Partition trim with insert

Abstract

A partition includes a top edge and vertical end edges covered by trim pieces. One or more of the trim pieces include an elongated base member made of durable material, such as metal, with side flanges defining a longitudinal channel. A strip insert is positioned in the channel where it is protected by the side flanges. When both top and end edges of a partition are covered, the end of one protrudes across an end of the other, with the side flanges of the protruding portion being radiused to prevent formation of a sharp corner. The insert can be aesthetic, such as wood, brushed metal, painted sheet, plastic, or light-transmissive glass or plastic, or the insert can be functional, such as tackable material, erasable markerboard material, a light-transmissive “light-pipe” material, or a mating “U” channel defining a hidden passageway on the base member for wire management.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention relates to partitions with covered top and side surfaces, and more particularly relates to partition trim adapted for attachment to the top and sides of partitions.

[0002] Consumers often want to customize and “trim out” their partition systems with their own materials and colors for optimal aesthetics. This is sometimes done with “customer's own materials” on the panel skins when they are upholstered. However, trim does not generally accommodate the “customer's own materials” on the panel edges. Further, because partition trim is located at top and side edges of partition panels where it is easy to see, the partition trim must wear well, be durable and not easily scratched or damaged, and/or preferably should be easy to clean. This results in a dilemma, because the “high” durability requirements prevent customers from obtaining the look that they want, yet customers quickly become dissatisfied if they purchase a system that is not durable and that wears badly or scratches after only a short time.

[0003] The present inventors have conceived of using trim to provide function and utility in and around partitions in a manner not previously known in the art. Specifically, it is desirable to provide function and utility in and around the partition trim, and yet do so in a way that does not subtract from the aesthetics and protective function that the trim provides. Still further, it preferably needs to be done in a way that increases the number and types of materials that can be used in the partition trim, and that enlarges the ability to aesthetically use color, texture, and other material characteristics to achieve a desired “look” in an office.

[0004] An apparatus is desired solving the aforementioned problems and having the aforementioned advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0005] In one aspect of the present invention, a partition system includes a partition having a top edge and vertical end edges, and a trim piece attached to at least one of the top edge and end edges. The trim piece includes an elongated base member with side flanges defining a channel running longitudinally along the at least one edge, and an insert positioned in the channel.

[0006] In another aspect of the present invention, a trim system for a partition includes an elongated base member having opposing first and second surfaces, connectors on the first surface configured and adapted for releasable attachment to a partition frame, and spaced-apart flanges on the second surface defining at least one longitudinal channel extending along the second surface. An elongated insert fits in the channel in a visible position where the insert is at least partially protected by the flanges.

[0007] In another aspect of the present invention, a partition system includes an improvement for a partition having front and rear faces and having top and end surfaces. A top trim piece and an end trim piece cover the top and end surfaces. The improvement includes ends on the top and end trim pieces forming a corner. The top trim piece has at least one top flange that extends upwardly and terminates in a first free edge, and the end trim piece has at least one side flange that extends laterally and terminates in a second free edge. At least one of the top flanges and one of the end flanges have outer surfaces that are coplanar with each other and that define a vertical plane that extends parallel the front face. One of the top and end flanges has a protruding portion that extends onto the end of the other of the top and end flanges at the corner. The protruding portion is radiused at the corner about a centerpoint lying on the plane. By this arrangement, a continuous surface is formed around the corner by a length of the top flange, by a length of the end flange, and by a radiused part of the protruding portion.

[0008] In another aspect of the present invention, an improved trim system is provided for a partition system including first and second partitions each having a face and having aligned first and second top surfaces. The trim system has first and second top trim pieces that align and aesthetically cover the first and second top surfaces, respectively. The improved trim system comprises ends of the first and second top trim pieces coming together to form a linearly-aligned joint. The first and second top trim pieces each have a body section and a pair of protruding flanges, with the second top trim piece additionally having a pair of locators shaped to engage the pair of protruding flanges on the first trim piece. Engagement of the pair of locators on the pair of protruding flanges causes alignment of the body sections in a vertical direction on both front and rear edges of the first and second top trim pieces, and engagement of at least one of the locators on one of the pair of free ends causes alignment in a horizontal forward/rearward direction perpendicular to the faces of the partition.

[0009] In another aspect of the present invention, an improved trim system is provided for a partition system including a partition having opposing faces and having a top surface and a vertical end surface forming a corner, and including a trim system having top and end trim pieces aesthetically covering the top and end surfaces, respectively, The improvement in the trim system comprises ends of the top and end trim pieces coming together to form a corner joint. The top and end trim pieces each have a body section and a pair of flanges with free ends that extend perpendicularly to the body section toward an interior of the partition. The pair of flanges on the top trim piece are located to avoid interference with the pair of flanges on the end trim piece, but are located to closely engage end surfaces therewith so that the two pairs of flanges overlappingly engage and accurately locate the top and end trim pieces in a direction perpendicular to the faces of the partition, such that the top and end trim pieces are accurately aligned in the perpendicular direction and with the faces of the partition at the corner joint. The pair of flanges on the top trim piece are cut short and are shaped to engage an undersurface on the body section of the end trim piece, and the pair of flanges on the end trim piece are cut short and shaped to engage an undersurface on the body section of the top trim piece. By this arrangement, the outer surfaces of the top and end trim pieces form an accurate corner without excessive overlap or extension of either of the top and end trim pieces, such that sharp and undesirable protruding edges and misalignment of the top and end trim pieces are eliminated at the corner joint.

[0010] These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of interconnected partitions embodying the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 2 is an enlargement of the circled area II in FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of FIG. 2;

[0014] FIG. 4, is an exploded view similar to FIG. 3, but showing a modified trim piece with modified insert adapted for receiving and managing wiring;

[0015] FIG. 5 is an end view of one of the partition panels shown in FIG. 1 with the end trim piece removed to show a shape of the top trim piece and trim-to-partition connector;

[0016] FIG. 5A is a view similar to FIG. 5, but showing a modified top piece and top frame member;

[0017] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the circled area VI in FIG. 1;

[0018] FIG. 6A is an end view of the top trim piece in FIG. 6, showing engagement of the in-line connector with ridge-like projections on the top trim piece;

[0019] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly shown in FIG. 2, with the end trim piece rotated to show its bottom surface;

[0020] FIG. 7A is a cross section taken along the line VIIA-VIIA in FIG. 2;

[0021] FIG. 8 is a side view of the end trim, including three of the spring clips shown in FIGS. 9-10;

[0022] FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view of an inside surface of the end trim, including one of the attachment spring clips shown in FIG. 8;

[0023] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the spring clip shown in FIG. 9; and

[0024] FIG. 11 is a view of an end of the partition, showing the frame members that the end and top trim pieces attach to.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] A partition system 25 (FIG. 1) includes a trim system 26 that allows customers to selected their own accent materials, thus providing increased design flexibility to the customer. More specifically, the trim forms a channel or “bucket” where strips of material can be inserted into the channel for trimming out an associated partition, with the insert being in a highly visible and accessible position. Advantageously, the trim system 26 provides some protection to the insert materials, so that soft and non-durable materials can be used on the trim without sacrificing appearance and long-term wear. Also, the trim system 26 allows inserts to be used that are functional, such that function and value can be added to the partition system 25 in locations along edges of the partitions where previously functional features were not located, as discussed below.

[0026] Partitions are well known in the art, and are often used to form office arrangements. The illustrated partitions 27-30 are connected in a T-shaped arrangement, with the partitions 27-28 being connected in-line, and with the partitions 29-30 being connected in-line to each other but perpendicular to the partitions 29-30. The illustrated arrangement is to show different configurations of the trim 26. It will be clear to a person skilled in this art that the partitions can be arranged in many different configurations, and that many different partitions and additional arrangements are possible while still utilizing the principles of the present inventive concepts.

[0027] The illustrated partition 30 (FIG. 1) will be described in sufficient detail below for an understanding of the present invention, with partitions 27-29 being similar configurations. If additional discussion of the partition 30 is desired, it can be obtained from the following patent applications, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference: commonly assigned application Ser. No. ______, filed ______ (filed on same day as present application), entitled PARTITION TRIM HAVING FUNCTIONAL ASPECTS; commonly-assigned application Ser. No. 10/077,553, filed Feb. 15, 2002, entitled PANEL SYSTEM, and commonly assigned application Ser. No. 10/076,709, filed Feb. 15, 2002, entitled PARTITION PANEL WITH MODULAR APPLIANCE MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT.

[0028] The partition 30 includes a partition frame 31 (FIG. 11) having a top edge and vertical end edges covered by top and end trim pieces 32 and 33, respectively. The frame 31 (FIG. 11) includes interior vertical and horizontal frame elements 34 and 35, and also includes side frame elements 36 attached to the vertical and horizontal frame elements 34 and 35 to make a rigid frame. The frame elements 34-36 define a perimeter, with the vertical and horizontal frame elements 34 and 35 having a wall spaced inboard of the perimeter to form a channel 37 that extends around the perimeter. The trim pieces 32 (FIG. 5) include a friction spring 38 having spaced-apart legs 39 and 40 that frictionally engage the inside surfaces of the side frame elements 36 inside of the channel 37 to hold the trim pieces 32 in position. Optional screws 41 (FIG. 4) can be extended through the body of the trim piece 32 threadably into a weld nut on a stanchion bracket attached to the horizontal frame element 35 if additional sureness of the attachment of the trim piece 32 to the frame 31 is desired. FIG. 5A shows a modified base member 58A of trim piece 32A where a recessed center section 58B of the base member 54A fits between and engages inside surfaces 36A′ on the side frame element 36A to better center the base member 58A. Also, FIG. 5A shows a large bolt 41A engaged with frame element 35A for holding the trim piece 32A securely to the partition frame 31A. The edges of the base member 58A also include pockets to capture top edges of the frame elements 35 for increased stability of the attachment.

[0029] The trim piece 32 (FIG. 3) includes an elongated base member 54 made of durable material, such as metal, with side flanges 55 defining a longitudinal channel 56. A strip insert 57 is positioned in the channel where it is held and protected by the side flanges 55. Trim piece 33 is similar to the trim piece 32, and includes a base member 58, side flanges 59, and an insert 60. When both top and end edges of a partition are covered by channel-forming trim, the end of the end trim piece 33 protrudes onto and extends across an end of the other trim piece 32, with an upper end of the base member 58 being visible. This creates a distinctive appearance. The illustrated protruding portion 61 of the side flanges 59 are radiused at location 62 to eliminate the protruding corner on the partition that would occur if it was cut square, but it is contemplated that any shape corner can be constructed as desired. Also, the end of the insert 60 includes a similar radius 62′ for aesthetics and to eliminate a protruding corner.

[0030] It is contemplated that the inserts 57 and/or 60 can be primarily aesthetic, such as wood, brushed metal, painted sheet, plastic, or light-transmissive glass or plastic; or the inserts 57 and/or 60 can be primarily functional, such as tackable material, erasable markerboard material, a magnetic material, a light-transmissive material, a “cloudy” translucent material, a light-pipe-forming material, or a material forming signage. It is also contemplated that the base members 54 and 58 can be made of various materials, including extruded, molded, or rollformed aluminum, steel, plastic, composite, or other materials. It is also contemplated that the inserts and/or the base members can be made to define a channel or internal passageway, such as by manufacturing the insert in the shape of a mating “U” channel defining a hidden passageway on the base member for wire management. For example, see the trim pieces 32A and 33A in FIG. 4. The base member 58A is modified with a hole 54A′ to allow routing of wiring around a corner, and inserts 57A and 60A are modified to have an inverted U-shaped cross section so that a passageway is created between their respective bases and inserts for holding wires. Positioned in the insert 60A of the modified trim piece 33A is a display 58C, such as an LED or lighted signage aligned with an opening or window in the insert 60A, and wire strip 58C extends from the display 58C through the aperture 54A′ along the horizontal trim piece 32A to a source of electrical power and control.

[0031] As illustrated, the base member 54 (FIG. 3) of trim piece 32 has a transverse web flange 64 that joins the side flanges 55 to define the channel 56 for receiving the insert 57. The transverse web flange 64 includes a down-facing offset 66 at each side to create added space adjacent the side flanges 55, so that no material interferes with positioning the insert 57 fully into the channel 56, even if there is a slight radius at the up-bend where the side flanges 55 join to the transverse web flange 64.

[0032] The trim piece 32 has a pair of longitudinally-elongated ridge-like projections 68-69 that extend from its transverse web flange 64 in a direction away from the channel 56 that receives insert 57. The projections 68-69 each include inwardly-extending side tabs 70 and 71. The friction spring 38 (FIG. 5) includes retention tabs 71′ that fit between the top tab 70 and the transverse web flange 64 to retain the spring 38 to the trim piece 32. The lower side tab 71 engages the leg 39 (or 40) to hold the spring 38 in position on the trim piece 32. The friction spring 38 is relatively short, such as an inch or two long.

[0033] An in-line connector clip 73 (FIGS. 6-6A) is adapted to span between longitudinally aligned trim pieces 32, and when engaged, causes them to be accurately linearly aligned for aesthetics. (See the circled area VI in FIG. 1 and also FIG. 6A.) The clip 73 includes a generally flat body, with side edges 73A shaped to engage side tabs 70 and 71 on the projections 68 and 69. Two forwardly extending cup locators 73B extend from the body. The cup locators 73B are shaped to engage an outer surface 68A and 69A on the ends of projections 68 and 69 on the adjacent partition trim piece, so that the abutting trim pieces 33 in adjacent partitions are aligned in a direction perpendicular to a face of the partitions 31. The cup locators 73B each have “up” tabs 73C that engage the underside surface of the adjacent aligned trim piece 33, thus setting the vertical alignment of front and rear edges of the abutting trim pieces 33.

[0034] It is noted that, while it is envisioned to have inserts (57 and 60) be the same length as their respective base members in the preferred embodiment, a single insert 57 can span aligned base members 54 if desired. (See location 75 in FIG. 1, where an insert 57 spans two base members 54 and also spans two partitions 30.

[0035] The trim piece 33 (FIG. 3) can have the same cross-sectional shape as the trim piece 32, although it is contemplated that they can be different profiles, if desired. The illustrated trim piece 33 (FIG. 8) has a transverse cross section that is the same as trim piece 32, with the exception that trim piece 33 does not have any friction springs 38, but instead has friction clips 76-78. Specifically, the three (or more) identical clips 76-78 engage the projections 68′-69′ (FIGS. 7 and 8) on the trim piece 33, and further engage apertures 79-81 (FIG. 11) in the vertical frame elements 34 to retain the trim pieces 33 in place. Specifically, the clip 76 (and clips 77-78) includes an attachment flange 82 with tabs 83-85 (FIGS. 9-10) that engage the side tabs 71′ the projections 68′-69′ on its base member 58 in a manner similar to the projections 68-69 on the base member 54 of the trim piece 32. An L-shaped resilient leg 86 extends from the attachment flange 82 and has a flat neck 87. The top aperture 79 (FIG. 11) is basically rectangularly shaped. A width of the aperture 79 is equal to a width of the neck 87 of the resilient leg 86, such that the clip 76 accurately aligns the trim piece 33 on the partition 30, so that edges of the trim piece 33 are flush with faces of the partition 30. A bottom of the aperture 79 engages the flat neck 87 of the resilient leg 86, so that a height of the trim piece 33 is accurately set relative to the end of the partition 30. The resilient leg 86 flexes and draws the trim piece 33 tight against the end of the partition 30. By these three factors, the top clip 76 and aperture 79 set a location of the trim piece 33 in “x-y-z” orthogonal directions relative to an upper end/corner of the partition 30. The center aperture 80 is large enough so that the center clip 77 does not do anything other than hold the trim piece 33 tight to the end of the partition 30. The bottom aperture 80 is shaped and sized so that the neck 87 engages the sides of the bottom clip 78. The bottom clip 78 also holds a bottom of the trim piece 33 tight to the bottom of the partition 30.

[0036] Trim piece 33 attaches to the vertical frame member 34 (FIGS. 8 and 11) as follows. The trim piece 33 is positioned on an end of the partition 30, with the flared-out ends of the clips 76-78 positioned in the respective apertures 79-81. The trim piece 33 is then moved downwardly, with each clip 76-78 drawing the trim piece 33 tight against the partition. The top and bottom clips 76 and 78 locate the trim piece 33 so that edges of the trim piece 33 are flush with the faces of the partition 30, and the top clip 76 locates the trim piece 33 vertically.

[0037] Notably, there is a notch 82 (FIG. 7) machined transversely across an upper end of the base member 58 of the trim piece 33. The notch 82 includes cutting away end portions of the projections (68′ and 69′) on the base member 58 of the trim piece 33 and cutting slightly into edges of the transverse web flange of the base member 58. The notch 82 is shaped to matably receive an end of the trim piece 33 to form a tight corner where the trim pieces 32 and 33 abut, with the projections 68 and 69 overlappingly engaging the projections 68′ and 69′. Trim pieces 32 and 33 are aligned by their respective retention springs and clips.

[0038] Specifically, the ridge-like projections 68′ and 69′ on the end trim 33 each include an inside surface 82′ that engages a flat outside surface 82″ on the projections 68 and 69 on the top trim piece 32. This overlapping abutment results in the trim pieces 32 and 33 aligning each other in a direction perpendicular to a face of the partition 31, so that edges of the trim pieces 32 and 33 are flush with each other and with front and rear faces of the partition 30. The end surface 83A of the projections 68′ and 69′ on the end trim 33 abuts the bottom surface 32B of the base member 54 of the trim piece 32, and the end surface 32C of the projections 68 and 69 on the top trim piece 32 abuts the undersurface 83C of the base member 58 of the trim piece 33. As a result, a “perfect” corner is made, with the end of the trim pieces 32 and 33 forming continuous and smooth front and rear surfaces, with little or no misalignment, and with the trim pieces 32 and 33 forming a smooth radiused surface that extends from the vertical side edge of the partition 31 up and around onto the top side edge of the partition 31.

[0039] When aligned, the side flanges 55 of trim piece 32 are coplanar with the side flanges 59 on trim piece 33, thus creating a distinctive and useful protective continuous band of material that extends around the corner of the partition 30.

[0040] A base trim cover 85 (FIG. 11) attaches to cover supports 86 along a bottom of the partition frame 31. The cover 85 provides an enclosure along a bottom of the partition frame 31 for wiring and the like, as is often done with partitions such as partition 30.

[0041] It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

Claims

1. A partition system comprising:

a partition having a top edge and vertical end edges; and

a trim piece attached to at least one of the top edge and end edges, the trim piece including an elongated base member with side flanges defining a channel running longitudinally along said at least one edge, and an insert positioned in the channel.

2. The partition system defined in claim 1, wherein the insert is protected by the side flanges.

3. The partition system defined in claim 1, wherein the base member is made of a structural material that is highly durable and scratch-resistant, and wherein the insert is made of a softer material subject to objectional wear and damage.

4. The partition system defined in claim 3, wherein the base member is made of metal and the insert is made of non-metallic material.

5. The partition system defined in claim 1, wherein the insert comprises wood.

6. The partition system defined in claim 1, wherein the insert comprises a plastic strip.

7. The partition system defined in claim 1, wherein the insert comprises a light-transmitting material.

8. The partition system defined in claim 1, wherein the insert has an exterior show surface treated, shaped and colored separate from the base member for visual aesthetics.

9. The partition system defined in claim 1, wherein the insert includes a material selected to provide a function.

10. The partition system defined in claim 1, wherein the channel has a limited depth and a width that extends substantially an entire width of the top edge of partition, and wherein the insert fills the channel.

11. The partition system defined in claim 1, wherein the trim piece is attached to the top edge of the partition, and the insert includes an upwardly-exposed visible surface.

12. The partition system defined in claim 11, wherein the top surface of the insert is coplanar with top edges of the side flanges on the base member.

13. The partition system defined in claim 11, including a second trim piece on one of the end edges having a substantially similar cross section to the first-mentioned trim piece.

14. The partition system defined in claim 1, wherein the insert has a width that is about equal to a width of the partition.

15. The partition system defined in claim 1, wherein the insert has a non-rectangular cross section and is shaped to provide a function.

16. The partition system defined in claim 1, wherein the base member is made of a material that is substantially harder than the insert.

17. The partition system defined in claim 1, wherein the base member includes an interior surface opposite the insert, and including connectors engaging the interior surface for retaining the base member to the partition.

18. The partition system defined in claim 1, wherein the side flanges include rounded corners that extend around centerpoints lying on the side flanges, respectively.

19. The partition system defined in claim 1, wherein the insert is attached to the base attachment by adhesive.

20. The partition system defined in claim 1, wherein the insert is attached to the base attachment mechanically.

21. The partition system defined in claim 1, including a second partition and a second trim piece attached to the second partition, the first-mentioned and second top trim pieces each having ends coming together to form a linearly aligned joint, the first-mentioned and second top trim pieces each having a body section and a pair of protruding flanges, the second top trim piece additionally having a pair of locators shaped to engage the pair of protruding flanges on the first-mentioned trim piece, with engagement of the pair of locators on the pair of protruding flanges causing alignment of the body sections in a vertical direction on both front and rear edges of the first-mentioned and second top trim pieces, and with engagement of at least one of the locators on one of the pair of free ends causing alignment in a horizontal forward/rearward direction perpendicular to the faces of the partitions.

22. The partition system defined in claim 1, including a second trim piece attached to another one of the top and end edges, the first-mentioned and second trim pieces each defining longitudinal passageways open into each other and that communicate.

23. The partition system defined in claim 22, wherein the first-mentioned and second trim pieces are attached to the top and end edges of the partition, respectively, and form a corner of the partition, the first-mentioned and second trim pieces forming outwardly-open channels that extend around the corner.

24. The partition system defined in claim 1, wherein the base member and the insert are made from different materials.

25. A trim system for a partition, comprising:

an elongated base member having opposing first and second surfaces, connectors on the first surface configured and adapted for releasable attachment to a partition frame, and spaced-apart flanges on the second surface defining at least one longitudinal channel extending along the second surface; and

an elongated insert shaped to fit in the channel in a visible position where the insert is at least partially protected by the flanges.

26. The trim system defined in claim 25, wherein the elongated insert has an exposed surface subject to objectionable damage and wear when in an exposed position in a work environment, the insert being shaped to fit within the channel in a position where the exposed surface of the insert is protected by the flanges.

27. The trim system defined in claim 26, wherein the channel defines a depth, and the insert includes an exposed surface that is at or below a top of the channel.

28. In a partition system including a partition having front and rear faces and having top and end surfaces, and a top trim piece and an end trim piece covering the top and end surfaces, respectively, an improvement comprising:

the top and end trim pieces each having ends forming a corner, the top trim piece having at least one top flange that extends upwardly and terminates in a first free edge, and the end trim piece having at least one side flange that extends laterally and terminates in a second free edge, at least one of the top flanges and one of the end flanges having outer surfaces being coplanar with each other and defining a vertical plane that extends parallel the front face; one of the top and end flanges having a protruding portion that extends onto the end of the other of the top and end flanges at the corner, the protruding portion being radiused at the corner about a centerpoint lying on the plane, such that a continuous surface is formed around the corner by a length of the top flange, by a length of the end flange, and by a radiused part of the protruding portion.

29. In a partition system including first and second partitions each having a face and having aligned first and second top surfaces, and including a trim system having first and second top trim pieces aesthetically covering the first and second top surfaces, respectively, and that are also aligned, an improvement in the trim system comprising:

the first and second top trim pieces each having ends coming together to form a linearly aligned joint, the first and second top trim pieces each having a body section and a pair of protruding flanges, the second top trim piece additionally having a pair of locators shaped to engage the pair of protruding flanges on the first trim piece, with engagement of the pair of locators on the pair of protruding flanges causing alignment of the body sections in a vertical direction on both front and rear edges of the first and second top trim pieces, and with engagement of at least one of the locators on one of the pair of free ends causing alignment in a horizontal forward/rearward direction perpendicular to the faces of the first and second partitions.

30. The partition system defined in claim 29, wherein the locators engage free ends of the protruding flanges on the first trim piece.

31. The partition system defined in claim 29, wherein the locators also are configured to and do engage to set longitudinal spacing of the first and second top trim pieces.

32. The partition system defined in claim 29, wherein the first and second trim pieces each include an outwardly facing recess.

33. The partition system defined in claim 32, wherein the outwardly facing recess on each of the first and second trim pieces align to form a continuous recess along the first and second partitions.

34. In a partition system including a partition having opposing faces and having a top surface and a vertical end surface forming a corner, and including a trim system having top and end trim pieces aesthetically covering the top and end surfaces, respectively, an improvement in the trim system comprising:

the top and end trim pieces each having ends coming together to form a corner joint, the top and end trim pieces each having a body section and a pair of flanges with free ends that extend perpendicularly to the body section toward an interior of the partition;

the pair of flanges on the top trim piece being located to avoid interference with the pair of flanges on the end trim piece, but being located to closely engage end surfaces therewith so that the two pairs of flanges overlappingly engage and accurately locate the top and end trim pieces in a direction perpendicular to the faces of the partition, such that the top and end trim pieces are accurately aligned in the perpendicular direction and with the faces of the partition at the corner joint;

the pair of flanges on the top trim piece being cut short and being shaped to engage an undersurface on the body section of the end trim piece, and the pair of flanges on the end trim piece being cut short and shaped to engage an undersurface on the body section of the top trim piece, such that outer surfaces of the top and end trim pieces form an accurate corner without excessive overlap or extension of either of the top and end trim pieces, whereby sharp and undesirable protruding edges and misalignment of the top and end trim pieces are eliminated at the corner joint.

35. The partition system defined in claim 34, wherein at least one of the top and end trim pieces defines an outwardly facing recess shaped to receive an insert.

36. The partition system defined in claim 35, wherein the top and end trim components both define an outwardly facing recess.