Free standing modular architectural beam system

• US 6,490,829 B1
• Filed: 04/23/2001
• Issued: 12/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Herman Miller Incorporated (Millerknoll Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Herman Miller Incorporated (Millerknoll Incorporated)
• Inventors: Randolph, Travis M., Schreiner, Charles P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thissell, Jennifer I.
• Application Number:
  US09/840,774
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: 52/361, 52/364, 52/365, 52/38, 521/276, 521/278, 522/207, 522/202, 522/381, 522/39, 522/431, 160/194, 160/196.1, 160/351
• US Class Current: 52/36.1
• 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 2200/01 Office wall with desktop function
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2220/0077 Lighting for furniture, e.g. cupboards and racks
• 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 2/7422 with separate framed panels without intermediary support posts
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/7424 Glazing details
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/7435 Glazing details
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7418 Accessories supported on the free upper edge, e.g. auxiliary panels, noise abatement devices
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/749 Partitions with screw-type jacks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0012 Furniture hospital beds F21V33/0072

Abstract

A freestanding framework having a plurality of generally vertically disposed support columns supporting a plurality of generally horizontally disposed overhead beams. The overhead beams include a portion that provides a raceway for the delivery of an electrical conduit, and a lower portion formed as an open-sided rail. One or more barrier members are connected with the open-sided rail.

Claims

1. A furniture system, comprising:

a freestanding framework including a plurality of generally vertically disposed support columns and a plurality of generally horizontally disposed overhead beams interconnecting the support columns, the support columns having a lower portion thereof adapted to abut a base surface, the beams having an upper portion that provides a raceway for the delivery of an electrical conduit and at least one beam having a lower portion with an open-sided rail;

a first barrier member having a first barrier connector capable of releasably securing the barrier member to the rail; and

a wall panel connected to one of the support columns beneath the overhead beams and spaced from the overhead beams.

2. The furniture system of claim 1, further comprising a column extension connecting said framework with a ceiling.

3. The furniture system of claim 1, wherein the base surface comprises a floor.

4. The furniture system of claim 1 wherein the rail and barrier member connector are configured to permit the barrier member to be manually slid generally horizontally along the rail.

5. The furniture system of claim 4 wherein the support columns and the overhead beams are detachably interconnected to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the furniture system.

6. The furniture system of claim 1 further comprising an information display element connected to the framework.

7. The furniture system of claim 6 wherein the information display element comprises a sign.

8. The furniture system of claim 5 further comprising a freestanding work surface located adjacent the framework.

9. The furniture system of claim 7 further comprising a cover connected to at least one of the beams.

10. The furniture system of claim 7 further comprising a lighting element connected to the framework.

11. The furniture system of claim 10 wherein the lighting element is connected to one of the overhead beams.

12. The furniture system of claim 7 further comprising a second barrier member connected to the rail.

13. The furniture system of claim 12 wherein at least one of the first and second barrier members includes printed information.

14. The furniture system of claim 12 wherein the first and second barrier members are capable of being readily reconfigured from a first position to a second separate position.

15. The furniture system of claim 12 wherein the support column includes a power receptacle in a lower portion thereof.

16. A furniture system, comprising:

a freestanding framework including a plurality of generally vertically disposed support columns and a plurality of generally horizontally disposed overhead beams interconnecting the support columns, the support columns and overhead beams detachably interconnected in an end-to-end fashion to form a rigid structure configured to be positioned above a base surface, the support columns having a lower portion thereof adapted to abut a base surface and thereby support the framework, at least one of the beams having an upper portion that provides a raceway for the delivery of an electrical conduit and a lower portion with an open-sided generally J-shaped rail; and

a plurality of barrier members having barrier connectors capable of securing the barrier member to the rail such that the barrier members may be readily positioned and reconfigured to multiple positions along the rail.

17. The furniture system of claim 16 wherein the rail and barrier member connectors are configured to permit the barrier members to be manually slid generally horizontally along the rail.

18. The furniture system of claim 16, further comprising a column extension connecting said framework with a ceiling.

19. The furniture system of claim 16, wherein the base surface comprises a floor.

20. The furniture system of claim 17 wherein the support columns and the overhead beams are detachably interconnected to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the furniture system.

21. The furniture system of claim 20 further comprising a panel connected to at least one of the support columns beneath beneath the overhead beams.

22. The furniture system of claim 20 further comprising a cover connected to at least one of the beams.

23. The furniture system of claim 21 further comprising a lighting element connected to the framework.

24. The furniture system of claim 23 wherein the lighting element is connected to one of the overhead beams.

25. The furniture system of claim 16 wherein at least one of the barrier members includes printed information.

26. The furniture system of claim 17 wherein the support column includes a power receptacle in a lower portion thereof.

27. The furniture system of claim 21 wherein a gap is provided between the panel and one of the overhead beams.

28. The furniture system of claim 20 further comprising an information display element connected to the framework.

29. The furniture system of claim 28 wherein the information display element comprises a sign.

30. The furniture system of claim 29 further comprising a freestanding work surface located adjacent the framework.

31. A furniture system, comprising:

a freestanding framework including a plurality of generally vertically disposed support columns and a plurality of generally horizontally disposed overhead beams interconnecting the support columns, the beams having a raceway for the delivery of an electrical member and at least one beam having a lower portion with an open-sided rail; and

a first barrier member having a first barrier connector capable of securing the barrier member to the rail, wherein the framework and the barrier member together define one or more work spaces which include at least one worksurface therein.

32. The furniture system of claim 31, wherein said first barrier connector comprises a downwardly facing flange.

33. The furniture system of claim 31, wherein the support columns and the overhead beams are detachably interconnected to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the furniture system.

34. The furniture system of claim 31, wherein at least one of said support columns is connected with a floor.

35. The furniture system of claim 31, wherein at least one of said support columns comprises a lower support post and an upper support post.

36. The furniture system of claim 33, further comprising a panel connected to one of the support columns beneath the overhead beams.

37. The furniture system of claim 33, further comprising a second barrier member connected to the rail.

38. The furniture system of claim 36, wherein the panel is spaced from the overhead beams.

39. The furniture system of claim 35, wherein said lower support post extends between a floor and said upper support post.

40. A furniture system, comprising:

a freestanding framework including a plurality of generally vertically disposed support columns and a plurality of generally horizontally disposed overhead beams interconnecting the support columns, the support columns and overhead beams detachably interconnected in an end-to-end fashion to form a rigid structure, at least one of the beams having a raceway for the delivery of an electrical member and a lower portion with an open-sided generally J-shaped rail; and

a plurality of barrier members having barrier connectors capable of securing the respective barrier member to the rail such that the barrier members may be readily positioned and reconfigured to multiple positions along the rail, wherein the framework and the barrier members together define one or more work spaces.

41. The furniture system of claim 40, wherein said barrier connectors comprise downwardly facing flanges.

42. The furniture system of claim 40, wherein the support columns and the overhead beams are detachably interconnected to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the furniture system.

43. The furniture system of claim 40, wherein at least one of said support columns is connected with a floor.