Abstract: A convertible travel case has a frame including an upright with a handle for grasping and a base with wheels for towing. A rigid case is mounted on the frame by a connector bracket having one portion pivotally connected with an upper part of the case and another portion slidably connected with the upright to permit the case to be shifted between a generally vertical storage position and a generally horizontal cart position. The frame and case have mating catch members at the bottom of the case. A releasable lock connects the connector bracket and the upright in a first raised position wherein the catch members are engaged to retain the case in the storage position, and a second lowered position wherein the catch members are disengaged and the lower end of the case is swung outwardly away from the frame with the connector bracket shifting downwardly along the upright to the cart position for supporting additional luggage on top of the case.

Abstract: A convertible travel case has a frame including an upright with a handle for grasping and a base with wheels for towing. A rigid case is mounted on the frame by a connector bracket having one portion pivotally connected with an upper part of the case and another portion slidably connected with the upright to permit the case to be shifted between a generally vertical storage position and a generally horizontal cart position. The frame and case have mating catch members at the bottom of the case. A releasable lock connects the connector bracket and the upright in a first raised position wherein the catch members are engaged to retain the case in the storage position, and a second lowered position wherein the catch members are disengaged and the lower end of the case is swung outwardly away from the frame with the connector bracket shifting downwardly along the upright to the cart position for supporting additional luggage on top of the case.

Abstract: A worksurface arrangement (12) includes a structural core (21) having an enlarged upper surface bounded by generally vertical edge surfaces. Upper and side surfaces of the core (21) are covered by a thin sheetlike laminate (31) which provides soft surfaces and edges. The laminate includes an outer thin layer (32) of a thermoplastic material disposed in overlying relationship to an inner layer (33) of resilient foam material. These two layers are preferably secured together, and the outer layer (32) has a thickness which is a small fraction of the thickness of the underlying resilient foam layer (33), which latter layer is itself relatively thin.

Abstract: A treadle top container for refuse and the like comprises a lower container member interconnected with an upper container member by an upright container member. The upright container member includes a hollow portion which communicates with a hollow portion of the lower container member and a hollow portion of the upper container member. A foot pedal is movably mounted adjacent to the lower container member while a lid is movably mounted adjacent to a rotatable portion of the upper container member. The lid is shaped to selectively close an open marginal edge of the upper container member. A flexible actuator is provided having one end operatively connected with the foot pedal and the other end operatively connected with a pivot rod located within and attached to the rotatable portion of the hollow portion of the upper container member.

Abstract: A treadle top container for refuse and the like comprises a lower container member interconnected with an upper container member by an upright container member. The upright container member includes a hollow portion which communicates with a hollow portion of the lower container member and a hollow portion of the upper container member. A foot pedal is movably mounted adjacent to the lower container member while a lid is movably mounted adjacent to a rotatable portion of the upper container member. The lid is shaped to selectively close an open marginal edge of the upper container member. A flexible actuator is provided having one end operatively connected with the foot pedal and the other end operatively connected with a pivot rod located within and attached to the rotatable portion of the hollow portion of the upper container member.

Abstract: An office space dividing system having at least first and second work stations having horizontally oriented work surfaces separated by a barrier panel having first and second sides and an opening in the panel which is adjacent to and above the work surfaces. A convertible panel is mounted in the opening of the barrier panel, for slideable engagement therewith. The convertible panel is operable between open and closed positions, from either side of the barrier panel, with the convertible panel being nonremovable from the barrier panel during normal usage. Also, or alternatively, a convertible panel may be provided below the work surfaces for selectively improving ventilation and air flow between the work stations.

Abstract: A storage file for diskettes and the like which includes a container, first and second side rail members, a cover, and a lock for locking the cover to the container. The storage file is arranged to be supported by a support rail which has a horizontally extending slot. When the storage file is supported by the support rail and locked, the container is simultaneously locked to the support rail by an arrangement which requires the cover to be lifted from its closed position before the container can be removed from the support rail. The storage file may be used to store floppy or rigid diskettes by arrangements which include racks for rigid diskettes which support the diskettes by their lower edges, and dividers for floppy diskettes.

Abstract: A computer integrated desk having the VDT (visual display terminal), keyboard, disc drives and printer completely concealed within the desk when not in use and quickly convertible to a fully operable computer work station by exposing a keyboard at a central location, raising a flat screen VDT from beneath the work surface and accessing the disc drives and printer by opening a door.

Abstract: A concealed keyboard support tray in combination with a work surface wherein a desk pad on the work surface is movable from a position overlying the keyboard support tray to a position rearward of the keyboard support tray to form a work-supporting easel while the keyboard support tray pops up from beneath the work surface to work surface level to provide access to a keyboard situated on the keyboard tray.

Abstract: A stow away video display terminal in combination with a computer work station or desk wherein the video display terminal is concealed within the desk beneath the work surface in a stored condition when not in use and raised to a viewable position above the work surface by means of a motor driven lift mechanism when it is needed.

Abstract: A paper management support rack for supporting a plurality of shelves, trays and the like within a larger storage cavity which includes an upper shelf having internally directed flanges on the underside thereof. The support rack includes a planar guide panel supported between a pair of hanger bars which have wedge clips at their upper end which rigidly lock the support rack to the upper shelf of the cavity between the shelf underside and the internally directed flanges.

Abstract: A panel rigidizer for maintaining linear alignment of a plurality of space dividing wall panels interconnected by cylindrical support posts. The panel rigidizer spans the interconnection of a pair of wall panels and associated connecting post and includes a pair of linearly aligned leg portions which are secured to the top edge of the wall panels and a central hub portion which overlies the cylindrical post and receives therethrough the post cap.

Abstract: A material handling tote adapted for multiple storage and handling techniques. The tote includes a bottom, side and end walls and a substantially continuous multi-purpose flange at the upper edge of the side and end walls. The multi-purpose flange is constructed and arranged to releasably retain a lid, provide for stackability, include carrying grips and facilitate cantilevered hanging and retentive glide storage.

Abstract: A pivotally mounted back support for a chair is disclosed incorporating a pivotal mounting utilizing a plurality of interleaved clutch plates. Alternate ones of the clutch plates are stationary and the remainder are connected to the lower end of the back support post to pivot with the post about a common pivot shaft. Locking of the fore and aft pivotal position of the back is effected by squeezing together the clutch plates to provide a surface-to-surface frictional bond. Springs urge the post into erected position. A handle, readily accessible to a person seated on the chair is provided to effect locking and release of the clutch and thus pivotal adjustment of the position of the back.

Abstract: A supporting spindle for a chair is disclosed which can be shifted from a mode in which the height of the seat is adjusted by rotating the seat while the seat is occupied to a mode in which the seat can be rotated in either direction without effecting any change in vertical position when the seat is occupied. The change in mode is effected by the release of a lock when the spindle is downwardly telescoped against the bias of a spring by the weight of the seat's occupant.

Abstract: A tilting chair support mechanism is provided including a spindle support, a pivotally mounted tilt plate and an encapsulated spring acting between the support and the tilt plate biasing the plate into a forwardly or return tilted position. The spring is mounted within the side silhouette of the plate. The mechanism is so designed that the plate can be released for full forward pivotal tilting in which position, the spring is released for removal or replacement. Means are provided for limiting the forward pivotal movement of the plate when the chair is in normal use. Provision is made for adjustment of the preload applied to the encapsulated spring.

Abstract: A tilting chair support mechanism is provided including a spindle support, a pivotally mounted tilt plate and a spring acting between the support and the tilt plate biasing the plate into a forwardly tilted position. A stop latch carried on the tilt plate cooperates with one of a pair of socket-like stop shoulders on the rear face of an upstanding, spindle mounted stop finger whereby the maximum forwardly tilted position of the plate can be selectively adjusted depending upon the character of the user's activities while seated.