IP Library Granted Patent US 10,329,759
Granted Patent B2
US 10,329,759 · App. 15/283,976 · Granted Jun 25, 2019

Floor-to-ceiling partition wall assembly

Inventors: Thomas G. Feldpausch (Hastings, MI); Mark T. Slager (Caledonia, MI); Marvin C. Knauf (Conklin, MI); Allen C. Hager (Grand Rapids, MI); Steven Keith Meek (Grand Rapids, MI)
Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
E04B2/7455E04B2/7457E04B2/7414E04B2/765E04B2/766E04B2/825E04B2002/7474E04B2002/7485E04B2002/7487E04B2002/7488E06B3/5454E06B2003/5463F16B5/0685
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,329,759
App. No.
15/283,976
Granted
Jun 25, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of installing a panel member on a frame assembly includes the steps of providing a panel member having inner and outer surfaces and providing one or more positioning assemblies on the inner surface of the panel. The positioning assemblies each having an adjustable positioning member adapted to engage a portion of the frame assembly. The method further includes setting the positioning members to determine a registration point for the panel member along the frame assembly. One or more driving assemblies are then provided on the inner surface of the panel, each having a biasing member adapted to engage a portion of the frame assembly to drive the panel member towards the registration point on the frame assembly.

Claims (45)

1. A partition comprising:

a partition frame including a pair of horizontally spaced apart upright partition frame members, and a pair of vertically spaced apart horizontal partition frame members that are connected to the vertical frame members to define a frame opening therebetween;

at least one connector assembly adjacent the frame opening, the connector assembly including at least one movable retainer defining an engaged position, the movable retainer including a cam surface and a first retaining surface, and wherein the movable retainer is biased towards the engaged position;

a window subassembly configured to be installed to the partition frame at the frame opening, wherein the window subassembly is adapted to allow light to pass therethrough, the window subassembly including a connecting portion that is configured to initially engage the cam surface of the movable retainer as the window subassembly is moved into an installed position and to move the movable retainer away from its engaged position, followed by movement of the movable retainer to the engaged position due to the bias when the window subassembly is installed on the partition frame, the connecting portions of the window subassembly including a second retaining surface that engages the movable retainer when the movable retainer is in the engaged position and retains the window subassembly on the partition frame.

2. The partition of claim 1 , wherein:

the frame opening is rectangular.

3. The partition of claim 1 , wherein:

the window subassembly comprises a glass window assembly.

4. The partition of claim 1 , wherein:

the window subassembly comprises a translucent window assembly.

5. The partition of claim 1 , wherein:

the connector assembly is mounted to the partition frame.

6. The partition of claim 1 , wherein:

the connector assembly is mounted to the window subassembly.

7. The partition of claim 1 , wherein:

the connector assembly comprises a support bracket assembly including a base structure that is connected to the partition frame.

8. The partition of claim 7 , wherein:

the movable retainer has a base end that is rotatably connected to the base structure.

9. The partition of claim 8 , wherein:

the movable retainer includes a distal end portion having a tapered transverse extension, wherein the cam surface is formed on a first side of the transverse extension.

10. The partition of claim 1 , including:

a lock member that is configured to engage the movable retainer and retain the movable retainer in its engaged position.

11. The partition of claim 1 , wherein:

the window subassembly includes a sheet of glass material.

12. The partition of claim 1 , wherein:

the window subassembly includes a sheet of polymer material.

13. The partition of claim 1 , wherein:

the window subassembly includes a sheet of material comprising light-transmitting glass or polymer.

14. A partition comprising:

a partition frame defining a frame opening;

at least one connector assembly adjacent the frame opening, the at least one connector assembly including at least one movable retainer that is biased towards an engaged position;

a window subassembly that is adapted to allow light to pass therethrough, and wherein the window subassembly is configured to be installed to the partition frame at the frame opening, the window subassembly including a connecting portion configured to engage the movable retainer and to move the movable retainer away from the engaged position as the window subassembly is installed to the partition frame, followed by movement of the movable retainer to the engaged position due to the bias when the window subassembly is installed on the partition frame to connect the window subassembly to the at least one connector assembly.

15. The partition of claim 14 , wherein:

the partition frame includes a pair of horizontally spaced apart upright partition frame members, and a pair of vertically spaced apart horizontal partition frame members that are connected to the vertical frame members to define the frame opening.

16. The partition of claim 14 , wherein:

the frame opening is generally rectangular.

17. The partition of claim 14 , wherein:

the window subassembly includes a subframe comprising two pairs of elongated subframe members having opposite ends that are rigidly interconnected to define a generally rectangular central opening, the subframe further defining oppositely facing inner and outer side faces.

18. The partition of claim 17 , wherein:

the connecting portion protrudes away from the inner side face.

19. The partition of claim 14 , wherein:

the window subassembly includes at least one sheet of light-transmitting material secured to the subframe and extending across the central opening.

20. The partition of claim 14 , wherein:

the movable retainer includes a cam surface; and

the connecting portion includes an angled surface that is configured to slidably engage the cam surface and move the movable retainer away from its engaged position as the window assembly is moved relative to the at least one connector assembly.

Assignments (3)
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 4, 2026
From: AMQ SOLUTIONS, LLC; HALCON FURNITURE LLC; SMITH SYSTEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY; STEELCASE INC.
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 074944/0368 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 4, 2026
From: AMQ SOLUTIONS, LLC; HALCON FURNITURE LLC; SMITH SYSTEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY; STEELCASE INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 074944/0784 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 9, 2016
From: FELDPAUSCH, THOMAS G.; SLAGER, MARK T.; KNAUF, MARVIN C.; HAGER, ALLAN C.; MEEK, STEVEN KEITH
To: STEELCASE INC.
Reel/Frame 040269/0908 →
Continuity (8)
Continuation In Part 14670928 · Mar 27, 2015
Continuation In Part 14029239 · Sep 17, 2013
Provisional Application 61971989 · Mar 28, 2014
Provisional Application 61701969 · Sep 17, 2012
Provisional Application 61702018 · Sep 17, 2012
Provisional Application 61702008 · Sep 17, 2012
Provisional Application 61701977 · Sep 17, 2012
Related Publication 20170022707A1 · Jan 26, 2017
Cited By (2)
US 12,305,388 US 12,366,107