Abstract: A room dividing system in which a folding screen also serves to provide functional shelving is disclosed. A plurality of generally planar vertical panels are provided in two discrete widths. The panels have a plurality of vertically spaced holes in their vertical edge surfaces. Hinge plates, and shelf supports, can be attached to the panel using the holes in the vertical edge surfaces. Links interconnect respective hinge plates to join the panels together to provide a plurality of rectangular alcoves. Rectangular shelves fit in the alcoves and have underlying recesses engaged by the shelf supports. The shelves thus hold the panels together to provide structural rigidity and prevent collapse of the system.

Abstract: Apparatus for interconnecting panels is disclosed which includes a plurality of members which are attached to panel edges and a plurality of core elements. Each core element has a pair of longitudinally extending arms which cross at the axial center of the core element. The portions of the arms extending outwardly from the axial center of the core element are reversely bent so that they are radially and tangentially resilient. The arm ends are configured so that adjacent arm ends can snap over parallel tongues which extend outwardly along the length of each member and the core element can releasably hold a plurality of panels together. The apparatus may further include a plurality of cover plates, each having a pair of parallel tongues which extend outwardly along the length of the cover plate. The tongues of each cover plate can be snapped into engagement with the core element where no members are attached.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for constructing a skeletal framework adapted to support wall, furniture or other structural panels. The apparatus includes a plurality of elongate channel members each having a generally rectangular cross section, one side of which defines an axial slot. A plurality of generally flat elongate cover plates are also provided, each having elongate tongue means extending lengthwise along the cover plate and adapted to engage the slot in one of the channel members. The cover plates and channel members each have flanges at their outer edges so that when joined together to form a skeletal frame member, they define a plurality of exposed recesses. A plurality of spline members are provided to interconnect the joined cover plates and channel members at their ends. Each spline member has a generally cubical block portion and at least two orthogonal extensions adapted to project into the ends of adjacent channel members.