Panel and structural units for wall assemblies

Claim 2

In a panel system, a panel having a vertical row of slots along the edge thereof, a bracket having a face plate and an inwardly turned end plate, inwardly projecting tabs on said end plate adapted to engage in selected slots to support said bracket at a desired elevation on said panel with the face plate thereof extending generally parallel to said panel, an accessory mounted on said bracket, and support means on said face plate operative to support said accessory without direct engagement between said accessory and said panel.

Claim 3

In a panel system, a panel having a vertical row of slots along the edge thereof, a bracket having a face plate and an inwardly turned end plate, inwardly projecting tabs on said end plate adapted to engage in selected slots to support said bracket at a desired elevation on said panel with the face plate thereof extending generally parallel to said panel, an accessory mounted on said bracket, and support means on said face plate operative to support said accessory without direct engagement between said accessory and said panel.

Claim 4

In a panel system, a panel having a vertical row of slots along the edge thereof, a bracket having a face plate and an inwardly turned end plate, inwardly projecting tabs on said end plate adapted to engage in selected slots to support said bracket at a desired elevation on said panel with the face plate thereof extending generally parallel to said panel, an accessory mounted on said bracket, and support means on said face plate operative to support said accessory without direct engagement between said accessory and said panel.

Claim 5

A panel system as shown in claim 1 wherein said support means comprises hook means adapted to be engaged and released by lowering and lifting of said accessory, respectively.

Claim 6

A panel set as shown in claim 2 wherein said hook means is at the upper edge of said face plate and supports said accessory in hanging fashion.

Claim 7

A panel system as shown in claim 3 wherein the upper edge of said face plate is provided with a projecting hook engaging projection, and the upper rear edge of said accessory is provided with a rearwardly and downwardly extending hook engaging said projection.

Claim 8

A panel system as set forth in claim 4 including a bumper between said face plate and accessory.

Claim 9

A panel system as shown in claim 1 wherein said bracket has at least two inwardly projecting tabs with downwardly extending hook portions thereon, the vertical spacing of said tabs being equal to or a whole multiple of the spacing of said slots.

Claim 10

A panel system as shown in claim 1 wherein said bracket includes as its uppermost tab, a tab with an upwardly extending hook portion thereon adapted to be inserted into a selected slot first before the other slots are engaged by the remaining tabs.

Claim 11

A panel system as shown in claim 1 including at least two rows of slots and two bracKets each secured in one of said rows with the face plates directed toward each other, and a load bar interconnecting said face plates with said accessory being supported from said load bar.

Claim 12

In a panel system, a panel having a vertical row of slots along the edge thereof, a bracket having a face plate and an inwardly turned end plate, inwardly projecting tabs on said end plate adapted to engage in selected slots to support said bracket at a desired elevation on said panel with the face plate thereof extending generally parallel to said panel, and releasable support means interconnecting said face plate and accessory to support the latter without direct engagement between said accessory and said panel.

Claim 13

In a panel system, a panel having a vertical row of slots along the edge thereof, a bracket having a face plate and an inwardly turned end plate, inwardly projecting tabs on said end plate adapted to engage in selected slots to support said bracket at a desired elevation on said panel with the face plate thereof extending generally parallel to said panel, and releasable support means interconnecting said face plate and accessory to support the latter without direct engagement between said accessory and said panel.

Claim 14

A panel system as shown in claim 9 including at least two rows of slots and two brackets each secured in one of said rows with the face plates directed toward each other, and a load bar interconnecting said face plates with said accessory being support from said load bar.

Claim 15

An interior partition wall assembly including a vertical panel having at each vertical edge thereof a row of vertically aligned slots, a vertically elongated bracket removably secured to each row of slots, each bracket including vertically spaced projecting hook tabs adapted to engage in corresponding vertically spaced slots in the respective row of slots, and an accessory removably secured to said brackets, said accessory including an elongated downwardly extending hook at the upper rear edge thereof adapted to engage the top of said brackets, and a bumper at the lower rear edge thereof, said hook and bumper supporting said accessory in projecting fashion on said wall.

Claim 16

An interior partition wall assembly including a vertical panel having at each vertical edge thereof a row of vertically aligned slots, a vertically elongated bracket removably secured to each row of slots, each bracket including vertically spaced projecting hook tabs adapted to engage in corresponding vertically spaced slots in the respective row of slots, and an accessory removably secured to said brackets, said accessory including an elongated downwardly extending hook at the upper rear edge thereof adapted to engage the top of said brackets, and a bumper at the lower rear edge thereof, said hook and bumper supporting said accessory in projecting fashion on said wall.

Claim 17

An assembly as set forth in claim 11 including a load bar spanning said brackets, with said elongated downwardly extending hook of said accessory engaging the top edge of said load bar.

Claim 18

An assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said downwardly extending hook at the upper rear edge of said accessory is in the form of an elongated downwardly extending channel formed by the back of said accessory and a horizontally extending flange terminating in a downwardly extending flange.

Claim 19

An assembly as set forth in claim 13 including an elongated non-metallic channel shape protector strip fitted within said downwardly extending channel.

Claim 20

An assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein said protector strip includes an inverted channel shape edge enclosing the edge of said downwardly extending flange.

Claim 21

An assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein the top edge of said load bar is bent to form an inverted channel projection fitting closely within the elongated downwardly extending channel at the upper rear edge of said accessory.

Claim 22

An assembly as set forth in claim 12 including horizontal reinforcing members extending interiorly of said load bar adapted to reinforce and rigidify the same.

Claim 23

An assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said downwardly extending hook at the upper rear edge of said accessory is in the form of an elongated downwardly extending channel formed by the back of said accessory and a horizontally extending flange terminating in a downwardly extending flange.

Claim 24

An assembly as set forth in claim 18 including an elongated non-metallic channel shape protector strip fitted within said downwardly extending channel.

Claim 25

An assembly as set forth in claim 19 wherein said protector strip includes an inverted channel shape edge enclosing the edge of said downwardly extending flange.

Claim 26

An assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said brackets each include an upwardly extending top hook and a downwardly extending bottom hook.

Claim 27

An assembly as sert forth in claim 21 wherein said brackets each further include downwardly extending intermediate hooks.

Claim 28

An assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said brackets include a horizontally extending vertically elongated face spaced from said panel, a rearwardly extending flange on the top edge of said face adapted to fit closeLy within said downwardly extending hook at the upper rear edge of said accessory, said bumper bearing against the bottom of said face.

Claim 29

An assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said bumper is a resilient button.

Claim 30

A panel structure including a metal face, said face having a substantially plane rectangular central portion and opposite side edge portions, both of said side edge portions being bent and folded to provide a recessed double-thickness flange thereon, a plurality of longitudinally spaced slots in each said flange, each of said edge portions being bent to define a web portion extending inwardly from said central portion, each of said edge portions being reversely folded to define a main folded portion extending outward from said web portion relative to said central portion, said main folded portion extending back toward said web portion and being bent to define an inwardly extending terminal flange which extends inward relative to said central portion in the same direction as said web portion, said main folded portions defining said double-thickness flanges, another said sheet metal face being reversely positioned with respect to said first sheet metal face and with said central portions thereof in substantially parallel spaced-apart relationship with said terminal flanges thereon overlapping one another, securing means for securing said overlapping terminal flanges together to define a substantially rectangular panel having panel edge portions of substantially channel-shaped cross-sectional configuration including outwardly opening channel spaces defined by spaced-apart legs formed by said main folded portions and a base formed by said overlapping terminal flanges, a pair of said panels being positioned substantially vertically in substantially aligned relationship with panel edge portions thereof in spaced-apart relationship to define a pair of panel mounting edge portions, a post member positioned between said pair of panel mounting edge portions, said post member extending at least partially into said channel spaces between said legs to form a wall assembly from said post and said panels, and a pair of mounting members having mounting projections received in at least certain of said slots in said main folded portions for attaching said mounting members in substantially horizontal spaced-apart relationship to opposite ones of said panel edge portions on one of said panels.

Claim 31

A panel structure including a metal face, said face having a substantially plane rectangular central portion and opposite side edge portions, both of said side edge portions being bent and folded to provide a recessed double-thickness flange thereon, a plurality of longitudinally spaced slots in each said flange, each of said edge portions being bent to define a web portion extending inwardly from said central portion, each of said edge portions being reversely folded to define a main folded portion extending outward from said web portion relative to said central portion, said main folded portion extending back toward said web portion and being bent to define an inwardly extending terminal flange which extends inward relative to said central portion in the same direction as said web portion, said main folded portions defining said double-thickness flanges, another said sheet metal face being reversely positioned with respect to said first sheet metal face and with said central portions thereof in substantially parallel spaced-apart relationship with said terminal flanges thereon overlapping one another, securing means for securing said overlapping terminal flanges together to define a substantially rectangular panel having panel edge portions of substantially channel-shaped cross-sectional configuration including outwardly opening channel spaces defined by spaced-apart legs formed by said main folded portions and a base formed by said overlapping terminal flanges, a pair of said panels being positioned substantially vertically in substantially aligned relationship with panel edge portions thereof in spaced-apart relationship to define a pair of panel mounting edge portions, a post member positioned between said pair of panel mounting edge portions, said post member extending at least partially into said channel spaces between said legs to form a wall assembly from said post and said panels, and a pair of mounting members having mounting projections received in at least certain of said slots in said main folded portions for attaching said mounting members in substantially horizontal spaced-apart relationship to opposite ones of said panel edge portions on one of said panels.

Claim 32

The assembly of claim 25 and further including a structural unit having a rear edge, said rear edge including a hook portion hooked onto said mounting members.

Claim 33

The assembly of claim 26 wherein said structural unit includes a rear metal panel having bent opposite side edges defining securing flanges, said rear metal panel having a bent upper edge defining said hook portion, end panels secured to said securing flanges, and a bottom panel secured to said end panels.

Claim 34

The assembly of claim 27 wherein said rear panel has a bent bottom edge extending rearwardly therefrom in the same direction as said securing flanges to define an assembly flange, said bottom panel having a reversely bent rear edge defining an assembly hook, said assembly flange and assembly hook being interdigitated.

Claim 35

The assembly of claim 25 and further including a reinforced load bar assembly having a load bar hook portion hooked onto said mounting members, and an accessory unit having a rear hook portion hooked onto said load bar assembly.

Claim 36

A modular structural unit for hanging on a wall assembly, said unit having a sheet metal rear panel, said sheet metal panel having opposite side edges bent rearwardly to define securing flanges, said rear panel having a top edge bent rearwardly to define a first hook portion extending in the same direction as said securing flanges, said top edge being bent downwardly to define a second hook portion extending downwardly from said first hook portion in outwardly-spaced relationship to said panel, said first and second hook portions cooperating to defIne a mounting hook having a downwardly opening hook pocket on said top edge of said rear panel for hanging said unit to a wall assembly, side walls secured to said securing flanges, to a bottom panel secured to said side walls, said wall assembly having mounting members thereon, said mounting members having upwardly facing projections, said mounting hook being hooked over said projections with said projections received in said hook pocket for hanging said unit to said wall assembly.

Claim 37

A modular structural unit for hanging on a wall assembly, said unit having a sheet metal rear panel, said sheet metal panel having opposite side edges bent rearwardly to define securing flanges, said rear panel having a top edge bent rearwardly to define a first hook portion extending in the same direction as said securing flanges, said top edge being bent downwardly to define a second hook portion extending downwardly from said first hook portion in outwardly-spaced relationship to said panel, said first and second hook portions cooperating to defIne a mounting hook having a downwardly opening hook pocket on said top edge of said rear panel for hanging said unit to a wall assembly, side walls secured to said securing flanges, to a bottom panel secured to said side walls, said wall assembly having mounting members thereon, said mounting members having upwardly facing projections, said mounting hook being hooked over said projections with said projections received in said hook pocket for hanging said unit to said wall assembly.

Claim 38

The assembly of claim 30 and further including an elongated non-metallic protector strip positioned in said hook pocket and extending substantially the full length of said top edge portion of said rear panel, said strip being interposed in said hook pocket between said mounting hook and said projections.

Claim 39

The assembly of claim 31 wherein said strip has a cross-sectional configuration defined by a pair of reversely positioned V-shaped portions one of said V-shaped portions opening downwardly and being substantially larger than the other of said V-shaped portions, said one V-shaped portion being positioned in said hook pocket and said mounting hook having a terminal mounting hook flange end received in said other V-shaped portion.

Claim 40

A modular structural unit for hanging on a wall assembly, said unit having a sheet metal rear panel, said sheet metal panel having opposite side edges bent rearwardly to define securing flanges, said rear panel having a top edge bent rearwardly to define a first hook portion extending in the same direction as said securing flanges, said top edge being bent downwardly to define a second hook portion extending downwardly from said first hook portion in outwardly-spaced relationship to said panel, said first and second hook portions cooperating to define a mounting hook having a downwardly opening hook pocket on said top edge of said rear panel for hanging said unit to a wall assembly, said walls secured to said securing flanges, to a bottom panel secured to said side walls, and a wall assembly having mounting members thereon, said mounting members having upwardly facing projections, a load bar including a load bar metal panel having elongated spaced-apart reinforcing beams secured to one surface thereof, said load bar panel having a top edge portion bent rearwardly into a load bar hook, said load bar hook being hooked over said projections with said reinforcing beams facing said wall assembly, said mounting hook being hooked over said load bar hook.

Claim 41

A modular structural unit for hanging on a wall assembly, said unit having a sheet metal rear panel, said sheet metal panel having opposite side edges bent rearwardly to define securing flanges, said rear panel having a top edge bent rearwardly to define a first hook portion extending in the same direction as said securing flanges, said top edge being bent downwardly to define a second hook portion extending downwardly from said first hook portion in outwardly-spaced relationship to said panel, said first and second hook portions cooperating to define a mounting hook having a downwardly opening hook pocket on said top edge of said rear panel for hanging said unit to a wall assembly, said walls secured to said securing flanges, to a bottom panel secured to said side walls, and a wall assembly having mounting members thereon, said mounting members having upwardly facing projections, a load bar including a load bar metal panel having elongated spaced-apart reinforcing beams secured to one surface thereof, said load bar panel having a top edge portion bent rearwardly into a load bar hook, said load bar hook being hooked over said projections with said reinforcing beams facing said wall assembly, said mounting hook being hooked over said load bar hook.

Claim 42

The assembly of claim 33 and further including an elongated non-metallic protector strip extending substantially the full length of said load bar and being interposed between said load bar hook and said mounting hook.

Claim 43

The assembly of claim 34 wherein said rear panel has a bent bottom edge extending rearwardly therefrom in the same direction as said securing flanges to define an assembly flange, said bottom panel having a reversely bent rear edge defining an assembly hook, said assembly flange and assembly hook being interdigitated.