US 4,914,873 A · Work environment system

Abstract

A work environment system, for product assembly, repair, storage and packaging, comprises a plurality of freestanding rigid rectangular frame modules (32) formed of vertical frame members (36) and upper and lower horizontal frame members (38, 40). The modules (32) can be securely connected together in end-to-end relationship at a number of angles by connectors (100) to form work stations (10,12,14,16,20,22) of various size and geometric configuration. The work stations (30) can be equipped with a variety of functional components to be utilized in product assembly, repair, storage and packaging, such functional components including work surfaces (242), shelves (244) and storage cabinets (246), all of which are connected to the freestanding modules (32). The work environment system further includes various transport carts (446) for transporting products and tools between work stations and which can be assembled substantially from the vertical and horizontal frame members (36,38,40) of the modules (32).

Claims35

Dependent claims

A modular factory work space management system comprising freestanding frame modules and freestanding tables, all of which are selectively arranged around a room in a preplanned configuration;

mobile carts movable about said room between said frame modules and said freestanding tables;
said frame modules and said tables being adapted to mount horizontal work surfaces;
said mobile carts, said freestanding tables and said freestanding frame modules having in common interchangeable structural components comprising;
rigid open rectangular frames having vertical frame members and horizontal frame members, each of said vertical frame members being tubular and rectangular in cross-section and having a series of slots for hanging function components thereon;
said horizontal frame members having ends rigidly joined to said vertical frame members, said horizontal frame members further being substantially H-shaped in cross-section and defining upper and lower vertical lips extending longitudinally of said horizontal frame members for retaining functional components above and below said horizontal frame members.

2 more elements

A modular factory work space management system comprising freestanding frame modules, freestanding tables and mobile carts, said modules and said tables being selectively arranged around a room in a preplanned configuration and adapted to mount horizontal work surfaces, said movable carts being movable about said room between said frame modules and said tables;

said mobile carts, said freestanding tables and said freestanding frame modules having in common interchangeable structural components comprising rigid open rectangular frames having vertical frame members and horizontal frame members, each of said vertical frame members being tubular and rectangular in cross-section and having a series of slots for hanging functional components thereon, said horizontal frame members having ends rigidly joined to said vertical frame members, said horizontal frame members further being substantially H-shaped in cross-section and defining upper and lower vertical lips extending longitudinally of said horizontal frame members for retaining functional components above and below said horizontal frame members;
said work space management system further comprising frame connector means for joining said rectangular frames together at vertical side edges thereof, said frame connector means comprising:
openings in opposite side faces of adjacent first and second vertical frame members, said openings being in registry with each other;
first and second draw blocks mounted respectively in said first and second frame members in registry with said openings, horizontal bores in said draw blocks in registry with said openings, at least said bore in said first draw block being threaded;
and
a bolt extending through said draw block bores in said adjacent first and second vertical frame members, said bolt having a threaded end which is adapted to threadably engage said threaded bore in said first draw block while being retained by said second draw block to draw said adjacent vertical frame members together as said bolt is tightened.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Work environment system

Life of this patent

Work environment system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims35