Abstract:
An improved, multifunction office furniture system having a novel interlocking connecting mechanism which permits the easy assembly of a variety of different structural components in a variety of different configurations to form highly efficient work areas. The system includes uniquely configured, vertical support columns to which a number of different types of structural components can be quickly and easily connected and provides a highly versatile work station system which is very attractive, is easy to assembly, disassemble and adjust, and yet, is structurally sound and durable in use. Because of its novel construction, the system is capable of readily accommodating changing work conditions in the users&#39; facilities.

Description:
This a Continuation-In-Part of application U.S. Ser. No. 09/165,409 filed Oct. 2, 1998, now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to office furniture. More particularly, the invention concerns an improved, multifunction office furniture system having a novel interlocking connecting mechanism which permits the easy assembly of a variety of different structural components in a variety of different configurations to form highly efficient work areas. 
     2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
     Office furniture systems that exhibit superior structural characteristics and which exhibit flexibility and interchangeability among the parts to create multipurpose and multi-function work stations are in wide demand for many institutional applications. Entities having great need for such office systems include schools, hotels, business offices, and various governmental entities. Particularly in demand are flexible office systems that are easily altered to fit the work environment and meet the work requirements. 
     While many types of office systems have been suggested in the past, a typical drawback of such office systems is lack of flexibility to fit the space allowed for the work environment requiring the work environment to fit the office system. As a general rule, when the prior art furniture designers have attempted to overcome this limitation in prior art designs, such designs lack the structural strength and flexibilty to meet the work requirements. 
     The prior art systems typically use a variety of different arrangements to interconnect together desk tops, cabinets, files and other structural components to form variously configured work stations. Exemplary of a typical prior art adjustable desk system is that described in U.S. Pat. No 5,544,593 issued Canfield et. al. The Canfield patent discloses a basic superstructure that permits various cantilever supports to be connected thereto for supporting desk tops, pedestals and the like so that the various components can be adjusted relative to one another. The basic Canfield superstructure also permits back to back mounting of cabinets, desk tops and like components to provide separated work spaces. 
     Another prior art desk system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,539 issued to Kelly et. al. This later patent describes a work space management system for dividing an open work space into separate, discrete work areas. The Kelly et al system includes a wall system having a framework formed of rigid rectangular frames joined together at their edges to form the defined work areas. The Kelly et al patent also discloses various wire management components which are secured to the frames for routing communication and power wiring. 
     A drawback of many of the prior art adjustable desk systems resides in the fact that the systems are generally quite complex, are often ergonomically unsound and, while often providing for adjustability of some components, fail to provide the overall convenience and flexibility required by modem computer intensive offices. In this connection, the constantly changing technology and the rapid emergence of computer networking systems have created an ever increasing demand for easily adaptable office furniture. Additionally, because of increases in repetitive stress injuries, there is a great demand for systems of the aforementioned character which offer ergonomic features that effectively guard against stress injury. 
     As will be discussed in detail in the paragraphs which follow, the desk system of the present invention overcomes many of the drawbacks of prior art systems by providing a system which is of a simple, ergonomically sound design and yet has great versatility. The system of the present invention is not only practical in use but provides an extremely attractive, structurally sound, freestanding work-area defining unit which is ideally suited for modem office complexes. The system is easy to assemble and disassemble by relatively unskilled workers and is uniquely designed to provide a safe and productive work environment. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel office system construction that is ideally suited for use in schools, hotels, business offices, and governmental offices, and similar commercial establishments. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a flexible construction for an office system that will permit the user to fit the office system to the work environment rather than fitting the work environment to the office system. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a highly versatile work station system which is very attractive, is easy to assemble, disassemble and adjust, and yet, is structurally sound and durable in use. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a system of the character described which is capable of readily accommodating changing work conditions in the users facilities. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a fully adjustable, highly versatile work station system which includes a number of ergonomic features which provide a safe and productive work environment. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a desk system which includes uniquely configured, vertical support columns to which a number of different types of structural components can be quickly and easily connected. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a system of the character described in the preceding paragraph which is specially designed to eliminate under work surface obstacles. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable desk system that includes a novel cable management systems which enables effective cable management within the structural components of the apparatus so that the cables are well protected from damage and yet are easily accessible so as to provide a wide range of electrical and communication capabilities. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a desk system of the class described that is designed for ease and speed of installation and is readily adjustable into various configurations using a number of different types of readily interchangeable components. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a generally perspective view of one form of the desk system of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a generally perspective, exploded view illustrating the manner by which certain of the components, such as the divider panels of the system, are releasably interconnected with one of the novel vertical support columns of the apparatus. 
     FIG. 3 is a generally perspective, exploded view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating the manner by which the outwardly extending side members of the leg assembly of the desk system are releasably interconnected with one of the novel vertical support columns of the apparatus. 
     FIG. 4 is a generally perspective, exploded view similar to FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrating the manner of interconnection of the structural panels of the system with one of the novel vertical support columns of the apparatus. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of one of the novel vertical support columns of the apparatus and a portion of one of the angularly extending attachment brackets that can be engaged into incremental notches formed in the corners of the support columns. 
     FIG. 6 is a generally perspective view of a closure shroud element which is receivable within radially outwardly extending grooves formed in each of the vertical support columns. 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a stiffener element of the character used to interconnect together two or more lengths of the support columns of the invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a generally perspective, exploded view illustrating the manner of interconnection of several of the different component parts of the desk system with longitudinally spaced apart vertical support columns of the character shown in FIGS. 2 through 5. 
     FIG. 9 is a generally perspective, exploded view illustrating the manner of interconnection of the wing-like side members of the leg assemblies and the floor engaging, stabilizing members of the leg assembly with an elongated connector element that permits interconnection of the leg assemblies with a selected one of the vertical support columns of the invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a generally perspective, exploded view of one form of the structural panel of the desk system. 
     FIG. 11 is a generally perspective, exploded view of one form of the connector means of the invention which is used to interconnect first and second lengths or segments of the vertical support columns. 
     FIG. 12 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view showing the wing-like sides of the leg assembly interconnected with one of the vertical support columns and also illustrating the column segment connector means of the invention including the stiffener element shown in FIG. 7 which is disposed internally of the vertical support column 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 8, one form of the desk system of the present invention is there illustrated. As best seen in FIG. 1, one embodiment of the desk system comprises four identical, individual work stations  12  which are interconnected in a back-to-back relationship to provide a free standing array. Each of the four work stations  12  includes a generally horizontally extending first work surface  14  and a second elevated work surface  16 . The back edges  14   a  and  14   b  and  16   a  and  16   b  of each of the work surfaces  14  and  16  extend at right angles to one another and the front edges of each of the work surfaces are curved in the manner shown in FIG. 1 to permit ergonomically desirable access to the work surfaces by one or two persons using the work station. 
     One end of work surface  14  is supported by a storage unit  18  which includes a plurality of slidably mounted, stacked drawers  20 . The other, or right edge of work surface  14  as viewed in FIG. 1 is supported by one of the novel leg assembly of the invention generally designated in FIG. 1 the numeral  22 . This novel leg support assembly  22  includes a pair of outwardly extending, floor engaging stabilizer members  24  and a pair of wing-like side members  30  which are connected to central support  27  in a manner presently to be discussed. 
     A key aspect of the desk system of the present invention is the previously mentioned support member or column  27  which has the unique cross-sectional configuration shown in FIGS. 2 through 5 of the drawings. This novel support is used in several key locations in the system configuration shown in FIG.  1 . For example, the central support column is used in the previously identified leg assembly  22 , in a somewhat similar leg assembly  22   a  disposed at the left end of the work station as viewed in FIG. 1, and in an intermediate location where the leg assembly is designated as  22   b . This highly novel support column not only functions to support the work surfaces of the system, but also functions to support plurality of laterally extending and longitudinally extending structural panels  32  which are disposed below the work surface  14 . Additionally, the novel support columns support a plurality of longitudinally and laterally extending divider panels  34  which are disposed above the work surface. Divider panels  34  function to separate the four back-to-back work stations in the manner illustrated in FIG.  1 . 
     The lower structural panels  32 , which are of a unique construction presently to be described, provide structural integrity to the array and extend generally perpendicularly outwardly from the walls of support columns  27  in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6. For example, several lateral structural panels extend from column  27  of leg assembly  22 , while several longitudinal structural panels extend from column  27  of leg assembly  22   a  (FIG.  1 ). Similarly, a lateral divider panel extends from an upper column segment  27   a  of leg assembly  22  while a longitudinal divider panel extends from an upper column segment  27   a  of leg assembly  22   a . At least one of the longitudinally extending structural support panels, (designated in FIG. 8 by the numeral  33 ), comprises a wire management control panel. This novel wire support panel  33  includes a tray-like member  33   a  which functions to support and separate electrical cables and the like which can be connected to conventional floor outlet  35  and then introduced into the interior of a selected one or more of the support columns  27  and the structural panels  32   a . The cables can also be connected to a ceiling outlet and run downwardly through stacked column segments. 
     Another novel feature of the desk system of the present invention comprises the column segment connector means which functions to connect together first and second lengths or segments of support columns  27 . For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the previously identified lower support columns  27  can be interconnected with upper support columns designated in FIG. 6 as  27   a  to conveniently extend the overall height of the support column. For example, the novel segment connector means, the details of which will presently be described, can be used to securely interconnect lower segments  27  with upper segments  27   a  so that the upper segments  27   a  can rigidly support the longitudinally extending divider panels  34  in the manner indicated in FIGS. 1 and 8. 
     As also indicated in FIG. 8, certain of the wing-like, side members  30  can be provided with vertically spaced-apart slots  39  which are adapted to receive outwardly extending cantilever type support members  40  which can, where desired, function to support outward extending, auxiliary work surfaces such as the work surface identified in FIG. 8 by the numeral  42 . 
     Turning next to FIGS. 2 through 5, the details of construction of the important central support members or columns  27  and  27   a  of the invention are there illustrated. As best seen in FIG. 5, each of the support members  27  has a central axis  46 , first and second opposing side walls  48  and  50  respectively. Front and back walls  52  and  54  are integrally formed with or otherwise connected to side walls  48  and  50  in the manner best seen in FIG.  3 . Each of the front, back and side walls includes a central portion  56  and first and second spaced-apart marginal portions  58 . Disposed between the central portions and the marginal portions of each of the walls are first and second generally coplanar grooves generally designated in the drawings by the numeral  60 . Each of the marginal portions  58  of each of the side walls  48  and  50  includes a first edge  62 . Similarly, each of the marginal portions  58  of each of the front and back walls  54  and  56  includes a second edge  64  (FIG.  3 ). Disposed between each of the edges  62  and  64  is a corner groove  67  which extends generally radially outwardly from central axis  46  of the support column. These radially outwardly extending grooves  67  are closed by back walls which are provided with spaced-apart slots  67   a  (FIG.  2 ). Slots  67   a  are adapted to receive engagement fingers  150   a  of cantilevered supports  150  which are of the same general character as those shown in FIG.  8  and can be used to support auxiliary work surfaces such as shelves. 
     A unique feature of the desk system of the present invention resides in the fact that each of the components which is interconnected with the columns  27  includes a specially configured connector strip which is provided with a pair of spaced-apart tongues that are slidably receivable within grooves  60  provided in each of the support column segments  27  and  27   a . This novel feature permits the various components of the desk system to be quickly and easily interconnected with and removed from the various spaced-apart support columns  27  which provide vertical support to the components of the assembled array. More particularly, as can best be seen by referring to FIG. 2, each of the divider panels  34  includes a uniquely configured connector member  70  which is provided with spaced-apart tongues  70   a . As indicated in FIG. 2, tongues  70   a  are slidably receivable within selected grooves  60  provided in the support column  27   a . As indicated in FIG. 2, connector member  70  is, in turn, adapted to be interconnected along its length with a selected divider panel  34  by any suitable means such as threaded connector or the like. It is apparent that with this construction, selected panels  34  can be quickly and easily removably interconnected with any one of the support columns  27   a  to construct the arrays shown in FIGS. 1 and 8. 
     Referring particularly to FIGS. 3 and 12, it is to be noted that each of the wing-like side members  30  which form the previously identified leg assemblies  22 ,  22   a  and  22   b  include a specially configured connector member  74  which includes spaced-apart substantially coplanar tongues  74   a  and  74   b  which are slidably receivable within substantially coplanar grooves  60  provided in the support column  27  shown in FIG.  3 . In this latter case, connector member  74  is also provided with a pair of grooves  74   b  which slidably accept spaced-apart tongues  76  formed proximate the in-board ends of wing-like members  30 . Connector member  74  further includes a pair of substantially coplanar grooves  74   c  which are disposed proximate tongues  74   a  and  74   b  and are constructed and arranged to receive marginal portions  58  of the side walls (FIG.  12 ). 
     Turning to FIGS. 4 and 10, it can be seen that, in similar fashion, each of the structural panels  32  and  33  of the invention include novel end plates  80 , each of which is provided with a pair of spaced-apart tongues  80   a  which are slidably receivable within grooves  60  formed in the side walls  48  and  50  of the various spaced-apart support columns which are spanned by the structural support panels  32  in the manner shown in FIG.  8 . Once again, it is apparent that with the novel construction of the structural panels as is shown in FIGS. 4,  6 , and  10 , the panels can be readily interconnected with spaced-apart support columns  27  in the manner shown in FIG. 8 to provide a high degree of structural integrity to the desk system arrays shown in FIGS. 1 and 8. It is also to be understood that the wire management panels such as panel  33  also includes connector members  80  provided at each end thereof which connector members are also slidably receivable within grooves  60  provided in the spaced-apart support columns which function to support the wire management panels. 
     Referring particularly to FIGS. 4 and 10, each of the structural panels  32  can be seen to comprise, in addition to end connector assemblies  80 , first and second uniquely configured structural beams  84  and  86  which are connected to and span spaced-apart end connectors  80 . Structural beams  84  and  86  are generally mushroom shaped in cross-section so as to resist bending forces exerted on the members and each includes laterally spaced-apart, tab-receiving openings  87   a  and  87   b  (FIG.  10 ). Openings  87   a  and  87   b  are adapted to closely telescopically receive tab-like protuberances  80   a  and  80   b  formed proximate the upper and lower ends of each connector member  80 . 
     Connected proximate to each end of beams  84  are  86  are connector blocks  88 , each of which has spaced-apart screw receiving openings  88   a  which are sized to receive connector means shown here as a plurality of thread forming metal screws  89  (FIG.  10 ). Thread forming metal screws  89  extend through openings  91  formed in each of the end plates  80  and are theadably received within the screw receiving channels  88   a  formed in connector blocks  88 . With the construction thus described, when tabs  80   a  and  80   b  of end connectors  80  are inserted into openings  87   a , and  87   b , provided in each of the structural beams  84 , the assemblage thus formed can be securely drawn together and locked in position relative to the end plates by threading the thread forming screws  89  into the screw receiving channels  88   a  provided in each of the connector blocks  88 . It is to be understood that rivets can also be used as connectors to connect blocks  88  to end plates  80 . After the end connectors  80  have been securely interconnected with the structural beams and the connector blocks, the assemblage thus formed is covered by first and second side closure panels  96  and  98  so as to enclose therebetween the spanner members and the connector blocks. 
     Also forming a part of each of the structural panels  32  are locking means for locking the end connectors  80  in a fixed position relative to the structural supports  27  from which they extend in the manner shown in FIG.  8 . These locking means are here provided in the form of a spring loaded locking mechanism  100  which comprises a supporting bracket  102  which is connected to connectors  80 , and a spring biased locking finger  104  which is carried by a bracket. Locking finger  104  is continuously biased outwardly through a slot  105  formed in the connector body by biasing means, shown here as coil spring  106  (see also FIG.  4 ). With this construction, when the end plates  80  are assembled with a selected support column  27 , locking finger will snap into engagement with one of a plurality of slit like openings  109  formed in all four walls of the vertical support column segments  27  and  27   a  (FIGS.  2  and  8 ). 
     It is to be understood that the locking means of the invention can also be disposed internally of leg assembly side members  30  and can function to position the side members relative to the support columns  27  with which they are associated (see for example FIG.  9 ). 
     Turning to FIG. 9, it can be seen that side members  30  are interconnected with the previously identified elongated connector member  74  with the locking means of the invention, or mechanisms  100  being interconnected to the interface of connector  74 . Receivable within the lower open end of side member  30  is a connector block  112  which enables interconnection of the stabilizer members  24  with side members  30  by means of threaded connectors  114  which are threadably received within block  112 . More particularly, connector block  112  is telescopically received within the lower open end of the side members  30  and is held in position by fasteners  112   a  which extend through connector member  74  and function to connect connector block  112  with connector member  74  and member  30 . The assemblage thus formed is then connected with the stabilizer member  24  in the manner previously described. Cavity  116  includes a bottom wall which receives threaded connectors  114  so that when the connectors are threadably interconnected with connector block  112 , the assemblage made up of side member  30  and connector  74  will be securely locked in position relative to stabilizer member  24  to form a stable, securely interconnected subassembly. In the leg assemblage illustrated in FIG. 9, the side member  30  is provided with a cable receiving opening  117  which permits convenient cable routing into the wire management structural panels. Openings  117  can be closed by removable closure panels  117   a . Similarly, the outboard ends of members  30  and  30   a  can be closed by elongated closure strips  119 . 
     In the desk system construction illustrated in FIG. 1, upper side members  30   a  are connected to lower side members  30  in the manner there shown and function to provide structural stability to the upper portions of the array. Providing further structural stability are the divider panels  34  which are disposed proximate the right and left ends of the array as viewed in FIG.  1 . As shown in FIG. 9, side members  30   a  are interconnected with vertical support column  27   a  by means of an elongated connector member  74   a  which is of a construction similar to that of connector  74 . The upper open end of side members  34   a  are preferably closed by a plastic closure cap  120  of the general configuration shown in FIG.  9 . 
     When desired, floor engaging castors  122  can be connected to stabilizer  24  in the manner indicated in FIG. 9 (see also FIG.  1 ). When desired, similar castors  122  can be connected directly to side members  30  in the manner shown in FIG.  1 . In this latter instance, a connector bracket  125 , to which the castor is threadably connected is connected to side members  30 . 
     Turning next to FIGS. 11 and 12, the details of the construction of the previously identified segment connector means of the invention can there be seen. In the present form of the invention, the segment connector means comprise a plurality of spaced-apart connector assemblies  126 . Each of the side connector assemblies comprise a bearing plate  128  having corner portions which are cammingly received within internal grooves  131  formed in supports  27  (FIG.  2 ). Each assembly also includes a washer  130 , a self-clinching nut  132 , and a plate lock  134 . A first connector assemblage  126   a  is secured internally of support columns  27  proximate the lower extremities thereof. And a second threaded connector element assembly  126   b  is disposed within support columns  27  proximate their upper extremities (FIG.  11 ). The assemblies are held securely in position within the support columns by the bearing plates  128  which, when rotated within columns  27  will cam into grooves  131 . The resiliently deformable, outwardly extending wing-like tabs  134   a  formed on the plate locks  134  bite into the interior walls of the support columns  27  and prevent the bearing plates  128  from counter-rotating out of grooves  131  once the connector assembly is in position. In similar fashion, a connector assembly  126   c  is disposed within the upper portion of the column segment  27   a . Connector assembly  126   c  is similar in construction to assemblies  126   a  and  126   b . However, the self-clinching nut  132  has been replaced with an internally threaded coupling nut  132   a  which allows for further extension of the support columns as may be necessary. 
     Also forming a part of the connector means of the invention is a uniquely configured stiffener member  138  which is telescopically received within the upper portion of support column  27  and within the lower portion of support column  27   a . The configuration of this stiffener member, which is of the character shown in FIG. 7, provides a substantial reinforcement against and tendency column segment  27   a  may have to bend relative to column segment  27 . As best seen in right-hand portion of FIG. 11, connector assemblies  126   b  and  126   c  are interconnected by an elongated, externally threaded tie rod  140  which extends interiorly of stiffener member  138 . Where desired, a castor  144  can be connected to connector assembly  126   a  in the manner shown in the lower right-hand portion of FIG.  11 . If desired, a tie rod  140  can be used to interconnect connector assemblies  126   a  and  126   b  (see FIG.  12 ). To close the open upper ends of support columns, plastic closure caps  142  such as are shown in FIGS. 1 and 9 are used. 
     Turning once again to FIG. 7, it is to be noted radially outwardly extending grooves  67  formed in each of the vertical support columns  27  and  27   a  is closed by a closure shroud  144  which is of the unique configuration shown in FIG.  6 . Each of the shrouds  144  is provided with a longitudinally extending, generally arrow-shaped protuberance  144   a  which is receivable within a similarly shaped cavity  146  formed at each corner of the support columns  27  and  27   a  (FIG.  5 ). Each shroud  144  also has a yieldably deformable curved wall portion  144   b  which functions to close each of the radially extending grooves  67  in the manner best seen in FIG.  5 . With this novel construction, cantilever supports, such as supports  150  (FIGS.  7  and  8 ), can be inserted into a selected radially extending groove  67  by deforming the shroud member  144  in the manner shown in the lower right-hand portion of FIG.  7 . 
     Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individual parts of their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the following claims.