Patent Publication Number: US-8522488-B1

Title: Headwall with integral wall panel interface

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure is related to systems and methods for delivering services, energy, and data within a hospital room. More specifically, the present disclosure is related to a modular architectural room system for delivering gases, electrical energy, and data to a hospital room and an associated method of configuring and assembling the modular architectural room system. 
     Clinical care settings, such as a hospital room, for example, serve a two-fold purpose of delivering healthcare services. In the first instance, the hospital room serves as an area for delivery of medical care. In the second instance, the hospital room serves as a residence for a recuperating patient. 
     With regard to the delivery of healthcare services, the hospital room must include state of the art technology accessible to the healthcare provider during the delivery of care. As the acuity of a patient&#39;s illness or injury increases, the complexity of additional equipment required to assist with the delivery of care increases. The vital signs of a patient are taken on a regular basis. In a critical care/intensive care unit, other monitoring equipment and service delivery equipment is required. For example, vital signs monitoring may be required in conjunction with ventilation equipment. Generally, the support for the equipment is positioned at the head end of the bed in an architectural headwall unit. For example, gases such as oxygen and compressed air may be delivered to the patient room. A vacuum line may also be provided. Electrical service outlets may also be provided with certain devices being connected to power circuits including emergency back-up for critical devices. The architectural headwall units may also provide central lighting controls and may be configured to provide support for healthcare equipment such as monitoring devices and fluid collection canisters. 
     The delivery of gases and power and the support of healthcare equipment tend to cause the headwall area of a patient room to appear more clinically oriented than residential. In order to provide a more aesthetically pleasing environment for recuperation, hospitals are known to utilize structures within the room constructed employing wood grains and configured with gas and electrical outlets. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present application discloses one or more of the features recited in the appended claims and/or the following features which, alone or in any combination, may comprise patentable subject matter: 
     According to a first aspect of the present application, a modular architectural system for use in a healthcare facility room is disclosed. The illustrative healthcare facility room has a finished wall including studs and facing sheets covering the studs. The modular architectural system may include a service unit and a wall-masking panel. The service unit may include a plurality of modular panels and at least one service outlet coupled to at least one of the modular panels. The wall-masking panel may be adapted to extend over the drywall sheets of the finished wall. The wall-masking panel may have a front surface, a back surface facing away from the front surface, and an interface surface arranged to extend between and interconnect the front surface and the back surface. The interface surface may be formed to include a groove that extends into the wall-masking panel between the front surface and the back surface. The wall-masking panel may be spaced apart from and arranged along an edge of the service unit with the interface surface facing the service unit. 
     In some embodiments, the modular architectural system may include an interface strip. The interface strip may be coupled to the service unit and arranged along the edge of the service unit between the service unit and the wall-masking panel to interconnect the service unit and the wall-masking panel. The interface strip may be formed to include a tongue that extends into the groove formed in the interface surface of the wall-masking panel and a flange that extends along the front face of the wall-masking panel to cover a portion of the front face. 
     In some embodiments, the interface strip may include an accessory track forming a C-shape. The C-shape of the accessory track may form an opening facing away from the back surface of the wall-masking panel. 
     In some embodiments, the service unit may include a frame and a brace coupled to the frame and coupled to the interface strip. The brace may be coupled to the interface strip by a fastener extending through the interface strip and the brace. The brace may be L-shaped. 
     In some embodiments, the flange may extend directly from the accessory track. The flange may be L-shaped. 
     In some embodiments, the interface strip may be formed to include a bracket and the tongue may extend directly from the bracket. The accessory track may extend directly from the bracket. The flange may extend directly from the accessory track. The bracket may extend along the entire interface surface of the wall-masking panel. The interface strip may be coupled to the service unit by a fastener that extends through the accessory track and the bracket. 
     In some embodiments, the service outlet may be a medical gas outlet. The groove formed in the interface surface of the wall-masking panel may be located about mid-way between the front surface and the back surface of the wall-masking panel. In some embodiments, the accessory track may be D-shaped. 
     According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a modular architectural system for use in a healthcare facility room is disclosed. The modular architectural system may include a service unit and a wall-masking panel. The service unit may include a plurality of modular panels and at least one service outlet mounted in at least one of the plurality of modular panels. The wall-masking panel may have a front surface, a back surface, and an interface surface. The back surface may be spaced apart from and may face away from the front surface. The interface surface may be arranged to extend between and interconnect the front surface and the back surface. The interface surface may be formed to include a groove that extends into the wall-masking panel between the front surface and the back surface. 
     In some embodiments, the modular architectural system may include a monolithic interface strip. The interface strip may be formed to include a tongue, a flange, and a bracket. The tongue may be arranged to extend in to the groove of the wall-masking panel. The flange may be arranged to extend over a portion of the front surface of the masking panel. The bracket may be arranged to extend along the interface surface of the wall-masking panel and to interconnecting the tongue and the flange. It is contemplated that, the bracket may extend along substantially the entire interface surface of the wall-masking panel. 
     In some embodiments, the monolithic interface strip may include a C-shaped accessory rail. The C-shaped accessory rail may include a rear wall, a top wall extending from the rear wall, and a bottom wall spaced apart from the top wall and extending from the rear wall. The rear wall may be formed to include a hole sized to receive a fastener. 
     In some embodiments, the flange may extend directly from the C-shaped accessory rail. The tongue may extend directly from the bracket. 
     In some embodiments, the service unit may include a frame and a L-shaped brace coupled to the frame. The L-shaped brace may be formed to include a hole arranged in line with the hole of the C-shaped accessory rail. 
     Additional features, which alone or in combination with any other feature(s), including those listed above and those listed in the claims, may comprise patentable subject matter and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a modular architectural room system positioned in a patient room embodied as a multi-unit head wall including two in-wall units with power outlets, service outlets, and an information screen; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one of the in-wall units of  FIG. 1  showing the in-wall unit removed from a wall of the patient room, and showing that the in wall unit includes a service unit supporting the outlets and screen, a wall-masking panel adapted to cover the studs of the wall, and a interface strip formed to include an accessory track that extends around the service unit; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the in-wall unit of  FIG. 1  showing that the interface strip is formed to include a flange that extends over a portion of the wall-masking panel to cover any gap between the service unit and the wall-masking panel created during room construction, and showing that the interface strip is formed to include a tongue that extends into a groove formed in the wall-masking panel to couple the interface strip to the wall-masking panel; 
         FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view of a first alternative interface strip without an accessory track; 
         FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of another alternative interface strip with a D-shaped accessory track formed to include channels; 
         FIG. 3C  is a cross-sectional view of yet another alternative interface strip with a D-shaped accessory track with teeth; 
         FIG. 3D  is a cross-sectional view of still another alternative interface strip with a D-shaped accessory track and configured to receive the wall-masking panel in a U-shaped opening; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another modular architectural room system positioned in a patient room embodied as head wall including an on-wall unit with power outlets, service outlets, and an information screen; 
         FIG. 4A  is a partial perspective view of the on-wall unit of  FIG. 4  showing that the on-wall unit extends out from the wall of the patient room; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of one on-wall unit of the modular architectural room system shown in  FIG. 4  with the in-wall unit removed from a wall of the patient room showing that, similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 , the on-wall unit includes a service unit, a wall-masking panel adapted to cover the studs of the wall, and a interface strip formed to include an accessory track that extends around the service unit; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the in-wall unit of  FIG. 4  showing that the interface strip is formed to include a flange that extends over a portion of the wall-masking panel to cover any gap between the service unit and the wall-masking panel created during room construction, and showing that the interface strip is formed to include a tongue that extends into a groove formed in the wall-masking panel to couple the interface strip to the wall-masking panel; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial perspective view of another modular architectural room system embodied as head wall including a double-sided unit with outlets arranged on opposing sides of a patient room wall; and 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the in-wall unit of  FIG. 7  showing that the double sided unit includes a service unit, wall-masking panels adapted to cover the studs of the wall, and interface strips formed to include accessory tracks that extends around the service units, and showing that the interface strips are formed to include flanges that extends over portions of the wall-masking panels to cover any gap between the service unit and the wall-masking panels created during room construction, and showing that the interface strips are formed to include tongues that extends into grooves formed in the wall-masking panels to couple the interface strips to the wall-masking panels. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a modular architectural room system is embodied as an in-wall head wall  10  (sometimes called a console or wall console) installed onto a finished wall  12  of a health facility room  14 . The in-wall head wall  10  is positioned in the room  14  at the head end  16  of a hospital bed  18  and provides service outlets  28 , for use in the room  14 . The in-wall head wall  10  illustratively includes two service units  20 ,  22  that are constructed so as to extend into the finished wall  12 , wall-masking panels  24  that cover portions of the finished wall  12  for aesthetic affect, and interface strips  26  that interconnect the service units  20 ,  22  and the wall-masking panels  24 . 
     The interface strips  26  are located between and are coupled to both the service units  20 ,  22  and the wall-masking panels  24  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The interface strips  26  each have a flange  74  that covers any gaps formed between the service units  20 ,  22  and the wall-masking panels  24  during construction of the in-wall head wall  10  to provide a finished look to the head wall  10 . The interface strips  26  also cover any gaps formed between the service units  20 ,  22  and the finished wall  12  during construction of the head wall  10 . In the illustrative embodiment, the interface strips  26  are formed to include accessory tracks  32  for mounting accessories such as shelves, baskets, IV poles and the like to the head wall  10 . 
     The service units  20 ,  22  are framed by the interface strips  26 . Each service unit  20 ,  22  includes service outlets  28 ,  30 , information screen  31 , and modular panels  36 ,  37 ,  38  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The service outlets  28 ,  30  are illustratively power outlets  28  and medical gas outlets  30  for use in the health facility room  14 . Medical gas outlets  30  may be coupled to sources of pressurized oxygen, pressurized air, vacuum air, and the like located outside of the room  14 . The information screen  31  is illustratively configured to display patient, device, and or health facility information. The modular panels  36 ,  37 ,  38  support the service outlets  28 ,  30  and the information screen  31 . Other modular panels (not shown) may be swapped into the service units  20  in place of the modular panels  36 ,  37 ,  38  to provide other outlet configurations or different types of service outlets, such as data connection outlets. 
     The wall-masking panels  24  are coupled to the service units  20 ,  22  by the interface strips  26  and are coupled to one another by support strips  25  that extend between adjacent wall-masking panels  24  as shown, for example, in  FIG. 1 . The interface strips  26  engage the wall-masking panels  24  via a tongue-and-groove connection  35  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). The support strips  25  also engage the wall-masking panels  24  via a tongue-and-groove connection (not shown). The wall-masking panels  24  are illustratively rectangular and arranged in spaced apart relation to one another to form a grid pattern. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , a portion of the in-wall head wall  10  is shown removed from the finished wall  12 . The finished wall  12  illustratively includes studs  40  and facing sheets  42  (illustratively drywall sheets) coupled to the studs  40 . In other embodiments, the finished wall  12  may not include facing sheets  42 , in particular in embodiments wherein the in-wall head wall  10  covers an entire side of the room  14 . The finished wall  12  also includes a header  44  and a sill  46  extending between two studs  40  to define an opening  48  sized to receive the service unit  22  as shown, for example, in  FIG. 2 . A portion of the facing sheets  42  corresponding to the opening  48  is removed to allow the service unit  22  to be inserted in to the opening  48  as suggested in  FIG. 2 . 
     As suggested in  FIG. 2 , the service unit  22  includes a frame  50  with a vertical columns  52  and horizontal columns  54 . The frame  50  is inserted into the opening  48  formed in the finished wall  12  and is secured to the studs  40  and the sill  46  of the finished wall  12  by a plurality of threaded fasteners  51 . The frame  50  is coupled to the modular panels  36 ,  37 ,  38  and supports the modular panels  36 ,  37 ,  38  relative to the finished wall  12 . 
     The wall-masking panels  24  extend over and cover the facing sheets  42  as suggested in  FIG. 2 . In the illustrative embodiment, the wall-masking panels  24  are supported by the support strips  25  and the interface strips  26  such that the wall-masking panels  24  are not directly coupled to the finished wall  12  as suggested in  FIG. 2 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a cross-sectional view of a portion of the in-wall head wall  10  and the finished wall  12  shows the connection of the interface strip  26  with the service unit  22  and the wall-masking panel  24 . In particular, the interface strip  26  is coupled to the service unit  22  by a threaded fastener  56  and to the wall-masking panel  24  by the tongue-and-groove connection  35 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the service unit  22  includes a brace  60  coupled to the interface strip  26  by the fastener  56  and to the frame  50  so that the interface strip  26  is secured to the frame  50 . The brace  60  is illustratively L-shaped and includes a first leg  62  coupled to the frame  50  and a second leg  64  coupled to the interface strip  26  by the fastener  56 . 
     The wall-masking panel  24  extends parallel to the facing sheet  42  to cover the facing sheet  42  and is spaced apart from the facing sheet  42  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The wall-masking panels  24  each include a front surface  66 , a back surface  68  facing away from the front surface  66 , and an interface surface  70  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The interface surface  70  is arranged to extend between and interconnect the front surface  66  and the back surface  68 . The interface surface  70  is formed to include the groove  58  that extends into the wall-masking panel  24  about mid way between the front surface  66  and the back surface  68 . The wall-masking panel  24  is illustratively spaced apart from and arranged along the service unit  22  with the interface surface  70  facing the service unit  22  as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     The interface strip  26  is formed to include a tongue  72 , a flange  74 , a bracket  76 , and the accessory track  32  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The tongue  72  extends directly from the bracket  76  into the groove  58  formed in the interface surface  70  of the wall-masking panel  24  to form the tongue-and-groove connection  35 . The flange  74  is illustratively L-shaped and extends parallel to the front surface  66  of the wall-masking panel  24  to cover a portion  78  of the front surface  66  adjacent to the interface surface  70  of the wall-masking panel  24 . The bracket  76  is illustratively C-shaped and extends along substantially the entire interface surface  70  of the wall-masking panel  24 . The bracket  76  is also formed to include a hole  77  sized to receive the fastener  56 . 
     The interface strip  26  is illustratively a monolithic extruded aluminum component. In other embodiments, the interface strip  26  may be made from multiple pieces and/or from other materials. In still other embodiments, the interface strip  26 , the brace  60 , and the corresponding column  52 ,  54  of the frame  50  may be formed as one monolithic extruded side member (not shown); in such embodiments, the modular panels  36 ,  37 ,  38  of the service units  20 ,  22  may be coupled directly to the monolithic side members. 
     The accessory track  32  is illustratively C-shaped forming an opening  80  that opens facing away from the back surface  68  of the wall-masking panel  24  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The accessory track  32  includes a rear wall  82 , a top wall  84 , and a bottom wall  86 . The top wall extends from the rear wall  82  perpendicular to the rear wall  82 . The bottom wall  86  is spaced apart from the top wall  84  and extends from the rear wall  82  perpendicular to the rear wall  82 . The rear wall  82  is also formed to include a threaded hole  87  sized to receive the fastener  56  and is aligned with the hole  77  formed in the bracket  76 . 
     The accessory track  32  also includes a top strut  88 , a bottom strut  90 , a top tooth  92 , and a bottom tooth  94  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The top strut  88  extends from the top wall  84  toward the bottom wall  86  and is spaced apart from the rear wall  82 . The bottom strut  90  extends from the bottom wall  86  toward the top wall  84  and is also spaced apart from the rear wall  82 . The top tooth  92  extends from the top wall  84  away from the rear wall  82  and away from the bottom wall  86 . The bottom tooth  94  extends from the bottom wall  86  away from the rear wall  82  and away from the top wall  84 . 
     In some embodiments, a cover strip  96  may be coupled to the accessory track  32  to cover the accessory track  32  when not in use as shown in  FIG. 3 . In the illustrative embodiment, the cover strip  96  is located between the top tooth  92  and the bottom tooth  94  of the accessory track  32  and covers the opening  80  of the accessory track  32 . The cover strip  96  is illustratively made from high pressure laminate (HPL) material but in other embodiments may be made from any other suitable material. 
     In an alternative embodiment, an interface strip  126  without an accessory track (as shown in  FIG. 3A ) may be used in place of the interface strip  26 . The alternative interface strip  126  is similar to the interface strip  26  and similar reference numbers in the 100 series indicate similar features described above, the description of which is incorporated by reference. However, unlike the interface strip  26 , the flange  174  of the alternative interface strip  126  extends directly from the bracket  176  which is rectangular in shape. Also, the threaded hole  187  is formed through the bracket  176  as shown in  FIG. 3A . 
     In another alternative embodiment, an interface strip  226  with a D-shaped accessory track  232  and no teeth (as shown in  FIG. 3B ) may be used in place of the interface strip  26 . The alternative interface strip  226  is similar to the interface strip  26  and similar reference numbers in the 200 series indicate similar features described above, the description of which is incorporated by reference. However, unlike the interface strip  26 , the flange accessory track  232  is D-shaped and includes a rear wall  282 , a top wall  284 , a bottom wall  286 , and a front wall  288 . The rear wall  282  is formed to include a hole  287  sized to receive the fastener  56  and the front wall  288  is formed to include a hole  297  as shown in  FIG. 3B . The holes  287 ,  297  are aligned with the hole  77  formed in the bracket  76 . The alternative interface strip  226  also includes channels  292  and  294  that extend inwardly toward one another from the top wall  284  and the bottom wall  286  as shown in  FIG. 3B . 
     In still another alternative embodiment, an interface strip  326  with a D-shaped accessory track  332  and teeth  392 ,  394  (as shown in  FIG. 3C ) may be used in place of the interface strip  26 . The alternative interface strip  326  is similar to the interface strip  26  and similar reference numbers in the 300 series indicate similar features described above, the description of which is incorporated by reference. However, unlike the interface strip  26 , the flange accessory track  332  is D-shaped and includes a rear wall  382 , a top wall  384 , a bottom wall  386 , and a front wall  388 . The rear wall  382  is formed to include a hole  387  sized to receive the fastener  56  and the front wall  388  is formed to include a hole  397  as shown in  FIG. 3C . The holes  387 ,  397  are aligned with the hole  77  formed in the bracket  76 . 
     In yet alternative embodiment, an interface strip  426  for use with a wall-masking panel  424  without a groove (as shown in  FIG. 3A ) may be used in place of the interface strip  26 . The alternative interface strip  426  is similar to the interface strip  26  and similar reference numbers in the 400 series indicate similar features described above, the description of which is incorporated by reference. However, unlike the interface strip  26 , the tongue  472  of the alternative interface strip  426  is arranged to extend along a portion of the back surface  468  of the wall-masking panel  424  so that the wall-masking panel  424  is received in a U-shaped opening formed by the tongue  472 , the flange  474 , and the bracket  476  as shown in  FIG. 3D . 
     Also, the illustrative head wall  10  includes a gap filler  98  coupled to the service unit  22  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The gap filler  98  is flexible and may be located between the modular panels  36 ,  37 ,  38  and the interface strip  26  to cover any gap between the modular panels  36 ,  37 ,  38  and the interface strip  26 . In the illustrative embodiment, the first leg  62  of the brace  60  has a jog  99  that provides room for the gap filler  98  to be coupled to the service unit  22  between the first leg  62  and the modular panels  36 ,  37 ,  38  as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4-6  a second embodiment of the modular architectural system is shown. Specifically, the second modular architectural system is an on-wall head wall  10 ′ adapted to be mounted on a finished wall  12 ′ in a health facility room  14 ′ as shown in  FIG. 4 . The on-wall head wall  10 ′ is similar to the in-wall head wall  10  and similar reference numbers in the (&#39;) series indicate similar features described above, the description of which is incorporated by reference. However, the on-wall head wall  10 ′ includes a service unit  22 ′ that is mounted on the finished wall  12 ′ and is positioned outside of the finished wall  12 ′ (as suggested in  FIG. 4A ) rather than extending into the finished wall  12 ′. The service unit  22 ′ is mounted to the finished wall  12 ′ over the facing sheets  42 ′ via brackets  43 ′ that are secured to the studs  40 ′ as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     To accommodate the service unit  22 ′ extending out of the finished wall  12 ′, the interface strip  26 ′ is modified as shown in  FIG. 6 . The interface strips  26 ′ function in a manner similar to the interface strips  26  described above. 
     The interface strip  26 ′ is formed to include a tongue  72 ′, a flange  74 ′, a bracket  76 ′, and an accessory track  32 ′ as shown in  FIG. 6 . The tongue  72 ′ is similar to the tongue  72  and extends into the groove  58 ′ of the wall-masking panel  24 ′. 
     The flange  74 ′ extends from the accessory track  32 ′ toward the front surface  66 ′ of the wall-masking panel  24 ′ at an angle as shown in  FIG. 6 . The flange  74 ′ covers a portion  78 ′ of the front surface  66 ′ adjacent to the interface surface  70 ′ of the wall-masking panel  24 ′. 
     The bracket  76 ′ includes a number of branches  81 ′,  83 ′,  85 ′ as shown in  FIG. 6 . The first branch  81 ′ extends along substantially the entire interface surface  70 ′ of the wall-masking panel  24 ′. The second branch  83 ′ extends from and perpendicular to the first branch  81 ′ and supports the flange  74 ′ between the accessory track  32 ′ and the wall-masking panel  24 ′. The third branch  85 ′ extends from and perpendicular to the second branch  83 ′ and is received in a groove  95 ′ of a stabilizer block  91 ′ included in the service unit  22 ′. The stabilizer block  91 ′ is coupled to the frame  50 ′ of the service unit  22 ′ as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     The accessory track  32 ′ is illustratively C-shaped forming an opening  80 ′ that opens opposite the back surface  68 ′ of the wall-masking panel  24 ′ as shown in  FIG. 6 . The accessory track  32 ′ includes a rear wall  82 ′, a top wall  84 ′, and a bottom wall  86 ′. The rear wall  82 ′ is also formed to include a threaded hole  87 ′ sized to receive the fastener  56 ′ and is aligned with the hole  77 ′ formed in the bracket  76 ′. The rear wall  82 ′ contacts the bracket  76 ′ when the interface strip  26 ′ is coupled to the service unit  22 ′ by the fastener  56 ′ as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7 and 8  a third embodiment of the modular architectural system is shown. Specifically, the third modular architectural system is a double-sided head wall  10 ″ adapted to be mounted on a finished wall  12 ″ in a health facility room  14 ″ as shown in  FIG. 7 . The double-sided head wall  10 ″ is similar to the in-wall head wall  10  and similar reference numbers in the (“) series indicate similar features described above, the description of which is incorporated by reference. However, the double-sided head wall  10 ” includes a service unit  22 ″ that extends through opposite sides of the finished wall  12 ″ and is configured to support service outlets  28 ″,  30 ″ on the opposite sides of the finished wall  12 ″ as suggested in  FIG. 7 . 
     To accommodate the service unit  22 ″ extending through (and partially out of) the finished wall  12 ″, the interface strip  26 ″ is modified as shown in  FIG. 8 . The interface strips  26 ″ function in a manner similar to the interface strips  26  described above. 
     The interface strip  26 ″ is duplicated on both sides of the finished wall  12 ″ and each interface strip  26 ″ is formed to include a tongue  72 ′, a flange  74 ′, a bracket  76 ′, and an accessory track  32 ″ as shown in  FIG. 8 . The tongue  72 ″ is similar to the tongue  72  and extends into the groove  58 ″ of the wall-masking panel  24 ″. 
     The flange  74 ″ is illustratively L-shaped and extends from the accessory track  32 ″ toward the front surface  66 ″ of the wall-masking panel  24 ″ as shown in  FIG. 8 . The flange  74 ″ covers a portion  78 ″ of the front surface  66 ″ adjacent to the interface surface  70 ″ of the wall-masking panel  24 ″. 
     The bracket  76 ″ includes branches  81 ′ and  83 ′ as shown in  FIG. 8 . The first branch  81 ″ extends along substantially the entire interface surface  70 ″ of the wall-masking panel  24 ″. The second branch  83 ″ extends from the first branch  81 ″ at an angle and is directly connected to both the flange  74 ″ and the accessory track  32 ″. 
     The accessory track  32 ″ is illustratively C-shaped forming an opening  80 ″ that opens opposite the back surface  68 ″ of a corresponding wall-masking panel  24 ″ as shown in  FIG. 8 . The accessory track  32 ″ includes a rear wall  82 ″, a top wall  84 ″, and a bottom wall  86 ″. The rear wall  82 ″ is formed to include a threaded hole  87 ″ sized to receive the fastener  56 ″ and is aligned with the hole  77 ″ formed in a corresponding bracket  76 ″. The rear wall  82 ″ contacts the corresponding bracket  76 ″ when the interface strip  26 ″ is coupled to the service unit  22 ″ by the fastener  56 ″ as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     Although certain illustrative embodiments have been described in detail above, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of this disclosure as described and as defined in the following claims.