Variable configuration desk system with power and communication capability

• US 7,278,360 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2003
• Issued: 10/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Krueger International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Krueger International Incorporated
• Inventors: Griepentrog, Dennis G.
• Primary Examiner(s): WILKENS, JANET MARIE
• Application Number:
  US10/349,348
• Publication Number:
  US 20030136313A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,721 Days
• Field of Search: 108/50.01, 108/50.02, 312/194, 312/195, 312/196, 312/223.3, 312/223.6, 52/361
• US Class Current: 108/50.02
• 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 with power and/or communication capability includes a series of interconnected desk sections. Each desk section includes a pair of leg that support a worksurface, and one or more stanchions extend upwardly from the worksurface. A primary power distribution system is located below the worksurface. The primary power distribution system includes receptacles mounted to a beam that extends between the pair of legs. Openings are formed in the legs for enabling the primary power distribution system to pass from one desk section to another. Each stanchion defines an open interior and is mounted above an opening formed in the worksurface. Each stanchion includes a mounting plate, and one or more power and/or communication supply blocks are adapted for securement to the mounting plate. Flexible cords or cables extend from each mounting block through the opening in the worksurface, and are plugged into the receptacles or the primary power distribution system located below the worksurface.

Claims

1. A desk system, comprising:

a pair of spaced apart leg members, wherein at least one of the leg members includes an open interior area;

a worksurface supported by the pair of leg members;

a power stanchion located above at least one of the leg members, wherein the power stanchion includes at least a pair of outer walls oriented at an angle to each other, and an internal wall that extends between and is fixed to the outer walls and that cooperates with the outer walls to define a power stanchion passage located inwardly of the internal wall and an outer area located outwardly of the internal wall, wherein the internal wall includes a receptacle mounting area located above the worksurface that defines one or more openings;

wherein the worksurface includes an opening arranged to establish communication between the receptacle mounting area and the open interior area of the leg member;

a power supply arrangement including a primary power supply located below the worksurface and a stanchion power supply that is separate from the walls of the power stanchion, wherein the stanchion power supply extends from the primary power supply through the opening in the worksurface and includes one or more stanchion power supply members defining one or more power supply receptacles, wherein each stanchion power supply member is engaged within one of the openings defined by the receptacle mounting area of the internal wall of the power stanchion at the receptacle mounting area defined by the internal wall; and

a cover movably engaged with the power stanchion, wherein the cover is movable between an open position and a closed position while engaged with the power stanchion, wherein the cover and the outer walls of the power stanchion are configured such that the cover in the open position provides access to the outer area of the power stanchion and to the one or more power supply receptacles, and wherein the cover in the closed position prevents access to the outer area of the power stanchion and to the one or more power supply receptacles.

2. The desk system of claim 1, wherein a power stanchion is located above each of the leg members and wherein the worksurface includes a pair of openings, each of which is arranged to establish communication between the open interior area of one of the leg members and the receptacle mounting area of the power stanchion located above the leg member, and further comprising an overhead storage member supported between the power stanchions.

3. The desk system of claim 1, wherein the internal wall of the power stanchion is defined by an internal plate member that extends between and is fixed to the pair of outer walls of the power stanchion.

4. The desk system of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a lower edge located adjacent an upwardly facing surface defined by the worksurface, and further comprising a resilient seal member associated with the lower edge of the cover, wherein the resilient seal member is constructed and arranged to accommodate one or more power cords extending from one or more items supported by the worksurface and engaged with the power supply receptacles.

5. The desk system of claim 1, wherein the cover is pivotably mounted to the stanchion for movement between the open and closed positions.

6. The desk system of claim 1, wherein each leg member includes a pair of generally perpendicular outer walls.

7. The desk system of claim 6, wherein each leg member further includes a cover member that extends between and is interconnected with the outer walls, wherein the outer walls and the cover member cooperate to define the open interior area of the leg member.

8. The desk system of claim 7, wherein the cover member is removably mounted to and between the outer walls to provide selective access to the internal area of the leg member.

9. The desk system of claim 6, wherein the desk system includes a first pair of leg members and a first worksurface that cooperate to define a first desk section, and a second pair of leg members and a second worksurface that cooperate to define a second desk section, wherein each outer wall of each leg member includes an opening, and wherein the openings in the outer walls of one of the leg members in the first pair of leg members and in one of the leg members in the second pair of leg members are positioned to be in alignment with each other when the first and second desk sections are positioned adjacent each other, wherein the primary power supply of the power supply arrangement is configured to extend through the aligned openings to supply power to the first and second desk sections.

10. The desk system of claim 9, wherein the outer wall of each leg member defines an upper end and a lower end, and wherein the outer wall of each leg member includes an upper opening located toward the upper end and a lower opening located toward the lower end.

11. The desk system of claim 9, wherein an opening in one of the outer walls of one of the leg members of each of the first and second pairs of leg members are positioned in alignment with each other for supplying power between the first and second desk sections, and wherein the opening in the other of the outer walls of the leg members are exposed, and further comprising a leg opening cover engaged within the exposed openings.

12. The desk system of claim 1, wherein the primary power supply includes a power supply outlet located below the worksurface, and wherein the stanchion power supply comprises a flexible cord that extends from the stanchion power supply member into engagement with the power supply outlet of the primary power supply.