FR2830173A1 - MODULAR OFFICE FURNITURE SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

Office furniture system for fitting out and fitting out at least one workstation, adjustable according to the configuration of the room, the number of workstations to be installed there and their equipment, said system being based on a unit elementary furniture consisting of a horizontal work surface (1) fixed on one side to a vertical panel (2) resting on the ground and supported on the other side by at least one foot (4), said vertical panel (2) ) being provided on both sides with sets of holes (5) allowing the attachment of office automation accessories and shelves and, on the side opposite to the work surface (1), the attachment of support members or securing to a wall parallel to the panel (2), the length of said members determining a volume located between the vertical panel (2) and said wall to accommodate elements and / or accessories provided to equip said volume.

Description

the absence of the helmet chin strap) at will.

  The present invention relates to an office furniture system for the layout and arrangement of at least one work station, which can be adapted according to the configuration of the room, the number of stations to be installed there and their

  respective equipment and functions.

  The use of modular systems, making it possible to adapt the configurations as flexibly and as quickly as possible according to many criteria, has spread in recent years, in particular in response to recurring problems which the field of professional furniture had to

to face.

  First of all, the cost of rental space for offices, which requires rationalization and optimization of the workspace. In this perspective, we can for example be led to cohabit different professions, requiring various work structures responding to specific functions. This cohabitation can also con_mer the same workstation, in the context of more and more often encountered nomadic users,

  who only return periodically to their base.

  The tendency being to arrange large areas in the form of workspaces such as collective landscaped offices, it remains important that the management of this type of spaces can be done in the most judicious way possible, it is that is to say by providing a large number of possible solutions, without complicating the design and assembly of the equipment

intended to occupy these spaces.

  In many current solutions, the need to plan in advance, and then manage the basic components entering the configurations to be produced, raises multiple problems. The large number of assembly solutions, reflecting the variety of forms and possible combinations with a reduced number of basic elements leads paradoxically in most of the existing offer to a lack of flexibility, because it sometimes becomes

  cumbersome to modify a configuration after the initial design.

  Workstations, even the simplest, are in fact made up of traditional basic elementary components such as support legs, worktops, partition panels, etc ... which in some cases must be completely dismantled to reorganize them. with a view to achieving a

different configuration.

  In more elaborate cases, in order to limit reassembly / disassembly work, the aforementioned components are organized in so us-e n m mb les, by postulate which cannot be dismantled, and which are organized according to the needs of the site. This is for example the case of the modular furniture system described in document PCT WO98 / 16135, for which the work table and its legs constitute a functional unit, the separation panels between work stations also constitute a functional unit, because they are associated with a support structure S resting on the ground, etc. In this case, it is certainly possible to carry out rapid and modular rearrangements of the various elements participating in the furniture, without

particular disassembly work.

  The independence of the above-mentioned functional units can however also be a drawback, when the rationalization of workspaces on a site must be taken to its extreme. Indeed, the system described in patent WO98 / 16135 is made up of completely independent units from one another, which consequently hardly favor the establishment of a lasting configuration when several offices are associated. Each unit enjoys almost total freedom from the others, and can therefore be moved, more or less voluntarily, by users of the workspaces since no means is provided to prevent them. It is therefore difficult to plan an optimized management of space on a

big surface.

  This system also favors the positioning of storage furniture in the space occupied by the user of the workstation, which can quickly lead to an overload of the harmful volume in terms of space management, as much for purely reasons functional

  storage only for the well-being of the occupant of said space.

  The invention aims to solve the aforementioned problems, by proposing a solution which makes it possible to respond very flexibly and very quickly to any need for modifications to the single or multi-user workspace, while guaranteeing a strong durability of the configuration drawn up, and by imposing a minimum rigidity on the division of space, compatible with the rationalization of its functional management on the one hand, and with the comfort of use

occupants on the other hand.

  To fulfill these objectives, the office furniture system according to the invention is essentially characterized in that it is based on an elementary movable unit consisting of a horizontal work surface fixed on one side to a 3 S vertical panel resting on the ground and supported on the other side by at least one foot, said vertical panel being provided on two faces with sets of orifices allowing the attachment of office automation accessories and shelves and, on the side opposite to the plane of work, the fixing of support or fastening members to a wall parallel to the panel, the length of said members determining a volume located between the vertical panel and said wall for housing elements

  eVou accessories provided to equip said volume.

  The basic unit of the work station, according to the concept defined by the invention, therefore consists of a structural "skeleton" necessary for all work stations, constituted as an "indivisible" object, that is to say say materializing the lowest denominator common to all configurations based on the concept of the invention. This unit can however take various forms, according to the dimensions given to its horizontal element, the work plan, and to its

  vertical element, panel, etc ...

  The different dimensional variations of the plans / panels, associated with relative positions that can also be modified, make it possible to achieve a large number of possible basic configurations, in addition

  can be combined with one another in an extremely flexible way.

  It should also be noted that the invention provides in all of its configurations the possibility of organizing a storage volume which does not encroach

  not on the space occupied by the user.

  This volu is also very configurable for me. according to the needs of the user eVou according to the layout of the space, even the available surface. As will be shown in more detail below, this storage volume can if necessary be transformed into an additional working space,

  for example shareable between two contiguous individual workspaces.

  Preferably, the work plan actually has two feet located under the edge of said distal plane of the vertical panel. Although this choice does not result

  2 5 of a functional necessity, it improves the stability of the assembly.

  In order to optimize the ability of the elementary movable unit to be combined or recombined according to the surface possibilities of the site, the panel

  vertical can be fitted with rollers for easy movement.

  Preferably, said rollers are then two in number, with an axis of rotation integrated into the vertical panel, parallel to its lower edge and to a

  distance from it less than their radius.

  This last characteristic, in addition to giving the whole a better aesthetic appearance, which must also be emphasized as contributing to the general objective of efficiency by improving the comfort and well-being of the user, allows 3 5 also encroach as little as possible on the floor surfaces located on either side of the partition, leaving them available to receive in particular

storage elements.

  According to one possibility, the sets of orifices are arranged in vertical lines arranged parallel on the surface of the panel, at least near the side edges and in the center. It is therefore perfectly possible, in a manner known per se, to select in two dimensions the location of the installation of the accessories according to the needs of the user. These holes are not only used for fixing accessories, but also for the installation of sleepers or stops defining in particular the storage volume. The latter can coexist, on the face opposite to that to which the tab is the idarized floor, with accessories that are movable or separate from those used in the workspace. They can also be used as a guide, support or stop for elements

storage.

  According to a possible configuration, considered particularly suitable for the various modes of operation of the movable unit of the invention, the orifices also constitute horizontal lines, the vertical lines comprising, at the level of the attachment area of the worktop, a group spaced holes

  in a reduced pitch for said fixing.

  This possibility contributes to improving the adaptive capacities of the

  system, in the fixing area of the horizontal plane.

  Preferably, it is fixed to the vertical panel by means of brackets

  secured to said panel at the group of close orifices.

  This method of attachment is itself modular, depending on whether the work surface is attached to the vertical panel or, as a possible variant, depending on whether said plane is fixed to the horizontal branch of the brackets, leaving a spacing,

then covered with a chute.

  This chute can moreover include orifices for the passage of electric cables, which it can also help to guide horizontally, along the path connecting the devices dependent on electric energy and the access points to the latter. According to another possible method of fixing, racks are this time fixed to the vertical panel at the level of the groups of close orifices, on which said brackets are in turn hung. This solution is

  used when the legs of the worktop are adjustable in height.

  The vertical clearance resulting from the height adjustment of the feet must in fact be taken into account at the junction of the worktop / vertical panel, from where these racks are used, whose very close holes or notches

  allow discreet adaptation with great flexibility.

  According to a possible use, in single station, the elementary movable unit is simply provided with stops, for example of hoop type, allowing it to be disposed against an existing wall of the room while maintaining a storage space. The storage volume is then formed between the single

vertical panel and said wall.

  According to a variant of the single-station system, the elementary movable unit is fixed to a second vertical panel by means of crosspieces connecting the two panels. If there is yet another variant, which in fact illustrates one of the possibilities which best reflects the potential of the invention, the elementary movable units are grouped in pairs, crosspieces securing the two vertical panels. Each of the elementary units can then be built on a different model, the assembly which constitutes a group of two of these units can itself be declined according to several variants. It is then a

multi-user configuration.

  In addition to these multiple configuration possibilities, and according to an advantageous aspect of the system of the invention, the common area located between the vertical panels can itself be configured in a very variable manner, according to the dimensioning and the location of the crosspieces or stops, and above all

  according to the eVou accessories movable elements that are placed there.

  According to one possibility, the sleepers or the stops, in addition to their main function of joining the two vertical panels, can also

  be used as a support for at least one shelf.

  The shelf (s) can in turn be installed at one or the other of the ends of the corridor formed between the two panels, or even over its entire length, depending on whether they are common, specific to one of the users or to of them. Several shelves can also be arranged at heights

  different. These multiple possibilities are exploitable at the option of the users.

  In addition to shelves, the volume determined by the crosspieces or the stops

  can be occupied by at least one storage box.

  Once again, the possibilities of arrangement of the box (es) are multiple: according to one possibility, the box (es) can rest on the ground, near a lower angle of the vertical panel for reasons of accessibility, at a place which is consequently devoid of crosspiece or stop. Preferably, at least one storage box can be provided movable, in order to allow its extraction to further facilitate the storage operations eVou search. In this case, said box can be provided with

casters fitted to its base.

  According to another possible use, the volume located between the vertical panels can include a work surface fixed to the panels. This additional table, for example surrounded by height panels such that it preserves privacy, can be used as a shared area between the two workstations, for multiple uses. Thus, this space can be equipped with shareable IT resources, such as an Internet access station, a printer, etc. It can also be used as a reception station dedicated to welcoming people foreign to the service, which are kept away from the office itself. A certain confidentiality is thus preserved, as much in the reception area as for any files

open on workstations.

  Finally, this space can serve as a neutral zone, a meeting place for the two people occupying the configuration with two offices, for example if they

  work as a team and must share information / results.

  The vertical panels, depending on the function assigned to them in the single or multi-user environment allowed by the concept of the invention, can themselves take different heights, as was mentioned above. More particularly, at least three distinct heights have been provided: - a first height close to that of the work surface; - a second height such that a user seated at his work surface is hidden; and - a third height hiding a person standing in front of the worktop. This characteristic makes it possible to modulate the division of the workplaces, according to the function of the occupants, the mode of operation of the stations, etc. Preferably, these vertical panels of the elementary movable unit can be provided with a light in the vicinity of the zone. fixing plan

  work for the passage of electric cables.

  In most cases, the shelves or storage boxes leave an empty volume located in the middle of the storage space, even when they simultaneously equip its two ends. This volume is used to pass the cables, which can come from a source located at the

  plinth level, in the ground or in the ceiling.

  In the latter two cases, and in particular when they come from the ceiling, the cables can be conveyed by a column up to the height of the light practiced in the vertical panel. Depending on the case, this column can be articulated to facilitate the relative positioning of its ends, or fixed to an upper shelf, etc. This possibility broadly opens up the prospect of supplying from the ceiling, making it possible to overcome the constraints linked to power supplies by the

  ground (wells in fixed places, obstacle to the positioning of the furniture, ...).

  In summary, the use of an elementary movable unit such as that advocated in the context of the invention makes it possible to achieve an acceptable compromise between the flexibility of configuration and reconfiguration of the work premises and a certain rigidity guaranteeing the maintenance of the confluence as initially envisaged, while implementing storage facilities which serve not to unnecessarily overload the workspace for the comfort of the user. The invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the figures in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of an elementary movable unit according to the invention; - Figure 2 shows, in perspective, an isolated vertical panel; - Figure 3 shows, in perspective, the association of two elementary units according to the invention, with an intermediate space for storage; - Figure 4 is a side view of the configuration of Figure 3, showing the support sleepers; - Figure 5 is a perspective view of a variant in which the intermediate space is equipped with a work table; - Figure 6 is a top view of a variant of the configuration of Figure 5 with an offset positions; - Figure 7 is a perspective view of a configuration in which the elementary unit of the invention is shown secured to a second panel; and - Figure 8 shows, still in perspective, a mounting variant

possible of the invention.

  With reference to FIG. 1, the elementary unit which is the basis of the concept of the invention consists first of all of a work surface (1) fixed to a vertical panel (2). The fixing is conventionally done by means of brackets (not shown). In the case where the height of the work surface is adjustable, said brackets are fixed to the panel (2) via racks secured to the latter. The lower edge of the vertical panel (2) is fitted with rollers (3)

  partially embedded in the body of the panel (2).

  Opposite its proximal edge of the vertical panel (2), the worktop

  or table (1) has two legs (4), which can be adjustable in height.

  In order to optimize the working space, said feet (4), represented inclined, however remain in the flight located under the plane

of work (1) proper.

  The vertical panel (2) comprises a set of through holes (5) provided for fixing all the elements connected to the panel (2). Thus, the attachment brackets of the plate (1) are fixed to a group of more closely spaced orifices (5), centered in verticality, and forming part of the game fitted to each panel (2). All the equipment secured to the two faces of the vertical panel (2) uses these orifices for their fixing, including possible racks. According to one possibility, these orifices (5) can be obstructed by studs (5 ') which can support accessories, and which confer

  in addition to the panel an original aesthetic appearance.

  The elementary movable unit of the invention, in spite of its apparent simplicity, makes it possible, as will be seen below, to very flexibly realize a large number of possible configurations of furniture layouts. This standardized unit is easily movable, and can therefore be brought in excellent conditions to the place of final assembly. The rollers (3) are in particular provided for this purpose, since it suffices to lift the plate (1) at the distal edge of the panel (2) to be able to move without any problem

  the elementary unit as a whole.

  As already pointed out, the representation of FIG. 1 is only one possible example of a combination of vertical panel (2) and work surface (1). Indeed, different dimensions of these two elements are

  usable in multiple combinations.

  Referring to Figure 2, a panel of the same type as that of Figure

  was shown, however, having a higher height.

  Thus, the vertical panel (2) of Figure 1 ends at the orifice line located immediately above the three lines of orifices (5) grouped together, while the panel (2) of Figure 2 has a no additional height. It should be noted that the orifices (5) located near the edges of the vertical panel (2) are placed at a distance from said edges which is a constant whatever

  the vertical panel model (2) used.

  The brackets for fixing the work surface (1) to the panel (2) are preferably fixed to the orifices of the two lower lines of the set of three lines combined. The holes being through, in particular to meet the requirements of industrial production, the choice of the location of the various elements to be fixed to the vertical panel (2) is therefore identical.

3 5 on each of its faces.

  A first example of the grouping of two elementary movable units according to the invention appears in FIG. 3. In this case, these units are identical, and make up a symmetrical structure. It is of course obvious that the association can be made with elements that are different in their dimensions, and that changes can also result from positioning shifts, leading for example to a diagonalization of the structure. This figure clearly shows the creation of a new space between the two worktops (1, 1 '), limited by the two vertical panels (2, 2'), and S in which storage elements can be arranged. In the example shown, these elements consist of a shelf (6) and a parallelepiped box (7). These two storage elements are simply placed on the crosspieces connecting the two vertical panels (2, 2 '), as appears in Figure 4. The simple installation, followed by tightening the panels towards one another , suffices to ensure a solid fixation of said

storage elements.

  Preferably, these crosspieces (8) consist of simple metal tubes, for example of circular section, and which are fixed for example by screwing in coaxial orifices of the panels (2, 2 ') facing each other. The brackets (9) illustrate a method of fixing according to which the worktops (1, 1 ')

  are directly in contact with the vertical panels (2, 2 ').

  It is however also possible to leave a residual space between the edge of the plates (1, 1 ') proximal to the panels (2, 2'), in particular in order to let pass the electrical wiring of the devices placed under the worktop, or even inside the storage area located between said panels (2, 2 '). The gap then remaining between these elements can be filled by a chute facilitating the passage of cables, and also provided

  for storing pencils, pens, etc. (not shown).

  FIG. 5 shows an example of another use of the space situated between the vertical panels (2, 2 ′), namely the creation of a reception / meeting place allowing the users of the worktops (1 , 1 ') either to meet in a "neutral" place, or to receive individually a visitor who is kept away from the work area proper. In such a configuration, the intermediate plate (10) can also be supported via cross members of greater length than in the example of FIGS. 3 and 4, or via brackets

  (not visible) as for the trays (1, 1 ').

  Figure 6 shows a possible variant in which the vertical walls (2, 2 ') have been offset axially, while the intermediate work surface (10) is more elongated. Similarly, and in order to further illustrate the numerous possibilities offered by the concept of the invention, the two work planes (1, 1 ') are not oriented in the same way. One (1) is arranged perpendicular to the vertical panel (2), while the second (1 ') is arranged along the axis of the

panel (2 ').

  The intermediate zone thus constituted, in addition to having a larger opening towards the room, offers a meeting area of more dimension

  important, allowing in particular to welcome three to four people.

  When an elementary movable unit according to the invention must benefit from extended storage possibilities, it is quite possible to fix it to a second vertical panel (2 ′) for example of different height, as appears in FIG. 7, which not only makes it possible to use the space arranged between the panels (2, 2 '), but also to benefit from the upper part of the panel (2'), for example to hang filing bins (12) there,

  suspended from a slide (13) attached to the studs (5 ').

  FIG. 8 illustrates another possible assembly of the invention, with work surfaces (1, 1 ') positioned perpendicular to the panels (2, 2'), and offset. The storage module (7 ') is in this case arranged on casters (11), so that its extraction from the storage space is very easy, likewise

than its storage.

  A tray (14) with folded edges, usable as a shelf, further shows how the basic structure of the invention can give rise to an extraordinary variety of configurations, by combining accessories therein.

elementary.

  The figures explained above obviously represent only a small number of the multiple possibilities offered by the invention. All possible variants are, however, part of said invention, because they result from

  simple combinations within the reach of those skilled in the art.

! 1 1

Claims (19)

  1. Office furniture system for the layout and arrangement of at least one work station, modular according to the configuration of the room, the number of stations to be installed and their equipment, characterized in that it is based on an elementary movable unit consisting of a horizontal work surface (1) fixed on one side to a vertical panel (2) resting on the ground and supported on the other side by at least one foot (4) , said vertical panel (2) being provided on two faces with sets of orifices (5) allowing the fixing of office accessories and shelves and, on the side opposite the worktop (1), the fixing of support or fastening members to a wall parallel to the panel (2), the length of said members determining a volume located between the vertical panel (2) and said wall for housing elements and / or accessories provided for equip said volume.   2. Modular office furniture system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the worktop (1) has two feet   (4) located under the edge of said plane (1) distal of the vertical panel (2).   3. Modular office furniture system according to one of the   previous claims, characterized in that the vertical panel (2) is   equipped with rollers (3) facilitating the movement of the movable unit.   4. Modular office furniture system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said rollers (3) are two in number, of axis of rotation integrated into the vertical panel (2), parallel to its   lower edge and at a distance from it less than their radius.   5. Modular office furniture system according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that the sets of orifices (5) are   arranged in vertical lines arranged parallel on the surface of the   panel (2), at least near the side edges and in the center.   6. Modular office furniture system according to claim 3 0 preceding, characterized in that the orifices (5) are through and also constitute horizontal lines, the vertical lines comprising, at the level of the worktop fixing area ( 1), a group of orifices spaced according to   a reduced pitch for said fixing.   7. Modular office furniture system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the work surface (1) is fixed to the vertical panel (2) by means of brackets (9) secured to said panel (2) at the group of orifices (5) close together.   8. Mod u lable office furniture system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the work surface (1) is fixed to the horizontal branch 1 2 of the brackets (9) leaving a covered space remaining a chute.   9. Modular office furniture system according to claim 6, characterized in that racks are fixed to the vertical panel (2) at the level of groups of orifices (5) close together, on which are in turn fastened brackets ( 9) fixing the worktop (1), when the feet   (4) of the latter are adjustable in height.   10. Modular office furniture system according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that the panel (2) of the unit   elementary furniture is fitted with hoop type stops, allowing it to be   arranged against a room partition respecting the storage volume.   11. Modular office furniture system according to any one of   Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the elementary movable unit is fixed   to a second vertical panel (2 ') by means of crosspieces (8) connecting the two panels (2, 2 ').   12. Modular office furniture system according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that the movable units   elementary are grouped by two, crosspieces (8) joining the two vertical panels (2, 2 ').   2 0 13. Modular office furniture system according to one of the   Claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the stops or crosspieces (8)   serve as support for at least one shelf (6).   14. Modular office furniture system according to any one of   claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the volume determined by the   sleepers (8) is occupied by at least one storage box (7, 7 ').   15. Modular office furniture system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least one box (7, 7 ') rests on the ground near a lower angle of vertical panel (2) without crosspiece (8 ) or stop.   16. Modular office furniture system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the storage box (7 ') is movable   by means of rollers (11) equipping its base.   17. A modular office furniture system according to claim 12, characterized in that the volume located between the vertical panels (2, 2 ') is   3 S equipped with a work surface (10) fixed to said panels (2, 2 ').   18. Modular office furniture system according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that the wall (2, 2 ') of the unit   elementary furniture is produced in at least three distinct heights: a first height close to that of the worktop; - a second height such that a user seated at the work surface is hidden; and - a third height masking a person standing in front of the workplan.   19. Modular office furniture system according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that the vertical panel (2, 2 ') of   the elementary movable unit is provided with a light in the vicinity of the area of