Modular system for office furniture

• US 5,253,595 A
• Filed: 03/05/1993
• Issued: 10/19/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steelcase SA (Steelcase Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Steelcase SA (Steelcase Incorporated)
• Inventors: Heidmann, Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V.
• Application Number:
  US08/027,588
• Time in Patent Office: 228 Days
• Field of Search: 108/64, 108/50, 108/157, 108/152, 108/153, 312/195, 312/150
• US Class Current: 108/64
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 17/00 Writing-tables
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 87/002 Combination of tables; Linking or assembling means therefor

Abstract

A modular system for office furniture comprising a sufficient number of three types of modules, each corresponding to one or more of the following functions: a "working surface" function, a "support" function, a "storage" function, and an "electrical wire guiding function." The first module, a "table top module," provides a working surface which performs the "working surface" function. It comprises three sections, two end sections and a middle connecting section, and is supported by the second and third modules. The end sections of the first table top module each rest on a second "support" module which performs both the "support" and "storage functions." The third module is a column having upper and lower portions and performs both the "electrical wire guiding" and support functions." The upper portion contains the electrical wires of all hardware and appliances distributed on the table top module and the lower supports the middle section of the first table top module. The first table top module is held in place on the second and third modules by gravity. Two or more table top modules can be juxtaposed along two of any of their sides while resting on at least one common support module to form a variety of office furniture assemblies.

Claims

1. A modular system for office furniture, comprising:

a first planar module having top and bottom planar surfaces, rectangular first and second end sections having different widths, and a third angular middle section connecting said first and second end sections, said top and bottom planar surfaces defining an asymmetrical, reversible working surface, said angular middle section having a cutoff corner, and said first, second and third sections being formed as a single piece;

a second support module having a top surface configured to support the width of said first end section of said first planar module;

a third support module having a top surface configured to support the width of said second end section of said first planar module; and

a fourth support module having a horizontal flat triangular surface for engaging and supporting said cutoff corner of said angular middle section of said first planar module, said fourth support module having an upper portion having a triangular cross section which extends vertically above said triangular surface and said top surface of said first planar module, said upper portion including at least one electrical outlet, and a lower portion having a square cross section extending vertically below said triangular surface and said bottom surface of said first planar module;

wherein said first, second, third and fourth modules are selectively fixed in position with respect to one another by gravity alone, said first end section of said first planar module resting on said top surface of said second support module, said angular middle section of said first planar module resting on said triangular surface of said fourth support module, and said second end section of said first planar module resting on said top surface of said third support module.

2. The modular system for office furniture of claim 1, wherein said second support module includes storage means for storing articles.

3. The modular system for office furniture of claim 1, wherein said third support module includes storage means for storing articles.

4. A modular system for office furniture, comprising:

a first planar module having top and bottom planar surfaces, rectangular first and second end sections having different widths, and a third angular middle section connecting said first and second end sections, said top and bottom planar surfaces defining an asymmetrical, reversible working surface, said angular middle section having a cutoff corner, and said first, second and third sections being formed as a single piece;

a second support module having a top surface configured to support the width of said first end section of said first planar module;

a third support module having a top surface configured to support the width of said second end section of said first planar module; and

a fourth support module having a peripheral notch for engaging and supporting said cutoff corner of said angular middle section of said first planar module, said fourth support module having an upper portion which extends vertically above said peripheral notch and said top surface of said first planar module, said upper portion including at least one electrical outlet, and a lower portion extending vertically below said peripheral notch and said bottom surface of said first planar module;

wherein said first, second, third and fourth modules are selectively fixed in position with respect to one another by gravity alone, said first end section of said first planar module resting on said top surface of said second support module, said angular middle section of said first planar module resting in said peripheral notch of said fourth support module, and said second end section of said first planar module resting on said top surface of said third support module.

5. The modular system for office furniture of claim 4, wherein said second support module includes storage means for storing articles.

6. The modular system for office furniture of claim 4, wherein said third support module includes storage means for storing articles.