Component Having Specific Attachment For An Article Comprising A Horizontal, Planar Surface (e.g., Shelf, Bed) Patents (Class 52/36.4)
  • Patent number: 6418671
    Abstract: A space-dividing wall panel system which includes components which are compatible with various types of wall panels and furniture components therefor. These components include a connector bracket having multiple inserts for supporting furniture components thereon, and an interface assembly also is provided which is compatible with various wall panel systems. A spiral cable manager also is provided for supporting cabling within the wall panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip DeRuiter, Pete Beyer, Dave Emery, Robert Tuttle, Kevin Meyer
  • Patent number: 6405491
    Abstract: A modular patient room includes a plurality of wall panels having various configurations and one or more plumbing units. The wall panels and plumbing units are connectable to each other to form the patient room. Each plumbing unit includes a water conduit and a water-using device that is connected to the water conduit. In some embodiments, the modular patient room includes modular patient service equipment that couples to the wall panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis J. Gallant
  • Patent number: 6397532
    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 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    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
  • Patent number: 6378255
    Abstract: An adjustable apparatus includes a partition having upper and lower horizontal frame members, and first and second support panel subassemblies adjustably attached to the partition for adjustably supporting a horizontal panel, such as a shelf. Upper and lower brackets each include a U-shaped section that mateably vertically adjustably engages a rear edge of the associated vertical support panel for providing vertical adjustability. Screws secure the U-shaped section at a selected height to the associated vertical support panel. The upper and lower brackets each further include an attachment flange section with hooks shaped to horizontally adjustably engage slots in the respective horizontal frame members. The upper and lower brackets are selectively attachable to the partition in a plurality of positions including off-module positions located between side edges of the partition. At least one horizontal shelf or worksurface extends between, is attached to, and is supported by the support panel subassemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas B. Eich, Kurt Dammermann, Sean M. Corcorran, Frank Friedman, Charles A. Seiber
  • Publication number: 20020043028
    Abstract: A utility bracket designed for use in modular office arrangements wherein planar walls are used to form office cubicles is substantially planar and has a configuration, such as triangular, to fit within a corner formed by intersecting walls. Two of the legs of the triangle, for example, each has an array of a plurality of spaced U-shaped support member which fit down over the top of the walls to support the bracket in the cubicle corner. The support members are offset relative to each other along the lengths of the corresponding legs so that when two or more brackets are used to fill corners at, for example, a four corner intersection, the support members of two adjacent brackets interdigitate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas Chelko
  • Patent number: 6366452
    Abstract: The present invention provides a flat display with replaceable base stand. The flat display has a flat display panel for displaying an image frame, a support pedestal rotatably installed on the back of the flat display panel, and a base stand comprising an opening which can accommodate the support pedestal. The support pedestal has a protruding portion installed on the back of the flat display panel and a fixture rotatably installed on the protruding portion. The fixture fits inside the opening of the base stand to rotatably install the flat display panel onto the base stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Acer Incorporated
    Inventors: Chien-Jui Wang, Chang-I Tseng, Yung-Chuan Ma, Chia-Chuan Lin
  • Publication number: 20020029529
    Abstract: A partition includes at least two vertical posts with upper and lower beams having opposite ends thereof interconnecting the vertical posts to define when in an assembled condition, a rigid panel frame having a substantially open interior. The panel frame defines a vertical dimension. At least one cover panel is configured to enclose at least a portion of the open interior of the panel frame, and is removably mounted on the panel frame to readily access the open interior thereof. The cover panel defines an interior surface and a center portion spaced-apart from the posts. A cover panel brace is connected with the upper beam, and has an outer surface abutting the interior surface of the cover panel to support the cover panel adjacent the center portion to prevent flexing of the cover panel. The cover panel brace is longitudinally extensible to accommodate variations of the vertical dimension between the upper and lower beams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: Michael L. Waalkes, Marcus K. Pressnell, Mark T. Slager, Michael R. Shields, Brian J. Kane, Robin Christopher, Dennis J. Boyle, Peter N. Skillman, Charles A. Seiber, Joseph Chang, Paul J. Granzotto, Richard S. Hand, Kevin J. Longhurst, Theodore Q. Chau, Douglas L. Scheerhorn, John L. McCrackin
  • Publication number: 20020026753
    Abstract: A rack assembly for supporting electronic units which includes a generally rectangular frame having reinforcing plates welded thereto to extend outwardly therefrom, and a reinforced mounting portion disposed at the lower end of the frame and having a length corresponding generally to the height of the vertical spacing between a permanent floor and secondary flooring disposed above the permanent flooring so that the mounting portion can be secured directly to the permanent flooring and pass upwardly through an opening in the secondary flooring. A plurality of the rack assemblies may be arranged in side-by-side relationship in a room, and the reinforcing plates of adjacent rack assemblies provide wire management channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventor: Jay D. Ray
  • Publication number: 20020023391
    Abstract: A wall system capable of rapid and easy transport and storage, wherein the wall panels are locked in place but are capable of easy removal without disturbing the supporting framework, and further, the horizontal members interact with and are capable of being locked to vertical supports of a variety of configurations and yet are replaceable without the necessity of disassembly. The wall panels for the current system may selectively be uniform and decorative or alternatively serve as a support for brackets, shelves or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventor: R. Paul Nymark
  • Patent number: 6349507
    Abstract: A slat wall structure including a substantially vertical support portion and at least one substantially horizontal web extending from the support portion. An end of the web includes a downwardly depending portion extending longitudinally along the end of the web, with the downwardly depending portion defining an upwardly extending recess. The recess is located below each of the webs, whereby both hook-like engagement brackets and upwardly extending mounting flange brackets can be supported by the slat wall. The web can also include a downwardly extending portion that defines at least one screw boss, wherein screws are receivable to mount the slat wall from its end. A pair of oppositely disposed and mutually spaced vertical end walls having a slat wall located between and attached to the end walls by screws placed through the vertical end walls and into the screw boss to thereby secure a side of the web to the vertical end walls and form an integral upright assembly which may be self-supporting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Spectra Products Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel J. Muellerleile
  • Publication number: 20020020120
    Abstract: A modular exhibit panel and lock system includes a firstwedge secured within a first channel of a first object, such as a modular exhibit panel. A second wedge is secured within a second channel of a second object, such as a second panel. The first and second objects are securely associated with one another by placing the first wedge in the first channel, and the second wedge in the second channel in an orientation generally opposite of a first wedge and sliding the first and second channel relative to one another so that the first and second wedges interlock causing the first and second objects to be connected to one another. A multi-faceted panel connector having channels in at least two facets thereof, and a third wedge within these channels, can be used to securely associate panels of the system with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventor: Alexander L. McKenzie
  • Publication number: 20020002799
    Abstract: A workstation having an adjustable support structure is disclosed. The workstation includes a beam, a position locking apparatus, and a workpiece-supporting device slideable along the beam to a position where it is locked by the locking apparatus. The locking apparatus is configured to exert a constraining force proportional to a load force. Also disclosed is a workstation including a means for supporting a workpiece, a means for supporting a means for supporting the workpiece at a selected distance above a floor, and a means for frictionally securing the means for supporting the workpiece to the means for supporting the means for supporting the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Inventors: Paul D. Terpstra, Lee K. Hilgendorf
  • Publication number: 20010029707
    Abstract: A combination partition screen includes at least two upright supports, each upright support having a plurality of longitudinal coupling portions in corners thereof and a plurality of spacers respectively mounted between each two adjacent upright supports to support partition panels, each spacer having a flat base wall, a flat bearing wall and a flat supporting wall respectively extended from the base wall, an upward stop flange extended from the flat bearing wall and adapted to hold with the flat base wall a partition panel on the flat bearing wall, a downward stop flange extended from the flat supporting wall and adapted to hold with the flat base wall a partition panel below the flat supporting wall, a downward locating flange extended from the flat bearing wall and defining with the flat supporting wall an elongated coupling chamber for hanging things, a flat positioning wall perpendicularly extended from an opposite side of the flat base wall on the middle, an elongated clamping wall extended from the fla
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventor: Yi-Cheng Hsueh
  • Patent number: 6301725
    Abstract: A shower seat for installation within a corner of a shower stall. The shower seat may be constructed from a wide variety of rigid materials and is polygonal in shape. A horizontal corner strip of backboard of shower walls within the shower stall is removed to form a slot. A back portion of the shower seat is inserted into the slot such that the edges are against vertical wall studs supporting the backboard of the shower walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Inventor: Brian Harvey
  • Patent number: 6301837
    Abstract: A rack assembly for supporting electronic units which includes a generally rectangular frame having reinforcing plates welded thereto to extend outwardly therefrom, and a reinforced mounting portion disposed at the lower end of the frame and having a length corresponding generally to the height of the vertical spacing between a permanent floor and secondary flooring disposed above the permanent flooring so that the mounting portion can be secured directly to the permanent flooring and pass upwardly through an opening in the secondary flooring. A plurality of the rack assemblies may be arranged in side-by-side relationship in a room, and the reinforcing plates of adjacent rack assemblies provide wire management channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Kewaunee Scientific Corp.
    Inventor: Jay D. Ray
  • Patent number: 6293328
    Abstract: A portable privacy screen is provided, which enables a user to quickly and easily create a zone of personal space where cosmetics may be applied, clothes put on and adjusted, and changes and improvements in appearance made. The screen is constructed from a plurality of individual, smaller panels and is foldable into a compact and easily carried configuration. The screen may also have a mirror and can carry advertising messages or other printing. The portable screen is arranged in the general form of a triptych, preferably including an upper and a lower array of panels. Each individual array is also in the general form of a triptych. A carrying bag, which is dimensioned to snugly contain the portable screen in disassembled form and itself is sufficiently configured to be carried over the shoulder of a user like a duffle bag, is also provided. The lower array, is reversibly interconnected to the upper array and is held in spaced-apart relation therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Inventor: Donna A. Fremont
  • Patent number: 6293055
    Abstract: A combined bed and shelter device is disclosed. The device is anchored through a plurality of parallel spaced joists to a base for protecting a user in the event of a natural disaster or the like. The device includes a housing defining an enclosure of generally rectangular configuration, the housing including a container having a floor defining a peripheral edge and a wall extending angularly relative to the peripheral edge. A lid is pivotally secured to the container and cooperates with the wall such that the container and the lid define therebetween the enclosure for occupancy by the user in the event of the disaster. A mattress is supported by the lid such that when the lid is disposed in a first location thereof, the mattress supported by the lid serves as the bed for the user thereof and when the lid is disposed in a second location thereof with the lid pivoted about the container, access to the enclosure is permitted so that protection of the user within the enclosure is afforded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Inventor: Dale D. Watson
  • Patent number: 6286276
    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: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    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
  • Patent number: 6230907
    Abstract: A wall-mounted shelving system comprising at least one elongated standard secured to a wall and having a vertical axis, with said standard containing a plurality of slots; at least one panel having fastening means on one edge of said panel to reversibly connect to said slots wherein said fastening means extend substantially the length of said standard; and means connected with said panel for storing and displaying items. Means for preventing swaying and rotation of said panel relative to said standard axis are also described as are slanted shelf brackets connected with said panel for supporting slanted display shelves. An embodiment is also described comprising at least two standards, at least two panels connected with said standards, and a shelf supported at its ends in spaced relation by and between said panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Stuart Shelving, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy Scott Stuart
  • Patent number: 6230445
    Abstract: A wall system includes a wall section, such as a section of a partition, having a horizontal frame defining a horizontal row of attachment sites, such as a row of slots. An adjustable bracket includes a pair of vertical blades constructed to engage selected ones of the attachment sites, and further includes at least one telescoping horizontal support spanning between and supported by the pair of vertical blades, and still further includes universal connector brackets for engaging the telescoping horizontal support. The horizontal spacing of the blades can be adjusted to accommodate a component, and the telescopingly adjustable horizontal support can be adjusted to reach between the blades. The universal connectors adjustably engage the horizontal support and include slots to facilitate attachment to connectors on a back, a bottom, or sides of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. Arko, Scott Klinker, Heather Andrus, James Yurchenko
  • Patent number: 6202360
    Abstract: A medical workstation is contained in an operating room having one or both of a double ceiling and a double floor. The medical devices forming the medical workstation are disposed in the double ceiling or in the double floor, or are distributed so that some are disposed in the double ceiling and some are disposed in the double floor. The devices are thus arranged so as not to present a hinderance to operating personnel in the operating room. A connection unit for the medical devices projects into the operating room from the double ceiling or from the double floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Manfred Rattner, Bernd Malter
  • Patent number: 6185899
    Abstract: A structural panel, suitable for use as slatwalling in retail outlets, comprised of a metal sheet bent to define on each side of the panel a series of channels of re-entrant cross-section extending continuously across the width of the panel. The panel is manufactured by a bending process wherein a portion of sheet material is deformed into a U-shaped cross-section, and the sides of the channel are deformed by bending into a substantially S-shape to define the re-entrant channel shape, this process being repeated at regular intervals along the sheet material. The bending process is performed by tooling including first and second tool assemblies, the first assembly including a shaping part for deforming a portion of sheet material into a recess defined between a pair of opposed tool elements of the second tool assembly, the opposed tool elements being driven towards each other to deform the channel side walls into an S-shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventor: Christopher D. De Niet
  • Patent number: 6173536
    Abstract: A workstation including at least two walls, each of the walls having opposed ends, an upper panel, and a lower panel beneath the upper panel, the lower panel including a center plate with horizontal, parallel upper and lower side opening raceways on opposite sides of the plate; and a support post having opposed connection faces, one of the faces being connected to an end of one of the walls and the other face being connected to an end of the other of the walls, the post including conduits extending between the connecting faces, whereby utilities can be connected from raceways on one of the walls to raceways on the other of the walls through the post. Releasable edge and end caps are frictionally attached to the exposed wall edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Boyce Products, Ltd.
    Inventor: David L. Boyce