Integrated furniture system including overhead framework system and

Abstract

An integrated furniture system for subdividing a building space includes an overhead framework system and a furniture-supporting partition system integrated to be used together, separately, or in a partially overlapping arrangement. The overhead framework system is constructed to provide a relatively open meeting area, and includes at least one horizontally extending beam and posts supporting the beam overhead. The beam and posts are interconnected to form a space below the beam and between the posts, with the space having known height and width dimensions. The furniture-supporting partition system is constructed to subdivide the building space into an arrangement of physically separated offices. The furniture-supporting partition system includes side surfaces defining second width and height dimensions. The partition includes at least a portion positioned in the space under the beam and is potentially positioned completely under the beam in the space. The partition may or may not completely fill the space. The partition is connected to the post and beam by slip-fit connectors at its top and sides, respectively, with the slip-fit connection permitting vertical adjustment of the partition without also having to vertically adjust the beam. The partition is self-supporting, and includes levelers for separate vertical adjustment on the floor surface of the building space, although the connectors stabilize the partition from tipping over.