Panel and wall module connection apparatus, methods, and systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9874010-B2
Application number	US-201414406518-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 3, 2014
Priority date	Jun 14, 2013
Publication date	Jan 23, 2018
Grant date	Jan 23, 2018

Abstract

Implementations of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for connecting panels, wall modules, modular walls, partitions, and combinations thereof. Particularly, one or more implementations described herein may facilitate making quick and easy connections between panels, wall modules, modular walls, partitions, and combinations thereof. Furthermore, at least one implementation may allow an installer to interconnect panels, wall modules, modular walls, partitions, while providing a pleasing aesthetic in a final structure.

First claim

I claim:

1. A connector bracket for connecting together adjacent panels or wall modules that each have at least one chamfered edge, the connector bracket comprising:
a mounting plate;
one or more receiving portions connected to the mounting plate, each of the one or more receiving portions including opposing hook-like protrusions that form one or more openings in the one or more receiving portions, the one or more openings being sized and configured to receive a coupling connector, and the one or more receiving portions being oriented at a predetermined angle relative to the mounting plate; and
one or more standoffs that connect the one or more receiving portions to the mounting plate,
wherein the coupling connector comprises a center portion that extends through a gap between adjacent edges of the panels or wall modules, such that the center portion extends from a first side of the panels or wall modules to a second side of the panels or wall modules,
wherein the coupling connector comprises a connection portion at a first end of the center portion, the connection portion being selectively securable in the common opening formed by the one or more receiving portions and on the first side of the panels or wall modules, and
wherein the coupling connector comprises a covering portion at a second end of the center portion, such that the covering portion is disposed on a second side of the panels or wall modules.

2. The connector bracket as recited in claim 1 , wherein the opposing hook-like protrusions are oriented at an angle of approximately 45° relative to the mounting plate.

3. The connector bracket as recited in claim 1 , wherein a first hook-like protrusion of the opposing hook-like protrusions is oriented at a first angle relative to the mounting plate and a second hook-like protrusion of the opposing hook-like protrusions is oriented at a second angle relative to the mounting plate, the second angle being different than the first angle.

4. The connector bracket as recited in claim 1 , further comprising one or more angled plates that connect the one or more receiving portions to the mounting plate.

5. The connector bracket as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a protrusion configured to engage a cutout in another connector bracket to facilitate alignment of the connector bracket with the another connector bracket.

6. The connector bracket as recited in claim 5 , wherein the protrusion extends from one of the one or more receiving portions.

7. The connector bracket as recited in claim 1 , wherein the mounting plate comprises one or more mounting features that facilitate the connection of the connector bracket to a panel or wall module.

8. The connector bracket as recited in claim 1 , wherein the mounting plate comprises one or more clip portions that facilitate mounting of the connector bracket onto one or more rails.

9. Connection hardware for connecting adjacent panels or wall modules that each have at least one chamfered edge, the connection hardware comprising:
a coupling connector;
a first connector bracket including one or more first receiving portions sized and configured to receive the coupling connector; and
a second, same connector bracket including one or more second receiving portions sized and configured to receive the coupling connector, the one or more first and second receiving portions being sized and configured to align relative to each other in a manner that the coupling connector can connect together the first and second connector brackets;
wherein the first and second connector brackets comprise corresponding protrusions and cutouts that facilitate alignment of the first and second connector brackets,
wherein the coupling connector comprises a center portion that extends through a gap between adjacent edges of the panels or wall modules, such that the center portion extends from a first side of the panels or wall modules to a second side of the panels or wall modules,
wherein the coupling connector comprises a connection portion at a first end of the center portion, the connection portion being selectively securable in the common opening formed by the one or more receiving portions and on the first side of the panels or wall modules, and
wherein the coupling connector comprises a covering portion at a second end of the center portion, such that the covering portion is disposed on a second side of the panels or wall modules.

10. The connection hardware as recited in claim 9 , wherein the coupling connector comprises a connection portion sized and configured to be inserted into the one or more first and second receiving portions.

11. The connection hardware as recited in claim 9 , wherein the coupling connector comprises a covering portion having two protruding portions extending away from a center portion.

12. The connection hardware as recited in claim 9 , wherein the one or more first and second receiving portions cooperate to form a common opening that is sized and configured to receive the coupling connector therein.

13. The connection hardware as recited in claim 9 , wherein each of the one or more first and second receiving portions comprises a set of opposing hook-like protrusions.

14. The connection hardware as recited in claim 9 , wherein the first connector bracket comprises a mounting plate.

15. The connection hardware as recited in claim 14 , wherein the mounting plate comprises one or more projections that facilitate the connection of the first connector bracket to a panel or wall module.

16. The connection hardware as recited in claim 9 , wherein the second connector bracket comprises a mounting plate having one or more clip portions that facilitate mounting of the second connector bracket onto one or more rails.

17. The connection hardware as recited in claim 9 , wherein coupling connector comprises a connection portion, a covering portion, and a center portion that extends between the connection portion and the covering portion.

18. The connection hardware as recited in claim 17 , wherein the center portion comprises one or more point separators.

19. The connection hardware as recited in claim 18 , wherein the one or more point separators comprise a semicircular cross-section.

20. A modular assembly for subdividing open space in a building into one or more individual spaces, the modular assembly comprising:
a first panel including one or more first connector brackets each including one or more first receiving portions;
a second panel including one or more second connector brackets each including one or more second receiving portions, the first and second receiving portions collectively forming a common opening; and
a coupling connector selectively securable in the common opening formed by the first and second receiving portions, thereby connecting together the first and second panels;
wherein the first panel and the second panel each comprise a chamfered edge,
wherein the coupling connector comprises a center portion that extends through a gap between adjacent edges of the first and second panels, such that the center portion extends from a first side of the first and second panels to a second side of the first and second panels,
wherein the coupling connector comprises a connection portion at a first end of the center portion, the connection portion being selectively securable in the common opening formed by the first and second receiving portions and on the first side of the first and second panels, and
wherein the coupling connector comprises a covering porti

Assignees

• Dirtt Env Solutions Inc
• Dirtt Environmental Solutions

Inventors

• Gosling Geoff

Classifications

• A47B47/0041

  Bars · CPC title

• E04B2002/7466

  using hooks · CPC title

• F16B21/073

  the socket having a resilient part on its inside · CPC title

• E04B1/6116

  by locking means on lateral surfaces · CPC title

• E04B2/7405

  with free upper edge, e.g. for use as office space dividers · CPC title