Floor track system for office furniture and the like

• US 5,152,698 A
• Filed: 02/07/1989
• Issued: 10/06/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Inventors: Deimen, Michael L., Juhlin, Gary S., Klipa, Edmund X.
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary F.
• Application Number:
  US07/307,691
• Time in Patent Office: 1,337 Days
• Field of Search: 52/126.3, 52/126.4, 160/135, 174/48, 174/71 R, 439/113, 439/115, 439/120, 439/207-216
• US Class Current: 439/215
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/066 with power or communication connection interface
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/06 characterised by means for holding, fastening or concealing cables
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 17/08 for receiving utility lines, e.g. cables, pipes covers giving access to the ducts or channels, covers of inspection holes E04F19/08
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/162 Electrical connections between or with rails or bus-bars rails having primarily a non electrical function H01R4/64
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0431 Wall trunking
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/285 in modular floors, e.g. access floors

Abstract

A floor track system is provided to route utilities to workstations in open office plans, and the like. The floor track system includes a plurality of individual floor track segments, each of which has a hollow interior in which the utilities are housed and isolated. Each floor track segment also includes feet which independently support the track segment on the floor in a generally upright orientation, and an exterior shape which physically mates with the furniture units in the workstation, without supporting the same. Opposite ends of the floor track segments are detachably interconnected in a predetermined configuration to form a continuous, self-contained and self-supported utility raceway that is physically separate from the furniture units, yet dimensionally cooperates and blends in with them. Utility taps can be located throughout the floor track system to provide utilities to each of the workstations as required.

Claims

1. A modular furniture arrangement for open office plans, comprising:

a plurality of individual furniture units, each having means for independently supporting the same on a floor surface of an open office plan, and being shaped for selective positioning on the floor surface in a predetermined configuration to define a plurality of distinct workstations;

a floor track system providing utilities to said workstations, including a plurality of elongated floor track segments, each said segment having;

a hollow construction with an exterior wall shaped to define a longitudinally extending duct therein adapted to receive and isolate the utilities;

means for abuttingly engaging the floor surface, and independently supporting said floor track segment in a generally upright orientation on the floor surface;

an exterior shape which physically mates with said furniture units, without supporting the same;

means adjacent the opposite ends of said floor track segment for detachably interconnecting adjacent floor track segments in an end-to-end fashion to form a continuous, self-contained and self-supported utility raceway that is physically separate from said furniture units, yet is shaped in a predetermined configuration to cooperate with the same;

means for introducing the utilities into said raceway;

means adjacent each of said workstations for tapping the utilities from said raceway to provide utilities to each of said workstations; and

wherein

said furniture units each include a base area which extends along a forward portion of said furniture unit, with a recess shaped to receive at least a portion of an associated one of said floor track segments therein to physically mate with and blend into said floor track system.

2. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said furniture unit recess has a depth which is substantially equal to or greater than one-half of the width of said floor track segments, whereby when adjacent furniture units are positioned closely together with their forward portions facing one another, the associated recesses form a channel therebetween which is large enough to wholly receive at least one of said floor track segments therein.

3. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

said floor track interconnecting means is configured so as to permit said raceway to be assembled on the floor surface prior to placement of said furniture units thereover.

4. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 3, including:

means for detachably connecting selected portions of said raceway with said furniture units to positively prevent said raceway from being inadvertently dislodged from its predetermined configuration.

5. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 4, wherein said floor track interconnecting means includes:

first and second fastening means positioned adjacent the opposite ends of said floor track segments;

a plurality of track connectors, each having;

a hollow construction with an exterior wall shaped to define a longitudinally extending duct therein adapted to communicate with an adjacent floor track segment duct, and receive and isolate the utilities;

third and fourth fastening means positioned adjacent opposite ends of said track connectors, and shaped to detachably engage said first and second fastening means, whereby said track connectors rigidly interconnect said floor track segments.

6. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 5, wherein:

each of said floor track segments includes an electrical powerway mounted therein which extends generally between the opposite ends of said floor track segment, and includes electrical connectors adjacent opposite ends of said powerway.

7. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 6, including:

a plurality of track-to-track power connectors, each being shaped for reception in an associated one of said track connectors, and having electrical connectors positioned adjacent opposite ends thereof which mate with the electrical connectors on said powerways to electrically interconnect adjacent floor track segments.

8. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

said floor track segments each have a generally straight plan configuration.

9. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 8, wherein:

said track connectors include at least one in-line connector having a generally straight plan configuration to join two adjacent floor track segments in a linear relationship.

10. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 9, wherein:

said track connectors include at least one 90°

connector, having a generally L-shaped plan configuration to join two adjacent floor track segments in an angular relationship.

11. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 10, wherein:

said track connectors include at least one T-connector, having a generally T-shaped plan configuration to join three adjacent floor track segments.

12. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 11, wherein:

said track connectors include at least one X-connector, having a generally X-shaped plan configuration to join four adjacent floor track segments.

13. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 12, wherein:

said track connectors include at least one end-of-run cap having one closed end to enclose and isolate said floor track system.

14. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 13, wherein:

said floor track segments each have first and second feet depending from the opposite ends thereof which abuttingly engage the floor surface and support said floor track segments thereon.

15. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 14, wherein:

said first and second feet include means for vertically adjusting the same with respect to said floor track segments to accommodate for uneven floor surfaces.

16. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 15, wherein:

said floor track segments each include a light seal positioned along a lower edge of said floor track segment, and shaped to abut the floor and form a seal therebetween.

17. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 16, wherein said floor track segments each include:

a powerway area in which at least a portion of said powerway is received; and

a casual wire area, separate and isolated from the powerway area of said floor track segment, in which casual wiring is received.

18. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 17, wherein said track connectors each include:

a powerway area in which at least a portion of said power connector is received; and

a casual wire area, separate and isolated from the powerway area of said track connector, in which casual wiring is received.

19. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 18, wherein:

said floor track segments each include first and second access channels extending substantially continuously along opposite sides of said floor track segment, and communicating with the casual wire area of said floor track segment to facilitate inserting and withdrawing casual wiring from either side of said floor track system.

20. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 19, wherein:

said track connectors each include first and second access channels extending substantially continuously along opposite sides of said track connector, and communicating with the casual wire area of said floor track connector to facilitate inserting and withdrawing casual wiring from either side of said floor track system.

21. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 20, wherein:

said first and second fastening means on the opposite ends of said floor track segments are substantially identical; and

said third and fourth fastening means on the opposite ends of said track connectors are substantially identical.

22. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 21, wherein:

said first and second fastening means are positioned within the ends of said floor track segments, and include;

a) a latch notch disposed adjacent an upper portion thereof; and

b) a fastener aperture disposed adjacent a lower portion thereof.

23. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 22, wherein:

said third and fourth fastening means protrude outwardly from the ends of said track connectors, and include;

a) a latch disposed adjacent an upper portion thereof, and shaped for vertical insertion and close reception into the latch notch of an adjacent one of said floor track segments; and

b) a fastener disposed adjacent a lower portion thereof, and shaped for vertical insertion through the fastener aperture of an adjacent one of said floor track segments.

24. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 23, wherein:

said powerway includes at least one quick-disconnect connector disposed adjacent a side portion of said floor track segment; and

said tapping means includes at least one outlet receptacle having at least one conventional plug receptacle, and a quick-disconnect connector which mates with said powerway quick-disconnect connector.

25. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said floor track interconnecting means is configured so as to permit said raceway to be assembled on the floor surface prior to placement of said furniture units thereover.

26. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 1, including:

means for detachably connecting selected portions of said raceway with said furniture units to positively prevent said raceway from being inadvertently dislodged from its predetermined configuration.

27. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

each of said floor track segments includes an electrical powerway mounted therein which extends generally between the opposite ends of said floor track segment, and includes electrical connectors adjacent opposite ends of said powerway.

28. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein said floor track interconnecting means includes:

first and second fastening means positioned adjacent the opposite ends of said floor track segments;

a plurality of track connectors, each having;

a hollow construction with an exterior wall shaped to define a longitudinally extending duct therein adapted to communicate with an adjacent floor track segment duct, and receive and isolate the utilities;

third and fourth fastening means positioned adjacent opposite ends of said track connectors, and shaped to detachably engage said first and second fastening means, whereby said track connectors rigidly interconnect said floor track segments.

29. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 28, wherein:

said floor track segments each have a generally straight plan configuration.

30. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 28, wherein:

said track connectors include at least one in-line connector having a generally straight plan configuration to join two adjacent floor track segments in a linear relationship.

31. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 28, wherein:

said track connectors include at least one 90°

connector, having a generally L-shaped plan configuration to join two adjacent floor track segments in an angular relationship.

32. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 28, wherein:

said track connectors include at least one T-connector, having a generally T-shaped plan configuration to join three adjacent floor track segments.

33. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 28, wherein:

said track connectors include at least one X-connector, having a generally X-shaped plan configuration to join four adjacent floor track segments.

34. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 28, wherein:

said track connectors include at least one end-of-run cap having one closed end to enclose and isolate said floor track system.

35. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 28, wherein said track connectors each include:

a powerway area in which at least a portion of said power connector is received; and

a casual wire area, separate and isolated from the powerway area of said track connector, in which casual wiring is received.

36. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein said floor track segments each include:

a powerway area in which at least a portion of an electrical powerway is received; and

a casual wire area, separate and isolated from the powerway area of said floor track segment, in which casual wiring is received.

37. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

each of said floor track segments includes an electrical powerway mounted therein which extends generally between the opposite ends of said floor track segment;

said powerway including at least one quick-disconnect connector disposed adjacent a side portion of said floor track segment; and

said tapping means includes at least one outlet receptacle having at least one conventional plug receptacle, and a quick-disconnect connector which mates with said powerway quick-disconnect connector.

38. A modular furniture arrangement for open office plans, comprising:

a plurality of individual furniture units, each having means for independently supporting the same on a floor surface of an open office plan, and being shaped for selective positioning on the floor surface in a predetermined configuration to define a plurality of distinct workstations;

a floor track system providing utilities to said workstations, including a plurality of elongated floor track segments, each having;

a hollow construction with an exterior wall shaped to define a longitudinally extending duct therein adapted to receive and isolate the utilities;

means for abuttingly engaging the floor surface, and independently supporting said floor track segment in a generally upright orientation on the floor surface;

an exterior shape which physically mates with said furniture units, without supporting the same;

means adjacent the opposite ends of said floor track segment for detachably interconnecting adjacent floor track segments in an end-to-end fashion to form a continuous, self-contained and self-supported utility raceway that is physically separate from said furniture units, yet is shaped in a predetermined configuration to cooperate with the same;

said floor track interconnecting means including;

first and second fastening means positioned adjacent the opposite ends of said floor track segments;

a plurality of track connectors, each having;

a hollow construction with an exterior wall shaped to define a longitudinally extending duct therein adapted to communicate with an adjacent floor track segment duct, and receive and isolate the utilities;

third and fourth fastening means positioned adjacent opposite ends of said track connectors, and shaped to detachably engage said first and second fastening means, whereby said track connectors rigidly interconnect said floor track segments;

said first and second fastening means are positioned within the ends of said floor track segments, and include;

a latch notch disposed adjacent an upper portion thereof; and

a fastener aperture disposed adjacent a lower portion thereof.

means for introducing the utilities into said raceway; and

means adjacent each of said workstations for tapping the utilities from said raceway to provide utilities to each of said workstations.

39. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 38, wherein:

said third and fourth fastening means protrude outwardly form the ends of said track connectors, and include;

a latch disposed adjacent an upper portion thereof, and shaped for vertical insertion and

close reception into the latch notch of an adjacent one of said floor track segments; and

a fastener disposed adjacent a lower portion thereof, and shaped for vertical insertion through the fastener aperture of an adjacent one of said floor track segments.

40. A modular furniture arrangement as set forth in claim 39, wherein:

said powerway includes at least one quick-disconnect connector disposed adjacent a side portion of said floor track segment; and

said tapping means includes at least one outlet receptacle having at least one conventional plug receptacle and a quick-disconnect connector which mates with said powerway quick-disconnect connector.