Post and Beam Supported Slatwall

The present invention relates to a slat wall that is supported by a post and beam.

Modern offices are becoming increasingly complicated and sophisticated due largely to the ever-increasing needs of the users for improved utilities support at each work station. One important consequence of the advent of sophisticated electronic offices is the increased need and desirability for distributing utilities throughout the various offices in a manner which can be readily reconfigured. The term "utilities" as used herein incorporates a wide variety of facilities for use at a work station, including security devices, electrical power, signal and/or communications, HVAC, water and other fluids, and other similar resources. Open office plans have been developed to reduce overall office space and costs, and generally incorporate large, open floor spaces in buildings that are equipped with modular furniture systems which are readily reconfigurable to accommodate the everchanging needs of a specific user, as well as the divergent requirements of several tenants. One arrangement, used for furnishing open plans, includes movable partition panels that are detachably interconnected to partition off the open spaces into individual work stations and/or offices.

Slat walls having a plurality of horizontally extending grooves that are configured to removably support file hangers, clipboards, book shelves and the like may be utilized to facilitate efficient use of available space in various types of office settings. However, such slat walls may be permanently attached to a partition panel, hindering reconfiguration of the panel system. Further, such slat walls are only configured to be used with partition panel systems that may have limited utility distribution capability, and often do not facilitate optimal use of available floor space. Overhead support systems including posts and overhead beams have not heretofore included provisions for removably supporting an easily reconfigurable slat wall to facilitate the efficient use of floor space.

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a combination overhead support system and accessory board. The combination overhead support system and accessory board includes at least one freestanding post disposed in a substantially vertical position. The post includes at least one longitudinally-extending connector portion. At least one beam is supported at least in part by the post in a substantially horizontal, overhead position. An accessory board having at least one side face configured to removably support articles thereon and opposite first and second marginal side edges is normally disposed in a generally vertical orientation. The first side is detachably connected to the connector portion of the post to support the accessory board on the post in a cantilevered fashion. The second side edge is substantially free, and unsupported by the overhead support system.

Another aspect of the present invention is a combination overhead support system and accessory board that includes at least one freestanding post disposed in a substantially vertical position, and at least one beam supported at least in part by the post in a substantially horizontal, overhead position. An accessory board has opposite first and second marginal side edges normally disposed in a generally vertical orientation. The first side edge of the accessory board is connected to the post to support the accessory board on the post in a cantilevered fashion. A bumper is connected with the accessory board and engages a portion of the beam to selectively retain the accessory board in a predetermined position.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is a combination overhead support and accessory system for workstations and the like, including at least one freestanding post disposed in a substantially vertical position, and at least one beam supported at least in part by the post in a substantially horizontal, overhead position. A slatwall accessory board is supported solely on the overhead support system and has at least one side thereof with a plurality of horizontally-extending channels spaced vertically apart along the side face. At least one accessory unit is configured to personalize an associated workstation and includes a connector shaped for reception in the channels to detachably support the accessory unit at a plurality of locations on the slatwall face.

These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings.

FIG. 1 is fragmentary, perspective view of a post and beam supported slat wall embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is fragmentary, perspective view of a post and beam supported slat wall embodying the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, perspective view of an end portion of the beam of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the beam of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the post of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the accessory board of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, front elevational view of the accessory board of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the slat extrusion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the top portion of the accessory board taken along the line IX--IX of FIG. 7 and including the beam of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the bottom portion of the accessory board taken along the line X--X of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the bumper mounting bracket of FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the bumper mounting bracket of FIG. 6 taken along the line XII--XII of FIG. 12;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the hooked support bracket of FIG. 6;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the bumper of FIG. 6;

FIG. 15 is a top elevational view of the bumper;

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the bumper;

FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of the bumper; and

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the bumper taken along the line XVII--XVII of FIG. 16.

For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical," "horizontal" and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIGS. 1 and 2. However, it needs to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the independent claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a combination overhead support system 1 and accessory board 2 includes at least one freestanding post 3 disposed in a substantially vertical position. The post 3 includes at least one longitudinally-extending connector portion such as a vertical row of slots 5 (FIG. 5). At least one beam 6 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is supported at least in part by the post 3 in a substantially horizontal, overhead position. An accessory board 2 has at least one side face 7 configured to removably support articles such as file hanger 15 or bookshelf 16 thereon. The accessory board 2 includes opposite first and second marginal side edges 9, 10 normally disposed in a generally vertical orientation. The first side edge 9 is detachably connected to the connector portion or slots 5 of the post 3, such as by upper and lower hooked brackets 12, 13 to support the accessory board 2 on the post 3 in a cantilevered fashion. The second side edge 10 is substantially free, and unsupported by the overhead support system 1.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the beam 6 is formed from sheet metal, and has a pair of generally parallel, vertically-oriented webs 20 with a tube 21 having a generally quadrilateral cross-sectional shape therebetween. Upper flange 22 extends sidewardly and forms downwardly extending side flanges 19. Opposing lower side flanges 23 extend sidewardly and upwardly to define therebetween an opening 24 which may be closed off by a cover 25 which is removably supported on side flanges 19 and 23. A pair of inverted T-shaped sections 26 extend along a bottom side 27 of the beam 6. Each inverted T-shaped section 26 includes an inner horizontal leg 28 and an outer horizontal leg 29 that terminate at inner and outer upwardly extending vertical portions 30 and 31, respectively.

With reference to FIG. 5, the post 3 has a generally quadrilateral cross-sectional shape and includes an elongated vertically extending center structure 35 that has a generally X-shaped cross section. Four covers 39 are releasably connected to the center structure 35, and extend vertically, thereby defining a generally quadrilateral cross-sectional shape with corners 40. A tube 36 extends upwardly through the center of the post 3. A pair of channels 37 are fixed to opposite sides of the tube 36, as by welding. Each channel 37 has an outer flange 38 that includes a vertical row of slots 5 for removably supporting hang-on items such as the accessory board 2. Each cover 39 is spaced-apart from each adjacent cover to define a vertically extending gap 41 therebetween that allows access to the vertical row of slots 5. The upper hooked bracket 12 is connected to the first vertical side edge 9 of the accessory board 2. The hooked portion 45 of upper and lower brackets 12 and 13 extends inwardly at a 45.degree. angle and removably engages the vertical row of slots 5 for support of the accessory board 2. The 45.degree. angle of the hooked portion 45 provides proper orientation of the accessory board 2 along the lower edge of beam 6.

With reference to FIG. 6, the accessory board 2 includes a bumper 50 that is attached to the accessory board 2 by bumper bracket 51. As described in more detail below, the bumper 50 is configured to engage the lower edge of a beam 6 to support the second side edge 10 and prevent rotation of the accessory board 2 about the side edge 9 at the attachment to the post 3.

With reference to FIG. 8, a slat extrusion 60 defines a plurality of horizontally extending slats 11. Each slat 11 is defined by a channel having a generally U-shaped lower portion with an outer leg 62 that terminates at an upper edge 63. The inner leg 64 of the U-shaped portion forms the back wall of the slat 11. Slat extrusion 60 is fastened to a substantially flat metal pan 65 by screws 66 (FIG. 10). The metal pan 65 is fastened to board 67 that forms the second side face 8 of the accessory board 2.

With reference to FIG. 9, bumper 50 is made of a thermo-plastic rubber material and defines a pair of upwardly-opening U-shaped portions 70, each of which receives an inverted T-shaped portion 26 of a beam 6. A slot 71 (FIG. 17) extends along the lower side of the bumper 50, and provides clearance for the extensions 59 of the bumper bracket 51. Side edges 72, 73 (FIG. 16) are tapered slightly and are configured to snugly receive the inverted T-shaped portion 26 of the beam 6 to support the accessory board 2, thereby preventing rotation of the accessory board 2 about the first side edge 9 at the connection to the post 3.

Bumper bracket 51 (FIGS. 11, 12) attaches bumper 50 to the accessory board 2. The lower flat portion 52 of the bumper bracket 51 includes a plurality of clearance holes 53 that receive screws 54 (FIGS. 7, 9) to connect the bumper bracket 51 to the accessory board 2. A web 57 extends upwardly forming the upper end 56 of bumper bracket 51. A pair of tabs 55 extend from the web 57. Tabs 55 and web 57 are closely received in the U-shaped opening 58 (FIG. 18) of the bumper 50.

With reference to FIG. 13, the upper hooked bracket 12 is formed from sheet metal and includes a plurality of hooks 46 extending from the hooked portion 45. The hooked portion 45 extends inwardly at a 45.degree. angle relative to the base portion 47 of the upper bracket 12. Lower hooked bracket 13 is substantially the same as upper hooked bracket 12. The first and second vertical side edges 9, 10 of the accessory board 2 are substantially the same prior to attachment of the upper and lower hooked brackets 12, 13 and the bumper 50. The upper bracket 12 illustrated in FIG. 13 is a "right hand" bracket that is configured to be attached to the first vertical side edge 9. However, the upper and lower brackets 12 and 13 may be made with the hooked portion 45 extending from the base portion 47 in an opposite direction to form a "left hand" bracket that attaches to the second side edge 10 of the accessory board 2. Similarly, the bumper 50 may be attached to the first vertical side edge 9. This allows the accessory board 2 to be configured for attachment to a post along either the first vertical side edge 9, or the second vertical side edge 10, as required for a particular application.

During installation, the hooked brackets 12 and 13 connected to the vertical side edge 9. The hooks 46 are inserted into the vertical slots 5 of a post 3, and the accessory board 2 is moved downwardly to engage hooks 46 in slots 5. The bumper 50 is then placed on the bumper bracket 51 by inserting the web 57 and tabs 55 into the U-shaped opening 58 in the bumper 50. The upper edge of the accessory board 2 is then aligned with the lower edge of the beam 6, and the U-shaped portions 70 of the bumper 50 are brought into contact with the inverted T-shaped portions 26 of the beam 6. The bumper bracket 51 is then fastened to the side edge 10 of the accessory board 2 by means of screws 54. As discussed above, the upper and lower hooked brackets 12 and 13 may be either left-handed or right-handed to allow support of the accessory board 2 along either the first or second side edge 9 or 10, as required for a particular application.

In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims, unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.