Modular furniture system

Abstract

A modular furniture system based on a fundamental building block is provided. The building block, or cell, includes first and second end plates and at least one horizontal support beam. A plurality of stacked and/or side-by-side cells provide a framework that can be arranged in an almost limitless number of ways. The cells serve as both storage space and division between neighboring work spaces, thus conserving raw materials and recovering floor space. The cells further provide raceways for concealing electrical wires and data cables, and are adapted for supporting work surfaces and connecting to vertical panels. The cells are adapted to receive various storage components, such as drawers, which may be inserted from both a front side and a back side of each cell. The cells are also adapted to receive tiles, which may cover open sides of each cell and/or cover the end plates of each cell. The tiles may provide any of a multitude of different aesthetic and functional surfaces. A single cell or stack of cells may include a foundation for increased rigidity and sturdiness.

1 . A cell that is adapted to be combined with other similar cells to form a furniture system, the cell comprising: 
 first and second spaced end plates; and    at least one horizontal support beam; wherein    the cell is adapted to receive a storage component from both a first side and a second side opposite the first side.    
     
     
         2 . The cell of  claim 1 , wherein the storage component is a hanging-file drawer, a closed drawer, a door, doors, a shelf, a roll-up covering, an accessory panel, a work surface, or a roll-out shelf.  
     
     
         3 . The cell of  claim 1 , wherein each end plate includes at least one removable tab.  
     
     
         4 . The cell of  claim 1 , wherein when corresponding tabs are removed from the end plates, the cell defines at least one raceway for receiving electrical wiring or data cabling.  
     
     
         5 . The cell of  claim 4 , wherein the raceway is at least partially bounded by at least one tray.  
     
     
         6 . The cell of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one horizontal support beam comprises a crossbar with posts disposed at either end thereof the posts being substantially parallel to one another and also substantially perpendicular to the crossbar.  
     
     
         7 . The cell of  claim 6 , wherein each post includes a plurality of vertically spaced slots.  
     
     
         8 . The cell of  claim 7 , wherein the vertically spaced slots are adapted to receive vertically spaced hooks to secure items to the cell.  
     
     
         9 . The cell of  claim 6 , wherein each post is adapted to be secured to one of the end plates.  
     
     
         10 . The cell of  claim 9 , wherein each post is received within a channel on the end plate to which it is secured.  
     
     
         11 . The cell of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one horizontal support beam is shaped substantially as an I.  
     
     
         12 . The cell of  claim 11 , wherein the cell is a first cell, a first end of each post is adapted to be secured to the first cell, and a second end of each post is adapted to be secured to a second cell that is vertically adjacent to the first cell.  
     
     
         13 . The cell of  claim 1 , further comprising a foundation upon which the cell is adapted to rest.  
     
     
         14 . The cell of  claim 13 , wherein the foundation comprises at least one foundation support.  
     
     
         15 . The cell of  claim 14 , wherein the foundation support is a glide or a wheel.  
     
     
         16 . The cell of  claim 1 , wherein the cell is a first cell and is adapted to be vertically stacked with a second cell that is substantially identical to the first cell.  
     
     
         17 . The cell of  claim 1 , wherein the cell is a first cell and is adapted to be placed horizontally adjacent a second cell that is substantially identical to the first cell.  
     
     
         18 . The cell of  claim 17 , further comprising a bridge for connecting the first cell to the second cell.  
     
     
         19 . The cell of  claim 1 , in combination with a panel, wherein the panel is connected to a first end of the cell and the panel is adapted to divide adjacent work areas.  
     
     
         20 . A cell that is adapted to be combined with other similar cells to form a furniture system, the cell comprising: 
 first and second spaced end plates; and    at least one horizontal support beam; wherein    the at least one horizontal support beam comprises a crossbar with posts disposed at either end thereof the posts being substantially parallel to one another and also substantially perpendicular to the crossbar.    
     
     
         21 . The cell of  claim 20 , wherein each end plate includes at least one removable tab.  
     
     
         22 . The cell of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one horizontal support beam is shaped substantially as an I.  
     
     
         23 . The cell of  claim 22 , wherein each post is adapted to be secured to one of the end plates.  
     
     
         24 . The cell of  claim 23 , wherein the cell is a first cell, a first end of each post is adapted to be secured to the first cell, and a second end of each post is adapted to be secured to a second cell that is vertically adjacent to the first cell.  
     
     
         25 . The cell of  claim 20 , further comprising a foundation upon which the cell is adapted to rest.  
     
     
         26 . The cell of  claim 25 , wherein the foundation comprises first and second spaced end members, first and second spaced cross members, and at least one bracket projecting upwardly from each end member.  
     
     
         27 . The cell of  claim 26 , wherein each end plate is adapted to rest atop one of the end members such that a corresponding one of the brackets is releasably securable to the end plate.  
     
     
         28 . A furniture system, comprising: 
 a cell defining a storage space therein that is at least partially bounded by first and second spaced end plates and at least one horizontal support beam; and    a tile; wherein    the tile is securable between the end plates to thereby define a further boundary of the cell.    
     
     
         29 . The furniture system of  claim 28 , wherein the tile may be positioned on a first side of the cell or a second side of the cell opposite the first side, or simultaneously on both the first side and the second side.  
     
     
         30 . The furniture system of  claim 28 , wherein the end plates include apertures, the tile includes tabs, and the tabs engage the apertures to secure the tile to the cell.  
     
     
         31 . The furniture system of  claim 28 , wherein the end plates include apertures, the tile includes hooks, and the hooks engage the apertures to secure the tile to the cell.  
     
     
         32 . The furniture system of  claim 28 , wherein the cell is adapted to receive, from a first side, a storage component, while the tile is positioned on a second side of the cell opposite the first side.  
     
     
         33 . The furniture system of  claim 32 , wherein the storage component is a hanging-file drawer, a closed drawer, a door, doors, a shelf, a roll-up covering, an accessory panel, a work surface, or a roll-out shelf.  
     
     
         34 . The furniture system of  claim 32 , wherein the cell is adapted to receive, from the second side, a storage component, while the tile is positioned on the first side of the cell.  
     
     
         35 . The furniture system of  claim 34 , wherein the storage component is a hanging-file drawer, a closed drawer, a door, doors, a shelf, a roll-up covering, an accessory panel, a work surface, or a roll-out shelf.  
     
     
         36 . A furniture system, comprising: 
 a cell defining a storage space therein that is at least partially bounded by first and second spaced end plates and at least one horizontal support beam; and    a tile; wherein    the tile is securable to either of the end plates to thereby at least partially cover the end plate.    
     
     
         37 . The furniture system of  claim 36 , wherein the end plates include apertures, the tile includes tabs, and the tabs engage the apertures to secure the tile to the cell.  
     
     
         38 . The furniture system of  claim 36 , wherein the end plates include apertures, the tile includes hooks, and the hooks engage the apertures to secure the tile to the cell.  
     
     
         39 . The furniture system of  claim 36 , wherein the cell is adapted to receive, from a both a first side and a second side opposite the first side, a storage component.  
     
     
         40 . The furniture system of  claim 39 , wherein the storage component is a hanging-file drawer, a closed drawer, a door, doors, a shelf, a roll-up covering, an accessory panel, a work surface, or a roll-out shelf.