Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE: TABLE SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to table systems,
and in particular, to a table system for offices that
accommodates a host of layouts.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are numerous office systems which provide
initial layout flexibility and the ability to alter the
layout at a different point in time. Many of these
office systems are panel based systems where the work
surfaces are generally supported from the panel. Other
office systems are table based and the office panels or
office screens are supported by the table system.
The prior art arrangements include a host of
different components necessary to allow freedom in design
layout. Another approach is a table based system where
individual tables are grouped together. These tables can
be secured to each other to maintain a layout.
The present invention provides a table frame
system which is simple in design while accommodating a
host of layouts in a cost effective manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A table frame system according to the present
invention comprises a series of leg support brackets
interconnected by at least one elongate hollow support
beam. Each leg support bracket includes an open ended
recess that receives an end portion of one of the
elongate hollow support beams to provide bottom support
of the end portion. A mechanical fastening arrangement
connects the end portion to the leg support bracket using
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a triangulated securement. The triangulated securement
includes a mechanical fastener securing the leg bracket
and the hollow support beam at a closed end of the recess
and at least one mechanical fastener securing the leg
bracket and the hollow support beam at an open end of the
recess. Each leg bracket further includes a leg support
arm extending in a diagonal manner away from the open
ended recess. The leg support arm at a free end thereof
has a downwardly extending leg mechanically secured
thereto. The series of leg support brackets and the
interconnecting legs provide a raised stable support
structure for supporting at least one work surface.
In a preferred aspect of the invention, each of
the leg support brackets are of a cast metal and each
hollow support beam is an extruded metal beam.
In an aspect of the invention, the triangulated
securement includes a vertical fastener at the closed end
of the recess and two opposed fasteners in sides of the
recess adjacent the open end.
In a further aspect of the invention, the at least
one support beam includes a first support beam supported
at either end thereof by leg support brackets and a
second support beam connected to the first beam
intermediate the length thereof by means of a beam to
beam connecting bracket.
In a different aspect of the invention, the second
beam at an end thereof remote said first beam is
supported by one the leg brackets.
In a further aspect of the invention, some of the
leg brackets are dual leg support brackets, and each dual
leg support bracket includes a single beam support recess
centrally positioned with two diagonally extending
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support arms extending outwardly away from the closed end
of the recess.
In yet a further aspect of the invention, the two
diagonally extending support arms of each dual leg
support bracket form an angle therebetween of about 90
degrees.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown
in the drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the table
support arrangement;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a table support
arrangement with a right angle extension supported by a
cabinet support;
Figure 3 is a partial perspective view of an
extruded support beam used in the present system;
Figure 4 is a partial exploded perspective view of
a dual leg support casting and the support beam;
Figure 5 is a sectional view through a connected
beam and the leg casting;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a single leg
corner bracket;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a right angle
beam connector;
Figure 8 is a partial perspective view of an
alternate right angle beam connector;
Figure 9 is a partial perspective view of an
alternate support beam;
Figure 10 is a partial perspective view of an
alternate edge design for the support :beam;
Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of a
dual leg support bracket;
Figure 12 is a partial exploded perspective view
of the dual leg support bracket and center beam;
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Figure 13 is a perspective view of a frame and
- work surface;
Figure 14 is an exploded perspective view of a
corner bracket;
Figure 15 a perspective view of a table frame
having four single leg corner brackets;
Figure 16 shows a further table frame variant;
Figure 17 is an exploded persp~°ctive view of a
modified dual leg support bracket;
Figure 18 is a perspective view of a "T" type
connection with a table frame having additional
intermediate support brackets;
Figure 19 is a top view of an intermediate support
bracket;
Figure 20 is a bottom perspective view of the
support bracket;
Figure 21 is a perspective view of a table frame
with "T" legs at either end thereof;
Figure 22 is a perspective view of a "T" leg
support bracket connected to an extrusion;
Figure 23 is a partial perspective top view of the
"T" leg connector bracket and associated leg extrusion;
Figure 24 is a perspective view of the table frame
system with a secured electrical eraser tray;
Figure 25 is a section view through a table top
showing the position of the electrical race, a support
bracket and a screen;
Figure 26 is a partial perspective view showing
additional details of the bracket, the electrical race
and the screen;
Figure 27 is an end view of a table frame of a
double width provided with an office screen in the center
thereof;
Figure 28 is a partial exploded perspective view
of the mounting of the screen in the table of Figure 27;
Figure 29 is a partial perspective view of the
table frame and work surface at a leg with a raceway
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generally aligned with the face of the table and having a
cover stripped thereon; and
Figure 30 is a partial perspective view showing
the components and cover illustrated in Figure 29.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The table frame 2 shown in Figure 1 has two dual
leg support brackets 4 positioned at apposite ends of the
center support beam 8. The dual leg support brackets 4
are preferably made of a cast metal and have a center
recess for receiving the full depth of the center beam 8.
The center recess is open at one end a.nd closed at the
opposite end. Removable corner legs 6 are mechanically
attached to the dual leg support brackets 4. The dual
leg support brackets 4 and the center beam 8 include a
series of ports for mechanically fastening of a work
surface to the table frame. Preferably, the work surface
is attached either side of the beam 8 using ports 9 and
at the corners of the diagonally extending support arms
104 using raised securing ports 110. The table frame 2
is reinforced or stiffened by the work surface.
In Figure 2, the table frame 2 of Figure 1 is
shown with a right angle extension which is supported at
the free end thereof by a cabinet 42 shown in dotted
lines. The cabinet has on its upper surface a beam to
cabinet connector 40. This connector includes a center
recess for receiving the beam 8 which is mechanically
fastened to the other center beam 8 by means of a right
angle beam connector 20. This connector is mechanically
fastened to the center beams 8 and if desired, the center
beam 8 forming part of the extension to the right can
also be mechanically fastened to each of the work
surfaces.
The cabinet connector 40 includes two outwardly
extending flanges for engaging and supporting a work
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surface. Preferably these flanges are at the same height
as the center support beam and are mechanically connected
to the work surface.
Figure 3 shows details of a preferred form of the
center beam 8 which is manufactured as an extruded beam
8a. This beam includes a center cavity 60 running the
length of the beam. The beam of Figure 3 is shown with
the top surface down. As can be seen, the top section 62
includes outwardly extending securing flanges 64 either
side of the beam section. Sidewalls 66 are generally
perpendicular to the top section and these sidewalls are
joined by the softly curved bottom surface 68. Each end
of the beam 8a includes a series of end securing ports 70
provided in the sidewalls 66 and an aligned bottom
securing port 72 and top securing port 74. The top
section 62 includes a bolt slot 76 extending in the
length of the beam. Preferably at the center of the
beam, or at positions intermediate the length of the
beam, the outwardly extending securing flanges 64 include
securing ports 80. These are used for mechanically
attaching the beam to the lower surface of the work
surface. The work surface is preferably secured at least
adjacent the mid point in the length of the beam and
either side of the beam.
Each end of the extruded beam has a series of
securing ports 70, 72 and 74 for completing the
mechanical attachment to a leg support bracket. The
extruded beam has excellent structural characteristics
with respect to deflection. These structural
characteristics are improved by attaching of the beam to
the work surface to define a composite structure.
Additional details of the dual leg support bracket
4 are shown in Figure 5. This bracket is preferably a
casting and has an extended center recess 90 for
capturing and securing one end of the center beam 8a.
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The bracket behind the recess 90 includes load
transmitted area 103 which connects the diagonally
extending support arms 104. As shown in Figure 1, area
103 includes a downwardly extending curved flange 107 to
provide additional torsional rigidity of the leg support
bracket.
One end of the center recess 90 is closed with the
opposite end open for receiving the beam. The end of the
beam 8a is fully received within the dual leg support
bracket 40 such that the top of the beam is generally
flush with the top of the outwardly and diagonally
extending support arms 104. The center recess 90 has a
curved bottom surface 92 corresponding to the bottom
surface of beam 8a and has sidewalls 94 again which are
positioned for snug engagement with the sidewalls 66 of
the beam 8a. The securing flanges 64 are supported by
the horizontal flanges 96 arid the outside of the securing
flanges are in abutment with the upwardly extending stub
flanges 98. Thus the center recess 90 is designed to be
in contact with the exterior surfaces of the beam 8a. A
mechanical attachment of the beam 8a to the dual leg
support bracket is accomplished using the securing ports
100 in the sidewalls 94 which align with one pair of the
end securing ports 70. Typically a mechanical fastener
is inserted through the combined structure for securement
to the exterior of the dual leg support bracket or
separate fasteners either side can be used.
The beam 8a is also connected using the bolt slot
76 and the securing port 77. The extended recess 90
provides good separation of the securing ports 100 and
the securing port 102 in the dual leg support bracket 4.
These strong mechanical connections in combination with
the high separation distance and the preferred structure
of the bracket as a casting, provides a strong mechanical
connection and excellent durability of the resulting
table frame. Outwardly extending suppc>rt arms 104
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include raised securing ports 110 which engage the lower
surface of the table. These support arms also include
securing ports 112 for mechanical connection to the legs
6.
Figure 5 shows a bolt connector 79 passing through
the extruded beam 8a and through the securing port 102 in
the dual leg support bracket 4. As can be seen, the head
of the mechanical fastener is received within the bolt
slot 76 and the top section 62 of the extruded beam 8a is
flushed with the upper surface 105 of the dual leg
support bracket 4.
Figure 6 shows a single leg corner bracket 140.
The bracket includes a first beam receiving recess 142
and a second beam receiving recess 144 positioned
perpendicular to the first recess. The single support
arm 146 extends diagonally away from the junction of
these recesses. Each of the recesses 142 and 144 receive
the end of the support beam 8a in a manner similar to
that described in Figure 4 and 5. The inserted beams can
be cut to form a miter joint or other joint at the
junction of the two recesses. A series of ports 158 can
engage the ends of the beams. The fir;~t recess 142 has
securing ports 154 in the sidewalls of the recess
adjacent the free edge of the bracket. A similar set of
securing ports 142 are associated with the second recess
144. Each of the securing recesses 142 and 144 are
extended in length to provide good separation between the
securing ports 158 and the securing ports 154 or 152.
This separation distance will vary in accordance with the
strength of the corner bracket 140 and the strength of
the center supports beams 8a. It is preferred that this
distance be at least 9 inches.
It can be seen in Figure 6 that the outwardly
extending support arm 146 includes a raised boss area 150
for securing of the work surface to the leg. In
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addition, the support arm includes a port 151 for
securing of the leg 160 to the single leg corner bracket
140.
Figure 7 shows a die cast support bracket 170 for
joining a first beam 172 intermediate its length to
support beam 174 extending in a generally perpendicular
manner to the longitudinal axis of the beam 172. This
support bracket 170 includes the same center recess and
sidewalls and support flanges for receiving a beam. As
can be seen from the drawings, this bracket need not have
the outwardly extending stub flanges. The support
bracket 170 is mechanically fastened by means of
fasteners 176 and 178 spaced either side of the bracket
and secured to the beam 172. The perpendicularly
extending support beam 174 is fastened by the same
triangular layout of fasteners. In this case, the layout
is defined by fastener 180 in engagement with the bottom
surface of the beam 174 adjacent the end thereof and
fasteners 182 on either side of the beam engaging the
sidewalk .
An alternate beam connector is shown in Figure 8.
In this case, the right angle connector 190 is fabricated
from sheet metal and has securing flanges 192 and 194 at
one end of the bracket for engagement with the center
support beam 196. The bracket 190 is provided with the
center recess for receiving the beam 198. To provide
additional stiffness, gusset flanges 200 and 202 are
provided either side of the center recess of the bracket
190. These flanges are preferably welded to the flanges
194 and 192 and the sidewalls of the connector 190.
Figure 9 shows the manufacture of an alternate
center support beam 210. The support beam is made of a
composite structure comprising of the "U" shaped channel
with outwardly extending flanges generally shown as 212
which is closed by a top member 214 which passes over top
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of the outwardly extending flanges and is bent over on
the underside surface thereof. This composite structure
is secured by a series of staple stitches 216 are
provided along the length of the beam, preferably
approximately every 12 inches. Each of the components of
the composite beam 210 can be made from a suitable
thickness of steel sheet. It is preferred that these
components be made from 16 gauge steel sheet. This
provides sufficient structural integrity for most
applications. Obviously, the thickness of the material
can be varied according to the particular application.
The mechanical securing ports can be appropriately
reinforced for their intended function.
Figure 10 shows yet a further alternate structure
where the composite structure is secured on the outwardly
extending flanges by means of a roll formed gas seal edge
220.
Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view showing
the attachment of extruded leg members &a to a dual leg
support bracket 4. As can be seen, the extruded legs are
of a triangular shape and a securing connector 7 is
inserted into the leg by means of a press fit. This
connector 7 includes a hole at the base thereof which
receives the bolt fastener 9. The base of the extruded
leg can be provided with a foot plug 11 having an
adjustable leveller 13. The leg support brackets
preferably include a downwardly extending projection for
a press fit within an extruded leg. This serves to
locate and support the leg. In addition, there is at
least one downwardly extending flange which overlaps with
the outside of the leg to provide additional strength.
If desired, this downwardly extending flange can be
welded to the leg.
Figure 12 is a partial exploded perspective view
showing the dual leg support brackets 4 receiving a
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center beam 8 and the various fastening components used
3 to secure the beam to the leg support brackets. As
shown, three fasteners are used to secure the beam to
each corner leg support bracket 4.
Figure 13 shows the assembled table frame 2 and a
series of fasteners for securing of the work surface 5 to
the table support frame 2.
Figure 14 is an exploded perspective view showing
the attachment of the extruded leg 6a to the single leg
corner bracket 140. The single support arm 146 includes
a downwardly extending flange 147 for engaging one side
of the extruded leg 6a.
Figure 15 Shows an example of a table frame
comprising four single leg corner brackets 140 used with
a series of connecting beams for supporting of the work
surface 5.
Figure 16 shows a further variation where a table
frame 2 has been formed by means of two dual leg support
brackets 4 at one end of the table and a pair of single
leg corner brackets 140 at the other end of the table
connected by a beam 8. Two work surfaces 5a and 5b are
attached to the table frame 2. A slight gap can be
provided between these two work surfaces for receiving a
small screen member which would extend upwardly between
the two work surfaces 5a and 5b.
The modified dual leg support bracket 304 shown in
Figure 17 has been reinforced on the bottom surface
thereof to provide more effective transfer of forces from
the beam to the legs. A Series of diagonally extending
stiffening flanges 320 reinforce each of the outwardly
extending support arms 310 by defining a series of
alternating triangular cells 322 across the width of the
arm. Each of the outwardly extending arms 310 joins with
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a central part of the dual leg support bracket where a
beam will be secured within the recess 350 using the
securement ports 346 and 348.
The dual leg support bracket has been reinforced
by shallow ribs 347 forming an "X" type configuration on
the lower surface of the central recess 350. The dual
leg support bracket behind the central recess is
reinforced by triangular reinforcing cells 330, 332 and
334. These are partially defined by the reinforcing webs
336 and 338. These cells essentially extend to the top
surface of the bracket and are closed by the top surface.
This serves to stiffen the dual leg support bracket in a
central region thereof which would otherwise tend to
deflect due to the central recess 350.
The extruded leg 6 is mechanically attached at the
edge of one of the support arms 310 by means of a bolt
fastener 309 which passes through the stud 311 and into
engagement with the press insert 307. The press insert
307 has three outwardly extending legs with the free edge
of each leg having teeth 308 thereon. The press insert
is force fitted into the longitudinally extending cavity
of the leg 6 and the teeth 308 bite into the leg and lock
the insert against withdrawal. A central, port is
provided which engages the bolt fastener 309. The
downwardly extending stud 311 is cast as part of the
bracket and has a series of small ribs 321 on the sides
of the stud. The leg 6 is forced onto the stud and the
ribs provide a snug or interference fit with the leg. It
can also be seen that the support arm 310 inwardly of the
stud 311, has downwardly extending bracing flanges 317
and 319 which will engage one of the walls of the legs 6
and further improve the mechanical connection of the leg
to the support bracket. The support bracket has a "U"
shaped slot 315 to simplify insertion of the leg on the
stud 311. This "U" shaped slot also allows welding of
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the leg to the support bracket to further strengthen the
connection if so desired.
The modified dual leg support bracket of Figure 17
effectively transfers the various forces exerted on the
table to each of the legs and reduces any flexing of the
support bracket due to the uneven pressure on the
respective legs. These properties are further improved
when the work surface is secured to the leg brace as
previously described.
The dotted lines 323 show the approximate extent
that the stud 311 is inserted into the leg 6.
The support bracket is further strengthened by the
casting of the flanges 358 and 360 either side of the
center recess 350 which merge with the support arms 310.
The support arms 310 have a generally smooth transition
shown as 364 between the walls forming the central recess
2o and the support arms.
The table frame support system 400 of Figure 18
has a series of intermediate support brackets 402 secured
to two central support beams 404. Intermediate support
brackets 402 are typically required for extended lengths
of the central beam 404 and assist in transferring loads
applied to the work surface to the beam. Each support
bracket is preferably secured to the work surface at four
points and thus the strength of the work surface further
reinforces the table frame system. Each of the support
brackets has a downwardly extending flange 406 with a
pair of securing ports 408. Bolts or other fasteners
pass through the ports 408 and through similar ports in a
support bracket to the opposite side of the beam. This
serves to connect the two brackets together and to
provide strong attachment of the brackets to the beam.
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The support brackets 402 as shown in Figures 18
and 19 can be made from a stamping with the downwardly
extending flange 406 joined in the center thereof by
means of a weld 410. The support bracket 402 has a top
surface 412 with securing ports 414 for engaging the work
surface and triangular side flanges 416. These flanges
416 cooperate with the downwardly extending flange 406 to
stiffen the bracket. The bracket is easily manufactured
and significantly improves the structure of the system
when the distance between support legs is high.
Figure 21 shows a "T" leg table frame system 500
which is often used for a stand alone table or desk. The
table frame includes "T" legs 502 at opposite ends of the
central support beam 506. Each of the "T" legs includes
an upper bracket 508, mechanically connected to the leg
extrusion 510 which in turn is mechanically connected to
the leg support foot 512.
The upper bracket 508 and its connection to the
leg extrusion 510 are partially shown in Figure 22. The
leg extrusion 510 is mechanically secured to the upper
bracket 508 by fastener 516 as well as fasteners 518 and
520 which engage the leg within the connecting ports 522
and 524 of the leg extrusion 510.
The upper leg support bracket 508 has two
outwardly extending arms 530 and 532 having securing
ports 534 and 536 for engaging the work surface. The
bottom surfaces of the arms are visible in Figure 22 with
each arm having a gentle curve thereacross. Each arm is
recessed on the top surface as shown in Figure 23. This
bracket also includes a downwardly extending stiffening
flange 540. The bracket has a central recess 542 for
receiving the central beam and includes the stiffening
flanges 544 and 546 either side of the recess.
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As shown in Figure 23, the arms 530 and 532 of the
upper bracket 508 are aligned and effectively joined by
the central webbed portion 550. The back wall 552 of the
recess 542 cooperates with the triangular cells 554, 556
and 558 to stiffen the upper bracket 508 and provide high
strength of the connection of the beam to the bracket.
This is further reinforced by the downwardly extending
flange 540 which is below the recess and at one end
thereof. Each of the arms 530 and 532 are recessed and
reinforced by a series of diagonally extending web
members 562. These cooperated with the sides of the arms
to form triangular cells. The upper bracket 508 is
preferably a cast unit.
The table frame 600 of Figure 24, is shown with an
electrical raceway 602 provided at one edge of the table
system. A flexible electrical conduit 604 provides power
from the floor level to the bottom of the raceway. Tt
should be noted that the raceway 602 in this case is
basically an open trough for laying of electrical wires
therein. Basically, this is part of a wire management
system where excess electrical cords on the work surface
can be stored in this electrical raceway. The raceway
can also include various power outlet bars.
Figure 25 is a partial sectional view showing the
relationship of the work surface 606, the raceway 602,
the screen 608 and the mounting bracket 610. The
mounting bracket is connected to the lower surface of the
work surface 606 and provides support for the race 602 as
well as the screen 608.
The bracket 610 as shown in Figure 26, has a work
surface engaging arm 612, a vertical arm 614 for engaging
the screen 608 and a lower arm 616 for supporting the
raceway 602. The work surface engaging arm 612 has
outwardly extending projections 618 with work surface
securing ports 620 for positively securing the bracket to
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the work surface. The vertical arm 614 includes two
ports for mechanically fastening with securing ports
provided in the office screen 608. The lower arm 616 has
securing ports 624 for cooperating with the bolt type
fasteners 626. These are preferably stove bolt type
heads which engage and are held against rotation slots in
the raceway 602. The race 602 has a slot cut out 630 for
allowing the vertical arm 614 to pass therethrough and
generally be positioned within the perimeter of the
raceway.
With the bracket shown in Figure 26, the screen
can be positioned slightly beyond the edge of the work
surface 606 forming a gap 632 at the edge of the work
surface 606 as shown in Figure 25. This gap allows plugs
and cords from equipment on the work surface 606 to be
stored in the raceway 602. Electrical connection to a
power bar or other connections preferably occurs in the
raceway and thus, this type of equipment is also off the
work surface. The bracket 610 is easily made as a single
casting.
The bracket 610 can be used in a number of ways
for supporting the raceway 602 and for supporting screens
608. Figure 27 shows one table frame arrangement where
two work surfaces 640 and 542 are positioned back to
back. A traverse central beam 644 is positioned below
these work surfaces and forms an obstruction for
securement of the screen. The screen 608 if of a depth
to engage the bracket 610 cannot pass through the beam
644. To solve this particular problem, a screen support
spacer 650 is positioned between the brackets 610 and is
mechanically secured to each of the brackets by two
fasteners 652 and 654.
The screen support spacer 650 includes an upwardly
extending support rod 656 which is receivable within the
support recess 658 disposed in the interior of the screen
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608. A series of these screen support spacers are
positioned along the length of the table between the
brackets 610 to positively support the screen 608 between
the work surfaces 640 and 642 and above any intermediary
extending central beams such as beams 644.
Figure 29 shows a corner of a table with a snap-on
cover member 660 secured to the exposed face of the
raceway 602. Additional details are shown in Figure 30.
In this case, the bracket 610 is reversed such that the
back of the raceway 602 is secured to the vertical arm
614 at a position spaced inwardly of the edge of the
table. The cover 660 finishes the edge shown as 603 in
Figure 30 and this cover is snapped over the edge 603.
The raceway 602 is mechanically secured to the bracket by
means of fasteners 664. The raceway 602 has slot
openings 668 for receiving these fasteners. The
fasteners 664 can be partially released to allow the
raceway 602 to be pulled outwardly to provide better
access to the raceway at the exposed edge of the table.
As can be appreciated from a review of Figures 25
through 30, the brackets 610 can be used in a number of
different ways for supporting of electrical raceways
beneath a work surface and for supporting screens at any
of a number of positions relative to the work surface.
For example, the screen 608 could be secured such that
the upper edge of the screen is generally adjacent the
top edge of the work surface and this would provide a
modesty screen for the table. The screen can be secured
at a mid position as generally shown in Figure 26 or can
be secured in an upper position where the bottom edge of
the screen is generally flush with the lower arm 616. In
addition, the bracket can be used for supporting of a
screen at a position essentially above the bracket by
means of the spacer 650.
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As with the table system, the bracket arrangement
of Figures 25 through 30 allows a host of different
arrangements to be carried out while using only a few
parts and allowing variations of the connection of the
components. This provides many advantages for the
manufacturer, the installer and the end user as the parts
are not dedicated to a single arrangement but can be used
to achieve different arrangements. This is particularly
valuable when the purchaser is considering the long term
life of the product where the office layout can change
several times to meeting changing needs in the work
space.
With the present design, a small number of
components are necessary for allowing a large variety of
layouts to be possible.
Although various preferred embodiments of the
present invention have been described herein in detail,
it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that
variations may be made thereto without departing from the
spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended
claims.
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