Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Including component designed to receive a disparate article... – Task-area type repositionable component
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-03
2001-06-26
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Including component designed to receive a disparate article...
Task-area type repositionable component
C052S239000, C052S586100, C052S238100, C052S036100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250020
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to furniture systems for subdividing building space, and more particularly to an integrated furniture system that includes an open framework and a plurality of rigid infill panels supported by the framework for subdividing and outfitting the building space.
Partition systems are well-known in the art for subdividing building space into physically separated work and/or office areas. The partition systems are typically constructed to support individual office-type work activities, and are often adapted for specialized functions, such as carrying utilities, supporting furniture and accessories, providing visual comfort and aesthetics, sound absorption, and the like. Physical separation, privacy, and aesthetics are typically very important to such systems.
Overhead framework systems that are adapted to support activities in open areas, such as for meeting areas and common areas, are also known. Many of these systems include an overhead framework of beams that are supported by posts. The openness of the systems is particularly conducive to group activities, or where conversation and interaction is very important.
Partition systems are also known for subdividing a building space into individual office areas. Some of these partitions are constructed to be rearrangeable. However, rearranging the partition panels within the existing framework is proven to be problematic typically requiring the extensive knowledge of the construction of the system as well as extensive disassembly and reassembly of the system each time the user desires to reconfigure the partition system. Typically, rearranging the panels within the framework cannot be accomplished by the user and requires technical assistance from personnel of the manufacturing or distribution company. These shortcomings are exasperated by situations in which the configuration requirements quickly change.
Another problem typically associated with current partition systems is that changing the color and/or style of the panels associated with the partition system requires the replacement of the entire panel, thereby increasing costs and waste.
Other problems associated with present partition systems include interfacing and interconnecting the panels supported by the framework and the floor in situations where the framework may be uneven due to a non-level floor. In addition, many of these systems do not provide the user with the ability to incorporate partial length panels that do not extend the entire height of the framework. If provided, these partial height panels are typically difficult to adjust, manipulate, and rearrange, similar to as described above.
Accordingly, an integrated furniture system is desired solving the aforementioned problems, and yet which maintains the advantages of systems adapted for separate use and for rearrangement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention, a prefabricated furniture system for interior building space and the like of the type having a floor and an open plan, which includes an overhead framework having utility conduits and that are adapted for supporting a plurality of rigid infill panels. The overhead framework extends over the floor of the building space, and includes a plurality of posts, and a plurality of beams, at least some of which are supported at a predetermined elevation above an average user height to define an open, three-dimensional gridwork that spatially partitions the associated portion of the building space. The utility conduits extend along the posts and the beams to provide access to utilities throughout the gridwork. The rigid infill panels are shaped for positioning between the beams and the floor of the building in side-by-side juxtaposition. The infill panels include rigid marginal frames, each having a generally rectangular front elevational shape, an interior marginal edge with an interior channel opening toward the interior of the associated one of the frames, and an exterior marginal edge with an exterior channel opening outwardly. A first one of the infill panels includes a rigid center panel mounted in the interior channel of the associated one of the frames to define a framed infill panel. A second one of the infill panels includes at least one flexible cover panel having marginal edges thereof received and retained in the exterior channel of the associated one of the frames, such that the cover panel wraps around the associated frame to define a wrapped infill panel. The framed and wrapped infill panel can be installed at various locations throughout the gridwork to create workstations with visual privacy and utility access, and can be rearranged to accommodate different work requirements and create different aesthetics.
In another aspect of the present invention, an infill panel kit for prefabricated furniture systems and the like includes a plurality of rigid marginal frames, each having a generally rectangular front elevational shape, an interior marginal edge with an interior channel opening toward the interior of the associated one of the frames, and an exterior marginal edge with an exterior channel opening outwardly. The infill panel kit further includes at least one rigid center panel adapted to be mounted to the interior channel of the associated one of the frames to define a framed infill panel. The infill panel kit still further includes at least one flexible cover panel having marginal edges thereof received and retained in the exterior channel of an associated one of the frames, such that the cover panel wraps around the associated frame to define a wrapped infill panel.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a prefabricated furniture system for interior building space and the like of the type having a floor with an open plan including an overhead framework having utility conduits and that is adapted for supporting a plurality of rigid infill panels. The overhead framework extends over the floor of the building space, and includes a plurality of posts, and a plurality of beams supported at a predetermined elevation to define an open, three-dimensional gridwork which spatially partitions the associated portion of the building space. The utility conduits extend along the posts and the beams to provide access to utilities throughout the gridwork. The plurality of rigid infill panels are shaped for positioning between the beams. The infill panels include rigid marginal frames, each having a generally rectangular front elevational shape, an interior marginal edge with an interior channel opening toward the interior of the associated one of the frames, and an exterior marginal edge with an exterior channel opening outwardly. A first one of the infill panels includes a rigid center panel mounted in the interior channel of the associated one of the frames to define a framed infill panel. A second one of the infill panels includes at least one flexible cover panel having marginal edges thereof received and retained in the exterior channel of the associated one of the frames, such that the cover panel wraps around the associated frame to define a wrapped infill panel, and whereby the framed and wrapped infill panel can be installed at various locations throughout the gridwork to create visual privacy.
Still yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method for making infill panels for space partition systems and the like of the type having a framework extending over the floor of the building space, with a plurality of posts, and a plurality of beams supported at a predetermined elevation to define an open, three-dimensional gridwork which spatially partitions the associated portion of the building space. The method includes providing a plurality of rigid marginal frames, each having a generally rectangular front elevational shape, an interior marginal edge with an interior channel opening toward the interior of the associated one of the frames, and an exterior marginal edge with an exterior channel opening outwardly. The method further includes mou
Friedman Carl D.
Nguyen Chi
Price Heneveld Cooper DeWitt & Litton
Steelcase Inc.
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