CA2407218A1

CA2407218A1 - Partition frame structure

Info

Publication number: CA2407218A1
Application number: CA 2407218
Authority: CA
Inventors: Christopher C. Sykes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-10-25
Filing date: 2002-10-09
Publication date: 2003-04-25

Abstract

A partition frame structure capable of accepting wall panels of different thicknesses while maintaining a flush and continuous exterior surface. Said partition frame structure also provides a bottom horizontal leveling member which may be in continuous contact with an uneven floor and provides a continuous and aesthetically appealing appearance between adjacent wall panel members.
Resilient gap concealing means conceal the vertical gaps between adjacent wall panel members. A pocket door may be included in the frame structure.

Description

PARTITION FRAME STRUCTURE
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a partition frame structure capable of utilizing wall panel members of various thicknesses while still providing an exterior surface that is flush and continuous. The partition frame structure is particularly useful in offices.
Background of the Invention Known partition structures have been formed with demountable wall panels. This allows partitions of a variety of different functior~s to be produced using the same basic or common frame, and allows a partition installation to be modified, adapted or repaired by substituting new wall panels in place of the existing ones.
In certain instances it may be necessary to use a wall panel member which is thicker than an adjacent wall panel member (this may be for insulation or security reasons). Unfortunately using wall panel members of different thickness produces an irregular and non-continuous exterior surface. This is aesthetically unappealing and may prove to be a safety hazard.
Additionally, wall partitioning systems have been created and are well known in the art, which allow the structural members to be adjusted vertically to compensate for irregular floor surfaces. While these partitioning systems do provide a level wall partition they do not address the unsightly gap that is formed between the bottom horizontal structural member and the uneven floor.
Many wall partitioning systems provide openings along the sides of their vertical structural members.
'these openings detract from the overall appearance of the wall partition. These openings maybe useful, for example, for mounting support brackets for shelving.
The following prior art patents deal with various aspects of partitioning frame structures:
U.S. Patent No. 5,486,041 discloses a cabinet ~;tructure with interconnected side, t.op and back panels.
This apparatus uses coupling members to hold the panels together. The cabinets are stackable and configurable in various different arrangements.
U.S. Patent No. 4,905,428 discloses a partition :structure having a rigid rectangular frame and rigid rectangular panels received in openings on opposite sides of the frame. The panels are held in place by resilient i:r-shaped hooks .
U.S. Patent No. 5,524,402 also discloses a partition structure having a rigid rectangular frame and rigid rectangular panels received in openings on opposite sides of the frame. This patent further discloses the use of corner members and frame elements for the leveling of the frame structure on an uneven floor.

U.S. Patent No. 4,779,392 discloses a building wall comprising channel-shaped uprights and metal-clad insulating panels. The panels are arranged in alternating sequence so that the interior faces form the interior walls and the exterior faces form the exterior walls.
U.S. Patent No. 6,128,877 discloses a partition frame system that allows the use of variable width wall panels. The width of the wall panel may be customized on the site and the frame structure adjusted accordingly to accept it.
U.S. Patent No. 6,134,845 discloses a partition frame system whereby wall panels are hung on a structural frame via hooks.
None of the above mentioned prior art patents resolve the problem of providing a flush and continuous surface when using wall panel members of different thicknesses.
Also none of the above mentioned prior art patents address the problem of the unsightly gap that is formed between a bottom horizontal structural member and an uneven floor. Nor do any of these prior art patents address the issue of the unsightly vertical gap formed between adjacent wall panel members.
Furthermore none of the above mentioned prior art patents provides for a door structure in the partition system in an efficient: and cost. effective manner.

>ummarv of the Invention Various aspects of the invention disclosed herein z-esolve one or more of the above identified problems in novel and unique ways.
In one aspect, the partition frame structure disclosed herein comprises a structural frame having vertical and horizontal members. The horizontal members are longitudinally continuous, have a hollow cross-~cection and have spaced apart openings in discrete areas.
I:n a further aspect, the panel assembly includes a plurality of panels for attachment to a partition frame ~;tructure. The plurality of panels vary in thickness by at least one thickness measurement. The assembly includes a plurality of frame engaging means for securing the plurality of panels to the partition frame structure.
Each panel in the plurality of panels includes an associated frame engaging means. The assembly also includes a plurality of panel engaging means in the partition frame structure for receiving the plurality of frame engaging means to secure the plurality of panels to the partition frame structure. For each panel, the associated frame engaging means is securable to each of the plurality of panel engaging means at a plurality of different distances to vary a spacing of the panel from the partition frame structure by the at least one thickness measurement.
In a further aspect, a partition structure comprises am adjustable leveling channel having a floor contacting mpwardly opening lower channel member telescoping within a downwardly opening upper channel member. A threaded rod extends through the upper channel member and contacts a base of a lower channel member. Rotation of the threaded rod causes extension of the lower channel member relative to the upper channel member.
In a still further aspect, a partition structure comprises a resilient filler material situated in a gap formed between two adjacent wall panel members. The resilient material acts to hide the openings in the vertical structural member, while being displaceable to allow access to said openings.
In yet a further aspect of the invention, a partition frame structure including a pocket door system is provided which includes vertical members and horizontal members secured together, defining a vertically oriented pocket and a vertically oriented side access opening to the pocket. The horizontal members and said pocket extending in a linear, horizontal direction. A door having upper and lower edge portions is positioned within said frame structure. The door shaped for insertion into said pocket along said linear horizontal direction for movement into and away from the pocket through the access opening. The frame structure includes a lower horizontal guide rail extending along the bottom of said frame structure within said pocket and an upper horizontal guide rail secured to said frame structure and extending at least adjacent said pocket. Guiding means is provided which cooperates between the door upper edge portion and the upper guide rail for guiding the upper edge portion of the door on movement into and out of the pocket. The door lower edge portion is supported on an undercarriage and includes a roller member secured thereto for rolling engagement on the lower horizontal guide rail.
F3rief Description of the-Drawings FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a partition in a semi-assembled state in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the clips and the openings of Figure 1;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional exploded view of the clips in place, supporting various size wall panels;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable floor leveling channel of Figure l;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the adjustable floor 7_eveling channel of Figure 1;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a fully assembled partition frame structure system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the resilient chap concealing means in accordance with a preferred a>mbodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is an exploded view of part of the partition of Figure 1;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of an alternate embodiment of the partition frame structure in accordance with t:he invention which :includes a pocket door system;
FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the frame structure shown in FIG.
9;
FIG. 11 is a partial vertical section view of the alternate embodiment of the frame structure shown in FIG.
J_0 taken along line A-A in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a partial vertical sectional view of the alternate embodiment of the frame structure and door shown in FIG. 10, taken along taken along line B-B in FIG.10;
Fig. 13 is a partial horizontal section through a rear edge of the door of the alternate embodiment of FIG.
9 showing the preferred locking means engaging the preferred engagement member; and Fig. 14 is a side partially cut away view of the lock means of FIG. 13.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 8 show a partition frame structure 1 comprising channel section vertical structural members 2, and two channel section horizontal structural members 3. FIGS. 1 and 8 also show partition elements including wall panel member 4, intermediate clips 5, openings 6, adjustable wall leveling channel 7, top cap member 8 and a baseboard member 9. T:he horizontal structural members 3 are longitudinally continuous open channels with a hollow cross-section and spaced apart openings 6 in discrete areas.
The vertical structural members 2 and the horizontal structural members 3 are connected to form a substantially rectangular structure. Each end of a horizontal structural member 3 is received within a vertical structural member 2 and the members 2 and 3 are connected together, for example with mechanical fasteners such as rivets passed through holes 2a and 3a (see FIG.

5). The clips 5 are mounted to the inner surface 12 of the wall panel member 4.

In addition to the intermediate clips 5, the panel 4 has upper and lower clips 19 attached t:o it. The panel 4 .is mounted to the frame structure by engaging intermediate clips 5 in openings 6 in an intermediate horizontal member 3, and engaging clips 19 in similar openings 6 in upper and lower horizontal members 3. In a preferred form, the outer surface of wall panels 4 of differing thickness are maintained at a constant distance i:rom the partition frame structure 1, thus maintaining a continuous and flush exterior surface.
Preferably, the vertical and horizontal structural nnembers 2 and 3 are composed of a steel alloy.
F?referably, the members 2 and 3 are made from rolled :steel channels. Alternatively, vertical and horizontal ~~tructural members 2 and 3 are constructed of aluminum, in which embodiment members 2 and 3 are attached together by screws acting on screw bosses extruded into the members 2 and 3, instead of by rivets that pass through holes 2a and 3a as shown in Figure 5.
Preferably, the openings 6 are formed by being punched into the partition frame structure 1.
As seen in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, the intermediate clips 5 comprise a base 20 having an outer ride 22 adapted to be applied to the inner surface 12 of a wall panel member 4. The clip 5 has first and second flanges 24 and 26 at opposite sides of the base 20. Each of the flanges 24 and 26 has a lip 28 and 28a thereon respectively, adapted to be engaged with an edge 27 of t:he opening 6. The lip 28a on flange 26 is spaced inwardly from said outer side 22 a greater distance than the lip 28 on the other flange 24. Wall panel members 4 and 4a of differing thicknesses may be attached on said frame structure 1 with their outer faces 25 maintained at the same distance from the frame structure 1 by engaging the first flange 24 or the second flange 26 selectively with said edge 27 of said opening 6.
For example, as seen in the :Left hand half of FIGS.
2 and 3, when attaching a panel 4 of greater thickness, the intermediate clip 5 is oriented so that the lip 28 spaced a smaller distance from the base 20 is lowermost and engages the edge 27 of opening 6. As seen in the right hand half of FIGS. 2 and 3, when applying a thinner panel 4, the intermediate clip 5 is oriented so that the lip 28a spared a greater distance from base 20 is lowermost and engages the edge 27 of the opening. With this arrangement, the outer sides 25 of the panels 4 and 4a are disposed the same distance from the centre line of the frame structure 1, so that the outer side of adjacent panels can be disposed flush with one another, even where the panels are of differing thicknesses. The panels 4 and 4a may, for example, be of 12 mm and 9 mm thickness, respectively, and the difference between the opening of the lips 28 and 28a from the base 20 may in such case be 3mm.
For the upper and lower clips 19, differences in thickness between panels 4 and 4a may be accommodated by rebating the margins 34 of the thicker panel 4, as seen in FIG.2, and affixing the clips 19 to the rebated margins 34. For example, in the case in which the panels 4 and 4a are 12 and 9 mm thick, respectively, the margins :34 may be rebated 3 mm.
FIGs. 2 and 3 show the upper and lower clips 19 having a base 200 having an outer side 220 adapted to be applied to the inner surface 12 of a wall panel member 4.
'.rhe upper and lower clips 19 have first flanges 240 and :second flanges 260 at the same side of the base 200.
1~lange 260 has a lip 280 thereon adapted to be engaged with an edge 27 of opening 6.
The clips 5 and 19 may be attached to the panels 4 and 4a using, for example, screws passed through holes 270 in the bases 20 and 200.
FIG. 6 illustrates a preferred method of attachment of the top cap 8 to an upper horizonta7_ structural member Top cap 8 comprises an extrusion, for example of plastics material, with a channel 280 with re-entrant .Lips 282 moulded on its lower side. Short lengths of a resilient plastics channel section extrusion 284 are engaged in the channel 280 at intervals (see also FIGS. 1 and 8) and are snapped through openings 14 preferably punched in the upper member 3.
FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate one preferred form of adjustable leveling channel 7, which compensates for uneven floor surfaces. The adjustable leveling channel also allows a lower channel member 40 to be in more nearly continuous contact with the floor surface.
Upwardly opening lower channel member 40 telescopes within downwardly opening upper channel member 42. Each end of channel member 42 is secured and fits within vertical members 2. An auxiliary downwardly open channel section member 290 is secured within lower horizontal member 3. The base 292 of channel 290 engages and retains an internally threaded collar 54 received in an opening in the base 56 of channel 42. Collar 54 has an upper annulus resting on the upper side of base 56. A
threaded rod 44 passes through an opening 50 in lower horizontal member 3, through a smaller opening in the base 292 of channel 290 and engages in the threaded collar 54.
Access to a tool engageable head portion 52 of rod 44 is provided through circular opening 50.
Rotation of the threaded rod 44 in the direction causing the rod 44 to extend downwardly relative to channel 42 causes extension of the lower channel member 40 relative to the upper channel member 42 as the lower end of rod 44 bears on the inner side of channel 40.
Preferably, the lower channel member 40 is friction fit inside the upper channel member 42.
Preferably, the lower channel member 40 is made of a resilient material, more preferably, of resilient plastic material.
The vertical structural members 2 may have a vertically extending array of openings in them, such as discrete slots 18 which run along the length of the member. The slots 18 may, for example, be for supporting bracket arms for shelving.
When the wall panel members 4 are affixed to the partition frame structure 1 via the clips 5 and 19, there remains a relatively small vertical gap 72 as seen in FIG.7 between adjacent wall panel members 4. In a preferred form, an elongated resilient filler member may be employed to fill the gap and conceal the slots 18, :such members being resiliently displaceable to one side t:o allow access to the slots 18. For example, a flat blade gap concealing means 70 may be attached on either ~~ide of the vertical wall panel member adjacent to the vertical gap 72 to hide the slots 18, but is displaceable resiliently to one side to allow access to the slots 18, f:or example, or insertion of a member 294 adapted to engage in slots 18, such as, for example, a shelf bracket. As seen in Fig. '7, The flat blade 70 is made of a resilient material, and may taper in thickness from one edge toward the other. The blades 70 may be attached to t:he panel members 4 using staple 75 passed through the relatively thick portions of the blades and into the panels 4.
FIG. 7 also shows a length of generally L-section corner extrusion 76 adapted to be attached to vertical members 2 at a corner and to retain a corner cap extrusion 78 that is snap-fitted to extrusion 76.
If a window is to be installed instead of a wall panel member 4, the horizontal structural members 3 are replaced with window framing members 48 (see FIG. 4). The window framing members 48 extends around the interior perimeter of the horizontal structural members 3 and the vertical structural member 2.
The window framing member 48 may comprise two halves which engage the window between them. 16.
Figures 9 to 14 illustrate an alternate embodiment of a partitioning frame structure 1A, which includes a pocket door system. The frame structure includes a vertical channel section member 102, a pair of vertical frame members 102A, and a door jamb 102B. Member 102 may be equivalent in structure to vertical members 2 shown in Figures 1 to 8. The structure also comprises a pair of horizontal base rail members 103. The horizontal and vertical members define a vertically oriented pocket 106 and a vertically oriented side access opening 108 to said pocket. Preferably the side access opening 108 is defined by said pair of spaced apart vertical frame members 102A, a lower horizontal ceiling rail member 103T, a head truck 142, a top beam 105 and a lower' horizontal guide rail 140.
The horizontal members 103 and pocket 106 extend in a linear, horizontal direction H. Preferably the frame structure 1A includes a pair of intermediate horizontal centre rail members 103A having hollow cross sections, defining longitudinally continuous open channels running along said linear horizontal direction H. The members 103A are spaced apart sufficiently to accept the door.
Panels sections 4 are preferably secured to said base rail members 103 with clips 5 similar to those described above, and with clips 19A similar to clips 19 described above to top beam 105.

The embodiment of Figures 9 to 14 includes a door 120 having upper 122 and lower :124 edge portions. The door, preferably comprised of glass, is positioned within the frame structure and is shaped for insertion into the pocket along the linear horizontal direction H. The lower horizontal guide rail 140 extends along the bottom c>f said frame structure adjacent to and within said pocket 106. The lower guide rail 140 is preferably ~;ecured in the region of the pocket to lower flanges 103B
of the base rails 103 with screws 140A passed upwardly through the flanges. At an end 140B opposite the pocket, the rail 140 may be connected with fasteners to a horizontal member of an adjacent in-line partition structure. The door preferably includes a handle 360, positioned at or above approximately waist height from the ground. The handle of the preferred embodiment is positioned on both sides of the door at approximately 3 feet from the ground.
An upper ceiling rail member 402 may be secured to a ceiling or the like with a screw 199 or the like. The rail 402 may include a downwardly opening channel section and may be received within the upwardly opening channel of the lower ceiling rail 103T. The rails 103T and 402, m.ay be connected together with the fasteners(not shown) passed through their side walls. The head track 142 and top beam 105 may be secured to the lower ceiling rail 103T with screws or other fasteners (not shown) passed upwardly through them and into the channel base of the rail 103T along a centre line 199A as seen in Figs. 11 and 12, for example.
As best shown in Fig. 12, guiding means in the form of brushes 144 are secured within and normally extend along the entire length of said upper guide rail 142 on either side of the door 120 which cooperate between the door upper edge portion 122 and the upper guide rail 142 for guiding the upper edge portion 122 of the door in its movement into and out of the pocket 106. Preferably the brushes 144 provide sufficient support such that the door is prevented from lateral movement along said horizontal direction as it is moved into and out of the pocket.
Preferably, at all times during the door's movement into and out of the pocket, the brushes 144 remain in contact with at least a portion of the door upper edge portion.
It should be understood that alternate guiding means may be utilized. For example, rubber or other resilient material pads may be attached to the upper guide rail, positioned on either side of the door upper edge portion in the same position and acting in the same manner on the door as the brushes 144, namely to support the door and prevent lateral movement thereof as it moves in and out of the pocket. Alternately, magnets may be oriented along the upper guide rail and along both sides of the door upper edge portions, with polarities thereof oriented to create a magnetic field which supports the door in an upright position and prevents lateral movement of the door as it moves along the horizontal linear direction in and out of the pocket.
The vertical channel section member 102 may be secured to and form a part of an adjacent in-line partition structure. Its channel sides extend toward the pocket door structure and receive and are connected by fasteners to side partitions 1030 of the base rails 103, the centre rail members 103A, and side flanges 105A of t:he top beam 105. At their opposite ends, the portions 103C, 102A and 105A are received within rearwardly directed flanges 102C of the pair of vertical frame nnembers 102A as seen in Figure 13 and are secured to the flanges 102C with fastener members (not shown). It may be noted that guide members such as brushes 102D may be ~~ecured within and normally extend along the entire 7_ength of the inner side of each vertical frame member 7_02A and each engage supportingly on the adjacent side of t:he door (120) .
The door lower edge portion 124 is carried by an undercarriage, preferably in the form of an extrusion 1_48. The extrusion 148 includes at each end a roller member rotatably attached thereto in the form of a wheel 1.46. Preferably the extrusion 148 has upwardly and downwardly opening channels or grooves and may for example be H shaped and defines an upwardly opening groove 150 adapted to snugly secure the door lower edge portion 124. The extrusion further defines a downwardly opening groove 152. Each wheel 146 .is rotatably secured within said downwardly opening groove 152 by means of an axle 164, extending through openings 164A in the side walls of the extrusion 148, defining an axis of rotation.
F,ny suitable shape of extrusion may be utilized. As seen i.n Figures 10 and 11, baseboards 166 which may for example be made of resilient plastic material, may snap f'it into complementary formations on the base rails 103.
F~referably, the extrusion has height as measured from the cfround which is approximately the same as the baseboards 166, so that the door, which is preferably comprised of class will have the same horizontal visual line as the panel sections 4 of the frame structure. Preferably, a resilient, for example plastic, bumper cap 170 having a rearwardly directed end portion, is connected to an outer end of the extrusion 148 by having the end portion press fitted into a correspondingly cross-sectionally shaped recess 148A in the extrusion.
Preferably each wheel 146 defines a groove 154 which extends around its circumference. This groove is shaped to accept a rib 156 extending along the lower guide rail to guide the wheel along the lower guide rail 140 in the horizontal linear direction H into and out of the pocket 106.
A door stop bracket 171 carrying a resilient door stop may be secured to the inner side of the vertical channel member 102 to cushion the inner edge of the door 120 when it moves to the fully open position.
A passageway 160 is defined by the vertical members 102A, 102B and top and bottom horizontal members 140 and 142.
The passageway does not having any intermediate horizontal members extending therethrough or panel sections affixed thereto. When the door 120 is open, i.e.
the door is in the pocket 106, the passageway 160 is fully exposed, thereby allowing access therethrough.
When the door 120 is closed, i.e. the door is substantially out of the pocket 106, with the lead edge 192 of the door positioned adjacent vertical member 102B
the passageway is completely blocked by the door.
The embodiment shown in Figures 9 to 14 may further include locking means 180 secured to a panel of the said frame structure 1A at a position adjacent to said pocket 1. 8 opening 108, for locking said door in closed position.
Known locking devices are commonly positioned adjacent to t:he ground surface. For convenience, locking means 180 is preferably positioned at or above substantially waist height. For example, preferably the :Lock means 180 may be positioned at approximately 3 to 4 feet (.9 to 1.2m) above the ground surface.
f3hown in Figures 13 and 14, the preferred locking means ~_ncludes a locking member barrel 182 and a cam 182A
operable to engage an engagement member, preferably a plate 184, secured to the rear edge of the door 120.
Preferably, the barrel 182 passes through an opening in t:he panel 4. It has flanges 182B that are applied to an inner side of the panel 4 and are secured thereto with fasteners (not shown) passed through openings in the f=langes. The plate 184 is displaced vertically from, for example, slightly below the barrel 182 as seen in Fig.
7.4. It is secured to the door 120 by a fastener, for example a nut and bolt 194 as seen in Fig. 13 passed through openings 196 and 198 in the door 120 and plate 7.84, respectively. Preferably the plate includes a laterally extending portion 184A.
The side view shown in Figure 14 illustrates the engagement of the cam 182A with the plate 184, and in particular the laterally extending portion 184A of the plate. By operation of a key applied in the exposed end of the barrel 182, the barrel can be rotated about axis ~;-X between locked position shown in solid lines in Figure 14 and unlocked position shown in broken lines out of engagement with the laterally extending portion 184A
of the plate. It should be understood that although the preferred lock is a cam lock 181 positioned adjacent a rear edge 190 of the door, any suitable locking mechanism known in the art could be utilized. For example, the lock could include retractable locking members which may be selectively extended and retracted by rotating the locking mechanism to selectively engage the plate 184 or portion 184A of the plate.
Preferably, when the door is closed completely, the lead edge of the door closes onto a resilient for example foam cushion extending the length of and secured to t-he inner side of the door jamb member 102B.
Preferably, the vertical and horizontal structural members of the embodiment of Figs. 9 to 14 are composed of a steel alloy. Preferably, i:he intermediate horizontal members 1.03A are made from rolled steel channels. Alternatively, vertir_al and horizontal structural members may be constructed of aluminum. In such embodiment horizontal and vertical members may be attached together by screws acting on screw bosses extruded into the members, instead of by rivets which may be used with steel members.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Therefore, the presently discussed embodiments are considered to be illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. Partition frame structure comprising:
a structural frame having vertical members and horizontal members, wherein said horizontal members have hollow cross-sections and are longitudinally continuous open channels with spaced apart openings formed through them in discrete areas, and said vertical members and horizontal members are connectable to form the structural frame.

2. The partition frame structure of claim 1 wherein the structural frame is composed of a steel alloy.

3. The partition frame structure of claim 1, wherein the openings are punched into the frame structure.

4. The partition frame structure of claim 1, wherein the structural frame comprises rolled steel channels.

5. The partition frame structure of claim 1, wherein the horizontal structural member at the bottom of the structural frame comprises an adjustable leveling channel .

6. The partition frame structure of claim 1 wherein the structural frame is constructed of extruded aluminum.

7. A panel assembly for attaching a plurality of panels to a partition frame structure, wherein the plurality of panels vary in thickness by at least one thickness measurement, the assembly comprising:
a plurality of frame engaging means for securing the plurality of panels to the partition frame structure, each panel in the plurality of panels including an associated frame engaging means; and a plurality of panel engaging means in the partition frame structure for receiving the plurality of frame engaging means to secure the plurality of panels to the partition frame structure;
wherein for each panel, the associated frame engaging means is securable to each of the plurality of panel engaging means at a plurality of different distances to vary a spacing of the panel from the partition frame structure by the at least one thickness measurement.

8. The panel assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein the at least one thickness measurement comprises a thickness amount;
the plurality of panels comprises at least one thin panel and at least one thick panel, the at least one thick panel being thicker by the thickness amount than the at least one thin panel;
each frame engaging means in the plurality of frame engaging means comprises a clip;
each panel engaging means in the plurality of frame engaging means comprises a clip-receiving aperture;
each clip includes an associated first flange and an associated second flange, the associated first flange having a first lip for engaging an edge of a clip-receiving aperture and the associated second flange having a second lip for engaging the edge of the clip-receiving aperture; and, the associated second lip is spaced further from the panel than the first lip by the thickness amount such that a plurality of outer faces of the plurality of panels can be aligned when the plurality of panels are secured to the frame structure by engaging the second lip of the second flange of the clip for the at least one thin panel with the edge of the clip-receiving aperture, and by engaging the first lip of the first flange of the clip for the at least one thick panel with the edge of the clip-receiving aperture.

9. A partition frame structure comprising:
an adjustable leveling channel having a floor contacting upwardly opening lower channel member telescoping within a downwardly opening upper channel member, a displacement means extending through the upper channel member and contacting a base of a lower channel member, the displacement means being operable to displace the lower channel. member relative to the upper channel member.

10. The partition frame structure of claim 9, wherein displacement means is a threaded rod.

11. The partition frame structure of claim 10, wherein the lower channel member is friction fit inside the upper channel member.

12. The partition frame structure of claim 11, wherein the lower channel member is made of a resilient material.

13. The partition frame structure system of claim 9, wherein the lower channel member is made of plastics material.

14. A partition structure comprising:
a plurality of adjacent frame structures, each having a vertical member having a vertically extending array of openings;
a separate wall panel member attached on each vertical member with an edge spaced inwardly from an outer edge of said vertical member, thereby providing a gap between the adjacent separate wall panel member, and an elongated resilient filler material extending into the gap and between said edges of the adjacent separate wall panel member, the elongated resilient filler material being resiliently displaceable to allow access to the openings.

15. The partition structure of claim 14, wherein said openings comprise vertically elongated slots.

16. A partition frame structure including a pocket door system comprising:

vertical members and horizontal members secured together, defining a vertically oriented pocket and a vertically oriented side access opening to said pocket, said horizontal members and said pocket extending in a linear, horizontal direction;

a door having upper and lower edge portions positioned within said frame structure, said door shaped for insertion into said pocket along said linear horizontal direction for movement into and away from the pocket through the access opening;

said frame structure including a lower horizontal guide rail extending along the bottom of said frame structure within said pocket and an upper horizontal guide rail secured to said frame structure and extending at least adjacent said pocket, guiding means cooperating between the door upper edge portion and the upper guide rail for guiding the upper edge portion of the door on movement into and out of the pocket, said door lower edge portion supported on an undercarriage including a roller member secured thereto for rolling engagement on said lower horizontal guide rail.

17. A partition frame structure as recited in claim 16 wherein said frame structure includes intermediate horizontal members having hollow cross sections, defining longitudinally continuous open channels running along said linear horizontal direction, said channels shaped to accept said door.

18. A partition frame structure as recited in claim 16 wherein said side access opening is defined by a pair of spaced apart vertical frame members and said upper and lower guide rails.

19. A partition frame structure as recited in claim 16 wherein said roller member comprises at least one wheel rotatably mounted to an extrusion, said extrusion attached to said door lower edge portion.

20. A partition frame structure as recited in claim 19 wherein said extrusion has an upwardly opening channel adapted to snugly secure said door lower edge portion and further defining a downwardly opening channel for reception of said wheel.

21. A partition frame structure as recited in claim 16 further including locking means secured to said frame structure at a position adjacent to said pocket opening, for locking said door in a closed position extending outwardly from said pocket, said locking means positioned at or above substantially waist height.

22. A partition frame structure as recited in claim 21 wherein the door has an engagement member connected to an edge of the door normally disposed within the pocket and the locking means includes a locking member operable to engage the engagement means.

23. A partition frame structure as recited in claim 16 wherein said guiding means cooperating between the door upper edge portion and the upper guide rail comprises brushes secured within said upper guide rail which guide both sides of the door on movement into and out of the pocket.