Furniture unit having a modular communication network
First Claim
1. In a furniture unit for modular furniture arrangements of the type in which a plurality of individual furniture units are positioned in a preselected configuration to form at least one workstation, the improvement of a utility distribution system therefore, comprising:
- at least one signal conductor positioned in said furniture unit, and extending along at least a portion thereof;
first and second quick-disconnect connectors connected with opposite ends of said signal conductor, and configured to mate with like quick-disconnect connectors associated with other similarly equipped furniture units to define a communications network for the workstation;
a coupler positioned in said furniture unit, and connected with said signal conductor at a location operably intermediate said first and second quick-disconnect connectors; and
a signaler physically associated with said furniture unit to assist in identification of at least a portion of the furniture unit, and connected with said signal conductor at said coupler, and communicating through said signal conductor and the communications network to facilitate the controlled distribution of utilities to the workstation.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A utility distribution system is provided for modular furniture of the type comprising individual furniture units which are juxtaposed to form one or more workstations. A signal conductor is positioned in each furniture unit, and extends generally between opposite sides thereof. Quick-disconnect connectors are provided at the opposite ends of each of the signal conductors, and mate with like quick-disconnect connectors in adjacent furniture units to create a communications network through the workstations. Each furniture unit has a signaler physically associated therewith, which is connected with an associated signal conductor at a coupler. A network controller is operably connected to the network to evaluate the network and/or the associated furniture units. The furniture units may be equipped with one or more utility ports, which are connected with the coupler, and service utility appliances, such as personal computers, telephones, facsimile machines, switches, power outlets, data receptacles, and the like. The utility appliances preferably have memory capability to internally store operating instructions for the same, which are transmitted to the network controller when the utility appliance is initialized.
199 Citations
46 Claims
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1. In a furniture unit for modular furniture arrangements of the type in which a plurality of individual furniture units are positioned in a preselected configuration to form at least one workstation, the improvement of a utility distribution system therefore, comprising:
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at least one signal conductor positioned in said furniture unit, and extending along at least a portion thereof; first and second quick-disconnect connectors connected with opposite ends of said signal conductor, and configured to mate with like quick-disconnect connectors associated with other similarly equipped furniture units to define a communications network for the workstation; a coupler positioned in said furniture unit, and connected with said signal conductor at a location operably intermediate said first and second quick-disconnect connectors; and a signaler physically associated with said furniture unit to assist in identification of at least a portion of the furniture unit, and connected with said signal conductor at said coupler, and communicating through said signal conductor and the communications network to facilitate the controlled distribution of utilities to the workstation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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Specification