Patents Assigned to Steelcase Strafor (S.A.)
  • Patent number: 5339576
    Abstract: A modulable wall system is shown including panels that are flexibly hinged to each other along vertical main frame sections. Each individual panel consists of a flat core made of a light material and is peripherally limited by a rigid area. The rigid area is provided for connecting vertical main frame sections to upper and lower horizontal main frame sections. The vertical main frame sections have grooves along their vertical sides for linking and hinging with adjacent panels and the lower horizontal main frame sections have support feet threadedly connected thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Steelcase Strafor (S.A.)
    Inventor: Philippe Fussler
  • Patent number: 5328289
    Abstract: A system for positioning and retaining in place an article of modular furniture in the form of a slab upon the upper face of a rest block comprises an intermediate piece and a fastener. The intermediate piece has a horizontal plate an arcuate heel extending upwardly from the upper face perpendicular to the plate at one end thereof, the shape and dimensions of the heel being the same as a concave recess provided in the external edge of the slab. The lower face of the plate includes a locking mechanism for locking the plate into a recess in the upper face of the rest block. The heel has a hole therethrough positioned to align with a hole in the concave recess in the external edge of the slab. The fastener includes a locking stud and a head, the head having a vertical planar part and a horizontal part which fully close the concave recess in the external edge of the slab when the stud is forced into the holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Steelcase Strafor (S.A.)
    Inventor: Philippe Fussler
  • Patent number: 5318259
    Abstract: A column adapted to be used in a modular construction system for office furniture, comprises a lower portion configured to support a horizontal working surface of the modular construction system and defines a guiding channel for guiding wires connected to electrical apparatus received on the horizontal working surface, and an upper portion positioned above and extending beyond the lower portion and defines a guiding channel for the wires connected to the electrical apparatus. A pair of adjoining vertical walls of the upper portion define a rear corner. The vertical walls have vertical edges which have grooves therein. A connector block is slidably movable in the rear corner of the upper portion. The connector block has a plurality of electrical connectors mounted therein as an assembly. The connector block is selectively removable at will. A vertical front face is slidably mounted along the grooves in a vertical edges of the vertical walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Steelcase Strafor (S.A.)
    Inventor: Philippe Fussler
  • Patent number: 5291643
    Abstract: A system for positioning and maintaining in place an horizontal plate upon an horizontal surface such as the upper face of a rest block, typically when such plate and such block are elements of a modular furniture system, characterized in that the components of said positioning system are not visible on any of said plate surfaces, which enables said plate to be reversible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Steelcase Strafor (S.A.)
    Inventor: Francis Boeglin
  • Patent number: 5277131
    Abstract: A frame for a modular piece of office furniture allows electrical cords of appliances on the top of the furniture to be connected to power through the frame at the closest point possible. Each modular element includes a metallic shaped tube 1 having a horizonal upper face 1b to be fixed to the top 2 of the furniture, a substantially vertical rear face 1a and an ornamental front face 1c. The upper face 1b and the front face 1c are spaced by a slot 3 under the edge of the top. All electric power leads feeding appliances located on the top are received, guided and concealed in the shaped tube 1. The connection between each of the appliances and its corresponding power lead runs through the slot at the point located closest to the appliances. The modular elements may be assembled as a frame serving the multiple purposes of providing support for the top of the piece of furniture, as well as receiving, guiding, protecting, and concealing all the electrical power leads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Steelcase Strafor (S.A.)
    Inventor: Friedrich Fortsch
  • Patent number: 5253595
    Abstract: A modular system for office furniture comprising a sufficient number of three types of modules, each corresponding to one or more of the following functions: a "working surface" function, a "support" function, a "storage" function, and an "electrical wire guiding function." The first module, a "table top module," provides a working surface which performs the "working surface" function. It comprises three sections, two end sections and a middle connecting section, and is supported by the second and third modules. The end sections of the first table top module each rest on a second "support" module which performs both the "support" and "storage functions." The third module is a column having upper and lower portions and performs both the "electrical wire guiding" and support functions." The upper portion contains the electrical wires of all hardware and appliances distributed on the table top module and the lower supports the middle section of the first table top module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Steelcase Strafor (S.A.)
    Inventor: Charles Heidmann
  • Patent number: 5144896
    Abstract: A frame for a modular piece of office furniture allows electrical cords of appliances on the top of the furniture to be connected to power through the frame at the closest point possible. Each modular element includes a metallic shaped tube 1 having a horizontal upper face 1b to be fixed to the top 2 of the furniture, a substantially vertical rear face 1a and an ornamental front face 1c. The upper face 1b and the front face 1c are spaced by a slot 3 under the edge of the top. All electrical power leads feeding appliances located on the top are received, guided and concealed in the shaped tube 1. The connection between each of the appliances and its corresponding power lead runs through the slot at the point located closest to the appliances. The modular elements may be assembled as a frame serving the multiple purposes of providing support for the top of the piece of furniture, as well as receiving, guiding, protecting, and concealing all the electrical power leads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Steelcase Strafor (S.A.)
    Inventor: Friedrich Fortsch