Steelcase Inc.

Scott H Russell

George V Weller

Joseph R Branc

William L Miller

Matthew Mark Mikolajczak

David C Sweeton

Steven M Brown

John Shackelford Toms

David J Battey

David A Shipman

Allen C Hager

Steven C Deer

Karl Jahn Mead

Gregg Robert Draudt

Mark A Baloga

Paul B Siebert

Mark T Slager

Robert J Luchetti

Robert E Jeffers

Steven F Goodman

James D Houda

Kevin S Nason

Michael E Tingley

Roy W Fink

Harold Halvorson, Jr

Gary S Juhlin

Thomas R Maas

Craig M Anderson

Michael D Elsholz

Anne C Ackerly

Anthony A Stachowiak

Steven C Gortsema

Charles C Ondrejka

David P Churchill

Peter C Greenberg

James H Davies

Edward L Tyler

Genevieve Wing

Timothy H Schipper

Peter J Schauer

David A VanDyke

Jerry P White

Larry L Rillema

Jeffery A Musculus

Paul P Hausner

Gary P Frantz

Larry D Fox

Robert J Doornbos

James L Brandt

Steven E Wiersma

John Schackelford Toms

David P Lathrop

A utility distribution system is provided for modular furniture of the type comprising individual furniture units which are juxtaposed to form one or more workstations. A signal conductor is positioned in each furniture unit, and extends generally between opposite sides thereof. Quick-disconnect connectors are provided at the opposite ends of each of the signal conductors, and mate with like quick-disconnect connectors in adjacent furniture units to create a communications network through the workstations. Each furniture unit has a signaler physically associated therewith, which is connected with an associated signal conductor at a coupler. A network controller is operable connected to the network to evaluate the network and/or the associated furniture units. The furniture units may be equipped with one or more utility ports, which are connected with the coupler, and service utility appliances, such as personal computers, telephones, facsimile machines, switches, power outlets, data receptacles, and the like. The utility appliances preferably have memory capability to internally store operating instructions for the same which are transmitted to the network controller when the utility appliance is initialized.

Furniture unit having a modular communication network

A utility distribution system is provided for modular furniture of the type comprising individual furniture units which are juxtaposed to form one or more workstations. A signal conductor is positioned in each furniture unit, and extends generally between opposite sides thereof. Quick-disconnect connectors are provided at the opposite ends of each of the signal conductors, and mate with like quick-disconnect connectors in adjacent furniture units to create a communications network through the workstations. Each furniture unit has a signaler physically associated therewith, which is connected with an associated signal conductor at a coupler. A network controller is operably connected to the network to evaluate the network and/or the associated furniture units. The furniture units may be equipped with one or more utility ports, which are connected with the coupler, and service utility appliances, such as personal computers, telephones, facsimile machines, switches, power outlets, data receptacles, and the like. The utility appliances preferably have memory capability to internally store operating instructions for the same, which are transmitted to the network controller when the utility appliance is initialized.

Communications network for identifying the location of articles relative to a floor plan

A wall structure for dividing building space includes several different freestanding base panels such as an internally open partition panel, a sound-deadening partition panel, a glass-supporting partition panel, and a doorway-supporting partition panel, and further includes an overhead system comprising a structural expressway construction, a transom subframe, covers for the subframe, and a glass module attachable to the subframe. The structural expressway construction has a torque box bracket for moving support from an inboard location spaced from the vertical side edge of the base panels to the vertical side edge. The transom subframe mounts atop the different base panels, and telescopingly extends into mating engagement with a ceiling channel. The opening between the ceiling channel, the top of the structural expressway construction, and the transom subframes can be selectively covered with either covers or a window subassembly that releasably engages structure on the ceiling channel, the structural expressway construction and the subframes.

Overhead structures for wall system

An apparatus includes a ceiling channel, an elongated transom frame member, and an adapter configured to mateably engage both the ceiling channel and the transom frame member. Specifically, the adapter includes an upper end with horizontal and angled flanges shaped to engage mating wall sections on the ceiling channel, in a manner providing stability to the connection and also providing alternative attachment sites for receiving a screw fastener. A lower end of the adapter telescopingly engages a top end of the frame member, and includes a pair of spaced-apart flanges and a spreader screw that can be adjusted to flex the flanges and frictionally bind the flanges against mating wall sections on the transom frame member in a selected telescoped position on the frame member. The ceiling channel has down flanges defining a longitudinally extending recess for receiving an upper edge of a cover panel. Safety clips attached to the upper edge of the cover panel engage the ceiling channel. The safety clips have a flexible protruding member that moves to a non-interfering depressed position when the upper edge extends into the recess, but that moves to an extended position when the upper edge drops out of the recess. By this arrangement, the cover panel is retained to the ceiling channel, even when a catastrophic event occurs causing the upper edge of the cover panel to drop out of engagement with the ceiling channel.

Wall-to-ceiling structure including framework and cover panel

Communications network for identifying the location of articles relative

A partition system is provided for subdividing a building space. The partition system includes different partition panels interconnectable in one of in-line, 'X', 'T', or 'L' shaped arrangements by a connection system that simulates a 'post' type connection, but which does not include vertically extending upright components. The connection system includes vertically spaced joint brackets for connecting the panels in the selected arrangement. The joint brackets each have sides with threaded connectors and barbed notches on each side. Vertically spaced frame brackets are used to rigidly connect the frame sections to the joint brackets. Trim pieces are constructed to securely engage the barbed notches on unoccupied sides of the joint brackets when there is a gap formed by absence of a panel on the unoccupied sides.

Panel-to-panel connectors for office partitions

Method of configuring a furniture utility distribution system

A heat releasable bracket, for supporting a ceiling panel under normal conditions, and for releasing the ceiling panel when exposed to elevated temperatures caused by a nearby fire or the like, includes a first bracket part which includes a mounting portion for securing the first bracket portion to a support structure such as a beam, column, wall, etc.; a second bracket part which is adapted to be secured to the first bracket part and provide a support for the ceiling panel; and a heat releasable link which normally joins the first and second bracket parts together, but which releases the second bracket part from the first bracket part when exposed to elevated temperatures, which in turn allows the ceiling panel to drop away from the position at which it is normally supported. The heat releasable bracket can form part of an effective and relatively inexpensive ceiling panel support system comprised of at least one heat releasable bracket and at least one other bracket which is not heat releasable. The invention is useful for normally supporting a ceiling panel, but releasing it if a fire occurs so that it does not interfere with effective utilization of a sprinkler system located above the ceiling panel.

Heat releaseable ceiling support

Utility distribution system for modular furniture and the like

A power distribution system includes powerways and power outlets for positioning in a plurality of furniture units. The powerways may include a plurality of power blocks each having at least three hermaphrodite ports. The power blocks of each powerway are interconnected by flexible conductors. Outlet blocks for the system include a flexible conductor and a connector for connection to the port. The hermaphrodite ports are for connection with other power blocks, outlet blocks, and a power tap-in.

Off-module bus electrical system (C-13)

A power distribution system for office furniture includes a powerway having a power block with power block conductors therein. A outlet block is supported on the powerway and includes outlets for the office furniture. The outlets are connected to different conductors in the powerway by a jumper. The powerway may include at least three first connectors on one end and at least one second connector on the other end. The first and second connectors interconnect thereby facilitating connection with other identical powerways. According to one aspect, one component includes a projection and another component includes a recess which facilitate connection of these components using a substantially flat implement.

Modular powerway with selectable receptacle

A multi-tiered electrical system is provided for furniture arrangements and the like of the type having a plurality of individual furniture units interconnected side-by-side. A branch raceway extends along each furniture unit, and houses therein an associated branch powerway, which is connected with adjacent branch powerways to create a branch circuit. Power taps are connected to the branch circuit to provide conventional low current power to electrical appliances. A feeder raceway extends adjacent each branch raceway, and houses therein a feeder harness that is connected by a power-in connector to a source of high current electrical power. A power jumper interconnects the feeder harness with one of the branch powerways, such that multiple branch circuits can be powered by a single power-in connector through the feeder harness.

Multi-tiered electrical system for furniture

A module is provided for communicating utilities to a worksurface or the like from a remote source. The module includes a housing which is pivotally mounted within an aperture in the worksurface. The housing has a hollow interior for receiving one of a plurality of utility connector modules, such as an electrical or communication receptacle. The housing is pivotable between an open position wherein the receptacle is exposed and accessible, and a closed position wherein the receptacle is substantially hidden or retracted. In the preferred embodiment, the housing naturally moves to a closed position so that the receptacles are protected by an upper surface on the housing that is contoured to direct any spilled fluids away from the receptacle when the housing is in the closed position. Also in the preferred embodiment, the receptacles are oriented so that any spilled fluids flow away from the receptacles. Further, the preferred module assembly is constructed to generally set in an aperture in a worksurface panel in a hanging fashion, thus facilitating installation, maintenance and repair.

Worksurface utilities module

Growing community of inventors

Kalamazoo, MI, United States of America

Scott H Russell