Modular worksurface system

• US 9,516,945 B2
• Filed: 05/13/2015
• Issued: 12/13/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Haworth Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Haworth Incorporated
• Inventors: Johnson, Ross S., Danz, Duane, Gingrich, Bryan R., Emery, Dave, Zeilinger, Todd
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V
• Application Number:
  US14/711,152
• Publication Number:
  US 20160213145A1
• Time in Patent Office: 580 Days
• Field of Search: 108/50.01, 108/50.02, 312/223.6, 312/223.1, 312/223.3
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 1/04 with supplementary leaves or drop leaves arranged at the periphery A47B1/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/062 the worksurface moving forward to expose the wire gutter, e.g. up and forward
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/066 with power or communication connection interface
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0085 Supplementary support fixed on the edge of a desk or table
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0088 Appliance support having rotary joint or articulated connection
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/12 Vanity or modesty panels
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 83/001 Office desks or work-stations combined with other pieces of furniture, e.g. work space management systems
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 87/002 Combination of tables; Linking or assembling means therefor

Abstract

An improved worksurface for home and office furniture constructions. The improved worksurface generally includes a plurality of vertical openings disposed along at least a portion of the periphery of the worksurface, where the vertical openings are adapted to support removable and interchangeable accessories. The accessories can include shelving units, support stands, storage baskets, swivel arms, docking cradles, and display mounts, for example, each being positionable at multiple locations along the periphery of the worksurface. The vertical openings are optionally disposed within a recessed portion extending adjacent a rear edge of the worksurface. In use, a user can reposition the accessories as desired, providing enhanced flexibility and customization over existing constructions.

Claims

1. A furniture unit comprising:

a worksurface including a plurality of vertical openings and a plurality of retention slots that are adjacent to an outer periphery of the worksurface;

wherein the plurality of vertical openings and the plurality of retention slots are positioned within an elongated recess adjacent to a rearward edge of the worksurface,

wherein the plurality of vertical openings are adapted to receive a vertical post from a first accessory; and

wherein the plurality of retention slots are adapted to receive a retention clip from a second accessory, each of the plurality of retention slots being adjacent to a respective one of the plurality of vertical openings.

2. The furniture unit of claim 1 further including the first accessory, wherein the first accessory includes at least one of a shelving unit, a support stand, and a docking cradle.

3. The furniture unit of claim 1 further including the second accessory, wherein the second accessory includes at least one of a side basket and a privacy panel.

4. The furniture unit of claim 3 wherein the privacy panel include first and second retention clips for insertion into two of the plurality of retention slots.

5. The furniture unit of claim 1 wherein the elongated recess includes a sloped sidewall and a base, the plurality of vertical openings and the plurality of retention slots being defined within the base.

6. The furniture unit of claim 1 wherein the plurality of vertical openings are spaced apart from each other by irregular intervals.

7. The furniture unit of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of vertical openings includes an electrical socket for providing power to an electrical device.

8. The furniture unit of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of vertical openings is paired with at least one of the plurality of retention slots.

9. A worksurface comprising:

an upper surface including a rear edge and a side edge;

a first recess adjacent to a rear edge of the upper surface;

a second recess adjacent to a side edge of the upper surface; and

a plurality of vertical openings and a plurality of vertical retention slots,

wherein each of the first and second recesses include one of the plurality of vertical openings and one of the plurality of vertical retention slots, the plurality of vertical openings being adapted to receive a vertical post from at least one of a shelving unit and a support stand, and the plurality of vertical retention slots being adapted to receive a retention clip from at least one of a side basket and a privacy panel.

10. The worksurface of claim 9 wherein the first recess encompasses at least two of the plurality of vertical openings and at least two of the plurality of vertical retention slots.

11. The worksurface of claim 9 wherein at least one of the plurality of vertical openings includes an electrical socket for providing power to an electrical device.

12. The worksurface of claim 9 further including a shelving unit and a support stand, wherein the shelving unit and the support stand include first and second vertical posts extending downwardly therefrom.

13. The worksurface of claim 9 further including a side basket and a privacy panel, wherein the side basket and the privacy panel include first and second retention clips for insertion into the plurality of retention slots.

14. The worksurface of claim 13 wherein the privacy panel overlies the upper surface and does not extend rearwardly beyond the upper surface.

15. A worksurface system comprising:

first and second worksurfaces being repositionable in a plurality of orientations with respect to each other to provide a plurality of workspace configurations, each of the first and second worksurfaces defining a plurality of vertical openings adapted to receive a vertical post from a modular accessory,

wherein the plurality of vertical openings are disposed adjacent to a rearward portion of the first and second worksurfaces and adjacent to a side portion of the first and second worksurfaces, and

wherein the vertical openings in the first worksurface are aligned with the vertical openings in the second worksurface when the first and second worksurfaces are arranged in at least two of the plurality of workspace configurations.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the plurality of vertical openings are spaced apart from each other according to a repeating spacing pattern.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the repeating spacing pattern extends along the length of the rearward portion of the first and second worksurfaces.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein each of the plurality of vertical openings is spaced apart from a first adjacent one of the plurality of vertical openings by a first distance and is spaced apart by a second one of the plurality of openings by a second distance, the second distance being different from the first distance.

19. The system of claim 15 wherein each of the plurality of vertical openings defines a common inner diameter to interchangeably receive the vertical post at a plurality of locations along the first and second worksurfaces.

20. The system of claim 15 wherein the first and second worksurfaces each include a plurality of recesses to encompass the plurality of vertical openings.

21. The system of claim 15 wherein at least one of the vertical openings includes an electrical socket for powering an electrical device.

22. A furniture system adapted for use with a plurality of electronic devices, the furniture system comprising:

a worksurface including a plurality of vertical openings adjacent to an outer periphery of the worksurface, wherein the plurality of vertical openings are positioned within an elongated recess adjacent to a rearward edge of the worksurface; and

a mounting system for supporting the plurality of electronic devices above the worksurface, the mounting system including a post to interfit within the plurality of vertical openings, a first swivel arm connectable to the post, a second swivel arm connectable to the first swivel arm, and a plurality of device mounts, wherein each of the plurality of device mounts are separately attachable to the plurality of vertical openings, the first swivel arm, and the second swivel arm to provide a plurality of support configurations above the worksurface for the plurality of electronic devices.

23. The furniture system of claim 22 wherein:

the first swivel arm is rotatable relative to the post; and

the second swivel arm is rotatable relative to the first swivel arm.

24. The furniture system of claim 23 wherein the second swivel arm is adapted to nest against an upper surface of the first swivel arm.

25. The furniture system of claim 22 wherein the plurality of device mounts includes at least one of a cradle, a stand, and a mounting plate.

26. The furniture system of claim 22 wherein the plurality of electronic devices includes at least one of a smartphone, a tablet, and a monitor.

27. The furniture system of claim 22 wherein the first and second swivel arms include a male pivoting portion at one end thereof and female pivoting portion at another end thereof.

28. The furniture system of claim 27 further including a locking screw extending through the female pivoting portion to secure a male pivoting portion therein.

30. The furniture system of claim 22 wherein each of the plurality of device mounts includes a pivot post extending downwardly therefrom, the pivot post having an outer diameter less than an inner diameter of the plurality of vertical openings.

31. The furniture system of claim 30 further including an externally-threaded sleeve and an internally-threaded collar, the externally-threaded sleeve including an inner diameter that is sized to receive the device mount pivot post and including an outer diameter that is sized to be received within the plurality of vertical openings, the nut attaching to the sleeve from beneath the worksurface.

29. A furniture system adapted for use with a plurality of electronic devices, the furniture system comprising:

a worksurface including a plurality of vertical openings adjacent to an outer periphery of the worksurface, wherein the plurality of vertical openings are positioned within an elongated recess adjacent to a side edge of the worksurface; and

a mounting system for supporting the plurality of electronic devices above the worksurface, the mounting system including a post to interfit within the plurality of vertical openings, a first swivel arm connectable to the post, a second swivel arm connectable to the first swivel arm, and a plurality of device mounts, wherein each of the plurality of device mounts are separately attachable to the plurality of vertical openings, the first swivel arm, and the second swivel arm to provide a plurality of support configurations above the worksurface for the plurality of electronic devices.

32. A power module for attachment to the underside of first and second different-length worksurfaces, the power module comprising:

a rigid housing defining a lengthwise axis including first and second end portions;

a plurality of outlets disposed along the lengthwise axis of the housing and adapted to provide power to a plurality of electronic devices;

a plurality of sockets adapted to receive mains power from a power cable, the plurality of sockets including;

first and second outermost sockets at the first and second end portions of the rigid housing, respectively, and

first and second innermost sockets positioned inward of the first and second outermost sockets;

wherein each of the plurality of outlets provide power when the power cable is electrically coupled to any one of the plurality of sockets.

33. The furniture system of claim 32 wherein the first and second innermost sockets are vertically offset with respect to the first and second outermost sockets.

34. The furniture system of claim 32 wherein the distance separating the first outermost socket from the first innermost socket is equal to one half of the difference in length of the first worksurface from the second worksurface.

35. The furniture system of claim 32 wherein the outlets are AC electrical outlets.