HK1178404A - Furniture component fastening apparatus, furniture system and method of assembling furniture for a work space - Google Patents

Description

Furniture part fastening device, furniture system and method for assembling furniture for a work space

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/352,468, filed on 8/6/2010. U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/352,468 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to furniture, and more particularly, to mechanisms and furniture fastening systems for interconnecting furniture components.

Background

The furniture components may be interconnected to form an article of furniture, such as a chair or table. Generally, there is no system for manufacturing or forming furniture such as office furniture, nor is there a mechanism that would normally be used to provide a common mechanism for securing different pieces of furniture together to form an office workspace.

For example, if an office is configured to include a set of compartments (cubics), a panel system is often used to create a barrier between office spaces. Individual desk components or desk components are often placed in each defined office space, and these desks or desks are often separated from the panels used to define the office space. Wiring may be provided via a wiring system or wire management system attached to or provided with the panels. Many items of furniture used in office spaces are often placed separately within the space and separated from other items of furniture. If any items are interconnected, they are typically interconnected using screws or bolts that directly attach the furniture items together. For example, the inlay portion may be secured to the top of a desk by clips and/or screws.

Furniture systems that employ furniture component fastening mechanisms for interconnecting different articles of furniture are understood from the WIPO publication No. WO/2007/118864. This publication discloses a furniture system that utilizes furniture parts configured to provide a groove with a specific profile for receiving a fastening means and fastening means configured to interconnect different furniture parts by mating with these profiles. The fastening member may be provided as part of an article of furniture, such as a drawer, desk or paper holder. Or the fastening mechanism may be a clamping mechanism for interconnecting different furniture components by interconnecting with contoured grooves on the components. Such furniture systems and fastening mechanisms can provide quick connections and allow installers to quickly create or reconfigure compartments or office spaces. However, the use of mating members that matingly connect to the mating grooves will rely on the definition of the mating grooves along the edges of the different furniture items and fastening devices. Such design requirements impose some limitations on the design of furniture systems or office spaces in which such systems may be used.

Other furniture may include a support assembly for a countertop that may be secured to a gabled. For example, U.S. patent No. 7,694,924 discloses a support assembly that can support a countertop. The support assembly may include a horizontal support with a cross-sectional shape and a saddle support that supports the work surface. Such a system may be used to assemble a table while utilizing a relatively small number of fasteners. However, such fastening means may only be used to support a table top or countertop.

New furniture systems and fastening mechanisms that can be used in such systems are necessary. Such a system preferably allows a compartment or workspace to be relatively quickly installed or manufactured in an office, room, or other location. Such systems and fastening mechanisms also preferably allow for the possible attachment schemes of each of the various golden papers to interconnect various articles of furniture.

Disclosure of Invention

A fastening device is provided for interconnecting different furniture parts of a furniture system, comprising at least one fastening means. The one or more fastening devices may include a body and at least one of a connector assembly and an opening formed in the body. The one or more fastening devices may include a body at least partially defining a first slot sized and configured to receive a first elongate rail of a first furniture component. The length of the first elongated rail defines the longest dimension of the first elongated rail. The first slot is sized and configured to receive and retain a portion of the first elongated rail such that the first elongated rail can be placed in a substantially horizontal position to support at least a portion of the first work surface. The connector assembly is attachable to the body and carries one or more elements sized and configured to be attachable to a second furniture component such that the second furniture component is positionable such that at least one of a length of the second furniture component and a height of the second furniture component extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to a length of the rail when the first elongate rail is in a substantially horizontal position. An opening formed in the body may be below the first slot, sized and configured to receive a portion of a third furniture component such that the third furniture component may be positioned such that at least one of a length of the third furniture component and a height of the third furniture component extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to a length of the first elongate rail when the first elongate rail is in a substantially horizontal position.

It should be understood that embodiments of the fastening device may include one or more fastening means that include only a connector assembly or only an opening formed in the body. Of course, it is contemplated that other embodiments of the one or more securing devices may include both a connector assembly and an opening formed in the body.

It should be understood that a substantially horizontal position may include a horizontal position or a generally horizontal position. A substantially horizontal position may be, for example, a position in which the rail extends along its length at 1 degree of incline, 0.5 degree of decline, or 1.0 degree of decline relative to being perfectly horizontal. Likewise, a substantially vertical arrangement may be a position in which one component is disposed perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to another component. For example, a first rail having a length extending in one direction may have a length perpendicular to a length of a second rail having a length extending in a direction of 85 degrees, 88 degrees, or 89 degrees relative to the length of the first rail.

In some embodiments, the first furniture component may be a desk or table and the first work surface may be a table top, a desk top, or another planar member that provides a surface for supporting work equipment (such as documents, computers, staplers, lights, or other implements or devices). The first guide rail may be a bar, member, rod or bar composed of a metal, composite material, polymer material or ceramic material. The second and third furniture parts may be, for example, drawer units, rails, paneling, screens, support members such as a set of table legs, or other furniture parts.

Embodiments of the fastening device may also include one or more claw connectors. Each of the jaw connectors may include an upper jaw portion, a lower jaw portion, and a rail receiving portion. The upper jaw portion may be spaced from the lower jaw portion such that a portion of the first elongate rail may be received between the upper and lower jaw portions. The upper and lower jaw portions may be attached to the rail receiving portion. The rail receiving portion may define or be provided with an opening sized and configured to receive an end portion of a second elongated rail. An end portion of the second elongated rail may be received within the opening such that a length of the second elongated rail extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to a length of the first elongated rail. An end portion of the second elongated rail may be disposed in the opening such that the second elongated rail may be disposed in a substantially horizontal position to support at least a portion of a second work surface. The second work surface may be, for example, a table top or a planar member that provides a surface for supporting work equipment such as documents, computers, staplers, lights, or other implements or equipment.

Preferably, the body of each fastening means is composed of a metal or polymer material and the connector assembly is composed of a metal or polymer material. The first slot may have opposite ends located on opposite sides of the body. The rail receiving portion may define the opening such that a mouth of the opening faces in a direction perpendicular to the ends of the first groove. Preferably, the first slot extends linearly between the ends and has a substantially polygonal or V-shaped profile.

One or more components of the connector assembly may include multiple portions. For example, a first portion may be sized and configured to mate within an opening defined in the second furniture component, and a second portion may be sized and configured to attach to an aperture formed in a portion of the body below the first slot. The first and second portions may be integrally attached to one another such that the portions are portions of a unitary structure that may be interconnected by a fastening mechanism such as one or more fasteners (such as screws, bolts or magnets or adhesives) for individual components.

Embodiments of the one or more fastening devices may also include one or more clamping members that may be positioned within the first slot to engage a portion of the first elongate rail when the portion of the first elongate rail is retained within the first slot. There may also be a cover member or plate member attached or attachable to the main body to cover the first slot and the one or more clamping members. The outer surface of the cover member or plate member may be sized and configured to support a portion of the first countertop. The outer surface of the cover plate may be a friction-inducing surface for supporting and positioning the first work surface. In an alternative embodiment, the upper portion of each clamping member may be sized and configured for directly engaging and supporting a work surface.

In some embodiments, the connector assembly may be a member sized and configured to be positionable between the body and the second furniture component to attach to the second furniture component. At least one fastener may also be disposed within the second furniture component and the member to attach the member to the second furniture component. The one or more fasteners may include a plurality of magnets or may be one or more bolts or screws or an adhesive.

The invention also provides a method of assembling furniture for a workspace. A plurality of first elongate rails may be provided. The length of each first rail defines the longest dimension of that rail. A plurality of fastening devices may also be provided. Each fastening device may include a body and at least one of a connector assembly and an opening formed in the body below the first slot. The body may have a first slot sized and configured to receive a portion of one of the first elongated rails. The first slot may be sized and configured to retain a portion of the first elongated rail such that the first elongated rail is disposed in a substantially horizontal position to support at least a portion of a first work surface. The connector assembly is attachable to the body and carries one or more elements sized and configured to be attachable to a second furniture component such that the second furniture component can be positioned such that at least one of a length of the second furniture component and a height of the second furniture component extends in a direction substantially perpendicular or perpendicular to a length of the first rail when the first rail is in the substantially horizontal or level position. The opening formed in the body may be sized and configured to receive a portion of a third furniture component such that the third furniture component may be positioned such that at least one of a length of the third furniture component and a height of the third furniture component extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to a length of the first elongate rail when the first elongate rail is in the substantially horizontal position. The first rails may be positioned such that a portion of each first elongated rail is positioned in the first slot of a respective one of the plurality of fastening devices. The first work surface may be positioned such that the first work surface is at least partially supported by the first rails. At least one of the second furniture component and a third furniture component may be attached to at least one of the fastening means such that at least one of the length of the second furniture component and the height of the second furniture component, the length of the third furniture component and the height of the third furniture component extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the first elongate rails.

The second furniture component may be a panel or a drawer unit or a bearing assembly. The third furniture component may be a panel or a drawer unit or a bearing assembly. Of course, the second and third furniture parts can also be other pieces of furniture or other parts of furniture.

It should be understood that the connector assembly may include any of a variety of configurations, such as the embodiments described above or other variations of these embodiments. The opening formed in the body may also include any of a variety of configurations for receiving or retaining a portion of furniture.

Preferably, each guide rail has a rectangular or square cross-section. Of course, the guide rail can have other polygonal cross sections or can also have a circular, oval or other curved cross section.

Embodiments of the method may also include providing one or more claw connectors, attaching at least one second elongated rail to the one or more claw connectors, and placing a second work surface on the one or more second rails such that a side of the second work surface is adjacent to or abuts a side of the first work surface.

Furniture systems are also provided. The furniture system may include a first elongate rail, a first furniture component, a first countertop, and one or more fastening devices. In embodiments of the system, one or more brackets and one or more claw connectors may also be provided.

Brackets that may be used in some embodiments of the furniture system may each include a body defining an aperture sized and configured to receive and retain a portion of a first elongate rail to support the furniture component from the first rail when the furniture component is attached to the one or more brackets and the one or more brackets are placed on the first rail.

Other details, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description of several presently preferred embodiments of the invention and several presently preferred methods of practicing the embodiments proceeds.

Drawings

The drawings illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the furniture system, fastening devices for interconnecting furniture components, and methods of making and practicing the systems and devices of the present invention. It should be understood that similar parts or similar features may be identified with the same reference numerals in different figures.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a first presently preferred furniture system showing the presently preferred workspace interconnected to the presently preferred nest. It should be understood that the insert may include wire management slots disposed therein or may be configured for attachment to a wire management mechanism, such as a wire management tub or a wire management support device.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the first present preferred embodiment of the furniture system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the first present preferred furniture system.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the first present preferred furniture system.

Fig. 5 is an exploded view of a first present preferred table including a first present preferred countertop.

Figure 6 is a top view that illustrates the first present preferred table without a countertop attached thereto.

Figure 7 is an end view of the first present preferred table.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a second presently preferred furniture system embodiment that utilizes the presently preferred countertop interconnected to the presently preferred drawer and table support via the presently preferred fastening mechanism embodiment that may be utilized in the furniture system embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a side view of the second present preferred furniture system.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a third presently preferred furniture system embodiment that utilizes the presently preferred countertop interconnected to the presently preferred drawer and table support via the presently preferred fastening mechanism embodiment that may be utilized in the furniture system embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the third present preferred furniture system embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an exploded view illustrating a fourth presently preferred embodiment of a furniture system.

FIG. 13 is a top view of the fourth present preferred furniture system with the countertop removed.

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of line L-L in fig. 13.

FIG. 15 is an end view of the fourth present preferred furniture system with the countertop removed.

Fig. 16 is an exploded view of a first presently preferred fastening mechanism that may be employed in embodiments of the furniture system.

FIG. 16A is a perspective view of a first presently preferred bracket that may be used in embodiments of the furniture system.

FIG. 17 is an exploded view of a second presently preferred fastening mechanism that may be employed in embodiments of the furniture system. One presently preferred connector assembly with which the device may be used is shown in phantom.

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of a third presently preferred fastening mechanism that may be employed in embodiments of the furniture system.

FIG. 19 is an exploded view of a presently preferred attachment device that may be employed in embodiments of the furniture system.

Fig. 20 is a perspective view of a presently preferred bracket embodiment that is usable to interconnect rail elements to furniture components or items of furniture, such as shelving units or drawers.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1-4, 16 and 17, a furniture system 1 may include an elongated rail element 2 supported on a support assembly 6 and a panel 8. The panel 8 may be a panel of a compartment panel system that is sized and configured to define a workspace or office within a room. A work top 4, such as a table top, may be placed on the rails 2. The table top surface 4 may be a glass surface or may be a surface composed of other materials, such as a polymer material, a composite material, a ceramic material, a metal or wood. The support assembly 6 may be a unitary structure defining two feet and a horizontal member extending between the upper ends of the upper feet for supporting the guide rails 2 and a portion of the work surface 4. In alternative embodiments, the support assembly 6 may be formed by interconnecting these components, or may include other structural elements configured to support the work surface 4 and rail 2.

First fastening means 14 may be provided for attaching the guide rails 2 to the panel 8. Second fastening means 13 may be provided for attaching the guide rails 2 to the support assembly 6.

The first fastening means 14 may each comprise a body 9 defining a slot for receiving an end of the respective rail 2. The slot may be a trench, a hole, or an elongated opening. Preferably, the shape of the groove allows it to accommodate a rail 2 with a polygonal cross section, such as a square, diamond or rectangular cross section. A clamping member 18 may be attached to the body 9 for engagement with the rail 2 placed in the groove to retain the rail 2 within the body 9. The body 9 of each first fastening means may also include an opening below the slot that is sized and configured to be attachable to a portion of the connector assembly 10. The upper portion of each clamping member 18 may be sized and configured to directly support a portion of a countertop. In alternative embodiments, the cover or a portion of the body 9 may be sized and configured to support or directly support and engage a portion of a countertop.

The connector assembly 10 may also include elements sized and configured to extend from the body 9 to which it is attached and to matingly attach to a groove formed in the panel 8. The panel 8 is attached to the connector elements 10 such that its height and length extend in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the length of the guide rails 2.

The second fastening means 13 each comprise a body 11 which at least partially defines a slot for receiving an end portion of the respective rail 2. Each body 11 also defines an opening 12 that is sized and configured to be matingly attached to a portion of the support member 6. As can be appreciated from fig. 2-4, each opening 12 may be sized and configured to mate with a portion of the support assembly to attach the second fastening means 13 to the support assembly 6. Preferably, the portion is a component of the support assembly 6 and is a horizontal or substantially horizontal member. A clamping portion 17 may be attached to the body 11 for clamping a portion of the rail 2 that may be placed in a groove of the body 11. The upper portion of each clamp portion 17 may be sized and configured to directly support a portion of a countertop. In alternative embodiments, the cover or a portion of the body 9 may be sized and configured to support or directly support and engage a portion of a countertop.

Preferably, each rail 2 has a square or rectangular cross-section, while the shape of the slots defined in the bodies 12, 9 of the fastening means 13 and 14 is square or rectangular to receive a portion of the rails 2. The bodies 9, 11 may be made of steel or may be made of other materials such as composite materials, polymer materials, ceramic materials or alloys or other types of metals such as aluminum, iron or stainless steel. The connector elements 10 may also be composed of steel, but may also be composed of other materials such as composite materials, polymeric materials, ceramic materials or alloys, or other types of metals such as aluminum, iron, zinc, or stainless steel.

Referring to fig. 5-7, there is shown a table 21 with a work top 4 supported on rails 2 attached to a support assembly 6 via fastening means 13. The fastening devices 13 may be attached to the support elements through openings 12 in the body 11 of the fastening devices. A slot formed in each body may receive a portion of each rail 2 to attach the rails to the fastening devices. The use of these fastening means allows the table 21 to be easily constructed. This is particularly true if the support assemblies 6 are of unitary construction with adjustable feet attached to the feet of the support assemblies as shown in fig. 5-7. The installer simply places the fastening devices 13 and attaches the fastening devices 13 to the rails and support assemblies to build or install the table 21. Additional fasteners may be used to attach the upper plate to the fastening devices 13 for engagement with the bottom portion of the work surface to help support the work surface.

It should be appreciated that the use of these fastening devices may allow for the assembly of furniture systems without the use of multiple different fastening mechanisms or fasteners and may minimize the time spent in providing carpentry or other labor required to finish and assemble the furniture in an office workspace. Preferably, embodiments of the furniture system are configured such that a worker or installer only has to use fasteners to interconnect portions of the fastening devices through holes formed in the components of the fastening devices. Such a configuration allows an installer to easily prepare a selected number of fasteners, such as bolts or screws, during installation and avoids the need to prepare a relatively large number of component bores or other assembly work.

In addition, the use of these fastening means allows for easy readjustment of the workspace to a different configuration. For example, if a particular workspace has to be rearranged, the installer can easily readjust the position of the different furniture parts by simply removing the fastening devices needed to move or adjust a furniture part. Such functionality allows the workspace to be rearranged or rearranged more quickly and efficiently.

Referring to fig. 8-9, the furniture system may also include an arrangement of furniture components configured to provide a workspace, including a drawer unit 33 for paperwork and a countertop 35 for supporting work related equipment, such as a computer, and to provide a surface for a worker to read the paperwork or prepare work related documentation or devices that the worker must manufacture or repair. The drawer unit 33 may be, for example, a cabinet, a set of drawers, a file cabinet, a door cabinet, or a rack including one or more shelves or drawers.

The countertop 35 may be supported on rails 32 attached to the drawer unit 33 and support assembly 36. The support assembly 36 may be similar to the support assembly 6 described above with reference to fig. 1-7. The fastening means 13 may be similar to the fastening means 13 described above with reference to fig. 1-7, which may attach one end of each rail 32 to the support assembly 36.

It will be appreciated that the support assembly 36 has a length l, a width w and a height h. The legs of the support assembly may extend along the height h in a direction perpendicular to the length l' of the guide rails 32. Horizontal members interconnecting the legs of the support assembly may extend along the length of the legs in a direction that is also perpendicular to the length of the guide rails 32.

At the end opposite to the end attached to the fastening means 13, the guide rails 32 are attached with another set of fastening means 37. The second set of fastening devices 37 each include a body 38 including a slot sized and configured to receive a portion of a respective rail 32 for attaching the rails 32 to the fastening devices 37. A lower portion 39 of the body extends below the slot of each fastening means 37 to support the rails on the drawer unit 33. The lower portions 39 of the body may each comprise a member that is attached to the body 38 or integral with the body 38. The body may include one or more holes or apertures for receiving fasteners that may extend from the upper surface of the drawer unit 33 into the lower portion 39 for attaching the drawer unit 33 to the fastening devices 37.

In an alternative embodiment, the drawer unit 33 may engage with a bottom portion 39 of the fastening devices 37 to support the fastening devices 37, a portion of the rails 32, and a portion of the work surface 35. For such embodiments, magnets or other fastening mechanisms may be used to attach the lower portions 39 of the fastening devices to the drawer unit 33.

The drawer unit 33 has a height h ", a length l" and a width w ". The height extends in a direction perpendicular to the length l' of the guide rails 32. The length l "of the drawer also extends in a direction perpendicular to the rails 32. The drawer unit 33 may include one or more movable drawers, with the drawer attached thereto being movable.

Referring to fig. 10-11 and 18, another furniture system 41 that may be employed to define a workspace or office in a room may include a countertop 44 supported on an elongated rail 42. The first end 42a of each rail is received within a slot formed in the body 45 of the respective fastening device 47. A member 49 is attached to a bottom portion of the body 45 below the slot for attaching each fastening means 47 to the support 48. The support 48 may be a shelf, drawer unit, rail structure, or other item of furniture. The lower member 49 may be part of a connector assembly. Magnets or other fastening mechanisms, such as adhesive material or fasteners, may be used to interconnect the fastening devices 47 to the structure 48 via the lower member 49.

The second end 42b of each rail is attached to a respective fastening means 13 to attach the second end 42b of each rail to the support assembly 46. This support assembly may be similar to the support assembly 6 described above.

As can be appreciated from fig. 12-16 and 19, embodiments of the fastening devices and furniture systems can also provide flexible designs for organizing and constructing work areas. For example, the work surfaces may be arranged in an "L" arrangement, providing that one work surface 58 may be arranged such that its length extends in a direction perpendicular to the length of the other work surface 57. Preferably, one side of each work surface abuts so that the adjacent work surfaces provide a relatively single surface.

The worktop 57 can be supported on the rails 2 and the support assembly 6 via the fastening means 13 described above with reference to figures 5-7. The work surface 58 may be supported on the rails 52. One end of each rail 52 may be attached to the support assembly 6 via a fastening means 13. The opposite ends of the rails 52 may be attached to the rail 2 via connecting means 54.

As can best be seen in fig. 14, each of the attachment devices 54 comprises an upper jaw portion 61 and a lower jaw portion 62 which are connected to clamp a portion of the rail 2. The claw portions are also connected to form an aperture such as opening 63. The opening 63 is sized and configured to receive an end of the rail 52. The mouth of the opening 63 faces in a direction perpendicular to the length of the rail 2 so that the rails 52 can be positioned so that the length of each rail 52 is perpendicular to the length of the rail 2.

As can be seen in fig. 16A, the bracket 53 may be attached to the respective rail 52 or 2. The bracket 53 may include a body with an upper surface 53a that is substantially flat for supporting a bottom portion of the work surface and an opening 53b that is sized and configured to receive an upper portion of the rail. The bracket 53 can be positioned below and between the adjacent work surfaces 57 and 58 to support a portion of the two work surfaces. Fasteners may also be used to interconnect the mounting brackets back to each of the work surfaces 57 and 58. The upper surface 53a of each bracket may also include a friction-inducing surface for maintaining the position of the countertop it supports.

Of course, spacers may be placed on the rails 52 or 2, also to support a portion of the work surface. To allow the rails to support the work surface, the spacers may be attached to or placed on one or more rails to directly engage the work surface.

Referring to fig. 20, a storage bracket 71 or a plurality of storage brackets 71 may also be provided in embodiments of the furniture system. Such storage brackets may be attached to rails to attach shelves or other structures or furniture components to the bracket 71 so that the structures may be placed under a countertop. Each storage bracket may include holes 72 for fasteners configured to attach the furniture component to the rail via one or more of the brackets 71. The brackets may also include mating portions 73 that define an opening configured to mate or interlock with a portion of the rail such that the bracket 71 may be attached to the rail.

It should be appreciated that changes could be made to the embodiments described above to meet specific design objectives. For example, the size and shape of the bodies of the fastening devices or the slots, openings, and apertures that may be formed in the bodies may be any of a variety of shapes to meet specific design objectives. As another example, the guide rails may be any of a variety of lengths, widths, or diameters. As yet another example, various embodiments of the furniture system may employ one or more embodiments of the fastening devices, such as the fastening devices described above, to interconnect various furniture components of the system. As yet another example, the fastening devices or the furniture systems described above may utilize any of a variety of different furniture components or articles that may be attached via the fastening device embodiments.

While several presently preferred embodiments of the furniture system, fastening mechanisms for use in the system embodiments, and methods of making and using the systems and fastening mechanisms have been shown and described above, it should be clearly understood that the invention is not so limited, but may be embodied and carried out in many other ways within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (20)

1. Fastening device for interconnecting different furniture parts of a furniture system, comprising:

at least one fastening device comprising:

a body at least partially defining a first slot sized and configured to receive a first elongated rail of a first furniture component, a length of the first elongated rail defining a longest dimension of the first elongated rail, the first slot sized and configured to receive and retain a portion of the first elongated rail such that the first elongated rail is positionable in a substantially horizontal or horizontal position to support at least a portion of a first countertop; and

at least one of a connector assembly and an opening formed in the body,

the connector assembly is attachable to the body, the connector assembly with at least one element sized and configured to be attachable to a second furniture component such that the second furniture component is positionable such that at least one of a length of the second furniture component and a height of the second furniture component extends in a direction substantially perpendicular or perpendicular to a length of the first elongate rail when the first elongate rail is in the substantially horizontal or level position,

an opening formed in the body below the first slot sized and configured to receive a portion of a third furniture component such that the third furniture component is positionable such that at least one of a length of the third furniture component and a height of the third furniture component extends in a direction substantially perpendicular or perpendicular to a length of the first elongate rail when the first elongate rail is in a substantially horizontal or horizontal position.

2. The fastening device of claim 1, further comprising at least one jaw connector, each jaw connector comprising an upper jaw portion, a lower jaw portion, and a rail receiving portion, the upper jaw portion being spaced apart from the lower jaw portion such that a portion of the first elongate rail can be received between the upper jaw portion and the lower jaw portion, the upper jaw portion and the lower jaw portion being attached to the rail receiving portion, the rail receiving portion having an opening sized and configured to receive an end portion of a second elongate rail, the length of the second elongate rail defining the longest dimension of the second elongate rail, the end portion of the second elongate rail being receivable within the opening such that the length of the second elongate rail extends in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the length of the first elongate rail, the end portion of the second elongate rail being positionable in the opening, such that the second elongated rail may be placed in a substantially horizontal or horizontal position to support at least a portion of the second work surface.

3. The fastening device of claim 2, wherein the body carries the opening and the third furniture component is a table support assembly or a drawer unit.

4. The fastening device of claim 2, wherein the body is comprised of a metal or polymer material and the connector assembly is comprised of a metal or polymer material, and the first slot has a first end at a first side of the body and a second end at a second side opposite the first side of the body, and wherein the rail receiving portion defines the opening such that a mouth of the opening faces in a direction perpendicular to the first end of the first slot and the second end of the first slot.

5. The fastening device of claim 1, wherein the at least one fastening means does not include the opening and the at least one element of the connector assembly comprises a first portion sized and configured to mate within an opening defined in the second furniture component and a second portion attached to the first portion sized and configured to attach within an aperture formed in a portion of the body below the first slot.

6. The fastening device of claim 5, wherein the second furniture component is a panelized component or a screen component, and wherein at least one fastening device is utilized to fasten the second portion of the connector assembly to the body within an aperture formed in the body.

7. The fastening device of claim 1, wherein the at least one fastening means also comprises at least one clamping member positionable within the first slot to engage a portion of the first elongate rail when the portion is retained within the first slot.

8. The fastening device of claim 7, wherein the at least one clamping member is sized and configured to directly support a portion of the first work surface.

9. The fastening device of claim 1, further comprising at least one bracket with a body defining an aperture sized and configured to receive and retain a portion of the first elongate rail to support a fourth furniture component from the first elongate rail when the fourth furniture component is attached to the at least one bracket and the at least one bracket is placed on the first rail.

10. The fastening device of claim 1, wherein the first furniture component is a desk or table.

11. A method of assembling furniture for a workspace, comprising:

providing a plurality of first elongate rails, the length of each first elongate rail defining the longest dimension of the elongate rail,

providing a plurality of fastening devices for interconnecting different furniture parts, each fastening device comprising:

a body at least partially defining a first slot sized and configured to receive a portion of one of the first elongated rails, the first slot sized and configured to receive and retain a portion of the first elongated rail such that the first elongated rail can be placed in a substantially horizontal position to support at least a portion of a first work surface; and

at least one of a connector assembly and an opening formed in the body,

the connector assembly is attached to the body with at least one element sized and configured to be attachable to a second furniture component such that the second furniture component is positioned such that at least one of a length of the second furniture component and a height of the second furniture component extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to a length of the first elongate rail when the first elongate rail is in the substantially horizontal position,

an opening formed in the body below the first slot and sized and configured to receive a portion of a third furniture component such that the third furniture component is positionable such that at least one of a length of the third furniture component and a height of the third furniture component extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to a length of the first elongate rail when the first elongate rail is in the substantially horizontal position;

the first elongated rails are positioned such that a portion of each first elongated rail is positioned in the first slot of a respective fastener device of the plurality of fastener devices;

a first work surface positioned such that the first work surface is at least partially supported by the first elongated rails;

attaching at least one of the second furniture component and the third furniture component to at least one of the fastening means such that at least one of the length of the second furniture component and the height of the second furniture component, the length of the third furniture component and the height of the third furniture component extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the first elongate rail.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the second furniture component is a nest or drawer unit and the third furniture component is a nest or drawer unit.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of the fastening devices carries the connector assembly, and wherein at least one element of the connector assembly comprises a first portion sized and configured to mate within an opening defined in the second furniture component and a second portion attached to the first portion, the second portion sized and configured to attach within an aperture formed in a portion of the body, the aperture formed in the body being positioned below the first slot.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of the fastening devices carries the connector assembly, and wherein at least one element of the connector assembly comprises a member sized and configured to be positioned between the body and the second furniture component for attachment to the second furniture component, and wherein at least one fastener is positioned within the second furniture component and the member to attach the member to the second furniture component.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the first elongated rails each have a cross-section that is rectangular, circular, polygonal, or square.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the second furniture component is attached to the at least one fastening device via a connector assembly of the at least one fastening device such that a length of the second furniture component and a height of the second furniture component extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to a length of the elongate rails.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

providing at least one jaw connector, each jaw connector comprising an upper jaw portion, a lower jaw portion and a rail receiving portion, the upper jaw portion being spaced apart from the lower jaw portion such that a portion of one of the first elongate rails is receivable between the upper jaw portion and the lower jaw portion, the upper jaw portion and the lower jaw portion being attached to the rail receiving portion, the rail receiving portion having an opening sized and configured to receive an end portion of a second elongate rail, the length of the second elongate rail defining the longest dimension of the second elongate rail, the end portion of the second elongate rail being receivable within the opening such that the length of the second elongate rail extends in a direction perpendicular to the length of the first elongate rails, the end portion of the second elongate rail being locatable in the opening such that the second elongate rail is locatable in a substantially horizontal position, to support at least a portion of the second work surface;

attaching at least one second elongated rail to the receiving portion of the at least one claw connector; and

a second work surface is positioned over the at least one second rail such that the second work surface is adjacent to or abuts a side of the first work surface.

18. A furniture system, comprising:

a first elongate rail of a first furniture component, a length of the first elongate rail defining a longest dimension of the first elongate rail;

at least one fastening device comprising:

a body at least partially defining a first slot sized and configured to receive an end portion of the first elongated rail, the first slot sized and configured to receive and retain the end portion of the first elongated rail such that the first elongated rail can be placed in a substantially horizontal position to support at least a portion of a first work surface; and

one of a connector assembly and an opening formed in the body,

the connector assembly is attachable to the body, the connector assembly with at least one element sized and configured to be attachable to a second furniture component such that the second furniture component is positionable such that at least one of a length of the second furniture component and a height of the second furniture component extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to a length of the first elongate rail, and

an opening formed in the body below the first slot and sized and configured to receive a portion of a third furniture component such that the third furniture component is positionable such that at least one of a length of the third furniture component and a height of the third furniture component extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to a length of the first elongate rail; and

the first work surface is at least partially supported by the first rail.

19. The furniture system of claim 18 comprising:

at least one second elongate rail, a length of each of the at least one second elongate rail defining a longest dimension of the second elongate rail; and

at least one claw connector, each claw connector comprising an upper claw portion, a lower claw portion and a guide rail receiving portion, the upper jaw portion being spaced from the lower jaw portion such that a portion of the first elongate rail is receivable between the upper jaw portion and the lower jaw portion, the upper and lower jaw portions are attached to the rail receiving portion, the rail receiving portion having an opening, sized and configured to receive an end portion of the at least one second elongated rail received within the opening such that a length of the at least one second elongated rail extends in a direction perpendicular to a length of the first elongated rail, an end portion of the at least one second elongated rail is disposed in the opening such that the at least one second elongated rail is disposed in a substantially horizontal position to support at least a portion of a second countertop; and

a second work surface supported on the at least one second rail is adjacent the first work surface.

20. The furniture system of claim 19 further comprising at least one bracket with a body defining an aperture sized and configured to receive and retain a portion of the first elongate rail to support the fourth furniture component from the first elongate rail when the fourth furniture component is attached to the at least one bracket and the at least one bracket is placed on the first elongate rail.