Abstract:
A desk providing a work surface and having a top, a bottom, a perimeter edge, and a U-shaped channel disposed below the top of the work surface adjacent the perimeter edge. The U-shaped channel includes a vertical member extending downwardly from the work surface proximate the perimeter edge, a bridge member, and a back member extending upwardly from the bridge member and spaced from the vertical member. A plurality of legs are attached to the bottom of the work surface to support the work surface a predetermined distance above a floor. The desk may be fitted with a return rotatably attached to at least one of the plurality of legs such that the return can be rotated under the work surface when not in use.

Description:
This application claims priority to United States Provisional Application No. 60/083,422, filed Apr. 29, 1998. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to furniture, and more particularly to furniture used in an office, or home office environment. 
     Today&#39;s businesses rely heavily upon a variety of different electrical apparatus as the primary means by which information is received and disseminated. Thus, it is almost invariable that every desk encountered in a business environment supports one or more of these electronic apparatus. Common to most every office desk is at least a computer and a telephone. However, there are a variety of other devices that are normally positioned atop a business desk. Such other apparatus includes dictation/recorders, computer printers, computer scanners, telephone answering machines, facsimile machines, paper copiers and image scanners. Each of these office tools contain at least one electrical cable and may include additional cables permitting electrical communication with other devices. For example, such additional cables include the cable connecting the computer to the computer printer, the telephone cable between the facsimile machine and the telephone outlet and the connection between an image scanner and a computer. 
     Depending upon the particular arrangement of devices on the desk, these cables are often strewn in a haphazard arrangement on the top of the desk. This arrangement is unacceptable because it decreases the effective area in which a person can work. Also, many of these cables are positioned such that they partially hang over the back of the desk. This arrangement produces a visually unpleasant work environment. Moreover, if the particular desk is in a common area through which people frequently pass, there exists the potential for inadvertent contact with the cables which can damage the cables. In addition, a passing individual may become entangled in these cables and, as a result, pull the dedicated electrical apparatus from the desk causing irreparable damage to the electrical apparatus and personal injury. 
     Additionally, in order to provide maximum space utilization, many offices are arranged such that the individual desks are positioned in an open area. As a result, persons working in this environment do not enjoy a sense of privacy. Furthermore, the typical office desk does not afford the worker any appreciable degree of modesty, i.e. privacy for the area existing below the worksurface of the desk. 
     Another shortcoming with respect to present day office furniture is in the area of conference tables. Normal conference tables comprise a substantially rectangular, horizontal worksurface with a series of legs depending therefrom. During meetings, presentations, and seminars, one or more electrical apparatus are often used to convey information. In this context, such electrical devices include overhead projectors, slide projectors, film projectors, and phone teleconferencing equipment. To use these devices, one must normally attach the electrical cable to the electrical outlet positioned in the wall adjacent to the conference table. Thus, the cable hangs over a side of the conference table and prevents individuals from moving freely about the conference room. 
     Therefore, there exists a need for an office furniture system which effectively eliminate the problems extant in the prior art and is cost effective to manufacture. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly the present invention advances a new and unique office furniture system which successfully eliminates problems unaddressed by the prior art. According to one preferred aspect of the invention, the office furniture system is embodied in a utility desk having a cable channel depending from the back of the worksurface. This cable channel is dimensioned to accept the electrical cables connected to the electrical apparatus positioned on the worksurface. In accepting these electrical cables, the cable channel improves the visual appearance of the work area and prevents inadvertent contact between individuals and the electrical cables. In addition, placement of the electrical cables within the channel increases the effective workspace area. Moreover, the cable channel depends a preselected distance below the worksurface and thereby provides the worker with a degree of modesty. 
     According to another preferred aspect of the invention, the desk includes a vertical back extending from the cable channel. The top of the back may contain a horizontal shelf extending therefrom, thereby providing an additional worksurface. Also, the vertical back may be formed with a window having an adjustable shade positioned thereover. This vertical back in combination with the window provides the worker with a degree of privacy. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the pair of legs positioned proximate to the back of the worksurface are equipped with rollers. These rollers facilitate movement of the desk when rearrangement of the work area is required. 
     According to still another aspect of the invention, the desk includes a return rotatably attached to a front leg of the desk. The return is equipped with a pair of legs having rollers attached thereto, permitting the return to be rotated about the leg of the desk. Thus, the return provides an additional work surface and can be positioned under the worksurface of the desk when not in use. 
     According to yet another aspect of the invention, a conference table is provided having a generally rectangular worksurface with four legs depending therefrom. The front of the worksurface is formed with a cutout section while the pair of legs positioned proximate to the front of the worksurface are fitted with rollers to thereby provide mobility. In a preferred embodiment, two individual conference tables are juxtaposed such that the front surfaces of the adjacent conference tables are in abutting contact, with the cutout sections of the respective tables in registration. When so positioned, these conference tables create an enlarged cutout section dimensioned to enable electrical cables to extend therethrough. 
     These and other advantages, benefits and objects will be understood by one skilled in the art from the drawings, description and claims which follow. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a utility desk according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 a  is a rear perspective view of the desk illustrated in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 2 b  is a side view of the desk illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 a  shown supporting a computer depicted in phantom; 
     FIG. 3 is a front exploded view of the desk shown in FIGS. 1,  2   a  and  2   b;    
     FIG. 4 is a rear exploded view of the desk shown in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a front view of a utility desk according to the invention illustrating both a return and a window shade; 
     FIG. 6 is a front view of the utility desk of FIG. 5 with the shade shown in the drawn position; 
     FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a utility desk according to an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the utility desk illustrated in FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a utility desk according to another alternative embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the utility desk illustrated in FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a utility desk according to the invention illustrated attached to a return; 
     FIG. 12 is a top view of the return illustrated in FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a conference table according to the invention; 
     FIG. 14 is a top view illustrating a pair of conference tables according to the invention shown in the juxtaposed position; 
     FIG. 15 is a front view of the conference tables illustrated in FIG. 14; 
     FIG. 16 is a side view of a utility desk according to an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 17 is a detailed side view of the cable channel of the utility desk illustrated in FIG. 16; 
     FIG. 18 is a partial cross-sectional front view of a utility desk according to another alternative preferred embodiment of the invention; and 
     FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional side view taken along line I—I of FIG.  18 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention is embodied in a unique desk particularly suited for office or home use. Turning now to FIGS. 1,  2   a  and  2   b,  there is shown a desk according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and generally designated by reference numeral  10 . Desk  10  contains a worksurface  20  and a plurality of legs  60  depending from bottom surface  22  of worksurface  20 . Legs  60  support worksurface  20  a preselected distance above the floor. Worksurface  20  is of a generally rectangular shape having a front  24 , opposing sides  26 ,  28  and a rear  30 . Depending from rear  30  of worksurface  20  is a cable channel  32 . Cable channel  32  spans from side  26  to side  28  and depends a preselected distance from rear  30  of worksurface  20 . Cable channel  32  includes a vertical member  34  attached to rear  30  of worksurface  20  and a vertical back  36 . Vertical member  34  and back  36  are joined by a horizontal bridge member  35  and hence defines an interior  37  between vertical member  34  and back  36 . As shown in FIG. 2 b,  interior  37  is dimensioned to receive one or more electrical cables  152  attached to an electrical apparatus  150  positioned on top  21  of worksurface  20 . As illustrated, electrical device  150  is a computer, however, it will be recognized by those with ordinary skill in the art that electrical device  150  may be any electrical device commonly used in a home or business office environment. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, top  38  of back  36  may be approximately coplanar with top  21  of work surface  20 . 
     In an alternative preferred embodiment as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, back  36  may extend above the plane defined by top  21  of work surface  20 . A shelf  38  extends substantially horizontally from top  37  of back  36 . Preferably, shelf  38  extends in a direction towards work surface  20 . 
     In the most preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1,  2   a  and  2   b,  back  36  extends a greater distance above the plane defined by top  21  of work surface  20  than back  36  of FIGS. 7 and 8. In this embodiment, back  36  is fitted with a window  40 . As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, interior surface  41  of back  36  supports a shade  42  which can be adjustably positioned over window  40 . As shown in FIG. 5, shade  42  is illustrated in the open position whereas FIG. 6 illustrates shade  42  in the drawn position, thereby covering window  40 . In the most preferred form, window  40  is approximately thirteen and one quarter inches high and six inches wide, but other dimensions may be acceptably utilized. Alternatively, a plurality of windows  40  may be located in back  36 . 
     Desk  10  is supported a preselected distance above the floor by a pair of front legs  62  attached proximate to front  24  and a pair of rear legs  64  depending from exterior surface  65  of bridge member  35 . As shown, legs  64  are slightly curved, however it will be appreciated by those with ordinary skill in the art that legs  64  may assume any shape without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Preferably, rear legs  64  are fitted with rollers or casters  63  to facilitate the movement of desk  10 . Additionally, one or both of front legs  62  may be fitted with glides or levelers (not shown) which serve to adjust legs  62  when desk  10  is positioned on a non-level floor. 
     Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 4, desk  10  is preferably assembled by attaching bottom edge  67  of vertical member  34  to surface  66  of bridge member  35 . Attachment can be accomplished by any means commonly employed in the art including, but not limited to, mechanical fasteners and adhesives. In desk  10 , the positioning and configuration of cable channel  32  provides the lower region of back  36  with the dual function of forming a component of cable channel  32  as well as forming a modesty panel that depends from work surface  20 . Positioning of rear legs  64  on the undersurface of bridge member  35  causes cable channel  32  to also perform a leg support function for a portion of the distance below work surface  20 . This reduces the amount of metal utilized in rear legs  64  and thus desk  10 . In the most preferred form, cable channel  32  has a thickness or spacing between vertical member  34  and back  36  of approximately two inches, and has a depth or spacing between the upper surfaces of bridge member  35  and work surface  20  of approximately ten and one quarter inches. Other dimensions may be utilized which accommodate cabling for equipment such as computers, modems, ISDNs, telephones, dictating machines, monitors, facsimile machines, photocopiers, image scanners and the like. 
     In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, bridge member  35  includes a first pair of vertical uprights  35 ′ and a second pair of uprights  35 ″, dimensioned to receive vertical member  34  and back  36 , respectively. Uprights  35 ′ and  35 ″ are formed with teeth  35 ′″ which removably engage mating recesses  36 ′ found in vertical member  34  and back  36 . Additionally, bridge member  35  is formed with a cable guide clip  39  dimensioned to accept the electrical cables positioned within bridge member  35 . In this embodiment, rear legs  64  are attached to and depend from bridge member  35 . Uprights  35 ′ and  35 ″ of bridge member  35  permit facile and secure attachment between vertical member  34  and back  36 . Furthermore, the detachable feature of bridge member  35  permits quick dissassembly in the event it is desired to store or transport utility desk  10 . In a preferred embodiment, bridge member  35  is made of aluminum. 
     Turning now to FIGS. 5,  6 ,  11  and  12 , desk  10  may also include a rotatable return  70  attached to a leg  62  and extending therefrom below bottom  23  of work surface  20 . Return  70  includes a work surface  72  having a bottom surface  73 . A pair of legs  74  depend from bottom surface  73  of work surface  72  with each leg  74  having a wheel or caster  75 . As shown in FIG. 12, work surface  72  of return  73  is formed with an aperture  76  dimensioned to loosely surround leg  62 . Hence, an individual may utilize return  70  as an additional work surface when needed and when not in use, rotate return  70  such that work surface  72  is positioned under bottom  23  of work surface  20 . 
     In the most preferred embodiment, legs  62 ,  64  and  74  of desk  10  and return  70  are made of tubular steel and are powder coated. Also, in the most preferred embodiment, work surface  20 , vertical member  34 , bridge member  35  and back  36  are made of maple, multi-ply or high grade veneered plywood. However, it will be recognized by one with ordinary skill in the art that other materials can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Turning now to FIGS. 18 and 19, desk  10  may also include a tower  90  dimensioned to receive and support the central processing unit (CPU) of a computer (not shown). Tower  90  is positioned below bottom  23  of work surface  20 , and is preferably flush against surface  33  of vertical member  34 . As shown in FIG. 18, a vertical shelving unit  94  is positioned against, and preferably attached to, side  28  of work surface  20 . In this embodiment, legs  64  (FIG. 16) of bridge member  35  are replaced by legs  95  (FIG. 18) depending from tower  90  and legs  96  of vertical shelving  94 . 
     In another aspect, the present invention is embodied in a unique conference table, a preferred embodiment of which is shown in FIGS. 13 through 15, and generally designated by reference numeral  100 . Conference table  100  includes a work surface  102  having a plurality of legs  104  depending therefrom which support work surface  102  a preselected distance above the floor. Work surface  102  includes a front  110 , opposing sides  112  and  114  and a rear  116 . Formed in front  110  of work surface  102  is a cutout section  120 . Preferably, cutout section  120  is in the shape of a half circle. Legs  104 , positioned proximate to front  110  of work surface  102 , are each fitted with a wheel or caster  122  to permit movement of conference table  100 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, conference table  100  is preferably used in conjunction with a second conference table  100 . In this embodiment, conference tables  100  are juxtaposed such that fronts  110  of work surfaces  102  are placed in abutting contact. When so positioned, cutout sections  120  are positioned in registration, and together form a circular aperture. This circular aperture is dimensioned to permit electrical cables to extend therethrough and thus provides a more convenient method for supporting electrical devices upon top  103  of work surface  102  and subsequently connecting electrical apparatus to an electrical outlet. Alternatively, conference table  100  may be provided with a plurality of circular apertures forming cable access ports through work surfaces  102 . A plurality of cutout sections  120  may be provided along fronts  110  in order to form a plurality of cable access openings when work surfaces  120  are mated. Also alternatively, conference tables  100  may be mated with one or more additional spacing sections that have a planar upper surface and opposing facing sides that abuttingly mate with fronts  110  and opposed side edges that conform to the configuration of sides  112  and  114 . Such spacing sections may be fitted with support legs or alternatively fasteners that connect to work surfaces  102 , and include cutout sections that mate with cutout sections  120 . 
     In the most preferred embodiment, front  110  of work surface  102  has a length of approximately 44.38 inches, rear  116  has a length of approximately 36.0 inches and opposing sides  112  and  114  have a length of approximately 60.0 inches. 
     It is to be understood that the foregoing is a description of the preferred embodiments. One skilled in the art will recognize that variations, modifications, and improvements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention disclosed herein. The scope of protection is to be measured by the claims which follow and the breath of interpretation which the law allows, including the doctrine of equivalents.