Frame-type desk system

• US 6,050,659 A
• Filed: 01/30/1998
• Issued: 04/18/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lacour Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Lacour Incorporated
• Inventors: LaCour, Paul M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAN, HANH VAN
• Application Number:
  US09/016,620
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• Field of Search: 312/223.3, 312/265.1, 312/265.2, 312/265.3, 312/265.4, 312/265.5, 312/265.6, 312/196, 312/195, 312/194, 108/50.01, 108/50.02, 108/107, 108/108
• US Class Current: 312/223.3
• 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 83/001 Office desks or work-stations combined with other pieces of furniture, e.g. work space management systems

Abstract

A frame-type desk system includes a common core which has an interior raceway. More particularly, the raceway core extends longitudinally from one end of said core to an opposite end of said core and includes a plurality of independent and separate equipment bays, each of which is sized and shaped so as to receive electronic equipment therein. At least one work top extends outwardly from one side of the core so as to define at least one work station, while a supporting panel is mounted on the core and has a side which includes a mounting mechanism for mounting a plurality of accessories therefrom in a cantilevered fashion substantially above the raceway. The side of the supporting panel faces the work station such that accessories mounted therefrom extend towards the work station.

Claims

1. A frame-type desk system, comprising a common core which has a longitudinal axis and which includes an interior raceway extending longitudinally from one end of said core to an opposite end of said core;

at least one work top extending outwardly from one side of said core so as to define at least one work station;

a supporting panel mounted on said core and having a side which includes mounting means for mounting a plurality of accessories therefrom in a cantilevered fashion substantially above said raceway, said side of said supporting panel facing said at least one work station such that accessories mounted therefrom extend towards said at least one work station;

a plurality of stanchions, each of which extends into said raceway from said one side of said core, each adjacent pair of stanchions defining an equipment bay which is located in said raceway between said one end and said opposite end of said core and which extends longitudinally along said one side of said core, said equipment bay being sized and shaped so as to receive electronic equipment therein, said plurality of stanchions being spaced from said supporting panel in a direction substantially transverse to said longitudinal axis of said core such that a channel is formed in said raceway between said plurality of stanchions and said supporting panel, whereby electrical or communication cables can be fed through said channel to electronic equipment housed in said equipment bay or supported from said supporting panel; and

at least one horizontal strut member extending substantially transverse to said longitudinal axis from one of said stanchions, wherein said supporting panel is attached to said at least one horizontal strut member.

2. The desk system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of stanchions includes a first stanchion and a second stanchion, said first and second stanchions being arranged along said one side of said core and cooperating with each other so as to define a first equipment bay therebetween, each of said first and second stanchions including at least one extrusion member.

3. The desk system of claim 2, further comprising first supporting means for supporting electronic equipment in said first equipment bay, said first supporting means being mounted directly to said at least one extrusion member of said first stanchion and to said at least one extrusion member of said second stanchion in such a manner that said first supporting means is positionable at one of a plurality of positions along the vertical lengths of said first and second stanchions.

4. The desk system of claim 3, wherein said first supporting means is mounted to said first and second stanchions above a bottom of said core such that said first supporting means is suspended above a floor supporting said core.

5. The desk system of claim 4, wherein said at least one extrusion member of said first stanchion and said at least one extrusion member of said second stanchion are vertically oriented;

and wherein said first supporting means includes a first tray assembly directly mounted to said at least one extrusion member of said first stanchion and to said at least one extrusion member of said second stanchion in such a manner that said first tray assembly is positionable at one of an infinite number of positions along the vertical lengths of said at least one extrusion member of said first stanchion and said at least one extrusion member of said second stanchion.

6. The desk system of claim 5, wherein each of said first and second stanchions includes another vertically oriented extrusion member, said first tray assembly mounted directly to said another extrusion member of said first stanchion and to said another extrusion member of said second stanchion.

7. The desk system of claim 6, wherein said at least one extrusion member of said first stanchion and said at least one extrusion member of said second stanchion are arranged along said one side of said core;

and wherein said another extrusion member of said first stanchion and said another extrusion member of said second stanchion are arranged adjacent an inner side of said first equipment bay between said one side of said core and said supporting panel.

8. The desk system of claim 7, wherein said core includes a header member, which extends continuously from said one end of said core to said opposite end of said core along said one side of said core and which is attached to an upper end of said at least one extrusion member of said first stanchion and to an upper end of said at least one extrusion member of said second stanchion, and a sill member, which extends continuously from said one end of said core to said opposite end of said core along said one side of said core and which is attached to a lower end of said at least one extrusion member of said first stanchion and to a lower end of said at least one extrusion member of said second stanchion, each of said header member and said sill member having an extruded construction.

9. The desk system of claim 8, wherein said sill member includes a stationary portion and a movable portion which is pivotally connected to said stationary portion, said movable portion being movable between a closed position, which it is aligned with said stationary portion and with said one side of said core, and an open position, in which it is pivoted outwardly from said one side of said core, said movable portion being aligned with said first equipment bay and being positionable in its said open position to facilitate the placement of oversized electronic equipment in said first equipment bay or the removal of oversized electronic equipment from said first equipment bay.

10. The desk system of claim 9, wherein said first stanchion includes a pair of horizontal extrusion members, one of which extends between said upper end of said at least one extrusion member of said first stanchion and an upper end of said another extrusion member of said first stanchion, and the other of which extends between said lower end of said at least one extrusion member of said first stanchion and a lower end of said another extrusion member of said first stanchion;

and wherein said second stanchion includes a pair of horizontal extrusion members, one of which extends between said upper end of said at least one extrusion member of said second stanchion and an upper end of said another extrusion member of said second stanchion, and the other of which extends between said lower end of said at least one extrusion member of said second stanchion and a lower end of said another extrusion member of said second stanchion.

11. The desk system of claim 4, wherein said first supporting means is detachable from said first and second stanchions such that it is removable from said first equipment bay.

12. The desk system of claim 11, wherein said first supporting means includes a tray mounted between said first stanchion and said second stanchion, said tray being movable between a retracted position, in which said tray is housed substantially within said first equipment bay and therefore within said raceway, and an extended position, in which said tray projects outwardly from said first equipment bay so as to facilitate access to electronic equipment carried thereon.

13. The desk system of claim 3, wherein said plurality of stanchions includes a third stanchion having at least one extrusion member, said second and third stanchions cooperating with each other so as to form a second equipment bay therebetween.

14. The desk system of claim 13, further comprising second supporting means for supporting electronic equipment in said second equipment bay, said second supporting means being mounted directly to said at least one extrusion member of said second stanchion and to said at least one extrusion member of said third stanchion in such a manner that said second supporting means is positionable at one of a plurality of positions along the vertical lengths of said second and third stanchions, said second stanchion constituting a supporting structure common to said first supporting means and to said second supporting means.

15. The desk system of claim 14, wherein said first, second and third stanchions are positioned along said one side of said core, said first stanchion being positioned adjacent said one end of said core, said third stanchion being positioned adjacent said opposite end of said core, and said second stanchion being positioned between said first and third stanchions, whereby said first and second equipment bays are arranged in a side-by-side manner along said one side of said core.

16. The desk system of claim 15, wherein said at least one extrusion member of said first stanchion and said at least one extrusion member of said second stanchion are vertically oriented;

wherein said first supporting means includes a first tray assembly mounted directly to said at least one extrusion member of said first stanchion and to said at least one extrusion member of said second stanchion such that said first tray assembly is positionable at one of an infinite number of positions along the vertical lengths of said at least one extrusion member of said first stanchion and said at least one extrusion member of said second stanchion;

wherein said at least one extrusion member of said third stanchion is vertically oriented; and

wherein said second supporting means includes a second tray assembly mounted directly to said at least one extrusion member of said second stanchion and to said at least one extrusion member of said third stanchion in such a manner that said second tray assembly is positionable at one of an infinite number of positions along the vertical lengths of said at least one extrusion member of said second stanchion and said at least one extrusion member of said third stanchion.

17. The desk system of claim 16, wherein each of said first and second stanchions includes another vertically oriented extrusion member;

wherein said first tray assembly is mounted directly to said another extrusion member of said first stanchion and to said another extrusion member of said second stanchion;

wherein said third stanchion includes another vertically oriented extrusion member; and

wherein said second tray assembly is mounted directly to said another extrusion member of said second stanchion and to said another extrusion member of said third stanchion.

18. The desk system of claim 15, wherein said core includes a header member, which extends continuously from said one end of said core to said opposite end of said core along said one side of said core, a sill member, which extends continuously from said one end of said core to said opposite end of said core along said one side of said core, said header member and said sill member being attached to said first, second and third stanchions, each of said header member and said sill member having an extruded construction.

19. The desk system of claim 2, wherein said at least one horizontal strut member includes a first strut member, which extend along one end of said core between said one side of said core and an opposite side of said core, and a second strut member, which extends along said opposite end of said core between said one side of said core and said opposite side of said core.

20. The desk system of claim 19, wherein said first stanchion is attached to said first strut member at one of a plurality of positions along the length of said first strut member;

and wherein said second stanchion is attached to said second strut member at one of a plurality of positions along the length of said second strut member.

21. The desk system of claim 20, further comprising another work top extending outwardly from said opposite side of said core so as to define another work station opposite said at least one work station.

22. The desk system of claim 21, further comprising a plurality of opposing stanchions, each of which extends into said raceway from said opposite side of said core, each adjacent pair of opposing stanchions defining an equipment bay which is located in said raceway between said one end and said opposite end of said core, which extends longitudinally along said opposite side of said core, and which is sized and shaped so as to receive electronic equipment therein.

23. The desk system of claim 22, wherein said plurality of opposing stanchions are spaced from said supporting panel in a direction substantially transverse to said longitudinal axis of said core such that said channel is formed in said raceway between said plurality of stanchions and said plurality of opposing stanchions.

24. The desk system of claim 23, wherein said plurality of opposing stanchions includes a third stanchion adjacent said one end of said core and a fourth stanchion adjacent said opposite end of said core, said first and second strut members being attached to said third and fourth stanchions, respectively.

25. The desk system of claim 24, wherein said third stanchion is attached to said first strut member at one of a plurality of positions along the length of said first strut member;

and wherein said fourth stanchion is attached to said second strut member at one of a plurality of positions along the length of said second strut member.

26. The desk system of claim 19, further comprising a plurality of opposing stanchions, each of which extends into said raceway from said opposite side of said core, each adjacent pair of opposing stanchions defining an equipment bay which is located in said raceway between said one end and said opposite end of said core, which extends longitudinally along said opposite side of said core, and which is sized and shaped so as to receive electronic equipment therein, and said plurality of opposing stanchions being spaced from said supporting panel in a direction substantially transverse to said longitudinal axis of said core such that said channel extends in said raceway between said plurality of stanchions and said plurality of opposing stanchions.

27. The desk system of claim 26, wherein said first and second strut members are mounted to said core above a bottom of said core such that said first and second strut members are suspended above a floor supporting said core so as to accommodate floor-mounted or floor-supported equipment.

28. The desk system of claim 27, wherein said at least one horizontal strut member includes a third strut member, which extends along said one end of said core between said one side of said core and said opposite side of said core, a fourth strut member, which extends along said opposite end of said core between said one side of said core and said opposite side of said core.

29. The desk system of claim 28, wherein said third and fourth strut members are positioned adjacent an open top of said core above said first and second strut members, respectively, such that said third and fourth strut members are suspended above a floor supporting said core.

30. The desk system of claim 29, wherein said supporting panel includes a lower section extending into an upper portion of said raceway channel, said lower section of said supporting panel having one end, which is supported on said first strut member and secured to an end of said third strut member, and an opposite end, which is supported on said second strut member and secured to an end of said fourth strut member.

31. The desk system of claim 30, further comprising a fifth strut member, which extends along said one end of said core from said opposite side of said core towards said one side of said core, and a sixth strut member, which extends along said opposite end of said core from said opposite side of said core towards said one side of said core, said first strut member being attached to said first stanchion and to one of said plurality of opposing stanchions, and said second strut member being attached to said second stanchion and to another of said plurality of opposing stanchions.

32. The desk system of claim 31, wherein said third and fifth strut members abut one another in a spaced fashion so as to form a first gap therebetween, said first gap receiving said one end of said lower section of said supporting panel;

and wherein said fourth and fifth strut members abut one another in a spaced fashion so as to form a second gap therebetween, said second gap receiving an opposite end of said lower section of said supporting panel, said lower section of said supporting panel being secured to said fifth and sixth strut members.

33. The desk system of claim 1, further comprising another work top extending outwardly from an opposite side of said core so as to define another work station, said supporting panel being positioned between said at least one work station and said another work station, said supporting panel having an opposite side which includes another mounting means for mounting a plurality of accessories therefrom in a cantilevered fashion substantially above said raceway and which faces said another work station such that accessories mounted therefrom extend towards said another work station, said supporting panel constituting a support structure common to said at least one work station and said another work station.

34. The desk system of claim 33, further comprising a plurality of opposing stanchions, each of which extends into said raceway from said opposite side of said core, each adjacent pair of opposing stanchions defining an equipment bay which is located in said raceway between said one end and said opposite end of said core, which extends longitudinally along said opposite side of said core, and which is sized and shaped so as to receive electronic equipment therein, said plurality of opposing stanchions being spaced from said supporting panel in a direction substantially transverse to said longitudinal axis of said core such that said channel extends in said raceway between said plurality of stanchions and said plurality of opposing stanchions, said plurality of stanchions including a first stanchion and a second stanchion, said plurality of opposing stanchions including a third stanchion and a fourth stanchion, said first and second stanchions cooperating with each other so as to define a first equipment bay therebetween, and said third and fourth stanchions cooperating with each other so as to define a second equipment bay therebetween, and each of said first, second, third and fourth stanchions including at least one extrusion member.

35. The desk system of claim 34, further comprising first supporting means for supporting electronic equipment in said first equipment bay and second supporting means for supporting electronic equipment in said second equipment bay.

36. The desk system of claim 35, wherein said at least one extrusion member of said first stanchion and said at least one extrusion member of said second stanchion are vertically oriented and are arranged along said one side of said core;

and wherein said at least one extrusion member of said third stanchion and said at least one extrusion member of said fourth stanchion are vertically oriented and are arranged along said opposite side of said core.

37. The desk system of claim 36, wherein said first supporting means includes a first tray assembly mounted directly to said at least one extrusion member of said first stanchion and to said at least one extrusion member of said second stanchion in such a manner that said first tray assembly is positionable at one of a plurality of positions along the vertical lengths of said first and second stanchions;

and wherein said second supporting means includes a second tray assembly mounted directly to said at least one extrusion member of said third stanchion and to said at least one extrusion member of said fourth stanchion in such a manner that said second tray assembly is positionable at one of a plurality of positions along the vertical lengths of said third and fourth stanchions.

38. The desk system of claim 37, wherein said plurality of stanchions includes a fifth stanchion having at least one extrusion member, said second and fifth stanchions cooperating with each other so as to define a third equipment bay therebetween;

and wherein said plurality of opposing stanchions includes a sixth stanchion having at least one extrusion member, said fourth and sixth stanchions cooperating with one another so as to define a fourth equipment bay therebetween.

39. The desk system of claim 38, further comprising third supporting means for supporting electronic equipment in said third equipment bay and fourth supporting means for supporting electronic equipment in said fourth equipment bag, said second stanchion constituting a supporting structure common to said first supporting means and said third supporting means, and said fourth stanchion constituting a supporting structure common to said third supporting means and said fourth supporting means.

40. The desk system of claim 39, wherein said at least one extrusion member of said fifth stanchion and said at least one extrusion member of said sixth stanchion are vertically oriented.

41. The desk system of Claim 40, wherein said third supporting means includes a third tray assembly mounted directly to said at least one extrusion member of said second stanchion and to said at least one extrusion member of said fifth stanchion in such a manner that said third tray assembly is positionable at one of a plurality of positions along the vertical lengths of said second and fifth stanchions;

and wherein said fourth supporting means includes a fourth tray assembly mounted directly to said at least one extrusion member of said fourth stanchion and to said at least one extrusion member of said sixth stanchion in such a manner that said fourth tray assembly is positionable at one of a plurality of positions along the vertical lengths of said fourth and sixth stanchions.

42. The desk system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of stanchions has a first stanchion, which is located adjacent said one end of said core, and a second stanchion, which is located adjacent said opposite end of said;

and wherein said at least one horizontal strut member includes a first horizontal strut, which extends in a direction substantially transverse to said longitudinal axis of said core and which is positioned adjacent said one end of said core, and a second horizontal strut, which extends in a direction substantially transverse to said longitudinal axis of said core and which is positioned adjacent said opposite end of said core, said first strut extending between said supporting panel and said first stanchion for interconnecting said first stanchion to said supporting panel in a spaced manner, and said second strut extending between said supporting panel and said second stanchion for interconnecting said second stanchion to said supporting panel in a spaced manner.

43. The desk system of claim 42, wherein said first and second stanchions include inner sides positioned in said raceway between said supporting panel and said one side of said core, said inner sides of said first and second stanchions being attached to said first and second struts, respectively.

44. The desk system of claim 42, wherein each of said inner sides of said first and second stanchions is removably attached to a corresponding one of said first and second struts at one of an infinite number of positions along the length of a corresponding one of said first and second struts, whereby the transverse depth of said channel is infinitely variable to accommodate changing work environment or user preference.

45. The desk system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of opposing stanchions, each of which extends into said raceway from said opposite side of said core, each adjacent pair of opposing stanchions defining an equipment bay which is located in said raceway between said one end and said opposite end of said core, which extends longitudinally along said opposite side of said core, and which is sized and shaped so as to receive electronic equipment therein, said plurality of opposing stanchions being spaced from said supporting panel in a direction substantially transverse to said longitudinal axis of said core such that said channel extends in said raceway between said plurality of stanchions and said plurality of opposing stanchions, whereby said channel is common to all of said equipment bays.