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| Load bearing beam having corrosion resistant cladding |
| It is a first object of the invention to provide a beam which overcomes the drawbacks of existing ... |
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| Metal stud |
| OF THE DRAWINGS Attention is first directed to FIG. 1, which shows an insert 10 which includes a ... |
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| Interconnectable space filling model |
| OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the above drawings, FIGS. 1 through 10 illustrate the how to ... |
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| Modular units, modular structures having modular units, and method for constructing modular structures |
| The present invention is directed to a set of modular units, modular structures constructed of the ... |
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| Buoyancy compensator |
| It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a more effective mechanism for ... |
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| Inflation valve |
| It is an object of the present invention to provide an inflation valve with piston rods having two ... |
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| Free rotating inlet check valve for inflatable devices |
| Objectives of the invention include providing a compact inlet check valve. A further objective of ... |
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| Inflatable support pillow |
| OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is ... |
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Furniture system
| Details |
Inventors: Cornell, Paul T.; Luchetti, Robert J.; Draudt, Gregg R.; Bodden, Kurt S.; Zimmer, Linda K.;
Assignee: Steelcase Inc. (Grand Rapids, MI)
Primary Examiner: Canfield; Robert
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Price, Heneveld, Cooper, DeWitt & Litton
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. |
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION 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
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