Abstract:
Front decorative panel can be moved from its storage position directly in front of the desk into a deployed, horizontal work space position near or at the height of the desk&#39;s top. When deployed the panel provides additional workspace arranged to run in parallel with the front of the desk or perpendicular to the desk top as a long extension. At least one support member that can be moved into position beneath the front panel after horizontal deployment to keep the front panel in its upright, horizontal position. Control hardware enables the front panel to be physically manipulated into deployed or storage positions by a user. A safety mechanism associated with the control hardware can restrict the speed or movement of the front panel. The front panel can be used by meeting collaborators when deployed and enable the maintenance of open office space when the front panel is stored.

Description:
INVENTION PRIORITY 
   The present invention is a continuation of and claims priority to provisional patent application no. 60/523,269 entitled “Office desk including front panel and hardware adapted for 90-degree rotation from vertical storage position into horizontal workspace position and support member deployable from storage position into support position beneath deployed front panel,” which was filed Nov. 18, 2003. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is generally related to office furniture. More particularly, the present invention is related to a desk adapted with a panel for the provision of additional workspace, and is also related to conference room and office furnishings. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Executive office space has shrunk over the years because of enterprise cost cutting and the move to flatten organizational structures. With the reduction in office space, and in particular personal offices, executives, managers and professionals are left with less space to conduct meaningful multi-party conferences or meetings. Conference rooms are generally available for use in modern office designs; however, scheduling time for use of such space is burdensome and usage is typically limited in duration. Conference rooms are also only typically reserved for a few hours, at most, and participants are required to remove their materials, work product or belongings immediately after a session ends so that subsequent participants on a conference room schedule can occupy the space. 
   Although many office meetings only involve a few participants, most common offices will likely be crowded if a small conference room table were added to space that may already be occupied by a desk, credenza, bookshelves and file cabinets. Furthermore, the additional table would typically not be in continuous use for collaborative sessions and, therefore, may be in the way or, worse, can serve as a work pile collector when it is not being utilized for its intended purpose. 
   It would be desirable, therefore, for private office furnishing to accommodate small conferences/meetings wherein only 2-4 visiting participants are involved. The present inventors believe their invention will accommodate tight office space situations where collaboration space is occasionally needed but not presently served by conference room reservation, addition furniture (e.g., small conference table) or modular furniture. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention modifies the common desk to provide additional workspace. A desk can be adapted with a stored panel that can be easily deployed from and stored against traditional office furniture formats. In particular, it is a feature of the present invention to provide a standard desk with a front decorative panel that can be rotated from its bottom edge, 90-degrees upward from its storage position into a deployed, horizontal position. 
   It is another feature of the present invention that the upper edge of the front panel remains located nearest the front of the desk whether in deployed or stored positions. The front panel is thereby converted into additional workspace running parallel with the front of the desk for meeting collaborators. 
   It is another feature of the present invention to provide a hinge system for the front panel that allows the front panel, when in the storage position, to remain attached near its top near the front of the desk wherein the hinge system is securely mounted to the desk underneath the desktop. The hinge system also enables the front panel to be swung (e.g., rotated) into horizontal position as the bottom of the panel is swung upward ninety degrees. 
   In an alternate embodiment, it is a feature of the present invention to provide a standard desk with a front decorative panel that can be swung (e.g., horizontally rotated) from its bottom edge upward 90-degrees from its storage position and also turned (e.g., vertically rotated) at one end 90 degrees outward from the one end&#39;s storage position near the front of the desk, into a deployed, horizontal position wherein one end of the panel is located and touching near the front of the desk and the opposite end is located furthest away from the front of the desk. The front panel is thereby converted into additional workspace running lengthwise (e.g., perpendicular as if to form the stem of the letter “T”) from the front of the desk for use by meeting collaborators. 
   Another feature of the present invention is to provide at least one support member that can be moved into position beneath the front panel after horizontal deployment to keep the front panel in its upright, horizontal position. 
   It is another feature of the present invention to provide at least one support member that can be stored when not in use within the desk, and the at least one support member can be slide into position from its storage location into contact beneath the bottom surface of the front panel. 
   It is yet another feature of the present invention to provide control hardware as a safety mechanism that limits the speed and difficulty over which the front panel can be moved from its deployed, horizontal position into its vertical storage position. 
   These and other features and advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated after reading the following description and the appended claims and after reviewing all the drawings. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a three point perspective drawing of a desk in accordance with the present invention wherein the front panel is being partially deployed from its storage position in front of the desk as indicated by the arrow. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of a desk in  FIG. 1 , the front panel in its fully deployed position wherein the front panel is situated parallel with the front of the desk, and one support member is shown in a stored position within the desk while another support member is shown deployed underneath the front panel as support for the front panel. 
       FIG. 3  illustrated a front view of the desk with the panel in its stored, vertical position and support members are shown by dashed lines in storage position within the desk and underneath the desk top. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of the desk with the front panel situated in its storage position at the front of the desk, and a support member is shown by dashed lines located under the desk top within the desk. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates another side view of the desk with the front panel deployed in an upright, horizontal position at the front of the desk, and a support member is also shown by solid and dashed lines to be located under the front panel as support and partially located within the desk even when deployed. 
       FIG. 6  Illustrates a rear view of the desk wherein drawers are located in standard positions at the rear of the desk and support members are shown by dashed lines in position between middles and side drawers within the desk. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention wherein the front of the desk is shown and dashed lines also show the position of support/hinge hardware mounted to the desk and front panel in a manner that allows and guides the front panel&#39;s movement. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a side view of the desk with the front panel situated in its storage position at the front of the desk, and hinge hardware and a support member are also shown located in storage position under the desk top within the desk. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates another side view of the desk with the front panel deployed in an upright, horizontal position at the front of the desk, a support member is shown also shown by solid and dashed lines to be located under the front panel as support and partially located within the desk even when deployed, and the hinge hardware is shown extended while lending support to the front panel near the front of the desk. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a three point perspective drawing of an alternate embodiment of the present invention showing a desk wherein the front panel is being partially deployed at end “b” with the assistance of associated control hardware from its storage position in front of the desk as indicated by the two arrows (e.g., pulled away and rotated at end “b”). 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a top view of a desk in  FIG. 10  with the front panel in its fully deployed position wherein the front panel is situated with end “a” parallel with the front edge of the desk, indicated by “c”, and end “b” deployed furthest away from the front of the desk indicated by “c”, and one telescoping support member is shown in a stored position within the desk while another telescoping support member is shown deployed underneath the front panel as support for the front panel. 
       FIG. 12  illustrated a front view of the desk with the panel in its stored, vertical position and control hardware and support members are shown by dashed lines in storage position within the desk and underneath the desk top. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a side view of the desk with the front panel situated in its storage position at the front of the desk, and control hardware and a support member are shown by dashed lines located under the desk top within the desk. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates a side view of the desk with the front panel deployed in an upright, horizontal, rotated position at the front of the desk, and a telescoping support member is shown also shown by solid and dashed lines to be located under the front panel as support and partially located within the desk even when deployed. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates another side view of the desk with the front panel deployed in an upright, horizontal position at the front of the desk, and control hardware is also shown by solid and dashed lines to be located under the front panel as support and partially located and secured within the desk even when deployed. 
       FIG. 16  illustrates the floor plan of a standard, private office wherein a desk equipped with a front panel deployed in an upright, rotated, horizontal position at the front of the desk, and other standard furnishing are also depicted. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a three point perspective drawing of office furnishing in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. As shown in  FIG. 1 , an office desk  100  includes a front panel  110  that can be maintained in a vertical storage position and as decorative panel directly in front of the main body  117  of the desk  100 . If additional workspace is required by meeting collaborators, the front panel  110  can be deployed by swinging (rotating) the bottom edge of the front panel  110 , as shown by the arrow, upward and away from its stored position near the bottom  115  of the desk  100  into a fully deployed, horizontal position. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , illustrated is a top view of the desk  100  and front panel  110 , with the front panel deployed. As shown by the dashed lines, at least one support member  120  is movable from a storage position inside the desk  100  to a deployed position underneath, and supporting, the front panel  110 . A second support member  125  is shown in its storage position. During use of the front panel  110  as workspace, both support members  120 / 125  will normally be used in their fully deployed, supporting position underneath the front panel  110 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , a front view of the desk  100  is shown with the front panel  110  in storage position. The front panel will preferably be made of similar material (e.g., wood) as the desk&#39;s top  105 . Also shown in  FIG. 3  is the general location of support members  120  and  125  behind the front panel  110 . Also within desk  100 , a support structure  127  located beneath the support members  120 / 125  near the inside front panel  107  of the desk  100  can provide support for the support members  120 / 125  when deployed (extended from the desk and supporting front panel  110 ). The support structure  127  will be secured to and form part of the desk  100  and together with the desk  100  will provide ballast (weight) to offset the weight or downward force that may be applied on the front panel  110  when it is deployed and in use. 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , a side view of the desk  100  is shown with the front panel  110  in its storage position. Also shown in  FIG. 4  is the general location of support members  120 / 125  within the desk  100 , underneath the desk top  105  and supported by support structure  127  near the inside, front of desk  100 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , a side view of desk  100  is shown with the front panel  110  fully deployed in a horizontal position adjacent the desk top  105 . Also shown in  FIG. 5  is support member  120  extended from its storage location  122  in the desk  100  to a support position beneath front panel  110 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , a rear view of the desk  100  is illustrated wherein drawers  131 - 135  are located in standard positions at the rear of the desk  100  and support members  120  and  125  are shown by dashed lines in position between middle drawer  133  and side drawers  131  and  134  within the desk. 
     FIG. 7  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention wherein the front of the desk  100  is shown and dashed lines also show the position of control hardware  140  securely mounted to the desk top  105  within the desk  100  and also securely mounted to the inside/underneath surface of front panel  110  or in any other manner known in the art that will enable the front panel&#39;s  110  movement to be controlled and guided during operation. 
     FIG. 8  illustrates a side view of the desk  100  with the front panel  110  situated in its storage position at the front of the desk  100 , and control hardware  140  and a support member  120  are also shown located in their respective storage position under the desk top  105  within the desk  100 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 9 , illustrated is another side view of the desk  100  for  FIG. 8  with the front panel  110  deployed in an upright, horizontal position at the front of the desk  100 . A support member  120  is also shown by solid and dashed lines located under the front panel  110  and providing support to the front panel  110 , while the support member  120  remains partially located within the desk  100  to maintain stability over the front panel  110  when deployed. It should be appreciated that the control hardware  140  can be provided in the form of spring-loaded hinges or sliding brackets, which are well known to be able to control and support heavy swinging or rotating panels (e.g., doors). Support structure  127  (as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) are not shown in order to simplify  FIGS. 8 and 9 ). 
     FIG. 10  illustrates a three point perspective drawing of office furnishing in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. A desk  200  is shown with a front panel  210  is partially deployed. The front panel  210  is deployable to a horizontal, rotated position with respect to the desk top  205 . As indicated by the arrows, the front panel end “b” is pulled away from the side of the desk  215  while at the same time the front panel  210  is rotated at end b. End b of the panel pulled away from the desk  200  and rotated at end “b” until end “a” of the panel is in position parallel with the front edge of the desk top  205  as indicated by letter “c”. The front panel  210  is supported and its movement controlled by control hardware  240  mounted at one end to the bottom surface of the front panel near end “a” and secured at the opposite end to internal structure (e.g., bottom side of desktop  205 ) of the desk  200 . 
   A slot  245  can be provided within the inside panel  207  of the desk. The slot  245  should be adequately sized to enabled control hardware  240  to move with the front panel  210  during operation. Also shown is support member  220  within its storage slot. Dashed lines also indicate the general location of support member  225 . Together, the front panel  210  and control hardware  240  should enable a single user to easily and safely maneuver the front panel  110  into deployed and storage positions. The user should also be able to easily maneuver the support members into position underneath the front panel  210  and into storage within the desk  200 . Spring loaded, hydraulic and pneumatic hardware are well known in the mechanical art (e.g., storm door air shock, garage door control springs, Murphy bed control hardware, movement sprockets), therefore it should be appreciated that known techniques of controlling large objects mechanically can be implemented as part of the control hardware  140  described herein. 
   Referring to  FIG. 11 , a top view of the desk  200  and deployed front panel  210  are shown. The front panel is shown deployed wherein the edge of side “a” is held parallel with the front edge “c” of the desk top  205 . Side “b” is shown located the furthest away from the desk top  205 . The desk top  205  and front panel  210  together form a substantial workspace for more than two meeting collaborators. It should be appreciated by  FIG. 11  that the front panel  210  can provide a temporary conference room table for use by meeting collaborators. Also shown in  FIG. 11  is the general location of control hardware  240 , support member  220  and support member  225 . Support member  220  is shown fully extended. Because front panel  210  must extend a substantial distance from the desk  200  than the first embodiment described with respect to  FIGS. 1-9 , the support members  220 / 225  should preferably also extend in order to provide adequate support to the longer deployment of front panel  210 . The support members  220 / 225  are therefore shown to include a telescoping configuration wherein, for example, a narrower support member  223 / 227  is stored within respective larger support member  220 / 225  during storage within the desk  200 , but the narrower support member  223 / 227  can be extend further than the larger/wider support members  220 / 225  when are both fully extended. 
   Also shown in  FIG. 11  is an optional leg  250  that can be stored within the underside of front panel  210  when the front panel  110  is in storage position in front of desk  200 . When the front panel  210  is fully deployed, however, the optional leg  250  can be deployed vertically (as shown in  FIG. 15 ) to support the front panel  210  horizontally. 
     FIG. 12  illustrates a front view of the desk  200  with the front panel  210  in its stored, vertical position in front of desk  200 . Also shown by dashed lines is the general location of control hardware  240  and support members  220 / 225  within the desk  200  and underneath the desk top  205 . 
     FIG. 13  illustrates a side view of the desk  200  with the front panel  210  situated in its storage position at the front of the desk  200 , and control hardware  240  and a support member  220  are shown by dashed lines located under the desk top  205  within the desk  200 . 
     FIG. 14  illustrates a side view of the desk  200  with the front panel  210  deployed in an upright, horizontal, rotated position at the front of the desk  200 , and a telescoping support member  220  is also shown by solid lines to be located under the front panel as support and by dashed lines to be partially located within the desk  200  even when deployed. 
     FIG. 15  illustrates another side view of the desk  200  of  FIG. 14  with the front panel  210  fully deployed in an upright, horizontal, rotated position at the front of the desk  200 , and control hardware  240  is also shown by solid and dashed lines to be located under the front panel  210  in support of the front panel  210 , and also partially located within the desk  200  even when the front panel  210  is fully deployed. 
   Also shown in  FIG. 15  is an optional leg  250  that can be deployed into a vertical position as shown in order to provide support to the front panel  210  when it is fully deployed. The leg  250  can be used in combination with telescoping support member  220  shown in  FIG. 14 . The leg can be secured by hardware  255  known in the art to enable rotational movement as shown by arrow  257 . It should be appreciated that hardware should allow the leg to be swung into deployment and also back into storage. Preferably, the hardware for leg  250  will also firmly lock the leg into place when it is deployed or stored. 
   Referring to  FIG. 16 , a top view of a floor plan for a typical office  295  is shown. Within the office  295  will commonly be found a computer work station/credenza  260 , book shelves  280 , an executive chair  275 , and a dry erase/presentation/chalk board  290 . The typical office will also have at least two visitor chairs  276 / 278 . Where the present invention is utilized, however, a standard office  295  can now comfortably include two or more visiting participants in a working meeting or conference. Utilizing a desk  200  with a deployable front panel  210  as described in the second embodiment of the invention, chairs  276 - 279  can comfortably occupy users and provide the users with workspace to conduct a meaningful meeting with the office owner  275 .