JPS6038123B2 - Furnishing system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a furniture system, ie a group of furniture elements that can be modeled into many different types of furniture.

Heretofore, there has been no flexible office furniture system that allows many different types of furniture to be assembled and reassembled from the same basic furniture elements. For example, wall panels include means for suspending various components such as shelves, desks, writing tables, etc. from the surface of the wall panel.

Limited flexibility is possible insofar as shelves, filing cabinets and writing surfaces can occasionally be placed on the board panel. However, wall panel systems are quite non-conformable since rooms are required to be divided by wall panels.

Designers often desire to have an open office environment. Thus, the limited flexibility available for repositioning suspended furniture elements on the wall panels is only achieved by creating a "Closedin" office environment with the wall panels.

Although it is possible to use conventional desks and deskside units with conventional wall panel systems, the desks and deskside units themselves are of non-conforming construction and are often difficult to use for substantially different applications. cannot be adapted to.

In contrast, desks' side units and credenzas made with the load-bearing end support panels of the present invention are highly malleable once they are assembled, allowing them to accommodate shapes, dimensions and characteristics different from the original furnishings. The furnishing element according to the invention can be disassembled and reassembled to the desired extent, i.e. the furnishing element according to the invention is a fundamentally different consideration of multiple pairs of end support panels, each pair being The paired end panels are vertically disposed interleaved with each other and can support a desktop, credenza top, or table top therebetween.

Various types of cabinets are suspended from the top and supported by end panels.

Because the end panels, tops and cabinets have different dimensions, and because different types of cabinets and tops can be used, many different types of furniture can be constructed from the same basic furniture elements. If the office needs a makeover, it can be disassembled into furniture elements and reassembled into an entirely new piece of furniture with different contours, shapes and characteristics from furniture previously constructed from identical furniture elements.

These and many other important advantages of the present invention will be further understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings. 1-5, representative samples of various unit assemblies constructed in accordance with the present invention are shown.

For example, Figures 1 and 3 are credenzas.
a) shows the unit assembly, incorporating a central case part with drawer sections arranged on either side;
Figure 2 shows the working table unit. Figure 4 shows the desk unit assembly, with the end
It has a flat top section supported by panels and a pair of drawer sections on each side. FIG. 5 shows a desk having a structure similar to that of FIG. 4, the top surface of which is inclined at an angle. Each of these structures utilizes the same basic components including supported members. namely, the top surface, indicated generally by the numeral 10 in each of Figures 1-5, and a pair of end panel sections 12 adapted to support supported sections; The drawer unit 14 shown in FIG.
, 3, credenza central case 16, No. 294 shown in FIG.
, 5, the back panel or stretcher 18 shown in FIG. As the detailed description progresses, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that virtually unlimited arrangements can be constructed from the basic set of parts. The end panel section 12 is usually used with a cover member 20 (see also FIG. 8), and the cover member 2 can be easily removed and the end panel section 12
Gain access to the interior of the end panel where the mechanism that secures the panel to the support member is located.

6 and 7, end panel 12 is shown with cover 20 removed.

The end panel 12 has a double wall structure, and the base 2
2, with sheet metal inner walls 24 and outer walls 26. The base is an elongated metal channel-like member within which is adjustably mounted a leveler 28, which will be described in more detail below. inner wall 24
has a flat rear surface 30 and is bordered at its top and side edges by a peripheral flange 32. The outer wall 26 includes an outwardly projecting central portion 34, a flat surface 36 and an outer flange 3 surrounding the central portion adjacent the top and side edges.
5.

The outer flange 36 is bent upwardly at the top of the end panel 12 and laterally at the side of the end panel 12 to define an abutment flange 72 against which the cover panel 20 rests. and the lower edge of the raised central portion 34 is welded to the base 22 to provide a rigid double-walled end panel structure. defines a single wiring channel 38 around the interior front green, top green and trailing edge of the end panel.

The wiring (FIG. 6, W) utilized for telephone hook-ups, transcription devices, and neck office machinery is conveniently placed within the channel 38 and can be routed to the top of the work surface. Decorative trim strips extend around the front, top and rear perimeter of the end panel and provide an attractive appearance (Figure 6).

Access means 42 are provided on the top surface of the trim strip 40 for passing wiring from the channel 36 to the top surface of the work surface 10. Trim strip 40 and flange 32 are provided with access closures 44 (FIG. 11). A plug or cap section 46 configured to be integral with the trim 40 is provided for closing the access closure.

Plug 46 is secured to the stereotactic calendar within gateway 44 by an opening 48 in its lower surface, which releasably engages an upright pin member 50 secured to channel 38. Pin member 5 is centrally supported in closure 44 and channel 38 by a tab 51 which is secured to flat surface 36 and projects outwardly therefrom. Another plug 46 is provided. 1
Slots or ports in the upper surface of the two plugs 46 are provided for passing wires or the like from the channel 38 to the upper surface of the work surface.

If wiring access is not required, a separate plug is provided which has a flat top surface that is completely integrated with the trim strip to provide a flat continuous appearance. The supported member or work surface 10 is secured to the end panel by screws 52, which connect the outer wall 26 and the inner wall 2.
4 and into a bracket 150 or other suitable threaded fastener located at the end of the supported member.

The pedestal drawer unit 14 is suspended at the rear from the top 10 of the desk 1 by engagement of a hanger 120 and a rule assembly 130. (
16, 17, 18). In the front, Bedestal 1
4 is suspended by a pair of bolts 141, each bolt being connected to the top 1 through an elastically compressible spacer 140.
0 beam 142. desk 1 end
The connection between panel 12 and top 10 is adjustable so that top 101 can be oriented in a horizontal position (FIG. 16) or in an inclined position (FIG. 17). The rail assembly 13 has an upper rail 131 and a lower rail 132, which engages the upper rail 131 when the top 10 is horizontal and engages the lower rail 132 when the top 10 is tilted. do.

In this manner, the vedestal 14 is generally horizontal regardless of the orientation of the top 10. A leveling device 28 located at the bottom of the end panel within the base 22 is provided for leveling the assembled unit as required.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 12, the leveler 28 includes a sliding member 54 that is extendable and retractable from the base 22. As shown in FIGS. A stud 56 is secured to the sliding member and projects upwardly into the panel between the side walls of the base 22. A nut 58 is threaded onto the stud and is received and retained within the base by abutment with a slot formed in the base such that when the nut is turned, the stud and sliding member move relative to the nut, thereby increasing the The village 54 is expanded or contracted. Referring again to FIG. 6, a plurality of slots 60 are formed in the upper edge of the outwardly projecting central portion 34 of the outer wall 26.

The lower portion of the outer wall is provided with a plurality of slots 64 for engaging the lower portion of the cover 20. The cover assembly and its locking mechanism are shown in FIGS. 8-10, and FIG. 15 shows its assembly with the end panel.

The cover 20 is formed of sheet metal and has vertical and horizontal dimensions that correspond to the openings of the end panel 12. cover 2
The wire is formed with a pair of protruding lateral flanges 66 adapted to feed into the peripheral flange 32 forming a wire channel 38 on the front and rear sides of the end panel. The top and bottom edges of the cover are rolled back as shown at 68 and 70 to provide double wall thickness at the top and bottom of the cover. As detailed below, this double wall thickness is achieved by corresponding steps 72, 74 (seventh) in the end panel structure.
, Fig. 15). A retaining rail 7 welded to the inside of the cover at its lower part
6 includes a plurality of retention tabs 78 projecting outwardly from the inside of the cover near the lower edge portion 70. Retention tab 78
are spaced longitudinally of the retaining rail and are provided for engagement with slots 64 (FIGS. 6 and 15) in the end panel. Means for releasably securing the cover to the end panel, indicated generally by the numeral 80, is located near the upper edge of the cover.

The removable fastening means includes a plurality of locking tabs 82 adapted for locking engagement with tab receiving slots 60 formed in the central portion of the end panel. 1st
As shown in FIG. 0, the tab 82 is formed with a rear wall 84, and the rear wall 84 is fixed to a movably mounted lock slide member 86 after welding. The rear wall projects upwardly and outwardly to form an upwardly facing front flange 88, and the flange 88 is provided with a pair of bias spring retaining ports 90. Each locking tab 82 projects downwardly from the rear wall 84 and outwardly perpendicular to the rear wall to form a mechanism for engaging a slot 60 in the end panel. The engagement feature of locking tab 82 is generally barbed or triangular having a leading edge portion 92 and outwardly tapered side walls 94 terminating in shoulders 96, 98 adjacent the intersection with rear wall 84. It is noted that shoulder 98 projects outwardly from the rear wall a distance approximately 1/16 inch (0.16 inch) greater than shoulder 96 for reasons discussed below. A pair of lock release actuators 100 are also secured to the lock slide 86 between the tabs 82;
Each actuator has an upper portion 1 projecting outwardly and upwardly.
01 and, when assembled within the cover, any one of the tab members is accessible through the access closure 42 in the top portion of the end panel. As shown in FIG. 9, a lock slide 86 including a lock tab 82 and a lock release actuator 100 is movably mounted within a lock slide retainer 102. The slide retainer is a generally flat elongated strip having a central portion formed with a channel for receiving a locking slide 86 longitudinally. - The retainer 102 is fixed to the inward surface of the cover 20 by welding. Opening 1 in the longitudinal direction of the retainer 102
04 (FIG. 8), from which a locking tab 82 protrudes when assembled. A similar gate 106 is also provided with a lock release actuator 10. The raised central portion of the slide retainer is provided with a notch 108 at each end thereof, and a bias spring 110 is connected to the notch 108 at one end and to the flange 88 at the other end.
The lock tab 82 is connected to the lock tab 82 through the gate 90 . As noted, the entrance 104 of the slide retainer 102 is larger than the width of the rear wall 84 of the locking tab 82.
Sekiguchi 106 is also slightly larger than the width of lock release actuator 100. This allows limited movement of the locking slide 86 and tabs across the width of the cover. Biasing spring 110 continually biases the locking mechanism into its locked position by shifting locking slide 86 to the right, as shown in FIG. The cover panel 20 can be painted, plated, coated with furniture upholstery material 1201, or otherwise finished.

Furniture upholstery material is placed on the outer surface of the cover panel 20;
The ends 68, 70' are folded over (Fig. 15b). This releasable locking feature is provided by two
The shoulders 96, 98 (FIG. 10) are adapted to compensate for the use of different thicknesses of furniture upholstery or the absence thereof, thereby allowing both painted and upholstery surfaces to be The surface will be flush with the edges of trim 40. As previously discussed, shoulder 98 is located at a greater distance from the rear wall than shoulder 96. Therefore, if the cover 20 is applied with upholstery material, the shoulder 96 is utilized to position the cover panel 20 closer to the wall 26 of the end panel 12 so that the exterior surface of the upholstery material is the green color of the trim 40. (Figures 15A and 16B)
(Compare the figures). If the cover panel 20 is painted or used with a light fabric, it may be desirable to utilize the shoulder 98 to perform the locking function, so that the cover panel 20 is spaced further from the wall 26 and thereby The painted surface can also be flush with the edges of the trim 40. Plastic extrusions 130' are used along the top and side perimeter of the end panel 12 to ensure a neat, rattling-free fit when the cover panel 20 is not covered with upholstery material (FIG. 15A). ). The extrusion 130' has a jaw 1 at the end.
32' is provided with an upper barbed leg 131'. The barbed leg 131' fits between the upper edge of the flange 72 and the peripheral flange 32 of the wall 24 and is retained there by the barb 132'. The leg 133 extends vertically downward or inward from the barbed leg 131' and is divided into two branching legs 134, 135. These branch legs hold the traverse of the cover panel 20 away from the surface of the abutment flange 72, thereby ensuring a rattling-free fit. Of course, if furniture upholstery material 120' is used, extrusion material 130' is not used (No. 15B
figure). The slip fit of cover panel 20 to end panel 12 is achieved through various slots and tabs (6, 15A, 15
This becomes even easier by operating Figures B, 19 and 20).

As can be seen with reference to Figure 20, end panel 1
In addition to the slot 64 at the bottom of 2, another smaller slot 64a is located directly below it. This creates a small metal bridge 64 between the two slots.
b is left. If the cover panel 201 is fitted with upholstery material 120', this metal bridge 64b is bent inward by pushing a screwdriver into the slot 64a and twisting it. the result,
The cover panel 20 is not only held closer at the top by the bridges 96 of the tabs 82, but also more closely at the bottom by the tabs 78 (FIGS. 15A and 15B).
(Compare the figures). As can be seen with particular reference to FIG. 15B, the metal bridges 64b are bent inwardly to further retain the tabs 78 inwardly.

Lateral Adjustments Wall 2 on each side of end panel 12
This is achieved by a small tab cut into the peripheral flange 35 of the flange 14 (FIG. 19).

These tabs 140 bear the lateral flanges 66 of the cover panel 20 shown in FIGS. By bending the tabs 140 inwardly or outwardly, the cover panel 2
0 can be shifted laterally in either direction.
In this way, proper lateral adjustment of the cover panel 20 is achieved.

Finally, it should be noted that, to some extent, internal and external adjustments can be accomplished at the top of the cover panel 20 by gently prying the edges of the slots 60 inwardly or outwardly (FIG. 6).

The slot 60 is a slot into which the tab 82 of the slide lock 80 fits. As shown in FIG. 8, shoulder 98 is adapted to engage slot 60 due to the presence of biasing spring 110 which urges the locking slide tab to the right.

To convert to shoulder 96 engagement, simply remove bias spring 110 from the position shown in FIG.
It may be located within the notch 108' at the opposite end of the slide retainer and within the locking tab entrance 90' at the far left side of the locking mechanism. When so positioned, the locking slide and the components mounted thereon are biased in opposite directions to engage the shoulder 96 and the tab receiving slot 60. Once assembled, to release the cover, simply remove plug 46 (FIG. 11), reach through access mechanism 42, and move lock release actuator 100 against the bias of spring 110 to release the lock slide. All you have to do is shift the . This, of course, shifts the locking tabs out of engagement with the slots 60 in the panel, thereby facilitating removal of the cover. An alternative embodiment of the end panel 12' shown in FIG. 13 is similar to that previously described and is essentially constructed in the same way. Therefore, the same reference numerals with a prime 1 are used to identify the parts. The following sections are identical to those described above, including a base 22', a leveler 28', a double walled structure providing a wiring channel 38';
and a working surface 10' secured by fastening means 52'. The upper section is similarly constructed and includes fastening means 52
The storage unit 10'' is supported in a similar manner by the storage unit 10''. The wiring channel extends across the top similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 40'.14th
The diagram shows a diagram of shared work stations,
End panels 12' of the type shown in FIGS. 6 and 13 cooperate to provide shared storage units.

The end panels 12' support a pair of storage units 16, 16' therebetween. Instead of being suspended from the work surface 10, for example as shown in FIG.
Each of the storage units 16, 16' is connected to the adjacent unit through its trim and end through a fastening screw 52''.
It is adapted to be attached to the panel 12'.

For example, desks 1 of the type shown in FIG. 5 are located on each side of the storage unit 16, one desk generally adjacent to one unit and one desk generally adjacent to another unit. In order for each desk 1 to have an adjacent storage unit, the storage unit 16 opens to the left to give access to the desk on the left (as viewed in Figure 14);
Unit 16' opens to the right to give access to the desk on the right. As will be appreciated, virtually any number of furniture structures may be constructed utilizing the novel support panels of the present invention.

In the preferred embodiment, each component is 5 inches (12.
7) Based on the module dimensions of the module.
It has been found that the 5 inch (12.7 arc) module size provides the most efficient storage of standard information documents and requires less space, better human factor dimensions such as desk surface area, etc. The system allows for the most efficient arrangement of work stations within the system, while maintaining modular dimensions that facilitate planning and avoid the need to use fractions. It also provides better stability for high storage units, for example by using a 20 inch (50.8 arc) depth versus the standard 18 inch (4572 伽) depth utilized in traditional office furnishing structures. give. Additionally, inconvenient overhangs such as office calculators, computer terminals, typewriters, etc. can be reduced to provide a deeper working area. Finally, the 5 inch (12.7 C) module size is a reasonable unit to assist space planners. To the extent feet and inches are used, all modules must be converted to inches for calculations. 5 inches (1
2.7) The module reduces the chance of miscalculation because all dimensions end in ``0'' or ``5''; such numbers are easy to calculate and can be converted to feet and inches for the final calculation.

Thus, the end panels for the present system are provided with a depth (distance from one side edge of the end panel to the other side green) that is an integer multiple of 5 inches (12.7 arcs).

Specifically, the end panel 12 is 20 inches (50.
8 arc), 25 inches (63.5 skin), 30 inches (76
．． 2 arc) and a depth of 35 inches (Shi.9 skin). On the other hand, a storage unit such as unit 14, a top such as top 10, when combined with the thickness of the two end panels 12, has a thickness of 5 inches (12.7 mm)
It has a total length that is an integer multiple of .

Specifically, 30 inches (76.2), 35 inches (
Total, 9 skins), 40 inches (101.6 arcs), 45 inches (114.3 arcs), 50 inches (127 foxes), 55 inches (139.7 feet), 60 inches (152.4 skins), 7
0 inches (177.8) and 75 inches (190.
5 skin) length is given. This means, for example, that if the desk length is 70 inches (177.&ne) and each end panel is approximately 1 inch (2.54 skins) thick, then the length of the top 10 is 68 inches (172.7
2) means that it must be. 68 inch (172.72 kite) top plus two 1 inch (
2.54) end panels are 70 inches (117.&
Give the total length of M).

The 5-inch (12.7 feet) module concept has been extended to space divider panels used with the system.

These space divider panels are panel 1
2, but it is constructed with a mechanism that connects to the end panel 12 or to each other, and need not include a mechanism for attaching a desktop or the like. FIG. 21 shows a furniture arrangement in which one such space divider 212 and two smaller space dividers 212a are used.

Space divider 212 is 45 inches deep, or the distance from one side edge to the other side green.
It is. A space divider 212 is a space divider 212 that connects a desk unit 10 to a space between two
It is joined to a storage unit having two storage compartments 14.

The 45 inch (114.3 inches) dimension provides a comfortable space for the occupants of this area to move around.

It also provides the desired privacy. than 4
・The depth of the bulkhead 212a is only 20 inches (50
．． 8c).

Here we have a 45 inch (114.3 skin) storage unit 1
4' is used as the main spacer between the desk 10' and the storage unit 14. This small divider partition wall 2
12a gives the occupants of this working area somewhat more space and gives a good decorative effect. 5 inches (12
．． 7 skins), and specifically 20 inches (5 skins).
0.8c), 25 inches (63.5 arcs), 30 inches (76.2 skins), 35 inches (88.9 feet), 40 inches (101.6 skins) and 45 inches (114.3 arcs) By providing a space divider bulkhead with a certain depth, the 5 inch (12.7 inch) module concept is conveniently extended from a furnishing dimension to a dimension utilized for space division.

In the above description, many modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the concept disclosed herein, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

Such modifications are to be considered within the scope of the claims. EMBODIMENTS In systems of multiple furnishing components, such as desks, tables, credenzas, file cabinets, etc., the lengths and depths of all of said components are integral multiples of 5 inches, thereby making the combination of said components A system characterized by easy placement.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1-5 are perspective views of representative furniture structures provided in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the end panel support member with the cover panel removed. FIG. 7 is a skin-to-skin plan cross-sectional view of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the inside of the cover panel removed from the end panel. Figure 9 shows K~ in Figure 8.
It is a sectional enlarged view of K plane, and shows the fastening mechanism of the cover member. FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial perspective view showing the structure of the lock/slide mechanism shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 in detail. FIG. 11 is a partially exploded view showing the top access entrance of the trim strip surrounding the end panel support village. Figure 12 is the 7th
FIG. 3 is a partial plan view showing the structure of the leveling mechanism shown and the lower wiring access opening of the trim strip surrounding the end panel support member; FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view of an alternative panel structure. FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view showing a furniture arrangement using a combination of a storage unit having two storage modules and desks placed on both sides of the storage unit. FIG. 15A is a partial sectional view showing the assembly relationship between the cover member and the end panel. FIG. 15B is the same view as FIG. 15A except that the cover member has been provided with upholstery material. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional plan view XVI-XVI of FIG. 4 showing the pedestal mounting within a horizontal top desk structure. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view from xVlo to FIG. 18 is an enlarged partial view of the mounting structure that maintains the pedestal in a horizontal position. 19 is a perspective view of a portion of the end panel shown in FIG. 6; FIG. FIG. 20 is an elevational view of a portion of the end panel shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 21 is a schematic plan view of the furniture arrangement according to the invention.
10...Top, 12...End panel, 14...
...cabinet, 16...cabinet, 20...cover, 22...base, 24...inner wall, 26...
Exterior wall, 28... Leveler, 38... Wiring channel, 40... Trim strip, 42...
...Access mechanism, 44...Access mechanism, 4
6...Plug, 50...Pin, 51...Tab, 52...
...Fixing mechanism, 76...Retainer rail, 78
... Retainer tab, 86 ... Lock slide member, 96 ... Shoulder, 98 ... Shoulder, 120 ... Hanger, 130 ... Rail assembly, 140 ...
...Tab, 150...Fixing mechanism. FIG. lFIG. 2FIG. 3 FIG. 4 FIG. S FIG. 6 FIG. 11 FIG. l4 FIG. 15A FIG. 7 FIG. 8 FIG. IS FIG. 158 FIG. 20 FIG. gFIG. 10 FIG. 12' Nink. I and. ′: Sota, ′Evening. FIG. 19 C. /SFIG. 21

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 a plurality of pairs of load-bearing end support panels which are of a structure sufficiently strong to support a top and a cabinet suspended from the top, the end supports of each pair of said plurality of end support panels; The panel includes a plurality of pairs of end support panels 12 having different dimensions from other pairs of end support panels of the plurality of pairs of end support panels, and having different lengths and different leading edge to trailing edge depths. Facilitates rapid attachment or removal of one of the plurality of tops between the plurality of tops 10, the plurality of different types of cabinets 14, 16, and one of the plurality of pairs of end support panels. first removable fastening means provided on each of said top and said end support panel for the purpose of securing said top to said end support panel; first removable fastening means ( 52.150, and each of said cabinets is suspended from said top when said top is secured to and supported by said one of said plurality of pairs of end support panels; provided on said cabinet and said top for easily and removably securing one to the other, so that a plurality of different types of said cabinets may be removably suspended on any one of said tops; second removable fixing means 120, 130, 141, and 142, a cover member 20 provided on each of the end support panels, and a cover for removably fixing the cover member to the end support panel. a member and a third removable fastening means 80 provided on said end support panel thereof and adapted for easy removal of said cover member to access said first fastening means; Furnishing system according to claim 1, characterized in that said first removable fastening means on said support panel is located within said end support panel which is normally hidden from view by said cover member.