Abstract: A raisable and lowerable table comprises a base, and at least one movably extensible vertical column attached to the base having a table top carried on the vertical column. Pivot means may be provided for moving the table top into any of a range of pivoted positions, preferably on both sides of the horizontal position of the table top. Motor are provided for holding the table top in any of the range of pivoted positions.

Abstract: An assembly for connecting together a pair of structural members disposed in end-to-end relation includes a bridging member having an irregular surface and securing devices for securing the bridging member to the structural members. Each structural member includes a bore with a complementary surface which mates with the irregular surface of the bridging member. The securing devices place the irregular surface of the bridging member in abutting relation with the complementary surfaces of the structural members.

Abstract: An enclosure for a movable furniture partition system is provided which includes an elongate housing disposed at an edge portion of a panel member. This housing contains electrical conduits and outlets or similar devices and defines a trough with a top opening and moveable side walls. A cover normally closes this opening; and a connecting assembly connects the cover with the trough. This assembly allows a user to open the side walls of the trough. It also allows a user to lift the entire cover from a position normally closing the opening to a raised position above the trough. When the user raises the cover above its closed position, he or she may also displace the cover laterally of the trough.

Abstract: A fume hood includes an elongate tubular frame member which defines an elongate chamber, an inlet to the chamber, and an outlet from it. It also includes partitions secured to the frame member. Those partitions define a work space from which the frame member receives gases through its inlet.

Abstract: A clamp particularly suitable for use in removably and adjustably suspending cabinet units from the support rails of counters and other worktops. The clamp has upper and lower jaw members joined by a generally vertical adjustment screw. Each jaw member has a bearing portion at one end that engages a similar bearing portion of the other jaw member when the two members are drawn together by the screw. At their opposite ends, the jaw members are provided with clamping ribs and, because of the greater length of the lower jaw member, the clamping rib of that member is spaced outwardly or distally beyond the clamping rib of the upper jaw member. A retention rib, engagable with the flange of a cabinet unit to be suspended from a support rail, is provided by the lower jaw member to limit forward-rearward movement of the cabinet unit without restraining lateral movement thereof when the screw is only partially tightened.

Abstract: A laboratory fume hood with at least two vertically-movable sashes and with a control in the form of a multifunctional sash lock that may be selectively positioned to allow only one sash to be opened at a time, or to permit both sashes to be opened but only partially, or to allow both sashes to be opened fully.

Abstract: An improved clamp assembly is provided which includes a main body member, at least one locking plate and connecting devices for anchoring the main body member to a supporting surface and for securing the locking plate and the main body member to the structural member. The method for installing this assembly includes: loosely connecting the structural member, the main body member and the locking plate together; adjusting the position of the structural member relative to the main body member; securing the main body member with the structural member using the connecting devices and the locking plates; using the main body member as a template to form openings in the supporting surface; and securing the main body member to the supporting surface using the connecting devices.

Abstract: A movable table is provided which includes a table top; two bench seats; a leg support assembly pivotally connected to the table top and the bench seats; four primary casters disposed below the leg support assembly and mounted to the assembly; and four auxiliary casters. The leg support assembly supports the table top and bench seats in an open and in a closed configuration; and it allows a user to place the table in these two positions. The auxiliary casters stabilize the table in the closed position when it begins to tip over. In addition, these auxiliary casters allow the primary casters to easily skip over obstacles.

Abstract: A corner post assembly particularly useful for joining vertical panels, frames, and the like, in constructing modular work stations for laboratories, offices, and industrial sites. The assembly includes a corner post tube typically having two or more (but at least one) vertically-elongated risers secured to the tube at selected angular positions thereabout. The corner post tube has a plurality of outer bearing faces which, when viewed in a horizontal cross-section of that tube, define a regular polygon in which the included angles between adjacent faces are equal and obtuse. Each vertical riser, which may be a frame component of a partition or movable wall assembly, is releasably but securely connected to the tube at three vertically and laterally spaced traction points, with the planar wall of the riser held in tight surface engagement with one of the bearing faces of the tube.

Abstract: A fume hood having a step baffle system that improves uniformity of flow under different operating conditions, increases draw along the work surface, and, in general, enhances hood performance. An intermediate baffle plate of the baffle system may be pivotally mounted and may be associated with a remote-control mechanism for adjusting its operating position. A rectangular bellmouth collar at the exhaust opening of the hood contributes in achieving a high level of hood efficiency and permits nearly vertical orientation of the fixed uppermost baffle plate, thereby providing greater work space within the upper portion of the hood chamber. Exhaust ports at the top corners of the upper baffle plate promote and control the vertical flow of gases in the upper portion of the hood chamber to aid in the evacuation of fumes from that region.

Abstract: A corner post assembly particularly useful for joining vertical panels, frames, and the like, in constructing modular work stations for laboratories, offices, and industrial sites. The assembly includes a cylindrical corner post tube typically having two or more (but at least one) vertical side members secured to the tube at selected angular positions thereabout. A pair of upper and lower end caps connect each side member to the tube and a vertical riser, which may be a frame component of a partition or movable wall assembly, is secured to each side member. The connecting elements perform multiple operations in use and are sufficiently concealed following assembly to provide a structure of smooth, attractive, and uncluttered appearance.

Abstract: A roller-equipped platform movably supported upon a tabletop having a straight, accessible rear edge, the platform including a straight depending flange received in a guide channel defined by the rear edge of the tabletop and a guide track secured to that rear edge. Stop elements at opposite ends of the track limit the extent of sideways movement of the platform upon the tabletop.

Abstract: A clamp particularly suitable for use in removably suspending cabinet units from the support rails of counters and other worktops. The clamp is generally J-shaped with an upstanding stem portion, an upper arm portion, and a hook-shaped lower arm portion. The upper arm portion terminates in a rib that projects towards the lower arm portion and also includes a threaded bore which extends along a line that is generally parallel with the lower arm portion and is spaced above the rib. A screw is threadedly received within the bore and, during use of the clamp, the upper arm portion is hooked over the flange of a support rail and the screw is tightened against the rail to pivot the clamp and to force the top wall of a cabinet unit, supported by the clamp's lower arm portion, upwardly into tight engagement with the rail.

Abstract: A drafting board having a planar top surface with a peripheral depression. A thin, resilient, cover sheet is removably secured to the top surface by a pressure-sensitive adhesive and extends into the peripheral depression where it is retained by a peripheral retaining rim extending about the panel below the plane of the working surface. The parts are structurally related so that the cover sheet slopes gradually downwardly into the depression without lifting or bulging along the outer limits of the panel's top surface. Replacement of the cover sheet is achieved by removing the retaining rim, stripping away the old cover sheet, adhesively securing a replacement cover sheet, and securing its border within the depression by re-mounting the retaining rim.

Abstract: A cantilever arm assembly and its associated structure for modular furniture systems, such as laboratory and office furniture systems, in which such cantilever support arms may be connected to slotted standards at selected elevations to support worktops, cabinet units, shelving, and the like. Each arm is rigidly joined to a vertically-elongated mounting member equipped at its upper end with a series of hooks receivable in the slots of the standard. At its lower end, the mounting member is equipped with a locking element movable between extended and retracted positions and, when extended, projects into one of the slots of the standard to secure the mounting member against upward movement that might result in unintentional unlatching of the hooks. In addition, the locking element, when extended, causes slight pivotal movement of the mounting member to force hooks of the vertical series into tight wedging engagement with the slotted standard as well as to adjust the support arm into level condition.

Abstract: A vertically-adjustable leg assembly particularly suitable for a pedestal table, the assembly having telescoping inner and outer tubes of generally rectangular cross section with the external dimensions of the inner tube being sufficiently smaller than the corresponding internal dimensions of the outer tube to define a perimetric space between them. A pair of vertically-elongated, channel-shaped bearing blocks formed of rigid polymeric material are located in the space between the two tubes and are supported by the outer tube adjacent the open end thereof. At least one of the bearing blocks is adjustably mounted and is constructed so that adjustment forces exerted at spaced points will be distributed along the length of the block. The end of the inner tube disposed within the outer tube has channel-shaped bearing shoes, also formed of rigid polymeric material, secured thereto and slidably engagable with the inner surfaces of the outer tube.

Abstract: A lock release for folding tables and shelves in which the locking mechanism to prevent accidental pivoting of the top from a horizontal unfolded position to a generally vertical folded position includes a pivotal link member with guiding edges or surfaces for slidably directing a connector element along the link as the top is folded and unfolded. Most advantageously, the lock is double-acting--that is, two distinct manipulations are required to release the locking mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the link member has an L-shaped guide slot with an elongated main portion and a relatively short end portion. When the top is horizontal, the connector element is located within the slot's end portion and, to permit the connector element to enter the elongated main portion of the slot, the link member must be shifted about its pivotal axis by the user.

Abstract: A desk having a planar top panel of generally rectangular outline, a leg or base structure for supporting that panel, at least one support track secured to the underside of the top panel and extending longitudinally therealong, and a modular storage or support unit, such as a drawer unit, movably suspended from the track and capable of being easily clamped in any selected position therealong in accordance with the needs and preferences of a user.

Abstract: A foot control assembly for use with power-driven equipment having reversible electrically-actuated operations such as, for example, power-operated medical examination tables and chairs. The assembly includes a base housing located along a floor surface adjacent to the equipment with which it is operatively connected. A plurality of actuating members are mounted upon the housing, such members being spaced laterally apart to define at least one operating station therebetween. Each station is wide enough to receive at least the front or toe portion of an operator's foot. The actuating members are horizontally movable and are shifted by lateral contact with an operator's foot to actuate either of a pair of reversible power operations associated with each station.