Space divider system

• US 4,224,769 A
• Filed: 06/12/1978
• Issued: 09/30/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Haworth SUB Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hauserman Incorporated
• Inventors: Ball, Douglas C., Walker, Marshall
• Primary Examiner(s): Bell, J. Karl
• Application Number:
  US05/914,713
• Time in Patent Office: 841 Days
• Field of Search: 52/36, 52/221, 52/238, 52/239, 52/236.7, 312/140.1, 35/60
• US Class Current: 52/36.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/064 with power rail running along the back of the desk top and projecting upwards
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/066 with power or communication connection interface
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2037/005 Tables specially adapted for laboratories
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/06 characterised by means for holding, fastening or concealing cables
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0013 Desks with central bearing beams
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/01 Office wall with desktop function
• 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: E04B 2/7437 with panels hooked onto posts E04B2/7438 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7468 using magnets
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7483 Details of furniture, e.g. tables or shelves, associated with the partitions
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7488 Details of wiring

Abstract

A space divider system which includes a plurality of posts and at least one beam assembly wherein the posts and beam constitute a raceway for receiving electrical and communication wiring for the transmission of electrical energy at work table height and wherein the posts and beam constitute a rigid structure for supporting various components such as lighting, acoustic panels, table and work surfaces, file storage bins and the like. Means are provided for interconnecting said posts and beam or beams in a manner facilitating the passage of wiring therebetween and addition means are provided within said posts for levelling a beam supported therebetween.

Claims

1. In a portable space divider system for dividing office areas into individual task areas, the combination comprising, horizontally disposed beam means, vertical post means disposed at opposite ends of said beam means, means interconnecting said beam means and said post means, said beam means being recessed lengthwise to receive electrical wiring, and said post means and said connecting means being formed to enable passage of said electrical wiring therethrough, said beam means including an I-beam having upper and lower box portions interconnected by a vertical central web portion to define longitudinal side recesses for reception of said wiring, side plates, and means for mounting said side plates to said beams.

2. In the space divider system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for mounting said side cover plates include brackets on said box sections and magnetic means associated with said brackets.

3. In a portable space divider system for dividing office areas into small individual task areas, the combination comprising, beam assembly means, a plurality of post assembly means for supporting opposite ends of said beam assembly at approximately work surface height to form a structural spine, means connecting said post assembly means to said beam assembly means, said beam assembly means supporting passage ways to pass electrical and communication wiring therethrough at substantially such work surface height, said post assembly means including height adjustment spindle means for varying the elevation of one end of said beam assembly means relevant to its opposite end.

4. In the portable space divider system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said assembly is in the general form of an I, having a wiring raceway on top of said I and defining therewith a T, and electrical outlet means at substantially work surface height connected to said wiring in said raceway.

5. In the portable space divider system as set forth in claim 4 including support post means extending upwardly from said structural spine, and frame means extending between said support post means.

6. In the portable space divider system as set forth in claim 5 and including electrical lighting fixtures mounted to said support post means.

7. In the portable space divider system as set forth in claim 5 and including acoustical panel means secured to said frame means and thus supported from said post support means.

8. A portable space divider system as set forth in claim 7, wherein said acoustical panel means are fabric covered sound deadening material forming panels of a generally rectangular configuration and are hung from said frame.

9. A space divider system for office interiors comprising a structural spine, said spine including legs, a beam extending therebetween, the top of said beam being at essentially work surface height, and work surfaces and the like extending horizontally from the beam and at least partially supported thereby.

10. A system as set forth in claim 9 including feet on said legs extending laterally of said beam to provide lateral stability to said beam whereby work surfaces may be cantilevered from said beam.

11. A system as set forth in claim 9 including an electrical wiring passage supported on said beam and including electrical outlets at essentially such work surface height.

12. A system as set forth in claim 11 wherein said wiring passage and said beam together define a section of general T shape.

13. A system as set forth in claim 9 including post support means projecting upwardly from said structural spine, and means to support one or more acoustical panels from said post support means.

14. A system as set forth in claim 13 including frame means extending from said post support means, and means to suspend said acoustical panels from said frame means.

15. A system as set forth in claim 13 wherein said acoustical panels comprise fabric covered sound deadening material.

16. A system as set forth in claim 9 including means vertically to adjust the height of said legs to level and adjust the height of said structural spine.

17. A system as set forth in claim 9 including means to support a plurality of beams extending from a common leg.

18. A system as set forth in claim 9 including passage means in said legs to permit beam-to-beam wiring passage therethrough.

19. A system as set forth in claim 10 including bracket means secured to the top and bottom of said beam to support work surfaces extending in cantilever fashion therefrom.