Patent Publication Number: US-8534021-B2

Title: Variable width module office furniture partition

Description:
SCOPE OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to modular office partitions which can be joined together to form dividing wall structures and, more particularly, to office partitions in which the same modular frame may be used to provide partitions having different widths. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Modular office partitions are well known as being modular partitions which can be joined together to form dividing wall structures as in an office environment. Office partitions are known which have removable covers and have capability for passage of wiring including data cables and electrical wiring internally therethrough. It is known to be advantageous to provide office partitioning systems which include compatible and connectable partitions having different widths as to provide for a pleasing appearance and to provide different capabilities for passage of wiring, structural support and the coupling of accessories. 
     The present inventors have appreciated the disadvantage that presently known partitions which have different widths are constructed with different internal frame structures. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To at least partially overcome this disadvantage of previously known partitions, the present invention provides a partition having a skeleton frame with opposed faces covered by a plurality of covers with each cover being removably coupled to the frame in either a remote position or in a proximate position such that the partition will have a first width when the covers are connected to the frame in the proximate position and a second width greater than the first width when the covers are connected to the frame in the remote position. Preferably, the covers are removably mounted to the frame via cover retaining clips with the clips being removable from the frame and the clips being provided as wider and narrower clips so as to mount each cover in either the remote position or the proximate position. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a construction for a partition which utilizes a common central frame upon which covers can be removably mounted in different positions from the frame so as to provide resultant partitions with different widths. 
     Another object is to provide a novel rail as a frame member for use in a frame of a partition. 
     Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention provides a freestanding, portable variable width partition for open offices spaces, comprising: 
     a skeleton frame having two opposite faces, a foot portion adapted to abuttingly support said partition on a floor surface, and orthogonally related top, bottom and two end edges, at least one of said two end edges being shaped for direct connection with a corresponding end edge on an adjacent partition to create a substantially freestanding utility panel system; 
     said skeleton frame including spaced apart, parallel vertical frame members and spaced apart, parallel horizontal frame members that extend generally orthogonally to said vertical frame members, said vertical frame members being rigidly secured to at least one of the horizontal frame members, and said horizontal frame members being rigidly secured to at least one of the vertical frame members, 
     a plurality of covers, each cover shaped to cover at least a portion of one of the faces of said skeleton frame, each cover being detachably connected with said skeleton frame to provide ready access to an interior portion of said partition, 
     said two opposite faces of the skeleton frame comprise a front face and a rear face, 
     the covers comprises at least one front cover to cover the front face and at least one rear cover to cover the rear face, 
     each cover is detachably connected to frame in one of two positions, a first proximate position and a second remote position, in both the first proximate position and the second remote position each cover covers the same respective portion of one of the faces, 
     each front cover in the remote position is spaced forwardly from the frame a greater extent than when the front cover is in the proximate position, 
     each rear cover in the remote position is spaced rearwardly from the frame a greater extent than when the rear cover is in the proximate position, 
     the at least one front cover having a forwardly directed surface forming a front face of the partition when the front cover is connected to the frame in the proximate position and the remote position, the at least one rear cover having a rearwardly directed surface forming a rear face of the partition when the rear cover is connected to the frame in the proximate position and the remote position, 
     the partition having a width from the front face of the partition to the rear face of the partition, 
     wherein with the each said front cover and each said rear cover connected to the frame in the proximate position the width of the frame is a first width, and with the each said front cover and each said rear cover connected to the frame in the remote position the width of the frame is a second width greater than the first width. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a pictorial view of an assembled modular office furniture system utilizing partitions in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the frame of one partition of the type shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a post of the frame shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of a rail of the frame of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional end view of the rail of  FIG. 4  along section line  5 - 5 ′; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a leg assembly of the partition shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of a cover retaining intermediate wide clip; 
         FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of a cover retaining top wide clip; 
         FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of a cover retaining bottom wide clip; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing the bottom wide clip of  FIG. 9  as secured to a foot assembly of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a front perspective view of the frame of  FIG. 2  with wide clips as shown in  FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  9  secured thereto; 
         FIG. 12  is a front perspective view of the frame of  FIG. 11  with covers secured to the frame by the wide clips; 
         FIG. 13  is an end view of the frame shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a front perspective view of a cover retaining intermediate narrow clip; 
         FIG. 15  is a front perspective view of a cover retaining top narrow clip; 
         FIG. 16  is a front perspective view of a cover retaining bottom narrow clip; 
         FIG. 17  is a front perspective view of the frame of  FIG. 2  with narrow clips as shown in  FIGS. 14 ,  15  and  16  secured thereto; 
         FIG. 18  is a front perspective view of the frame of  FIG. 17  with covers secured to the frame by the narrow clips; 
         FIG. 19  is an end view of the frame shown in  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional end view of the wide partition shown in  FIG. 12  along section line A-A′ in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional end view of the narrow partition shown in  FIG. 18  along section line B-B′ in  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a pictorial view of a reversible 90 degree corner connector for connecting partitions of the same width; 
         FIG. 23  is a schematic top view showing a reversible corner connector of  FIG. 22  connecting two wide partitions; 
         FIG. 24  is a schematic top view showing a reversible corner connector of  FIG. 22  connecting two narrow partitions; 
         FIG. 25  is a front pictorial view of a 90 degree corner connector for connecting a narrow partition to a wide partition; 
         FIG. 26  is a schematic top view showing the narrow to wide corner connector of  FIG. 25  connecting a narrow partition to a wide partition; 
         FIG. 27  is a partial pictorial view of a frame for a partition in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 28  is a schematic end view of the frame of  FIG. 27  showing covers coupled to one side thereof by wide clips; 
         FIG. 29  is an end view the same as  FIG. 28  but with narrow clips; 
         FIG. 30  is a schematic end view of the frame of  FIG. 27  shown in the manner in which a cover is removably engaged with the clips on the frame; and 
         FIG. 31  shows a schematic horizontal cross-sectional view of a partition in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 1  which shows a modular office furniture system utilizing a plurality of partitions  10  to divide an office space and, for example, to provide support for various structures including desks  945 ,  946  and  947  and an overhead storage bin  920 . 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 2  which shows a first embodiment of a frame  12  for one of the partitions  10  shown in  FIG. 1 . The frame  12  includes vertical frame members or posts  1  and horizontal frame members or rails  2 . The posts  1  and rails  2  are rigidly connected together to form the frame with each end of each rail  2  connected to one of the posts  1 . The frame  12  forms a skeleton frame having two opposite faces indicated as a front face  14  and a rear face  15 . The frame  12  is to be considered to be rectangular having a top edge  16 , a bottom edge  17 , a first end edge  18  and a second end edge  19  with the edges orthogonally related. The two end edges  18  and  19  are shaped and adapted for direct connection with the corresponding end edge of a similar frame  12  on an adjacent partition  10  as seen in  FIG. 1  to create a substantially free standing utility panel system. The posts  1  comprise parallel vertical frame members which are spaced apart. The rails  2  comprise identical horizontal frame members that extend orthogonally to the posts  1 . The rails  2  are U-shaped in cross-section with the U shape of a lowermost rail  2  directed downwardly and the U shape of the other rails directed upwardly. Proximate the bottom edge  17 , the frame  12  has foot portions  20  and  21  comprising the lowermost end of the posts  1  which are adapted to abuttingly support the frame  12  on a floor surface. Leg assemblies  22  as shown in  FIG. 6  are adapted to be secured to the foot portions  20  and  21  of each of the posts  1  to support the frame on a floor surface. As seen in  FIG. 6 , the leg assembly  22  includes an L-shaped support member  23  upon which a foot  24  is threadably mounted such that rotation of the foot  24  provides for adjustment of height of each post  1 . 
     Reference is made to  FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  9  which illustrate cover retaining wide clips adapted to be secured to the frame  12  of  FIG. 2  in a manner as shown in  FIG. 11 . The wide clips comprise, as seen in  FIG. 7 , a cover retaining intermediate wide clip  101 , as seen in  FIG. 8 , a cover retaining top wide clip  102  and, as seen in  FIG. 9 , a cover retaining bottom wide clip  103 . As seen in  FIG. 11 , each of the wide clips is secured to the frame  12  adjacent an inside surface  26  of each post  1 . A pair of top wide clips  102  are secured to an uppermost of the rails  2  proximate the top edge  16 . A pair of the bottom wide clips  103  are secured to the leg assemblies  22  proximate a bottom-most rail at the bottom edge  17 . A pair of intermediate wide clips  101  are provided on each of the rails  2  intermediate the uppermost rail and the bottom rail. 
     As seen in  FIG. 12 , a plurality of cladding covers  5  are removably coupled to the frame  12  outwardly of the rails  2  by engagement between each cover  5  and respective of the wide clips  101 ,  102  and  103 . Each cover  5  is shaped to cover at least a portion of one of the faces of the frame  12 . Each cover  5  is detachably connected with the frame by means of the clips to provide ready access to the frame and thus to interior portions of the partition  10 . As seen in  FIG. 12 , the covers are provided to cover the front face  14  of the frame  12  and, as well, to cover the rear face  15  of the frame. Each cover  5  is either a front cover  5 F or a rear cover  5 R. In some locations in the Figures, reference  5 F is used to identify a cover  5  that is a front cover which covers the front face  14  of the frame and forms a front face of the partition  10  when the front cover  5 F is connected to the frame  12 . In some locations in the Figures, reference  5 R is used to identify a cover that is a rear cover that covers the rear face of the frame and forms a front face of the partition when the rear cover  5 R is connected to the frame. Each front cover  5 F has a forwardly directed surface  28  which forms the front face of the partition. Each rear cover  5 R has a rearwardly directed surface  29  forming a rear face of the partition  10  when the rear cover  5 R is connected to the frame  12 .  FIG. 13  shows an end view of the wide partition shown in  FIG. 12 . The wide partition  10  is shown as having a width W 1  from the front face  28  of the partition to the rear face  29  of the partition. 
     Reference is made to  FIGS. 14 ,  15  and  16  which show a second set of cover retaining clips which are narrow clips and are adapted to be substituted for the wide clips illustrated in  FIGS. 7 to 13 .  FIG. 14  shows a cover retaining intermediate narrow clip  201 .  FIG. 15  shows a cover retaining top narrow clip  202 .  FIG. 13  shows a cover retaining bottom narrow clip  203 .  FIG. 17  shows the frame of  FIG. 2  with the narrow clips  201 ,  202  and  203  coupled thereto in an analogous manner to that in which the wide clips  101 ,  102  and  103  are shown as coupled to the frame in  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 18  shows the same covers  5  as illustrated in  FIG. 12  applied to the frame as shown in  FIG. 17  by connection with the narrow clips  201 ,  202  and  203 .  FIG. 19  is an end view of the frame shown in  FIG. 18  and showing a narrow partition having a width W 2  between the front face  28  of the partition and the rear face  29  of the partition. 
     Reference is made to  FIGS. 20 and 21  which, for convenience, are located adjacent each other on the same drawing sheet and of the same scale.  FIG. 20  is an enlarged cross-sectional end view of the wide partition of  FIG. 12  along section line A-A′ in  FIG. 12 .  FIG. 21  is a virtually identical end cross-section, however, showing the narrow partition  10  of  FIG. 18  in cross-sectional end view along section line B-B′. Each of  FIGS. 20 and 21  show each of the representative cover retaining clips in cross-section and provides an easy visual appreciation that the width W 1  of the wide partition  10  shown in  FIG. 20  is greater than the width W 2  of the narrow partition  10  shown in  FIG. 21 . In the wide partition, as illustrated in  FIGS. 12 ,  13  and  20 , each cover  5  is mounted via the wide clips  101 ,  102  and  103  in what may be considered a remote position. In a narrow partition  10  as illustrated in  FIGS. 18 ,  19  and  21 , each cover  5  is mounted via the narrow clips  201 ,  202  and  203  in what may be considered a proximate position. As seen in  FIG. 20 , each front cover  5 F in a remote position is spaced forwardly from the frame  12  a greater extent than the same front cover  5 F is in the narrow partition  10  shown in  FIG. 21  in the proximate position is spaced forwardly from the frame  12 . Similarly, each cover  5 R in the remote position as seen on the wide partition  10  in  FIG. 20 , is spaced rearwardly from the frame  12  a greater distance than the extent that the same rear cover  5 R is spaced rearwardly from the frame  12  when the rear cover  5 R is in the proximate position on the narrow partition  10  as shown in  FIG. 21 . Thus, in  FIG. 20  showing the partition  10  in a wide configuration, with each cover  5  mounted in the remote position, the partition has a width W 1 . In contrast, with the partition  10  in the narrow configuration as shown in  FIG. 21 , each cover  5  is mounted to the frame  12  in the proximate position and this narrow partition  10  has a width W 2 . The width W 1  of the wide partition of  FIG. 20  is greater than the width W 2  of the narrow partition of  FIG. 21 . 
     Each of the cover mounting clips  101 ,  102 ,  103 ,  201 ,  202  and  203  are removably coupled to the frame  12 . By merely applying either a set of the wide clips  101 ,  102  and  103  to a frame  12  or a set of narrow clips  201 ,  202  and  203  to a frame  12 , the partition  10  may be provided to either be a wide partition  10  of the width W 1  or a narrow partition  10  of the width W 2 . For both the wide and narrow configurations of the partition  10 , the identical same frame  12  and the identical same covers  5  are utilized. 
     Each posts  1  is preferably a hollow structural square steel tube. The posts  1  include a vertical series slots  424  in their front surface  51  and rear surface  52 . The slots  424  are used to adjustably and removably support hanger brackets for suspending various furniture components upon the posts  1  of each partition. The posts  1  also include a vertical series of horizontal openings  425  through the posts  1  from the inner surface  26  to the outer surface  27  as to assist in connection of the posts end-to end. 
     Each rail  2  is shown as having a U-shape as seen in end view in  FIG. 5 . The rail  2  is preferably formed from a sheet of metal and is preferably formed by bending and/or cold rolling the metal sheet and removing portions of the sheet. The rail is elongate and has a first end  70  and a second end  71 . Each rail  2  has three portions namely a central bight or joining web  72 , a front beam  74  and rear beam  75 . 
     The web  71  is cut away at each of its ends to provide a first end slot  76  between the front beam  74  and the rear beam  75  at the first end  70  and a second end slot  77  between the front beam  74  and the rear beam  75  at the second end  71 . The web  71  is also cut away to provide two major apertures  78  and  79  therethrough through which wiring may pass vertically. Additionally, smaller openings  80  are shown through the web  71  as to assist in securing components such as supports for wiring and electrical outlets and the like within the partition. 
     The front beam  74  may be characterized as the entire portion of the rail  2  shown cross-hatched in cross-section to the right of the first end slot  76  as seen in  FIG. 5  and the rear beam  75  may be characterized as that portion of the rail  2  shown cross-hatched in cross-section to the left of the first end slot  76  as seen in  FIG. 5 . 
     The front beam  74  comprises a horizontal first end portion  81  commencing at an inner end  80  merging via a radiused corner  82  into a first outer face portion  83 , merging at  84  into an inwardly and upwardly extending bevel portion  85 , merging at  86  into a straight inner side wall portion  87 , merging at  88  into a curving hook like second end portion  89  with a curved bight  90  and a straight outer leg  91  ending at a second end  92 . 
     The rear beam  76  is a mirror image of the front beam  74  and similarly comprises a horizontal first end portion  81  commencing at an inner end  80  merging via a radiused corner  82  into a first outer face portion  83 , merging at  84  into an inwardly and upwardly extending bevel portion  85 , merging at  86  into a straight inner side wall portion  87 , merging at  88  into a curving hook like second end portion  89  with a curved bight  90  and a straight outer leg  91  ending at a second end  92 . 
     The straight inner side wall portion  87  of each of the front beam member  74  and the rear beam member  75  has a substantially planar inwardly directed surface  93 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 2 , each post  1  is received within the first end slot  76  or the second end slot  77  of a rail  2  such that the front face  51  of the post  1  is secured in a moment resisting connection, preferably by welding, in engagement with the inwardly directed surface  93  of inner side wall portion  87  of the front beam member  74  and the rear face  52  of the post  1  is secured in a moment resisting connection, preferably by welding, in engagement with the inwardly directed surface  93  of inner side wall portion  87  of the rear beam member  75 . The first end slot  76  and the second end slot  77  each extend from the respective end of the rail  2  past the inside surface  26  of their respective post such that, as seen in  FIG. 2 , an opening  94  remains through the web  72  adjacent each post  1  which can be used as to pass wiring vertically through the rail  2 . 
     These openings  94  also serve as locations along which sections of the front beam  74  and the rear beam  75  are free of the web and the cover securing clips such as clips  101 ,  102 ,  201  and  202  may be removably coupled to the beams  74  and  75  against front to rear movement by being located in between the beams  74  and  75  and against up and down movement, with upwardly directed surfaces of each clip engaging downwardly directed surfaces of each beam and downwardly directed surfaces of each clip engaging upwardly directed surfaces of each beam. 
     The preferred clips  101 ,  102 ,  201  and  202  illustrated are adapted to be located in the openings  94  between the beams  74  and  75  as seen in the Figures a friction-fit relation with manual removal or replacement by twisting each clip about a vertical axis 90 degrees. 
     Each beam  74  and  75  is provided as structure which resists deflection of the beam normal to a longitudinal extending end to end of the beam as in the manner of a closed tube, however, with a configuration which facilitates forming the rail  2  by bending and forming a sheet of material. The preferred beams shown have two partial box structures which extend longitudinally. Firstly, a U-shaped structure which resists deflection is formed by the inner side wall portion  87 , the curved bight  90  and the outer leg  91 . Secondly, an S-shaped structure which resists deflection is formed by the straight inner side wall portion  87 , the bevel portion  85 , the first outer face portion  83  and the first end portion  81 . 
     The partition  10  is formed from an open gridwork of posts  1  and rails  2 . As a result, the partition has an open interior cavity which advantageously permits the passage of wires and cables. The open interior cavity is made up of central post spaces  40  between the posts  1  together with horizontally extending raceways  41  adjacent and open to the central post space  40 . Each central post space  40  is defined between the posts  1 , that is between a forward plane including the forward face  51  of each post  1  and a rearward plane including the rearward face  52  of each post  1 . Each central post space  40  extends vertically between the spaced, parallel forward and rearward planes and between interior faces  26  of the posts  1 . The apertures  78  and  79  and the slots  76  and  77  through the webs  72  of the rails  2  provide for vertical communication between the central post spaces continuously vertically throughout the height of the partition and open upwardly to above the top edge  16  of the frame  12  of the partition and open downwardly to below the bottom edge  17  of the frame  12 . A cable  404  is shown in  FIG. 2  as extending vertically throughout the height of the frame  12  through the central post spaces  40  and the apertures  79 . 
     A plurality of raceways  41  extends horizontally between the beams  2  outward of respective of the forward or rearward planes. The raceways  41  extend the full width of each partition and are open at each end to beyond the exterior end faces  27  of the posts  1 . 
     The raceways  41  are inward of the covers  5  and preferably extend forwardly and rearwardly from the respective forward or rearward plane at least the thickness of the beams  2 . 
     The raceways  41  are open on their inner sides to the central post space  40  over the entire distance between the posts  1 . Whereas the central post space  40  ends at the interior end faces of the posts  1 , the raceways  41  provide for a passageway for cables such as a cable  404  in  FIG. 2  horizontally past the posts  1  outward of the posts  1  inward of the covers  5 . As seen in  FIG. 2 , a cable  405  is shown to extend through one raceway  41 . 
     The central post space  40  provides a passageway for cables vertically past the beams  2  inward of the beams  2  and inward of the covers  5 . With the raceways  41  and each central post space  40  in communication, the cavity permits cables to be passed vertically through the portion between the posts  1  inside the beams  2  and horizontally across a partition and between adjacent partitions in the raceways  41  outside the posts  1 , between the beams  2  and inside the covers  5 . In the context of  FIG. 2 , with a plurality of corresponding panels  5  removed, a continuous raceway  41  will extend along the entire width of the partition into which cables may easily be laid and extend into another partition joined end-to end. As seen in  FIG. 20  and  FIG. 21 , the raceway  41  extends between the covers  5  and the posts  1 , however, in  FIG. 20  the raceway has a width which is greater than the width in  FIG. 21 . For example, the partition  10  in the wide configuration of  FIG. 20  may have a preferred width W 1  of about 3.5 inches with each raceway  41  having a width of at least ¾ inch which will accommodate conventional electrical conduit including at least 8 wires. The partition  10  in the narrow configuration of  FIG. 21  may have a preferred width W 1  of about 2.75 inches with each raceway  41  having a width of at least ⅜ inch which will accommodate conventional electrical conduit including at least four wires. However, as seen in  FIGS. 20 and 21 , two baseline raceways  42  are provided in the partition to the front and rear of the support member  23  of the leg assembly  22  inside each cover  5 . The support member  23  has a width which is significantly less than the width of the post  1  such that each baseline raceway  42  can accommodate larger cabling than the raceways  41 . For example, with a partition  10  in the narrow configuration of  FIG. 21  having a width of about 2¾ inches and a raceway  41  of about ⅜ inch the baseline raceway  42  may have a width of at least ¾ inch and more preferably 1 inch. 
     The support member  23  of the leg assembly  22  is shown to have cable support arms  43  extending forwardly and rearwardly therefrom below the baseline raceway  42  upon which cables  406  may be supported.  FIG. 2  shows such a cable  406  passing from an end edge of the frame  12  as from an adjacent partition, through the baseline raceway  42  then upwardly through the aperture  79  into the interior of the frame. The cables  405  and  406  are shown in cross-section in each of  FIGS. 20 and 21 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 1 , certain of the partitions  10  are secured together end to end in line. This is accomplished with a first end edge  18  of one frame  12  secured to a second end edge  19  of a second frame  12  with an outside end surface  27  of each post  1  in abutment and the two posts  1  being drawn together as, for example, a threaded bolt or nut or other fastener (not shown). Two of the partitions  10  in  FIG. 1  are secured together end to end at 90 degrees to each other. 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 22  which shows a reversible 90 degree width to width corner connector  301  which is adapted for connection of a first end edge  18  of one frame  12  to a second end edge  19  of a second frame  12  with the frames disposed at 90 degrees to each other.  FIG. 23  is a top view showing the connector  301  secured to the outside end surface  27  of a post  1  at the first end edge  18  of a frame  12  of a first wide partition  10  and to the outside end surface  27  of a post  1  at the second end edge  19  of the frame  12  of a second wide partition  12 . As shown, the planar side surface  302  of the connector  301  is secured by a bolt  305  extending through an opening  304  in the face  302  into a nut  306  which extends inwardly from the inside surface  26  of the post  1 . Similarly, the surface  303  of the connector  301  has an aperture  305  and a bolt  307  extends thereto into the post  1  to be engaged in a nut  309  engaging the inside surface  26  of the post. As schematically illustrated in  FIG. 22 , the faces of the surfaces  302  and  303  intercept at a location indicated by a dotted line  312  also shown in both  FIGS. 23 and 24 . The distance from the center of the opening  304  to the line  312  and the distance of the center of the opening  305  to line  312  are equal. The line  312 , as seen in  FIG. 23 , is also a line in which an extension of the outside end surfaces  27  of the two posts  1  intersect. 
     Referring to  FIG. 24 , in  FIG. 24 , a face  332  of the corner connector  301  is engaged on the surface  27  of the post  1  at the first end edge  18  of the frame  12  of a first of the narrower partitions  10  by the bolt  305  which extends through an opening  334  in the surface  332  and into a nut  306  secured to the post  1 . Similarly, the face  333  of the corner connector  301  engages the surface  27  of the post  1  at the second end edge  19  of the frame  12  of a second narrow partition  10  by reason of a bolt  307  extending through an opening  335  in the face  333 . An extension of the surface  332  of the connector intersects at a dotted line indicated  342  with an extension of the surface  333 . As seen in  FIG. 24 , this intersection indicated as line  342  is also a point of intersection of the surfaces  27  of the posts  1 . Use of the corner connector  301  either in a configuration with a wide partition  10  as shown in  FIG. 23  or a narrow partition as seen in  FIG. 24  provide for suitable relative location of the partitions  10  so as to provide, for example, an appropriate consistent gap  327  between the inside corners of the covers  5  of the adjacent panels. The provision of the corner connector  301  to be reversible avoids the need for two different separate connectors albeit two different separate connectors could be used. 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 25  which illustrates a corner connector  330  adapted for use to connect, as seen in  FIG. 26 , to connect partitions  10  of different widths. As seen in  FIG. 26 , the connector  330  is L-shaped having a longer arm  336  and a shorter arm  337 . At the end of the longer arm  336 , there is provided an upstanding flange  338  with an opening  339 . At the end of the shorter arm  337 , there is provided an upstanding flange  340  with an opening  341 . As seen in  FIG. 26 , the flange  340  is secured against the surface  27  of the post  1  at the second end edge  19  of the frame  12  of a wide partition  10  via a similar nut and bolt arrangement as seen in  FIG. 24 . The flange  338  is secured against the surface  27  of the post  1  at the first end edge  18  of the frame  12  of an arrow partition. With the arms  336  and  337  being of different lengths, the planes of the surfaces  27  of each of the posts intersect at a suitable point indicated as  350  in  FIG. 26  so as to provide a suitable gap  327  between the adjacent covers  5  on each of the two different width partitions. The connector  330  of  FIG. 25  can be inverted and rotated  180  degrees, for example, if the relative positions of the thin partition and the wide partition are to be reversed. 
     Various other connectors may be provided so as to connect the ends of the frames together at angles other than 90 degrees with use of suitable brackets comparable to known brackets. Various edge trims may be provided such as the top trims indicated as  906  and  907  in  FIG. 1  and the end trims such as  949  and  950  in  FIG. 1  which top and end trims may be selected to have suitable widths to correspond with the width of the particular partitions  10  to which they are to be coupled. 
     The cover retaining clips in accordance with the first preferred embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 7 to 9  and  14  to  16  are removably coupled to a rail  2  or to a leg assembly  22 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the top clips  102  and  302  provide for coupling of an upper edge of a front cover  5 F and an upper edge of a rear cover  5 R. These top clips  103  and  203  also provide for coupling of a top trim such as  906  in  FIG. 1 . The bottom clips  103  and  203  are two-way and providing for coupling of a lower edge of a front cover and the lower edge of a rear cover. The intermediate clips  101  and  201  may be considered four-way in providing for connection to the upper edge of a front cover, the upper edge of a rear cover, the lower edge of a front cover and the lower edge of a rear cover. It is to be appreciated that one unitary top clip  102  or  202  could be replaced by two separate top clips, one for securing a front cover and a second for securing a rear cover. Similarly, each of the bottom clips  103  and  203  could be replaced by two separate clips, one for securing a front cover and the other for securing a rear cover. Each intermediate clip  101  and  201  could be replaced by a number of clips. For example, one intermediate clip could be replaced by four separate clips with a first of the clips for connection of the upper end of a front panel, a second clip for the connection of the upper edge of a rear panel, a third clip for the connection of the lower edge of a front panel and a fourth clip for the connection of the upper edge of a rear panel. Alternatively, the intermediate clips could be replaced by two two-way clips, a first two-way clip connecting the upper ends of the front cover and the upper end of the rear cover and a second two-way clip connecting the lower end of a front cover and the lower end of a rear cover. Alternatively, an intermediate clip could be replaced by two two-way clips, one for each face with a first two-way clip connecting the upper end of one front panel and the lower end of another front panel and a second two-way clip which connects an upper end of a rear panel and a lower end of another rear panel. 
     Each of these above-mentioned clips whether they provide for one-way, two-way or four-way coupling to covers may be independently secured to the frame as, for example, by being secured to the rail  2  or to the post  1 . When secured to the rail  2 , it is advantageous that as shown in the preferred first embodiment, the clips engage both beams of the rail, however, this is not necessary and a clip may merely engage one of the side beams of a rail. 
     Each clip may be secured to a post rather than to the rail. For example, clips similar to the two-way and four-way clips illustrated in the preferred embodiment could be secured to the frame by engagement with the inside surface  26  of a post  1 . Alternately, each of such clips could be secured to a front surface  51  or the rear surface  52  of the post. The manner of removable connection of the clips to the frame as to the post  1  or rail  2  is not limited. In the preferred embodiment, the top clips  102  and  202  and the intermediate clips  101  and  201  are secured in a friction-fit manner to a rail  2  by frictional engagement between the two beams of the rail. Various apertures may be provided in the rail or the post into which the clips could be secured without additional securement or with additional securement such as with screws in a similar manner that the bottom clips  103  and  203  are secured to the leg assembly  2  via screws  600  as seen in  FIG. 10 . Each of the clips could merely be secured to the post as to the front surface  51 , rear surface  52  or the inside surface  56  as by screws. 
     In the first preferred embodiment, each of the clips which are to be provided as two replaceable exchangeable elements, namely as a wide clip and as a narrow clip. However, it is possible that a single clip could be provided which is mountable to the frame in a first position such that the clip serves the purpose of a wide clip and in a second position such that the same clip serves the purpose of a narrow clip. For example, insofar as a single clip serving the purpose of engaging the upper end of a front cover may be secured to the inside surface  26  of the post  1  as by one or more screws, the post could be provided with two apertures for the screw, with one aperture locating the clip so it serves as a wide clip and the other aperture locating the clip so that it serves as a narrow aperture. In this manner, by the use of a single removable clip and securing the clip to the frame at two different positions, the same clip can be used to mount a cover either in the remote position or the proximate position. 
     Reference is made to  FIGS. 27 to 30  showing an arrangement in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention adopting a frame  12  for a partition having a construction as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,178 issued Sep. 29, 1998 the disclosure of which is hereby adopted by reference.  FIG. 27  schematically illustrates a truncated vertical section of a frame  12  with two vertically spaced posts  1  joined by pairs of horizontally extending beams  222 . The beams  222  are arranged in parallel pairs on both sides of the posts  1 . The beams  222  are connected to front face and the rear face of each post  1  in an overlapping moment resisting rigid connection by brackets  3  having a saddle portion  20  of internal profile mating the external profile of the beams  2  and flange portions  21  above and below the saddle portion  20 . The flange portions  21  lie over and are connected to the front or rear face of the associated posts  1  with screws  23 . This frame  12  has the advantage that the central post space  40  extends uninterrupted the entire height of the frame  12 . 
       FIG. 28  shows a schematic end view of the section of frame  12  shown in  FIG. 27  with cover retaining intermediate wide clips  103  similar to the intermediate wide clips  103  shown in the first embodiment. In  FIG. 28 , covers  5  are shown attached to the wide clips  103  on the front face of the frame. The wide clips  103  are manually removable and held in a friction fit between the beams  222 .  FIG. 29  shows the same schematic end view of the section of frame  12  as in  FIG. 28  but with cover retaining intermediate narrow clips  203  similar to the intermediate narrow clips  203  shown in the first embodiment. In  FIG. 29 , covers  5  are shown attached to the narrow clips  203  on the front face of the frame. The narrow clips  203  are also manually removable and held in a friction fit between the beams  222 . In  FIGS. 28 and 29 , the covers  5  are shown attached to the wide clips  103  on merely the right side of the frame  12  for ease of illustration. The partition  10  in  FIG. 28  has a width greater than the width of the partition  10  in  FIG. 29 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 30 , each intermediate narrow clip  201  has a pair of lower legs  601  which extend outwardly and serve to engage and retain an upper end of a cover  5 . 
     Each intermediate clip  201  has a pair of upper legs  602  which extend outwardly and serve to engage and retain a lower end of a cover  5 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 30 , the lower end of the cover  5  carries a downwardly extending leg  400  forming a slotway  401  therebelow. The leg  400  engages over the upper leg  602  of the clip  201  such that the upper leg  602  is received in the slotway  401 . With the upper leg  602  engaged in the slotway  401  of a lower clip as seen in  FIG. 30 , the cover is pivoted counter-clockwise about the upper leg  602  to bring a hook member  384  on the upper end of the cover  5  into engagement with a lower surface of the lower leg  601  of an upper clip. The lower leg  601  is resilient and a user may manually force the hook member  384  to an engaged position on the lower leg  601  in which the cover  5  is vertical as shown in  FIG. 29 . This coupling arrangement is described in above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,178. 
     In accordance with the present invention the partition may have a frame selected to meet various needs including to provide aesthetically appearing widths or to accommodate capacity for or ease of passage of wiring. Narrower width partitions may be selected where a lower capacity for passage of wiring or a lesser ease of passage of wiring is satisfactory. With the present invention, however, the same frame and covers may be readily reconfigured from a narrower width configurations to one or more greater width configurations to provide increased capacity for passage of wiring and a greater ease of passage of wiring. 
     The first preferred embodiment shows the use of a set of wide clips such as  101  and a set of narrow clips such as  201  to provide a partition which can be configured to have one of two different widths. Additional sets of clips of different widths such as extra wide clips of greater width than the wide clips can be provided such that the partition can be configured to have three or more different widths. 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 31  showing partial horizontal cross-sectional view of a partition  10  of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication 2010/0307080 published Dec. 9, 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. This publication teaches the partition  10  having a frame  12  of vertical posts  1  and horizontal beams  2  with a rear cover  5 R removably secured to the posts  1  via hook members  778  received in keyway slots  701  in the front face  51  of the posts  1  as seen in the top rear half of  FIG. 31  above dashed line  700 . 
     An arrangement in accordance with the present invention is shown below the lien  700  with a spacer clip  703  being removably secured to the post by a hook member  704  received in the post keyhole slot  701  and the clip  703  having an outwardly spaced surface  705  carrying a keyhole slot  706  within which the hook member  778  on the front cover  5 F may engage. By the use of such clips  703 , the partition may be provided to have a different width. 
     The present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. Many modifications and variations will now occur to a person skilled in the art. For a definition of the invention, reference is made to the following claims.