CA2342179A1 - Room subdivision apparatus and system for creating work spaces and offices - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and system for subdividing the floor surface of an open space, creating work spaces and enclosed offices with furniture. The system consists of rigid divider panels (21), vertical posts (20) and horizontal rails (25), which combine to form wall segments. These wall segments are interconnected, and arranged to define the desired work space or enclosed office. Various work surfaces are attached by bracket means to the wall segments depending on the intended use of the work space. Additional work spaces can be added later, or the work surfaces may be reconfigured to adapt to the user's changing needs.
Cross members (82) may be added to add support to the work space. Lighting means (86) may be hung from the lower surface (87) of the cross members (82).
Ceiling panels (88) may be attached to the upper surface of the cross members (82) and horizontal rails (25) to enclose the work space.

Description

FOR CREATING WORK SPACES AND OFFICES
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to office furniture and room dividers, and more particularly, to an apparatus and system for subdividing the floor surface of an open space, creating work spaces and enclosed offices with furniture.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Transforming open space in a building into workable office space is a costly and time-consuming endeavor, which presents the user with basically two options:
bringing in prefabricated "workstations" or constructing essentially permanent offices in the previously open space.
The present "workstation" typically comes in several forms, from dividers, which may be arranged to create individual work spaces, to prefabricated units which are themselves individual work spaces. Both of these solutions divide a large open room into smaller units, but are lacking in several key areas. Although walls are erected, no real privacy is achieved. The walls are generally of such height that one may see over them simply by standing up. The walls provide little acoustical insulation from outside noise, and no privacy from either hearing others or being heard by them.
Present "workstation" units are generally constructed of low grade materials, and generally do not produce a finished look suitable for most individual offices.
As such, they reinforce a workplace hierarchy, where those in the upper echelon have individual offices, while those in the lower tier have "workstations" or cubicles that have been created from a myriad of walls and dividers. They generally have limited provisions for electrical or data wiring, and are not equipped to provide their own lighting, but must rely externally on ceiling lighting, again linuting placement options.
Currently, "workstations" may be used as separate units next to each other, but they are not seamless parts of a unified system. As these "workstations" are generally individual units that are simply placed adjacent to one another, they also lack the structural integrity of a single connected unit. They generally consist only of walls, with no ceiling portions or cross members for stability.
Although the workstation units may be separate, they still lack flexibility of configuration.
While the placement of the various units around the room may be altered, the configuration of each separate unit is generally fixed. For example, if the unit is an integrated desk, return and shelf, it will remain that way, and generally can not be reconfigured, nor may the positions of the desk, return or shelf be changed with respect to one another.
If workstations are not desired, the other choice currently available is to build the space WO 00/12831 PCT/fJS99/19642 1 to suit one's needs. This option requires much more time, as building individual offices or work areas generally includes building walls. If one is only a tenant in a building, this is also a less attractive option, as one would be making permanent improvements to another's building. If one were to leave, one would have to leave behind those improvements, and be forced to start over in the space to which they are moving. Further, office construction is a real property improvement, and as such must be amortized over a number of years, rather than depreciated in only a few years. After construction, the office must also be fiunished, adding to the cost.
The choice of constructing offices is permanent - after the construction is completed, generally after a lengthy, two-stage construction period of "rough" and "finish" construction, the improvements are permanent, and cannot be altered or reconfigured without another similar construction procedure. There is a long wait and a high cost for an end product that is very inflexible.
Most oiiices today are a combination of both major elements - some constructed offices, and some designed workstations. This method combines the delay and expense of constructing offices, with the limited aesthetics and limited privacy of "workstations."
Accordingly, there is a need for a system for creating work spaces and offices that combines the durability, privacy and aesthetic qualities of constructed offices with the flexibility and tax benefits of typical "workstations." The present invention provides high quality materials and construction, creating a well designed office or work space with better aesthetics than most traditionally constructed offices while also offering better flexibility, privacy and acoustic properties than traditional "workstations." In addition, the present invention is depreciable over a short term, rather than amortized over a long period like real property improvements, offering many of the benefits of a traditionally constructed office at a substantial tax advantage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus and system for subdividing the floor surface of an open space, creating work spaces and enclosed offices with furniture.
This room subdivision apparatus and system consists of movable wall segments, made up of vertical posts, rigid divider panels, and horizontal rails, as well as cross members and ceiling panels in some embodiments. The room subdivision apparatus and system uses high quality durable materials for its components, such as anodized aluminum, and combines these components in an aesthetic manner to provide efficient and appealing work areas for an entire office. For example, in one embodiment, the wall surfaces are masonite panels, surfaced with aluminum that has been powder coated to the desired color, providing a much more durable finish than traditional painting. The quality craftsmanship and materials allow the system to be dismantled, moved and reconfigured, without failure or degradation. The invention is a complete room subdivision system - the individual portions fit together seamlessly, with matching components and hardware, allowing additional components to be added at any time.
Structurally, the room 1 subdivision system is designed to remain standing during an earthquake and has been approved by a structural engineer. The wall segments created by the system are connected for better stability; floor anchors and in some embodiments cross members provide additional structural integrity and rigidity. When used, cross members also provide for individual lighting in the work spaces, so that there is no dependence on the general room lighting, and no corresponding limitations on positioning the work spaces.
The individual work spaces created by the invention provide much more privacy than traditional "workstations", both visually and audibly. The walls are high enough to provide privacy at all times, even when someone is standing up. The components fit together tightly, so there are no gaps to see between, and no gaps for noise to escape, providing both visual and audible privacy. The design is clean and contemporary, and its quality exceeds that of traditional "workstations" and even that of many constructed offices. In the present invention, electrical and data wiring is hidden from view; the user only sees the appropriate switch, outlet or connection port in a convenient location.
The room subdivision system is reconfigurable by the user, using just a screwdriver.
There is no need to call in a contractor. The components attach in a variety of ways, providing virtually limitless possibilities for arranging an office, and the ability to rearrange the office at will. Adding components is simple, as one may stock frequently added items such as additional brackets and bookshelves, eliminating the delay that accompanies traditional construction. The room subdivision system may also be taken apart and moved, saving one from having to leave behind their investment in the previous office should they ever move.
The room subdivision system is considered furniture, and thus is depreciable over a short period of time, allowing one to recoup investment much more quickly than one could if amortizing real estate improvements over a long period of time, as when constructing new offices within an office space.
In short, the room subdivision system provides the benefits of the "workstation" model, but with increased privacy, increased safety, better acoustics, better design, increased flexibility, and increased durability, factors that are normally associated with a traditionally constructed office.
The room subdivision system provides high quality offices at a lower cost than traditional construction, and in a much shorter time. The system also offers much more flexibility than traditional construction, including the ability to reconfigure the office. The system also provides savings on furniture costs, as much necessary office furniture is built into the room subdivision system.
The room subdivision system may be used to transform a completely open space into defined work spaces and enclosed offices, or to add work spaces in open areas in conjunction with traditionally constructed offices, offering much more privacy and sound separation than traditional "workstations."

Features, aspects and advantages o~the present invention will be more fully understood when considered with respect to the following detailed description, appended claims and accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of a wall segment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2A is a top section view of the wall segment of FIG. 2.
FIG. 3 is a top view of several work surfaces, attached to the vertical posts by bracket means, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3A is an elevation view of the work surfaces of FIG. 3.
FIG. 4 is a top view of another work surface in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, attached to the vertical posts by bracket means.
FIG. 5 is a top view of a drafting table work surface in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, providing a sliding door means to enclose the work space.
FIG. SA is a side section view of the sliding door means of FIG. 5 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a top view of an administration area work surface in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a top view of a transaction counter in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7A is a front view of the transaction counter of FIG. 7.
FIG. 8 is a top view of straight and corner shelving in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, attached to the vertical posts by bracket means.
FIG. 8A is a side view of the shelves of FIG. 8.
FIG. 9 is an end view of a long bracket in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is an end view of a short bracket in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a top view of a connection between a vertical post and a rigid divider panel in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, with the attachment means coupled to said rigid divider panel.
FIG.12 is a side section view of a connection between a vertical post and a horizontal rail in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a side section view of a comer connection between a vertical post and two horizontal rails in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a front section view of vertical posts, horizontal rails, ceiling panels, and 1 ventilation, sprinkler and lighting connections; in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is an end section view of a closure base attached to the attachment means coupled to the lower edge of the rigid divider panel in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 b is a front elevation view of a wall segment with an attached presentation board in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus and system for subdividing the floor surface of open spaces into defined, usable work areas and enclosed offices.
In a presently preferred embodiment, the invention provides a means to transform open, undivided floor space into a working environment, subdividing the previously open space into individual work spaces and enclosed offices with furniture. This room subdivision system 1 S accomplishes its goal with novel construction methods and materials of construction, and in a fashion that allows the user to reconfigure the work spaces, and also to dismantle the room subdivision system, move it to another location, and reassemble the room subdivision system.
Construction has been simplified so that the system may preferably be dismantled or reconfigured by the user, with only a screwdriver.
The room subdivision system is a set of components designed to fit together seamlessly into an entire system. (FIG.1) The room subdivision system allows one to create wall segments (FIG. 2), which are arranged as desired by the user to create work spaces. The core of each wall segment is a rigid divider panel 21. Each panel preferably has a core of masonite, sandwiched by an aluminum surface that has been powder coated to the desired color for a durable finish.
Another embodiment uses one or more panels of tempered glass. The panel sections could also be constructed from other metals, woods, composite materials or any other material that provides strength and rigidity in a thin panel, and provides, or may be surfaced with a durable finish.
In a prefened embodiment, each wall segment utilizes square extruded aluminum vertical posts 20 to frame its rigid divider panel on each side. These vertical posts are hollow, and open at both ends. Steel, other metals, or any other material that provides high strength and durability could also be used for the posts. The vertical posts may be anchored by bolt means 29 to the floor of the open space to provide additional stability.
A square extruded aluminum anchor clip 27, having outer dimensions slightly smaller than the inner dimensions of the extruded vertical post, is bolted 29 to the floor surface. The open base end of the vertical post 20 is then placed over the anchor clip 27, enveloping the clip.
The vertical post 20 is then attached to the anchor clip 27 by screw means 28 through the walls of the vertical post. One or more of the vertical posts in a particular construction would most 1 likely be anchored when the office space is located in a Seismic Zone 4. In other cases, the vertical posts need not be anchored to the floor, but the anchor clips would still be attached inside the bottom of the vertical posts to facilitate leveling of the posts.
Throughout this specification, reference is made to attachment by screw means.
Although this is a preferred embodiment, there are many alternative connection means, including but not limited to bolts, rivets, alien screws, hex screws and adhesives. Although some of these methods are not as versatile as a screw means of attachment, and would not provide the same ease of assembly and disassembly, they would still allow one to practice the invention.
The wall surfaces of the wall segments are the rigid divider panels 21. Each rigid divider panel 21 has an attachment means coupled to the leading edge 22, trailing edge 24, and lower edge 23 of the rigid divider panel 21. The preferred attachment means is a two-piece mechanism, which runs the length of the respective edge of the rigid divider panel to which it is attached. The two pieces of the attachment means fit on each side of the rigid divider panel, with an interlocking base. A gasket is provided on one side of the rigid divider panel. The two pieces of the attachment means fit together tightly, holding the rigid divider panel by friction means. For the attachment means on the leading and trailing edge of the rigid divider panel, the base of the attachment means "snaps"with a force fit to the side of a vertical post and then attaches by screw means. As the rigid divider panel does not extend to the floor surface, there is an opening at the bottom of the wall segment. A closure base 41 (FIG. 2, 15) may be attached to the attachment means coupled to the lower edge of the rigid divider panel 23 if the user desires the wall to be closed at the bottom and extend to the floor surface. The closure base "snaps" with a force fit onto the base of the attachment means coupled to the lower edge of the rigid divider panel, and is secured by screw means.
Preferrably, each vertical post 20 is also attached to a horizontal rail 25 (FIG. I2). The horizontal rails are constructed of the same material as the vertical posts.
The attachment between a horizontal rail and a vertical post utilizes an extruded aluminum anchor clip 27, as used in anchoring the vertical posts to the floor surface. The anchor clip 27 is attached by screw means 40 to the lower surface of the horizontal rail. The anchor clip then fits inside the open upper end of the vertical post 20, until the horizontal rail is flush with and perpendicular to the vertical post. The vertical post is then attached to the enveloped anchor clip 27 by screw means 28 through the walls of the vertical post.
The horizontal rails 25 provide stability and rigidity, and the upper surface of the horizontal rail 45 (FIG. 3A) defines a cavity designed to receive electrical, data and communications wiring. The horizontal rails are square extruded members, similar to a vertical post that has been rotated 90 degrees. There is a lengthwise channel along the centerline of the upper surface of the horizontal rail, giving the horizontal rail a U-shaped profile. Offset from the centerline, the outer portions of the upper surface remain, providing a slight lip extending from the side walls of the horizontal rail on either side of the center cavity. Any wiring in the 1 cavity may be routed directly from the cavity in the horizontal rail, down through the hollow extruded vertical posts 20, terminating at. the appropriate area of the work space through a switch 42 (FIG. 16), outlet 43 or connection jack 44.
This combination of vertical posts 20, rigid divider panels 21 and horizontal rails 25 creates a wall segment (FIG. 2). By adding additional vertical posts 50 (FIG.
3A), horizontal rails 51 and rigid divider panels 52, additional connected wall segments are created. From the starting vertical post 60 (FIG. 3), additional rigid divider panels, horizontal rails and vertical posts are added until the perimeter of the desired work space has been defined, concluding with the ending vertical post 61. Vertical posts other than the starting and ending vertical posts will support more than one rigid divider panel. For example, after the initial wall segment, whose main components are preferably two vertical posts, a rigid divider panel and a horizontal rail, an additional wall segment could be added with the addition of one vertical post, one rigid divider panel, and one horizontal rail.
When adding wall segments, they are placed at angles of substantially 90, 180, or 270 degrees from the previous wall segment. If wall segments are added at either 90 or 270 degrees, a corner junction (FIG. 13) will result between the vertical post 20 and the horizontal rails 25.
One horizontal rail may be attached to the vertical post as described previously. An anchor clip would then be attached by screw means to the side of the already attached vertical rail where the new wall segment is to be attached. Similar to the vertical post/horizontal rail connection, the open end of the unconnected horizontal rail would then be slid over the attached anchor clip until the end of the unconnected horizontal rail is flush with and perpendicular to the already connected horizontal rail. The unconnected horizontal rail would then be attached to the anchor clip by screw means throught the walls of the unconnected horizontal rail.
Wall segments may be placed to create a partially open work space (FIG. 6) or an enclosed office. An interlocking system of partially open work spaces might have multiple subsequent wall segments branching out from a single previous wall segment, such as the common "H" shaped work space, where two work spaces have a common wall segment dividing them.
Each wall segment may be customized by adding a variety of work surfaces to it. In one embodiment, these work surfaces are constructed of plywood, surfaced with a Lontop brand synthetic writing surface and edged on all exposed faces with brushed aluminum. The work surfaces could also be constructed of wood, metal, plastic or any other rigid material, surfaced with plastic laminate, formica, veneer, any synthetic writing surface or any other durable, long wearing colorable surface, and edged with plastic laminate, rubber, nylon, tin, vinyl, or any other durable yet attractive surface. These work surfaces are attached by bracket means (FIG.
9, 10) to the vertical posts of the particular wall segment to add desks, countertops, shelves or even a sink. The brackets are preferably constructed of aluminum. The brackets are attached by screw means to sides of the vertical posts that are perpendicular to the plane of the wall _7_ 1 segment. The work surfaces are then attached by screw means to the brackets.
Work surfaces are easily added into offices or work spaces. Long brackets (FIG. 9) are attached by screw means 90 (FIG. 9) to adjacent vertical posts 70, 71 (FIG. 8) at the desired height to support the work surface. The work surface is also attached to the long bracket by screw means 91 along the lower edge of the work surface. A standard work space may be created with a simple combination of components. Different embodiments of the invention provide work surfaces predesigned for different applications, such as a drafting table with a much larger and deeper desktop area (FIG. 5), an administration center with a desk area and counter space to facilitate placement of filing drawers underneath (FIG. 6), and a transaction counter with a shorter rigid divider panel and attached counter area to facilitate face to face transactions (FIG. 7, 8).
A corner work surface 23 (FIG. 3) provides a typical desk type work space. A
comer sink is also possible with the same outer dimensions as the corner work surface 23.
Other corner units may include an adjoining corner unit 24 that transitions to a standard rectangular work surface 33 (FIG. 4), an L-shaped corner that connects two standard rectangular work surfaces 65 (FIG.
6), and an L-shaped corner that connects a standard rectangular work surface with a deeper rectangular work surface 35 (FIG. 5). The standard work surface 33 (FIG. 4) may also be provided in a shorter length that requires only two brackets 31 and runs the length of a single wall segment 66, between consecutive vertical posts 67 and 68.
Rectangular shelves 69 (FIG. 8) may be added to a wall segment by attaching short brackets 31 by screw means 93 to adjacent vertical posts 70 and 71 along a wall segment. The shelves 69 are then attached by screw means 72 to the short bracket 31. The shelves run the length of the rigid divider panel and its respective attachment means, from the inside edge of one vertical post to the inside edge of an adjacent vertical post. Shelves may be provided above a work surface, or may be placed independently in multiple rows as library type shelves (FIG.
l0A). The spacing and height of the individual shelves is variable by the user.
Corner shelves 39 (FIG. 8) may also be added, requiring three short brackets 31. The corner shelves are preformed in a 90 degree angle to facilitate shelves in a corner. A short bracket would be attached by screw means to the inside edge of a vertical post. A second bracket would be attached by screw means to the inside edge of the adjacent vertical post, which would be the corner post at the end of the wall segment. A third bracket would be attached by screw means to the inside edge of the next adjacent vertical post, along the wall segment that extends out at 90 degrees from the previous wall segment. The corner shelf would then be attached by screw means through the lower surface of the corner bracket unit to each of the three short brackets upon which it rests.
A means for hanging or attaching papers may also be provided 75 (FIG. 3A). A
narrow aluminum strip 75 which spans a wall segment is attached by screw means at one end 76 of the strip to the face of the vertical post parallel to the wall segment, and at the other end 77 of the _g_ WO 00/12831 PCTNS99/19642 ' 1 strip to the face of an adjacent vertical post. This aluminum strip is parallel to the rigid divider panel, with space between the aluminum strip and the rigid divider panel to allow items to be clipped onto or hung over the aluminum strip. A rectangular presentation board 78 (FIG. 16) may also be attached to a wall segment. The board fits between adjacent vertical posts 79, 80 of a wall segment and attaches by screw means 81 at each corner of the presentation board to the attachment means coupled to the leading edge 22 and trailing edge 24 of a rigid divider panel.
In one embodiment of the invention, cross members 82 (FIG. 14) may be added between wall segments to provide rigidity and strength, and to provide a surface from which to hang lighting systems 86 (FIG. 14). In this way, the work space has its own independent source of light, and is not dependent on outside or existing ceiling lighting. This allows for greater freedom in placing the room subdivision systems, as they are free standing and independent of outside constraints. The cross members are simply additional horizontal rails, attached to existing horizontal rails as described previously.
An enclosed office may also be created. Wall segments are placed to enclose the desired 1 S office area, leaving open a space the equal in width to one wall segment between the starting vertical post and the ending vertical post. A door 95 (FIG. 5, SA) may be provided so that the ofl~ce is completely enclosed. The sliding door means is attached by bolt means to the face of the horizontal rail, in the plane of the wall segment, directly above either the starting or ending vertical post. A lock means 97 may also be provided, attaching to the vertical post 20 and exendable into the door 95 to lock the door in place. At the base of this vertical post 20, an L-shaped bracket 99 is attached by screw means to the vertical post, with a guide 98 for the sliding door attached by screw means to the bracket.
In the enclosed office embodiment, cross members 82 (FIG. 5, 14) are attached between parallel wall segments. Ceiling panels 88, the preferred embodiment being rectangular rigid acoustical panels, with a glass fiber core and fabric covering, are supported by the cross members and the vertical rails defining the perimeter of the office. At each corner of the ceiling panels, the ceiling panels are attached by screw means 83 to the cross members and horizontal rails. The cross members also provide a receptacle for sprinklers 84 (FIG. 14) and ventilation systems 85 (FIG. 14). Sprinkler systems are extended down from the ceiling of the open space, through the cavity in the upper surface of the cross member, and through an opening to be cut from the lower surface of the cross member. Ventilation systems, which are supported by the existing structure of the building, may be similarly extended down to the ceiling panels of the enclosed offce, where appropriate openings are cut to allow entry into the enclosed office.
Lighting systems 86 (FIG. 14) are hung from the lower surface 87 (FIG. 14) of the cross members. A
track lighting means is attached by screw means to the lower surface of the cross member. The electrical wiring is directly available in the cavity of the cross member for powering the track system.
These cross members also add rigidity and stability to the enclosed office.
The preceding description has been presented with reference to a presently preferred 1 embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings. Workers skilled in the art and technology to which this invention pertains will appreciate that modifications could be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description should not be read as pertaining only to the precise structures and techniques described, but rather should be read consistent with and as support for the following claims which are to have their fullest fair scope.

Claims (16)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A system for creating a work space, comprising:
a plurality of vertical load bearing support posts, arranged to circumscribe said work space;
a plurality of wall panels, numbering one less than the number of vertical support posts, said wall panels attached therebetween and directly supported by adjacent pairs of said vertical support posts; and a plurality of horizontal rails, equal in number to the wall panels, said horizontal rails attached atop said wall panels and between adjacent vertical posts, wherein the height of the wall panels is sufficient so that an occupant of the work space may not see over the wall panels when standing upright.

2. A system as in claim 1 wherein at least one cross member is attached to said horizontal rails, running between any two nonadjacent vertical support posts.

3. A system as in claim 2 wherein a ceiling member is attached between a cross member and horizontal rails supported by the vertical support posts to enclose at least a portion of the work space.

4. A system as in claim 2 wherein the vertical posts, horizontal rails and cross member provide a cavity within them to accommodate wiring.

5. A system as in claim 3 wherein a sprinkler head and ventilation duct extend into the work space through a cross member and a ceiling panel respectively.

6. A system as in claim 2 wherein lighting is attached to said cross member.

7. A system as in claim 1 wherein the circumscribed work space provides a single opening for ingress and egress bounded by two vertical posts, said opening being closable by a door means attached to either of said vertical posts.

8. A system for subdividing the floor surface of an open space into multiple work spaces comprising:
a plurality of vertical load-bearing support posts separating multiple work spaces;
a plurality of wall panels attached therebetween directly supported by and coupled to adjacent pairs of said vertical support posts, said wall panels shared in common between adjacent work spaces;
wherein the height of the wall panels is sufficient so that an occupant of one work space may not see over the wall panels when standing upright.

9. A system as in claim 8 wherein horizontal rail is attached atop and runs between each pair of adjacent vertical support posts.

10. A system as in claim 9 wherein the vertical posts and horizontal rails provide a cavity within them to accommodate wiring.

11. A system as in claim 1 wherein the attachment means for the vertical support posts, wall panels and horizontal rails is a screw.

12. A system as in claim 1 wherein the vertical support posts are removably anchored to a floor.

13. A system as in claim 12 wherein the vertical support posts are bolted to the floor.

14. A system as in claim 9 wherein a ceiling member is attached to horizontal rails supported by the vertical support posts to enclose at least a portion of the work space.

15. A system as in claim 8 wherein the vertical support posts are removably anchored to a floor.

16. A system as in claim 15 wherein the vertical support posts are bolted to the floor.