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US20140261100A1 - Office furniture system - Google Patents

Office furniture system Download PDF

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Publication number
US20140261100A1
US20140261100A1 US13/799,646 US201313799646A US2014261100A1 US 20140261100 A1 US20140261100 A1 US 20140261100A1 US 201313799646 A US201313799646 A US 201313799646A US 2014261100 A1 US2014261100 A1 US 2014261100A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
work surface
access
bracket
partition
electronic services
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US13/799,646
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jay M. Henriott
Keith E. Metcalf
Samial K. Johnson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Kimball International Inc
Original Assignee
Kimball International Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Kimball International Inc filed Critical Kimball International Inc
Priority to US13/799,646 priority Critical patent/US20140261100A1/en
Assigned to KIMBALL INTERNATIONAL, INC. reassignment KIMBALL INTERNATIONAL, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: HENRIOTT, JAY M., JOHNSON, SAMIAL KEITH, METCALF, KEITH E.
Priority to CA2843283A priority patent/CA2843283A1/en
Priority to MX2014002469A priority patent/MX2014002469A/es
Publication of US20140261100A1 publication Critical patent/US20140261100A1/en
Priority to US14/510,355 priority patent/US20150023729A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B5/00—Suspended or hinged panels forming a table; Wall tables
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B12/00—Jointing of furniture or the like, e.g. hidden from exterior
    • F16B12/40—Joints for furniture tubing
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B83/00—Combinations comprising two or more pieces of furniture of different kinds
    • A47B83/001—Office desks or work-stations combined with other pieces of furniture, e.g. work space management systems
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B13/00—Details of tables or desks
    • A47B13/02—Underframes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B83/00—Combinations comprising two or more pieces of furniture of different kinds
    • A47B83/001—Office desks or work-stations combined with other pieces of furniture, e.g. work space management systems
    • A47B2083/003—Table combination having a central power access component
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B21/00—Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards
    • A47B21/06—Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards characterised by means for holding, fastening or concealing cables
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B2220/00—General furniture construction, e.g. fittings
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B2230/00—Furniture jointing; Furniture with such jointing
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B2230/00—Furniture jointing; Furniture with such jointing
    • A47B2230/07—Releasable locking means or connectors for fastening together parts of furniture
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T403/00—Joints and connections
    • Y10T403/70—Interfitted members
    • Y10T403/7075—Interfitted members including discrete retainer

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to office furniture and, in particular, relates to an office furniture system for use in an open plan office environment.
  • hybrid office furniture system which combines beneficial features of both traditional partition systems and current desking or benching systems.
  • a “hybrid” system may afford workers some measure of privacy, such as in traditional partition systems, yet promote easy reconfiguration in open office floor plans as well as promote increased interaction among workers, such as in current desking and benching systems.
  • one or more work surfaces each include an electronic services bracket mounted beneath the rear edge(s) thereof, and access covers for providing selective access to electronic service modules mounted to the bracket and disposed within a raceway space beneath the rear edges of the work surfaces.
  • the work surfaces may be associated with a partition system or, alternatively, may be associated with a desking arrangement.
  • at least one electronic services module is mounted beneath a horizontal frame member of a partition panel, and work surface mounting brackets are used to mount one or more work surfaces on one or both sides of the partition panel.
  • the work surfaces may include access covers to provide selective access to access spaces adjacent the electronic services modules.
  • the present disclosure provides an office furniture system, including a first horizontally disposed work surface having an upper face, a lower face, and a rear edge; a raceway space defined horizontally proximate the rear edge of the first work surface; a vertically oriented office furniture component disposed above the raceway space; an electronic services bracket mounted to the lower face of the first work surface, the bracket extending beneath the raceway space; and at least one electronic services module mounted to the bracket and disposed within the raceway space, the electronic services bracket accessible from the upper face of the first work surface.
  • the present disclosure provides an office furniture system, including a partition defining first and second opposite vertical side faces and including a pair of vertical frame members supporting the partition from a floor, and at least one horizontal frame member connected to and extending between the vertical frame members, the horizontal frame member spaced upwardly from the floor; at least one electronic services module mounted beneath the horizontal frame member; a work surface support bracket secured to the horizontal frame member and extending outwardly of at least a first of the vertical side faces of the partition; a first horizontally-disposed work surface having an upper face, a lower face, and a rear edge, the first work surface secured to the work surface support bracket with the rear edge of the second work surface horizontally spaced from the first vertical side face of the partition to define a first access space; and a first access cover pivotably connected to the second work surface, the first access cover pivotable between a first open position in which the first access cover does not obstruct the first access space and the at least one electronic services module is accessible from the upper face of the first work surface, and a first closed position
  • the present invention provides an office furniture system, including a framework including a plurality of vertical frame members and a plurality of horizontal frame members, the framework defining opposite vertical side faces and the vertical and horizontal frame members further defining a framework interior; a first one of the vertical frame members including opposite front and rear faces respectively facing the vertical side faces of the framework; and a pair of opposite interior faces respectively extending between the front and rear faces, the interior faces each facing toward the framework interior; at least one of the horizontal frame members comprising a pair of end sections disposed in respective overlapping relationship with the front and rear faces of the vertical frame member; a first fastener extending through the end sections of the first horizontal frame member and the front and rear faces of the vertical frame member to rigidly connect the first horizontal frame member and the vertical frame member; and a second fastener spaced from the first fastener and extending through the first horizontal frame member, the second fastener abutting one of the interior faces of the vertical frame member.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary office furniture system for an open plan office environment in accordance with the present disclosure
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a framework for the office furniture system of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a horizontal frame member
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective, partially exploded view showing a connection between a horizontal frame member and a vertical frame member at the end of a run of framework;
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective, partially exploded view showing a connection between a pair of horizontal frame members to a shared vertical frame member at an intermediate position with a run of framework;
  • FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along lines 6 - 6 of FIG. 2 ;
  • FIG. 7 a is a perspective view of a partition including back-to-back work surfaces or, alternatively, including a single work surface on one side of the partition;
  • FIG. 7 b is a sectional view taken along line 7 b - 7 b of FIG. 7 a;
  • FIG. 7 c is a sectional view taken along line 7 c - 7 c of FIG. 7 a;
  • FIG. 7 d is a sectional view taken along line 7 d - 7 d of FIG. 7 a;
  • FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a starter bracket secured to a storage component, to which a pair of horizontal frame members may be attached to begin a run of framework;
  • FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a starter bracket secured to a monolithic panel, to which a pair of horizontal frame members may be attached to begin a run of framework;
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the framework of a “T-connection” at intersecting runs of panel framework
  • FIG. 11 is a perspective, partially sectioned view showing a benching assembly having an undersurface electrical assembly
  • FIG. 12 a is a perspective view of the benching assembly of FIG. 11 ;
  • FIG. 12 b is a sectional view taken along lines 12 b - 12 b of FIG. 12 a;
  • FIG. 13 a is a perspective view of a hinge assembly
  • FIG. 13 b is a perspective view of the underside of a work surface having a pivoting access cover, including the hinge assembly of FIG. 13 a;
  • FIG. 14 a is a perspective view of a corner work surface unit, including a pair of pivoting access covers, with one of the access covers shown in a partially opened position;
  • FIG. 14 b is a perspective view of the underside of the corner work surface unit of FIG. 14 a;
  • FIG. 15 a is a perspective view of a partition including a floating electronic services structure mounted to a pair of back-to-back work surfaces beneath a partition;
  • FIG. 15 b is a fragmentary perspective view of a power pole used in the partition of FIG. 15 a;
  • FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a partition including a work surface support bracket mounted to the underside of the partition and supporting a pair of back-to-back work surfaces including access covers;
  • FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a desking arrangement showing a pair of leg assemblies
  • FIG. 18 a is a lower perspective view of portion of a partition framework including an overhead cabinet
  • FIG. 18 b is a fragmentary view of a portion of FIG. 18 a ;
  • FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a portion of a partition framework including a tile assembly.
  • an office furniture system 30 in accordance with the present invention is shown, which is configured in an open office plan environment and generally includes a central primary partition 32 , sometimes referred to as a spine partition, which carries most or all of the electrical and/or data services for the system 30 .
  • a plurality of secondary partitions 34 are connected to, and extend from, the primary partition 32 to selectively define individual office spaces 36 , for example.
  • accessory components such as screens 38 , work surfaces 40 , and storage cabinets 42 may be attached to the primary and/or secondary partitions 32 and 34 . Further features of the system 30 will be described in detail below.
  • framework 50 generally includes a plurality of vertical frame members 62 and a plurality of horizontal frame members 60 which together define a plurality of framework sections 64 serially arranged along the longitudinal extent of framework 50 .
  • the framework 50 may be considered a “progressive” framework, in that adjacent neighboring pairs of framework sections 64 share common vertical frame members 62 between sections 64 .
  • framework 50 differs from that of known partition systems which include individual rectangular frame sections each including a pair of vertical frame members and a pair of upper and lower horizontal frame members, with adjacent framework sections connected by attaching adjacent vertical frame members to one another along their vertical edges.
  • Vertical frame members 62 may be height adjustable for coarse adjustment relative to a floor surface by via telescoping feet, for example, and/or may be height adjustable for fine adjustment relative to a floor surface via threaded leveling glides, for example.
  • Vertical frame members 62 additionally include, with further reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 , opposite front and rear faces 66 and 68 respectively facing the front and rear vertical side faces 52 and 54 of the framework 50 ( FIG. 2 ).
  • Vertical frame members 62 also include a pair of opposite interior faces 70 a and 70 b respectively extending between the front and rear faces 66 and 68 , with interior faces 70 a and 70 b each facing toward (and in some instances, defining a boundary of) interior 58 of the framework 50 ( FIG. 2 ).
  • interior faces 70 a and 70 b may additionally include ports 71 therein for passage of electrical and/or data wires and cabling, for example.
  • a horizontal frame member 60 which, in one embodiment, may be made of a single piece of rectangular metal, such as steel, which may be cut and roll- or bent-formed into the shape shown in FIG. 3 and further described below.
  • Each horizontal frame member 60 includes a generally horizontal top flange 72 and a pair of vertical side flanges 74 defining lower channel 76 .
  • Tile support flanges 78 extend laterally outwardly from each of side flanges 74 , and include horizontal and vertical components, with the horizontal components including apertures for mounting work surface brackets thereto, as described below.
  • Top flange 72 may include one or more ports 80 for passage of wiring and/or cabling, for example, as well a number of apertures for securing brackets (not shown) for mounting electrical harness assemblies and/or other electrical components within the interior 58 of framework 50 .
  • Horizontal frame member 60 further includes opposite end sections 82 each including a pair of vertical plates 84 having a plurality of apertures 86 therein and including, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 , horizontally-aligned first and second apertures 86 a and 86 b (that is, apertures 86 a and 86 b are have the same elevation) and a third aperture 86 c in between and vertically offset from first and second apertures 86 a and 86 b.
  • the same horizontal frame members of FIG. 3 are used for both the upper and lower horizontal frame members in the framework 50 , with the upper and lower horizontal frame members 60 disposed in 180° rotationally opposite positions with respect to one another about their longitudinal axes.
  • channels 76 each open outwardly (i.e., upwardly for the top frame member 60 and downwardly for the bottom frame member 60 ), while the channels formed by tile support flanges open inwardly (i.e., downwardly for the top frame member 60 and upwardly for the bottom frame member 60 ).
  • Horizontal frame members 60 are connected to vertical frame members 62 as described below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 .
  • Fasteners 90 used to secure horizontal frame member 60 to vertical frame member 62 each include two components, namely, a first component 92 having a circular head 94 with a tool fitting (shown in FIG. 4 ), a cylindrical shaft portion 96 , and an externally threaded end 98 , and a second component 100 having a circular head 102 with a tool fitting (shown in FIG. 5 ) and a cylindrical shaft portion 104 which is internally threaded.
  • the shaft portions 96 and 104 of the fasteners 90 are sized to fit closely within apertures 86 a , 86 b , and 86 c of vertical plates 84 of horizontal frame members 60 as well as within apertures 106 in front and rear faces 52 and 54 of vertical frame member 62 . In this manner, when the fasteners 90 are inserted through respective sets of aligned apertures of horizontal frame member 60 and vertical frame member 62 are positively located with respect to one another.
  • FIG. 5 a joint connection is shown between a pair of horizontally aligned horizontal frame members 60 and a shared vertical frame member 62 between a pair of frame sections 64 of the partition system framework 50 .
  • the end edges 108 of horizontal frame members 60 are disposed in direct abutment with one another, and a pair of fasteners 90 are respectively used with the endmost apertures 86 a of end plates 84 of end sections 82 of horizontal frame members 60 to secure same to vertical frame member 62 as described above with reference to FIG. 4 .
  • intermediate, vertically offset apertures 86 c of end plates 84 of horizontal frame members 60 receive second sets of fasteners 90 , whose shaft portions 96 and 104 each directly contact and abut the interior side faces 70 a and 70 b , respectively on the opposite sides of the vertical frame member 62 .
  • first pair of fasteners 90 inserted through both end sections 82 of horizontal frame members 60 and vertical frame member 62 , together with the abutment of the end edges 108 of the aligned horizontal frame members 60 and the further direct abutment of a second pair of fasteners 90 against the interior faces 70 a and 70 b of vertical frame member 62 provide a very rigid, moment-resisting connection between the horizontal frame members 60 and the vertical frame member 62 .
  • fasteners 90 received in apertures 86 a and through apertures 106 operate to rotatably fix end sections 82 to vertical frame member 62
  • the abutment of fasteners 90 received through apertures 86 c against faces 70 a and 70 b operate to prevent downward rotation of end sections 82 (i.e., under weight applied to horizontal frame members 60 ).
  • the abutment of end edges 108 against one another provides further security against rotation of horizontal frame members 60 , in either direction.
  • tiles 110 are captured between vertically spaced pairs of tile support flanges 78 of the upper and lower horizontal frame members 60 .
  • Tiles 110 may be decorative or aesthetic tiles made of a suitable insulating or fabric-covered material or alternatively may be acoustic tiles made of an acoustic, noise-absorbing material or functional tiles including functional features such as whiteboards or slat walls. Additionally, tiles 110 may have a width which is greater than or less than the width of each framework section 64 , allowing the widths of the tiles 110 to be selectively configured for functional as well as decorative purposes.
  • FIG. 7 a a perspective view of a section of system 30 is shown, generally including a partition and either a single work surface 40 disposed on one side of the partition as shown in FIG. 7 b , or a pair of work surfaces 40 disposed in a back-to-back arrangement on opposite sides of the partition as shown in FIGS. 7 c and 7 d .
  • work surfaces 40 may also be supported by one or more leg assemblies 112 , as shown in FIG. 7 a .
  • the partition may be formed from framework 50 and a pair of tiles mounted thereto.
  • a single-sided work surface bracket 114 is shown, which generally includes an L-shaped insertion section 116 for close-fitting receipt within the lower channel 76 of horizontal frame member 60 as shown.
  • a series of fasteners 118 are used to secure bracket 114 to the tile support flange 78 of horizontal frame member 60 , and bracket 114 additionally includes a work surface mounting portion 120 extending outwardly of the side face of the partition, to which a work surface 40 may be mounted using a series of fasteners 118 .
  • the L-shaped insertion section 116 of bracket 114 aids in counteracting the tendency of bracket 114 to pivot or rotate due to the gravitational weight of work surface 40 imposed on mounting portion 120 of bracket 114 .
  • a supplemental leg assembly 254 may be provided as shown in FIG. 17 and described in detail below.
  • a double-sided work surface bracket 122 is shown, which is formed as an elongated bent steel member which is centered with, and secured to, the pair of tile support flanges 78 of horizontal frame member 60 via fasteners 118 , with a pair of work surfaces 40 respectively secured to opposite ends of bracket 122 via a plurality of fasteners 118 .
  • an alternative arrangement includes a “high-low” horizontal frame member 60 which includes a first side wall 74 a having relatively greater vertical extent and a second side wall 74 b having a relatively lesser vertical extent, such that opposite tile support flanges 78 of horizontal frame member 60 are disposed at differing vertical levels.
  • electrical services modules 130 may be secured to the underside of horizontal frame member 60 via a suitable mounting arrangement for delivery of electrical and/or data services beneath work surface 40 and, on one side of the partition, one or more single-sided work surface brackets 114 may be used in conjunction with one or more electrical services modules 130 with the foregoing components mounted along horizontal frame member 60 in a horizontally alternating manner.
  • electrical and/or data services are provided on one side of the partition via electrical services modules 130 to the underside of work surface 40 while, on the opposite side of the partition, a decorative or aesthetic tile 110 is provided having no access to electrical and/or data services.
  • starter brackets 132 are shown, which permit a run of framework 50 to interface with a permanent wall, for example, or with a storage component 134 , such as a cabinet as shown in FIG. 8 , a monolithic panel 136 as shown in FIG. 9 .
  • each starter bracket 132 is structurally analogous to a shortened vertical frame member 62 , though further includes a pair of laterally extending, vertical flanges 138 for securing starter bracket 132 to a permanent wall or an office furniture component, such as a storage component 134 in FIG. 8 , via a plurality of fasteners.
  • Upper and lower horizontal frame members 60 may be secured to starter bracket 132 in the same manner as described above with respect to FIG. 4 .
  • a starter bracket 132 is shown secured to a monolithic panel 136 , and a pair of upper and lower horizontal frame members 60 may also be secured to starter bracket 132 in a like manner.
  • an off-module bracket 140 includes upper and lower ends respectively fitted within tile support flanges 78 of upper and lower horizontal frame members 60 of an end partition framework 50 , for example, in a similar fashion to the securement of tiles 110 to support flanges 78 shown in FIG. 6 and described above.
  • the off-module bracket 140 is structurally analogous to a shortened vertical frame member 62 , and the upper and lower horizontal frame members 60 of an intersecting run of framework 50 may be attached to off-module bracket 140 via fasteners 90 in the same manner as shown in FIG. 4 and described above.
  • a “floating” electrical services bracket 150 is illustrated in use with a desking or benching arrangement which includes a pair of leg assemblies 112 each including a horizontal beam 152 and a pair of vertical legs 154 , together with a pair of work surfaces 40 mounted to leg assemblies 112 in a back-to-back arrangement (only a portion of one of which is shown for clarity). Further details of the desking system shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/484,925, entitled Office Desking System, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the entire disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein. Referring additionally to FIG.
  • electrical services bracket 150 may be formed of a single monolithic piece of stamped and bent steel, for example, and includes a central spine 160 disposed beneath a raceway space 161 , to which one or more electrical services modules 130 may be mounted, which are disposed within the raceway space 161 .
  • Brackets 150 also include a pair of elongate mounting flanges 162 for mounting beneath the lower faces 164 of work surfaces 40 adjacent rear edges 166 of work surfaces 40 via suitable fasteners as illustrated in FIG. 12 b . Bracket 150 additionally includes a plurality of ribs 168 with openings therebetween for permitting access to electrical services modules 130 and passage of cords and cabling beneath work surfaces 40 . As may be in FIG. 11 , because bracket 150 is mounted to the lower faces 164 of work surfaces 40 , bracket 150 need not be mounted to or directly supported by leg assemblies 112 of the desking arrangement and, in this manner, bracket 150 “floats” beneath the work surfaces 40 .
  • a vertically-extending office furniture component may optionally be disposed above bracket 150 , with the vertical office furniture component being, e.g., a partition as described further below or, as shown in FIG. 11 , a screen 170 .
  • a plurality of brackets 172 which may be identical to double-work surface brackets 122 shown in FIG. 7 c , are mounted in transverse spanning arrangement along mounting flanges 162 of electrical services bracket 150 via suitable fasteners, and screen 170 may be captured along its lower edge by mounting clips 174 secured to brackets 172 .
  • work surfaces 40 may be provided with access covers 180 hingedly attached to the rear edges 166 of work surfaces 40 for providing selective access to access spaces 182 which are provided within electrical services bracket 150 horizontally adjacent the raceway space 161 in which electrical services modules 130 are provided.
  • access covers 180 may be pivoted from a closed position, shown in solid lies in FIGS. 12 a and 12 b , in which access covers 180 substantially inhibit access to access spaces 182 and the electrical services modules 130 and an open position, shown in FIG. 16 (and in dashed lines in FIG.
  • access covers 180 are opened to allow ready access to access spaces 182 and the electrical services modules 130 .
  • a small clearance space may be provided between access covers 180 and screen 170 , for example, for routing of cords and cables C above work surface 40 in the manner shown in FIG. 12 b .
  • Access covers 180 may be made of the same substrate material as work surfaces 40 and therefore may have the same thickness as work surfaces 40 . In one exemplary embodiment, access covers 180 are flush with the working surface of the adjacent work surface when in the closed position to form an extension of the effective working space.
  • Hinge 190 for hingedly mounting access covers 180 to work surfaces 40 .
  • Hinge 190 generally includes a pair of first, horizontal plates 192 having openings for receipt of fasteners 118 , which allow for securing plates 192 within recesses 194 ( FIG. 13 b ) respectively disposed in work surfaces 40 and access covers 180 .
  • Hinges 190 also include a pair of vertical, U-shaped plates 196 , and a pair of links 198 received within and connecting U-shaped plates 196 .
  • Links 198 are pivotally attached to one another at pivot point 200 and also include opposite ends having pins 202 received within slots 204 of U-shaped plates 196 .
  • hinge 190 when hinge 190 is operated to move an access cover 180 with respect to the work surface 40 to which it is attached, links 198 travel with respect to plates 196 such that the pivot point 200 also travels.
  • the components of hinge 190 are also frictionally engaged with one another such that movement of hinge 190 requires manual force and hinge 190 is normally held in a given rotational position in the absence of an applied force.
  • the use of such friction hinges 190 prevents access covers 180 from falling against the upper face of work surface 40 by gravity and substantially eliminates any potential for pinching of a user's fingers, for example.
  • a work surface 40 adapted for use in a corner of system 30 includes a pair of access covers 180 having 45° mitered edges 210 adjacent one another, with hinges 190 adjacent the mitered edges 210 being spaced from the intersection of the mitered edges 210 with the corner of the work surface 40 as best shown in FIG. 14 b .
  • This arrangement eliminates any interference at the corner of work surface 40 which could occur with the use of piano hinges, for example.
  • each of the access covers 180 may be independently opened and closed relative to the other without interference between the access covers 180 , yet the access covers 180 may completely cover access spaces 182 along the edges of the work surface 40 and at the corner of the work surface 40 where access covers 180 intersect one another.
  • FIG. 15 a a configuration including a partition together with a “floating” electronic services bracket 150 is shown.
  • the electronic services bracket 150 is attached to the lower faces 164 of a pair of back-to-back work surfaces 40 , and a partition is disposed above the raceway space 161 defined by bracket 150 .
  • Work surfaces 40 may include access covers 180 for selectively providing access to access spaces 182 defined between raceway space 161 and respective front and rear side faces 52 and 54 of partition and rear edges 166 of work surfaces 40 , thereby selectively providing or restricting access to electronic services modules 130 positioned within raceway space 161 .
  • the partition may include a power pole 212 extending from a ceiling (not shown) to the upper portion of a vertical frame member 62 for routing data and/or electrical cables into the partition framework 50 .
  • power pole 212 may include two interfitting components, namely, a relatively rigid base component 214 and a relatively resilient cover component 216 .
  • Base component 214 includes a base wall 218 and first and second side walls 220 terminating in beads 222 , together with a divider wall 224 extending from base wall 218 between side walls 220 .
  • Cover component 216 includes a base wall 226 together with a pair of side walls 228 having elongated recesses 230 which are sized to fit around beads 222 of base component 214 in a snap-fit manner. In use, with cover component 216 disposed in the closed position shown in solid lines in FIG.
  • dividing wall 224 of base component 214 divides the interior of power pole 212 into a pair of separate axially extending raceway spaces 232 a and 232 b for receipt of electrical and data cords or cabling, respectively, with the electrical cords/cabling and the data cords/cabling being separated from one another for ease of installation, maintenance and/or reconfiguration.
  • Cover component 216 may be moved to an open position, shown in dashed lines in FIG.
  • cover component 216 may be opened in either one of two directions based on the selection of one or the other of beads 22 of base component 214 as the hinge for opening cover components 216 .
  • a further partition configuration which includes a work surface support bracket 240 .
  • the work surface support bracket 240 includes a central section mounted beneath a lower horizontal frame member 60 of the partition in the same manner as the double-sided work surface bracket 122 of FIG. 7 c , together with a pair of opposite longitudinal flanges 242 secured to the lower faces 164 of at least one work surface 40 adjacent the rear edge 166 of the work surface 40 .
  • a series of ribs 244 extend between the longitudinal central section and the mounting flanges 242 of bracket 240 to allow passage of wires and cabling.
  • the mounting flanges 242 are vertically offset from the central section of bracket 240 such that, with electrical services modules 130 mounted to the top wall 72 of the adjacent lower horizontal frame member 60 ( FIG. 3 ) of framework 50 , the work surfaces 40 are spaced slightly above the horizontal level of the electrical services modules 130 .
  • the foregoing configuration similar to those discussed above, also provides a pair of access spaces 182 adjacent the vertical side faces 52 and 54 of the partition, which access spaces 182 may be selectively accessed and restricted via access covers 180 associated with work surfaces 40 , as described above. With the access covers 180 in their closed positions (as shown for the left access cover 180 in FIG. 16 ), a small clearance space exists to allow passage of cords from the electrical services modules 130 above work surfaces 40 .
  • a first leg assembly 250 similar to that of FIG. 12 a , includes horizontal member 152 and a pair of vertical legs 154 , as well as a vertical stanchion 252 having a structure analogous to that of vertical frame member 62 described above with reference to FIGS. 2 , 4 , and 5 .
  • a pair of horizontal frame members 60 may be secured to vertical stanchion 252 via suitable fasteners in the manner shown and described above with respect to FIG. 4 .
  • an “h” leg assembly 254 includes a vertical frame member 62 , a horizontal frame member 256 and a vertical leg 258 , and a pair of horizontal frame members 60 may be secured to vertical frame member 62 of leg assembly 254 via suitable fasteners in the manner shown and described above with respect to FIG. 4 .
  • Horizontal members 152 and 256 of leg assemblies 250 and 254 may be used to support work surfaces 40 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 17 for clarity).
  • an overhead cabinet 42 which may be secured to framework 50 of a partition.
  • Cabinet 42 includes a pair of end rails 260 which rest upon an upper horizontal frame member 60 of framework 50 , and a pair of brackets 262 which include first flanges 264 ( FIG. 18 b ) with holes for receipt of fasteners to secure same to end rails 260 , as illustrated.
  • Brackets 262 also each include second flange 266 having clip 268 which engages tile support flanges 78 of an upper horizontal frame member 60 in a clamping arrangement to secure overhead cabinet 42 to the upper horizontal frame member 60 .
  • the brackets 262 allow for longitudinal adjustment of the mounting location of cabinet 42 to the upper horizontal frame member 60 such that cabinet 42 may be located at any longitudinal position along one or more of the horizontal frame members 60 in an “off module” arrangement with respect to the framework 50 of a partition.
  • a pair of brackets 262 are attached to each of end rails 260 , on either side of vertical frame member.
  • a total of four brackets 262 may be used to attach cabinet 42 to framework 50 via frame member 60 .
  • a partition and tile assembly including a pair of tiles 270 that may each include a first, outer facing surface 272 and an opposite, inner facing surface 274 , together with a plurality of openings 276 extending through the tile 270 between surfaces 272 and 274 .
  • One surface 272 may have a first visual element, such as a color, pattern or texture, etc.
  • the opposite surface 274 may have a second, different visual element, such as a color, pattern, or texture, etc.
  • the inner facing surface 274 of one tile 270 will be visible through openings 276 from the outer facing surface 272 of the opposite tile 270 , which provides a visually pleasing “three-dimensional” effect due to the contrast in the color(s), pattern(s), or texture(s) of the surfaces.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Combinations Of Kitchen Furniture (AREA)
  • Tables And Desks Characterized By Structural Shape (AREA)
US13/799,646 2013-03-13 2013-03-13 Office furniture system Abandoned US20140261100A1 (en)

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MX2014002469A MX2014002469A (es) 2013-03-13 2014-02-28 Sistema en muebles de oficina.
US14/510,355 US20150023729A1 (en) 2013-03-13 2014-10-09 Office furniture system

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USD733323S1 (en) * 2012-12-13 2015-06-30 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Display booth
USD734627S1 (en) * 2013-10-24 2015-07-21 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Display booth
USD742537S1 (en) * 2012-12-03 2015-11-03 Bwxt Mpower, Inc. Control room
USD745294S1 (en) * 2014-04-30 2015-12-15 Neuehouse LLC Desk
US9524804B2 (en) 2012-04-17 2016-12-20 Bwxt Mpower, Inc. Control room for nuclear power plant
US20170055695A1 (en) * 2015-08-27 2017-03-02 Xybix Systems, Inc. Adjustable Height Desk with Acoustical Dome
US10172455B2 (en) * 2016-02-19 2019-01-08 Williams-Sonoma, Inc. Dual-sided storage bin
US10446280B2 (en) 2012-04-18 2019-10-15 Bwxt Mpower, Inc. Control room for nuclear power plant
USD868291S1 (en) * 2017-05-10 2019-11-26 Hyundai Motor Company Exhibition stand for vehicles
CN110960010A (zh) * 2019-11-20 2020-04-07 佛山市联润家具有限公司 一种多功能、多样式的一体化组合家具
US11191354B2 (en) 2015-08-27 2021-12-07 Xybix Systems, Inc. Adjustable height desk with acoustical dome
USD956453S1 (en) * 2021-04-07 2022-07-05 Muuto Composite furniture
US20230413993A1 (en) * 2022-06-24 2023-12-28 Exemplis LLC. Mounting asembly
US12203267B2 (en) 2019-12-23 2025-01-21 Steelcase Inc. Furniture system
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KR102015949B1 (ko) * 2019-02-08 2019-08-28 주식회사 가구앤하우스 프레임 유닛 및 탁자
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USD742537S1 (en) * 2012-12-03 2015-11-03 Bwxt Mpower, Inc. Control room
USD733323S1 (en) * 2012-12-13 2015-06-30 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Display booth
US20140318423A1 (en) * 2013-04-30 2014-10-30 Inscape Corporation Table privacy panel
US9247812B2 (en) * 2013-04-30 2016-02-02 Inscape Corporation Table privacy panel
USD734627S1 (en) * 2013-10-24 2015-07-21 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Display booth
USD745294S1 (en) * 2014-04-30 2015-12-15 Neuehouse LLC Desk
US11653754B2 (en) 2015-08-27 2023-05-23 Xybix Systems, Inc. Adjustable height desk with acoustical dome
US20170055695A1 (en) * 2015-08-27 2017-03-02 Xybix Systems, Inc. Adjustable Height Desk with Acoustical Dome
US10194743B2 (en) * 2015-08-27 2019-02-05 Xybix Systems, Inc. Adjustable height desk with acoustical dome
US11191354B2 (en) 2015-08-27 2021-12-07 Xybix Systems, Inc. Adjustable height desk with acoustical dome
US20190216215A1 (en) * 2015-08-27 2019-07-18 Xybix Systems, Inc. Adjustable Height Desk with Acoustical Dome
US9949562B2 (en) * 2015-08-27 2018-04-24 Xybix Systems, Inc. Adjustable height desk with acoustical dome
US10537173B2 (en) * 2015-08-27 2020-01-21 Xybix Systems, Inc. Adjustable height desk with acoustical dome
US10172455B2 (en) * 2016-02-19 2019-01-08 Williams-Sonoma, Inc. Dual-sided storage bin
USD868291S1 (en) * 2017-05-10 2019-11-26 Hyundai Motor Company Exhibition stand for vehicles
CN110960010A (zh) * 2019-11-20 2020-04-07 佛山市联润家具有限公司 一种多功能、多样式的一体化组合家具
US12203267B2 (en) 2019-12-23 2025-01-21 Steelcase Inc. Furniture system
USD956453S1 (en) * 2021-04-07 2022-07-05 Muuto Composite furniture
US20230413993A1 (en) * 2022-06-24 2023-12-28 Exemplis LLC. Mounting asembly
US12251013B2 (en) * 2022-06-24 2025-03-18 Exemplis Llc Mounting assembly
SE547916C2 (en) * 2022-12-22 2025-12-23 Logicdata Electronic & Software Entw Gmbh Underframe and table where the underframe has concealed mounting surfaces

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CA2843283A1 (en) 2014-09-13
US20150023729A1 (en) 2015-01-22

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