of a hook accessory, with FIG. 19 showing engagement of the hook in the T-slot in the trim piece; 
     FIG. 20 is a fragmentary perspective view of a partition including a T-slot top trim piece and a T-slot end trim piece, and including a top-of-panel mounted screen and its engagement with the T-slot of a top trim piece, and including a side-mounted hook and its engagement with the T-slot of the end trim piece, and including a side-mounted erasable marker board and its engagement with the T-slot of the end trim piece; and 
     FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an inverted L-bracket adapted for mounting a panel on a face of a partition as shown in FIG. 1, including showing its engagement with a T-slot of a top trim piece. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A partition system  30  (FIG. 1) includes partitions  31  adjustably interconnected and outfitted to form offices. Tops and exposed ends of the partitions  31  are covered with top and end trim pieces  33  and  34 , for aesthetically covering and protecting the partitions. The illustrated trim pieces  33  and  34  are made of structural material and have beefed-up sections with elongated T-slots formed in their exposed surface, and further, they are securely attached to the partitions  31 . By this arrangement, a plurality of different accessories can be adjustably mounted to tops and ends of the trim pieces  33  and  34  on the partitions  31 . The illustrated accessories include a wire manager system  35 , a hook  36 , a screen  37 , an upright/lateral erasable marker board  38 , a hanging binder bin  39 , a hanging shelf  40 , a hanging erasable marker board  41 , a top-mounted cantilevered light  42 , a top-mounted cantilevered document holder  43 , and a side-attached table  44 , but it will be clear to persons skilled in the art of furniture after reading the description below that additional accessories can be developed using the present inventive concepts. 
     The present inventive concepts can be adapted for use on most any partition or wall structure. The illustrated partitions  31  are sufficiently described below for an understanding of the present invention by persons skilled in this art. Nonetheless, additional detailed discussion of the partitions  31 , their structure and advantages of their construction can be found in the following patent applications, the entire contents of which are incorporated in their entirety by reference: co-assigned application Ser. No. 10/077,553, filed Feb. 15, 2002, entitled PANEL SYSTEM, and co-assigned application Ser. No. 10/076,709, filed Feb. 15, 2002, entitled PARTITION PANEL WITH MODULAR APPLIANCE MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT. 
     The illustrated partitions  31  (FIG. 5) each include a frame assembly  50  having two end frame members  51  and  52 , a top frame member  53 , and a bottom frame member  54  forming a perimeter frame. The frame assembly  50  may also include one or more optional intermediate frame members  55 , and one or more optional intermediate accessory frame members  56 . The frame members  51 - 56  are covered using removable covers  57  (FIG.  1 ), and are secured together to form a rigid structure suitable for supporting work surfaces  58 , and other furniture and accessories commonly associated with office and subdivision of building space. The illustrated frame assembly  50  further includes adjustable glides or “feet”  59  so that the partitions  31  can be leveled to accommodate unevenness in floors. 
     The top frame member  53  (FIG. 8) has a cross section with the flat center wall  60  and upwardly protruding rectangular side ridges  61  and  62  that define a center channel  63  between them. The ridges  61  and  62  include upper/outer corners with a horizontal row of longitudinally-extending short slots  63 ′, which can be engaged with hooked brackets for supporting furniture articles such as binder bins, shelves, and the like. The center wall  60  includes a series of holes  64  with threaded nuts  65  tack-welded under the holes  64 . Long bolts  66  are extended through mating holes in the trim piece  33  and threadably into the holes  64  and nuts  65 . Depending on a depth of the channel  63 , the number of bolts  66 , and a lateral strength requirement of the attachment, a foam block  67  (FIG. 11) or similar stabilizer can be added to each connection. If desired, the block  67  can have concave sides to allow for longitudinal passage of wires past the block  67 . In FIG. 11, a connector plate  67 ′ extends into channels  63  in adjacent frames  50 , and screws  67 ″ secure the connector plate  67 ′ to the frames  50  to align and interconnect the frames  50 . 
     The end frame member  51  (and  52 ) (FIG. 9) is similar to the top frame member  53 , although the channel that it defines is much shallower. Specifically, the end frame member  51  includes a cross section with a flat center wall  70 , and outwardly protruding rectangular side ridges  71  and  72  that define a channel  73  between them. The ridges  71  and  72  include outer corners with a vertical row of longitudinally-extending short slots  73 ′, which can be engaged with hooked brackets for supporting furniture articles. The center wall  70  includes a series of holes  74  with threaded nuts  75  tack-welded under the holes  74 . Long bolts  76  are extended through mating holes in the trim piece  34  and threadably into the holes  74  and nuts  75 . Blocks similar to blocks  67  can be used if increased stability of the bolts  76  is needed, but it is contemplated that stabilizing blocks will not be needed due to the short length of the bolts  76 . Also, it is noted that the frame members  51  (and  52 ) are stabilized by a reinforcement  78  under center wall  70  (FIG.  9 ). 
     The top trim piece  33  (FIG. 3) has a width and length chosen to cover a top surface of the partition  31 . Notably, the length of the top trim pieces  33  can be longer or shorter than individual partitions  31 , as long as a total length equals a length of an interconnected run of partitions  31 . (Notice in FIG. 1 that some top trim pieces  33  span two partitions  31 .) The illustrated trim piece  33  (FIG. 3) includes flat top and side surfaces  80  and  81 , and includes a bottom surface  82  with flat landings  83  and  84  for resting on the protruding ridges  61  and  62 . The bottom surface  82  further includes a down-ridge  85  that extends partially into the channel  63 . The down-ridge  85  has a width so that its edges abut the inside corners of the ridges  61  and  62 , thus centering the trim piece  33  on the top frame member  53 . If increased stability is desired, the outer edges of the side surfaces  80  and  81  can include a down lip so that the protruding ridges  61  and  62  are positively captured. A top surface of the top trim piece  33  is relatively flat, with the exception of a center area where the T-slot  87  is formed. The T-slot  87  includes a neck portion  88  and a wide portion  89  with blind surfaces  90  and  91 . A bottom flange  92  forms a bottom of the T-slot  87 . Holes  93  are bored through the bottom flanges  92 , and each includes a recess  94  for receiving a head of the bolt  66 . By this arrangement, when the bolts  66  are in an assembled position, the head of the bolt  66  is removed from the T-slot  87 , so that the bolt  66  does not interfere with use of the T-slot  87 . It is also noted that the top trim piece  33  could be attached by extending screws through the top trim piece  33  at positions outside the T-slot  87  and into the side ridges  61  and  62 . 
     A cross sectional shape of the trim piece  33  can be varied for aesthetics and functional reasons. The illustrated cross sections shape of trim piece  33  includes a flat top surface  80  and flat side surfaces  81  that define a rectangular shape. However, the top surface can be modified as shown by top trim piece  33 A, which includes top surface  80 ′ with a dish-shaped recess  96 . This dish shape has an aesthetic appeal, and when used with the wire manager system  35 , also provides increased room for routing wiring along a top of the partition  31 , as described below. It is noted that the trim piece  33  can span aligned adjacent partitions  31  (see FIG. 1, the top left two partitions). It is also noted that the dish-shaped recess  96  could be divided in half by a vertical flange, so as to subdivide and separate recess  96  into two channels, one being for communication wiring and one being for power electrical wiring. 
     The illustrated slots  87  work particularly well, since accessories can be positioned anywhere along the top or ends of the partitions  31 . However, a scope of the present inventive concepts is believed to include other attachment features, such as a protruding ridge (e.g. a T-shaped ridge), a plurality of discrete locations instead of continuous slot (e.g. a series of holes or short slots, not unlike the slots  63 ′ in top frame member  53 ). Hook and loop material could also be used. 
     The illustrated end trim piece  34  (FIG. 9, but also see FIGS. 1 and 3) has the same cross sectional shape as the top trim piece  33 , and accordingly, a second description is not necessary for an understanding of trim piece  34 . The illustrated end trim piece  33  is interchangeable with top trim piece  33 , except perhaps for its length, which will vary depending upon the partitions  31 . 
     As noted above, the illustrated accessories include a wire manager system  35 , a hook  36 , a screen  37 , an erasable marker board  38 , a hanging binder bin  39 , a hanging shelf  40 , a hanging erasable marker board  41 , a top-mounted cantilevered light  42 , a top-mounted cantilevered document holder  43 , and a side-attached table  44 . Each accessory includes at least one anchor that operably engages a blind surface in the T-slot and further includes a base opposing the anchor, so that as the anchor is drawn toward the base, the arrangement clampingly and stably retains the accessory to an exposed outer surface of the trim piece  33  (or  34 ) and hence to the associated partition  31 . Depending on the functional needs of the accessory, such as the need for stability, the need to provide torque to resist lateral forces (such as may occur when a person is writing on an erasable marker board), the need for styling and/or aesthetics, and other considerations, the visible portion of the base can be varied, or multiple bases and anchors can be used, or both. 
     The illustrated wire manager system  35  (FIG. 1) includes a tunnel element  100 , a terminator element  101 , and an overhead-utility down-feed element  102 . The overhead-utility down-feed element  102  is adapted to communicate utilities, such as wires, downwardly from a ceiling or from an overhead framework of a post-and-beam furniture system. The tunnel element  100  has an inverted U-shaped cross sectional shape (FIG. 15A) that forms an inner passageway  103 , and has a width selected so that the legs of the U-shape can rest on a top trim piece  33  of a partition  31 . A through hole or aperture  37 ′ (FIG. 15B) can be cut through the trim piece  33  (or  34 ) to allow wires to pass through the trim piece  37  down into an internal cavity of the partition  31 . The overhead-utility down-feed element  102  (FIG. 1) includes a side wall facing the direction of the tunnel element  100 , with a cut-out  102 ′ shaped to mateably engage the tunnel element  100 , such that the tunnel element  100  can be extended into the cut-out for optimal aesthetics. At the other end of the tunnel element  100 , the terminator element  101  is positioned. The terminator element  101  (FIGS. 12-16) has a half-cup-shaped body  104  with a lip  105  forming an open mouth for receiving the end of the tunnel element  100 . A base flange  106  extends around the down side of the body  104 , and is adapted to rest on the top trim piece  33 . A first pair of legs  107  and  108  extend downwardly from a middle area of the cup-shaped body  104 . The legs  107  and  108  are resilient, and include hooks  109  and  110  on their ends that are shaped to releasably engage opposing sides of the T-slot  87  to retain the body  104  on the top trim piece  33 . Additional secondary legs  111  can be located between the legs  107  and the sides of the body, for providing additional stability and strength to the body  104 . It is noted that the tunnel element  100  can extend longer or shorter than the partition  31 , and longer or shorter than the top trim  33  on which it rests. 
     In FIG. 1, the down-feed element  102  drops wires  114  to one end of the partition  31 , and the tunnel element  100  extends across a top of and past that partition  31  onto the top of a second partition  31 . This allows wires  114  located within the tunnel element  100  to be communicated across a top of the first partition  31  and then down into the second partition  31 , without having to route the wiring through the first partition  31  into the second partition  31 . (The wires  114  are extended along the T-slot  87  to light  42 .) This arrangement of wire management greatly facilitates office rearrangements, since the wiring is easy to reach, see, and re-route. 
     The hook  36  (FIGS. 17-19) includes a center stem  116  with a hook element  117  on one end and a transverse segment or anchor  118  on its other end. The stem  116  and anchor  118  form an inverted T-shape. A base or disk  119  is attached to the center stem  116  at a location spaced from the anchor  118 . The outside of the disk  119  is threaded, and a nut  120  is threaded onto the disk  119 . To insert the hook  36  into the T-slot, the anchor  118  is oriented so that it aligns with the neck portion  88  of the T-slot  87 . In this position, the anchor  118  fits through the neck portion  88  of the T-slot  87 . The stem  116  and anchor  118  are then rotated 90-degrees, which causes the anchor  118  to move into the wide portion  89  of the slot  87 , with its ends engaging the blind surfaces  90  and  91  on the T-slot  87 . The nut  120  is then rotated while the hook element  117  is held stationary, such that the nut  120  threadably moves downwardly on the disk  119  until the nut  120  clamps against the marginal material of the top trim piece  33  forming the neck portion  88 . Due to a width of the hut  120  and of the anchor  118 , the hook  36  is stably held on the top trim piece  33 . The hook  36  can similarly be attached to the end trim piece  34  (see FIG.  1 ). 
     The screen  37  (FIG. 20) includes a bent wire frame  123  covered with a screen fabric material  124 . The frame  123  includes a lower horizontal frame member  125  with an up-bend  126  at its corners. The frame  123  includes side frame members  127  with foot sections  128  that extend below the up-bend  126 . The foot sections  128  are not unlike the stem  116 . The foot sections  128  include a transverse segment or anchor  129  on its other end, which forms an inverted T-shape. A base  130  is attached to the foot section  128  at a location spaced from the anchor  129 . The base  130  includes a disk  130 ′ that is threaded, and a nut  131  that is threaded onto the disk  130 ′. To insert the anchor  129  into the T-slot, the anchor  129  is oriented so that it aligns with the wide portion  89  of the T-slot  87 . In this position, the anchor  129  slops into an end of the T-slot, with the anchor  129  engaging the blind surfaces  90  and  91  on the T-slot  87 . The nut  131  is then rotated while the frame  123  is stationary, such that the nut  131  threadably moves downwardly on the disk  130 ′ until the nut  131  clamps against the marginal material of the top trim piece  33  forming the neck portion  88 . Due to a width of the nut  131  and of the anchor  129 , the screen  37  is stably held on the top trim piece  33 . The screen  37  can similarly be attached to the end trim piece  34  (see FIG.  1 ). In such case, the screen  37  extends laterally outward from the partition  31  in a plane of the partition  31 . 
     Two erasable marker boards  38  and  41  are shown in FIG. 1, with marker board  38  extending laterally or upwardly from the partition  31 , and the marker board  41  lying against a face of the partition  31 . Specifically, the marker board  38  includes a perimeter channel frame  135  with white erasable marker board material  136  inside the channel frame  135 . Two legs  137  extend laterally from the perimeter channel frame  135 . Each include a threaded stem, an anchor, a base/disk, and a threaded nut, similar to those described above for the screen  37 . The marker board  38  can be attached to the top trim piece  33  or to the end trim piece  34  (as shown), and extends outwardly from the partition  31 . The marker board  41  includes an L-shaped bracket  139  (FIG. 21) having a top leg  140  (FIG. 21) that extends across the top trim piece  33 . A pair of stems  145 , anchors  146 , disks  147 , and threaded nuts  148  extend from the top leg  140  for clamping engagement with the T-slot  87  on the top trim piece  33 . The bracket  139  includes a down leg  141  that extends downwardly flush against a face of the partition  31 . The down leg  141  has a length so that it positions an erasable surface  142  (FIG. 1) at a desired height on the face of the partition  31 . The illustrated erasable board  41  has a perimeter channel frame  143  and a white erasable surface  144  like the marker board  38 . 
     The hanging binder bin  39  (FIG. 1) is mounted on an L-bracket  139 ′ similar to the L-bracket  139  for the erasable marker board, but the L-bracket  139 ′ is beefed up for the additional weight that it is likely to carry. A pair of brackets  139 ′ can be used if necessary to support the binder bin  149 . 
     The hanging shelf  40  (FIG. 1) is mounted on a pair of bent wire side supports  150 . The supports  150  have a triangular end with a horizontal segment  151  adapted to carry a shelf panel  152  in a horizontal position. The supports  150  further have an angled segment  153  to a top tip at the top trim piece  33 . A rear leg of bent wire  155  extends from the top tip across a top of the top trim piece  33 , and includes a stem, an anchor, a base/disk, and a threaded nut, as previously describe. 
     The top-mounted cantilevered light  42  and the top-mounted cantilevered document holder  43  each include a panel base plate  160  that engages a top of the top trim piece  33 . Each include a stem, anchor, (base plate  160 ), and at least one nut  161  for clamping retention to the T-slot  87  of the top trim piece  33 . 
     It is contemplated that furniture can be attached to the slots  87 . For example, the side-attached table  44  includes a stem, anchor, base, and nut for retaining the table  44  adjacent the end trim piece  34  of the partition  31 . It is contemplated that benches, chairs, or the like could also be coupled to or tethered to the partition  31 . 
     An advantage of mounting the accessories  35 - 44  anywhere along the partitions  31  is that it provides infinite and easy adjustability. This lets the office worker locate accessories in optimal locations and positions for workflow, and lets the worker adjust for changing needs and preferences. Customization of an office leads to individuality, identity, and personality of a workspace, as well as pride and ownership of the space. The user can easily adjust his office to changing needs without requiring skilled trades assistance in order to make the change. Further, the accessories are mounted in areas not previously used, such as areas directly above the partitions and off free ends of the partitions, which areas were previously wasted space and/or at least under-utilized. 
     Additional accessories are shown in a commonly-assigned patent application Ser. No. 10/113,124, filed on Mar. 29, 2002 (same day as present application), entitled BUILDING OUTFITTING SYSTEM WITH COMMON ACCESSORY MOUNTING FEATURE, and the entire contents of that application are incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.