Patent Publication Number: US-9428907-B2

Title: Free-standing continuous wall assembly

Description:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
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     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
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     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The subject matter relates to free-standing walls. It further relates to free-standing continuous wall assemblies that may be used for display, storage and/or advertising purposes. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon. 
     Peg board and slatwall type panels may be commonly used for display, storage and/or advertising purposes in various exposition, tradeshow, retail and residential settings. Panels with a magnetic type surface can be also used for display purposes. Panels with dry-erase surface may be used for communicating ideas, calendaring events, etc. Pegboard, dry-erase and magnetic type panels are generally secured to the fixed interior walls. Slatwall type panels may be also secured to the existing fixed interior walls. Slatwall type panels may be also provided as free-standing walls to display articles of merchandise which are for sale. A typical slatwall panel generally includes plurality of extrusions or slats that are disposed horizontally and that are linked together to define a unitary panel having a plurality of horizontally disposed slots. Opposite ends of each slat are interlocked with the end upright supports. Intermediate upright supports may be also used. However, such slatwall panel construction is characterized by a greater than desired material costs and/or labor costs to erect, take down and/or transport. 
     Generally, due to difference in mounting requirements, same type panels are used in assemblies for display, storage and/or advertising purposes. This may be disadvantageous in some applications requiring different type of panels to be combined into one assembly, particularly of a free-standing continuous wall type. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a free-standing continuous wall that may be composed of different type panels, is economical to manufacture and cost effective to assemble, dis-assemble and transport. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary front perspective view of a free-standing continuous wall assembly; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary rear perspective view of the free-standing continuous wall assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a partial rear perspective view of a base portion of an intermediate member of the free-standing continuous wall assembly of  FIGS. 1-2 ; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a partial rear perspective view of a base portion of an end member of the free-standing continuous wall assembly of  FIGS. 1-2 ; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a partial front perspective view of a base portion of the rear member of the free-standing continuous wall assembly of  FIGS. 1-2 ; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary top view of a different form of the free-standing continuous wall assembly of  FIGS. 1-2 ; and 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary perspective view of several panels of the free-standing continuous wall assembly of  FIGS. 1-2  in a position for storage and/or transport. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention, it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures. 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described examples or the application and uses of the described examples. As used herein, the words “example”, “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “example”, “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in the Figures. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply examples of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, any specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the examples disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     The particular embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide assembly and methods directed to free-standing continuous wall assembly. In particular embodiments, the free-standing continuous wall assembly may be used for display, storage and/or advertising purposes and include two or more panels. In particular embodiments, the free-standing continuous wall assembly may be of a slatwall panel type. In particular embodiments, the free-standing continuous wall assembly may include panels of different types. 
     In particular embodiments, the components of the free-standing continuous wall assembly may be partially disassembled for storage and/or transport. A free-standing continuous wall assembly  10  comprises a plurality (two or more) of panels  12  disposed in a vertical plane during use of the free-standing continuous wall assembly  10 , two end members  20  essentially being upright, one or more intermediate members  70  also essentially being upright, and fasteners fastening ends of each panel  12  directly to one of the two end members  20  and one intermediate member  70  or directly to two intermediate members  70 . 
     Each of the plurality of panels  12  may define a one-piece continuous sheet having a uniform thickness throughout except for portions thereof occupied by at least one of apertures, channels, grooves and any combinations thereof. The thickness of each panel  12  may be any one of 0.13 inch, 0.25 inch, 0.375 inch, 0.5 inch, 0.63 inch, 0.75 inch and 1.00 inch. 
     Each panel  12  may be provided as any one of a 4 foot×8 foot sheet, a 4 foot×10 foot sheet, a 5 foot×8 foot sheet, and a 5 foot×10 foot sheet. 
     The one-piece continuous sheet may be one of a peg board, slat board, chalk board, cork board, magnetic board, dry-erase board and any combination thereof. 
     When each of the plurality of panels  12  is provided as a one-piece continuous sheet, such one-piece continuous sheet can be sufficiently flexible to develop a concave shape when being supported in a horizontal plane at a pair of opposite edges thereof. However, during use, when attached vertically to the end member  20  and/or intermediate members  70 , each of the plurality of panels  12  is prevented, by a combination of the end and intermediate members,  20  and  70  respectively, and attachment of the panels  12  thereto, from developing such concave shape and may be further prevented from tilting in a forward or a rearward direction when weight is attached to a front surface  14  thereof. 
     Each panel  12  has holes  16  formed through a thickness thereof adjacent each vertical edge  18  of the panel  12 . Each panel  12  may have only two holes  16 , each positioned adjacent a top and bottom edge of the panel  12 . Each panel  12  may have more than two holes  16  being disposed in a linear or a non-linear pattern adjacent each vertical edge  18 . 
     Each hole  16  may have any one of a round shape, an elongated shape, a non-round shape and any combination thereof 
     Each end member  20  includes a base portion  22 , an upright portion  40  upstanding on the base portion  22  mediate ends  24  and  26  thereof and a brace  60  having one end  62  connected to the base portion  22  and having an opposite end  64  thereof connected to the upright portion  40 . 
     The base portion  22  may have any cross-section in a plane normal to a length thereof including, without limitations, solid, closed hollow, for example such as a tubular shape or partially open, for example such as U-shape or L-shape of  FIG. 4 . The exemplary base portion  22  of  FIG. 4  has a pair of flanges, a horizontally disposed flange, referenced with a numeral  28 , and a vertically disposed flange, referenced with a numeral  30 , defining, in a combination with each other, the above referenced L-shaped cross-section. The base portion  22  interfaces with the surface (not shown) that the free-standing continuous wall assembly  10  upstands on and may also include conventional feet/levelers. 
     Now in reference to  FIG. 4 , the upright portion  40  has a bottom end  42  being connected and fastened to the vertically disposed flange  30 . Such bottom end  42  may be connected in a permanent manner, for example such as by welding, or in a releaseable manner, for example such as by fastening. When the connection is by way of fastening, the bottom end  42  is adapted with one or more apertures  44  and the flange  30  is adapted with one or more apertures  32  being aligned with one or more apertures  44  during assembly of the free-standing continuous wall assembly  10 . The longitudinally opposite end  46  of the upright portion  40  may be provided as a free end. The upright portion  40  also has a flange  48 . When a connection between the upright portion  40  and the panel  12  is by way of fastening, the flange  48  is adapted with two or more holes  50  formed through a thickness thereof and being positioned in a complimentary alignment with the two or more holes  16  in the panel  12 . The flange  48  does not have to be continuous along the length of the upright portion  40 . By way of an example only, the upright portion  40  may be provided as a tubular member (not shown) and the flange  48  may be defined by a plurality of tabs extending from an exterior surface of such tubular member and adapted with such hole  50 . 
     Each brace  60  defines a pair of ends  62 ,  64  and a main portion  66  disposed between the pair of ends  62 ,  64 . The main portion  66  may have, by way of one example only, an L-shaped cross-section in a plane transverse to a length thereof. One or both ends  62  and  64  may be flattened, each defining a pair of planar surfaces. When one or both ends  62  and  64  are flattened, each of the pair of flattened ends  62 ,  64  is inclined at an angle relative to the main portion  66 . The brace  60  may be permanently or releaseably attached to the base portion  22  and upright portion  40  meaning that one end of the brace  60 , referenced with numeral  62 , is connected permanently or releaseably, for example by fastening, during use, to the horizontally disposed flange  28  and that the opposite end  64  of the brace is connected, permanently or releaseably, for example by fastening, to the upright portion  40 . 
     When the brace  60  is adapted for a releaseable attachment, such attachment may be by way of fastening, wherein each of the pair of flattened ends  62 ,  64  has one or more apertures  68  formed through a thickness thereof and wherein complimentary apertures are provided in the base portion  22  and the upright portion  40 . 
     When the connection is by way of fastening, each end  62 ,  64  is adapted with one or more apertures  68 , the flange  28  is adapted with one or more apertures being aligned with one or more apertures  68  and upright portion  40  is adapted with one or more apertures. 
     The length of the brace  60  may be so selected that aperture  68  in the end  64  is aligned with the above described holes  16  and  50 . 
     The opposite end  64  may be connected at a distance from the base portion  22  of between forty and sixty percent of a length of the upright portion  40 , particular when the panel  12  is provided having a width of about four (4) feet) and a length of about eight (8) feet oriented in a vertical direction. 
     Each intermediate member  70  includes a base portion  72 , an upright portion  90  upstanding on the base portion  72  mediate ends  74  and  76  thereof and a brace  110  having one end  112  connected to the base portion  72  and having an opposite end  114  thereof connected to the upright portion  90 . The base portion  72  may be identical to the base portion  22 . 
     The base portion  72  may have any cross-section in a plane normal to a length thereof including, without limitations, solid, closed hollow by being manufactured from a tubular material or partially open, for example such as U-shape or L-shape of  FIGS. 3 and 5 . The exemplary base portion  72  has a pair of flanges, a horizontally disposed flange, referenced with a numeral  78  and a vertically disposed flange, referenced with a numeral  80 , defining, in a combination with each other, the above referenced L-shaped cross-section. 
     The upright portion  90  has a bottom end  92  being connected to the vertically disposed flange  80  of the base portion  72 . Such bottom end  92  may be connected in a permanent manner, for example such as by welding, or in a releaseable manner, for example such as by fastening. When the connection is by way of fastening, the bottom end  92  is adapted with one or more apertures  94  and the flange  80  is adapted with one or more apertures  82  being aligned with one or more apertures  94 . The longitudinally opposite end  96  of the upright portion  90  may be provided as a free end. The upright portion  90  may also have a pair of flanges  98 , each with two or more holes  102  formed through a thickness of each flange  98 , adjacent and along each vertical edge  100  thereof, in a complimentary alignment with the holes  16  in a respective panel  12 . The pair of flanges  98  may depend from a single upright portion  90 . The pair of flanges  98  may be provided as separate members, with the upright portion  90  being defined by a pair of separate members joined together prior to assembly so as to form a one-piece member. 
     The flanges  98  do not have to be continuous along the length of the upright portion  90 . By way of an example only, the upright portion  90  may be provided as a tubular member (not shown) and the flanges  98  may be defined by a plurality of tabs extending in opposite directions from an exterior surface of such tubular member and adapted with such hole  102 . 
     A front edge surface  104  of the upright portion  90  of each intermediate member  70  may protrude forward the front surface  14  of each panel  12 . 
     Each brace  110  defines a pair of ends  112 ,  114  and a main portion  116  disposed between the pair of ends  112 ,  114 . The main portion  116  may have, by way of one example only, an L-shaped cross-section in a plane transverse to a length thereof. 
     Each brace  60  defines a pair of ends  112 ,  114  and a main portion  116  disposed between the pair of ends  112 ,  114 . The main portion  116  may have, by way of one example only, an L-shaped cross-section in a plane transverse to a length thereof. One or both ends  112  and  114  may be flattened, each defining a pair of planar surfaces. When one or both ends  112  and  114  are flattened, each of the pair of flattened ends  112 ,  114  is inclined at an angle relative to the main portion  116 . The brace  110  may be permanently or releaseably attached to the base portion  72  and upright portion  90  meaning that one end of the brace  110 , referenced with numeral  112 , is connected permanently or releaseably, for example by fastening, during use, to the horizontally disposed flange  78  and that the opposite end  114  of the brace is connected, permanently or releaseably, for example by fastening, to the upright portion  90 . 
     When the brace  110  is adapted for a releaseable attachment, such attachment may be by way of fastening, wherein each of the pair of flattened ends  112 ,  114  has one or more apertures  118  formed through a thickness thereof and wherein complimentary apertures are provided in the base portion  72  and the upright portion  90  essentially in an identical manner as in the attachment of the above described brace  60 . 
     The length of the brace  110  may be so selected that aperture  118  in the end  114  is aligned with the above described holes  16  and  102 . 
     The opposite end  114  may be connected at a distance from the base portion  72  of between forty and sixty percent of a length of the upright portion  90 , particular when the panel  12  is provided having a width of about four (4) feet) and a length of about eight (8) feet oriented in a vertical direction. 
     In one example, the front end of the base portion  72 , referenced with numeral  74 , may protrude forward the front surface  14  of each panel  12  at a smaller distance than a front end  24  of the base portion  22  of the respective end member  20 . Such smaller distance may be less than three (3) inches or less than six (6) inches, while the front end  24  of the base portion  22  may protrude at a distance of about twelve (12) inches. 
     The rear end of the base portion  72 , referenced with numeral  76  and the rear end of the base portion  22 , referenced with numeral  26  may protrude at equal or different distanced from the rear surface  17  of the panel  12 . 
     When the connections are by way of fastening, the free-standing wall  10  includes pluralities of fasteners  120  at least passed through respectively aligned apertures in each panel  12 , two end members  20  and one or more intermediate members  70  or two intermediate members  70  and fastening each panel  12  directly thereto. The fasteners  120  may be of any type that allow for releaseable attachment, for example such as bolts  122  and nuts  124 . 
     The bottom edge  19  of each panel  12  may be spaced a distance from a surface (not shown) having the base portions  22  and  72  supported thereon. Any such distance is contemplated in this exemplary embodiment as long as the bottom edge  19  is not resting on the surface (not shown). 
     The free-standing wall assembly  10  may be so assembled and arranged that the plurality of panels  12  are disposed planar with each other to form a wall assembly that continuous in one plane, as is best illustrated in  FIGS. 1-2 . The free-standing continuous wall assembly  10  may be also assembled and arranged so that at least two of the plurality of panels  12  are disposed relative to each other at angles less than ninety (90) degrees or one hundred eighty (180) degrees, as is best illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Such free-standing wall assembly  10  of  FIG. 6  continues in more than one plane. When any panel is disposed at an angle less than ninety degrees, the free-standing continuous wall assembly  10  includes an intermediate upright  71  that includes at least one flange  98  disposed at such corresponding angle. In other words, one flange  98  may be inclined at an angle less than ninety degrees to the other flange. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the free-standing wall assembly  10  may be configured and provided without any braces spanning the width of the panels  12  and being connected at each end to the bases  22  and/or  72  and/or connecting upper free ends of the upright portions  40  and  90 . 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the free-standing wall assembly  10  may be configured and provided without any visible or noticeable gaps between a pair of adjacent panels  12  which may be advantageous in applications such as tradeshows. In other words, as is best illustrated in  FIGS. 3-5 , the vertically disposed edge of each panel  12  either abuts the surface of the corresponding upright portion or disclosed in a very close proximity thereto with the gap being any one of 0.125 inches, 0.25 inches, 0.38 inches, 0.500 inches, 0.63 inches, 0.75 inches, 0.88 inches and 1.00 inch. In some exemplary embodiments, the continuous flange of the upright portion prevents the light to pass through such gap. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the panel  12  may be composed of two or more sub-panels joined to a single upright portion or the upright portion may be provided in sections joined by a backing member (not shown). 
     In either exemplary embodiment, each panel  12  is prevented from tilting in a forward or a rearward direction when weight of up to two thousand (2,000) pounds is attached to the front surface  14  thereof. The weight is defined by all objects (not shown) hung from or attached to the panel  12  by various conventional accessories (not shown). 
     In either exemplary embodiment, a long edge of each panel  12  may be disposed either vertically or horizontally. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the base portion of each intermediate member  70  protrudes forward the front surface  14  of the panel  12  less than the respective base portion of the end member  40 , so as to minimize interference with a person attaching to ore removing objects from the front surface  14  of the panel  12 . 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the front and rear surfaces of the panel  12  may be provided as working surfaces, in a double-sided arrangement, allowing, for example, attachment of objects (not shown) from the front and rear of the free-standing continuous wall assembly  10 . 
     In either exemplary embodiment, the free-standing continuous wall assembly  10  may be composed of panels of different types. As is best exemplary illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 6 , such free-standing continuous wall assembly  10  comprises slat panels  12   a , a peg board  12   b , and a panel  12   c  that can have a dry-erase, a magnetic surface or any other continuous surface. 
     In either exemplary embodiment, the panel  12  is provided without any horizontal and/or vertical bracing members disposed between the vertical edges thereof on either the front or rear surface of the panel  12 . 
     In either exemplary embodiment, the panel  12  is supported only at vertical side edges thereof by the end and/or intermediate members. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the free-standing continuous wall assembly  10  has each panel  12  being only supported by the two end upright members  20  and one or more intermediate upright members  70 , wherein a bottom edge of each panel  12  is spaced from a surface having 10 free-standing continuous wall assembly  10  upstanding on. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates two panels  12   c  of the free-standing continuous wall assembly  10  of  FIGS. 1-2  in a position for storage and/or transport. The two panels  12   c  are stacked in a vertical direction. Any additional panels  12  will be further stacked in the vertical direction. The base portions  22 ,  72  and braces  60  and  110  may be positioned on the exposed surface of the upper most panel  12 . When the free-standing continuous wall assembly  10  is disassembled for storage and/or transport purposes, one end member  20  or one intermediate member may  70  remain attached to a respective panel  12 . Then, during subsequent re-assembly of the free-standing continuous wall assembly  10  at a different location, only an opposite end of most panels  12  has to be fastened to either the end member  20  or the intermediate member  70 . Furthermore, when neither the end member  20  nor the intermediate members  70  have to be disassembled when provided as including fastened components, such arrangement reduces the cost of assembly/disassembly effort and further enhances an economical method of manufacturing and providing the free-standing continuous wall assembly  10 . 
     To assemble the free-standing continuous wall assembly  10 , the upright portion is attached to the base portion and the brace is attached to both upright portion and the base portion. This is repeated for all end and intermediate members. Each panel is then attached to the end and/or intermediate members to define the free-standing continuous wall assembly  10 . It is also contemplated that the brace can be attached after attachment of the panel, particularly when upper end of the brace utilizes a common connection between the panel and the upright portion. It is further contemplated that the end and/or intermediate members may be partially or fully pre-assembled and even attached to one edge of the panel, as is best shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     When the free-standing continuous wall assembly  10  is upright, the objects are hung or attached to each panel either directly, as in an example of a dry-erase board type panel, or by conventional accessories to peg board and slatwall type panels. 
     Dis-assembly of the free-standing continuous wall assembly  10  for transport and/or storage purposes follows the reversed procedure. 
     The chosen exemplary embodiments of the claimed invention have been described and illustrated for practical purposes so as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same. It is therefore intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. It will be understood that variations, modifications, equivalents and substitutions for components of the specifically described exemplary embodiments of the invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
     Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specified function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6. In particular, any use of “step of” in the claims is no intended to invoke the provision of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6. 
     Furthermore, the Abstract is not intended to be limiting as to the scope of the claimed invention and is for the purpose of quickly determining the nature of the claimed invention.