Abstract: A work space management system for creating work areas including two horizontal elongate tracks attached to a permanent wall with a decorative wall tile disposed therebetween and an office partition panel attached to the tracks at variably selectable positions for defining and partitioning the work areas. Overhead modular storage units and work surfaces may attach alternatively to the panels and tracks at any point and may be removed and relocated as needed. The brackets attaching the modular furniture to the track include an anti-dislodgement tang preventing disconnection of the furniture units from the track by only vertical movement.

Abstract: The present invention is an office chair capable of dynamically tilting to provide a desired seat inclination from an upright position to a maximum tilted position. The preloading mechanism of the spring includes an adjusting screw and a tension arm which provides leverage. The leverage of the preloading mechanism facilitates turning the adjusting screw to vary the preloaded tension of the springs. Also, a spindle cover is provided to stop movement of the seat at the maximum tilted position, and to stop movement of a toggle mechanism at the upright position.

Abstract: A cabinet assembly having a plurality of vertical rows of drawers. A combination lock and interlock system is provided wherein a cable having a predetermined slack is positioned adjacent the plurality of drawers and interacts with a catch that is positioned on each drawer. Upon opening of a drawer, the catch moves the cable from a slack position which permits a drawer to be opened to a taut position which prevents the opening of a second drawer. One end of the cable is attached to a remote locking device which selectively pulls the cable taut and releases it to a slack position to allow remote locking and unlocking of all drawers while in their closed positions.

Abstract: A panel connection apparatus useful in a multi-panel system includes features which improve the rigidity and simplicity of construction and ease of installation of the panel system. The features of the panel connection apparatus relate to a panel top cap assembly, a panel interlock assembly and panel top and bottom connector assemblies which interconnect and support frame structures of adjacent panels at adjacent portions of their top and bottom edges and opposite side edges.

Abstract: An L-shaped shipping container for packaging chairs and other articles of furniture is provided. The container includes a bottom tray, a body portion and a cover. The body portion of the container includes side flaps which are folded laterally inwardly to impart additional strength and rigidity to certain corners of the body. The configuration of the assembled container also provides reinforcement to the top and a front shelf portion of the container. The configuration of the container further enables the cover to be held in place on the body by frictional engagement with said body. The assembled shipping container has no protruding flaps or panels that must be fastened down prior to closure, and therefore the container may be passed through automatic or semi-automatic bending machines for final closure.

Abstract: A cabinet comprising an enclosure with a front surface in which there is an opening. A tambour door is slidably attached to the enclosure. The tambour door is movable between an open position, in which the opening provides direct access to the enclosure interior, and a closed position in which the opening is closed by the door. The cabinet further includes a rear brake means for exerting a force opposing the movement of the tambour door from the open to the closed position when engaged by the tambour door. The tambour door engages the rear brake means at a first selected distance from the closed position that is sufficiently great so that the rear brake means can exert an adequate opposing force on the tambour door so that the tambour door gently closes.

Abstract: A keyboard system in a keyboard controlled musical instrument includes a pair of spaced apart electrode members and a pickup movable in the space intermediate the electrode members. Respective voltages are impressed on the electrodes to establish an electric field therebetween and the voltage impressed on the movable pickup is a function of its position relative to the two electrodes. The pickup is actuated by the playing key which contacts a resilient, yieldable stop. The force with which the playing key is depressed is measured by sensing when the key is fully depressed, initiating a count at that point and counting a predetermined period. At the end of the predetermined period the voltage on the pickup is detected which gives an indication of the amount of overtravel of the key beyond its normal depressed position. This detected voltage is used to alter the quality of the tones produced by the musical instrument.

Abstract: A calibration system for the keyboard of an electronic musical instrument. Compression of the key causes an output signal to be generated which varies in accordance with the amount of key depression. When the key is depressed to a nominally fully depressed position, the system stores an offset value relating to the difference between the actual output signal at this point and an expected reference output signal which would occur if the keyboard were perfectly adjusted from a mechanical standpoint. The offset value is stored in the memory and added to the key output signal during the normal operate mode of the instrument so that the output signal is adjusted in accordance with the offset value stored during the calibrate mode.

Abstract: A control mechanism for a hydraulic lifting assembly for supporting articles of furniture. The hydraulic lifting assembly includes a base, a support column secured to the base, a variable volume chamber, a fixed volume chamber and a control valve mechanism. The fixed and variable volume chambers are interconnected by a flexible conduit. The control valve mechanism includes a cam secured to a rotatable rod which is positioned so that, by rotating the rod, the cam will selectively pinch off the flexible conduit and prevent fluid flow therethrough. A spring is provided for normally urging the cam against the flexible conduit to pinch off the conduit. The control may be located in any convenient location due the flexibility of the conduit.

Abstract: A chair having a tiltable back which is vertically adjustable into selected vertical positions. The adjustment mechanism includes rack and gear members which are selectively engagable to lock the back in selected vertical positions. The rack member is secured to a support column and the gear member is secured to the back. The back height adjustment mechanism permits the back to tilt about a first axis and to pivot about a second axis, to release the rack and gear members for vertically repositioning the chair back. When the bottom edge of the chair back is pulled forward, the gear teeth of the cooperating rack and gear members are disconnected thereby enabling vertical movement of the chair back. Upon release of the bottom edge of the chair back, a bias spring urges the rack members together to hold the chair back in the selected vertical position.

Abstract: A hydraulic lifting mechanism for an article of furniture comprising a pair of sealed chambers interconnected with a hollow conduit and containing hydraulic fluid. One of the chambers is expandable and comprises flexible walls in the form of a rolling diaphragm. The second chamber contains a pressurized gas in addition to a hydraulic fluid. The expandable chamber is located in the supporting base of the article of furniture. A two speed valve is included in the interconnecting conduit for allowing fluid transfer between the chambers at a first rate in one direction and at a second rate in the other direction. As fluid is transferred to the expandable chamber, a support column will be forced upwardly by the expanding chamber at a fast rate and when the fluid transfers from the expandable chamber to the second chamber the support column will move downwardly at a second rate of speed slower than the first rate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for altering the solenoid drive during playback in a reproducing piano to prevent double hammer strikes. The key is depressed by a solenoid under constant velocity until the point of let-off, and the velocity is then increased to accelerate the continued movement of the key and action so that the hammer rebounding from the string will fall without rebounding from the action against the string a second time. In a preferred embodiment, a microprocessor evaluates the key velocity drive value, and if the velocity called for is above a predetermined level, then no boost is applied to the solenoid.

Abstract: A hydraulic lifting mechanism for an article of furniture including a refrigerant containing reservoir. The mechanism includes a flexible bag having a variable volume and fixed volume reservoir including a diaphragm for dividing the reservoir into two chambers. The first chamber contains hydraulic liquid and the second chamber contains a compressed two phase working fluid. The hydraulic liquid may be transferred between the flexible bag and the first chamber. A control valve mechanism is included in the flexible conduit which connects the flexible bag with the first chamber. The mechanism may be used in combination with a chair to provide an adjustable height control for the seat of the chair or in combination with other articles of furniture.