Workstation

• US 6,053,588 A
• Filed: 08/25/1997
• Issued: 04/25/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Herman Miller Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Herman Miller Incorporated
• Inventors: Schmitz, Burkhard, Biggel, Franz
• Primary Examiner(s): WILKENS, JANET MARIE
• Application Number:
  US08/809,193
• Time in Patent Office: 974 Days
• Field of Search: 312/263, 312/258, 312/249.8, 312/249.11, 312/310, 312/311, 312/313, 312/315, 312/321.5, 312/326, 312/329, 312/200, 312/223.3, 312/196, 312/249.12, 52/36.1, 52/36.4, 52/36.5, 52/64, 52/71, 52/70, 108/14, 108/34, 108/40, 108/33, 108/77, 108/65, 108/92, 108/38, 108/102, 108/41, 108/137
• US Class Current: 312/249.8
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/00 Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0069 with rack

Abstract

A workplace is suggested that has work surfaces and especially desk surfaces in a body which can be opened up. To attain a spacious interior, two opposing side walls (3, 4) are connected via hinges (15, 16) to a transverse wall (5) to allow the body to be unfolded as a workplace with a large area.

Claims

1. A collapsible workstation that collapses into a rectangular box and opens to a usable workstation, comprising:

a first transverse side wall;

a first longitudinal side wall pivotally attached to the first transverse side wall with a vertical hinge;

a second longitudinal side wall pivotally attached to the first transverse side wall with a vertical hinge;

a second transverse side wall attached to the second longitudinal side wall, the second transverse side wall having a wall section pivotable about a horizontal transverse axis, whereby in horizontal position forms a work surface, wherein the wall section is hidden from view when the workstation is collapsed;

a first work surface attached to the first longitudinal side wall and extending beyond the mid-point between the first and second longitudinal side walls when the workstation is closed; and

a second work surface attached to the second longitudinal side wall and extending beyond the mid-point between the first and second longitudinal side walls when the workstation is closed.

2. The workstation of claim 1 wherein the first and second longitudinal side walls each include a castor to facilitate opening and closing as well as transporting the workstation.

3. The workstation of claim 1 wherein the first and second work surfaces lie in different planes and wherein the work surfaces overlap when the workstation is closed.

4. The workstation according to claim 1 wherein the first and second work surfaces each extend across the entire length of the first and second longitudinal side walls, respectively.

5. The workstation of claim 1 further comprising a first top cover attached to the first longitudinal side wall and a second top cover attached to the second longitudinal side wall, wherein the first and second top cover meet when the workstation is closed.

6. The workstation of claim 5 wherein the first and second top covers are attached to the respective first and second longitudinal side walls with a hinge.

7. The workstation of claim 1 wherein the first transverse side wall has a curved cross-section.

8. The workstation of claim 1 wherein a third transverse side wall is attached to the first longitudinal side wall and is configured as a cabinet body with a withdrawable shelving insert.

9. The workstation of claim 1 wherein the first longitudinal side wall is pivotable over a pivot angle of from 0-270°

.

10. The workstation of claim 1 wherein the second longitudinal side wall is pivotable over a pivot angle of from 0-270°

.

11. A collapsible workstation that collapses into a rectangular box and opens to a usable workstation, comprising:

a first transverse side wall;

a first longitudinal side wall pivotally attached to the first transverse side wall with a vertical hinge, wherein the first longitudinal side wall is pivotable over a pivot angle of from 0-270°

;

a second longitudinal side wall pivotally attached to the first transverse side wall with a vertical hinge, wherein the second longitudinal side wall is pivotable over a pivot angle of from 0-270°

;

a second transverse side wall attached to the second longitudinal side wall;

a first work surface attached to the first longitudinal side wall and extending beyond the mid-point between the first and second longitudinal side walls when the workstation is closed;

a second work surface attached to the second longitudinal side wall and extending beyond the mid-point between the first and second longitudinal side walls when the workstation is closed; and

wherein the first and second longitudinal side walls each include a castor to facilitate opening and closing as well as transporting the workstation.

12. The workstation of claim 11 further comprising a box with drawers attached to one of the side walls.