Utility distribution system

• US 6,931,795 B1
• Filed: 12/21/2001
• Issued: 08/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1998
• 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): SLACK, NAOKO N
• Application Number:
  US10/026,964
• Time in Patent Office: 1,341 Days
• Field of Search: 52/361, 52/64, 522/207, 52/362, 522/201, 522/39, 522/431, 524/812, 160/239, 362/257
• US Class Current: 52/36.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/00 Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/0314 Platforms for supporting office equipment
• 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: F16M 11/2014 around a vertical axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2085 comprising means allowing sideward adjustment, i.e. left-right translation of the head relatively to the undercarriage
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/42 with arrangement for propelling the support stands on wheels
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/00 Boards, hoardings, pillars, or like structures for notices, placards, posters, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/0068 Modular articulated structures, e.g. stands, and articulation means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/08 the elements being secured or adapted to be secured by means of grooves, rails, or slits

Abstract

A work environment providing a work area and a workstation including the information display system are also disclosed. A utility distribution system is also disclosed. An information display system is further disclosed. The work environment may provide a work space that can be arranged or divided to include at least one work area within the available floor space. The utility distribution system includes a utility threshold may be adapted for movement along a predefined path about the work area to selectively deliver utilities to at least one portion of the work area. The utility distribution system may be selectively positioned for use in a variety of locations relative to a track system. The information display system may include a track system adapted to attach to a mounting structure and a plurality of display panels coupled to the track system for movement with respect to the mounting structure.

Claims

1. A system for use in a work space and configured to distribute utilities away from at least one article of furniture having a top section carrying the utilities into the work space, comprising:

a utility access extension comprising a utility delivery zone;

a utility beam having a first end coupled for translating movement along the top section of the article of furniture and a second end projecting into the work space and coupled to a top section of the utility access extension;

wherein the utilities are supplied between the top section of the article of furniture and the top section of the utility access extension to the utility delivery zone at a point away from the article of furniture.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the system is adapted for movement along a predefined path to selectively deliver utilities to at least one portion of a work area.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the system can be positioned at either of a first workstation or a second workstation.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the system is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein the beam is configured for sliding movement along the furniture, and the extension is configured for rolling movement along the floor.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the beam is movable on a track system.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the track system includes a horizontal rail mounted on the furniture.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the beam includes a mounting assembly having a slide mechanism engaging the horizontal rail.

9. The system of claim 5 wherein the extension includes a floor wheel assembly.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the floor wheel assembly includes a caster.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the beam and the extension are formed of an “

L”

-shaped frame.

12. The system of claim 1 further comprising a retractable partition that is adapted to define a private space when in a withdrawn position.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the extension is positioned at a lateral distance outboard of the furniture.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the utility access extension projects downward from the overhead beam and the utility delivery zone is provided on the utility access extension.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the utility delivery zone is provided on an interior of the utility access extension.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the top section of the article of furniture has a top and wherein the first end of the overhead utility beam is coupled for translating movement along the top of the top section.

17. The system of claim 1 wherein the second end of the utility beam is configured to project into the work space at an overhead position relative to users seated in the work space.

18. The system of claim 1 wherein the utility beam is adapted to be positioned without extending below the top section of the article of furniture and the top section of the utility access extension.

19. A floor supported system for use in a work space and configured to distribute utilities away from at least one article of furniture having a top section carrying the utilities into the work space comprising space comprising:

an overhead utility beam coupled proximate one end to the article of furniture and configured for translating movement relative to the article of furniture;

a utility delivery zone positioned vertically below the overhead utility beam at a point away from the article of furniture; and

a light fixture coupled to the overhead beam;

wherein the utilities are routed to the overhead utility beam at or above the top section of the article of furniture;

wherein the utilities are routed from the overhead beam to the utility delivery zone at a point away from the article of furniture.

20. The system of claim 19 further comprising a utility access extension having a canopy located adjacent to the light fixture.

21. The system of claim 19 further comprising a utility infeed to allow utilities to be supplied to the utility delivery zone.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein the utility infeed is a flexible conduit within a recess in the top of the furniture.

23. The system of claim 19 wherein a utility access extension projects downward from the overhead beam and the utility delivery zone is provided on the utility access extension.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein the utility delivery zone is provided on an interior of the utility access extension.

25. The system of claim 19 wherein the utility delivery zone positioned vertically below the overhead utility beam is positioned directly below an end of the overhead beam.

26. A wall supported system for use in a work space and configured to distribute utilities away from at least one article of furniture having a top section carrying the utilities into the work space comprising

a utility access extension comprising a utility delivery zone;

an overhead utility beam having a first end coupled for translating movement along the top section of the article of furniture and a second end projecting into the work space and coupled to a top section of the utility access extension, the overhead utility beam configured to supply utilities to the utility delivery zone at a point away from the furniture; and

a light fixture coupled to the beam;

wherein the utilities are routed to the overhead utility beam at or above the top section of the article of furniture.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein the beam is positioned at an elevation above the furniture.

28. The system of claim 26 wherein the system is adapted for movement along a predefined path to selectively deliver utilities to at least one portion of a work area.

29. The system of claim 26 wherein the utility access extension projects downward from the overhead beam and the utility delivery zone is provided on the utility access extension.

30. The system of claim 26 wherein the utility beam does not extend below the top section of the article of furniture and the top section of the utility access extension.