Patent Publication Number: US-7913459-B2

Title: Work space management system

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/475,061, filed May 30, 2003, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a system for arranging work spaces within an office. In particular, the invention relates to a work space system with work surfaces and panel arrangements which allows greater privacy, greater user control over accessibility, and improved worker orientation. 
     Although systems work spaces have become the common work area in much of the corporate world, most people would still prefer a private office with a door over a systems work space. Indeed, the private office has much to offer. Such a work space gives security, privacy, and a sense of control and ownership. However, there is a disadvantage to the private office. It can isolate people, hinder free and spontaneous communication, take up expensive real estate, and tend to signal a privileged position in the corporate hierarchy. For many organizations, private offices for everyone—even if everyone wanted them—simply are not possible. They are too expensive, too difficult to change, and too complicated to manage. Thus, businesses have increasingly turned to systems offices. 
     A source of dissatisfaction with systems work spaces is their decreasing size. Due to the decrease in space available for office space, work spaces have become smaller. A smaller work space presents challenges to making the work space functional and efficient. There is nothing intrinsically uncivil about small spaces. Yet as systems furniture offices have gotten smaller and smaller, many have become increasingly dysfunctional for a variety of workers, failing to account for changes in the work people do and the way people work. 
     The challenge is not merely in dealing with smaller work areas. There are several other areas in which traditional office systems designs are deficient. The first is a lack of privacy. Traditional office systems have no door and low walls. The low walls, prevent a sense of privacy and expose the worker to unwanted distractions. Additionally, the user has no control over his interaction with the outside world; he has no way to block outside distractions or, conversely, to communicate to others that he is open to interaction. Additionally, the worker is unable to easily communicate with a fellow worker in an adjacent work space with whom he may be collaborating. Finally, traditional work space designs orient the worker in an awkward position. Standard work surface designs generally have an L-shaped work surface positioned adjacent to the wall opposite the entrance and one of the side walls. Thus, a worker is generally facing away from the entrance to the work space, so that if someone approaches the work space to communicate, the worker has to turn around. All of these problems create an inefficient and uncomfortable work space. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a systems work space with greater privacy, greater user control over accessibility, and improved worker orientation. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The present invention is directed to a work space system. Various embodiments of the work space system include work surfaces and panel arrangements which allow greater privacy, greater user control over accessibility, and improved worker orientation. 
     According to one aspect of the invention, a work space system including a plurality of work areas is provided. A work area includes a spine wall, a first wall adjacent to the spine wall and extending from the spine wall, and a second wall adjacent to the first wall and including an entrance to the work area. The height of the second wall is greater than the height of the first wall, and the height of the first wall is greater than the height of the spine wall. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a work space system includes a work area, an entrance to the work area, and a first and second work surface. The first work surface is positioned at a first end of the work area. The first work surface includes an edge facing the work area. The edge includes a substantially straight portion. The second work surface is positioned at a second end of the work area opposite the first work surface. The second work surface includes an edge facing the work area. The edge includes a first portion and a second portion meeting at an obtuse angle to form a generally concave edge. A user facing one of the first and second portions of the second work surface will be oriented towards the entrance of the work area. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a work space system including a plurality of work areas is provided. A work area includes a spine wall including a spine wall edge. A first wall includes a first wall edge. The first wall is adjacent to the spine wall and extends out from the spine wall. The first wall is offset from the spine wall such that there is an open space between the first wall edge and the spine wall edge. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a work surface support includes a plurality of components. The components include a longitudinally extending portion, a laterally extending portion, a vertically extending portion, and at least one connector for connecting to a wall. At least one of the plurality of components is connected to another of the plurality of components by at least one snap fit connection. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a wall for a work area in a work space system includes an openable area and at least one panel capable of covering the openable area. The wall is disposed between a first work area and a second work area. The openable area permits visual and audio communication between a user in the first work area and a user in the second work area. 
     The present invention, together with attendant objects and advantages, will best be understood with reference to the detailed description below in connection with the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of embodiments of four work areas. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of embodiments of six work areas. 
         FIG. 2A  is top view of another six work areas. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a walkway between work areas. 
         FIG. 4  is a view of embodiments of wall connectors. 
         FIG. 4A  is an enlarged view of a top wall connector flange. 
         FIG. 4B  is an enlarged view of a bottom wall connector flange. 
         FIG. 5  shows embodiments of panels in a wing wall. 
         FIG. 5A  shows panels in a wing wall in an alternative configuration. 
         FIG. 6  shows easel members and panels in a spine wall. 
         FIG. 6A  shows panels in a spine wall in an alternative configuration. 
         FIG. 7  shows a door assembly. 
         FIG. 7A  shows an alternative door assembly. 
         FIG. 8  is a side perspective view of a work area. 
         FIG. 8A  is a side perspective view of another work area 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of a work area. 
         FIG. 9A  is a top view of an alternative work area. 
         FIG. 9B  is a top view of an alternative work area. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a cabinet assembly. 
         FIG. 10A  is a perspective view of an alternative cabinet assembly. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an access panel. 
         FIG. 12  shows users adjacent to a wing wall. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of wall connectors. 
         FIG. 13A  is an enlarged view of top connectors. 
         FIG. 13B  is an enlarged view of bottom connectors. 
         FIG. 13C  shows a top connector and a wing wall. 
         FIG. 14  shows an embodiment of a work surface support. 
         FIG. 14A  shows components of a work surface support. 
         FIG. 14B  shows a first view of a work surface support bracket. 
         FIG. 14C  shows a second view of a work surface support bracket. 
         FIG. 14D  shows another work surface support bracket. 
         FIG. 14E  shows another embodiment of a work surface support. 
         FIG. 14F  shows a component of a work surface support. 
         FIG. 14G  shows a connection between a work surface support and a bookcase assembly. 
         FIG. 15A  shows the interior of a spine wall. 
         FIG. 15B  shows a top portion of a spine wall. 
         FIG. 15C  shows the interior of a spine wall and a wall connector. 
         FIG. 16  shows an embodiment of a street side wall assembly. 
         FIG. 17A  shows embodiments of street side wall connectors. 
         FIG. 17B  shows embodiments of street side wall connectors. 
         FIG. 18A  shows a panel for a wing wall. 
         FIG. 18B  shows a roller assembly of a wing wall panel. 
         FIG. 18C  is a cross sectional view of a roller assembly of a wing wall panel disposed in a track assembly. 
         FIG. 19A  shows a perspective view of a cabinet assembly. 
         FIG. 19B  shows another perspective view of a cabinet assembly. 
         FIG. 19C  shows a top view of a cabinet assembly. 
         FIG. 19D  shows a bottom view of a cabinet assembly. 
         FIG. 19E  shows a rear view of a cabinet assembly. 
         FIG. 19F  shows a first side view of a cabinet assembly. 
         FIG. 19G  shows a front view of a cabinet assembly. 
         FIG. 19H  shows a second side view of a cabinet assembly. 
         FIG. 20A  shows an easel member. 
         FIG. 20B  shows an easel hinge assembly. 
         FIG. 21A  shows a bookcase assembly. 
         FIG. 21B  shows another bookcase assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The invention is described with reference to the drawings. The relationship and functioning of the various elements of this invention are better understood by the following detailed description. However, the embodiments of this invention as described below are by way of example only, and the invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings. 
     An overall view of an embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1 . The system includes a spine wall  71  which is common to work areas  21 ,  23 ,  25 , and  27 . Side walls, or wing walls,  31  extend out from the spine wall  71 . Other walls, or street side walls,  41  are adjacent to the walkway between work areas and are on the opposite side of the work area from the spine wall. The wing walls  31 , street side walls  41 , and spine walls  71  are supported by feet  49 . Positioned in the street side wall  41  is a door  91 . Although the embodiment in  FIG. 1  shows four work areas, the scope of the invention contemplates any number of work areas. To accommodate more work areas, the spine wall may be extended and more wing walls attached to the spine wall. Other features in a given work area include a rolling cabinet  181 , movable panels  33  and  73  in spine walls and wing walls, hanger member  47 , electrical outlets  65 , and work surfaces. These features will be described in detail below. 
     In one embodiment, street side wall  41  is the highest of the three walls. This allows the worker a sense of privacy and minimizes distractions from passersby. The presence of a door  91  also allows the user to control the level of privacy and access to the work area. The street side walls  41  and the door  91  may be constructed of a translucent material so that the user can have some indication of outside activity without there being complete visibility. The wing wall  31  is of a lower height than the street side wall  41 , and the spine wall  71  is of a lower height than the wing wall  31 . The work area has two work surfaces, one adjacent to each wing wall. The arrangement of the wing wall higher than the spine wall gives the worker more privacy in the walls adjacent to the work surfaces. In one embodiment, the spine wall is between about three and about five feet high, the wing wall is between about five and about seven feet high, and the street side wall is between about six and about eight feet high. In another embodiment, the spine wall is about 45″ high, the wing wall is about 68″ high, and the street side wall is about 78″ high. 
     Turning now to the structure of the walls, in one embodiment both the wing wall  31  and the spine wall  71  have frames  35 ,  79  positioned at the top of the wall. The frames  35 ,  79  provide an openable area in the wall. The frames  35 ,  79  hold panels  33 ,  73  which are adapted to slide horizontally in the frames and covering the openable area. The openable area permits visual and audio communication between users in adjacent work areas. 
     The panels  33 ,  73  may be solid or may have openings in them, such as a pattern of holes. The user may adjust the positioning of the panels in the openable area to control the level of access to users in adjacent work areas. For example, if the user wants privacy, he can position the panels so that the frame is completely closed. If the user desires a small degree of interaction with the adjacent work area, he can position the panels so only the pattern openings are exposed. The user might do this if he wanted to be able to overhear what was going on in an adjacent work area, but he was not fully participating in the conversation. If a user wants maximum openness, he can move all the panels to one end of the frame, allowing complete visual and audio interaction with a user in the adjacent work area. 
     The user can also independently control which adjacent work space he wants to interact with. Thus, users collaborating on the same project would be positioned in adjacent work areas.  FIGS. 2 and 2A  are top views of embodiments of work space layouts for six work spaces. Two basic work surface designs are shown, a smaller work surface  121  and a larger work surface  123 . Each work area may have a smaller work surface  121  adjacent to one wing wall, and a larger work surface  123  adjacent to the opposite wing wall. Although  FIGS. 2 and 2A  show regular patterns to the work surface, the scope of the present invention includes any possible layout of the work surfaces. Turning to  FIG. 2 , if two users in work spaces  211 ,  213  adjacent to the same wing wall  221  desired to interact, they could open the panels on spine wall  221 . Likewise, if two users in work spaces  211 ,  215  adjacent to the same section of the wing wall  223  desired to interact, they could open the panels on that section of the wall  223 . Additionally, all four users common to a given corner  229  could open the panels in walls  221 ,  223 ,  225 , and  227  to allow a meeting without even leaving their work areas, thus increasing convenience and minimizing the need for a conference room. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention includes an improved work surface design. Standard existing work surface designs for systems offices generally have an L-shaped work surface. In existing designs, one leg of the L is positioned adjacent to a side wall and the other leg is positioned opposite the entrance. Thus, where the work surface adjacent to the wall opposite the entrance runs the entire length of the wall, the side walls cannot be adjusted without major changes in the work surface.  FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of the work space design. The work space has two work surfaces  121  and  123 . Work surface  121  is positioned adjacent to one wing wall, with work surface  123  positioned adjacent to the wing wall on the opposite side of the work area. Work surfaces  121  and  123  do not have the conventional design of a completely straight edge, but instead are of an angled design. The end of work surface  121  is parallel to the wing wall towards the entrance  219 , and angles into the work area at the end closest to the spine wall  231 . The edge of work surface  123  angles from the end closest to the entrance  219  towards the wing wall  233 , and runs parallel to the wing wall  233  at the end closest to the spine wall  231 . The individual work surfaces  121  and  123  can be located on either wing wall of a given work area, although it may be advantageous for the work surfaces to be depicted in a regular pattern, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 2A . 
     Another embodiment of a work surface is shown in  FIG. 9B . A first work surface  391  is positioned at one end of the work area, adjacent to a wing wall  31 . Another work surface  393  is positioned at the opposite end of the work area, adjacent the other wing wall  31 . The edge of work surface  391  facing the work area has a first portion  393  and a second portion  394  meeting at an obtuse angle to form a generally concave edge  395 . Work surface  393  has a substantially straight edge  396 . 
     The embodiments of the work surface design shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  2 A, and  9 B have several features. First, the user is oriented in a convenient position, in that he never has his back to the door. Because of the angled design of the work surfaces, the user has access to most of the surface area of the work surface. Finally, because the two work surfaces are not connected, the wing walls can be moved closer together or farther apart without requiring removal or replacement of the work surface. For example, if a wing wall needs to be moved slightly to accommodate a change in a work area, it will not substantially disrupt the positioning of the two work surfaces in the two adjacent work areas. 
       FIG. 14  shows a support frame  600  for a work surface  391 . The general outline of a work surface  391  is shown in dashed lines. The support frame  600  includes a plurality of individual support components. In on embodiment, the frame  600  includes two horizontal beams  610 ,  612  for supporting the work surface  391 . These beams run along the longitudinal direction of the work surface. Two cross supports  650 ,  652  run the transverse direction of the work surface. The work surface may be secured to one wall by brackets  630  and to another wall by bracket  646 . Brackets  630  and  646  include hooks which connect into a pattern of slots in a wall, for example, vertically slotted member  481  in  FIG. 13  and vertically slotted member  705  in  FIG. 16 . The positioning of brackets  630  and  646  in their corresponding slots allows the work surface to be adjusted in height. A vertical support  642  helps to support the weight of the work surface. The vertical support  642  may have an adjustable height mechanism as indicated by holes  643 . In one embodiment, vertical support  642  is integrated into a bookcase assembly, as shown in  FIG. 14G . 
     The individual components of support frame  600  are shown in  FIG. 14A . The shape of the support frame will depend on the shape of the worksurface, and it is to be understood that other configurations besides those disclosed herein are possible and these variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment, the individual components are connected to each other by mating connections in which the outer surface of the end portion of one part fits within the inner surface of another part. The components may be secured by a snap-fit connection. In one embodiment, the snap-fit connection is a spring button in the inner component and a corresponding hole in the outer component. The components shown in  FIGS. 14 and 14A  have square cross-sections, but other shapes such as circular are possible and are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 14A , the horizontal beams  610  and  612  are attached to end pieces  625 ,  655 . End piece  625  includes side connection members  629 ,  631  and end connection member  627 . Similarly, end piece  655  includes side connection members  659 ,  661  and end connection member  657 . Horizontal beams  610  and  612  each have ends  614  which fit into side connection members  629 ,  631 ,  659 ,  661  in end pieces  625 ,  655 . The outer surface of ends  614  of horizontal beams  610 ,  612  is slightly smaller than the inner surface of ends  629 ,  631 . In one embodiment, spring buttons  605  in ends  614  snap into holes  607  in ends  629 ,  631  to secure the components of the support frame together. Similar connections are present in the other components of the support frame. One embodiment of this type of connection is shown in more detail in  FIG. 14F . Lateral support member  621  turns outwardly and has a first end  623  which fits within end connection member  627  to secure lateral support member  621  to end piece  625 . Lateral support member  621  has a second end  609  which connects to bracket  646 . Member  651  has a first end  653  which fits within end member  657  to secure end member  651  to end piece  655 . Brackets  630  slide into the hollow interior of end pieces  625 ,  655 . Vertical support  642  includes a main support  663  and a connecting member  671 . Foot  641  is disposed in the bottom of main support  663 . Connecting member  671  includes a vertical portion  669  which slides into main support  663  and a horizontal connector  665  which attaches to member  661 . Button  647  may be inserted into one of holes  667  in order to adjust the height of the worksurface. 
       FIGS. 14B and 14C  show two embodiments of bracket  630 . Bracket  630  includes a first portion  675  adapted to fit within the slots  617 ,  619  in end pieces  625  and  655 . Bracket  630  also includes an angled portion  671  and a plurality of hook members  673 . Hook members  673  are adapted to fit into slots disposed in a wall, for example, in vertically slotted member  481  in  FIG. 13  and vertically slotted member  705  in  FIG. 16 .  FIG. 14D  shows an embodiment of bracket  646 . Bracket  646  includes a first portion  685  adapted to attach to the end  609  of lateral support member  661 . Holes  687  provide a point of attachment. Bracket  646  also includes a second portion  671  and a plurality of hook members  683 . Hook members  673  are adapted to fit into slots disposed in a wall. 
       FIG. 14E  shows an alternative embodiment of a work surface support frame  620 . The support frame  620  includes a plurality of individual support components. The frame  620  includes two horizontal beams  611 ,  613  running along the longitudinal direction of the work surface. The support frame may be secured to one wall by brackets  630  and to another wall by bracket  624 . Brackets  630  and  624  include hooks which connect into a pattern of slots in the walls, for example, in vertically slotted member  481  in  FIG. 13  and vertically slotted member  705  in  FIG. 16 . The horizontal beams  611  and  613  are attached to end pieces  626 ,  656 . End piece  626  includes side connection members  628 ,  632 . Similarly, end piece  656  includes side connection members  658 ,  662 . The ends of connection members  628 ,  632  slide into the ends of horizontal members  611 ,  613 . Lateral support member  622  turns outwardly and connects to bracket  624 . The individual components of the work surface support frame  620  connect together in a snap fit connection. In one embodiment, the snap fit connection includes a spring button disposed in an inner component and a hole disposed in an outer component. 
       FIG. 14F  shows end piece  656  with side connection members  658 ,  662 . Side connection members  658 ,  662  include holes  608 . Spring clip  604  includes two buttons  605 . Spring clip  604  is biased outwardly so that when inserted into member  658 , buttons  605  are disposed in holes  608  and spring clip  604  is secured within member  658 . Buttons  605  provide a snap fit connection to connect individual components of the support frame together. 
       FIG. 3  shows a walkway between work areas. In one embodiment, on each side of the walkway is street side wall  41 . At the corners connecting the street side wall  41  with the wing walls  31  are corner pieces  251 ,  253 . A section of the spine wall  71  can be seen between wing walls  255 ,  257 . There is a gap between the spine wall  71  and each wing wall  255 ,  257 . The walls are supported by feet  49 . The depicted embodiment shows conical feet, but it is to be understood that the scope of the present invention includes feet of any design or even the absence of feet. At each edge of the wing walls  31  are hanger frames  47 . The hanger frame  47  includes two vertical rows of vertical slots which allow for attachment of various items, including the work surfaces and other peripheral devices. In another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 13 , the vertically slotted member  481  is disposed in the interior of the panel between the frame and the cladding. Electrical outlets  65  are disposed in the wing wall. 
     In one embodiment, the wing walls  31  are attached to the spine wall  71  such that there is a gap between the spine wall and the wing wall, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The spine wall edge and the first wall edge are between about 2 inches and about 10 inches apart. In one embodiment, a connector  281  is attached to the edge of wing wall  31 , adjacent to the hanger frame  47 . The connector  281  comprises a vertical portion  275  and two horizontal flanges  261 ,  263 . Attached to the wing wall on the opposite side of the spine wall  71  is a similar connector  283  which comprises a vertical portion  277  and two horizontal flanges  265 ,  267 .  FIGS. 4A and 4B  show enlarged views of the top and bottom flanges, respectively, of connector  281 . The flanges  261 ,  263  attach to mounting channels  271 ,  273  in the spine wall  71 . The top flange  261  has a lip  285  which attaches to the mounting channel  271  by a fastener  279 . In a similar fashion, the bottom flange  263  has a lip  287  which attaches to the mounting channel  273  by means of bolts  279 . 
     The mode of attachment of the flanges  261 ,  263  to the mounting channels  271 ,  273  allows the wing wall to be adjusted “off-module,” i.e., positioned in any location along the horizontal channel. This mounting arrangement between the wing wall and the spine wall has several other advantages. Because the wing walls can be positioned off-module, there is greater flexibility in positioning the work areas in a given open office area; it can easily be adjusted to accommodate support columns and similar obstacles. Also, the gap between the wing wall and the spine wall allows users in transverse work areas to have some visual contact with each other, even though they do not share a common wall. The position of the wing wall can be easily changed to accommodate changing work space conditions and needs. 
     Another embodiment of the connector between the wing wall and the spine wall is shown in  FIG. 13 . Wing wall  31  is connected to spine wall  71  by two connectors, a lower connector  463  and a top connector  461  on the left side and a corresponding lower connector  467  and top connector  465  on the right side. Each of the lower connectors  463 ,  467  includes a connecting member  411  and a lower mounting member  403 . Each of the top connectors  461 ,  465  includes a connecting member  411  and top mounting member  401 . 
       FIGS. 13A and 13B  show enlarged views of embodiments of the top and bottom connectors, respectively. The mounting member  401  includes a base portion  421  and an extending portion  423 . The mounting member  403  includes a base portion  406  and an extending portion  404 . In one embodiment, the mounting members  401  and  403  are disposed in a channel  405  in the edge of the wing wall  31 . Fasteners  471  are disposed through base portion  421  of upper mounting member  401  and base portion  406  of lower mounting member  401  to attach the mounting members to the spine wall. 
       FIG. 13C  shows an embodiment of a portion of the spine wall, including connecting member  411 , top cap  821 , and top mounting member  401 . The mounting member  401  includes a base portion  421  and an extending portion  423 . The connecting member  411  includes a generally straight portion  413  and a generally curved portion  417 . The generally straight portion  413  of the connecting member includes a plurality of holes  410  for connection to the spine wall. The generally curved portion  417  includes a hole  412 . Fasteners  425  and  426  are disposed in holes  424  in mounting member  401  and hole  412  connecting member  411  to connect the mounting member to the connecting member. 
     The mode of attachment of the connecting member  411  to spine wall  71  allows the wing wall to be adjusted to various locations along the spine wall. In one embodiment, the connecting member  411  may be positioned at 12″ increments along the spine wall. 
     In one embodiment, the work space system includes an electrical connection for electrically connecting the wing wall and the spine wall. Electrical power to the wing wall is supplied from the spine wall. The electrical connection includes a conduit  433 , an electrical strip  435 , and electrical connection covers  431  and  435 . The interior of wing wall  31  has sufficient extra space to accommodate extra slack in conduit  433 . The extra slack allows the electrical connection to be adjustable in length so that the wing wall may be moved from a first location on the spine wall to a second location on the spine wall. The electrical connection covers  431 ,  437  provide a protected channel for the electrical connection between the spine wall and the wing wall. The electrical connection is used to power electrical outlet  65 . 
     One embodiment of the panels at the top of the wing wall is depicted in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 5A . The wing wall  31  has a lower portion  55  and a frame  35  on the upper portion. The frame  55  defines in part an openable area  62 . The frame  35  includes a set of tracks  57 ,  61  for holding panels  33 ,  53 . The panels  33 ,  53  slide along the tracks  57 ,  61 . Although the frame of the depicted embodiment has two panels, it is to be understood that the scope of the present invention includes other numbers of panels, including one panel and three panels. Each panel  33 ,  53  can be independently positioned along the tracks  57 ,  61 . Thus, the panels can be in the “open” position shown in  FIG. 5 , with both panels at one end of the frame  35 , or in the “closed” position of  FIG. 5A , with one panel at each end of the frame, or anywhere in between. The panels  33 ,  53  are of sufficient width that the frame  35  is completely closed when the panels are positioned at opposite ends of the frame, as shown in  FIG. 5A . The panels may be solid, or may have a pattern of openings, such as the pattern of circular holes  59  shown in  FIGS. 5 and 5A . The panels may be made of any suitable material, including wood, plastic, or metal. The panels may also be chosen to have particular optical or acoustical qualities, and may be translucent or opaque. In a preferred embodiment, the panels are made of wood. The panels may be of a variety of colors to enhance the aesthetics of the work area. 
       FIGS. 6 and 6A  depict one embodiment of the top portion of part of the spine wall  71 . Positioned at the top of the spine wall  71  is a frame  79 . The frame  79  defines in part an openable area  72 . The frame  79  comprises track members  85  and  83  at the top and bottom of the frame  79 , respectively. Three panels,  73 ,  75 , and  77 , are positioned in the tracks. Although the frame of the depicted embodiment has three panels, it is to be understood that the scope of the present invention includes other numbers of panels, including one, two, or four panels. Each panel is positioned in a separate track in the track members, so that each panel may be independently positioned in the frame. 
       FIG. 6A  depicts an “open” position, with the three panels positioned in parallel so that the frame  79  has the maximum open space.  FIG. 6  depicts the “closed” position, with the panels positioned end-to-end within the frame  79 . The panels may be positioned anywhere between the open and closed positions. The panels are  73 ,  75 , and  77  are of sufficient width that the frame  79  is completely closed when the panels are positioned end-to-end. The panels may be solid as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 6A , or may have a pattern of openings, such as the pattern of circular holes shown in  FIG. 15B . The panels may be made of any suitable material, including wood, plastic, or metal. The panels may also be chosen to have particular optical or acoustical qualities, and may be translucent, or opaque. In a preferred embodiment, the panels are made of wood. The panels may be of a variety of colors to enhance the aesthetics of the work area. 
     In another embodiment of the spine wall, there is no frame or panels disposed on the top of the wall, and the top of the spine wall has a cap. 
     In one embodiment, the spine wall has an internal frame structure shown in  FIGS. 15A and 15C . The lower portion of the spine wall includes two vertical frame members  801 , a lower horizontal frame member  803 , and an upper horizontal frame member  805 . The components of the frame may be connected by any conventional method including welding and mechanically fastening. Each vertical frame member includes a horizontal plate  811  attached near the top. The horizontal plates  811  provide points of attachment for top cap  821 . In one embodiment, top cap  821  is connected to horizontal plates  811  by fasteners  813 . Other methods of attachment such as welding are also possible. The top cap  821  includes a plurality of holes  825 . These holes  825  provide points of attachment for the connecting member  411  of the connector between the spine wall and the wing wall. In one embodiment, pairs of holes  825  are used to attach the connecting member  411 . As shown in  FIGS. 13C and 15C , upper connecting member  411  is disposed under top cap  821  with fasteners  813  disposed through holes  825  and  410  to secure the connecting member to the top cap  821 . The lower connecting member  411  is attached to lower horizontal frame member  803  in a similar fashion. The pattern of holes  825  is repeated at intervals along the length of top cap  821  and lower horizontal frame member  803  to provide adjustable attachment points for the wing wall. A light seal  823  is disposed below the top cap  821  to prevent light leakage between adjacent workspaces. 
     One embodiment of the frame disposed on top of the spine wall is shown in  FIG. 15B . The frame includes two vertical members  833  and horizontal member  841 . Vertical members  833  include an internal vertical channel  845 . Vertical channel  845  is adapted to hold rod  837 . Horizontal member  841  includes two cutouts  843  at each end. Cutout  843  is adapted to receive end cap  835 . Rod  837  is disposed through end cap  835  and channel  845  and connects to the top cap  825 . Upper track member  85  and lower track member  83  are disposed at the top and bottom, respectively, of the frame. The track members  85  and  83  each include a plurality of tracks  849  to guide the panels  33 . In one embodiment, the track members each include three tracks, but other numbers of tracks are possible. The frames of adjacent spine walls may be connected at the top of vertical members  833  to prevent any twisting or other lateral movement of the frames. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the wing wall  31  has one or more moveable panels  33  positioned in a frame in the top portion of the side wall.  FIG. 18A  shows an embodiment  501  of the panel  33  in the wing wall. The top of the panel  501  is secured to the frame of the wing wall with a pair of roller assemblies  511 . A roller assembly  511  is shown in greater detail in  FIG. 18B . The roller assembly has a base  513  which is attached to panel  501  by fasteners  515 . In one embodiment, the fasteners  515  are screws. The roller assembly has a top support  517  which holds a wheel  519  on an axle  541 . A side view of the roller assembly and frame assembly  521  is shown in  FIG. 18C . The roller assembly is supported by a track  531  in a frame assembly  521 . The track has a bottom  529  and a top  525 . The wheel  519  rolls along the track  531 , allowing the panel to move in the horizontal direction. A top ridge  523  and bottom ridge  533  help prevent the roller from becoming dislodged from the track  531 . The panel may be removed by a user by lifting the panel. Wheel  519  is lifted upwards into track top  525 . The bottom of the wheel then may be moved over ridge  533  and out of track  531 . Similar tracks  543  and  545  allow for additional panels to be inserted in the frame assembly  521 . In one embodiment, the bottom of the frame has a track assemble for guiding the panels. In one embodiment, the track assembly is made of a plastic extrusion. 
       FIG. 12  shows two users  243 ,  245  in adjacent work areas interacting through a wing wall  31 . Worker  243  sits at work surface  247  adjacent to wing wall  31 . The panel  33  is in the “open” position in frame  35 , allowing worker  243  to communicate with worker  245  in the adjacent work area. Referring back to  FIG. 2A , the worker  243  in the foreground could be sitting in work area  235 , and the worker  245  in the background could be sitting in work area  237 . As soon as their conversation is over, either user may slide panel  33  to the “closed” position to minimize unwanted intrusion. It can be seen that the work space design allows users to interact more easily than in conventional work space designs. 
     The entrance of a work space is depicted in  FIG. 7 . In one embodiment, the entrance of the work space includes a sliding door  91  mounted on the street side wall  41 . The entrance to the work area is bounded by a corner piece  113  at one side, a track  93  at the top, and a straight portion  29  of the street side wall  41  at the other side. The track  93  is adapted to hold a pair of wheels  97  and  99 , positioned at either end of the top of the door  91 . The wheels allow the door to slide along the track from a completely closed position to a completely open position. A guide  95  at the bottom of the street side wall  41  helps to guide the door  91  and keep it in the proper position. A handle  101  facilitates user movement of the door. In one embodiment, the door  91  includes a frame  109  which contains panels  111 . In one embodiment, the frame  109  is metal, and the panels  111  are plastic. In one embodiment, the panels  111  are translucent, allowing diffused light to pass through. This allows a person within the work area to have some indication of what is going on outside without being completely exposed. In one embodiment, the corner pieces  107  and  113  and the straight portion  29  of the street side wall  41  also comprise a design with a frame and panels. The panels in the street side wall and the corner pieces may also be translucent. 
     Another embodiment of the entrance to a work space is depicted in  FIG. 7A . The entrance of the work space includes a sliding door  761  mounted on the street side wall  41 . The entrance to the work area is bounded by a corner piece  765  at one side, a track  767  at the top, and a straight portion  775  of the street side wall at the other side. The track  767  is adapted to hold a pair of wheels  769  and  771 , positioned at either end of the top of the door  761 . The wheels allow the door to slide along the track from a completely closed position to a completely open position. A track  773  at the bottom of the street side wall  41  helps to guide the door  761  and keep it in the proper position. A pair of holes  763  facilitate user movement of the door. Cover pieces  741 ,  743  are disposed on the street side wall, as described below. 
     An embodiment of the street side wall is shown in  FIG. 16 . The street side wall includes a frame comprising vertical frame members  701  and horizontal frame members  711 . In one embodiment, the vertical and horizontal frame members have a hollow tubular shape, but other tube geometries are possible. Flat cladding panels  704 ,  706  and curved cladding panels  702 ,  708  are disposed on the frame. In one embodiment, the frame is interior to the work space relative to the cladding panels, but other arrangements are possible. The cladding panels  702 ,  704 ,  706 ,  708  may be translucent or opaque. Connectors  721  ( FIG. 17A ) and reinforcing plates  731  ( FIG. 17B ) connect the plurality of cladding panels to the frame. The connectors  721  and reinforcing plates  731  are positioned at the intersection of horizontal and vertical frame members. A vertically slotted member  705  provides a point of attachment for a work surface support frame, such as those shown in  FIGS. 14 and 14E . 
     In one embodiment shown in  FIGS. 17A and 17B , each connector comprises a base element  721  disposed on either the inner surface or the outer surface of the cladding panel. The base element includes two arms  723  with holes  727 . The holes are adapted to receive fasteners  751 . The base element also includes a concave portion  725  adapted to receive a portion of the side surface of a vertical frame member  701 . The base element includes a tubular hub  729  which fits within the interior of a horizontal frame member and secures it thereto. Where one horizontal frame member intersects a vertical frame member, for example at the horizontal edge of the street side wall ( 722  in  FIG. 16 ), one base element  721  is used. Where two horizontal frame members intersect, for example in the middle of a panel ( 724  in  FIG. 16 ), two base elements  721  are used, one disposed on each side of the vertical frame member. The two base elements together comprise four arms in an X-like shape and fasteners  751  are disposed through each arm of the X and through holes in the cladding panel. In one embodiment, the connector may also include a reinforcing plate  731  with arms  733 . Reinforcing plate  731  is aligned over the X-like shape and fasteners  751  are disposed through each hole  737  and  727 . Reinforcing plate  731  may be used at connections between wall segments and provides added rigidity to the street side wall. 
     A cover piece  741  or  743  is disposed on the opposite side of the cladding panel from the base element. Cover piece  743  is disposed opposite a single base element. Cover piece  741  is disposed opposite a pair of base elements on each side of a frame member. Each cover piece  741 ,  743  includes a cylinder  745  which attaches to the end of fastener  751 . Each cover piece also has one or more tabs  747  which are adapted to fit in the gap between the cladding panels. In one embodiment, cover pieces  741  and  743  are cosmetic and hide one end of fasteners  751 . In another embodiment, cylinders  745  in cover pieces  741 ,  743  act as receiving members for fasteners  751 . In a further embodiment, cylinders  745  are threaded and are adapted to receive threaded fasteners  751 . 
     Other possible embodiments of the connector are not shown and are considered to be within the scope of the invention. The orientation of base elements  721  may be rotated 90° so that concave surface is disposed around horizontal members. Two base elements may be molded as a single piece. Base elements  721  may be connected to reinforcing plate  737  as an integrated piece. Tubular hub  729  may be replaced with a cylinder of a greater diameter than the frame member, and the frame member disposed within the tubular hub. 
       FIG. 8  depicts a side view of one embodiment of a work space. To the left and right are wing walls  31 , and to the back is spine wall  71 . A portion of the street side wall  41  is shown in dotted lines in the foreground. At one end, adjacent to the wing wall, is a work surface  121 . At the opposite end of the work space is a work surface  123 . The work surfaces  121 ,  123  are positioned at a height convenient for use by a person sitting in a chair. Disposed between the two work surfaces is a pair of drawers  125 ,  127 . The drawers  125 ,  127  are of a conventional design. They are adapted to pull out, with handles  133 ,  135  positioned at the front of the drawers  125 ,  127 . The top portion of the top drawer  127  is lower than the bottom of the work surfaces  121 ,  123 . Disposed at the top portion of the spine wall  71  are two frames  79 ,  137 . In the illustrated embodiment, the frames  79 ,  137  each have three panels  129 ,  131 . The scope of the present invention includes other arrangements of the frame and the panels, such as having a continuous frame along the spine wall, or different numbers of panels  129 ,  131  within the frame. Below the frame  79  is a flip-up easel member  81 . The shelf has a small lip on the bottom to allow it to hold magazines and similar items. Positioned on one of the wing walls is a movable cabinet  181 . The cabinet  181  may be positioned on either wing wall, on both wing walls, or may be absent from a given work space. 
       FIG. 8A  depicts a side view of another embodiment of a work space. To the left and right are wing walls  31 , and to the back is spine wall  71 . Electrical power is supplied to the spine wall  71  from overhead by electrical line  390 . At one end, adjacent to one wing wall, is a work surface  391 . At the opposite end of the work space is a work surface  393 . The work surfaces  391 ,  393  are positioned at a height convenient for use by a person sitting in a chair. Attached to the spine wall  71  between the two work surfaces is bookcase assembly  960 . Vertical work surface supports  642  are attached to bookcase assembly  960 . Bookcase assembly  960  includes a pair of drawers  125 ,  127 . The top portion of the top drawer  127  is lower than the bottom of the work surfaces  391 ,  393 . Positioned on one of the wing walls is a movable cabinet assembly  307 . The cabinet assembly  307  may be positioned on either wing wall, on both wing walls, or may be absent from a given work space. 
     The connection between the work surface support and the bookcase assembly is shown in  FIG. 14G . Vertical work surface support  642  is attached to bookcase assembly  960 . Connecting member  671  slides into vertical support  642  and connects to member  651 . Member  651  fits within end member  657  to secure end member  651  to end piece  655 . The work surface support frame includes horizontal beams  610 ,  612  attached to end piece  655 . The support frame may be secured to the wing wall by bracket  630 . The connection between the work surface support and the bookcase assembly improves the overall stability and rigidity of the work space system, as it connects together the spine wall, work surface, and the wing wall. 
     One embodiment of the bookcase assembly is shown in  FIG. 21A . Bookcase assembly  960  includes top surface  951 , middle shelf  953 , and bottom shelf  955 . Vertical members  959  are disposed between the top surface  951  and the middle bottom shelf  953 , and vertical members  957  are disposed between the middle shelf  953  and the bottom shelf  955 . A plurality of rods  961  are disposed in holes in top surface  951 , middle shelf  953 , and bottom shelf  955  to secure the cabinet assembly together. A pair of vertical supports  642  are attached to vertical members  957  and  959  as part of the work surface support frame. Drawers  125 ,  127  are disposed in the center portion of the bookcase assembly. The drawers  125 ,  127  are of a conventional design. They are adapted to pull out, with handles  133 ,  135  positioned at the front of the drawers  125 ,  127 . 
     Another embodiment of the bookcase assembly in shown in  FIG. 21B . Bookcase assembly  970  is similar to bookcase assembly  960  except that it is narrower, with one less pair of vertical supports  957  and  959 . Bookcase  970  would typically be used in a narrower work area than would bookcase  960 . 
     One embodiment of the cabinet assembly  207  is shown in  FIG. 10 . In one embodiment, the cabinet assembly  207  includes a cabinet  181 , support rails  209 , a shelf  199 , and a compact disk holder  201 . The cabinet assembly  207  is adapted to slide along the wing wall  31 . Positioned at the top of the wing wall  31  is a track  191 . Positioned at the top of cabinet  181  are two wheels  185  (only one wheel is shown). The track  191  is adapted to hold wheels  185 . The wheels  185  are connected to the top of the cabinet by axles  183  (only one axle is shown). Disposed at the bottom of the cabinet assembly  207  are two rollers  195 ,  197 . The rollers  195 ,  197  roll against the wing wall panel  87 . Rollers  195 ,  197  in conjunction with wheels  185  allow the cabinet assembly  207  to be moved horizontally by the user. The cabinet assembly  207  can be moved from one end of the wing wall  31  to another, or positioned anywhere in between. Combined with the wing wall panel  33 , the cabinet assembly  207  can be used to open up or close the openable area at the top portion of wing wall  31 , depending on the desires of the user. 
     A variety of different arrangements are possible for the cabinet assembly  207 . In one embodiment, shown in  FIG. 10 , a cabinet  181  is positioned at the top of the cabinet assembly  207 . The cabinet  181  is of a conventional design, with two doors  193 ,  205  and an interior shelf  203 . Below the cabinet  181  is another shelf  199 . Below the shelf  199  is a compact disk holder  201 , which is adapted to hold a plurality of compact disks. Another embodiment is depicted in  FIG. 10A . This embodiment features a larger cabinet  182 , and lacks the shelf and CD holder. In other respects, it is substantially similar to the cabinet assembly depicted in  FIG. 10 . 
     An alternative embodiment of a cabinet assembly  307  is shown in  FIGS. 19A through 19H . The cabinet assembly  307  may be positioned horizontally along a wall in an off-module manner. A top view of the cabinet assembly  307  in a work area is shown in  FIG. 9B . In one embodiment shown in  FIG. 19A , the cabinet assembly  307  includes three horizontal panels  311 ,  313 , and  315 , a vertical back panel  323 , and two vertical side panels  321 ,  324 . The top panel  311 , bottom panel  315 , and middle panel  313  may be of substantially identical construction. The middle and bottom panels provide a shelf surface for a user to store work materials. In one embodiment shown in  FIG. 19D , the panels include a generally flat back edge  361 , a generally flat first side edge  363 , a generally curved second side edge  365 , and a generally curved front edge  367 , wherein the second side edge  365  and the front edge  367  form a continuous smooth curved edge. The back edge  361  covers the entire back of the cabinet and a portion  357  wraps part way around the open end. 
     In one embodiment, a plurality of rods  331  is disposed perpendicular to the planes of the horizontal panels. Each rod has a first end  333 , a second end  334 , and a middle portion  336 . In one embodiment, the rods are threaded. The rod first ends  333  are attached to the top panel  311 . The rod second ends  334  are attached to the bottom panel  315 . The rod middle portion  336  intersects the middle panel  313 . The first and second end portions each includes a fastener which secures the rod in place. The cabinet also includes cabinet support members  341 ,  343 . The support members are disposed on both the top and bottom surface of the cabinet assembly and provide additional structural support. Connected to the cabinet support members are roller support members  351 . The roller support members are connected to the cabinet support members by a fastener, such as screws  345 . 
     The cabinet assembly  307  is adapted to slide along the wing wall  31 . Positioned at the top of the wing wall  31  is a track  191 , as shown in  FIGS. 9B and 10A . Positioned at the top of cabinet assembly  307  are two wheels  375 . The wheels  375  are connected to the top of the cabinet by generally horizontal axles  373 . In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 19A , axles  373  may be oriented slightly downwards from horizontal toward the wheels  375 . The generally horizontal axles  373  are connected to the roller support members  351  by arms  371 . Positioned at the bottom of the cabinet assembly  307  are two wheels  381 . Wheels  381  are rotate about generally vertical axles  379 . The wheels  381  roll against the wing wall panel  87 . Wheels  375  in conjunction with wheels  381  allow the cabinet assembly  307  to be moved horizontally by the user. A bumper rod  353  connects between axles  373 . The bumpers rod stops the travel of the cabinet at the ends of the wing wall. 
     The cabinet assembly may be positioned so that the generally flat first side edge  363  may be positioned either to the left side or to the right side. The construction of the cabinet assembly is vertically symmetric. The “handedness” of the cabinet can be changed by removing the roller support members  351  and axles  389 , flipping the cabinet assembly over, and reattaching the roller support members  351  and axles  389 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9B , in one embodiment the cabinet assembly includes a door  383  that covers part of the width of the cabinet, leaving the remaining portion of the cabinet open. The door  383  is hinged on one of the rods  331 . 
     In one embodiment, the composition of the shelf assembly is as follows. The top panel  311 , bottom panel  315 , and middle panel  313  are constructed from 2-layer welded sheet metal shelves with an extruded trim strip  317  filling the gap between the shelf halves. The two vertical side panels  321 ,  324  are powder coated medium density fiberboard. The back panel  323  is sheet metal. 
     In addition to the embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 10 ,  10 A, and  19 A- 19 G, the present invention contemplates other possible rolling shelving and cabinet arrangements. For example, one embodiment could include simple horizontal shelves with no doors or vertical components. Another embodiment could be a rolling flat panel with hooks for hanging items such as tools. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , easel members  81  are hingedly connected to the spine wall just below the frame  79 . Easel member  81  includes a lip  82  disposed at the bottom portion so that the flat surface of the easel member may hold items like magazines. Hinges  80  allow the easel member to be flipped up. 
       FIGS. 20A and 20B  show another embodiment of the easel member  81 . The easel member  81  is reinforced by support members  911 . Support members  911  include holes  915  disposed near the bottom and holes  917  disposed near the top. Hinge assembly  921  includes hinge housing  901 , hinge pin  937 , bushings  923 , and easel connector  931 . Easel connector  931  includes a base member  935  adapted to connect to holes  917  in support member  911  with a fastener (not shown). Bushings  923  have flanges  925  which fit into slot  927  in hinge housing  901 . Hinge pin  937  is disposed in channel  903  in hinge housing  901  and channel  933  in easel connector  931 . Hinge housing  901  includes a square channel  905  which is adapted to fit around the frame portion of a work system wall, with lip  907  and ridges  909  securing the hinge housing around the frame portion. Bumpers  913  are secured in holes  915 . In one embodiment, hinge housing  901  is aluminum, bumpers  913  are rubber, and the remaining components are steel. 
       FIG. 11  is an enlarged view of an outer corner of a work space. The street side wall  41  and the wing wall  31  meet at a corner piece  63 . The corner piece  63  has a curved exterior, which connect the ends of the street side wall  41  and the wing wall  31 . The corner piece  63  has a frame  45  which supports a panel  37 . The panel  37  may be removed from the exterior of the work space. The panel may be attached to the frame  45  by any conventional method, including screws, a hinge, or an interlocking lip. The existence of the removable panel  37  allows a technician to access the corner of the work area without having to enter the work area or having to crawl under a work surface. For example, a technician can check the operation of a computer  39  by accessing its cables  43  without disturbing the user within. The existence of the access panel also makes it easier to attach peripheral devices such as printers to the computer  39 ; this can be accomplished without having to drag the computer out from under a work surface or having to physically crawl under a work surface. 
     Three embodiments of the workspace layout are shown in  FIGS. 9 ,  9 A, and  9 B. A work space layout in  FIG. 9  has a work surface  121  at one end of the work area, positioned adjacent to a wing wall  31 . Another work surface  123  is positioned at the opposite end of the work area, adjacent the other wing wall  31 . One end of work surface  121  is parallel to the wall towards the entrance  171 , and angles into the work area at the end closest to the spine wall  71 . The edge of work surface  123  angles from the end closest to the entrance  171  towards the adjacent wing wall  31 , and runs parallel to the wing wall  31  at the end closest to the spine wall  71 . A worker  163  sits in the work area, with a computer  165  positioned at the end of work surface  123  closest to the entrance  171 . Because the worker is facing partially toward the entrance  171 , he has a greater ability to see when someone enters his work area to talk to him. Located adjacent the work surface is a storage cabinet  181 . There is also a drawer  127  adjacent the work surfaces for storing supplies, files, etc. The work area also has a closet  161  positioned in the corner for storing personal items. 
       FIG. 9A  shows an alternative embodiment of a work space layout. This work space is slightly longer than the work space of  FIG. 9  and might be used as a manager&#39;s office. The work surface  123  is similar in all respects the standard work surface layout, but in place of work surface  121 , there is a work surface  167 . Work surface  167  extends out from the spine wall  71  and has an area  173  between it and the wing wall  31 . The area  173  can be used for chairs, for example, when the user has visitors. The other features of the larger work area are substantially the same as for the standard work area depicted in  FIG. 9 , with options for a cabinet  181 , a drawer  169 , and a closet  161 . 
       FIG. 9B  shows another embodiment of a work space layout. A work surface  391  is positioned at one end of the work area, adjacent to a wing wall  31 . Another work surface  393  is positioned at the opposite end of the work area, adjacent the other wing wall  31 . The edge of work surface  391  facing the work area has a first portion  392  and a second portion  394  meeting at an obtuse angle to form a generally concave edge  395 . Work surface  393  has a substantially straight edge  396 . Located above the work surface  391  is a cabinet assembly  307 . Attached to the spine wall are a pair of easel members  81 . There is also a drawer  127  adjacent the work surfaces for storing supplies, files, etc. The work area also has a closet  161  positioned in the corner for storing personal items. 
     The embodiments described above and shown herein are illustrative and not restrictive. In certain cases, materials of construction have not been described; in these cases, it is to be understood that the invention may be made by any known method and of any known material. The scope of the invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description and attached drawings. The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, these and any other changes which come within the scope of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.