Connector hub and modular work system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9433282-B2
Application number	US-201414491630-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 19, 2014
Priority date	Sep 25, 2013
Publication date	Sep 6, 2016
Grant date	Sep 6, 2016

Abstract

A connector hub assembly usable as a standalone module or as a component in a work space system. The connector hub assembly optionally includes features for connecting one or more arms of a support frame for supporting a modular workspace system including desk space, cabinet space, view screens, electronic equipment, and/or other workspace system components.

First claim

The following is claimed:

1. A modular work system comprising:
a connector hub assembly including,
a crown connector module including,
a top cover,
a crown base including a support hub extending from an upper surface of the crown base, the support hub including a plurality of slots,
a first connector including an attachment flange, the attachment flange adapted to be secured to the crown based such that the first connector extends above the crown base and the support hub, a portion of the top cover situated atop the first connector,
a plurality of individually removable gap members, each adapted to be received by the top cover and the support hub of the crown base such that the each gap member extends above the crown base and the support hub, a portion of the top cover situated atop the first gap member, and

a body assembly adapted to rest on a floor such that the body assembly is supported in an upright position; and

a frame member forming an elongate body having a first end adapted to be secured to the first connector of the connector hub assembly.

2. The modular work system of claim 1 , wherein the top cover includes a support flange having a plurality of slots.

3. The modular work system of claim 2 , wherein each gap member includes a perimeter wall and a channel insert, the perimeter wall and the channel insert adapted to be received in one of the plurality of slots of the top cover and one of the plurality of slots of the support hub of the crown base.

4. The modular work system of claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of slots of the support flange is spaced from an adjacent one of the plurality of slots of the support flange at a regular angular offset and further wherein each of the plurality of slots of support hub is spaced from an adjacent one of the plurality of slots of the support hub at the regular angular offset.

5. The modular work system of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of gap members are substantially similar, each of the plurality of gap members being adapted to be received in a corresponding pair of the plurality of slots of the support flange and the support hub.

6. The modular work system of claim 1 , wherein the first connector defines a feed channel and a mounting face, the frame member being secured to the mounting face of the first connector.

7. The modular work system of claim 6 , further comprising a connector cover adapted to be secured to the first connector over the feed channel.

8. The modular work system of claim 1 , wherein the connector hub assembly further comprises a crown mounting bracket adapted to be secured to the crown base and to the body assembly.

9. The modular work system of claim 1 , wherein the body assembly further comprises an enclosure including a wall defining an interior space, an accessory mount adapted to be housed within the enclosure, and a body cover adapted to be secured to the enclosure.

10. The modular work system of claim 9 , wherein the body assembly further comprises a bottom support, the bottom support being adapted to be secured to the enclosure such that the enclosure is supported in an upright position.

11. The modular work system of claim 1 , wherein the top cover and the support hub of the crown base each define a substantially circular profile.

12. The modular work system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of connectors substantially similar to the first connector, each of the plurality of connectors being positioned about the crown base and spaced circumferentially from an adjacent one of the plurality connectors by an angle of at least 30 degrees.

13. The modular work system of claim 1 , wherein the attachment flange of the first connector is secured to the crown base.

14. A method of assembling a modular work system, the method comprising:
assembling a crown connector module, assembly of the connector module comprising the steps of:
securing a first connector onto a crown base, the crown base including a support hub extending from an upper surface of the crown base, the support hub including a plurality of slots, the first connector extending above the crown base and the support hub;
assembling a plurality of individually removable gap members onto the crown base such that each gap member is received by the support hub of the crown base and such that each gap member extends above the crown base and the support hub, and assembling a top cover onto the first connector and onto each gap member such that each gap member is received by the top cover, the top cover being situated atop the plurality of gap members and the first connector;

securing the crown connector module onto a body module, the body module configured to rest on a floor such that the assembled crown connector module and the body module are supported in an upright position; and
securing a first end of an elongate frame member onto the first connector of the crown connector module.

15. A crown connector module comprising:
a crown base including a support hub extending from an upper surface of the crown base, the support hub having a plurality of slots,
a top cover including a support flange having a plurality of slots,
a first connector including an attachment flange, the attachment flange adapted to be secured to the crown based such that the first connector extends above the crown base and the support hub, a portion of the top cover being situated atop the first connector, and
a plurality of individually removable gap members, each including a channel insert and each being adapted to be received by any one of the plurality of slots of the top cover and by any one of the plurality of slots of the support hub of the crown base such that each gap member extends above the crown base and the support hub, a portion of the top cover being situated atop the first gap member.

16. The crown connector module of claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of slots of the support flange is spaced from an adjacent one of the plurality of slots of the support flange at a regular angular offset and further wherein each of the plurality of slots of the support hub is spaced from an adjacent one of the plurality of slots of the support hub at the regular angular offset.

17. The crown connector module of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of gap members are substantially similar, each of the plurality of gap members being adapted to be received in a corresponding pair of the plurality of slots of the support flange and the support hub.

18. The crown connector module of claim 15 , wherein the first connector further includes a conduit feed channel and a mounting face.

19. The crown connector module of claim 18 , further comprising a connector cover adapted to be secured to the first connector over the feed channel.

20. The crown connector module of claim 15 , wherein the top cover and the support hub of the crown base each define a substantially circular profile.

21. The crown connector module of claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of connectors substantially similar to the first connector, each of the plurality of connectors being positioned about the crown base and spaced circumferentially from an adjacent one of the plurality connectors by an angle of at least 30 degrees.

Assignees

• Hni Tech Inc

Inventors

• Steelman Derek
• Birr Daniel
• Bazal Kelly
• Trieu Paul
• Bakker Mitchell R
• Raven Zachary
• Danis Cara
• Aschbrenner Evan
• Youngdahl Karl

Classifications

• A47B2200/0066

  Workstations · CPC title

• A47B2200/008

  Tables or desks having means for applying electronic or electric devices · CPC title

• A47B21/06

  characterised by means for holding, fastening or concealing cables · CPC title

• Y10T403/55

  Member ends joined by inserted section · CPC title

• Y10T29/49826

  Assembling or joining · CPC title