U.S. patent application number 12/684553 was filed with the patent office on 2010-07-15 for accessory track and accessory components for office furniture.
This patent application is currently assigned to KIMBALL INTERNATIONAL, INC.. Invention is credited to Jay M. Henriott.
Application Number | 20100175332 12/684553 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42318011 |
Filed Date | 2010-07-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100175332 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Henriott; Jay M. |
July 15, 2010 |
ACCESSORY TRACK AND ACCESSORY COMPONENTS FOR OFFICE FURNITURE
Abstract
A track that can be mounted to, or integrated into, a permanent
wall or a partition system wall, and accessory components that are
mountable in the track in either one of two orientations. In
particular, the accessory component is inserted into the opening of
a channel of the track with a first side of the accessory component
resting upon a fulcrum surface that is formed in the track. The
accessory component is then pivoted about the fulcrum surface
allowing a first engagement portion, such as a protrusion formed
inside the channel of the track, to engage with a second engagement
portion, such as a groove formed in the accessory component. The
accessory component has opposing sides with engagement portions
formed therein that are engageable with the protrusion formed in
the track. Thus, the accessory component can be turned over and
inserted in a second, opposite orientation with the first side
facing upward. The accessory component also includes a cutout
portion that allows for the passage of cords and other items
through the accessory component when the accessory component is
mounted to the track.
Inventors: |
Henriott; Jay M.; (Jasper,
IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BAKER & DANIELS LLP;111 E. WAYNE STREET
SUITE 800
FORT WAYNE
IN
46802
US
|
Assignee: |
KIMBALL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Jasper
IN
|
Family ID: |
42318011 |
Appl. No.: |
12/684553 |
Filed: |
January 8, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61144575 |
Jan 14, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/36.6 ;
52/220.7; 52/238.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 96/067 20130101;
E04B 2002/7483 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/36.6 ;
52/220.7; 52/238.1 |
International
Class: |
E04C 2/52 20060101
E04C002/52; E04B 2/82 20060101 E04B002/82; E04H 1/12 20060101
E04H001/12 |
Claims
1. In combination: a track, comprising: upper and lower walls
connected by a central wall, said upper, lower and central walls
together defining a channel having a first opening; a fulcrum
surface associated with said lower wall; and a first engagement
portion associated with said upper wall; and an accessory
component, comprising: first and second opposing sides including a
first surface and a second surface, respectively, a front portion,
and a rear portion, said rear portion including a pair of second
engagement portions respectively associated with said first and
second opposing sides, said rear portion of said accessory
component selectively insertable within said opening in a first
orientation with one of said second engagement portions engaged
with said first engagement portion and one of said first and second
surfaces abutting said fulcrum surface, and in a second orientation
with the other of said second engagement portions engaged with said
first engagement portion and the other of said first and second
surfaces abutting said fulcrum surface.
2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said first engagement
portion is a protrusion and said second engagement portions are
grooves.
3. The combination of claim 1, wherein said fulcrum surface extends
upwardly from said lower wall and is disposed adjacent said first
opening.
4. The combination of claim 1, wherein said first and second
surfaces differ from one another according to at least one
characteristic selected from the group consisting of: differing
materials; differing textures; and differing colors.
5. The combination of claim 1, wherein said accessory component
further comprises a cutout formed within said rear portion and
defining a second opening extending through and communicating said
first and second surfaces, said second opening disposed adjacent,
and at least partially outwardly of, said track.
6. In combination: a track, comprising: upper and lower walls
connected by a central wall, said upper, lower and central walls
together defining a channel having a first opening; a fulcrum
surface associated with said lower wall; and a first engagement
portion associated with said upper wall; and an accessory
component, comprising: first and second opposing sides including a
first surface and a second surface, respectively, a front portion,
and a rear portion, said rear portion including a second engagement
portion, said rear portion of said accessory component disposed at
least partially within said opening with said second engagement
portion engaged with said first engagement portion of said track
and said first surface abutting said fulcrum surface; and a cutout
formed within said rear portion and defining a second opening
extending through and communicating said first and second surfaces,
said second opening disposed adjacent, and at least partially
outwardly of, said track.
7. The combination of claim 6, wherein said first engagement
portion is a protrusion and said second engagement portion is a
groove.
8. The combination of claim 6, wherein said fulcrum surface extends
upwardly from said lower wall and is disposed adjacent said first
opening.
9. The combination of claim 6, wherein said first and second
surfaces differ from one another according to at least one
characteristic selected from the group consisting of: differing
materials; differing textures; and differing colors.
10. A partition system, comprising: at least one horizontally
disposed track; a first accessory component including opposite
first and second surfaces, said first accessory component fitted to
at least one of said tracks in a first orientation in which said
first surface faces in a first direction and said second surface
faces in a second direction; and a second accessory component
identical to said first accessory component, said second accessory
component fitted to at least one of said tracks in a second
orientation in which said second surface faces in said first
direction and said first surface faces in said second
direction.
11. The partition system of claim 10, wherein said first and second
surfaces are substantially horizontal, and said first direction is
an upward direction and said second direction is a downward
direction.
12. The partition system of claim 10, wherein said track further
comprises an upper wall having a first engagement portion, and said
accessory components each include a pair of second engagement
portions respectively disposed on said first and second
surfaces.
13. The partition system of claim 10, wherein said first engagement
portion is a protrusion and said second engagement portions are
grooves.
14. The partition system of claim 10, wherein said accessory
component further comprises a cutout formed within said rear
portion and defining a second opening extending through and
communicating said first and second surfaces, said second opening
disposed adjacent, and at least partially outwardly of, said
track.
15. The partition system of claim 10, wherein said first and second
surfaces differ from one another according to at least one
characteristic selected from the group consisting of: differing
materials; differing textures; and differing colors.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit under Title 35, U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
61/144,575, entitled ACCESSORY TRACK AND ACCESSORY COMPONENTS FOR
OFFICE FURNITURE, filed on Jan. 14, 2009, the disclosure of which
is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to office furniture and, more
specifically, relates to an accessory track, and accessory office
furniture components mountable within the accessory track.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] A variety of office accessories are used in office
environments, such as work surfaces, cabinets, shelves, filing
units, and other accessories. These office accessories may be hung
on a wall, and/or mounted to an office partition system that
includes tracks that allow a user to mount the office accessories
to the partition system.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present invention provides a track that can be mounted
to, or integrated into, a permanent wall or a partition system
wall, and accessory components that are mountable in the track in
either one of two orientations. In particular, the accessory
component is inserted into the opening of a channel of the track
with a first side of the accessory component resting upon a fulcrum
surface that is formed in the track. The accessory component is
then pivoted about the fulcrum surface allowing a first engagement
portion, such as a protrusion formed inside the channel of the
track, to engage with a second engagement portion, such as a groove
formed in the accessory component. The accessory component has
opposing sides with engagement portions formed therein that are
engageable with the protrusion formed in the track. Thus, the
accessory component can be turned over and inserted in a second,
opposite orientation with the first side facing upward. The
accessory component also includes a cutout portion that allows for
the passage of cords and other items through the accessory
component when the accessory component is mounted to the track.
[0007] In one form thereof, the present invention provides, in
combination, a track and an accessory component, the track
including upper and lower walls connected by a central wall, the
upper, lower and central walls together defining a channel having a
first opening, a fulcrum surface associated with the lower wall,
and a first engagement portion associated with said upper wall, and
the accessory component including first and second opposing sides
including a first surface and a second surface, respectively, a
front portion, and a rear portion, the rear portion including a
pair of second engagement portions respectively associated with the
first and second opposing sides, the rear portion of said accessory
component selectively insertable within the opening in a first
orientation with one of the second engagement portions engaged with
the first engagement portion and one of the first and second
surfaces abutting the fulcrum surface, and in a second orientation
with the other of the second engagement portions engaged with the
first engagement portion and the other of the first and second
surfaces abutting said fulcrum surface.
[0008] In another form thereof, the present invention provides, in
combination, a track and an accessory component, the track
including upper and lower walls connected by a central wall, the
upper, lower and central walls together defining a channel having a
first opening, a fulcrum surface associated with the lower wall,
and a first engagement portion associated with the upper wall, and
the accessory component including first and second opposing sides
including a first surface and a second surface, respectively, a
front portion, and a rear portion, the rear portion including a
second engagement portion, the rear portion of said accessory
component disposed at least partially within the opening with the
second engagement portion engaged with the first engagement portion
of the track and the first surface abutting the fulcrum surface,
and a cutout formed within the rear portion and defining a second
opening extending through and communicating the first and second
surfaces, the second opening disposed adjacent, and at least
partially outwardly of, the track.
[0009] In a further form thereof, the present invention provides a
partition system including at least one horizontally disposed
track, a first accessory component including opposite first and
second surfaces, the first accessory component fitted to at least
one of the tracks in a first orientation in which the first surface
faces in a first direction and the second surface faces in a second
direction, and a second accessory component identical to the first
accessory component, the second accessory component fitted to at
least one of the tracks in a second orientation in which the second
surface faces in the first direction and the first surface faces in
the second direction.
[0010] In another form thereof, the present invention provides a
method for installing an accessory component within a partition
system, including the steps of: providing an accessory component
having opposite first and second surfaces; positioning the
accessory component in one of a first and second orientation; and
inserting the accessory component into at least one track of the
partition system. The method may include the additional steps of:
removing the accessory component from the at least one track;
positioning the accessory component in the other of the first and
second orientations; and inserting the accessory component into at
least one track of the partition system.
[0011] In a still further form thereof, the present invention
provides a method installing an accessory component within a
partition system, including the steps of: placing a cord within a
cutout in a rear portion of an accessory component; inserting the
accessory component into the channel of a track of the partition
system with the cutout providing an opening through the rear
portion of the accessory component that is disposed adjacent the
track. The method may include the additional step, prior to the
placing step, of connecting the cord to an outlet disposed in one
of a permanent wall and a partition of the partition system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of
this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more
apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by
reference to the following description of embodiments of the
invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an office environment
including a permanent wall and a partition system wall connected to
the permanent wall;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of the
permanent wall and/or the partition system wall of FIG. 1, showing
the track, and also showing an accessory component and
schematically illustrating the insertion of the accessory component
into the track in either of two orientations;
[0015] FIG. 3 is another sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2,
showing initial insertion of the accessory component into the
track;
[0016] FIG. 4 is another sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2,
showing completed insertion of the accessory component into the
track;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective, fragmentary sectional view taken
along line 5-5 of FIG. 1, showing a cutout portion for allowing the
passage of cords and other items through the accessory
component;
[0018] FIG. 6a is a sectional view showing completed insertion of
the accessory component into the track using engagement portions
according to another embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 6b is a fragmentary view of the rear portion of the
accessory component of FIG. 6a, showing the pair of second
engagement portions; and
[0020] FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the placement of a cutout
portion of the accessory component in relation to the track and
accessory component.
[0021] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out
herein illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and such
exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of
the invention in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an office environment 20
showing permanent wall 22 and partition system wall 26 connected to
permanent wall 22. Office environment 20 includes existing
permanent walls 22 including panels attached to wall studs 24 at
standard increments as it is known in normal construction
techniques. Both permanent wall 22 and wall studs 24 stand
substantially vertical from floor 28. A partition system wall 26 is
shown attached to permanent wall 22 by engagement with track 30,
such as in the manner described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,309,686,
assigned to assignee of the present invention, the disclosure of
which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Partition system wall 26 may be attached to permanent wall 22 by
any other suitable method. Track 30 is attached substantially
horizontally to permanent wall 22 and/or partition system wall 26.
Track 30 may be attached to permanent wall 22 and/or partition
system wall 26 by bolts, screws, or other suitable attachment
methods or may itself be integrated into the framework of permanent
wall 22 or partition system wall 26, such as in the manner
disclosed in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 7,150,127, assigned to
assignee of the present invention, the disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0023] Office environment 20 also includes accessory components 52.
As shown in FIG. 1, accessory components 52 may include, for
example, a work surface 52a, an overhead case storage unit 52b, a
bookcase 52c, a filing device 52d, or any other office furniture
accessory. One exemplary embodiment of accessory components 52 is a
shelf 53, described in detail below, which includes cutout portions
54. Although the features of track 30 and the accessory components
are described below with reference to shelf 53 in an exemplary
embodiment, such features are also applicable to other types of
accessory components.
[0024] Office environment 20 also includes corded device 70, which
can be placed on accessory components 52. Corded device 70 includes
electrical and/or data cord 72, and may be placed on shelf 53.
Corded device 70 can be any corded device such as a telephone,
computer, printer, or any other electronic device. Cord 72 can be
an electrical cord, data cord, or any other type of cord. Cords 72
may pass through cutout portions 54 to allow for the passage of
cords and/or other items through accessory components 52 such that
cord 72 may be connected to an electrical port 74a and/or to a data
port 74b in permanent wall 22 or partition system wall 26 with
corded devices 70 resting on, or in close proximity with, accessory
components 52.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 2, two opposite orientations by which
shelf 53 may be installed into track 30 are schematically
shown.
[0026] Track 30 includes horizontal upper wall 32 and lower wall
36, which are connected by vertical central wall 34. Upper wall 32,
lower wall 36, and central wall 34 together define channel 38
having opening 44. Track 30 also includes fulcrum surface 40 which
extends upwardly from lower wall 36 and is disposed adjacent
opening 44. Track 30 further includes a first engagement portion
42, shown herein as a protrusion, that is associated with upper
wall 32 and is disposed adjacent central wall 34. First engagement
portion 42 protrudes outwardly from upper wall 32 of track 30 to
allow for engagement with one of a pair of second engagement
portions 62a, 62b of shelf 53, as discussed below. The protrusion
of first engagement portion 42 can be V-shaped, circular, square,
rectangular, or any other shape. As shown in FIG. 2, track 30
includes all of the foregoing structure on each side of central
wall 34, so that accessory components 52 can be connected on either
side of track 30. Alternatively, track 30 may include only a single
channel 38 with the foregoing structure.
[0027] Track 30 may additionally include upper face surface 82 and
lower face surface 84. Upper face surface 82 is connected
perpendicularly to upper wall 32 and extends in the opposite
direction of lower wall 36. Lower face surface 84 is connected
perpendicularly to lower wall surface 36 and extends in the
opposite direction of upper wall 32. Upper face surface 82 and
lower face surface 84 may assist in holding track 30 in place on
permanent wall 22 and/or partition system wall 26, or may aid in
retaining panels or tiles to permanent wall 22 and/or partition
system wall 26.
[0028] Shelf 53 includes first side 55, second side 56, front
portion 60 (FIGS. 3 and 4), and rear portion 58. First side 55 and
second side 56 define opposite sides of shelf 53. Rear portion 58
of shelf 53 includes a pair of second engagement portions 62a, 62b,
shown herein as grooves, that are associated with first side 55 and
second side 56, respectively, and are formed on first side 55 and
second side 56 by cutting, routing, or any other grooving method or
may be integrally molded within first side 55 and second side 56.
These grooves can be V-shaped, circular, square, rectangular, or
any other shape, such that the shapes of the protrusion of first
engagement portion 42 and the groove of the pair of second
engagement portions 62a, 62b are complementary to allow for proper
engagement with one another.
[0029] Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, in operation, rear portion 58 of
shelf 53 is insertable within opening 44 of channel 38 in a first
orientation, along arrows A.sub.1 in FIG. 2, to engage first
surface 55 with fulcrum surface 40. Next, as shown in FIG. 3, shelf
53 is pivoted about fulcrum surface 40 along arrow A.sub.3,
allowing one of the pair of second engagement portions 62a, 62b of
shelf 53 to become engaged with first engagement portion 42 of
track 30. Alternatively, rear portion 58 of shelf 53 is insertable
within opening 44 in a second orientation, along arrows A.sub.2 in
FIG. 2, to engage second surface 56 with fulcrum surface 40. Shelf
53 can then be pivoted about fulcrum surface 40 along arrow
A.sub.3, in FIG. 3, allowing another of the pair of second
engagement portions 62a, 62b of shelf 53 to become engaged with
first engagement portion 42 of track 30. This final position, where
shelf 53 is cantilevered outwardly from track 30, is shown in FIG.
4.
[0030] In another embodiment of the present invention, as seen in
FIG. 6a, track 30 includes first engagement portion 42 that is
associated with upper wall 32 and is disposed adjacent central wall
34. First engagement portion 42 is formed as a groove, or channel,
in upper wall 32 of track 30 to allow for engagement with one of a
pair of second engagement portions 62a, 62b, as discussed below.
The groove of first engagement portion 42 can be V-shaped,
circular, square, rectangular, or any other shape. Additionally, in
FIGS. 6a and 6b, rear portion 58 of shelf 53 includes a pair of
second engagement portions 62a, 62b associated with first side 55
and second side 56, respectively. One of the pair of second
engagement portions 62a protrudes from first side 55, and the other
of the pair of second engagement portions 62b protrudes from second
side 56. These protrusions can be V-shaped, circular, square,
rectangular, or any other shape, such that the shapes of the groove
of first engagement portion 42 and the protrusions of the pair of
second engagement portions 62a, 62b are complementary to allow for
proper engagement with one another. The pair of second engagement
portions 62a, 62b may be made from a resilient material, such as
rubber or a flexible plastic material, and may be separate from
shelf 53 and attached to first side 55 and second side 56,
respectively, by adhesive, for example.
[0031] Upon insertion of shelf 53 into opening 44 of channel 38,
one of the pair of second engagement portions 62b is brought over
fulcrum surface 40, and into channel 38 through opening 44, when
shelf 53 is moved along arrow A.sub.4, as seen in FIG. 6a. Once
shelf 53 is moved along arrow A.sub.4, the other of the pair of
second engagement portions 62a slidingly engages with upper wall
32. The resiliency of the other of the pair of second engagement
portions 62a allows it to flex, or compress, when slidingly engaged
with upper wall 32 such that the other of the pair of second
engagement portions 62a will continue sliding along upper wall 32
until it can expand into, and engage with, first engagement portion
42 of track 30. This can also occur in a second orientation having
one of the pair of second engagement portions 62b slidingly engaged
with upper wall 32 until it becomes engaged with first engagement
portion 42 of track 30.
[0032] Advantageously, the ability of shelf 53 to engage track 30
in either of two orientations allows for selection between a pair
of work surfaces or other features of the accessory components 52.
For example, when engaging shelf 53 or work surface 52a with track
30, the user has the option to use one of the two opposing sides of
shelf 53 or work surface 52a. Referring to FIGS. 2-4, for example,
first side 55 of shelf 53 is smooth and flat, while second side 56
has ridges 90. Alternatively, shelf 53 may have a wood surface on
one side, and a plastic surface on the other, thus accommodating
the needs of a user or allowing selection based on aesthetics. In
this manner, the opposing surfaces of shelf 53 may differ according
to one or more characteristics such as materials, texture, or
color.
[0033] FIG. 5 is a perspective, fragmentary sectional view taken
along line 5-5 of FIG. 1, showing cutout portions 54 for allowing
the passage of cord 72 and other items through shelf 53. This
portion of office environment 20 includes permanent wall 22 and/or
partition system wall 26, track 30, shelf 53, and corded device 70.
Shelf 53 includes cutout portions 54. Cutout portions 54 are formed
within rear portion 58, with cutout portions 54 being dimensioned
to provide an opening through rear portion 58 of shelf 53 that is
disposed outwardly of channel 38 upon insertion of shelf 53 into
channel 38. As seen in FIG. 7, cutout portions 54 may be curved or
arcuate in shape, and extend into rear portion 58 of shelf 53 to a
depth D.sub.1. Cutout portions 54 can be formed in shelf 53 by
cutting, sawing, or any other suitable method. Depth D.sub.1, seen
in FIG. 7, defines the opening of cutout portions 54, in rear
portion 58, that allows cord 72 of corded device 70 to pass through
shelf 53. Depth D.sub.2 is the effective width of this opening and
is the distance defined between end surface 95 of cutout portions
54 and a plane formed by upper face surface 82 and/or lower face
surface 84 of track 30 when shelf 53 is mounted within channel 38.
In this manner, cutout portions 54 allow passage of cords 72 from
devices 70 positioned upon shelf to an electrical port 74a or a
data port 74b, for example, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0034] In one embodiment, cord 72 may be placed within cutout 54
concurrently with mounting of an accessory component 52, such as
shelf 53, within channel 38 in the manner described above. For
example, cord 72 may be connected to a suitable wall outlet beneath
a location at which shelf 53 is to be mounted, followed by loosely
placing cord 72 within cutout 54 of shelf 53 prior to mounting
shelf 53. Then, shelf 53 may be mounted within channel 38 in the
manner described above. In this manner, the need to thread cord 72
through cutout 54 after shelf 53 is mounted is avoided, as well as
the need to connect cord 72 to a wall outlet by reaching beneath
shelf 53 after shelf 53 is mounted.
[0035] While this invention has been described as having a
preferred design, the present invention can be further modified
within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is
therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of
the invention using its general principles. Further, this
application is intended to cover such departures from the present
disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to
which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of
the appended claims.
* * * * *