Lay-in skin and method for partition panels

Abstract

A partition panel and method for open office space and the like which includes a rigid skin shaped to cover at least a portion of a face of the panel and including a connector flange which extends along an upper edge of the skin and has a downwardly opening configuration defining a connector channel with at least one downwardly extending tab. A connector bracket is connected with the panel and extends across the face thereof in a generally horizontal orientation. At least one connector clip is supported on the connector bracket and includes a resiliently flexible finger to detachably, yet positively, support the skin on the frame in a hanging fashion. The tab is inserted behind the finger and is resiliently drawn toward the frame by the finger to mount the skin in a manner which permits the skin to be shifted horizontally while the skin remains attached to the frame.

1 . A partition panel for open office space and the like, comprising: 
 a frame having opposite faces thereof disposed in a normally generally vertical orientation;    a rigid skin shaped to cover at least a portion of one of said faces of said frame, and including a connector flange extending along an upper edge of said skin, having a downwardly opening configuration defining a connector channel with at least one downwardly extending tab;    a connector bracket connected with said frame, and shaped to extend across said one face of said frame in a generally horizontal orientation; and    at least one connector clip supported on said connector bracket, and including a resiliently flexible finger with an outwardly turned free end shaped for reception in said connector channel in said skin to detachably, yet positively, support said skin on said frame in a hanging fashion, and wherein said tab on said connector flange is inserted behind said finger and is resiliently drawn toward said frame by said finger to securely, yet detachably, mount said skin on said frame in a manner which permits said skin to be shifted horizontally along said one face of said frame while said skin remains attached to said frame.    
     
     
         2 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said connector bracket includes a notch disposed behind said finger and shaped to receive said tab therein to horizontally locate said skin at a preselected installed position on said frame.    
     
     
         3 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein: 
 said finger biases said tab into said notch to positively, yet releasably, locate said skin in said installed position.    
     
     
         4 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein: 
 said bracket includes inclined ramp portions disposed on opposite sides of said notch to guide said tab into said notch.    
     
     
         5 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein: 
 said skin is configured for detachable connection with said frame by first positioning said connector flange on said clip for hanging support at a pre-installed position laterally spaced apart from said installed position, and then sliding said skin generally horizontally from said pre-installed position until said tab snaps into said notch, thereby creating an audible indication that said skin has been properly located in said installed position.    
     
     
         6 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein: 
 said finger extends generally vertically.    
     
     
         7 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein: 
 said connector flange has an inverted generally U-shaped configuration.    
     
     
         8 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein: 
 said skin includes a plurality of said tabs disposed in a laterally spaced apart relationship along said connector channel.    
     
     
         9 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 8 , including: 
 a plurality of said clips disposed in a laterally spaced apart relationship along said connector bracket in vertical alignment with said tabs when said skin is in said installed position.    
     
     
         10 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein: 
 said skin includes a generally imperforate face disposed a spaced apart distance from said frame to define a utility channel therebetween within which utilities are routed generally horizontally along said one face of said frame.    
     
     
         11 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein: 
 said skin includes open ends extending along opposite sides thereof to permit utilities to be routed through said utility channel.    
     
     
         12 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein: 
 said connector clips each include a pair of resiliently flexible wings extending generally horizontally with outwardly turned free ends which engage said tabs to permit said skin to be shifted horizontally along said one face of said frame while said skin remains attached to said frame.    
     
     
         13 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein: 
 said connector bracket includes pockets in which said connector clips are frictionally retained.    
     
     
         14 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein: 
 said connector flange defines an upper connector flange and said connector channel defines an upper connector channel; and    said skin includes a lower connector flange extending along a lower edge of said skin and having a generally U-shaped configuration which opens upwardly to define a lower connector channel.    
     
     
         15 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 14 , including: 
 a first connector strip received and retained in said lower channel.    
     
     
         16 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein: 
 said connector bracket defines an upper connector bracket; and including    a lower connector bracket connected with said frame in a vertically spaced apart relationship with said upper connector bracket, and shaped to extend across said one face of said frame in a generally horizontal orientation.    
     
     
         17 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 16 , including: 
 a second connector strip supported on said lower connector bracket.    
     
     
         18 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein: 
 one of said first and second connector strips includes a female snap retainer and said other of said first and second connector strips includes a male snap retainer shaped for reception in said female snap retainer to detachably connect said skin to said frame in a manner which permits said skin to be shifted horizontally along said one face of said frame while said skin remains attached to said frame.    
     
     
         19 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 18 , including: 
 threaded fasteners attaching said upper and lower connector brackets to said frame.    
     
     
         20 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said skin is configured for detachable connection with said frame by first positioning said connector flange on said clip for hanging support at a pre-installed position laterally spaced apart from an installed position, and then sliding said skin generally horizontally from said pre-installed position until said tab snaps into place behind said finger, thereby creating an audible indication that said skin has been properly located in said installed position.    
     
     
         21 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said finger extends generally vertically.    
     
     
         22 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said connector flange has an inverted generally U-shaped configuration.    
     
     
         23 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said skin includes a plurality of said tabs disposed in a laterally spaced apart relationship along said connector channel.    
     
     
         24 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 1 , including: 
 a plurality of said clips disposed in a laterally spaced apart relationship along said connector bracket.    
     
     
         25 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said skin includes a generally imperforate face disposed a spaced apart distance from said frame to define a utility channel therebetween within which utilities are routed generally horizontally along said one face of said frame.    
     
     
         26 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said skin includes open ends extending along opposite sides thereof to permit utilities to be routed therethrough.    
     
     
         27 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said connector clips each include a pair of resiliently flexible wings extending generally horizontally with outwardly turned free ends which engage said tab to permit said skin to be shifted horizontally along said one face of said frame while said skin remains attached to said frame.    
     
     
         28 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said connector bracket includes a pocket in which said connector clip is frictionally retained.    
     
     
         29 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said connector flange defines an upper connector flange and said connector channel defines an upper connector channel;    said skin includes a lower connector flange extending along a lower edge of said skin and having a generally U-shaped configuration which opens upwardly to define a lower connector channel; and    a first connector strip is received and retained in said lower channel.    
     
     
         30 - 49 . (canceled)  
     
     
         50 . An apparatus for detachably mounting a cover skin on a partition panel of the type having a frame with opposite faces, comprising: 
 a connector bracket shaped to extend across one of the faces of the frame in a generally horizontal orientation;    a fastener for attaching said connector bracket with the frame; and    at least one connector clip supported on said connector bracket, and including a resiliently flexible finger with an outwardly turned free end shaped for engaging a downwardly turned upper connector channel portion of an associated cover skin which is inserted behind said finger and is resiliently drawn toward the frame by said finger to securely, yet detachably, mount the skin on the frame in a manner which permits the skin to be shifted horizontally along the one face of the frame while the skin remains attached to the frame.    
     
     
         51 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 50 , wherein: 
 said connector bracket includes a notch disposed behind said finger and shaped to receive a tab portion of the cover skin therein to horizontally locate the cover skin at a preselected installed position on the frame.    
     
     
         52 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 51 , wherein: 
 said finger biases said tab into said notch to positively, yet releasably, locate the cover skin in said installed position.    
     
     
         53 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 52 , wherein: 
 said bracket includes inclined ramp portions disposed on opposite sides of said notch to guide the tab portion of the cover skin into said notch.    
     
     
         54 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 53 , wherein: 
 said finger extends generally vertically; and    said connector clip includes a pair of resiliently flexible wings extending generally horizontally with outwardly turned free ends shaped to engage the connector channel portion of the cover skin to permit the cover skin to be shifted horizontally along the one face of the frame while the skin remains attached to the frame.    
     
     
         55 . In a method for partitioning open office space and the like into individual workstations by detachably interconnecting panels of the type having frames and covering skins in a side-by-side relationship, the improvement comprising: 
 forming a connector flange along an upper edge of at least one of the skins to define a downwardly opening connector channel with at least one downwardly extending tab;    providing at least one connector clip having a resiliently flexible finger with an outwardly turned free end shaped for reception in the connector channel of the one skin;    operably connecting the connector clip to one of the frames, and positioning the connector clip adjacent a face portion thereof such that the finger extends in a generally vertical orientation to engage the tab on the one skin when the skin is horizontally located at a preselected installed position on the one frame;    positioning the connector channel portion of the one skin over the clip for hanging support of the one skin on the one frame at a pre-installed position laterally spaced apart from the installed position; and    sliding the one skin generally horizontally across the one frame from the pre-installed position to the installed position, thereby inserting the tab behind the finger and resiliently drawing the one skin against the one frame to securely, yet detachably, support the one skin on the one frame.    
     
     
         56 . A method as set forth in  claim 55 , wherein: 
 said connecting step comprises:    providing a connector bracket shaped to extend across the face of the one frame;    mounting the connector clip on the connector bracket; and    fastening the connector bracket to the face of the frame.    
     
     
         57 . A method as forth in  claim 55 , including: 
 forming a notch in the connector bracket behind the finger with a shape to receive the tab therein to horizontally locate the one skin at the installed position on the one frame.    
     
     
         58 . A method as set forth in  claim 57 , including: 
 positioning the finger relative to the one frame to cause the finger to bias the tab into the notch to positively, yet releasably, locate the one skin in the installed position.    
     
     
         59 . A method as set forth in  claim 57 , including: 
 positioning the finger relative to the tab such that during said sliding step, the tab snaps into the notch to create an audible indication that the skin has been properly located in the installed position.    
     
     
         60 . A method as set forth in  claim 59 , including: 
 positioning the finger relative to the tab such that the connector clip detachably mounts the one skin on the one frame in a manner which permits the skin to be shifted horizontally along the face of the one frame while the one skin remains attached to the one frame.    
     
     
         61 . A method as set forth in  claim 55 , including: 
 positioning the finger relative to the tab such that the connector clip detachably mounts the one skin on the one frame in a manner which permits the skin to be shifted horizontally along the face of the one frame while the one skin remains attached to the one frame.    
     
     
         62 . A connector clip for detachably mounting cover skins on partition panel frames, comprising: 
 a base portion having a predetermined width shaped for reception in an associated socket to operably connect said connector clip with an associated one of the partition panel frames;    a resiliently flexible finger portion extending generally vertically upwardly from said base portion, and including an outwardly turned free end shaped for reception in a connector channel portion of an associated one of the cover skins to detachably, yet positively, support the one cover skin on the one frame in a hanging fashion, and for engagement with a depending tab portion of the one cover skin to resiliently draw the same toward the one frame; and    first and second resiliently flexible wing portions extending generally horizontally in opposite directions from said finger, and including outwardly turned free ends configured to engage the tab to permit the one cover skin to be shifted horizontally along the one frame while the one cover skin remains attached to the one frame.    
     
     
         63 . A partition for open office space and the like, comprising: 
 first and second panel frames interconnected in a side-by-side relationship, and each including    a pair of vertical posts spaced laterally apart;    at least one horizontal member interconnecting said posts; and    a connector bracket;    a first skin detachably connected with said connector bracket on said first panel frame, and covering at least a portion of said first panel frame;    a second skin detachably connected with said connector bracket on said second panel frame, and covering at least a portion of said second panel frame;    a cable manager supported on said second panel frame and configured to route electrical cables between at least said second panel frame and said portion of said second skin; and    a connector slidably attaching said second skin to said second panel frame such that when said first skin is removed from said first panel frame, said second skin can be shifted horizontally along said second panel frame into at least a portion of the space previously occupied by said first skin to access the electrical cables supported in said cable manager on said second panel frame.    
     
     
         64 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 63 , wherein: 
 said connector bracket on said second panel frame extends across an associated face of said second panel frame in a generally horizontal orientation.    
     
     
         65 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 64 , wherein: 
 said connector bracket on said first panel frame extends across an associated face of said first panel frame in a generally horizontal orientation, and is aligned with said connector bracket on said second panel frame.    
     
     
         66 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 65 , wherein: 
 said connector includes a clip supported on said connector bracket of said second panel frame, and having a resiliently flexible finger which engages said second skin to securely, yet detachably, mount said second skin on said second panel frame in a manner which permits said second skin to be shifted horizontally along the face of said second panel frame while said second skin remains attached to said second panel frame.    
     
     
         67 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 66 , wherein: 
 said clip is configured to slidably engage said connector bracket on said first panel frame when said second skin is shifted horizontally.    
     
     
         68 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 67 , wherein: 
 said connector bracket on said second panel frame includes a notch disposed behind said finger and shaped to receive a tab portion of said second skin therein to horizontally locate said second skin at a preselected installed position on said second panel frame.    
     
     
         69 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 68 , wherein: 
 said finger biases said tab into said notch to positively, yet releasably, locate said second skin in said installed position.    
     
     
         70 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 69 , wherein: 
 said connector bracket on said second panel frame includes inclined ramp portions disposed on opposite sides of said notch to guide said tab portion of said second skin into said notch.    
     
     
         71 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 70 , wherein: 
 said finger extends generally vertically; and    said clip includes a pair of resiliently flexible wings extending generally horizontally with outwardly turned free ends shaped to engage a connector channel portion of said second skin to permit said second skin to be shifted horizontally along the one face of said second panel frame while said second skin remains attached to said second panel frame.    
     
     
         72 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 71 , wherein: 
 said second skin includes a connector flange extending along an upper edge of said second skin, having a downwardly opening configuration defining a connector channel with said tab extending downwardly from said connector channel.    
     
     
         73 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 72 , wherein: 
 said finger on said clip includes an outwardly turned free end shaped for reception in said connector channel to detachably, yet positively, support said second skin on said second panel frame in a hanging configuration.    
     
     
         74 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 73 , wherein: 
 said second skin is configured for detachable connection with said second panel frame by first positioning said connector flange on said clip for hanging support at a pre-installed position laterally spaced apart from said installed position, and then sliding said second skin generally horizontally from said pre-installed position until said tab snaps into said notch, thereby creating an audible indication that said second skin has been properly located in said installed position.    
     
     
         75 . In a reconfigurable partition system having first and second panel frames interconnected in a side-by-side relationship, and each including a pair of vertical posts spaced laterally apart, at least one horizontal member interconnecting said posts, the improvement of a skin mounting arrangement, comprising: 
 a first connector bracket operably connected with said first panel frame;    a second connector bracket operably connected with said second panel frame;    a first skin detachably connected with said first connector bracket, and covering at least a portion of said first panel frame;    a second skin detachably connected with said second connector bracket, and covering at least a portion of said second panel frame;    a cable manager supported on said second panel frame and configured to route electrical cables between at least said second panel frame and said portion of said second skin; and    a connector slidably attaching said second skin to said second panel frame such that when said first skin is removed from said first panel frame, said second skin can be shifted horizontally along said second connector bracket into at least a portion of the space previously occupied by said first skin to access the electrical cables supported in said cable manager on said second panel frame.    
     
     
         76 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 75 , wherein: 
 said second connector bracket extends across an associated face of said second panel frame in a generally horizontal orientation; and    said first connector bracket extends across an associated face of said first panel frame in a generally horizontal orientation, and is aligned with said second connector bracket.    
     
     
         77 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 76 , wherein: 
 said connector includes a clip supported on said second connector bracket, and having a resiliently flexible finger which engages said second skin to securely, yet detachably, mount said second skin on said second panel frame in a manner which permits said second skin to be shifted horizontally along the face of said second panel frame while said second skin remains attached to said second panel frame; and    said clip is configured to slidably engage said first connector bracket when said second skin is shifted horizontally.    
     
     
         78 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 77 , wherein: 
 said second skin includes a connector flange extending along an upper edge of said second skin, having a downwardly opening configuration defining a connector channel with a tab extending downwardly from said connector channel.    
     
     
         79 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 78 , wherein: 
 said second connector bracket includes a notch disposed behind said finger and shaped to receive said tab of said second skin therein to horizontally locate said second skin at a preselected installed position on said second panel frame;    said finger biases said tab into said notch to positively, yet releasably, locate said second skin in said installed position; and    said second connector bracket includes inclined ramp portions disposed on opposite sides of said notch to guide said tab of said second skin into said notch.    
     
     
         80 . A partition panel as set forth in  claim 79 , wherein: 
 said second skin is configured for detachable connection with said second panel frame by first positioning said connector flange on said clip for hanging support at a pre-installed position laterally spaced apart from said installed position, and then sliding said second skin generally horizontally from said pre-installed position until said tab snaps into said notch, thereby creating an audible indication that said second skin has been properly located in said installed position.