Tool-less modular panel system

Abstract

A modular paneling system for modular wall assemblies includes a plurality of panels, each including panel mounting brackets attached to the top, bottom, first side and second side frame members of the panel; a plurality of elongated posts; a plurality of end pieces, each configured for removably receiving and retaining at least a portion of one or more of the plurality of mounting brackets; and a plurality of caps, each configured for removably receiving and retaining at least a portion of one or more of the plurality of mounting brackets. The modular wall is assembled by individually attaching the first and the second side frame members to respective elongated poles, and securing a top cap to each elongated post.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A paneling system, comprising:
 a plurality of panels, each comprising a frame defined at least in part by top and bottom frame members and first and second side frame members;   a plurality of panel mounting brackets, each configured for attachment to one of said top, bottom, first side and second side frame members;   a plurality of elongated posts;   a plurality of end pieces, each configured for removably receiving and retaining at least a portion of one or more of said plurality of mounting brackets; and   a plurality of caps, each configured for removably receiving and retaining at least a portion of one or more of said plurality of mounting brackets.   
     
     
         2 . The paneling system of  claim 1 , wherein
 each of said plurality of mounting brackets comprises a recessed front surface and a back surface, said recessed front surface including at least one contoured edge configured for straddling at least a portion of one of said plurality of elongated posts;   each of said plurality of end pieces defines at least a portion of a first trough surrounding a first end of one of said plurality of elongated posts; and   each of said plurality of caps defines at least a portion of a second trough surrounding a second end of one of said plurality of elongated posts;   wherein, each of said first and said second trough is configured for receiving and retaining at least a portion of said at least one contoured edge of one or more of said plurality of mounting brackets.   
     
     
         3 . The paneling system of  claim 2 , comprising
 a first and a second top mounting bracket respectively attached to said first and said second frame member proximate said top frame member; and   a first and a second bottom mounting bracket respectively attached to said first and said second frame member proximate said bottom frame member.   
     
     
         4 . The paneling system of  claim 3 , wherein
 said at least one contoured edge of each mounting bracket includes a ridge;   said ridge of said first top mounting bracket and said ridge of said first bottom mounting bracket are parallel to said first side member and are oriented towards respective top and bottom members; and   said ridge of said second top mounting bracket and said ridge of said second bottom mounting bracket are parallel to said second side member and are oriented towards respective top and bottom members.   
     
     
         5 . The paneling system of  claim 1 , wherein
 said cap includes a threaded shank; and   said second end of said elongated post includes a threaded receptacle configured for receiving said threaded shank of said cap.   
     
     
         6 . The paneling system of  claim 1 , comprising
 a height adjustment foot having a threaded shank; and   a threaded receptacle in said end piece, said threaded receptacle configured for receiving said threaded shank of said height adjustment foot for adjusting a height of said elongated post by rotating said foot relative to said elongated post.   
     
     
         7 . The paneling system of  claim 1 , wherein said cap and said second end of said elongated post are spring-biased towards one another such that
 application of a pushing force in said second trough in a direction away from said second end of said elongated post lifts at least a portion of said cap away from said second end; and   removal of said pushing force at least partially returns said cap towards said second end of said elongated post.   
     
     
         8 . The paneling system of  claim 1 , wherein
 one or more of said plurality of mounting brackets secure a first elongated post to said first side member; and   one or more of said plurality of mounting brackets secure a second elongated post to said second side member.   
     
     
         9 . The paneling system of  claim 1 , comprising
 at least one of said plurality of mounting brackets attached to said bottom frame member; and   one or more modular components coupled to said at least one mounting bracket;   wherein, said one or more modular components are selected from the group consisting of electrical outlets, communications ports, data ports, and any combination thereof   
     
     
         10 . The paneling system of  claim 1 , comprising one or more overlay panels removably secured to one or both of a first and a second side of one or more of said plurality of panel. 
     
     
         11 . The paneling system of  claim 1 , wherein said frame encloses a core. 
     
     
         12 . The paneling system of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more elongated posts comprises a cross-section selected from the group consisting of circular, elliptical, polygon, and any combination thereof 
     
     
         13 . A method for assembling a modular wall, comprising
 providing a plurality of panel mounting brackets;   providing a plurality of panels, each comprising a first side frame member including a first bottom mounting bracket and a first top mounting bracket at each laterally opposed first bottom and first top corners, respectively;   providing a plurality of elongated posts, each comprising a first trough at a first end thereof;   providing a plurality of top caps, each defining at least a portion of a second trough at a second end of each elongated post;   attaching together said first side frame member of a first panel to a first elongated post; and   securing a first top cap to said first elongated post.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein each of said plurality of panels comprises a second side frame member including a second bottom mounting bracket and a second top mounting bracket at each laterally opposed second bottom and second top corners, respectively, the method further comprising
 attaching together said second side frame member of said first panel to a second elongated post; and   securing a second top cap to said second elongated post.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising
 attaching together said first side frame of a second panel and a third elongated post;   securing a third top cap to said third elongated post; and   attaching together said second side frame member of said second panel and said first elongated post prior to securing said first top cap to said first elongated post.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising adjusting an angle between said first and said second panel by rotating said first and said second panels relative to one another about said first elongated post prior to securing said first top cap to said first elongated post. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising adjusting an angle between said first and said second panel by
 unsecuring said first top cap from said first elongated post;   rotating said first and said second panels relative to one another about said first elongated post; and   securing said first top cap to said first elongated post.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein
 attaching together said first side frame member of said first panel to said first elongated post comprises
 placing at least a portion of said first bottom mounting bracket of said first panel in said first trough of said first elongated post; and 
 placing at least a portion of said first top mounting bracket of said first panel in said second trough of said first elongated post; and 
   attaching together said second side frame member of said first panel to said second elongated post comprises
 placing at least a portion of said second bottom mounting bracket of said first panel in said first trough of said second elongated post; and 
 placing at least a portion of said second top mounting bracket of said first panel in said second trough of said second elongated post. 
   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein
 attaching together said first side frame member of said first panel to said first elongated post comprises
 placing at least a portion of said first top mounting bracket of said first panel in said second trough of said first elongated post; and 
 placing at least a portion of said first bottom mounting bracket of said first panel in said first trough of said first elongated post; and 
   attaching together said second side frame member of said first panel to said second elongated post comprises
 placing at least a portion of said second top mounting bracket of said first panel in said second trough of said second elongated post; and 
 placing at least a portion of said second bottom mounting bracket of said first panel in said first trough of said second elongated post. 
   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein one or both of said first and said second top caps are spring-biased with their respective first and second elongated posts such that in absence of an external force said spring-biased first top cap abuts with said second end of said first elongated post and said spring-biased second top cap abuts with said second end of said second elongated post. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising attaching one or more overlay panels on one or more of said plurality of panels.