Patent US3685507A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3873170A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Attachment means for modular furniture construction
Assignee: Steelcase Inc
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Filing: 1973-07-23
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Granted: 1975-03-25
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Expires: 1993-07-23
Abstract
Abstract A wing unit is joined to a desk by a bracket system in which a first bracket is joined to the desk top, a second bracket is joined to the wing unit and the two brackets are joined to one another. The desk top bracket includes two generally parallel flanges joined by a step flange, each flange including means for joining to the wing unit bracket. The wing unit bracket is generally channel-shaped, including two spaced generally parallel flanges, each being adapted for joining to either of the flanges of the desk top bracket. The desk top bracket can be oriented with either of its flanges adjacent the wing unit, and this adjacent flange can be joined to either the top or bottom flange of the wing unit bracket, thereby making it possible to join together desks and wing units of several different relative heights.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas Scheerhorn
- 👤 Ronald R Hodges
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 21:07
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47B; A47B17/00; A47B17/03; F; F16; F16B; F16B12/00; F16B12/10; F16B12/12; F16B12/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A furniture system including a wing unit or the like, a desk unit or the like and attaching means for attaching the wing unit to the desk, said attaching means comprising: a first bracket having first securing means for securing said first bracket to a desk; a second bracket having second securing means for securing said second bracket to a wing unit; joining means joining said first and second brackets together; one of said first and second brackets including first and second joining points for cooperating with said joining means; said joining means cooperating with said one bracket at one of said first and second joining points; said one bracket being adapted for securing to its respective desk or wing unit with either its first or second joining point in position adjacent the other of said brackets; said first and second joining points being on different levels whereby desks and wing units of several different relative heights can be joined together by effecting an appropriate one of the alternative arrangements of said brackets.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
A furniture system including a wing unit or the like, a desk unit or the like and attaching means for attaching the wing unit to the desk, said attaching means comprising: a first bracket having first securing means for securing said first bracket to a desk; a second bracket having second securing means for securing said second bracket to a wing unit; joining means joining said first and second brackets together; one of said first and second brackets including first and second joining points for cooperating with said joining means; said joining means cooperating with said one bracket at one of said first and second joining points; said one bracket being adapted for securing to its respective desk or wing unit with either its first or second joining point in position adjacent the other of said brackets; said first and second joining points being on different levels whereby desks and wing units of several different relative heights can be joined together by effecting an appropriate one of the alternative arrangements of said brackets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
The furniture system of claim 1 in which said first and second joining points of said one bracket are on first and second flanges, said first and second flanges projecting away from one another in generally opposite directions whereby when one of said flanges is adjacent said other of said brackets, the other of said flanges projects away therefrom to a position generally beneath its respective desk or wing unit whereby it is generally hidden from view.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The furniture system of claim 2 in which the other of said brackets also includes first and second joining points for cooperating with said joining means; said joining means cooperating with said other bracket at one of its said first and second joining points; said first and second joining points of said other bracket being on different levels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The furniture system of claim 3 in which said first and second joining points of said other bracket are on flanges which are generally parallel to one another and which project towards said one bracket in generally the same direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The furniture system of claim 1 in which said first and second joining points of said one bracket are on flanges which are generally parallel to one another and which project towards said one bracket in generally the same direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
165 words
A furniture system including a wing unit or the like, a desk or the like, and attaching means for attaching the wing unit to the desk, said attaching means comprising: a first bracket having first and second generally parallel flanges projecting in generally opposite directions and being joined by a step flange therebetween; means on said first flange for securing said first bracket to the top of said desk or the like with said second flange projecting either forwardly in the direction of the front of said top or rearwardly away therefrom; a second bracket having a base and a flange projecting generally laterally from said base, said base including means for securing said second bracket to said wing unit with said flange either above or below said base; joining means for joining said second bracket flange alternatively to either said first flange or said second flange of said first bracket whereby desks and wing units of several different relative heights can be joined together.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
165 words
A furniture system including a wing unit or the like, a desk or the like, and attaching means for attaching the wing unit to the desk, said attaching means comprising: a first bracket having first and second generally parallel flanges projecting in generally opposite directions and being joined by a step flange therebetween; means on said first flange for securing said first bracket to the top of said desk or the like with said second flange projecting either forwardly in the direction of the front of said top or rearwardly away therefrom; a second bracket having a base and a flange projecting generally laterally from said base, said base including means for securing said second bracket to said wing unit with said flange either above or below said base; joining means for joining said second bracket flange alternatively to either said first flange or said second flange of said first bracket whereby desks and wing units of several different relative heights can be joined together.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
103 words
The furniture system of claim 6 in which said desk top includes a recess on the underside thereof; said first bracket being adapted to be secured to said desk top with said step flange and said second flange projecting alternatively either downwardly and forwardly from said first flange, generally towards the front edge of said desk top, or upwardly and rearwardly from said first flange, generally away from the front edge of said desk top; said recess being positioned such that when said step flange and second flange are oriented upwardly and rearwardly from said first flange, they are positioned in said recess.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
The furniture system of claim 7 in which said second bracket is generally channel-shaped, having a top flange and a bottom flange projecting laterally from said base flange, said top and bottom flanges projecting in the same direction, generally towards said desk; said joining means including means for joining alternatively either said top or said bottom flange of said second bracket to either said first or second flange of said first bracket.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
The furniture system of claim 8 which includes a trim piece, said trim piece including means for securing to said wing unit and a face flange projecting from the end of said wing unit above said second bracket whereby said second bracket and said joining means joining said first and second brackets are masked from view by said trim piece.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
75 words
The furniture system of claim 9 in which said trim piece includes a ridge which is generally flush with the top surface of said wing unit, said face flange projecting from said ridge on a lower level than said top of said wing unit whereby said desk top can be tilted forwardly with its lower front edge positioned below the level of said wing unit top, generally adjacent said face flange of said trim piece.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
72 words
The furniture system of claim 6 in which said second bracket is generally channel-shaped, having a top flange and a bottom flange projecting laterally from said base flange, said top and bottom flanges projecting in the same direction, generally towards said desk; said joining means including means for joining alternatively either said top or said bottom flange of said second bracket to either said first or second flange of said first bracket.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
60 words
The furniture system of claim 6 which includes a trim piece, said trim piece including means for securing to said wing unit and a face flange projecting from the end of said wing unit above said second bracket whereby said second bracket and said joining means joining said first and second brackets are masked from view by said trim piece.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
75 words
The furniture system of claim 12 in which said trim piece includes a ridge which is generally flush with the top surface of said wing unit, said face flange projecting from said ridge on a lower level than said top of said wing unit whereby said desk top can be tilted forwardly with its lower front edge positioned below the level of said wing unit top, generally adjacent said face flange of said trim piece.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-24 | 1978-09-23 | 1979-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-24 | 1982-09-23 | 1983-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-24 | 1986-09-23 | 1987-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |