Systems and methods for selectively positioning wall-mounted devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11261600-B2
Application number	US-201816339925-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 8, 2018
Priority date	May 19, 2017
Publication date	Mar 1, 2022
Grant date	Mar 1, 2022

Abstract

A functional wall module for at least partially forming an individual space in a building and for positioning and selectively repositioning one or more objects within the individual space. In one implementation, the functional wall module includes a frame having a plurality of frame supports that define an interior space of the frame. The functional wall module additionally includes a bracket configured to support or couple to moveable platforms, the bracket comprising one or more bracket arms extending away from the interior space and from the frame. The functional wall module additionally includes a positioning mechanism within the interior space and connected to the bracket such that the positioning mechanism is operable to reposition the bracket.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A functional wall module for at least partially forming an individual space in a building and for positioning and selectively repositioning one or more objects within the individual space, the functional wall module comprising:
a frame comprising one or more vertical frame supports and one or more horizontal frame supports, the frame defining an interior space;
two or more interior supports disposed within the interior space, the two or more interior supports comprising:
two or more interior vertical supports, each connected to at least one of the one or more horizontal frame supports, such that the two or more interior vertical supports are spaced apart from the one or more vertical frame supports; or
two or more interior horizontal supports, each connected to at least one of the one or more vertical frame supports, such that the two or more interior horizontal supports are spaced apart from the one or more horizontal frame supports;

at least one panel selectively and detachably connected to the frame, the at least one panel having one or more bracket slots disposed vertically within a front face of the panel;
two or more brackets, each associated with one of the two or more interior supports, each bracket comprising one or more bracket arms extending away from the interior space and from the corresponding interior support,
wherein the bracket arms are configured to support or couple to one or more movable platforms, and
wherein a first portion of each bracket arm passes through one of the one or more bracket slots of the at least one panel, and
wherein the one or more bracket arms comprise a lower bracket arm and an upper bracket arm; and

at least one positioning mechanism positioned within the interior space, each positioning mechanism connected to at least one of the two or more brackets, wherein each positioning mechanism is operable to selectively reposition the at least one bracket connected thereto.

2. The functional wall module as recited in claim 1 , wherein the at least one panel is connected to the frame in a manner that at least partially conceals the interior space.

3. The functional wall module as recited in claim 2 , wherein a second portion of each bracket arm has at least one dimension or shape that prevents the second portion from passing through the bracket slot through which the corresponding first portion passes.

4. The functional wall module as recited in claim 3 , wherein at least one of the one or more bracket slots is elongate and disposed about a path that one of the one or more bracket arms is configured to transit during repositioning of the bracket by the positioning mechanism.

5. The functional wall module of claim 1 , wherein the bracket arms further comprise one or more attachment surfaces.

6. The functional wall module of claim 5 , wherein the bracket arms are configured to support or couple to the one or more movable platforms via the one or more attachment surfaces.

7. The functional wall module of claim 6 , wherein the one or more attachment surfaces comprise one or more of a horizontal attachment surface, a vertical attachment surface, or a movable platform attachment surface.

8. The functional wall module of claim 1 , wherein each of the lower bracket arm and the upper bracket arm further comprise a vertical attachment surface and one or more of a horizontal attachment surface or a movable receptacle attachment surface.

9. The functional wall module of claim 8 , wherein the movable platform comprises one or more of a shelf, a cabinet, a work surface, or a monitor.

10. The functional wall module of claim 1 , wherein the interior support further comprises a guide member operable to stabilize the bracket.

11. The functional wall module of claim 10 , wherein the guide member further comprises a track and wherein the bracket is associated with one or more roller bearings or wheels configured to roll within the track.

12. A modular wall for creating an individual space and positioning and repositioning one or more objects within the individual space, the modular wall comprising:
one or more wall modules selectively and detachably connected together, the one or more wall modules including a functional wall module comprising:
a frame defining an interior space of the functional wall module;
a positioning mechanism disposed within the interior space;
at least one panel connected to the frame, the panel comprising one or more bracket slots;
a bracket associated with the positioning mechanism and comprising a lower bracket arm and an upper bracket arm, wherein each of the lower bracket arm and the upper bracket arm passes through one of the one or more bracket slots and extends away from the interior space and from the frame, and wherein the positioning mechanism is operable to reposition the bracket;
a first movable platform connected to the lower bracket arm; and
a second movable platform connected to the upper bracket arm, wherein the upper bracket arm comprises an attachment surface that is substantially parallel to a vertical plane that is parallel to the frame of the functional wall module, the attachment surface comprising a flange having one or more mounting holes.

13. The modular wall as recited in claim 12 , wherein the upper and lower bracket arms are fixedly associated with the bracket such that the upper and lower bracket arms remain equidistant during repositioning of the bracket.

14. The modular wall as recited in claim 13 , wherein the at least one panel is selectively and detachably connected to the frame, and wherein the one or more bracket slots are sized and shaped to permit at least a portion of the upper and lower bracket arms to transit the bracket slots during repositioning of the bracket.

15. The modular wall as recited in claim 14 , wherein the first movable platform comprises a work surface, and wherein the second movable platform comprises a cabinet.

16. A method for installing a functional wall module, comprising:
providing a frame having one or more horizontal frame supports and one or more vertical frame supports;
securing one or more interior supports to the frame, such that the one or more interior supports are disposed within an interior space defined by the horizontal and vertical supports of the frame;
securing a positioning mechanism within the interior space;
securing a panel to the frame, such that the panel at least partially conceals the interior space, the panel having one or more bracket slots disposed vertically within a front face of the panel; and
securing one or more bracket arms to the one or more interior supports after the panel has been secured to the frame,
wherein the one or more bracket arms comprise a lower bracket arm and an upper bracket arm, and
wherein a first portion of each bracket arm passes through one of the one or more bracket slots and is secured to one of the one or more interior supports, and a second portion of each bracket arm has at least one dimension or shape that prevents the second portion from passing through the bracket slot through which the corresponding first portion passes, such that the second portion of each bracket arm remains outside of the interior space of the frame when the first portion is secured to one of the one or more interior supports.

17. The method as recited in claim 16 , wherein securing the one or more interior supports to the frame further comprises at least one of:
securing one or more interior vertical supports to at least one of the one or more horizontal frame supports, such that the one or more inte

Assignees

• Dirtt Environmental Solutions

Inventors

• Gosling Geoff W
• Blehm Colin V

Classifications

• E04B2/7448 Primary

  with separate framed panels without intermediary posts, extending from floor to ceiling · CPC title

• E04B2002/7488

  Details of wiring · CPC title

• E04B2002/7483

  Details of furniture, e.g. tables or shelves, associated with the partitions · CPC title

• E04B2/7422 Primary

  with separate framed panels without intermediary support posts · CPC title

• A47B96/02

  Shelves (movable shelves coupled to doors A47B96/16) · CPC title