DUAL HEIGHT WORKSTATION CONFIGURATION

• US 20100288168A1
• Filed: 05/15/2009
• Published: 11/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Inventors: Mead, Karl J., Rheault, Alan E., Vangelatos, George K.
• Granted Patent: US 8,196,526 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 108/28
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/10 Tops characterised by shape, other than circular or rectangular
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/066 with power or communication connection interface
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/00 Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/04 characterised by means for holding or fastening typewriters or computer equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/06 characterised by means for holding, fastening or concealing cables

Abstract

A worksurface arrangement comprising at least a first support member, a first worksurface forming member supported by the first support member at a first vertical height and extending to a first side from the first support member, a second worksurface forming member supported by the first support member at a second vertical height and extending to a second side opposite the first side of the first support member and a housing including, a front cover extending below the first worksurface forming member, a substantially vertical upper back cover extending downward from the first worksurface forming member substantially to the second vertical height proximate the second worksurface forming member and spaced from the front cover wherein the upper back cover and the front cover bound an upper housing cavity width and a lower back cover extending below the second worksurface forming member and spaced from the front cover wherein the lower back cover and the front cover bound a lower housing cavity width that is larger than the upper housing cavity width.

Claims

1. A worksurface arrangement comprising:

at least a first support member extending upward from a base end when the base end is received on a support surface;

a first worksurface forming member supported by the first support member at a first vertical height and extending to a first side from the first support member;

a second worksurface forming member supported by the first support member at a second vertical height and extending to a second side opposite the first side of the first support member where the second vertical height is different than the first vertical height;

a housing forming a housing cavity, the housing including;

(i) a front cover extending below the first worksurface forming member;

(ii) a substantially vertical upper back cover extending downward from the first worksurface forming member substantially to the second vertical height proximate the second worksurface forming member and spaced from the front cover wherein the upper back cover and the front cover bound an upper housing cavity width; and

(iii) a lower back cover extending below the second worksurface forming member and spaced from the front cover wherein the lower back cover and the front cover bound a lower housing cavity width that is larger than the upper housing cavity width.

2. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the support member includes at least first and second substantially vertical and spaced apart leg members.

3. The arrangement of claim 2 wherein the first and second leg members include first and second parallel surfaces that are within first and second leg planes and wherein the front and upper back and lower back covers are located within a space between the first and second leg planes.

4. The arrangement of claim 2 wherein the first and second leg members together define a vertical arrangement plane and wherein the lower back cover and the front cover are substantially the same distance from the vertical arrangement plane.

5. The arrangement of claim 2 wherein at least one of the second worksurface forming member and the first worksurface forming member forms first and second openings and wherein the first and second leg members pass at least in part through the first and second openings, respectively.

6. The arrangement of claim 5 wherein the at least one of the first and second worksurface forming members that forms the first and second openings includes a rear edge proximate the first and second leg members and wherein the first and second openings include first and second notches in the rear edge through which portions of the first and second leg members pass.

7. The arrangement of claim 5 wherein the at least one of the first and second worksurfaces forming members is the first worksurface forming member.

8. The arrangement of claim 7 wherein the second worksurface forming member forms an opening and wherein the first and second leg members pass at least in part through the opening formed by the second worksurface forming member.

9. The arrangement of claim 8 wherein each of the first and second worksurface forming members includes a rear edge proximate the first and second leg members and wherein the first and second openings include first and second notches in the rear edge of the first worksurface forming member and the opening formed by the second worksurface forming member includes a notch formed in the rear edge of the second worksurface forming member through which portions of the first and second leg members pass.

10. The arrangement of claim 9 wherein a portion of the first worksurface forming member proximate the rear edge of the first worksurface forming member vertically overlaps a portion of the second worksurface forming member proximate the rear edge of the second worksurface forming member.

11. The arrangement of claim 2 wherein top ends of the first and second leg members are substantially flush with a top surface of the second worksurface forming member.

12. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second worksurface forming members includes a rear edge proximate the support member and wherein a portion of the first worksurface forming member proximate the rear edge of the first worksurface forming member vertically overlaps a portion of the second worksurface forming member proximate the rear edge of the second worksurface forming member.

13. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the front cover is hingedly supported by the support member to allow movement between a substantially vertical closed position wherein the front cover restricts access to the housing cavity and an open position wherein the front cover is positioned to enable access to the cavity.

14. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the upper back cover includes a slat wall portion that faces a top surface of the second worksurface forming member.

15. The arrangement of claim 2 further including a monitor support assembly mounted at a top end of at least one of the first and second leg members.

16. The arrangement of claim 2 further including first and second support assemblies mounted at the top end of at least one of the first and second leg members and flat panel monitors supported by each of the first and second support assemblies.

17. The arrangement of claim 2 wherein the first and second leg members each have oppositely facing front and back surfaces, the front surfaces facing in the same direction and lying within a front surface plane and the back surfaces facing in the same direction and lying within a back surface plane, the front and back surface planes defining a support structure volume therebetween.

18. The arrangement of claim 16 wherein the upper back cover is positioned within the support structure volume so that a portion of the support structure volume is exposed between the upper back cover and the back surface plane.

19. The arrangement of claim 17 wherein the second worksurface forming member includes a rear edge proximate the first and second leg members and wherein the rear edge of the second worksurface forming member forms a gap with a facing surface of the upper back cover where the gap leads into the housing cavity.

20. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the front cover, upper back cover and lower back cover are substantially parallel.

21. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the upper housing cavity width is between two inches and ten inches and wherein the lower cavity width is between five inches and twenty-four inches.

22. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second worksurface forming members has a rear edge proximate the support member and a curved front edge wherein the curved front edge includes at least first and second convex portions and at least one concave portion between the first and second convex portions where a depth dimension of each of the convex portions is greater than a depth dimension of the concave portion.

23. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second worksurface forming members has a rear edge proximate the support member and a curved front edge wherein the curved front edge includes at least first and second convex portions and at least one concave portion between the first and second convex portions where a depth dimension of each of the convex portions is greater than a depth dimension of the concave portion and wherein the concave portions of the first and second worksurface forming members are aligned.

25. The workstation of claim 21 wherein the upper back cover is spaced from and substantially parallel to the back surface plane.

26. The workstation of claim 21 wherein the upper back cover extends from the undersurface of the first worksurface forming member.

27. The workstation of claim 23 wherein the second worksurface forming member includes a rear edge proximate the first and second leg members and wherein at least a portion of the rear edge of the second worksurface forming member forms a gap with an adjacent surface of the upper back cover.

24. A workstation comprising:

first and second vertical and spaced apart leg members wherein the first and second leg members each have oppositely facing front and back surfaces, the front surfaces facing in a first direction and lying within a front surface plane and the back surfaces facing in a second direction and lying within a back surface plane, the front and back surface planes defining a support structure volume therebetween;

a first worksurface forming member supported by and extending from the leg members at a first vertical height and in the first direction;

a second worksurface forming member supported by and extending from the leg members at a second vertical height and in the second direction;

a front cover extending downward from an undersurface of the first worksurface forming member;

an upper back cover extending downward from the first worksurface forming member substantially to the second vertical height proximate the second worksurface forming member; and

a lower back cover extending downward from an undersurface of the second worksurface forming member;

wherein, the front cover and lower back cover are spaced on opposite sides of the support structure volume and the upper back cover is positioned within the support structure volume and extends between the first and second leg members.

28. A worksurface arrangement comprising:

at least a first support member extending upward from a base end when the base end is received on a support surface;

a first worksurface forming member supported by the first support member at a first vertical height and extending to a first side from the first support member; and

a second worksurface forming member supported by the first support member at a second vertical height and extending to a second side opposite the first side of the first support member where the second vertical height is different than the first vertical height;

wherein each of the first and second worksurface forming members has a rear edge proximate the support member and a curved front edge wherein the curved front edge includes at least first and second convex portions and at least one concave portion between the first and second convex portions where a depth dimension of each of the convex portions is greater than a depth dimension of the concave portion and wherein the concave portions of the first and second worksurface forming members are aligned.

29. A worksurface arrangement comprising:

at least a first support member extending upward from a base end when the base end is received on a support surface, the first support member having a top end;

a worksurface forming member supported by the first support member at a vertical height and extending to a first side from the first support member; and

a monitor support assembly mounted to the top end of the support member for supporting a flat panel monitor above a top surface of the worksurface forming member.

30. The arrangement of claim 29 wherein the first support member forms an opening at the top end, the arrangement further including an insert that is received in the opening at the top end of the first support member, the insert forming at least one socket for receiving an end of the monitor support assembly.

31. The arrangement of claim 30 wherein the insert forms at least two sockets, each socket for receiving and retaining a separate one of the monitor support assemblies.

32. The arrangement of claim 29 wherein the top end of the first support member is substantially flush with a top surface of the worksurface forming member.

33. The arrangement of claim 32 wherein the first worksurface forming member forms an opening and wherein the top end of the first support member extends through the opening formed by the worksurface.