Beltway system for a modular furniture assembly

Abstract

A beltway system for modular furniture assembly is configured to connect to two or more workstations. The beltway system includes a main body including a first end and a second end opposing the first end and a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side faces a first of the two or more workstations and the second side faces a second of the two or more workstations. The beltway system includes a data trough configured to provide data connection to the two or more workstations. The data trough extends between the first end and the second end. The beltway system also includes at least one power block spatially separated a distance above the data trough. The power block includes a first power receptacle facing the first side and a second power receptacle facing the second side.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 658,256, filed Jun. 11, 2012, entitled “Beltway System for Modular Furniture Assembly and Bracket,” which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to beltway systems for furniture assemblies and, for example, to a beltway system used in a modular furniture assembly, which allows reconfigurable arrangements of furniture while concealing and safely carrying conduit data and power cables, connectors, and outlets through the beltway for easy and convenient access at each desk station of the furniture assembly.BACKGROUND[0003]Numerous methods and devices have been developed for connecting items of furniture together. Generally, items of furniture have been connected together via screws and nails, an assembly process that is time-consuming, dangerous, and can lead ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes various aspects and implementations of a system for assembling furniture items, as well as a beltway system for connecting workstations. The system includes a bracket that interengages with a frame on another furniture item, using a bent middle section that slides into flanges on the frame. The bracket has co-planar extensions and supports that extend at an angle from the extensions. The bracket is designed to be easily assembled and disassembled. The beltway system includes a main body with a data trough and power blocks that provide power and telecommunication ports to the workstations. The system also includes a modular furniture assembly with interconnected workstations. Overall, the patent text describes technical solutions for furniture assembly and workstation connectivity.

Problems solved by technology

Generally, items of furniture have been connected together via screws and nails, an assembly process that is time-consuming, dangerous, and can lead to permanently damaging the furniture and, potentially, the area surrounding the place of assembly.

For example, shelves or cabinets with screws attached thereto may fall on the floor, causing the screws to bend and damage the floor.

Moreover, the assembly and disassembly of the furniture items can take a long time, generally at least 30 minutes even for the simplest furniture configurations.

One or more tools are required to fasten items of furniture together, increasing the install time and potential for incorrect assembly.

However, these systems require that a person connecting the items of furniture, which can be very heavy, connect them very precisely.

Even a smallest sideways movement of one of the items of furniture may interfere with the engaging (or disengaging) process and require the person to start the process over.

Moreover, disengaging the items of furniture in such an arrangement is also very difficult.

In order to disengage the items of furniture, these systems require that a person pushes one of the furniture pieces out of the keyhole, which requires a lot of strength and often leads to the furniture piece “falling back” into the keyhole and locking back into engagement, requiring the person to start the process again.

Additionally, these systems are unidirectional; in other words, they may be assembled or disassembled in only one direction (for example, if one end of an item of furniture abuts against a wall or another cabinet), so if the furniture is arranged such that assembly is possible in only one direction, the keyholes need to be oriented to permit assembly in that direction.

If they are oriented the opposite way, assembly is not possible.

This means that if one of the furniture pieces were to fall to the floor, the screw would likely bend, effectively ruining the engaging mechanism and, moreover, the floor would be damaged.

Additionally, conventional systems allow for only horizontal or vertical engagement of the furniture items, which makes their application limited.

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