FURNITURE STORAGE UNIT AND METHOD

• US 20080296457A1
• Filed: 05/29/2008
• Published: 12/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Inventors: Hamilton, John R., Mead, Karl J., Bultsma, Brian L., Hager, Allen C., Knauf, Marvin C., Miller, Scott Michael, Jeffers, Robert E., Hofman, William K., Mueller, Karl Heinz
• Granted Patent: US 8,104,850 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/305
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 47/02 made of metal only
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 57/30 with means for adjusting the height of detachable shelf supports
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 95/008 Suspension fittings for cabinets to be hung on walls
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 96/068 Very short brackets, quickly attachable or detachable to a vertical support surface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

An office furniture unit has an outer face with slotted hangers, and a removable storage unit assembly including a bottom panel positioned in a generally horizontal orientation along the office furniture unit, and a top panel disposed above and generally parallel with the bottom panel. First and second panels are disposed at opposite ends of the top and bottom panels and are connected therewith to define a rigid, box-shaped case having an open back portion. The first and second end panels have rear portions with multiple vertically spaced slots. First and second hanger brackets have a rear portion with first hooks selectively received in the slotted hangers of the office furniture units, and a forward portion with second hooks selectively received in the slots in the rear portions of the first and second end panels to detachably support the case against the outer face of the office furniture unit.

Claims

1. A storage unit assembly for office furniture units of the type having an outer face with slotted hangers extending therealong, comprising:

a bottom panel operably positioned in a generally horizontal orientation, and shaped to abuttingly support objects thereon;

a top panel disposed above and generally parallel with said bottom panel, and shaped to cover at least a portion of said bottom panel;

first and second end panels disposed at opposite ends of said top and bottom panels and connected therewith to define a rigid, box-shaped case having a generally rigid bottom portion and a generally open back portion;

said first and second end panels having rear portions with a plurality of vertically spaced apart slots disposed therein;

first and second hanger brackets each having a rear portion with first hooks shaped for reception in the slotted hangers of an associated one of the office furniture units, and a forward portion with second hooks selectively received in said slots in said rear portions of said first and second end panels to detachably support said case in a panel-hung condition against the outer face of the associated one of the office furniture units;

an up-mount bracket having a lower portion shaped for connection with an associated one of the office furniture units, and an upper portion connected with and supporting said bottom portion of said case to detachably mount said case in an up-mounted condition above a top portion of the associated one of the furniture units; and

a removable back panel shaped to enclose at least a portion of said open back portion of said case, and having side portions with outwardly protruding hooks selectively received in said slots in said rear portions of said first and second end panels to detachably connect said back panel with said case and enclose at least that portion of said open back portion of said case disposed above the top portion of the associated one of the office furniture units when said case is in said up-mounted condition.

2. A storage unit assembly as set forth in claim 1, including:

an anti-dislodgement clip mounted on said case adjacent to one of said first and second end panels, and engaging said second hooks on said first hanger bracket in said panel-hung condition, and said hooks on said back panel in said up-mounted condition.

3. A storage unit assembly as set forth in claim 1, including:

a back stop rail extending along a rearward portion of said bottom panel between said first and second end panels;

said back stop rail is connected with said bottom panel and said first and second end panels to rigidify said case, and projects upwardly from said bottom panel to retain objects thereon.

4. A storage unit assembly as set forth in claim 1, including:

a pair of connector brackets mounted on inside surfaces of said first and second end panels, and engaging said opposite ends of said bottom panel to rigidly interconnect said first and second end panels.

5. A storage unit assembly as set forth in claim 1, including:

a pair of clips mounted on top surfaces of said first and second end panels, and engaging said opposite ends of the top panel to interconnect said first and second end panels.

6. A storage unit assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said panel-hung condition defines an on-module panel-hung condition and includes

a first off-module support bracket having a rear portion thereof with slots selectively receiving therein said second hooks of said first and second hanger brackets in a vertical off-module panel-hung condition, a forward bottom portion thereof abuttingly supporting thereon said back stop rail, and a forward top portion thereof connected with said top panel of said case in a manner which permits said case to shift laterally relative to said first and second hanger brackets.

7. A storage unit assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein:

said panel-hung condition defines an off-module panel-hung condition and includes

a second off-module support bracket including a top bracket having a rear portion with horizontal hooks shaped for reception in horizontal ones of the slotted hangers on an associated one of the office furniture units, a top portion with an upwardly extending flange selectively engaging said first off-module support bracket, a bottom bracket having a rear portion with horizontal hooks shaped for reception in horizontal ones of the slotted hangers in the associated one of the office furniture units, and a forward portion with vertical hooks selectively received in said slots in said rear portion of said first off-module bracket to detachably support said case in a panel-hung condition against the outer face of the associated one of the office furniture units.

8. A storage unit assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said bottom panel includes a socket positioned along a bottom edge thereof; and

including

a lock housing having spring flanges that frictionally engage adjacent portions of said socket to securely retain said lock housing in said bottom panel.

9. A storage unit assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said case includes a generally open front portion disposed opposite said generally open back portion; and

including;

a door operably connected with said case, and shaped to selectively enclose said generally open front portion of said case.

10. A storage unit assembly as set forth in claim 9, including:

an over-the-case door support mechanism having a first portion thereof connected with said case and a second portion thereof connected with said door, and configured to permit shifting said door between a closed position over said open front portion of said case and an open position outside of said case over said top panel.

11. A storage unit assembly as set forth in claim 9, including:

an in-the-case door support mechanism having a first portion thereof connected with said case and a second portion thereof connected with said door, and configured to permit shifting said door between a closed position over said open front of said case and an open position inside of said case under said top panel.

12. A storage unit assembly as set forth in claim 9, wherein:

said door comprises one of a plurality of different door constructions, including;

at least one solid door construction;

at least one curved front door construction; and

at least one picture frame door construction.

13. A storage unit assembly as set forth in claim 1, including:

an anti-racking mechanism having a first portion thereof operably connected with said door and a second portion thereof operably connected with said case, and configured to alleviate binding of said door when the same is shifted between said open and closed positions; and

a quick connect bracket connecting said second portion of said anti-racking mechanism with said case.

14. A storage unit assembly as set forth in claim 1, including:

a door dampener having a cylinder portion thereof pivotally attached to a top portion of said door, and a piston portion thereof pivotally attached to an interior portion of said top panel.

15. A storage unit assembly as set forth in claim 1, including:

a door open assist having a longitudinally resilient construction with one end thereof operably connected with said door and the opposite end thereof operably connected with said case to assist shifting said door from said closed position to said open position.

16. A storage unit assembly as set forth in claim 1, including:

a rigid reinforcing strut disposed along a medial portion of said back panel, and having an upper end thereof detachably connected with said top panel and a lower end thereof detachably connected with said bottom panel to stiffen said case.

17. A storage unit assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said rear portions of said first and second end panels define generally flat rear edges through which said slots extend.

18. A storage unit assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said first and second end panels have a formed, one-piece construction with said rear edges formed integral therein.

19. A storage unit assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said back panel includes an upper lip that extends inwardly from an upper portion of said back panel, and further includes a lower flange that extends inwardly and substantially orthogonally from a lower portion of said back panel.

20. A storage unit assembly as set forth in claim 19, wherein:

said upper lip of said back panel engages said top panel and said lower flange extends below said case proximate a pair of connector brackets mounted on inside surfaces of said first and second end panels when said case is in said up-mounted condition.

21. A storage unit assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said first and second end panels include a front flange extending therealong, wherein said front flange includes a lower edge adapted to receive and retain a front portion of said bottom panel.

22. A storage unit assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said top panel includes side flanges that extend below said top panel and which include clip apertures adapted to engage a pair of clips mounted on top surfaces of said first and second end panels and further includes a detent stop aperture for engaging a detent stop on said top surfaces of said first and second end panels.

23. In an office furniture unit having an outer face with slotted hangers extending therealong, the improvement of a removable storage unit assembly, comprising:

a bottom panel operably positioned in a generally horizontal orientation along said office furniture unit;

a top panel disposed above and generally parallel with said bottom panel;

first and second panels disposed at opposite ends of said top and bottom panels and connected therewith to define a rigid, box-shaped case having a generally open back portion;

said first and second end panels having rear portions with a plurality of vertically spaced apart slots disposed therein; and

first and second hanger brackets each having a rear portion with first hooks selectively received in said slotted hangers of said office furniture units, and a forward portion with second hooks selectively received in said slots in said rear portions of said first and second end panels to detachably support said case in a panel-hung condition against said outer face of said office furniture unit.

24. An office furniture unit as set forth in claim 23, including:

an anti-dislodgement clip mounted on said case adjacent to one of said first and second end panels, and engaging said second hooks on an adjacent one of said hanger brackets in said panel-hung condition.

25. A storage unit assembly as set forth in claim 23, wherein:

said panel-hung condition defines an on-module panel-hung condition and includes

a first off-module support bracket having a rear portion thereof with slots selectively receiving therein said second hooks of said first and second hanger brackets in a vertical off-module panel-hung condition, a forward bottom portion thereof abuttingly supporting thereon said back stop rail, and a forward top portion thereof connected with said top panel of said case in a manner which permits said case to shift laterally relative to said first and second hanger brackets.

26. A storage unit assembly as set forth in claim 25, wherein:

said panel-hung condition defines an off-module panel-hung condition and includes

a second off-module support bracket including a top bracket having a rear portion with horizontal hooks shaped for reception in horizontal ones of the slotted hangers on an associated one of the office furniture units, a top portion with an upwardly extending flange selectively engaging said first off-module support bracket, a bottom bracket having a rear portion with horizontal hooks shaped for reception in horizontal ones of the slotted hangers in the associated one of the office furniture units, and a forward portion with vertical hooks selectively received in said slots in said rear portion of said first off-module bracket to detachably support said case in a panel-hung condition against the outer face of the associated one of the office furniture units.

27. A method for making a storage unit assembly for office furniture units of the type having a like construction with slotted hangers extending along outer faces thereof, comprising:

forming a bottom panel shaped to abuttingly support objects thereon;

forming a top panel shaped to cover at least a portion of the bottom panel;

positioning the top panel in a generally parallel, spaced apart relationship with the bottom panel;

forming first and second end panels with rear portions having a plurality of vertically spaced slots therein;

positioning the first and second end panels at opposite ends of the top and bottom panels and interconnecting the same to define a rigid, box-shaped case having a generally rigid bottom portion and a generally open back portion;

forming first and second hanger brackets each having a rear portion with first hooks shaped for reception in the slotted hangers of a first selected one of the office furniture units, and a forward portion with second hooks shaped for reception in the slots in the rear portions of the first and second end panels;

inserting the first hooks on the first and second hanger brackets into the slotted hangers on the first selected furniture unit;

inserting the second hooks on the first and second hanger brackets into the slots in the rear portions of the first and second end panels to detachably support the case in a panel-hung condition against the outer face of the first selected office furniture unit;

forming an up-mount bracket with a lower portion shaped for connection with a second selected one of the office furniture units, and an upper portion shaped for connection with the bottom portion of said case;

mounting the lower portion of the up-mount bracket with the second selected furniture unit;

connecting the upper portion of the up-mount bracket with the bottom portion of the case to detachably mount the case in an up-mounted condition above a top portion of the second selected furniture unit;

forming a removable back panel shaped to enclose at least a portion of the open back portion of said case, and having side portions with outwardly protruding hooks shaped for reception in the slots in said rear portions of the first and second end panels; and

inserting the hooks on the back panel into the slots in the rear portions of the first and second end panels to detachably connect the back panel with the case and enclose at least that portion of the open back portion of the case disposed above the top portion of the second selected office furniture unit when the case is in the up-mounted condition.

28. A method as set forth in claim 27, including:

mounting an anti-dislodgement clip on the case adjacent to one of the first and second end panels; and

engaging the second hooks on said first hanger bracket in said panel-hung condition, and the hooks on the back panel in the up-mounted condition.

29. A method as set forth in claim 28, including:

forming a back stop rail which is configured to extend along a rearward portion of the bottom panel between the first and second end panels; and

connecting the back stop rail with the bottom panel and the first and second end panels to rigidify said case, and positioning the back stop rail to project upwardly from the bottom panel to retain objects thereon.

30. A method as set forth in claim 29, including:

forming at least one accessory configured to equip an interior portion of said case; and

detachably connecting the accessory with the back stop rail.

31. A method as set forth in claim 30, including:

forming a first off-module support bracket having a rear portion thereof with slots selectively receiving therein said second hooks of said first and second hanger brackets in a vertical off-module panel-hung condition, a forward bottom portion thereof abuttingly supporting thereon said bottom panel of said case, and a forward top portion thereof connected with said top panel of said case in a manner which permits said case to shift laterally relative to said first and second mounting brackets.

32. A method as set forth in claim 31, including:

forming a second off-module support bracket including a top bracket having a rear portion with horizontal hooks shaped for reception in horizontal ones of the slotted hangers on an associated one of the office furniture units, a top portion with an upwardly extending flange selectively engaging said top panel of said case, a bottom bracket having a rear portion with horizontal hooks shaped for reception in horizontal ones of the slotted hangers in the associated one of the office furniture units, and a forward portion with vertical hooks selectively received in said slots in said rear portion of said first and second end panels to detachably support said case in a panel-hung condition against the outer face of the associated one of the office furniture units.

33. A method as set forth in claim 32, including:

forming a socket in the bottom panel along a bottom edge thereof; and

including

forming a lock housing with spring flanges that frictionally engage adjacent portions of the socket to securely retain the lock housing in the bottom panel.

34. A method as set forth in claim 33, including:

forming a generally open front portion in the case disposed opposite said generally open back portion; and

including;

operably connecting a door with the case to selectively enclose the generally open front portion of the case.

35. A method as set forth in claim 34, including:

forming an over-the-case door support mechanism; and

connecting a first portion of the mechanism with the case and a second portion of the mechanism with the door to permit shifting the door between a closed position over the open front portion of the case and an open position outside of the case over the top panel.

36. A method as set forth in claim 35, including:

forming an in-the-case door support mechanism; and

connecting a first portion of the mechanism with the case and a second portion of the mechanism with the door to permit shifting the door between a closed position over the open front of the case and an open position inside of the case portion under the top panel.

37. A method as set forth in claim 36, wherein:

the door comprises one of a plurality of different door constructions, including;

at least one solid door construction;

at least one curved front door construction;

at least one picture frame door construction; and

selecting one of the door constructions for attachment to the case.

38. A method as set forth in claim 37, including:

forming an anti-racking mechanism;

connecting a first portion of the mechanism with the door and a second portion of the mechanism with said case to alleviate binding of the door when the same is shifted between the open and closed positions; and

forming a quick connect bracket connecting the second portion of the anti-racking mechanism with the case.

39. A method as set forth in claim 38, including:

forming a door dampener with a cylinder portion pivotally attached to a top portion of the door, and a piston portion pivotally attached to an interior portion of the top panel.

40. A method as set forth in claim 39, including:

forming a door open assist having a longitudinally resilient construction with one end operably connected with the door and the opposite end operably connected with the case to assist shifting the door from the closed position to the open position.

41. A method as set forth in claim 40, including:

forming a rigid reinforcing strut for positioning along a medial portion of the back panel; and

detachably connecting an upper end of the strut with the top panel and a lower end of the strut with the bottom panel to stiffen the case.