Freestanding furniture system

• US 6,082,840 A
• Filed: 04/15/1998
• Issued: 07/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
• Inventors: McCrackin, John L., Kane, Brian J., Chau, Theodore Q.
• Primary Examiner(s): Knight, Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): Schwing, Karlena D.
• Application Number:
  US09/060,622
• Time in Patent Office: 811 Days
• Field of Search: 108/50.01, 108/50.02, 108/155, 108/156, 312/223.6, 312/223.3, 312/195, 312/194, 312/265.1, 312/265.2, 312/265.3, 312/263, 403/246, 403/245, 52/220.7, 248/74.2
• US Class Current: 312/223.6
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2097/003 Cable holders; cable organisers
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/06 characterised by means for holding, fastening or concealing cables

Abstract

A worksurface unit includes a worksurface defining a lower surface, a front edge shaped to be positioned adjacent a seated user, and a rear edge disposed opposite said front edge. The rear edge includes a substantially straight portion and a concave cut-out portion. The worksurface includes at least two legs, each having an upper end operably connected with the worksurface adjacent the rear edge, and a lower end shaped to support the worksurface on a floor. A panel is connected with and extends between the legs, and has an upper edge spaced-apart from the lower surface of the worksurface to define a passageway. The panel upper edge is sloped downwardly towards the front edge of the worksurface such that utility lines can be routed through the cut-out portion of the rear edge, through the passageway and over the sloped upper edge of the panel.

Claims

1. A freestanding worksurface unit for offices, comprising:

a worksurface defining a lower surface, a front edge, and a rear edge disposed opposite said front edge, said rear edge including a substantially straight portion, and a concave cut-out portion;

at least two legs, each having an upper end operably connected with said worksurface adjacent said rear edge, and a lower end shaped to support said worksurface on a floor; and

a panel connected with and extending between said legs and having an upper edge spaced-apart from said lower surface of said worksurface to define a passageway, said panel upper edge having an upper surface sloped downwardly towards said front edge such that utility lines can be routed through said cut-out portion of said rear edge, through said passageway and over said sloped upper surface.

2. A worksurface unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said panel defines first and second opposite side edges, each side edge releasably connected to a selected one of said legs.

3. A freestanding worksurface unit for offices, comprising:

a worksurface defining a lower surface, a front edge, and a rear edge disposed opposite said front edge, said rear edge including a substantially straight portion, and a concave cut-out portion;

at least two legs, each having an upper end operably connected with said worksurface adjacent said rear edge, and a lower end shaped to support said worksurface on a floor;

a panel connected with and extending between said legs and having an upper edge spaced-apart from said lower surface of said worksurface to define a passageway, said panel upper edge having an upper surface sloped downwardly towards said front edge such that utility lines can be routed through said cut-out portion of said rear edge, through said passageway and over said sloped upper surface, said panel defining first and second opposite side edges, each side edge releasably connected to a selected one of said legs, said panel including inwardly-extending side flanges extending along said side edges, a first side flange including at least one opening defining an upper edge; and

a discrete bracket having a base portion removably secured to a selected one of said legs, and including a tab extending from said base portion, said tab defining an upwardly-opening slot, said tab engaging said opening in said side flange to removably retain said panel to said leg.

4. A worksurface unit as set forth in claim 3, wherein:

said panel defines a lower edge having an inwardly-extending lower flange, said lower flange including an upwardly-extending edge portion to define a raceway along said lower edge shaped to receive utility lines therein.

5. A worksurface unit as set forth in claim 4, wherein:

said panel includes an inwardly-extending upper flange along said upper edge defining said downwardly sloped upper surface.

6. A worksurface unit as set forth in claim 5, wherein:

said panel comprises an upper panel; and

including;

a lower panel juxtaposed below said upper panel.

7. A worksurface unit as set forth in claim 6, wherein:

said lower panel is substantially identical to said upper panel.

8. A worksurface unit as set forth in claim 7, including:

a wire manager disposed within said concave cut-out portion;

said wire manager including;

a rear wall having opposite ends and defining an outer surface closely corresponding to said concave cut-out portion of said rear edge of said worksurface;

a substantially straight front wall extending between said opposite ends of said rear wall to define with said rear wall a wire-receiving opening through said wire manager; and

at least one wire-retaining prong extending from said rear wall into said opening to retain a free end of a wire above said worksurface.

9. A worksurface unit as set forth in claim 8, including:

a wire retainer having a C-shape with a base connected to a selected one of said legs and a pair of flexible arms extending therefrom to releasably retain utility lines within said flexible arms along said leg.

10. A freestanding worksurface unit for offices, comprising:

a worksurface defining a rear edge;

at least four elongated legs, each having an upper end secured to said worksurface adjacent said rear edge and a lower end shaped to support said worksurface on a floor;

upper and lower panels, said upper panel juxtaposed above said lower panel, each panel extending between a selected pair of said legs and defining front faces and opposite side edges removably connected to first and second ones of said selected pair of legs, each panel defining a lower edge having a raceway extending therealong for routing utility lines; and

at least one bracket having a base portion connected to a selected one of said legs, and a tab extending from said base in a first direction, said tab defining opposing slots, a first one of said slots opening upwardly when said bracket is installed in a first orientation and engaging said upper edge of said opening adjacent said first side edge of said panel, and a second one of said slots opening downwardly when said bracket is installed in the first orientation such that said bracket can be mounted to a selected one of said legs in a second orientation wherein said bracket is oriented in a position wherein said bracket is rotated about a horizontal axis one hundred and eighty degrees from said first orientation with said tab extending opposite said first direction such that said second slot opens upwardly to engage said upper edge of said opening adjacent said first side edge of said panel.

11. A worksurface unit as set forth in claim 10, including:

at least one of said panels includes inwardly-extending side flanges extending along said side edges, a first side flange including at least one opening defining an upper edge; and

including;

a bracket having a base portion secured to a selected one of said legs, and including a tab extending from said base portion, said tab defining an upwardly-opening slot, said tab engaging said opening in said side flange to retain said panel to said leg.

12. A worksurface unit as set forth in claim 11, wherein:

said lower edge of each panel includes an inwardly-extending lower flange having an upwardly-extending edge portion.

13. A worksurface unit as set forth in claim 12, wherein:

said upper panel has an inwardly-extending upper flange defining a sloped upper edge of said upper panel.

14. A worksurface unit as set forth in claim 13, wherein:

said rear edge of said worksurface includes a substantially straight portion, and a concave cut-out portion.

15. A worksurface unit as set forth in claim 14, wherein:

each side flange extends at an acute angle relative to said front face of said panel.

16. A worksurface unit as set forth in claim 15, including:

a wire manager disposed within said concave cut-out portion;

said wire manager including;

a rear wall having opposite ends and defining an outer surface closely corresponding to said concave cut-out portion of said rear edge of said worksurface;

a substantially straight front wall extending between said opposite ends of said rear wall to define with said rear wall a wire-receiving opening through said wire manager; and

at least one wire-retaining prong extending from said rear wall into said opening to retain a free end of a wire above said worksurface.

17. A worksurface unit as set forth in claim 16, including:

a wire retainer having a C-shape with a base connected to a selected one of said legs and a pair of flexible arms extending therefrom to releasably retain utility lines within said flexible arms along said leg.

18. A worksurface unit as set forth in claim 17, wherein:

said legs define a sidewall with at least one opening therethrough;

said base of said wire retainer including a flexible barbed extension received within said opening to secure said wire retainer to said leg.

19. A freestanding worksurface unit for offices, comprising:

a worksurface defining a rear edge;

at least two legs, each having an upper end secured to said worksurface adjacent said rear edge;

a panel extending between said legs and defining first and second side edges adjacent said legs and including an opening adjacent each side edge, each opening having an upper edge; and

at least one discrete bracket mountable in first and second orientations and having a base portion connected to a selected one of said legs, and a tab extending from said base in a first direction when said bracket is installed in the first orientation, said tab defining opposing slots, a first one of said slots opening upwardly and engaging said upper edge of said opening adjacent said first side edge of said panel when said bracket is in the first orientation, and a second one of said slots opening downwardly when said bracket is in the first orientation such that said bracket can be mounted to a selected one of said legs in a second orientation with said tab oriented such that said second slot opens upwardly to engage said upper edge of said opening adjacent said first side edge of said panel, thereby permitting use of said bracket in both first and second orientations which are rotated one hundred and eighty degrees with respect to one another.

20. A worksurface unit as set forth in claim 19, wherein:

said panel includes an inwardly-projecting side flange extending along each side edge, each side flange having an opening therein engaging said tab.

21. A worksurface unit as set forth in claim 20, wherein:

said opening comprises an upper opening, and said side flange includes a lower opening having an upper edge;

said bracket includes a second tab extending in said first direction and defining opposing slots, a first one of said slots opening upwardly and engaging said upper edge of said lower opening when said bracket is in the first orientation, a second slot opening downwardly such that said bracket can be mounted to a selected one of said legs in a second orientation with said tab oriented such that said second slot opens upwardly to engage said upper edge of said lower opening.

22. A worksurface unit as set forth in claim 21, wherein:

said panel defines a lower edge having an inwardly-extending lower flange, said lower flange including an upwardly-extending edge portion to define a raceway along said lower edge shaped to receive utility lines therein.

23. A worksurface unit as set forth in claim 22, wherein:

said panel includes an inwardly-extending upper flange along said upper edge defining a downwardly sloped upper edge.

24. A worksurface unit as set forth in claim 23, wherein:

said rear edge of said worksurface includes a substantially straight portion and a concave cut-out portion.

25. A worksurface unit as set forth in claim 24, wherein:

a wire manager disposed within said concave cut-out portion;

said wire manager including;

a rear wall having opposite ends and defining an outer surface closely corresponding to said concave cut-out portion of said rear edge of said worksurface;

a substantially straight front wall extending between said opposite ends of said rear wall to define with said rear wall a wire-receiving opening through said wire manager; and

at least one wire-retaining prong extending from said rear wall into said opening to retain a free end of a wire above said worksurface.

26. A worksurface unit as set forth in claim 25, wherein:

said panel comprises an upper panel; and

including;

a lower panel juxtaposed below said upper panel.

27. A worksurface unit as set forth in claim 26, wherein:

said lower panel is substantially identical to said upper panel.

28. A worksurface unit as set forth in claim 27, wherein:

said bracket and said panels are formed from sheet metal.

29. A worksurface unit for offices, comprising:

a worksurface defining a front edge and a rear edge;

at least two legs, each having an upper end secured to said worksurface, and a lower end shaped to support said worksurface on a floor; and

a wire retainer having a C-shape with a base portion connected to said worksurface unit, said wire retainer having a pair of substantially identical flexible arms extending therefrom to releasably retain utility lines within said flexible arms along said leg.

30. A worksurface unit for offices, comprising:

a worksurface defining a front edge and a rear edge;

said legs each defining a sidewall with at least one opening;

at least two legs, each having an upper end secured to said worksurface, and a lower end shaped to support said worksurface on a floor,

a wire retainer having a C-shape with a base portion connected to said worksurface unit, said wire retainer having a pair of substantially identical flexible arms extending therefrom to releasably retain utility lines within said flexible arms along said leg;

said base portion of said wire retainer including a pair of flexible barbed extensions received within said opening and securing said wire retainer to said leg each said flexible arms defining a free end, said free ends spaced-apart to define a gap therebetween when in an unflexed condition, such that said flexible arms return to said unflexed condition upon insertion of utility lines within said flexible arms.

31. A worksurface unit as set forth in claim 30, including:

a panel extending between said legs.

32. A worksurface unit as set forth in claim 31, wherein:

said legs have a curved outer surface; and

said base portion of said wire retainer has a curved surface closely corresponding to said curved outer surface of said legs.

33. A worksurface unit as set forth in claim 32, wherein:

said rear edge of said worksurface includes a substantially straight portion, and a concave cut-out portion.

34. A wire manager for worksurfaces, comprising:

a rear wall having opposite ends and defining an outer surface closely corresponding to a concave cut-out portion of an edge of a worksurface;

a substantially straight front wall extending between said opposite ends of said rear wall to define with said rear wall a wire-receiving opening; and

at least one wire-retaining prong extending from said rear wall into said opening and dividing said wire-receiving opening into a relatively large portion having sufficient size to permit passing of a conventional plug connector therethrough, and into a wire-retaining portion that is smaller than said relatively large portion to prevent passage of a conventional plug connector therethrough and thereby retain a free end of a wire above a worksurface.

35. A wire manager as set forth in claim 34, wherein:

said wire-retaining prong is flexible to permit manual installation of wires between said prong and a selected one of said front and rear walls.

36. A wire manager as set forth in claim 35, wherein:

said wire-retaining prong is integrally formed with said rear walls and extends parallel to said front wall.

37. A wire manager as set forth in claim 36, wherein:

said prong comprises a first prong having an end; and

including;

a second wire-retaining prong fixedly secured to said rear wall and extending from said rear wall and having an end that is spaced-apart from said end of said first prong to define a gap therebetween such that wires can be pulled through said gap and retained between said prongs and said rear wall.

38. A wire manager as set forth in claim 37, including:

an orthogonal mounting flange extending from said rear wall.

39. A kit for freestanding worksurface units, comprising:

a worksurface defining a front edge shaped to be positioned adjacent a seated user and a rear edge;

at least two legs adapted to be secured to said worksurface adjacent said rear edge, each leg including an upper connector and a lower connector; and

a panel defining first and second opposite side edges, each side edge adapted to interconnect with said upper and lower connectors of said legs such that said panel can be selectively mounted in an upper position on said upper connectors, and a lower position on said lower connectors; and

a bracket having a base portion adapted to mount to said upper and lower portions of said legs, said bracket including a connector extending from said base portion, said connector adapted to secure said first side edge of said panel to said leg when said bracket is mounted to said leg in a first orientation, and also adapted to secure said second side edge of said panel to said leg when said bracket is mounted to said leg in a second orientation.

40. A kit for freestanding worksurface units as set forth in claim 39, wherein:

said panel has an upper edge that slopes downwardly towards said front edge when said panel is mounted to said legs.

41. A kit for freestanding worksurface units as set forth in claim 40, wherein:

said rear edge of said worksurface includes a substantially straight portion, and a concave cut-out portion.

42. A kit for freestanding worksurface units as set forth in claim 41, including:

a second panel defining first and second opposite side edges, each side edge adapted to interconnect with said upper and lower connectors of said legs such that said panel can be selectively mounted in an upper position on said upper connectors, or in a lower position on said lower connectors of said legs.

43. A kit for freestanding worksurface units as set forth in claim 42, including:

a wire manager adapted to be mounted within said cut-out portion of said rear edge, said wire manager defining an opening therethrough, and at least one wire-retaining prong extending from said rear wall into said opening to retain a free end of a wire above said worksurface.