Abstract:
A modular support system for use as structure to support wired and unwired equipment with integrated wire management is disclosed. The system includes different parts which can be assembled in a variety of ways to produce different configurations. The system also includes provisions for managing and concealing all of the wires, chords and lines associated with office and entertainment products.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is directed toward a modular support device. The invention is intended for use as a workstation support structure and allows variable placement of wired equipment and non-wired equipment within a workspace. In addition to wired devices such as personal computer systems, the invention is also useful for supporting various workspace components such as work-surfaces, shelving, and lighting. The invention includes modular components that can be added to form complex support structures meeting various workspace functionality and design objectives. As a modular system, the invention can be used in a wide range of fields and applications. The home office, corporate office, and home entertainment center are examples of where the invention can be applied. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     Most electronic equipment on the market today is dependent on some kind of structural support for proper user interface and functionality. Computers, monitors, keyboards, computer speakers, scanners, fax machines, and various other electronic equipment common in many homes and offices require proper support for use within a workspace. Except for highly specialized applications, these support devices usually take the form of furnishings or furniture related products and accessories. 
     Today, workspaces such as corporate office space, home office space, and home entertainment centers are heavily populated with wired devices and equipment. Wired equipment has increasingly become part of the landscape in homes and offices alike. In retrospect, the electronic revolution is a relatively recent development in the long history of the furniture industry, and has placed a great burden upon it in recent times. For centuries, office workers worked with paper and other media with the freedom to position and interface with their work however they chose on their work-surface, a work-surface uncluttered by bulky electronic equipment and tangled wires. The term “wire” as used throughout this specification and claims, includes wires, lines, cables, chords or any other device that can transmit any signal or any form of power, unless otherwise specifically specified or limited. 
     With the advent of wired input and output devices however, workers were now for the first time in history forced to work in a fixed and stationary position. Due to the relatively recent implementation of such technology, adverse health effects associated with stationary input and output devices have emerged. It has become apparent and widely accepted that working with wired equipment in a stationary or fixed position for extended periods of time can pose health risks to the user. Providing a method for dynamic and variable placement of wired equipment within a workspace allows users the freedom to routinely shift their working positions which can alleviate some of the health risks. 
     It is widely understood among those skilled in the art that implementing such functionality within a workspace will likely reduce heath risks associated with working in fixed positions for extended periods of time or on a routine basis. The capability to dynamically place and configure wired equipment can also help to better utilize workspace area, thus allowing users to function more effectively and efficiently. 
     Prior art, such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,334, provide for dynamic and variable placement of wired equipment by permitting rotation of attached equipment about a single vertical axis; vertical placement is also variable within defined increments along the vertical length of the support device. Several other patents such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,562,987 and 4,783,036 also disclose devices useful for dynamically placing wired equipment, but require a pre-existing workstation for proper functionality. Such devices pose significant drawbacks and limitations when implemented within common workspace environments. The prior art fails to adequately address important workspace issues such as wire management and workspace integration. 
     Using known devices, achieving adequate ergonomics and wire management within a workspace requires the implementation of untraditional, specialized, and dedicated support devices that are typically very mechanical or unusual in appearance, offering very little if any workspace integration. Though these support devices may be acceptable in some workspace environments, they are often unsuitable for use in most traditional workspace areas. Because of drawbacks like the exposed wire management, poor appearance, and lack of workspace integration, the prior art devices have had limited acceptance and use. Users are therefore deprived of even the basic ergonomic functionality present in the prior art. 
     It is important for a support device to provide good wire management when placing wired equipment such that wires do not become environmental hazards or detract aesthetically from the workspace and surrounding environment. The appearance of a workspace object may also be significantly altered when wires are not concealed and hidden from view. The prior art does not, and cannot conceal wires. Thus, if wires are managed at all, they must be managed externally with dedicated wire management devices which consequentially become an external element and feature of the support device, the workstation, and surrounding environment. 
     Wire exposure always detracts from the aesthetic qualities of a workspace. Exposed wires spoil the efforts of workspace designers and planners who do their best to create an attractive and safe work or entertainment environment. The exposed wires and external wire management systems typical of prior art is simply not acceptable in a significant number of environments. 
     Wires also can dangerous to people and pets. For instance, a person may trip on a wire resulting in personal injury, or equipment damage. Exposed wires also place children and pets at risk to accidental strangulation or other injuries, or electrocution. 
     The prior art teaches devices that are intended as a supplement to pre-existing workspace equipment, offering little if any workspace integration. That is, they are add-on devices with a one-size-fits-all approach to implementing workspace ergonomics. Such devices thus add to workspace clutter and reduce useable space. 
     SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a modular support system that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to the limitations and disadvantages of the related art. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a modular support system with integrated wire management. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a modular support system that conceals and protects wires. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a work space environment with minimal wire exposure. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a modular support system that allows dynamic movement of equipment. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a modular support system that allows equipment to be rotated. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a modular support system that allows equipment to be rotated while internally routing wires. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a modular support system that allows any desirable configuration to be assembled using a set of basic building blocks. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a modular support system that is easily expandable and can easily be modified. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a modular support system that is both functional and asthetically pleasing. 
     Additional features and advantages of the invention well be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims as well as the appended drawings. 
     To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, the modular support system includes a modular support system comprising a column, a cover disposed radially outward of a joining member; the joining member being disposed radially outward of the column, and the joining member associating the cover with the column, wherein the modular support system is capable of concealing and managing wires. 
     In another aspect the invention includes a modular support system comprising a joining member having an inner portion and an outer portion, the inner portion designed to engage the column, the outer portion having an outer surface, wherein the inner portion is capable of engaging a column, the outer portion is capable of engaging a cover or a support unit, the interior of the joining member is capable of accommodating wires. 
     In another aspect, the invention includes a kit of parts comprising a column, a joining member having an inner portion and an outer portion, the inner portion having a surface capable of mating with the column and the outer portion having a surface capable of mating with other components, a support unit capable of being mounted on the joining member, a bracket capable of supporting an accessory; and a cover. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a possible configuration of the invention. 
     FIG. 1A is a stand alone configuration of the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the invention. 
     FIG. 3A is a top view of a joining member according to the invention. 
     FIG. 3B is a top view of an open joining member according to the invention. 
     FIG. 3C is an isometric cut out of an embodiment of the joining member and support unit according to the invention. 
     FIG. 3D is an isometric cut out of another embodiment of the joining member and support unit according to the invention. 
     FIG. 3E is an enlarged view of a joint according to the invention. 
     FIG. 4A is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of two corresponding mating surfaces according to the invention. 
     FIG. 4B is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of two corresponding mating surfaces according to the invention. 
     FIG. 4C is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of two corresponding mating surfaces according to the invention. 
     FIG. 4D is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of two corresponding mating surfaces according to the invention. 
     FIG. 4E is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of two corresponding mating surfaces according to the invention. 
     FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a column according to the invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a cover according to the invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic isometric view of a support unit according to the invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a side cross sectional view of a support unit according to the invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a top view of a support unit according to the invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a front view of a support unit according to the invention. 
     FIG. 11 is an exploded isometric view of a support unit and a bracket according to the invention. 
     FIGS. 12A-F are views of a bracket and a support unit in various states of assembly according to the invention. 
     FIG. 12G is an exploded view of a bracket according to the invention. 
     FIG. 13 is an embodiment of a bracket holding a keyboard tray according to the invention. 
     FIG. 14 is an embodiment of a bracket holding a platform according to the invention. 
     FIG. 15 is an embodiment of a bracket holding a shelf according to the invention. 
     FIG. 16 is an embodiment of a bracket supporting a work surface according to the invention. 
     FIG. 17 is a cut away view of a cap according to the invention. 
     FIG. 18 is an isometric view of an attaching member according to the invention. 
     FIG. 19 is an exploded isometric view of an attaching member according to the invention. 
     FIG. 20 is a top isometric view of a foot according to the invention. 
     FIG. 21 is a bottom isometric view of a foot according to the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     The invention includeds a modular support system and the components which make up the system. The system can assume many different configurations. A possible configuration  100  using two modular supports  110  and  120 , is shown in 
     FIG.  1 . In addition to the two modular supports  110  and  120 , the configuration also includes a work surface  112 , an additional pedestal leg  114 , and a table leg  116 . Both the pedestal leg  114  and the table leg  116  can be conventional legs or those legs could be wider and thinner versions, respectively, of the modular support system. The configuration is ergonomically designed for computer use. Accordingly, a monitor  130 , a keyboard  132 , a CPU  134 , and a printer  136  are all properly placed for functional, as well as, aesthetic reasons. 
     FIG. 1A shows another possible configuration  154 . This configuration includes a single modular support  156  in a stand alone mode. 
     FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of a modular support  150 . Although FIG. 2 shows just one possible exemplary arrangement of a modular support, it should be noted that the invention includes any number of different arrangements of the various parts which make up the modular support and any desired arrangement of those parts is clearly contemplated by the invention. 
     The modular support  150 , starting from the bottom and proceeding to top, includes a foot  500 , covers  300 , joining members  200 , and a support unit  400 . These various components of the modular support  150  are all associated in some way to column  160 . Column  160  extends longitudinally though a portion of the device. The preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, contemplates a column  160  that extends throughout the entire length of the modular support  150 . These various components will later be discussed in detail. For now, these basic components which make up the modular support  150  help the modular support  150  support various accessories, such as work surfaces, shelving, lighting, and support arms, while at the same time, providing integrated and concealed wire management. 
     The wire management feature will be discussed in greater detail throughout the remainder of the specification, but as an introduction, notice how, in FIG. 2, the wires  162  run though an internal cavity  175  defined by the covers  300 , the joining members  200 , and the support unit  400 . Notice also, how apertures  170  are made to allow entry and exit of the wires from the internal cavity  175 . So, when the modular support  150  is fully assembled, it provides both support for various accessories and an integrated and concealed wire management system. 
     As noted above, all of the various parts of the modular support  150  are associated with the column  160 . Preferably, the various parts are rigidly associated with the column  160 . An exemplary embodiment of the modular support  150  includes the use of a joining member  200 . As shown in FIGS. 2,  3 A, and  3 B, the joining member  200  is designed to tightly grip the column  160 , while at the same time, providing a mounting surface for various other members, for example, the covers  300  and the support unit  400 . In other words, the joining member  200  is used to connect various other members to the column  160 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, which is a top view of a joining member  200 , the joining member  200  includes an outer portion  202  and an inner portion  204 . 
     The outer surface  210  of the outer portion  202  is designed to mate with various other members. As shown in FIGS. 4A-E, the outer surface  210  can preferably include projections  212  which mate with various grooves  214  formed on the other members. Also shown in FIGS. 4A-E, are multiple, alternative, shapes of mating surfaces. Clearly, the number of projections and corresponding grooves could be changed as necessary and the geometry of the projections, for example, square or triangular, could also be changed according to preference. The invention also contemplates the use of opposing roughened surfaces, and the use of high friction surfaces. For example, a rubber sleeve could be disposed between the outer member and the joining member  200 . 
     Returning to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the inner portion  204  preferably includes provisions for securely holding a column  160  and provisions for guiding wires. The inner portion  204  includes a joining member aperture  250 . The joining member aperture  250  is sized to fit snuggly over a column  160 . The column, shown in FIG.  2  and FIG. 5, is preferably a standard indexed column with regularly spaced grooves  270  disposed about the axial length of the column  160 . An exemplary embodiment of the joining member aperture  250  includes a rib  252 , disposed on the inner surface of the joining member aperture  250 , that projects radially inward toward the center of the joining member aperture  250 , and engages the groove  270  on the column  160 , as shown in FIG.  3 D. The rib  252  provides additional axial support for the joining member  200  and helps to prevent the joining member from slipping axially along the column  160  under load. 
     The joining member  200  preferably includes a hinge at some point along the periphery of the joining member  200 , and a corresponding opening at another point spaced from the hinge point to allow the joining member to open and close. A hinge  260  is preferably disposed near the inner portion  204 . A seam  262  is preferably disposed opposite the hinge  260 . The seam  262  can be of any configuration, but a lap joint  263  is preferred where one side  264  of the joining member  200  overlaps the other side  268 . A fastening hole  266  is preferably placed in the region of overlap. As shown in FIGS. 3A,  3 B, and  3 E, the fastening hole  266  preferably extends radially and through the overlapping portions of both sides  264  and  268  of the joining member. 
     The fastening hole  266  can also be offset to increase the radial squeezing force of the joining member  200  on column  160 . As shown in FIG. 3E, the offset fastening hole  266  is preferably constructed in the following manner. When the joining member  200  is fully closed, the fastening hole  266 A on one side  264  does not line up with the fastening hole  266 B on the other side  268 . In order to align the two portions  266 A and  266 B of fastening hole  266 , the joining member  200  must be squeezed or compressed beyond its normal fully closed condition. When the joining member  200  is sufficiently squeezed, one portion of the fastening hole  266 A will align with the other portion of fastening hole  266 B thus allowing the insertion of a fastener. Preferably, an elongate fastener would be used, like a tack, nail, rivet, screw, or pin. An exemplary embodiment includes a threaded fastener like a screw, either self tapping or with a corresponding nut. 
     The inner portion  204  of the joining member  200  also includes a fillet  280 . The fillet is smoothly curved, both circumferentially and axially. The fillet  280  prevents wires from getting wedged or tangled between the inner portion  204  and the outer portion  202 . The fillet  280  also helps to keep the wires running in the large interior of the joining member  200 . 
     FIG. 3C shows an alternative embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the joining members  200  are radially outward of the support unit  400  and the cover  300 . Correspondingly, the mating surface  210  of this type of joining member faces radially inward, as opposed to radially outward as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A,  3 B, and  3 D. This embodiment of the joining member  200  also has a visible surface  280  which is preferably flush with cover  300  and support unit  400 . This is in contrast to the other embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A,  3 B, and  3 D, where no portion of the joining member  200  is visible when the system is assembled. 
     FIG. 6 shows a preferred embodiment of a cover  300 . The cover  300  can be formed as any suitable shape, but the preferred shape is cylindrical. Preferably, the cover  300 , which can vary in length, is constructed as two parts  302  and  304 , and joined by a hinge  306 . The cover  300  has an inner diameter  308  designed to match the outer diameter of the joining member  200 . Preferably, the inner surface  310  has a suitable number and configuration of grooves and/or projections as shown in FIGS. 4A-E to mate with the outer surface of joining member  200 . The seam  312  opposite the hinge  308  can be joined in any suitable way. Preferably however, the cover has an offset overlapping joint  314  similar to that disclosed above for the preferred joining member  200 . The invention contemplates the use of at least one fastening aperture  320  and corresponding fastener  322  for the cover seam  312 . The cover  300  can also include cover apertures  330  of any suitable size or shape to accommodate the entry and exit of wires from the interior of the cover to the exterior. 
     The support unit  400 , shown in FIGS. 7-10, performs several functions. It allows the attachment of several items and provides integrated wire management and concealment to and from those items. The support unit  400 , shown in FIGS. 7-10, is preferably similar in construction to the joining member  200  and the cover  300 . The support unit  400  can preferably include two portions  402  and  404 . Preferably, these two portions bilaterally divide the support unit  400  in half and preferably include a hinge  406  and an opposing seam  408 . 
     While the exterior of the support unit can assume any desired shape, a portion  405  (see FIG. 8) of the interior of the support unit  400  is preferably designed to mate with the exterior of the joining member  200  in an manner similar to the way the cover  300  mates with the exterior of the joining member  200 , as previously disclosed. See FIGS. 3C and 3D. For clarity, those mating portions are not shown in FIGS. 7 and 11. 
     Preferably, the seam  407  can have two designs, one being similar to the offset overlapping joint previously disclosed for the joining member and the cover  300  or, the second, being similar in design as the overlapped joint previously disclosed for both the joining member  200  and the cover  300 , but with one exception: the support unit  400  seam  407  is preferably not offset. In other words, when the support unit  400  is in its fully closed condition, then the two portions of the fastening aperture  408  which are disposed in portions  402  and  404  are aligned. Both the cover  300  and the joining member  200  are preferably squeezed beyond their respective fully closed positions to tightly grip their associated supports. However, the support unit  400 , in contrast, snuggly fits around an associated joining member  200  without tightly gripping the joining member  200 . This allows the support member  400  to rotate. Of course, if rotation is not desirable, and a fixed rotation support unit  400  is needed, an offset, overlapped version of the joint would be used. 
     A preferred embodiment of the invention also contemplates provisions for attaching accessories to the modular support  150 . Preferably, brackets would extend outward from the modular support  150  to hold various objects. The brackets can be attached to any of the parts of the modular support  150 . An exemplary embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 11, contemplates at least one bracket  500  attached to the support unit  400 . Preferably, the bracket  500  is constructed of two bracket arms  502  and  504 . The bracket arms  502  and  504  each terminate in a respective mounting member  506  and  508 . The mounting members  506  and  508  are designed to mount onto the support member  400 . Preferably, the support member  400  includes provisions for accommodating mounting members  506  and  508 . The invention prefers the use of a receiver  420  to accommodate mounting member  506  and second receiver  422  to accommodate mounting member  508 . The receivers  420  and  422  can also include a shoulder  424  (the shoulder of receiver  422  is hidden and not shown, but is similar in design to shoulder  424 ). The shoulder  424  helps to prevent the bracket  500  from slipping with respect to the support unit  400 . 
     FIGS. 12A-F show an exemplary embodiment of the invention which includes provisions for pivoting the bracket  500  in place. The mounting members  506  and  508  are designed to enter receivers  420  and  422  in the manner shown in FIG.  12 A. Although FIGS. 12A-F show an apparently oval mounting member  508  and although an oval mounting member  508  could be used, the invention preferably uses the mounting members  506  and  508  which are circular with a flattened portion. The apparent oval shape in FIGS. 12A-F is an exaggerated shape which shows the principle of the invention more clearly than the preferred flattened circular shape. FIGS. 12A-F show assembly views and enlarged views of the interaction between bracket arm  504  and receiver  422 . Bracket arm  502  and receiver  420  would experience a similar interaction. The bracket  504  is fed radially into the receiver  422  and then is pivoted. This pivoting motion forces the wider portions of the mounting member  508  to engage the walls of receiver  422 . This has the effect of tightly engaging bracket arm  504  to support unit  400 . The bracket arms  502  and  504  could also be slid vertically into receivers  420  and  422 , respectively, as shown in FIG.  11 . The two brackets  506  and  508  are then bolted together at any suitable location radially outward of the support unit  400 . FIG. 11 shows the mounting members  506  and  508  in a radially outwardly facing condition. This orientation is opposite the orientation shown in FIGS. 12A-F. The invention contemplates the use of both orientations, but prefers the orientation shown in FIGS. 12A-F because that orientation results in a smoother, more integrated look when the bracket  500  is attached to the support unit  400 . 
     The receivers  420  and  422  are preferably disposed on either side of opening  430 . This configuration allows the support member interior  432  to communicate with the bracket interior  510 . Thus, wires and lines running through the bracket interior  510  can enter and exit the support member interior  432  via the opening  430 . 
     The brackets  500  can include bracket covers that help to contain and conceal wires and enhance the appearance of the device. As shown in FIG. 12G, bracket  500  can include an upper cover  550 , a lower cover  552 , and a forward cover  554 . The covers can be attached to the bracket  500  in any suitable way. The upper cover  550  and the lower cover  552  can have rounded end portions  556  and  558  respectively. These rounded end portions  556  and  558  allow the covers  550  and  552  to accommodate the curvature of the support member  400  when the bracket  500  is attached to the support member  400  (see FIG. 2 ). All of the bracket covers  550 ,  552 , and  554  can have apertures  560 ,  562  and  564 , respectively, located at any convenient location. These apertures provide access to the interior of bracket  500  and permit the entry and exit of wires from the interior of the bracket  500  to the exterior. 
     The bracket  500  can be used to support a variety of items and accessories. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, a bracket  500  is used to support a keyboard tray  530 . The bracket  500  can include provisions for associating the bracket  500  to the keyboard tray  530 . Preferably, a flange  532  mounted on one or both of the bracket arms  502  or  504  is used. The flange  532  can include holes  534  which may be used in conjunction with suitable mechanical connectors to bolt or fasten the keyboard tray  530  to the bracket  500 . 
     FIG. 14 shows a bracket  500  supporting a platform surface  570 . The platform surface  570  can be of any size, including a suitable size to support a monitor or television. FIG. 16 shows two long brackets  580  and  582  which are used to support a table top surface  584 . Obviously, because the bracket  500  can be of any suitable length, the bracket  500  can be made short enough to create a book shelf surface  586  (see FIG.  15 ). 
     Caps can be placed at the top of a modular support and bases or feet can be placed at the bottom of a modular support. FIG. 17 shows a preferred cap  600 . The cap  600  includes an inner end portion  602  designed to mate with the inner surface of a cover  300  or a support unit  400 . The inner end portion  602  can be similar in design as the outer surface of the joining member  200 . The outer end portion  604  can be any desired shape. The preferred rounded and cylindrical shape is shown in FIG.  17 . Another possible embodiment of the outer end portion  604  is flat, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A. The flat design provides a convenient surface for lamps and other accessories, as shown in FIG.  1 . The cap  600  can also include suitable mounting devices, such as bolt holes, slots, Velcro or magnets to assist in securely holding accessories placed on top of the cap  600 . The cap  600  prevents dust and debris from entering into the interior of the modular support. The cap  600  also enhances the overall appearance of the modular support. 
     Another possible component of the system is an attaching member. The attaching member, which can have any number of shapes or designs, is intended to join the modular support system to other items. A preferred design for the attaching member  700  is shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. The preferred attaching member  700 , includes a flange  702 . An exemplary embodiment of the attaching member  700  includes flange apertures  704  which are designed to receive fasteners (not shown). The fasteners are used to rigidly associate the flange  702 , and thus the modular support system  156  to the desired item. Of course, flange apertures  704  are not needed if another type of attachment method is used, for example, an adhesive. The flange  700  also preferably includes provisions to interface with the rest of the system. The preferred interface is similar to that of the cap  600  or the support unit  400  previously described. The attaching member  700  can be used in a variety of ways. The following are some possible applications contemplated by the invention. The attaching member  700  could be used as a base for a hutch unit, which could include cabinets or shelves, that is supported over a desk surface. In this case, the attaching member  700  could be joined to the desk surface. Another possible application could be as a bottom mount of a shelf or platform. In this case, the attaching member  700  would be joined to the bottom of the shelf or platform and the shelf or platform would be used to support various items, such as a monitor, a telephone, or any other piece of equipment. The attaching member  700  could also serve as a foot or the very bottom of a modular support. If used in this application, the attaching member  700  could be joined to the floor, to prevent movement, or could be detached from the floor, thereby allowing movement. 
     The system can also include a base or foot. In addition to the wide base type foot  500  shown in FIG. 2, and the attaching member  700 , shown in FIG. 19, other different configurations are also contemplated by the invention. FIGS. 20 and 21 show another preferred embodiment of the modular support system&#39;s foot. The preferred foot  800  includes provisions for managing wires, associating with the column  160  (see FIG.  2 ), and helping to level the modular support system. 
     Like other components which are a part of the modular support system, the preferred foot  800  includes a foot mating surface  802  which is designed to integrate with other components. Preferably, the mating surface  802  is designed to mate with a cover  300  (see FIG. 2) or any other component which has an interior mating surface. For comparison, a schematic representation of a joining member is shown above the foot  800 . The joining member shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 is a schematic with some of the internal details omitted for clarity. 
     The preferred foot  800  includes at least one foot aperture  804 . This aperture allows wires to enter and exit the interior of the system. In addition, the preferred foot  800  also includes an end piece  806 . The end piece  806  is preferably threaded and attached to the foot  800  via a tapped hole  808 . The tapped hole  808  is preferably formed in a spanning portion  810  of the foot  800 . Spaced from the tapped hole  808 , on spanning portion  810 , the column hole  812  is used to attach the preferred foot  800  to the column  160 . Although the tapped hole  808  can be placed anywhere along spanning portion  810  or at another location, a position near the center of foot  800  is preferred. The column  160  is preferably tapped and column fastener  814  preferably extends through column hole  812  and engages the tapped hole in column  160 . The spanning portion  810  may be ribbed to provide additional strength. 
     Because the end piece  806  is threaded, the end piece  806  can be used as a conventional leveling device. The rotation of the end piece  806  allows the bottom of the system to assume different distances or clearances between the bottom of the system and the floor. The bottom of the system will usually be the axially lower portion  816  of foot  800 , however, the lower portion of the cover could also be the bottom of the system if the bottom edge of the cover extends below the axially lower portion  816  of foot  800 . In any case, the end piece can  806  can be used to control the spacing between the bottom of the system and the floor. The invention prefers that a suitable clearance remain between the bottom of the system and the floor to allow wires to extend underneath the bottom of the system, as shown in FIG.  20 . 
     This preferred arrangement for the foot  800  allows the wires to enter and exit the interior of the system by extending through aperture  804  and through a clearance created between the bottom of the system and the floor by an end piece  806  which also provides a leveling function. 
     The disclosed components comprise the basic building blocks of the invention. Any of the various components can be used either singularly or with other components. Also, any of the features of the invention can be used alone or in combination with other features of the invention. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the modular support system of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.