Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Including component designed to receive a disparate article... – Task-area type repositionable component
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-03
2002-04-23
Cuomo, Peter M. (Department: 3636)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Including component designed to receive a disparate article...
Task-area type repositionable component
C052S749100, C052S749100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06374548
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates in general to a workspace definition system, such as for dividing office space, and more particularly to a column-based workspace definition system.
2. Description of the Related Art
In typical office-space dividing systems, a series of interconnected frames or walls further subdivide the workspace into smaller spaces commonly referred to as “cubicles.” Each of these cubicles is often occupied by one or more occupants and requires multiple electrical and data ports for each. In less-finished workspaces, it is often prohibitively expensive to install electrical and data conduit because typical office-space dividing systems require special connectors and non-standard components for routing and providing sockets for the electrical and data conduit.
It is desirable to dispose electrical and data conduit as well as ambient lighting throughout the workspace in various locations so that many occupants as well as electrical and data transmitting devices can operate within the workspace. The electrical and data conduit is typically routed throughout a workspace within false flooring or above removable ceiling panels and “drop down” within poles or within existing walls. Conventional sockets are mounted to the poles or to the ceiling tiles or flooring to allow occupants to interconnect devices to the electrical and data conduit circuits defined therein.
Further, the installation of the movable ceiling panels and false flooring can add to the expense of dividing large workspace, such as loft areas with high ceilings and rigid floors, so that existing office-space dividing systems are insufficient to allow the definition of a workspace while providing for the interconnection of electrical and data components such as office equipment and ambient lighting in a quick, easy, and cost-efficient manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, the invention relates to a workspace definition system comprising a plurality of columns, each comprising a plurality of opaque panels interconnected at lateral edges thereof and defining an enclosure with a substantially uninterrupted hollow interior. At least one of the plurality of opaque panels in at least two of said columns has a first port at an upper portion thereof at an overhead height communicating with the hollow interior, the overhead height being above a height sufficient for anyone using the system to walk upright beneath. Each arcuate wall has a first lateral edge with a first flange forming a portion of a socket and a second lateral edge with a second flange forming another portion of the socket, the socket being located within the first and second flanges when the second flange on one of the at least two arcuate walls is in an interlocked position with the first flange on an adjacent one another of the at least two arcuate walls. A rod is positioned within the socket to prevent the first and second flanges from becoming dislodged from the interlocked position. A plurality of overhead beam assemblies has at least one internal channel, each overhead beam assembly mounted between the columns at respective first ports thereof. The at least one internal channel of each of the plurality of overhead beam assemblies thereby communicates with the hollow interior of the at least two of the columns via the first ports for uninterrupted passage of electrical/data conduit therethrough from the overhead height above any users of the system into the columns.
In various embodiments of the invention, the workspace definition system further comprises at least one intermediate beam assembly having an internal channel, the at least one intermediate beam assembly mounted between a pair of the plurality of columns at an intermediate height, the internal channel of the at least one intermediate beam assembly also communicating with the hollow interiors of the adjacent pair of columns. At least one of the plurality of columns can have a light fixture mounted thereon. The light fixture can have a reflector for directing light upwardly with respect to the columns. The light fixture can have a channel which communicates with the hollow interior of the column for uninterrupted passage of electrical/data conduit between the light fixture and the column.
The at least one of the plurality of columns can have an open upper end, and a cap can be mounted to the at least one of the plurality of columns to close the open upper end thereof. The cap can include an opening for the uninterrupted passage of electrical/data conduit into the open upper end of the at least one of the plurality of columns. The cap can further comprise an upper surface and the light fixture is mounted to the upper surface of the cap.
A plurality of floor-engaging glides can be mounted within a bottom end of the sockets defined by the interlocked arcuate walls. Each of the columns can comprise four arcuate walls. Each of the plurality of columns can comprise four arcuate walls interlocked together to form a circular configuration. Each of the plurality of columns are open at an upper end thereof and further comprising a trim ring mounted to the open upper end of at least some of the plurality of columns to cover the open upper end of the at least some of the plurality of columns. The trim ring can comprise an opening therein which communicates with the hollow interior of the at least some of the plurality of columns for routing electrical/data conduit from above the at least some of the plurality of columns into the hollow interior thereof. A cap can be mounted to an upper surface of the trim ring. A light fixture can be mounted to an upper surface of the trim ring.
The invention can also comprise a base trim ring assembly comprising an anchor plate mountable to a floor and having a surface thereon adapted to support a lower portion of one of the plurality of columns, a stabilizer base positioned within the anchor plate having positioning surfaces thereon, and a plurality of glides in retaining contact with the positioning surfaces of the stabilizer base and mounted to the lower portion of the one of the plurality of columns. The glides can be adjustably mounted within the column. The anchor plate and stabilizer base each can have openings in register with the opening in the other which communicate with the hollow interior of the column for the uninterrupted passage of electrical/data conduit into the hollow interior of the column from beneath the base trim ring assembly. The anchor plate and stabilizer base each can have mounting apertures in register with the mounting apertures in the other for fastening the anchor plate and stabilizer base to one another. The base trim ring assembly can further comprise a trim ring mounted around a lower portion of the one of the plurality of columns to conceal the interface between the base trim ring assembly and the lower portion of the one of the plurality of columns. The anchor plate can have at least one recess and the stabilizer base can have at least one protrusion in register with and received within the at least one recess to align the stabilizer base with the anchor plate.
At least one of the plurality of columns can comprise at least one arcuate wall, and at least one bracket mountable to an existing wall in a workspace and mounted to the at least one arcuate wall, whereby the assembly of the at least one arcuate wall and the bracket creates an interface with the existing wall. The bracket can comprise at least one flat wall mountable to the existing wall in the workspace, the at least one arcuate wall and the at least one flat wall can be interlocked together at lateral edges thereof. The at least one arcuate wall and the at least one flat wall can have a first lateral edge with a first flange forming a portion of a socket and a second lateral edge with a second flange forming another portion of the socket. The socket can be located within the first and second flanges when the second flange on one of the at least one arcuate wall and the at least one flat wall can be in an inte
Eastman Michael W.
Ruedinger Patricia D.
Anderson Gerald A.
Rader, Fishman, Grauer & McGarry, an Office of Rader, Fishman &
Trendway Corporation
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