Abstract:
A system for joining partitioning panels is simple to assemble and take down while effectively concealing the inter-panel connections and maintaining visual continuity of the panels. Attachment fittings are provided at the top and bottom corners of each panel and plate-like connector brackets are used to connect the fittings and assemble the panels either in line or at an angle. Snap-on covers are provided for the top attachment fittings which conceal the connector brackets and form a visual continuation of finishing strips which extend along the top edges of the panels.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a system for joining individual partitioning panels together, in situ, for example to form an office or other indoor partition. 
     In modern day office spaces and other work areas, it is common practice to divide the work area into separate work stations by means of in situ knockdown partitions, commonly made up of individual connectable free-standing or suitably supported panels and the like. 
     Among the requirements for partitions of the above kind are, inter alia, that the individual panels should be as simple as possible to connect together when erecting a partition and to disconnect when taking down the partition consistent with maintaining the structural integrity and strength of the partition. Also, for aesthetic reasons, it is preferable to be able to conceal any inter-panel connections in the completed partition and generally enhance its overall appearance. The present invention provides a partition joining system directed toward fulfilling these requirements. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides a system for releasably joining together individual partitioning panels, in situ, wherein the top corners of each panel are provided with respective attachment fittings for receiving respective ends of plate-like connector brackets used for joining adjacent panels together by attachment to the respective corner fittings of the adjacent panels. Further, the corner fittings at the top corners of the panels each have a snap-on cover, or cap which conceals the connector bracket when the panels are assembled and which at least visually forms a continuation of the panel edging. In the overall system, different connector brackets are provided for joining adjacent panels in line or at right-angles, in the latter case to form angle, T, or cruciform junctions. In each case, the snap-on covers conceal respective ends of the connector brackets, and for T or cruciform junctions, central portions of the connector brackets may have their own integrally formed covers or caps visually integrated with those on the panel corner fittings. 
     The corner fittings on each panel may include a stand-up threaded post over which an apertured end of a connector bracket is received and tightened down by a nut. The post may be located in a central slotted or recessed portion of the fitting on opposite sides of which are snap-in connector portions for receiving complimentary snap-in connector portions of the cover. 
     The bottom corners of each panel conveniently have connector fittings similar to those at the top of the panels for receiving similar, inter-panel, plate like connector brackets, but no covers are required. 
     A partition according to the invention is simple to erect and take down by use of simple wrench-like hand tools for tightening and loosening the nuts associated with each corner fitting and by snapping and unsnapping the respective covers as applicable. 
     In case of T-junction, right-angle and cruciform inter-panel connections, vertical beading or filler strips and the like may be provided to conceal the panel edges and enhance the appearance of the inter-panel junctions. 
     Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the ensuing description and claims read in conjunction with the attached drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pair of partitioning panels connected together in line by a joining system according to the invention, 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged exploded view of a top corner fitting one of the panels, 
     FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing adjacent corners of a pair of inter connected panels, 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view, from below of a bottom corner of a panel, 
     FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the bottom corners of a pair of inter-connected panels, 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional elevational view of the top corner portion of a panel, 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional view on line 7--7 of FIG. 6, 
     FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6 of the bottom corner portion of the panel, 
     FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a bottom corner fitting for the panel prior to assembly, 
     FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of a panel, part broken away, 
     FIG. 11 is an underneath perspective view of a cover for a top corner fitting of a panel, 
     FIG. 12 is an underneath perspective view of the top corner fitting, 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a plate-like top connector bracket used for connecting adjacent panels together in line, 
     FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 of a bottom connector bracket, 
     FIG. 15 is a plan view of a top connector bracket for connecting panels, shown in phantom at right angles, 
     FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15 of a top connector bracket for connecting three panels together at a T-junction, 
     FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16 of a top connector bracket for connecting four panels together at a 
     cruciform junction, 
     FIG. 18 is a perspective view of another connector bracket for connecting three panels together at a T-junction, 
     FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a top corner connection between three panels using a connector bracket as shown in FIG. 18, 
     FIG. 20 is a sectional view on line 20--20 of FIG. 19, 
     FIG. 21 is a perspective view of part of a beading strip used in the arrangement shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, 
     FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a pair of panels connected at a right angle and showing a beading channel and connector strip (exploded), and 
     FIG. 23 is a sectional plan view of the connection between panels as shown in FIG. 22. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A typical partitioning panel 10 to which the present invention is applicable, is shown, for example, in FIGS. 6-10. The panel comprises a rectangular wooden or chipboard frame 12 around which a metal frame 14 of rectangular section tubing lengths welded together is fastened by screws 16 extending through suitable apertures in the metal tubes. The side tubes 18 of the metal frame are open top and bottom. The panel is faced front and back by wooden or chipboard sheets 20 attached by pins 22 to frame 12, the sheets 20 having fabric coverings 24. The side edges of the panel are also provided with fabric covered chipboard or like sheets 26 pinned or otherwise secured between the outer edges of sheets 20. The top edge of the panel is provided with a plastic edging or beading strip 28 with depending legs 30 which snap fit onto the top metal tube of frame 14 (see FIG. 7). The strip 28 terminates at the inner edges of tubes 18. 
     Press-fitted into the open top of each tube 18 is a plastic attachment fitting 32, see particularly FIGS. 6 and 12. The fitting has a rectangular outer hub 34 dimensioned to press-fit tightly into tube 18, a hexagonal inner hub 36 and a top flange 38. A bolt 40 is mounted in the inner hub so as to project upwardly somewhat from flange 38, the bolt being secured in place by a lock washer 42. On its upper face, flange 38 is formed with opposed rectangular ribs 44 defining a shallow channel 46 (FIG. 2) therebetween for receiving a plate-like connector bracket 48 as will be described. Within the ribs are circular sockets 50 into which cruciform projections 52 of a plastic cover 54 can be releasably press-fitted. The cover is designed to match beading strip 28 and when fitted on flange 38 forms a visual extension of the beading strip. The cover has a peripheral step 56 at one end to define a slot 58 (FIG. 6) through which connector bracket 48 can extend. To secure the bracket in place, bolt 40 is provided with a nut 60. As shown in FIG. 13, bracket 48 has slots 62 at its opposite ends to fit over the respective bolts 40 at the top corners of two adjacent panels. The width of the bracket substantially conforms to the width of channel 46. 
     Press-fitted into the bottom of each tube 18 is a metal fitting 63 of known kind having, for example, a base portion 64 of zinc plate and a top 66 of spring steel with gripping projections 68. A levelling glide 70 threads into the fitting in known manner. The threaded stem 72 of the glide is provided with a nut and washer assembly for securing a bottom connector bracket 76 onto the adjacent stems 72 and tightening up the assemblies 74, again by means of a simple hand wrench. To disconnect the panels, this simple procedure is reversed. 
     FIGS. 15, 22 and 23 show an arrangement in which a pair of panels 10 as previously described are connected at a right angle rather than in line. As shown in FIG. 23, the panels are disposed corner edge to corner edge, and a hollow plastic filler strip 80, covered in fabric 82 to match that on the panels is used to fill the corner gap. To hold the filler strip in place, extruded plastic key strips 84 are inserted between the panels, the key strips having barbed ends 86, 88 which engage behind the panels, and behind the opposed lips 81 of the filler strip. In place of the connector brackets 48 used to connect the panels in line, in this case an angled connector bracket 100 (FIG. 15) is used to connect the top corners of the panels. Bracket 100 has apertures 102 in the respective limbs to engage bolts 40 of the respective panels in like manner to the apertures 62 in bracket 48 as previously described. In this case, the central portion of bracket 100 has an integrally attached plastic cover 104 to match visually with the covers 54 on the adjacent panels. Angled bottom brackets (not shown) are provided to replace the previously described brackets 76, and the panels are connected together and taken apart in like manner to the in-line panels previously described. 
     FIGS. 16 and 18-21 show an arrangement for connecting together three of the panels 10 at a T-junction. As seen in FIG. 20, the panels are located corner edge to corner edge, leaving a rectangular space 90 therebetween. A fabric covered extruded cover strip 92 is used to enclose the space 90, the strip having resilient end portions with ridges 94 that seat in small gaps defined between the sheets 20 and 26 of the respective panels 10. A T-shaped attachment bracket 96 with apertures 98 in its respective limbs and a central plastic cover 99 is used to attach the top corners of the respective panels in like manner to the brackets 48 and 100 previously described. A similarly shaped bracket (not shown) is used for connecting the bottom corners of the panels. A modified top bracket 96&#39; with enclosed apertures 98&#39; is shown in FIG. 18. 
     FIG. 17 shows an arrangement of four panels 10 interconnected in a cruciform formation using a top connector bracket 106 with four arms 108, apertures 110 and a central cover 112 which is used in the same way as those previously described in conjunction with a similarly shaped bottom connector bracket, not shown. 
     In each case, the invention provides an extremely simple to use, connection system for partitioning panels wherein the inter-panel connectors are effectively concealed and wherein the aesthetic appearance of the panels is maintained in the connected assembly. 
     While only preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, the invention is not limited thereby and modifications can be made within the scope of the attached claims.