Work environment system

• US 5,237,935 A
• Filed: 10/31/1991
• Issued: 08/24/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Herman Miller Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Herman Miller Incorporated
• Inventors: Goeman, Donald D., Newhouse, Thomas J., McClung, Duane G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V.
• Application Number:
  US07/786,250
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 108/50, 312/223.6, 312/223.1, 312/223.3
• 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

In a work environment system, a desk (10) comprises a top (16) supported by a pair of legs (18), each leg (18) formed by a pair of supports (22) mounted together in back-to-back opposing relationship and having a first channel (56) between the supports (22). The desk top (16) includes a pair of second channels (98) extending inwardly from edges (100) of the top (16) adjacent the second channels (56). The first and second channels (56, 98) manage wiring (60) of work accessories (62, 105) supported by the top (16). An apron (20) is mounted to and below the top (16) and comprises third channel (218) in registry with the first channel (56) and also adapted to receive wiring (60) from the second channels (98) through outer and inner slots (114, 116) in the top (16). A work accessory support (222) is removably mountable to the desk (10 ) by a bracket (224) securable to a leg (18) within a first channel (56) on one side of the desk (10). A work tool support fence (260) supporting trays (292) is similarly mountable to both legs (18) of the desk (10). Two desks (10) can be mounted together in side-by-side relationship by a semi-circular spacer (306) comprises one or more wedge elements (310). The spacer includes a fourth channel (328) for managing the wiring (60) between the adjacent desks (10).

Claims

1. In a desk comprising a top having a first end, a first end edge, a work surface, a bottom surface and a central portion, the improvement comprising:

a recess in said work surface extending inwardly from said first end edge toward said central portion to an inner end;

said work surface having an inner slot extending therethrough at said inner end and an outer slot extending therethrough at said first end;

a wire manager assembly received within said recess and partially defining a desk top channel, said wire manager assembly having an inner opening in registry with the inner slot and an outer opening in registry with the outer slot,

whereby electrical wiring of work tools positioned on said work surface can be selectively directed through said channel toward said first end edge or through said slot and beneath the bottom surface.

2. A desk according to claim 1, wherein said wire manager assembly further comprises at least one rib extending longitudinally within said desk top channel for segregating electrical wiring received therein.

3. A desk according to claim 1, wherein said wire manager assembly further comprises a base portion securely fastened to said desk top, substantially equal in length to and received within said recess and comprising first and second longitudinal sidewalls, a bottom wall, an open top and a cover mounted to said base portion over said open top, said desk top channel being substantially enclosed by said base portion sidewalls, bottom wall and cover.

4. A desk according to claim 3, wherein said cover is hingeably mounted to one of said base portion longitudinal sidewalls for movement between an open position to permit placement of electrical wiring in said desk top channel and a closed position over said base portion open top and substantially flush with said work surface to substantially enclose electrical wiring received in said desk top channel.

5. A desk according to claim 4, wherein said wire manager assembly further comprises at least one rib extending longitudinally within said desk top channel for segregating electrical wiring received therein.

6. A desk according to claim 3, wherein said inner opening is defined by and between inner portions of said base portion and said cover, and said wire manager assembly further comprises an inner cover on said wire manager assembly inner end and movable between a closed position covering said inner opening and an open position permitting access of electrical wiring to and from said desk top channel away from said first end edge.

7. A desk according to claim 6, wherein said wire manager assembly further comprises a vertical pin on said cover inner end with a hole extending through said inner cover and in registry with said vertical pin, said inner cover being rotatably mounted on said pin about a vertical axis defined by said pin for movement between said open and closed positions.

8. A desk according to claim 7, wherein said inner cover further comprises a handle for facilitating movement of said inner cover between said open and closed positions.

9. A desk according to claim 8, wherein said base portion inner end, said inner opening and said inner cover are generally semicircular in shape, said hole through said inner cover is eccentric with respect thereto and said inner cover is rotatable about said second pin approximately 180°

between fully open and closed positions.

10. A desk according to claim 6, further comprising at said first end thereof a substantially vertical leg covering said recess at said desk top first end edge, said outer opening extending through said vertical leg and permitting access of electrical wiring to and from said desk top channel at said desk top first end edge.

11. A desk according to claim 10, further comprising outer closure means on said vertical leg, covering said outer opening and permitting access of electrical wiring to and from said desk top channel.

12. A desk according to claim 11, wherein said outer closure means comprises at least one pair of resilient doors mounted to said vertical leg over said outer opening.

13. A desk according to claim 2, wherein

said wire manager assembly base portion further comprises inner and outer deep portions and a central shallow portion having substantially the same dimensions as and received in said inner and outer slots and said recess, respectively, said cover being substantially flush with said work surface, said base portion bottom wall being open at said inner and outer deep portions and said inner and outer deep portions being in registry with said inner and outer slots;

and

said desk further comprises opposite ends and a panel mounted to said desk top bottom surface, extending between said desk opposite ends and comprising a wire channel in registry with said desk top channel;

whereby electrical wiring can be channeled from said desk top work surface to said desk opposite ends through said desk top channel and said wire channel.

14. A desk according to claim 13, wherein said wire manager assembly further comprises at least one rib extending longitudinally within said desk top channel and for segregating electrical wiring received in said desk top channel.

15. A desk according to claim 14, wherein said rib comprises a divider wall extending upwardly from said base portion bottom wall at said central shallow portion thereof and extending longitudinally therewith.

16. A desk according to claim 15, further comprising fastening means for securing the wire manager assembly to the desk top, said fastening means comprising a plurality of holes extending through said base portion bottom wall at said central shallow portion thereof and an equal number of screws received in said holes and threadably engaging said desk top between said inner and outer slots.

17. A desk according to claim 1, wherein said desk top further comprises a second end being a mirror image of said first end, said first and second ends being positioned at opposite ends of said desk and being substantially identical with respect to said recess and said wire manager assembly.

18. A desk according to claim 1, wherein said desk top has a second end, and said desk top further comprises a panel mounted to said desk top bottom surface, extending between said desk top first and second ends and comprising and defining a wire channel in registry with said desk top channel;

whereby electrical wiring can be channeled from said desk top work surface to said desk top first end through said desk top channel and said wire channel.

19. In a desk comprising opposite ends, a top having a work surface and a bottom surface, and a panel extending substantially horizontally between said opposite ends and substantially vertically downwardly from said bottom surface a predetermined distance for providing privacy to a worker at said desk, the improvement wherein:

said desk top has a channel in said work surface extending therein from an end, and an opening extending therethrough in registry with the channel; and

said panel further comprises a channel extending substantially the full length thereof beneath and parallel to the bottom surface and in registry with said opening;

whereby electrical wiring of work tools on said work surface can be selectively channeled from said work surface to said desk opposite ends through said opening and one of said desk top channel and said panel channel.

20. A desk according to claim 19, wherein said panel is substantially J-shaped, in cross section, and further comprises a relatively long, substantially vertical leg extending downwardly from and substantially normal to said desk top bottom surface, a relatively short, substantially vertical leg positioned in substantially parallel spaced relationship to said long vertical leg and an intermediate leg between said long and short vertical legs, aid channel being defined by and between said long and short vertical legs and said intermediate leg.

21. A desk according to claim 20, wherein said panel is an integrally formed one-piece member and said intermediate leg is substantially horizontal and extends between and is formed integral with lower ends of said long and short vertical legs.

22. A desk according to claim 20, further comprising mounting means securely mounting said panel to said desk top bottom surface, said mounting means comprising a substantially horizontal first mounting flange on and extending normal to an upper end of said long vertical leg and engaging said desk top bottom surface, at least one pair of aligned openings extending through said first mounting flange and said desk top bottom surface, and at least one screw in registry with said aligned openings and threadably engaging said desk top to securely mount said panel to said top.

23. A desk according to claim 19, wherein said desk further comprises a pair of legs supporting said desk top at opposite ends of said desk;

and

said panel is securely mounted to and between said legs, said panel means thereby further providing lateral stability to said desk.

24. A desk according to claim 23, wherein said legs are substantially identical and each of said legs comprises first and second supports and at least one pair of overlapping plates extending from said first and second supports;

and

said desk further comprises securing means for securely mounting said plates together in overlapping relationship.

25. A desk according to claim 24, wherein said securing means comprises a pair of aligned holes extending through said overlapping plates and a screw in registry with said aligned holes and threadably engaging said plates;

and

an end edge of said panel has at least one second mounting flange engaging said pair of overlapping plates and having an opening aligned with said aligned holes in said overlapping plates, said screw being in registry with said aligned holes and openings and threadably engaging said plates and said mounting flange to securely mount said panel to said legs.

26. A desk according to claim 19, wherein said desk further comprises a pair of legs supporting said desk top at opposite ends of said desk, said legs comprising leg channels extending substantially the full length of said legs and in registry with at least one of said desk top channel and panel channel;

whereby electrical wiring can be selectively channeled from said work surface to said desk opposite ends and to a floor through said opening, said desk top channel, said panel channel and said leg channels.

27. A desk according to claim 26, wherein said legs are substantially identical and each of said legs comprises first and second supports positioned in spaced-apart relationship and at least one pair of overlapping plates extending from said first and second supports, said leg channel defined by and between said spaced first and second support and said overlapping plates;

and

said desk further comprises securing means for securely mounting said plates together in overlapping relationship.

28. A desk according to claim 27, wherein said panel is substantially J-shaped in cross section and further comprises a relatively long, substantially vertical leg extending downwardly from and substantially normal to said desk top bottom surface, a relatively short, substantially vertical leg positioned in substantially parallel spaced-apart relationship to said long vertical leg and an intermediate leg between said long and short vertical legs, said panel channel being defined by and between said long and short vertical legs and said intermediate leg.

29. A desk according to claim 28, wherein said panel comprises a substantially horizontal first mounting flange on and extending normal to an upper end of said long vertical leg and engaging said desk top bottom surface, and said desk top has at least one pair of aligned openings within said first mounting flange and said desk top and at least one screw in registry with said aligned openings and threadably engaging said desk top to securely mount said panel means to said top.

30. A desk according to claim 29, wherein said securing means comprises a pair of aligned holes extending through said overlapping plates and a screw in registry with said aligned holes and threadably engaging said plates;

and

said panel is securely mounted to and between said legs, said panel thereby further providing lateral stability to said desk, and a transverse end of said long vertical part having at least one second mounting flange engaging said pair of overlapping plates and having an opening aligned with said aligned holes in said overlapping plates, said screw being in registry with said aligned holes and opening and threadably engaging said plates to securely mount said panel to said leg.

31. A desk according to claim 26, wherein said desk top further comprises front and rear sides;

said desk further comprises means at said desk top front side for supporting a work tool, and bracket means for movably mounting said support means to said desk at a variety of adjusted positions for convenient access thereto.

32. A desk according to claim 31, wherein said desk top further comprises a cut out portion at said desk top front side, said support means is complementary to said cut out portion and said bracket means movably mounts said support means to said desk top bottom surface for vertical movement between an upper position substantially flush with said desk top and a lower position below said top.

33. A desk according to claim 19, wherein said desk top further comprises front and rear sides;

said desk further comprises means at said desk top front side for supporting a work tool, and bracket means for movably mounting said support means to said desk at a variety of adjusted positions for convenient access thereto.

34. A desk according to claim 33, wherein said desk top further comprises a cut out portion at said desk top front side, said support means is complementary to said cut out portion and said bracket means movably mounts said support means to said desk top bottom surface for vertical movement between an upper position substantially flush with said desk top and a lower position below said desk top.

35. A desk according to claim 34, wherein said support means further comprises lip means extending along a front longitudinal side thereof for preventing inadvertent movement of a work tool on said support means.