US1767806A - Partition holder for counters - Google Patents

Description

Patented June 24, 1930 UNITED `s'mTEs PATE EDMUND MORRIS, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICI-TIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO GRAND RAPIDS STORE EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, OF GRAND RAPIDE), MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN PARTITION HOLDER FOR COUNTERS Application filed May 31,

This invention relates to holders for glass partitions used above the top of a counter, table or the like in dividing the counter space into a plurality of merchandise receiving bins or compartments.

In constructions of this character vertical border members are located around and secured to the side and end edges of the counter or table top and the space surrounded by said border members is first divided by the plurality of parallel vertical partitions of glass, usually extending between the side border members while between the adjacent glass partitions, or between the end partitions and the end border members shorter lengths of glass, are used to divide the cross compartments into compartments or bins of shorter length.

The present invention is concerned with a very simple novel and practical device for holding the vertical glass partitions disposed above the counter or table top between the side border members. It is an object and purpose of the present invention to provide a device of this character which may be adjusted to any desired position and which, when the glass partition is applied between any two of the same located at opposite sides of the counter, is automatically lockedv or gripped in position and at the same time automatically eXerts considerable pressure against the ends of the glass partitions so as to hold them from looseness or rattling. In fact, any movementof the partitions except a movement upwardly to remove the partitions entirely from the counter top is precluded.

An understanding of the invention for the attainment of these ends may be had from the following description taken in connect-ion with the accompanying drawing, in which,

Fig. l is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating one corner of a counter or table top with a side and end border member and showing how one of the vertical glass partition members is removably and adjustably yet securely held in place at its end.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical section through the top anda side border member vation previous to the application of a partition thereto, and

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the holders of my invention.

Like reference characters refer to like parts in the different figures of the drawing.

The counter or table top 1 may be of any conventional construction, usually rectangular 1n Outline, to the side edges of which side border members 2 are secured. Similar end border members 3 are secured at the end edges of the top. The means by which the border members 2 and 3 are secured to the top is no part of the present invention. A dlstance below the upper edge of each of the border members and at the inner side thereof a downwardly and outwardly continuous groove 4 is made located at an acute angle to the vertical plane of the inner side of the border member in which it is made. The holder for the ends of partitions, where they come against either the side or end border members, is made of sheet metal. At its upper end it has a relatively wide flat section 5 located substantially in a vertical plane, continuous with which is a narrower downwardly extending web 6 forming the web of a channel guide and retainer Which is completed by side fianges 7 turned at right angles from the edges of the web 6 as shown in Figs l and 3. At the upper edge of the section 5 a lip 8 having a length equal to the width of the section 5 and a width slightly less than the depth of the slot or groove 4 in the border member is provided by turning the metal outwardly and downwardly at an angle to the section 5 somewhat less than a right angle. At each end of the lip 8 short tongues 9 are turned upwardly, the same being of the height shown at the edge of the lip 8 and tapered downwardly to a point at the bend or angle 10 between the lip and the section 5.

Any desired number of the sheet metal holders may be applied to the opposite side g border members 2 with the members 8 and the tongues 9 thereon inserted into the groove 4:, the Width of the groove 4: being suflicient that the tongues 9 may be inse'rted illustrating the p'artition holder in side ele- )rftherein. When inserted in this inanerand before any partitions are applied theretovthe upper section 5 with the channel portion below it is located substantially as shown in Fig. 2, that is, in a plane located at an angle 'to the vertical plane of the inner side of the border member 2.

A pair-'of theholders, one at each side of the top carried between opposite side border members 2, may be properly located and a partition ll, which is usually of glass, though it may be of any other material, is forced vertically downward into the channel guides provided by the Webs 6 and flanges 7.

lVhen this occurs the channel guides together with the upper section 5 are forced into substantial contact with the inner sides of the border members 2, the metal partition holding member *bending or springing at the bend; and it is also evident that the tongues 9 are forced upwardly against the upper sides of the grooves 4- in which they are located; engaging very Vsnugly therewith if not actually indenting orpressing` thereinto.

It is evident that as many pairs of the partition holding members may be used as desired to divide the space above the counter top into a plurality of elongated compartments extending Vacross the table. Then a part'ition has been forced downwardly between a pair of the holding member-s it is securely and snugly held in place. The holding members can not shift position respecting the border members on which they are mounted, while the tendency of. the holding membersto spring back to the position shown in Fig. 2 causespressure to be exerted on the ends of the partitions 11 holding them -snugly and Veliminating any possibility of looseness or rattling. It is also evident Vthat if desired a partition may be Vshifted Vto a different position by merely lifting the same in an upward direction to disengage from the holders whereupon the holders may be shifted and the partitions again inserted in place.

The construction of holder described is also available for use on the end border members 3 to hold the ends of other short partitions located at right angles to and between the border members 3 and the adjacent glass cross partitions 11. The ends which contact with the partitions ll will be engaged therew-ith by use of a different structure which is no part of the present invention but Which Will be the subject matter of a copending application, but those ends of the shorter partition which lie adjacent the border members 3VWill be held in thew same mann'er as the endsof thepartition's 11 as herein described. V

The construction described -is very practical andsmple, durablie in service and espetci'ally effective` in operation. The inventionf V is' defined in the appended claims and is to be considered comprehensive of all forms of structure coming Within their scope I claim: k

1. In combination with a top for a counter, table or the like, vertical members around said top, each. having a groove at its inner side cut at an angle to the vertical, sheet metal members located in the grooves of. opposite vborderf members each having a guiding. channel' portion,. and

vertical partitions eXtending' between said opposite border members having their ends slidably received in channel portions of the sheet metal members;

2. In combination with a top for a table, counter or the like, border members leX- tended upwardly from opposite edges ofthe table, each of said' border members having V members when a` tached to the borde'r members normally having their guiding portions eXtending at an* angle to the vertical Whereby the same are forced toward the ifnner sides of the border member on applying' the partitions the'ret'oi, and said lips' within the groovcs are pressed/ against sid'es vof said groovcs. A

4; A device for receiving'and guiding the end`v ofa vertical partition comprisng, a vertical section of sheet metalI having a narrow portion` at one end, flangesbent at right angles in one direction from the narrowerV portion of said section and a lip bent from the wider portion of' said section` in the opposite direction, said fianges'beginning ad'- jacent the lip and gradiiallyA tapering to their full height. y k

5. A construction con'taining the elements in combination defined in claim 4, said *lip at each end thereof being' formed With projecting tongues. g

6. In combination with a ,top for a.v table, counter or the like, of a vertical border member attached at one edgeofthe'top and extending above the same having aj groove at its inner side, anda member* of metal having' a substantially vertical s'ectionwider Vat oneend than at the other, substantially V Parallel flanges. exteldin'g'at right allg-liefsV from the edg'es ofV the narrower portionfof said section, a lip' eXte g A direction from the W :erp'ortinn ofsaid section atV an angle" thereto, said;V lip being received inthfe groove of the`horder member, and tongues eXten'ding' from the enfd14 of said border e lil 0 si intheiopposte lip, said tongues being of greatest height at the free edge of said lip and progressively decreasing in height to the opposite edge of the lip Where bent from said vertical section.

7. Means for receiving and guiding one end of a Vertical partition comprising a vertically positioned channel guide, the Web of said guide being Widened at one end and the flanges being correspondingly decreased in height7 and a lip bent from the edge of said Widened portion of the Web in a direction opposite to the opening of said channel.

8. Means for receiving and guiding onel end of a vertical partition comprising a vertically positioned channel guide, and a horizontal lip extending from said guide in a direction opposite to the opening of the channel thereof, said lip being Wider than the Web of the channel guide.

In testimony Whereof I affix my signature.

EDMUND MORRIS.

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