Partition system

A partition system which includes a hollow body, plastic panel, a connector link member, a plurality of inserts for the panel, a trim element for mounting to the panel, a leveling member for adjusting the orientation of the panel relative to a floor surface, a friction ring for cooperative engagement with the connector link member, and a plurality of fasteners for mounting the inserts, the connector link member, and the trim element to the panel. The panel can include a first face surface, a second face surface, a pair of opposing ends, a top surface, a bottom surface, and a shear wall wherein the first and second face surfaces are connected together. The panel can be formed in a blow-molding process. A pair of connector link members can be joined together to define a connector link assembly for joining a pair of panels together. The connector link assembly is adapted to allow the joined panels to be oriented with respect to each other over a range of angles.

 

1. A partition system comprising:

a hollow body, plastic panel, the panel including a first face, a second face, a pair of opposing ends, a top, a bottom, a weld section, and a connecting element, the first and second faces being connected together via the weld section, and the connecting element being disposed at one of the ends, the connecting element including a post having a tapered circumferential sidewall; and

a connector link member, the connector link including a first retaining element and a second retaining element, both retaining elements configured to be removably mountable to the connecting element, one of the first and second retaining elements of the connector link member including a keyway, the keyway configured to retentively engage the post, the keyway including a wall surface configured to correspond substantially to the tapered circumferential sidewall of the post.

2. The partition system according to claim 1 further comprising:

a plurality of panels.

3. The partition system according to claim 2 wherein the connector link member is adapted to join a pair of panels together by mounting the first retaining element to the connecting element of one of the panels and the second retaining element to the connecting element of the other of the panels.

4. The partition system according to claim 3 wherein the connector link member is adapted to join the panels together such that the panels are disposed at a desired angle with respect to each other.

5. The partition system according to claim 4 wherein the angle is acute.

6. The partition system according to claim 4 wherein the angle is obtuse.

7. The partition system according to claim 4 wherein the angle is 90°.

8. The partition system according to claim 4 wherein the angle is 180°.

9. The partition system according to claim 1 wherein the panel includes a pair of stiles in predetermined, spaced relationship to each other, a top rail, and a bottom rail, the top and bottom rails extending between the stiles.

10. The partition system according to claim 9 wherein each stile includes a necked portion, each necked portion having a pair of opposing, concave grooves extending substantially along the entire respective stilc.

11. The partition system according to claim 9 wherein the stiles are contiguous with the ends, respectively, each end terminating in a curved, convex surface, one of the surfaces being interrupted by a connector port.

12. The partition system according to claim 9 wherein the panel includes a body rail, the body rail being disposed between the upper rail and the bottom rail and substantially parallel thereto, the body rail extending between the stiles.

13. The partition system according to claim 12 wherein the panel includes a field portion defined by the stiles, the bottom rail, and the body rail.

14. The partition system according to claim 12 wherein the stiles, the body rail, and the top rail define an insert portion.

15. The partition system according to claim 14 wherein the panel includes an insert rail, the insert rail being disposed between the body rail and the top rail and substantially parallel thereto, the insert rail defining a pair of recesses on each face.

16. The partition system according to claim 1 wherein the panel includes a connector port in one of the ends, the connecting element being disposed in the connector port, the post projecting from the connector port.

17. The partition system according to claim 16 wherein the connector port includes an upper surface and a lower surface, the connecting element includes a second post, the posts extending toward each other from the upper and lower surfaces of the connector port, respectively.

18. The partition system according to claim 17 wherein one of the first retaining element and the second retaining element of the connector link member includes a pair of keyways, the keyways being configured to retentively engage the posts.

19. The partition system according to claim 17 wherein the posts are identical to each other.

20. The partition system according to claim 1 wherein the post includes a base and a free end, the circumferential sidewall extending therebetween.

21. The partition system according to claim 20 wherein the base and the free end are both generally circular with the base being relatively smaller than the free end such that the circumferential sidewall tapers outwardly as it extends from the base to the free end.

22. The partition system according to claim 1 wherein the panel comprises a plurality of connecting elements and a corresponding plurality of connector ports in one of the ends, the connecting elements being respectively disposed in the corresponding plurality of connector ports.

23. The partition system according to claim 1 wherein each end of the panel comprises a plurality of connecting elements and a corresponding plurality of connector ports, the connecting elements being respectively disposed in the corresponding plurality of connector ports.

24. The partition system according to claim 23 wherein the connector ports of the first end are aligned, respectively, with the connector ports of the second end.

25. The partition system according to claim 1 wherein the panel includes a field portion, the field portion having a first wall surface disposed on the first face and a second wall surface disposed on the second face, the wall surfaces extending toward each other, and the wall surfaces having a shear wall extending therebetween.

26. The partition system according to claim 25 wherein the wall surfaces define a cavity and a plurality of passageways opening to the cavity.

27. The partition system according to claim 25 wherein the first wall surface has an exterior surface with a plurality of protrusions thereon.

28. The partition system according to claim 27 wherein the second wall surface has an exterior surface with a plurality of protrusions thereon.

29. The partition system according to claim 25 wherein the wall surfaces have a plurality of shear walls extending therebetween.

30. The partition system according to claim 25 wherein the second wall surface nests within the first wall surface.

31. The partition system according to claim 30 wherein the nested arrangement of the wall surfaces defines a plurality of shear walls therebetween.

32. The partition system according to claim 31 wherein each shear wall comprises a surface-to-surface shear connection.

33. The partition system according to claim 1 wherein the panel includes a shear wall integral with the first face surface and the second face surface.

34. The partition system according to claim 33 wherein the shear wall is formed by an offset weld arrangement.

35. The partition system according to claim 1 wherein the panel includes a plurality of offset tack-off welds.

36. The partition system according to claim 35 wherein at least one of the offset welds includes a shear wall having a surface-to-surface shear connection.

37. The partition system according to claim 35 wherein at least one of the offset welds includes a shear wall having a linear-to-linear shear connection.

38. The partition system according to claim 1 wherein the panel comprises blow-molded plastic.

39. The partition system according to claim 38 wherein the plastic is HDPE.

40. The partition system according to claim 1 wherein the panel includes an insert portion.

41. The partition system according to claim 1 wherein the first face of the panel includes a first recess, and wherein the partition system further comprises:

an insert, the insert being configured to be mountable to the panel within the first recess.

42. The partition system according to claim 41 wherein the second face of the panel includes a second recess, the second recess being substantially the same size as the first recess.

43. The partition system according to claim 42 wherein the first recess includes a first H-shaped groove having a pair of legs in spaced relation to each other and a transverse cross-piece extending therebetween, and the second recess includes a second H-shaped groove having a pair of legs in spaced relation to each other and a transverse cross-piece extending therebetween, the second groove being smaller than the first groove and configured such that the second groove is disposed within the first groove.

44. The partition system according to claim 43 wherein one of the legs of the first groove cooperates with one of the legs of the second groove to define an integral shear wall that extends between the first face and the second face.

45. The partition system according to claim 44 wherein the cross-piece of the first groove cooperates with the cross-piece of the second groove to define an integral shear wall that extends between the first face and the second face.

46. The partition system according to claim 42 wherein the first face of the panel includes a pair of first recesses.

47. The partition system according to claim 46 wherein the second face of the panel includes a pair of second recesses.

48. The partition system according to claim 41 wherein the insert comprises an accessory surface having an aperture therethrough.

49. The partition system according to claim 48 wherein the accessory insert has a plurality of apertures therethrough, the first recess includes a waffle surface that defines a plurality of depressions, the apertures of the accessory insert configured such that when the insert is mounted to the first recess, each aperture respectively aligns with one of the depressions.

50. The partition system according to claim 41 wherein the insert comprises a tack surface for releasably retaining a tack.

51. The partition system according to claim 50 wherein the tack surface includes a plurality of dimples.

52. The partition system according to claim 50 wherein the insert comprises closed-cell foam.

53. The partition system according to claim 41 wherein the insert comprises an inlay surface.

54. The partition system according to claim 53 wherein the inlay surface comprises wood.

55. The partition system according to claim 53 wherein the inlay surface comprises plastic.

56. The partition system according to claim 41 wherein the insert is mountable to the panel by a screw.

57. The partition system according to claim 41 wherein the insert is mountable to the panel by a hook-and-loop fastener.

58. The partition system according to claim 1 wherein the first and second retaining elements of the connector link member each include a pair of tapered keyways.

59. The partition system according to claim 1 wherein the connector link member includes first and second connecting surfaces in spaced relationship to each other, a face extending therebetween, a pair of bevel surfaces flanking the face and extending between the connecting surfaces, a pair of ends respectively extending form the bevel surfaces and extending between the connecting surfaces, and a mating surface opposing the face.

60. The partition system according to claim 59 wherein the connector link member has a central, longitudinal axis, the first and second connecting surfaces being symmetrical to each other about the longitudinal axis.

61. The partition system according to claim 59 wherein the first and second retaining elements of the connector link member each include a pair of tapered keyways, each pair of tapered keyways being disposed on the first and second connecting surfaces, respectively.

62. The partition system according to claim 61 wherein each keyway includes an angled wall surface.

63. The partition system according to claim 59 wherein the face of the connector link member includes a mounting hole.

64. The partition system according to claim 1 wherein the connector link member includes a latch mechanism for releasably engaging a second connector link member.

65. The partition system according to claim 64 wherein the latch mechanism includes a pair of fingers.

66. The partition system according to claim 1 wherein the connector link member includes a first latch mechanism and a second latch mechanism for releasably engaging a second connector link member.

67. The partition system according to claim 66 wherein the connector link member includes a central, longitudinal axis, the first latch mechanism is disposed a predetermined distance from the central axis in a first direction, the second latch mechanism is disposed an equal distance from the central axis in a second direction, the second direction opposing the first direction.

68. The partition system according to claim 67 wherein the first and second latch mechanisms are disposed on an interior surface of the connector link member adjacent the first and second ends, respectively.

69. The partition system according to claim 1 wherein the connector link member comprises plastic.

70. The partition system according to claim 1 further comprising:

a pair of connector link members, each connector link member configured to mate to the other connector link member to define a connector link assembly.

71. The partition system according to claim 70 wherein each connector link member is substantially identical to the other connector link member.

72. The partition system according to claim 70 wherein the connector link assembly includes a first connector side, a second connector side, a first retaining assembly and a second retaining assembly, a pair of chamfered ends, and a pair of mounting holes, the mounting holes being axially aligned with each other to receive a screw therethrough.

73. The partition system according to claim 72 wherein the first retaining assembly includes a pair of retaining enclosures respectively disposed on the first and second connector sides, and the second retaining assembly includes a pair of retaining enclosures respectively disposed on the first and second connector sides.

74. The partition system according to claim 73 wherein the connecting element of the panel includes a pair of posts, and each retaining enclosure is in the form of a socket configured to retentively engage one of the posts of the connecting element.

75. The partition system according to claim 70 wherein each connector link member includes a latch mechanism for releasably engaging the other connector link member.

76. The partition system according to claim 75 wherein each connector link includes a central, longitudinal axis, and each latch mechanism includes a pair of fingers disposed at an offset position with respect to the longitudinal axis such that when mating surfaces of the connector link members are aligned, the latch mechanisms engage each other to retain the connector link members.

77. The partition system according to claim 72 wherein the connector link assembly includes a screw mounted in the mounting holes.

78. The partition system according to claim 1 further comprising:

a friction ring, the friction ring mounted to the post of the connecting element of the panel; and

a connector link assembly mountable to the post of the connecting element with the friction ring disposed thereon, the friction ring operable to rotatively fix the connector link assembly with respect to the connecting element when the connector link assembly is mounted to the connecting element.

79. The partition system according to claim 1 further comprising:

a trim element, the trim element including a retaining element configured to be removably mountable to the connecting element of the panel.

80. The partition system according to claim 79 wherein the trim element includes first and second connecting surfaces, an end extending between the connecting surfaces, a curved face extending between the connecting surfaces and contiguous with the end, a mating surface, and an interior surface.

81. The partition system according to claim 80 wherein the retaining element includes a first and a second retaining notch, the retaining notches being disposed on the first and second connecting surfaces, respectively.

82. The partition system according to claim 80 wherein the trim element includes a tab extending from the end thereof, the tab being configured such that when the trim element is mounted to the connecting element, the tab engages the panel.

83. The partition system according to claim 80 wherein the trim element includes a mounting hole disposed in the face of the trim element for mounting the trim element to a second trim element to define a trim assembly.

84. The partition system according to claim 80 wherein the trim element includes a latch mechanism for mounting the trim element to a second trim element to define a trim assembly.

85. The partition system according to claim 79 further comprising:

a friction ring, the friction ring configured to mount to the connecting element of the panel, the trim element mountable to the connecting element with the friction ring disposed thereon.

86. The partition system according to claim 79 further comprising:

a pair of trim elements, each trim element configured to mate to the other trim element to define a trim assembly.

87. The partition system according to claim 86 wherein the trim elements are mountable together with the connecting element disposed therebetween, each trim element including a tab extending therefrom, the tabs being configured such that when the trim elements are mounted to the connecting element, the tabs engage the panel to prevent the trim assembly from rotating with respect to the panel.

88. The partition system according to claim 1 further comprising:

a leveling member, the leveling member adjustably mountable to the panel for orienting the panel with respect to a floor surface in a desired position.

89. The partition system according to claim 88 wherein the panel includes a leveler-receiving structure for receiving the leveler member therein, the leveler-receiving structure disposed adjacent the bottom of the panel.

90. The partition system according to claim 89 wherein the leveling member includes a stud, the leveler-receiving structure includes a leveler bore opening to the bottom for receiving the stud of the leveling member therein.

91. The partition system according to claim 90 wherein the leveler bore includes a countersink area adjacent the bottom.

92. The partition system according to claim 90 wherein the panel includes a pair of support bores adjacent the leveler bore and integral therewith, the support bores respectively extending from the first and second faces.

93. The partition system according to claim 1 further comprising:

a pair of leveling members, each leveling member adjustably mountable to the panel for orienting the panel with respect to a floor surface in a desired position; and

wherein the panel includes a pair of leveler-receiving structure for respectively receiving the leveler members therein, the leveler-receiving structure disposed in the bottom of the panel and respectively adjacent the ends of the panel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to a partition system and, more particularly, to a partition system including a panel and a connector for connecting panels at variable orientations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Office spaces are often configured to include cubicles and other types of workstations defined by partition walls. Non-load bearing partition systems are typically constructed of metal framing with a substrate of core material, such as fiberboard, and a covering, such as a fabric material. Connector systems for these partition panels typically include a straight connector for joining two panels along a single plane and a right angle bracket for joining two panels at a right angle relative to each other.

Blow-molded products have many attractive features, such as, reasonable part price, low tooling costs, and fast product development, for example. In addition, a blow-molded product can be designed to have molded-in structural integrity.

Designing a double-walled, extrusion blow-molded product can include various challenges. For example, one obstacle confronted by the designer is to achieve a design that yields a flat product such as a panel or shelving. The traditional technique to produce a flat panel is to use "tip-to-tip" spot welding wherein welded elements, known as "weld cones," meet near the parting plane and weld together to provide a spot weld. Such a welding arrangement does little to prevent the side walls of the panel from buckling. The situation can be worsened in situations where the parting line is asymmetrically defined or where material is distributed unevenly between cavity and core sides. Consequently, panels so constructed can tend to curve like a banana even when the head tool has been carefully profiled.

The present invention is directed toward providing a partition system with a blow-molded, flat panel that is economically produced.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a partition system including a hollow body, plastic panel that can be made by a blow-molding process. A connector link member is provided to join two panels together. One connector link member can be mated with a second connector link member to define a connector link assembly. A friction ring can be provided to facilitate the mounting of the connector link assembly to the panel. A plurality of inserts can be provided, each being mountable to a recess in the panel. A trim element can be mated with a second trim element to define a trim assembly useful for providing a finished appearance to the panel. A leveling member can be mounted to the panel and used to adjustably position the orientation of the panel. A plurality of fasteners can also be provided. The fasteners can be used in combination to mount the connector link member, the trim element, and the inserts to the panel. The partition system can include a plurality of one or more components described herein.

The partition system can be used to define one or more wall portions that can define a cubicle or other workstation. The partition system is modular in nature and can be used to provide a variety of wall configurations.

Connector link assemblies are mounted to the partition panels in the connector ports. The connector link assemblies allow the user to install a pair of partition panels in any of a range of configurations relative to each other, such as a planar configuration or at an acute, obtuse or right angle with respect to each other. The connector link assemblies can be adjusted to the desired orientation by use of a screwdriver, for example.

To achieve a flat, warp-free panel, an offset tack-off welding arrangement can be provided. The offset, tack-off welding arrangement is provided by pairs of cooperating welding elements disposed on each half mold portion. A first welding element is disposed on the first mold portion such that when the first and second mold portions are brought together the first welding element extends from the first mold portion along a molding axis beyond the parting line. A second welding element is disposed on the second mold portion such that when the first and second mold portions are brought together the second welding element extends from the second mold portion along the mold axis beyond the parting line. The first and second elements are configured such that they define an overlap zone along the mold axis wherein both elements are found when the first and second mold portions are brought together. The two weld elements are offset from each other to allow the first and second mold portions to be brought together.

During the blow molding of the panel, the offset, cooperating weld elements can be brought together to "shear" the parison therebetween while both walls of parison are still in a molten stage to thereby weld to each other. The welded shear connection can be a surface-to-surface weld or a linear-to-linear weld. Neighboring surfaces from two opposite weld elements which are substantially parallel to each other yield a surface-to-surface weld. Otherwise, the neighboring surfaces define a linear-to-linear weld.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, provided herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a partition system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a panel of the partition system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the panel of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, broken away, perspective view, of the panel of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the panel as in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, detail view taken view from FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, detail view taken view from FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9—9 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10—10 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, broken away, perspective view of the panel of FIG. 2.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12—12 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13—13 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the panel and an accessory insert of the partition system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the panel and the accessory insert of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the panel and the accessory insert of FIG. 14 with the accessory insert mounted to the panel in another configuration.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of the panel of FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged, exploded detail view taken from FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary, enlarged, exploded view of a tack insert and a panel of the partition system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary, enlarged, exploded view of a inlay insert and a panel of the partition system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 21 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of the panel of FIG. 2 illustrating a leveler-receiving structure.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 22—22 in FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a view similar to FIG. 21 illustrating a leveling member mounted to the panel.

FIG. 24 is an enlarged, fragmentary, broken away, perspective view of the panel and the leveling member of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a fragmentary, broken away, perspective view of the panel of FIG. 2 illustrating a connector port.

FIG. 26 is a front elevational view of the panel of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is an end elevational view of the panel of FIG. 25.

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 28—28 in FIG. 26.

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 29—29 in FIG. 27.

FIG. 30 is a first perspective view of a connector link member of the partition system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 31 is a second perspective view of the connector link member of FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is a first elevational view of the connector link member of FIG. 30.

FIG. 33 is an end elevational view of the connector link member of FIG. 30.

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 34—34 in FIG. 32.

FIG. 35 is a plan view of the connector link member of FIG. 30.

FIG. 36 is a second elevational view of the connector link member of FIG. 30.

FIG. 37 is an exploded, perspective view of a pair of connector link members of a connector link assembly of the partition system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 38 is a view as in FIG. 37 except with the connector link members mounted together.

FIG. 39 is a view of the panel as in FIG. 25 with the connector link member of FIG. 30 mounted thereto.

FIG. 40 is a plan view of the panel and the connector link member of FIG. 39.

FIG. 41 is an elevational view of the panel and the connector link member of FIG. 39.

FIG. 42 is an end elevational view of the panel and the connector link member of FIG. 39.

FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 43—43 in FIG. 41.

FIG. 44 is a view of the panel similar to FIG. 25 with the connector link member of FIG. 30 mounted thereto and a second connector link member exploded therefrom.

FIG. 45 is a partially exploded, perspective view of a pair of panels and a connector link assembly of the partition system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 46 is an enlarged detail, exploded view taken from FIG. 45 illustrating a friction ring of the partition system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of a trim element of the partition system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 48 is a top plan view of the trim piece of FIG. 47.

FIG. 49 is a first elevation of the trim piece of FIG. 47.

FIG. 50 is a second elevational view of the trim piece of FIG. 47.

FIG. 51 is an end elevational view of the trim piece of FIG. 47.

FIG. 52 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 52—52 of FIG. 50.

FIG. 53 is an end elevational view of a trim assembly of the partition system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 54 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the panel of FIG. 2 illustrating a trim assembly being mounted thereto.

FIG. 55 is a perspective view of a linear wall constructed from the partition system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 56 is an enlarged detail view taken from FIG. 55.

FIG. 57 is a perspective view of an L-shaped wall constructed from the partition system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 58 is an enlarged detail view taken from FIG. 57.

FIG. 59 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 59—59 in FIG. 57.

FIG. 60 is an enlarged detail view taken from FIG. 59.

FIG. 61 is a view similar to FIG. 60 illustrating an alternate configuration for the L-shaped wall.

FIG. 62 is a view similar to FIG. 60 illustrating another alternate configuration for the L-shaped wall.

FIG. 63 is a perspective view of an X-shaped wall constructed from the partition system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 64 is a perspective view of a T-shaped wall constructed from the partition system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 65 is a first elevational view of another embodiment of a panel useful in connection with the partition system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 66 is a second elevational view of the panel of FIG. 65.

FIG. 67 is a first elevational view of another embodiment of a panel useful in connection with the partition system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 68 is a first elevational view of another embodiment of a panel useful in connection with the partition system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 69 is a first elevational view of another embodiment of a panel useful in connection with the partition system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 70 is a first elevational view of another embodiment of a panel useful in connection with the partition system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 71 is a generally schematic view of a molding assembly useful in connection with the manufacture of the panel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 72 is a generally schematic view of a plurality of mold elements useful in connection with the molding assembly of FIG. 71.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 an illustrative partition system 100. The partition system 100 includes a hollow body, plastic panel 102, a connector link member 104, a plurality of inserts 105, 106, 107, a trim element 110, a leveling member 112, a friction ring <