Abstract: A file follower locking assembly selectively locks and releases a follower plate behind the files in a drawer by using two opposed follower guides with eccentric cam grippers to engage upper and lower surfaces of open wall channels formed in the drawer sides. In a first mode of operation, the cam grippers provide a firm gripping engagement with the upper and lower surfaces. The grippers are released for sliding movement of the assembly along the drawer in a second mode of operation.

Abstract: Office furniture units, particularly desks, are fabricated panel members cut from standard pre-finished flat wood panels, their precise final configuration, by an NC controlled automatic router, including all holes, recesses and the like required in each panel member. The panel members have configurations which constitute the intelligence to assure their precise alignment as they are subassembled into furniture panel components by securing the appropriate panel members together in multiple layers, and for reception of two-part mechanical fasteners in appropriate positions to insure proper positioning of the panel components with respect to one another in the final assembly of the panel components into a functional office furniture unit.

Abstract: An adjustable chair arm assembly is provided which can be vertically adjusted in order to readily accommodate users of different sizes. The chair arm assembly provides support members having overlapping portions which cooperate to slide vertically with respect to each other. One of the support members maintains a relatively fixed position with the chair and the other support member, having an arm rest, slides vertically with respect to the first support member to adjust the height of the arm rest.A series of support projections are vertically disposed along the overlapping portion of one of the support members. A latch member, mounted for sliding movement along the support projections, has at least one latch projection for selectively engaging the support projections at any position therealong.

Abstract: A tiltable chair has a base, a vertical post, a seat, a back and a chair control. The chair control comprises a housing attached to the vertical post, a resilient biasing means mounted in the stationary housing for biasing the chair in an upright position, a seat support structure, a back support structure and a back frame member. The seat support structure is pivotally connected to the housing at a pivot axis aligned over the vertical post. The back support structure is pivotally connected to the seat support structure at an axis forward of the vertical post. One end of the back frame member supports the back support structure while a mid-portion is interconnected to the seat support structure and the opposite end is pivotally attached to the housing to provide both differential tilting of the seat and back and correlated differential vertical movement for ergonomic comfort and to avoid "shirt pull.

Abstract: A rugged and inexpensive filing cabinet constructed from thin, prefinished metal and a method for making the same. All component parts including the case envelope, case back, kick plate, drawers, any interior webs, and drawer supports are designed to be cut from only four discrete coils of metal with waste attributable to trimming or removal of excess metal maintained at a minimum. Ruggedness and strength are maintained, despite the relative thinness of the metal, because the vertical corners and other potentially critical areas subjected to increased stress are reinforced with structural elements adhesively bonded in place. Certain structural elements also function as jigging members during the adhesive bonding of the component parts. In addition, the design of the present invention provides a versatile and adaptable end product due to the interchangeability of certain component parts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rugged and inexpensive filing cabinet constructed from thin, prefinished metal and the method for making the same. All component parts including the case envelope, case back, kickplate, drawers and drawer supports are designed to be cut from a minimum of four discrete coils of metal with waste attributable to trimming or removal of excess metal maintained at a minimum. Ruggedness and strength are maintained, despite the relative thinness of the metal, because the vertical corners and other potentially critical areas subjected to increased stress are reinforced with structural elements adhesively bonded in place. Certain structural elements also function as jigging members during the adhesive bonding of the component parts. In addition, the design of the present invention provides a versatile and adaptable end product due to the interchangeability of cetain component parts.

Abstract: A lightweight and rigid panel construction for a desk top having a unitary rectangular thin sheet metal top with integral channels along its longitudinal edges. Sheet metal reinforcing channels disposed along the longitudinal edges and the underside of the sheet metal wherein the channels are engaged by protrusions or plugs of a rigid end cap to provide structural support. A U-shaped tubular leg structure engages in the ends of the channels and is retained by the end cap for an end support.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rugged and inexpensive filing cabinet constructed from thin, prefinished metal and the method for making the same. All component parts including the case envelope, case back, kickplate, drawers and drawer supports are designed to be cut from a minimum of four discrete coils of metal with waste attributable to trimming or removal of excess metal maintained at a minimum. Ruggedness and strength are maintained, despite the relative thinness of the metal, because the vertical corners and other potentially critical areas subjected to increased stress are reinforced with structural elements adhesively bonded in place. Certain structural elements also function as jigging members during the adhesive bonding of the component parts. In addition, the design of the present invention provides a versatile and adaptable end product due to the interchangeability of certain component parts.

Abstract: A panel interlock system for connecting a plurality of wall panels together is disclosed. A locking clip is attached to the vertical edges of each wall panel. A vertical filler tube is used to connect adjacent wall panels together. The vertical filler tube is disposed between wall panels and slid down over locking clips which engage inner grooves extending through the length of the vertical filler tube. The vertical filler tube engages the locking clips in a concealed cam-action fastening technique.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cluster office work station system having an equilateral polygonal shaped central core having five or more vertical side panels. The individual work stations are defined by wall panels connected to common lateral edges of the side panels and extending from the side panels at substantially right angles. Work surfaces and other accessories, like cabinets and shelves, are attached to the wall panels to complete the work stations and the central core functions as a common raceway for electrical, power and communication cabling. In addition, the connector for interconnecting the lateral edges of two adjacent side panels and a wall panel is adjustable to accommodate work stations having four or more side panels.

Abstract: A bracket assembly such as is used for hanging office furnishing components on vertical supports, e.g., slotted posts of office partition systems, includes a mounting bracket with a plurality of aligned, coplanar hooks for engagement with aligned slots of such supports and an interlock member pivotally mounted on the bracket, with a cam section at one end and a locking projection at the other. The cam section is positioned to enter a slot as the bracket is engaged on the support and thereafter engages the lower edge of the slot as the bracket is seated to rotate the interlock member and extend the locking projection into another of the slots. The locking projection is positioned to enter the slot as the interlock is rotated by the cam and thereafter is held in the slot by the interlock to preclude raising of the bracket for disengagement of the hooks except upon counterrotation of the interlock member by the user.

Abstract: A file system is disclosed which includes a pair of attachable hang rails for suspending hanging files in a drawer. Each hang rail includes a horizontal bar, a vertical post and a connector segment. The front end of the horizontal bar includes a camming surface and a notch. The front end is inserted into a slot on the inside surface of a front wall of a drawer. The bottom edge of the slot provides vertical support for the horizontal bar. The camming surface acts with the bottom edge of the slot to cause the notch to straddle the top edge of the slot, thereby locking the horizontal bar in the slot and providing longitudinal and rotational stability. The vertical post is supported by a pair of bracing sleeves located on the back wall of a drawer which provide transverse and rotational stability. The vertical post rests on the bottom of the drawer to provide vertical support.

Abstract: An adjustable table is provided which includes a table top disposed a predetermined distance above a supporting surface. This table top provides a work surface and support for office machinery such as a visual display terminal. The table also includes an adjustable platform which may support a detachable keyboard or similar devices. A unique linkage system supports this platform and allows the operator to adjust the platform to a desired elevation and to lock it in place using an actuating and brake assembly while maintaining maximum clear knee space beneath the platform.

Abstract: In partitions with round edged panels arranged in edge-to-edge abutting relation with one another and having glides near their respective lower edges, snap-on bottom connectors span the inter-panel joints by being snapped onto the glide stems. The connectors are flat plates with open sided latch portions for engaging the stems and having detents spaced from one another a distance slightly less than the distance between the remote edges of the engaged stems when the panels are in abutting relation with one another. The compressibility of the panel edges and/or the resilience of the system permit a snap interference fit of the connectors on the stems to hold the panels firmly in compressive edge-to-edge engagement with one another. Lock nuts secure the connectors in place. The connectors may be installed and removed readily with the panels in their normal upright partition forming positions, for convenient removal and substitution of panels after the system has been assembled.

Abstract: There is disclosed an intermediate support member for use with multiple suspended storage units in a portable panel partition system. The support member has a hanger for straddling and bearing on the adjacent end posts of two portable partition panels and hanging support on those two panels, with bolts for snug tension joining of the adjacent ends of two hanging storage units through the support member to form a rigid truss-like unit of the storage and support components to avoid sagging of those units. The support member is of an appropriate thickness to insure a snug fit of the rigid unit between the end panels. Interlocking tabs and shoulders prevent unhooking of the storage units and support member from the panels.

Abstract: A tube connector assembly is disclosed which comprises a post and flexible reed-like elements secured to the sides of the post. The reeds are selectively and adjustably spaced laterally from the post, as by set screws, to vary the effective diameter of the connector unit. Thereby the connector is adjusted to effect a telescopic slidable force fit in a tube or tubes for adjustable attachment of supports to portable partition panels, attachment of extension tubes, splicing panels together, and the like.