Dual height workstation configuration

• US 8,960,102 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2013
• Issued: 02/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Inventors: Rheault, Alan E, Mead, Karl J, Vangelatos, George K
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V
• Application Number:
  US13/934,495
• Publication Number:
  US 20130291765A1
• Time in Patent Office: 601 Days
• Field of Search: 108/50.01, 108/50.02, 108/147, 108/108, 108/152, 312/196, 312/223.6, 312/257.1, 312/194, 312/195, 312/265.1
• US Class Current: 108/50.01
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/10 Tops characterised by shape, other than circular or rectangular
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/066 with power or communication connection interface
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/00 Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/04 characterised by means for holding or fastening typewriters or computer equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/06 characterised by means for holding, fastening or concealing cables

Abstract

A work surface arrangement comprising a support structure extending upward from a base end, a first work surface forming member supported by the support structure at a first vertical height, a second work surface forming member supported by the support structure at a second vertical height and extending to a first side of the support structure where the second vertical height is lower than the first vertical height, the second member including an undersurface, a first cover supported by the support structure and extending downward below the first member to a lower edge below the second vertical height, a second cover supported by the support structure and extending downward from a height proximate the undersurface of the second member and spaced from the first cover to bound a cavity, at least one horizontal channel supported by the support structure between the first and second work surface forming members to face the first side.

Claims

1. A furniture arrangement comprising:

a support structure extending upward from a base end;

a first work surface forming member supported by the support structure at a first vertical height;

a second work surface forming member supported by the support structure at a second vertical height and extending to a first side of the support structure where the second vertical height is lower than the first vertical height, the second work surface forming member including an undersurface;

a first cover supported by the support structure and extending downward below the first work surface forming member to a lower edge below the second vertical height;

a second cover supported by the support structure and extending downward from a height proximate the undersurface of the second work surface forming member and spaced from the first cover wherein the first and second covers bound a housing cavity having a housing cavity width; and

at least one horizontal channel forming member supported by the support structure between the first and second work surface forming members and facing the first side of the support structure, the horizontal channel configured for attaching accessories to the arrangement.

2. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the first work surface forming member extends to a second side of the support structure opposite the first side, the first work surface forming member having an undersurface and wherein the first cover extends downward from the undersurface of the first work surface forming member.

3. The arrangement of claim 2 wherein the support member includes at least first and second substantially vertical and spaced apart legs.

4. The arrangement of claim 3 wherein the first and second legs include first and second parallel surfaces that are within first and second leg planes and wherein the first cover is located at least in part outside the space between the first and second leg planes.

5. The arrangement of claim 4 wherein the second cover is located at least in part outside the space between the first and second leg planes.

6. The arrangement of claim 5 further including a third cover extending from an undersurface of the first work surface forming member downward so that an external surface thereof is located proximate, above and facing a work surface formed by the second work surface forming member.

7. The arrangement of claim 6 wherein the channel forming member is flush with the third cover.

8. The arrangement of claim 6 further including at least one power receptacle mounted to the third cover where the receptacle is substantially flush with an external surface of the third cover.

9. The arrangement of claim 7 further including at least one power receptacle located below the horizontal channel forming member.

10. The arrangement of claim 8 wherein the second work surface forming member including a central notch formed in an otherwise substantially straight rear edge, the central notch aligned with the third cover.

11. The arrangement of claim 8 wherein at least one of the first and second covers is mounted for release and movement into an open position enabling access to the housing cavity.

12. The arrangement of claim 11 wherein the at least one of the first and second covers that is mounted for movement is hingedly mounted for rotational movement between the open position and a closed position.

13. The arrangement of claim 5 further including at least a first mounting bar that extend between the first and second legs, at least one of the first and second covers mounted to the mounting bar for rotation about the mounting bar between a closed position in which the cover is substantially parallel with the other of the first and second covers and an open position in which the cover is angled with respect to the other of the first and second covers to enable access to the housing cavity.

14. The arrangement of claim 13 further including at least one monitor support arm supported by the support structure to support a flat panel monitor above a top surface of the first work surface forming member, the at least one monitor support structure supporting the monitor for rotation between positions in which the monitor faces either of the first and the second sides of the support structure.

15. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the second work surface forming member extends to a second side of the support structure opposite the first side, the arrangement further including at least one monitor support arm supported by the support structure to support a flat panel monitor above a top surface of the first work surface forming member, the at least one monitor support structure supporting the monitor for rotation between positions in which the monitor faces either of the first and the second sides of the support structure.

16. The arrangement of claim 15 wherein cables for the monitor pass into the housing cavity between the first and second covers.

17. The arrangement of claim 16 further including at least one cable tray supported within the housing cavity.

18. The arrangement of claim 16 wherein the cable tray is mounted to an internal surface of the first cover member.

19. The arrangement of claim 18 wherein the housing cavity is substantially open downward.

20. The arrangement of claim 19 wherein at least one receptacle is supported between the first and second work surface forming members and faces the second side.

21. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the first work surface forming member forms a rear edge and extends to a second side of the support structure opposite the first side, the second work surface forming member having a rear edge, a portion of the first work surface forming member proximate the rear edge of the first work surface forming member vertically overlapping a portion of the second work surface forming member proximate the rear edge of the second work surface forming member.

22. The arrangement of claim 21 wherein the first work surface forming member has a top surface and wherein the support structure resides completely below the top surface of the first work surface forming member.

23. A furniture arrangement comprising:

a support structure extending upward from a base end;

a first work surface forming member having a rear edge, supported by the support structure at a first vertical height and extending to at least a first side of the support structure;

a second work surface forming member having a rear edge, supported by the support structure at a second vertical height and extending to a second side of the support structure opposite the first side where the second vertical height is lower than the first vertical height, a portion of the first work surface forming member proximate the rear edge of the first work surface forming member vertically overlapping a portion of the second work surface forming member proximate the rear edge of the second work surface forming member; and

at least one horizontal channel forming member supported by the support structure between the first and second work surface forming members and facing the first side of the support structure, the horizontal channel configured for attaching accessories to the arrangement.

24. The arrangement of claim 23 wherein the first work surface forming member has a top surface and wherein the support structure resides completely below the top surface of the first work surface forming member.

25. The arrangement of claim 23 wherein each of the first and second work surface forming members extends laterally to third and fourth sides of the support structure that are perpendicular to the first and second sides.

26. A furniture arrangement comprising:

a support structure extending upward from a base end;

a first work surface forming member supported by the support structure at a first vertical height and extending to at least a first side of the support structure;

a second work surface forming member supported by the support structure at a second vertical height and extending to a second side of the support structure opposite the first side where the second vertical height is lower than the first vertical height;

a first cover supported by the support structure and extending downward below the first work surface forming member to a lower edge below the second vertical height;

a second cover supported by the support structure and extending downward below the first work surface forming member to a lower edge such that the first and second covers together form a cavity that extends generally between the first and second vertical heights; and

at least one monitor support arm supported by the support structure to support a flat panel monitor above a top surface of the first work surface forming member, the at least one monitor support structure supporting the monitor for rotation between positions in which the monitor faces either of the first and the second sides of the support structure.

27. The arrangement of claim 26 further including at least a second monitor support arm supported by the support structure to support a second flat panel monitor above a top surface of the first work surface forming member, the at least a second monitor support structure supporting the second flat panel monitor for rotation between positions in which the second flat panel monitor faces either of the first and the second sides of the support structure.