Modular furniture system

• US 6,676,231 B1
• Filed: 04/17/1997
• Issued: 01/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lexington Furniture Industries, Inc. (Lexington Holding, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sligh Furniture Co (Lexington Holding, Inc.)
• Inventors: Byma, Ralph J., Persons, Gregg J., Pearsons, Errol S., Kelley, James O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Lanna
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAN, HANH VAN
• Application Number:
  US08/840,960
• Time in Patent Office: 2,462 Days
• Field of Search: 312/195, 312/196, 312/198, 312/107, 312/203, 312/108, 108/50.01, 108/50.02
• US Class Current: 312/107
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 83/001 Office desks or work-stations combined with other pieces of furniture, e.g. work space management systems

Abstract

A modular furniture system has a number of variously configured work surfaces, a number of variously configured support members, variously configured hutch units, and a number of couplers. At least two support members and a work surface are arranged and coupled together to construct a work station. The work surfaces have at least three sides with at least two of the sides being adapted to releasably couple with one of the support members. The support members may include leg supports and storage cabinet supports, each of which are adapted to couple with and support a work surface above a floor. The hutches are adapted to removably rest upon a work surface or a storage cabinet support member. Further, the hutches, the work surfaces, and the support members may be provided with cable passages to facilitate use of electronic equipment at a work station.

Claims

1. A modular furniture system comprising a plurality of individual furniture elements that are releasably connected together to form an integral furniture assembly, the furniture elements comprising at least one generally horizontal work surface having ends, a front and a back, the system further comprising other furniture elements that are attachable to the ends of the work surface to support the work surface at a desired working elevation above a supporting floor surface, each end of the work surface being supported on one of a free standing cabinet and a floor engaging support panel, the support panel having a predetermined panel thickness, the work surface having a top panel that extends to an outer edge at each end of the work surface, the work surface having a downwardly extending mounting flange on an underside of the work surface adjacent each end, the mounting flange being positioned parallel to the outer edge of the top panel and spaced inwardly therefrom, such that when the support panel is fitted under the top panel and against the mounting flange, the outer edge of the top panel extends over a top edge of the support panel, the support panel being attached to the work surface by releasable fasteners that extend through mating openings in the mounting flange and support panel, the free standing cabinet that is attached to the work surface having a flat end panel, with a top that extends over the end panel to a side edge that is generally flush with an outer surface of the end panel, the cabinet being attachable to the work surface by bolts that extend through mating openings in the cabinet end panel and the mounting flange on the underside of the work surface, with a spacer filling the space between the work surface mounting flange and the end panel of an adjacent cabinet.