Panel connector for office partition panels

• Main Authors: SCHUELKE, DAVID J, LOOMAN, JAMES A
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 28.02.1996
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: BUILDING; CEILINGS; FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS; FLOORS; GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS; ROOFS; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ARTCOLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS

The invention relates to a panel connector for office partition panels (26, 28, 30, 31) having rectangular panel frames (60) at side edges thereof, a connector assembly (38, 40, 41) for rigidly connecting the rectangular panel frames together at the side edges thereof, said connector assembly including upper and lower wedge blocks (70, 130) on the panel side edges and draw block assemblies (110, 260, 240) adapted to grip the wedge blocks (70, 130) and draw the wedge blocks (70, 130) of adjacent frames (60) together. The draw block assemblies comprise an upper draw block (110) above the upper wedge blocks (70); a lower draw block (260) below the lower wedge blocks (130); a draw tube (202) between the two draw blocks (110, 260); the draw tube (202) forming a spacer or corner between adjacent panels; and an adjustable coupler (90) to draw the upper and lower draw blocks (110, 260) together to bring corresponding wedge blocks (70, 130) on adjacent panels into tight and rigid relationship with the draw block assembly.