Recessed cover for partition

An upright partition for use in a modular office furniture system, in which the partition has an internal frame and a plurality of outer covers covering the sides of the partition and defining an interior cavity within the partition inwardly of the outer covers. The outer covers are disposed substantially in the same vertical plane. Two adjacent of the outer covers are spaced from each in the plane so as to form an opening therebetween. A bridging cover is coupled to the frame to cover the opening between the two adjacent spaced outer covers when viewed horizontally and laterally from one lateral side of the partition. The bridging cover has an outer surface which is located laterally inwardly from inner surfaces of at least one of the adjacent outer covers such that a passageway is defined between the inner surface of one of the outer covers and the outer surface of the bridging cover through which passageway conduit can pass outwardly through the opening.

 

I claim:

1. An upright partition comprising an internal frame and a plurality of outer covers covering lateral sides of the partition,

an inner cavity defined within the partition inwardly of the outer covers for passage of conduit,

the outer covers having outer surfaces and inner surfaces,

the outer covers coupled to the frame with their inner surfaces directed inwardly towards the frame, with their outer surfaces directly outwardly away from the frame and with the outer surfaces of outer covers on one lateral side of the partition disposed in substantially the same vertical plane,

the outer covers on one of the lateral sides of the partition including two adjacent of the outer covers which are spaced from each other in the plane so as to form a vertically extending opening therebetween,

a bridging cover coupled to the frame covering the opening when viewed horizontally and laterally from the one lateral side,

the bridging cover having an outer surface and a recessed first portion,

the outer surface of the bridging cover over at least the first portion located laterally inwardly from the inner surface of at least a first of the two adjacent outer covers such that a passageway is defined between the inner surface of the first adjacent outer cover and the outer surface of the bridging cover the passageway permitting passage of conduit between the bridging cover and the first adjacent outer cover from the interior cavity inward of the first adjacent outer cover, outwardly to the opening.

2. A partition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bridging cover includes a second portion adjacent to the first portion,

the outer surface of the bridging cover over the second portion disposed in a vertical plane proximate the same vertical plane and laterally outwardly from the location of the outer surface of the bridging cover over the first portion.

3. A partition as claimed in claim 2 wherein the bridging cover includes a transition portion intermediate the first portion and the second portion,

the outer surface of the bridging member over the transition portion forming a curve merging the outer surface of the bridging member over the first portion with the outer surface of the bridging member over the second portion.

4. A partition as claimed in claim 1 including an auxiliary outer cover, removably coupled to the frame to cover the opening laterally outwardly from the bridging cover, the auxiliary cover having an outer surface substantially disposed in the same vertical plane.

5. A partition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first adjacent cover has a lower edge and the first portion of the bridging cover has an upper edge located at a height proximate a height of the lower edge of the first adjacent cover,

the passageway opens inwardly to the internal cavity at the upper edge of the first portion of the bridging cover and the passageway opens outwardly to the opening at the lower edge of the first adjacent cover.

6. A partition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bridging cover includes a transition portion and a second portion,

the transition portion located intermediate the first portion and the second portion,

the outer surface of the bridging cover over the second portion disposed in a vertical plane proximate the same vertical plane and laterally outward from the location of the outer surface of the bridging cover over the first portion,

the outer surface of the bridging cover over the transition portion describing a curve merging the outer surface of the bridging member over the first portion with the outer surface of the bridging member over the second portion,

the first adjacent cover having a lower edge,

the first portion of the bridging member having an upper edge located at a height proximate a height of the lower edge of the first adjacent cover,

the second portion located at a height below the height of the first portion and below the lower edge of the first adjacent cover,

the passageway opens inwardly to the internal cavity at the upper edge of the first portion and the passageway opens outwardly at the lower edge of the first adjacent cover between the lower edge of the first adjacent cover and the second portion.

7. A partition as claimed in claim 6 wherein said bridging cover comprises a thin sheet of sheet metal.

8. A partition as claimed in claim 7 wherein electrical outlets are provided in the outer surface of the bridging cover over the second portion.

9. A partition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the internal cavity permitting passage of conduit vertically and horizontally within the partition throughout the entire height and width of the partition and to adjacent similar partitions past the frame at each end of the frame laterally outwardly thereof.

10. A partition as claimed in claim 1 in which the frame comprises a plurality of frame members, each frame member having a face on each lateral side thereof with a first face directed towards the one lateral side,

the outer covers disposed laterally outwardly from the first face of the frame members,

the first portion of the bridging cover located at least partially laterally inwardly relative the first faces of the frame members.

11. An upright partition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the internal cavity permitting passage of conduit vertically and horizontally within the partition throughout the entire height and width of the partition.

12. A partition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the frame includes horizontally spaced vertical frame members, the outer covers and bridging cover extending horizontally to span between adjacent vertical frame members.

13. An upright partition as claimed in claim 1, wherein when viewed horizontally and laterally from the one lateral side, the first adjacent outer cover partially overlaps with the first portion of the bridging cover with the passageway defined between the inner surface of the first adjacent outer cover and the outer surface of the bridging cover over the first portion where the first adjacent outer cover and the bridging cover overlap.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an upright partition, for use in a modular office furniture system, having an open internal frame inward of removable cladding panels within which cables, wires and electrical power conduits may be enclosed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of modular office furniture systems is currently very wide spread in modern office interior design. The advantages of using partitions in a modular office system include increased efficiency in the use of space and individual offices with permanent walls may be largely eliminated in open office designs. As a result, a tenant of leased commercial space may minimize the cost of leasehold improvements, and may occupy and vacate premises rapidly through assembly and disassembly of modular components.

Conventionally a partition comprises an interior hollow rectangular frame constructed of roll formed sheet metal channel sections welded together in a rigid assembly. Electrical wiring and communication cables are accommodated in the hollow interior of the partitions, and are passed between partitions through holes punched in the webs of frame members. Partitions are connected together at their vertical end frame members into various geometric office maze patterns and cladding panels are hung on the frames to enclose and conceal the supporting frames and wiring.

Commonly the vertical frame members have a series of longitudinally spaced slots within which dogs extending from the cladding panels are engaged. In a like manner shelves, desktop brackets, filing cabinets and other components of the modular office furniture system are hung on the partitions to complete the modular furniture assembly.

The fabrication of conventional partition frames often involves several operations which require special tooling and machine setups. For example, where frame members are constructed of formed sheet metal channels, openings for wiring, notches for connections to other frame members and slots for hanging accessories are punched in a flat sheet metal blank. The blank is then bent into a channel shape in a roll forming operation, or on a brake press. The formed channels are then fitted together in a jig and welded at rigid connections.

It will be apparent that where different sized frame members are used and where the configuration of members vary, numerous machine setup modifications must be made. Production may involve the preparation of a number of different frame member configurations each of which may require separate inventory, machine setups, production scheduling and drawings. Therefore it is desirable to simplify the design of frame members as much as possible to minimize production costs, inventory requirements and provide maximum flexibility in manufacturing scheduling.

It is also desirable to minimize the use of welding as a means for connecting frame components. The heat from welding can distort metal frames, and a further manufacturing step may be required to straighten metal frames which have become twisted, or cambered through the welding process. In addition, welding thin sheet metal frames may require relatively highly skilled workers, and quality control supervision.

A welded metal frame is for all practical purposes, impossible to modify after fabrication. An improperly fabricated welded metal frame must be scrapped and very little of the material can be salvaged for reuse. If a purchaser of a partition system wishes to modify the furniture layout, whole partitions cannot be modified easily. Therefore, modification plans are restricted to the rearrangement of existing partitions, or purchasing new partitions of different dimensions.

Despite the above disadvantages however, welded metal partition frames remain the most commonly used type since the strength is high and manufacturing cost is low compared to conventional alternatives.

A significant recent development in partition design relates to the increasing demands being put on office furniture to accommodate various communication devices such as computers, telephones, facsimile machines, printers and the like.

In order to accommodate the increasing number of electrical and communication wires required in most modern office environments, wire or cable raceways through the hollow interior of partitions have been provided. The common conventional location for such a raceway is at the base or cap of a partition.

The individual conventional partitions each have a raceway or several raceways which communicate with each other when assembled in a modular partition wall. The raceway also commonly communicates with the electrical system of the occupied building through vertical power poles which extend up through the drop ceiling of the building office space or through monuments and access openings in the floor of the office space.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,133,153 to Hage describes a typical conventional partition raceway. The base portion of the Hage partition is essentially a hollow accessible beam within which electrical and communication wiring can be placed. The conventional partition frame is connected to the top of the hollow beam forming the cable raceway.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,539 to Kelly et al describes another example of a partition system which may accommodate cables at the base and at the cap of a conventional partition system. The vertical frame members are not modified in such a system but rather the cables are passed over the vertical frame members around their outward edges. This type of system may accommodate limited numbers of relatively thin cables retaining them within the space occupied by the cladding panels.

An alternative conventional method of passing wires between frames is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,535,577 to Tenser et al. In this conventional system, openings are made in the web section of vertical frame members. The electrical and communication wiring are threaded through the web openings. Therefore, wires are not visible but are entirely concealed by the cladding panels. An advantage of this system is that the outward edges of vertical frame members remain completely clear. Accordingly the attachment of other components of modular office furniture systems is not impeded by cables overlapping the openings upon the shelves and other components are hung.

A distinct disadvantage of such a system is the need to thread cables through the openings. When installing, moving or maintaining computers or other office equipment, it may become frequently necessary to install and remove the cables. Increased labour costs and wear on the cables results from such a system. However, since the web portion of the frame member contributes minimally to the strength of the frame member, providing such openings does not reduce the strength of the frame significantly.

Since most office equipment is operated on the top of a desk or table, current partition designs often include what is known as a "waist-line" waist height cable raceway. Electrical receptacles and various wires are accommodated at waist height thereby eliminating wires which hang down from table top to "base-line" receptacles located at the bottom of a partition. Use of a waist-line raceways simplifies installation and maintenance of equipment by eliminating the need for the installer to crawl under furniture to access a base-line cable raceway and electrical receptacles. The use of a waist height raceway also generally reduces the length of cables required between devices all located at a table top elevation.

An open interior partition system is sold under the trade mark OPTIMA by Design Finish Studio of Israel. This conventional partition is constructed of vertical sheet metal channel posts with pairs of horizontal round tubes. The pairs of horizontal tubes at each of their ends are inserted into specially designed molded plastic end connectors. The plastic connectors are snap-locked into the interior throat of the vertical channel posts to complete a rigid connection. The partition accommodates wires and cables within its interior by threading wires etc. between the pairs of tubes and through openings punched in the webs of the vertical post channels.

This type of partition remains at a disadvantage since special molded connectors must be used, and the wires must be threaded between partitions through openings in the web of the posts.

Threading of wires through openings increases the time and effort required to install, remove and maintain office equipment, and increases wear on the outer insulated surfaces of the wiring, thereby reducing its service life.

However, in such a conventional partition, since the entire internal space is open, between pairs of horizontal tubes, wires and cables may be accommodated at any level within an individual partition in the interior behind removable panels. Additionally, the panels are coupled to the horizontal beams with resilient tabs, rendering the entire internal cavity easily accessible through removable panels.

Therefore it is desirable to provide a partition which may easily accommodate electrical and communication cables preferably at any height in a manner which simplifies the installation, removal and maintenance of such equipment.

Also it is desirable to protect and conceal wiring and receptacles as much as possible behind cladding panels while maintaining the structural integrity of the partition frame.

The simplification of frame construction may result in significant cost savings in respect of the type of fabrication machinery used in manufacturing, savings in inventory costs, and enhancement of production scheduling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention addresses the disadvantages of the prior art in a novel manner through the provision of an upright partition for use in a modular office furniture system.

The partition of the invention has a frame which is open within its interior providing clearance for wires and cables enclosed between cladding panels on the frame's exterior. The frame is simply constructed of vertical posts and horizontal beams connected together at rigid overlapping joints. Saddle brackets are used to secure rounded tubular beams to square tubular posts with screws or rivets. The overlapping of beams on the posts provides a rigid connection and also defines a wire accommodating raceway between adjacent partitions. The raceway is defined outward of the outward post faces inward of the cladding panels and preferably at least to the beam outer faces.

Therefore, it will be apparent that by simply cutting posts and beams to length, and connecting them with such brackets and screws, a partition frame may be quickly fabricated. Preferably the partitions are assembled in a factory environment and shipped to the customer. If desired however, the partitions may be shipped to the site in compact bundles reducing the bulk and cost of transportation. The partitions then may be assembled and erected at their final location. The ability to disassemble and reassemble the partition frames also aids the purchaser in moving the partitions to new premises and adds flexibility in redesigning their office layout.

Preferably, the beams are paired together at spaced apart elevations with the post located between beams of the pair. Therefore, the wires may pass between paired beams within the interior of the partition and may be passed over the outward surface of the posts between adjacent partitions. The cladding panels are coupled to the beams with resilient clips such that all panels are easily removable to provide access to the interior of the partition. Wires may pass between adjacent partitions over the outward face of the posts and enclosed inward of the panels. The overlapping of the beams spaces the panels away from the posts thereby providing an adequately sized cable raceway bounded by the beams outwardly and at top and bottom, and bounded inwardly by the adjacent post.

Accordingly the invention specifically provides: an upright partition for use in a modular office furniture system, the partition comprising: a frame comprising: two vertical posts each having outward opposing faces defining spaced apart parallel forward and rearward planes; a plurality of horizontal beams, at least one beam in each said plane, each beam having an inward face and an outward face, the inward face of each beam being connected to one said outward face of an associated post in an overlapping moment resisting connection; and a plurality of cladding panels each connected to one said beam; whereby an internal cavity is defined inward of the outward faces of said beams, and a raceway is defined outward of said outward post faces and inward of the outward faces of said beams.

In another aspect the present invention provides an upright partition comprising:

a frame comprising vertical frame members and horizontal frame members,

a plurality of covers coupled to the lateral sides of the frame,

an internal cavity defined laterally inwardly of the covers for passage of conduit within the partition,

the covers including a first outer cover and an inner cover;

the first outer cover having a rear surface and margins thereabout,

the inner cover having a front surface and margins thereabout,

the outer cover removably coupled to one lateral side of the frame with its rear surface directed towards the frame,

the inner cover mounted to the frame on the one lateral side of the frame with its forward surface directed away from the frame,

the outer cover mounted to the frame spaced laterally outwardly relative the inner cover with the outer cover partially overlapping with the inner cover such that a passageway is defined between the rear surface of the outer cover and the front surface of the inner cover for passage of conduit outwardly from the internal cavity. Preferably, the first outer cover has margins about its rear surface and the inner cover has margins about its front surface,

the passageway opens inwardly to the internal cavity at a margin of the inner cover disposed laterally inwardly from the rear surface of the outer cover and open outwardly at a margin of the outer cover disposed laterally forward of the inner cover. More preferably, the margin of the outer cover includes an upper edge and a lower edge and the margin of the inner cover has an upper edge and a lower edge;

the lower edge of the inner cover located at a height below the lower edge of the outer cover,

the upper edge of the lower cover located at a height below the upper edge of the upper cover.

Further aspects of the invention will become apparent upon review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be readily understood, a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a frontal perspective elevation view of an assembled modular office furniture partition wall including multiple vertical partitions, with a central partition having a modified utility access panel;

FIG. 2 is a frontal perspective view, of the wall of FIG. 1, with the upper and lower cladding panels removed to reveal the internal partition frame;

FIG. 3 illustrates an elevation view of adjacent vertical posts, of the wall of FIG. 1, showing two abutting partitions with their supporting feet and horizontal beam frame members;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are sectional plan views along lines 4--4 and 5--5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional elevation view along line 6--6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional elevation view along line 7--7 of FIG. 1 showing the structure of the utility access panels with electrical power bus, and cable hanger;

FIG. 8 is a sectional plan view along line 8--8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a sectional plan view along line 9--9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is an isometric detail view of a typical saddle bracket connection joining a horizontal beam to a vertical post in an overlapping rigid connection;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the connection between four adjacent partition frame posts in an X-shaped configuration;

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the component parts of the connection shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the toggle clamp used to connect adjacent frames together; and

FIG. 14 is a detail elevation view of an installed toggle clamp.

FIG. 15 is a sectional, exploded perspective view of a connecting system of the present invention for securing together two partitions end-to-end.

FIG. 16 is a sectional, perspective view of the connecting system of FIG. 15 securing together the vertical end posts of two partitions.

FIG. 17 is a sectional, exploded perspective view of a connecting system of the present invention for securing together three partitions at a preselected angle.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the connecting system of FIG. 17 securing together the vertical end posts of three partitions.

FIG. 19 is a plan view illustrating a connecting system, similar to that shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, securing together the vertical end posts of four partitions.

FIG. 20 is a sectional, exploded perspective view illustrating a first stage in providing a decorative end covering on a partition according to the present invention, wherein an end plug is inserted into a pair of horizontal beams.

FIG. 21 is a rear perspective view of the end plug shown in FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a sectional, exploded perspective view illustrating a second stage in providing a decorative end covering on a partition according to the present invention, wherein a single cover plate retainer is connected to the end plug to provide a single cover plate support.

FIG. 23 is a rear perspective view of the single cover plate retainer shown in FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a sectional, perspective view illustrating the assembled single cover plate support of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25a is a sectional, exploded perspective view illustrating the attachment of end face cover plates to a partition provided with four single cover plate supports as shown in FIG. 24.

FIG. 25b is a sectional plan view showing the manner in which an end face cover plate is connected to the resilient spring connector of the single cover plate support shown in FIG. 24.

FIG. 25c is a sectional plan view showing the resilient spring connector of FIG. 25a having snapped into engagement with the single cover plate support.

FIG. 26 is a sectional, perspective view illustrating three partitions according to the present invention converging at an angle of 90.degree. and connected together by brackets.

FIG. 27 is a sectional, exploded perspective view illustrating a first stage in a system for providing a decorative covering over the converging ends of the partitions shown in FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is a top plan view of a dual cover plate retainer used in the system for providing a decorative covering over the converging ends of the partitions shown in FIG. 26.

FIG. 29 is a side elevation view of the dual cover plate retainer of FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a top plan view of a triple cover plate retainer used in the system for providing a decorative covering over the converging ends of the partitions shown in FIG. 26.

FIG. 31 is a rear elevation view of the triple cover plate retainer of FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is a sectional, exploded perspective view illustrating a second stage in providing a decorative covering over the converging ends of the partitions shown in FIG. 26.

FIG. 33 is a sectional perspective view illustrating the completed decorative covering over the converging ends of the partitions shown in FIG. 26.

FIG. 34 is a sectional, exploded perspective view illustrating a system according to the present invention for providing a decorative covering over a top gap between the converging ends of four partitions.

FIG. 35 is a sectional perspective view illustrating the first stage in a system according to the present invention for hanging cladding panels on a partition using modular panel clips.

FIG. 36 is a sectional perspective view illustrating the modular panel clip of FIG. 35 installed between a pair of horizontal beams.

FIG. 37 is an exploded perspective view of the modular panel clip of FIG. 35.

FIG. 38 is a sectional perspective view of a partition according to the present invention provided with cladding panels and decorative end and top coverings.

FIG. 39 is a sectional elevation view along line 39--39 of FIG. 38.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of a modular panel clip of FIG. 39.

FIG. 41 is an end elevation view of a partition according to the present invention having a simplified cladding panel according to the present invention.

FIG. 42 is a top plan view of the quadruple cover plate support of FIG. 34.

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of four converging partitions.

FIG. 44 is a sectional, top plan view of the junction of the four partitions shown in FIG. 43 in plane B of FIG. 43.

FIG. 45 is a sectional, top plan view of the three partitions converging in plane A of FIG. 43.

FIG. 46 is a perspective view of decorative covering according to the present invention as installed on the four converging partitions of FIG. 43.

FIG. 47 is a perspective view showing three converging partitions.

FIG. 48 is a sectional, top plan view of a triple cover plate retainer positioned in the junction of the three partitions shown in FIG. 47 at plane B thereof.

FIG. 49 is a sectional, top plan view of the partitions converging in plane A of FIG. 47, showing a rectangular cover plate retainer positioned at the junction of the partitions.

FIG. 50 is a perspective view of the rectangular cover plate retainer shown in FIG. 49.

FIG. 51 is a top plan view of rectangular cover plate retainer shown in FIG. 49 as positioned between the two partitions of FIG. 47 which converge in plane A.

FIG. 52 is a perspective view showing a decorative covering according to the present invention provided on a first side of the junction of the converging partitions of FIG. 47.

FIG. 53 is a perspective view of a second side of the converging partitions of FIG. 47 showing the decorative covering according to the present invention provided thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Office partition walls are assembled from adjacent rectangular partitions as shown in FIG. 1. A partition is generally clad with panels 5 and 7. The panels 5 and 7 are constructed of a painted sheet metal cover which may be filled with sound absorbing insulation and covered with sound absorbing fabric or other materials. Upper and lower panels 5 may be fitted with windows, or screens if desired. Adjustable legs 4 are provided to the level the partition wall along its length.

The novel construction of the partition frame is illustrated in FIG. 2. Upper and lower panels 5 have been removed leaving only the central panels 5 and 7 behind which electrical conduits, communication wires etc. are housed. Accordingly, upper and lower panels 5 may be wholly eliminated, or in part, from the partition frames if the interior designer wishes to present a more open office atmosphere. Furniture components such as desk tops, shelves, and cabinets can be suspended from the posts 1 of the partition frame independently whether or not a design includes the uppermost and lowermost cladding panels 5.

The frames of the partition are very simply constructed of two vertical posts 1 and horizontal beams 2. The beams 2 are preferably arranged in parallel pairs on both sides of the posts 1. Pairing of the beams 2 strengthens the frame and allows use of standard panel dimensions.

The beams 2 are connected to outward opposing front and rear faces of each post 1 in an overlapping moment resisting connection.

FIG. 10 shows the preferred means by which the posts 1 and beams 2 are connected in an overlapping rigid manner. The beams 2 are shown as tubular in transverse section having a "racetrack" sectional shape. The tubular beams 2 have an arcuate upper portion and an arcuate lower portion with a straight intermediate portion between. The arcuate upper and lower portions are preferred by semi-circular. This section is advantageous in that the section is easily drawn or extruded from metals such as steel and aluminum or from plastic. The section has a relatively high moment of inertia to resist torsion and flexure, and can be easily connected to the posts 1 and panels 5, as shown.

The beams 2 and posts 1 are connected, as shown in the typical connection detail of FIG. 10, with brackets 3 having a saddle portion 20 of internal profile mating the external profile of the beams 2. The brackets 3 also include flange portions 21 above and below the saddle portion 20. The flange portions 21 lie over and are connected to the outward forward or rearward face 22 of the associated posts 1. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the flange portions 21 are perforated and the bracket 3 is connected to the post with self-tapping screws 23. Other conventional means may also be used such as rivets, bolts, spot welding or puddle welding (not shown).

The cladding panels 5 include resilient clips (26 and 27 in FIG. 6) for releasably coupling each panel 5 between associated parallel upper and lower pairs of beams 2. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the cladding panels 5 are positioned outward of, overlying and coupled to the beams 2. Due to the thickness of the saddle portion of the brackets 3 shown in FIG. 10, a gap is present between the beams 2 and the adjacent top or bottom edge of the panels 5.

The partition is formed from an open gridwork of posts 1 and beams 2. As a result, the partition has an open interior cavity which advantageously permits the passage of wires and cables generally indicated as 32.

As seen in FIG. 6, the cavity is made up of a vertically extending central post space 40 together with horizontally extending raceways 41 adjacent and open to the central post space 40.

The central post space 40 is defined between the posts 1, that is between a forward plane including the forward face of each post 1 and a rearward plane including the rearward face of each post 1. The central post space 40 extends vertically between the spaced, parallel forward and rearward planes and between interior faces of the posts 1. The central post space 40 extends continuously vertically throughout the height of the partition and is open upwardly to above the top of the partition and is open downwardly to below the lowest beam 2 of the partition.

A plurality of raceways 41 extend horizontally between the beams 2 outward of and 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 of the posts 1.

The raceways 41 are inward of the panels (5 and 7) 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 32 horizontally past the posts 1 outward of the posts 1 inward of the panels 5, 7.

Similarly, the central post space 40 provides a passageway for cables 32 vertically past the beams 2 inward of the beams 2 and inward of the panels 5, 7. With the raceways 41 and central post space 40 in communication, the cavity permits cables 32 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 outside the posts 1, between the beams 2 and inside the panels 5, 7. 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 three joined partitions into which cables 32 may easily be laid.

Referring to FIGS. 3 through 9, the details of construction of the partition frame are illustrated. In the embodiment illustrated the posts 1 are hollow structural square steel tubes. The posts 1 include a vertical series slots 24 in their outward forward and rearward faces. The slots 24 are used to adjustably and removably support hanger means for suspending various furniture components upon the posts 1 of each partition.

Adjacent posts 1 of adjacent partition frames are connected with releasable securing means in the form of toggle clamps 25 as shown in FIG. 3.

Adjustable height legs 4 are provided at the base of each post 1 to support the partition frame, and level the assembled partition wall on the supporting floor surface.

Preferably the beams 2 are arranged in parallel pairs, with one beam 2 of each pair being connected to the outward opposing faces of each vertical post 1. The pairs of beams 2 are vertically spaced from other pairs of beams 2 at uniform vertical intervals.

The panels 5, as shown in FIG. 6, are releasably coupled between associated parallel upper and lower beams 2 with resilient clips 26 and 27. The lower resilient clip 26 rests upon the upper arcuate curved surface of the lower beam 2. The upper resilient clip 27 has an inward leading lip 28 which guides the upper clip 27 over the lower semicircular rounded surface of the upper beam 2 in order to resiliently engage the upper beam 2.

FIG. 9 shows a sectional view in the plan which illustrates further details of the clips 26 and 27. Advantageously the clips 26, 27 are formed of plastic together with a panel bulkhead 29 which closes and masks both ends of the panel 5.

FIG. 9 shows that between ends of adjacent panels 5 there is a vertical gap of width "g" provided. The gap "g" enables the insertion of the hanger means 30. The hanger 30 has an inward end which has inward facing dogs 31 to co-act with selected slots 24 in the outward face of the pasts 1. The inward end of the hanger 30 is bent in an offset S-shape in order that the cladding panels 5 cover over the slots 24 and the inward end of the hanger 30. As a result, the slots 24 and associated offset parts of the hanger 30 are not visible when the panels 5 are installed. The hangers 30 extend outwardly from the posts through gap "g" and may be used in known manner to support furniture components such as desktops, shelves, cabinets and the like.

A particularly advantageous feature of the partition according to the invention relates to the capacity to accommodate cables and wires 32 in a novel fashion having regard to the interior cavity comprising the central post space 40 and the raceways 41 described earlier. While many different configurations may be adopted to pass cables and wires 32 between partitions and into and out of the interior cavity, one preferred embodiment is illustrated. Referring to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 shows a portion of a raceway indicated and referred to as raceway 41b, underneath an upper panel indicated as 5b, adapted to carry horizontally extending communication wires 32b and another portion of the same raceway indicated and referred to a raceway 41a, underneath recessed panel 7 adapted to carry horizontally extending electrical cables 32a. As shown in FIG. 7, in a preferred embodiment, the intermediate panels 5 may be used to house communication wires 32b for computers and other office equipment. Intermediate panels 5a may be to house electrical power outlets 8, an associated electrical power bus 33 and associated electrical power cables 32. Since such wires 32b, cables 32a and power bus 33 are commonly required to be hidden, the embodiment of FIG. 2 shows the intermediate panel 5b and recessed panel 7 remaining installed, whereas the other panels 5 are removed.

As seen in FIG. 7, cladding panels on the right hand side of the partition are numbered as panels 5, 5a, and 5b. These panels 5, 5a and 5b represent outer cover panels which have outer surfaces directed outwardly and which outer surfaces are disposed in substantially the same vertical plane. With the optional outer cladding panel 5a shown in dotted outline removed, outer panel 5b is spaced from outer panel 5 so as to form a vertical opening between the outer panel 5b and the outer panel 5. The recessed panel 7 forms a bridging cover panel which is coupled to the frame. This bridging panel 7 covers the vertical opening between the vertically spaced outer cover panels 5 and 5b when viewed horizontally and laterally from the side of the partition as in FIG. 2 on the middle section of the partition where the outer panel 5a has been removed and the recessed bridging panel 7 is seen.

The bridging panel 7 has an outwardly directed outer surface. The bridging panel 7 is shown in FIG. 7 as having an upper portion 7a. As seen in FIG. 7, the outwardly directed surface of the bridging panel 7 over its upper portion 7a is inwardly recessed relative to the outer panel 5b and, in this regard, recessed inwardly relative to inwardly directed surfaces of the outer panel 5b. The upper portion 7a of the bridging panel 7 is shown in FIG. 7 as located laterally inwardly from the outer panel 5b such that a passageway is defined between the inwardly directed surfaces of the outer panel 5b and the outwardly directed surfaces of the bridging panel 7 over its upper portion 7a for passage of wires 32b from the raceway 41b of interior cavity defined laterally inwardly of the outer panel 5b outwardly to the vertical opening between the outer panels 5 and 5b as shown in FIG. 7.

The bridging panel 7 includes a lower portion 7b which is disposed in a vertical plane proximate the vertical plane in which the outer surfaces of the outer panels 5 and 5b are disposed. The outer surface of the bridging panel 7 over the lower portion 7b is disposed laterally outwardly from the location of the outer surface of the bridging panel 7 over the upper portion 7a. As shown, the bridging panel 7 includes a transition portion intermediate the upper portion 7a and the lower portion 7b which transition portion forms a smooth curve merging the outer surfaces of the panel 7 over the upper portion 7a with the outer surface of the panel 7 over the lower portion 7b.

As shown in FIG. 7 in dotted lines, an optional outer cladding panel 5a may be provided and installed over the recessed panel 7 and with the optional outer panel 5a having an outer surface substantially disposed in the same vertical plane as the outer surfaces of the outer panels 5 and 5a.

As shown in FIG. 7, the outer cover panel 5b has a lowermost edge and the bridging panel 7 has an uppermost edge which edges are located at approximate the same height. The passageway through which the wires 32b are shown to pass in FIG. 7 opens inwardly into the raceway 41b of the internal cavity at the uppermost edge of the panel 7. This passageway also opens outwardly to the opening between the outer panels 5 and 5b at the lowermost edge of the outer panel 5b.

In FIG. 7 in dotted outline, an optional cladding panel 5a is shown installed over recessed panel 7. The recessed panel 7 has an upper portion 7a which is inwardly upwardly recessed so as to not extend forwardly beyond the faces of the post 1 in order to provide space for vertical passage of the wires 32b from the raceway 41b to equipment which is external to the partition panels 5. Passing the wire 32b in raceway 41b downward adjacent the upper portion of recessed panel 7 and then out under the panel 5b effectively and simply masks the entry of wires 32b into the partition.

Above the recessed panel 7, wires 32b are accommodated within a cable support tree 34. The cable support tree 34 is attached with screws to an inner end face of an adjacent post 1. The tree 34 comprises a vertical member with vertically spaced apart series of laterally extending cable support arms 35. As drawn, the tree 34 has support arms 35 extending into raceway 41b on the right side only, for clarity. However, it will be understood that arms 35 may advantageously be provided on the left side as well. A modified cable support arm 36 includes an outward extension to engage supporting rods 37 secured to the rear of the removable cladding panel 5b. The removable panel 5b may be removed by pushing the bottom edge inward, which pivots the panel 5 about the boss 44 below the panel centre line to snap the top rod 37 out of engagement with the top modified arm 36. While the cable support trees are shown attached to each post, depending on the width of a panel 5, additional support trees 34 may be provided inserted between the posts 1 supported by the beams 2.

Advantageously, as best illustrated in FIG. 7, wires 32b pass along the entire width of each partition and between adjacent partitions via horizontal cable raceway 41b.

The raceway 41b as illustrated is a depth "d.sub.1 " is bounded by the outward face of the post 1 and panel 5b, and of height "h.sub.1 " bounded vertically by the horizontal beams 2 of two vertically spaced apart pairs of beams 2.

The lower portion 7b of the recessed panel 7 covers an electrical bus 33. Electrical power cables 32a are shown to pass horizontally to buses 33 in adjacent panels via raceway 41a. Raceway 41a is illustrated as having depth "d.sub.2 " and height "h.sub.2 ". The buses 33 are fixed to the posts 1 or beams 2 and include electrical outlets 8 on each side. To ensure the safety of the installation, the recessed panel 7 is connected to the posts 1 and the bus assembly with screws or other relatively permanent connectors. Accidental access to live electrical components is avoided therefore.

Electrical outlets 8 are accommodated by merely punching holes in the appropriate locations through the lower portion of the recessed panel 7. If access to the electrical bus 33 and electrical outlets 8 is not required, an optional cladding panel 5a (as shown in dotted outline in FIG. 7) may be installed over the recessed panel 7 in order to provide an uninterrupted finished appearance. Alternatively, the power bus 33 component may be eliminated entirely from that partition.

The optional cladding panel 5 may be conveniently stored within the cavity of the partition, behind an upper panel 5 for example, if access to the electrical outlets 8 and recessed panel 7 is desired.

The central post space 40 provides vertical passage throughout the entire height of the partitions other than where blocked by the bus 33. FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a length of electrical cable 32a extending to one end of bus 33, past the bus 33 up the central post space 40 from below the lowermost beams 2, to up to the height of the cable tree 34. As illustrated, between the panels 7 the central post space 40 has been narrowed to a vertical duct 40a of depth at least as great as the thickness of cable 32. Panels 7 need not be recessed inside the forward and rearward faces of the posts 1. When electrical power is accessed at floor level, the central post space 40 may be used to pass cables 32a upwardly from a power source in the floor and the bus 33. When electrical power is accessed from ceiling level, conventional power poles may be used which communicate with upper portions of the central post space 40 downwardly to the bus 33.

Electrical cables 32a are preferably armored in metal, and pass across the entire width of a partition and between adjacent partitions through the horizontal raceway 41a. Commercially available modular buses 33 are preferably used having outlets on both sides with pigtail conduits 32a for interconnection in lengthwise series along the length of the assembled partition wall.

Therefore the specific combination of the upper raceway 41b and the lower cable raceway 41a, and central post space 40 of the partition provide convenient means to house cables 32a and wires 32b hidden from view behind removable panels 5b and recessed fixed panel 7. All cables 32a and wires 32b may pass easily between adjacent partitions within the cable raceways 41a or 41b between the vertical posts 1 and exterior cladding panels 5 and 7.

Preferably the intermediate panel 5b which covers the cable supporting tree 34 is positioned immediately above desktop height. The recessed panel 7 is positioned immediately below desktop height. Since the raceways 41a and 41b pass on the outward surface of the posts 1, slots 24 which support hanger brackets 30 cannot be accessed in the immediate area of the raceways 41a or 41b when cables or wires 32 are to be housed within the raceways. However, this feature is not particularly disadvantageous, since in general, hanger brackets 30 are positioned above desktop height for shelves and filing cabinets, whereas hangers 30 are positioned below desktop height to support desks, and filing cabinets.

Therefore, hangers 30 in the immediate area above desk top height are not generally required. If a design calls for hangers 30 in that specific location, it is a very simple matter to position the cable tree 34 at a higher or lower panel 5 location. Since the entire internal cavity 40 of the partition is open, wires 32b and cables 32a may be relocated anywhere within the interior cavity 40 of the partition to meet the requirements of a specific design.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show the details of the connection between four adjacent partitions in an X-shaped pattern. It will be apparent that connections of two or three adjacent panels in L-shaped or T-shaped patterns or between panels in other than 90.degree. orientation can be accomplished in an analogous manner.

The leading hook-shaped ends of the toggle clamps 25 extend through slots in the posts 1 and engage a slotted opening 13 in the X-shaped connector 14. Upturned legs 15 are pressed against the lateral surface of the posts 1 and clamped securely. Further securement of the connection may optionally be provided by bolting arrowhead-shaped connectors 16 to connector 14 with the end inserts 16a of each connectors telescopically received within the interior of the open ends of the associated tubes 2. The arrowhead connectors 16 include mating apertures in order to bolt them to the X-shaped connector 14.

It has been found by experimentation that only one X-shaped connector 14 need be used at the mid-height level to securely connect four adjacent frames. Additional strength may be achieved if necessary in specific circumstances by providing additional X-shaped connectors 14 as shown in FIG. 11. Preferably though, only one X-shaped connector 14 need be used, and for additional stability and strength arrow-head connectors 16 may be used without connector 14. In this case disks 42 are used as a vehicle to which to secure adjacent arrow-head connectors 16 inserted into the interior of each pair of beams 2 throughout the height of the partition. The use of relatively expensive toggle clamps 25 therefore can be minimized without sacrificing the strength of the connection.