Storage unit

• US 6,135,583 A
• Filed: 11/20/1998
• Issued: 10/24/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
• Inventors: Chow, Johnson Kwoksum, Epstein, Lewis Mark, Wahl, Stephen Don, Simon, David Eric, Domina, Christopher Lyle, Sorel, Jess Allen
• Primary Examiner(s): Barfield, Anthony D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAN, HANH VAN
• Application Number:
  US09/197,180
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 312/265.1, 312/265.2, 312/265.3, 312/265.4, 312/257.1, 312/223.1, 312/223.6, 312/111, 108/180, 108/182, 108/193, 108/192, 108/189, 108/106, 108/50.02, 108/186, 108/190
• US Class Current: 312/257.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 47/00 Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features related to dismountability or building-up from elements A47B43/00, A47B45/00 take precedence; features for adjusting shelves or partitions A47B57/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 47/05 with panels on a separate frame, e.g. a metal frame
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 57/40 consisting of hooks coacting with openings ladder type A47B57/36
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 57/408 with a security device

Abstract

A storage unit for use in a work environment includes a base assembly, a top assembly mounted upon the base assembly, and a vertical partition assembly installed between the base assembly and the top assembly dividing a space therebetween into a first section and a second section. The vertical partition assembly may provide a vertical passage so that utilities may be passed between the top assembly to the base assembly and between the first section and the second section. A fixed shelf assembly with an upper vertical partition assembly installed between the fixed shelf assembly and the top assembly may divide an upper space between the fixed shelf assembly and the top assembly into a first upper section and a second upper section. A lower vertical partition assembly is installed between the base and the fixed shelf assembly may divide a lower space between the base assembly and the fixed shelf assembly into a first lower section and a second lower section. A vertical passage may be provided by the top vertical partition assembly and the bottom vertical partition assembly (and through a shelf aperture in the fixed shelf assembly) so that utilities may be passed from the top assembly to the base assembly. The utilities may include any signal, such as voice, power or data. The storage unit may be provided with at least one exterior panel adapted for mounting between the base assembly and the top assembly.

Claims

1. A reconfigurable storage unit for use in a work environment and for passing utilities for at least one of a voice signal, a power signal or a data signal comprising:

a base assembly;

a fixed shelf assembly including a shelf having a shelf aperture and mounted upon the base assembly;

a top assembly mounted upon the fixed shelf assembly;

an upper vertical partition assembly installed between the fixed shelf assembly and the top assembly dividing an upper space between the fixed shelf assembly and the top assembly into a first upper section and a second upper section;

a lower vertical partition assembly installed between the base assembly and the fixed shelf assembly dividing a lower space between the base assembly and the fixed shelf assembly into a first lower section and a second lower section; and

a vertical passage provided within the upper vertical partition assembly and the lower vertical partition assembly and in communication with the shelf aperture so that utilities may be passed from the top assembly to the base assembly from at least one of the first upper section or the second upper section to at least one of the first lower section or the second lower section.

2. The storage unit of claim 1 wherein the top assembly has a top aperture so that utilities may be passed through the top assembly to the base assembly through the vertical passage.

3. The storage unit of claim 1 wherein the base assembly has a base aperture so that utilities may be passed from the top assembly through the base assembly through the vertical passage.

4. The storage unit of claim 2 wherein the base assembly has a base aperture so that utilities may be passed through the top assembly through the base assembly through the vertical passage.

5. The storage unit of claim 1 wherein the fixed shelf assembly includes a horizontal shelf.

6. The storage unit of claim 1 wherein the base assembly includes a horizontal shelf.

7. The storage unit of claim 1 wherein the vertical passage further includes at least one cable hook.

8. The storage unit of claim 1 wherein the vertical passage has a first upper outlet in communication with the first upper section and a second upper outlet in communication with the second upper section.

9. The storage unit of claim 1 wherein the vertical passage has a first lower outlet in communication with the first lower section and a second lower outlet in communication with the second lower section.

10. The storage unit of claim 8 wherein the vertical passage has a first lower outlet in communication with the first lower section and a second lower outlet in communication with the second lower section.

11. The storage unit of claim 1 wherein the vertical passage is substantially enclosed by the lower vertical partition assembly and the upper vertical partition assembly.

12. The storage unit of claim 1 wherein the first upper section is substantially enclosed by a panel.

13. A storage unit for use in a work environment providing for routine of cables for at least one of a voice signal, a power signal or a data signal comprising:

a base assembly;

a top assembly mounted upon the base assembly;

a vertical partition installed between the base assembly and the top assembly dividing a space between the base assembly and the top assembly into a first section and a second section;

a fixed shelf assembly including a shelf having a shelf aperture and installed between the base assembly and the top assembly dividing the first section into a first upper section and a first lower section and dividing the second section into a second upper section and a second lower section; and

a vertical passage provided within the vertical partition assembly;

wherein the vertical passage provides at least one outlet into the first section and at least one outlet into the second section so that cables may be passed through the vertical passage between the top assembly and the base assembly and between the first section and the second section.

14. The storage unit of claim 13 wherein the vertical partition assembly includes an upper vertical partition assembly installed between the fixed shelf assembly and the top assembly and a lower vertical partition assembly installed between the base assembly and the fixed shelf assembly.

15. The storage unit of claim 14 further comprising at least one container adapted for placement on the base assembly.

16. The storage unit of claim 14 further comprising at least one pivoting panel mounted between the fixed shelf assembly and the top assembly for pivotal movement between an open position and a closed position wherein access to the upper section is at least partially restricted.

17. The storage unit of claim 13 wherein the top assembly has a top aperture so that utilities may be passed through the top assembly to the base assembly through the vertical passage.

18. The storage unit of claim 13 wherein the base assembly has a base aperture so that utilities may be passed from the top assembly through the base assembly through the vertical passage.

19. The storage unit of claim 14 wherein the base assembly has a base aperture so that utilities may be passed through the top assembly through the base assembly through the vertical passage.

20. The storage unit of claim 13 wherein the fixed shelf assembly includes a horizontal shelf.

21. The storage unit of claim 13 wherein the base assembly includes a horizontal shelf.

22. The storage unit of claim 13 wherein the top assembly includes a horizontal panel.

23. The storage unit of claim 13 wherein the vertical passage has at least one cable hook.

24. The storage unit of claim 14 wherein the vertical passage has a first upper outlet in communication with the first upper section and a second upper outlet in communication with the second upper section.

25. The storage unit of claim 14 wherein the vertical passage has a first lower outlet in communication with the first lower section and a second lower outlet in communication with the second lower section.

26. The storage unit of claim 24 wherein the vertical passage has a first lower outlet in communication with the first lower section and a second lower outlet in communication with the second lower section.

27. The storage unit of claim 13 wherein the vertical passage is located within an intermediate space of the vertical partition assembly.

28. The storage unit of claim 13 wherein the vertical passage includes a cover.

29. The storage unit of claim 28 wherein the cover includes a plastic strip that at least partially covers the vertical passage.

30. The storage unit of claim 13 further comprising a set of casters installed beneath the base assembly.

31. The storage unit of claim 13 wherein the top assembly and the base assembly are arranged so that the space therebetween has a generally orthogonal shape.

32. The storage unit of claim 13 further comprising removable horizontal shelves adapted for installation between the fixed shelf assembly and the top assembly.

33. The storage unit of claim 13 further comprising at least one exterior panel adapted to be mounted between the base assembly and the top assembly.

34. The storage unit of claim 33 wherein the at least one exterior panel is mounted between the fixed shelf assembly and the top assembly.

35. The storage unit of claim 33 wherein the at least one exterior panel is mounted between the base assembly and the fixed shelf assembly.

36. The storage unit of claim 14 wherein at least one exterior panel is mounted between the upper vertical partition assembly, the fixed shelf assembly and the top assembly to at least partially enclose the first upper section.

37. The storage unit of claim 33 wherein the at least one exterior panel is interchangeable.

38. The storage unit of claim 33 wherein the at least one exterior panel comprises four panels.

39. The storage unit of claim 33 wherein the at least one exterior panel includes a whiteboard.

40. The storage unit of claim 33 wherein the at least one exterior panel includes a tackboard.

41. The storage unit of claim 33 wherein the at least one exterior panel includes a translucent panel.

42. The storage unit of claim 33 wherein the at least one exterior panel includes a writeable surface.

43. The storage unit of claim 33 wherein the at least one exterior panel includes a writeable-erasable surface.

44. The storage unit of claim 33 wherein the at least one exterior panel includes a display rack panel.

45. The storage unit of claim 33 wherein the at least one exterior panel includes a wood veneer panel.

46. The storage unit of claim 33 wherein the at least one exterior panel includes a plastic laminate panel.

47. The storage unit of claim 33 wherein the at least one exterior panel includes a metal sheet panel.

48. The storage unit of claim 13 further comprising a set of glides installed beneath the base assembly.

49. The storage unit of claim 14 wherein the shelf aperture is in communication with the vertical passage.

50. A reconfigurable storage unit for use in a work environment and for routing cables for utilities for at least one of a voice signal, a power signal or a data signal comprising:

a base assembly;

a top assembly mounted upon the base assembly;

a vertical partition assembly installed between the base assembly and the top assembly dividing a space between the base assembly and the top assembly into a first section and a second section;

a vertical passage provided by the vertical partition assembly so that utilities may be passed between the top assembly to the base assembly and between the first section and the second section; and

a cover attachable to the vertical partition assembly so that when the cover is installed the vertical passage is at least partially concealed;

wherein the vertical partition assembly includes a plurality of bracket tabs each having a base and a lateral member attached to the base, and projecting at least partially into the vertical passage and providing a surface so that cables may be selectively routed into and out of the vertical passage.

51. The storage unit of claim 50 wherein the vertical partition assembly comprises an upper partition assembly and a lower partition assembly.

52. The storage unit of claim 51 wherein the upper partition assembly comprises at least one divider.

53. The storage unit of claim 52 wherein the at least one divider includes a plurality of tabs.

54. The storage unit of claims 53 wherein the at least one divider comprises two dividers.

55. The storage unit of claim 54 wherein the plurality of tabs are adapted to secure the cover onto the upper partition assembly.