Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US5237935?dq=6978253
Timestamp: 2017-01-20 21:14:02
Document Index: 181518860

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 226', 'art 230', 'art 226', 'art 226', 'art 240', 'art 242', 'art 226', 'art 240', 'art 230', 'art 240', 'art 230', 'art 230', 'art 226', 'arts 274', 'art 274', 'art 272']

Patent US5237935 - Work environment system - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsIn a work environment system, a desk (10) comprises a top (16) supported by a pair of legs (18), each leg (18) formed by a pair of supports (22) mounted together in back-to-back opposing relationship and having a first channel (56) between the supports (22). The desk top (16) includes a pair of second...http://www.google.com/patents/US5237935?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US5237935 - Work environment systemAdvanced Patent SearchTry the new Google Patents, with machine-classified Google Scholar results, and Japanese and South Korean patents.Publication numberUS5237935 APublication typeGrantApplication numberUS 07/786,250Publication dateAug 24, 1993Filing dateOct 31, 1991Priority dateMar 1, 1988Fee statusLapsedPublication number07786250, 786250, US 5237935 A, US 5237935A, US-A-5237935, US5237935 A, US5237935AInventorsThomas J. Newhouse, Donald D. Goeman, Duane G. McClungOriginal AssigneeHerman Miller, Inc.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (7), Referenced by (80), Classifications (16), Legal Events (6) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetWork environment system
US 5237935 AAbstract
1. In a desk comprising a top having a first end, a first end edge, a work surface, a bottom surface and a central portion, the improvement comprising:a recess in said work surface extending inwardly from said first end edge toward said central portion to an inner end; said work surface having an inner slot extending therethrough at said inner end and an outer slot extending therethrough at said first end; a wire manager assembly received within said recess and partially defining a desk top channel, said wire manager assembly having an inner opening in registry with the inner slot and an outer opening in registry with the outer slot, whereby electrical wiring of work tools positioned on said work surface can be selectively directed through said channel toward said first end edge or through said slot and beneath the bottom surface. 2. A desk according to claim 1, wherein said wire manager assembly further comprises at least one rib extending longitudinally within said desk top channel for segregating electrical wiring received therein.
3. A desk according to claim 1, wherein said wire manager assembly further comprises a base portion securely fastened to said desk top, substantially equal in length to and received within said recess and comprising first and second longitudinal sidewalls, a bottom wall, an open top and a cover mounted to said base portion over said open top, said desk top channel being substantially enclosed by said base portion sidewalls, bottom wall and cover.
4. A desk according to claim 3, wherein said cover is hingeably mounted to one of said base portion longitudinal sidewalls for movement between an open position to permit placement of electrical wiring in said desk top channel and a closed position over said base portion open top and substantially flush with said work surface to substantially enclose electrical wiring received in said desk top channel.
5. A desk according to claim 4, wherein said wire manager assembly further comprises at least one rib extending longitudinally within said desk top channel for segregating electrical wiring received therein.
6. A desk according to claim 3, wherein said inner opening is defined by and between inner portions of said base portion and said cover, and said wire manager assembly further comprises an inner cover on said wire manager assembly inner end and movable between a closed position covering said inner opening and an open position permitting access of electrical wiring to and from said desk top channel away from said first end edge.
7. A desk according to claim 6, wherein said wire manager assembly further comprises a vertical pin on said cover inner end with a hole extending through said inner cover and in registry with said vertical pin, said inner cover being rotatably mounted on said pin about a vertical axis defined by said pin for movement between said open and closed positions.
8. A desk according to claim 7, wherein said inner cover further comprises a handle for facilitating movement of said inner cover between said open and closed positions.
9. A desk according to claim 8, wherein said base portion inner end, said inner opening and said inner cover are generally semicircular in shape, said hole through said inner cover is eccentric with respect thereto and said inner cover is rotatable about said second pin approximately 180° between fully open and closed positions.
10. A desk according to claim 6, further comprising at said first end thereof a substantially vertical leg covering said recess at said desk top first end edge, said outer opening extending through said vertical leg and permitting access of electrical wiring to and from said desk top channel at said desk top first end edge.
11. A desk according to claim 10, further comprising outer closure means on said vertical leg, covering said outer opening and permitting access of electrical wiring to and from said desk top channel.
12. A desk according to claim 11, wherein said outer closure means comprises at least one pair of resilient doors mounted to said vertical leg over said outer opening.
13. A desk according to claim 2, whereinsaid wire manager assembly base portion further comprises inner and outer deep portions and a central shallow portion having substantially the same dimensions as and received in said inner and outer slots and said recess, respectively, said cover being substantially flush with said work surface, said base portion bottom wall being open at said inner and outer deep portions and said inner and outer deep portions being in registry with said inner and outer slots; and said desk further comprises opposite ends and a panel mounted to said desk top bottom surface, extending between said desk opposite ends and comprising a wire channel in registry with said desk top channel; whereby electrical wiring can be channeled from said desk top work surface to said desk opposite ends through said desk top channel and said wire channel. 14. A desk according to claim 13, wherein said wire manager assembly further comprises at least one rib extending longitudinally within said desk top channel and for segregating electrical wiring received in said desk top channel.
15. A desk according to claim 14, wherein said rib comprises a divider wall extending upwardly from said base portion bottom wall at said central shallow portion thereof and extending longitudinally therewith.
16. A desk according to claim 15, further comprising fastening means for securing the wire manager assembly to the desk top, said fastening means comprising a plurality of holes extending through said base portion bottom wall at said central shallow portion thereof and an equal number of screws received in said holes and threadably engaging said desk top between said inner and outer slots.
17. A desk according to claim 1, wherein said desk top further comprises a second end being a mirror image of said first end, said first and second ends being positioned at opposite ends of said desk and being substantially identical with respect to said recess and said wire manager assembly.
18. A desk according to claim 1, wherein said desk top has a second end, and said desk top further comprises a panel mounted to said desk top bottom surface, extending between said desk top first and second ends and comprising and defining a wire channel in registry with said desk top channel;whereby electrical wiring can be channeled from said desk top work surface to said desk top first end through said desk top channel and said wire channel. 19. In a desk comprising opposite ends, a top having a work surface and a bottom surface, and a panel extending substantially horizontally between said opposite ends and substantially vertically downwardly from said bottom surface a predetermined distance for providing privacy to a worker at said desk, the improvement wherein:said desk top has a channel in said work surface extending therein from an end, and an opening extending therethrough in registry with the channel; and said panel further comprises a channel extending substantially the full length thereof beneath and parallel to the bottom surface and in registry with said opening; whereby electrical wiring of work tools on said work surface can be selectively channeled from said work surface to said desk opposite ends through said opening and one of said desk top channel and said panel channel. 20. A desk according to claim 19, wherein said panel is substantially J-shaped, in cross section, and further comprises a relatively long, substantially vertical leg extending downwardly from and substantially normal to said desk top bottom surface, a relatively short, substantially vertical leg positioned in substantially parallel spaced relationship to said long vertical leg and an intermediate leg between said long and short vertical legs, aid channel being defined by and between said long and short vertical legs and said intermediate leg.
21. A desk according to claim 20, wherein said panel is an integrally formed one-piece member and said intermediate leg is substantially horizontal and extends between and is formed integral with lower ends of said long and short vertical legs.
22. A desk according to claim 20, further comprising mounting means securely mounting said panel to said desk top bottom surface, said mounting means comprising a substantially horizontal first mounting flange on and extending normal to an upper end of said long vertical leg and engaging said desk top bottom surface, at least one pair of aligned openings extending through said first mounting flange and said desk top bottom surface, and at least one screw in registry with said aligned openings and threadably engaging said desk top to securely mount said panel to said top.
23. A desk according to claim 19, wherein said desk further comprises a pair of legs supporting said desk top at opposite ends of said desk; andsaid panel is securely mounted to and between said legs, said panel means thereby further providing lateral stability to said desk. 24. A desk according to claim 23, wherein said legs are substantially identical and each of said legs comprises first and second supports and at least one pair of overlapping plates extending from said first and second supports; andsaid desk further comprises securing means for securely mounting said plates together in overlapping relationship. 25. A desk according to claim 24, wherein said securing means comprises a pair of aligned holes extending through said overlapping plates and a screw in registry with said aligned holes and threadably engaging said plates; andan end edge of said panel has at least one second mounting flange engaging said pair of overlapping plates and having an opening aligned with said aligned holes in said overlapping plates, said screw being in registry with said aligned holes and openings and threadably engaging said plates and said mounting flange to securely mount said panel to said legs. 26. A desk according to claim 19, wherein said desk further comprises a pair of legs supporting said desk top at opposite ends of said desk, said legs comprising leg channels extending substantially the full length of said legs and in registry with at least one of said desk top channel and panel channel;whereby electrical wiring can be selectively channeled from said work surface to said desk opposite ends and to a floor through said opening, said desk top channel, said panel channel and said leg channels. 27. A desk according to claim 26, wherein said legs are substantially identical and each of said legs comprises first and second supports positioned in spaced-apart relationship and at least one pair of overlapping plates extending from said first and second supports, said leg channel defined by and between said spaced first and second support and said overlapping plates; andsaid desk further comprises securing means for securely mounting said plates together in overlapping relationship. 28. A desk according to claim 27, wherein said panel is substantially J-shaped in cross section and further comprises a relatively long, substantially vertical leg extending downwardly from and substantially normal to said desk top bottom surface, a relatively short, substantially vertical leg positioned in substantially parallel spaced-apart relationship to said long vertical leg and an intermediate leg between said long and short vertical legs, said panel channel being defined by and between said long and short vertical legs and said intermediate leg.
29. A desk according to claim 28, wherein said panel comprises a substantially horizontal first mounting flange on and extending normal to an upper end of said long vertical leg and engaging said desk top bottom surface, and said desk top has at least one pair of aligned openings within said first mounting flange and said desk top and at least one screw in registry with said aligned openings and threadably engaging said desk top to securely mount said panel means to said top.
30. A desk according to claim 29, wherein said securing means comprises a pair of aligned holes extending through said overlapping plates and a screw in registry with said aligned holes and threadably engaging said plates; andsaid panel is securely mounted to and between said legs, said panel thereby further providing lateral stability to said desk, and a transverse end of said long vertical part having at least one second mounting flange engaging said pair of overlapping plates and having an opening aligned with said aligned holes in said overlapping plates, said screw being in registry with said aligned holes and opening and threadably engaging said plates to securely mount said panel to said leg. 31. A desk according to claim 26, wherein said desk top further comprises front and rear sides;said desk further comprises means at said desk top front side for supporting a work tool, and bracket means for movably mounting said support means to said desk at a variety of adjusted positions for convenient access thereto. 32. A desk according to claim 31, wherein said desk top further comprises a cut out portion at said desk top front side, said support means is complementary to said cut out portion and said bracket means movably mounts said support means to said desk top bottom surface for vertical movement between an upper position substantially flush with said desk top and a lower position below said top.
33. A desk according to claim 19, wherein said desk top further comprises front and rear sides;said desk further comprises means at said desk top front side for supporting a work tool, and bracket means for movably mounting said support means to said desk at a variety of adjusted positions for convenient access thereto. 34. A desk according to claim 33, wherein said desk top further comprises a cut out portion at said desk top front side, said support means is complementary to said cut out portion and said bracket means movably mounts said support means to said desk top bottom surface for vertical movement between an upper position substantially flush with said desk top and a lower position below said desk top.
35. A desk according to claim 34, wherein said support means further comprises lip means extending along a front longitudinal side thereof for preventing inadvertent movement of a work tool on said support means.
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/408,700 filed Sep. 18, 1989, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,512, which is a division of application Ser. No. 07/162,597, filed Mar. 1, 1988, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,513 issued Dec. 5, 1989.
Traditionally, office and commercial work environments have been characterized by permanent or semipermanent space divider walls which define individual work areas. Such work areas have been furnished with furniture of the conventional type, that is, furniture entirely or substantially entirely independent of the walls. Conventional furniture design is often desirable because of the privacy it affords workers Such arrangements, however, are not without drawbacks and are considered in many ways undesirable for use in modern office and commercial environments.
To overcome the problems presented in the modern work environment by conventional furniture design, in the early 60s, work environment systems capable of rapid changeover from one arrangement to another were developed. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,414,765, to Propst et al., issued Aug. 16, 1966, which discloses the concepts of the now well-known work environment system of the so-called "open-plan" type. Open plan work environment systems typically include a number of workstations defined by a plurality of freestanding walls generally detachably joined together in a number of ways to form workstations of varying size and configuration, with the walls serving as visual and audio barriers between the workstations. The freestanding walls not only subdivide the work area, but they also provide a means upon which functional components, such as work surfaces, cabinets and the like, can be mounted. The functional components can be positioned in a number of locations within the workstations to adapt the same to the demands of different activities. The functional components, while supported by the freestanding walls, are wholly independent of the same so that the components could be completely interchanged and installed for use with any one or more of the freestanding walls of the workstations. In addition, because the freestanding walls of the open plan office system are adapted to be rearranged from one pattern of organization to another, the workstations can be quickly changed over in size, shape, orientation and arrangement to adapt the work environment system to new requirements as the usage of the work space changes from time to time. Other open plan work environment systems particularly adapted for use in modern office environments are manufactured and sold by Applicant's assignee, Herman Miller, Inc., of Zeeland, Michigan, under the trademarks ACTION OFFICE and ETHOSPACE
In addition, modern office designs can be include systems for organizing papers, folders, books, among other items normally associated with business activities. Because organization of work space in modern office systems is vital to work space efficiency and to obtaining a quality work product, a means in the work space which promotes such organization is very desirable. For example, open plan office systems have been known to include panels forming series of vertically spaced horizontal support rails having channels adapted to receive downwardly-depending hooks of work accessories to removably mount the work accessories to the rails. Conventional office designs do not specifically afford convenient placement of such rail-containing panels for access thereto by workers situated at conventional freestanding desks. Indeed, rails of similar type may be mounted to permanent interior walls spaced a relatively great distance from a worker's desk or incorporated within freestanding cabinetry positioned directly adjacent such permanent walls. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,274,687, to Bayles et al., and 4,174,486, to Winkler, issued Jun. 23, 1981 and Nov. 13, 1986, respectively, both of which disclose freestanding cabinetry incorporating series of horizontally stacked rails adapted to removably support work accessories.
The freestanding walls of open plan office systems provide a convenient support for work accessory support rails and thus have been so used. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,685,255, to Kelly et al., issued Aug. 11, 1987. In addition, work accessory support rails have been mounted into cabinets mountable to the freestanding walls as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,618,192, to Kelley, issued Oct. 21, 1986.
Although the open plan office furniture system has many advantages in that it is able to readily accommodate the demands of the modern-day work environment, it is not without its disadvantages. Most objected to is the detrimental psychological impact such furniture systems have on workers. Although the freestanding walls between workstations defined thereby were originally believed to positively affect worker morale by serving as visual and audio barriers between workstations and thus providing privacy to workers, it is now felt that placing workers in a maze of nearly identical work cubicles may actually lower worker morale. Such work environments are believed to have a "sterilizing" effect on workers who come to feel anonymous, resulting in a less than adequate work product. In addition, because the freestanding walls of the open plan modern office system are typically less than full height, one workstation defined by the walls may not be effectively insulated from sounds generated in a neighboring workstation.
For example, there has been provided freestanding desks having channels or wiring ducting beneath the desk tops and within the desk legs or pedestals as disclosed in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. Ball et al., 3,635,174, issued Jan. 18, 1972; Holper et al., 4,094,256, issued Jun. 13, 1978; Hildebrandt et al., 4,296,981, issued Oct. 27, 1981; and Ball, 4,323,291, issued Apr. 6, 1982.
According to the invention, a desk comprises a top and at least one leg supporting the top. The leg includes a first support having a first substantially vertical portion and a first mounting means extending from the first vertical portion. The leg also includes a second support having a second substantially vertical portion and a second mounting means extending from the second vertical portion. The first and second supports are mounted together in inverted relationship at the first and second mounting means. The first and second mounting means are complementary to one another only when the supports are positioned in inverted relationship. The leg further includes securing means cooperating with the first and second mounting means to securely mount the first and second supports together in inverted relationship.
The first and second mounting means are identical and each comprises at least one pair of plates on the respective support, the pair of plates on the first support being complementary to and positioned in overlapping engagement with the pair of plates on the second support only when the supports are positioned in inverted relationship.
The desk also comprises right and left ends and front and rear sides. The first and second vertical portions are substantially identical with respect to position of the pair of plates thereon. The first support is mounted to one of the right and left ends at one of the front and rear sides. The second support is mounted to the first support, with the second vertical portion positioned in inverted relationship with respect to the first vertical portion to position the pairs of plates in overlapping complementary relationship at the other of the front and rear sides.
The securing means comprises a pair of aligned openings extending through each pair of the complementary overlapping plates on the first and second supports and a screw in registry with the pair of aligned openings and threadably engaging the complementary plates.
In one embodiment of the invention, the first and second supports are mounted together in spaced-apart relationship, and the leg further comprises a leg channel defined by and between the first and second supports and the pairs of complementary plates. The channel receives wiring of work tools supported on the desk top.
In another embodiment of the invention, the desk top comprises an end edge, a work surface, a bottom surface and a central portion. The desk further includes slot means within one of the right and left desk top ends, adjacent the end edge and extending inwardly therefrom to a position adjacent the central portion of the desk top; wire manager means received within the slot means and enclosing a desk top channel for receiving wiring of work tools supported on the desk top; and means for securely fastening the wire manager means to the top in registry with the slot means. The wire manager means includes an inner end adjacent to the desk top central portion, an outer end adjacent to the desk top end edge and a pair of inner and outer openings at the inner and outer ends, respectively, for providing access of wiring to and from the desk top channel.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the desk comprises work tool support means for adjustably supporting a work tool in a variety of positions above the desk top for convenient access thereto. Attachment means removably attaches the work tool support means to one pair of the overlapping complementary plates on the first and second supports.
In another embodiment of the invention, the desk comprises opposite ends, another leg substantially identical with the one leg, the legs being positioned at the desk opposite ends, and means for supporting work tools in positions for convenient access thereto. The work tool support means comprises rail means for removably supporting work tools and rail attachment means for removably mounting the rail means to one pair of the complementary plates at each of the desk ends.
According to the invention, there is further provided a desk having a top and at least one leg supporting the top. The leg has a first support, a second support, means for securely mounting the first and second supports together in spaced relationship and a leg channel defined by and between the first and second supports and the mounting means. The leg channel is adapted to receive wiring of work tools positioned on the desk top. The mounting means comprises at least one pair of overlapping plates on and extending from the first and second supports, and securing means for rigidly securing the plates together in overlapping relationship. The securing means comprises a pair of aligned holes extending through the overlapping plates and a screw in registry with the holes and threadably engaging the plates. The desk top also includes a first transverse end and front and rear sides, with the leg being positioned at the first transverse end. The first and second supports are disposed at the desk top front and rear sides, respectively, and the plates on the first and second supports extend rearwardly and forwardly thereof, respectively.
In this latter embodiment, the desk top further comprises a second transverse end and the desk also includes another leg identical to the one leg and positioned at the second transverse end. Panel means is mounted to and between the legs and defines a channel means in registry with the leg channels. Wiring can be channeled from the desk to the floor and between the leg channels through the leg channels and the channel means. Also in this latter embodiment, the desk comprises means at the desk top front side for supporting a work tool, and bracket means for movably mounting the support means to the desk at a variety of adjusted positions. Electrical wiring of work tools supported by the support means can be channeled from the desk top to the floor through the leg channel.
The invention also contemplates the concept of a desk having a top and a first end, a first end edge, a work surface, a bottom surface and a central portion, wherein the desk also includes a slot means, a wire manager means and a fastening means. The slot means is within the top first end, is adjacent the first end edge and extends inwardly therefrom to a position adjacent the central portion. The wire manager means is received within the slot means and encloses a desk top channel for receiving wiring of work tools positioned on the work surface. The fastening means secures the wire manager means to the top in registry with the slot means The wire manager means further includes an inner end adjacent the desk top central portion, an outer end adjacent the desk top end edge and a pair of inner and outer openings at the inner and outer ends, respectively, for providing access of wiring to and from the desk top channel.
In this latter concept, the wire manager means further comprises a base portion securely fastened to the desk top, substantially equal in length to and received within the slot means and having first and second longitudinal sidewalls, a bottom wall, an open top and a cover mounted to the base portion over the open top, the desk top channel being substantially enclosed by the base portion sidewalls, bottom wall and cover.
Also, according to the invention, the following concept is provided: a desk comprising opposite ends, a top having a work surface and a bottom surface, panel means extending horizontally between the opposite desk ends and substantially vertically downwardly from the bottom surface a predetermined distance for providing privacy to a worker at the desk, and means for mounting the panel means to the desk. The desk top further includes a slot means extending therethrough. The panel means also includes a channel means extending substantially the full length thereof and in registry with the slot means. Wiring of work tools on the work surface can be channeled from the work surface to the desk opposite ends through the channel means and the slot means.
The invention further contemplates the combination of a desk and a work tool support adapted to be mounted to the desk for supporting work tools above a desk top. The work tool support comprises rail means for removably supporting work tools and rail attachment means for removably attaching the rail means to the desk to support work tools in positions for convenient access thereto above the desk top. The rail means comprises a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal support rails, whereby the support rails are adapted to support work tools at a plurality of vertical and horizontal positions above the desk top.
Further, in accordance with the invention, a workstation comprises at least two desks and means for connecting the desks together in end-to-end spaced relationship, each of the desks comprising a top supported by at least one leg. The legs comprise substantially vertical channels extending along lengths of the legs for receiving electrical wiring of work tools positioned on the desk tops. The connecting means comprises a substantially horizontal connecting channel extending the full length of the connecting means and in registry with the leg channels for receiving electrical wiring channeled through the leg channels. Electrical wiring of work tools supported on one desk top can be channeled to the other desk through the leg channel of the one desk and the connecting channel.
The connecting means is substantially wedge-shaped and is adapted to connect the desks together in end-to-end relationship at a predetermined angle formed by front edges of the desk tops.
The invention further contemplates a workstation comprising at least two desks and a means for connecting the desks together in end-to-end spaced relationship, with each of the desks comprising a top. Each of the desk tops comprises slot means extending therethrough. The connecting means comprises a connecting channel extending the full length thereof and in registry with the slot means of the desk tops. Electrical wiring of work tools supported on one desk top can be channeled to the other desk through the slot means of the one desk and the connecting channel.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the leg support taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 4;
FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate rear perspective and side elevational views of another embodiment of the desk.
Referring now to the drawings and in particulur to FIG. 1, there is shown a work environment system generally comprising a plurality of freestanding desks 10 of various size useful in functional combination with permanent interior walls 12 and freestanding "half-height" panels 14 and the components mountable thereon, the panels being of the type associated with a modern office system of the so-called "open plan" type. The desks 10 can be combined and linked together in various numbers and geometrical arrangements by semicircular connectors hereinafter described in detail. The desks 10 include wire management channels, hereinafter described, for housing various wiring for electronically powered work accessories, such as lamps, computers and the like. Additionally, the desks 10 can have mounted thereto work tool support means, also hereinafter described, adapted to removably mount work tools in a variety of arrangements to organize work product for workers situated at the desks. In this manner, the desks 10 provide a functionally efficient as well as aesthetically attractive work environment system having advantages of the conventional and open plan office designs while eliminating as much as practicable the disadvantages associated with such designs as heretofore described.
Each of the identical horizontal portions 26 of the support 22 include on ends 44 thereof bosses 46, preferably formed integral with the support 22 when the same is cast. Once the supports are mounted together as described above, the horizontal portions 26 are prepared for mounting the top 16 to an upper portion 48 of the leg 18 and floor glides 50 to a lower portion 52 of the leg. The bosses 46 on the upper portion 48 of a leg are drilled through, forming bores (not shown) extending through the bosses. Screws (not shown) set in registry with the bores and threaded into holes (not shown) in the top 16 mount the leg 18 to the top. It should be noted that the leg 18 can be so mounted to either side 44 of the top 16 so long as the inner walls 30 and the plates 36 thereof of the supports 22 are positioned inwardly of the outer walls 32 of the supports. At this point in the assembly of the desk, the supports 22 forming the leg 18 become dedicated as "front" and "rear" supports of the leg. Thereafter, the bosses 46 on the lower portion 52 of the leg 18 are drilled and tapped for threadably receiving the floor glides 50.
The outer leg cover 64 is preferably made of injected molded plastic, such as styrene. The resilient doors 86 are preferably formed of resilient polyvinyl chloride.
As shown in FIGS. 9-11, the invention contemplates desks 10 of various size to accommodate particular needs of workers in the work environment. The desks 10 illustrated in these figures represent three of many other possible embodiments envisioned by the invention; however, only three are shown for convenience in illustration. These desks 10 are substantially identical to that heretofore discussed, the only difference being in the size of the horizontal portions 26 of the leg supports 22. As can be seen, with respect to the supports 22 as assembled to form legs 18 of the desks 10, preferably each desk is provided with a pair of relatively large front leg supports 22, the user's side of the desk being designated as the front side thereof, mounted to rear supports 22 of any size. By this design, a worker is provided with sufficient space underneath the desk top 16 to rest his/her legs.
The end cap 130 of the assembly 120 is an L-shaped member having horizontal and vertical legs 176, 178 adapted to cover square opening 180 formed between an outer open end 182 of the wire manager 122 and an outer end 184 of the desk top cover 132. The vertical leg 178 of the end cap 130 includes a pair of horizontally spaced holes 186, each covered by a pair of resilient doors 188 which permit desk-side access to the leg and desk top channels 56, 98. It should be noted that provision of the holes 186 and the doors 188 covering the same can necessitate elimination of the openings 84 on the upper end 86 of the outer leg cover 64 It is desirable to provide the desk 10 with openings 84 on the upper portions 48 of the legs 18 so that work accessories such as the telephone 62 and a desk lamp 105 can be positioned on both side and central portions 102, 104 of the desk top 16, with the wiring 62 of the work accessories substantially hidden from view and out of position of interference with a worker's activities at the desk 10.
As can be seen in FIGS. 14, the outer and inner deep portions 124, 126 of the wire manager 122 have open bottom ends 196 in full registry with the outer half-oval and inner full-oval slots 114, 116 of the desk top 16. By this design, the wiring 60 of the work accessories 62, 105 positioned on the side and central portions 54, 104 of the desk top 16 can be channeled from the work accessories, into the desk top channels 98, through the open bottom ends 196 of the wire manager 122, through the slots 114, 116 and to an electrical receptacle (not shown) located beneath the top 16. Use of such wiring pathways may be preferable to full use of the leg and desk top channels 56, 98.
As shown in FIG. 18, referring to one side 102 of the desk 10, the uppermost pair of overlapping plates 35, 36 can be provided with a pair of aligned apertures 220 for mounting to the desk a work accessory support, such as an armature 222, for supporting a work accessory such as the telephone 62. The armature 222 is mounted to the desk by a tool bracket 224 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "attachment means") having a lower downwardly-depending mounting part 226, a central cap 228 and an upper mounting part 230. The lower mounting part 226 includes a slot 232 extending upwardly from base 234 of the lower part 226 so as to form a pair of spaced legs 236. A pair of aligned orifices 238 extend through the legs 236 and are adapted to align with the aligned apertures 220 of the overlapping plates 36. The central cap 228 includes a horizontal part 240 and a vertical part 242, the lower mounting part 226 depending downwardly from the horizontal part 240 of the cap 228. The upper mounting part 230 of the tool bracket 224 is also mounted to the horizontal part 240 of the cap 228. The upper part 230 is a cylindrical member having a socket 244 formed therein. The armature 222 is adapted to mount to the upper part 230 of the tool bracket 224, is extensible along its longitudinal axis and comprises a base portion 246 having at one end thereof a downwardly-depending first pin 248 and an upper portion 250 slidably mounted to the base portion 46 along a longitudinal axis of the same by a spleen- and-groove connection. The extensible portion 250 has on an outer end 252 thereof an upwardly-projecting second pin 254. A work accessory support tray 256 for supporting, for example, the telephone 62, is adapted to rotatably mount to the outer end 252 of the armature 222 and to this end includes a socket (not shown) formed in a bottom wall 258 thereof and for registry with the second pin 254 of the armature.
Not only can the armature 222 be mounted to the desk 10 as described above, but a work tool support fence 260 can be similarly mounted to the desk as illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20. The support fence 260 comprises, on each side thereof, a lower mounting portion 262 substantially identical in construction to the lower mounting part 226 of the tool bracket 224 and thus having a slot 264 extending upwardly from a base 266 of the lower mounting portion 262 to form spaced legs 268 having aligned orifices 270 therethrough. In addition, like the tool bracket 224, the fence 260 includes a cap 272 having horizontal and vertical parts 274, 276, the mounting portion 262 depending downwardly from the horizontal part 274. An arcuate-shaped rearwardly- and forwardly-extending arm 278 projects upwardly from the horizontal part 272. A vertically disposed rail mounting bracket 280 is mounted on the free end 282 of the arm 278.
Referring now to the support fence 260 as a whole, rather than just one side thereof, the fence further includes a series of elongated spaced horizontal work accessory support rails 284 mounted to and between opposing walls 286 of the spaced rail mounting brackets 280. Each rail 284 has extending along the full length thereof a channel 288 formed in an upper portion 290 of the rail. The rails 284 are adapted to support a variety of work tools such as paper trays 292 and the like in a horizontal cantilevered manner through rearwardly- and downwardly-extending hooks 294 on the trays, engageable with the rails and registrable with the channels 288 thereof.
The tool support fence 260 is mounted to the desk 10 in substantially the same manner as the armature 222, namely, the end caps 130 on each side of the desk are removed from their respective wire managers and the lower mounting portions 262 of the fence are positioned in the leg channels 56 such that the two pairs of spaced legs 268 sandwich the pairs of overlapping plates 35, 36 and the aligned pairs of orifices 270 of the legs align with the pairs of aligned apertures 220 of the plates. Screws 296 are then set in registry with the aligned sets of orifices 270 and aperatures 220 to mount the support fence 260 to the desk.
In another embodiment of the desk 10 having the leg and desk top channels 56, 98, as shown in FIG. 22, the desk top 16 can be provided with a substantially rectangular cut-out portion 306 at the front 308 of the desk and a support 310 of substantially the same dimensions as the cut-out portion 306 mounted to the desk top bottom surface for vertical movement between a lower position below the desk top, shown in chain lines in FIG. 22, and a raised position substantially flush with the top, shown in solid lines. The support 310 is adapted to support a computer keyboard (not shown) or the like, a computer (not shown) connected thereto being supported on the desk top 16. Cables (not shown) associated with the computer can be concealed in the leg and desk top channels 56, 98 as described above with respect to the wiring 60 of the work accessories 62, 105. Movable mounting of the support 310 to the desk top 16 is accomplished by an extensible mounting means 312 known in the art and commercially available from, for example, Webber Knapp, Inc., of Jamestown, N.Y. Such mounting means 312 is illustrated in FIG. 22A and comprises a desk top mounting bracket 350 secured to the desk top, a support mounting bracket 352 to which the support 310 is mounted and an adjustment bracket 354 pivotally mounted to and between the brackets 350, 352 and for facilitating actuation of the support 310 between the lower and raised positions. A locking handle 356 functions to fix the adjustment bracket 354 relative to the brackets 350, 352 to lock the support 310 in the desired adjusted position.
It has been found desirable to link or connect two or more desks 10 of the same or differing embodiment in end-to-end relationship and at angles to one another to form a work station of substantially radial configuration for one or more workers. To this end, as illustrated in FIGS. 23-25, there is provided a spacer 12 mounted between opposing transverse ends 307 of a pair of adjacent desks 10 positioned adjacent to one another at any one of a number of angles. The spacer 12 comprises one or more identical wedge-shaped elements 309 securely mounted together to form a semicircular spacer 312 between the adjacent desks.
As indicated above, one element 309 can be used alone to space a pair of desks at a relatively large angle or two or more elements can be used in connected combination when the desks 10 are positioned at gradually decreasing angles, preferably not less than 90° with respect to one another. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, two, three, four or six linking elements 309 are mounted together to space a pair of desks 10 at angles of 150°, 135°, 120° and 90°, respectively. The elements 309 can be mounted together by elongated plate-like brackets (not shown) mattinqly engaging and securely mounted to, by screws (not shown) or the like, adjacent bottom surfaces 319 of the horizontal legs 311 of the elements.
Not only does the vertical leg 316 of the element 309 of the spacer 312 function as a privacy curtain or visual barrier as do the aprons 20 of the desks, but the vertical leg also manages wiring 60 between the desks 10 in the same manner as the aprons 20 of the desks provide wire management. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the vertical leg 16 of the element 309 is provided in bottom end 322 of the vertical leg with forwardly- and upwardly-extending portion 324, 326 forming a connecting channel 328 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "fourth channel") of the spacer and in which the wiring 60 can be carried between the desks 10.
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