Modular institutional workstations
First Claim
1. A modular workstation suitable for institutional use, the workstation having the appearance of architectural millwork but with the reconfiguration flexibility of furniture systems, adapted for flat shipping and storage but facile on-site assembly with conventional hand tools, and designed and detailed for clean, sanitary maintenance, the workstation comprising a series of modular subassemblies and elements, including:
- A. A horizontal work surface with forward and back and at least two straight side edges, wherein the forward edge faces a direction from which service is dispensed;
B. A forward, vertical support subassembly comprising;
an inner kick panel, at least one generally rectangular inverted J-rib, a forward chase cover, a bottom stringer, and a valence, wherein;
1. The kick panel further comprises an upper and lower edge, inner and outer surfaces and at least one floor mount, and the floor mount both is securedly attached to the lower edge of the kick panel and supports the vertical support subassembly and workstation;
2. The J-rib includes a base, a short arm and forward, rear, and top surfaces of an extended arm, and is securedly attached to the inner wall of the kick panel in an inverted manner such that;
i. The base of the J-rib is proximate to the horizontal work surface and the top of the extended arm of the J-rib is proximate to the floor mount;
ii. The forward surface of the extended arm of the J-rib is shaped with at least one J-shaped pocket through which wiring and utilities can be strung and supported;
iii. The rear surface of the extended arm of the J-rib is securedly attached to the kick panel; and
iv. The base of the J-rib is notched such that the chase cover can be inserted and, in combination with a lower fastening means, can be removeably secured in close proximity to the forward surface of the extended arm of the J-rib;
3. The chase cover is a non-load supporting panel and may be easily removed from the J-rib in a manner not disruptive of the normal work activities of the work station;
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Workstations with the look and feel of millwork but with the flexibility of systems furniture comprise modules constructed from a relatively few number of elements. The modules are based on several basic geometries, and comprise a horizontal work surface, a forward support panel assembly, and end panel assemblies. In addition, each module can be equipped with transactional shelves and various accessories, e.g. pull-out writing shelves and pencil drawers, drawer pedestals, courtesy shelves, lighting, etc. The elements of the modules are constructed from durable materials that are easy to maintain and clean. Certain embodiments of these workstations are particularly well adapted for use in health care settings.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A modular workstation suitable for institutional use, the workstation having the appearance of architectural millwork but with the reconfiguration flexibility of furniture systems, adapted for flat shipping and storage but facile on-site assembly with conventional hand tools, and designed and detailed for clean, sanitary maintenance, the workstation comprising a series of modular subassemblies and elements, including:
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A. A horizontal work surface with forward and back and at least two straight side edges, wherein the forward edge faces a direction from which service is dispensed; B. A forward, vertical support subassembly comprising;
an inner kick panel, at least one generally rectangular inverted J-rib, a forward chase cover, a bottom stringer, and a valence, wherein;1. The kick panel further comprises an upper and lower edge, inner and outer surfaces and at least one floor mount, and the floor mount both is securedly attached to the lower edge of the kick panel and supports the vertical support subassembly and workstation; 2. The J-rib includes a base, a short arm and forward, rear, and top surfaces of an extended arm, and is securedly attached to the inner wall of the kick panel in an inverted manner such that; i. The base of the J-rib is proximate to the horizontal work surface and the top of the extended arm of the J-rib is proximate to the floor mount; ii. The forward surface of the extended arm of the J-rib is shaped with at least one J-shaped pocket through which wiring and utilities can be strung and supported; iii. The rear surface of the extended arm of the J-rib is securedly attached to the kick panel; and iv. The base of the J-rib is notched such that the chase cover can be inserted and, in combination with a lower fastening means, can be removeably secured in close proximity to the forward surface of the extended arm of the J-rib; 3. The chase cover is a non-load supporting panel and may be easily removed from the J-rib in a manner not disruptive of the normal work activities of the work station; - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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2. The bottom stringer, comprising an upper and lower surface, is substantially parallel to the plane of the horizontal work surface, extends for the substantial length of the kick panel, and the upper surface of the stringer is securedly attached to the top of the inverted J-rib in a manner such that a toe space is formed between the bottom surface of the stringer and the floor;
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5. The valence is securedly attached to the forward surface of the short arm of the inverted J-rib; in which the vertical support subassembly is adapted to mate with and provide support for the horizontal work surface at the rear edge of the horizontal work surface and to mate with at least one vertical end panels; and C. a plurality of vertical end panels, each comprising at least one floor mount and each adapted to mate with and provide support for the horizontal work surface at the side edges of the horizontal work surface, and to mate with the forward vertical support subassembly.
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16. The base of the J-rib is proximate to the horizontal work surface and the top of the extended arm of the J-rib is prostate to the floor mount;
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2. The forward surface of the extended arm of the J-rib is shaped with at least one J-shaped pocket through which wiring and utilities can be strung and supported; 3. The rear surface of the extended arm of the J-rib is securedly attached to the kick panel; and 4. The base of the J-rib is notched such that the chase cover can be inserted and, in combination with a lower fastening means, can be removable secured in close proximity to the forward surface of the extended arm of the J-rib; C. The chase cover is a non-load supporting panel and may be easily removed from the J-rib in a manner not disruptive of the normal work activities of the work station; D. The bottom stringer, comprising an upper and lower surface, is substantially parallel to the plane of the horizontal work surface, extends for the substantial length of the kick panel, and the upper surface of the stringer is securedly attached to the top of the inverted J-rib in a manner such that a toe space is formed between the bottom surface of the stringer and the floor; and E. The valence is securedly attached to the forward surface of the short arm of the inverted J-rib; in which the vertical support subassembly is adapted to mate with and provide support for the horizontal work surface at the rear edge of the horizontal work surface and to mate with at least one vertical end panels.
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Specification