Modular furniture system
A modular furniture system based on a fundamental building block is provided. The building block, or cell, includes first and second end plates and at least one horizontal support beam. A plurality of stacked and/or side-by-side cells provide a framework that can be arranged in an almost limitless number of ways. The cells serve as both storage space and division between neighboring work spaces, thus conserving raw materials and recovering floor space. The cells further provide raceways for concealing electrical wires and data cables, and are adapted for supporting work surfaces and connecting to vertical panels. The cells are adapted to receive various storage components, such as drawers, which may be inserted from both a front side and a back side of each cell. The cells are also adapted to receive tiles, which may cover open sides of each cell and/or cover the end plates of each cell. The tiles may provide any of a multitude of different aesthetic and functional surfaces. A single cell or stack of cells may include a foundation for increased rigidity and sturdiness.
This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/377,501, filed on May 1, 2002, the entire contents of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to modular furniture. Specifically, the present application discloses a furniture system comprised of a plurality of basic building blocks, or cells. The cells serve as both storage space and division between work areas. The cells are adapted to be combined and arranged to provide an almost limitless variety of furniture system arrangements. The systems provide many advantages over traditional furniture systems, including, inter alia, cost and space savings, multi-directional loading and access, the ability to receive tiles, reduction in shadows cast, compatibility with traditional panels, and the capacity to enclose various connectors such as electrical wires and telephone and data cables.
2. Description of the Related Art
As shown in
Office spaces are generally lit with banks of overhead lights. Thus, work area storage space that is positioned above the desktop casts downward shadows onto the desktop. The X's in
Storage units that are positioned beneath the desktop occupy space that might otherwise be occupied by a worker's legs and feet. The worker cannot sit at the desktop directly in front of the storage units because he or she must sit back from the desktop a sufficient distance to prevent his or her knees from banging against the storage units. This necessary separation of the worker from the desktop prevents the worker from being able to comfortably use the desktop space directly above the storage units. Thus, the storage units beneath the desktop effectively cast shadows upwardly, limiting the uses for large portions of desktop space. The dotted lines in
Rather than attaching storage units to the panels or work surfaces, pedestal units and lateral files may provide storage space without attachment. A pedestal comprises a free-standing bank of drawers that is typically positioned beneath the desktop. Thus, pedestals create the same problems described above by casting shadows upwardly and limiting vertical adjustment of the work surface. A lateral file similarly comprises a free-standing bank of drawers. Lateral files may be of similar height to typical pedestals, or may be taller. Lateral files are typically positioned in front of panels and next to or spaced from the desktop.
Because lateral files are positioned in front of panels, they do not use available floor space efficiently. One or more surfaces of the lateral file (such as the rear surface and one side surface) abut surfaces of the panels. These “redundant surfaces” are always hidden from view. If the panel were not necessary to divide the adjacent work areas, the lateral file could be pushed outward relative to its respective work area. This expansion would recover lost floor space and eliminate some redundant surfaces.
To eliminate the problems discussed above, preferably storage units can also be used to divide adjacent work areas. Such a configuration eliminates redundant surfaces and recovers floor space. U.S. Pat. No. 5,039,177 to Newell et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,260 to Beirise both discuss the concept of “storage as division.” Newell et al. disclose a cabinet structure having vertically extending corner recesses. Each recess is adapted to receive an elongate corner trim element. The corner trim element has a rounded convex configuration on one side thereof, and a generally square corner configuration on the other side thereof. The corner trim element can be positioned in any of the recesses in two different orientations, such that either the rounded or the square corner configuration is exposed. When the square corner configuration is exposed, the corner trim element provides a vertically elongate groove. The groove accommodates one-half of a connecting element, such as a vertical hinge element, for permitting the corner of the cabinet to be secured to another furniture component, such as another cabinet or an upright wall panel.
Beirise discloses an office furniture module. The module comprises a body portion having a removable top portion and a removable bottom member. A space between the top portion and an upper surface of the body portion defines an upper horizontally extending passageway. A space between the bottom member and a lower end of the body portion defines a lower horizontally extending passageway. Removable upper and lower insert panels cover openings in the body portion. When the furniture module is placed next to other identical furniture modules, the modules include upper and lower horizontally extending passageways therethrough.
The cabinet of Newell et al. and the furniture system of Beirise use storage space as division between adjacent work areas. However, neither of these patents discloses a furniture system having broad versatility, enabling the construction of a wide variety of work areas to suit the needs of any application. For example, Newell et al. discloses only apparatus for connecting a file cabinet to a panel. This interconnection enables the elimination of some panels, but does not provide any other substantial benefit.
Beirise discloses a module that can be combined with other modules to form work areas, but the range of applications for the module are limited. For example, the module has a closed back side. Therefore, to create adjacent work areas that are divided by the module, two modules must be positioned back-to-back, as shown in
The descriptions above highlight the limitations of prior furniture systems. A furniture system that overcomes these limitations would be of great benefit to environments that use modular furniture. The furniture system would preferably comprise a versatile base unit that creates cost and space savings, provides multi-directional loading and access, possesses the ability to receive tiles, reduces shadows, is compatible with traditional panels, and provides the capacity to enclose various connectors such as electrical wires and telephone and data cables.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe preferred embodiments of the present modular furniture system have several features, no single one of which is solely responsible for their desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of this modular furniture system as expressed by the claims that follow, its more prominent features will now be discussed briefly. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled “Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments,” one will understand how the features of the preferred embodiments provide advantages, which include providing a versatile base unit that serves as both storage space and division between neighboring work spaces, thus conserving raw materials and recovering floor space, provides multidirectional loading and access, possesses the ability to receive tiles, reduces shadows, is compatible with traditional panels, provides the capacity to enclose various connectors such as electrical wires and telephone and data cables, and is adapted to support work surfaces and dividing panels.
A preferred embodiment of the present modular furniture system comprises a cell that is adapted to be combined with other similar cells to form a furniture system. The cell comprises first and second spaced end plates, and at least one horizontal support beam. The cell is adapted to receive a storage component from both a first side and a second side opposite the first side.
Another preferred embodiment of the present modular furniture system comprises a cell that is adapted to be combined with other similar cells to form a furniture system. The cell comprises first and second spaced end plates, and at least one horizontal support beam. The at least one horizontal support beam comprises a crossbar with posts disposed at either end thereof. The posts are substantially parallel to one another and also substantially perpendicular to the crossbar.
Another preferred embodiment of the present modular furniture system comprises a cell defining a storage space therein. The storage space is at least partially bounded by first and second spaced end plates and at least one horizontal support beam. The modular furniture system further comprises a tile that is securable between the end plates to thereby define a further boundary of the cell.
Another preferred embodiment of the present modular furniture system comprises a cell defining a storage space therein. The storage space is at least partially bounded by first and second spaced end plates and at least one horizontal support beam. The modular furniture system further comprises a tile that is securable to either of the end plates to thereby at least partially cover the end plate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe preferred embodiments of the modular furniture system, illustrating its features, will now be discussed in detail. These embodiments depict the novel and non-obvious modular furniture system shown in the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only. These drawings include the following figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts:
The present modular furniture system is particularly well adapted for use in office environments. The description below focuses on the use of the furniture system in an office environment. However, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the present modular furniture system is also adapted for use in other environments, such as homes, manufacturing and assembly facilities, etc.
The present modular furniture system provides a basic building block, or cell, that can be combined with other building blocks to construct work spaces. The groupings of building blocks can be arranged in an almost limitless number of ways. The groupings serve as both storage space and division between neighboring work spaces, thus conserving raw materials, recovering floor space and reducing shadows. The cells provide multi-directional loading and access, and are well suited for receiving tiles. The groupings also provide raceways for concealing electrical wires and telephone and data cables, and are adapted for supporting horizontal work surfaces and vertical panels.
The cell 100 pictured in
The illustrated end plate 102 includes surface features that help to increase the rigidity of the end plate 102. For example, a first surface 110 of the illustrated end plate 102 includes two spaced channels 112. A second surface of the end plate 102, opposite the first surface 110, includes raised ridges opposite the channels. Each channel 112 runs in a substantially vertical direction from an upper edge 114 of the plate 102 to a lower edge 116 thereof. Each channel 112 contains a plurality of vertically spaced through-holes 118. The through holes 118 are adapted to receive fastening members (not shown), such as screws or bolts, that secure the end plates 102 to the horizontal support beams 104, as described below.
Side edges 120 of the end plates 102 are preferably bent approximately ninety degrees out of the plane of the plate 102 toward the second surface of the plate 102. These bent edges 120 further increase the rigidity of the end plates 102. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that, although these surface features increase the rigidity of the end plates 102, which increases the overall sturdiness of the present modular furniture system, none of these surface features is necessary to achieve the advantages of the system. Those of skill in the art will further appreciate that the end plates 102 could include additional surface features to further increase the rigidity of the end plates 102. For example, each end plate 102 could include additional vertical channels, located either between the two spaced channels 112 described above or outside these channels 112. The end plates 102 could also include generally horizontal channels.
A cross-section of each post 124 is generally C-shaped. This cross-section provides high bending strength without requiring a large amount of material. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the posts 124 could have virtually any cross-section, including a figure-eight with one open side, or substantially rectangular. Front and rear edges of the posts 124 preferably include vertically spaced slots 126. The slots 126 provide mounting points for work surfaces, shelves and other structures, as described below. Inside edges of each post 124 include vertically spaced through holes 128 that align with the through holes 118 in the end plates 102, as shown in
The end plates 102 and horizontal support beams 104 are preferably constructed of metal. A preferred metal is mild steel. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the end plates 102 and horizontal support beams 104 could be constructed from non-metal materials, such as plastics or composites. Those of skill in the art will also appreciate that the end plates 102 and horizontal support beams 104 could have any dimensions to suit any application. However, to reduce manufacturing costs, the end plates 102 and horizontal support beams 104 can also be manufactured in standard sizes. Consumers can then pick and choose from the available standard sizes in order to construct their own furniture system. Preferred dimensions for the standard-sized end plates 102 include (expressed as height×width): 14″×17″, 21″×17″, 28″×17″, 35″×17″ and 42″×17″. The preferred width of 17″ of for each end plate 102 results in an approximate depth of 18″ for each cell 100 when tiles and storage components are added to the cell 100, as described below. Preferred lengths for the standard-sized horizontal support beams 104 include: 18″, 24″, 30″, 36″, 42″ and 48″.
The cells 100 are adapted to be stacked on top of one another and arranged side-by-side, as shown in
Each foundation 130 preferably comprises a pair of spaced parallel end bars 132 that extend front-to-back. A pair of spaced parallel cross bars 134 extend side-to-side and connect the end bars 132. A cross-section of the illustrated end bars 132 resembles a corrugated pattern. A ridge 136 with a flat top extends along the length of each end bar 132. A cross-section of the illustrated cross bars 134 is substantially rectangular. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the bars 132, 134 could have a variety of different shapes and cross-sections to suit particular applications.
Ends of the cross bars 134 preferably seat within channels 138 on the inside edges of the end bars 132. Flanges 140 extend upwardly from the end bars 132. One flange 140 is preferably positioned adjacent the end of each cross bar 134. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the flanges 140 could be positioned differently, and that fewer or more flanges 140 could be provided. Lower ends of each end plate 102 seat between the ridge 136 of one of the end bars 132 and the respective flanges 140.
As illustrated in
With reference to
The post 146 is preferably threaded, and preferably engages the horizontal bar 144 such that a distance between the horizontal bar 144 and the glide 148 is variable. The glides 148 thus enable the cells 100 to be level, even if the cells 100 are sitting on an uneven surface. By varying the distance between the horizontal bar 144 and the glide 148, the glides 148 can compensate for depressions, bumps or slants in the floor.
Although not illustrated, the glides 148 could be replaced by wheels, which would further enhance the mobility of the cells 100. Alternatively, the glides 148 could be constructed of a high-friction material, or covered on their lower surfaces with a high-friction material. Such glides 148 would lessen the mobility of the cells 100, which may be desirable to prevent the cells 100 from shifting unexpectedly. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that neither the glides 148 nor the wheels nor any similar components are necessary to achieve the advantages of the present modular furniture system. For example, the foundations 130 could rest directly on the floor.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the bridges 150 could embody a variety of other shapes. For example, each bridge 150 could be shaped as a substantially rectangular box with two oppositely facing concave side walls. End walls of each rectangular bridge 150 would preferably include apertures for receiving connecting members, such as bolts or screws. The apertures in the end walls would align with the apertures in the end plates 102. The connecting members would cooperate with the end plate apertures and the bridge apertures to secure the bridges 150 to the end plates 102, thereby securing the adjacent cells 100 to one another.
As described above, front and rear edges of the posts 124 preferably include vertically spaced slots 126. Additional slotted vertical members 158 may fill the gaps between vertically adjacent posts 124, as illustrated in
The upper edges of the brackets 160 provide support for various surfaces, such as desktops, shelves, etc. The upper edge of each bracket may include a protruding tab 162 defining a substantially horizontal plane. The tab 162 provides a fastening surface for securing the bracket 160 to the surface that it supports. For example, a screw may cooperate with an aperture in the tab 162 and penetrate the supported surface to secure the surface to the bracket 160.
The raceways 166 may provide paths for electrical wiring and/or data cables. The trays 168 provide support to the wiring and cables so that they don't sag and interfere with other components within each cell 100. However, the wiring and cables could instead be supported by their own tension. For example, a tension inducing device, such as a clip, could grip the wiring and cables, pulling them taut. The raceways 166 may also serve as air ducts for heating and cooling systems, or house pipes that carry water, gas, etc.
To form the raceways 166, a technician removes tabs 108 (
The cells 100 are adapted to receive storage components, such as drawers 176, cabinet-style doors 178, shelves 180 and other similar components, as shown in FIGS. 19, 21-24, 25 and 26. The cells 100 are also adapted to receive a variety of other components that are not illustrated. A non-exhaustive list of such components includes the following: an accessory panel within the cell 100 that is accessible from both sides of the cell 100, work surfaces that can either hang out of the cell 100 or roll out of the cell 100, electronic equipment such as rack mounted equipment, a roll-out shelf mounted on drawer slides, accessory panels, lighting fixtures, computer equipment, office electronics (such as faxes, printers and monitors), air ducts and registers, heating elements, refrigeration units, coolers, kitchen equipment (such as microwaves), stereo equipment (such as receivers, speakers and equalizers), video electronics (such as VCR's and DVD players), sinks, cages, seat cushions (so that a lower cell can act as a bench), air filtration equipment, wireless transmitters and antennas for wireless office networking. These components fill the spaces within cells 100 and/or cover the open sides of the cells 100. The cells 100 collectively form wall-like structures that can be used to divide neighboring work areas, as shown in
The cells 100 are adapted to receive tiles 182 (
The tiles 182 can stretch from one cell end plate 102 to another, covering the front and/or rear openings of the cell 100. The tiles 182 can also cover the exposed surfaces of the end plates 182. Each of these tile orientations is shown in
The apertures 190 are adapted to receive tabs or hooks or other similar attachment structures (not shown) that protrude from the tiles 182. For simplicity, the attachment of a tile 182 to a cell 100 will be described with reference to tabs. However, those of skill in the art will appreciate that, as used herein, tab includes any attachment structure that is adapted to engage one of the apertures 190. Such attachment structure could include, for example, clips, snaps, pins and teeth. Those of skill in the art will also appreciate that the arrangement of the tabs and apertures could be reversed, i.e. the tabs could be on the end plates 102 and the apertures 190 on the tiles 182.
A tile 182 that is designed to cover the front and/or rear opening of a cell 100 preferably includes four tabs protruding from opposite ends thereof with two tabs protruding from each end. The tabs, which may be spring loaded for ease of installation, project through the apertures 190 in opposing end plates 102, thus locking the tile 182 between the end plates 102. As shown in
A tile 182 that is designed to cover an exposed surface of an end plate 182 preferably includes four tabs protruding from an inside surface thereof. The tabs project through the apertures 190 in a single end plate 102. As shown in
As illustrated in
The ends of the panels 186 may include hooks (not shown), so that the hooks engage the vertically spaced slots 126 in the posts 124. Alternatively, the panels 186 may be connected to the cells 100 by other conventional means, such as by using screws or bolts. The panels 186, together with the stacks 184, define boundaries of each work area. Because the cell stacks 184 do not sit in front of the panels 186, as storage units do in traditional panel systems, the stacks 184 eliminate redundant surfaces and recover floor space. Each work area includes an abundance of storage space in the stacks 184, and a large work surface 188. Because all storage space is located in the stacks 184, no storage units are located above or below the work surface 188. Thus, the storage space does not cast shadows downward or upward within the work area.
Advantageously, the cell 100 is relatively small when compared to the overall size of a typical work area. Further, the cells 100 can be manufactured in different sizes, as explained above. Thus, many cells 100 can be combined in a wide variety of different ways sizes. For example,
The height, width and/or depth of each cell 100 can also be varied to tailor the stacks to achieve work space goals. For example, in the stacks shown in
Advantageously, storage components such as drawers 176, cabinet-style doors 178, shelves 180, roll-up coverings can be inserted into the cells 100 from either side. For example,
Those of skill in the art will appreciate that drawers 176 and other storage components can be inserted from both a front side and a back side of a single stack of cells 100. For example, a lower cell 100 may have a drawer 176 inserted from a front side, while a cell 100 stacked on top of that cell 100 may have a drawer inserted from a back side. This versatility enables a single cell stack to serve as storage space for two adjacent work areas.
Preferably, a plurality of cells 200 are stacked vertically and/or side-by-side, as illustrated in
Preferably, a cell 200 that rests directly on the floor includes an attached foundation 209, which is illustrated in
A lower surface 215 of each end 217 of each cross bar 211 preferably includes a glide 219. Each glide 219 comprises a substantially disk-shaped runner 221 having a substantially cylindrical post 223 attached to a flat face. The post 223, which may be threaded, preferably penetrates the lower surface 215 of the cross bar 211 such that a flat surface of the runner 221 opposite the post 223 rests fiat on the floor. The runner 221 is preferably constructed of a low-friction material such that it slides relatively easily over the floor. The glides 219 thus facilitate moving the stack across the floor. Further, because the posts 223 preferably by threads engage the cross bars 211, the glides 219 enable the stack to be level, even if the stack is sitting on an uneven surface. By varying the length that one or more posts 223 extends from the cross bar 211, the glides 219 can compensate for depressions, bumps or slants in the floor.
Each cell 200 is adapted to function as a support structure for a variety of different components. For example, a cell 200 may house a hanging file drawer 210 (
Advantageously, each of these components may be inserted from either side of the cell 200. For example, the hanging file drawer 210 shown in
Advantageously, opposite edges of end plates 202 of each cell 200 include indentations 222 as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Each end plate 238 also preferably includes first and second tabs 242 protruding from an upper edge 244 and first and second tabs 242 protruding from a lower edge 246. A portion of the upper edge 244 between the tabs 242 comprises an indentation 248, and a portion of the upper edge 244 between the tabs 242 comprises an indentation 248. The indentations 248 provide clearance for elongate trays, as described above with reference to the cell 200.
The end plates 238 are connected to one another by crossbars 250. In the illustrated embodiment, each crossbar 250 connects a tab 242 on one end plate 238 to a corresponding tab 242 on the opposite end plate 238. Those of skill in the art will appreciate, however, that the crossbars 250 may connect alternate portions of the end plates 250.
The cell 236 of
The present modular furniture system permits virtually unlimited flexibility in efficiently and economically designing office space. The uniquely designed cells 200, 236 maximize storage capacity and eliminate traditional dividers, such as panels, while providing space for concealing wiring. The furniture thus creates a functional environment that is clean and well-organized. As
The units can also be easily rearranged to provide maximum storage and efficiency for any office environment. Storage components such as drawers are easily inserted from both a front or a back side of each cell. Storage space is thus easy to reallocate by moving a drawer from one side to the other. For example, if a worker in a first cubicle needs more storage space than a worker in a neighboring cubicle, a drawer inserted from the neighboring side can easily be removed and inserted from the first side.
The above presents a description of the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present modular furniture system, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use this modular furniture system. This modular furniture system is, however, susceptible to modifications and alternate constructions from that discussed above that are fully equivalent. Consequently, this modular furniture system is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. On the contrary, this modular furniture system covers all modifications and alternate constructions coming within the spirit and scope of the modular furniture system as generally expressed by the following claims, which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter of the modular furniture system.
Claims
1. A cell that is adapted to be combined with other similar cells to form a furniture system, the cell comprising:
- first and second spaced end plates; and
- at least one horizontal support beam; wherein
- the cell is adapted to receive a storage component from both a first side and a second side opposite the first side.
2. The cell of claim 1, wherein the storage component is a hanging-file drawer, a closed drawer, a door, doors, a shelf, a roll-up covering, an accessory panel, a work surface, or a roll-out shelf.
3. The cell of claim 1, wherein each end plate includes at least one removable tab.
4. The cell of claim 1, wherein when corresponding tabs are removed from the end plates, the cell defines at least one raceway for receiving electrical wiring or data cabling.
5. The cell of claim 4, wherein the raceway is at least partially bounded by at least one tray.
6. The cell of claim 1, wherein the at least one horizontal support beam comprises a crossbar with posts disposed at either end thereof the posts being substantially parallel to one another and also substantially perpendicular to the crossbar.
7. The cell of claim 6, wherein each post includes a plurality of vertically spaced slots.
8. The cell of claim 7, wherein the vertically spaced slots are adapted to receive vertically spaced hooks to secure items to the cell.
9. The cell of claim 6, wherein each post is adapted to be secured to one of the end plates.
10. The cell of claim 9, wherein each post is received within a channel on the end plate to which it is secured.
11. The cell of claim 10, wherein the at least one horizontal support beam is shaped substantially as an I.
12. The cell of claim 11, wherein the cell is a first cell, a first end of each post is adapted to be secured to the first cell, and a second end of each post is adapted to be secured to a second cell that is vertically adjacent to the first cell.
13. The cell of claim 1, further comprising a foundation upon which the cell is adapted to rest.
14. The cell of claim 13, wherein the foundation comprises at least one foundation support.
15. The cell of claim 14, wherein the foundation support is a glide or a wheel.
16. The cell of claim 1, wherein the cell is a first cell and is adapted to be vertically stacked with a second cell that is substantially identical to the first cell.
17. The cell of claim 1, wherein the cell is a first cell and is adapted to be placed horizontally adjacent a second cell that is substantially identical to the first cell.
18. The cell of claim 17, further comprising a bridge for connecting the first cell to the second cell.
19. The cell of claim 1, in combination with a panel, wherein the panel is connected to a first end of the cell and the panel is adapted to divide adjacent work areas.
20. A cell that is adapted to be combined with other similar cells to form a furniture system, the cell comprising:
- first and second spaced end plates; and
- at least one horizontal support beam; wherein
- the at least one horizontal support beam comprises a crossbar with posts disposed at either end thereof the posts being substantially parallel to one another and also substantially perpendicular to the crossbar.
21. The cell of claim 20, wherein each end plate includes at least one removable tab.
22. The cell of claim 20, wherein the at least one horizontal support beam is shaped substantially as an I.
23. The cell of claim 22, wherein each post is adapted to be secured to one of the end plates.
24. The cell of claim 23, wherein the cell is a first cell, a first end of each post is adapted to be secured to the first cell, and a second end of each post is adapted to be secured to a second cell that is vertically adjacent to the first cell.
25. The cell of claim 20, further comprising a foundation upon which the cell is adapted to rest.
26. The cell of claim 25, wherein the foundation comprises first and second spaced end members, first and second spaced cross members, and at least one bracket projecting upwardly from each end member.
27. The cell of claim 26, wherein each end plate is adapted to rest atop one of the end members such that a corresponding one of the brackets is releasably securable to the end plate.
28. A furniture system, comprising:
- a cell defining a storage space therein that is at least partially bounded by first and second spaced end plates and at least one horizontal support beam; and
- a tile; wherein
- the tile is securable between the end plates to thereby define a further boundary of the cell.
29. The furniture system of claim 28, wherein the tile may be positioned on a first side of the cell or a second side of the cell opposite the first side, or simultaneously on both the first side and the second side.
30. The furniture system of claim 28, wherein the end plates include apertures, the tile includes tabs, and the tabs engage the apertures to secure the tile to the cell.
31. The furniture system of claim 28, wherein the end plates include apertures, the tile includes hooks, and the hooks engage the apertures to secure the tile to the cell.
32. The furniture system of claim 28, wherein the cell is adapted to receive, from a first side, a storage component, while the tile is positioned on a second side of the cell opposite the first side.
33. The furniture system of claim 32, wherein the storage component is a hanging-file drawer, a closed drawer, a door, doors, a shelf, a roll-up covering, an accessory panel, a work surface, or a roll-out shelf.
34. The furniture system of claim 32, wherein the cell is adapted to receive, from the second side, a storage component, while the tile is positioned on the first side of the cell.
35. The furniture system of claim 34, wherein the storage component is a hanging-file drawer, a closed drawer, a door, doors, a shelf, a roll-up covering, an accessory panel, a work surface, or a roll-out shelf.
36. A furniture system, comprising:
- a cell defining a storage space therein that is at least partially bounded by first and second spaced end plates and at least one horizontal support beam; and
- a tile; wherein
- the tile is securable to either of the end plates to thereby at least partially cover the end plate.
37. The furniture system of claim 36, wherein the end plates include apertures, the tile includes tabs, and the tabs engage the apertures to secure the tile to the cell.
38. The furniture system of claim 36, wherein the end plates include apertures, the tile includes hooks, and the hooks engage the apertures to secure the tile to the cell.
39. The furniture system of claim 36, wherein the cell is adapted to receive, from a both a first side and a second side opposite the first side, a storage component.
40. The furniture system of claim 39, wherein the storage component is a hanging-file drawer, a closed drawer, a door, doors, a shelf, a roll-up covering, an accessory panel, a work surface, or a roll-out shelf.
Type: Application
Filed: May 1, 2003
Publication Date: Jul 28, 2005
Inventors: Peter Madsen (Aliso Viejo, CA), William Pokletar (Mission Viejo, CA)
Application Number: 10/512,786