Partition panel with modular appliance mounting arrangement

Abstract

A freestanding partition panel for dividing a floor space includes a rigid partition frame having vertical side frame members and first and second horizontal frame members extending between the vertical side frame members to form a vertically enlarged opening through the frame, and an open space within the panel. At least one intermediate horizontal cross member extends across the vertically enlarged opening and defines upper and lower openings through the frame. The intermediate cross member and at least a selected one of the first and second horizontal frame members include a plurality of horizontally spaced apart attachment locations defining a plurality of discrete, serially adjacent mounting spaces. The partition panel further includes a utility unit that is mountable in a selected one of the mounting spaces. The partition panel further includes a first cover panel secured to the partition frame and extending horizontally between the side edge of the utility unit and the selected vertical side frame member. The first cover panel is connected to the intermediate horizontal cross member and extends vertically between the intermediate horizontal cross member and the selected one of the first and second members. A second cover panel is secured to the partition frame, and extends horizontally between the vertical side frame members. The second cover panel extends vertically between the intermediate horizontal cross member and the other of the selected one of the first and second horizontal members.

1 - 22 . (canceled)  
   
   
       23 . A flat display screen for mounting to partitions, comprising: 
 a flat display screen adapted to provide images;    first and second support arms, each having first and second links pivotably interconnected, each first link having an end adapted to be pivotably mounted to a partition for pivoting about a substantially vertical axis, each second link having an end pivotably connected to said display screen, said first and second support arms supporting said display screen for at least partially horizontal movement between a stored position and a use position.    
   
   
       24 . The flat display screen of  claim 23 , wherein: 
 said flat display screen pivots about a horizontal axis to provide tilt adjustment.    
   
   
       25 - 37 . (canceled)  
   
   
       38 . A freestanding partition panel for subdividing the floor space of a building interior, said partition panel comprising: 
 a plurality of interconnected structural members defining a partition frame adapted to be supported freestanding on a floor surface, said partition panel having first and second major exterior surfaces disposed on opposite sides of said panel and defining a panel interior between said first and second major surfaces;    an electrical power distribution module mounted in said panel partition, said module defining at least a portion of said first major surface, said module having a plurality of electrical power receptacles disposed in said panel interior, said module defining an access opening wherein said receptacles are accessible from a position exterior of said panel through said access opening; and    an electrical appliance mounted to said panel and defining a portion of said first major surface, said electrical appliance being at least partially disposed within said panel interior and having a flexible cable extending therefrom, said cable entirely positioned with said panel interior and operatively connected to one of said electrical power receptacles, said electrical appliance being repositionably attachable to said panel partition wherein said electrical appliance can be repositioned on said panel and said flexible cable can be repositioned within said panel interior.    
   
   
       39 . The partition panel of  claim 38 , wherein: 
 said electrical power module further comprises a plurality of telecommunication ports accessible from a position exterior of said panel.    
   
   
       40 . The partition panel of  claim 38 , further comprising: 
 a horizontally positioned worksurface attached to said panel whereby an electrical device may be positioned on said worksurface and operatively connected to one of said power receptacles.    
   
   
       41 . The partition panel of  claim 38 , wherein: 
 said electrical power module further comprises a repositionable closure member, said closure member having a closed position in which said closure member both substantially covers said access opening and permits cables to be routed through said access opening from a position exterior of said panel to said receptacles.    
   
   
       42 . The partition panel of  claim 41 , wherein: 
 said electrical power module further comprises a plurality of telecommunication ports accessible from a position exterior of said panel.    
   
   
       43 . The partition panel of  claim 38 , further comprising: 
 a second electrical appliance, said second appliance defining a portion of said second major exterior surface and wherein said panel interior is divisible by a centerline plane and comprises a first half located between said centerline plane and said first major exterior surface and a second half located between said centerline plane and said second major exterior surface and wherein each of said appliances is configured to be disposed within only one of said panel interior halves whereby said appliances are positionable directly opposite each other.    
   
   
       44 . A freestanding panel system for subdividing the floor space of a building interior, said partition panel system comprising: 
 a plurality of freestanding interconnected partition panels defining a workstation, a first one of said partition panels including an electrical power system;    each of said partition panels comprising a plurality of structural members defining a partition frame, each of said panels having first and second major exterior surfaces disposed on opposite sides of said panels and defining a panel interior therebetween;    a plurality of removable cover members attached to said partition panels defining first portions of said major exterior surfaces; and    a plurality of modular inserts repositionably attached to at least two of said structural members of said partition frames, said modular inserts defining second portions of said major exterior surfaces, each of said modular inserts comprising an electrical appliance unit wherein said electrical appliance is at least partially disposed within said panel interior, each of said modular inserts being attachable to a selected one of said panels at a plurality of different vertical positions and at a plurality of different horizontal positions.    
   
   
       45 . The partition panel system of  claim 44 , wherein: 
 a first one of said modular inserts further comprises a flexible cable disposed within a first one of said panel interiors and operatively connecting said electrical appliance of said first modular insert to said electrical power system.    
   
   
       46 . The partition panel system of  claim 44 , wherein: 
 said plurality of structural members of each of said partition panels define a rectilinear frame and a first one of said partition panels further includes a repositionably attachable elongate first support member extending parallel to one of said structural members of said first panel partition, said modular inserts being securable to said support member.    
   
   
       47 . The partition panel system of  claim 46 , wherein: 
 at least one of said modular inserts is directly secured to both said first support member and said frame and is positioned between said first support member and said frame.    
   
   
       48 . The partition panel system of  claim 46 , further comprising: 
 a second support member extending parallel to said first support member, and at least one of said modular inserts is secured to said first and second support members and wherein said at least one modular insert is positioned between said first and second support members.    
   
   
       49 . The partition panel system of  claim 48 , wherein: 
 said first and second support members extend horizontally and at least one of said cover members is positioned between said first and second support members and horizontally adjacent said at least one modular insert.    
   
   
       50 . The partition panel system of  claim 44 , wherein: 
 said panel interiors are divisible by a centerline plane and comprise a first half located between said centerline plane and said first major exterior surface and a second half located between said centerline plane and said second major exterior surface and wherein each of said modular inserts is configured to be disposed within only one of said panel interior halves whereby said modular inserts are positionable directly opposite each other on a selected one of said panels.    
   
   
       51 . A system of repositionable freestanding partition panels for subdividing the floor space of a building interior, said system comprising: 
 a plurality of interconnected partition panels, each of said partition panels including a plurality of interconnected load bearing members and having first and second major exterior surfaces disposed on opposite sides of said panels, said first and second major surfaces defining a panel interior therebetween of each said panel, and a removable cover member defining at least a portion of each of said first major surfaces;    at least one attachment location defined by said load bearing members, said load bearing members being configurable to define said attachment location at a selected one of a plurality of vertical positions and at a selected one of a plurality of lateral positions; and    a plurality of modular electrical appliance units, each of said appliance units having an attachment interface which is supportingly engageable with said attachment location wherein a selected one of said appliance units is attached to said partition panel at a selected vertical and lateral position, said selected appliance unit defining a portion of said first major surface when mounted at said selected vertical and lateral position and a flexible cable routed within said panel interior operatively connecting said selected appliance unit to a source of electrical current.    
   
   
       52 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein: 
 said panel interiors are divisible by a centerline plane and comprise a first half located between said centerline plane and said first major exterior surface and a second half located between said centerline plane and said second major exterior surface and wherein each of said modular electrical appliance units is configured to be disposed within only one of said panel interior halves whereby said appliance units are positionable directly opposite each other on a selected one of said panels.    
   
   
       53 - 63 . (canceled)  
   
   
       64 . A partition panel for open office space and the like, comprising: 
 a rigid frame adapted to be supported in a generally vertical orientation on an associated floor surface to partition the open office space into individual workstations, and including:    a marginal frame member extending about the periphery of said frame, and defining an interior cavity and opposite exterior faces;    an intermediate frame member disposed within said interior cavity of said marginal frame member, operably connected therewith, and configured to divide at least a portion of said interior cavity into a plurality of serially adjacent mounting spaces having a substantially identical size and shape;    a plurality of modular appliance members, each having:    a similarly configured mounting portion thereof adapted to detachably mount said modular appliance members on said frame at preselected ones of said mounting spaces;    a finished cover portion thereof disposed generally parallel with one of said faces of said frame, and enclosing the associated one of said mounting spaces;    an accessory portion thereof configured to functionally equip an associated one of the workstations, and having at least a portion thereof extending into and housed within said interior cavity of said frame;    connectors detachably mounting said modular appliance members to said frame at said preselected ones of said mounting spaces, such that said modular appliance members can be readily removed from said frame and reattached thereto at different ones of said mounting spaces to reconfigure said partition panel for a wide variety of different applications; and    cover means disposed generally parallel with said one face of said frame for enclosing the remaining ones of said mounting spaces.    
   
   
       65 . A partition as set forth in  claim 64 , wherein: 
 said modular appliance members include differently configured accessory portions to equip the associated workstation with a variety of different work tools.    
   
   
       66 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 65 , wherein: 
 said intermediate frame member includes means for defining at least one horizontal row of said mounting spaces in which said modular appliance members can be interchanged.    
   
   
       67 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 66 , wherein: 
 said intermediate frame member includes means for defining at least one vertical column of said mounting spaces in which said modular appliance members can be interchanged.    
   
   
       68 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 67 , wherein: 
 said intermediate frame member includes means for defining a grid of said mounting spaces having a plurality of said horizontal rows and a plurality of said vertical columns.    
   
   
       69 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 68 , wherein: 
 said cover means includes a plurality of individual cover members configured to enclose at least one, but not all, of said mounting spaces.    
   
   
       70 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 69 , wherein: 
 said cover members include at least one single mounting space cover configured to enclose only one of said mounting apertures.    
   
   
       71 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 70 , wherein: 
 said cover members include at least one full row mounting space cover configured to enclose one of said rows of said mounting apertures.    
   
   
       72 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 71 , wherein: 
 said cover members include at least one full column mounting space cover configured to enclose one of said columns of said mounting apertures.    
   
   
       73 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 72 , including: 
 means for detachably connecting said cover members with said frame to permit said cover members to be readily rearranged on said frame to accommodate a wide variety of different technology and aesthetic applications.    
   
   
       74 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 73 , including: 
 means for detachably connecting said intermediate frame member with said marginal frame member to permit said marginal frame member to accommodate a wide variety of different technology and aesthetic applications.    
   
   
       75 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 74 , wherein: 
 said intermediate frame member includes at least one horizontal cross member extending between and detachably connected with opposite sides of said marginal frame member.    
   
   
       76 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 75 , wherein: 
 said horizontal cross member includes a plurality of horizontally spaced apart attachment locations corresponding to said mounting spaces.    
   
   
       77 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 76 , wherein: 
 said intermediate frame member includes at least one cover panel mounting bracket detachably connected with said horizontal cross member at a preselected one of said attachment locations, and extending generally vertically therefrom.    
   
   
       78 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 77 , wherein: 
 said intermediate frame member includes a second horizontal cross member extending between and detachably connected with the opposite sides of said marginal frame member at a location thereon spaced vertically apart from said first named horizontal cross member.    
   
   
       79 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 78 , wherein: 
 said cover panel mounting bracket extends between and is detachably connected with said first named cross member and said second cross member.    
   
   
       80 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 79 , wherein: 
 said marginal frame member has a generally rectangular elevational configuration.    
   
   
       81 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 80 , wherein: 
 said mounting spaces each have a generally quadrilateral elevational configuration.    
   
   
       82 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 81 , wherein: 
 said modular appliance members include at least one display screen module.    
   
   
       83 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 82 , wherein: 
 said modular appliance members include at least one power/data module.    
   
   
       84 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 83 , wherein: 
 said modular appliance members include at least one storage module.