Abstract: A freestanding portable partition panel system is provided for open office spaces and the like. Each panel includes a skeleton-like frame having two vertical uprights positioned adjacent opposite side edges thereof, and at least two pairs of horizontal stringers attached to the outer faces of the uprights in a vertically spaced-apart relationship to rigidly interconnect the same. One or more horizontal rows of slots are defined in each of the stringers. Cover panels are detachably mounted thereon to provide ready access to the frame. The cover panels permit access to the slots, and special off-module connectors with hooks for engaging the slots are provided for interconnecting adjacent panels in off-module positions. The hooks of the connectors are engaged with selected slots to hold a first partition panel perpendicular to a second partition panel in an off-module position on its face.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 17, 1999
Date of Patent:
January 2, 2001
Assignee:
Steelcase Development, Inc.
Inventors:
David A. Shipman, Benjamin G. Shaw, Charles A. Seiber, Don S. Minami, David D. McClanahan, Robert J. Luchetti, Christopher O. Lada, Phillip M. Hobson, James B. Eldon, III, Gregg R. Draudt
Abstract: A utility distribution system is provided for open office plans and other similar settings, and includes a prefabricated floor construction designed to be supported directly on a building floor. The floor construction has a hollow interior which defines at least one raceway to route utility conduits therethrough, and a floor surface on which workstations can be positioned. The utility distribution system also includes at least one utility post having a foot which mounts to the floor construction to support the utility post in a generally upstanding orientation. The foot portion of the utility post has an open area disposed above and communicating with the floor raceway. At least one utility outlet is mounted on the utility post, and is adapted to dispense a selected utility therefrom. The utility post has at least one utility channel in which utility conduits can be routed, and includes an outwardly oriented open face.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 6, 1998
Date of Patent:
December 7, 1999
Assignee:
Steelcase Development, Inc.
Inventors:
Carl V. Forslund, III, Thomas G. Feldpausch, Frederick S. Faiks
Abstract: A demountable floor-to-ceiling wall for subdividing a building work space comprises a first core panel including two parallel spaced-apart and substantially identical side faces in mutual horizontal registry. Each core panel has a panel periphery with a top edge, a bottom edge, and at least two side edges and an outwardly facing channel therein. A first core panel is vertically oriented and positioned to be supported by the building floor. A second core panel of substantially identical construction as the first core panel is vertically stacked upon and substantially co-planar with the first core panel. The first and second core panels extend from the floor toward the ceiling and are secured in a generally upright vertical orientation. A panel connector bar is interposed between the first and second core panels.