Abstract:
A student desk includes a base that supports a seat and a worksurface. The base includes transverse front and rear base members, with a central base member extending therebetween. A worksurface support and a seat support are mounted to and extend upwardly from the base, and the worksurface and seat are mounted to the worksurface and seat supports, respectively, so as to be adjustable in elevation. Casters are mounted to the front and rear transverse base members to facilitate movement of the desk on a support surface such as a floor. Certain of the casters may be constructed so as to lock in position when the desk is occupied. The seat includes a handle area, so that the desk can be quickly and easily repositioned in a classroom with minimal effort.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/557,138, filed Mar. 26, 2004. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates to classroom furniture in the nature of a student desk.  
         [0003]     Conventional student desks include a base that supports a worksurface as well as a seat. Typically, student desks are arranged in a row and column configuration within a classroom. In order to provide collaborative learning, desks can be arranged in clusters in which the worksurfaces of several desks are positioned together and the desk seats are positioned so that the students face each other. Altering the arrangement of the desk within a classroom is often noisy and disruptive, since desks are typically provided with static glides that are not well suited for providing movement of the desks. Such rearrangement of desks can also result in the floor surface being scratched and marred by the desk glides. In addition, the typical construction of student desks makes the desks unwieldy to move when the desks are being rearranged within the classroom.  
         [0004]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a student desk that is particularly well suited for use in classrooms in which the desks are movable to different configurations or arrangements within the classroom. It is another object of the invention to provide such a desk which includes adjustment features for adjusting the height of the seat and the worksurface, to accommodate users of different sizes. It is a further object of the invention to provide such a desk which provides ample leg room for the user. Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a desk which is quickly and easily movable from one location to another, yet which is positively maintained in a desired position when the desk is occupied. Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a desk which is easy to handle to facilitate movement of the desk from one position to another.  
         [0005]     In accordance with the present invention, a student desk includes a base that is adapted to be supported on a support surface such as a floor. The base includes a front roller arrangement and a rear roller arrangement. An upstanding worksurface support extends upwardly from a forward area of the base, and an upstanding seat support extends upwardly from a rear area of the base. A worksurface is secured to and supported by the worksurface support, and a seat is secured to and supported by the seat support. In a preferred embodiment, the worksurface is engaged with the worksurface Support via an adjustable height worksurface mounting arrangement, which enables the height of the worksurface to be adjusted relative to the support surface. The seat is engaged with the seat support via an adjustable height seat mounting arrangement, which enables the height of the seat to be adjusted relative to the support surface.  
         [0006]     The base of the desk preferably includes transversely extending front and rear base members, which are secured to a central axial base member. In a preferred form, the central axial base member and the front and rear transverse base members lie in a common plane that is parallel to the plane of the support surface. The base includes rollers that engage the support surface, to provide easy and quiet movement of the desk on the support surface from one location to another. The rollers may be in the form of casters that are mounted to the ends of the front transverse base member and to the ends of the rear transverse base member. In a preferred form, the rear casters are spring-biased locking casters, which include rollers that are prevented from rotating when a user is sitting on the seat of the desk. In this manner, the position of the desk is maintained when the desk is occupied, and the desk can be quickly and easily moved from one location to another when the desk is unoccupied. In a preferred embodiment, the seat of the desk includes a back which is provided with a handle that can be grasped by a user in order to facilitate movement of the desk from one location to another on the support surface.  
         [0007]     Various other features, objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention.  
         [0009]     In the drawings:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a top isometric view of a student desk in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a bottom isometric view of the student desk of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is an exploded isometric view of the student desk of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the student desk of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the student desk of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a section view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 1 , showing a locking caster incorporated into the student desk in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a section view taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 , showing the locking caster of  FIG. 6  in an unlocked position; and  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is a section view similar to  FIG. 7 , showing the locking caster in a locked position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a student desk  12  in accordance with the present invention generally includes a base  14 , a seat  16  and a worksurface  18 . Desk  12  is adapted to be supported on a support surface S such as a floor. In a manner to be explained, desk  12  is configured for easy and quiet movement on support surface S from one position to another.  
         [0019]     Base  14  of desk  12  includes a front transverse base member  20  and a rear transverse base member  22 . A central axial base member  24  extends between and interconnects front transverse base member  20  and rear transverse base member  22 . In the illustrated embodiment, front transverse base member  20  is in the form of a straight tubular member, although it is understood that front transverse base member  20  may be formed of any other satisfactory structural member having any other desired shape. Rear transverse base member  22  is also in the form of a tubular member. In the illustrated embodiment, rear transverse base member  22  has a U-shaped configuration, including a central bight section  26  and outwardly and rearwardly angled side sections  28 . Again, it is understood that rear transverse base member  22  may have any other satisfactory structural cross section, and may be formed in any desired shape. The U-shaped configuration of rear transverse base member  22  provides both front-rear and side-to-side stability of base  14 . Central axial base member  24  is connected at the center of front transverse base member  20  and at the center of bight section  26  of rear transverse base member  22 . In the illustrated embodiment, central axial base member  24  is in the form of a tubular member having an elliptical cross section, although it is understood that central axial base member  24  may have any other satisfactory structural cross section and may be formed in any desired shape. Representatively, the ends of central axial base member  24  may be secured to front transverse base member  20  and rear transverse base member  22  in any satisfactory manner, such as by welding.  
         [0020]     End-type casters  30  are secured to the ends of front transverse base member  20 . Each caster  30  includes a cylindrical body  32  that defines a cavity or recess within which one of the ends of front transverse base member  20  is received, in combination with a roller  34  that extends below the lower extent of cylindrical body  32  for engagement with support surface S. Casters of this type are known in the art, and a representative construction is illustrated in Bosman U.S. Pat. No. D471,791, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.  
         [0021]     Locking casters  36  are secured to the ends of rear transverse base member  22 . Each locking caster  36  has a construction as shown in  FIGS. 6-8 . Each locking caster  36  includes a housing  42 , which includes a generally tubular mounting section  44  configured to receive and engage the end portion of rear transverse base member  22 . Tubular mounting section  44  includes an annular wall that defines a laterally open passage  46 , which forms a portion of the interior of housing  42 . Passage  46  is configured so as to enable an end portion of rear transverse base member  22  to be received and engaged within passage  46 . A threaded opening  48  is formed in the lower area of each support member end portion. Threaded opening  48  is configured to receive the threads of a fastener, such as a screw or the like, which extends through an opening in the lower area of tubular mounting section  44 . Engagement of the threads of the screw within threaded opening  48  functions to selectively mount locking caster  36  to the end portion of rear transverse base member  22 .  
         [0022]     Housing  42  further includes an end wall  54 , and includes a vertical brake wall  56  that extends inwardly from the inner surface of tubular mounting section  44 . The inner surface brake wall  56  defines an arcuate engagement surface  60 . An inner portion of the interior of housing  42 , shown at  62 , is defined adjacent brake wall  56 .  
         [0023]     The end portion of housing  42  includes a downwardly facing opening  64 . A wheel or roller member  66  is disposed within the end portion of the interior of housing  42 , and defines a lower portion that extends through opening  64  so that wheel or roller member  66  engages a support surface S. Wheel  66  defines a circular outer surface  68 , and includes a central transverse passage through which an axle  70  extends. The outer end portion of axle  70  extends outwardly from the outer side surface of wheel  68 , and is received within a recess  72  formed in the inner surface of the lower section  56  of housing end wall  54 . Recess  72  has a width slightly greater than, and in closed tolerance to, the diameter of axle  70 , and defines a downwardly open vertically extending slot having an upper edge  74 .  
         [0024]     Housing  42  further includes a pair of guide walls  78  that separate passage  46  of tubular mounting section  44  and inner portion  62  of the interior of housing  42 . Guide walls  78  define a vertical slot  80 . Guide wall slot  80  is in lateral alignment with recess  72 , and the inner end portion of axle  70  extends through guide wall slot  80 .  
         [0025]     The inner end portion of axle  70 , which extends through guide wall slot  80  and inwardly of guide walls  78 , is rigidly mounted to an axle carrier  86 . Axle carrier  86  includes an opening  87  which is configured to receive the inner end portion of axle  70 . Axle carrier  86  and axle  70  may be rigidly interconnected in any satisfactory manner, such as by an expansion-type connection, welding, or in any other manner. Axle carrier  86  is a generally planar member, and includes side edge areas that are received within facing guide slots, such as shown at  88 , defined by guide walls  78 .  
         [0026]     Axle carrier  86  further an upper edge  94  located between the side edge areas. A retainer tab  96  extends upwardly from upper edge  94 , so that upper edge  94  defines a pair of upwardly facing shoulders located one on either side of retainer tab  96 .  
         [0027]     The inner surface of tubular mounting section  44  of housing  42  is formed so as to define an inwardly extending mounting boss  98  located outwardly of guide walls  78 . A biasing member, in the form of a spring  100 , bears between axle carrier  86  and the inner surface of the wall of mounting section  44  adjacent mounting boss  98 . Spring  100  is in the form of a coil spring having an internal passage, and mounting boss  98  extends into the upper area of spring  100 . Retainer tab  96  of axle carrier  86  extends into the lower area of the passage of spring  100 . With this construction, the shoulders defined by the areas of upper edge  94  adjacent retainer tab  96  engage the lower extent of spring  100 . Spring  100  thus biases housing  42  upwardly relative to axle carrier  86 , toward a position as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , in which axle  70  is in a lowered position.  
         [0028]     In operation, each locking caster  36  functions as follows to selectively fix student desk  12  in position. When seat section  16  of student desk  12  is unoccupied, the biasing force of spring  100  urges housing  42  upwardly relative to axle carrier  86  to the position as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , and as described immediately above. The upward force of spring  100  applies an upward force to the support member of student desk  12  that is mounted to locking caster  36 , to lift the rearward area if student desk  12 . In this position, engagement surface  60  of brake wall  54  is moved away from wheel outer surface  68 , such that wheel  66  is freely rotatable within the interior of housing  42 . Wheel  66  thus enables student desk  12  to be moved on support surface S to a desired position.  
         [0029]     When a user is seated in chair section  12  of student desk  12 , the weight of the user applies a downward force to base assembly  28  through seat support pedestal  22 . The downward force on base assembly  28  in turn applies a downward force to each locking caster  36 , which overcomes the upward biasing force of each spring  100 . For each locking caster  36 , the downward force functions to move the housing  42  downwardly against the biasing force of each spring  100 . Such downward movement of the housing  42  moves the engagement surface  60  downwardly toward and into engagement with roller outer surface  68 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Such downward movement of housing  42  relative to its associated wheel  66  is accommodated by recess  72  and slot  80 , which enable axle  70  to remain stationary by virtue of engagement of outer surface  68  of wheel  66  with support surface S.  
         [0030]     During movement of housing  42  relative to axle  70 , wheel  66  is maintained in an upright position by engagement of the end portion of axle  70  within recess  72  and engagement of axle carrier  86  within the guide slots  88  defined by guide walls  78 . With this construction, engagement of roller outer surface  68  by engagement surface  60  prevents rotation of wheel  66  until the load on seat  16  of student desk  12  is relieved.  
         [0031]     Locking casters  36  are oriented so that the rollers  66  of locking casters  36  are oriented transversely relative to the orientation of rollers  34  of casters  30 . This orientation of locking caster wheels  66  facilitates sideways movement of student desk  12  when desk  12  is being moved, and facilitates prevention of forward-rearward movement of student desk  12  when the user is seated in desk  12 .  
         [0032]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , a worksurface support member  116  extends upwardly from the forward area of base  14 , and a seat support member  118  extends upwardly from the rearward area of base  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, both worksurface support member  116  and seat support member  118  are in the form of upstanding vertically oriented tubular members, each of which is mounted at its lower end to central axial base member  24 . It is understood, however, that the support members may have any other satisfactory cross section and may be mounted to any other area of base  14 .  
         [0033]     A worksurface mounting plate  120  is secured to the underside of worksurface  18 . A worksurface mounting stem  122  depends from worksurface mounting plate  120 , and includes a series of vertically spaced transverse openings  124 . Worksurface support member  116  includes a pair of aligned transverse openings  126 , and a retainer member  128 , such as a pin, is adapted for insertion through support member openings  126  and a selected set of stem openings  124 , to secure worksurface  18  to worksurface support member  116  in a desired vertical position. In this manner, the height of worksurface  18  relative to support surface S can be selected and adjusted, according to the desired height for the user of desk  12 .  
         [0034]     Seat  16  of desk  12  includes a generally horizontal seat section  132  and an upright back section  134 . In the illustrated embodiment, seat section  132  and back section  134  are formed integrally, although it is understood that seat section  132  and back section  134  may be formed separately and connected together in a known manner. Back section  134  includes an opening  136  toward its upper end.  
         [0035]     A seat mount  138  is secured to the underside of seat section  132  of seat  16 . Seat mount  138  includes a peripheral flange  140 , which includes openings that enable connection of seat mount  138  to seat section  132  via fasteners  142 , which may be in the form of screws, rivets or the like. Seat mount  138  further includes a peripheral side wall  144  and a bottom wall  146 .  
         [0036]     Seat mount  138  is secured to seat support member  118  via a height adjustment cylinder assembly  148 , which includes a cylinder  150  and an extendable and retractable rod  152 . The upper end of cylinder  150  is mounted to bottom wall  146  of seat mount  138 , and the lower end of rod  152  bears against an internal upwardly facing surface within the interior of seat support member  118 , which may be the upper surface of central axial base member  24 . A sleeve or adapter  154  is engaged with the upper end of seat support member  118 , and defines a passage  156  within which cylinder  150  of cylinder assembly  148  is received. Adapter  154  is configured to provide a tight and secure fit of cylinder assembly  148  within the internal passage defined by seat support member  118 .  
         [0037]     A height adjustment actuator  158  is connected to seat mount  138 . Actuator  158  is pivotably mounted to side wall  144  of seat mount  138  in a known manner, and includes an external paddle  160  which is adapted for manual engagement by a user, and an internal inner end  162  that overlies an actuator button at the upper end of cylinder  150 .  
         [0038]     In operation, the height of seat  16  relative to support surface S can be adjusted by lifting outer paddle section  158  upwardly so as to depress the button at the end of cylinder  150  while the user relieves his or her weight on seat  16 . Under a biasing force applied by an internal spring associated with cylinder assembly  148 , cylinder  150  is lifted upwardly so as to raise seat  16 . The user can lower seat  16  by lifting upwardly on outer paddle section  160  of actuator  158  and applying his or her weight to seat  16 , to overcome the biasing force of the internal spring of cylinder assembly  148 , to lower seat  16  to a desired elevation. When seat  16  is in the desired elevation, the user releases outer paddle section  160  of actuator  158  to release actuation of the button of cylinder assembly  148 , which functions to fix the length of cylinder assembly  148  and to thereby maintain the height of seat  16  in the desired elevation.  
         [0039]     When it is desired to move desk  12  from one location to another, seat  16  is vacated and the user grasps opening  136  in back section  134  of seat  16 . Locking casters  36  are in the unlocked position, which provides free rotation of the locking caster rollers on support surface S. Front casters  30  and rear locking casters  36  thus provide easy and quiet movement of desk  12  on support surface S to a desired position within a classroom. Very little force is required to move desk  12  from one location to another, which enables any type of user to quickly and easily reposition the desk  12  to a desired location. Desk  12  can thus be moved to different positions by children or by teachers or other staff members of varying physical capabilities. When a user is seated in desk  12 , however, the position of desk  12  within the classroom is fixed due to operation of the locking casters  36 .  
         [0040]     Desk  12  has a relatively small number of components, which eases manufacture and assembly. The structure of desk  12  is such as to provide a maximum amount of leg room below worksurface  18  due to the low profile of base  14 , while providing a significant degree of stability both in a front-rear direction and in a side-to-side direction. These advantages, coupled with the ease of movement of desk  12  from one location to another, provides a desk that is affordable, versatile and extremely easy to use and reposition, which facilitates collaborative teaming and room reconfiguration.  
         [0041]     While the invention has been shown and described with respect to a specific embodiment, it is understood that various alternatives and modifications are possible and are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention. For example, and without limitation, the base, seat and worksurface components of the desk may take many different forms than those illustrated, while providing a similar overall construction of the desk. The worksurface may have any desired shape or size, and the desk seat may have any desired configuration or construction. The base components may be formed of various materials having various cross sections, and the specific shapes and configurations of the base components may vary. The same is true for the seat support and worksurface support components by which the seat and worksurface, respectively, are mounted to the base. In addition, while the desk has been shown and described as having non-locking casters at the front and locking casters at the rear, it is also contemplated that the desk may have locking casters at both the front and the rear, or may have non-locking casters so that the desk can be moved to various locations even when occupied.  
         [0042]     Various alternatives and embodiments are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.