Desk system having stanchion supported overhead storage cabinet

• US 6,196,648 B1
• Filed: 11/07/1996
• Issued: 03/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kimball International Incorporated (HNI Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimball International Incorporated (HNI Corporation)
• Inventors: Henriott, Jay M.
• Primary Examiner(s): BARFIELD, ANTHONY DERRELL
• Application Number:
  US08/744,692
• Time in Patent Office: 1,580 Days
• Field of Search: 312/223.6, 312/196, 312/198, 108/103, 108/50
• US Class Current: 312/196
• 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 desk system utilizing a plurality of stanchions that extend into and support overhead cabinets. The system includes a support structure comprising a plurality of support panels to which the stanchions are mounted. The stanchions extend through openings in the work surface and through openings in the lower panel of the overhead cabinet. The stanchions are mounted by means of fasteners to the inside rear corners of the overhead cabinet. The support structure also includes a lower raceway for running electrical and communication wiring, and this raceway is in communication with raceways defined within the stanchions by means of removable cover plates.

Claims

1. A desk system comprising:

a support structure;

a work surface mounted on said support structure; and

a cabinet disposed over said work surface, said cabinet having a plurality of connected panels, said panels defining a cabinet interior adapted for the storage of items and including at least one lower panel;

said support structure including a plurality of support stanchions extending upwardly completely through said work surface and completely through said lower panel of said cabinet into the cabinet interior, said cabinet being fixedly attached to upper end portions of said stanchions, whereby said cabinet is supported on said stanchions.

2. The desk system of claim 1 wherein said support structure further comprises a first raceway for housing wiring and at least one of said stanchions defines a second raceway, said first raceway communicating with said second raceway.

3. The desk system of claim 1 wherein said cabinet interior has rear corners, and one of said stanchions extends through said lower panel at one of said rear corners.

4. The desk system of claim 1 wherein said cabinet includes a compartment housing a light fixture, said compartment located at a bottom portion of said cabinet.

5. The desk system of claim 4 wherein said fixture further comprises wiring extending from said compartment into said stanchion.

6. The desk system of claim 1 wherein said work surface includes a plurality of openings through which said stanchions extend, and further including a plurality of pivotally mounted flaps mounted beneath said openings.

7. The desk system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of stanchions is attached to said plurality of panels at locations in the cabinet interior.

8. A desk system comprising:

a support structure;

a work surface mounted on said support structure; and

a cabinet disposed over said work surface, said cabinet having a plurality of connected panels, said panels defining a cabinet interior adapted for the storage of items and including at least one lower panel;

said support structure including a plurality of stanchions extending upwardly through said work surface and completely through openings in said lower panel of said cabinet into the cabinet interior, said cabinet being fixedly attached to upper end portions of said stanchions, whereby said cabinet is supported on said stanchions, and wherein a said stanchion has a triangular shape in cross-section.

9. The desk system of claim 8 wherein said stanchion includes first and second portions connected at abutting ends along an axis, said first and second portions being relatively disposed at an angle.

10. The desk system of claim 9 wherein said first and second portions have inwardly extending edges at open ends of said first and second portions.

11. The desk system of claim 10 wherein said stanchion further includes a cover plate disposed between said edges of said first and second portions.

12. A desk system comprising:

a support structure;

a work surface mounted on said support structure; and

a cabinet disposed over said work surface, said cabinet having a plurality of connected panels, said panels defining a cabinet interior adapted for the storage of items and including at least one lower panel;

said support structure including a plurality of stanchions extending upwardly through said work surface and completely through openings in said lower panel of said cabinet into the cabinet interior, said cabinet being fixedly attached to upper end portions of said stanchions, whereby said cabinet is supported on said stanchions wherein said plurality of stanchions is attached to at least one vertically oriented panel of said plurality of panels at locations in the cabinet interior.