U.S. patent application number 10/962313 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-07 for office rail assembly for work board.
This patent application is currently assigned to HON Technology Inc.. Invention is credited to Barrett, Shawn O., Cesaroni, William C., Glenn, Robert J. II, Ives, Josiah M., Schaefers, Mark.
Application Number | 20050145769 10/962313 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32770649 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050145769 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ives, Josiah M. ; et
al. |
July 7, 2005 |
Office rail assembly for work board
Abstract
A work board assembly having a board and hook assembly mountable
to a rail assembly, and the rail assembly is mountable to a wall. A
flip chart holder may optionally be hung on the board to add
versatility to the board. The hook assembly is rotatable, thereby
allowing opposite surfaces of the board to be easily and quickly
exposed. The exposed surfaces may accept markers or the surfaces
may allow tacking of documents, or one surface may be for markers
and the other for tacking. The rail assembly includes a bracket
designed to be attached to a wall and to mount a rotatable cam. The
cam is received by a rail and rotation of the cam causes locking
engagement of the rail to the bracket.
Inventors: |
Ives, Josiah M.; (Kalona,
IA) ; Schaefers, Mark; (Muscatine, IA) ;
Glenn, Robert J. II; (Chicago, IL) ; Barrett, Shawn
O.; (Des Plaines, IL) ; Cesaroni, William C.;
(Glenview, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JONES DAY
77 WEST WACKER
CHICAGO
IL
60601-1692
US
|
Assignee: |
HON Technology Inc.
|
Family ID: |
32770649 |
Appl. No.: |
10/962313 |
Filed: |
February 14, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10962313 |
Feb 14, 2005 |
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10712225 |
Nov 13, 2003 |
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6895704 |
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10712225 |
Nov 13, 2003 |
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10355884 |
Jan 31, 2003 |
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6854202 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/447.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 16/35 20150115;
G09F 15/0087 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/447.1 |
International
Class: |
A47B 023/04 |
Claims
1. An office rail assembly for supporting a work board assembly and
having structure to receive a hook attached to said work board
assembly, said office rail assembly comprising: a rail; a rail end
cap; and a rail hanger bracket.
2. The rail assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said rail
hanger bracket includes a rotatable cam portion and a wall mounting
portion.
3. The rail assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein: said cam
portion is receivable by said rail and is engaged by rotating said
cam portion.
4. The rail assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein: said cam
portion includes a handle and a fastener, said handle for rotating
said cam portion and said fastener for retaining said cam portion
in the engaged position.
5. The rail assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein: said cam
portion includes two rotatable cam members for engaging abutting
rail segments.
6. The rail assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein: said rail has a
generally C-shaped cross-section; and said cam portion of said rail
hanger bracket engages a portion of an inner surface of said
C-shaped cross-section of said rail.
7. The rail assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein: said inner
surface of said C-shaped cross-section of said rail includes an
upper curved portion and a lip portion; and said cam portion of
said rail hanger bracket engages said upper curved portion of said
rail.
8. The rail assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein: said rail
hanger bracket includes a projecting foot portion for engaging said
lip portion of said rail.
9. The rail assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said rail end
cap includes an end wall portion and a rail engaging arm.
10. The rail assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein: an outer
surface of said rail engaging arm has a shape complementing the
shape of an inner surface of said rail and said rail engaging arm
includes a fastener opening.
11. The rail assembly as claimed in claim 10 wherein: said rail
hanger bracket includes a rotatable cam portion and a wall mounting
portion.
12. The rail assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein: said cam
portion is receivable by said rail and is engaged by rotating said
cam portion.
13. The rail assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein: said rail has
a generally C-shaped cross-section; and said cam portion of said
rail hanger bracket engages a portion of an inner surface of said
C-shaped cross-section of said rail.
14. The rail assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein: said inner
surface of said C-shaped cross-section of said rail includes an
upper curved portion and a lip portion; and said cam portion of
said rail hanger bracket engages said upper curved portion of said
rail.
15. The rail assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein: said rail
hanger bracket includes a projecting foot portion for engaging said
lip portion of said rail.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a divisional of application Ser.
No. 10/712,225 entitled "Work Board Assembly", filed on Nov. 13,
2003, which is a divisional of application Ser. No. 10/355,884,
entitled "Versatile Work Board System", filed on Jan. 31, 2003.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
STATEMENT RE FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not applicable.
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates to a rail assembly for
supporting a work board and more particularly to a rail assembly in
an office environment for supporting a work board assembly, rail
assembly which is simple and versatile.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] Marker boards, tack boards and flip charts are all well
known devices for communicating in a workplace. See for example,
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,518,217; 5,152,490; 4,258,893; 4,239,170; and
3,975,837. Unfortunately, none of the prior related art offers the
versatility, simplicity and ease of use needed in present day
office environments.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The lack of versatility offered by previous devices has been
overcome by the present invention. What is described here is an
office rail assembly for supporting a work board assembly and
having structure to receive a hook attached to said work board
assembly, the office rail assembly including a rail, a rail end cap
and a rail hanger bracket.
[0008] There are a number of advantages, features and objects
achieved with the present invention which are believed not to be
available in earlier related devices. For example, the rail
assembly disclosed herein is extremely versatile, simply
constructed, reliable, robust and easy to assemble and use. The
rail assembly is also relatively inexpensive.
[0009] A complete understanding of the present invention and other
objects, advantages and features thereof will be gained from a
consideration of the present specification which provides written
description of the invention, and of the manner and process of
making and using the invention, set forth in such full, clear,
concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art
to which it pertains, or which it is most nearly connected, to make
and use the same in compliance with Title 35 U.S.C. section 112
(first paragraph). Furthermore, the following description of a
preferred embodiment of the present invention read in conjunction
with the accompanying drawing provided herein represents an example
of the invention in compliance with Title 35 U.S.C. section 112
(first paragraph), but the invention itself is defined in the
Claims section attached hereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic isometric view of a portion of a
room illustrating several embodiments of a work board assembly.
[0011] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a work board assembly
including a board, a hook assembly on a rail assembly.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a front isometric view of the board and hook
assembly.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the board and hook
assembly shown in FIG. 3.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a rear elevation view of the board and hook
assembly shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the board and hook assembly
shown in FIGS. 3-5.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the board and hook assembly
shown in FIGS. 3-6.
[0017] FIG. 8 is an upward looking, exploded isometric view
illustrating the hook assembly.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a downward looking, exploded isometric view of the
hook assembly shown in FIG. 9.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a downward looking isometric view of the rail
assembly.
[0020] FIG. 11 is an upward looking isometric view of the rail
assembly illustrated in FIG. 10.
[0021] FIG. 12 is an enlarged side elevation view of the rail
assembly illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11.
[0022] FIG. 13 is a top plan view of a portion of the rail assembly
illustrated in FIGS. 10-12.
[0023] FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of a portion of the rail
assembly illustrated in FIGS. 10-13.
[0024] FIG. 15 is a front elevation view of a portion of the rail
assembly shown in FIGS. 10-14.
[0025] FIG. 16 is a rear elevation view of a portion of the rail
assembly shown in FIGS. 10-15.
[0026] FIG. 17 is an isometric view of a rail hanger bracket.
[0027] FIG. 18 is an isometric view of the hanger bracket and a
rail.
[0028] FIG. 19 is an isometric view of the rail being mounted to
the rail hanger bracket.
[0029] FIG. 20 is an isometric view of two rails being mounted to
the rail hanger bracket.
[0030] FIG. 21 is an isometric view showing the two rails mounted
to the rail hanger bracket.
[0031] FIG. 22 is an isometric view illustrating the rail being
lockingly engaged with the rail hanger bracket.
[0032] FIG. 23 is an exploded isometric view illustrating a portion
of the rail and a rail end cap.
[0033] FIG. 24 is an isometric view of the rail end cap installed
in the rail.
[0034] FIG. 25 is an isometric view of a portion of the board and
hook assembly being mounted on the rail assembly.
[0035] FIG. 26 is an isometric view of a flip chart holder.
[0036] FIG. 27 is an isometric view of the flip chart holder
mounted to a board and hook assembly, where the flip chart is
illustrated in a closed position.
[0037] FIG. 28 is an isometric view of the flip chart holder
mounted to the board and hook assembly where the flip chart holder
is in an open position.
[0038] FIG. 29 is an enlarged isometric view of the upper portion
of the board and hook assembly showing the mounted flip chart
holder.
[0039] FIG. 30 is a rear elevation view of the door portion of the
flip chart holder.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0040] While the present invention is open to various modifications
and alternative constructions, the preferred embodiment
illustrating the best mode contemplated by the inventors of
carrying out their invention is shown in the various figures of the
drawing and will be described herein in detail, pursuant to Title
35 U.S.C. section 112 (first paragraph). It is understood, however,
that there is no intention to limit the invention to the particular
embodiment, form or example which is disclosed herein. To the
contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalent
structures and methods, and alternative constructions falling
within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the
appended Claims section attached hereto, pursuant to Title 35
U.S.C. section 112 (second paragraph).
[0041] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a versatile
office work board system 10 in several embodiments which highlight
the versatility of the system. Two rail assemblies 12, 14 are
mounted to a first wall 16 and a second wall 18, respectively, of a
conference room 19. The first board and hook assembly 20 shows the
board and hook assembly mounted in an operative position on the
rail assembly 12 so that a front surface 22 is exposed. A user of
the board may use the front surface for writing or drawing purposes
or, if the board is a tack board, a user may use the front surface
to hang one or more sheets of paper.
[0042] A second board and hook assembly 24 includes a flip chart 26
mounted over the front surface 27 of the board.
[0043] A third board and hook assembly 28 is illustrated straddling
both rail assemblies 12, 14 allowing the board and hook assembly to
be placed in a comer of the room where the two walls 16, 18
intersect.
[0044] A fourth embodiment of the board and hook assembly 30 is
illustrated partially in broken line to show how the board may be
swiveled or rotated one hundred and eighty degrees from an exposure
of a front surface 32 to the exposure of a rear surface 34. This is
accomplished simply by removing one hook assembly from the rail
assembly and rotating the other hook assembly. This operation will
be explained in more detail hereinbelow.
[0045] The structural simplicity of the work board system is
illustrated in FIG. 2. The system includes a rail assembly 40 shown
in more detail. The rail assembly includes two rail hanger brackets
42, 44, a rail 46 and two rail end caps 48, 50. The system also
includes a work board assembly 52 having a central panel 54 with a
front surface 56. Formed around the panel is a frame 58, and a tray
60 with connector end pieces 59, 61 is mounted to a lower portion
of the panel. The board assembly 52 is suspended from the rail
assembly 40 by two hook assemblies 62, 64.
[0046] Referring now to FIGS. 3-7, the work board assembly includes
a panel with the front surface 56 as well as a rear surface 66. The
front and rear surfaces may be identical to one another. It should
be noted that the tray 60 extends outwardly from the panel in front
and rear directions so that markers, chalk or the like may be
deposited in the tray on either or both sides of the board. The
frame 58 includes left and right vertical members 68, 70, a top
horizontal member 72 and the tray 60. As may be appreciated, the
hook assemblies 62, 64 are fastened to the top frame member 72. The
board may be made of synthetic resin material or tackable material
or both. The frame and tray may be made of aluminum and the
connector end pieces may be made of synthetic resin.
[0047] The hook assembly 64, FIGS. 8 and 9, includes three parts, a
hook 80 having a generally C-shaped cross section with an inner
surface 82 having a shape generally complementing the shape of the
outer surface of the rail 46. Projecting from the bottom of the
hook is a post 83 which is received through a central opening 84 in
a board bracket 86. The board bracket is generally U-shaped
including two arms 88, 90 and a base 92. As shown in FIG. 4, the
two arms 88, 90 straddle the board. The base 92 of the board
bracket includes two fastener openings 94, 96 which may be used
when attaching the board bracket to the top and side members of the
board frame. A push nut 98 and a spring washer 99 engage the post
83 from the opposite side of the base 92 of the bracket. The
arrangement allows the hook 80 to lift slightly away from the
bracket and be rotated about the central axis of the post thereby
allowing the attached board to rotate. Rotation allows exposure of
both the front and the rear board surfaces as desired by the user.
When force on the hook is released, the hook returns to an abutting
position against the bracket.
[0048] The hook assembly 64 also includes a detent formed by two
projections 100, 102 formed on the upper surface 104 of the bracket
base 92 and two recesses 106, 108 formed in a bottom surface 110 of
the hook. The hook may be positioned in any rotational attitude
relative to the bracket, however, when the hook is aligned with the
bracket as shown in FIGS. 3-5, the recesses 106, 108 received the
projections 100, 102 so that tactile and audible indications are
received by the user to indicate a predetermined alignment of the
hook and the bracket of the hook assembly. The hook assembly may be
made of synthetic resin.
[0049] Referring now to FIGS. 10-24, the rail assembly 40 is
illustrated in more detail. As described in relation to FIG. 2, the
rail assembly includes a rail 46, two rail hanger brackets 42, 44
and the two rail end caps 48, 50.
[0050] The rail hanger bracket 42 has a generally L-shaped
configuration including a horizontal leg portion 120, FIGS. 12 and
17, and a vertical wall mounting portion 122. The hanger bracket
also includes two rotatable cam portions 124, 126, a handle 128 and
a fastener 130. The leg portion 120 includes a curved base 132 for
allowing rotation of the two cams and a projecting foot portion
134. The handle includes a slot 135 formed around the fastener
whereby the handle may be moved relative to the fastener. The
fastener is threaded to an opening in the leg portion (not shown)
so that after the handle and cams are rotated, the fastener may be
tightened against the handle to lock the handle in place. This will
be explained in further detail below.
[0051] The rail 46 has, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, a generally
C-shaped cross section including an outer wall 136, an inner wall
138, an inner surface 140 which has a curved upper portion 142 and
a generally flat lower wall 144 terminating in an upturn lip 146.
The rail may be an aluminum extrusion and the hanger brackets and
end caps may be formed of a zinc alloy.
[0052] Referring to FIGS. 18-22, the operation of lockingly
engaging the rail with the rail hanger bracket is illustrated in
two variations. The rail generally slides over the cam portions
124, 126 of the rail hanger bracket so as to initially connect the
two as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. Alternatively, when two rails 46,
46a are brought together or abutted, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21,
the hanger bracket may be used as a connector as well as a
supporter for the rails. Once the rail or rails are connected to
the hanger bracket, the lever 128 of the hanging bracket is
depressed or lowered by rotating the fastener 130 so as to rotate
the cams 124, 126. This causes the cams to tightly engage the rail
at the upper curved portion 142 of the interior surface 140, and
the foot portion 134 of the hanger bracket tightly engages the
lower wall 144 and the lip portion 146. This results in a
frictional and an interference fit between the rail and the hanger
bracket. To maintain the rail and the hanger bracket in a locked
position, the screw fastener 130 may be rotated to press down upon
the handle and lock it in the lowered position. To disassemble the
rail assembly, a user merely counter-rotates the fastener and lifts
the handle so that the hanger bracket cams and foot portion release
the rail and the rail is allowed to slide away from the hanger
bracket.
[0053] Referring to FIGS. 23, 24, the end rail cap 48 is also
constructed to engage the inner surface 140 of the rail 46. The
rail end cap includes an end wall 150 and a rail engaging arm 152.
The engaging arm includes an outer surface 154 which complements
the inner surface 140 of the rail and allows a frictional
engagement between the two surfaces to result. A fastener opening
156 is also provided in the engaging arm so that a screw may be
inserted to lock the end cap and the rail together by abutting or
depressing the inner wall 138.
[0054] Referring to FIG. 25, the operation of the hook assembly is
illustrated in more detail. Once the rail assembly 14 is fastened
to the wall 18, the board and hook assembly may be mounted as shown
in FIG. 25 as well as in FIG. 1. FIG. 25 also illustrates the
ability of the board to rotate even while the hook portion 80 of
the hook assembly 64 is still mounted to the rail 46. As mentioned
earlier, the rotatable hook assembly allows the board to swivel,
thereby exposing both its front and rear surfaces. It is to be
understood that the board may swivel one hundred eighty degrees to
allow the front surface to be exchanged for the rear surface. The
rotation of the hook assembly could go as high as three hundred
sixty degrees if clearance is also provided. It is also to be
understood that the rotational distance could be less than one
hundred eighty degrees such as is shown in FIG. 25 and in FIG. 1
where rotation may stop at about forty-five degrees to allow the
board 28 to straddle the intersecting walls 16 and 18.
[0055] Referring now to FIGS. 26-30, the flip chart holder 26 is
illustrated in more detail. The flip chart holder is designed to
support a tablet or pad 160 shown in broken line in FIGS. 27 and
28. The use of a flip chart broadens the versatility of the work
board system because a user is offered the ability to use only the
flip chart or the board or a combination of the two. The flip chart
includes a flip chart hanging bracket 162, a door 164, a hinge 166,
a latch 168 and a finger grip 170. The hanging bracket 162 includes
an upper channel 172 so that the flip chart holder may conveniently
hang over the top frame member 72 of the board 24. Attached to a
lower portion 174 of the hanging bracket is the hinge 166 which
attaches the hanging bracket 162 to the door 164.
[0056] The door includes an outer surface 176 and an inner surface
178. As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the door is rotatable between a
closed position shown in FIG. 27 and an open position shown in FIG.
28. Formed along the inner surface of the door are two channels,
upper channel 180 and lower channel 182, and slidably captured in
the channels in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of
the door are two hook strips 184, 186. A pair of hooks 188, 190 are
formed in the strips and provide an arrangement for hanging the pad
160 onto the rotating door no matter what the size or brand of the
pad. The latch 168 is provided to restrain the door in its closed
position.
[0057] In operation, the flip chart holder may be easily installed
on or removed from a board simply by placing the flip chart hanging
bracket over the top frame member 72 of the board. If the flip
chart holder is to be used, a fresh pad or tablet may be installed
simply by opening the door and have the pad engage the adjustable
hooks 188, 190. Because the hooks slide along the door, they may be
adjusted to the size of the pad mounting holes. The door may then
be closed and the user may write on the pad.
[0058] The door to the flip chart holder may be opened so that the
top sheet and subsequent sheets of the pad may be folded back to
present a fresh sheet. When the door is returned to its closed
position, the turned over sheets of the pad are maintained out of
the way.
[0059] It should be noted that even when the flip chart is
installed, the board and hook assembly combination may be swiveled
to expose the rear surface of the board.
[0060] The above specification describes in detail several
preferred embodiments of the present invention. Other examples,
embodiments, modifications and variations will, under both the
literal claim language and the doctrine of equivalents, come within
the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims. For
example, modifications to the shape of the hanger bracket or to the
rail are all considered equivalent structures and will also come
within the literal language of the claims. Still other alternatives
will also be equivalent as will many new technologies. There is no
desire or intention here to limit in any way the application of the
doctrine of equivalents nor to limit or restrict the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *