Abstract:
Arrangements of modular furniture may be set in place and computer equipment may then be cabled together without moving any module of the arrangement. Modules include a base having file storage, a base having computer power controls, and a base supporting a desk. Each module may provide a wiring access opening on each side to define an aligned wiring passage through as many base modules as needed for a particular arrangement. Exposed wiring access openings may be disguised by a sliding plate that completes the trim of the base, covers the opening, and conceals the fact that an opening exists.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate to modular furniture for use with electronic equipment and particularly to wiring passages between modules. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Office and home-office furniture typically supports a computer system, entertainment system, or communication system formed from electronic equipment cabled together and cabled to utility receptacles for access to facility wiring for power, telephone, video, radio, intercom, security, and data networks. With interest in offices located in residences, there is a growing demand for office furniture that is finished to coordinate with residential furniture. Conventional wiring passages and covers detract from the aesthetic finish of known office furniture of the type amendable to coordination with residential furniture. Without an aesthetically pleasing and practically functional furniture module having a wiring passage and cover, the market for home-office furniture cannot be fully satisfied. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Solving the problems presented above, a furniture system, according to various aspects of the present invention, includes several furniture modules arranged with one abutting the next. Each module includes a first outer surface and a second outer surface, each outer surface having a respective channel and a respective aperture located within the respective channel. Each interface between abutting modules comprises at least two outer surfaces positioned to align respective apertures of the outer surfaces for passage of cabling between modules of the system. The system also includes several covers each slidingly engaged in a respective outer surface not included at any interface to conceal the respective aperture. 
     Covering an aperture with a sliding cover may eliminate the need for fasteners to keep the cover in place and may eliminate from view any indication that the aperture exists behind the cover. The exposed lines of the channel may be incorporated into the trim design of the furniture, providing an integral appearance. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     Embodiments of the present invention will now be further described with reference to the drawing, wherein like designations denote like elements, and: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective plan view of a furniture system according to various aspects of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective plan view of the furniture system of FIG. 1 from another point of view; 
     FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a base module for supporting a computer in the furniture system of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a portion of a module according to various aspects of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 5,  6 ,  7 , and  8  are cross section views of a channel portion of a module according to various aspects of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of an alternate base module. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A modular furniture system of the present invention provides a wiring passageway between modules; yet, when fully assembled, provides an overall finished, aesthetic appearance. Furniture systems for office and home-office applications typically provide storage (e.g., for business records, papers, books, office tools, etc.) and an operating environment for operating a system of interconnected electronic equipment (e.g., computer systems, telephone and FAX systems, entertainment systems, etc.). Due to the wide variety of storage and operating environments, manufacturing and distribution costs may remain competitive by providing a few (e.g., 3 to 12) standard modules from which the consumer may mix and match to assemble a furniture system having a particular desirable combination of features. For example, furniture system  100  of FIGS. 1 and 2 includes 4 modules which may be arranged in any of over 20 configurations using 2, 3, or 4 of the modules in each configuration and arranging different sides of the modules in abutting relationship. Any surface through which a cable passageway might be needed is provided with a removable cover that when in place provides an aesthetic finished surface and when removed exposes an aperture for passage of cabling. 
     System  100  includes base  102  for file storage, base  103  for equipment support, base  104  for open storage, desk  105  usable from either side, and rolling drawer file  106 . The modules of system  100  are assembled in a conventional manner of common materials used in furniture building (e.g., wood, wood products, laminated products, plastic, metal framework, metal drawer supports, hardware, etc.). 
     Base  102  includes footer  130 , outer surface  132 , and cover  134 . As will be described in detail below, the exposed side  133  of base  102  includes side panel  137  and block  136 . An aperture  135  in side panel  137  is covered by cover  134 . The side of base  102  opposite exposed side  133  (not shown) is constructed in an identical manner with an aperture and provision for a cover; however, such a cover is omitted when cabling (e.g., power cords, wiring, or signal cables) must pass between base modules  102  and  103  to complete the installation of system  100 . 
     Base  103  supports computer equipment including a monitor  110 , keyboard  114 , and power controller  118 . Base  103  includes footer  330 , tray  116 , and lid  112 . Base  103  includes sides (see FIG. 3) identical in structure to exposed side  133  discussed above except that covers for apertures in sides of base  103  are omitted. Cable  109  passes through hole  111  to connect to computer chassis  202  located in base  104  (see FIG.  2 ). Power cable  131  from power controller  118  passes through aligned apertures at interface  140  to connect to a wall mounted receptacle located (for purposes of this discussion) behind base  102 . As shown in FIG. 3, side  333  includes surface  332  that abuts a similar outer surface of base  104 . Surface  332  includes side panel  337  and block  336 . With cover omitted, aperture  335  is open for passage of cabling. 
     Tray  116  and lid  112  may be of the type described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/264,469 to Andreas K. Nielsen, filed Mar. 8, 1999 and incorporated herein by reference. Tray  116  supports a computer keyboard. Lid  112  is coupled to tray  116  for substantially covering the computer keyboard in a first position (not shown) and for providing a first writing surface in a second position (as in FIG.  1 ). Coupling between tray  116  and lid  112  may include, for example, a piano hinge. The interior surface of lid  112  provides the first writing surface. A corresponding exterior surface of lid  112  provides a second writing surface when lid  112  is in the first position and may be used to support reference books and papers. 
     Power controller  118  provides multiple outlets for supplying power to electronic equipment through one or more switches located on the power controller. Power controller  118  may include additional conventional circuits including, for example, circuits for line noise suppression, circuit breaking, voltage monitoring, voltage conversion, and load isolation. 
     Base  104  includes footer  230  and exposed side  233  (see FIG.  2 ). Exposed side  233  (i.e., surface  232 ) includes side panel  237  and block  236 . An aperture  235  in side panel  237  is covered by cover  234 . The side of base  102  opposite exposed side  233  (not shown) is constructed in an identical manner with an aperture and provision for a cover; however, such a cover is omitted when cabling (e.g., power cords, wiring, or signal cables) must pass between base modules  102  and  103  to complete the installation of system  100 . Base  104  supports telephone equipment  108  having a cable  107  that passes through aperture  119  to connect to a wall mounted jack located (for purposes of this discussion) behind base  102 . Base  104  also supports desk  105 . 
     Desk  105  is supported on an integral wall  170  and on base  104 . Desk  105  includes identical and symmetric features (e.g., drawers  171  and  172 ) so that it may be used in an equivalent fashion from either side. Rolling drawer file  106  may be omitted or may be rolled about and placed for access from the opposite side of desk  105 . In an alternate desk (not shown) wall  170  may be constructed as an exposed side as discussed above having an outer surface, an aperture for cable passage, and a cover. With the cover removed, power and signal cables from external equipment (e.g., a floor lamp) may access power controller  118 , facility power receptacles, or facility signal jacks located behind other modules of furniture system  100 . Likewise, power and signal cables from equipment supported by furniture system  100  may be routed through wall  170  to facility power receptacles or signal jacks located beyond the perimeter of furniture system  100 . 
     As shown, base  102  is placed against base  103  so that an outside surface of each abuts at interface  140 . Apertures in each abutting surface are aligned at interface  140  for passage of power and/or signal cables. Likewise, base  104  is placed against base  103  so that an outside surface of each abuts at interface  150 . Apertures in each abutting surface are aligned at interface  150  for passage of power and/or signal cables. In the installation discussed above, telephone equipment  108  is connected to a facility signal jack by cable  107  that passes through aligned apertures at interface  150  and aligned apertures at interface  140 . A power cable from computer chassis  202  passes through aligned apertures at interface  150  to connect to power controller  118 . 
     Bases  102 ,  103 , and  104  may support a conventional hutch to provide, for example, additional shelving, open or covered storage, support for lighting, and support for other electronic equipment. Wiring and cables may pass vertically from each hutch though notched shelving and/or one or more respective apertures  141 ,  142 ,  111 ,  113 ,  117 , or  119  for routing between furniture modules (e.g., different base units or hutches) as discussed above. 
     A footer includes any structural or trim piece located at the lower front extremity of a furniture module. For example, footers  130 ,  230 , and  330  are trim pieces located at the lower front faces of bases  102 ,  104 , and  103 , respectively. Note that footers  130  and  330  meet without a noticeable gap at interface  140 ; and, footers  330  and  230  meet without a noticeable gap at interface  150 . The aesthetic effect of a continuous piece of furniture is obtained whether or not covers on side surfaces at an interface are omitted or installed in part because covers may be installed without increasing the overall width of a furniture module, according to various aspects of the present invention. 
     A cover, according to various aspects of the present invention, includes any structure that appears to be integral to an outer surface when installed. An outer surface, according to various aspects of the present invention, maintains a cover in position without fasteners and maintains an aesthetically pleasing appearance without noticeable discontinuity when the cover is removed. 
     A cover cooperates with an outer surface in any manner providing an integral appearance when installed. For example, the structure and operation of outer surfaces and covers discussed above may be of the type illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. Side  433  includes surface  432  comprising panel  437  and block  436 . Aperture  435  permits passage of cabling through panel  437 . Surface  432  includes channel  431  formed by notch  438  in block  436  and notch  439  in panel  437 . Channel  431  is economically and reliably formed by the cooperation of notches  438  and  439 . Block  436  and panel  437  are joined at interface  420  by any conventional technique after each has been machined to form the respective notch. By an alternate assembly sequence, block  436  is joined to panel  437  and a dove-tail channel is then cut. Footer  430  covers the front end of channel  431 . The rear end of channel  431  is open for the insertion and removal of a cover, as discussed above. 
     With footer  430  removed for purposes of this discussion, cover  534  is seen to occupy channel  431 . Distances between facing surfaces may appear exaggerated for convenience of illustration. Channel  431  holds cover  534  in place and permits sliding movement of cover  534  in channel  431  for installation and removal. 
     Outer surface  432  includes surfaces  522 ,  502  and  504  of panel  437 ; and surfaces  506 ,  508 , and  524  of block  436 . Surfaces  502 ,  504 ,  506 , and  508  form channel  431 . The orientation of surfaces for forming channel  431  may vary from that shown (e.g., almost any combination of straight or curved surfaces may be used) and still accomplish the aforementioned purposes of a channel and cover of the present invention. Channel  431  may have any grooved configuration for retaining cover  534  in place including for example, a dove-tail, circular, elliptical, trapezoidal, or rebetted configuration; or a combination or such configurations or their inverses, a few examples of which are shown in FIGS. 6 through 8. The raised portions  710  and  810  may be provided by attaching a rail or several knob pieces to the side panel portion. Covers may be formed of an integral piece as shown or from two or more pieces joined in any conventional manner. Although notches as shown are formed the full horizontal extent of outer surface  432 , an alternate channel may be formed having notches that extend at least beyond the perimeter of hole  435 . The orientation and placement of channel  431  may vary from the horizontal orientation near the bottom of each base module, as shown and discussed above. For example, channel  431  may be located at any convenient elevation that coordinates with the function or aesthetic design of the furniture system. Further, channel  431  may be oriented diagonally or vertically for sliding removal in a generally downward or upward motion. Channel orientation is less constrained when cover  534  can be installed without sliding, for example, as when bowed to snap into channel  431 , as discussed below. 
     Cover  534  includes surfaces  510 ,  512 ,  514  and  516 . When installed, surface  516  may be coplanar with surfaces  522  and  524  to complete an integral appearance. When cover  534  is formed of flexible material (e.g., plastic or laminate), cover  534  may be bowed and then snapped into channel  431  without sliding. Rear access to channel  431  may be omitted. Cover  534  need not nest precisely within channel  431  and may have any shape amenable to being retained and removed from the channel. 
     Bases  102 ,  103 ,  104  and  903  of FIG. 9 respectively include several features that simplify installation and reconfiguration of cables and wiring including (a) one or more openings (e.g.,  362  in back panel  363 ,  910 ) for entry/exit of power and/or signal cables; (b) a coverable passageway (e.g.,  335 ,  935  and,  945 ) in each side (e.g.,  333 ,  933 , and  943 ); (c) covers (e.g.,  134 ,  234 ) for passageways; (d) an area for routing or stowing wiring or cables (e.g., 129 , or under panels  239 ,  360 , or  966 ); (e) a lower cover (e.g.,  360 ,  966 ) for covering the routing/showing area; (f) cable access apertures  219 ,  971 , and  973  in lower cover (e.g.,  360  and  966 ); and (g) apertures (e.g.,  111 ,  113 ,  911  and  913 ) for vertical cabling or wiring. 
     Openings in back panels may be located at any convenient horizontal or vertical position. Symmetric location of two such openings near coverable passageways and cable access apertures is preferred. Symmetrical location of passageways permits mixing base modules in any order. Lower covers may be provided across any portion of the area. Such covers may be removable, or hinged in any conventional manner. Any suitable wire or cable restraints may be used (e.g., clips, retraction devices, bundling devices, or channels). 
     Any portion of bases  103  and  903  may be further divided with shelving for covered or uncovered storage. For example, base  903  includes drawers  912  and power controller  918  (similar to power controller  118 ). 
     A method of installing a modular furniture system according to various aspects of the present invention includes the steps of (a) planning access to facility power receptacles and signal jacks; (b) removing covers on outer surfaces that will meet at interfaces; (c) installing covers on outer surfaces that will not meet at interfaces; (d) storing covers in an area for routing and storing cables; (e) placing each module so to form various interfaces until all modules are placed in final position without obstructing facility power receptacles or signal jacks (temporary removal of one or more panels, shelves or drawers in some types of modular bases may be desirable); (f) installing (or reinstalling) any panels, shelving, or drawers as desired; (g) installing any equipment as desired on or in one or more modules; and (h) routing power and signal cables through apertures at interfaces as needed to support equipment location or relocation. Note that furniture modules may be placed once in final position and all cabling made necessary by the type or location of equipment may be accomplished without moving any furniture modules. 
     As discussed above by example, furniture modules may include floor-standing and wall mounted structures including cabinetry and overstuffed structures that provide storage and/or support for equipment and/or personnel during use. Modules include any furniture that provides apertures intended to be aligned during installation. A cover for an aperture includes any structure for concealing the aperture or for making the aperture less noticeable. 
     The foregoing description discusses preferred embodiments of the present invention which may be changed or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the claims. While for the sake of clarity of description, several specific embodiments of the invention have been described, the scope of the invention is intended to be measured by the claims as set forth below.