Electrical connection system for panel structures

Claim 2

In a free standing, space dividing partition structure accommodating electrical conductors and employing a plurality of wall panels and cooperable elongated hollow supporting columns therefor, in which at least a pair of adjacent panels are supported, by a common column structure, at their vertical end edges by cooperable connecting means on said panels and said common hollow column structure, the combination of the hollow column structure having a plurality of access openings in the side walls thereof through which electrical conductors may extend from one wall panel of such a pair into the column structure and from the column structure into the other wall panel of such pair with the interior of the column structure forming a connecting conduit for such conductors between the respective wall panels of such pair, said column structure being constructed in the form of a plurality of aligned sections, at least one of which is rotatably adjustable relative to another about the column axis, said one section having at least one of said conductor access openings therein, and means for retaining such sections in assembled relation.

Claim 3

A partition structure according to claim 1, wherein each section is connected with an adjacent section by a sleeve member having an external diameter complemental to the internal diameter of the adjacent sections and provided with an outwardly extending circular flange intermediate its ends, disposed between and engaged with the opposing end edges of adjacent sections.

Claim 4

A partition structure according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said access openings is provided with a connector member to which electrical conductors within the column terminate, a cooperable connector member being associated with an adjacent wall panel, at which connector member, electrical conductors carried by such cooperable wall panel terminate, said connector members being operatively engageable to complete electrical connections between the electrical conductors associated therewith.

Claim 5

A partition structure according to claim 1, wherein said column structure is provided with means at the upper end thereof for the entry or exit of conductors to or form the column structure.

Claim 6

A partition structure according to claim 4, wherein said means at the upper end of a column is provided with means for at least partially supporting an object therefrom and possible electrical supply thereto.

Claim 7

A partition structure according to claim 1, comprising, in further combination, means detachably engageable with a wall panel along a laterally extending edge thereof, forming an entry or exit of electrical conductors, and a passageway along such edge of a wall panel for facilitating electrical connections of such conductors with other conductors carried by the wall panel.

Claim 8

A partition structure according to claim 6, wherein said means facilitating electrical connection of conductors comprises a channel member extending along such laterally extending panel edge in which connecting conductors may be disposed.

Claim 9

A partition structure according to claim 7, wherein said channel member is provided with cover means for effecting a closure of said channel.

Claim 10

A partition structure according to claim 1, wherein said wall panels are each provided with a channel member extending along a horizontal edge thereof for the reception of electrical conductors therein.

Claim 11

A partition structure according to claim 9, wherein said column structure is provided with an access opening therein adjacent said channel member for the conduction of electrical conductors within the channel member into the column structure.

Claim 12

A partition structure according to claim 9, wherein said access openings are provided in a hollow, end member connected to the column structure and disposed adjacent the cooperable channel member, said end member communicating with both such channel and the interior of the column structure.

Claim 13

A partition structure according to claim 9, wherein said channel member has a wall defining the corresponding edge of the wall panel and an open side adjacent thereto opening on a face of such wall panel.

Claim 14

A partition structure according to claim 1, wherein each of said panels is provided with conductor passageways along each edge thereof forming respective horizontal and vertical passageways for the reception of electrical conductors, the conductor access openings in the column structure being cooperable with access openings in at least one passageway adjacent the column structure for the conduction of electrical conductors between the respective wall panels and the cooperable column structure.

Claim 15

A partition structure according to claim 13, wherein an access opening in a wall panel is disposed in the adjacent vertical edge thereof.

Claim 16

A partition structure according to claim 14, wherein an access opening in a wall panel is formed by an open end of a laterally extending passageway.

Claim 17

In a partition structure accommodating electrical conductors and employing a plurality of wall panels and cooperable elongated hollow supporting columns therefrom, in which the vertical end edges of at least a pair of adjacent panels are supported by respective cooperable connecting means from a common hollow column, the combination of the hollow column structure having a plurality of access openings therein for the reception of electrical conductors from respective wall panels supported by the column, said column structure being constructed in the form of a plurality of aligned sections comprising respective end sections which are relatively stationary with respect to one another and a plurality of intermediate sections, each rotatable relative to the end sections, each of said intermediate sections having such an access opening therein, whereby the respective conductor access openings may be disposed in different angular relationships with respect to each other, with the interior of the column forming a connecting conduit for such conductors from the respective wall panels of such a pair, and means for retaining such sections in assembled relation.

Claim 18

In a partition structure accommodating electrical conductors and employing a plurality of wall panels and cooperable elongated hollow supporting columns therefrom, in which the vertical end edges of at least a pair of adjacent panels are supported by respective cooperable connecting means from a common hollow column, the combination of the hollow column structure having a plurality of access openings therein for the reception of electrical conductors from respective wall panels supported by the column, said column structure being constructed in the form of a plurality of aligned sections comprising respective end sections which are relatively stationary with respect to one another and a plurality of intermediate sections, each rotatable relative to the end sections, each of said intermediate sections having such an access opening therein, whereby the respective conductor access openings may be disposed in different angular relationships with respect to each other, with the interior of the column forming a connecting conduit for such conductors from the respective wall panels of such a pair, and means for retaining such sections in assembled relation.

Claim 19

A partition structure according to claim 16, wherein a pair of rotatable intermediate sections are disposed adjacent one another and each provided with an access opening therein, and a tubular member for each access opening secured to the associated section in alignment with the access opening thereof, each tubular member being provided with an offset therein, the respective offsets each extending toward the other section whereby the axes of free ends of the tubular members are disposed in a common plane, said tubular members forming conduit means for conductors extending through the associated access openings.

Claim 20

In a partition structure accommodating electrical conductors and employing a plurality of wall panels and cooperable elongated hollow supporting columns therefrom, in which the vertical end edges of at least a pair of adjacent panels are supported by respective cooperable connecting means from a common hollow column, the combination of the hollow column structure having a plurality of access openings therein for the reception of electrical conductors from respective wall panels supported by the column, said column structure being constructed in the form of a plurality of aligned sections at least one of which is rotatable relative to another about the column axis, said one section having at least one of said conductor access openings therein, a tubular member for each such access opening secured to the associated section in alignment with the access opening therein, said tubular member forming conduit means for conductors extending through the associated opening, with the interior of the column forming a connecting conduit for such conductors from the respective wall panels of such a pair, and means for retaining such sections in assembled relation.

Claim 21

In a partition structure accommodating electrical conductors and employing a plurality of wall panels and cooperable elongated hollow supporting columns therefrom, in which the vertical end edges of at least a pair of adjacent panels are supported by respective cooperable connecting means from a common hollow column, the combination of the hollow column structure having a plurality of access openings therein for the reception of electrical conductors from respective wall panels supported by the column, said column structure being constructed in the form of a plurality of aligned sections at least one of which is rotatable relative to another about the column axis, said one section having at least one of said conductor access openings therein, a tubular member for each such access opening secured to the associated section in alignment with the access opening therein, said tubular member forming conduit means for conductors extending through the associated opening, with the interior of the column forming a connecting conduit for such conductors from the respective wall panels of such a pair, and means for retaining such sections in assembled relation.

Claim 22

A partition structure according to claim 18, wherein said tubular members are permanently secured to the associated sections.

Claim 23

A partition structure according to claim 18, wherein said tubular members are detachably secured to the associated sections.

Claim 24

In a partition structure accommodating electrical conductors and employing a plurality of wall panels and cooperable elongated hollow supporting columns therefor, in which the vertical end edges of at least a pair of adjacent panels are supported by respective cooperable connecting means from a common hollow column, the combination of the hollow column structure having a plurality of access openings therein for the reception of electrical conductors from respective wall panels supported by the column, the interior of the latter forming a connecting conduit for such conductors from the respective wall panels, said hollow column structure being provided, adjacent an opening for electrical conductors, with a further manual access opening therein, which is larger in area than that of the openings for said conductors, providing means for facilitating the wiring of said column structure, and cover means for closing said manual access opening.

Claim 25

In a partition structure accommodating electrical conductors and employing a plurality of wall panels and cooperable elongated hollow supporting columns therefor, in which the vertical end edges of at least a pair of adjacent panels are supported by respective cooperable connecting means from a common hollow column, the combination of the hollow column structure having a plurality of access openings therein for the reception of electrical conductors from respective wall panels supported by the column, the interior of the latter forming a connecting conduit for such conductors from the respective wall panels, said hollow column structure being provided, adjacent an opening for electrical conductors, with a further manual access opening therein, which is larger in area than that of the openings for said conductors, providing means for facilitating the wiring of said column structure, and cover means for closing said manual access opening.

Claim 26

In a partition structure accommodating electrical conductors and employing a plurality of wall panels and cooperable elongated hollow supporting columns therefrom, in which the vertical end edges of at least a pair of adjacent panels are supported by respective cooperable connecting means from a common hollow columns, the combination of the hollow column structure having a plurality of access openings therein for the reception of electrical conductors from respective wall panels supported by the column, said column structure being constructed in the form of a plurality of aligned sections at least one of which is rotatable relative to another about the column axis, said one section having at least one of said conductor access openings therein, with the interior of the column forming a connecting conduit for such conductors from the respective wall panels of such a pair, and means for retaining such sections in assembled relation, said hollow column structure being provided, adjacent an opening for electrical conductors, with a further manual access opening therein, which is larger in area than that of the openings for said conductors, providing means for facilitating the wiring of said column, and cover means for closing said manual access opening.

Claim 27

In a partition structure accommodating electrical conductors and employing a plurality of wall panels and cooperable elongated hollow supporting columns therefrom, in which the vertical end edges of at least a pair of adjacent panels are supported by respective cooperable connecting means from a common hollow columns, the combination of the hollow column structure having a plurality of access openings therein for the reception of electrical conductors from respective wall panels supported by the column, said column structure being constructed in the form of a plurality of aligned sections at least one of which is rotatable relative to another about the column axis, said one section having at least one of said conductor access openings therein, with the interior of the column forming a connecting conduit for such conductors from the respective wall panels of such a pair, and means for retaining such sections in assembled relation, said hollow column structure being provided, adjacent an opening for electrical conductors, with a further manual access opening therein, which is larger in area than that of the openings for said conductors, providing means for facilitating the wiring of said column, and cover means for closing said manual access opening.

Claim 28

A partition structure according to claim 22, wherein said manual access opening is disposed on a rotatable section having an access opening therein for electrical conductors.

Claim 29

In a partition structure accommodating electrical conductors and employing a plurality of wall panels and cooperable elongated hollow supporting columns therefor, in which the vertical end edges of at least a pair of adjacent panels are supported by respective cooperable connecting means from a common hollow column, the combination of the hollow column structure having a plurality of access openings therein for the reception of electrical conductors from respective wall panels supported by the column, the interior of the latter forming a connecting conduit for such conductors from the respective wall panels, said wall panels are connected, at least in part, to the cooperable column structure by hanger members carried by the respective panels having vertically aligned hook-portions which extend through cooperable slots in the column structure and interlock with the inner face thereof.

Claim 30

In a partition structure accommodating electrical conductors and employing a plurality of wall panels and cooperable elongated hollow supporting columns therefor, in which the vertical end edges of at least a pair of adjacent panels are supported by respective cooperable connecting means from a common hollow column, the combination of the hollow column structure having a plurality of access openings therein for the reception of electrical conductors from respective wall panels supported by the column, the interior of the latter forming a connecting conduit for such conductors from the respective wall panels, said wall panels are connected, at least in part, to the cooperable column structure by hanger members carried by the respective panels having vertically aligned hook-portions which extend through cooperable slots in the column structure and interlock with the inner face thereof.

Claim 31

A partition structure according to claim 24, comprising in further combination, means disposed within the column structure engageable with such a hanger to prevent disengagement of the latter from the column structure.

Claim 32

A partition structure according to claim 24, wherein said column structure has a plurality of sets of slots therein, each set being disposed to receive the hook portions of a cooperable hanger member, with said sets being disposed in lateral alignment around the periphery of such column whereby hanger members, and thus panels associated therewith, may be disposed in respective selected angular relationships about said column structure.

Claim 33

A partition structure according to claim 26, wherein said sets of slots are spaced from one another by angles of selected multiples of 45° and 60°.

Claim 34

A partition structure according to claim 26, wherein said column structure is provided with an outer layer of material which covers said sets of slots and may be selectively removed thereat to expose desired slots.

Claim 35

A column for use with unitary wall panels of a partition structure to support the same, comprising an elongated unitary column structure having means thereon engageable with means on a cooperable wall panel for supporting the latter from said column structure, the latter being divided along its length into a plurality of sections, at least one of which is rotatable about the axis of the column structure, said rotatable section having a conductor-access opening therein for the receipt of electrical conductors from such a cooperable wall panel supported by the column structure, means for retaining said column structure in assembled relation, and a hollow fitting, carried by said rotatable section, which defines said conductor-access opening and forms a conduit, adapted to extend from the association section to an adjacent wall panel, supported by the column structure, through which such electrical conductors may extend from the column structure to an adjacent wall panel.

Claim 36

A column for use with unitary wall panels of a partition structure to support the same, comprising an elongated unitary column structure having means thereon engageable with means on a cooperable wall panel for supporting the latter from said column structure, the latter being divided along its length into a plurality of sections, at least one of which is rotatable about the axis of the column structure, said rotatable section having a conductor-access opening therein for the receipt of electrical conductors from such a cooperable wall panel supported by the column structure, means for retaining said column structure in assembled relation, and a hollow fitting, carried by said rotatable section, which defines said conductor-access opening and forms a conduit, adapted to extend from the association section to an adjacent wall panel, supported by the column structure, through which such electrical conductors may extend from the column structure to an adjacent wall panel.

Claim 37

A column according to claim 29, wherein said fitting is detachably connected to the associated column section.

Claim 38

A column according to claim 29, wherein said fitting is rigidly and permanently connected to the column section.

Claim 39

A column according to claim 29, wherein said access opening is disposed adjacent an end portion of said column structure, the latter having a member thereat which is detachable therefrom and which has that access opening formed therein, and means for maintaining said member and column structure in assembled relation.

Claim 40

A column for use with wall panels of a partition structure to support the same, comprising an elongated column structure divided along its length into a plurality of sections at least one of which is rotatable about the axis of the column structure, said rotatable section having a conductor-access opening therein for the receipt of electrical conductors from a cooperable wall panel supported thereby, a sleeve member at each junction of two adjacent sections of the column structure, each sleeve member having external dimensions of approximately equal to the corresponding internal dimensions of the column structure, said sleeve member being disposed within the column and provided with a radially outwardly directed annular flange thereon which extends between opposed edges of adjacent column sections, and means for retaining said column structure in assembled relation.

Claim 41

A column for use with wall panels of a partition structure to support the same, comprising an elongated column structure divided along its length into a plurality of sections at least one of which is rotatable about the axis of the column structure, said rotatable section having a conductor-access opening therein for the receipt of electrical conductors from a cooperable wall panel supported thereby, a sleeve member at each junction of two adjacent sections of the column structure, each sleeve member having external dimensions of approximately equal to the corresponding internal dimensions of the column structure, said sleeve member being disposed within the column and provided with a radially outwardly directed annular flange thereon which extends between opposed edges of adjacent column sections, and means for retaining said column structure in assembled relation.

Claim 42

In a free standing, space dividing partition structure accommodating electrical conductors and employing a plurality of wall panels and cooperable elongated hollow supporting columns therefor, in which at least a pair of adjacent panels are supported, by a common column structure, at their vertical end edges by cooperable connecting means on said panels and said common hollow column structure, the combination of the hollow column structure having a plurality of access openings in the side walls thereof through which electrical conductors may extend from one wall panel of such a pair into the column structure and from the column structure into the other wall panel of such pair with the interior of the column structure forming a connecting conduit for such conductors between the respective wall panels of such pair, each of said panels being provided with conductor passageways along each edge thereof forming respective horizontal and vertical passageways for the reception of electrical conductors, the conductor access openings in the column structure being cooperable with access openings in at least one passageway, adjacent the column structure, in the edge portion of a vertically extending passageway, for the conduction of electrical conductors between the respective wall panels and the cooperable column structure.

Claim 43

In a free standing, space dividing partition structure accommodating electrical conductors and employing a plurality of wall panels and cooperable elongated hollow supporting columns therefor, in which at least a pair of adjacent panels are supported, by a common column structure, at their vertical end edges by cooperable connecting means on said panels and said common hollow column structure, the combination of the hollow column structure having a plurality of access openings in the side walls thereof through which electrical conductors may extend from one wall panel of such a pair into the column structure and from the column structure into the other wall panel of such pair with the interior of the column structure forming a connecting conduit for such conductors between the respective wall panels of such pair, each of said panels being provided with conductor passageways along each edge thereof forming respective horizontal and vertical passageways for the reception of electrical conductors, the conductor access openings in the column structure being cooperable with access openings in at least one passageway, adjacent the column structure, in the edge portion of a vertically extending passageway, for the conduction of electrical conductors between the respective wall panels and the cooperable column structure.

Claim 44

In a free standing, space dividing partition structure accommodating electrical conductors and employing a plurality of wall panels and cooperable elongated hollow supporting columns therefor, in which at least a pair of adjacent panels are supported, by a common column structure, at their vertical end edges by cooperable connecting means on said panels and said common hollow column structure, the combinations of the hollow column structure having a plurality of access openings in the side walls thereof through which electrical conductors may extend from one wall panel of such a pair into the column structure and from the column structure into the other wall panel of such pair with the interior of the column structure forming a connecting conduit for such conductors between the respective wall panels of such pair, each of said panels being provided with conductor passageways along each edge thereof forming respective horizontal and vertical passageways for the reception of electrical conductors, the conductor access openings in the column structure being cooperable with access openings in at least one passageway adjacent the column structure for the conduction of electrical conductors between the respective wall panels and the cooperable column structure, the horizontally extending passageways being formed by elongated members of generally C-shape in transverse section, with the open side thereof exposed, and the vertically extending passageways are formed by tubular members.

Claim 45

In a free standing, space dividing partition structure accommodating electrical conductors and employing a plurality of wall panels and cooperable elongated hollow supporting columns therefor, in which at least a pair of adjacent panels are supported, by a common column structure, at their vertical end edges by cooperable connecting means on said panels and said common hollow column structure, the combinations of the hollow column structure having a plurality of access openings in the side walls thereof through which electrical conductors may extend from one wall panel of such a pair into the column structure and from the column structure into the other wall panel of such pair with the interior of the column structure forming a connecting conduit for such conductors between the respective wall panels of such pair, each of said panels being provided with conductor passageways along each edge thereof forming respective horizontal and vertical passageways for the reception of electrical conductors, the conductor access openings in the column structure being cooperable with access openings in at least one passageway adjacent the column structure for the conduction of electrical conductors between the respective wall panels and the cooperable column structure, the horizontally extending passageways being formed by elongated members of generally C-shape in transverse section, with the open side thereof exposed, and the vertically extending passageways are formed by tubular members.

Claim 46

A partition structure according to claim 35, wherein conductor access openings are formed in the tubular members.

Claim 47

A partition structure according to claim 35, wherein conductor access openings are formed by an open end of at least one channel member.

Claim 48

In a free standing, space dividing partition structure accommodating electrical conductors and employing a plurality of wall panels and cooperable elongated hollow supporting columns therefor, in which at least a pair of adjacent panels are supported, by a common column structure, at their vertical end edges by cooperable connecting means on said panels and said common hollow column structure, the combination of the hollow column structure having a plurality of access openings in the side walls thereof through which electrical conductors may extend from one wall panel of such a pair into the column structure and from the column structure into the other wall panel of such pair with the interior of the column structure forming a connecting conduit for such conductors between the respective wall panels of such pair, said wall panels each being provided with a channel member extending along a horizontal edge thereof for the reception of electrical conductors therein, each of said channel members having an open side defining the corresponding edge of the wall panel.

Claim 49

In a free standing, space dividing partition structure accommodating electrical conductors and employing a plurality of wall panels and cooperable elongated hollow supporting columns therefor, in which at least a pair of adjacent panels are supported, by a common column structure, at their vertical end edges by cooperable connecting means on said panels and said common hollow column structure, the combination of the hollow column structure having a plurality of access openings in the side walls thereof through which electrical conductors may extend from one wall panel of such a pair into the column structure and from the column structure into the other wall panel of such pair with the interior of the column structure forming a connecting conduit for such conductors between the respective wall panels of such pair, said wall panels each being provided with a channel member extending along a horizontal edge thereof for the reception of electrical conductors therein, each of said channel members having an open side defining the corresponding edge of the wall panel.

Claim 50

A column for use with wall panels of a partition structure to support the same, comprising an elongated column structure having a plurality of conductor access openings therein disposed at different points along the column structure, for the receipt of electrical conductors from a cooperable wall panel supported thereby, each access opening being defined by a tubular fitting adapted to extend from the column structure to a wall panel supported thereby, and extending radially outward from the column, with the fittings having the free ends thereof offset in axial direction with respect to the attachment to the column, such free ends being disposed in substantially a common plane normal to the axis of the column structure.

Claim 51

A column for use with wall panels of a partition structure to support the same, comprising an elongated column structure having a plurality of conductor access openings therein disposed at different points along the column structure, for the receipt of electrical conductors from a cooperable wall panel supported thereby, each access opening being defined by a tubular fitting adapted to extend from the column structure to a wall panel supported thereby, and extending radially outward from the column, with the fittings having the free ends thereof offset in axial direction with respect to the attachment to the column, such free ends being disposed in substantially a common plane normal to the axis of the column structure.

Claim 52

A column for use with wall panels of a partition structure to support the same, comprising an elongated column structure divided along its length into a plurality of sections at least one of which is rotatable about the axis of the column structure, said rotatable section having a conductor-access opening therein for the receipt of electrical conductors from a cooperable wall panel supported thereby, means for retaining said column structure in assembled relation, and a fitting, carried by said rotatable section, which defines said conductor-access opening and is adapted to extend from the associated section to a wall panel supported by the column, said access opening being disposed adjacent an end portion of said column structure, the latter having a member thereat which is detachable therefrom and which detachable member has a portion extending therefrom which contains said access opening, constructed for engagement with a channel member carried by a cooperable wall panel, and means for maintaining said member and column structure in assembled relation.

Claim 53

A column for use with wall panels of a partition structure to support the same, comprising an elongated column structure divided along its length into a plurality of sections at least one of which is rotatable about the axis of the column structure, said rotatable section having a conductor-access opening therein for the receipt of electrical conductors from a cooperable wall panel supported thereby, means for retaining said column structure in assembled relation, and a fitting, carried by said rotatable section, which defines said conductor-access opening and is adapted to extend from the associated section to a wall panel supported by the column, said access opening being disposed adjacent an end portion of said column structure, the latter having a member thereat which is detachable therefrom and which detachable member has a portion extending therefrom which contains said access opening, constructed for engagement with a channel member carried by a cooperable wall panel, and means for maintaining said member and column structure in assembled relation.

Claim 54

A column for use with wall panels of a partition structure to support the same, comprising an elongated column structure divided along its length into a plurality of sections at least one of which is rotatable about the axis of the column structure, said rotatable section having a conductor-access opening therein for the receipt of electrical conductors from a cooperable wall panel supported thereby, means for retaining said column structure in assembled relation, and a fitting, carried by said rotatable section, which defines said conductor-access opening and is adapted to extend from the associated section to a wall panel supported by the column, said column structure being provided with a plurality of slots therein which extend in axial direction, arranged to receive and interlock with mounting means carried by a cooperable wall panel, for providing at least partial support therefor.

Claim 55

A column for use with wall panels of a partition structure to support the same, comprising an elongated column structure divided along its length into a plurality of sections at least one of which is rotatable about the axis of the column structure, said rotatable section having a conductor-access opening therein for the receipt of electrical conductors from a cooperable wall panel supported thereby, means for retaining said column structure in assembled relation, and a fitting, carried by said rotatable section, which defines said conductor-access opening and is adapted to extend from the associated section to a wall panel supported by the column, said column structure being provided with a plurality of slots therein which extend in axial direction, arranged to receive and interlock with mounting means carried by a cooperable wall panel, for providing at least partial support therefor.

Claim 56

A column according to claim 41, wherein said column structure is provided with means for restricting relative movement between the column structure and such a mounting means for preventing separation therebetween.

Claim 57

A column according to claim 42, wherein said restricting means comprises a member disposed with the column structure and adapted to engage the mounting means extending into the column of such a wall panel.