Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Including component designed to receive a disparate article... – Mounted for movement
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-11
2001-06-19
Canfield, Robert (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Including component designed to receive a disparate article...
Mounted for movement
C052S036100, C052S207000, C052S239000, C049S040000, C049S041000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247272
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sliding curved door that can be readily connected to a partitioned workspace of the type that can have the interior shape and size readily varied.
Open office plans have been developed to reduce overall costs and generally incorporate large open floor spaces in buildings that are equipped with modular furniture systems which are readily reconfigurable to accommodate the ever changing needs of a specific user, as well the divergent requirements of different tenants. One arrangement commonly used for furnishing open plans includes movable partition panels that are detachably interconnected to partition off the open spaces into individual workstations and/or offices. Such partition panels are configured to receive hang-on furniture units, such as work surfaces, overhead cabinets, shelves, etc., and are generally known in the office furniture industry as “systems furniture.” Another arrangement for dividing and/or partitioning open plans includes modular furniture arrangements, in which a plurality of differently shaped freestanding furniture units are positioned in a side-by-side relationship, with upstanding privacy screens attached to at least some of the furniture units to create individual distinct workstations and/or offices. Both of these types of modular furniture systems, as well as others, have been widely received largely due to their ability to be readily reconfigured and/or moved to a new site, since they are not part of a permanent leasehold improvement.
Because the partitioned panels are detachably interconnected to form the individual workspaces, the size and shape of the workspaces can be readily varied to accommodate changing requirements of the workers. The partition panels are generally configured to provide an opening for user ingress and egress to the workspace. However, the opening necessarily limits the privacy available to a worker within the workspace. Although doors have been developed to provide some degree of privacy, existing doors have a flat, planar configuration corresponding to the partition panels, such that the floor space within the workspace is limited to a rectilinear configuration.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention is to provide a combination door assembly and partition system. The partition system includes a plurality of partition panels configured to be abuttingly supported on a floor surface and detachably interconnected to form a workspace having an opening of sufficient size to permit user ingress and egress therethrough. The shape and size of the workspace in plan view can be readily varied. The door assembly includes a curved support panel having a curvilinear plan shape. The curved support panel is interconnected with the partition system adjacent the opening of the partition system. A curved door having a curvilinear plan shape is slidably interconnected with the curved support panel and defines a lower edge. At least one roller is mounted adjacent the lower edge of the curved door for movably supporting the curved door on a floor surface. The door is movable between an opened position providing user ingress and egress through the opening and a closed position wherein the door substantially closes off the opening to provide privacy within the workspace.
Another aspect of the present invention is a door assembly having construction facilitating connection to partition systems of the type having a plurality of partition panels abuttingly supported directly on a floor surface and detachably interconnected to form a workspace having an opening permitting user ingress and egress therethrough, and wherein the shape and size of the workspace in plan view can be readily varied. The door assembly includes a door having a curved plan shape and defining a lower edge. At least one roller is mounted to the door adjacent the lower edge for movably supporting the door on a floor surface. The door shifts between an opened position permitting user ingress and egress through the opening and a closed position substantially closing off the opening.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is in a partition system of the type having a plurality of partition panels, each configured to be supported on a floor surface and detachably interconnected to form a workspace having an opening for worker ingress and egress therethrough, and wherein the panels are detachably interconnected to one another in a manner permitting the shape and size of the workspace in plan view to be readily varied. The partition panels form a generally rectilinear perimeter of the workspace in plan view. The improvement including a door having a curved plan shape and shifting between an opened position permitting user ingress and egress through the opening in the workspace and a closed position substantially closing off the opening. The door projects outwardly beyond the rectilinear perimeter when in the closed position to capture space outside the rectilinear perimeter, thereby providing increased user space within the workspace when the door is in the closed position.
These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims, and appended drawings.
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Canfield Robert
Price Heneveld Cooper DeWitt & Litton
Steelcase Development Inc.
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