Patent EP0123972A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0123972A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Modular furniture
Assignee: Cooperativa Operai Mobilieri -Societa Cooperativa
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Filing: 1984-04-09
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2004-04-09
Abstract
Abstract The invention comprises functional and esthetically pleasing modular office furniture with integrated wire management. The modules include horizontal beam modules that can be rigidly connected longitudinally and laterally in configurations that suit work flow and office personnel requirements to the office space. The beam modules are supported by vertical support modules. Work surface modules are supported by the beam modules. The beam modules may also have suspended therefrom a variety of office items such as file cabinets and keyboard surfaces. The work surface modules are adapted to optionally receive service modules such as telephones, trays, and light stands. The combined furniture modules provide hidden but accessible passages for neatly and efficiently running electrical wires from the office outlets to the points of use.
Inventors
- 👤 Francesco Frascaroli
- 👤 Carlo Biondi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 00:45
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47B; A47B21/00; A47B21/06; A47B17/00; A47B83/00; A47B83/001; A47B2200/00; A47B2200/0011; A47B2200/0013; A47B2200/002; A47B2200/0028; E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/38; E04B1/58; E04B1/5825; E04B2001/5856
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
Modular apparatus for combining into functional and esthetically pleasing office work stations and for managing electrical wires comprising: (a) a plurality of generally horizontal beam members, each beam member including at least one plate interposed between and joined to a pair of substantially parallel beams; (b) a plurality of connecting means for rigidly connecting adjoining beam members into selected lengths and configurations to suit an office space; (c) at least two vertical support means for rigidly supporting the beam members; (d) at least one work surface; and (e) bracket means for rigidly mounting the work surface to the beam members at selected locations thereon, so that the modules may be rigidly combined into a great number of patterns to suit the office work and personnel requirements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
Modular apparatus for combining into functional and esthetically pleasing office work stations and for managing electrical wires comprising: (a) a plurality of generally horizontal beam members, each beam member including at least one plate interposed between and joined to a pair of substantially parallel beams; (b) a plurality of connecting means for rigidly connecting adjoining beam members into selected lengths and configurations to suit an office space; (c) at least two vertical support means for rigidly supporting the beam members; (d) at least one work surface; and (e) bracket means for rigidly mounting the work surface to the beam members at selected locations thereon, so that the modules may be rigidly combined into a great number of patterns to suit the office work and personnel requirements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The modular apparatus of claim 1 wherein the beams are fabricated as generally rectangular tubes having top and bottom walls with depressions therein, the top and bottom walls having a plurality of aligned spaced slots therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The modular apparatus of claim 2 wherein the connecting means include longitudinal connecting means and lateral connecting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
The modular apparatus of claim 3 wherein each longitudinal connecting means comprises a connector having a base with a pair of slotted tongues extending oppositely therefrom for inserting into the ends of the beams to be joined to align the tongue and beam slots, and a pair of keys for inserting into the aligned tongue and beam slots to rigidly lock the adjoining beams to the connecting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
77 words
The modular apparatus of claim 3 wherein each lateral connecting means comprises an angle clamp having a slotted tongue for inserting into the end of a first beam to align the tongue and beam slots and jaw means for clamping the top and bottom walls of the beam to be joined to the first beam, and a key for inserting into the aligned tongue and beam slots to rigidly lock the angle clamp to the first beam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The modular apparatus of claim 3 wherein the lateral connecting means comprises a plate having at least three legs, each leg being interposed between and joined to a pair of substantially parallel beams spaced apart to align with a beam member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
The modular apparatus of claim 2 wherein the vertical support comprises: (a) a pedestal; (b) column means guided by and upstanding from the pedestal for supporting the work surface at the proper height above the office floor; (c) yoke means guided in the column means for vertically, laterally, and longitudinally restraining the beam member; and (d) bracket means supported by the yoke means for supporting and for longitudinally and laterally restraining the work surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The modular apparatus of claim 7 wherein the vertical support further comprises at least one foot means for providing stability and an attractive appearance.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The modular apparatus of claim 7 wherein the vertical support further comprises decorative siding means for removably covering the periphery of the column means to create an esthetically pleasing vertical support.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The modular apparatus of claim 7 wherein the column means comprises at least one elongated tube interposed and guided by the yoke means and pedestal, and an elongated fastener for fastening the pedestal, tube, and yoke means into a unitary structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
The modular apparatus of claim 10 wherein: (a) two tubes are interposed between the pedestal and yoke means; (b) a hollow decorative siding encases each tube, each hollow siding having at least one shoulder thereon; and (c) a pair of generally flat decorative sidings having hook means extending therefrom are detachably fastened to the hollow decorative siding shoulders.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
The modular apparatus of claim 7 wherein the yoke means and the bracket means include tab means for inserting into the spaced bottom and top beam slots, respectively, to provide longitudinal and lateral restraint of the beam member and work surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The modular apparatus of claim 2 further comprising suspension means rigidly supported by the beam members for supporting a work station module therefrom at a selected location on the beam members.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
97 words
The modular apparatus of claim 13 wherein the suspension means comprises: (a) a pair of suspension members, each having a hook for inserting into the depression in the top wall of a beam and a ledge having a generally vertical aperture therethrough; (b) two pins, each pin having a threaded transverse opening therethrough; (c) screw means for inserting through each suspension member ledge aperture and threaded into a pin; and (d) channel means for fastening to the work station module and for receiving the pins to suspend the channel means and work station module from the pins.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The modular apparatus of claim 14 wherein the work station module is a work surface, and wherein the channel means is adapted to support the work surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The modular apparatus of claim 14 wherein the work station module is a file cabinet, and wherein the channel means is adapted to fasten to the top wall of the file cabinet.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The modular apparatus of claim 1 wherein the work surface includes shell means for alternatively receiving a selected service module and a cover plate module.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
57 words
The modular apparatus of claim 17 wherein the service module comprises: (a) upstanding column means for supporting at least one selected office service above the work surface; (b) column base means resiliently pressed into the shell means for guiding and supporting the column means; and (c) mounting means for anchoring the column means to the column base.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The modular apparatus of claim 18 wherein the service module includes an electric light.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The modular apparatus of claim 18 wherein the service module includes vertically adjustable swingable means for holding selected office equipment.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
53 words
The modular apparatus of claim 18 wherein the column base means includes a hinged cover adapted to alternatively open to allow a wire to pass through the column base means and work surface and to close to a position flush with the column base means and work surface when no wire passes therethrough.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
49 words
The modular apparatus of claim 17 wherein the cover plate module includes a hinged cover adapted to alternatively open to allow a wire to pass through the cover plate module and to close to a position flush with the cover plate and work surface when no wire passes therethrough.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
50 words
The modular apparatus of claim 1 wherein the vertical supports define generally hollow interiors to permit a plurality of wires to pass therethrough to enter the beam members, and wherein at least one vertical support includes an aperture for passing the wires from office outlets to the vertical support interior.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
The modular apparatus of claim 23 further comprising a plurality of upwardly open wire trays carried by the beam members to separate the wires while allowing unobstructed installation of the wires from above.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
The modular apparatus of claim 23 further comprising electrical socket means carried by the beam members and connected to wires in the vertical support for providing electrical power to selected electric equipment at a work station.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
100 words
The modular apparatus of claim 3, wherein each said longitudinal connecting means comprises a connector formed by two concave plates arranged with their concavities facing in opposite directions and inserted into the ends of the beams to be joined; one of said con cave plates having at least one middle threaded through hole, and a threaded pin being provided to adjustably engage a respective said threaded hole and to extend into contact with the other of said concave plates so as to push them apart and force them into contact with respective internal surfaces of said beams to be joined.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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