Building outfitting system with common accessory-mounting feature

Abstract

A prefabricated system for outfitting a building space includes an architectural product (such as a full-height permanent building wall, a post-and-beam product with overhead frame, and a drywall-covered wall), a furniture product (such as a partial-height wall, a partition, and a desking system), and a plurality of accessories. The architectural product includes a structural member with horizontal and vertical accessory-mounting T-slots, and the furniture product includes structural trim pieces with identical vertical and horizontal accessory-mounting T-slots. The plurality of accessories are constructed to stably engage any of the accessory-mounting slots at a selected location along the slots. Some accessories can be attached to and extend between the two products, such as an accessory screen that extends between a post of a post-and-beam system and an end of a partition system.

1 - 35 . (canceled)  
   
   
       36 . A method comprising steps of: 
 providing an architectural product and a partition product, each having a substantially identical elongated mount feature;    providing a plurality of accessories adapted for mounting to the mount feature; and    selectively attaching at least one of the plurality of accessories to the mount feature on a selected one of the architectural product and the partition product.    
   
   
       37 . (canceled)  
   
   
       38 . A method as set forth in  claim 36 , including: 
 detaching the one accessory from the mount feature on the one of the architectural product and the partition product; and    selectively attaching the one accessory to the mount feature on the other one of the architectural product and the partition product.    
   
   
       39 . A method as set forth in  claim 38 , including: 
 selectively attaching another one of the accessories to the mount feature on the one of the architectural product and the partition product.    
   
   
       40 . A method as set forth in  claim 36 , wherein: 
 said accessory providing step includes selecting a slatwall for said attaching step.    
   
   
       41 . A method as set forth in  claim 36 , wherein: 
 said accessory providing step includes selecting a writable/erasable board for said attaching step.    
   
   
       42 . A method as set forth in  claim 36 , wherein: 
 said accessory providing step includes selecting a screen for said attaching step.    
   
   
       43 . A method as set forth in  claim 36 , wherein: 
 said accessory providing step includes selecting a retractable door for said attaching step.    
   
   
       44 . A method as set forth in  claim 36 , wherein: 
 said accessory providing step includes selecting a hook for said attaching step.    
   
   
       45 . A method as set forth in  claim 36 , wherein: 
 said accessory providing step includes selecting a shelf for said attaching step.    
   
   
       46 . A method as set forth in  claim 36 , wherein: 
 said accessory providing step includes selecting a work surface for said attaching step.    
   
   
       47 . A method as set forth in  claim 36 , wherein: 
 said accessory providing step includes selecting a lamp for said attaching step.    
   
   
       48 . A method as set forth in  claim 36 , wherein: 
 said accessory providing step includes selecting a telephone for said attaching step.    
   
   
       49 . A method as set forth in  claim 39 , wherein: 
 said accessory providing step includes selecting a hook for said attaching step;    said accessory providing step further includes selecting a shelf for said attaching step;    said accessory providing step further includes selecting a work surface for said attaching step;    said accessory providing step further includes selecting a lamp for said attaching step; and    said accessory providing step further includes selecting a telephone for said attaching step.    
   
   
       50 . A method for dividing open office space and the like into individual workstations, comprising: 
 providing at least one accessory having an anchor portion thereof adapted to detachably mount the accessory adjacent an associated one of the workstations and an accessory portion thereof configured to equip the associated workstation;    providing a prefabricated partition panel furniture arrangement including a plurality of individual panels;    detachably interconnecting the panels in a generally side-by-side relationship to define at least a portion of one of the workstations;    providing a panel trim member including a first accessory mount extending along a substantial portion of the length thereof, with a predetermined configuration to mate with the anchor portion of the accessory for selectively mounting the accessory at one of a variety of positions along the trim member;    detachably connecting the panel trim member with an associated one of the panels;    providing a prefabricated post-and-beam furniture arrangement including at least one post supported on a floor surface of the open office space in a generally vertical orientation and at least one beam having at least a portion thereof supported on the post in a generally horizontal orientation, and including a second accessory mount extending along a substantial portion of the length of the one beam, with a predetermined configuration to mate with the anchor portion of the accessory for selectively mounting the accessory at one of a variety of positions along the one beam, and wherein the predetermined configuration of the first accessory mount on the panel trim member is substantially identical with the predetermined configuration of the second accessory mount on the one beam, such that the anchor portion of the accessory can be mated with both to detachably mount the accessory either on the panel trim member or the one beam; and    detachably mounting the accessory on one of the first accessory mount and the second accessory mount to personalize the associated workstation.    
   
   
       51 . A method as set forth in  claim 50 , including: 
 providing the post with a section of the second accessory mount extending along a substantial portion of the length thereof for selectively mounting the accessory at one of a variety of positions along the one post.    
   
   
       52 . A method as set forth in  claim 51 , wherein: 
 said post-and-beam furniture providing step includes providing a short post.    
   
   
       53 . A method as set forth in  claim 52 , wherein: 
 said post-and-beam furniture providing step includes providing a fence beam.    
   
   
       54 . A method as set forth in  claim 53 , wherein: 
 said panel trim member providing step includes forming an outwardly-opening slot along the trim member to define the first accessory mount.    
   
   
       55 . A method as set forth in  claim 54 , wherein: 
 said post-and-beam furniture providing step includes forming an outwardly-opening slot extending along the fence beam to define the second accessory mount.    
   
   
       56 . A method as set forth in  claim 54 , wherein: 
 the fence beam includes a top surface, a bottom surface and opposite side surfaces; and including    positioning the outwardly-opening slot on said fence beam along the top surface of the fence beam to define a first outwardly-opening slot.    
   
   
       57 . A method as set forth in  claim 56 , including: 
 forming in the fence beam a second outwardly-opening slot extending along at least one of the side surfaces thereof, with a predetermined configuration to receive the anchor portion of the accessory therein.    
   
   
       58 . A method as set forth in  claim 56 , including: 
 forming in the fence beam second and third outwardly-opening slots extending along the side surfaces thereof, each with a predetermined configuration to receive the anchor portion of the accessory therein.    
   
   
       59 . A furniture system as set forth in  claim 58 , including: 
 forming in the fence beam a fourth outwardly-opening slot extending along the bottom surface thereof, with a predetermined configuration to receive the anchor portion of the accessory therein.    
   
   
       60 . A method for dividing open office space and the like into individual workstations, comprising: 
 providing at least one accessory having an anchor portion thereof adapted to detachably mount the accessory adjacent an associated one of the workstations and an accessory portion thereof configured to equip the associated workstation;    providing a prefabricated partition panel furniture arrangement including a plurality of individual panels;    detachably interconnecting the panels in a generally side-by-side relationship to define at least a portion of one of the workstations;    providing a panel trim member including a first accessory mount extending along a substantial portion of the length thereof, with a predetermined configuration to mate with the anchor portion of the accessory for selectively mounting the accessory at one of a variety of positions along the trim member;    detachably connecting the panel trim member with an associated one of the panels;    providing a prefabricated post-and-beam furniture arrangement including at least one post supported on a floor surface of the open office space in a generally vertical orientation and at least one beam having at least a portion thereof supported on the post in a generally horizontal orientation, and including a second accessory mount extending along a substantial portion of the length of the one post, with a predetermined configuration to mate with the anchor portion of the accessory for selectively mounting the accessory at one of a variety of positions along the one post, and wherein the predetermined configuration of the first accessory mount on the panel trim member is substantially identical with the predetermined configuration of the second accessory mount on the one post, such that the anchor portion of the accessory can be mated with both to detachably mount the accessory either on the panel trim member or the one post; and    detachably mounting the accessory on one of the first accessory mount and the second accessory mount to personalize the associated workstation.    
   
   
       61 . A method as set forth in  claim 60 , wherein: 
 said post-and-beam furniture providing step includes providing a short post.    
   
   
       62 . A method as set forth in  claim 61 , wherein: 
 said post-and beam furniture providing step comprises providing a short beam with a generally X-shaped plan configuration defined by four outwardly-extending flanges.    
   
   
       63 . A method as set forth in  claim 61 , wherein: 
 said post-and-beam furniture providing step includes forming an outwardly-opening slot extending along at least one of the short post flanges to define the second accessory mount.    
   
   
       64 . A method as set forth in  claim 61 , wherein: 
 said post-and-beam furniture providing step includes forming outwardly-opening slots extending along at least two of the short post flanges to define the second accessory mount.    
   
   
       65 . A method as set forth in  claim 61 , wherein: 
 said post-and-beam furniture providing step includes forming outwardly-opening slots extending along each of the short post flanges to define the second accessory mount.    
   
   
       66 . A method as set forth in  claim 65 , wherein: 
 said panel trim member providing step includes forming an outwardly-opening slot along the trim member to define the first accessory mount.    
   
   
       67 . A method as set forth in  claim 66 , wherein: 
 said post-and-beam furniture providing step includes forming an outwardly-opening slot extending along the beam to define the second accessory mount.    
   
   
       68 . A method as set forth in  claim 67 , wherein: 
 the beam includes a top surface, a bottom surface and opposite side surfaces; and including    positioning the outwardly-opening slot on said fence beam along the top surface of the beam.    
   
   
       69 . A method as set forth in  claim 68 , wherein: 
 said post-and-beam furniture providing step includes providing a fence beam to define the beam.    
   
   
       70 . A furniture system for dividing open office space and the like into individual workstations, comprising: 
 at least one accessory having an anchor portion thereof adapted to detachably mount said accessory on said furniture system, and an accessory portion thereof configured to equip an associated one of said workstations;    a prefabricated partition panel furniture arrangement including a plurality of individual panels detachably interconnected in a generally side-by-side relationship, and arranged to define at least a portion of one of said workstations; at least one of said panels having a trim member including a first accessory mount extending along a substantial portion of the length thereof, with a predetermined configuration to mate with the anchor portion of said accessory for selectively mounting said accessory at one of a variety of positions along said trim member;    a prefabricated post-and-beam furniture arrangement including at least one post supported on a floor surface of the open office space in a generally vertical orientation and at least one beam having at least a portion thereof supported on said post in a generally horizontal orientation, and including a second accessory mount extending along a substantial portion of the length of said one beam, with a predetermined configuration to mate with the anchor portion of said accessory for selectively mounting said accessory at one of a variety of positions along said one beam; and wherein    said predetermined configuration of said first accessory mount on said trim member is substantially identical with said predetermined configuration of said second accessory mount on said one beam, such that said anchor portion of said accessory can be mated with both to detachably mount said accessory either on said trim member or said one beam.    
   
   
       71 . A furniture system as set forth in  claim 70 , wherein: 
 said one post includes said second accessory mount extending along a substantial portion of the length thereof for selectively mounting said accessory at one of a variety of positions along said one post.    
   
   
       72 . A furniture system as set forth in  claim 71 , wherein: 
 said one post comprises a short post.    
   
   
       73 . A furniture system as set forth in  claim 50 , wherein: 
 said one beam comprises a fence beam.    
   
   
       74 . A furniture system as set forth in  claim 72 , wherein: 
 said one beam comprises a fence beam.    
   
   
       75 . A furniture system as set forth in  claim 74 , wherein: 
 said first accessory mount comprises an outwardly-opening slot extending along said trim member; and    said second accessory mount comprises an outwardly-opening slot extending along said fence beam, and said short post.    
   
   
       76 . A furniture system as set forth in  claim 75 , wherein: 
 said fence beam includes a top surface, a bottom surface and opposite side surfaces; and    said outwardly-opening slot on said fence beam extends along said top surface of said fence beam, and defines a first outwardly-opening slot.    
   
   
       77 . A furniture system as set forth in  claim 76 , wherein: 
 said fence beam includes a second outwardly-opening slot extending along at least one of said side surfaces thereof, with a predetermined configuration to receive the anchor portion of said accessory therein.    
   
   
       78 . A furniture system as set forth in  claim 76 , wherein: 
 said fence beam includes second and third outwardly-opening slots extending along said side surfaces thereof, each with a predetermined configuration to receive the anchor portion of said accessory therein.    
   
   
       79 . A furniture system as set forth in  claim 78 , wherein: 
 said fence beam includes a fourth outwardly-opening slot extending along said bottom surface thereof, with a predetermined configuration to receive the anchor portion of said accessory therein.    
   
   
       80 . A furniture system as set forth in  claim 79 , wherein: 
 said accessory comprises a plurality of accessories, each having a commonly configured anchor portion thereof to detachably mount the same on said furniture system, and a differently configured accessory portion thereof to variously equip the workstations.    
   
   
       81 . A furniture system as set forth in  claim 80 , wherein: 
 at least one of said accessories is detachably mounted in said first slot on said fence beam.    
   
   
       82 . A furniture system as set forth in  claim 81 , wherein: 
 at least one of said accessories is detachably mounted in said second slot on said fence beam.    
   
   
       83 . A furniture system as set forth in  claim 82 , wherein: 
 at least one of said accessories is detachably mounted in said third slot on said fence beam.    
   
   
       84 . A furniture system as set forth in  claim 83 , wherein: 
 at least one of said accessories is detachably mounted in said fourth slot on said fence beam.    
   
   
       85 . A furniture system as set forth in  claim 84 , wherein: 
 at least one of said accessories is detachably mounted in said slot on said trim member.    
   
   
       86 . A furniture system as set forth in  claim 85 , wherein: 
 at least one of said accessories is detachably mounted in said slot on said short post.    
   
   
       87 . A furniture system as set forth in  claim 86 , wherein: 
 said accessories include a slatwall.    
   
   
       88 . A furniture system as set forth in  claim 87 , wherein: 
 said accessories include a writable/erasable board.    
   
   
       89 . A furniture system as set forth in  claim 88 , wherein: 
 said accessories include a work surface.    
   
   
       90 . A furniture system for dividing open office space and the like into individual workstations, comprising: 
 at least one accessory having an anchor portion thereof adapted to detachably mount said accessory on said furniture system, and an accessory portion thereof configured to equip an associated one of said workstations;    a prefabricated post-and-beam furniture arrangement including a plurality of posts supported on a floor surface of the open office space in a generally vertical orientation and a plurality of beams supported on said posts in a generally horizontal orientation, and arranged on said posts to define at least a portion of one of said workstations; at least one of said posts and said beams including a first accessory mount extending along a substantial portion of the length thereof, with a predetermined configuration to mate with the anchor portion of said accessory for selectively mounting said accessory at one of a variety of positions along said one of said posts and said beams;    at least one fence beam having at least a portion thereof supported on an associated one of said posts and said beams, and including a second accessory mount extending along a substantial portion of the length thereof, with a predetermined configuration to mate with the anchor portion of said accessory for selectively mounting said accessory at one of a variety of positions along said beam; and wherein    said predetermined configuration of said first accessory mount on said one of said posts and said beams is substantially identical with said predetermined configuration of said second accessory mount on said fence beam, such that said anchor portion of said accessory can be mated with both to detachably mount said accessory either on said one of said posts and said beams or said fence beam.    
   
   
       91 . A furniture system as set forth in  claim 90 , wherein: 
 at least one of said posts includes a short post supporting at least a portion of said fence beam.    
   
   
       92 . A furniture system as set forth in  claim 91 , wherein: 
 said fence beam has a lateral cross-sectional configuration that is substantially similar to the lateral cross-sectional configuration of said beams.    
   
   
       93 . A furniture system as set forth in  claim 92 , wherein: 
 said short post has a lateral cross-sectional configuration that is substantially similar to the lateral cross-sectional configuration of said posts.