GB2081767A - Skirting acting as cover for service ducting - Google Patents
Skirting acting as cover for service ducting Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2081767A GB2081767A GB8023657A GB8023657A GB2081767A GB 2081767 A GB2081767 A GB 2081767A GB 8023657 A GB8023657 A GB 8023657A GB 8023657 A GB8023657 A GB 8023657A GB 2081767 A GB2081767 A GB 2081767A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- side cover
- cover members
- end sections
- wall panel
- members
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 229920005830 Polyurethane Foam Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000011496 polyurethane foam Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 208000003464 asthenopia Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B2/00—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls
- E04B2/74—Removable non-load-bearing partitions; Partitions with a free upper edge
- E04B2/7407—Removable non-load-bearing partitions; Partitions with a free upper edge assembled using frames with infill panels or coverings only; made-up of panels and a support structure incorporating posts
- E04B2/7416—Removable non-load-bearing partitions; Partitions with a free upper edge assembled using frames with infill panels or coverings only; made-up of panels and a support structure incorporating posts with free upper edge, e.g. for use as office space dividers
- E04B2/7422—Removable non-load-bearing partitions; Partitions with a free upper edge assembled using frames with infill panels or coverings only; made-up of panels and a support structure incorporating posts with free upper edge, e.g. for use as office space dividers with separate framed panels without intermediary support posts
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R25/00—Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits
- H01R25/16—Rails or bus-bars provided with a plurality of discrete connecting locations for counterparts
- H01R25/161—Details
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B2/00—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls
- E04B2/74—Removable non-load-bearing partitions; Partitions with a free upper edge
- E04B2002/7483—Details of furniture, e.g. tables or shelves, associated with the partitions
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B2/00—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls
- E04B2/74—Removable non-load-bearing partitions; Partitions with a free upper edge
- E04B2002/7488—Details of wiring
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B2/00—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls
- E04B2/74—Removable non-load-bearing partitions; Partitions with a free upper edge
- E04B2002/749—Partitions with screw-type jacks
Abstract
A wall panel construction has a utility space below its lower edge for electrical and telephone cables (32) with cover members (10) consisting of a main body (36) having end sections (50) of yieldable material. The cover members are arranged end to end along the base of the wall panel with the yieldable end sections of adjacent cover members in a juxtaposed relationship with each other enabling cables to be extended from the utility space. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Wall panel construction having under the wall wiring system with improved cover members
The present invention relates to an improved wall panel construction. United States
Specification No. 4,043,626 discloses an under the wall energy distribution system for a space divider system in which a plurality of modular offices or work stations are erected. The under the wall energy distribution system houses the electrical and telephone cables beneath the wall panels of the space divider system. Thus, power and communication service is available within each office or work station. Under the wall energy distribution systems are advantageous in that the portability of the space divider system is maintained. Also, the electrical and telephone cables, by being located under the wall panels, are unnoticeable.
As disclosed in the above-identified patent specification, the wall panels are supported by legs which establish a utility space beneath the wall panels in which the cables are disposed. Side cover members are employed to conceal the utility space, presenting an appearance of a continuous wall panel extending upwardly from the floor.
Since modular offices are assembled on location and since final adjustments are usually made at this time, such as the height of the wall panels, it is desirable to provide a number of components of the system whose final configuration is formed at the time of assembly. Such components add flexibility to the construction of the modular office system. One component which can be constructed to meet these objectives is the side cover member.
It is also desirable to provide the under the wall energy distribution system with suitable access passageways through which the cables can be extended from the utility space. It is advantageous from the standpoint of safety and appearance to maintain continuity between adjacent side cover members while maintaining the cable in a relatively fixed position at the location where the cables extend from the utility space.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a wall panel construction comprising a movable wall panel, said wall panel having ends and a bottom edge, means supporting a plurality of said wall panels in an end-to-end relationship on a supporting surface in which the bottom edge of each wall panel is located above the supporting surface to define a utility space below the bottom edges of said wall panels, said supporting means comprising a plurality of base members positioned end-to-end on said supporting surface, side cover members positioned end-to-end along the bottom edge of said wall panels to conceal said utility space, each of said side cover members comprising a main body having inner surface portions facing said walls and outer surface portions facing in the opposite direction, end sections formed of yieldable material fixed to the inner surface portions of said main body of each side cover member so as to extend beyond the ends of said main body, said cover members being arranged so that the end sections of adjacent cover members are in a juxtaposed relationship with said end section on one side cover member abutting the end section on an adjacent side cover member to establish substantial continuity between adjacent side cover members, said end sections having cross-sectional configurations that conform with the cross-sectional configuration of said main body to which said end sections being formed of yieldable material to enable the passage of an object between a pair of abutting end sections to and from said utility space while maintaining substantial continuity between said abutting end sections as saidend sections are deformed only in the vicinity of said object, and coacting means on said base members and on said side cover members for mounting said cover members on said base members in positions to conceal said utility space.
The deformable end sections of the side cover members are deformed only in the vicinity where the cables are extended between adjacent side cover members so as to provide the appearance of a single continuous cover member extending along the entire wall. Also, because the cables are squeezed between adjacent end sections they are held firmly in place. Since the end sections are formed of yieldable material, portions can be cut away to form an enlarged opening to receive larger objects such as an electric mains outlet socket, for instance. Since the exact height of the wall panel is usually determined only at the time when the office is assembled on location, the final cutting of the end sections can be performed at this time so as to permit greater freedom to the installer in determining the final positioning of the wall sockets.
Further features of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following exemplary description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a modular office or work station positioned in a room provided with a wall panel construction embodying the present invention and having an under the wall energy wiring system.
FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view in elevation of a pair of side cover members at the base of the wall panel construction located in a side by side relationship;
FIGURE 3 is a cross sectional end view of a wall panel and energy distribution system taken substantially along line 3-3 in FIGURE 2; and
FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a modified side cover member.
With reference to the drawing, side cover members 10 are incorporated into a space divider system which forms modular offices or work stations 12 that are assembled within a larger room. As shown in Figure 1, one modular office 12 or work station is provided comprising a plurality of wall panels 14 having lower edges 1 with individual panels being designated by the reference numerals 1 4a through 14f. The wall panels 14 are arranged end to end to form the desired configuration of the work station and may include curved panels such as the panel 14a. The panels 14 can be arranged in a straight line or at an angle with respect to each other such as exists between panels 1 4c and 14d.
As shown in Figure 3, each wall panel 14 is supported by depending legs 16 (one shown), each having a threaded spindle 1 8 threadably mounted at one end to a bracket 1 9 and affixed at the other end to a glide 20. The bracket 1 9 is suitably secured to the panel 14 in alignment with an opening 23. Rotation of the spindle 1 8 varies the distance between the glide 20 and the panel 14 thereby adjusting the height of the panel 14 on the floor. Base plates 22 are positioned on the floor 24 and receive the glides 20 of the legs 1 6.
Each base plate 22 has a flat support portion 25 and transversely displaced flange portions 26 on which the side cover members 10 are mounted.
The positioning of each wall panel 14 so that its lower edge 15 is spaced above the floor 24 establishes a utility space 27 beneath that wall panel 14 between its bottom edge 1 5 and the base plate 22. Electrical cables 30 and telephone cables 32 are disposed in the utility space 27 to run along the perimeter of the modular office 12 making power and communication service available through each modular office or work station 12.
Each side cover member 10 consists of a main body portion 36 having an inner surface 38 and an outer surface 40. A top portion 42 extends generally transversely from the main body portion 36 so that when the cover member is positioned in an upright orientation, the main body portion 36 is generally upright while the top portion 42 engages the wall panel 14 to conceal the utility space 27. Coacting means on the main body portion 36 at its lower end and the flange 26 of the base plates 22 cooperate to maintain the side cover member 10 in its upright operative position.
The coacting means consist of a pair of angled leg members 42 and 44 which are constructed of flexible material and which straddle the flange 26.
The legs 42 and 44 conform generally to the configuration of each angled flange 26 which first extends upwardly and transversly outwardly from the flat support portion 22 and then downwardly therefrom to form a generally inverted V-shaped configuration. The leg members 42 and 44 are mounted to the flange 26 in a clamping relationship to releasably hold each side cover 10 in an upright position.
Each side cover 10 is provided with end sections 50 that are formed of yieldable or deformable material such as polyurethane foam and are suitabely secured to the main body portion 36 such as with an adhesive. The end sections 50 have a cross-sectional configuration that is similar to the cross-sectional configuration of the main body portion 36 of the cover member 10. The side cover members 10 are arranged end to end along the base of the wall panel 14 to conceal the utility space 27. The end sections 50 of adjacent cover members 10 are in a juxtaposed relationship with each other and in the illustrated embodiment, are positioned in abutting relationship with each other. The break or discontinuity between adjacent end sections 50 enables the electrical and telephone cables to extend therebetween from the utility space to suitable equipment located within the modular office 12.As shown in Figure 2, only the telephone cable 32 is extended from the utility space 27 and it compresses or deforms only those portions of the end sections 50 that are in close proximity to the cable 32 so that a generally, continuous appearance is maintained between adjacent cover members 10. In other words, the deformable end sections 50 are squeezed against the telephone cable 32 to anchor it in a generally fixed position at the location where it exits between the adjacent side cover members 10.
Yet, adjacent cover members 10 appear to be integraily formed with each other.
The yieldable end sections 50 can also be cut away by a suitable cutting tool to form an enlarged passageway communicating with the utility space 27. An electrical socket 52 (its connection to an electrical cable not shown) can thus be positioned in this passageway so that its face is generally flush with the outer surfaces 38 of the cover member 10 as is best seen in Figures 2 and 3. The outlet 52 is mounted on the wall panel 14 by an offset bracket 54 and a screw 56.
Since the outlet 52 is generally fixed relative to the wall panel 14, its height will depend on the final adjustment of the height of the wall panel 14 to which it is attached. Thus, only when the final height of the wall panel 14 is determined will the passageway for the outlet 52 be cut away. The user therefore has the ability to make the final adjustments as to the height of the wall panels 14 and the location and positioning of the outlet 52.
In Figure 4, a modified side cover 1 OA is shown having a generally inverted C-shaped configuration with top and bottom legs 70 and 72 which are bevelled at the ends of the main body portion 36A extending in a direction toward its front surface 40A. Simiiarly, C-shaped yieldable end sections 50A are suitably attached to the inner surface 38A of the side cover member 1 OA.- The side cover members 10 or 1 OA may take various forms such as the curved cover member - 1 0B shown in Figure 1. Additionally, end cover members 73 and corner cover members 74 can be provided each having yieldable end sections.
As seen in Figure 1, the modular office 12 has storage cabinets 80, display racks 82 and working counters 84 on which various equipment such as the critical task light 86 is used for those tasks in which the worker needs high intensity light in order to accomplish his work without eye strain. A calculator 90 having a cord 91 is shown plugged into a socket 52 that is disposed between adjacent cover members 10. Also, the telephone line 32 of the telephone 92 is connected to the energy distribution system under the wall panels 14 by being extended between adjacent side cover members 10 as shown in Figure 2.
An ambient light fixture 96 is shown disposed in the room in which the modular offices 12 are located and is also provided with side cover members 10 which conceal the utility space that exists below the panels 98. Thus, the appearance and functional characteristics of the light fixture 96 are compatible with the rest of the modular office system.
From the above description, it can be seen that an improved side cover member is provided for use with an under the wall energy distribution or wiring system. By virtue of the provision of the yieldable end sections 50, telephone and electrical lines can extend from the utility spaces below the wall panels 14 with minimum deformation of the end sections occurring to maintain visual continuity between adjacent cover members 10.
Also, the end sections 50 can be cut away at the time of their assembly to accommodate the particular location of the electrical socket 52 that is located so that its face is generally flush with the cover members 10.
Claims (5)
1. A wall panel construction comprising a movable wall panel, said wall panel having ends and a bottom edge, means supporting a plurality of said wall panels in a end-to-end relationship on a supporting surface in which the bottom edge of each wall panel is located above the supporting surface to define a utility space below the bottom edges of said wall panels, said supporting means comprising a plurality of base members positioned end-to-end on said supporting surface, side cover members positioned end-to-end along the bottom edge of said wall panels to conceal said utility space, each of said side cover members comprising a main body having inner surface portions facing said walls and outer surface portions facing in the opposite direction, end sections formed of yieldable material fixed to the inner surface portions of said main body of each side cover member so as to extend beyond the ends of said main body, said side cover members being arranged so that the end sections of adjacent cover members are in a juxtaposed relationship with said end section on one side cover member abutting the end section on an adjacent side cover member to establish substantial continuity between adjacent side cover
members, said end sections having cross sectional configurations that conform with the cross-sectional configuration of said main body to which said end sections are fixed so as to appear as integral extensions of said main body, said end sections being formed of yieldable material to enable the passage of an object between a pair of abutting end sections to and from said utility space while maintaining substantial continuity between said abutting end sections as said end sections are deformed only in the vicinity of said object, and coacting means on said base members and on said side cover members for mounting said cover members on said base members in positions to conceal said utility space.
2. A wall panel construction according to claim 1, wherein the yieldable material of said end sections comprises polyurethane foam.
3. A wall panel construction according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said coacting means comprises flange portions extending generally transversely outwardly from said base means, and spaced apart leg members on said side cover members straddling said flange portions so as to support said side cover members in generally upright positions.
4. A wall panel construction according to claim 1,2 or 3, further including an outlet mounted on one of said wall panels, means forming an opening in at least one of said end sections, said outot being positioned in said opening so as to be at least substantially flush with the outer surface of said cover members.
5. A wall panel construction substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8023657A GB2081767A (en) | 1980-07-18 | 1980-07-18 | Skirting acting as cover for service ducting |
| FR8017683A FR2488309A1 (en) | 1980-07-18 | 1980-08-11 | PERFECTIONED PLINTHS FOR CONCEALED CLOSURE AND WIRING SYSTEM |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8023657A GB2081767A (en) | 1980-07-18 | 1980-07-18 | Skirting acting as cover for service ducting |
| FR8017683A FR2488309A1 (en) | 1980-07-18 | 1980-08-11 | PERFECTIONED PLINTHS FOR CONCEALED CLOSURE AND WIRING SYSTEM |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB2081767A true GB2081767A (en) | 1982-02-24 |
Family
ID=26221946
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8023657A Withdrawn GB2081767A (en) | 1980-07-18 | 1980-07-18 | Skirting acting as cover for service ducting |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| FR (1) | FR2488309A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2081767A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2000015918A1 (en) * | 1998-09-11 | 2000-03-23 | Krueger International, Inc. | Knock-down panel partition system |
| NO337999B1 (en) * | 2014-04-30 | 2016-07-18 | Vard Accommodation As | A furnishing device |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3411252A (en) * | 1965-10-21 | 1968-11-19 | Interior Contractors Inc | Interior wall system |
| US3676974A (en) * | 1970-06-22 | 1972-07-18 | John L Daly | Baseboard molding incorporating cover sections for concealing electrical wall outlet receptacles |
| US4043626A (en) * | 1976-06-24 | 1977-08-23 | Herman Miller, Inc. | Power supply for movable office unit |
| US4133153A (en) * | 1977-03-21 | 1979-01-09 | Gf Business Equipment, Inc. | Partition raceway |
| DE2720936A1 (en) * | 1977-05-10 | 1978-11-23 | Ewald Nelken | Watertight cable connection into cabinet - has split halves with sealing pads to sandwich cables and apply sealing pressure |
-
1980
- 1980-07-18 GB GB8023657A patent/GB2081767A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1980-08-11 FR FR8017683A patent/FR2488309A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2000015918A1 (en) * | 1998-09-11 | 2000-03-23 | Krueger International, Inc. | Knock-down panel partition system |
| US6115977A (en) * | 1998-09-11 | 2000-09-12 | Krueger International, Inc. | Knock-down panel partition system |
| US6131347A (en) * | 1998-09-11 | 2000-10-17 | Krueger International, Inc. | Reconfigurable wall panel partition system |
| US6397533B1 (en) | 1998-09-11 | 2002-06-04 | Krueger International, Inc. | Tile and mounting arrangement for a wall panel system |
| NO337999B1 (en) * | 2014-04-30 | 2016-07-18 | Vard Accommodation As | A furnishing device |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FR2488309A1 (en) | 1982-02-12 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US4257203A (en) | Under the wall wiring system with improved cover members | |
| CA2604487C (en) | Luminaire with multi-purpose mounting feature | |
| US4043626A (en) | Power supply for movable office unit | |
| CA1211490A (en) | Powered desk | |
| US4056297A (en) | Removable electrical fixtures for modular wall panels | |
| CA2417031C (en) | Variable configuration desk system with power and communication capability | |
| CA1140314A (en) | Arrangement for hard wiring movable room divider panels | |
| CA1133618A (en) | Panel wiring system | |
| CA2089914C (en) | Work space partition system | |
| US5913787A (en) | Communications conduit connector mounting device | |
| RU2151248C1 (en) | Metal frame of support of low-profile lifted panel flooring | |
| US6147304A (en) | Electrical outlet box | |
| US4231630A (en) | Under the wall energy supply system for a space divider system | |
| CA2461431C (en) | Adapter for mounting a faceplate of a first style on to an electrical outlet cavity of a second style | |
| US5673522A (en) | Junction box forlow profile raised panel flooring | |
| US4255611A (en) | Energy distribution system for enclosed areas | |
| US5666887A (en) | Desk system | |
| EP3428360A1 (en) | Multifunctional, false ceiling system for the partitioning and lighting of a space | |
| MXPA04010252A (en) | Air partition member and air passageway system. | |
| CA2237691A1 (en) | Modular desk and desk system | |
| US5085392A (en) | Mounting apparatus for securing an electrical appliance to a suspended ceiling structure | |
| JPH0748888A (en) | Power panel body | |
| GB2081767A (en) | Skirting acting as cover for service ducting | |
| US6751913B2 (en) | Vertical wall structure with electrical service | |
| CN214340793U (en) | Multifunctional beam for office table and simple office table with multifunctional beam |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |