Variable configuration desk system with power and communication capability

• US 20030136313A1
• Filed: 01/22/2003
• Published: 07/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Krueger International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Krueger International Incorporated
• Inventors: Griepentrog, Dennis G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,278,360 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 108/50.02
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/06 characterised by means for holding, fastening or concealing cables
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 83/001 Office desks or work-stations combined with other pieces of furniture, e.g. work space management systems

Abstract

A desk system with power and/or communication capability includes a series of interconnected desk sections. Each desk section includes a pair of leg that support a worksurface, and one or more stanchions extend upwardly from the worksurface. A primary power distribution system is located below the worksurface. The primary power distribution system includes receptacles mounted to a beam that extends between the pair of legs. Openings are formed in the legs for enabling the primary power distribution system to pass from one desk section to another. Each stanchion defines an open interior and is mounted above an opening formed in the worksurface. Each stanchion includes a mounting plate, and one or more power and/or communication supply blocks are adapted for securement to the mounting plate. Flexible cords or cables extend from each mounting block through the opening in the worksurface, and are plugged into the receptacles or the primary power distribution system located below the worksurface.

Claims

1. A desk system, comprising:

a pair of spaced apart leg members, wherein at least one of the leg members includes an open interior area;

a worksurface supported by the pair of leg members; and

a power stanchion located above at least one of the leg members, wherein the power stanchion defines a receptacle mounting arrangement above the worksurface;

wherein the worksurface includes an opening arranged to establish communication between the receptacle mounting arrangement and the open interior area of the leg member; and

a power supply arrangement including a primary power supply located below the worksurface and a stanchion power supply that extends from the primary power supply through the opening in the worksurface, wherein the stanchion power supply includes a stanchion power supply receptacle engaged with the receptacle mounting arrangement of the power stanchion.

2. The desk system of claim 1, including a pair of leg members and a pair of power stanchions, wherein each power stanchion is located above one of the leg members and wherein the worksurface includes a pair of openings, each of which is arranged to establish communication between the open interior area of one of the leg members and the receptacle mounting arrangement of the power stanchion located above the leg member, and further comprising an overhead storage member supported between the power stanchions.

3. The desk system of claim 1, wherein the receptacle mounting arrangement of each power stanchion comprises an internal plate member forming a part of the power stanchion, wherein one or more power supply receptacles are mounted to the internal plate member, and wherein each stanchion further includes a cover movable between an open position and a closed position for selectively providing access to the one or more power supply receptacles mounted to the plate member.

4. The desk system of claim 3, wherein the power stanchion comprises a pair of upstanding external walls, and wherein the internal plate member extends between and is interconnected with the pair of upstanding external walls.

5. The desk system of claim 4, wherein the internal plate member and the pair of upstanding external walls are configured to define an internal cavity within which the one or more power supply receptacles are located, wherein each power supply receptacle includes power supply receiver structure that is configured to face outwardly from the internal plate member.

6. The desk system of claim 5, wherein the internal plate member and the cover are configured to define an outer space located therebetween when the cover is in the closed position, wherein the power supply receiver structure is disposed in the outer space for providing access thereto when the cover is in the open position.

7. The desk system of claim 6, wherein the cover includes a lower edge located adjacent an upwardly facing surface defined by the worksurface, and further comprising a resilient seal member associated with the lower edge of the cover, wherein the resilient seal member is constructed and arrange to accommodate one or more power cords extending from one or more items supported by the worksurface and engaged with the power supply receiver structure of one of the power supply receptacles.

8. The desk system of claim 6, wherein the cover is pivotably mounted to the stanchion for movement between the open and closed positions.

9. The desk system of claim 1, wherein each leg member includes a pair of generally perpendicular outer walls.

10. The desk system of claim 9, wherein each leg member further includes a cover member that extends between and is interconnected with the outer walls, wherein the outer walls and the cover member cooperate to define the open interior area of the leg member.

11. The desk system of claim 10, wherein the cover member is removably mounted to and between the outer walls to provide selective access to the internal area of the leg member.

12. The desk system of claim 7, wherein the desk system includes a first pair of legs members and a first worksurface that cooperate to define a first desk section, and a second pair of leg members and a second worksurface that cooperate to define a second desk section, wherein each outer wall of each leg member includes an opening, and wherein the openings in the outer walls of one of the leg members in the first pair of leg members and in one of the leg members in the second pair of leg members are positioned to be in alignment with each other when the first and second desk sections are positioned adjacent each other, wherein the primary power supply of the power supply arrangement is configured to extend through the aligned openings to supply power to the first and second desk sections.

13. The desk system of claim 12, wherein the outer wall of each leg member defines an upper end and a lower end, and wherein the outer wall of each leg member includes an upper opening located toward the upper end and a lower opening located toward the lower end.

14. The desk system of claim 12, wherein an opening in one of the outer walls of one of the leg members of the first and second pairs of leg members are positioned in alignment with each other for supplying power between the first and second desk sections, and wherein the opening in the other of the outer walls of the leg members are exposed, and further comprising a leg opening cover engaged within the exposed openings.

15. The desk system of claim 1, wherein the primary power supply includes a power supply outlet located below the worksurface, and wherein the stanchion power supply comprises a flexible cord that extends from the stanchion power supply receptacle into engagement with the power supply outlet of the primary power supply.

16. A desk system, comprising:

a series of adjacent desk sections, wherein each desk section includes a worksurface, and at least a pair of spaced apart leg members engaged with the worksurface to support the worksurface above a supporting surface, wherein each leg member defines an open interior; and

a power distribution system for supplying power to the desk sections, wherein the power distribution system includes at least one opening in each leg member, and a power supply arrangement which extends through the openings in the leg members for supplying power between adjacent desk sections.

17. The desk system of claim 16, further comprising one or more power stanchions extending upwardly from the worksurface of at least one of the desk sections, and wherein the power distribution system includes a primary power supply located below the worksurfaces of the desk sections and a stanchion power supply interconnected with the primary power supply, wherein the stanchion power supply includes a stanchion power receptacle located above the worksurface.

18. The desk system of claim 17, wherein the stanchion defines an interior and includes an internal mounting member located in the interior, wherein the stanchion power receptacle is mounted to the internal mounting member.

19. The desk system of claim 18, wherein the stanchion further includes a cover member movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the cover member in the open position provides access to the stanchion power receptacle and wherein the cover member in the open position prevents access to the power receptacle.

20. The desk system of claim 18, wherein the worksurface includes an opening providing access between an open interior of each leg member and the interior of the stanchion, wherein the stanchion power supply includes an outlet and a flexible connector extending from the outlet through the worksurface opening into engagement with a power receptacle associated with the power distribution system for supplying power to a location above the worksurface.

21. The desk system of claim 16, wherein each leg member is defined by a pair of generally perpendicular outer walls, wherein each outer wall includes at least one opening.

22. The desk system of claim 21, wherein, when a pair of desk sections are placed adjacent each other, the opening in one of the outer walls of at least one f the leg members of each desk section is exposed, and further comprising a leg opening cover for engagement with the leg member outer wall to cover the exposed opening.

23. The desk system of claim 20, wherein each leg member further includes a removable cover engageable with the outer walls for selectively providing access to the open interior of the leg member.

24. A desk system, comprising:

a pair of leg members;

a worksurface engaged with and supported by the leg members;

stanchion means extending upwardly from the worksurface; and

power distribution means located below the worksurface and including stanchion power supply means extending above the worksurface, wherein the stanchion power supply means includes power outlet means engaged with the stanchion means.

25. The desk system of claim 24, wherein the desk system includes at least first and second adjacent desk sections, wherein each desk section includes a pair of leg members and a worksurface, and wherein the leg members and the power distribution means are configured and arranged to supply power between the first and second adjacent desk sections.

26. The desk system of claim 25, wherein the power distribution means comprises openings in the leg members of adjacent desk sections and a conduit arrangement that extends through the openings.

27. The desk system of claim 26, wherein each leg member includes a pair of generally perpendicular outer walls, each of which includes a power distribution opening, wherein certain of the power distribution openings are exposed when the first and second desk sections are placed adjacent each other, and further comprising cover means for enclosing the exposed power distribution openings.

28. The desk system of claim 24, wherein the stanchion means defines an open interior, wherein the stanchion power supply means includes a power outlet located in the open interior of the stanchion means, and wherein the stanchion means further includes a cover member movable between an open position for providing access to the power outlet and a closed position for preventing access to the power outlet.

29. The desk system of claim 28, wherein the worksurface includes an opening, and wherein the power distribution means includes a power receptacle located below the worksurface and a flexible cord that extends through the worksurface opening and interconnects the power outlet of the stanchion power supply means with the power receptacle.