Partitions with storage capability

Abstract

Partitions for forming sections of the walls of office cubicles include two major panels (walls) which are spaced apart and interconnected to provide an inner enclosed space which is made accessible to store objects. In accordance with one embodiment, the two major panels are of similar height and width and each panel has parallel top and bottom horizontal edges and parallel rear and front edges. The top edges of the two panels, their rear edges and their bottom edges are interconnected to define an inner space which may be accessed via an opening provided by and from the front edges of the panels. In accordance with another embodiment, the inner space may be accessed by means of cut outs formed on, or in, the panels.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An office partition wall section comprising:
 first and second panels of similar height and width; each panel having a lower horizontal edge, an upper horizontal edge, a first vertical edge on one side, defined as a rear vertical edge, and a second vertical edge on the opposite side, defined as a front vertical edge;   apparatus interconnecting all the edges of the first and second panels for forming an enclosed inner space having a thickness “D”; where “D” is in the range of less than one (1) inch to about six (6) inches; and wherein the apparatus also includes means for selectively accessing the enclosed inner space for selectively storing selected objects within the enclosed inner space.   
     
     
         2 . An office partition wall section as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said apparatus interconnecting all the edges of the first and second panels includes apparatus fixedly interconnecting a top horizontal panel between the upper edges of the first and second panels, a bottom horizontal panel fixedly between the lower edges of the first and second panels, and a rear vertical panel between the rear vertical edges of the first and second panels, in order to form said enclosed inner space having a thickness “D” between the first and second panels; and apparatus connected to the front vertical edges of the first and second panels for selectively enabling the inner space between them to be accessed for storage of selected objects. 
     
     
         3 . An office partition wall section as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said front edges of said first and second panels define an opening for accessing the inner space; and wherein said apparatus enabling the inner space to be accessed includes an access door for selectively closing the opening and selectively providing access to the opening whereby objects can be inserted within the inner space or removed therefrom; and wherein the rear panel and the rear vertical edges including apparatus for selectively connecting the partition wall section to another office partition section. 
     
     
         4 . An office partition wall section as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said bottom panel is reinforced to support any object placed in the space between the first and second panels. 
     
     
         5 . An office partition wall section as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said bottom panel includes ramping means for more easily inserting or removing objects placed in the space between the panels. 
     
     
         6 . An office partition wall section as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein a wheeled flatbed device is placed along the bottom slat to enable objects to be placed on the flat bed and to be rolled into or out of the space between the panels. 
     
     
         7 . An office partition wall as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first panel is defined as an inner side panel and the second panel is defined as an outer side panel and wherein said inner side panel includes an opening for selectively accessing the inner space between the first and second panels. 
     
     
         8 . An office partition wall section as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first panel is defined as an inner side panel and the second panel is defined as an outer side panel, and wherein a storage box for is formed in the space between the inner and outer side panels, and wherein the apparatus which includes means for selectively accessing the enclosed inner space includes an access door for selectively providing access to the storage box. 
     
     
         9 . A partition wall section as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said first panel is defined as an inner side panel and the second panel is defined as an outer side, and wherein a box for receiving an object or mail is formed so as to extend from the back panel along the inner space and beyond the inner side panel so the length of the box exceeds the thickness of the space between the inner and outer side panels. 
     
     
         10 . A partition wall section as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first panel is defined as an inner side panel and the second panel is defined as an outer side panel, and wherein a storage box is formed between the inner and outer side panels, and wherein said apparatus enabling the inner space to be used for storage includes an access door on at least one of the inner and outer side panels for selectively providing access to the storage box. 
     
     
         11 . A partition wall section as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said first panel is defined as an inner side panel and the second panel is defined as an outer side panel, and wherein a box for receiving designated objects is formed between the inner and outer side panels, and wherein said apparatus enabling the inner space to be used for storage includes an access door on at least one of the inner and outer side panels for selectively providing access to the box; and wherein said box is also accessed via a slit formed in the top panel in the region overlying the box in order to deposit suitable objects in the box. 
     
     
         12 . A partition wall section as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first panel is defined as an inner side panel and the second panel is defined as an outer side panel, and wherein a storage space for storing specific objects is formed between the inner and outer side panels, and wherein said apparatus enabling the inner space to be used for storage includes an access door for selectively providing access to the storage space. 
     
     
         13 . A partition wall in particular for offices comprising:
 first and second panels of similar height and width spaced apart by a distance “D”; each panel having a lower edge, an upper edge, a left hand edge and a right hand edge; wherein “D” can vary from less than one (1) inch to about six (6) inches;   a top horizontal slat fixedly connected between the upper edges of the first and second panels;   a rear vertical slat fixedly connecting the left hand edges of the first and second panels;   a bottom horizontal slat fixedly connecting the lower edges of the first and second panels;   the width of the top slat, the bottom slat and the rear slat selected to maintain the thickness “D” of the space between the first and second panels constant; and   a front slat adapted to be connected between the right hand edges of the first and second panels such that it can either be closed or opened to provide access to the space between the first and second panels and enable objects to be placed in the space between the first and second panels.   
     
     
         14 . A partition as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said bottom slat is reinforced to support any object placed in the space between the panels. 
     
     
         15 . A partition as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein a wheeled flatbed device is placed on the bottom slat to enable objects to be place on the flat bed and rolled into and out of the space between the panels. 
     
     
         16 . A partition as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the front slat functions as a door to selectively access the space between the panels. 
     
     
         17 . A partition as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein additional supports are added to support the weight of any object stored in the space. 
     
     
         18 . A partition as claimed in  claim 13 , further including a mechanism for securing an objected being stored within the inner space. 
     
     
         19 . A partition wall in particular for offices comprising:
 first and second panels of similar height and width spaces apart by a distance “D”; each panel having a lower edge, an upper edge, a left hand edge and a right hand edge; wherein “D” is in the range of less than one (1) inch to about six (6) inches;   a top horizontal slat fixedly connected between the upper edges of the first and second panels;   a rear vertical slat fixedly connecting the left hand edges of the first and second panels;   a bottom horizontal slat fixedly connecting the lower edges of the first and second panels;   the width of the top slat, the bottom slat and the rear slat selected to maintain the thickness “D” of the space between the first and second panels constant;   the space between the first and second panels defining an inner space;   a cutout in one of said first and second panels to selectively provide access to the space between the first and second panels; and a   support structure formed within the space to enable objects to be placed and stored in the space between the first and second panels.   
     
     
         20 . A partition as claimed in  claim 19 , further including apparatus for enabling an object to be stored and secured in the inner space and to be subsequently easily removed from the inner space.