Furniture system

Abstract: A furniture system (1) is particularly adapted to support group activities in open plans, and the like. A plurality of columns (3) support an overhead framework (4) on the floor (5) of a building in a freestanding fashion at a predetermined elevation, generally above average user height. A plurality of individual panels (6) are provided, wherein each panel is constructed to permit easy, manual, bodily translation of the same by an adult user. A hanger arrangement (170) is associated with the overhead framework, and cooperates with connectors (8) on the panels to detachably suspend the panels at various locations along the overhead framework and permit sliding of the panels along the 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.

Description: 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 emphasising 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. An object of the present invention is to provide a furniture system that is particularly adapted to effectively and efficiently support group work activities in open plans, and the like. According to the present invention, there is provided a furniture system particularly adapted for use in open plans, and the like, comprising: an overhead support positioned above an open floor surface of an associated building room; an overhead support column having a lower portion thereof abutting the floor surface of the building room and an upper portion thereof connected with said overhead support to rigidly interconnect the same, such that said column is freestanding on the floor surface, a plurality of individual panels, each being constructed to permit easy, manual, bodily translation of the same by an adult user, and including means for detachably connecting the same with said overhead support in a manner in which each of said panels hangs downwardly from said overhead support in a generally vertical orientation, and is readily and easily removable therefrom by the user; and hanger means associated with said overhead support, and cooperating with the detachable connecting means of said panels to permit each of said panels to be individually and detachably hung at various locations along said overhead support, characterised in that a plurality of said overhead support columns are provided, and arranged to support said overhead support thereon 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 by the furniture system to facilitate user passage thereunder and that said hanger means and said panel connecting means include means for permitting said panels to be manually slid horizontally along said overhead support to facilitate configuring and reconfiguring said panels. Various systems have been proposed for providing moving panels and for supporting panels but are not concerned with the same considerations as the present invention. Thus, movable free-standing partitions are available and these could be assembled in such a way as to enclose a working space within a building. The specification of US-A-4291811 which represents the prior art as referred to in the preamble of claim 1 describes a portable display stand which may be used for displaying works of art and merchandise in pre-packaged form. The display stand has a base in the form of a cross resting on the floor, five columns comprising a central column extending upwards from the centre of the cross and four outer columns extending upwards from the outer ends of the arms of the cross, and a top in the form of a cross connected to the tops of the columns. Panels of peg-board are hung on hooks from the arms of the top. The panels do not enclose space and the presence of the base and the central column preclude the floor space defined by the display stand being generally unobstructed so that people can pass over this floor space. Preferably, the overhead support comprises a framework comprising a plurality of substantially like frame segment detachably interconnected in an end-to-end fashion to form a rigid structure having a closed top plan perimeter. 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. It is possible to construct a system which is 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 may be 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. Provision may be made for routing both power and signal capabilities throughout the overhead framework and the columns to support electrical and 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. Specially designed mobile carts may be provided to assist in the temporary storage and/or transport of the panels, and can also serve as portable partitions and/or displays. The panels may have detachable connectors having an uncomplicated design that securely mount the same on, for example, 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 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 and may be designed to be 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 description of one furniture system given by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 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 an exploded, perspective view of the furniture system, showing connectors attaching beam segments of an overhead framework to the columns. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a panel. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the panel shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a front elevational view of a panel connector. Fig. 10 is a side elevational view of the panel connector. Fig. 11 is a fragmentary, side-elevational view of the furniture system, showing a panel hung from an associated perimeter beam segment. Fig. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the panel and beam segment. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a mobile cart. Fig. 14 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the mobile cart, shown with a panel hung on one side thereon for storage. For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper", "right", " left", "rear", "front", "vertical", "horizontal", and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in Figs. 1-3. However, it is to understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. The reference numeral 1, (Fig. 1) generally designates a furniture system embodying the present invention. Furniture system 1 is particularly adapted to support group work activities in open plans, and the like, such as the illustrated open office space 2. In the illustrated furniture system 1, a plurality of posts or columns 3 support an overhead support or framework 4 on the floor 5 of the open office space 2 in a freestanding fashion at a predetermined elevational, generally above average user height. A plurality of individual panels 6 are provided, wherein each panel 6 is constructed to permit easy, manual bodily translation of the same by an adult user. A hanger arrangement 7 is associated with overhead framework 4, and cooperates with connectors 8 on panel 6 to detachably suspend panels 6 at various locations along overhead framework 4. Panels 6 are manually reconfigurable between many different arrangements, such as the configurations shown in Figs. 1-3, to efficiently and effectively support different group and/or individual work activities. Preferably, panels 6 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. In the illustrated example, open office space 2 (Fig. 1) is located in an open corner area of an associated building, immediately adjacent to a plurality of conventional workstations 12, which may be formed by arrangements such as the illustrated partition panels 13, and/or modular furniture units 14. In the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 & 2, at least some of the conventional workstations 12 are preferably oriented so that they open outwardly to the open space 2 in which furniture system 1 is located, so as to provide convenient access to any participant workers. As best illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, columns 3 have a substantially identical construction, wherein each comprises a core assembly 18, a foot assembly 19, and a beam connector assembly 20. Core assembly 18 (Fig. 5) includes an elongated, rigid weldment 21, which extends continuously between foot assembly 19 and beam connector assembly 20. Weldment 21 comprises two, substantially identical, formed channel segments positioned in a back-to-back fashion, with the edges between the flanges fixedly interconnected. The resultant structure forms a central tube 31 having a substantially square lateral cross-sectional shape, with two pairs of flanges extending outwardly from central tube 31. A pair of removable column covers 44 and 45 (Figs. 4 & 5) are provided to enclose the opposite sides of core assembly 18. Column covers 44 and 45 have a substantially identical construction, each including a generally, semi-circularly shaped exterior panel 46 with a pair of inwardly facing, L-shaped flanges 47 extending along the opposite sides thereof. Each column cover 44 and 45 also includes a pair of upper registration plates 50 mounted on the interior surface of panel 46 adjacent the upper end thereof, and a lower registration plate 51 and associated depending pin 52 adjacent the lower end of panel 46. Column cover registration pin 52 is shaped to be received in a mating aperture 52' in foot assembly 19, and upper registration plates 50 and 51 are fastened to a split, top cover 53 of core assembly 18. A pair of external raceway access covers 54 and 55 are also included in core assembly 18, and have a shallow, U-shaped configuration, comprising a flat exterior plate, and inwardly turned, opposite side edges that are received in the exteriormost grooves of external raceways 37 and 38 to form a snap-lock therebetween. Raceway covers 54 and 55 are shaped to enclose that portion of the external raceways 37 and 38 in which associated electrical units are not mounted. As best illustrated in Fig. 4, external raceways 37 and 38, as well as their associated covers 54 and 55 respectively, are inset from the exterior surfaces of column covers 44 & 45, thereby forming a pair of external grooves 62 which extend longitudinally along diametrically opposed sides of column 3. The external grooves 62 are interrupted by the outwardly protruding electrical units mounted within the external raceways 37 and 38, such as the switch 60 and receptacle or socket 61 shown in Fig. 5. In the furniture system 1 illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, overhead framework 4 has a circular top plan configuration, comprising a plurality of arcuately shaped perimeter beam segments 115, and generally straight cross beam segments 116. The illustrated overhead framework 4 comprises eight, substantially identical perimeter beam segments 115, and four, substantially identical cross beam segments 116, all of which are interconnected, and in turn attached to eight columns 3 by various type of connectors 117, as described in greater detail hereinafter. With reference to Fig. 6, each perimeter beam segment 115 has a substantially I-shaped, lateral cross-sectional configuration, comprising a central web with upper and lower flanges each of which includes a pair of side flanges. The opposite ends of perimeter beam segments 115 are equipped to detachably interconnect adjacent beam segments 115. Snap-on, removable beam covers 145 are provided to selectively enclose the space between the upper flanges and the middle intermediate flanges of beam segments 115. Each perimeter beam segment 115 has associated therewith both an inner and an outer one of the beam covers 145 associated therewith to enclose the upper portions of both sides of the beam segment 115. Each illustrated beam cover 145 is slightly longer than the length of the side face of the beam segment 115 it is covering, and extends generally to the centerline of the associated column 3 at which the ends of the perimeter beam segments 115 are interconnected, so as to provide a substantially continuous enclosure or cover over the exterior of overhead framework 4. The multi-flanged configuration of perimeter beam segments 115, particularly in conjunction with beam covers 145, form utility ways or channels which assist in the operation of furniture system 1. In the illustrated example, the two spaces between the upper flange and top intermediate flange define a pair of raceways that are particularly adapted to route cabling or similar low voltage wires therethrough, such as wiring for communications equipment, data lines, signal lines, and the like. The cable raceways are easily accessed from either side of perimeter beam segment 115 by simply removing the associated beam cover 145. The cable raceways in perimeter beam segments 115 also communicate with the interior cable raceways in the columns 3. The two spaces between the top intermediate flange and middle intermediate flange also define a pair of raceways, which are particularly adapted to route power wires through the furniture system 1. Electrical power wires connected with conventional building sources, or the like, are routed through the power raceways to provide electrical power to various locations throughout the furniture system. Power raceways communicate with the interior power raceways in columns 3. The spaces between the middle intermediate flange and bottom intermediate flange form a pair of raceways in which two electrical lighting bus strips are mounted. The illustrated electrical bus strips 158 have a conventional construction, and are adapted to mount associated lighting fixtures 159 therein, such as the track system marketed under the brand "STAFF"® by Staff Sales, Inc. of Highland, New York. Each lighting fixture 159 includes a snap-lock connector at its inner end which mates with electrical bus by axially rotating lighting fixture 159, thereby mechanically attaching lighting fixture 159 to the electrical bus, and simultaneously making an electrical connection therebetween. Cross beam segments 116 are substantially identical, and each has a vertical cross-sectional shape somewhat similar to that of a perimeter beam segment 115, except that cross beam segments 116 are slightly taller or thicker in the vertical direction to provide increased structural support to span the interior of overhead framework 4 without sagging. With reference to Fig. 6, different style connectors 117 are provided to interconnect perimeter beam segments 115, cross beam segments 116, and columns 3 into different configurations. The furniture system 1 shown in Figs. 1-3 has a column 3, and an associated connector 117, at each end of each perimeter beam segment 115. Cross beam segments 116 are arranged in an "X" top plan configuration, wherein each cross beam segment 116 is disposed approximately 90 degrees from the next adjacent cross beam segment 116. The exterior ends of cross beam segments 116 are connected with associated perimeter beam segments 115 at every other column 3. The interior ends of cross beam segments 116 are interconnected with one another, so as to span the entire width or interior of overhead framework 4 to avoid interference with free movement within furniture system 1. In the furniture system 1, three different types of connectors 117 (Fig. 6) are provided, comprising an in-line connector 220, which is adapted to interconnect two adjacent perimeter beam segments 115 in an end-to-end fashion, a T-connector 221, which is designed to interconnect two adjacent perimeter beam segments 115 and an associated cross beam segment 116 in a "T" configuration, and an X-connector 222 (Fig. 3), which is adapted to interconnect the four interior ends of cross beam segments 116 in a mutually perpendicular relationship. Connectors 220-222 have a somewhat similar type of construction, and are detachably connected with the associated ends of beam segments 115 and 116 by threaded fasteners or the like, such that the entire furniture system 1 can be readily disassembled and reassembled at new locations. Beam connectors 220-222 and their associated detachable fasteners permit furniture system 1 to be readily disassembled and reassembled at new sites. This knock-down feature of furniture system 1 is particularly important in supporting team projects, which are typically of rather limited duration. By using relatively short beam segments 115 and 116 interconnected end-to-end by beam connectors 220-222, the overall size of the knocked down furniture system 1 is sufficiently compact that it can be transported within a conventional building elevator, which is an important feature in modern office complexes. When erected, furniture system 1 is rigid, and completely freestanding, such that it can be moved within a selected space without being disassembled. As is apparent from the drawings, furniture system 1 may be provided in many different shapes and sizes. In one working embodiment of the furniture system 1 shown in Figs. 1-3, the diameter of circular framework is approximately 9.14 m (thirty feet), occupying around 65 m» (seven hundred square feet) of floor space, and is elevated above the floor surface a distance in the range of 1.83-21.3 m (6-7 feet). An elevation of 2.03 m (eighty inches) has been found suitable to accommodate even tall users, yet permit shorter users to readily manipulate panels 6 on overhead framework 4. Each panel 6 (Figs. 7-10) is constructed to permit easy, manual bodily translation of the same by an adult user throughout the furniture system 1, as well as outside furniture system 1. Preferably, panel 6 is generally rigid and lightweight to facilitate manual handling, and in the illustrated example, comprises an open frame 298 extending about the margin of panel 6, and lightweight core 299 mounted within frame 298. The panel 6 illustrated in Fig. 8 has a soft wood frame 298, and a foam core 299 positioned within frame 298. Two fabric layers 300, each with an associated underlying polyester layer (not shown) cover the opposite faces of perimeter frame 298 and core 299, and a flexible bumper 301 is attached to the outer edges of frame 298 to protect panel 6. The laminate fabric cover 300 and foam core 299 create tackable surfaces on the opposite sides of panel 6 for information display purposes, and the like. In one working embodiment of the present invention, panel 6 has an overall thickness of approximately 25.4 mm (one inch), a height of approximately 91-203 cms (36-80 inches), and a width of around 76-127 cms (30-50 inches), such that its total weight is approximately 6.8-13.6 kg (15-30 pounds) to facilitate manually hanging, and removing the same from overhead framework 4. Each of the illustrated panels 6 includes a pair of panel connectors 8, which are shaped to be received in one of the panel hanger rails 170 of overhead framework 4 to detachably hang the associated panel 6 at various locations along overhead support 4. In the illustrated example, each panel connector 8 comprises a pair of hanger plates 304 having a substantially Z-shaped side elevation configuration. Hanger plates 304 are interconnected in a back-to-back relationship by means such as the illustrated rivets 305, thereby forming a downwardly opening U-shaped flange 306 at the lower end of panel connector 8. The upper edge of panel 6 is inserted in-between the opposite sides of U-shaped flange 306, and three fasteners 307 are inserted through the assembly to securely mount each connector 8 on the upper edge of panel 6. Each of the illustrated panels 6 has two panel connectors 8, positioned adjacent opposite sides of the panel 6. A pair of anti-friction glides 308 are mounted adjacent the upper end of each hanger plate 304 on the opposite sides thereof to slidingly support panel 6 on the free edges of panel hanger rails 170 and 216. In the illustrated example, each glide 308 comprises a disc-shaped bearing constructed from an anti-friction material, such as nylon, delrin or the like, with a linear slot 310 extending along the lowermost portion thereof. An axially positioned fastener 311 securely mounts each glide 308 to its associated hanger plate 304, and retains the same in position, with notch 310 facing downwardly, and oriented substantially parallel with the upper edge of panel 6. Circular cover plates 312 are recessed into the exterior ends of glides 308, and serve as decorative washers for fasteners 311. Panel 6 can be readily mounted on either side of any perimeter beam segment 115, or cross beam segment 116. The selected panel 6 is manually grasped, and translated to that section of the overhead framework 4 on which the panel 6 is desired to be hung, and the glides 308 on panel 6 are then inserted into the panel hanger rail 170. For example, when panel 6 is hung on the exterior side of a perimeter beam segment 115, the upper edge 127 of lower beam flange 123 is received within the two notches 310 of panel glides 308. The width of bearing slot 310 is greater than the width of corresponding flange upper edge 127, such that panel 6 can be readily mounted on either a curved, perimeter beam segment 115, or a straight, cross-beam segment 16. The shape of panels 6 and their associated connectors 8 in conjunction with hanger rails 170 also permits panels 6 to be hung back-to-back on opposite sides of beam segments 115 and 116, without interfering with one another. Antifriction bearings 309 permit each panel 6 to be individually slid horizontally along the overhead framework 4 to facilitate the configuration and reconfiguration of panels 6. Panels 6 may be provided with an acoustic interior construction to attenuate the transmission of sound into and out of furniture system 1. One example of such an acoustic construction is illustrated in Fig. 8, wherein a pair of textile layers 300 overlie a foam core 299. Core 299 may also include a honeycomb panel, sound attenuating bats, and/or other types of sound absorbing devices. Panels 6 may also be provided with one or more display surfaces for storyboarding, and the like. The display panel may include other types of display surfaces, such as a chalkboard, reflective projector screen and/or electronic or video display. The display panels are preferably provided in a number of different shapes and sizes to accommodate the various needs of the users. The detachable mounting aspect of the display panels in conjunction with their ready portability permits them to be easily moved from one portion of furniture system 1 to another portion thereof, such as when the furniture system is reconfigured for either group or break-out activities. Furthermore, the display panels can also be easily transported to other locations, such as the user's permanent workstation, to provide data storage, and thereby avoid duplication, and improve work efficiency. One or more mobile carts 430 (Figs. 13 & 14) may be used to assist in any such transport of the display panels, and may also be used to temporarily store or support the display panels, particularly when the display panels are moved outside of furniture system 1. Furniture system 1 is preferably capable of routing both power and cable wires throughout columns 3 and overhead framework 4 to facilitate the use of electronic equipment throughout the furniture system, and can even serve as a means to wire open office space 2. The core assembly 18 of each column 3 includes an internal power raceway 58, and an internal cable raceway 59 through which power and signal cables are routed vertically through a major portion of the associated column 3, and provide structure on which various types of electronic devices can be mounted within the interior of column 3. The U-shaped covers extend continuously along, and enclose the open sides of internal wiring raceways 58 and 59, respectively. Column covers 44 and 45 are configured to totally enclose all of the internal electronic devices. Both power and cable wires can be routed upwardly from column 3, through the associated connector 220-222, and into one or more beam segments 115-116. Power wires and cable wires can also be routed vertically downwardly along column 3, through the foot assembly 19, and connected to associated electrical sources, such as through a platform, access floor, or the floor of the building. Furniture system 1 preferably includes some additional, optional accessories, such as different style covers for columns 3 and overhead framework 4, so that the exterior appearance of furniture system 1 can be varied without altering its structural configuration. Alternatively shaped extensions are also available, which replace the covers for beam segments 115 and/or 116 to provide additional storage for wiring. It is to be understood that the furniture system may be used solely as an information display, apart from any partitioning or space dividing function. The extent to which any given furniture system 1 performs partitioning and/or display function can be easily selected by the space author in determining the size, shape and position of the furniture system within a given floor space, and can also be varied by the space user in selecting the type of panels 6 to be hung on overhead framework 4, and the precise location at which the panels 6 are to be hung. The furniture systems described herein are configured in a manner that is capable of providing some degree of both partitioning and display functions, if the space user chooses to use the same. As is apparent from the foregoing description, the size and shape of furniture system 1 can be varied greatly to complement and/or cooperate with the architectural configuration of the room in which the furniture system is to be erected and used. The modular or kit nature of furniture system 1 requires relatively few different parts, such as columns 3, beam segments 115 & 116, and connectors 117, to design and construct virtually any type or style of system desired. This kit type of construction not only minimises manufacturing and distribution costs, but also results in substantial savings to the end user. Since group work projects are typically temporary, the need for the associated support furnishings is also normally of limited duration. When a specific furniture system 1 is no longer required to support its associated authoring group, it may be readily disassembled and stored for future uses. Because of its modular construction, the disassembled furniture parts can be used at some future date to construct a similar style furniture unit, or can be used with other parts to construct a completely different style furniture system 1. The user simply creates an inventory of modular furniture pieces, which can be used repeatedly in different furniture system layouts to achieve both maximum cost efficiency, and support effectiveness. In one contemplated example of furniture system 1, even after the selected system has been designed and erected at a selected location, should the needs of the users change, such as to require more group meeting space, more break-out space, more display capability, smaller individual workspaces, etc., the selected furniture system 1 can be readily altered to accommodate for these new needs. In another example of furniture system 1, the designer may elect to arrange the modular pieces in a manner which complements or imitates the shape of the space in which the furniture system is to be used. Hence, an effective custom furniture system can be readily provided for even irregularly shaped building spaces, or other such spaces that are not readily adapted for use with conventional furnishings. Furniture system 1 is extremely dynamic, and is particularly adapted to efficiently and effectively support group work activities in open plans and the like. As best illustrated in Fig. 1, furniture system 1 can perform a partitioning function by hanging panels 6 about at least selected portions of the perimeter beam segments 115, so as to separate the interior of furniture system 1 from the remainder of the open office space 2. In this configuration, the space defined by furniture system 1 is particularly adapted to support group communications and activities, such as lectures and team meetings. When the problem solving team needs to breakout into smaller sub-groups, or even individual workers for further, more specific activities, the existing panels 6 can be easily reconfigured, and/or additional panels 6 can be readily hung on beam segments 115 and 116 to sub-partition the space within furniture system 1, as illustrated in Fig. 2, for breakout communications and activities. When the team is not meeting, all panels 6 may be removed from overhead framework 4 to permit free movement throughout the floor space occupied by furniture system 1. Mobile carts 430 greatly facilitate the configuration and reconfiguration of panels 6 on overhead framework 4, and can also serve as an independent partition and/or display. Display panels may also be hung from overhead framework 4 to assist in group communications. Task lighting 159 may be either reoriented, or removed bodily from overhead framework 4 and reattached at new locations to provide adequate lighting for both group and/or breakout activities. Since many of the accessories associated with furniture system 1 can be user manipulated and/or adjusted, such as the partition panels, the display panels, the lighting fixtures, the mobile carts, as well as any associated furniture, the users gain a sense of space ownership by virtue of their ability to personalise the space being used. The users can create their own office environment by simply selecting and incorporating the furniture accessories desired. The number and location of panels 6 is adjusted to achieve that precise balance of worker privacy and worker interaction as the specific occasion warrants, and/or is desired. The office environment so created is not static, but rather can be readily altered by either the space author to meet changing needs, or by a different user to accommodate new tasks and/or likings. This flexibility promotes worker creativity and encourages teamwork and collaboration, which in turn enhances group performance. Furniture system 1 may be used in a wide variety of different ways, and is particularly adapted for conferencing, brainstorming, training, decision making, and other similar activities. The flexibility of furniture system 1 is beneficial not only for these types of planned group functions, but also supports spontaneous or ad-hoc interaction among colleagues. The open configuration of overhead framework 4 prevents interference with other building facilities, such as building lighting, fire detection and suppression equipment, HVAC, etc. Appliances, such as telephones, computers, copiers, coffee makers, and other similar equipment can be plugged into the power and communication taps on columns 3, such that furniture system 1 is completely self-sufficient, and is versatile and adaptable to tailor the same to the specific needs of the occasion.

Claims: A furniture system (1) particularly adapted for use in open plans, and the like, comprising: an overhead support (4) positioned in use above an open floor surface (5) of an associated building room; an overhead support column (3) having a lower portion thereof abutting in use the floor surface of the building room and an upper portion thereof connected with said overhead support to rigidly interconnect the same, such that said column is freestanding in use on the floor surface, a plurality of individual panels (6), each being constructed to permit easy, manual, bodily translation of the same by an adult user, and including means (8) for detachably connecting the same with said overhead support in a manner in which each of said panels hangs downwardly from said overhead support in a generally vertical orientation, and is readily and easily removable therefrom by the user; and hanger means (170) associated with said overhead support, and cooperating with the detachable connecting means (4) of said panels to permit each of said panels to be individually and detachably hung at various locations along said overhead support, characterised in that a plurality of said overhead support columns (3) are provided, and arranged to support in use said overhead support thereon 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 in use generally unobstructed by the furniture system to facilitate user passage thereunder and that said hanger means and said panel connecting means include means (308,310) for permitting said panels to be manually slid horizontally along said overhead support (4) to facilitate configuring and reconfiguring said panels. A furniture system according to claim 1 wherein said overhead support (4) is configured to permit said panels (6) 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 overhead support and stored to permit free movement through the workspace. A furniture system according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said overhead support (4) is configured to permit said panels (6) to be removably hung therefrom and reconfigurable between at least a first arrangement wherein said 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 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. A furniture system according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein said overhead support has a closed, top plan perimeter. A furniture system according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein said overhead support includes at least one substantially rigid cross beam (116) having said hanger means (170) thereon to facilitate configuring and reconfiguring said panels. A furniture system according to any of claims 1 to 5 wherein said hanger means (170) comprises an inverted "T"-shaped rail extending substantially continuously along a lowermost edge of said overhead support, with a pair of upstanding flanges (127) along opposite sides thereof on which said detachable connecting means (8) on said panels (6) is abuttingly supported to removably hang said panels along opposite sides of each portion of said overhead support. A furniture system according to any of claims 1 to 6 wherein said panels are generally rigid to facilitate manually handling the same, preferably have an acoustic construction to attenuate sound transmission into and out of said furniture system, and preferably have at least one side thereof with means for displaying information. A furniture system according to any of claims 1 to 8 wherein said overhead support (4) and said columns (3) are detachably interconnected to facilitate quickly and easily assembling and disassembling said furniture system at different locations. A furniture system according to any of claims 1 to 8 wherein said columns (3) and said overhead support (4) include means for routing wires therealong to equip said furniture system with power and signal. A furniture system according to any of claims 1 to 9 wherein said columns (3) and said overhead support (4) have detachable covers (54,55,145) to vary the exterior appearance of said furniture system. A furniture system according to any of claims 1 to 10 wherein said overhead support (4) includes means for detachably mounting task lighting (159) thereon. A furniture system according to any of claims 1 to 11 wherein the overhead support (4) comprises a framework comprising a plurality of substantially like frame segments (115) detachably interconnected in an end-to-end fashion to form a rigid structure having a closed top plan perimeter.

Inventors: BODDEN KURT S, CORNELL PAUL T, DRAUDT GREGG R, LUCHETTI ROBERT J, ZIMMER LINDA K, BODDEN, KURT S., CORNELL, PAUL T., DRAUDT, GREGG R., LUCHETTI, ROBERT J., ZIMMER, LINDA K.
Applicants: STEELCASE INC, STEELCASE INC.
Application year: 1992
Main classification: E04B2
IPC codes: E04B1, E04H1, A47B21, E06B3, A47B96, E04B2, E05D15, G09F15