Workstation

Abstract

A workstation comprising a beam having a length and comprising longitudinally extending first and second channels. The first channel is spaced apart from the second channel in a substantially parallel relationship therewith. A first component has an insert portion disposed in the first channel, and the second component has an insert portion disposed in the second channel. In one preferred embodiment, a second beam is spaced apart from the first beam in a substantially parallel relationship therewith. The second beam has a length and comprises longitudinally extending first and second channels, wherein the first channel of the second beam is spaced apart from the second channel of the second beam in a substantially parallel relationship therewith.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A workstation comprising: 
 a beam having a length and comprising longitudinally extending first and second channels, wherein said first channel is spaced apart from said second channel in a substantially parallel relationship therewith;    a first component having an insert portion disposed in said first channel, wherein said first component is supported by said beam; and    a second component having an insert portion disposed in said second channel, wherein said second component is supported by said beam.    
     
     
         2 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein said beam comprises a first beam and further comprising a second beam spaced apart from said first beam in a substantially parallel relationship therewith, wherein said second beam has a length and comprises longitudinally extending first and second channels, wherein said first channel of said second beam is spaced apart from said second channel of said second beam in a substantially parallel relationship therewith.  
     
     
         3 . The invention of  claim 2  wherein said first component extends between said first and second beams, wherein said insert portion comprises a first insert portion disposed in said first channel of said first beam and wherein said first component further comprises a second insert portion disposed in said first channel of said second beam.  
     
     
         4 . The invention of  claim 2  wherein said lengths of said first and second beams have a substantially horizontal orientation.  
     
     
         5 . The invention of  claim 4  wherein said first and second beams have opposite ends, and further comprising a vertically extending support member connected to at least one of said ends of said first and second beams.  
     
     
         6 . The invention of  claim 4  wherein said first beam is an upper beam and said second beam is a lower beam underlying said upper beam, and wherein said first channel of said upper beam is positioned below said second channel of said upper beam, and wherein said first channel of said lower beam is positioned above said second channel of said lower beam.  
     
     
         7 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein said first component comprises a barrier member.  
     
     
         8 . The invention of  claim 7  wherein said second component comprises a marker board.  
     
     
         9 . The invention of  claim 8  wherein said second component further comprises a hanger having an insert portion engaging said second channel, and wherein said marker board is disposed on said hanger.  
     
     
         10 . The invention of  claim 7  wherein said second component comprises a shelf.  
     
     
         11 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein said second channel has a T-shaped cross-section.  
     
     
         12 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein said beam comprises a pair of first and second channels positioned on opposite sides of said beam, and further comprising a third component having an insert portion disposed in one of said first and second channels on said side of said beam opposite said side of said beam on which said first and second components are disposed.  
     
     
         13 . A workstation comprising: 
 a support frame having a first and second vertically extending and spaced apart support members;    a first horizontal beam extending between said first and second support members, said first beam comprising longitudinally extending first and second channels, wherein said first channel is spaced apart from said second channel in a substantially parallel relationship therewith;    a second horizontal beam extending between said first and second support members in a spaced apart relationship with said first beam, said second beam comprising longitudinally extending first and second channels, wherein said first channel of said second beam is spaced apart from said second channel of said second beam in a substantially parallel relationship therewith;    a first component extending between said first and second beams and engaging said first channel on each of said first and second beams; and    a second component engaging at least one of said second channels of said first and second beams.    
     
     
         14 . The invention of  claim 13  wherein said first beam is an upper beam and said second beam is a lower beam underlying said upper beam, and wherein said first channel of said upper beam is positioned below said second channel of said upper beam, and wherein said first channel of said lower beam is positioned above said second channel of said lower beam.  
     
     
         15 . The invention of  claim 13  wherein said first component comprises a barrier member.  
     
     
         16 . The invention of  claim 15  wherein said second component comprises a marker board.  
     
     
         17 . The invention of  claim 16  wherein said second component further comprises a hanger having an insert portion engaging said second channel, and wherein said marker board is disposed on said hanger.  
     
     
         18 . The invention of  claim 15  wherein said second component comprises a shelf.  
     
     
         19 . The invention of  claim 13  wherein said second channel of said first and second beams has a T-shaped cross-section.  
     
     
         20 . The invention of  claim 13  wherein said first and second beams each comprise a pair of said first and second channels positioned on opposite sides of said first and second beams respectively, and further comprising a third component extending between said first and second beams and engaging said first channel on said side of each of said first and second beams opposite said side of said first and second beams on which said first component is engaged with said first channels on each of said first and second beams.  
     
     
         21 . A method for configuring a workstation comprising: 
 providing a first horizontal beam comprising longitudinally extending first and second channels, wherein said first channel is spaced apart from said second channel in a substantially parallel relationship therewith; a second horizontal beam comprising longitudinally extending first and second channels, wherein said first channel of said second beam is spaced apart from said second channel of said second beam in a substantially parallel relationship therewith;    disposing a first component between said first and second beams and engaging said first channel on each of said first and second beams with said first component; and    engaging at least one of said second channels of said first and second beams with a second component.    
     
     
         22 . The invention of  claim 21  further comprising sliding said second component within said at least one of said second channels of said first and second beams.  
     
     
         23 . The invention of  claim 21  further comprising disengaging said second component from said at least one of said second channels of said first and second beams and engaging at least one of said second channels of said first and second beams with a third component.  
     
     
         24 . The invention of  claim 21  further comprising engaging at least one of said second channels of said first and second beams with a third component.  
     
     
         25 . The invention of  claim 24  wherein said second component is engaged with said second channel of said first beam and wherein said third component is engaged with said second channel of said second beam.  
     
     
         26 . The invention of  claim 21  wherein said first component comprises a barrier member.  
     
     
         27 . The invention of  claim 21  wherein said second component comprises a marker board.  
     
     
         28 . The invention of  claim 21  wherein aid second component comprises a shelf.  
     
     
         29 . The invention of  claim 21  wherein said second channel of said first and second beams has a T-shaped cross-section.