Modular furniture unit having power distribution

• US 9,968,187 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2017
• Issued: 05/15/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Knoll Incorporated (Millerknoll Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Knoll Incorporated (Millerknoll Incorporated)
• Inventors: Udagawa, Masamichi, Moeslinger, Sigrid, Snyder, Ronald
• Primary Examiner(s): WILKENS, JANET MARIE
• Application Number:
  US15/634,185
• Publication Number:
  US 20170290418A1
• Time in Patent Office: 322 Days
• Field of Search: 1821811, 182129, 108 25, 108 5001, 108 5002
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/066 with power or communication connection interface
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2083/025 Computer workstation with integrated seat
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/06 characterised by means for holding, fastening or concealing cables
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0081 Auxiliary apparatus with electrical connections for office furniture
• 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: A47B 83/02 Tables combined with seats folding or stowable tables with separable parts combined with seats A47B3/063; foldable table and seat units A47B3/14
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 96/02 Shelves movable shelves coupled to doors A47B96/16
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 96/04 Partition walls adjustable A47B57/58
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/62 Accessories for chairs
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/626 directly under the seat
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/72 Adaptations for incorporating lamps, radio sets, bars, telephones, ventilation, heating or cooling arrangements or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/723 with display screens
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/76 with sockets, clips or analogous contacts and secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. to a wall
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/006 the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 1/015 Boards, panels, desks; Parts thereof or accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 1/20 Bus-bar or other wiring layouts, e.g. in cubicles, in switchyards installations of bus-bars H02G5/00
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0017 with operator interface units

Abstract

A modular furniture unit can be configured to provide power distribution in conjunction with other furniture features. Embodiments of furniture arrangements may utilize one or more modular furniture units to provide one or more of such features (e.g. storage, seating, privacy, work surface, lighting, etc.). In some embodiments, the modular furniture unit includes an elongated upper member having an upper slot that has a first end and a second end opposite its first end. At least one leg is attached to the first end and at least one leg is attached to the second end. The elongated upper member may have a channel through which power cabling passes and outlets that are connected to such cabling. Different elements can be connected to the upper member via the upper slot or a downward facing opening of the upper member and/or to the legs to provide different furniture arrangements.

Claims

1. A modular furniture unit comprising:

a first upper member having a first end and a second end;

at least one first leg connected to the first end of the first upper member;

the first upper member having a top, a bottom, a first sidewall extending from the top to the bottom at a first side of the first upper member extending between the first and second ends of the first upper member, the first upper member also having a second sidewall extending from the top to the bottom at a second side of the first upper member that is opposite the first side of the first upper member, the second side of the first upper member also extending between the first and second ends of the first upper member;

the first upper member having at least one of;

outlets positioned in the first sidewall and outlets positioned in the second sidewall, each of the outlets connected to wiring positioned in the first upper member to conduct electricity from a source of electricity to the outlets;

the top of the first upper member having an elongated slot;

the first upper member having a downwardly facing opening defined in the bottom of the upper member; and

at least one first connector connected to the first upper member within the downwardly facing opening;

a second upper member having a first end and a second end;

the second upper member having a top, a bottom, a first sidewall extending from the top to the bottom at a first side of the second upper member extending between the first and second ends of the second upper member, the second upper member also having a second sidewall extending from the top to the bottom at a second side of the second upper member that is opposite the first side of the second upper member, the second side of the second upper member also extending between the first and second ends of the second upper member;

the second upper member having at least one of;

outlets positioned in the first sidewall and outlets positioned in the second sidewall, each of the outlets connected to wiring positioned in the second upper member to conduct electricity from a source of electricity to the outlets;

the top of the second upper member having an elongated slot;

the second upper member having a downwardly facing opening defined in the bottom of the second upper member;

an upper member inter-connection connector is attached between the first end of the second upper member and the second end of the first upper member within the downwardly facing openings of the first and second upper members;

at least one second leg attached to the second end of the first upper member and attached to the first end of the second upper member via the upper member inter-connection connector.

2. The modular furniture unit of claim 1, comprising a privacy screen attached to the first upper member via the slot of the first upper member.

3. The modular furniture unit of claim 2, comprising a shelf body attached between the at least one first leg and the at least one second leg underneath the first upper member and spaced apart from the first upper member.

4. The modular furniture unit of claim 1, comprising a shelf element or a seat element attached to the first upper member via the slot of the first upper member.

5. The modular furniture unit of claim 1, comprising a display device attached to the first upper member via the slot of the first upper member.

6. The modular furniture unit of claim 1, comprising at least one of:

a privacy screen attached to the first upper member via the slot of the first upper member and at least one tabletop attached to the first upper member via the at least one first connector.

7. The modular furniture unit of claim 1, comprising:

a third upper member having a first end and a second end;

at least one third leg connected to the first end of the third upper member;

at least one fourth leg connected to the second end of the third upper member;

the third upper member having a top, a bottom, a first sidewall extending from the top to the bottom at a first side of the third upper member extending between the first and second ends of the third upper member, the third upper member also having a second sidewall extending from the top to the bottom at a second side of the third upper member that is opposite the first side of the third upper member, the second side of the third upper member extending between the first and second ends of the third upper member;

the third upper member having at least one of;

outlets positioned in the first sidewall of the third upper member and outlets positioned in the second sidewall of the third upper member, each of the outlets connected to wiring positioned in the third upper member to conduct electricity from a source of electricity to the outlets;

the top of the third upper member having an elongated slot; and

a work surface extending between the first upper member and the third upper member above the first and third upper members, the first upper member being attached to the work surface adjacent to a first side of the work surface, the third upper member being attached to the work surface adjacent to a second side of the work surface.

8. A modular furniture unit comprising:

an upper member having a first end and a second end;

at least one first leg connected to the first end of the upper member;

at least one second leg connected to the second end of the upper member;

the upper member having a top, a bottom, a first sidewall extending from the top to the bottom at a first side of the upper member extending between the first and second ends of the upper member, the upper member also having a second sidewall extending from the top to the bottom at a second side of the upper member that is opposite the first side of the upper member, the second side of the upper member also extending between the first and second ends of the upper member;

the upper member having at least one of;

outlets positioned in the first sidewall and outlets positioned in the second sidewall, each of the outlets connected to wiring positioned in the upper member to conduct electricity from a source of electricity to the outlets;

the top of the upper member having an elongated slot extending from adjacent the first end of the upper member to adjacent to the second end of the upper member; and

a saddle seat attached to the upper member via the slot.

9. The modular furniture unit of claim 8, wherein the saddle seat has a middle portion, a first side portion, and a second side portion, the first side portion extending downwardly from the middle portion along the first sidewall, the second side portion extending downwardly from the middle portion along the second sidewall.

10. The modular furniture unit of claim 8, wherein the upper member has a downwardly facing opening defined in the bottom of the upper member and wherein connectors are connected to the upper member within the downwardly facing opening.

11. The modular furniture unit of claim 10, wherein an upper end of each storage device is attached to the upper member inside the downwardly facing opening via the connectors.

12. The modular furniture unit of claim 11, wherein the storage device has pouches.

13. A furniture arrangement comprising:

a first modular unit comprising;

a first upper member having a first end and a second end;

at least one first leg connected to the first end of the first upper member;

at least one second leg connected to the second end of the first upper member;

the first upper member having a top, a bottom, a first sidewall extending from the top to the bottom at a first side of the first upper member extending between the first and second ends of the first upper member, the first upper member also having a second sidewall extending from the top to the bottom at a second side of the first upper member that is opposite the first side of the first upper member, the second side of the first upper member also extending between the first and second ends of the first upper member;

the first upper member having at least one of;

outlets positioned in the first sidewall and outlets positioned in the second sidewall, each of the outlets connected to wiring positioned in the first upper member to conduct electricity from a source of electricity to the outlets;

the first upper member having a downwardly facing opening defined in the bottom of the second upper member; and

a second modular unit connectable to the first modular unit, the second modular unit comprising;

a second upper member having a first end and a second end;

the second upper member having a top, a bottom, a first sidewall extending from the top to the bottom at a first side of the second upper member extending between the first and second ends of the second upper member, the second upper member also having a second sidewall extending from the top to the bottom at a second side of the second upper member that is opposite the first side of the second upper member, the second side of the second upper member also extending between the first and second ends of the second upper member;

the second upper member having at least one of;

outlets positioned in the first sidewall and outlets positioned in the second sidewall, each of the outlets connected to wiring positioned in the second upper member to conduct electricity from a source of electricity to the outlets;

the second upper member having a downwardly facing opening defined in the bottom of the second upper member; and

wherein the second end of the first upper member is adjacent to the first end of the second upper member, and wherein an upper member inter-connection connector is attached between the first end of the second upper member and the second end of the first upper member within the downwardly facing openings of the first and second upper members;

the at least one second leg attached to the second end of the first upper member being attached to the second end of the first upper member via the upper member inter-connection connector;

the at least one second leg also attached to the first end of the second upper member via the upper member inter-connection connector; and

at least one third leg attached to the second end of the second upper member.

14. The furniture arrangement of claim 13, comprising:

a work surface attached between the first upper member of the first modular unit and the upper member of the second modular unit.

15. The furniture arrangement of claim 13, comprising:

comprising a privacy screen attached to the first modular unit and a privacy screen attached to the second modular unit.

16. The furniture arrangement of claim 13, comprising:

connectors connected to the first upper member within the downwardly facing opening of the first upper member; and

a storage device connected to the first upper member via the connectors.

17. The furniture arrangement of claim 13, comprising connectors connected to the first upper member within the downwardly facing opening of the first upper member to facilitate connection to at least one device.

18. The furniture arrangement of claim 17, comprising connectors connected to the first upper member within the downwardly facing opening of the first upper member to facilitate connection to at least one device.