Multi-track beam modular assembly system

Abstract

Embodiments of a multi-track beam for use in modular assembly systems for office and industrial work stations. The embodiments have four corner tubes, bars, or channels arranged in a rectangular pattern in cross-section and connected in ways that provide improved ability to transmit torque along a long axis of the multi-track beam while providing improved resistance to bending under the forces of the torque. Fastening devices such a jam nuts may be inserted into the tracks to secure accessories to the multi-track beam or to other multi-track beams.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A quad-track beam comprising:
 four angle bars coupled in parallel lengthwise and in a pattern that is rectangular in cross-section, the pattern having four pattern corners, each of the four angle bars comprising two legs that join at an angle bar corner edge, wherein the angle bar corner edge of each of the four angle bars is in a different one of the four pattern corners and   wherein the four angle bars are arranged such that for each leg of each of the four angle bars there is an inter-bar gap between that leg and an adjacent one of the legs of an adjacent one of the four angle bars.   
     
     
         2 . The quad-track beam of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an end plate coupled to ends of the four angle bars.   
     
     
         3 . The quad-track beam of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of stiffener plates, each coupling one of the four angle bars to an adjacent one of the four angle bars, each stiffener plate positioned in the inter-bar gap between one of the legs of one of the four angle bars and the adjacent one of the legs of the adjacent one of the four angle bars.   
     
     
         4 . The quad-track beam of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a beam mount bracket in a shape of a rectangular tube with four bracket corners, wherein each of the four bracket corners is coupled to an inside of one of the four angle bars.   
     
     
         5 . The quad-track beam of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cavity defined by the four angle bars; and   a block of nut-retaining foam positioned within the cavity.   
     
     
         6 . A dual quad-track beam comprising:
 two quad-track beams coupled in parallel lengthwise with an inter-beam gap between them; and   wherein each of the two quad-track beams comprises four angle bars coupled in parallel lengthwise and in a pattern that is rectangular in cross-section, the pattern having four pattern corners, each of the four angle bars comprising two legs that join at an angle bar corner edge, wherein the angle bar corner edge of each of the four angle bars is in a different one of the four pattern corners, wherein the four angle bars are arranged such that for each leg of each of the four angle bars there is an inter-bar gap between that leg and an adjacent one of the legs of an adjacent one of the four angle bars.   
     
     
         7 . The dual quad-track beam of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 an end plate coupled to ends of the two quad-track beams.   
     
     
         8 . The dual quad-track beam of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a plurality of stiffener plates, each coupling one of the four angle bars of one of the two quad-track beams to an adjacent one of the four angle bars of that beam assembly, each stiffener plate positioned in the inter-bar gap between one of the legs of one of the four angle bars of that beam assembly and the adjacent one of the legs of the adjacent one of the four angle bars of that beam assembly.   
     
     
         9 . The dual quad-track beam of  claim 6 ,
 wherein each of the two quad-track beams has a beam mount bracket in a shape of a rectangular tube with four bracket corners, wherein each of the four bracket corners is coupled to an inside of one of the four angle bars of that beam assembly; and   further comprising a plurality of dual beam brace brackets positioned in the inter-beam gap and coupling the two quad-track beams together.   
     
     
         10 . The dual quad-track beam of  claim 6 ,
 wherein each of the two quad-track beams has a cavity defined by the four angle bars of that beam assembly; and   wherein each of the two quad-track beams has a block of nut-retaining foam positioned within the cavity.   
     
     
         11 . A dual quad-track beam cruciform module comprising:
 a plurality of dual quad-track beam assemblies coupled in a cruciform shape;   wherein each of the dual quad-track beam assemblies comprises two quad-track beams coupled in parallel lengthwise with an inter-beam gap between them; and   wherein each of the two quad-track beams of each of the dual quad-track beam assemblies comprises four angle bars coupled in parallel lengthwise and in a pattern that is rectangular in cross-section, the pattern having four pattern corners, each of the four angle bars comprising two legs that join at an angle bar corner edge, wherein the angle bar corner edge of each of the four angle bars is in a different one of the four pattern corners, wherein the four angle bars are arranged such that for each leg of each of the four angle bars there is an inter-bar gap between that leg and an adjacent one of the legs of an adjacent one of the four angle bars.   
     
     
         12 . The dual quad-track beam cruciform module of  claim 11 ,
 further comprising a center mounting plate; and   wherein the plurality of dual quad-track beam assemblies comprises four dual quad-track beam assemblies, each coupled to the center mounting plate.   
     
     
         13 . The dual quad-track beam cruciform module of  claim 11 ,
 wherein the plurality of dual quad-track beam assemblies comprises one long dual quad-track beam assembly and two short dual quad-track beam assemblies; and   wherein the two short dual quad-track beam assemblies are coupled to the long dual quad-track beam using sets of jam nuts and threaded screws, each set of jam nut and threaded screw inserted into one of the inter-bar gaps of one of the quad-track beams of the long dual quad-track beam.   
     
     
         14 . A single-track beam assembly comprising:
 two single-track beams coupled in parallel lengthwise with an inter-beam gap between them;   wherein each of the two single track beams comprises two angle bars coupled in parallel lengthwise and in a pattern that is rectangular in cross-section, the pattern having four pattern corners, each of the two angle bars comprising two legs that join at an angle bar corner edge, wherein the angle bar corner edge of each of the two angle bars is in a different one of the four pattern corners;   wherein the two angle bars are arranged such that for one leg of a first of the two angle bars there is an inter-bar gap between that leg and an adjacent one of the legs of a second of the two angle bars; and   an end plate coupled to ends of the two angle bars.   
     
     
         15 . A dual-track beam assembly comprising:
 two dual-track beams coupled in parallel lengthwise with an inter-beam gap between them;   wherein each of the two dual track beams comprises two channel bars coupled in parallel lengthwise and in a pattern that is rectangular in cross-section, the pattern having four pattern corners, each of the two channel bars comprising two legs joined to a channel back, wherein the channel back of each of the two channel bars is in a different two of the four pattern corners;   wherein the two channel bars are arranged such that for each leg of a first of the two channel bars there is an inter-bar gap between that leg and an adjacent one of the legs of a second of the two channel bars; and   an end plate coupled to ends of the two channel bars.   
     
     
         16 . A workstation assembly comprising:
 one or more dual quad-track beam assemblies;   wherein each of the dual quad-track beam assemblies comprises two quad-track beams coupled in parallel lengthwise with an inter-beam gap between them;   wherein each of the two quad-track beams of each of the dual quad-track beam assemblies comprises four angle bars coupled in parallel lengthwise and in a pattern that is rectangular in cross-section, the pattern having four pattern corners, each of the four angle bars comprising two legs that join at an angle bar corner edge, wherein the angle bar corner edge of each of the four angle bars is in a different one of the four pattern corners, wherein the four angle bars are arranged such that for each leg of each of the four angle bars there is an inter-bar gap between that leg and an adjacent one of the legs of an adjacent one of the four angle bars;   a plurality of sets of jam nuts and threaded screws, each set of jam nut and threaded screw inserted into one of the inter-bar gaps of one of the quad-track beams of one of the dual quad-track beam assemblies;   a plurality of workstation legs, each coupled to one of the dual quad-track beam assemblies; and   one or more accessory mounts configured for holding one or more accessories, each accessory mount coupled to one of the dual quad-track beam assemblies using one or more of the sets of jam nuts and threaded screws.   
     
     
         17 . The workstation assembly of  claim 16 ,
 wherein the one or more dual quad-track beam assemblies further comprises a plurality of dual quad-track beam assemblies coupled in a cruciform shape.   
     
     
         18 . The workstation assembly of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 an end zone bracket configured for holding one or more accessories comprising a back plate coupled to the end of the dual quad-track beam.   
     
     
         19 . The workstation assembly of  claim 16 ,
 wherein at least one of the plurality of workstation legs is coupled to one of the dual quad-track beam assemblies using one or more of the sets of jam nuts and threaded screws.