Movable office support system

• US 6,739,096 B2
• Filed: 06/22/2001
• Issued: 05/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation (Steelcase Incorporated)
• Inventors: Forslund, Carl V. III, Baloga, Mark A., Feldpausch, Thomas G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KATCHEVES, BASIL S
• Application Number:
  US09/888,069
• Publication Number:
  US 20020194792A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,068 Days
• Field of Search: 248/327, 248/333, 248/298.1, 248/918, 52/361, 52/362, 52/29, 527/331
• US Class Current: 52/36.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2005/003 Ceiling suspended tables
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/08 around a vertical axis , e.g. panoramic heads F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2092 comprising means allowing depth adjustment, i.e. forward-backward translation of the head relatively to the undercarriage
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/28 Undercarriages for supports with one single telescoping pillar
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/425 along guiding means

Abstract

A movable support system for at least one display device is disclosed having a track system and a base movably mounted at a first section to the track system. A display support assembly adapted for coupling of the display device is pivotally mounted at a second section of the base. The display device installed on the display support assembly may be selectively positioned for use in a variety of locations relative to the track system. An apparatus is also disclosed providing a movable support for a display device, including a track system providing at least one track and a support movably coupled at a first section to the track system. The apparatus also includes a display support movably coupled to a second section of the support and configured for coupling at least two display panels. Each of the display panels may be positioned for use in a variety of locations relative to the track.

Claims

1. A movable support system for use in a work space such as an office, comprising:

a track system above at least a portion of the office;

a support movably coupled to the track system and configured to project downward into the office;

a worksurface coupled to the support;

wherein the worksurface may be brought into use in multiple locations about the office; and

wherein the track system is supported at least in part by an article of furniture selected from the group consisting of a bookcase, a storage unit, a shelving unit, a file cabinet, and a credenza.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one display device coupled to the support.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one worksurface and at least one display device.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a rail system movably coupled to the track system and wherein the support is movably coupled to the track system through the rail system.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the support is configured for vertical position adjustment of the worksurface.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the support provides for telescopic height adjustment for the worksurface.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the track system includes two overhead tracks.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein track system is linear.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the track system is permanently mounted to a structure within the office.

10. The system of claim 7 wherein the track system is mounted on opposed walls of the office.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the track system allows for placement of the support in a stowed position.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the track system is elevated.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the support is configured for management of cables providing utilities such as power or voice or data to the worksurface.

14. The system of claim 1 further comprising two display devices coupled to the support.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one display device is directly coupled to the support.

16. The system of claim 4 wherein the rail system includes a cover.

17. The system of claim 1 wherein the worksurface is not supported on a floor of the office.

18. The system of claim 4 wherein the rail system is linear.

19. The system of claim 4 wherein the rail system provides a pair of rails and the support includes a base installed between the pair of rails.

20. The system of claim 5 wherein the support includes a vertical post to which the worksurface is coupled.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein the vertical post includes a first section and a second section and wherein the second section fits within the first section in a telescoping arrangement to allow for vertical position adjustment of the worksurface.

22. The system of claim 1 further comprising a pair of supports so that each support provides a worksurface.

23. The system of claim 4 wherein the track system is transverse to the rail system so that the support can be moved within a predetermined range of motion.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein the predetermined range of motion comprises at least half of the office.

25. The system of claim 17 wherein the worksurface can be stowed by movement to a predetermined position within the work space.

26. The system of claim 1 wherein the worksurface is pivotally coupled to the support.

27. The system of claim 1 wherein the worksurface can be moved in a horizontal direction and in a vertical direction within a predetermined range of motion.

28. The system of claim 1 further comprising an outlet adapted for interconnection of utilities such as power or data to an appliance associated with the worksurface.

29. The movable support system of claim 1 wherein the worksurface is fixed substantially parallel to a floor of the work space.

30. A movable support system for an office of a type having a floor, comprising:

an overhead track system configured to project over at least a portion of the office;

a support slidably suspended from the overhead track system and configured to hang downward into the office;

at least one display device coupled to the support;

a worksurface attached to the support;

wherein the overhead track system is supported at least in part by an article of furniture selected from the group consisting of a bookcase, a storage unit, a shelving unit, a file cabinet, and a credenza; and

wherein the worksurface may be brought into use in multiple locations about the office.

31. The movable support system of claim 30 wherein the worksurface can be stowed by movement to a predetermined position within the office.

32. The movable support system of claim 30 wherein the worksurface can be stowed within a storage unit.

33. The movable support system of claim 30 wherein the worksurface is fixed substantially parallel to the floor.

34. The system of claim 30 further comprising a rail system movably coupled to the track system and wherein the support is movably coupled to the track system through the rail system.

35. The system of claim 30 wherein the support is configured for vertical position adjustment of the display device.

36. The system of claim 30 wherein the track system includes two overhead tracks.

37. The system of claim 36 wherein track system is linear.

38. The system of claim 36 wherein the track system is permanently mounted to a structure within the office.

39. The system of claim 35 wherein the support is configured for management of cables providing utilities such as power or voice or data to the worksurface.

40. The system of claim 30 further comprising two display devices coupled to the support.

41. The system of claim 30 further comprising a rail system providing a pair of rails and wherein the support includes an interface installed between the pair of rails.

42. The system of claim 35 wherein the support includes a vertical post to which the worksurface is coupled.

43. The system of claim 42 wherein the vertical post includes a first section and a second section and wherein the second section fits within the first section in a telescoping arrangement to allow for vertical position adjustment of the worksurface.

44. The system of claim 30 further comprising a pair of supports so that each support provides a worksurface.

45. The system of claim 30 wherein the worksurface is pivotally coupled to the support.

46. The system of claim 45 wherein the worksurface can be moved both in a horizontal direction and in a vertical direction within a predetermined range of motion.

47. A movable support system for a work space such as an office, comprising:

a first elevated system that includes a track system configured to project over at least a portion of the office;

a second elevated system cooperating with the first system and configured to project over at least a portion of the office;

a support assembly movable relative to the first system and configured to project downward into the office;

a worksurface coupled to the support assembly;

wherein the track system is supported at least in part by an article of furniture selected from the group consisting of a bookcase, a storage unit, a shelving unit, a file cabinet, and a credenza; and

wherein the worksurface may be brought into use in multiple locations within the work space.

48. The system of claim 47 wherein the second elevated system is a rail system.

49. The system of claim 47 wherein the first system and second system are movably coupled in an orthogonal arrangement and the support includes a coupling member movably coupled to the rail system.

50. The system of claim 47 further comprising at least one display device coupled to the support.

51. The system of claim 47 further comprising a rail system movably coupled to the track system and wherein the support is movably coupled to the track system through the rail system.

52. The system of claim 47 wherein the support assembly is configured for vertical position adjustment of the worksurface.

53. The system of claim 52 wherein the support assembly provides for telescopic height adjustment for the worksurface.

54. The system of claim 47 wherein the track system includes two overhead tracks.

55. The system of claim 54 wherein track system is linear.

56. The system of claim 54 wherein the track system is permanently mounted to a structure within the office.

57. The system of claim 54 wherein the track system is mounted on opposed walls of the office.

58. The system of claim 47 wherein the track system allows for placement of the support in stowed position.

59. The system of claim 47 wherein the support assembly is configured for management of cables providing utilities such as power or voice or data to the worksurface.

60. The system of claim 47 further comprising two display devices coupled to the support assembly.

61. The system of claim 50 wherein at least one display device is directly coupled to the support assembly.

62. The system of claim 51 wherein the rail system includes a cover.

63. The system of claim 47 wherein the worksurface is not supported on a floor of the office.

64. The system of claim 47 wherein the rail system is linear.

65. The system of claim 51 wherein the rail system provides a pair of rails and the support assembly includes a base installed between the pair of rails.

66. The system of claim 52 wherein the support assembly includes a vertical post to which the worksurface is coupled.

67. The system of claim 66 wherein the vertical post includes a first section and a second section and wherein the second section fits within the first section in a telescoping arrangement to allow for vertical position adjustment of the worksurface.

68. The system of claim 47 further comprising a pair of support assemblies so that each support assembly provides a worksurface.

69. The system of claim 54 wherein the track system is transverse to the rail system so that the support can be moved within a predetermined range of motion.

70. The system of claim 47 wherein the predetermined range of motion comprises at least half of the office.

71. The system of claim 58 wherein the worksurface can be stowed by movement to a predetermined position within the work space.

72. The system of claim 47 wherein the worksurface is pivotally coupled to the support.

73. The system of claim 47 wherein the worksurface can be moved in a horizontal direction and in a vertical direction within a predetermined range of motion.

74. The movable support system of claim 47 wherein the worksurface is fixed substantially parallel to a floor of the work space.