Workspace system and components and method for the use thereof

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10973321-B2
Application number	US-201916560469-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 4, 2019
Priority date	Sep 4, 2018
Publication date	Apr 13, 2021
Grant date	Apr 13, 2021

Abstract

A workspace system includes different base components, different accessory interfaces and different accessories. Different accessory interfaces may be fixed to different base components, and different accessories may be releasably engaged by different, or the same accessory interfaces. The same accessories may be engaged by different accessory interfaces. The base components and accessories may be reconfigured to define different workspaces. Methods of assembling and reconfiguring the workspaces are also provided.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A workspace system comprising:
a first base component having opposite ends and sides, wherein the first base component comprises a first frame, a first uppermost horizontal worksurface supported by the first frame, and a first pair of wheels connected to the first frame at one of the ends of the first base component and adapted to permit movement of the first base component relative to a support surface;
a second base component having opposite ends and sides, wherein the second base component comprises a second frame, a second uppermost horizontal worksurface supported by the second frame, wherein the second uppermost horizontal worksurface is vertically spaced from the first uppermost horizontal worksurface, and a second pair of wheels connected to the second frame at one of the ends of the second base component and adapted to permit movement of the second base component relative to the support surface;
at least one first accessory interface fixedly connected to the first base component, wherein each of the at least one first accessory interfaces has a first shape;
at least one second accessory interface fixedly connected to each of the first and second base components, wherein each of the at least one second accessory interfaces has a second shape, wherein the second shape is different than the first shape;
at least one first accessory configured to be releasably engaged with the at least one first accessory interface connected to the first base component, wherein the at least one first accessory has a first structure;
at least one second accessory configured to be releasably engaged with the at least one first accessory interface connected to the first base component, wherein the at least one second accessory has a second structure different than the first structure; and
at least one third accessory configured to be releasably engaged with any of the at least one second accessory interfaces connected to the first and second base components, wherein the at least one third accessory has a third structure, wherein the third structure is different than the first and second structures.

2. The workspace system of claim 1 wherein the first base component comprises a first table.

3. The workspace system of claim 2 wherein the second base component comprises a second table.

4. The workspace system of claim 2 wherein the second base component comprises a cart, wherein the second frame extends vertically above the second uppermost horizontal worksurface.

5. The workspace system of claim 1 further comprising:
a third base component having opposite ends and sides, wherein the third base component comprises a third frame, a third uppermost horizontal worksurface supported by the third frame, wherein the third uppermost horizontal worksurface is vertically spaced from the first and second uppermost horizontal worksurfaces, and a third pair of wheels connected to the third frame at one of the ends of the third base component;
wherein at least one of each of the first and second accessory interfaces are fixedly connected to third base components; and
wherein the at least one first and second accessories are configured to be releasably engaged with at least one first accessory interface connected to the third base component, and wherein the at least one third accessory is configured to be releasably engaged with the at least one second accessory interface connected to the third base component.

6. The workspace system of claim 1 wherein the at least one first accessory interface comprises one of a post or a clip.

7. The workspace system of claim 6 wherein each of the at least one first and second accessories comprises a screen, a bin, a cup, a power cord or a utility pouch, and wherein the at least one third accessory comprises a bin.

8. The workspace system of claim 7 wherein the at least one first accessory interface comprises a post extending upwardly and forming an acute angle with a vertical component of the first frame, and wherein each of the at least one first and second accessories comprises a power cord, a cup or a utility pouch.

9. The workspace system of claim 7 wherein the at least one first accessory interface comprises a clip coupled to the first frame, and wherein each of the at least one first and second accessories comprises a cup or a screen.

10. The workspace system of claim 1 wherein the first frame comprises a pair of leg portions each defining a longitudinal axis forming an acute angle relative to the support surface, and wherein the pair of wheels are mounted on ends of the leg portions and are rotatable about the longitudinal axes.

11. The workspace system of claim 10 wherein the first frame is height adjustable, wherein a vertical position of the first uppermost horizontal worksurface is adjustable.

12. The workspace system of claim 1 comprising a plurality of first base components, wherein at least two of the plurality of base components are arranged end-to-end.

13. The workspace system of claim 1 comprising a plurality of first base components, wherein at least two of the plurality of base components are arranged side-by-side.

14. The workspace system of claim 1 comprising a plurality of first base components arranged side-by-side and/or end-to-end in a center region of a workspace, and a plurality of second base components arranged around a perimeter of the workspace, and wherein the at least one second accessory comprises a screen releasably coupled to a least one of the plurality of second base components.

15. The workspace system of claim 1 further comprising a third base component comprising a tower having a width and a depth, wherein the depth is at least 30% of the width along a height of the tower, wherein the width of the tower is between 70 and 120% of the width of the first base component measured between the sides thereof, and wherein at least one of the width and depth of the tower tapers inwardly from a bottom to a top of the tower.

16. The workspace system of claim 1 further comprising a third base component comprising a lower base and an upper worksurface, wherein the base and worksurface comprise at least one set of vertically aligned slots, and further comprising a screen having an edge disposed in the slots wherein the third base component holds the screen upright.

17. The workspace system of claim 16 wherein the base and worksurface comprise first and second sets of vertically aligned slots oriented 180 degrees relative to each other, and further comprising first and second screens having edges disposed in the first and second sets of slots, wherein the first and second screens are held upright by the third base component in a planar relationship.

18. A workspace system comprising:
a first base component having opposite ends and sides, wherein the first base component comprises a first frame, a first uppermost horizontal worksurface supported by the first frame, and a first pair of wheels connected to the first frame at one of the ends of the first base component and adapted to permit movement of the first base component relative to a support surface;
a second base component having opposite ends and sides, wherein the second base component comprises a second frame, a second uppermost horizontal worksurface supported by the second frame, wherein the second uppermost horizontal worksurface is vertically spaced from the first uppermost horizontal worksurface, and a second pair of wheels connected to the second frame at one of the ends of the second base component and adapted to permit movement

Assignees

• Steelcase Inc

Inventors

• Allen John A
• Beasley Charles
• Bennie William
• Beitzel Justin G
• Caballero Antonio
• Dekker Rachel
• Derrick Sean M
• Hooper Kristi
• Johnson Brandon
• Perez Marin Daniel
• Moriniere Alban
• Napper Jessica
• Otto Eric A
• Shan Penghao
• Siffer Thomas

Classifications

• A47B21/04

  characterised by means for holding or fastening typewriters or computer equipment · CPC title

• A47B83/001 Primary

  Office desks or work-stations combined with other pieces of furniture, e.g. work space management systems · CPC title

• B62B2203/04

  pivotally, e.g. for keeping it horizontally · CPC title

• A47B2083/006

  having an incorporated display screen · CPC title

• B62B3/005 Primary

  Details of storage means, e.g. drawers, bins or racks · CPC title