Modular office panels

Abstract

Privacy screen core panels ( 38 ) are mounted to extrusions ( 50 ) having two slots ( 52 ), each slot ( 52 ) having two sets of opposed grooves ( 84, 86 ). The extrusions ( 50 ) are joined together by mating V-shaped notches ( 56 ) and V-shaped ends ( 58 ) formed in the extrusions ( 50 ), and extending tube plates ( 62 ) between the extrusions ( 50 ). Core panels ( 458 ) are secured to tubes ( 28 ) formed of the extrusions ( 50 ) by fitting mounting brackets ( 452 ) into the slots ( 52 ), with two ears ( 472, 474 ) of the mounting bracket ( 452 ) extending outward from the slot ( 52 ). The two ears ( 472, 474 ) have apertures ( 476 ) for receiving a pin ( 454 ) which extends transversely through the core panel ( 458 ). A threaded fastener ( 460 ) extends through the extrusion ( 50 ) and the mounting bracket ( 452 ), through an end of the core panel ( 458 ), and is secured within a through-hole ( 486 ) in the pin ( 454 ).

1 . An apparatus for privacy panels, comprising: 
 a core panel;    a tube formed from a length of an extrusion, said extrusion having two slots formed to into said extrusion in opposite sides of said extrusion, said two slots extending along said length of said extrusion, each of said two slots having a slot wall disposed opposite an open end of respective one of said two slots, wherein said slot walls extend substantially said length of said extrusion;    a tube plate extending into said extrusion between walls of said two slots, and said tube plate extending in supportive engagement with a plurality of contact portions of said length of said extrusion; and    wherein said core panel is received within said one of said two slots, and said tube plate retains said core panel in said one of said two slots of said extrusion.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said slots walls each have at least two support ribs which extend both substantially for said length of said extrusion and from respective ones of said sidewalls toward a central portion of said extrusion.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein support ribs define at least part of said plurality of contact portions of said length of said extrusion.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said extrusion further comprises two protrusions which extend inward from opposite sides of outer side walls of said extrusion, respectively, in respective directions which are perpendicular to said first and second directions in which said two slots extend into said extrusion, said two protrusions inwardly extending within said extrusion.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 at least one set of grooves formed into at least one of said slots, with said grooves being disposed on opposite sides of said one of said slots and said grooves extending transverse to a direction in which said at least one of said slots extends from an outer portion of said extrusion to an inner portion of said extrusion;    a trim having a base portion and two legs which outwardly extend from said base portion for receiving an edge of said core panel therebetwen, said base portion having lower edges on opposite sides of said base portion which define mounting tabs for fitting within said grooves and encloses said slot and said edges of said core panel.    
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said tube defines a vertical tube and a second tube formed of said extrusion defines a horizontal tube which is joined to said vertical tube, and the apparatus further comprises: 
 said vertical tube having a V-shaped notch which extends into a central portion of said extrusion;    said horizontal tube having a V-shaped end which is formed for mating flush with said V-shaped notch of said vertical tube:    said tube plate extending from said vertical tube into said horizontal tube, and having opposite sides which engage slots walls of said extrusion providing said horizontal tubes;    a threaded fastener securing said tube plate to a threaded member secured within said horizontal tube; and    wherein a second edge of said core panel extends into a slot of said extrusion which is adjacent to said core panel and said core panel is retained within said slot of said extrusion at least in part by said tube plate securing said horizontal tube to said vertical tube.    
   
   
       7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a pin extending within said core panel, transverse to two sides of said core panel, and having an aperture which extends transversely through said pin;    a mounting bracket fitting into one of said slots of said extrusions, said mounting bracket having two ears which extend outward from said extrusion on opposite sides of said core panel, said two ears each having a respective one of pin apertures for receiving said pin which extends transversely through said core panel, and said mounting bracket having a web portion with a fastener hole extending through said web portion; and    a fastener extending through said tube plate in said extrusion, through said fastner hole in said mounting bracket and between the two ears, and through said end of said core panel ain into said pin.    
   
   
       8 . An apparatus for privacy panels, comprising: 
 a core panel;    a tube formed from a length of an extrusion, said extrusion having two slots formed to into said extrusion in a first direction and a second direction, respectively, wherein said second direction is opposite said first direction, and said two slots extending along said length of said extrusion, with said two slots being disposed on opposite sides of said extrusion and each having a slot wall disposed opposite an open end of respective one of said two slots, wherein said slot walls extend substantially said length of said extrusion;    inner grooves and outer grooves formed into respective one of said slot walls, with two of said inner grooves being disposed on opposite sides of each of said two slots and two of said outer grooves being disposed on opposite sides of each of said two slots, with said inner grooves and said outer grooves extending transverse to said first and second directions into which said slots extend into said extrusion and transverse to at least a portion of said bottom wall, with said inner grooves disposed inward within said two slots from said outer grooves;    a tube plate extending into said extrusion at least between said slot walls of said two slots in said first and second directions, and extending along a portion of said length of said extrusion; and    wherein said core panel is received within one of said two slots in one of said first and second directions, and retained within said one of said two slots by means of said tube plate.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said sidewalls of said slots each have at least two support ribs which extend both substantially for said length of said extrusion and from respective ones of said sidewalls toward said central portion of said extrusion.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said support ribs contact said tube plate in supportive engagement.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said extrusion further comprises two protrusions which extend inward from opposite sides of outer side walls of said extrusion, respectively, in respective directions which are perpendicular to said first and second directions in which said two slots extend into said extrusion.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said protrusions have interior ends which define a central portion of said extrusion, said interior ends of said protrusions, said protrusions being generally T-shaped with said interior ends defining arcuately shaped ends for said protrusions, wherein said central portion of said extrusion is substantially tubular with open sides.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 an inner trim having a base portion and two legs which outwardly extend from said base portion for receiving an edge of said core panel therebetween, said base portion having lower edges on opposite sides of said base portion which define mounting tabs for fitting within said inner grooves;    two outer trim members disposed on opposite sides of said inner trim member within a respective one of said slots within which said inner trim member is disposed, each trim member having a main body and a protuberance which extends from an outward side of said main body to define a longitudinally extending mounting tab, said protuberance having a substantially rounded-shaped profile which defines a bulbous body for fitting within an outer groove of the slots to retain said outer trim between a sidewall of said respective slot and said inner trim, and said main body extending outward of said slot and against a side of a core panel disposed within said inner trim; and    wherein said inner and outer trim enclosing said slot and said edge of said core panel.    
   
   
       14 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said length of said extrusion is perpendicular to said first direction and said second direction.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said tube defines a vertical tube and a second tube formed of said extrusion defines a horizontal tube which is joined to said vertical tube, and the apparatus further comprises: 
 said vertical tubes having V-shaped notches which extend into a central portion of said extrusion;    said horizontal tubes having V-shaped ends which are formed for mating flush with said V-shaped notches of said vertical tubes:    said tube plate extending from said vertical tubes into said horizontal tubes, and having opposite sides which engage slots walls of said extrusion providing said horizontal tubes;    a threaded fastener securing said tube plate to a threaded member secured within said horizontal tube; and    wherein a second edge of said core panel extends into a slot of said extrusion which is adjacent to said core panel.    
   
   
       16 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 a pin extending within said core panel, transverse two sides of said core panel, and having an aperture which extends transversely through said pin;    a mounting bracket fitting into one of said slots of said extrusions, said mounting bracket having two ears which extend outward from said extrusion on opposite sides of said core panel, said two ears each having a respective one of pin apertures for receiving said pin which extends transversely through said core panel, and said mounting bracket having a web portion with a fastener hole extending through said web portion; and    a fastener extending through said tube plate in said extrusion, through said fastner hole in said mounting bracket and between the two ears, and through said end of said core panel ain into said pin.    
   
   
       17 . An apparatus for privacy panels, comprising: 
 a core panel;    a tube formed from a length of an extrusion, said extrusion having two slots formed to into said extrusion in a first direction and a second direction, respectively, wherein said second direction is opposite said first direction and said first and second directions are perpendicular to said length of said extrusion, and said two slots extending along said length of said extrusion, with said two slots being disposed on opposite sides of said extrusion and each having a slot wall disposed opposite an open end of respective ones of said two slots, wherein said slot walls extend substantially said length of said extrusion;    said extrusion having two protrusions which extend inward from opposite sides of outer side walls of said extrusion, respectively, in respective directions which are perpendicular to said first and second directions in which said two slots extend into said extrusion, said two protrusions inwardly extending within said extrusion, said protrusions have interior ends which define a central portion of said extrusion; and    said extrusion further having two support ribs which inwardly extend from said slot walls toward an interior of said tube, said support ribs extending substantially for said length of said extrusion;    a tube plate extending into said extrusion and disposed in supportive engagement with each of said support ribs along a plurality of contact regions which extending longitudinally along a portion of said length of said extrusion; and    wherein said core panel is received within one of said two slots in one of said first and second directions, and retained within said one of said two slots by means of said tube plate.    
   
   
       18 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , comprising: 
 inner grooves and outer grooves formed into respective one of said slot walls, with two of said inner grooves being disposed on opposite sides of each of said two slots and two of said outer grooves being disposed on opposite sides of each of said two slots, with said inner grooves and said outer grooves extending transverse to said first and second directions into which said slots extend into said extrusion and transverse to at least a portion of said bottom wall, with said inner grooves disposed inward within said two slots from said outer grooves;    an inner trim having a base portion and two legs which outwardly extend from said base portion for receiving an edge of said core panel there-between, said base portion having lower edges on opposite sides of said base portion which define mounting tabs for fitting within said inner grooves;    two outer trim members disposed on opposite sides of said inner trim member within a respective one of said slots within which said inner trim member is disposed, each trim member having a main body and a protuberance which extends from an outward side of said main body to define a longitudinally extending mounting tab, said protuberance having a substantially rounded-shaped profile which defines a bulbous body for fitting within an outer groove of the slots to retain said outer trim between a sidewall of said respective slot and said inner trim, and said main body extending outward of said slot and against a side of a core panel disposed within said inner trim; and    wherein said inner and outer trim enclosing said slot and said edge of said core panel.    
   
   
       19 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein said tube defines a vertical tube and a second tube formed of said extrusion defines a horizontal tube which is joined to said vertical tube, and the apparatus further comprises: 
 said vertical tubes having V-shaped notches which extend into a central portion of said extrusion;    said horizontal tubes having V-shaped ends which are formed for mating flush with said V-shaped notches of said vertical tubes:    said tube plate extending from said vertical tubes into said horizontal tubes, and having opposite sides which engage slots walls of said extrusion providing said horizontal tubes;    a threaded fastener securing said tube plate to a threaded member secured within said horizontal tube, and    wherein a second edge of said core panel extends into a slot of said extrusion which is adjacent to said core panel.    
   
   
       20 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 a pin extending within said core panel, transverse two sides of said core panel, and having an aperture which extends transversely through said pin;    a mounting bracket fitting into one of said slots of said extrusions, said mounting bracket having two ears which extend outward from said extrusion on opposite sides of said core panel, said two ears each having a respective one of pin apertures for receiving said pin which extends transversely through said core panel, and said mounting bracket having a web portion with a fastener hole extending through said web portion; and    a fastener extending through said tube plate in said extrusion, through said fastner hole in said mounting bracket and between the two ears, and through said end of said core panel ain into said pin.