Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Wall – ceiling – or floor designed for utilities – Partition type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-08
2001-01-16
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Wall, ceiling, or floor designed for utilities
Partition type
C052S239000, C052S036500, C211S026000, C361S826000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06173543
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to workstations adapted for routing utilities, and in particular relates to a partition system including a horizontal channel supporting a cantilevered surface and adapted to receive and hide utilities routed along a rear of the cantilevered surface.
Routing of utilities along shelving and worksurfaces in modern offices and work areas, particularly offices associated with paper-intensive tasks, is very important since it allows electronic tools, such as computers and communication hardware in the office, to be arranged for maximum efficiency. However, known shelves and worksurfaces adapted for cantilevered attachment to partition systems are undesirably limited in their ability to be both horizontally and vertically handle utilities, and further are incapable of easy modification to satisfy constantly changing office needs. Further, many known shelves and worksurfaces for partitions do not provide top-accessible hidden channels for routing wiring along a rear edge of the shelf and/or worksurface.
Accordingly, a furniture construction solving the aforementioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus includes a partition having a covered face and a horizontal frame member. A structural channel is attached to the horizontal frame member outboard of the covered face and that extends horizontally. An elongated horizontal panel construction is attached to the structural channel. The elongated horizontal panel construction includes attachment structure securely engaging the structural channel with the elongated horizontal panel construction being supported in cantilever off the structural channel. In a narrower aspect, the structural channel defines a horizontal open area forming a horizontal wireway for routing utilities that extends horizontally and further includes vertical apertures forming a vertical wireway for routing utilities vertically through the structural channel.
In another aspect, an apparatus includes a partition having a face and a frame; and a panel construction supported in cantilever on the frame. The panel construction has a flat top surface for supporting flat objects thereon such as paperwork. The panel construction includes a structural channel attached to the frame that extends horizontally along the face of the frame. The structural channel has upper and lower horizontal flanges defining a horizontal utility-supporting space therebetween for routing utilities horizontally along the face, the upper and lower flanges each including horizontally spaced apertures. At least wire-protecting sleeve is provided that is shaped to fit into one of the vertical apertures in the upper horizontal flange. The wire-protecting sleeve is configured to protect wiring routed vertically from above the panel construction downwardly into the utility-supporting space.
In another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus includes a partition having a pair of vertically spaced upper and lower horizontal frame members. First and second blade panels each having a rear edge are positioned proximate the horizontal frame members and that are spaced horizontally apart. At least one horizontal panel extends between the first and second blade panels and is supported by the first and second blade panels. Upper and lower brackets are provided, each upper and lower bracket having an attachment section shaped to selectively engage the upper and lower horizontal frame members, respectively, and further having a configured section shaped to mateably engage one of the rear edges. The upper and lower brackets engage the partition and the first and second blade panels and support the blade panels and the horizontal panel on the partition.
These and other features and advantages 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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Churchill David P.
Eich Thomas B.
Friedman Frank
Gortsema Steven C.
King Jonathan J.
A Phi Dieu Tran
Friedman Carl D.
Price Heneveld Cooper DeWitt & Litton
Steelcase Development Inc.
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