BEAM ASSEMBLY

• US 20090293402A1
• Filed: 05/27/2009
• Published: 12/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Inventors: Hamilton, John, Pauly, Ryan, Phillips, Daniel, Knauf, Marvin C., Buckley, Helen A., Heidmann, Kurt R., Slager, Mark T., Youngs, Bradley D.
• Granted Patent: US 9,611,641 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/481.2
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/06 of metal A47B13/023 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0012 Lateral beams for tables or desks
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 83/001 Office desks or work-stations combined with other pieces of furniture, e.g. work space management systems
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 91/00 Feet for furniture in general castors B60B33/00
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/7422 with separate framed panels without intermediary support posts
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7418 Accessories supported on the free upper edge, e.g. auxiliary panels, noise abatement devices
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7466 using hooks
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7483 Details of furniture, e.g. tables or shelves, associated with the partitions
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/749 Partitions with screw-type jacks

Abstract

An office work system comprises a first furniture unit having a first laterally-extending channel, and a second furniture unit having a second laterally-extending channel, the second channel being disposed substantially parallel to and at least substantially the same vertical height as the first channel, such that at least a portion of the first and second channels coextend. The office work system further comprises a work accessory and a connector assembly to connect the work accessory to the first and second furniture units along the coextending portions of the channels, the assembly including a pair of engagement members adapted to engage the first and second channels.

Claims

1. An office work system, comprising:

a first furniture unit having a first laterally-extending channel;

a second furniture unit having a second laterally-extending channel, the second channel being disposed substantially parallel to and at substantially the same vertical height as the first channel, such that at least a portion of the first and second channels coextend;

a work accessory; and

a connector assembly to connect the work accessory to the first and second furniture units along the coextending portions of the channels, the assembly including a pair of engagement members adapted to engage the first and second channels.

2. The office work system of claim 1, wherein the first furniture unit includes a beam member that includes the first laterally-extending channel.

3. The office work system of claim 2, wherein the beam member defines an uppermost edge of the beam assembly.

4. The office work system of claim 3, wherein the work accessory assembly extends upwardly from the beam member.

5. The office work system of claim 1, wherein the first channel and the second channel are each upwardly opening.

6. The office work system of claim 1, wherein the first furniture unit includes at least one first horizontal frame member and at least one second horizontal frame member located below the first horizontal member, and a plurality of vertical frame members operably coupled to the at least one first horizontal frame member and the at least one second horizontal frame member and spaced there along.

7. The office work system of claim 1, wherein the first furniture unit is a table assembly.

8. The office work system of claim 1, wherein the first furniture unit is a storage assembly.

9. The office work system of claim 1, wherein the work accessory assembly extends upwardly from the first furniture unit.

10. A office work system, comprising:

a beam assembly including a first horizontal frame member having a longitudinally extending first channel, the first channel having a first portion and a second portion each located within the channel;

a first work tool support assembly adapted to support a first work tool therefrom and having a first channel engagement member that engages the first portion of the first channel; and

a second work tool support assembly adapted to support a second work tool therefrom and having a second channel engagement member that engages the second portion of the at least one channel, such that the first channel engagement member and the second channel engagement member each engage the first channel at a same position along a length of the first horizontal frame member.

11. The office work system of claim 10, wherein the first horizontal frame member includes a beam member.

12. The office work system of claim 10, wherein the first horizontal frame member includes a second channel extending substantially parallel to the first channel along the length of the first horizontal frame member.

13. The office work system of claim 12, wherein the first and second channels are upwardly opening.

14. The office work system of claim 12, wherein the second work tool support assembly engages second channel.

15. The office work system of claim 10, wherein the first portion of the first channel is located above the second portion of the first channel.

16. The office work system of claim 15, wherein the first channel is upwardly opening.

17. The office work system of claim 10, wherein the first work tool support assembly is adapted to support a first work tool at a select one of below and even level with an upper surface of the first horizontal frame member.

18. The office work system of claim 17, wherein the second work tool support assembly is adapted to support a second work tool above the upper surface of the first horizontal frame member.

19. The office work system of claim 10, wherein the first horizontal frame member defines an uppermost surface of the beam assembly.

20. An office work system, comprising:

a beam assembly including at least one first horizontal frame member having a pair of upwardly opening channels extending along a length thereof;

a work tool; and

a work tool support assembly supporting the work tool from the at least one first horizontal frame member, the work tool support assembly comprising;

a clamping assembly adjustable along the at least one first horizontal frame member and including a first clamping block and a second clamping block, wherein the first and second clamping blocks each include a wedge surface that cooperate to force the blocks into engagement with the pair of channels, thereby securing the clamping assembly to the at least one first horizontal frame member; and

a pedestal assembly having a first end secured to the clamping assembly, and a second end secured to the work tool.

21. The office work system of claim 20, wherein the at least one first horizontal frame member includes a beam member.

22. The office work system of claim 21, wherein the beam member includes the pair of channels.

23. The office work system of claim 20, wherein at least one first horizontal frame member defines the uppermost surface of the beam assembly.

24. The office work system of claim 20, wherein each of the clamping blocks receives a threaded actuator extending therethrough that draws the wedge surfaces of the clamping blocks into engagement with one another.

25. The office work system of claim 20, wherein the pedestal assembly includes a first arm secured to one of the clamping blocks, and a second arm secured to the remaining clamping block.

26. The office work system of claim 25, wherein the pedestal assembly further includes a platform member having at least one horizontally extending portion to which the work tool is secured, and a vertically extending portion extending downward from the at least one horizontally extending portion and that is secured between the first and second arms.

27. The office work system of claim 20, wherein the work tool comprises a storage unit.