Abstract:
A mobile work station has a generally compact configuration in the closed position. When opened, it has a lower drawer for access to stored material and may function as a filing cabinet and an upper work surface which may be used in a similar manner to the top surface of a desk.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to furniture. In particular, this invention relates to mobile furniture for an office or the like. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Various traditional designs for work places have been developed. Traditionally, workers were positioned in offices and were provided with desks, filing cabinets and the like. Each piece of furniture was relatively heavy and in many cases two people were required to move each piece of furniture. Each worker may be provided with an individual office which may be constructed using traditional construction methods (e.g. drywall and the like). Alternately, dividers had been used to create a number of individual offices in an open area. 
     More recently, office systems have been created which comprise, in combination, divider panels and support surfaces which may be hung on the panels to create a work station. While these office systems may be re-configured by a single worker, they are not intended to be reconfigured on a daily basis. 
     In order to deal with the addition of computers to the work place, additional pieces of furniture have been added to traditional furniture lines. Accordingly, in some cases, separate computer tables have been designed (see for example U.S. Pat. No. 4,491,375). Such pieces of furniture are intended for use with other pieces of furniture, such as desks, filing cabinets and the like so as to create a complete office environment. 
     Accordingly, one disadvantage of such designs is that they do not provide a mobile work station for a worker. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The instant invention provides a mobile work stationfor a single worker. It may be used in an office environment as well as in a home office environment. In design, the unit may replace a desk, a computer table and a filing cabinet in a single unit, all of which is mounted on wheels for ease of use. 
     In particular, in accordance with the instant invention there is provided an article comprising a main body portion defining a foot print for the article; a lower drawer having a front end and a rear end and slidably mounted with respect to the main body portion along a first line travel between a closed position and an open position, the front end of the lower drawer having at least one wheel associated therewith; and, an upper member slidably mounted with respect to the main body portion between an open position in which at least a portion of the upper member is horizontally displaced from the main body portion and a closed position in which the upper member is positioned within the foot print. 
     Accordingly, using the work station of the instant invention, people may easily be able to work together without significant difficulty. For example, if a number of people need to work together on a single project, they may each have a mobile work station that may house a computer and which may be wheeled to a common location. The people will then be able to work together for the desired purpose. Each person may have in their work station any current files which are required for the project (which may be stored in the lower drawer) and any tools which they may require for their project which may be stored in the upper drawer (anything from pens, pencils to drafting equipment and the like). 
     A further advantage of the instant invention is that by slidably mounting the top work surface to the work station, the work surface provides a convenient surface for a computer, especially a lap top computer. When the work surface is in the open position, an open area is preferably provided there below so that the user may bring their chair towards and preferably slightly under the work station so as to more ergonomically position themselves with respect to the keyboard. 
     In addition, by slidably mounting the work station in a different line of travel in which the lower drawer opens, the worker may have access to their files, as well as the contents of the upper drawer, while they are working on their computer. At the end of the day, the work station may easily be closed and rolled to a storage position if desired. 
     In one embodiment, the main body portion has a front end and a rear end, the front end of the main body portion having an opening to receive the lower drawer and the rear end of the main body portion having wheels associated therewith. 
     In another embodiment, the lower drawer has an upper perimeter defining open top and the article further comprises at least one slide having a first portion connected to the main body portion and a second portion connected to the lower drawer whereby the slide supports the upper perimeter in a horizontal plane when the lower drawer is open. 
     In another embodiment, the main body portion further comprises a compartment positioned beneath the upper member when the upper member is in the closed position, whereby the compartment defines an upper drawer which is open when the upper member is in the open position. 
     In another embodiment, the upper member has an upper surface which is flat to provide a work surface. 
     In another embodiment, the upper member slides at an angle which is preferably 90° to the first line of travel. 
     In accordance with the instant invention, there is also provided an article comprising: a main body portion; a lower drawer having a front end and a rear end and slidably mounted with respect to the main body portion along a first line travel between a closed position in which the lower drawer is received in the main body portion and an open position, the front end of the lower drawer having at least one wheel associated therewith; and, a member extendable outwardly with respect to the main body portion to an open position in which the member provides a generally horizontally disposed work surface which is displaced outwardly from the main body portion, the member moving outwardly in a second line of travel different to the first line of travel whereby the member has an open area there below when in the open position. 
     In accordance with the instant invention, there is also provided an article comprising: support means for receiving a lower drawer, the support means having a front and a rear, the rear having wheel means associated therewith; a lower drawer receivable in the support means and having a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion having wheel means for supporting the front portion of the lower drawer as the lower drawer moves outwardly from the support means in a first line of travel, the rear portion operatively connected to the support means for supporting the rear portion of the lower drawer as the lower drawer moves outwardly from the support means; and, a member having a flat surface moveable outwardly from the support means to provide a work surface having an open area there below. 
     In one embodiment, the support means further comprises a compartment positioned within the support means, whereby the compartment defines an upper drawer which is open when the member is moved outwardly from the support means. 
     In another embodiment, the member is slidably mounted on the support means. 
     In another embodiment, the compartment is positioned beneath the upper member when the upper member is in a closed position. 
     In another embodiment, the member moves outwardly at an angle of 90° to the to the first line of travel. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the instant invention, there is provided an article comprising an upper drawer having side, front and rear panels; a lower drawer having side, front and rear panels; an exterior body defined by a plurality of the panels of the upper and lower drawers, the lower drawer movably mounted with respect to the upper drawer in a first line of travel and accessible from above when opened, the upper drawer openable in a second line of travel at an angle to the first line of travel; a plurality of legs provided adjacent the front panel of the lower drawer; a plurality of legs provided adjacent the rear panel of the upper drawer; and, at least one wheel associated with a forward portion of the lower drawer. 
     Another advantage of the instant invention is that panels which are used to construct the drawers are used to also form the outer shell of the work station. Thus the work station comprises two drawers and with legs attached thereto. The elimination of an outer shell to cover the drawers simplifies the manufacture of the unit and substantially reduces the weight of the unit. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other advantages of the instant invention will be more fully and completely understood in accordance with the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view from the side and above of a mobile work station according to the instant invention in the closed position; and, 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view from above and to one side of the mobile work station of FIG. 1 wherein the work station is in the fully open position. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Mobile work station  10  has a main body portion  12 , a lower drawer  14 , an upper member  16 , front wheels  18  and rear wheels  20 . Work station  10  may optionally include a front handle  22  and/or a rear handle  24  and, preferably, both a front handle  22  and a rear handle  24 . 
     Wheels  18  and  20  may be of any particular design known in the furniture art and are preferably swivel mounted. By means of one or both of handles  22  and  24 , work station  10  may be easily moved in any particular direction, particular if wheels  18 ,  20  are swivel mounted to work station  10 . 
     It will further be appreciated that one or more of wheels  18  and  20  may include a locking means to prevent work station  10  from moving when in a desired position. Any locking means known in the art may be used. For example, wheels  18  and  20  may include a lever  26  which, when depressed, will prevent the wheels from rotating. It will be appreciated that, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, only two of the wheels, such as front wheels  18 , may be provided with such locking means. 
     In an alternate embodiment, it will be appreciated that work station  10  may be provided only with front wheels  18  or only rear wheels  20 . In such an embodiment, work station  10  may still be easily moved by a user lifting the end which is not provided with wheels by means of the respective handle and then using wheels to move work station  10  to a desired location. 
     Main body portion  12  has a front end  30  and a rear end  32 . Similarly, lower drawer  14  has a front end  34  and a rear end  36 . Rear end  32  of main body portion  12  is provided with rear legs  38 . Front end  34  of lower drawer  14  is provided with front legs  40 . In the illustrated embodiment, work station  10  has four wheels. Accordingly, rear wheels  20  are positioned at the bottom of rear legs  38  and front wheels  18  are provided at the bottom of front legs  40 . 
     In order to fully enclose work station  10 , rear end  32  may comprise a vertically extending member  42  which may be positioned between rear legs  38  or may be positioned, for example, to enclose rear legs  38 . The actual shape and configuration of vertically extending member  42  may be altered depending upon the aesthetics required for work station  10 . 
     Main body portion  12  has a pair of longitudinal side panels  44  which extend between front panel  46  and rear panel  48 . Main body portion  12  also includes the bottom panel  50  which, together with the front, rear and side panels defines a compartment  52  which may function as an upper drawer having a lid (upper member  16 ) for work station  10 . It will be appreciated that the size and configuration of these panels may vary to provide the desired aesthetics and size of compartment  52 . For example, side panels  44  may extend downwardly so as to surround the sides of lower drawer  14 . Further, front panel  46  may be configured aesthetically so as to provide a completed exterior surface if lower drawer  14  does not cover front panel  46  when in the closed position of FIG.  1 . 
     Referring to FIG. 2, lower drawer  14  comprises a pair of side panels  60  extending longitudinally between front panel  62  and rear panel  64 . Lower drawer  14  also is provided with a bottom panel  66  which, together with the front, rear and side panels  60 ,  62  and  64  define compartment  68 . 
     As shown in FIG. 2, front panel  62  may extend upwardly above lower drawer  14  so as to provide a front face for main body portion  12 . Side panels  60  have a top surface  74  and rear panel  64  has a top surface  76 . Top surfaces  74  and  76  define an upper perimeter which defines the top of lower drawer  14 . Optionally, as shown in FIG. 2, front panel  62  may be provided with a lock  70  which may be actuated, for example by a removable key  72 . 
     Lower drawer  14  is slidably mounted with respect to main body portion  12  along a first line of travel between the closed position shown in FIG.  1  and an open position. In FIG. 2, lower drawer  14  is shown in the fully open position. As wheels  18  are associated with the forward portion of lower drawer  14  (and preferably front end  34  thereof) the forward portion of lower drawer  14  is stabilized by wheels  18  and suspended above the ground as it slides into and out of main body portion  12 . Any particular slide means known in the art may be used. Preferably, work station  10  has at least one such slide means (e.g. it may have a centrally mounted slide means). More preferably, work station  10  includes two slides  78  one of which is provided adjacent each side of lower drawer  14 . Referring to FIG. 2, slide  78  may have a first portion  80  which may be affixed to the outer surface of side panel  60  and a second portion  82  which may be affixed to the inner surface of side panel  44 . Accordingly, slides  78  supportively connect lower drawer  14  to main body portion  12  and, in particular, support the rear portion of lower drawer  14  above the ground when lower drawer  14  is in an opened position. In particular, the upper perimeter of lower drawer  14  may be maintained in a horizontal plane when the lower drawer is opened. It will be appreciated that lower drawer  14  may be configured to receive any particular material. Preferably, it is adapted to receive vertically hanging files using any hanging means known in the art. 
     Upper member  16  is extendable outwardly with respect to main body portion  12  to an open position in which upper member  16  provides a work surface. Preferably, upper member  16  is designed to be generally horizontally disposed when in the open position so as to provide a flat work surface, such as for a lap top computer. However, it will be appreciated that for certain applications, such as drafting, surface  16  may be at an inclined angle. 
     Upper member  16  may be extended outwardly by any means known in the art, such as by sliding, swinging or the like. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 2, upper member  16  is slidably mounted with respect to main body portion  12  and, more preferably, is slidably mounted above main body portion  12 . 
     In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 2, the upper portion of compartment  52  is provided with a pair of slides  84  provided on opposed sides of compartment  52 . Slides  84  comprise a first portion  86  which is secured to panels  46 ,  48  and a second portion which is secured to the lower surface of upper member  16  (not shown). Slides  84  supportively connect upper portion  16  to main body portion  12  so that, when upper member  16  is in an open position as shown in FIG. 2, it will be capable of supporting a load which is placed on the top thereof (e.g. a lap top computer). In FIG. 1, upper member  16  is shown in the closed position. When in the closed position, upper member  16  is within the footprint described by wheels  18  and  20 . It will be appreciated that the exact size of upper member  16  need not be identical to the footprint described by wheels  18  and  20  but may be slightly larger or slightly smaller and still be within the scope of this invention. 
     It will be appreciated that upper member  16  need not form the top of main body portion  12  but may be slidably received in a compartment provided therein (not shown). However, preferably, upper member  16  is positioned immediately above compartment  52  so as to provide a lid thereof. Accordingly, when upper member  16  is moved to an open position, a person has access to upper compartment  52  via the top thereof. If upper member  16  does not provide an opening to compartment  52 , it will be appreciated that no upper drawer may be provided in work station  10  or, alternately, the upper drawer may be accessed by any means known in the art such as by having a door that slides open or by having a pivotable panel to provide access thereto. 
     As upper member  16  extends outwardly from the footprint of main body portion  12  when in the open position, upper member  16  effectively comprises a cantilevered member which has an open area there below. Accordingly, if a person places a computer keyboard on top of upper member  16 , they may pull their chair up to upper member  16  such that at least a portion of their legs are positioned underneath upper member  16  thereby providing improved ergonomics for the use of upper member  16  as a keyboard stand. It will be appreciated that upper member  16  may be extended outwardly from the front end, the rear end or either of the sides of main body portion  12 . If upper member  16  extends outwardly from either side or the rear end of main body portion  12 , then lower drawer  14  may be open and easily accessible while upper member  16  is extended outwardly from main body portion  12 . More preferably, upper member  16  extends outwardly from one of side panels  44  of upper body portion  12  so that its line of travel is 90° to that of lower drawer  14 . In this way, a person may use the top surface of upper member  16  as a work surface while being in a position to easily access compartment  68  of lower drawer  14 . 
     Another advantage of the instant invention is the simplicity of construction of work station  10 . In accordance with the preferred embodiment, main body portion  12  preferably comprises the exterior of the upper drawer (compartment  52 ). Thus, side panels  44 , front panel  46  and rear panel  48  define not only the upper structural elements of work station  10  but may also comprise the exterior surfaces of main body portion  12  (it will be appreciated that front panel  62  of lower drawer  14  need not extend upwardly to overlie front panel  46 ). Similarly, side panels  60 , front panel  62  and rear panel  64  define not only the lower structural elements of work station  10  but may also comprise the exterior surfaces of the lower portion of work station  10 . Thus the construction of work station  10  is simplified since it is not necessary to provide exterior casing panels to provide a decorative finish to the work station and to cover the slides and the like. For example, slide  78  is provided on the inside of the side panel of compartment  52  that removing the slide from view when lower drawer  14  is closed. 
     It will be appreciated that there various changes and modifications of work station  10  may be made and each is within the scope of this invention. For example, while work station  10  has a rectangular footprint as shown in the Figures, it may be of any particular shape and configuration. Further, for aesthetic reasons, various changes may be made from the size of various panels (such as front panel  62 , rear panel  42  as well as side panels  44  or the placement of the legs or the way the legs are incorporated into work station  10 . Further, the slides need not be positioned adjacent the top of the drawers but elsewhere such as along the sides of the panels defining the respective drawer or optionally on the bottom panel.