Workstation having L-shaped worktop and flat-folding legs

• US 5,673,632 A
• Filed: 07/17/1996
• Issued: 10/07/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Christopher C. Sykes
• Original Assignee: Christopher C. Sykes
• Inventors: Sykes, Christopher C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V.
• Application Number:
  US08/683,509
• Time in Patent Office: 447 Days
• Field of Search: 108/50, 108/64, 108/23, 108/129, 108/180, 108/182, 108/121, 108/132, 312/223.3, 312/145, 312/223.6, 248/188
• US Class Current: 108/121
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/066 with power or communication connection interface
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/06 characterised by means for holding, fastening or concealing cables
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 3/0917 the struts being permanently connected by pivots to the top or underframe only
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0418 Covers or lids; Their fastenings
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0493 Service poles

Abstract

A workstation has a one piece sheet form L shape worktop. A central leg hinges to a lower side of the worktop adjacent an outer apex of the L and rocks between a stored position extending diagonally across the lower side toward an inner corner of the L and an erected position extending downwardly from the worktop. An end leg hinges to the lower side adjacent each end of the L shape and rocks between a stored position extending longitudinally across the lower side toward a central portion of the L shape and an erected position extending downwardly from the worktop. Latch rods secure the legs in erected positions. An upstanding column member of hollow rectangular cross-section delivers power and data to the workstation. An outer corner of the worktop is truncated and provides a recess having an oblique edge to accommodate a side of the column member. The column member may comprise two L-section extruded pieces of which an intermediate section hinges between an open position revealing power and data receptacles and a closed position in which an edge of the hinging section snap closes on a stationary L-section piece.

Claims

1. A workstation comprising a one piece sheet form worktop having two limbs disposed in a general L shape having an outer apex and an inner corner, a central leg member pivotally connected to a lower side of the worktop adjacent said outer apex of said L shape for pivoting between a stored position extending diagonally across the lower side toward said inner corner thereof and an erected position extending downwardly from the worktop, an end leg member pivotally connected to the lower side adjacent each end of each limb and each pivoting between a stored position extending longitudinally across the lower side of the limb toward a central portion of said L shape and an erected position extending downwardly from the worktop, and means for securing said legs in their erected positions.

2. A workstation as claimed in claim 1 and in combination an auxiliary panel member adapted to be attached to an outer side of at least one limb of the worktop, and including hinged support members rocking from a flat folded position to a deployed position, and generally C and T section rails provided complimentarily on the auxiliary panel member and worktop, one of said C and T rails being provided on said hinged support members, said panel attaching to the worktop by inserting said T rail into said C rail with the hinged support members in deployed position.

3. A workstation as claimed in claim 2 including a releasable connector for retaining said T rail inserted in said C rail.

4. A workstation as claimed in claim 2 including a cable dump basket comprising a trough-shape frame adapted to be suspended between an adjacent pair of the support members in their deployed position, said frame having a longitudinally outwardly extending ear at each end for lodging on an upper edge of the adjacent support member.

5. In combination, a workstation as claimed in claim 1 and an upstanding column member of hollow rectangular cross-section for delivery of power and data therethrough to the workstation, said outer apex of the worktop being truncated and providing a recess having an oblique edge for accommodating a side of said column member.

6. The combination as claimed in claim 5 wherein said column member has a square cross-section.

7. The combination as claimed in claim 5 wherein the column member has an open top within which telescopes an upper tubular member having lateral flanges at its upper end adapted to rest on an upper side of a ceiling tile, whereby ceiling or floor fed power and data may be supplied to the workstation.

8. The combination as claimed in claim 5 wherein the column member has its upper end extending a short distance above the worktop, whereby floor fed power and data may be supplied to the workstation.

9. The combination as claimed in claim 5 wherein said column member comprises two opposed generally L-section extruded pieces having interengaging edge portions.

10. The combination as claimed in claim 9 wherein a first pair of said edge portions engage in a pivot connection to permit pivoting of said pieces between open and closed positions about an axis extending longitudinally of the column member.

11. The combination as claimed in claim 10 wherein one of said pieces comprises an intermediate section and at least one adjacent section, and said intermediate section is pivotable independently of said at least one adjacent section.

12. The combination as claimed in claim 10 wherein said pivot connection comprises a C-section extruded socket on an inner side of one edge portion of said first pair and the other edge portion of said pair comprises a laterally inwardly extending integrally extruded flange having a laterally outwardly extending integrally extruded projection thereon providing a part circular integrally extruded hinge portion adjacent its outer end received pivotably in said socket portion.

13. The combination as claimed in claim 12 wherein said hinge portion comprises a C-section screw boss.

14. The combination as claimed in claim 9 wherein a second pair of said edge portions comprise snap-engaging portions normally retaining said pieces in closed position.

15. The combination as claimed in claim 14 wherein said snap-engaging portions comprise a laterally inwardly extending catch portion extruded integrally on one edge portion of said second pair and a laterally resiliently deflectable laterally inwardly extending latch portion extruded integrally on the other edge portion of said second pair and normally engaging said catch portion.

16. The combination as claimed in claim 9 wherein one of said L-section pieces comprises, on an inner side of each limb of the L adjacent a corner portion thereof, an integrally extruded retaining flange inclining laterally inwardly, said retaining flanges extending substantially coplanar with each other.

17. The combination as claimed in claim 9 wherein each L-section piece has at least one integrally extruded screw boss on an inner side.

18. A column member of hollow rectangular cross-section for delivery of power and data to a workstation comprising two opposed L-section extruded pieces having interengaging edge portions wherein a first pair of said edge portions engage in a pivot connection to permit pivoting of said pieces between open and closed positions about an axis extending longitudinally of the column member and wherein one of said pieces comprises an intermediate section and at least one adjacent section, and said intermediate section is pivotable independently of said at least one adjacent section.

19. The column member as claimed in claim 18 wherein said pivot connection comprises a C-section extruded socket on an inner side of one edge portion of said first pair and the other edge portion of said pair comprises a laterally inwardly extending integrally extruded flange having a laterally outwardly extending integrally extruded projection thereon providing a part circular integrally extruded hinge portion adjacent its outer end received pivotably in said socket portion.

20. The column member as claimed in claim 19 wherein said hinge portion snap fits in said socket.

21. The column member nation as claimed in claim 18 wherein a second pair of said edge portions comprise snap-engaging portions normally retaining said pieces in closed position.

22. The column member as claimed in claim 21 wherein said snap-engaging portions comprise a laterally inwardly extending catch portion extruded integrally on one edge portion of said second pair and a laterally resiliently deflectable laterally inwardly extending latch portion extruded integrally on the other edge portion of said second pair and normally engaging said catch portion.

23. The column member as claimed in claim 18 wherein one of said L-section pieces comprises, on an inner side of each limb of the L adjacent a corner portion thereof, an integrally extruded retaining flange inclining laterally inwardly, said retaining flange extending substantially coplanar with each other.

24. The column member as claimed in claim 18 wherein each L-section piece has at least one integrally extruded screw boss on an inner side.