Patent Publication Number: US-10758037-B2

Title: Quick assembly desk

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a 35 U.S.C. § 371 national phase application of PCT/NL2016/050643 (WO 2018/052282), filed on Sep. 16, 2016, entitled “Quick Assembly Desk”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a desk. In the course of furnishing an office with furniture or rearranging furniture in an office space for increasing or decreasing the number of office workers to be accommodated, a substantial amount of time is spent on assembling or disassembling office furniture. This substantially adds to the costs and time required for furnishing an office and is such a burden, that office furniture that is not needed for some time is often stored in assembled condition, which requires a large amount of storage space. 
     Also desks of office furniture are often of a complicated construction, in particular if the desks are height adjustable and even more so if the desks are easily height adjustable over a large range to the extent that office workers are encouraged to alternatingly work seated and standing at the desk. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a desk that can be assembled and disassembled easily and quickly. 
     According to the invention, this object is achieved by providing a desk having: 
     at least two legs at or near opposite lateral sides of the desk; 
     at least two feet, each of the feet being mounted to a lower end of one of the legs and projecting from the leg to which it is mounted in at least a forward or rearward direction; 
     a profile extending from one of the legs to the opposite one of the legs, the profile being mounted to upper end portions of the legs; and 
     a desktop panel supported by the profile; 
     wherein the legs are coupled to the profile by twist lock connections, the twist lock connections each being locked or lockable against axial dislodgement by twisting of at least an end part of the leg relative to the profile about a center line of the leg. 
     The invention can also be embodied in desk having: 
     at least two legs at or near opposite lateral sides of the desk; 
     at least two feet each mounted to a lower end of one of the legs and projecting from the leg to which it is mounted in at least a forward or rearward direction; 
     a profile extending from one of the legs to the opposite one of the legs, the profile being mounted to upper end portions of the legs; and 
     a desktop panel supported by the profile; 
     wherein the desktop panel projects from the legs in the rearward direction more than in the forward direction and has at least one opening between forward and rearward facing edge portions of the panel bounding the opening; 
     wherein the profile has an upwardly projecting portion projecting upwardly relative to laterally adjacent portions of the profile and projecting upwardly through the opening in the panel; 
     wherein the upwardly projecting portion has a forwardly projecting hooking flange engaging the rearwardly facing edge portion from above; and 
     wherein the profile projects from the legs in the rearward direction more than in the forward direction, a rearwardly projecting portion of the profile supporting the panel from below. 
     Such a desk is of a simple and versatile construction and allows desktop panels to be assembled with a frame structure in a particularly simple manner. 
     Particular elaborations and embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims. Features of desks as described above and of embodiments thereof can also be combined advantageously to provide a particularly versatile desk that can be assembled and disassembled particularly easily. 
     Further features, effects and details of the invention appear from the detailed description and the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example of a desk according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear view of the desk shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the desk shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the desk shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view along the line V-V in  FIG. 4   
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged side view of a portion of the desk shown in  FIGS. 1   5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of a profile of the desk shown in  FIGS. 1-6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom view of a portion of a foot of the desk shown in  FIGS. 1   7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view along the line IX-IX in  FIG. 6 ; and 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a carrier for mounting an accessory to a desk according to  FIGS. 1-9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The invention is described with reference to an example of a desk according to the invention shown in the drawings. Discussed effects of features are also applicable to other embodiments of the invention than the present example, which include the discussed features. 
     In the drawings, a desk  1  is shown that has a two legs  2  at or near opposite lateral sides of the desk  1 . A foot  3  is mounted to a lower end of each of the legs  2  and projects from the leg  2  to which it is mounted in a forward direction  4  and a rearward direction  5 . Depending on the position of the legs  3  in forward direction  4  and rearward direction  5 , the feet  3  may also project from the legs  2  in the forward direction  4  or the rearward direction  5  only. The feet  3  are of such a length, e.g. at least 45 cm and more preferably at least 50 cm, that the desk  1  is sufficiently supported to avoid inadvertent forward and backward tilting in normal use. 
     The number of legs may also be larger than two, for instance if the desk is of a large length. Preferably, the legs of the desk are arranged in one single row to leave space under the desk relatively free and uncluttered. 
     A profile  6  extends from one of the legs  3  to the opposite one of the legs  3  and is mounted to upper end portions of the legs  3 . A desktop panel  7  is supported by the profile  6 . Thus, the feet  3  support the legs  2 , the legs  2  support the profile  6  and the profile  6  supports the desktop panel  7 . 
     The legs  2  are coupled to the profile  6  by twist lock connections  8 . The twist lock connections  8  are each locked or lockable against axial dislodgement by twisting of at least an end part of the leg  2  relative to the profile  6  about a center line of the leg  2 . In the present example, the twist locks  8  are in a form similar to bayonet mounts, but with locking latches  9  instead of pins. However, the twist locks may also be in other forms, such as in the form of classic bayonet mounts or in the form of screw connections. More in particular, the twist lock allows parts to be mounted to each other to be mated in an axial direction, in a relative position that allows one or more protrusions of one part to pass through corresponding recesses of an opening in the other part, followed by a locking movement in rotational sense about an axis of rotation is the axial direction, which locking movement may involve a slight further or backward axial movement, for instance due to movement of one of locking parts along a wedging surface of the other part to pre tension the locked parts against each other, thereby eliminating play. After the locking rotation, the protrusions of one part are axially located behind lands between the recesses in the opening so that the parts are locked against axial dislodgement. 
     A particularly stable locking is obtained if the twist lock includes one part with locking protrusions projecting in opposite directions and recesses in the other part projecting in corresponding directions and locking rotation is to a locked orientation about perpendicular to the orientation at axial insertion. However, also other corresponding numbers of protrusions and recesses may be combined with other angles of rotation for locking, e.g. three protrusions and corresponding recesses uniformly distributed in circumferential sense with an angle of rotation of about 60° or, more in general, n protrusions and corresponding recesses uniformly distributed in circumferential sense with an angle of rotation of about 360°/2n. 
     Because the legs  2  are mounted to the profile  6  by twist lock connections  8 , the legs  2  can be mounted and dismounted very quickly without use of tools or fasteners. This allows the desk  1  to be assembled and disassembled very quickly. 
     The legs  2  are also each coupled to one of the feet  3  by a twist lock connection  10 . Also these lower twist lock connections  9  are each locked or lockable against axial dislodgement of the leg  2  relative to the foot  3  coupled or to be coupled thereby by twisting of the leg  2  relative to the foot  3  coupled or to be coupled thereby about a center line of the leg  2 . Thus also the connections of the legs  2  to the feet  3  can be made very quickly and without tools or fasteners. 
     When assembling a desk, the legs  2  may for instance first be inserted through openings  11 ,  12  in the profile  6  from a bottom side of the profile  6  in an upside down position and twisted to be locked completely or provisionally. Then, the feet  3  may be attached to the upwardly pointing lower ends of the leg  2  by inserting these ends into openings  13 ,  14  in the feet  3  and twisting of the feet  3  relative to the legs  2 . 
     For each of the legs  2 , twist lock members of the twist lock connections  10  of that leg  2  to one of the feet  3  and of the twist lock connection  8  of that leg  2  to the profile  6  are rotationally fixed relative to a central portion of the leg  2 . This allows exerting a substantial torque onto both the upper twist locks  8  and the lower twist locks  10  using the respective foot  3  as a lever. Because at each side of the desk  1 , the upper twist locks  8  and the lower twist locks  10  are both arranged to be locked by exerting a right hand torque, exertion of a torque onto the foot  3  causing the coupled leg  2  to be entrained may also cause the locking of the upper twist lock  8  to be finalized. This can also be achieved if the twist locks on both sides or on one side are both arranged to be locked by exerting a left hand torque. 
     Each of the twist lock connections  8 ,  10  includes an abutment  15 ,  16  determining an angular position of the leg  2  about its center line relative to the profile  6  or the foot  3  coupled thereby. Thus, it is ensured that the feet  3  are in a predetermined orientation relative to the desktop panel  7  and relative to each other when the twist locks  8 ,  10  are locked. 
     The twist lock connections  8 ,  10  also each include a locking member  17 ,  18  for locking the leg  2  in the angular position of the leg  2  about its center line when the twist locks  8 ,  10  are locked. Thus, the feet  3  are prevented from inadvertent rotation and associated unlocking of one or both of the twist locks  8 ,  10  is also prevented. 
     The abutments  15  on the profile  6  are formed by cut-off ends of ribs  19  of the profile  6  and therefore obtained in a particularly efficient manner. Also, the cut-off ribs  19  constitute and additional reinforcement and stiffening against deformation of the profile  6  directly adjacent the position where forces are transferred to the legs  2  and in particular the latches  9  of the upper twist locks  8 . 
     As is best seen in  FIG. 6 , the profile  6  has an upper wall  20  and a lower wall  21  vertically spaced from the upper wall  20 . The legs  2  each extend through openings  11 ,  12  in the upper and lower walls  20 ,  21  and fitting in the openings  11 ,  12  with a sliding fit. Because the openings  11 ,  12  are spaced apart in longitudinal direction of the legs  2 , a connection with a particularly high resistance against a tilting moment transferred from the profile  6  to the legs  2  is obtained. 
     The legs  2  are each equipped with a fitting ring  22  that provide the sliding fit in the lower openings  12  of the upper twist lock connections  8 . The lower openings  12  of the upper twist lock connections  8  have a larger diameter than the upper openings  11  of the upper twist lock connections  8 , so that the latches  9  that are to engage behind edge areas of the upper openings  11  can pass through the lower openings  12  without requiring recesses in the lower openings for allowing the latches  9  to pass through. 
     The feet  3  each have an upper wall  23  and a lower wall  24  vertically spaced from the upper wall  23 . The leg  2  coupled to the feet  3  each extend through openings  13 ,  14  in the upper and lower walls  23 ,  24  and fitting in the openings with a sliding fit. Because the openings  13 ,  14  are spaced apart in longitudinal direction of the legs  2 , a connection with a particularly high resistance against a tilting moment transferred from the legs  2  to the feet  3  is obtained. 
     The sliding fit preferably has no play or a play of less than 0.1 mm and more preferably 0.05 mm. Mounting with a slight pre-tension still allowing manual insertion is also possible. 
     For providing the twist lock connections  8 ,  10  the legs  2  are each equipped with locking plates  25 ,  26  mounted to ends of the legs  2  (see  FIGS. 5, 6, 8 and 9 ). Thus, the latches  9 ,  27  in of the upper and lower twist lock connections  8 ,  10  are provided in particularly efficient manner. Moreover, the latches  9 ,  27  can easily be mounted to standard legs  2 . This is particularly advantageous if height adjustable legs are to be provided, because stock items can be used and no specially designed and manufactured legs are required. The positions of latches  9 ′,  27 ′ when the locking plates are in unlocked positions are shown in dotted lines. 
     The locking plates  9 ,  27  are stamped from metal plate, grated edges of the locking plates  9 ,  27  being on a side of the plate facing away from the leg  2 . The side of stamped plate facing away from the grate typically is slightly chamfered, so that the sides facing the legs  2  smoothly engage when the twist locks  8 ,  10  are locked. 
     As is best seen in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , each leg  2  has a leg part  58  defining a cylindrical circumference engaging the profile  6  mounted to that leg  2 . This leg  58  part is mounted to an adjacent, more central part  59  of the leg  2 . Using such leg parts engaging the profile  6  of the foot  3  mounted to the leg allows using various types of central parts for the legs  2 , which do not have to match particular tolerances or have defined shapes for co-operation with the other part at the twist-lock connection  8  or  10 . This is of particular advantage if the leg is height adjustable, since it allows the use of standard designs of various manufacturers for the central part, or if a central part with a particular design is desired, because the requirements that the end meet the requirements of the twist lock connections is thus circumvented. 
     The profile has a central chamber  60  (see  FIG. 6 ) that is shaped and dimensioned so that the legs  2  in dismounted condition can be inserted therein. This allows a kit of parts for assembling a desk, except for the desktop panel  7 , to be stored and shipped in a particularly compact manner. The desktop panels  7  are preferably manufactured at more distributed locations than the legs and the profile and can be made in a wide variety of designs and shapes in accordance with customer orders. 
     The desktop panel  7  projects from the legs  2  in the rearward direction  5  more than in the forward direction  4  and has openings  28  between forward and rearward facing edge portions  29 ,  30  of the desktop panel  7  bounding the openings  28 . 
     The profile  6 , which is preferably an extruded aluminum alloy profile, has upwardly projecting portions  31 ,  32  projecting upwardly relative to laterally adjacent portions  33 ,  34  of the profile  6  and each projecting upwardly through one of the openings  28  in the panel  7 . One of the upwardly projecting portions  31  each have a forwardly projecting hooking flange  35  engaging the rearwardly facing edge portion  30  of the panel  7  from above. The profile  7  projects from the legs  2  in the rearward direction  5  more than in the forward direction  4  and a rearwardly projecting portion  36  of the profile  6  supports the panel  7  from below. 
     The profile  6  predominantly projecting rearwardly from the legs  2  thus effectively supports the panel  7  predominantly projecting rearwardly from the legs  2  against backward tilting even if a substantial backward tilting moment is exerted on the desktop panel  7 , for instance by a person sitting or standing behind (i.e. at the rear side of) the desk  1 . 
     The support is particularly effective if, as in the present example, the rearwardly projecting portion  36  of the profile  6  extends along substantially the entire length of the profile  6  in the lateral direction. 
     The rearwardly projecting portion  36  of the profile  6  has upper and lower wall portions  37 ,  38  converging towards a rearward end  39  of the profile  6 , so that the rearwardly projecting portion  36  of the profile  6  has a particularly high bending stiffness against downward tilting moments. 
     Furthermore, support arms  40  of flat material extending in an orientation along a vertical plane are provided to further support the desktop panel  7  against bending down in a backward area due to a load exerted thereon. The support arms extend through slits  41  from inside the profile  6 . The slits  41  resist buckling or bending sideways out of the vertical orientation of the flat support arms  40 , so that the support arms can resist large vertical loads. 
     The support arms  40  each have an upwardly projecting portion  42  and the panel  7  has a downwardly facing face  43  having slits  44 . The upwardly projecting portions  42  of the support arm  40  project into the slits  44  with a fit preventing tilting of the flat material of the arms  40  out of the orientation along the vertical plane. The slits  44  in the panel provide further resistance against buckling or bending sideways out of the vertical orientation of the flat support arms  40 , so that the support arms  40  can resist particularly large vertical loads. 
     The support arms  40  are received between the upper and lower wall portions  37 ,  38  and rests against ribs  45 ,  46  on the lower wall portion  38 . Thus, the lower wall portion  38  is particularly stiff where loads are transferred from the arms  40  to the lower wall portion  38 . Also, the loads are distributed, because the support arms  40  each rest against more than one rib  45 ,  46 . 
     Between portions of the upwardly projecting portion  31 , the profile  6  is provided with an opening  28  accommodating a power plug socket  48 . Thus, a power plug socket  48  is accommodated in the opening  28  and easily accessible from above. The profile also serves for accommodating the power plug socket and holding it in place. 
     The desk  1  further has lids  49  that are pivotable between a closed position at least partially closing off the opening  28  and an open position allowing at least more access to the opening  28  than in the closed position. The lids  49  have thickened portions  50  pivotably received in a slot  51  in the profile  6  having an open side narrower than the thickened portions  50 . Thus, the profile  6  further serves as a hinge part for the lids  49 . 
     The profile  6  further has a slot  52  bounding a chamber  53  and having a forwardly facing open side  54 . In vertical direction, the open side  54  is narrower than the chamber  53 . This slot  52  can be used for fixing accessory carriers such as the screen carrier  55  shown in  FIG. 10  or a display screen carrier to the profile  6 . Thus, the profile  6  can also serve as a mounting rail for fixing accessory carriers to the desk  1 . The carrier  55  has a carrier plate  56  of a width (in vertical direction) that is larger than the distance from the bottom of the chamber  53  to the upper side of the open side  54 , so that the carrier plate  56  can be received in the chamber  53 . A carrier arm  57  projects form the carrier plate  56  in such a position that it projects through the open side  54  of the slot  53  if the carrier plate  56  is received in the chamber  53  with the carrier arm  57  projecting forward. 
     As is best seen in  FIG. 6 , an upper portion of the rearwardly facing edge portions  30  of the openings  28  is chamfered so as to be leaning obliquely forwardly. This allows these edge portions  30  to be wedged under the forwardly projecting ribs  35  of the profile  6  if the desktop panel  7  is mounted by tilting it from a position in which the rear end is higher than the front end while rear upwardly projecting portions  32  of the profile  6  engage the forward facing edge portions  29  of the openings  28 . Preferably, the opening  28  is dimensioned such that the rearwardly facing edge portions  30  of the openings  28  are slightly deformed so that the desktop panel is snugly clamped under the forwardly projecting ribs  35  of the profile  6  if the desktop panel  7  is mounted by tilting it from a position in which the rear end is higher than the front end while rear upwardly projecting portions  32  of the profile  6  engage the forward facing edge portions  29  of the openings  28 .