Furniture system

A furniture system is particularly adapted to support group activities in open plans, and the like. A plurality of columns support an overhead framework on the floor of a building in a freestanding fashion at a predetermined elevation, generally above average user height. A plurality of individual panels are provided, wherein each panel is constructed to permit easy, manual, bodily translation of the same by an adult user. A hanger arrangement is associated with the overhead framework, and cooperates with connectors on the panels to detachably suspend the panels at various locations along the overhead framework. The panels are manually reconfigurable between many different arrangements to efficiently and effectively support different group activities. Preferably, the panels are capable of providing a partitioning function to visually divide at least a portion of the workspace, and/or a display function to facilitate group communications.

 

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A furniture kit particularly adapted to support temporary group activities in open plans, and the like, comprising;

a plurality of overhead beam segments, each having a beam connector positioned adjacent opposite ends thereof, and a hanger positioned along at least one side thereof; said overhead beam segments including at least one perimeter segment arranged to form a closed, top plan perimeter, and at least one cross-beam segment extending interior of the perimeter formed by said perimeter segment;

a plurality of overhead support columns, each having a column connector positioned adjacent an upper end thereof, and a foot positioned adjacent a lower end thereof for abutment with an open floor surface of an associated building room;

a plurality of connectors, each having a first connector shaped for detachable connection with said beam connector at the adjacent ends of at least two of said overhead beam segments arranged in an end-to-end fashion, and a second connector shaped for detachable connection with said column connector at the upper end of one of said overhead support columns, such that a plurality of said overhead beam segments may be detachably interconnected to form a rigid framework with a closed plan shape, that is supported on the floor surface of the building room by at least two of said overhead support columns at a predetermined elevation above average user height; and

a plurality of panels, each being constructed to permit easy, manual, bodily translation of the same by an adult user, and including a connector for detachably connecting the same with the hanger of any one of said overhead beam segments in a manner in which each of said panels hangs downwardly from said framework in a generally vertical orientation, and is readily and easily manually removable therefrom by the user, such that said panels can be manually positioned on the perimeter segment of said framework to define a group workspace portion of the floor surface which is at least spatially and visually distinct from the rest of the floor surface, and is sufficiently large to comfortably accommodate a plurality of adult users therein for communal communications and actions, and said panels can be manually positioned on the cross-beam segment of said framework to subdivide the group workspace into at least two, sub-group workspaces which are at least spatially and visually distinct from one another, and are sufficiently large to accommodate at least one adult user therein for breakout-type communications and actions.

2. A furniture kit as set forth in claim 11, including:

at least one mobile cart having a ground engaging support which permits manual translation of said cart over the floor surface of the building room, and a hanger for cooperating with the detachable connector of said panels to detachably support at least one of said panels on said mobile cart in a hanging fashion.

3. A furniture kit as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

said overhead beam segments include a plurality of substantially identical straight beam segments, and a plurality of substantially identical curved beam segments; and

said connectors include a plurality of substantially identical straight in-line connectors, curved in-line connectors, T-connectors and X-connectors, such that said furniture kit can be configured into a wide variety of different shapes and sizes.

4. A furniture kit as set forth in claim 3, wherein:

said framework is configured to permit said panels to be removably hung therefrom and reconfigurable between at least a first arrangement wherein said panels contribute to defining a workspace portion of the floor surface which is at least spatially and visually distinct from the rest of the floor surface, and is sufficiently large to comfortably accommodate at least one adult user therein for selected activities, and a second arrangement wherein at least some of said panels are removed from said framework and stored to permit free movement thereunder.

5. A furniture kit as set forth in claim 4, wherein:

each of said overhead beam segments includes a hanger on both sides thereof to permit two of said panels to be hung therefrom in a back-to-back relationship.

6. A furniture kit as set forth in claim 5, wherein:

said hanger and said panel connector are configured to permit said panels to be manually slid horizontally along said framework to facilitate configuring and reconfiguring said panels.

7. A furniture kit as set forth in claim 6, wherein:

said panels are generally rigid to facilitate manually handling the same.

8. A furniture kit as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

said overhead beam segments and said columns are detachably interconnected at said connectors to facilitate quickly and easily assembling and disassembling said furniture kit at different locations.

9. A furniture kit as set forth in claim 8, wherein:

at least one of said panels has an opaque construction for visually dividing one portion of the building room from another portion thereof.

10. A furniture kit as set forth in claim 9, wherein:

at least one of said panels has an acoustic construction to attenuate sound transmission.

11. A furniture kit as set forth in claim 10, wherein:

at least one of said panels has means for displaying information thereon.

12. A furniture kit as set forth in claim 11, wherein:

said columns and said framework include means for routing wires therealong to equip said furniture kit with power and signal.

13. A furniture kit as set forth in claim 12, wherein:

said wire routing means physically separates power wires from cable wires to avoid electrical interference therebetween.

14. A furniture kit as set forth in claim 13, wherein:

said columns and said framework have detachable covers to vary the exterior appearance of said furniture kit.

15. A furniture kit as set forth in claim 14, wherein:

said framework is configured to detachably mount task lighting thereon.

16. A furniture kit as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said overhead beam segments include a plurality of substantially identical straight beam segments, and a plurality of substantially identical curved beam segments; and

said connectors include a plurality of substantially identical straight in-line connectors, curved in-line connectors, T-connectors and X-connectors, such that said furniture kit can be configured into a wide variety of different shapes and sizes.

17. A furniture kit as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said framework is configured to permit said panels to be removably hung therefrom and reconfigurable between at least a first arrangement wherein said panels contribute to defining a workspace portion of the floor surface which is at least spatially and visually distinct from the rest of the floor surface, and is sufficiently large to comfortably accommodate at least one adult user therein for selected activities, and a second arrangement wherein at least some of said panels are removed from said framework and stored to permit free movement thereunder.

18. A furniture kit as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

each of said overhead beam segments includes a hanger on both sides thereof to permit two of said panels to be hung therefrom in a back-to-back relationship.

19. A furniture kit as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said hanger and said panel connector are configured to permit said panels to be manually slid horizontally along said framework to facilitate configuring and reconfiguring said panels.

20. A furniture kit as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said panels are generally rigid to facilitate manually handling the same.

21. A furniture kit as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said overhead beam segments and said columns are detachably interconnected at said connectors to facilitate quickly and easily assembling and disassembling said furniture kit at different locations.

22. A furniture kit as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said columns and said framework include means for routing wires therealong to equip said furniture kit with power and signal.

23. A method for partitioning open office plans, and the like, to support group activities, comprising:

providing a rigid framework having at least one perimeter segment arranged to form a closed top plan perimeter, and at least one cross-beam segment extending interior of the perimeter formed by said perimeter segment;

positioning the rigid framework above an open floor surface of an associated building room;

providing a plurality of framework support columns;

connecting the upper end of each of the columns with the framework;

positioning the lower end of the columns abutting on the floor surface of the associated building room to support the framework in a freestanding fashion within the building room at a predetermined elevation generally above average user height;

providing a plurality of individual panels, each being constructed to permit easy, manual, bodily translation of the same by an adult user;

detachably connecting the panels with the framework in a manner in which each of the panels hangs downwardly from the framework in a generally vertical orientation, and is readily and easily manually removable therefrom by the user;

manually positioning the panels on the perimeter segment of the framework to define a group workspace portion of the floor surface which is at least spatially and visually distinct from the rest of the floor surface, and is sufficiently large to comfortably accommodate a plurality of adult users therein for communal communications and actions; and

manually reconfiguring the panels on the cross-beam segment of the framework to subdivide the group workspace portion of the floor surface into at least two, sub-group workspaces which are at least spatially and visually distinct from one another, and are sufficiently large to accommodate at least one adult user therein for breakout-type communications and actions.

24. A method as set forth in claim 23, wherein:

said panel reconfiguring step includes sliding at least one of the panels horizontally along said framework.

25. A method as set forth in claim 24, including:

providing a mobile cart adapted to translate over the floor surface of the building room; and

hanging panels removed from the framework on the mobile cart, and transporting the same outside of the group workspace to permit free movement therethrough.

26. A method as set forth in claim 25, including:

routing wires along the columns and the framework to provide the group activities with power and signal capabilities.

27. A method as set forth in claim 26, including:

detachably mounting task lighting on the overhead support.

28. A furniture kit particularly adapted to support temporary group activities in open plans, and the like, comprising;

a plurality of overhead beam segments, each having a beam connector positioned adjacent opposite ends thereof, and a hanger positioned along at least one side thereof;

a plurality of overhead support columns, each having a column connector positioned adjacent an upper end thereof, and a foot positioned adjacent a lower end thereof for abutment with an open floor surface of an associated building room;

a plurality of connectors, each having a first connector shaped for detachable connection with said beam connector at the adjacent ends of at least two of said overhead beam segments arranged in an end-to-end fashion, and a second connector shaped for detachable connection with said column connector at the upper end of one of said overhead support columns, such that a plurality of said overhead beam segments may be detachably interconnected to form a rigid framework supported on the floor surface of the building room by at least two of said overhead support columns at a predetermined elevation above average user height;

a plurality of panels, each being constructed to permit easy, manual, bodily translation of the same by an adult user, and including a connector for detachably connecting the same with the hanger of any one of said overhead beam segments in a manner in which each of said panels hangs downwardly from said framework in a generally vertical orientation, and is readily and easily manually removable therefrom by the user; and

at least one mobile cart having a ground engaging support which permits manual translation of said cart over the floor surface of the building room, and a hanger for cooperating with the detachable connector of said panels to detachably support at least one of said panels on said mobile cart in a hanging fashion.

29. A method for partitioning open office plans, and the like, to support group activities, comprising:

providing a rigid framework;

positioning the rigid framework above an open floor surface of an associated building room;

providing a plurality of framework support columns;

connecting the upper end of each of the columns with the framework;

positioning the lower end of the columns abutting on the floor surface of the associated building room to support the framework in a freestanding fashion within the building room at a predetermined elevation generally above average user height;

providing a plurality of individual panels, each being constructed to permit easy, manual, bodily translation of the same by an adult user;

detachably connecting the panels with the framework in a manner in which each of the panels hangs downwardly from the framework in a generally vertical orientation, and is readily and easily manually removable therefrom by the user;

manually positioning the panels on the framework to define a group workspace portion of the floor surface which is at least spatially and visually distinct from the rest of the floor surface, and is sufficiently large to comfortably accommodate a plurality of adult users therein for communal communications and actions;

manually reconfiguring the panels on the framework to subdivide the group workspace portion of the floor surface into at least two, sub-group workspaces which are at least spatially and visually distinct from one another, and are sufficiently large to accommodate at least one adult user therein for breakout-type communications and actions;

providing a mobile cart adapted to translate over the floor surface of the building room; and

hanging panels removed from the framework on the mobile cart, and transporting the same outside of the group workspace to permit free movement therethrough.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to furnishings, and in particular to a furniture system that is particularly adapted to support group activities in open plans, and the like.

Open office plans are well known in the art, and generally comprise large, open floor spaces in a building that are furnished in a manner that is readily reconfigurable to accommodate the ever changing needs of a specific user, as well as the divergent requirements of different tenants. One arrangement typically used for furnishing open plans includes movable partition panels that are detachably interconnected to partition off the open space into individual workstations and/or offices. Some such partition panels are configured to receive hang-on furniture units, such as worksurfaces, overhead cabinets, shelves, etc., and are generally known in the office furniture industry as "systems furniture". Another arrangement for dividing and/or partitioning open plans includes modular furniture arrangements, in which a plurality of differently shaped, freestanding furniture units are interconnected in a side-by-side relationship, with upstanding privacy screens attached to at least some of the furniture units to create individual, distinct workstations and/or offices.

Such prior art partitioning arrangements create relatively permanent, multi-function workstations for the users, which workstations are required to support both individual work activities, as well as some types of group activities, such as inter-office conferences, and the like. However, these types of conventional workstation arrangements are not particularly adapted to support workers engaged in group work, such as self-managing teams, or others involved in team problem solving techniques, wherein a relatively large number of workers from different disciplines, such as engineering, design, manufacturing, sales, marketing, purchasing, finance, etc., meet together as a group to define and review issues, and set general policy, and then break out into a number of smaller sub-groups or individuals to resolve those specific problems relating to their particular discipline. Team projects typically have a rather specific objective and are of a limited duration, such that the individual workers are temporarily assigned to the group for the life of the project, and are then reassigned to a new group when the project is completed. Group work is steadily gaining importance as a way of improving productivity and time-to-market, thereby emphasizing the need to support such activities more efficiently and effectively.

Conventional conference rooms, meeting halls, and the like have heretofore been required to handle such group meetings, but are typically expensive to construct and maintain, and are not usually considered an efficient use of space in open plan environments. When such conventional rooms are constructed in rented office space, they become permanent leasehold improvements, which must be depreciated over a lengthy time period, and can not be readily moved upon the expiration of the lease. The reconfiguration of such spaces is quite messy, and very disruptive to conducting day-to-day business. Furthermore, with conventional conference room arrangements, breakout meetings among the various sub-groups of workers often prove inconvenient, since the workstations of the participant workers are seldom located in close proximity to the conference room.

Another objective of furnishings for modern office environments is to promote the establishment of an optimum balance between worker privacy and worker interaction. Throughout a given workday, an office worker normally oscillates between interaction with others and time spent alone. Each such worker actively seeks out or avoids others based upon their ever changing tasks, objectives, and goals. Furnishings can serve to help these workers better regulate involvement with or isolation from coworkers. For example, full height offices are known for privacy. Their surrounding walls and door provide privacy by consistently controlling unwanted distractions, but often limit opportunities for spontaneous interaction. On the other hand, open offices precipitate an awareness of coworkers. Furniture and partition based workstations encourage participation and convenient access, but often lack sufficient controls for individual quiet work. Both private workspace, and convenient access to coworkers for the completion of work involving group or team efforts are quite important to the overall success of such projects.

The use of displays to communicate information to large groups in office environments and the like, is also generally well-known, and includes such devices as marker boards, tackable surfaces, electronic displays, reflective projector screens, etc. Such displays are normally incorporated into conventional style conference rooms, meeting halls, and other similar facilities. However, as previously noted, such conventional meeting spaces are typically expensive, and are not usually considered an a cost effective use of floor space in most modern offices. Rather, modern office layouts are typically of the open plan type, and do not include large, conventional types of conference rooms.

Information displays in modern, open plan workstations, such as those created by