Working table

• US 5,752,449 A
• Filed: 07/21/1995
• Issued: 05/19/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vertiv Integrated Systems GmbH (Vertiv Holdings Co.)
• Original Assignee: Vertiv Integrated Systems GmbH (Vertiv Holdings Co.)
• Inventors: Simon, Peter, Linck, Ralf
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V.
• Application Number:
  US08/492,063
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 108/50, 108/7, 108/10, 108/153, 108/180, 108/147, 108/64, 108/50.01, 108/50.02, 108/153.1, 312/223.3, 312/195, 312/194, 312/223.6
• US Class Current: 108/50.02
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/02 Underframes
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 17/033 with parts added to the original furniture to enlarge its surface
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/064 with power rail running along the back of the desk top and projecting upwards
• 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 2200/0026 Desks with C-shaped leg
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0027 Desks with I-shaped leg
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0046 Desks with double worktop of which one at least is separately height adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0065 Bellows for desk legs
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0073 Desk with integrated computer
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 87/002 Combination of tables; Linking or assembling means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/00 Tables with tops of variable height lecterns with variable height A47B19/06; school forms or desks with variable height A47B39/02, A47B41/02; seats with variable height A47C3/20
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 91/00 Feet for furniture in general castors B60B33/00

Abstract

A working furniture item or table has a modular construction and is usable as an office and conference table and as a work place for electronics engineers, computers, laboratories and technicians. In order to create a working table which functions correctly and which is subsequently reequippable to comply with individual ergonomic requirements, vertical sections associated with a table top have, in their cavities, a vertical adjustment device for a table top arranged as a first working plane. A horizontal cable duct transverse beam is provided as a reinforcing connection between the vertical sections on either side of the table top. The beam permits an integrated cabling or wiring with further working planes arranged in accordance with an ergonomic space concept.

Claims

1. A working table for work places comprising:

a front table top,

at least one further working plane adjacent to said front table top,

support arms, on which said table top and the further working plane are arranged, in vicinities of lateral edges of said table top and said further working plane,

double support feet connected to the support arms, each of said double support feet having a front vertical section and a spaced, identically constructed, rear vertical section provided with outer T-slots and inner cavities,

base elements at lower ends of the front and rear vertical sections,

base connectors connecting the base elements of the front and rear vertical sections,

a vertical adjustment device for the table top received in at least one of the inner cavities,

horizontal foot brackets provided on each of said double support feet,

cable ducts in a vicinity of the vertical sections, and

a transverse beam, defining a horizontal cable duct in a vicinity of the table top, arranged as a stiffening connection between the vertical sections, the transverse beam interconnecting both the front vertical sections and the rear vertical sections and being fixed in the outer T-slots of the front vertical sections and the rear vertical sections by connecting elements, each of which is provided with a clamping part for insertion into a frontal cavity of the transverse beam and with a fixing flange for engaging on and fixing to the vertical sections, the at least one further working plane being fixable to the rear vertical sections.

2. A working table according to claim 1, wherein, as the further working plane, a rear table top is provided on the rear vertical sections, the rear table top arranged so as to be at least one of vertically and horizontally adjustable.

3. A working table according to claim 1, wherein the vertical adjustment device is telescopically constructed and includes an inner tube positioned in a central inner cavity of at least one of the vertical sections.

4. A working table according to claim 3 wherein the inner tube is lockable in steps at fixed heights in the central inner cavity and provided with sliding faces made from plastic.

5. A working table according to claim 3, wherein the vertical adjustment device for the table top incorporates an indicating device indicating fixed heights.

6. A working table according to claim 3, and further comprising sliding elements constructed for sliding guidance of the inner tube in the central inner cavity of the at least one of the vertical sections.

7. A working table according to claim 3, wherein the table top is vertically adjustable, and further comprising a control mechanism for controlling vertical adjustment of the table top arranged near the front of the table.

8. A working table according to claim 3, and further comprising at least one spindle guided in an inner space of one of the vertical sections.

9. A working table according to claim 3, and further comprising one pivot pin constructed in a connecting area of the inner tube cooperating with an associated one of said support arms.

10. A working table according to claim 3, wherein the vertical sections have almost rectangular cross-sections with bevelled or rounded corner areas, and the central inner cavity and the inner tube have rectangular and substantially complementary cross-sections.

11. A working table according to claim 3, wherein the inner tube is continuously vertically adjustable in the central inner cavity and provided with sliding faces made from plastic.

12. A working table according to claim 3, and further comprising a cylinder-piston unit in an inner space of one of the vertical sections to which the inner tube is connected.

13. A working table according to claim 1, wherein the transverse beam defining the horizontal cable duct is trough-shaped, coverable and fixed in an upper area of the vertical sections.

14. A working table according to claim 13, and further comprising a pivotable cover with a sealing cable guide, wherein the cable duct is arranged as a second working plane below a rear area of the front table top.

15. A working table according to claim 14, wherein the transverse beam defining the horizontal cable duct is formed from several longitudinal sections which are detachably interconnected on longitudinal edges thereof and at least one of said several longitudinal sections has a fastening area for fixing to the vertical sections.

16. A working table according to claim 15, wherein a hollow, bent basic section is provided as one of said longitudinal sections and has, as the fastening area, a cavity, and further comprising an arcuate cover pivotably provided on the basic section.

17. A working table according to claim 16, and further comprising a centrally positioned snap seat connection for connecting the basic section to a rear longitudinal section and a further hollow section for enlarging the cable inner space lockably provided by the snap seat connection, wherein the longitudinal sections are provided with webs and T-slots for a correct cable arrangement.

18. A working table according to claim 13, wherein the transverse beam defining the horizontal cable duct is provided with a cover which has a horizontal gap for introduction and removal of cables with a sealing cable bushing.

19. A working table according to claim 1, wherein the front table top is arranged in lockably horizontally slidable manner by a sliding plate guide which is provided with blocking elements and guided in a longitudinal channel of a support arm.

20. A working table according to claim 1, and further comprising plug-in and self-centering extension sections of the rear vertical sections defining a third plane and a cross-brace arranged between the extension sections and fixable thereto.

21. A working table according to claim 20, wherein an adjusting plane for equipment is fixed as a third working plane and is constructed in an inclination-adjustable manner, the adjusting plane defines an upper, horizontal cable duct, and the adjusting plane is provided with cable guiding elements and an adjustable casing bottom.

22. A working table according to claim 1 and further comprising a connection field provided as a third working plane in a rear area of the table top in an ergonomic gripping area of a gripping line, and monitors arranged in a pivotable manner on an extension section outside the table top and the connection field.

23. A working table according to claim 1, and further comprising a casing area provided as an additional working plane below the table top for receiving any of computers, plug-in cards and equipment modules, and an integrated cabling provided for items located in the casing area.

24. A working table according to claim 23, wherein the casing area is at least one of IP-tight and r.f.-shielded, and further comprising ventilating means for automatic ventilation of the casing area.

25. A working table according to claim 1, wherein a vertical cable duct is formed between the front vertical sections and the rear vertical sections with aid of a facing, which in the upper area has a lockable cable duct cap and a side cover, and the vertical cable duct is connected to the horizontal cable duct transverse beam.

26. A working table according to claim 1, and further comprising cupboard units provided below the table top and fixed near the double support feet.

27. A working table according to claim 1, and further comprising roll containers positioned with a stepped cover area adapted to the horizontal cable duct transverse beam and a front cover area provided for receiving attachments.

28. A working table according to claim 1, wherein at least the front vertical sections are connected to horizontally positioned foot brackets which are removable in a use position of the working table.

29. A working table according to claim 28 and further comprising a corner combination for connecting the working table with at least one other working table, said corner combination having double support feet provided in the vicinity of a corner plate.

30. A working table according to claim 28, and further comprising a base element provided for connection of at least one of the front vertical sections and the foot brackets, said base element being constructed for detachable, horizontal reception and fixing of the foot brackets.

31. A working table according to claim 30, wherein the base element has a recess into which one of the foot brackets is inserted with a connecting block so as to be fixed in a self-centering and self-arresting manner.

32. A working table according to claim 31, wherein the connecting block is located in a terminal area within one of the foot brackets and the base element has an easily accessible connecting area which is constructed for reception of a fastening element for an inclined screw fastening engaging on the connecting block.

33. A working table according to claim 30, wherein the base element is connected as a unit, with the aid of a base connector, to a second base element.

34. A working table according to claim 33, wherein the base elements are constructed as a casting and the foot brackets are constructed as deep-drawn steel parts.

35. A working table according to claim 33, wherein the base elements are constructed as a casting and the foot brackets are constructed as aluminum die castings.