Utility interface system

• US 6,748,707 B1
• Filed: 07/24/2001
• Issued: 06/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation (Steelcase Incorporated)
• Inventors: Montgomery, Howard M., Forslund, Carl V. III, Hirai, Yasuyuki, Feldpausch, Thomas G., Buchalter, Mark A., Tsubaki, Arthur Y., Weller, George V., Bartrand, Douglas L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Chi Q.
• Application Number:
  US09/912,071
• Time in Patent Office: 1,057 Days
• Field of Search: 522/205, 522/207, 522/201, 521/262, 521/265, 174/48, 439/131, 439/535, 439/538
• US Class Current: 52/220.1
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 15/024 Sectional false floors, e.g. computer floors height-adjustable supports for terrace roof coverings E04D11/00; underfloor heating using water F24D3/142, using air F24D5/10; installation of cables, lines or protective tubing in floors H02G3/28
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/185 Floor outlets and access cups

Abstract

A utility interface system is disclosed for use in a work environment of the type having a floor system. The floor system may be of a type having an access opening and an upper surface. A compartment is configured within the access opening and has a cover. A module is adapted to be received within the compartment. The module can be stowed or concealed within the compartment while not in use and removed from the compartment for use.

Claims

1. A utilities terminal for use in a raised floor system, the utilities terminal comprising:

a floor tile having an access opening and an upper surface;

a body adapted to be received within the access opening and positioned to cover the access opening substantially flush to the upper surface;

a removable module for utilities adapted to be received within the body;

wherein the module is configured to be stored and concealed within the body below the upper surface while not in use and to be positioned outside of the body above the upper surface for use.

2. The utilities terminal of claim 1 wherein the module is positionable for use at various locations within an office space.

3. The utilities terminal of claim 1 wherein the module is attached to a flexible cable.

4. The utilities terminal of claim 1 wherein the access opening is configured to receive one or more modules for utilities.

5. The utilities terminal of claim 3 wherein the flexible cable has sufficient rigidity to be positioned in a variety of freestanding locations while supporting the module.

6. The utilities terminal of claim 3 wherein the body is adapted to slidingly receive the module.

7. The utilities terminal of claim 3 wherein the module is adapted to engage a furniture unit while in use.

8. The utilities terminal of claim 3 wherein the module is adapted to engage a worksurface while in use.

9. The utilities terminal of claim 1 wherein the body is coupled to the upper surface by a pivot attachment.

10. The utilities terminal of claim 9 wherein the pivot attachment includes a mechanical hinge.

11. The utilities terminal of claim 9 wherein the body is adapted to slidingly receive the module.

12. The utilities terminal of claim 11 wherein the body is configured to be opened to a vertical orientation and thereafter the module may be extended vertically from the body for use.

13. The utilities terminal of claim 12 wherein the body further includes a stop feature to secure the module in the extended position.

14. The utilities terminal of claim 11 wherein the body includes a pocket and the module is adapted to be telescopingly received within the pocket while not in use.

15. The utilities terminal of claim 11 wherein the body is configured to be opened to a vertical orientation and thereafter the module is configured to be moved from a position inside the pocket to a vertical position extending above the body for use.

16. The utilities terminal of claim 15 wherein the body further includes a stop feature to secure the module in the extended position.

17. A floor system which comprises:

a plurality of floor tiles, at least one of the floor tiles providing an access opening;

a plurality of pedestals adapted to support the floor tiles;

a body adapted to be received within the access opening and comprising a cover panel positioned to cover the access opening;

a removable module for utilities adapted to be received within the body;

wherein the module is configured to be stored and concealed within the body while not in use and to be positioned outside of the body for use.

18. The floor system of claim 17 wherein the module is positionable for use at various locations within an office space.

19. The floor system of claim 17 wherein the module is attached to a flexible cable.

20. The utilities terminal of claim 17 wherein the access opening is configured to receive one or more modules for utilities.

21. The utilities terminal of claim 19 wherein the flexible cable is adapted to be positioned in a variety of freestanding locations while supporting the module.

22. The floor system of claim 19 wherein the module is attached to a selectively deployable frame.

23. The floor system of claim 19 wherein the body is adapted to slidingly receive the module.

24. The floor system of claim 19 wherein the module is adapted to engage a worksurface while in use.

25. The floor system of claim 19 wherein the module is adapted to engage a partition panel while in use.

26. The floor system of claim 17 wherein the cover panel is coupled to the upper surface by a pivot attachment.

27. The floor system of claim 26 wherein the pivot attachment includes a mechanical hinge.

28. The floor system of claim 26 wherein the body is adapted to slidingly receive the module.

29. The floor system of claim 28 wherein the cover panel is configured to be opened to a vertical orientation and thereafter the module may be extended vertically from the body for use.

30. The floor system of claim 29 wherein the body further includes a stop feature to secure the module in the extended position.

31. The floor system of claim 28 wherein the body comprises a pocket and the module is adapted to be telescopingly received within the pocket while not in use.

32. The floor system of claim 28 wherein the cover panel is configured to be opened to a vertical orientation and thereafter the module is configured to be slid telescopingly from a position inside the pocket to a vertical position extending above the cover panel for use.

33. The floor system of claim 32 wherein the body comprises a stop feature to secure the module in the extended position.

34. The floor system of claim 17 wherein the pedestals are vertically adjustable.

35. A utility interface system, comprising:

a panel having an access opening;

a compartment configured to fit within the access opening for movement between an access position and a stowed position;

a removable module adapted to be received within the compartment, the module adapted to be stored within the compartment concealed from view when the module is not in use and the module adapted to be at least partially extractable from the compartment so as to reveal the module for use.

36. The utility interface system of claim 35 wherein the compartment is pivotally attached to the panel.

37. The utility interface system of claim 36 wherein the module is attached to a utility carrier.

38. The utility interface system of claim 37 wherein the module is fully extractable from the compartment and positionable for use at various locations within a work environment.

39. The utility interface system of claim 38 wherein the module is adapted to engage an article of furniture while in use.

40. The utility interface system of claim 37 wherein the compartment has an exposed surface that is substantially flush with the outward surface when the module is not in use.

41. The utility interface system of claim 40 wherein the compartment is adapted to slidingly receive the module.

42. The utility interface system of claim 41 wherein the compartment is configured to be outwardly rotated and thereafter the module is configured to be telescopingly extracted from the compartment to one or more extended positions.

43. The utility interface system of claim 42 wherein the compartment further includes a stop feature to secure the module in the extended position.

50. The utility interface system of claim 35 further comprising a wire frame support assembly for engagement of the module.

51. The utility interface system of claim 50 wherein the module is slidably received on the wire frame support assembly.

52. The utility interface system of claim 35 further comprising a cover having at least one opening for passage of a cable.

53. The utility interface system of claim 52 further comprising a plurality of openings.

44. A floor system for providing utility access in a work environment, comprising:

means for supporting a plurality of floor panels above a sub-floor, at least one of the floor panels providing an access opening;

means for pivotally mounting a compartment within the access opening;

means for concealing a removable module within the compartment when access to utilities is not desired;

wherein the module is configured to be extracted from the compartment when access to utilities is desired.

45. The floor system of claim 44 wherein the pivotally mounted compartment is adapted to rotate from the panel in an outward direction only.

46. The floor system of claim 45 wherein the module is attached to a utility carrier, the module further being adapted for use at various locations within the work environment.

47. The floor system of claim 46 wherein the utility module is adapted to engage a partition panel while in use.

48. The floor system of claim 45 further comprising means for selectively maintaining the compartment in one or more outwardly rotated positions.

49. The floor system of claim 48 further comprising means for maintaining the module in one or more extracted positions when the compartment is outwardly rotated.