Storage unit having flexible cover

[0002] Modern offices commonly include a plurality of partitions dividing the office space into individual workspaces. Open office plans have been developed to reduce overall officing costs, and generally incorporate large, open floor spaces in buildings that are equipped with modular furniture systems which are readily reconfigurable to accommodate the ever-changing needs of a specific user, as well as the divergent requirements of different tenants. One arrangement commonly used for furnishing open plans includes movable partition panels that are detachably interconnected to partition off the open spaces into individual workstations and/or offices. Such partition panels are configured to receive hang-on furniture units, such as worksurfaces, overhead cabinets, shelves, etc., and are generally known in the office furniture industry as “systems furniture”. Another arrangement for dividing and/or partitioning open plans includes modular furniture arrangements, in which a plurality of differently shaped, freestanding furniture units are positioned in a side-by-side relationship, with upstanding privacy screens attached to at least some of the furniture units to create individual, distinct workstations and/or offices. Both of these types of modular furniture systems, as well as others, have been widely received due to their ability to be readily reconfigured and/or moved to a new site, since they are not part of the permanent leasehold improvement.

[0003] Hang-on binder bins have been widely used in office furniture arrangements to provide storage space for books, office supplies and the like. Such binder bins are commonly positioned above worksurfaces to provide for efficient use of the office space, and permit ready access by the user. However, existing binder bins may include relatively complex door opening mechanisms including slides, bearings, pivots, or the like that add to the manufacturing costs and complexity of the unit. Also the mechanism may bind, or otherwise fail, requiring repair to permit proper operation of the binder bin.

[0004] One aspect of the present invention is a storage unit for use in an office environment. The storage unit includes a structural frame having two opposing side panels, at least one laterally extending panel extending between and interconnecting the side panels to define an interior space. The frame includes a perimeter defining an access opening that provides access to the interior space. The storage unit includes a flexible cover having opposing side edges, a front edge, and a rear edge. The flexible cover is attached to the structural frame proximate said rear edge of said flexible cover, and extends freely from the attachment to the frame. The flexible cover has an engagement feature which is selectively engageable with the frame at first and second locations on the frame. Engagement of the cover with the frame at the first location places the flexible cover in a closed position with the opposing side edges of the flexible cover extending proximate the perimeter defining the access opening. Engagement of the flexible cover with the frame at the second location places the flexible cover in an open position wherein the flexible cover is positioned to allow access to the interior space of the storage unit through the access opening.

[0005] Another aspect of the present invention is a partition panel system for use in an office environment. The partition panel system includes a partition panel and a storage unit attached to the partition panel. The storage unit has two side panels and a laterally extending panel extending between and interconnecting the side panels. The storage unit defines an interior space and an access opening. The storage unit also includes a flexible cover having opposing side edges, a front edge, and a rear edge. The flexible cover is attached to the storage unit proximate the rear edge of the cover, and extends freely from the attachment to the storage unit. The flexible cover has an engagement feature which is selectively engageable with the storage unit at first and second locations on the storage unit. Engagement of the flexible cover with the storage unit at the first location places the flexible cover in a closed position wherein the cover substantially obstructs access to the interior space of the storage unit. Engagement of the flexible cover with the storage unit at the second location places the flexible cover in an open position wherein the cover is positioned to allow access to the interior space of the storage unit through the access opening.

[0006] Another aspect of the present invention is a storage unit for use in office environments. The storage unit includes a structural frame having two opposing side panels, and at least one laterally extending panel extending between and interconnecting the side panels. The structural frame has a perimeter defining an access opening. The storage unit includes a flexible cover having opposing side edges, a front edge, and a rear edge. The flexible cover is attached to the frame proximate the rear edge of the flexible cover, and the flexible cover extends freely from the attachment to the frame. The flexible cover has an engagement portion located proximate the front edge of the flexible cover, and the flexible cover engagement portion is selectively engageable with the frame at first and second locations. The engagement portion is engageable with the frame at the first location in a first attachment method, and the engagement portion is engageable with the frame at a second location in a second attachment method.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is a storage unit for offices including a housing having a pair of generally upright, horizontally spaced apart end walls, and a generally horizontal shelf extending between and interconnecting the end walls and defining a storage space having an opening to provide access to the storage space. Each end wall defines a generally horizontal edge portion and a generally vertical edge portion with a curved portion extending between the vertical and horizontal portions to define therewith a pair of side edges to the opening. A flexible cover is secured to the housing, and the flexible cover is movable between an open position providing access to the storage space, and a closed position wherein the cover bends to fit closely around the side edges to close off the storage space.

[0008] These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a partition including a storage unit having a flexible cover according to one aspect of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the storage unit of FIG. 1 showing the flexible cover in an open position;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the storage unit of FIG. 1;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a partially fragmentary plan view of the storage unit of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V—V, FIG. 3;

[0014] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, enlarged view of the storage unit of FIG. 5 illustrating the handle of the flexible cover; and

[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bracket of FIG. 1.

[0016] 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 FIG. 1. However, it is 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 appended 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.

[0017] The reference numeral 1 (FIG. 1) generally designates a storage unit embodying the present invention, which is particularly designed for use in open office plans, and other similar settings and environments. In the illustrated example, storage unit 1 includes a structural frame 2 including opposing side panels 3 (FIG. 2), and at least one laterally extending panel such as a shelf 4 extending between and interconnecting the side panels 3 to define an interior space 5. The frame 2 includes a perimeter 6 defining an access opening 7 that provides access to the interior space 5. A flexible cover 8 has opposing side edges 9, a front edge 10, and a rear edge 11. The flexible cover 8 is attached to the structural frame 2 proximate the rear edge 11 of the flexible cover 8. The flexible cover 8 extends freely from the attachment to the frame 2, and includes an engagement feature such as the end portions 12 of the front edge 10 that are selectively engageable with the frame at first locations 13 and second locations 14 on frame 2. As described in more detail below, the first locations 13 include a slot 15 that receives the end portions 12 of the flexible cover 8, and the second locations 14 include magnets 16 that engage the metal strip 17 forming the front edge 10 of the flexible cover 8 to retain the flexible cover 8 in the closed position. The flexible cover 8 engages the frame 2 at the first location 13 to place the flexible cover 8 in a closed position (FIG. 1) with the opposing side edges 9 of the flexible cover 8 extending proximate the perimeter 6. Engagement of the flexible cover 8 with the frame 2 at the second location 14 places the flexible cover 8 in an open position (FIG. 2) wherein the flexible cover 8 is positioned to allow access to the interior space 5 of the storage unit 1 through the access opening 7.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the storage unit 1 may be mounted to a partition 20 above a worksurface 21 in a generally overhead position relative to a seated user. Partition 20 is described in detail in commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/881,833, filed on even dated herewith, entitled PANEL SYSTEM, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Partition 20 includes a plurality of upright frame members 22, and upper and lower horizontal frame members 23 and 24. Each of the upright frame members 22 includes a vertical row of slots 25. With further reference to FIG. 2, a pair of metal brackets 26 are secured to the shelf 4 via screws or the like (not shown). The brackets 26 include hooks 27 that are engageable with the vertical row of slots 25 to support the storage unit 1 on the partition 20.

[0019] With further reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the side panels 3, shelf 4, and rear panel 18 are all made of a wood material, and are interconnected in a conventional manner. Flexible cover 8 includes thin polymer sheet 31 made of a flexible polymer material that may be opaque, transparent, or colored to provide a pleasing appearance that is compatible with the partition system. Although other materials or thicknesses could be utilized, polymer sheet 31 is a 0.030 inch thick translucent PVC material in a preferred embodiment. A metal trim strip 17 is secured to the forward edge 10 of polymer sheet 31, and a handle 28 is secured to the metal strip 17 via a fastener 29 such as a screw, rivet, or the like. Trim strip 17 includes a plurality of bent-in portions forming “barbs” 30 that engage the polymer sheet 31 to retain the metal strip 17 on the polymer sheet 31. As illustrated in FIG. 4, side panels 3 include an edge portion 32 that is offset inwardly relative to the outer portion 33 of side panels 3, such that the edges 9 of the flexible cover 8 fit closely around the edge 32 when the cover is in a closed position. When the flexible cover 8 is in a closed position, the edges 9 of the polymer sheet 31 are thus positioned below the outer edge portion 34 of side panels 3. A metal strip 35 extends along the rear edge 11 of the flexible cover 8, and includes a U-shaped portion 37 that is substantially similar to U-shaped portion 36 of the front metal strip 17 to receive the edge of the polymer sheet 31. The metal strip 35 is secured to the rear panel 18 via screws 38 (FIG. 3) or the like. Although the rear edge 11 of the flexible cover 8 is thus rigidly connected to the frame 2 of the storage unit 1, the polymer sheet 31 has sufficient flexibility to permit the flexible cover 8 to be moved to the open position illustrated in FIG. 2. Slots 15 extend inwardly from the edge 32, and receive the end portions 12 of the metal strip 17 to retain flexible cover 8 in the open position of FIG. 2. The slots 15 extend inwardly from the inner edge portion 32 only, and not from outer edge portion 34 of the sidewalls 3. Thus, slots 15 are not generally visible from the outside of the storage unit 1 when the flexible cover 8 is in the closed position of FIG. 1. A pair of small magnets 16 are positioned in the lower portion of the edge 32 directly adjacent the shelf 4. The magnets 16 are embedded in the side panels 3, and are generally flush with the edge surface 32 to retain the flexible cover 8 in the closed position of FIG. 1. Magnets 16 may be disklike, rectangular, or other suitable shape and size to retain the flexible cover in the closed position. The edge portion 32 of side panels 3 includes a vertically extending front portion 39 (FIG. 5), and a horizontally extending upper portion 41, with a smooth radiused portion 40 extending between the vertical portion 39 and the horizontal portion 41. The relatively large radius 40 permits the polymer sheet 31 to flex around the edge portion 32 to permit the flexible cover 8 to close with side edges 9 contacting edge 32. Side panels 3, shelf 4, and rear panel 18 are preferably made from medium density powder coated fiber board, wood or other suitable material.

[0020] With further reference to FIG. 7, bracket 26 is formed from sheet metal, and includes a plurality of hooks 27 that are received in the vertical row of openings 25 of partition 20. Hooks 27 open both upwardly and downwardly, such that bracket 26 may be secured to the lower surface 45 of shelf 4 of storage unit 1 in the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Alternately, bracket 26 may be secured to an upper surface 19 of a shelf 43 (FIG. 1), with the bracket 26 extending upwardly above the shelf 43. When the bracket 26 is attached to the lower surface 45 of shelf 4 of storage unit 1, storage unit 1 may be positioned directly adjacent the upper edge 46 of partition 20, such that a substantial portion of rear panel 18 of storage unit 1 extends above the upper edge 46 of partition 20. Positioning of the storage unit 1 in this manner permits use of a somewhat lower partition 20, with storage unit 1 maintaining privacy for the user. Thus, a less expensive, lower partition 20 can be utilized. When bracket 26 is secured to an upper surface 19 of a shelf 43, the area below the shelf is not obstructed, such that file storage units, cabinets, or other items can be positioned directly below the shelf.

[0021] The bracket 26 illustrated in FIG. 7 is a “right hand” bracket when utilized to support a storage unit 1 in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1. Alternately, the bracket 26 of FIG. 7 can be rotated 180° and utilized as a “left hand” bracket 26B with shelf 43 as illustrated in FIG. 1. Bracket 26 includes first and second tabs 47 and 48, each of which have openings 49 therethrough that accept conventional wood screws or other suitable fasteners for attaching the bracket 26 to a storage unit 1 or to a shelf 43. A “left hand” bracket 26 may also be made from the same blank of sheet metal by bending the tabs into the positions shown in dashed lines designated 47A and 47B in FIG. 7. A “left hand” bracket 26 may be utilized in a left hand position when supporting a storage unit 1, or rotated 180° and used in the right hand position designated 26A in FIG. 1 when utilized to support shelf 43. Thus, a “right hand” bracket 26 can be used in a lower right position to support a binder bin 1, or an upper left position when supporting a shelf, and a “left hand” bracket 26 can be used in a lower left hand position to support a storage unit 1, or rotated 180° and utilized as an upper right hand bracket when supporting a shelf.

[0022] The storage unit 1 of the present invention has a relatively simple and durable construction that eliminates the complicated and costly slide and/or pivot mechanisms conventionally used for binder bins and the like. The appearance of the storage unit 1 can be readily varied to meet the requirement of a user by selecting a polymer sheet 31 having the desired color and/or light-transmitting properties. The mounting brackets 27 may be configured to readily mount the storage unit 1 on a wide variety of partitions having vertical rows of openings in the partition frame.

[0023] 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.