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`WARNING: The information disclosed herein may be restricted.
`Unauthorized disclosure may be prohibited by the United States Code Title 35,
`Sections 122, 181 and 368, Possession outside the U.S. Patent & Trademark
`ce is restricted to authorized employees and contractors only.
`FILED WITH: Q DISK (CRF)
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`ALLSTEEL INC.
`Exhibit 1004, Page 1
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`10027872
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`I jc997 U.S. PTO
`S10/027872
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`12/21/01
`CONTENTS
`Date
`Received
`(ind. C. of M.)
`or
`Date Mailed
`
`INITIALS
`
`//
`
`Date
`Received "
`(incl. C. of M.)
`or
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`Exhibit 1004, Page 2
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`

`
`PATENT APPLICATION SERIAL NO.
`
`U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`FEE RECORD SHEET
`
`12/31/2001 EFLORES 00000046 10027872
`01 FC:101
`740.00 OP
`
`PTO-1556
`(5/87)
`*U.S. GPO: 2000-468-987/39595
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`-
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`Exhibit 1004, Page 3
`
`
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`

`
`''I
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`4ITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMAI
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`f/b2t
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`IN Th
`
`.FFICE
`
`Applicant:
`Docket:
`Title:
`
`VON HOYNINGEN HUENE et al.
`9680.190US01
`MOVEABLE AND DEMOUNTABLE WALL PANEL SYSTEM
`
`-U
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`CERTIFICATE UNDER 37 CFR 1.10
`'Express Mail' mailing label number: EV 037644953 US
`Date of Deposit: December 21, 2001
`I hereby certify that this paper or fee is being deposited with the United States Postal Service 'Express Mail Post Office
`To Addressee' service under 37 CFR.1.10 and is addressed to the Commissioner for Patents, Washington, D.C. 20231.
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`_
`By:
`Name: Chris Stordah
`
`BOX PATENT APPLICATION
`Commissioner for Patents
`Washington, D.C. 20231
`Sir:
`We are transmitting herewith the attached:
`Z Transmittal sheet, in duplicate, containing Certificate under 37 CFR 1.10.
`® Utility Patent Application: Spec. 29 pgs; 20 claims; Abstract 1 pgs.
`The fee has been calculated as shown below in the 'Claims as Filed' table.
`® 60 sheets of informal drawings
`® An unsigned Combined Declaration and Power of Attorney
`to cover the Filing Fee
`® A check in the amount of $740.00
`1 Other: Communication Regarding Priority Claim
`[ Return postcard
`
`Number of Claims Filed
`
`CLAIMS AS FILED
`In Excess of:
`Number
`Extra
`
`Rate
`
`Fee
`
`Basic Filing iFee
`Total Caims
`20
`Independent Claims_
`1
`-
`MULTIPLE DEPENDENT CLAIM FEE
`TOTAL FILING FEE
`
`_
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`20
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`0
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`x
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`84.00. =$0.00
`
`$740.00
`
`$0.00
`
`$0.00
`$740.00
`
`Please charge any additional fees or credit overpayment to Deposit Account No. 13-2725. A duplicate of this sheet
`is enclosed.
`
`MERCHANT & GOULD P.C.
`P.O. Box 2903, Minneapolis, MN 55402-0903
`(612) 332-5300
`
`By:
`d
`Nam .Fregory A. Sebald
`Reg. No.: 33,280
`Initials: GAS/pjk
`
`23552
`
`PATENT TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`(PTO TRANSMITTAL - NEW FILING)
`
`Exhibit 1004, Page 4
`
`
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`

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`IN TL. aNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMA,-. OFFICE
`
`Applicant:
`Docket:
`Title:
`
`VON HOYNINGEN HUENE et al.
`9680.190US01
`MOVEABLE AND DEMOUNTABLE WALL PANEL SYSTEM
`
`CERTIFICATE UNDER 37 CFR 1.10
`'Express Mail' mailing label number: EV 037644953 US
`Date of Deposit: December 21, 2001
`I hereby certify that this paper or fee is being deposited with the United States Postal Service 'Express Mail Post Office
`To Addressee' service under 37 CFR 1.10 and is addressed to the Commissioner for Patents, Washington, D.C. 20231.
`
`By:
`Name: a
`
`tordahl
`
`_dh
`
`BOX PATENT APPLICATION
`Commissioner for Patents
`Washington, D.C. 20231
`Sir:
`We are transmitting herewith the attached:
`
`® Transmittal sheet, in duplicate, containing Certificate under 37 CFR 1.10.
`® Utility Patent Application: Spec. 29 pgs; 20 claims; Abstract 1 pgs.
`The fee has been calculated as shown below in the 'Claims as Filed' table.
`® 60 sheets of informal drawings
`® An unsigned Combined Declaration and Power of Attorney
`® A check in the amount of $740.00 to cover the Filing Fee
`® Other: Communication Regarding Priority Claim
`[ Return postcard
`
`Number of Claims Filed
`
`CLAIMS AS FILED
`Number
`In Excess of:
`Extra
`
`Rate
`
`Fee
`
`asic Filing Fee
`Total Claims
`20
`Independent Claims
`1
`-
`MULTIPLE DEPENDENT CLAIM FEE
`TOTAL FILING FEE
`
`-
`
`=0
`
`20
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`3
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`1800 =
`
`84.00 =
`
`x
`
`x
`
`0
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`$740.00
`
`$0.00
`
`$0.00
`$0.00
`. $740.00 '
`
`Please charge any additional fees or credit overpayment to Deposit Account No. 13-2725.
`is enclosed.
`
`A duplicate of this sheet
`
`MERCHANT & GOULD P.C.
`P.O. Box 2903, Minneapolis, MN 55402-0903
`(612) 332-5300
`
`I
`
`A. Sebald
`
`Initials: GAS/pjk
`
`I I N23552
`111111111
`
`PATENT TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`(PTO TRANSMITTAL - NEW FILING)
`
`-----
`
`--- ----- --- ----
`
`-
`
`Exhibit 1004, Page 5
`
`
`
`

`
`MOVEABLE AND DEMOUNTABLE WALL PANEL SYSTEM
`
`Field of the invention
`
`5
`
`The present invention relates to a wall panel system. More particularly, the
`to a moveable non-progressive mountable and
`relates
`invention
`present
`demountable wall panel system.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`Background of the invention
`
`Fixed wall systems, moveable wall systems, and non-progressive wall
`systems are very well known in the art.
`
`Some problems associated with fixed wall systems are the inability to
`displace and/or move the fixed wall systems once they are mounted; the inability
`to readily install passthrough components (wiring, etc.) after the fixed wall
`systems have been mounted; and the inability to readily change aspects and
`features of the fixed wall systems once they are installed. Furthermore, fixed wall
`systems are also disadvantageous because their installing is quite lengthy. For
`example, for conventional gyproc walls,' one must first install supporting studs,
`then affix gyproc panels thereto, then plaster thereon, wait for drying of the
`plaster, sanding subsequently and then finishing the surfaces of the gyproc walls.
`It is well known in the art that the mounting of such fixed wall systems usually
`extends over several days and requires a great deal of manual labour, which is
`thus very inefficient and very cost ineffective.
`
`Some of the problems associated with moveable wall systems are that,
`very often, their components are over-engineered (e.g. too heavy), different and
`specialized tooling is required for assembling such moveable wall systems, and
`the moveable wall systems generally comprise various different components
`which are not readily interchangeable. As a results of the above-mentioned,
`installation of such moveable wall systems is generally quite lengthy and
`
`s~
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`-- -----. -- .-
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`__ _____~_1__~~ 14111-1__1.__
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`Exhibit 1004, Page 6
`
`
`
`

`
`2
`
`cumbersome. Furthermore, it is well known in the art 'that such moveable wall
`systems, by virtue of their design, offer generally very poor sound proofing, light
`proofing and/or vibration proofing.
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`Some of the problems associated with non-progressive wall systems are
`the inability to independently change, move, and/or alter a particular component
`of the non-progressive wall system without affecting the other components
`operatively connected to said particular component. Indeed, by virtue of their
`design, non-progressive wall systems generally have several components which
`are
`intricately connected
`to one another and
`thus prevent one particular
`component thereof from being changed, moved, and/or altered without disturbing
`the other components of the non-progressive wall system.
`
`Known to the Applicant are the following American patents which describe
`different wall panel systems: 3,040,847; 3,352,078; 3,363,383; 3,675,382;
`4,167,084; 4,399,644; 4,640,072; 4,757,657; 4,825,610; 5,056,577; 5,159,793;
`5,207,037; 5,379,560; 5,381,845; 5,491,943; 5,644,878; 5,735,089; 5,875,596;
`6,112,485; and 6,122,871.
`
`None of the above-mentioned patents seem to disclose or even suggest a
`movable non-progressive mountable and demountable wall panel system which
`would overcome several of the above-mentioned problems associated with the
`prior art.
`
`25
`
`Summary of the invention
`
`An object of the present invention is to provide a wall panel system which
`would satisfy some of the above-mentioned needs, and would thus be an
`improvement over the wall panel systems known in the art.
`
`In accordance with the present invention, the above object is achieved by
`a moveable and demountable wall panel system comprising a plurality of panels
`
`30
`
`1
`
`
`
`1-~11-41_ _ 1~_1-__
`
`
`
`_
`
`Exhibit 1004, Page 7
`
`
`
`

`
`used for defining an office space, each panel having a vertical axis and a
`horizontal axis, each panel comprising:
`opposite
`top and bottom distance channels,
`the distance channels
`extending along directions substantially parallel to the horizontal axis of the panel;
`opposite left and right vertical posts, the vertical posts extending along
`directions substantially parallel to the vertical axis of the panel, the distance
`channels and vertical posts being affixed to one another by means of connecting
`studs for forming a rectangular support frame of the panel;
`a panel covering removably mountable onto receiving means of the
`rectangular support frame;
`a ceiling rail operatively connected to a top portion of the rectangular
`support frame, the ceiling rail being used for operatively securing the rectangular
`support frame of the panel to a ceiling surface; and
`an articulating floor channel operatively connected to a bottom portion of
`the rectangular support frame by means of left and right glide assemblies
`mounted into receiving channels of the left and right vertical posts respectively,
`the articulating floor channel being used for operatively securing the rectangular
`support frame of the panel to a ground surface, the glide assemblies being further
`used for displacing the rectangular support frame with respect to the floor channel
`along a direction substantially parallel to the vertical axis of the panel;
`wherein each vertical post comprises at least one receiving lip extending
`along a direction substantially parallel to the vertical axis of the panel, each
`receiving lip being removably connectable to another receiving lip of a vertical
`post of a neighboring panel by means of a connector for selectively and
`removably connecting together a plurality of panels in order to define said office
`space.
`
`Preferably, the receiving means comprise receiving grooves disposed
`along the vertical posts in a direction substantially parallel to the vertical axis of
`the panel and the panel covering comprises an outer panel shell and vertical
`stiffeners, the vertical stiffeners being securely affixed to lateral sides of the outer
`panel shell of the panel covering and being removably connectable onto the
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`_
`
`__
`
`_____~___________________~____l_~_j
`
`Exhibit 1004, Page 8
`
`
`
`

`
`receiving grooves of the vertical posts for removably connecting the panel
`covering onto the rectangular support frame of the panel.
`
`Preferably, the receiving means comprise a receiving groove disposed
`in a direction substantially parallel to the
`the top distance channel
`along
`horizontal axis of the panel and the panel covering comprises an outer panel shell
`and a top stiffener, the top stiffener being securely affixed to a lateral side of the
`outer panel shell of the panel covering and being removably hookable onto the
`receiving groove of the top distance channel for removably hooking the panel
`covering onto the rectangular support frame of the panel.
`
`Preferably, the vertical stiffeners each comprise a bracket and a flexible
`clip securely affixed onto one another, the brackets being further securely affixed
`to the lateral sides of the outer panel shell of the panel covering and the flexible
`clips being removably connectable into the. receiving grooves of the vertical posts.
`
`the panel covering comprises an outer panel shell and
`Preferably,
`intermediate stiffeners being securely affixed
`the
`intermediate stiffeners,
`transversely onto the outer panel shell of the panel covering in a direction
`substantially parallel to the horizontal axis of the panel.
`
`Preferably, the connectors may comprise fins, may comprise flexible skirts,
`and may be provided with covering caps.
`
`Preferably, floor channel is securely affixed to the ground surface by
`means of fasteners, and the ceiling rail is securely affixed to the ceiling surface by
`means of fasteners.
`
`Preferably, each glide assembly comprises a substantially L-shaped glide
`and a glide bolt. The substantially L-shaped glide preferably has an abutment
`flange and an insert, the insert being removably insertable into a receiving
`channel of a corresponding vertical post. Preferably also, the glide bolt is
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`~
`
`Exhibit 1004, Page 9
`
`
`
`

`
`threadedly mounted into the abutment flange of the glide and has a pivot head
`articulately mounted to the floor channel by means of a rivet.
`
`Preferably also, the pivot head of the glide bolt is positioned inside a
`longitudinal groove of the floor channel, and the rivet of the pivot head is
`constrained to slide along a transversal slot of the longitudinal groove of the floor
`channel. The insert of the glide preferably comprises two tongues removably
`mountable into respective receiving channels of a corresponding vertical post.
`
`The invention and
`its advantages would be better understood upon
`reading
`the
`following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments
`thereof, made with reference to the accompanying drawings.
`
`Brief description of the drawings
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a solid wall.panel according to
`a preferred embodiment of the invention.
`
`Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a glass wall panel according to
`a preferred embodiment of the invention.
`
`20
`
`Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of some of the components of the
`wall panel shown in Figure 1, said wall panel being shown in an exploded view
`with a base cover according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
`
`25
`
`4.
`
`Figure 4 is another exploded perspective view of what is shown in Figure
`
`Figure 5 is a perspective view of an intermediate stiffener of the wall panel
`shown in Figure 1.
`
`30
`
`~
`
`__
`
`
`
`__________ _____I~_~~~~
`
`_i~___
`
`Exhibit 1004, Page 10
`
`
`
`

`
`6
`
`Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate stiffener shown in
`Figure 5.
`
`Figure 7 is a partial sectional exploded view of some of the components of
`the wall panel shown in Figure 1.
`
`5
`
`Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the bottom distance channel and the
`bottom stiffener of the wall panel shown in Figure 1.
`
`0
`
`Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the bottom stiffener shown in Figure 8.
`
`Figure 10
`is a partial sectional perspective view of some of
`components of the wall panel shown in Figure 1.
`
`the
`
`Figure 11 is another perspective view of what is shown in Figure 10.
`
`Figure 12 is yet another perspective view of what is shown in Figure 10.
`
`20
`
`Figure 13
`is an exploded perspective view of a stackable flyover
`cooperating with two vertical posts according to a preferred embodiment of the
`invention.
`
`Figure 14 is a partial enlarged view of what is shown in Figure 13.
`
`25
`
`Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of a connecting stud according to a
`preferred embodiment of the invention.
`
`Figure 16 is a side elevational view of the connecting stud shown in Figure
`
`15.
`
`Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of what is shown in Figure 14.
`
`__
`
`
`
`_ __1__ ______~_____~ __ ~ __
`
`11 1_
`
`_
`
`___111_1__~~
`
`1 _1
`
`Exhibit 1004, Page 11
`
`
`
`

`
`Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view of what is shown in Figure 17 according
`to another preferred embodiment of the invention.
`
`Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of the stackable flyover shown in Figure
`
`5
`
`17.
`
`Figure 20 is a perspective view of a punched solid panel vertical post
`according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
`
`10
`
`Figure 21 is a perspective view of a ceiling rail cooperating with a notched
`vertical post according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
`
`Figure 22 is a top plan view of the ceiling rail shown in Figure 21.
`
`15
`
`Figure 23 is a sectional view of a glide assembly of the wall panel shown in
`Figure 1, said glide assembly being shown cooperating with a floor channel
`according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
`
`Figure 24 is a perspective view of the glide of the glide assembly shown in
`Figure 23.
`
`20
`
`Figure 25 is a partial sectional view of two panel coverings 15 mounted
`onto a vertical post by means of a vertical stiffener according to a preferred
`embodiment of the invention.
`
`25
`
`Figure 26 is a cross-sectional view of one of the vertical stiffeners shown in
`Figure 25.
`
`Figure 27 is a wall panel assembly according to a preferred embodiment of
`the invention.
`
`30
`
`_
`
`
`
`__ __ __ ______~_____~ _ _____
`
`11111111
`
`I
`
`Exhibit 1004, Page 12
`
`
`
`

`
`Figure 28 is a wall panel assembly according to yet another preferred
`embodiment of the invention.
`
`Figure 29 is a cross-sectional view of the connector shown in Figure 28.
`
`5
`
`Figure 30 is a cross-sectional view of a connector according to another
`preferred embodiment of the invention.
`
`is a wall panel assembly according to yet another preferred
`Figure 31
`embodiment of the invention.
`
`10
`
`Figure 32 is a cross-sectional view of the building module connector shown
`in Figure 31.
`
`15
`
`Figure 33 is a cross-sectional view of a wall panel assembly according to
`yet another preferred embodiment of the invention.
`
`Figure 34 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion shown in Figure
`
`33.
`
`Figure 35 is a cross-sectional view of the furniture module connector
`shown in Figure 34.
`
`Figure 36 is a partial cross-sectional view of a wall
`according to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention.
`
`25
`
`panel assembly
`
`Figure 37 is a cross-sectional view of the double glazing
`the wall panel assembly of Figure 36.
`
`gasket shown in
`
`30
`
`Figure 38 is a partial cross-sectional view of a wall
`according to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention.
`
`panel assembly
`
`
`
`11--__ 111 _._
`
`
`
`1~--_1--11 __ _
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`_1-11-_1_11_ _ 1_
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`_-
`
`Exhibit 1004, Page 13
`
`
`
`

`
`Figure 39 is a cross-sectional view of the center cap shown in the wall
`panel of Figure 38.
`
`Figure 40 is a partial cross-sectional view of a wall panel assembly
`according to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention.
`
`5
`
`Figure 41 is a cross-sectional view of a furniture module according to a
`preferred embodiment of the invention.
`
`Figure 42 is a cross-sectional view of a
`another preferred embodiment of the invention.
`
`furniture module according to yet
`
`Figure 43 is a cross-sectional view of a
`another preferred embodiment of the invention.
`
`furniture module according to yet
`
`Figure 44 is a cross-sectional
`another preferred embodiment of the
`
`view of a
`invention.
`
`furniture module according to yet
`
`Figure 45 is a cross-sectional
`another preferred embodiment of the
`
`view of a
`invention.
`
`20
`
`furniture module according to yet
`
`Figure 46 is a cross-sectional
`preferred embodiment of the inventior
`
`view of a glass vertical post according to a
`
`25
`
`Figure 47 is a cross-sectional view of a vertical post according to yet
`another preferred embodiment of the invention, said vertical post being shown
`with a weatherstrip holder mounted into the interseptum thereof.
`
`Figure 48 is a cross-sectional view of a solid vertical post according to yet
`another preferred embodiment of the invention.
`
`30
`
`Exhibit 1004, Page 14
`
`
`
`

`
`Figure 49 is a cross-sectional view of a building module according to a
`preferred embodiment of the invention.
`
`Figure 50 is a cross-sectional view of a corner post according to a
`preferred embodiment of the invention.
`
`Figure 51 is a cross-sectional view of a distance channel according to a
`preferred embodiment of the invention, said distance channel being shown
`provided with a connecting stud.
`
`Figure 52 is a partial cross-sectional view of a wall panel assembly
`according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
`
`5
`
`0
`
`Figure 53 is a cross-sectional
`another preferred embodiment of the
`
`view of a distance channel according to yet
`invention.
`
`15
`
`Figure 54 is a cross-sectional
`another preferred embodiment of the
`
`view of a distance channel according to yet
`invention.
`
`20
`
`Figure 55 is a cross-sectional
`another preferred embodiment of the
`
`view of a distance channel according to yet
`invention.
`
`Figure 56 is a cross-sectional
`another preferred embodiment of the
`
`view of a distance channel according to yet
`invention.
`
`Figure 57 is a cross-sectional view of a transition channel according to a
`preferred embodiment of the invention.
`
`Figure 58 is a cross-sectional view of a wall post according to a preferred
`embodiment of the invention.
`
`30
`
`Exhibit 1004, Page 15
`
`
`
`

`
`Figure 59 is a cross-sectional view of a wall panel assembly according to
`yet another preferred embodiment of the invention.
`
`Figure 60 is an exploded view of a door panel assembly according to a
`preferred embodiment of the invention.
`
`5
`
`is a partial sectional perspective view of the door assembly
`Figure 61
`shown in Figure 60.
`
`10
`
`Figure 62 is a cross-sectional view of the wall assembly shown in Figure
`
`61.
`
`Figure 63 is a cross-sectional view of the door bumper shown in Figure 62.
`
`15
`
`Figure 64 is a cross-sectional view of the door strike shown in Figure 62.
`
`Figure 65 is a perspective view of the door pivot shown in Figure 60.
`
`Figure 66 is a perspective view of the top pivot bushing shown in Figure
`
`20
`
`60.
`
`25
`
`Figure 67 is a cross-sectional view of a vertical post according to yet
`another preferred embodiment of the invention, said vertical post being shown
`with an opening filler strip mounted into the interseptum of the vertical post.
`
`Figure 68 is a perspective view of an assembled wall panel system
`according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said assembled wall panel
`system being shown with glass panels and a door assembly such as the one of
`Figure 60.
`
`_
`
`___I______~___ I~ I __ _
`
`I
`
`Exhibit 1004, Page 16
`
`
`
`

`
`Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention
`
`In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar
`elements. The embodiments shown in the figures are preferred only.
`
`Moreover, although the present invention as exemplified hereinafter was
`primarily designed for wall systems, it could be used with other objects and for
`other purposes, such as with furniture applications, for example, as apparent to a
`person skilled in the art. For this reason, expressions such as "wall" and any
`other references and/or other expressions equivalent thereto should not be taken
`as to limit the scope of the present invention and include all other objects and all
`other applications with which the present invention could be used and may be
`useful.
`
`Similarly, expressions such as "wall" and "panel", as well as any mutually
`equivalent expressions and/or compound words
`thereof, may be used
`interchangeably in the context of the present description. The same applies for
`any other mutually equivalent expressions, such as "covering" and "shell" and
`"screw" and "bolt" for example, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art.
`
`In addition, although the preferred embodiment of the wall panel system 1
`as disclosed hereinafter comprises various components such as intermediate
`transition channels 9, 11, glide
`stiffeners 47, gaskets, connecting studs 21,
`assemblies 25, solid panels 3, glass panels 3, stackable flyovers 81, etc., which
`are useful and present several substantial advantages, not all of these
`components are essential to the invention and thus should not be taken in their
`restrictive sense, i.e. should not be taken as to limit the scope of the present
`invention. It is to be understood, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art,
`that other suitable components and cooperations thereinbetween may be used
`for the wall panel system 1 according to the present invention, as will be
`explained hereinafter, without departing from the scope of the invention.
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`_ __ i
`
`
`
`_1~1_1____ 1~
`
`
`
`111111- _
`
`i _
`
`11-11__ _ . _.
`
`11111 11 -_11__.1_
`
`~-----_1_~-.
`
`_~I~---_
`
`Exhibit 1004, Page 17
`
`
`
`

`
`Broadly described, the wall panel system 1 according to the preferred
`embodiment of the invention as it is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, is a
`wall panel system 1 comprising a plurality of panels 3 used for defining an office
`space. Each panel 3 has a vertical axis 5 and a horizontal axis 7. Each panel 3
`has opposite top and bottom distance channels 9, 11, opposite left and right
`vertical posts 13, a panel covering 15, a ceiling rail 17, and an articulating floor
`channel 19. The top and bottom distance channels 9, 11 extend along a direction
`substantially parallel to the horizontal axis 7 of the panel 3. The left and right
`vertical posts 13 extend along a direction substantially parallel to the vertical axis
`5 of the panel 3. The distance channels 9, 11 and vertical posts 13 are affixed to
`one another by means of connecting studs 21 so as to form a rectangular support
`frame 23 of the panel 3. The panel covering 15 is removably mountable onto
`receiving means of the rectangular support frame 23. The ceiling rail 17 is
`operatively connected to a top portion of the rectangular support frame 23 and is
`used for operatively securing the rectangular support frame 23 of the panel 3 to a
`ceiling surface. The articulating floor channel 19 is operatively connected to a
`bottom portion of the rectangular support frame 23 by means of left and right
`glide assemblies 25 mounted into receiving channels 27 of the left and right
`vertical posts 13 respectively. The articulating floor channel 19 is used for
`operatively securing the rectangular support frame 23 of the panel 3 to a ground
`surface. The glide assemblies 25 are also used for displacing the rectangular
`the floor channel 19 along a direction
`frame 23 with respect to
`support
`substantially parallel to the vertical axis 5 of the panel 3. Each vertical post 13
`has at least one receiving lip 29 extending along a direction substantially parallel
`lip 29 is removable
`to the vertical axis 5 of the panel 3. Each receiving
`connectable to another receiving lip 29 of a vertical post 13 of a neighboring
`panel 3 by means of a connector 31 for selectively and removably connecting
`together a plurality of panels 3 in order to define the office space. By virtue of its
`design and its components, the present wall panel system 1 is a moveable non-
`progressive mountable and demountable wall panel system 1.
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`~
`
`_~
`
`Il-ll l L 1_
`
`1_1
`
`Exhibit 1004, Page 18
`
`
`
`

`
`Preferably, the receiving means comprise receiving grooves 33 disposed
`along the vertical posts 13 in a direction substantially parallel to the vertical axis 5
`of the panel 3 and the panel covering 15 comprises an outer panel shell 35 and
`vertical stiffeners 37, the vertical stiffeners 37 being securely affixed to lateral
`sides of the outer panel shell 35 of the panel covering 15 and being removably
`connectable onto the receiving grooves 33 of the vertical posts 13 for removably
`connecting the panel covering 15 onto the rectangular support frame 23 of the
`panel 3, as better shown in Figures 1, 3, 4, 7 and 12.
`
`Preferably, the receiving means comprise a receiving groove 39 disposed
`along the top distance channel 9 in a direction substantially parallel to the
`horizontal axis 7 of the panel 3 and the panel covering 15 comprises an outer
`panel shell 35 and a top stiffener 41, the top stiffener 41 being securely affixed to
`a lateral side of the outer panel shell 35 of the panel covering 15 and being
`removably hookable onto the receiving groove 39 of the top distance channel 9
`for removably hooking the panel covering 15 onto the rectangular support frame
`23 of the panel 3, as better shown in Figures 1, 3, 4, and 7.
`
`Preferably, the vertical stiffeners 37 each comprise a bracket 43 and a
`flexible clip 45 securely affixed onto one another, the brackets 43 being further
`securely affixed to the lateral sides of the outer panel shell 35 of the panel
`covering 15 and the flexible clips 45 being removably connectable into the
`receiving grooves 33 of the vertical posts 13, as better shown in Figures 25-27.
`
`Preferably, the panel covering 15 comprises an outer panel shell 35 and
`intermediate stiffeners 47, the intermediate stiffeners 47 being securely affixed
`transversely onto the outer panel shell 35 of the panel covering 15 in a direction
`substantially parallel to the horizontal axis 7 of the panel 3, as better shown in
`Figures 1, 3 and 4.
`
`Preferably, the connectors 31 may comprise fins 49, may comprise flexible
`skirts 50, and may be provided with covering caps 51, as better shown in Figures
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`_
`
`___ ____ ^____ ~
`
`
`
`___ (__ 1_~
`
`111-1_
`
`Exhibit 1004, Page 19
`
`
`
`

`
`7 and 27-35. The connectors 31 are preferably shaped and sized to provide
`proper sound proofing, light proofing and vibration proofing to the wall panel
`system 1.
`
`5
`
`Preferably, the floor channel 19 is securely affixed to the ground surface by
`means of fasteners, and the ceiling rail 17 is securely affixed to the ceiling
`surface by means of fasteners, as better shown in Figures 21 and 22.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`Preferably, each glide assembly 25 comprises a substantially L-shaped
`glide 53 and a glide bolt 55. The substantially L-shaped glide 53 preferably has
`an abutment flange 57 and an insert 59, the insert 59 being removably insertable
`into a receiving channel 27 of a corresponding vertical post 13. Preferably also,
`the glide bolt 55 is threadedly mounted into the abutment flange 57 of the glide 53
`and has a pivot head 61 articulately mounted to the floor channel 19 by means of
`a rivet 63, as better shown in Figures 10-12 and 23.
`
`Preferably also, the pivot head 61 of the glide bolt 55 is positioned inside a
`longitudinal groove 65 of the floor channel 19, and the rivet 63 of the pivot head
`61 is constrained to slide along a transversal slot 67 of the longitudinal groove 65
`of the floor channel 19, as better shown in Figure 12. The insert 59 of the glide 53
`into respective
`preferably comprises two tongues 69 removably mountable
`receiving channels 27 of a corresponding vertical post 13, as better shown in
`Figures 11, 12 and 24.
`
`Preferably, the wall panel system 1 further comprises a base cover 71 and
`the base cover 71 preferably comprises a base cover insert 73 for removably
`mounting the base cover 71 onto the floor channel 19 of the panel 3, as better
`shown in Figures 3, 10-12, and 23.
`
`Preferably also, at least two connecting studs 21 are respectively and
`securely affixed at opposite ends of each of the top and bottom distance channels
`9, 11, as better shown in Figures 1, 2, 10, 11, 15 and 16.
`
`II ______ 1
`
`
`
`_ III._LL--- I___I
`
`
`
`_ _1----11___._ _.. _
`
`-
`
`_
`
`Exhibit 1004, Page 20
`
`
`
`

`
`Preferably, each distance channel 9, 11 and each vertical post 13
`comprise at least one interseptum 79, so that accessories of the panel system 1
`can be removably mounted onto said intersepta 79, as shown in several of the
`accompanying drawings.
`
`Preferably, each panel 3 is stackable onto another panel 3 by means of
`stackable flyovers 81 inserted and fastened into the receiving channels 27 of the
`vertical posts 13 of the stacked panels 3, as better shown in Figures 13, 14, 17
`and 18. Preferably also, the stackable flyovers 81 comprise interference ribs 83,
`as better shown in Figure 19.
`
`t