US3921347A

US3921347A - Partition construction

Info

Publication number: US3921347A
Application number: US475317A
Authority: US
Inventors: John C Paisley
Original assignee: Gray Manufacturing Co Inc
Current assignee: Gray Manufacturing Co Inc; Hufcor Inc
Priority date: 1974-05-31
Filing date: 1974-05-31
Publication date: 1975-11-25
Anticipated expiration: 1992-11-25
Also published as: CA1038812A

Abstract

A partition structure, including a support post and at least one partition panel secured thereto and formed to provide a cavity between a portion of the panel and an adjacent vertical side of the post. An elongated bracket support strip is located in this cavity and secured to the adjacent side of the post. The strip includes an outwardly facing exposed edge having a plurality of generally L-shaped recesses formed therein which are adapted to receive generally complementary L-shaped tabs on a cabinet or shelf bracket for supporting the bracket on the strip.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Paisley 1 1 PARTITION CONSTRUCTION [75] Inventor: John C. Paisley, Orange. Va.

[73] Assignee: Gray Manufacturing Company,

Orange, Va.

[22] Filed: May 31, 1974 [21] Appl. No; 475.317

152] U.S. Cl 52/36; 52/28] [51] Int. Cl. E04B 2/78 Field of Search 52/36. 282. 281. 481, 495. 52/582, 220, 584; 248/293; 108/108 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.927.666 3/1960 Braviak 52/36 2.971.805 2/1961 Weiss 52/36 X 2.979.866 4/1961 McLean 52/496 3.120.031 2/1964 Bohnsack... 52/281 X 3.694.975 10/1972 Pollock 52/36 1 Nov. 25, 1975 3.713.257 1/1973 Beauers 52/36 3.733.755 /1973 Butler 52/36 3.762.116 /1973 Anderson et a1. 52/282 X Primary Evamincr-Price C. Faw. Jr. .-1Ilurne v, Age/1!. or FI'rmLee C. Robinson. Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT 12 Claims. 7 Drawing Figures 5 30 0 20c 5 :7 I I 30 1n 1 42 28 28 ,4 e8 2. 34 F I1 I II 2 7 I ll 54 T 56 24 -20&

US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet 1 of2 3,921,347

9 L I I l:;; l 0 I I I E PARTITION CONSTRUCTION The present invention relates to a partition construction and, more particularly. to a partition construction for supporting a cabinet, shelf or other wall element.

Movable interior partition structures for dividing building spaces in offices, schools and the like have become widely popular and accepted in the construction field in order to permit flexibility in the design and arrangement of the building interiors. Typically these structures are readily manufactured from sheet metal and are simple to erect and disassemble. The preferred type of partition structure provides a flush construction having a uniform and pleasing appearance, with no overlapping or protruding parts that would tend to reduce the amount of usable floor space.

Numerous systems for partition constructions have been previously proposed. However, one problem with such structures is that it was often difficult to conveniently mount hanging cabinets, shelves, etc. on the partition panels so that they fitted properly across the panels, and particularly into the inside corners without defacing the panels.

The typical partition structure system includes vertical support posts and panels secured to the posts. Where provision is made for mounting cabinets or shelves on the panels or the support posts between the panels, the support posts are provided with a structural arrangement providing support for a shelf bracket or the like. One of the disadvantages of the prior arrangements for this purpose is that it often was difficult for a series of shelves or cabinets to be mounted on adjacent panels at the same elevation since each support post permitted the mounting of only one bracket. Thus, while a cabinet or shelf could be placed across one wall panel, no provision was made for a second bracket to permit mounting an additional shelf at the same level on an adjacent panel. Accordingly, a substantial amount of usable wall space for shelves or the like was wasted. In addition, many of the previously proposed support structures were relatively complex and required entirely new support post and partition constructions. They were not adapted to presently available partition assemblies.

Moreover, since one of the primary purposes of employing movable partition structures is to provide flexibility in the use of given floor area, it is obvious that electrical connections or supply lines also should exhibit such flexibility. For this reason, among others, the vertical support posts for the partition panels are often formed as hollow structural members and used as conduits for electrical cables, outlets, and the like. However, where bracket support structures of the type previously employed were utilized. it was difficult to provide both a bracket mounting structure and a conduit for electrical connections on a given post.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a partition structure which is relatively simple in construction and easy to manufacture and yet will permit convenient mounting of cabinet and shelf brackets thereon.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a partition structure which permits mounting of cabinet and shelf brackets with a neat appearance on a flush partition wall.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a movable partition structure which is adapted to sup- 2 port shelves and cabinets and yet at the same time provide passage ways for electrical wiring.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a partition structure and assembly of the character described which consists of a small number of easily manufactured elements.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a partition structure of the character described which is relatively simple and inexpensive tomanufac-' ture.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention a partition structure adapted to form a flush mow able wall includes a generally vertically extending hollow support post and at least one partition panel secured to one of the vertical sides of the post, with the panel extending generally perpendicular to the side of the post to which it is attached. The panel has a bent flange portion located in closely spaced parallel relation to the adjacent side of the post in order to define a verti 'al elongated cavity therebetween. An elongated bracket support strip is located in and substantially fills this cavity, with the support strip being secured to the one side of the post. by spot welding or the like. The support strip includes an outwardly facing exposed edge having a plurality of generally L-shaped recesses formed therein. These recesses are adapted to receive L-shaped tabs on the rear edge of the shelf or cabinet brackets, with the L-shaped tabs being vertically supported by the edges of the complimentary recesses in the support strip and laterally supported by the adjacent post side and flange portion of the panel. By this arrangement the bracket is supported along one side of the post, while the adjacent side of the post is exposed to permit access to the interior of the post and electrical wires which may be contained therein. Moreover. the support strips may be mounted on opposite sides of the posts so that shelves or cabinets can be mounted on adjacent wall panels at the same level, in a straight line.

The above, and other objects, features and advantages of this invention will be apparent in the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment thereof which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view ofa wall arrangement formed by a partition construction of the present invention and showing a series of cabinets and shelves mounted on the partition walls;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view, in plan. of the joint in the circled portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4 and 5 and sectional views taken along lines 4-4 and 5-5 respectively of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a partial exploded perspective view of a shelf bracket and its associated support strip; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cabinet bracket for use with the partition assembly of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, and initially to FIG. 1 thereof, a movable partition assembly 10, constructed in accordance with the present invention. is shown as being formed from a series of wall panels 12 connected between vertically extending support posts 14. The panels and posts are readily assembled and disassembled, as described hereinafter, in order to permit the partition arrangement to be varied as desired, and when necessary. The support posts 14 are provided with bracket support structures, also described in detail hereinafter. which provide mounting support for brackf respectively.) Each panel plate. is. separately,

formed. and its ends are of identical construction. only one end of each panel being shown in the drawing. More specifically. plates 20 each include a vertical face 22 and end portions having a bent flange 24 and a rebent flange portion 26 extending therefrom. and by which the panel plates are secured to the post 14.

Post 14 is of known construction. and is of the type which is available from the Virginia Metal Products Division of the Gray Manufacturing Co.. Orange. VaThe post 14 includes three vertical side elements 28 having angularly bent edges 30 which are positioned in abutting relationship. as shown in FIG. 2, to provide a right angle joint between the adjacent vertical elements or sides of the post. The fourth side 40, of this square post is formed by a removable cap or post cover havingre-.

silient bent ends 42 which permit the cover to be snap fit between the bent flanges 30 of two adjacent vertical elements 28. In this manner the cover can be re moved so that the interior of post 14 may be exposed to permit access thereto for the insertion or removal of electrical cables or the like. A plurality of key elements 32 can be provided within the interior of the post 14 to secure the respective vertical elements of the post together and to maintain them in their properly spacedrelation.

Wall plates 20 are secured to post 14 by screws 34 which are threaded from the interior of the post through the inwardly bent central portions of the vertical elements 28 for engagement with clamping members 36, located between the panel plates 20 of the panel 12. As is seen in FIG. 2. the bent flange portions 24 of the panel plates 20 are positioned between the post and the clamping member 36, with the rebent portion 26 of the plates inserted in the central recess of the vertical elements 28. Upon tightening screw 34. the.

plates are clamped and held in a fixed position with respect to the post.

The post 14 is provided with bracket support elements that consist of thin metal strips spot welded to the outer surface 52 of the vertical elements 28. In the assembled partition construction. the bracket support strips 50 are located in the cavity formed between the surface 52 of a vertical post element 28 and the adjacent flange portion 24 of a panel plate 20. When screw 34 is tightened the bent flange portion 24 of the plate is clamped against the side of the adjacent support strip The recesses 56 are dimensioned t8 reeeive tenerall y complimentary tabs 62 on the reaf edge afshe for cabinet support brackets. For example. as seen in FIG. 3. a shelf bracket 64 is illustrated which consists of a flat plate. having tabs 62 formed at its rear end. and a horizontally turned flange 66 (see also FIG. 6) on which a flat shelf 68 can be supported and secured. The brackets are of light weight construction and are formed from metal sheets. which are similarto the metal sheets forming the panel plates 20.

The leg portion 58 of each of the support strip 50 is dimensioned so that .it defines an opening 70 in the free edge 54 of the support strip. The

height of the opening 70 is slightly greater than the.

total height 72 of each L-shaped tab 62 on the bracket. This permits the L-shaped tabs to be inserted directly into the open recesses 56 with the bracket in a horizontal position. The vertical leg portion 74 of each of the tabs 62 is dimensioned .to be slightlysmaller than the;

vertical leg 60 of the corresponding recess 56 so that the tabs leg 74 can be readily received within that recess. I

It will be appreciated. therefore. that upon insertion of the tab 62- into the recess 56, the tab will move downward slightly as the tab leg 74 enters the recess leg 60. In this manner. the bracket is vertically supported on the strip 50 and held against inadvertent removal by the cooperation between the tongue 76 defined in the front edge of the strip 50. by thevrecess 60 and the tab leg 74. Moreover. the brackets are supported against lateral movement since the tabs 62 are. in effect. sandwiched between the face 52 of the adjacent vertical element 28 on post 14 and the adjacent surface of the bent I flange portion 24 of one of the panel plates 20. It is noted that the construction of the partition provides a far stronger support arrangement than previously proposed constructions since the tongue portions 76 of the support strip 50 have relatively wide front to back dimensions providing substantial strength for supporting the bracket. 7

A particularly advantageous bracket construction for use with cabinets is shown in FIG. 7. The bracket 80 shown in the Figure has a;generally L-shaped configuration includinga short leg 82 having L-shaped tabs 62 formed therein. The long leg 84 of bracket 80 is secured to the back wall of 86 of av cabinet 18 by a plurality of screws 88 or the like (see FIG. 2). The tabs 62 formed on leg 82 are inserted in the recesses 56 in the front edge of the support strip 50 in the same manner as I the tabs in the shelf brackets 64 described above.

In the construction shown in FIG. 2, two of the support strips 50 are spot welded or otherwise rigidly secured to each of the vertical elements 28 in post 14, with the exposed edge 54 of the strip being located adjacent the .apex between intersecting sides of the post. Preferably the strip is spot welded to the. post at the tongues'76 formed therein; however. the spot welding can be located at other locations along the length of the strip as desired or as may be found necessary during the course of the manufacturing procedure. In any case, it will be appreciated that by this construction a shelf or cabinet bracket support can be inserted in anyone of the support strips 50 for support on the post 14. Thus, as seen in FIG. 2, a shelf bracket 64 has its inner end inserted within the support strip 50 positioned between the panel plate 20e, and the adjacent vertical element 28 of the post. The self 68 extends along the panel plate 20. and a similar bracket 64 at its opposite end is mounted in a corresponding support strip 50 secured to the. next post in the partition assembly. In this manner recesses 56 in the the edge of the shelf 68 abuts the panel plate d. which extends at 90 to the panel plate 200. and completely covers the inside corner formed between the two panels 12 at this post 14. This enables the shelf to extend along the entire length of the wall provided by the plate 20e and forms a neat and pleasing appearance for the shelf construction.

Similarly, cabinet 18 mounted on post 14, as seen in FIG. 2, has the end of its bracket 80 mounted in the support strip 50 between the bent flange portion 24 of the panel plate 200 and its adjacent vertical post ele ment 28. Again, the cabinet encompasses the entire inside corner between the

panel plates

20c and 20b, providing a neat and pleasing appearance for the partition construction.

By using the support strips 50 secured to the exterior surface of the post 14, another substantial advantage is achieved. For example, if a post 14 is to be used as an electrical conduit or mechanical chase, with a removable cap providing access to the interior thereof, a shelf, cabinet or other hanging element can still be mounted on the post adjacent the cap without interfering with the interior of the post. Thus, for example. if the shelf bracket 64 and shelf arrangement shown in FIG. 2 were mounted on the opposite side of panel plate 20?, i.e., adjacent the panel plate 20f. the shelf 68 would not interfere with the removal ofthe cap 40 from the post. That is, the cap could be removed from access to the electrical cables within the post, if necessary, without disturbing the shelf or its contents. This is not possible with the previously proposed constructions where the center of the post side wall itself forms the support for the shelf or cabinet bracket.

Moreover, since each post provides two bracket supports on opposite sides, a series of shelves or cabinets can be mounted along a wall formed by the partition assembly with each shelf or cabinet being at the same elevation. For example, the shelves 18 shown in FIG. 1 are all mounted on the same level on support posts 14 which are similar to the support post shown in FIG. 2, with the exception that these posts do not have the

panel plates

20c and 20d secured therein. Thus, one strip 50, (i.e., the strip between panel plate 202 and the adjacent vertical post element 28) is available at the bracket at one end of the cabinet while the support strip on the opposite end of the post (i.e., the strip 50 between the panel plate 20b and its associated vertical post element 28) is available for insertion of the bracket on the adjacent cabinet or shelf. Accordingly two cabinets are supported at the same level on the same post and extend along adjacent panel elements 12. Such an arrangement would not be possible with many of the prior constructions. The present construction provides a substantially improved appearance for the partition structure and permits greater flexibility in the arrangement of cabinet and shelves on wall elements formed with this arrangement.

Although an illustrative embodiment of the present invention has been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to that precise embodiment, and the various changes or modifications can be effected by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A partition structure including a support post and a partition panel secured thereto, said panel having a bent flange portion which is located in parallel closely 6 spaced alignment with one side of said post to define a thin cavity therebetween, and a single flat elongated bracket support strip located in and substantially filling said cavity and secured only to said one side of the post; said strip including an outwardly facing exposed edge having a plurality of generally L-shaped recesses formed therein. said recesses each having a first leg extending perpendicularly of said edge and a second leg extending downwardly from the first leg and inwardly of said edge for receiving the generally complementary L-shaped tabs of a bracket.

2. The partition structure as described in claim 1 wherein the width of said support strip is substantially equal to the width of said cavity whereby the strip substantially fills the cavity.

3. The partition as defined in claim 1 wherein said post, panel and support strip are each formed of metal and said strip is spot welded to said post.

4. The partition structure as defined in claim 3 including a support bracket having a plurality of L- shaped tabs extending therefrom for insertion and support in said recesses, said tabs each including a first leg extending generally perpendicularly therefrom and a second leg spaced from the bracket and extending perpendicularly to the first leg. said second tab leg being generally complementary in configuration to the second leg of said recesses; and the first leg ofthe recesses having a height which is substantially equal to the sum of the thickness of the first tab leg and the height of the second tab leg whereby said tabs are readily inserted in said recesses for rigidly supporting the bracket on the support strip.

5. The partition structure as defined in claim 4 wherein said post includes a second side extending generally perpendicularly to the first mentioned side thereof and lying in substantially the same plane as said panel. said second post side comprising a removable cap extending along the length of the post whereby the interior of said post can be exposed by removal of said cap without removal of said bracket from said support strip.

6. A partition structure including a support post and a first partition panel secured thereto. said first panel having a bent flange portion which is located in parallel spaced alignment with one side of said post to define a cavity therebetween, an elongated bracket support strip located in said cavity and secured to said one side of the post; said strip including an outwardly facing exposed edge having a plurality of generally L-shaped recesses formed therein, said recesses each having a first leg extending perpendicularly of said edge and a sec ond leg extending downwardly from the first leg and in- \vardly of said edge for receiving the generally complementary L-shaped tabs of a bracket; said post. first panel and support strip each being formed of metal. and said strip being spot welded to said post; a support bracket having a plurality of L-shaped tabs extending therefrom for insertion and support in said recesses. said tabs each including a first leg extending generally perpendicularly therefrom and a second leg spaced from the bracket and extending perpendicularly to the first leg, said second tab being generally complementary in configuration to the second leg of said recesses; and the first leg of the recesses having a height which is substantially equal to the sum of the thickness of the first tab leg and the height of the second tab leg whereby said tabs are readily inserted in said recesses for rigidly supporting the bracket on the support strip;

and a second panel substantially identical to the first mentioned panel and secured to said post to extend therefrom at approximately 90 from said first mentioned panel. in substantially the same plane as said one side of said post whereby said support strip remains exposed to receive a bracket in its recesses for supporting an article against said second panel.

7. A partition structure including a generally vertically extending support post having a plurality of angularly related vertical sides. at least one partition panel secured to one of said vertical sides and extending gen erally perpendicularly thereto. said panel having a bent flange portion located in closely spaced parallel relation to said one side of said post to define a cavity therebetween: a one piece thin and flat elongated bracket support strip located in and substantially filling said cavity; said support strip being secured only to said one side of the post and including an outwardly facing exposed edge having a plurality of generally L-shaped recesses formed therein; said recesses each having a first horizontal leg extending inwardly of the strip from said free edge and a second. vertical leg extending downwardly from said first leg; and a support bracket having a plurality of L'shaped tabs adapted to be received in said recesses for support by said strip between said one side of the post and the flange portion of the adjacent panel.

8. A partition structure as defined in claim 7 including a plurality of support strips respectively secured to the sides of said post with their exposed and recessed edges located adjacent the apex between two adjacent sides of the post.

9. The partition structure as defined in claim 7 wherein said post includes a second vertical side extending generally perpendicularly to said one side of the post and located adjacent to said cavity. leaving said edge of said support strip exposed for insertion of the bracket therein; said second side of the post com prising a removable cap mounted in the post whereby the interior of the post can be exposed by removal of said cap without removing the bracket from said support strip.

10. A partition structure including a generally vertically extending support post having a plurality of angularly related vertical sides. at least one partition panel secured to one of said vertical sides and extending generally perpendicularly thereto. said panel having a bent flange portion located in closely spaced parallel relation to said one side of said post to define a cavity therebetween; an elongated bracket support strip located in and substantially filling said cavity; said support strip being secured to said one side of the post and including an outwardly facing exposed edge having a plurality of generally L-shaped recesses formed therein: said recesses each having a first horizontal leg extending inwardly ofthe strip from said free edge and a second. vertical leg extending downwardly from said first leg; and a support bracket having a plurality of L- shaped tabs adapted to be received in said recesses for support by said strip between said one side of the post and the flange portion of the adjacent panel; said post being square in cross-section and at least one pair of support strips are respectively secured to two intersecting sides of the post with the exposed and recessed edges of the strips being located adjacent the apex between said intersecting sides and facing at right angles to each other.

11. A partition structure for removably supporting a mounting bracket having a plurality of protruding tabs. the partition structure comprising a support post and at least one post panel secured to the post. the panel having an edge portion which is located in parallel spaced alignment with the post to define a cavity therebetween. said post being polygonal in cross section; and a first thin bracket support strip positioned in the cavity between the partition panel and the post. the strip including an outwardly facing exposed edge having a series of recesses extending inwardly therefrom in position to receive the protruding tabs on the mounting bracket: and at least one additional thin bracket sup port strip secured to a side of the post adjacent the side of the psot which cooperates with said panel to define the cavity, whereby the first and second support strips are located adjacent the apex between the post sides and face at angles to each other, for selectively supporting a mounting bracket thereon.

12. A partition structure including a post and a first partition panel secured thereto. said first panel having a bent flange portion which is located in parallel spaced alignment with one side of said post to define a cavity therebetween. and an elongated bracket support strip located in said cavity and secured to said one side of the post; said strip including an outwardly facing exposed edge having a plurality of generally L-shaped recesses formed therein, said recesses each having a first leg extending perpendicularly of said edge and a second leg extending downwardly from the first leg and inwardly of said edge for receiving the generally complementary L-shaped tabs of a bracket; and a second panel substantially identical to said first panel and secured to said post to extend therefrom at an angle to said first panel in substantially the same plane as said one side of said post whereby said support strip remains exposed to receive a bracket in its recesses for supporting an article against the second panel.

Claims

1. A partition structure including a support post and a partition panel secured thereto, said panel having a bent flange portion which is located in parallel closely spaced alignment with one side of said post to define a thin cavity therebetween, and a single flat elongated bracket support strip located in and substantially filling said cavity and secured only to said one side of the post; said strip including an outwardly facing exposed edge having a plurality of generally L-shaped recesses formed therein, said recesses each having a first leg extending perpendicularly of said edge and a second leg extending downwardly from the first leg and inwardly of said edge for receiving the generally complementary L-shaped tabs of a bracket.

4. The partition structure as defined in claim 3 including a support bracket having a plurality of L-shaped tabs extending therefrom for insertion and support in said recesses, said tabs each including a first leg extending generally perpendicularly therefrom and a second leg spaced from the bracket and extending perpendicularly to the first leg, said second tab leg being generally complementary in configuration to the second leg of said recesses; and the first leg of the recesses having a height which is substantially equal to the sum of the thickness of the first tab leg and the height of the second tab leg whereby said tabs are readily inserted in said recesses for rigidly supporting the bracket on the support strip.

5. The partition structure as defined in claim 4 wherein said post includes a second side extending generally perpendicularly to the first mentioned side thereof and lying in substantially the same plane as said panel, said second post side comprising a removable cap extending along the length of the post whereby the interior of said post can be exposed by removal of said cap without removal of said bracket from said support strip.

6. A partition structure including a support post and a first partition panel secured thereto, said first panel having a bent flange portion which is located in parallel spaced alignment with one side of said post to define a cavity therebetween, an elongated bracket support strip located in said cavity and secured to said one side of the post; said strip including an outwardly facing exposed edge having a plurality of generally L-shaped recesses formed therein, said recesses each having a first leg extending perpendicularly of said edge and a second leg extending downwardly from the first leg and inwardly of said edge for receiving the generally complementary L-shaped tabs of a bracket; said post, first panel and support strip each being formed of metal, and said strip being spot welded to said post; a support bracket having a plurality of L-shaped tabs extending therefrom for insertion and support in said recesses, said tabs each including a first leg extending generally perpendicularly therefrom and a second leg spaced from the bracket and extending perpendicularly to the first leg, said second tab being generally complementary in configuration to the second leg of said recesses; and the first leg of the recesses having a height which is substantially equal to the sum of the thickness of the first tab leg and the height of the second tab leg whereby said tabs are readily inserted in said recesses for rigidly supporting the bracket on the support strip; and a second panel substantially identical to the first mentioned panel and secured to said post to extend therefrom at approximately 90* from said first mentioned panel, in substantially the same plane as said one side of said post whereby said support strip remains exposed to receive a bracket in its recesses for supporting an article against said second panel.

7. A partition structure including a generally vertically extending support post having a plurality of angularly related vertical sides, at least one partition panel secured to one of said vertical sides and extending generally perpendicularly thereto, said panel having a bent flange portion located in closely spaced parallel relation to said one side of said post to define a cavity therebetween; a one piece thin and flat elongated bracket support strip located in and substantially filling said cavity; said support strip being secured only to said one side of the post and including an outwardly facing exposed edge having a plurality of generally L-shaped recesses formed therein; said recesses each having a first horizontal leg extending inwardly of the strip from said free edge and a second, vertical leg extending downwardly from said first leg; and a support bracket having a plurality of L-shaped tabs adapted to be received in said recesses for support by said strip between said one side of the post and the flange portion of the adjacent panel.

9. The partition structure as defined in claim 7 wherein said post includes a second vertical side extending generally perpendicularly to said one side of the post and located adjacent to said cavity, leaving said edge of said support strip exposed for insertion of the bracket therein; said second side of the post comprising a removable cap mounted in the post whereby the interior of the post can be exposed by removal of said cap without removing the bracket from said support strip.

10. A partition structure including a generally vertically extending support post having a plurality of angularly related vertical sides, at least one partition panel secured to one of said vertical sides and extending generally perpendicularly thereto, said panel having a bent flange portion located in closely spaced parallel relation to said one side of said post to define a cavity therebetween; an elongated bracket support strip located in and substantially filling said cavity; said support strip being secured to said one side of the post and including an outwardly facing exposed edge having a plurality of generally L-shaped recesses formed therein; said recesses each having a first horizontal leg extending inwardly of the strip from said free edge and a second, vertical leg extending downwardly from said first leg; and a support bracket having a plurality of L-shaped tabs adapted to be received in said recesses for support by said strip between said one side of the post and the flange portion of the adjacent panel; said post being square in cross-section and at least one pair of support strips are respectively secured to two intersecting sides of the post with the exposed and recessed edges of the strips being located adjacent the apex between said intersecting sides and facing at right angles to each other.

11. A partition structure for removably supporting a mounting bracket having a plurality of protruding tabs, the partition structure comprising a support post and at least one post panel secured to the post, the panel having an edge portion which is located in parallel spaced alignment with the post to define a cavity therebetween, said post being polygonal in cross section; and a first thin bracket support strip positioned in the cavity between the partition panel and the post, the strip including an outwardly facing exposed edge having a series of recesses extending inwardly therefrom in position to receive the protruding tabs on the mounting bracket; and at least one additional thin bracket support strip secured to a side of the post adjacent the side of the psot which cooperates with said panel to define the cavity, whereby the first and second support strips are located adjacent the apex between the post sides and face at angles to each other, for selectively supporting a mounting bracket thereon.

12. A partition structure including a post and a first partition panel secured thereto, said first panel having a bent flange portion which is located in parallel spaced alignment with one side of said post to define a cavity therebetween, and an elongated bracket support strip located in said cavity and secured to said one side of the post; said strip including an outwardly facing exposed edge having a plurality of generally L-shaped recesses formed therein, said recesses each having a first leg extending perpendicularly of said edge and a second leg extending downwardly from the first leg and inwardly of said edge for receiving the generally complementary L-shaped tabs of a bracket; and a second panel substantially identical to said first panel and secured to said post to extend therefrom at an angle to said first panel in substantially the same plane as said one side of said post whereby said support strip remains exposed to receive a bracket in its recesses for supporting an article against the second panel.