Work and discussion space

Abstract

A work and discussion space includes two installation blocks that are positioned opposite one another. Each installation block accommodates two people and includes a vertical partitioning structure, two seats positioned against the vertical structure and separated by at least one module for storing professional and/or personal accessories, and a work surface each associated with a seat. The work surfaces are movable between a position that is distant from, and a position that is close to, the corresponding seat.

Claims

1. A work and discussion space comprising: a pair of installation blocks positioned facing each other, each installation block configured to accommodate two people and comprising: a free standing vertical partition structure, wherein said vertical partition structure is U-shaped, wherein said vertical partition structure comprises a floor engaging portion adapted to be supported by a floor, wherein said U-shaped vertical partition structure comprises a central, linear panel set between two angular, L-shaped panels; two seats positioned against said vertical partition structure and separated by at least one storage module, wherein each of said seats comprises a floor engaging base adapted to be supported by the floor, wherein each of said seats is positioned in a corner defined by said angular, L-shaped panels, said corners each having a bisector extending diagonally inwardly into an interior space defined between said pair of installation blocks, and said seats each having a seating surface defined by a centerline aligned with one of said bisectors, and wherein said seats and said vertical partition structure are separately supported by the floor by said floor engaging bases and said floor engaging portion respectively; and two work surfaces associated respectively with said two seats and movable between a position that is distant from and a position close to said seat.

2. The work and discussion space according to claim 1, wherein said vertical partition structure is made from a material having sound insulation properties.

3. The work and discussion space according to claim 1, wherein a border is tilted towards an inside of said U-shaped vertical partition structure above an upper end of said U-shaped vertical partition structure.

4. The work and discussion space according to claim 1, wherein said central, linear panel comprises a technical wall comprising utility outlets.

5. The work and discussion space according to claim 1, wherein each of said seats comprises a seat back disposed above said base, wherein said seat back comprises a curved backrest wall disposed within said corner and having a downwardly sloping upper armrest surface.

6. The work and discussion space according to claim 5, wherein said base comprises a front edge and a front portion angled downwardly from said front edge towards said corner so as to provide said front portion of said base with a free space underneath so that a seated person can position his/her feet in said free space.

7. The work and discussion space according claim 1, wherein said storage module comprises a first storage shelf located above a second storage shelf provided with utility outlets.

8. The work and discussion space according to claim 1 wherein said at least one storage module comprises a pair of symmetrical storage modules disposed between said two seats.

9. The work and discussion space according to claim 1, wherein each of said work surfaces comprises a table pivoting about a shaft positioned off-centre relative to a centre of said table, wherein said shaft is coupled to said installation block.

10. The work and discussion space according to claim 9, wherein said shaft is fixed to said storage module positioned adjacent to said seat with which said table is associated.

11. The work and discussion space according to claim 1, wherein said work surfaces are height adjustable.

12. The work and discussion space according to claim 1 and further comprising a roof disposed above a space defined between said pair of installation blocks.

13. The work and discussion space according to claim 9, wherein said roof comprises a material having sound insulation properties.

14. The work and discussion space according to claim 9, wherein said roof comprises a transparent or translucent material.

15. The work and discussion space according to claim 1 wherein said installation blocks are moveable toward and away from each other.

16. The work and discussion space according to claim 1 wherein said U-shaped vertical partition structures are positioned facing each other so as to define an interior space there between, and wherein proximate pairs of side walls of said U-shaped vertical partition structures define a pair of free passages between said installation blocks into said interior space on opposite sides of said interior space.

17. The work and discussion space according to claim 16 wherein each of said U-shaped vertical partition structures comprises a central panel positioned between and coupled to a pair of said side walls, each of said side walls having a vertical edge defining a border of one of said free passages, wherein said side wall has a height defined at said vertical edge that is the same as a height of said central panel.

18. The work and discussion space according to claim 1 wherein each of said two work surfaces are horizontally movable between said distant and close positions.

19. A work and discussion space comprising: a pair of freestanding U-shaped vertical partition structures having a back wall and a pair of opposite side walls, wherein each of said vertical partition structures comprises a floor engaging portion adapted to be supported by a floor, wherein said U-shaped vertical partition structures are positioned facing each other so as to define an interior space there between, and wherein proximate pairs of said side walls of said facing U-shaped vertical partition structures define a pair of free passages between said U-shaped vertical partition structures into said interior space on opposite sides of said interior space; and a pair of seats positioned against each of said U-shaped vertical partition structures and facing inwardly toward a middle of said interior space, wherein each of said seats comprises a floor engaging base adapted to be supported by the floor, wherein said seats are positioned in respective corners of said U-shaped vertical partition structures, said corners each having a bisector extending diagonally inwardly into said interior space, and said seats each having a seating surface defined by a centerline aligned with one of said bisectors, and wherein said seats and said vertical partition structures are separately supported by the floor by said floor engaging bases and said floor engaging portions respectively.

20. The work and discussion space according to claim 19 wherein each of said seats comprises a work surface associated therewith and being movable between a position that is distant from and a position close to said seat.

21. The work and discussion space according to claim 20, wherein each of said work surfaces is pivotable about a vertical axis shaft between said distant and close positions.

22. The work and discussion space according to claim 20, wherein said work surfaces are height adjustable.

23. The work and discussion space according to claim 20 wherein each of said two work surfaces are horizontally movable between said distant and close positions.

24. The work and discussion space according to claim 19, wherein a border is coupled to an upper end of each of said U-shaped vertical partition structures and is tilted inwardly towards said interior space.

25. The work and discussion space according to claim 19, wherein each seat comprises a seat back extending along one of said side walls and said back wall of said U-shaped vertical partition structure.

26. The work and discussion space according to claim 25 wherein said vertical partition structure extends below a bottom of said seat back.

27. The work and discussion space according to claim 19 further comprising a storage module positioned adjacent said back wall of each of said vertical partition structures between said pair of seats.

28. The work and discussion space according to claim 19 and further comprising a roof disposed above said interior space defined between said pair of U-shaped vertical partition structures.

29. The work and discussion space according to claim 19 wherein said U-shaped vertical partition structures are moveable toward and away from each other.

30. The work and discussion space according to claim 19 wherein each of said side walls has a vertical edge defining a border of one of said free passages, wherein said side wall has a height defined at said vertical edge that is the same as a height of said back wall.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The embodiments will now be described in greater detail, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is an overview of a first variant of the work and discussion space according to the invention;

(3) FIGS. 2 and 3 show the vertical partition structures according to the first variant;

(4) FIG. 4 is a plan view of the space, with four people seated;

(5) FIGS. 5 to 7 illustrate a possible configuration of a seat according to the invention;

(6) FIGS. 8 to 10 show the various possible positions of the work surfaces for each user;

(7) FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate an example of a storage module according to the invention;

(8) FIGS. 13 to 15 illustrate three types of roof above the work and discussion space;

(9) FIGS. 16 to 19 show a second variant of the work and discussion space.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(10) With reference to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the work and discussion space includes two identical installation blocks (1), situated facing each other. These two blocks (1) recreate a work room, and can accommodate up to four people, at the four corners of the work room. These two blocks (1) are not coupled together but set apart from one another so that people are far enough apart to encourage conversations and discussions. The free space separating the two blocks (1) creates two side passages (2) for getting into the work and discussion space.

(11) Each block (1) comprises a U-shaped vertical partition structure, as illustrated in FIG. 2, composed of a central panel (4) positioned between two L-shaped angular panels (3). These panels (3, 4) are shown separately in FIG. 3. This vertical structure is sized so as to form, in a manner of speaking, the walls of the work room, and it is preferably designed to be made of a material with sound insulation properties.

(12) The central panel (4) is a technical panel inside which electrical wiring is routed, to supply power to various devices that can be installed on the panel (4), such as a screen (6), light fittings, loudspeakers, equipment such as network sockets or power outlets etc.

(13) A border (5) tilted towards the inside of the work room extends the whole periphery of the upper end of the vertical structure.

(14) The total height of the vertical structure is great enough for a person sitting or standing inside the work and discussion space not to be able to see over the vertical structure, and thus to feel protected from being seen from outside. The four people inside the space can therefore concentrate on their collaborative work and focus their gaze on the centre of the room thus created, as illustrated by the arrows in FIG. 4, particularly because their respective seats (7) are oriented on the diagonals of the room.

(15) The seats (7) are located at the four corners defined by the two vertical structures, and the seat bases are oriented along the bisector (B) of each angle, i.e. at 45 to the walls of the angular panel (3).

(16) This particular orientation of the seat base is permitted by the specific design of the seat (7) as shown in FIG. 6, which consists of a cube (14) defining a seat base (8) looking like a square with a truncated corner (9), above which there is a seat back (12) bordering the two sides of the seat base (8) opposite the truncated corner (9). The inner peripheral portion (10) of the seat-back (12) is semi-circular in appearance, so as to surround the back of the user. The latter therefore sits preferably along the diagonal of the seat base (8) passing through the truncated corner (9), as illustrated in FIG. 5.

(17) The portion of the cube (14) located below the truncated corner (9) of the seat base (8) is bevelled along a sloping plane (13) perpendicular to the vertical plane containing the bisector (B) of the right angle in which the seat (7) is positioned. This beveling (13) allows users to bend their legs and position their feet under the seat base (8) for greater comfort (see FIG. 7).

(18) The upper wall (11) of the seat back (12) slopes gradually downwards on either side of the bisector (B), to provide better arm support for the user.

(19) For each block (1), two storage modules (15) are coupled together and placed flush against the central panel (4), thus separating the two seats (7). These storage modules (15) each support a small table (16) pivoting on a pivoting shaft (17) fixed into the upper portion of the corresponding module (15). This shaft (17) is connected to the small table (16) by an articulated arm (18), and is therefore off-centre relative to the centre of the small table (16) so as not to knock against the legs of users when the latter position the small table (16) in front of themselves, as in FIG. 8. FIG. 9 shows the small tables (16) in the stowed position, thus giving access to the seats (7). These small tables (16) serve mainly as work surfaces for the users. They can, for example, put their portable computers on them, as illustrated in FIG. 10.

(20) The pivoting shaft (17) is telescopic, so that the user can adjust the height of the small table (16).

(21) The storage module (15) is illustrated more specifically in FIG. 11 with the small table (16) stowed, and in FIG. 12 with the small table (16) deployed. This module (15) comprises a first shelf (19) located over a second shelf (20). The two shelves (19, 20) are connected by means of a side panel (21) intended to be placed flush against the vertical structure.

(22) The second shelf (20) is provided with power outlets (23) that can be positioned on a sloping portion (24) of the shelf (20) so as to face towards the user and be easy to access for electrical connection. These power outlets (23) are connected by means of electrical wiring routed within the volume located under the second shelf and hidden by an outer facade (22). This volume can also contain ballast, to give the module (15) greater stability, particularly when the small table (16) is being manipulated and the power outlets (23) are being used by the user.

(23) Finally, FIGS. 13 to 15 illustrate three possible variants of a roof covering the work and discussion space. This roof is always positioned some distance from the upper portion of the blocks (1).

(24) In FIG. 13 the roof is made up of two concave, transparent assemblies (25, 26). In FIG. 14 the roof (27) is in a single, concave piece, made of opaque material. In FIG. 15 the roof (28) is also in a single piece and designed as an opaque material, and is made from a flat sheet folded in various places to give it a rounded appearance.

(25) FIGS. 16 to 18 offer a second variant of the work and discussion space. In this variant, each block (100) comprises a vertical partition structure composed of a central technical panel (101), set between two side panels (113) oriented perpendicular to the central panel (101). A canopy (106) attached to the central panel (101) shelters two seats (112) located underneath and positioned against the vertical structure.

(26) A ledge (107) located at armrest height extends the whole length of the vertical partition structure. This ledge (107) is therefore U-shaped, and merges with the upper armrest wall of the two seat-backs (102) of the seat (112) belonging to the block (100). The two seat-backs (102) are connected to each other and appear continuous, to resemble the seat-back of a sofa. As for the two seat bases (105) of the seats (112), they are separated by a central storage module (103) supporting two small tables (104) pivoting by means of a mechanical link of the type with a telescopic shaft (108) and an articulated arm (109). These two small tables (104) can be arranged against each other, perpendicular to the seat back (102) as illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 18, or deployed in front of the user as illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 19.

(27) Each small table (104) is made up of two parts articulated by a central hinge, so that it can be folded to take up the minimum amount of space, or unfolded if the user needs a larger work surface.

(28) The seats (112) are cubic in appearance, with a recess in the area of the pedestal (110) allowing users to position their feet under the seat base (105). The latter is slightly truncated in its front portion, so that the user tends to turn slightly towards the centre of the room when sitting, as illustrated in FIG. 19, without, however, adopting an orientation along the bisectors of the angles of the room as was the case in the first variant.

(29) Finally, a sliding drawer (111) is provided in each side panel (113), under the ledge (107). This drawer (111) is in the closed position in FIG. 16, and can slide along the side panel (113) to an open position (not shown). It comprises an upper shelf and a lower platform suitable for accommodating a handbag or computer bag, for example.

(30) The configurations shown in the aforementioned figures are merely possible examples of the invention, which is not in any way limited by them and which on the contrary encompasses the form and design variants available to the person skilled in the art.