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 based partition system particularly adapted to support group activities in open plans, and the like, comprising:

an overhead support disposed in a generally horizontal orientation above an open floor surface of an associated building room;

a plurality of overhead support columns, disposed in a generally vertical orientation, each said column having an upper portion thereof connected with said overhead support, and a lower portion thereof abutting the open floor surface thereby supporting said overhead support in a freestanding fashion within the building room at a predetermined elevation above average user height, with the floor surface beneath said overhead support being generally unobstructed to facilitate user passage thereunder;

a plurality of partition panels, each being shaped to visually divide one portion of the building room from another portion thereof, and being constructed to permit easy, manual, bodily translation of the same by an adult user; said partition panels each including a connector mounted thereon which detachably connects the same with said overhead support in a manner in which each of said partition panels hangs downwardly from said overhead support in a generally vertical orientation, and is readily and easily manually removable therefrom by the user;

an open sided hanger supported on said overhead support, and detachably engaging the connector of said partition panels for detachably suspending each of said individual partition panels on said overhead support at various locations therealong; and

said overhead support being configured to permit said partition panels to be removably hung therefrom and reconfigurable between at least a first arrangement wherein said partition panels 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 a second arrangement wherein said partition panels 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 based partition system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

at least one of said partition panels has an acoustic construction to attenuate sound transmission into and out of said furniture system.

3. A furniture based partition system as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

said at least one partition panel is rigid.

4. A furniture based partition system as set forth in claim 3, wherein:

said at least one partition panel includes a flexible bumper attached to at least one outer edge of said panel.

5. A furniture based partition system as set forth in claim 4, wherein:

said at least one partition panel has an open frame about a margin of said partition panel and a lightweight core mounted within said open frame.

6. A furniture based partition system as set forth in claim 5, wherein:

said panel frame defines opposite faces of said at least one partition panel and further wherein at least one of said faces is covered with a fabric layer.

7. A furniture based partition system as set forth in claim 6, wherein:

said lightweight core comprises an acoustic attenuating core.

8. A furniture based partition system as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

said acoustic attenuating core is a honeycomb panel.

9. A furniture based partition system as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

said acoustic attenuating core is a foam core.

10. A furniture based partition system as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

said acoustic attenuating core comprises sound attenuating bats.

11. A furniture based partition system as set forth in claim 5, wherein:

said panel frame defines opposite faces of said at least one partition panel and further wherein at least one of said faces is covered with a display surface.

12. A furniture based partition system as set forth in claim 11, wherein:

said display surface is an erasable marking board surface.

13. A furniture based partition system as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

said at least one partition panel is flexible.

14. A furniture based partition system as set forth in claim 13,wherein:

said flexible partition panel comprises an acoustic curtain.

15. A furniture based partition system as set forth in claim 14, wherein:

said acoustic curtain includes a sound absorbing core.

16. A furniture based partition system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said detachable connector includes an anti-friction bearing.

17. A furniture based partition system as set forth in claim 16, wherein:

said anti-friction bearing is a glide which interfaces with and glides along a portion of said hanger means when one of said partition panels is translated.

18. A furniture based partition system as set forth in claim 17, wherein:

said glide defines a linear slot extending along a lowermost portion of said glide, and further wherein said slot glides upon an upwardly facing edge of said hanger means.

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 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 movable partition panels, modular furniture, or the like, are usually quite limited, and not particularly adapted to support workers engaged in group or team problem solving techniques. Due to the inherent nature of group problem solving techniques, the effective display of information is quite important to the effective management of the team's human resources.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is a furniture system that is particularly adapted to effectively and efficiently support group work activities in open plans, and the like. A plurality of columns support an overhead support on the floor of a building in a freestanding fashion at a predetermined elevation, generally above average user height. A plurality of 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 support. The panels are manually reconfigurable between many different arrangements to provide effective support for various group activities.

Preferably, the partition panels are capable of visually dividing or partitioning at least a portion of the floor space to support both group and breakout activities, and/or displaying information to facilitate group communications. The furniture system may have a knock-down type of construction which permits easy disassembly and reassembly at new locations, so as to efficiently support the temporary needs of problem solving teams or groups, as well as other similar activities. The shape of the overhead support may be varied to better mate with the architecture of the building space in which the furniture system is erected and used. Also, as the needs of a problem solving team or group change, the overhead support can be easily reconfigured to efficiently and effectively meet these new needs. Removable covers for the columns and overhead support are available to vary the exterior appearance of the furniture system, without altering its structural configuration.

Another aspect of the present invention is a method for partitioning open office plans, and the like, to effectively support group activities. A rigid framework with associated support columns is provided with the upper ends of the columns connected with the framework, and the lower ends of the columns abuttingly supported on the floor surface of the building room. A plurality of partition panels are provided, each being shaped to at least visually divide one portion of the building room from another, and are constructed to permit easy, manual bodily translation of the same by an adult user. The partition panels are detachably connected with the framework in a manner in which each of the partition panels hangs downwardly from the framework in a generally vertical orientation, and is readily and easily manually removable therefrom by the user. The partition panels are manually positioned 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 sufficiently large to comfortably accommodate a plurality of adult users therein for communal communications and actions. Thereafter, the partition panels are manually reconfigured on the framework to subdivide the group workspace into at least two, sub-groups 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.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method for displaying information in open office plans, and the like to support group activities. A rigid framework with associated support columns is provided with the upper ends of the columns connected with the framework, and the lower ends of the columns abuttingly supported on the floor surface of the building room. A plurality of display panels are provided, each being adapted to present information thereon, and are constructed to permit easy, manual, bodily translation of the same by an adult user. The display panels are detachably connected with the framework in a manner in which each of the display panels hangs downwardly from the framework in a generally vertical orientation, and is readily and easily manually removable therefrom by the user. The partition panels are manually positioned on the framework to best meet the needs of group activities, and are readily reconfigurable thereon, and may also be transported by the user to a location outside the furniture system.

The principal objects of the present invention are to provide a furniture system which is particularly adapted to effectively and efficiently support group work activities in open plans, and the like. An overhead framework and column arrangement supports the system freestanding on the floor of a building, such that the system is completely portable, and can be moved about a selected location. The overhead framework and columns preferably have a knock-down type of construction to facilitate disassembly and reassembly at new locations. The overall shape of the furniture system can be varied to mate with the architectural layout of the building room in which the furniture system is erected and used, and is particularly adapted to be temporarily deployed for team or group problem solving projects. Panels that are detachably hung from the overhead framework can be easily reconfigured to accommodate both communal and breakout-type activities. The panels may be provided with acoustic and/or display capabilities to further assist in group problem solving activities. Both power and signal capabilities are routed throughout the overhead framework and the columns to support electronic equipment, such as lighting, computers, communication devices and the like. Both the overhead framework and the columns may be provided with removable covers to vary the exterior appearance of the system. Mobile carts assist in the temporary storage and/or transport of the panels, and can also serve as portable partitions and/or displays. Detachable connectors on the panels have an uncomplicated design that securely mount the same on either straight or curved sections of the framework, yet permits easy movement and removal of the panels, as well as reattachment by even unskilled personnel in a quick and efficient manner. Panels with display capabilities can be composed and retained outside of the furniture system for information storage and retrieval. The furniture system is extremely flexible and dynamic to meet the ever changing needs of various users, is economical to manufacture, capable of a long operating life, and particularly well adapted for the proposed use.

These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a furniture system embodying the present invention, shown deployed in an open office plan, with removable panels arranged to define a large, group workspace.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the furniture system shown in FIG. 1, wherein the panels have been rearranged to define two, smaller, sub-group workspaces for breakout-type activities.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the furniture system, taken from a generally eye level elevation.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a column portion of the furniture system.

FIG. 5 is an exploded, perspective view of the column.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an inner core portion of the column.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the column, shown with one side cover thereof, and one channel cover thereof exploded away to reveal internal construction.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, side-elevational view of the interior side of the column cover.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the column.

FIG. 10 is an exploded, perspective view of a foot portion of the column.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the column foot.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, vertical cross-sectional view of the column foot.

FIG. 13 is an exploded, perspective view of a top portion of the column.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the column top.

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary, vertical cross-sectional view of the column top.

FIG. 16 is an exploded, perspective view of the furniture system, showing connectors attaching beam segments of an overhead framework to the columns.

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary, horizontal cross-sectional view of a perimeter beam segment, taken along the line XVII--XVII, FIG. 19.

FIG. 18 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a cover for the perimeter beam segment.

FIG. 19 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the perimeter beam segment, shown with the cover installed on one side thereof.

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary, top plan view of the perimeter frame segment.

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the perimeter frame segment, shown with the cover installed thereon, and wherein a portion of the cover has been broken away to reveal internal construction.

FIG. 22 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a cover for a cross beam segment of the overhead framework.

FIG. 23 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cross-beam segment, shown with the cover installed on one side thereof.

FIG. 24 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the cross-beam segment, shown with the cover installed thereon, and wherein a portion of the cover is broken away to reveal internal construction.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of an in-line connector.

FIG. 26 is an exploded, perspective view of the in-line connector.

FIG. 27 is a fragmentary, top plan view of an in-line connection between adjacent perimeter beam segments.

FIG. 28 is a fragmentary, side-elevational view of the in-line connection illustrated in FIG. 27.

FIG. 28A is a fragmentary, vertical cross-sectional view of the in-line connection illustrated in FIG. 28.

FIG. 29 is a side elevational view of the in-line connection shown in FIG. 28, with the beam covers removed.

FIG. 30 is a top plan view of the in-line connection illustrated in FIG. 28, with portions thereof broken away to reveal internal construction.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a T-connector.

FIG. 32 is a top plan view of a T-connection between two perimeter beam segments, and an associated cross beam segment.

FIG. 33 is a side elevational view of the T-connection shown in FIG. 32, taken from an exterior side of the furniture system.

FIG. 34 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the T-connection, taken along the line XXXIV--XXXIV, FIG. 32.

FIG. 35 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the T-connection, taken along the line XXXIV--XXXIV, FIG. 32, with the beam covers removed.

FIG. 36 is a top plan view of the T-connection illustrated in FIG. 32, with portions thereof broken away to reveal internal construction.

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of an X-connector.

FIG. 38 is an exploded, perspective view of the X-connector.

FIG. 38A is an exploded, perspective view of an upper weldment portion of the X-connector.

FIG. 38B is an exploded, perspective view of a lower weldment portion of the X-connector.

FIG. 39 is a top plan view of an X-connection between the interior ends of four adjacent cross-beam segment.

FIG. 40 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the X-connection, taken along the line of XXXIX--XXXIX, FIG. 39.

FIG. 41 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the X-connection, taken along the line XXXIX--XXXIX, FIG. 39, with the beam covers removed.

FIG. 42 is a top plan view of the X-connection illustrated in FIG. 39, wherein portions thereof have been broken away to reveal internal construction.

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of a panel.

FIG. 43A is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the panel shown in FIG. 43.

FIG. 43B is a front elevational view of a panel connector.

FIG. 43C is a side elevational view of the panel connector.

FIG. 44 is a fragmentary, side-elevational view of the furniture system, showing a panel hung from an associated perimeter beam segment.

FIG. 44A is a fragmentary, horizontal cross-sectional view of a perimeter beam segment illustrated in FIG. 43, showing a panel hanging from an arcuate rail portion thereof.

FIG. 45 is a fragmentary, horizontal cross-sectional view of a cross-beam frame segment, showing a panel hanging from a straight ra