Horizontally supported planar surfaces – Having means for supporting an electrical component
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-01
2001-07-31
Wilkens, Janet M. (Department: 3636)
Horizontally supported planar surfaces
Having means for supporting an electrical component
C108S023000, C108S108000, C312S209000, C211S187000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06267064
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention concerns furniture units particularly adapted for use in a laboratory environment to facilitate the work of laboratory technicians.
Traditionally laboratory furniture is often made to be heavy duty and relatively massive due to functional requirements of same, with laboratory benches having thick chemical-resistant tops and top-supporting cabinetry adapted for glassware and chemical storage. Usually the cabinetry is permanently secured to a floor. However, massive furniture intended for permanent installation is unnecessarily expensive to manufacture, ship and install, as well as expensive and difficult to rearrange. Thus, traditional laboratory furniture typically cannot be easily rearranged for specialized work groups nor for special short-term projects. Nor can it be easily reconfigured to optimize its layout as laboratory needs and research team needs evolve and change over time.
Another problem is that the furniture in many laboratories prevents organizing them for efficient operation. Specifically, many laboratories are divided into large first work areas adapted for laboratory testing, and isolated second work areas for doing paperwork and computer work. In theory, such arrangements of laboratory furniture are good because they place resources for specialized laboratory tasks at the laboratory work area and also prevent chemicals from being spilled onto paperwork and onto computers. However, this type of arrangement forces workers to constantly move between laboratory work areas for conducting tests, and “office” areas for documenting and reporting results and for working on computers (such as for conducting computer-assisted research, computer-assisted analysis of test results, as well as word processing). Tasks in modern laboratories are much more integrated and interactive then they used to be, and modern laboratories must accommodate this change to gain efficiencies in worker output. Though change is needed, the change must be done in a manner that accommodates the needs and preferences of laboratory technicians.
Many modern office furniture systems are rearrangeable, but they will not satisfactorily meet the durability and special needs of laboratory furniture listed above, since modern office furniture is typically not as heavy duty and massive as laboratory furniture. Further, modern office equipment is not equipped to handle distribution of natural gas or the like. It is desirable to supply furniture units that are stronger and more massive then existing office furniture so that laboratory test equipment is securely and stably supported and so that traditional laboratory technicians are satisfied, while still retaining the ability to be rearranged to optimize doing work and to optimize team activities. Another need is for the worksurfaces to be isolated from vibrations so that they do not communicate vibration to highly sensitive electronic laboratory test equipment rested on the worksurfaces. It is also desired to provide laboratory furniture that will allow customization for individual tasks and for personal preferences along a workbench. Concurrently, laboratory furniture is desired that is capable of being adjusted to meet the needs of wheelchair-bound technicians. Still further, a laboratory furniture unit is desired that is able to accommodate and logistically integrate different laboratory activities, such as laboratory experimentation activities along with word processing and computer-related activities. Also, a modernistic design is desired that is highly functional, yet less traditional in appearance.
Accordingly, a furniture unit offering the above advantages and solving the aforementioned disadvantages is desired. More specifically, laboratory furniture is needed that retains the durability and structural characteristics of traditional laboratory furniture, but that is lower cost, easier to ship and install, and that is rearrangeable, reconfigurable, and adjustable to meet changing needs of laboratories. At the same time, the laboratory furniture must minimize manufacturing, shipping, and installation costs.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, a furniture unit adapted for use in a laboratory includes a frame having a pair of spaced-apart uprights, a belt-high structural beam rigidly interconnecting the uprights, and legs extending from the uprights for stably supporting the frame on a floor surface. The structural beam has sides and is sufficient in structure and size to support worksurfaces and laboratory equipment in cantilever off the sides at locations spaced from the uprights. A plurality of worksurfaces is separately adjustably supported in cantilever on the belt-high beam for vertical height adjustment.
In another aspect of the present invention, a kit for constructing a furniture unit includes a pair of spaced-apart uprights having legs extending from the uprights for stably supporting the furniture unit on a floor surface. A belt-high structural beam includes upright-engaging brackets constructed to rigidly interconnect the upright in a spaced relationship. A plurality of individual-sized worksurfaces are provided that each have cantilever brackets configured to rigidly adjustably engage a side of the belt-high structural beam and to extend laterally therefrom. The plurality of worksurfaces is configured to be separately adjustable supported on the belt-high beam in laterally adjacent positions for vertical height adjustment. At least one of the cantilever brackets engages the belt-high structural beam at a location between the uprights. At least one shelf is provided that is configured for attachment between the uprights at a location spaced above the plurality of worksurfaces. A lighting support is provided that is configured to engage a top of the uprights. A lamp housing structure is configured to engage and be supported on each of the lighting supports in a location where the lamp housing structure is located generally above a front edge of one of the plurality of worksurfaces. The kit is preferably constructed for compact shipment and on-site assembly.
In another aspect of the present invention, a furniture unit includes a frame having a pair of spaced-apart uprights, and a belt-high structural beam rigidly interconnecting the uprights. The structural beam includes opposing C-shaped beams that are at least about 12 gauge commercially available beams. The C-shaped beams engage opposing side faces of the uprights to form a box-shaped structure having sides. The beams are sufficient in structure and size to support worksurfaces and laboratory equipment in cantilever of the side faces at locations spaced from the uprights. First and second worksurfaces are separately supported in cantilever on the belt-high beam for vertical height adjustment. The first and second worksurfaces each include cantilever brackets that engage and are attached to one of the side faces.
In another aspect of the present invention, a furniture unit includes a frame having a pair of spaced-apart tubular uprights having open upper ends, and worksurfaces supported on the frame that define work areas below the upper ends, the worksurfaces extending laterally. First and second light supports each have a down tube shaped to mateably telescopingly engage the open ends, and further have laterally extending opposing arms that extend over the worksurfaces. A pair of lamp housings is supported by ends of the opposing arms and extends between the first and second light supports. The lamp housings include light sources that are positioned to illuminate the work areas.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a furniture unit includes a frame including a pair of spaced-apart tubular uprights having open bottom ends, and worksurfaces supported on the frame that define work areas above the bottom ends, with the worksurfaces extending laterally. A tubular leg is connected to each of the bottom ends of the uprights at leg-to-upright connections. Each leg-to-upright connection includes a pa
Appel David R.
Bargmann Jay D.
Buchalter Mark A.
Hirai Yasuyuki
Montgomery Howard M.
Price Heneveld Cooper DeWitt & Litton
Steelcase Development Corporation
Wilkens Janet M.
LandOfFree
Laboratory furniture unit does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Laboratory furniture unit, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Laboratory furniture unit will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2520761