ARTICLE OF FURNITURE WITH TAMBOUR MODESTY PANEL

• US 20080303394A1
• Filed: 03/04/2008
• Published: 12/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kimball International Incorporated (HNI Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimball International Incorporated (HNI Corporation)
• Inventors: Woods, Donald F., Moore, Bobby G.
• Application Number:
  US12/041,699
• Publication Number:
  US 20080303394A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 312/317.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/12 Vanity or modesty panels
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 96/00 Details of cabinets, racks or shelf units not covered by a single one of groups A47B43/00 - A47B95/00; General details of furniture doors E06B

Abstract

A tambour modesty panel for use with articles of furniture. In one exemplary embodiment, the tambour modesty panel is positioned under a work surface of an article of furniture and includes a tambour positioned between opposing end panels. In one embodiment, the opposing end panels include a groove formed therein for receiving opposing sides of the tambour and directing the movement of the tambour. In another embodiment, opposing end panels of the tambour modesty panel include tracks secured thereto for receiving opposing sides of the tambour and directing the movement of the tambour. When the work surface is positioned adjacent to a wall having services outlets positioned within the wall, access to the outlets may be provided by moving the tambour to an open position. Alternatively, to restrict access to and/or to obstruct the view of the outlets and cables, the tambour may be moved to a closed position.

Claims

1. In combination:

a wall having at least one services outlet; and

an article of furniture positioned adjacent said wall, said article of furniture comprising;

a work surface;

work surface support structure; and

a tambour positioned below said work surface, said tambour movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein placing said tambour in said open position provides access to the at least one services outlet and placing said tambour in said closed position substantially restricts access to the at least one services outlet.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said article of furniture further comprises a pair of end panels having corresponding grooves formed therein, wherein opposing sides of said tambour are received within said grooves to direct the movement of said tambour between said open position and said closed position.

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein said work surface of said article of furniture includes a grommet, said grommet providing access to a clearance space between said wall and said tambour.

4. The combination of claim 1, wherein said article of furniture includes a vertical panel, said vertical panel having an aperture providing access to a clearance space between said wall and said tambour.

5. The combination of claim 1, wherein said tambour includes a tension mechanism.

6. The combination of claim 5, wherein said tension mechanism includes a spring, said spring tensioning when said tambour is moved toward said closed position.

7. An article of furniture positioned adjacent said wall, said article of furniture comprising:

a work surface;

work surface support structure, said work surface and said work surface support structure together defining a knee hole area adjacent a front side of said furniture and a clearance space beneath said work surface adjacent a rear side of said furniture; and

a tambour positioned below said work surface, said tambour movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein placing said tambour in said open position provides access between said knee hole area and said clearance space and placing said tambour in said closed position substantially restricts access between said knee hole area and said clearance space.

8. The combination of claim 7, wherein said article of furniture further comprises a pair of end panels having corresponding grooves formed therein, wherein opposing sides of said tambour are received within said grooves to direct the movement of said tambour between said open position and said closed position.

9. The combination of claim 7, wherein said work surface of said article of furniture includes a grommet, said grommet providing access to said clearance space.

10. The combination of claim 7, wherein said article of furniture includes a vertical panel, said vertical panel having an aperture providing access to said clearance space.

11. The combination of claim 7, wherein said tambour includes a tension mechanism.

12. The combination of claim 11, wherein said tension mechanism includes a spring, said spring tensioning when said tambour is moved toward said closed position.