Abstract: A modular furniture system includes a framework assembly comprising vertical and horizontal frame members that can be shared by back-to-back workstations. The vertical and horizontal frame members are configured to facilitate routing of various utility service lines through the framework assembly to locations near the workstations. In another embodiment, a horizontal frame member facilitates routing of electric service wires to outlets near the workstations, while concealing fasteners and other structure of the outlets.

Abstract: An automated surface covering removal machine having a handle, a housing, a lever member, a reciprocating cylinder and edge means for providing vertical or near vertical movement of the edge means relative to the surface covering to facilitate removal of the surface covering is disclosed. The surface covering may be shingles, carpeting, linoleum, or any other type of surface covering. The automated surface covering removal machine is lightweight and easy to use and does not exert a debilitating backwards force on the user. The reciprocating cylinder allows for a variable stroke height of the tooth bar allowing for more rapid removal of a surface covering.

Abstract: A fume hood includes a top, bottom sidewalls, front panel and a back panel that define an enclosed workspace. The fume hood also includes a movable sash for opening and closing an access opening. The fume hood may also include an air chamber having an inlet in the front panel. The air chamber includes a baffle system that evenly distributes the inlet air as the air travels through the air chamber. An unimpeded flow of air is discharged downward and away from the breathing zone of the technician and proximate to the sash to reduce the forward momentum of air trying to escape the fume hood. In an alternate embodiment, the fume hood also includes an alarm system to provide a visual and/or audible indication to the user of a working condition of the fume hood. The characteristics of the visual indication and the audible indication may vary depending on the position of the movable sash and the measured airflow from the discharge of the air chamber.

Abstract: A latching assembly includes a latch mounted to a moveable member, the latch being moveable between a first position where it engages a stop of a base member to releasably secure the moveable member to the base member and a second releasing position. An actuator drives the latch between the first and second positions; and at least one spring biases the latch towards the first position.

Abstract: A fume hood includes a top, bottom sidewalls, front panel and a back panel that define an enclosed workspace. The fume hood also includes a movable sash for opening and closing an access opening and an airfoil disposed proximate an edge portion of the opening to direct airflow through the opening and into the workspace. The airfoil is automatically raised from a down position to an up position when the sash is raised to a predetermined height. In addition, the airfoil may be automatically raised when the velocity of the airflow into the access opening decreases below a predetermined value. Once raised, the airfoil may be automatically or manually lowered to the down position. In one embodiment, the airfoil includes one or more fins having an angled portion that extends downwardly below the work surface of the fume hood when the airfoil is in the down position, thereby reducing the possibility of a potential spill when the technician removes an item from the workspace.

Abstract: A fume hood includes a top, bottom sidewalls, front panel and a back panel that define an enclosed workspace. The fume hood also includes a movable sash for opening and closing an access opening and an airfoil disposed proximate an edge portion of the opening to direct airflow through the opening and into the workspace. The airfoil is automatically raised from a down position to an up position when the sash is raised to a predetermined height. In addition, the airfoil may be automatically raised when the velocity of the airflow into the access opening decreases below a predetermined value. Once raised, the airfoil may be automatically or manually lowered to the down position. In one embodiment, the airfoil includes one or more fins having an angled portion that extends downwardly below the work surface of the fume hood when the airfoil is in the down position, thereby reducing the possibility of a potential spill when the technician removes an item from the workspace.

Abstract: A fume hood includes a top, bottom sidewalls, front panel and a back panel that define an enclosed workspace. The fume hood also includes a movable sash for opening and closing an access opening. The fume hood also includes an air chamber having an inlet in the front panel. The air chamber includes a baffle system that evenly distributes the inlet air as the air travels through the air chamber. An unimpeded flow of air is discharged downward and away from the breathing zone of the technician and proximate to the sash to reduce the forward momentum of air trying to escape the fume hood. In an alternate embodiment, the fume hood also includes a pressure pipe for drawing a small quantity of air from the air chamber and directing a flow of air between the movable sash and the header panel. This flow of air from the pressure pipe increases the relative pressure difference between the movable sash and the header panel of the fume hood.

Abstract: A fume hood includes a top, bottom sidewalls, front panel and a back panel that define an enclosed workspace. The fume hood also includes a movable sash for opening and closing an access opening. The fume hood may also include an air chamber having an inlet in the front panel. The air chamber includes a baffle system that evenly distributes the inlet air as the air travels through the air chamber. An unimpeded flow of air is discharged downward and away from the breathing zone of the technician and proximate to the sash to reduce the forward momentum of air trying to escape the fume hood. In an alternate embodiment, the fume hood also includes an alarm system to provide a visual and/or audible indication to the user of a working condition of the fume hood. The characteristics of the visual indication and the audible indication may vary depending on the position of the movable sash and the measured airflow from the discharge of the air chamber.

Abstract: A fume hood includes a top, bottom sidewalls, front panel and a back panel that define an enclosed workspace. The fume hood also includes a movable sash for opening and closing an access opening. The fume hood also includes an air chamber having an inlet in the front panel. The air chamber includes a baffle system that evenly distributes the inlet air as the air travels through the air chamber. An unimpeded flow of air is discharged downward and away from the breathing zone of the technician and proximate to the sash to reduce the forward momentum of air trying to escape the fume hood. In an alternate embodiment, the fume hood also includes a pressure pipe for drawing a small quantity of air from the air chamber and directing a flow of air between the movable sash and the header panel. This flow of air from the pressure pipe increases the relative pressure difference between the movable sash and the header panel of the fame hood.

Abstract: A fume hood includes a top, bottom sidewalls, front panel and a back panel that define an enclosed workspace. The fume hood also includes a movable sash for opening and closing an access opening. The fume hood also includes an air chamber having an inlet in the front panel. The air chamber includes a baffle system that evenly distributes the inlet air as the air travels through the air chamber. An unimpeded flow of air is discharged downward and away from the breathing zone of the technician and proximate to the sash to reduce the forward momentum of air trying to escape the fume hood. The fume hood provides a safe environment for the technician to work by enabling the fumes to stay contained in the fume hood under all working conditions. The air passes through the air chamber when the movable sash is positioned at a minimum height above the bottom of the fume hood.

Abstract: A fume hood includes a top, bottom sidewalls, front panel and a back panel that define an enclosed workspace. The fume hood also includes a movable sash for opening and closing an access opening. The fume hood also includes an air chamber having an inlet in the front panel. The air chamber includes a baffle system that evenly distributes the inlet air as the air travels through the air chamber. An unimpeded flow of air is discharged downward and away from the breathing zone of the technician and proximate to the sash to reduce the forward momentum of air trying to escape the fume hood. The fume hood provides a safe environment for the technician to work by enabling the fumes to stay contained in the fume hood under all working conditions. The air passes through the air chamber when the movable sash is positioned at a minimum height above the bottom of the fume hood.

Abstract: A latching assembly includes a latch mounted to a moveable member, the latch being moveable between a first position where it engages a stop of a base member to releasably secure the moveable member to the base member and a second releasing position. An actuator drives the latch between the first and second positions; and at least one spring biases the latch towards the first position.

Abstract: A latching assembly includes a latch mounted to a moveable member, the latch being moveable between a first position where it engages a stop of a base member to releasably secure the moveable member to the base member and a second releasing position. An actuator drives the latch between the first and second positions; and at least one spring biases the latch towards the first position.

Abstract: One or more guide members secured to an edge portion of a support or partition member direct conduits or any other elongate object along a predetermined path on the edge portion. The guide members include a body portion that defines an opening through which the conduits or other objects extend and a securing portion that secures the guide members to the support or partition.

Abstract: A moveable partition system includes a main wall member and a telescoping member disposed in telescoping relation with the main wall member. The telescoping member extends between the main wall member and a structural body to connect the wall member to the structural body. A securing assembly secures the telescoping member to the structural body; and a support member engages the structural body opposite the securing assembly to distribute the load of the securing assembly on the structural body.

Abstract: A free standing frame assembly for a furniture network includes first and second leg members spaced apart a predetermined distance with at lease one of the leg members having a bottom portion for engaging a supporting surface. One or more cross members extend between the leg members and connect them together; and one or more intermediate members lie between the leg members, releasably secured to the cross member.

Abstract: A wall support assembly includes a pair of horizontal members and one or more vertical members. One may secure the horizontal members to a wall member a predetermined distance apart. Each of the horizontal members defines a recess or pocket which lies longitudinally of the member for releasably receiving a distal end portion of a vertical member. The vertical members define openings from which one may hang storage members or similar components.

Abstract: A fume hood includes a base, sidewalls and a cover that define an enclosed work space, a work surface, at least one trough, and an access opening. The fume hood also includes a moveable sash for closing the opening and an air foil disposed proximate an edge portion of the opening to direct air flow through the opening and into the work space. This air foil includes a flat portion with a surface that normally lies flush with the work surface of the fume hood.