WO2007070921A1

WO2007070921A1 - A furniture system

Info

Publication number: WO2007070921A1
Application number: PCT/AU2006/001805
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ian Johnson; George Sidis; Richard Sokolov
Original assignee: I D & E Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2005-12-21
Filing date: 2006-11-29
Publication date: 2007-06-28

Abstract

A furniture system including: at least two sub-assemblies (12, 14), each sub-assembly including a support member that has a substantially planar upper surface (16, 18); the furniture system further includes at least one insert module (22); the insert module may be inserted between the sub-assemblies; wherein the sub-assemblies are pivotally connected by way of at least one hinge (20) and pivotal movement of the sub-assemblies allows the insertion of various inserts of different dimensions.

Description

A FURNITURE SYSTEM

Technical Field

This invention relates to a furniture system.

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect the present invention provides a furniture system including: at least two sub-assemblies, each sub-assembly including a support member that has a substantially planar upper surface; the furniture system further includes at least one insert module; the insert module may be inserted between the sub-assemblies.

The insert member may have a substantially planar upper surface and, when inserted between the sub-assemblies, a contiguous work surface is provided being formed from the top surfaces of the at least two support members and the insert.

The sub assemblies may be pivotally connected and pivotal movement of the sub-assemblies allows the insertion of various inserts of different dimensions.

The sub-assemblies may be pivotally connected by way of at least one hinge.

The at least one insert may be wedge-shaped.

The at least one insert may include a ground engaging member.

The furniture system may further include partition frames which may be removably connected to the sub-assemblies.

The sub assemblies may be separated attached to other modules to form free standing items of furniture.

The furniture system may further include a beam that extends between the sub assemblies and upon which the insert module is supported. The beam may be held between pivoting beam carriers and the beam may slide with respect to at least one of the carriers to allow for reconfiguration of the furniture system.

Brief Description of the Drawings An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of two sub-assemblies of a furniture system according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows the furniture system of figure 1 with an insert in place in a 90° configuration;

^• Figure 3 shows the furniture system of figure 1 fitted with an alternative insert in a 120° configuration; Figure 4 shows the furniture system of figure 1 with a further alternative insert in a 180° configuration;

Figure 5 shows a partition frame which can be used with the furniture system of figure 1; Figure 6 shows the partition frame of figure 5 fitted with shelves;

Figure 7 shows the partition frame of figure 5 fitted with a panel;

Figure 8 shows the furniture system of figure 1 fitted with partition panels;

Figure 9 shows the sub-assemblies of figure 1 with the support members removed; Figure 10 shows a detailed view of the hinge of the furniture system of figure

1;

Figure 11 shows a perspective view of the insert of figure 2 from above;

Figure 12 shows a perspective view of the insert of figure 2 from below;

Figure 13 shows perspective view of the insert of figure 4; Figure 14 shows a further alternative insert for use in a 180 degree configuration attached to the sub-assemblies of figure 1;

Figure 15 shows the insert of figure 14;

Figure 16 shows the mobile shelf of the insert of figure 14;

Figure 17 shows the furniture system of figure 2 with high partition panels fitted on their sides;

Figure 18 shows the furniture system of figure 2 fitted with high partition panels;

Figure 19 shows the furniture system of figure 8 in a 120 degree configuration;

Figure 20 shows the furniture system of figure 8 in a 180 degree configuration; Figure 21 shows the furniture system of figure 20 fitted with the insert of figure 14;

Figure 22 shows four of the furniture systems of figure 8 combined to form a cluster;

Figure 23 shows three of the furniture systems of figure 19 combined to form a cluster;

Figure 24 shows two of the furniture systems of figure 21 combined to form a cluster;

Figure 25 shows two of the furniture systems of figure 3 combined to form a large table; Figure 26 shows one sub assembly of figure 1 fitted with an alternative insert;

Figure 27 shows the insert of figure 26 from an underside perspective view;

Figure 28 shows the insert of figure 26 in an upper perspective view; Figure 29 shows an exploded view of a whiteboard fitted to a partition panel;

Figure 30 shows a shelf unit being fitted to a partition panel;

Figure 31 shows a detail view of the shelf attachment point of figure 30;

Figure 32 shows a detail view of the furniture system of figure 8 fitted with infill panels;

Figure 33 shows an alternative infill panel;

Figure 34 is a detail view of the furniture system of figure 8 showing use of a box bracket;

Figure 35 is a detail view of the box bracket of figure 34; Figures 36 to 38 show the sub assemblies of an alternative embodiment of the invention with the support members removed; and

Figure 39 is a detail view of the sub assemblies of figures 36 to 38 with the sliding beam removed.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Referring to Figure 1 a furniture system is shown in the form of workstation 10 which includes two sub-assemblies 12 and 14. Each sub assembly includes a horizontal support member in the form of worktops 16 and 18. The top surface of the worktops 16 and 18 lie in the same plane. Sub-assemblies 12 and 14 are pivotally connected by way of hinge 20. The sub-assemblies may be moved about hinge 20 with respect to one another. Each or worktops 16 & 18 includes a lip 21 for supporting an insert as will now be described.

Referring to figure 2, workstation is shown fitted with a removable insert in the form of wedge 22. The insert is placed between the worktops 16 and 18 and each of lips 21 support an edge of wedge 22. This arrangement provides a contiguous work surface made up of the upper surfaces of both worktops 16, 18 and wedge 22. The wedge is further held in place by screws (not shown) at the front edge of the insert as will be later more fully described.

Three different 'wedges' 22, 24, 26 with various angles a, β, and γ are used to bridge the gap between the two workstation bases and complete the horizontal work surface. The wedge allows easy modification of the work station from a 90° workstation

(fig 2) to a 120° (fig 3) or 180° (fig 4) workstation.

The angular modification is accomplished by unscrewing the wedge at the front of the workstation. The workstation sub-assemblies 12, 14 are then rotated about hinge 20 to roughly suit the new wedge size to be inserted. The new wedge is then dropped in between the worktops 16, 18 and is screwed into place at the front of the workstation. This applies for all wedge sizes/angles. Referring to figure 5, a partition frame 28 is shown. The partition frame forms the basis for independent (and mobile) shelves and screens. This is done by attaching feet to the base of the frame (see figure 6), providing it with the stability it requires to stand alone as a furniture element. Once the frame has had feet attached it can now serve several functional tasks such as shelving - by attaching shelves to the frame (see figure 6), screens or space dividers - by fitting fabric or acoustic panels (see figure 7). The partition panels can also be used to carry white boards and cork boards or a combination of these e.g. white board with shelving. Referring to figure 8, partition frames 28 can be added and removed from the workstation 10 to provide a physical barrier between occupants of adjacent workstations. A maximum of two adjacent partitions 28 can be fastened to one workstation sub-assembly. The partitions are solely fastened to the workstation sub- assembly, without support from any other element. The partitions come in three different, standard heights: low, medium and high. Partitions of customised heights may also be provided.

Reconfiguring the workstation angle does not require dismantling and re building of any part of the partitions, which are attached only to the workstation sub- assemblies. The sub-assemblies are not dismantled in any way and are a constant part of workstation 10.

Addition of castors 30 allow for all elements (workstation, shelving and screening, etc) to be moved around easily which further enhances flexibility of the entire system.

Referring to figures 11 and 12, wedge 22 is shown in more detail. Extrusion 32 is used to fasten the wedge underneath worktops 16 and 18. Lips 34 fit underneath worktops 16, 18 to prevent the wedge from lifting up when in use.

Referring to figure 13, wedge 26 is shown in more detail and includes a ground engaging member in the form of leg 35 fitted with castor 30. This adds stability to a workstation fitted with insert 26. Referring to figure 13, a further alternative insert 36 is shown. This insert is used in a 180 degree configuration and provides space for seating of two occupants, separated by a shelf unit 38. Referring to figures 15 & 16, insert 36 rests upon shelf unit 38 and engages slot 39.

The different angular configurations of an individual workstation can offer a wide variety of office environment configurations when integrating multiple workstations. Other workstation configurations available other than those described above include a 2 person 180° workstation when smaller workspaces for each worker is suitable (see fig 21), a meeting table configuration achieved by combining two 180° workstations (see fig 25), and. a utility bench configuration achieved by combining a 180° workstation with shelving on partition frames (see fig 20).

Referring to figures 26, 27 and 28, one of the sub-assemblies 12 is shown being used alone as a rectangular table when fitted with insert 40.

With the partition frames attached to the workstation the frames can have various panels fitted to them such as fabric panels which create a visual barrier between workstation occupants, acoustic panels (fabric covered wood panels) which provide an acoustic and visible barrier for workstation occupants, white boards and cork boards which can be used by the occupant for their work tasks.

The panels are fitted allowing the panels to be easily removed and interchanged with any of the other types of panels whilst still on the workstation base. Referring to figure 29, a partition frame 28 is shown having a fabric covered wood panel 42. To this is further attached a whiteboard 44. Aesthetic flexibility of partition panels 28 is achieved by way of using various fabrics or digital prints on the panels, or by varying the colours of shelves 46. All elements panels, shelves, can be fitted to the partition frames 28 without the need for the frames to be dismantled and rebuilt.

Referring to figures (Fig 34, 35) the partition frames 28 are fastened to the workstation base via box brackets 54. Box bracket 54 features a range of apertures that allow access with a screwdriver or the like to affix the bracket 54 to both the partition panel 28 and the sub assemblies. Box bracket 54 allows each partition frame 28 to be hooked onto the workstation before being secured.

Other elements can be added to the partition frames whilst they are mounted to the workstation bases. Referring to figure 30, a shelf 46 is shown being fitted to partition frame 28 by being lowered onto a pair of lugs 48 one lug being affixed to either side of partition frame 28.

Referring to figure 32, infill panels 50 are shown attached to the edges of partition frames 28. These infill panels obscure the gap between partition panels 28 on either side of hinge 20 to improve the aesthetic appearance of the workstation. The infill panels 50 meet at the axis of rotation of sub-assemblies 12 and 14 so that they obscure the gap between the partition panels throughout their range of pivotal movement.

Referring to figure 33, an alternative infill arrangement is shown in the form of flexible polymer sheet 52 that is attached to partition panels 28 on either side of hinge 20.

Referring to figures 36 to 39, an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in the form of workstation 100. The support members are removed in the drawings to illustrate the working of the workstation. This embodiment differs to the workstation described above in that a beam 132 is held between two pivoting beam carriers 133 which can pivot about pins 134 which attach each beam carrier 133 to the end portion of extrusions 135 (see fig 39). Beam 132 is attached to beam carriers 133 by way of fasteners. In order to change the angle of workstation 100, the fasteners are loosened, and the sub assemblies are pivotally moved to their new position. As the sub-assemblies move, beam 132 slides within carriers 133. When the desired position is reached, an appropriate insert module is inserted to rest upon beam 133, and the fasteners are re-tightened. Various workstation angles are shown in figures 36, 37 & 38. In this embodiment, the insert modules do not need to each be provided with an appropriate length of extrusion attached as shown in figure 12. This reduces the amount of material required to fabricate the insert modules, and results in insert modules that take up less storage space as they can be stacked closely together. To facilitate the flexibility of the furniture system when connecting services such as power and data cabling a "soft-wiring" system is used. Soft-wiring describes power and data cables which can be connected, unconnected and reconnected via plugs and not requiring the use of electricians or similar technicians to wire and re wire the workstations when rearranged or reconfigured. The aesthetics of the workstation 10 can be changed by varying the colour of the work surfaces, varying the colour and material used to form modesty panels 32. Suitable materials include perforated metal and glass. The pattern of the perforations may also be varied.

The frames for the workstation bases, wedges and partitions are all constructed from aluminium extrusions. Similarly, other materials could be employed such as steel.

It can be seen that the present invention can provide a flexible office environment via the interaction of independent and mobile furniture modules. The different modules can combine and re-combine to form many of the necessary functional, furniture pieces required in a modern commercial office. The features are designed to provide a furniture system that can change easily with the changing needs of the user.

Any reference to prior art contained herein is not to be taken as an admission that the information is common general knowledge, unless otherwise indicated.

Finally, it is to be appreciated that various alterations or additions may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMSThe invention that may be claimed is described in the following novel arrangements, either singularly or in any combination thereof:

1. A furniture system including: at least two sub-assemblies, each sub-assembly including a support member that has a substantially planar upper surface; the furniture system further includes at least one insert module; the insert module may be inserted between the sub-assemblies.

2. A furniture system according to claim 1 wherein the insert member has a substantially planar upper surface and, when inserted between the sub- assemblies, a contiguous work surface is provided being formed from the top surfaces of the at least two support members and the insert.

3. A furniture system according to either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the sub assemblies are pivotally connected and pivotal movement of the sub- assemblies allows the insertion of various inserts of different dimensions.

4. A furniture system according to claim 3 wherein the sub-assemblies are pivotally connected by way of at least one hinge.

5. A furniture system according to any preceding claim wherein the at least one ^* insert is wedge-shaped.

6. A furniture system according to any preceding claim wherein the at least one insert includes a ground engaging member.

7. A furniture system according to any preceding claim further including partition frames which may be removably connected to the sub-assemblies.

8. A furniture system according to claim 1, wherein the sub assemblies may be separated and can attach to other modules to form free standing items of furniture.

9. A furniture system according to any preceding claim further including a beam that extends between the sub assemblies and upon which the insert module is supported.

10. A furniture system according to claim 9 wherein the beam is held between pivoting beam carriers and the beam may slide with respect to at least one of the carriers to allow for reconfiguration of the furniture system.