Abstract: A light fixture mounts on a pair of support bars which are disposed directly below a shelf and extend transversely thereof so that the bar ends are supported on edge channels associated with the shelf. The light fixture has, on the ends of the fixture housing, mounting brackets for engaging the support bars. The mounting brackets are adjustable relative to the housing to vary the angular position of the light fixture.

Abstract: An electrical system for a wall system formed from a plurality of serially connected wall panels. Each panel has at least one electrical terminal mounted thereon, and the terminals are joined by electrical cables or flexible electrical connectors. The electrical system is a seven-conductor system employing three live and three neutral conductors for defining three separate electrical circuits each having a separate neutral. A portable power-tap unit, specifically a receptacle unit, can be plugged into the power block for selective engagement with any one of the three circuits. The power-tap unit has a connector portion which plugs into the power block, which connector portion is defined soley by three contacts. Two of the three contacts, namely the live and neutral contacts, are mounted on a carrier which is slidably supported on the power-tap housing so as to be slidably displaced between three selected positions so that the power-tap can be selectively joined to any one of the three circuits.

Abstract: A work station having a cabinet structure mountable on a wall and positionable above a work surface, the cabinet structure being adapted to store and facilitate utilization of a computer printer. The cabinet has a front door which hinges upwardly to provide access to the interior of the cabinet, the latter having two interior shelves. The upper shelf mounts thereon a printer, and the next lowermost shelf supports thereon a paper web which is fed upwardly through a slot in the rear edge of the upper shelf for supply to the printer. The web of paper discharged from the printer passes rearwardly and then downwardly through slots in the shelves for collection below the paper supply shelf. A third shelf is preferably provided below the paper supply shelf for collecting the paper thereon discharged from the printer.

Abstract: A work surface structure having a channel arrangement fixed to and extending longitudinally along a front edge of a top member for accommodating power/communication cables. The channel arrangement has a bottom wall provided with openings which accommodate removable tray modules. One of the tray modules can be of substantial depth to mount a power unit therein which provides a plurality of accessible receptacles. Access to the trays is through the channel, the latter having several openable covers. These covers are preferably hinged adjacent their rearward edges and, in the vicinity of their forward edges when in the closed position, there is defined an elongated access opening which communicates with the channel to permit power or communication cables to extend therethrough.

Abstract: A hanger bracket for attaching a furniture component to an upright wall. The component has end panels each provided with a substantially identical bracket adapted for engagement with slots formed in an upright. The bracket is formed in one piece of a thin sheetlike metal plate which is oriented vertically closely adjacent the respective end panel. The bracket has a forward end fixed to the end panel, and a cantilevered spring part which projects rearwardly adjacent the end panel in sidewardly spaced relationship so that it can be sidewardly resiliently deflected. This spring part, at the rearward edge thereof, has L-shaped hooks projecting rearwardly for engagement with the respective slotted upright. The spring part also has a locking finger integrally associated therewith adjacent the free edge thereof, which locking finger has a rearwardly protruding hose which registers with and projects into one of the slots only when the hooks are seated on the upright.

Abstract: A privacy wall for joining a floor and ceiling, which wall includes a lower panel projecting upwardly from the floor, and a privacy panel extending vertically between the ceiling and the upper edge of the lower panel. The privacy panel has upper and lower edges supported within retainers confined within recesses defined by support tracks. The upper and lower retainers are identical but reversely vertically oriented relative to the respective recesses. Each retainer includes a central base wall and pairs of first and second legs projecting outwardly in opposite directions to define first and second oppositely oriented channels which accommodate the edge of the privacy panel therein. The first legs are short and inclined inwardly so that the lower edge of the panel can be sealingly accommodated therebetween. The second legs are of greater length and have sideward flanges adjacent the ends thereof.

Abstract: A work surface structure having a power/communication module integral therewith. This module is hidden beneath a door which is flush with and forms a part of the top of the work surface structure. This module permits numerous power and communication (i.e. data) cables to be fed into the module for connection to appropriate connectors, and excess lengths of cable can be stored within a compartment of the module. Additional cable storage compartments are hidden below the top of the work surface for storing therein excess lengths of power/communication cables which extend from external locations to the module.

Abstract: An adjustable auxiliary work surface assembly which includes a shelflike auxiliary work surface which is suitably connected to one end of a linkage, specifically a parallelogram linkage. The other end of this linkage is in turn connected to a carriage which is suitably rollingly supported within horizontally elongated guide rails, the latter being fixedly secured to the underside of a primary work surface. The parallelogram linkage enables the auxiliary work surface to be vertically swung upwardly and downwardly. This parallelogram linkage has a manually actuated lock so that the operator can lock the linkage at any selected elevation of the auxiliary work surface. In addition, the carriage can be rollingly moved so as to position the auxiliary work surface in a desired use position adjacent the edge of the primary work surface.

Abstract: A space divider system which is substantially freestanding and is formed from a plurality of interconnected prefabricated panels. The panels are individually electrically prewired, and flexible electrical connectors are releasably connected to adjacent panels for transmitting electrical energy between said panels. The individual panels, and the power supply to at least one of the panels, involves a multiple-wire system which provides two or more electrical circuits. The individual panels possess power blocks having socketlike receptacles for permitting adjacent panels to be electrically connected by the flexible connectors. A second socketlike receptacle is associated with some power blocks for permitting connection to external electrical devices, and a third receptacle is associated with some power blocks for permitting connection to light fixtures mounted on the panels. The second and third receptacles are associated with different electrical wires which define different electrical circuits.

Abstract: A portable, prefabricated panel adapted to be connected with a plurality of similar panels to form a wall or partition structure. The panel is electrically prewired and includes electrical power blocks disposed adjacent the opposite lower corners of the panel, which power blocks are connected by electrical cables which extend internally of the panel. When two or more panels are connected together, electrical power is transmitted between each adjacent pair of panels by a flexible electrical connector which plugs into the power blocks of the adjacent panels. The panel also has electrical sockets integrally associated therewith, which sockets are preferably associated with the power blocks. The power blocks are symmetrical so that the same electrical connections can be made on either side of the panel. A channel-like raceway extends along the bottom edge of the panel for permitting the hidden storage of communication cables.

Abstract: A panel-type wall system wherein each panel has a pair of electrically connected power blocks disposed adjacent the lower corners thereof. The opposed power blocks of adjacent panels are electrically joined together by a flexible electrical connector which plugs into adjacent power blocks. The power blocks and connectors define an electrical system which extends longitudinally throughout the series of connected panels. The electrical system is preferably a five-wire system to provide three different available circuits at each power block. Each power block is provided with several connector portions for permitting electrical power to be tapped therefrom. Different types of power-taps can be plugged into the power blocks. More specifically, the power-taps include a receptacle unit which can be selectively plugged into either or both sides of each power block, and a light-fixture plug which can also be plugged into each power block.

Abstract: A raceway structure for association with a wall panel so as to enclose and confine power and communication cables which extend longitudinally along the wall panel and longitudinally throughout several series-connected such panels. The raceway structure utilizes a pair of side covers which removably attach to the wall panel and cooperate to define a raceway for enclosing therein electrical terminals and communication cables. The raceway structure has access openings for providing convenient access to the electrical terminals, such as by permitting an electrical receptacle, power feed, or communication cable to be positioned therein or passed therethrough.

Abstract: A hinged electrical connector for connecting the electrical terminals of adjacent wall panels. The connector is provided with two relatively rigid housing parts which, adjacent their outer ends, are provided with a plug-like connector portion adapted for releasable engagement with a similar connector portion associated with the electrical terminal on the wall panel. The adjacent inner ends of the housing parts each have an integral tubular hinge portion, which hinge portions angularly slidably interfit in telescopic relationship displaced about a hinge axis which is spaced outwardly from the physical structure defining the connector.

Abstract: A bracket for attaching a component to a slotted upright, which bracket includes one or more conventional downwardly-opening L-shaped hooks adapted for engagement with the slots of the upright. The bracket includes an integral locking element which is sufficiently resilient to snap into one of the slots when the bracket is properly seated to thereby indicate proper engagement of the bracket on the upright, and simultaneously prevent upward lifting of the bracket relative to the upright. The locking element comprises a vertically elongated cantilever spring having a slot-engaging projection at the outer end thereof. The locking element is integral with the bracket and formed of the same platelike material so as to be stiff yet slightly resilient, thereby ensuring positive seating of the locking projection within the slot when the bracket is properly seated on the upright.

Abstract: A portable, prefabricated panel adapted to be connected with a plurality of similar panels to form a wall or partition structure. The panel is electrically prewired and includes electrical power blocks disposed adjacent the opposite lower corners of the panel, which power blocks are connected by electrical cables which extend internally of the panel. When two or more panels are connected together, electrical power is transmitted between each adjacent pair of panels by a flexible electrical connector which plugs into the power blocks of the adjacent panels. The panel also has electrical sockets integrally associated therewith, which sockets are preferably associated with the power blocks. The power blocks are symmetrical so that the same electrical connections can be made on either side of the panel. A channel-like raceway extends along the bottom edge of the panel for permitting the hidden storage of communication cables.

Abstract: A method for forming mirror assemblies, especially rearview mirror assemblies for vehicles, wherein a thermoplastic mirror case is held inverted with its side wall portions extending downwardly. The side wall portions are softened by immersion in a heated bath and are pressed into a forming die which supports a reflective mirror element to form an arcuate mirror element retaining lip about the peripheral edges of the mirror element. Apparatus for performing the method includes an indexing table which sequentially moves the cases and mirror elements loaded thereon to one position, removes the cases from the table, combines them with the mirror elements via the forming die, and returns the completed assemblies to the table.

Abstract: A portable, prefabricated panel adapted to be connected with a plurality of similar panels to form a wall or partition structure. The panel is electrically prewired and includes electrical power blocks disposed adjacent the opposite lower corners of the panel, which power blocks are connected by electrical cables which extend internally of the panel. When two or more panels are connected together, electrical power is transmitted between each adjacent pair of panels by a flexible electrical connector which plugs into the power blocks of the adjacent panels. The panel also has electrical sockets integrally associated therewith, which sockets are preferably associated with the power blocks. The power blocks are symmetrical so that the same electrical connections can be made on either side of the panel. A channel-like raceway extends along the bottom edge of the panel for permitting the hidden storage of communication cables.

Abstract: A lightweight rearview mirror assembly for vehicles and a method for forming the same. The assembly includes a case formed from a thermoplastic material and a mirror element mounted therein. A thin, upstanding edge of the case is heated and curled into an arcuate, peripheral, retaining edge extending over the entire length of the mirror edge. The curled, arcuate edge defines therewithin a space extending between the entire thickness of the peripheral edges of the mirror and the case which allows the mirror and case to expand or contract in extreme temperatures without expelling or breaking the mirror element. Means are provided for preventing the mirror from vibrating within the case.

Abstract: A portable prefabricated panel adapted to be connected with a plurality of similar panels to form a wall or partition structure. The panel is electrically prewired and includes electrical power blocks disposed adjacent the opposite lower corners of the panel, which power blocks are connected by electrical cables which extend internally of the panel. When two or more panels are connected together, electrical power is transmitted between each adjacent pair of panels by a flexible electrical connector which plugs into the power blocks of the adjacent panels. The panel also has electrical sockets integrally associated therewith, which sockets are preferably associated with the power blocks. The power blocks are symmetrical so that the same electrical connections can be made on either side of the panel. A channel-like raceway extends along the bottom edge of the panel for permitting the hidden storage of communication cables.