Patent Publication Number: US-9888773-B2

Title: Modular wall furniture system

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to modular wall systems and more particularly to modular wall systems intended to house electronics and/or other components that generate heat. 
     A wide variety of modular wall furniture systems are available on the market. Conventional modular wall systems include modular cabinets, shelves and other components that can be assembled in a variety of alternative arrangements on a series of wall brackets or similar mounting structures. One existing modular wall systems includes horizontal rails and vertical brackets. The horizontal rails are secured to an existing wall, for example, by fasteners extending through horizontal brackets into the wall studs. The vertical brackets are mounted to the horizontal rails, for example, the vertical brackets may fit over mounting contours in the horizontal rails. The cabinets, shelving and other components are mounted to the vertical brackets. To facilitate assembly, the cabinets, shelving and other components include mounting features that are interfitted with corresponding mounting features in the vertical rackets. The mounting features may be configured so that the cabinets, shelving and other components may be easily attached to the vertical brackets at a variety of different heights. For example, the vertical brackets may include a plurality of mounting slots and the cabinets, shelving and other components may include hooks that are fitted into the slots as desired. 
     It is often desirable to house electronics or other heat-generating components in the cabinetry of a modular wall system. For example, in a hospital environment, it is not uncommon to house computers, routers, medical diagnostic equipment and other expensive medical electronics in modular wall systems. With conventional modular wall systems, this can present significant problems associated with heating. More specifically, conventional modular wall systems retain heat and, in applications in which the electronics or other components generate significant heat, there is a possibility that the components will heat to the point where performance is affected or damage to components occurs. 
     Efforts have been made to provide ventilation in cabinets intended for use in housing electronics. In some applications, the cabinets are provided with doors that are vented. Although door vents allow some air movement and therefore provide some cooling, they are not alone sufficient to provide proper ventilation in many applications. In other applications, electronics and other heat-generating components are housed in cabinets that do not contain doors. This provides improved ventilation, but creates other problems. For example, security issues arise when expensive equipment is not housed in a locked cabinet. Unauthorized personal may view confidential information displayed on the equipment, may tinker with accessible controls on the equipment or even steal the equipment. As another example, aesthetic issues arise when a cabinet does not include doors that could be closed to hide a collection of wires, manuals and component accessories. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a modular wall system having an integrated air flow path that provides cooling of electronics and other heat generating component housed within the system. In one embodiment, the modular wall system includes wall brackets that create one or more vertical flues (or chases), as well as cabinets that are configured to draw in air, direct the flow of air over housed components and vent that air through the flues. In one embodiment, the wall brackets are elongated vertical brackets that extend a sufficient distance from the wall to create a flue of appropriate cross-sectional area to allow the desired amount of air flow. In one embodiment, the top of the wall system may be vented to allow heat rising through the flues to vent into the surrounding atmosphere. 
     In one embodiment, the wall system includes a framework that is assembled from a plurality of modular frame assemblies. In one embodiment, the framework includes upper and lower frame assemblies that can be joined to one another to provide the desire support structure for the wall system. Upper and lower frame assemblies may be joined by internal connectors. Side-by-side frame assemblies may be joined by fasteners, such as bolts. 
     In one embodiment, the framework includes a plurality of horizontal supports (e.g. horizontal rails). The horizontal supports may be configured to mount to an existing wall, such as to existing wall studs. In such embodiments, the horizontal supports may include mounting holes that allow the horizontal supports to be secured to existing wall studs by fasteners, such as bolts or screws. The horizontal supports may include a large array of offset mounting holes so that at least one of the mounting holes is aligned with each wall stud. The horizontal supports may be joined to the vertical brackets during manufacture to provide frame assemblies so that the components need not be assembled on site. For example, in one embodiment, the horizontal supports and vertical brackets may be welded together during manufacture to form modular frame assemblies that can be joined together on-site to form the complete framework. 
     In one embodiment, the wall system includes one or more base cabinets that are capable of being mounted to the wall brackets at or near the floor. Each base cabinet may be in fluid communication with the flue defined by the corresponding wall brackets. This provides an air flow path for heat generated by components within the cabinet to flow out of the cabinet, into the flue and out of the top of the wall system. In some applications, the cabinet may include a rear wall. If so, the rear wall may be sufficiently perforated to allow air to flow from the interior of the cabinet into the flue. In other applications, the cabinet may not include a rear wall and interior of the cabinet may simply be open to the flue. In some applications, a base cabinet may not be intended for use with heat generating components. In such applications, the base cabinet may include a rear wall. Even if not ventilated, the rear wall of the base cabinet may include openings for wires, cords and other items that might be routed through the flue. 
     In one embodiment, the base cabinet may include a pedestal that rests on the floor and a bottom panel that is positioned above the pedestal to form the bottom surface of the interior of the cabinet. The bottom panel may include a forward overhang that extends forwardly beyond the forward-most extent of the pedestal. The forward overhang may be perforated to provide an inlet vent to allow air to enter the interior of the cabinet from the surrounding environment. In use, the ventilated forward overhang causes air to enter the interior of the cabinet at the lower front, which allows air to flow over and cool components housed in the cabinet as it flows upwardly and rearwardly from the inlet to the flue. 
     In one embodiment, the base cabinet may include one or more ventilated doors. The ventilated doors may allow air to enter the interior of the cabinet from the surrounding environment. This air may be drawn over components housed in the cabinet as it flows to the flue. Ventilated doors may be used in addition or as an alternative to perforations in the forward overhang of the cabinet bottom. 
     In one embodiment, the base cabinet may be suspended above the floor, and the floor may be ventilated to allow air to enter the system and flow across the electronic components. The floor ventilation may be positioned toward the front of the cabinet to help increase the length of the air flow path over the components. 
     In one embodiment, the wall system includes base cabinets, riser sections and upper cabinets. The riser section may include access panels that mount to and cover the vertical brackets to maintain a closed flue from the base cabinets to the upper cabinets. 
     In one embodiment, the upper cabinets are configured to mount to the vertical brackets. When an upper cabinet is not intended to house heat-generating components, the upper cabinet may include a rear wall. The rear wall may be provided with one or more openings to allow wiring to enter the upper cabinet from the flue. When an upper cabinet will house heat-generating components, the upper cabinet may include ventilation in the doors and/or in the bottom panel to allow air to enter the cabinet, and the upper cabinet may include no rear wall or it may include a rear wall that is sufficiently perforated to allow adequate air flow from the interior of the upper cabinet into the flue. 
     In one embodiment, the top of the system may include a headspace and one or more ventilation caps that allow air flowing up the flues to vent into the environment. The ventilated cap may be mounted at an angle for aesthetic purposes and to allow increased surface area for ventilation openings. The ventilation cap may include ventilation openings that direct air upwardly and outwardly. 
     In one embodiment, the vertical brackets include a plurality of traverse wiring holes that allow cords, wires, supply lines and other items to be run throughout the system. The wiring holes may be fitted with grommets to protect wires and other items passing through the wiring holes. 
     In one embodiment, a fan can be provided to increase air flow through the ventilation system. For example, a fan may be provided in the headspace to move air from the interior to the environment. As another example, a separate fan may be include in each flue (or elsewhere in the flow path) in which improved airflow is desired. In applications where heat generating components will be contained in a single cabinet, a fan may be positioned in the cabinet or in the flue associated with that cabinet. In some applications, a fan may not be permissible, such as in a surgical environment. In such applications, the wall system may rely solely on natural convection to move air into the cabinets, over the components and out through the flue and ventilation cap. 
     The present invention provides a modular wall furniture system with an integrated natural convection cooling system that draws air from close to the floor and vents it at the top of the wall system. The significant heat generated by the electronic components powers the natural convection drawing air from the coldest area of the room (close to the floor) and venting it at the top of the wall system. The wall system includes vertical brackets that not only provide a support structure for hanging cabinets, shelves and other components, but also defines an air flow path of sufficient depth and width to allow adequate air flow. The inlets and flue are arranged to draw air over housed electronics and other heat-generating components to provide enhanced cooling. The inlets may be incorporated into the base cabinets in the bottom panel and/or in the door, thereby providing various base cabinet design options. The base cabinets may communicate with the flue through the absence of a rear panel or by incorporating sufficient perforations in the rear panel. When included, the angled upper vent provides a headspace that functions as a large plenum above the various flues, as well as enhances surface area for venting from flue in an upwardly and forwardly direction. The use of removable access panels between the base cabinets and upper cabinets provides a simple and effective structure for maintaining a closed flue between cabinets. Ventilation can be easily added to upper cabinets when it is desirable for them to house heat-generating components. The use of a framework with preassembled frame assemblies (e.g. pre-joined horizontal rails and vertical brackets) greatly simplifies installation as compared to systems in which horizontal and vertical components must be separately installed on-site. The framework can be configured so that, once installed, the cabinets, access panels, beauty panels and venting hardware simply clip or screw into hole patterns on the framework. The cabinet mounting brackets may include set screws or other fasteners that lock the mounting brackets to the framework to improve system strength and integrity. 
     These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the description of the current embodiment and the drawings. 
     Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of operation or to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention may be implemented in various other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in alternative ways not expressly disclosed herein. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may be used in the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed as limiting the invention to any specific order or number of components. Nor should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from the scope of the invention any additional steps or components that might be combined with or into the enumerated steps or components. Any reference to claim elements as “at least one of X, Y and Z” is meant to include any one of X, Y or Z individually, and any combination of X, Y and Z, for example, X, Y, Z; X, Y; X, Z; and Y, Z. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a wall system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a partially exploded perspective view of the wall system. 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the wall system with portions removed and annotated to show the air flow path. 
         FIG. 3B  is a sectional view of the wall system taken along line  3 B- 3 B of  FIG. 3A  with annotations to show the air flow path. 
         FIG. 3C  is a rear view of the wall system annotated to show the air flow path. 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective of an upper frame assembly joined to a lower frame assembly. 
         FIG. 4B  is an enlarged view of area  4 B of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 4C  is an enlarged view of area  4 C of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of an upper frame assembly and connectors. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of a lower frame assembly. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a mounting bracket. 
         FIG. 8A  is a front perspective view of a base cabinet. 
         FIG. 8B  is a rear perspective view of a base cabinet. 
         FIG. 8C  is a side view of a base cabinet. 
         FIG. 9A  is a front perspective view of an alternative base cabinet. 
         FIG. 9B  is a rear perspective view of an alternative base cabinet. 
         FIG. 9C  is a side view of an alternative base cabinet. 
         FIG. 10A  is a front perspective view of a second alternative base cabinet. 
         FIG. 10B  is a rear perspective view of a second alternative base cabinet. 
         FIG. 10C  is a side view of a second alternative base cabinet. 
         FIG. 11A  is a front perspective view of an extended countertop support. 
         FIG. 11B  is a rear perspective view of an extended countertop support. 
         FIG. 12A  is an exploded perspective view of a vented top cap for the extended countertop support. 
         FIG. 12B  is a side view of the top cap, backsplash panel and mounting clip assembly. 
         FIG. 13A  is a front perspective view of a standard upper cabinet. 
         FIG. 13B  is a rear perspective view of a standard upper cabinet. 
         FIG. 14A  is an exploded front perspective view of a tall upper cabinet. 
         FIG. 14B  is a rear perspective view of the tall upper cabinet. 
         FIG. 15A  is a top plan view of a ventilation cap. 
         FIG. 15B  is a side view of the ventilation cap. 
         FIG. 15C  is a perspective view of the ventilation top cap. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT 
     A modular wall furniture system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1 . In this embodiment, the wall system  10  includes a plurality of base cabinets  12   a - b , a work surface  14 , a standard upper cabinet  16  and a tall upper cabinet  17 . The wall system  10  includes a framework  20  that is mounted to a wall. The framework  20  includes an arrangement of horizontal rails  22  and vertical brackets  24 . The horizontal rails  22  and vertical brackets  24  may be preassembled in modular frame assemblies  30 ,  32  to facilitate on-site installation. The various components of the wall system  10  are configured so that they collectively provide an air flow path that allows air to enter the wall system  10 , flow over any heat-generating components housed in the base cabinets  12   a - b  and vent through from the top of the wall system  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the vertical brackets  24  are configured to define vertical flues  26  that allow air from the cabinets  12   a - b  to flow up through appropriate venting a top the system  10 . The air flow paths may best be seen in  FIGS. 3A-3C , which show the wall system  10  with various components removed. More specifically,  FIGS. 3A-C  show the doors  48  removed from base cabinet  12   a , the tall upper cabinet  17  and its associated rear wall removed and the ventilation cap  164  associated with the tall upper cabinet  17  removed. Various arrows have been added to  FIGS. 3A-C  to illustrate the air flow paths through the flues  26  associated with base cabinets  12   a  and  12   b.    
     Although the wall system  10  is modular by design, the illustrations show various modular components arranged in one particular configuration. It should be understood that the wall system may be configured with the illustrated (and otherwise disclosed) base cabinets, work surfaces, upper cabinets, extended countertop supports and shelving arranged in a wide variety of alternative configurations. Further, in additional to the illustrated components, the system may include other cabinets, work surfaces and shelves that incorporate the general ventilation-related concepts integrated into the illustrated components. For example, cabinets of different sizes, such as different heights, widths or depths may be provided. The cabinets may be provides with different doors and/or different shelving configurations. A variety of alternative work surfaces may be provided to work with different cabinets. In addition to base cabinets, standard upper cabinets and tall upper cabinets, the wall system  10  may also include cabinets that extend the full height of the wall system  10 . Where upper cabinets are not desired, it the wall system  10  may terminate mid-height, as shown above the extended countertop support in  FIG. 1 . 
     Directional terms, such as “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “inwardly,” “outer” and “outwardly,” are used to assist in describing the invention based on the orientation of the components shown in the illustrations. The use of directional terms should not be interpreted to limit the invention to any specific orientation(s). 
     A. Framework. 
     As noted above, the wall system  10  includes a framework  20  that is mounted to an existing wall (or other support structure) and provides a structure for mounting a wide variety of modular wall system components, such as base cabinets  12   a - b , work surface  14 , standard upper cabinet  16  and tall upper cabinets  17 . In the illustrated embodiment, the framework  20  is modular having upper and lower frame assemblies,  30  and  32  respectively, that can be joined together to form the overall framework  20 . For example, an upper frame assembly  30  can be joined with a lower frame assembly  32  to form the full height of the wall system  10 . Further, adjacent frame assemblies  30  and  32  may be joined to expand the width of the wall system  10 . For example, a plurality of side-by-side lower frame assemblies  32  can be joined together to form the full width of the wall system  10 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, each modular frame assembly  30  and  32  generally includes a pair of horizontal rails  22  and a pair of vertical brackets  24 . The horizontal rails  22  have a generally flat central portion  27  and a pair of attachments legs  28  at opposite ends. The flat central portion  26  minimizes interference to the air flow path. The attachment legs  28  extend forwardly at about 90 degrees relative to the central portion  27  to provide a structure for securing the horizontal rails  22  to the vertical brackets. The attachment legs  28  may be secured to the vertical brackets  24  by welding or by fasteners, such as bolts or screws. The horizontal rails  22  are configured to be mounted to the wall by, for example, fasteners, such as lag bolts or screws that extend directly into the wall studs. To facilitate mounting, the horizontal rails  22  define an array of offset mounting holes  34 . The mounting holes  34  are arranged so that at least one mounting hole will align with each wall stud. In the illustrated embodiment, each frame assembly  30  included one horizontal rail  22  toward the top of the assembly and one horizontal rail  22  toward the bottom of the assembly. The number and location of horizontal rails  22  may, however, vary from application to application. In the illustrated embodiment, the horizontal rails  22  also include a support lip  29  that extends along the length of the central portion  27 . In this embodiment, the support lip  29  extends at about ninety degrees relative to the central portion  27  and is relatively narrow to limit interference with the flue  26 . In this embodiment, the horizontal rail  22  at the bottom of each frame assembly  30 ,  32  may be oriented so that its support lip  29  is on the bottom and the horizontal rail  22  at the top of each frame assembly  32  may be oriented so that its support lip  29  is on the top. The two support lips  29  of stacked upper and lower frame assemblies  30 ,  32  may be joined by fasteners, such as bolts or screws, or by welding. For example, as shown in  FIG. 4B , adjacent support lips  29  of stacked upper and lower frame assemblies  30 ,  32  may be joined by screws  25  located near opposite ends. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the horizontal rails  22  are manufactured from sheet stock, such as sheet metal having a thickness of about 10 gauge. The stock material for the horizontal rails  22  may vary from application to application as desired. Although it is generally desirable to limit the thickness of the horizontal rails  22  to limit interference with the flues  26 , the horizontal rails  22  may have increased thickness provided that they do not unacceptably interfere with air flow through the flues  26 . 
     As noted above, each frame assembly  30  and  32  includes a pair of vertical brackets  24 . The vertical brackets  24  are mounted to and extend forwardly from the horizontal rails  22 . The vertical brackets  24  perform a variety of functions. For example, they provide a mounting structure for the various wall system components. As another example, they have significant depth and create vertically extending flues  26  to provide air flow and provide a space for routing wires and other items. The vertical brackets  24  are of sufficient depth so that each pair of adjacent vertical brackets  2  provides a flue  26  of the appropriate cross-sectional size to provide adequate ventilation for the intended application. The cross-sectional size should be selected to account for cords, wiring, supply lines and other items that might be routed through the flues  26 . The outer face of each vertical bracket  24  may include a plurality of mounting featured that allow wall system components to be easily mounted to the framework  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting features include a plurality of sets of slots  36  that are capable of receiving mounting fingers  38  extending from the wall system components. The number and location of the sets of slots  36  may be standardized to allow all wall system components to be mounted using the same sets of slots  36 . Alternatively, the vertical brackets  24  may include a larger array of slots that are capable of receiving mounting fingers  38  disposed in a variety of alternative locations. 
     To facilitate the routing of wires (e.g. electrical wires, communications wires) and other items in a side-to-side direction, the vertical brackets  24  may include a plurality of openings, such as circular holes  40  and elongated holes  42 . If desired, grommets  44  or other liners may be fitted into the holes  40  and  42  to protect the wires and other routed items from damage that could result from direct contact with the edges of the holes  40  and  42 . The number, size, shape and location of wire routing holes  40  and  42  may vary from application to application, as desired. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the vertical brackets  24  are manufactured from lengths of rectangular steel tube having a width of about 1″, a depth of about 3″ and a wall thickness of about 14 gauge. The stock material may, however, vary from application to application. For example, tubes of other sizes or shapes, extrusions of various configurations (“I” or “C” shaped extrusions) or solid materials may be used as the stock material for the vertical brackets  24 . 
     The upper and lower frame assemblies  30  and  32  may be joined by connectors or other similar structures. In the illustrated embodiment, upper and lower frame assemblies  30  and  32  are interconnected by internal connectors  46  (See  FIGS. 4A and 4B ). The internal connectors  46  may be configured to fit snugly into the interior of the vertical brackets  24 . In the illustrated embodiment, the upper half of the connector  46  is intended to be fitted into the lower end of the vertical bracket  24  of the upper frame assembly  30  and the lower half of the connector is intended to be fitted into the upper end of the vertical bracket  24  of the lower frame assembly  32 . As shown in  FIG. 4B , the internal connectors may be somewhat “C”-shaped in cross section and may include a central lip  47  that function as a stop when fitting the internal connector  46  into the vertical brackets  24 . The internal connectors  46  may be secured in place. For example, the internal connectors  46  may be secured to the upper frame assembly  30  and the lower frame assembly  32  by fasteners, such as screws, or by welding. Although illustrated embodiment includes internal connectors  46 , other types of connectors may be used, such as external connectors. In some embodiments, the frame assemblies may be welded together. 
     Although the illustrated framework  20  is assembled from an arrangement of modular frame assemblies, the design and configuration of the framework  20  may vary from application to application. For example, instead of dividing the framework  20  into upper and lower frame assemblies that are joined to produce the full height, the wall system may utilize full-height frame assemblies in which horizontal rails  22  are mounted across a pair of full-height vertical brackets  24 . As another example, instead of joining side-by-side frame assemblies by abutting adjacent vertical brackets  24 , side-by-side frame assemblies may share a common vertical bracket  24  that is twice the width and has two sets of mounting slots  36 . 
     B. Base Cabinets. 
     The wall system  10  may include a variety of furniture components that can be mounted to the framework  20  in various configurations to provide highly customizable furniture system. Generally, the wall system  10  may include base cabinets, upper cabinets (standard and tall) and riser sections. The wall system  10  may also include other components, such as an extended countertop support (described in more detail below). The riser section may include access panels that mount to and cover the vertical brackets to maintain a closed flue from the base cabinets to the standard upper cabinets or to the top ventilation. In the illustrated embodiment, the wall system  10  includes base cabinets  12   a - b , a work surface  14 , a standard upper cabinet  16  and a tall upper cabinet  17  that includes a plurality of shelves  18 . The illustrated base cabinets  12   a - b  are of approximately the same width as one lower frame assembly  32 . This allows a single base cabinet to be mounted to a lower frame assembly  32 . The base cabinets  12   a - b  need not correspond in width to a single lower frame assembly  32 . For example, the wall system  10  may include base cabinets that correspond in width with a multiple of lower frame assemblies  32 , such as two. 
     In general, the base cabinets  12   a - b  are capable of being mounted to the wall brackets  24  at or near the floor. Each base cabinet  12   a - b  may be in fluid communication with the flue  26  defined by the corresponding wall brackets  24 . The flues  26  provide an air flow paths for heat generated by components within the cabinets to flow up and out of the cabinets and the wall system. In some applications, the cabinets may include a rear wall. If so, the rear wall may be sufficiently perforated to allow air to flow from the interior of the cabinet into the flue. In other applications, the cabinet may not include a rear wall and interior of the cabinet may simply be open to the flue. In some applications, a base cabinet may not be intended for use with heat generating components. In such applications, the base cabinet may include a rear wall. Even when not ventilated, the rear wall of the base cabinet may include openings for wires, cords and other items that might be routed through the flues  26 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, base cabinets  12   a - b  provide a generally enclosed spaced with doors  48  that can be opened and closed to provide selective access to items housed in the cabinet  12   a . Lock can be added to the doors  48 , if desired. Each base cabinet  12   a - b  generally includes a pedestal  50 , a bottom  52 , a pair of side walls  54 , a pair of top supports  56 , a pair of doors  48  and a pair of mounting brackets  58 . In this embodiment, the pedestal  50  is configured to rest on the floor. As shown in  FIG. 3B , the pedestal  50  may include a plurality of adjustable height legs  51 . An adjustable height leg  51  may be disposed in each corner of the pedestal  50 . The size, shape and configuration of the pedestal  50  may vary from application to application as desired. The bottom panel  52  is positioned above the pedestal  50  to form the bottom surface of the interior of the cabinet  12   a - b . The bottom  52  may include a forward overhang  60  that extends forwardly beyond the forward-most extent of the pedestal  50 . This may be best seen in  FIG. 3A . The forward overhang  60  may be perforated to provide an inlet vent to allow air to enter the interior of the cabinet  12   a  from the surrounding environment. In use, the ventilated forward overhang  60  allows air to enter the interior of the cabinet at the lower front, which routes air flow over components housed in the cabinet as it flows upwardly and rearwardly from the inlet to the flue  26 . The side walls  54  form the sides of the cabinet  12   a - b  and, in this embodiment, extend to the floor and are an integral part of the pedestal  50 . As shown, the side walls  54  of this embodiment are notched to follow the shape of the pedestal  50  and the forward overhang  60 . The base cabinet  12   a - b  may be configured to receive one or more adjustable shelves  62 . To allow for adjustable shelves  62 , the side walls  54  may include a plurality of holes  63  capable of receiving shelf supports  64 . As an alternative to holes  63 , shelf support brackets may be installed inside the cabinet  12   a . The cabinet  12   a - b  may include other types of shelves. For example, the adjustable shelve(s)  62  may be replaced by one or more pull-out shelves mounted on appropriate shelf or drawer slides.  FIGS. 9A-C  show an alternative base cabinet  12 ′ that includes a single pull-out shelf  18 ′ located just above the bottom of the cabinet  12 ′. The pull-out shelf  18 ′ may terminate short of the forward overhang  60 ′ to facilitate entry of air into the cabinet through the venting located in the overhang  60 . In addition (or alternatively), the pull-out shelf  18 ′ may itself be vented to allow air flow through the shelf to any heat generated components resting on the shelf  18 ′. Returning now base cabinet  12   a , the top supports  56  extend from side wall  54  to side wall  54  to, among other things, provide structural integrity and a mounting surface for any components mounted above, such as a work surface. The number, size, shape and configuration of the top supports  56  may vary from application to application. In this embodiment, base cabinet  12   a - b  includes ventilated doors  48 . The ventilated doors  48  allow air to enter the interior of the cabinet from the surrounding environment. This air may be drawn over components housed in the cabinet as it flows to the flue  26 . Ventilated doors  48  may be used in addition or as an alternative to perforations in the forward overhang  60  of the cabinet bottom  52 . 
     The cabinet  12   a - b  includes a pair of mounting brackets  58  that extend from side-to-side across the rear of the cabinet  12   a - b . One mounting bracket  58  is mounted toward the top of the cabinet  12   a - b  and the other is mounted toward the bottom of the cabinet  12   a - b . In the illustrated embodiment, the various upper and lower cabinets are secured to the vertical brackets  24  by essentially identical mounting brackets  58 . The mounting brackets  58  are configured to be mounted to the cabinets, for example, by bolts, screws or other fasteners. In this embodiment, each mounting bracket  58  includes a pair of “L”-shaped cabinet brackets  72  that are secured to opposite ends of the mounting bracket  58 . The illustrated cabinet brackets  72  define mounting holes  74  for securing the mounting bracket  58  to the cabinet side walls  52  with screws (not shown). The mounting brackets  58  include mounting fingers  38  that are configured to be fitted into corresponding slots  36  in the vertical brackets  24 . Although the illustrated embodiment includes an arrangement of four mounting slots  36  and four fingers  38  at each attachment point, the mounting features may vary from application to application. For example, the location of the slots  36  and fingers  38  may be reversed (i.e. the finger may be on the vertical bracket  24  and the slots may be on the cabinet mounting bracket  58 . This is just one example and it should be understood that the number, size, location, shape or configuration of the mounting features may vary. The mounting brackets  58  of the illustrated embodiment also include set screws  66  that secure the mounting brackets  58  to the vertical brackets  24 . The set screws  66  may be mounted in tabs  76  and may be configured to extend into corresponding holes  67  in the vertical brackets  24 . In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting brackets  58  are configured to support electrical outlets or similar components, such as fluid supply ports (e.g. gas, water or air supply ports). To that end, the mounting brackets  58  include a plurality of outlet openings  70  with corresponding outlet box mounting holes  80 . The mounting brackets  58  of the illustrated embodiment include five outlet openings  70  spaced evenly across the width of the mounting brackets  58 . The outlet openings  70  are sized and shaped to receive a conventional outlet box (not shown). The outlet opening  70  will preferably, but not necessarily, be fitted with a shallow outlet box that minimizes impact on the air flow path. The number, size, shape and spacing of the outlet openings  70  may vary from application to application. In addition or alternative to the outlet openings  70 , the mounting bracket  58  may be provided with mounting openings for other components that might be mounted to the mounting bracket  58 . In the illustrated embodiment, the outlet openings  70  that are not in use may be covered by a blank cover plate. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the base cabinets  12   a - b  are intended to rest on the floor. If desired, the base cabinets may alternatively be suspended above the floor by the framework  20 . In suspended embodiments, the bottom  52  may be ventilated to allow air to enter the cabinet  12   a - b  and pass across any housed electronic components as it flows to the flue  26 . The bottom ventilation may be positioned toward the front of the cabinet to help increase the length of the air flow path over the components, but it is not restricted to the front of the cabinet. For example, if desired, the entire bottom may be perforated. 
     As noted above, the wall system  10  is intended to be a modular system that includes a variety of alternative components that can be assembled in different ways to produce customized furniture solutions. To that end, the wall system  10  may include a variety of alternative types of base cabinets. For example,  FIGS. 10A-C  show an alternative base cabinet  12 ″ that includes a plurality of pull out drawers  18 ″. This alternative base cabinet  12 ″ is essentially identical to base cabinet  12   a - b  (except as set forth below) and therefore will not be described in detail. Suffice it to say that base cabinet  12 ″ generally includes a pedestal  50 ″, a pair of side walls  54 ″, a pair of top supports  56 ″, a pair of mounting brackets  58 ″ and a plurality of drawers  18 ″. Although not generally ventilated, the drawer base cabinet  12 ″ may be ventilated, if desired, to ventilate items contained in the drawers. For example, the forward overhang  60 ″ may be ventilated, and the drawer fronts, drawer bottoms and/or drawer backs may be ventilated. 
     In addition to base cabinets, the wall system  10  may include an extend countertop support  82  that provides structural support for an extended work surface  14 . The countertop support  82  generally includes a lower frame assembly  32 , a removable access panel  84 , a backsplash panel  86 , a plurality of beauty panels  88   a - c , a counter bracket  90  and a vented top cap  92 . The lower frame assembly of the extended support  82  is essentially identical to the lower frame assembly  32  previously described, except that it is not joined to a corresponding upper frame assembly  30 . Instead, the upper end of the lower frame assembly  32  terminates above the work surface  14  and is fitted with various components. More specifically, the upper end of the lower frame assembly  32  is fitted with a backsplash panel  86  that closes the front of the flue  26 , a beauty panel  18   a  and vented top cap  92 . As shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B , the vented top cap  92  is generally triangular in cross section. The forward edge of the vented top cap  92  is secured to the backsplash panel  86 , and the rear edge of the vented top cap  92  is mounted to the support lip  29  at the top of the upper horizontal rail  22 . For example, the rear of the vented top cap  92  may be secured to the support lip  29  by fasteners, such as screws  93 . The backsplash panel  86  may be mounted to the vertical brackets  24  by clips  87  that are capable of being snap fitted to the backsplash panel  86  and to the vertical brackets  24 . The backsplash panel  86  can be mounted using alternative components (e.g. screws), if desired. The removable access panel  84  is mounted to the front of the vertical brackets  24  to close the front of the flue  26 . In the illustrated embodiment, the removable access panel  84  is mounted by clips (not shown) that are capable of being snap fitted to the access panel  84  and to the vertical brackets  24 . The access panel  84  can be mounted using alternative components (e.g. screws), if desired. The access panel  84  may define one or more opening  96  that allow wires or other items to be routed through the access panel  84 . The opening  96  may be fitted with a grommet  98 , if desired. The counter bracket  90  is mounted to the lower frame assembly  32  (e.g. by fasteners or by welding) and is configured to be secured to the undersurface of the work surface  14 , for example, by screws. Other beauty panels  88   b - c  may be installed to close off the lower frame assembly  32  and/or improve aesthetics. These panels  88   b - c  may be mounted by clip (not shown) or by other fasteners. 
     C. Standard Upper Cabinets. 
     The wall system  10  may include upper cabinets that are mounted above the base cabinets and are intended to provide elevated storage or other functions. In the illustrated embodiment, the wall system  10  includes standard upper cabinet  16  and tall upper cabinets  17 . The standard upper cabinets  16  are spaced vertically above the work surface  14  and utilize a removable access panel  84  to close the front of the flue  26  in the gap between the work surface  14  and the standard upper cabinets  16 . The tall upper cabinets  17  extend from the work surface  14  to the top of the wall system  10 , thereby eliminating any gap. 
     The standard upper cabinet  16  is similar to the base cabinet  12   a , except as described or shown. The upper cabinet  16  of the illustrated embodiment generally includes a top  100 , a bottom  102  (see  FIG. 3B ), a pair of side walls  104 , a pair of doors  106 , a rear wall  108  and a pair of mounting brackets  110 . The top  100 , bottom  102  and side walls  104  are mounted together to form the general structure of the upper cabinet  16 . The doors  106  may be mounted to the side walls  104  to allow the upper cabinet  16  to be selectively opened and closed. The doors  106  may include a lock, if desired. The upper cabinet  16  may be configured to receive one or more adjustable shelves  118  (see  FIG. 3B ). To allow for adjustable shelves, the side walls  104  may include a plurality of holes (not numbered) capable of receiving shelf supports (not numbered). As an alternative to holes, shelf support brackets may be installed inside the cabinet  16 . 
     As with the base cabinets  12   a - b , the upper cabinet  16  includes a pair of mounting brackets  110  that extend from side-to-side across the rear of the upper cabinet  16 . One mounting bracket  110  is mounted toward the top of the upper cabinet  16  and the other is mounted toward the bottom of the upper cabinet  16 . The mounting brackets  110  are essentially identical to the mounting brackets  58  described above in connection with base cabinets  12   a - b . Accordingly, mounting brackets  110  will not be described in detail. 
     The upper cabinet  16  includes a rear wall  108 . In this embodiment, the rear wall  108  is a panel that mounts directly to the vertical brackets  24 . More specifically, the rear wall  108  may be joined to the vertical brackets  24  by a plurality of clips  112 , for example, one located toward each corner of the rear wall  108 . The clips  112  may be replace or supplemented with other mounting components, such as screws (not shown) that extend through the rear wall  108  into the vertical brackets. The rear wall  108  may include one or more holes  114  that allow cords, wiring or other items to be fed pass through the rear wall. Any holes  114  provided in the rear wall  108  may be fitted with grommets (not shown), if desired. 
     As can be seen, the illustrated upper cabinet  16  is not configured for ventilation. If desired, the upper cabinet  16  can be ventilated. For example, the rear wall  108  can be removed or ventilated to provide a flow path to the flue  26 , and the bottom  102  and/or doors  106  may be ventilated to allow air from the room to enter the interior of the upper cabinet  16 . 
     D. Tall Upper Cabinets. 
     As noted above, the wall system  10  may also include tall upper cabinets  17 . In the illustrated embodiment, the wall system  10  includes a tall upper cabinet  17  that runs from the work surface  14  to the full height of the wall system  10 . The tall upper cabinet  17  of this embodiment includes a plurality of shelves  18 . Although no doors are shown in this embodiment, door may be added to the tall upper cabinet  17 , if desired. 
     The tall upper cabinet  17  of the illustrated embodiment generally includes a top  140 , a bottom  142 , a pair of side walls  144 , a rear wall  146  and a pair of mounting brackets  148 . The top  140 , bottom  142  and side walls  144  are mounted together to form the general structure of the tall upper cabinet  17 . The tall upper cabinet  17  is configured to receive a plurality of adjustable shelves  18 . To allow for adjustable shelves, the side walls  144  may include a plurality of holes  150  capable of receiving shelf supports (not shown). As an alternative to holes, shelf support brackets may be mounted to the side walls  144  of the tall upper cabinet  17 . 
     The tall upper cabinet  17  is mounted to the vertical brackets  24  by mounting brackets  148 . The mounting brackets  110  of the illustrated embodiment extend from side-to-side across the rear of the tall upper cabinet  17 . One mounting bracket  148  is mounted toward the top of the tall upper cabinet  17  and the other is mounted just below the middle of the tall upper cabinet  17 . The mounting brackets  148  are essentially identical to the mounting brackets  58  described above in connection with base cabinets  12   a - b , and therefore will not be described in detail. 
     As with upper cabinet  16 , the tall upper cabinet  17  includes a rear wall  146  that is mounted to the vertical brackets  24 . In this embodiment, the rear wall  146  includes two panels  152  and  154  that are separately mounted to the vertical brackets  24 . In this embodiment, the two panels  152 ,  154  of the rear wall  146  are joined to the vertical brackets  24  by a plurality of clips  156 . The clips  156  may, for example, be located in the corners of the two rear wall panels  152 ,  154 . The clips  156  may be replace or supplemented with other mounting components, such as screws (not shown) that extend through the two rear wall panels  152 ,  154  into the vertical brackets. The two rear wall panels  152 ,  154  may include one or more holes  158  that allow cords, wiring or other items to be fed pass through the rear wall  146 . Any holes  114  provided in the rear wall  108  may be fitted with grommets (not shown), if desired. 
     The tall upper cabinet  17  of the illustrated embodiment is not configured for ventilation. If desired, the tall upper cabinet  17  can be reconfigured to provide ventilation through the corresponding flue  26 . For example, the rear wall  146  (one or both panels  152 ,  154 ) can be removed or ventilated to provide a flow path to the flue  26 . If doors are added to the tall upper cabinet  17 , the doors may be ventilated to allow air from the room to enter the interior of the upper cabinet  16 . 
     E. Ventilated Top Cap. 
     The top of the wall system  10  is closed by a ventilated top cap that allows warm air flowing up through the flues  26  to vent into the surrounding environment. In the illustrated embodiment, the wall system  10  includes a number of components that are combined to provide a vented headspace  160  at the top of the wall system  10 . The headspace  160  of this embodiment is defined by a pair of beauty panels  162  that close opposite ends of the headspace  160  and one or more ventilation caps  164  that close the top and front of the headspace  160 . The ventilation caps  164  are mounted at the rear to the upper frame assembly  30  and at the front to the top of the upper cabinets  16  and  17 . In this embodiment, the ventilation cap  164  provides the wall system  10  with an angled top. As perhaps best shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C , the upper frame assembly  30  extends upwardly beyond the top of the upper cabinets  16  and  17 . This provides an elevated rear support surface for the ventilation caps  164 . The ventilation cap  164  generally includes a flat rear portion  166  and an angled forward portion  168 . The flat rear portion  166  rests on the upper end of the vertical brackets  24 . The flat rear portion  166  also includes a plurality of holes  168  that allow the ventilation cap  164  to be secured to the support lip  29  of the top horizontal rail  22  by screws  170 . The ventilation cap  164  also includes legs  172  that extend down from the angled portion into engagement with the top of the upper cabinets  16  and  17 . The legs  172  may be secured to the top of the upper cabinets  16  and  17  by screws  174 . In the illustrated embodiment, ventilation openings are formed in the flat rear portion  166  and the angled forward portion  168 . The number, size, shape and configuration of the ventilation openings may vary from application to application. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the wall system  10  is capable of relying on natural convection to move air through the system to cool housed electronics. This can be particularly important in some applications where fans are not permissible, such as in a surgical environment. In such application, heat generated by electronics or other heat generating components housed in the base cabinets  12   a - b  will naturally rises up through the flues  26  and out the ventilated caps  164 . This movement of heated air simultaneously draws cool air into the cabinets  12   a - b  through the ventilation in the cabinets  12   a - b  (e.g. ventilation in the forward overhang  60  and the doors  48 ). Although the system  10  can function in many applications using natural convection, one or more fans can be provided to increase air flow through the ventilation system, if desired. For example, a fan may be provided in the headspace  160  to draw air up through the flues  26  and push it out into the environment through the ventilation caps  164 . As another example, separate fans may be provided for each flue in which increased airflow is desired. These individual fans may be position essentially anywhere along the flues  26  or even in the base cabinets  12   a - b , if desired. In applications where heat generating components will be contained in a single cabinet, a fan may be positioned only in the cabinet or the flue associated with the cabinet that houses those heat generating components. 
     The above description is that of current embodiments of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in any appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. This disclosure is presented for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive description of all embodiments of the invention or to limit the scope of the claims to the specific elements illustrated or described in connection with these embodiments. For example, and without limitation, any individual element(s) of the described invention may be replaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similar functionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This includes, for example, presently known alternative elements, such as those that might be currently known to one skilled in the art, and alternative elements that may be developed in the future, such as those that one skilled in the art might, upon development, recognize as an alternative. Further, the disclosed embodiments include a plurality of features that are described in concert and that might cooperatively provide a collection of benefits. The present invention is not limited to only those embodiments that include all of these features or that provide all of the stated benefits, except to the extent otherwise expressly set forth in the issued claims. Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.