Furniture system
A system for defining a plurality of work zones within an otherwise open area is provided. The system includes a rigid spine extending upward from a base surface. At least one worksurface is connected to the spine and extends outward therefrom. A support structure for the worksurface is connected to the spine and the worksurface. The support structure is capable of being adjusted in size to support worksurfaces of different sizes.
This application claims the benefit of the filing date pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of PCT application No. PCT/US02/19191, filed Jun. 17, 2002, which claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 60/298,361, filed Jun. 16, 2001, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to a furniture system for use within an open office. In particular, this invention relates to a furniture system adapted to provide improved functionality in an open collaborative work environment and in the proximate workspace of a user while providing an enhanced aesthetic appearance.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONBecause the concept of an appropriate working environment is rapidly changing, it is necessary that any system of arranging and defining work areas be capable of many different configurations allowing rapid changeover from one arrangement to another. Such systems must be flexible enough to accommodate different work activities and tools. In addition, such systems must be easily assembled or reconfigured into a plurality of space-efficient plans.
Previous systems have failed to adequately provide a flexible and efficient use of an open area workspace. For example, it has been known to erect permanent or semi-permanent space-dividing walls and then to furnish each individual work area created by these walls with furniture. The furniture used in these systems has been of the conventional type, entirely or substantially independent of the walls. Such arrangements were tolerable under circumstances in which the requirements of the activities performed within the work spaces remained relatively static over long periods of time. Also, furniture of the conventional type is static in design, often usable only for a single purpose. When not in use, conventional furniture is bulky and requires substantial storage space.
Open plan office systems or systems furniture typically provide a series of rigid panels which are in turn rigidly connected together at facing edges to divide work spaces into work or task areas. The panels are coupled together at facing edges for straight line rectangular coupling. Vertical slots are provided at the facing edges to support brackets for hanging cabinets, shelves and worksurfaces to efficiently use the space. However, many previous system furniture designs failed to work in an optimal manner in open collaborative work settings. In addition, these systems sometimes failed to provide an efficient proximate workspace environment for a user. This issues related to a user's proximate workspace have become more pronounced as the size of a user's work area decreases.
Although traditional systems furniture remain a viable solution for many office environments, some business organizations have functional and aesthetic requirements which cannot be practically or commercially met by such a product. In particular, the increasing use of computer equipment and work teams results in the need for an extremely flexible system. In addition, the decreased size of many work environments creates the need for an enhanced proximate workspace.
Therefore, there is a need for a system that provides an improved collaborative and proximate functionality in the workspace with an enhanced aesthetic appearance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to an improved furniture system with an increased efficiency and flexibility over previous open plan furniture systems.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, a system for defining a plurality of work zones within an otherwise open area is provided. The system includes a rigid spine extending upward from a base surface. At least one worksurface is connected to the spine and extends outward therefrom. A support structure for the worksurface is connected to the spine and the worksurface. The support structure is capable of being adjusted in size to support worksurfaces of different sizes.
According to another aspect of the invention, a screen for use adjacent to a worksurface is provided. The screen includes a framework having a top member, a bottom member and a first side member and an opposing second side member and a substantially hollow interior. A spanning element is connected to the framework and covers the interior of the framework.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, a work system capable of supporting a variety of work tools is provided. The system includes a work surface having a top surface. A framework is connected to the worksurface and extends above the worksurface. A work tool support structure is connected to the framework and includes a foot that is supported by the top surface of the worksurface.
As used herein the term “work tool(s)” is intended to be interpreted broadly and to include elements such as signage, organizers, paper trays, display trays or storage trays, personal shelves, document holders, pencil or pen holders, disk holder or document grippers and other known elements.
As used herein with respect to the spanning element, the phrase “covers the interior of the framework” is intended to include elements that either fill in the interior or cover the interior of the framework.
The present invention, together with attendant objects and advantages, will be best understood with reference to the detailed description below in connection with the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is described with reference to the drawings in which like elements are referred to by like numerals. The relationship and functioning of the various elements of this invention are better understood by the following detailed description. However, the embodiments of this invention as described below are by way of example only, and the invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings. It should also be understood that the drawings are not to scale and in certain instances details have been omitted which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention such as conventional details of fabrication and assembly.
The present invention is directed to a unique system 10 that divides up space into a plurality of work areas 12. Once assembled, the system 10 is self-supporting and does not depend on architecture or interior design elements of the space for stability. It should be recognized that the system 10 illustrated in
The spine 40 extends the length of the system 10. A plurality of worksurfaces 44 are connected to the spine 40 and extend outward therefrom. The spine 40 and the worksurfaces 44 are constructed generally in accordance with the disclosure in U.S. Pat. No. 4,685,255, entitled “Work Space Management System” and issued in the name of “James. O. Kelley”, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
The support structure 48 supports the worksurface 44 in the first work area 50. The support structure 48 includes a support frame 54 and a stringer 56 as best seen in
The stringer 56 can be adjustably positioned along the support frame 54, and particularly along the upper bar 60 and the middle bar 62. Accordingly, the support structure 48 is useful to support worksurfaces 44 of varying sizes. In the preferred embodiment, the apertures 74 span a distance of 18 inches to thereby accommodate worksurfaces that have a range in length of 18 inches. Moreover, the stringer 56 may be connected to the other side (the side opposite to the illustration of
The stringer connection member 80 is best illustrated in
With reference to
The adjustability of the leg assembly 90 is best illustrated in
While the leg assembly 90 is discussed with reference to the worksurface 44, they are also useful with the freestanding worksurface assembly 120 of
The fabric used to form the fabric cover 152 and banner insert 250 can include conventional materials. In addition, materials such as those disclosed in U.S. patent application filed Jun. 15, 2001 in the names of “Loser et al.” and entitled “Methods and Apparatus For Decorating Interior Environments”, which is hereby incorporated by reference, may also be used.
The embodiments described above and shown herein are illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description and attached drawings. The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, these and any other changes which come within the scope of the claims are intended to be embraced herein.
Claims
1. A system for defining a plurality of work zones within an otherwise open area comprising:
- a rigid spine extending upward from a base surface;
- at least one worksurface connected to the spine and extending outward therefrom;
- a support structure for the worksurface connected to the spine and the worksurface, the support structure capable of being adjusted in size to support worksurfaces of different sizes.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the support structure includes a support frame and a stringer.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the support frame is connected to the spine and the stringer connected to the support frame.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein the stringer is capable of connected to the support frame at multiple locations therealong.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein the stringer is capable of being connected on a first side or a second side of the support frame, the first and second sides being opposite sides.
6. The system of claim 5 further comprising a stringer connection member that interconnects the stringer and support frame.
7. The system of claim 6 wherein stringer connection member engages one of a plurality of apertures within the support frame.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein the stringer connection member is formed from a flexible material.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein the stringer is connected to a leg which supports an end of the worksurface.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein the leg includes a first portion and a second leg portion, the first and second leg portions being angularly adjustable.
11. A screen for use adjacent to a worksurface comprising:
- a framework having a top member, a bottom member and a first side member and an opposing second side member and substantially hollow interior;
- a spanning element connected to the framework and covering the interior of the framework.
12. The screen of claim 11 wherein the spanning element is formed from a fabric.
13. The screen of claim 12 wherein the spanning element fits substantially over the framework.
14. The screen of claim 11 wherein the spanning element is connected to less than all of the top member, the bottom member, the first side member and the second side member.
15. The screen of claim 14 wherein a portion of the spanning element is fit within the interior and is formed from a single piece of fabric.
16. The screen of claim 11 wherein the spanning element includes a clip that interconnects the spanning element to an interior portion of framework.
17. The screen of claim 16 wherein spanning element includes a rigid element.
18. The screen of claim 17 wherein the rigid element is a marker board.
19. The screen of claim 18 wherein the screen is a tackable material.
20. A work system capable of supporting a variety of work tools comprising:
- a work surface having a top surface;
- a framework connected to the worksurface and extending above the worksurface;
- a work tool support structure connected to the framework and including a foot is supported by the top surface of the worksurface.
21. The work system of claim 20 wherein the work tool support structure is shaped generally like a ladder.
22. The work system of claim 21 wherein the foot is height adjustable.
23. The work system of claim 22 wherein work tool support structure includes two opposing sides and a plurality a spaced apart support rods that interconnect the two opposing sides.
24. The work system of claim 23 further a work tool connected to the work tool support structure.
25. The work system of claim 24 wherein the work tool comprises a paper tray.
26. The work system of claim 24 wherein the work tool comprises a file folder.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 15, 2003
Publication Date: Jun 16, 2005
Inventors: Gary Smith (Holland, MI), Jeffrey Weber (Minneapolis, MN), Michael Katje (Grand Haven, MI), Joseph Iacovoni (Grand Rapids, MI), Joseph Ohrling (North Muskegon, MI), Jeffrey Roetman (West Olive, MI)
Application Number: 10/735,263