Computer desk with pivoting carriage

• US 6,070,956 A
• Filed: 08/28/1998
• Issued: 06/06/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ZiLOG Incorporated (Littelfuse Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: ZiLOG Incorporated (Littelfuse Incorporated)
• Inventors: Yates, W. Shuford
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HANSEN, JAMES ORVILLE
• Application Number:
  US09/143,154
• Time in Patent Office: 648 Days
• Field of Search: 312/223.3, 312/223.6, 312/194, 312/195, 312/197, 312/321.5, 312/309, 312/322, 312/302, 312/303, 108/50.01, 108/50.02
• US Class Current: 312/223.3
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/00 Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0073 Desk with integrated computer

Abstract

An improved computer desk (10) having a pivoting carriage (15) for supporting a computer case. The computer desk (10) includes an upper panel (12) defining a work surface, a rear panel (14), first and second side panels (16) and (18) respectively, in spaced relation, and a pivoting carriage (15). Further a horizontal panel (20) defining a shelf depends from the rear panel (14). Proximate the second side panel (18), and in spaced relation therefrom, is a first interior panel member (22). Drawers (24) can be provided between the second side panel (18) and the first interior panel (22) as is known in the art. The carriage (15) has an open back and pivots in relation to, and independently of, the remainder of computer desk (10). When pivoted inward towards the rear panel, the carriage allows ready access to the ported side of the computer case (11). At least one port (36) is provided in rear panel (14) proximate pivoting carriage (15) in order to allow computer cables (38) to pass through rear panel (14) so as to prevent cables (38) from cluttering the knee space beneath the upper panel (12).

Claims

1. A computer desk adapted to support a computer case, said computer desk comprising:

an upper panel defining a work surface;

first and second side panels in spaced relation secured to said upper panel;

a rear panel secured to said first and second side panels;

a carriage member carried by said computer desk, said carriage member having an open front and an open back, wherein said carriage member is adapted to pivot in relation to said computer desk and is movable between a closed position and an open position such that said open front is readily accessible from a front of said computer desk when said carriage member is in said closed position and said open back is readily accessible from said front of said computer desk when said carriage member is in said open position; and

a vertical edge panel depending from said rear panel and disposed between said first and second side panels wherein said carriage member is hingedly engaged with said vertical edge panel.

2. The computer desk of claim 1 wherein said computer desk further comprises a horizontal panel defining a shelf, wherein said horizontal panel depends from said rear panel.

3. The computer desk of claim 1 wherein said computer desk further comprises a first interior panel in spaced relation from said second side panel wherein desk drawers are disposed between said first interior panel and said second side panel.

4. The computer desk of claim 1 wherein said carriage member is engaged to said vertical edge panel by a piano hinge.

5. The computer desk of claim 1 wherein said rear panel includes at least one port proximate said carriage member.

6. The computer desk of claim 1 wherein said computer desk further comprises a latch for selectively securing said carriage member in said closed position.

7. A computer desk adapted to support a computer cases said computer desk comprising:

an upper panel defining a work surface;

first and second side panels in spaced relation secured to said upper panel;

a rear panel secured to said first and second side panels; and

a carriage member carried by said computer desk, said carriage member having an open front and an open back, wherein said carriage member is adapted to pivot in relation to said computer desk and is movable between a closed position and an open position such that said open front is readily accessible from a front of said computer desk when said carriage member is in said closed position and said open back is readily accessible from said front of said computer desk when said carriage member is in said open position, wherein said carriage member is defined by an interior panel and a floor panel wherein said floor panel depends from said interior panel.

8. The computer desk of claim 7 wherein said floor panel extends between said second interior panel and said first interior panel when said carriage member is in said closed position.

9. A computer desk adapted to support a computer case, said computer desk comprising:

an upper panel defining a work surface;

first and second side panels in spaced relation secured to said upper panel;

a rear panel secured to said first and second side panels;

a first interior panel in spaced relation from said second side panel wherein desk drawers are disposed between said first interior panel and said second side panel;

a vertical edge panel depending from said rear panel and in spaced relation from said first interior panel; and

a carriage member hingedly engaged with said vertical edge panel, said carriage member having an open front and an open back, wherein said carriage member is adapted to pivot in relation to said computer desk and is movable between a closed position and an open position such that said open front is readily accessible from a front of said computer desk when said carriage member is in said closed position and said open back is readily accessible from a front of said computer desk when said carriage member is in said open position.

10. The computer desk of claim 9 wherein said computer desk further comprises a horizontal panel defining a shelf, wherein said horizontal panel depends from said rear panel.

11. The computer desk of claim 9 wherein said carriage member is engaged to said vertical edge panel by a piano hinge.

12. The computer desk of claim 9 wherein said carriage member is defined by a second interior panel and a floor panel wherein said floor panel depends from said second interior panel.

13. The computer desk of claim 12 wherein said floor panel extends between said second interior panel and said first interior panel when said carriage member is in said closed position.

14. The computer desk of claim 13 wherein said computer desk further comprises a brace depending from said first interior panel wherein said brace is positioned so as to engage and support said carriage member when said carriage member is in said closed position.

15. The computer desk of claim 9 wherein said rear panel includes at least one port proximate said carriage member.

16. The computer desk of claim 9 wherein said computer desk further comprises a latch for selectively securing said carriage member in said closed position.

17. A computer desk adapted to support a computer case, said computer desk comprising:

an upper panel defining a work surface;

first and second side panels in spaced relation secured to said upper panel;

a rear panel secured to said first and second side panels;

a first interior panel in spaced relation from said second side panel wherein desk drawers are disposed between said first interior panel and said second side panel;

a vertical edge panel depending from said rear panel and in spaced relation from said first interior panel;

a carriage member hingedly engaged with said vertical edge panel, said carriage member having an open front and an open back, wherein said carriage member is adapted to pivot in relation to said computer desk and is movable between a closed position and an open position such that said open front is readily accessible from a front of said computer desk when said carriage member is in said closed position and said open back is readily accessible from said front of said computer desk when said carriage member is in said open position, wherein said carriage member is defined by a second interior panel and a floor panel wherein said floor panel depends from said second interior panel; and

a brace depending from said first interior panel wherein said brace is positioned so as to engage and support said carriage member when said carriage member is in said closed position.

18. The computer desk of claim 17 wherein said computer desk further comprises a latch for selectively securing said carriage member in said closed position.

19. A computer desk adapted to support a computer case, said computer desk comprising:

an upper panel defining a work surface;

first and second side panels in spaced relation secured to said upper panel;

a first interior panel in spaced relation from said second side panel wherein desk drawers are disposed between said first interior panel and said second side panel

a rear panel secured to said first and second side panels;

a carriage member defined by a second interior panel and a floor panel depending from said second interior panel carried by said computer desk, said carriage member having an open back, wherein said carriage member is adapted to pivot in relation to said computer desk and is movable between a closed position and an open position wherein open front is readily accessible from a front of said computer desk when said carriage member is in said closed position and said open back is readily accessible from said front of said computer desk when said carriage member is in said open position, and further wherein said floor panel extends between said second interior panel and said first interior panel when said carriage member is in said closed position; and

a brace depending from said first interior panel wherein said brace is positioned so as to engage and support said carriage member when said carriage member is in said closed position.