FURNITURE

Abstract: A modular system of furniture includes a table defining a work surface. A plurality of legs (12) are arranged to support the table top/work surface (14). The legs (12) have a dog leg construction and provide a space between the work surface and the leg which forms part of an elongate space which extends along the edges of the table. Each leg (12) comprises an upper arm (16) and a lower part (18). V-shaped channel means are carried in one or more of the elongate spaces: the channel means are suitable for carrying conduits and the like for providing services. The lower part (18) of each leg is hollow and has an annular cross section. Further components of the system such as shelves (76) and service pods have depending legs (78) which are configured to fit inside the lower part (18) of the leg. Removable inserts (24) are provided at the corners of the table top (14) to allow the legs (78) to pass through the table top.

Description: FURNITURE This invention relates to furniture. In particular it relates to a table and to a system of furniture including such a table. The table and system are particularly suited for use in school laboratories. Traditionally, furniture for school laboratories comprises heavy wooden benches and cupboards. Such furniture is expensive and inflexible, particularly in relation to the provision of services such as gas, water, electricity, computer cables and the like. Modular systems of furniture for school laboratories are known and although these can provide increased flexibility, they are still awkward, expensive and time-consuming to install. It is an object of the present invention to alleviate some or all of the disadvantages of such existing furniture. Thus, according to the present invention, there is provided a table defining a work surface, said table having a plurality of legs arranged to support the work surface characterised in that one or more of the legs is shaped or located to provide a space below the work surface between the work surface and the leg, which space forms part of an elongate space which extends along or adjacent the edge of the table, and in that the table carries channel means disposed in the elongate space which channel means are suitable for carrying conduit means or the like for the provision of services. The conduit means may comprise or carry gas pipes, electricity cables, computer cables, water or the like. Preferably the legs of the table have a dog leg construction. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, each leg has an upper part which is at an angle to the plane of the work surface (preferably between 40° and 70°, typically 55°), and a lower part which is generally perpendicular to the work surface. Typically the lowermost part of the lower part of the leg provides a flange which may be used to secure the table to a floor. In a preferred embodiment the work surface overhangs the elongate space in which the channel means are disposed. The lower part of the leg may, at its upper end, provide means for attaching other components of the system, typically shelving, screens and the like, to the table. In a particularly advantageous embodiment the lower part of the leg is hollow and the shelving, screens and the like, have depending legs are configured for insertion into the top of the lower part of the leg. A cap may be provided to cover the top of the lower part of the leg when it does not contain a depending leg as described above. Typically, the table, screens, shelving and channels are made of steel. The invention also embraces a furniture system incorporating a table as described above and other components, and specific embodiments of the invention are described below, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in whic :- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a table embodying aspects of the present invention equipped with a service access unit; Figure 2 is a side view of the table of figure 1 without the service access unit; Figure 3 is an underneath plan view of the table of figure 2; Figure 4 is an isometric view of a second table equipped for use as a sink; Figure 5 is an isometric view of a screen; Figure 6 is an isometric view of a shelf; Figure 7 is an isometric view of a further shelf; Figure 8 is an isometric view of a panel; Figure 9 is an isometric view of a service duct and a lid for the same; Figure 10 is an isometric view of a service duct for mounting on a table; Figure 11 shows a cross section through the service duct of figure 10; Figure 12 is an isometric view of a duct support; Figure 13 is a perspective view of the table of figure 2 fitted with a service duct. Referring to the drawings, figure 1 shows a table 10 comprising four legs 12 supporting a rectangular table top 14 providing a work surface. Each leg 12 has a dog leg configuration and comprises an upper part or arm 16 having a flat oval cross section, and a depending lower part 18 formed from a cylindrical tube having an annular cross section. Caps 19 are provided to cover the top of each lower part 18 of the legs. The caps 19 are removable for the insertion of components into the legs as will be explained hereinafter. A flange 17 at the base of each leg 12 enables the leg to be secured to a floor. A service access unit 90 which is fitted to the table is discussed in more detail below. Referring to figures 2 and 3, the inner end of each upper arm is connected to a rectangular frame 20 which is also formed from tubes having a flat oval tubular cross section. The angle "A" defined between the work surface 14 and the upper arm 16 is 55°. The frame 20 is fitted to and spaced from the underneath of the table top 14 to define a gap 21 between the frame and the table top. Referring back to figure 1, the corners of the work surface have generally arrow-shaped cut out portions 22 which define apertures which extend through the table top. Inserts 24 are configured to fit inside the cut out portions and mate with the table top 14. The upper surfaces 25 of the inserts lie in the same plane as the rest of the work surface so the total work surface is smooth and even. The sides of the inserts 24 define key portions which are configured to fit inside corresponding grooves which extend around the sides of the perimeter of the cut out portions 22 to retain the insert in the groove whilst allowing relative sliding movement between each insert and the table top along axes B - B bisecting the corners of the table top for removal and/or insertion of each insert 24. Figure 4 shows a table of generally similar construction to table 10 which has legs of similar construction but provides a square table top 50 equipped as a sink and including a bowl 52 and a tap assembly 54. Figures 5 to 12 shows components for use with the above-described tables to provide a complete system of laboratory furniture as follows. Figure 5 shows a perforated screen 60 having two depending cylindrical legs 62, each of which includes an annular step 63 and a lower portion 64 of reduced diameter which lower portion is sized and configured to fit securely inside the lower part 18 of the table legs. Figure 6 shows a shelf 70 provided with two depending cylindrical legs, only one of which 72 is shown. Each leg is provided with a reduced diameter portion 74 for insertion into the lower part 18 of a table leg 12, for attaching the shelf 70 to a table. Figure 7 shows a further shelf 76 for a computer monitor (not shown) having a depending leg 78 of a similar design. Figure 8 ,shows a panel 79 for use in covering the front of a sink such as that shown in figure 4. Figure 9 shows a service duct 80 for carrying conduits for electrical cables, computer cables, water, gas and the like. The duct 80 has a generally "V" shaped cross section and a ridged lid 82 for closing the duct. Figure 10 shows a service duct 85 or channel for mounting on the previously described table. A cross-section through the duct is shown in figure 11. The duct 85 defines two sides 86 and 88 joined in a "V" arrangement at an angle of 35° . Side 88 is longer than side 86 and at its end remote from side 86 provides a curved or hook portion 90 which is configured to fit in the space 21 between the frame 20 and the table top 14 to enable the duct to hang from the frame 20. Also shown in figure 11 are three conduits 89, 90 and 91. In use, when the duct is fitted to a table side 88 of the duct will also be supported by the upper parts 16 of two adjacent table legs, and conduits such as 89, 90 and 91 which pass through the duct are secured either to the upper part 16 of the table legs or to the duct 85. Because the side 88 of the duct defines an angle of 55° to the vertical when the duct is fitted to a table conduits 89, 90, 91 can be spaced quite close together and still allow the feeding of branch conduits 92, 93 vertically upwards from the conduits without interfering with neighbouring conduits. Figure 12 shows a duct support 110 for supporting service ducts such as duct 80 from the floor comprising a pair of arms 112, 114 which define a "V" shape in which the duct rests, supported by a pole 116. The ducts may also be supported by similar pairs of arms mounted to a wall. Referring back to figure 1, it can be seen that the service access unit 90 has the shape of a pyramid having a square base. At the base of each side of the pyramid, two electrical sockets 92 are provided. The unit 90 includes an arm 94 which is used for attaching the unit around an upstanding pole 96 whose lower end is inserted into the lower part 18 of a leg 12. The top 98 of the unit 90 is removable to allow gas taps (not shown) or the like to be fitted to the unit. Other services may be provided through sockets (not shown) at the top of each side of the unit 90 above the electrical sockets 92. In use the tables are installed in position in a school room or the like, are fitted with any necessary service ducts or shelves as shown in figure 13. Tables which are to carry services are securely fixed to the floor of the schoolroom. Conduits 89, 90, 91 for services are passed along the ducts to strategically placed service units 90 via branch conduits such as 92 and 93 which are fed from the conduits through a cut out portion 22 to a service unit 90. Screens 60, shelves 70 and the like are fitted to various tables as required. Where conduits pass through a part of the room where there is no table the conduits may be carried by covered ducts such as 80. The ducts 80 and 85 inhibit unauthorised interference with the service conduits. Because the conduits run around the periphery of a table it is possible to place four tables 10 together, feed a service conduit to a service unit 90 on one corner of one of the tables, and provide sockets 92 which are close enough to supply electricity, gas, water or the like to any of the three contiguous tables. In this case only the one table providing services need be securely installed. The other three tables may be moveable. An advantage of the present invention is that the furniture can carry gas and water services, not just electrical cables. The various elements of the system such as the tables, tops, screens, shelves, ducts et.al., may be made in any suitable size, shape or length although it is important to ensure that the spacing of the legs of the ducts 85, shelves 72, shelves 60 et.al., is compatable with the spacings of the table legs. The body of the service access unit may be cast in aluminium. Most of the remaining components of the system are made of steel with the exception of the table work surfaces themselves which are CORIAN secured to,a steel table top and the inserts which are made of a suitable plastics material such as polyurethane.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A table defining a work surface, said table having a plurality of legs arranged to support the work surface characterised in that one or more of the legs is shaped or located to provide a space below the work surface between the work surface and the leg, which space forms part of an elongate space which extends along or adjacent an edge of the table, and in that the table carries channel means disposed in the elongate space which channel means are suitable for carrying conduit means or the like for the provision of services. 2. A table as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the legs of the table have a dog leg construction, each leg having a first upper part which makes an angle of between 40° and 70° with the plane of ,the work surface, and a second lower part which is generally perpendicular to the work surface. 3. A table as claimed in claim 2 characterised in that the angle is between 50° and 60°. 4. A table as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 characterised in that the lower part of the leg defines or provides a flange which may be used to secure the table to a floor. 5. A table as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4 characterised in that the lower part of the leg, at its upper end, provides means for attaching components to the table. 6. A table as claimed in claim 5 characterised in that the lower part of the leg is hollow and is adapted to receive depending legs of the components. 7. A table as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that a portion of the corners of the work surface are removable. 8. A table as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that it includes means for accessing services supplied to the table. 9. A table as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the channel means are removable from the table. 10. A table as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the channel means have a generally "V" shaped cross section. 11. A table as claimed in claim 10 characterised in an upper part of one of the sides of the "V" shaped channel defines hook means which are adapted to locate between the top of the table and the frame of the table for securing the channel to the table. 12. A furniture system comprising:- a table defining a work surface said table having a plurality of legs arranged to support the work surface, characterised in that one or more of the legs is shaped or located to provide a space below the work surface which forms part of or defines an elongate space which extends along the edge of the table; channel means adapted to be carried in the elongate spaced defined by the table, said channel means being suitable for carrying conduit means or the like for carrying services; and means for accessing services supplied to the table. 13. A system as claimed in claim 12 characterised in that the legs of the table have a dog leg construction, each leg having a first upper part which makes an angle of between 40° and 70° with the plane of the work surface, and a second lower part which is generally perpendicular to the work surface. 14. A system as claimed in claim 13 characterised in that the defined angle is between 50° and 60°. 15. A system as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14 characterised in that the lower part of the leg defines or provides a flange which may be used to secure the table to a floor. 16. A system as claimed in any of claims 12 to 15 characterised in that the lower part of the leg is hollow and the depending cylindrical legs of other components of the system are configured for insertion into the lower part of the table leg. 17. A system as claimed in claim 16 characterised in that it includes a removable cap for closing the top of the lower part of the table leg when that leg does not contain a depending leg of a component. 18. A system as claimed in any of claims 12 to 18 characterised in that a portion of one or more corners of the work surface is removable. 19. A system as claimed in any of claims 12 to 18 characterised in that the channel means are generally "V" shaped and in that one side of the "V" shaped channel defines hook means which are adapted to secure the channel to the table.

Inventors: CARTER NICHOLAS JOHN, SMITH STEVEN ANDREW, CARTER, NICHOLAS, JOHN, SMITH, STEVEN, ANDREW
Applicants: SEC DEP FOR EDUCATION, THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EDUCATION
Application year: 1993
Main classification: A47B37
IPC codes: A47B13, A47B21, A47B37