Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Multiroom or level – Partition secured to and crossed by preconstructed barrier
Reexamination Certificate
2001-03-06
2003-01-28
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Multiroom or level
Partition secured to and crossed by preconstructed barrier
C052S650300, C052S243000, C052S650100, C052S481200, C052S222000, C052S781000, C052S243100, C052S239000, C052S220100, C052S282100, C052S245000, C052S236200, C403S282000, C403S292000, C403S293000, C403S403000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06510663
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to furnishings for open office spaces and the like, in particular to an in-fill panel arrangement for post and beam furniture systems.
Portable partition systems for open office spaces and other similar settings are well known in the art. Individual partition panels are interconnected in different configurations to form separate offices, workstations and/or work settings. The partition panels are extremely durable and can be readily disassembled and reassembled into alternative configurations to meet the ever-changing needs of the user. Examples of such partition systems are provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,822,146; 3,831,330; and 4,144,924, which are owned by Steelcase Development Inc., the assignee of the present application.
Post and beam furniture systems have also been developed to divide open plans three dimensionally into individual workstations and/or work settings. Examples of such furniture systems are provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,003,275; 5,950,371; and 5,889,025, which are also owned by Steelcase Development Inc., the assignee of present application.
Changing technology and changing work processes demand that current office furnishings be readily adaptable to efficiently support the ever-changing needs of workers, such that the reconfigurability of the system, and placement of in-fill panels at different locations is desired to meet these needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention is a post and beam furniture system for partitioning open office space and the like, comprising a plurality of overhead beams, each having opposite ends, and a lowermost face with a single horizontal slot extending centrally therealong. A plurality of vertical posts are provided to support the overhead beams, and include a lower portion adapted to be abuttingly supported on a floor surface, an upper portion adapted to be connected with an associated one of the overhead beams, and at least one outwardly extending flange having an end face with a single vertical slot extending centrally therealong. Each of the slots in the posts and each of the slots in the beams are substantially identical in size and shape. A plurality of post-to-beam connectors are configured to be attached to the opposite ends of the beams, and are detachably retained in the slots in the posts for mounting the beams on the posts. A plurality of mounting brackets are adapted to mount rigid in-fill panels on the post and beam furniture system to partition the office space into individual work areas. The mounting brackets have first connector portions detachably retained in the slots in the posts and beams, and second connector portions configured for connection with the in-fill panels, whereby the posts and beams can be detachably interconnected in alternative configurations, and the mounting brackets and associated in-fill panels can be positioned at a variety of different locations throughout the post and beam furniture system.
Another aspect of the present invention is a post and beam furniture system for partitioning open office space and the like, comprising a plurality of overhead beams, each having opposite ends, and a lowermost face with a horizontal slot extending therealong. A plurality of vertical posts are provided to support the overhead beams wherein each has a lowermost portion thereof adapted to be abuttingly supported on a floor surface of the open office space, an upper portion adapted to be connected with an associated one of the overhead beams, and at least one outwardly extending flange having an end face with a vertical slot extending therealong. A plurality of post-to-beam connectors are configured to be attached to the opposite ends of the beams, and are detachably retained in the slots in the posts for mounting the beams on the posts. A plurality of rigid in-fill panels are shaped to be positioned directly below the beams and above the floor surface to partition the open office space into individual work areas. A plurality of panel mounting brackets are provided having first connector portions detachably retained in the slots in posts and the beams, and second connector portions connected with the in-fill panels. Each of the slots in the posts and each of the slots in the beams is substantially identical in size and shape to define an integrated universal mounting arrangement in the furniture system for detachably interconnecting the posts and the beams in alternative configurations and mounting the in-fill panels at a variety of different locations.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is a post and beam furniture system of the type having at least one overhead beam and at least one vertical post with a lower portion thereof adapted to be supported on an associated floor surface, and an upper portion connected with the beam. A serpentine panel arrangement comprises a plurality of arcuate in-fill panels, each having a pair of side edges extending along opposite side portions thereof in a normally vertical orientation, and a pair of generally curved top and bottom edges extending along upper and lower portions thereof in a normally horizontal orientation. A plurality of brackets connect each of the in-fill panels to at least one of the posts and the beams in a generally upright orientation, wherein the side edges are disposed adjacent to the side edges of the next adjacent one of the in-fill panels, and the generally curved top and bottom edges are disposed in an alternating facing relationship, such that the in-fill panels collectively define a serpentine partition having a sinusoidal plan configuration which protrudes outwardly from opposite sides of the beam in a wave pattern.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is a post and beam furniture system in combination with a serpentine panel arrangement therefor. The combination includes a plurality of overhead beams, and a plurality of vertical posts, each having a lower portion thereof adapted to be supported on an associated floor surface, and an upper portion thereof connected with at least one of the beams. The combination also includes a plurality of arcuate in-fill panels, each having a pair of generally straight side edges extending along opposite side portions thereof in a normally vertical orientation, and pair of generally curved top and bottom edges extending along upper and lower portions thereof in a normally horizontal orientation. A plurality of brackets connect each of the in-fill panels to the post and beam furniture system in a generally upright orientation, wherein the straight side edges are disposed adjacent to the side edges of the next adjacent one of the in-fill panels, and the generally curved top and bottom edges are disposed in an alternating facing relationship, such that the in-fill panels collectively define a serpentine partition having a sinusoidal plan configuration.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is an in-fill panel mounting system for post and beam furniture systems of the type having a plurality of overhead beams, each including a lowermost face with a single horizontal slot extending therealong, a plurality of vertical posts, each having a lower portion thereof adapted to be abuttingly supported on a floor surface of the open office space, an upper portion thereof connected with an associated one of the overhead beams, at least one outwardly extending flange having an end face with a single vertical slot extending therealong, and a plurality of rigid in-fill panels shaped to be positioned directly below the beams and above the floor surface to partition the office space into individual work areas. The in-fill panel mounting system includes at least one bottom center bracket having a foot adjacent a lower portion thereof shaped for abutting support on the floor surface, and a pair of outwardly extending arms adjacent an upper portion thereof configured to be connected with lower portions of adjacent ones of the in-fill panels. The in-fill panel mounting system also includes at least one top center bracket hav
Jourden Michael A.
Mueller Karl Heinz
Wing Genevieve
Amiri Nahid
Friedman Carl D.
Price Heneveld Cooper DeWitt & Litton
Steelcase Development Corporation
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