Bracket mechanism for pre-fabricated office enclosure beams and method of using the same

Abstract

A bracket mechanism is configured to facilitate connection of multiple rail elements to form an elongated element to span over a work space and/or to help support a continuous integral element spanning over a work space. The bracket mechanism can be configured to help ensure the rigidity of the elongated element positioned over the work space so that the elongated element does not sag or bow downwards as it extends over the work space.

Claims

1. A method of using a bracket mechanism comprising: providing a first reinforcing member that is resiliently moveable from a curved orientation at which the first reinforcing member is curved along a length of the first reinforcing member to a linear orientation at which the first reinforcing member extends linearly; positioning the first reinforcing member in (i) a first opening of a first beam member, the first opening of the first beam member being an upper opening that faces upwardly and extends between a first end of the first beam member to a second end of the second beam member and (ii) a first opening of a second beam member, the first opening of the second beam member being an upper opening that faces upwardly and extends between a first end of the second beam member to a second end of the second beam member, the positioning of the first reinforcing member occurring while the first reinforcing member is in the curved orientation to place the first reinforcing member on a bottom of the first beam member that defines a bottom portion of the first opening and a bottom of the second beam member that defines a bottom portion of the second opening; and while the first reinforcing member is positioned in the first opening of the first beam member and the first opening of the second beam member, attaching the first reinforcing member to the first beam member and the second beam member so that the first reinforcing member is moved into the linear orientation while also being attached to the first beam member and the second beam.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first reinforcing member is positioned in the first opening of the first beam member between sidewalls of the first beam member that extend above the bottom of the first beam member and the first reinforcing member is positioned in the first opening of the second beam member between sidewalls of the second beam member that extend above the bottom of the second beam member.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first reinforcing member is positioned so that the first reinforcing member extends between the first beam member and the second beam member when the first reinforcing member is moved into the linear orientation.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein an elongated element is formed via the attaching of the first reinforcing member to the first beam member and the second beam member, the method also comprising: attaching the elongated element to different wall elements that are spaced apart from each other and at least partially define a workspace so that a portion of the elongated element is positioned above the workspace.

5. The method of claim 1, comprising: moving the first reinforcing member from the curved orientation into the linear orientation prior to the attaching of the first reinforcing member to the first beam member and the second beam member so that the first reinforcing member is maintained in the linear orientation while being attached to the first beam member and the second beam member.

6. The method of claim 1, comprising: positioning a first bracket rail in the first beam member and the second beam member such that a first end of the first bracket rail is positioned in a first bracket rail opening of the first beam member and a second end of the first bracket rail is positioned in a first bracket rail opening of the second beam member.

7. The method of claim 6, comprising: positioning a second bracket rail in the first beam member and the second beam member such that a first end of the second bracket rail is positioned in a second bracket rail opening of the first beam member and a second end of the second bracket rail is positioned in a second bracket rail opening of the second beam member.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein: the first bracket rail opening of the first beam member is spaced apart from the second bracket rail opening of the first beam member and the first opening of the first beam member is positioned between the first bracket rail opening of the first beam member and the second bracket rail opening of the first beam member; and the first bracket rail opening of the second beam member is spaced apart from the second bracket rail opening of the second beam member and the first opening of the second beam member is positioned between the first bracket rail opening of the second beam member and the second bracket rail opening of the second beam member.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the first bracket rail extends from adjacent the first end of the first beam member to adjacent the first end of the second beam member and the second bracket rail extends from adjacent the first end of the first beam remember to adjacent the first end of the second beam member.

10. The method of claim 1, comprises: providing a second reinforcing member that is resiliently moveable from a curved orientation at which the second reinforcing member is curved along a length of the second reinforcing member to a linear orientation, positioning the second reinforcing member in a second opening of the first beam member and a second opening of a second beam member; attaching the second reinforcing member to the first beam member and the second beam member so that the second reinforcing member is in the linear orientation while also being attached to the first beam member and the second beam member.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first reinforcing member is spaced apart from the second reinforcing member; the reinforcing member being positioned so that the first reinforcing member extends from adjacent the first end of the first beam member to adjacent to the first end of the second beam member when the first reinforcing member is moved into the linear orientation; and the second reinforcing member being positioned so that the second reinforcing member extends from adjacent the first end of the first beam member to adjacent to the first end of the second beam member when the second reinforcing member is moved into the linear orientation.

12. The method of claim 10, comprising: abutting the first end of the first beam member to the first end of the second beam member.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the first reinforcing member is positioned in the first opening of the first beam member at a middle portion of the first beam member and the first reinforcing member is fastened to the first beam member so that the first reinforcing member is in the linear orientation while also being fastened to the first beam member while the first reinforcing member extends along a central section of the first beam member.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the length of the first reinforcing member, when the first reinforcing member is moved into the linear orientation, is 40%-60% of a length of the first beam member; and wherein a first end of the first reinforcing member is spaced apart from the first end of the first beam member and a second end of the first reinforcing member is spaced apart from the ft second end of the first beam member.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein an elongated element is formed via the attaching of the first reinforcing member to the first beam member, the method also comprising: attaching the elongated element to different wall elements that are spaced apart from each other and at least partially define a workspace so that a portion of the elongated element that includes an entirety of the first reinforcing member that is maintained in the linear orientation is positioned above the workspace.

16. The method of claim 13, comprising: attaching the first end of the first beam member to a first wall element and attaching the second end of the first beam member to a second wall element such that the first beam member extends between the first and second wall elements over a work space.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the attaching of the first beam member is performed after the first reinforcing member is fastened to the middle portion of the first beam member.

18. A method of using a bracket mechanism comprising: providing a first reinforcing member that is resiliently moveable from a curved orientation at which the first reinforcing member is curved along a length of the first reinforcing member to a linear orientation at which the first reinforcing member extends linearly; positioning the first reinforcing member in a first upper opening of a first beam member and a first upper opening of a second beam member while the first reinforcing member is in the curved orientation; attaching the first reinforcing member to at least one of the first beam member and the second beam member so that the first reinforcing member is in the linear orientation while also being attached to at least one of the first beam member and the second beam member; and abutting a first end of the first beam member to a first end of the second beam member; and wherein the positioning of the first reinforcing member in the first upper opening of the first beam member and the first upper opening of the second beam member occurs while the first end of the first beam member abuts the first end of the second beam member.

19. The method of claim 18, comprising: using clamping devices to engage the first reinforcing member when the first reinforcing member is positioned in the first upper opening of the first beam member and the first upper opening of the second beam member; and moving the first reinforcing member from the curved orientation into the linear orientation via the clamping devices such that the first reinforcing member is no longer curved when in the linear orientation prior to the attaching of the first reinforcing member to the first beam member and the second beam member.

20. An apparatus for improving rigidity of an elongated element formed when a first beam member is attached to a second beam member comprising: a first reinforcing member that is resiliently moveable between a curved orientation and a linear orientation, the first reinforcing member sized and configured to be positioned in (i) a first upper opening of the first beam member that faces upwardly and/or (ii) a first upper opening of the second beam member that faces upwardly, the first reinforcing member being attachable to at least one of the first beam member and the second beam member to position the first reinforcing member in the linear orientation while the first reinforcing member is on a bottom portion of the first beam member within the first upper opening of the first beam member and/or is on a bottom portion of the first beam member within the first upper opening of the second beam member and is attached to the first beam member and/or the second beam member.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, comprising: a first bracket rail positionable in the first beam member and the second beam member such that a first end of the first bracket rail is positionable in a first bracket rail opening of the first beam member and a second end of the first bracket rail is positionable in a first bracket rail opening of the second beam member; and a second bracket rail positionable in the first beam member and the second beam member such that a first end of the second bracket rail is positionable in a second bracket rail opening of the first beam member and a second end of the second bracket rail is positionable in a second bracket rail opening of the second beam member.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, comprising: the first beam member and the second beam member, the first beam member being positionable so that a first end of the first beam member abuts a first end of the second beam member at a junction; and wherein the first reinforcing member is attachable to the first beam member and the second beam member to position the first reinforcing member in the linear orientation while the first reinforcing member extends between the first beam member and the second beam member to provide a biasing force at the junction.

23. The apparatus of claim 20, comprising: the first beam member, the first reinforcing member is attachable to the first beam member at a middle portion of the first beam member within the first upper opening of the first beam member to position the first reinforcing member in the linear orientation while the first reinforcing member extends along a portion of a length of the first beam member in the first upper opening of the first beam member.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein: when the first reinforcing member is moved into the linear orientation, a length of the first reinforcing member is 40%-60% of the length of the first beam member; and wherein a first end of the first reinforcing member is spaced apart from a first end of the first beam member and a second end of the first reinforcing member is spaced apart from a second end of the first beam member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Exemplary embodiments of a bracket mechanism and kit are shown in the accompanying drawings and certain exemplary methods of making and practicing the same are also illustrated therein. It should be appreciated that like reference numbers used in the drawings may identify like components.

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first exemplary bracket mechanism 1 for attachment of two different beam members 3 together to from an elongated element 15 that can be positioned to span over a work surface between two different free standing wall-like elements (e.g. walls, wall-elements of a partition or cubicle, etc.).

(3) FIG. 2 is enlarged exploded view of the first exemplary embodiment of the bracket mechanism 1 shown in FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating an exemplary way in which components of the first exemplary embodiment of the bracket mechanism 1 may be positioned for facilitating formation of the elongated element 15.

(5) FIG. 4 is an exploded fragmentary perspective view illustrating an exemplary way in which a bracket element having a curved profile (e.g. a concave bend) of the first exemplary embodiment of the bracket mechanism 1 may be positioned for facilitating formation of the elongated element 15.

(6) FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the exemplary way in which a bracket element having a curved profile (e.g. a concave bend) of the first exemplary embodiment of the bracket mechanism may be positioned for facilitating formation of the elongated element 15.

(7) FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating an exemplary way in which a bracket element having a curved profile (e.g. a concave bend) of the first exemplary embodiment of the bracket mechanism may be manipulated into a linear orientation for attachment to different beam members 3 for facilitating formation of the elongated element.

(8) FIG. 7 is an exploded fragmentary view of an exemplary embodiment of a formed elongated element 15 being positioned for spanning over a workspace at least partially defined by wall-like elements 18.

(9) FIG. 8 is an exploded via of an exemplary bracket mechanism 1 for attachment of two different beam members 3 together to from an elongated element 15 that can be positioned to span over a work surface between two different free standing wall-like elements (e.g. walls, wall-elements of a partition or cubicle, etc.).

(10) FIG. 9 is a side view of an exemplary bracket rail member 4 illustrated in FIG. 8.

(11) FIG. 10 is an exploded via of an exemplary bracket mechanism 1 for attachment to a beam member to help prevent the beam member from sagging as it extends between wall-like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

(12) Referring to FIGS. 1-10 a bracket mechanism 1 can include a reinforcing member 2 that is positionable between two elongated rail members 4 for attaching opposite ends of beam members 3 together to form an elongated element 15 that may span over a workspace between two walls or wall-like structures (e.g. columns, walls, posts, frames, etc.). The reinforcing member 2 can be resiliently moveable from a curved orientation to a linear orientation. In the curved orientation, the reinforcing member can be curved along its length L. In the linear orientation, the reinforcing member can be moved out of its curved orientation so that the reinforcing member extends linearly from its first end to its opposite second end.

(13) The formed elongated element 15 may be configured as a portion of a long beam-like structure or may be such a beam-like structure that extends from one side of a workspace to an opposite side of the workspace. The elongated element 15 can be configured to be positioned over a work surface so that a substantial portion of its length extends over a floor or other work surface of a work space. The entirety of the reinforcing member can be positioned over the work space via its position in the elongated element.

(14) The beam members 3 can include a first beam member 3a and a second beam member 3b. Each beam member can have a first end 3n and a second opposite end 3f. An upper opening 3g can be defined in the beam member and extend from the first end 3n to the second end 3f. Each beam member 3 can also define bracket rail receiving openings that may extend along a length of the beam member. For instance, each beam member 3 can be structured to define or form a first bracket rail opening 3o and a second bracket rail opening 3p. Each bracket rail opening can be sized and configured to receive a bracket rail 4 therein or a portion of a bracket rail 4 therein. In each beam member 3, a sidewall that helps define the first bracket rail opening 3o can also define the upper opening 3g and a sidewall that helps define the second bracket rail openings 3p can also define the upper opening 3g (e.g. these sidewalls that extend above the bottom of the beam member 3 can define sides of the upper opening 3g above the bottom of the beam member 3).

(15) For example, a first bracket rail 4a can be configured for being received within the first bracket rail openings 3o of first and second beam members 3a and 3b for facilitating the first and second beam members 3a and 3b being attached together so that the first end 3n of the first beam member 3a abuts the first end 3n of the second beam member 3b. A second bracket rail 4b can also be configured for being received within the second bracket rail openings 3p of first and second beam members 3a and 3b for facilitating the first and second beam members 3a and 3b being attached together so that the first end 3n of the first beam member 3a abuts the first end 3n of the second beam member 3b.

(16) When positioned within the first and second beam members 3a and 3b, the first end 4c of the first bracket rail 4a can be positioned within the first bracket rail opening 3o of the first beam member 3a and the second end 4d of the first bracket rail 4a can be positioned within the first bracket rail opening 3o of the second beam member 3b. When positioned within the first and second beam members 3a and 3b, the first end 4c of the second bracket rail 4b can be positioned within the second bracket rail opening 3p of the first beam member 3a and the second end 4d of the second bracket rail 4b can be positioned within the second bracket rail opening 3p of the second beam member 3b.

(17) Each bracket rail member 4 can define an elongated opening 4e that faces toward an external wall of the beam member 3 that defines the bracket rail opening in which that bracket rail member is positioned. A flat wall element 4f of the bracket rail member 4 that at least partially defines the elongated opening 4e can be positioned adjacent to the upper opening 3g formed in the beam member 3 adjacent the bracket rail opening in which the bracket rail member is positioned.

(18) In other embodiments, each bracket rail member 4 may not include the slit that defines the elongated opening 4e that has a mouth or slit therein. Instead, those bracket rail members may have an elongated channel that is fully enclosed by the outer peripheral structure of the bracket rail member to define an elongated channel of a tubular body that is circular, oval, polygonal, or rectangular in cross sectional profile. For such embodiments, the bracket rail member 4 may have one or more peripheral wall elements 4f that are integrally connected together to define the inner elongated channel within the bracket rail member 4. An example of such an alternative embodiment of the bracket rail members 4 is shown in FIG. 8.

(19) The upper opening 3g of the first and second beam members 3a and 3b can be aligned when the first and second beam members' first ends 3n abut each other. The reinforcing member 2 can be positioned within the aligned upper openings 3g of the first and second beam members 3a and 3b as may be appreciated from FIGS. 4-6. The reinforcing member 2 can be attached to the beam members 3 to help bias the beam members to a more linearly extending orientation as they extend between walls or over a work space so that the reinforcing member's attachment to the beam members 3 helps the beam members 3 avoid sagging or bowing downwards when the beam members are attached together and positioned to linearly extend over a work space. The first end 2a of the reinforcing member 2 can be attached to the first beam member 3a adjacent to the first end 3n of the first beam member 3a. The second end 2b of the reinforcing member 2 that is opposite its first end 2a can be attached to the second beam member 3b adjacent to the first end 3n of the second beam member 3b.

(20) Embodiments of the reinforcing member 2 can be structured to have an upper opening 2d defined by spaced apart first and second sidewalls 2e and 2f that extend from the first end 2a to the second end 2b of the body of the reinforcing member 2. The reinforcing member can also have a bottom 2c that extends from the first end 2a to the second end 2b of the body of the reinforcing member between the first and second sidewalls 2e and 2f The bottom 2c and the first and second sidewalls 2e and 2f may define the upper opening 2d. The upper opening 2d can define a top opening that is able to receive cabling or wiring (e.g. data wiring, power wiring, etc.) so that wiring can be positioned in the upper opening 2d and routed through the reinforcing member 2.

(21) As can be appreciated from FIGS. 4-6, the curved beam 2 can be positioned within the upper openings 3g of the first and second beam members 3a and 3b so that the upper opening 2d of the reinforcing member 2 faces upwardly and the bottom 2c of the reinforcing member contacts the beam members 3a and 3b. In some embodiments, the first sidewall 2e may face towards the first bracket rail member 4a and the second sidewall 2f may face toward the second bracket rail member 4b when the reinforcing member is positioned within the upper openings 3g of the first and second beam members 3a and 3b.

(22) Once the reinforcing member 2 is positioned in the first and second beam members 3a and 3b between the first and second bracket rail members 4a and 4b as shown in FIG. 5, the first end 2a of the reinforcing member 2 can be fastened to the first beam member 3a and the second end 2b of the reinforcing member 2 can be fastened to the second beam member 3b via fasteners (e.g. screws, bolts, etc.). The reinforcing member 2 may be so fastened such that the middle portion of the reinforcing member and middle portion of the bottom 2c is spaced apart from the beam members 3 and is at a more elevated position than the first and second ends 2a and 2b of the reinforcing member 2 fastened to the first and second beam members 3a and 3b. The reinforcing member can then be moved from its curved orientation to a more planar, flat, or linear orientation via clamping devices 11 (e.g. clamps, screw clamps or other type of clamp devices). The clamping devices 11 can be utilized to force the curved beam 2 to move from its curved orientation into a more planar, or flat position so that it extends from its first end 2a to its second end 2b linearly instead of along a curve. Once the reinforcing member 2 is moved from its curved orientation to a flat or linear orientation via the clamping devices 11, the reinforcing member 2 may be fastened to the first and second beam members 3a and 3b via fasteners at different locations between its first and second ends 2a and 2b. This fastening can be performed such that the middle portion of the reinforcing member is no longer elevated relative to its first and second ends 2a and 2b. The bottom 2c of the reinforcing member 2 may be in contact with the beam member 3 due to the fasteners being utilized to attach the middle portion of the reinforcing member 2 to the first and second beam members 3a and 3b after the clamping devices 11 were used to change the orientation of the reinforcing member 2 from the curved orientation to a linear orientation or at least a substantially more linear orientation as compared to the initial curved orientation of the reinforcing member.

(23) Once the fasteners attach the reinforcing member 2 in its location, the clamping devices 11 may be removed. The elongated member 15 formed via the attachment of the first and second beam members may then be positioned to extend over a workspace as an overhead beam or may have its opposite ends attached to other beam members via use of other bracket mechanisms 1. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the elongated element 15 can be positioned to extend between wall-like elements 18 (e.g. walls, wall-like structures of a partition system, cubicle walls or partitions, etc.) that may at least partially define a workspace (e.g. a room, a cubicle, etc.).

(24) The reinforcing member 2 can be composed of a resilient metal or other material that can facilitate the adjustment in orientation from a curved orientation to a linear or substantially more linear orientation. The structure and resiliency of the reinforcing member 2 can help provide a biasing force at the junction 10, or joint, at which the first ends 3n of the first and second beam members 3a and 3b abut each other to help provide a force that helps keep the beam members 3 more rigid as they span over a workspace so that the beam members 3 do not sink or bow downwards. Use of the reinforcing member 2 can also help ensure the alignment and abutment of the first ends 3n of the beam members 3 are effectively maintained.

(25) In other embodiments, the reinforcing member 2 may not be utilized. For such embodiments, it is contemplated that the bracket rail members 4 can be structured as reinforcing members that are resiliently moveable from an initial curved orientation at which the member is curved as it extends along its length to a linear orientation at which each member extends linearly from its first end to its second end. When the bracket rail members 4 have such a configuration, they can be considered reinforcing members (e.g. first bracket rail member 4a can be considered a first reinforcing member and second bracket rail 4b member can be considered a second reinforcing member, etc.). Such bracket rail members can provide the anti-sagging functionality provided by reinforcing member 2 while also helping to keep a middle channel of the beam members 3 open (e.g. third central openings of the first and second beam members, such as upper opening 3g, etc.) for routing and/or positioning of cables, wiring, or other elements. For such embodiments, the curvature of each of the bracket rail members may be removed upon the fastening of the bracket rail member to a beam member via fasteners such that the resiliency of the material of the bracket rail member provides a force to help prevent sagging of the beam members 3 to which it is fastened. Clamping devices or other type of device can also be used to help move the middle portion of such bracket rail members 4 into their linear orientation prior to fastening the members to the beam members to maintain those bracket rail members 4 in their linear orientation. It should be understood that the first and second bracket rail openings 3o and 3p can be sized to accommodate the curvature of the bracket rail members for receiving those members. Formed elongated element 15 shown in FIG. 7 would not include a reinforcing member 2 for such embodiments.

(26) It should be appreciated that the linear orientation of a reinforcing member and the curved orientation of the reinforcing member can have different characteristics (for any type of member configured as a reinforcing member such as a bracket rail member 4 configured as a reinforcing member or a reinforcing member 2, etc.). A curved orientation can include the reinforcing member extending along a length (e.g. the largest dimension of the member as the member extends from a first end to an opposite second end) along a curve. Such an orientation can result in the reinforcing member appearing to be bowed or have an arc-like shape. The linear orientation can be an orientation in which the reinforcing member extends straight along its length (e.g. there is no curvature as the reinforcing member extends straightly from its first end to its second end along its length). In some embodiments, the degree of curvature may be relatively slight for the curved orientation. The linear orientation will also result in the reinforcing member's curvature as it extends along its length being eliminated or at least significantly and substantially eliminated (e.g. there may be very slight undulations due to manufacturing tolerance issues in a member, but the member will extend linearly along its length and be straight as it extends along its length from its first end to its opposite second end).

(27) In yet other embodiments, a single integral beam member 3 may be configured as a continuous beam that linearly extends from its first end to its opposite second end between different wall-like elements 18 (e.g. walls, columns, etc.). A single reinforcing member 2 can be attached within a central open channel defined in that integral beam member to help prevent that beam member from sagging as shown in FIG. 10. Bracket rail members 4 may not be utilized in such embodiments. The reinforcing member 2 may be positioned in a center of the integral beam member or may be positioned within only a middle section of the beam member such that end sections of the beam member do not contact the reinforcing member 2. The opposite ends of the reinforcing member 2 can be attached to the middle section of the single beam member 3. Then one or more clamping devices can be used to help move the reinforcing member 2 into its linear orientation. The middle portion of the reinforcing member can then be fastened to the beam member 3. In some embodiments, it is contemplated that the clamping devices may not be used and the use of fasteners to fasten the middle portion of the reinforcing member (e.g. via a screw driver or wrench) can provide the force for moving the reinforcing member to its linear orientation so that, once fastened to the beam member 3, the reinforcing member 2 is maintained in its linear orientation.

(28) In some embodiments, the reinforcing member 2 may be about half the length of the long integral beam member (which can be configured as a continuous beam member) to which it is fastened. For instance, the length of the reinforcing member 2 may be half the length of the integral beam member or may be 40-60% of the length of the integral beam member that extends from a first wall-like element to a second wall-like element (e.g. a wall, column, partition, etc.).

(29) It should be understood that embodiments of the bracket mechanism and kit may be configured to meet different design criteria. For instance, the material composition, length, degree of curvature, and particular geometric structure of a reinforcing member, bracket rail, or beam member can be changed to meet a particular set of design criteria. As another example, the size, shape, or location of an elongated element over a work surface can be any of a number of suitable locations (e.g. suspended over a work space in an office or residential building, etc.). As yet another example, it is contemplated that a particular feature described, either individually or as part of an embodiment, can be combined with other individually described features, or parts of other embodiments. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described herein can therefore be combined to provide further embodiments. Therefore, while certain exemplary embodiments of bracket mechanisms and kit and methods of making and using the same have been discussed and illustrated herein, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.