Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Wall – ceiling – or floor designed for utilities
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-29
2001-11-06
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Wall, ceiling, or floor designed for utilities
C052S220300, C052S220500, C312S223200, C312S223300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311440
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the distribution of utilities in open office plans and the like, and in particular to a utility post for use in combination with a prefabricated floor construction.
Open office plans are increasingly being outfitted with reconfigurable office utility distribution systems. The need for readily reconfigurable utility distribution systems in modern offices is the result of the more complicated and sophisticated utilities now required by office users. Such utilities include communications, computers, and other types of data processors, electronic displays, as well as lighting, electrical power, HVAC and the like. Such utility distribution is now widely being provided through raised floor structures, wherein the raised floor structures include routing features for these utilities. Because of the sensitive nature of some of the utility conduits, such as those carrying data and communications information, they must also be routed separately from the more standard utilities such as electrical power and lighting.
While the routing of such utilities and the distribution thereof to the office workers and users has been primarily through powerways within moveable office paneling, the increasingly sophisticated nature of the office needs requires further innovations for the distribution of those utilities in open office areas. Specifically, the distribution of office utilities has evolved beyond merely the hard wiring of various utility conduits to specific office areas and now includes the integration of electronic equipment to further facilitate such distribution. There is a need to provide mountings and housings for this equipment, which are both readily accessible within the open office environment and capable of being readily reconfigurable with the changeable office layout to accommodate new organizations and project teams as those changes are desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention is to provide a floor mounted utility post for use in open office plans and other similar environments. The floor mounted utility post includes a floor tile shaped for installation in a pre-fabricated floor construction, wherein the floor tile has at least two cutouts positioned at separate edges of the floor tile. A pair of vertical raceway channels are secured to the floor tile, and each vertical raceway channel communicates with one of the floor tile cutouts. The raceway channels support a top mounted thereon. A door is mounted to a first of the vertical raceways, wherein the door, the top and the pair of vertical raceway channels, in combination, define a partial enclosure.
Another aspect of the present invention is a floor mounted utility post in combination with a prefabricated floor construction, wherein the floor construction comprises a plurality of floor tiles, adapted to be abuttingly supported on a building floor. The floor construction includes a hollow interior portion, defining at least one floor raceway to route at least one utility conduit therethrough. The utility post comprises a bottom configured to replace one of the floor tiles in the prefabricated floor construction. The bottom has a notch in at least one peripheral edge, and communicates with the floor raceway for routing utility conduits therethrough. Two outwardly facing vertical raceways extend upwardly from adjacent peripheral edges of the bottom, wherein at least a first of the vertical raceways is in communication with the notch. A door is mounted to a flange of one of the vertical raceways, for selective access to an interior of the utility post, wherein the door is moveable between a closed position and an open position. A top is supported by upper edges of the two adjacent vertical raceways.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is a utility cabinet comprising a pair of adjacent floor mounted utility posts in combination with a prefabricated floor construction. The floor construction comprises a plurality of floor tiles adapted to be abuttingly supported on a building floor, and includes a hollow interior portion defining at least one floor raceway to route at least one utility conduit therethrough. Each utility post includes a bottom configured to replace one of the floor tiles in the prefabricated floor construction and has a notch in at least one peripheral edge. The notch is in communication with the one floor raceway for routing the utility conduit therethrough. Pach post also includes at least one outwardly facing vertical raceway extending upwardly from a peripheral edge of the bottom and in communication with the notch. A door mounted to the vertical raceway and vertically aligned with a second peripheral edge of the bottom for selective access to an interior of said utility post. The door is movable between a closed position and an open position. A top is at least partially supported by an upper edge of the at least one vertical raceway.
Still another aspect of the present invention is a method of constructing a floor mounted utility post for use with a prefabricated floor structure. This method comprises the steps of fabricating at least two vertical utility raceways, constructed to receive office utility conduits therein, and further wherein at least one vertical side of the raceway is open. A bottom of a first of the raceways is fastened proximate to a first edge of a floor tile of the prefabricated floor. A bottom of a second of the raceways is fastened proximate a second edge of the floor tile, the second edge being adjacent to the first edge, and at least a portion of the second raceway is proximate to a third edge of the floor tile. A door is mounted to the second raceway portion, which is proximate the third edge of the floor tile, wherein the door is moveable between a closed position and an open position, permitting access to an interior of a post. A post top is fastened to a top of each of the vertical raceways.
These and other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims and appended drawings.
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paten
Faiks Frederick S.
Feldpausch Thomas G.
Forslund, III Carl V.
Weller George V.
Friedman Carl D.
Price Heneveld Cooper DeWitt & Litton
Steelcase Development Corporation
Thissell Jennifer I.
LandOfFree
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