Patent ID: 8046957

Claim:
A stack-on panel assembly for panel-based partition systems of the type including at least one base panel with a top portion, comprising: at least one connector bracket having a first portion thereof shaped for connection with the base panel and a second portion thereof upstanding from said first portion and having a first latch member thereon; a stacker panel having a bottom portion thereof shaped for abutting support on the top portion of said base panel, and including at least one vertically extending slot disposed along one side thereof to receive and selectively retain therein said second portion of said connector bracket; a second latch member disposed within said stacker panel at a location adjacent to said slot and being automatically spring biased into positive locking engagement with said first latch member on said connector bracket when said stacker panel is lowered into place on top of the base panel to positively retain said stacker panel on the base panel in a vertically stacked relationship, whereby said stacker panel cannot be removed from the base panel without first unlocking the positive engagement between said first and second latch members; and a release member mounted in said stacker panel for shifting between locked and unlocked positions, and having a portion thereof disposed adjacent to said slot and configured to disengage the positive engagement between said first and second latch members when said release member is shifted to said unlocked position, thereby permitting said stacker panel to be removed from the base panel, wherein said release member includes a window through which a free end portion of said second latch member projects to engage said first latch member on said connecter bracket when said release bracket is in said locked position.