Work environment system

• US 5,083,512 A
• Filed: 09/18/1989
• Issued: 01/28/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Herman Miller Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Herman Miller Incorporated
• Inventors: Newhouse, Thomas J., McClung, Duane G., Goeman, Donald D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V.
• Application Number:
  US07/408,700
• Time in Patent Office: 862 Days
• Field of Search: 108/50, 108/64, 108/66, 108/67, 403/402, 403/401, 403/403, 312/194, 312/195, 312/111, 312/223
• US Class Current: 108/50.02
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2037/005 Tables specially adapted for laboratories
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/06 characterised by means for holding, fastening or concealing cables
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0003 Triangular or trapezoidal desk surface to join desks
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0013 Desks with central bearing beams
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0026 Desks with C-shaped leg
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0027 Desks with I-shaped leg
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0028 Attachment of desk lateral uprights
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0082 Cable inlet in worktop or desk, e.g. grommet
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0085 Supplementary support fixed on the edge of a desk or table
• 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 spacer is provided in a workstation for connecting two desks together in spaced relationship. The spacer is generally wedge-shaped and comprises a horizontal member with an upper surface which is substantially coplanar with the work surfaces of the adjoining desks. A vertical leg depends from the horizontal member and a flange extends at an angle from the vertical leg. The vertical leg and the flange partially define a wiring channel so that electrical wiring can be passed from the work surface of one desk through the channel to the work surface of the adjoining desk.

Claims

1. In a workstation comprising at least two desks and means for connecting said desks together in end-to-end spaced relationship, each of said desks comprising a top supported by at least one leg, the improvement wherein:

said legs comprise substantially vertical leg channels extending along lengths of said legs for receiving electrical wiring of work tools positioned on said desk tops; and

said connecting means comprises a spacer connected to and between said desks, said spacer being substantially wedge-shaped and adapted to connect said desks together in end-to-end relationship at a predetermined angle formed by front edges of said desktops and further comprising a substantially horizontal connecting channel in registry with said leg channels for receiving electrical wiring channeled through said leg channels;

whereby electrical wiring of work tools supported on one desktop can be channeled to the other desk through said leg channel of said one desk and said connecting channel.

2. A workstation according to claim 1, wherein said legs are positioned at said adjacent desk ends, substantially enclose said leg channels and further comprise windows extending through outer sides of said legs and in registry with said leg channels and said connecting channels;

whereby electrical wiring can be channeled from said leg channels to said connecting channel through said windows.

3. A workstation according to claim 1, wherein said angle is less than 180°

and one of greater than and equal to 90°

.

4. A workstation according to claim 3, wherein said angle is one of 150°

, 135°

, 120° and

90°

.

5. A workstation according to claim 4, wherein said connecting means comprises one of two, three, four and six substantially wedge-shaped elements mounted together and to and between adjacent transverse ends of said desks to connect said desks at angles of 150°

, 135°

, 120°

and 90°

, respectively.

6. A workstation according to claim 1, wherein said spacer comprises a horizontal leg substantially flush with said adjacent desktops, said spacer thereby providing extensions of said tops.

7. A workstation according to claim 6, wherein said spacer further comprises a substantially vertical leg extending downwardly from said horizontal leg a predetermined distance, said connecting means further providing privacy to workers at said desks.

8. A workstation according to claim 7, wherein said connecting means further comprises a second substantially horizontal portion extending inwardly from a lower end of said vertical leg and a substantially vertical portion extending upwardly from an inner end of said inwardly-extending portion, said connecting channel being defined by and between said vertical leg and said inwardly- and upwardly-extending portions.

9. A workstation according to claim 8, wherein said spacer is substantially wedge=shaped and is adapted to connect said adjacent desks together in end-to-end relationship at a predetermined angle less than 180°

and one of greater than and equal to 90°

.

10. A workstation according to claim 9, wherein said angle is one of 150°

, 135°

, 120° and

90°

.

11. A workstation according to claim 10, wherein said connecting means comprises one of two, three, four and six substantially wedge-shaped elements mounted together and to and between said adjacent desk ends to connect said desks at angles of 150°

, 135°

, 120° and

90°

, respectively.

12. A workstation according to claim 11, wherein said horizontal leg has a rear end with a predetermined radius of curvature, said vertical leg extends downwardly from said rear end and has a radius of curvature complementary with said curvature of said rear end and said connecting channel has a curvature complementary to said curvature of said rear end.

13. A workstation according to claim 11, wherein each of said legs comprises a pair of supports having vertical portions, means for mounting said supports together in spaced relationship at said vertical portions, said mounting means being on and extending from inner walls of said supports, and cover means mounted to said leg between said supports at outer walls thereof, a window extending through said cover means;

and

said leg channels are defined by and at front, rear, inner and outer sides thereof by said supports, said mounting means and said cover means, respectively.

14. A workstation according to claim 13, wherein each desk top comprises slot means extending therethrough and in registry with said leg channel, whereby electrical wiring can be channeled from said top to said leg channel through said slot means.

15. A workstation according to claim 13, wherein at least one of said supports further comprises a substantially horizontal desk top support means extending from its respective vertical portion at an upper end thereof;

said connecting means further comprises fastening means mounted to and between said connecting means and said desk in secure sandwiched relationship between said support means and said top for securely fastening said connecting means to said desk.

16. A workstation according to claim 15, wherein said support means comprises socket means formed therein for receiving said fastening means.

17. A workstation according to claim 13, wherein said connecting means is substantially wedge-shaped and is adapted to connect said adjacent desks together in end-to-end relationship at a predetermined angle of less than 180°

and one of greater than and equal to 90°

.

18. A workstation according to claim 17, wherein said angle is one of 150°

, 135°

, 120° and

90°

.

19. A workstation according to claim 18, wherein said connecting means comprises two, three, four and six substantially wedge-shaped elements mounted together and to and between said adjacent transverse ends of said desks to connect said desks at angles of 150°

, 130°

, 120° and

90°

, respectively.

20. In a workstation comprising at least two desks and a means for connecting said desks together in end-to-end spaced relationship, each of said desks comprising a top the improvement wherein:

each of said legs comprise a slot extending therethrough; and

said connecting means comprises a spacer connected to and between said desks, said spacer being substantially wedge-shaped and adapted to connect said adjacent desks together in end-to-end relationship at a predetermined angle formed by front edges of said desktops, and further comprising a connecting channel in registry with said slot of said desktops;

whereby electrical wiring of work tools supported on one desktop can be channeled to the other desk through said slot of said one desk and said connecting channel.

21. A workstation according to claim 20, wherein said angle is less than 180°

and one of greater than and equal to 90°

.

22. A workstation according to claim 21, wherein said angle is one of 150°

, 135°

, 120° and

90°

.

23. A workstation according to claim 22, wherein said connecting means comprises one of two, three, four and six substantially wedge-shaped elements mounted together and to and between said adjacent desks ends to connect said desks at angles of 150°

, 135°

, 120° and

90°

, respectively.

24. A workstation according to claim 20, wherein said spacer comprises a horizontal leg substantially flush with said adjacent desktops, said spacer thereby providing extensions of said tops.

25. A workstation according to claim 24, wherein said spacer further comprises a substantially vertical leg extending downwardly from said horizontal leg a predetermined distance, said connecting means further providing privacy to workers at said desks.

26. A workstation according to claim 25, wherein said connecting means further comprises a substantially horizontal portion extending inwardly from a lower end of said vertical leg, a substantially vertical portion extending upwardly from an inner end of said inwardly-extending portion, said connecting channel being defined by and between said vertical leg and said inwardly- and upwardly-extending portions.

27. A workstation according to claim 26, wherein said spacer is substantially wedge-shaped and is adapted to connect said adjacent desks together in end-to-end relationship at a predetermined angle less than 180°

and one of greater than and equal to 90°

.

28. A workstation according to claim 27, wherein said angle is one of 150°

, 135°

, 120° and

90°

.

29. A workstation according to claim 28, wherein said connecting means comprises one of two, three, four and six substantially wedge-shaped elements mounted together and to and between said adjacent desk ends to connect said desk at angles of 150°

, 135°

, 120° and

90°

, respectively.

30. A workstation according to claim 29, wherein said horizontal leg has a rear end with a predetermined radius of curvature, said vertical leg extends downwardly from said rear end and has a radius of curvature complementary with said curvature of said rear end and said connecting channel has a curvature complementary to said curvature of said rear end.

31. A workstation according to claim 20, wherein each of said desk tops comprises a transverse end, a central portion, said slot means extends inwardly from said transverse end to a position adjacent said central portion, said slot means of said tops positioned adjacent one another;

and

each of said desks further comprises wire manager means received within said slot means and enclosing a desk top channel, said wire manager means comprising at least one opening extending through a top portion thereof and an open bottom portion in registry with said slot means, said opening and said open bottom portion providing access of electrical wiring to and from said desk top channel;

whereby electrical wiring can be channeled from one desk top to said other desk through said desk top channel of said one desk and said connecting channel.

32. A workstation according to claim 31, wherein each of said desks further comprises a leg supporting said top and having a leg channel extending along the length thereof and in registry with said connecting channel and said desk top channel, said legs being positioned at adjacent ends of said desks;

whereby electrical wiring can be channeled from one desk top to said other desk through said desk top channel and said leg channel of said one desk, said connecting channel.

33. A desk according to claim 32, wherein said desk legs substantially enclose said leg channels and further comprise windows extending through outer sides of said legs and in registry with said leg and connecting channels;

whereby electrical wiring can be channeled from said leg channels to said connecting channel through said windows.

34. A workstation according to claim 33, wherein said connecting means is substantially wedge-shaped and is adapted to connect said adjacent desks together in end-to-end relationship at a predetermined angle less than 180°

and one of greater than and equal to 90°

.

35. A workstation according to claim 34, wherein said angle is one of 150°

, 135°

, 120° and

90°

.

36. A workstation according to claim 35, wherein said connecting means comprises one of two, three, four and six substantially wedge-shaped elements mounted together and to and between said adjacent desk ends to connect said desks at angles of 150°

, 135°

, 120° and

90°

, respectively.

37. A spacer for connecting two desks together in spaced relationship, each desk having a work surface, said spacer comprising:

a horizontal member having a first edge, a second edge, a third edge extending between the first and second edges, and an upper surface between said edges;

a vertical leg depending from the horizontal member approximately adjacent to the third edge, said vertical leg being substantially coextensive with the third edge;

a flange extending at an angle from the vertical leg, the flange and the vertical leg partially defining a wiring channel; and

fastening means for fastening the spacer to two desks so that the first edge will be adjacent one desk, the second edge will be adjacent the other desk, and the upper surface will be substantially coplanar with the work surfaces, whereby when the spacer is so connected, electrical wiring may be passed from the work surface of one desk through the wiring channel to the work surface of the other desk.

38. A spacer according to claim 37 wherein the first edge is disposed at a predetermined first angle relative to the second edge may be disposed at a second angle relative to the other desk.

39. A spacer according to claim 38 wherein the first angle is one of 30, 45, 60 and 90 degrees.

40. A spacer according to claim 39 wherein the fastening means comprises a pair of brackets, each bracket being secured at a first end to the horizontal member and at a second end adapted to be secured to an adjacent desk.

41. A spacer according to claim 37 wherein the fastening means comprises a pair of brackets, each bracket being secured at a first end to the horizontal member and at a second end adapted to be secured to an adjacent desk.