Abstract: A mobile storage system includes carriages mounted to rails supported on a floor, for mobilizing storage units such as drawer-type file cabinets. Each carriage incorporates mobile housing assemblies interconnected by a cross-brace arrangement. One end of the carriage includes an end panel arrangement that overlies a sidewall of an endmost storage unit, and which includes a frame and one or more cover members demountably secured to the frame so as to conceal the sidewall of the endmost storage unit. Each carriage includes retainers that interact with one of the rails so as to prevent upward movement of the carriage relative to the rails, and also function to mount one of the storage units to the carriage. The carriages and the rail and floor system are modular, enabling the components of the system to be shipped knocked-down and assembled on site, and to be expanded or contracted after installation.

Abstract: A straddle bin for an office furniture system with walls comprised of modular partitions. The straddle bin provides two adjacent compartments extending through an office partition with one compartment open to a first side of the partition only and the other compartment open to a second side of the partition only, and with sliding doors on each side of the partition to close the compartment opening on that side and when open, to lie over a blind, closed rear end of the adjacent compartment. The straddle bin provides private compartments for users on both sides of the partition.

Abstract: A straddle bin for an office furniture system with walls comprised of modular partitions. The straddle bin provides two adjacent compartments extending through an office partition with one compartment open to a first side of the partition only and the other compartment open to a second side of the partition only, and with sliding doors on each side of the partition to close the compartment opening on that side and when open, to lie over a blind, closed rear end of the adjacent compartment. The straddle bin provides private compartments for users on both sides of the partition.

Abstract: A multi-positional support mechanism for a computer mouse pad comprising a support adapted to be secured to a keyboard support tray to extend upwardly from the keyboard support tray, a bracket mounted to the support for pivoting about a generally horizontal tilt axis, and a mouse pad mounted to the bracket for pivoting about a turntable axis generally normal to the tilt axis.

Abstract: A multi-positional support mechanism for a computer mouse pad comprising a support adapted to be secured to a keyboard support tray to extend upwardly from the keyboard support tray, a bracket mounted to the support for pivoting about a generally horizontal tilt axis, and a mouse pad mounted to the bracket for pivoting about a turntable axis generally normal to the tilt axis.

Abstract: A workspace management system comprising a wall for dividing a room into separate work areas, wherein the wall extends vertically and in a longitudinal direction, the wall having a first side surface, a second side surface, a lower portion and an upper portion above the lower portion, the upper portion having a width defined between the first and second side surfaces over the upper portion greater than a width of the lower portion defined between the first and second side surfaces over the lower portion, an overhead raceway defined within the upper portion between the first surface and the second surface over the upper portion, the overhead raceway extending longitudinally of the wall.

Abstract: A communications conduit connector mounting device comprising a support member having a forwardly directed front surface and a rearwardly directed rear surface spaced from the front surface, the support member having a thickness defined between the front surface and the rear surface, an aperture extending transversely through the support member throughout the thickness of the support member opening through both the front surface and the rear surface, a slotway extending transversely through the support member throughout the thickness of the support member open through both the front surface and the rear surface laterally from the aperture to a side of the support member. Preferably, the mounting device includes a hook member coupled to the support member for suspending the support member.

Abstract: An upright partition for use in a modular office furniture system, in which the partition has an internal frame and a plurality of outer covers covering the sides of the partition and defining an interior cavity within the partition inwardly of the outer covers. The outer covers are disposed substantially in the same vertical plane. Two adjacent of the outer covers are spaced from each in the plane so as to form an opening therebetween. A bridging cover is coupled to the frame to cover the opening between the two adjacent spaced outer covers when viewed horizontally and laterally from one lateral side of the partition. The bridging cover has an outer surface which is located laterally inwardly from inner surfaces of at least one of the adjacent outer covers such that a passageway is defined between the inner surface of one of the outer covers and the outer surface of the bridging cover through which passageway conduit can pass outwardly through the opening.

Abstract: A communications conduit connector mounting device comprising a support member adapted to carry a communications conduit connector for joining together ends of at least two communication conduit for transmission of signals therebetween, which support member depends from an engagement member adapted for engaging an interior structure of a panel system for supporting the support member within the interior of the panel system. Preferably the engagement member may comprise a hook mechanism removably engaging a horizontal member attached to a frame forming the panel assembly which frame has covers removably mounted to at least one side of the frame. The hook mechanism engages the horizontal member such as the bracket carrying the connector locates the connector within the internal space disposed for ready access of the removable cover.

Abstract: This invention relates to an upright partition for use in a modular office furniture system, the partition comprising: a frame comprising: two vertical posts each having outward opposing faces defining spaced apart parallel forward and rearward planes; a plurality of horizontal beams, at least one beam in each said plane, each beam having an inward face and an outward face, the inward face of each beam being connected to one said outward face of an associated post in an overlapping moment resisting connection; and a plurality of cladding panels each connected to one said beam; whereby an internal cavity is defined inward of the outward faces of said beams, and a raceway is defined outward of said outward post faces and inward of the outward faces of said beams.

Abstract: The invention relates to an upright partition for use in a modular office furniture system, the partition comprising: a frame comprising: two vertical posts each having outward opposing faces defining spaced apart parallel forward and rearward planes; a plurality of horizontal beams, at least one beam in each said plane, each beam having an inward face and an outward face, the inward face of each beam being connected to one said outward face of an associated post in an overlapping moment resisting connection; and a plurality of cladding panels each connected to one said beam; whereby an internal cavity is defined inward of the outward faces of said beams, and a raceway is defined outward of said outward post faces and inward of the outward faces of said beams.

Abstract: An intelligent hard disk drive, which includes a head disk assembly (HDA) and a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA), has a thin configuration. The HDA includes a spindle motor and the PCBA includes spindle motor driver circuitry. Spring loaded contacts and exposed electrical contacts provide automatic electrical connection between the spindle motor and the spindle motor driver circuitry.

Abstract: Time consuming analyzing of the dressing levels on bowling lanes is eliminated through the use of an apparatus that includes a path of travel (48) for a sample strip, a light source (50) on one side of the path (48) and a photosensitive sensor (46) on the other side of the path. A feed roller (60) is journaled adjacent the path and is driven by a stepper motor (58) in predetermined increments. An analog to digital converter (40) is connected to the sensor (36) for receiving analog signals therefrom and converting the same to digital signals. A random access memory (38) is connected to the converter (40) for receiving signals therefrom and for storing data represented by the signals. A central processing unit (34) is provided for operating the motor (58), the sensor (46) and the random access memory (38).

Abstract: A disk drive for operating in an environment in which the drive is subject to physical shock includes a circuit which senses movement of a transducer head support arm which result from a shock's rotational component. The rotational shock is detected as a residual BEMF signal in the drive's VCM coil winding. The residual signal is extracted from much larger position control signals that are applied to the VCM winding during normal system operation by providing circuits that simulate the VCM winding voltage caused by the position control signal and subtracting the outputs of the simulation circuits from the actual VCM coil winding voltage. This eliminates the normal operating components and leaves a residual signal that represents only the small portion of the VCM BEMF signal that results from the rotational shock. A threshold circuit compares the shock BEMF signal to a predetermined threshold. If the BEMF signal exceeds the threshold, disk drive write operations are aborted.

Abstract: This invention relates to an upright partition for use in a modular office furniture system, the partition comprising: a frame comprising: two vertical posts each having outward opposing faces defining spaced apart parallel forward and rearward planes; a plurality of horizontal beams, at least one beam in each said plane, each beam having an inward face and an outward face, the inward face of each beam being connected to one said outward face of an associated post in an overlapping moment resisting connection; and a plurality of cladding panels each connected to one said beam; whereby an internal cavity is defined inward of the outward faces of said beams, and a raceway is defined outward of said outward post faces and inward of the outward faces of said beams.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to foil laminated tabletops and to methods for their manufacture. Tabletops according to the present invention can be laminated over their entire upper and side surfaces with a continuous sheet of thin foil, the foil typically comprising a plastic material. The foil layer ends at an angular lower edge where the side surface intersects the lower surface of the tabletop. By providing an angle preferably greater than about 120.degree. about the lower edge, the lower edge of the tabletop preferably does not feel sharp and the edge of the foil is at least partially hidden from view. The present invention also provides foil laminated tabletops having an upper surface provided with functional retaining recesses for retaining items on the tabletop.

Abstract: Time consuming analyzing of the dressing levels on bowling lanes is eliminated through the use of an apparatus that includes a path of travel (48) for a sample strip, a light source (50) on one side of the path (48) and a photosensitive sensor (46) on the other side of the path. A feed roller (60) is journaled adjacent the path and is driven by a stepper motor (58) in predetermined increments. An analog to digital converter (40) is connected to the sensor (36) for receiving analog signals therefrom and converting the same to digital signals. A random access memory (38) is connected to the converter (40) for receiving signals therefrom and for storing data represented by the signals. A central processing unit (34) is provided for operating the motor (58), the sensor (46) and the random access memory (38).