AU2012100513A4 - An office modular furniture unit and arrangement of integrating said units - Google Patents

Abstract

An office modular furniture unit having vertical support panels for a table frame, said vertical support panel including a slot having an extendible/retractable platform for supporting an electrical/electronic device thereon between a first position under the table frame and a second position external to the outside of the vertical support panel. Figure 1

Description

AN OFFICE MODULAR FURNITURE UNIT AND ARRANGEMENT OF INTEGRATING SAID UNITS [001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION [002] This invention relates to a unique work table or office desk arrangement that provides a modular furniture unit which in some arrangements is also adapted to be integrated one with the other in order to establish an office layout for multiple workstations. [003] BACKGROUND ART DISCUSSION [004] An office desk or work table for the most part provides the basic function of offering support for user interactive devices such as computers, telephones, keyboards, filing trays and so forth, and not the least a place to write things down. [005] Nonetheless in an overall office layout it would be inappropriate to simply have a whole series of conventional office desks as there needs to be some type of partitioning and/or segregation so that workers can operate independently and in some cases with a required degree of privacy from adjacent workers. [006] Still further, not only is there the general requirement to have partitions to segregate different workstations, if the workplace is to operate as efficiently as it can, then the work table or desk and the partitions should provide a mechanism that is not only functional but also aesthetic and makes the most of available light or the lack thereof. [007] Any arrangement of work tables and/or office desks in combination with partitions and so forth should be arranged in such a way that they can contribute to space savings on the office floor where possible. [008] Even the table top of the desk should be such that it can be configured to allow the user functionality of space but also appropriate ergonomics, aesthetics and comfort.

[009] It is an object of this invention to provide a new improved office modular furniture unit which can overcome or least substantially ameliorate, some of the shortcomings in conventional office desk arrangements within office layouts that have been previously provided. [010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [011] Accordingly in one form of the invention there is provided an office modular furniture unit having vertical support panels for a table frame, said vertical support panel including a slot having an extendible/retractable platform for supporting an electrical/electronic device thereon between a first position under the table frame and a second position external to the outside of the vertical support panel. [012] In preference the slot is covered by a hingeable door and the electrical/electronic device is a computer tower containing a motherboard for a computer. [013] An advantage of such an arrangement is that the user of the modular furniture unit can continue to carry out their tasks upon the table frame even when access is required to the computer tower, for example in technical upgrades and so forth to a computer. [014] Rather than having the user of the office modular furniture unit having to make way and move away from the desk while the computer hardware is being checked for maintenance and so forth, by having the slot included as part of the vertical support panel which is holding up the main table frame to which a user would then work thereupon, the retractable platform means that the computer tower can be extended out from the slot to the other side of the modular unit. [015] Accordingly the user of the desk can continue on and their daily tasks need not be interrupted by any type of work or maintenance that became a necessity for that particular electronic and/or electrical appliance that was supported on the extendible/retractable platform. 2 [016] Advantageously by including the hingeable door the external appearance of the modular furniture unit still remains streamlined so there is no exposed computer devices and so forth for those walking past the desk which may take away the overall aesthetics of the office layout. [017] As is to be expected someone requiring access to the computer tower would be able to open up the hinged door or panel and extract the computer tower out as required. [018] In preference the vertical support panels include segments that vertically extend beyond the table frame so as to rise above the height of computer monitors, electronic displays and other items located upon the table frame as required. [019] In preference the segments that vertically extend beyond the table frame include contoured upper edges so that the vertical height of these vertical extensions beyond the table frame can be raised and lowered across the table frame so that the degree of partitioning effect and/or light entering the workstation can be altered depending upon the requirements of the work table and the degree of interaction users require between an adjacent modular furniture unit, window and so forth when integrated to form an office layout. [020] An advantage of such an arrangement is that with the extensions of the vertical supports beyond the table frame means that the modular furniture unit also inherently includes partitioning capabilities. [021] Still further by extending beyond the vertical height of monitors and so forth that are located upon the table frame can assist in blocking out light and so forth that may alter the viewable appearance of the display. [022] Advantageously however rather than simply having a square box type configuration the introduction of the contoured upper edge allows an undulation of height of the partition so that the user has a degree of separation and covering of the components upon their desk so that they are not impeded by any lighting effects and so forth externally, however the 3 opportunity is available for interaction, if required, with an adjacent window for natural light or other workstations if the units are integrated together in an office layout. [023] Not only does this contouring of the upper edge provide functionality to the modular furniture unit, it also assists in providing an overall improvement in the aesthetics and streamlined appearance of the furniture units, particularly when they are combined in an office layout. [024] In preference the table frame includes a curved indent which allows the user of the furniture unit to come in closer against those devices and components which the user is interacting with upon the table frame. [025] An advantage of such an arrangement is that the curved indent upon the table frame means that there is significant space savings upon the table frame as the user is able to get closer in within the table frame giving a greater area therefore in other parts of the table frame to wherein cabinets and so forth can be placed there under, or other items places upon the tableframe. [026] Advantageously by allowing the user to get closer to the actual working part of the table or office desk and interact with items such as a keyboard provides also ergonomics and arguably further aesthetic benefits due to the streamlined contour of the table frame. [027] In preference the vertical support panels for the table frame extend all the way down to the ground. [028] An advantage of such an arrangement is that when people walk past a particular workstation they will not be looking down at people's feet and belongings that rest upon the floor. [029] From a practical point of view when people look in at the overall office arrangement what is presented are integrated modular units which from the outside looking at the vertical panels appropriately encloses or shields from view an occupant's feet and/or belongings that may be under the table frame. 4 [030] Still further, as the vertical panels also extend beyond the table frame to create a partition effect if need be, there is also a covering up or shielding from view as required of items such as monitors and so forth. [031] Hence the overall office layout provides once again a very streamlined and aesthetic appearance but also importantly the upmost functionality and integration. [032] The integratability of the individual modular furniture units would allow the vertical support panels of one unit to not necessarily only make contact with an adjacent unit in a completely horizontal alignment. [033] There would be the ability for the vertical panels to be rotated one between the other so that shapes such as triangular apex or if required more curved joins can be created between individual modular furniture units. [034] Advantageously these created corners between adjacent modular furniture units can be occupied by plants and so forth, once again contributing to the overall aesthetics of the office layout that is provided through the integration of the office modular furniture unit of this invention. [035] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [036] In order now to describe the invention in greater detail a preferred embodiment will be provided with the assistance of the following illustrations and accompanying text. [037] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an office modular furniture unit in a preferred embodiment of the invention. [038] Figure 2 is a close up perspective view of the extendible/retractable platform for supporting the computer tower in a preferred embodiment of the invention. [039] Figure 3 is a similar perspective view to Figure 1 however in this embodiment various items and devices are located upon the table frame of the furniture unit. 5 [040] Figure 4 is a general perspective view focusing on the feature of the invention wherein the vertical panels extend all the way to the base and how they integrate with adjacent workstations to provide unique unexpected locations to wherein pot plants and so forth could be placed. [041] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [042] Referring to the drawings now in greater detail where there is an office furniture module unit (10) which has a series of vertical support panels (12), (14), (16) and (18) for a table frame shown generally as (20). [043] The vertical support panels include upper extensions (22) and (24) that extend vertically up above the table frame (20) and joined at corner (26). [044] The upper vertical sections of the vertical support panels (22) and (24) that include contoured upper edges (28), (29) of which functional significance is discussed in greater detail in reference to Figure 3. [045] The table frame (20) includes a curved indent (21) which again will be discussed in greater detail in connection with Figure 3 will allow the user of the unit to get closer to the devices that he or she needs to interact with and thereby offering space savings else where on the table frame and a greater area of usage for the locations (23) and (25) on the table frame which means cabinets and so forth can be comfortably introduced into these locations under the table frame. [046] Vertical support panel (12) includes slot (38) which is covered by the hingeable door (36) to wherein the extendible and retractable platform (40) can extend out therefrom. [047] Referring to Figure 2 which provides greater detailing in relation to this part of the invention where it can be seen a computer tower (42) which may contain the motherboard, hard drive and so forth for a computer monitor which would sit upon the table frame (20) can rest upon the platform (40). 6 [048] This computer tower (42) can then be extended out from under the table frame (20) by simply opening the hingeable door (36) to be passed out through the slot (38). [049] As introduced above this means that the user of the furniture unit need not move away from their workstation when the computer tower needs to be checked upon and so forth. [050] Rather than having to bend down under the table frame (20) to get access to the computer tower, advantageously in this invention the introduction of the extendible/retractable platform (40) which the computer tower (42) rests thereupon, means that a technician can access externally from the outside of the office modular unit the computer tower (42) conveniently, without difficulty and without, importantly, interruption to the user of the modular furniture unit workstation. [051] In Figure 3 it becomes illustrative as to how the contoured varying height arrangements of the vertical segments of the vertical panel that extend beyond the table frame (20) provide both aesthetic and functional importance. [052] Firstly by having the vertical extensions (30), (32) you can see that the monitors (46), (47) are comfortably covered by the extensions (30), (32) so that no unnecessary light which could affect the viewability of the display would be expected. [053] Advantageously as these vertical extensions (30), (32) include the contoured upper edges (28), (29) providing the area (34), (35) at lower elevation this allows general light to comfortably come in as required without providing any distraction or discomfort to the user of the relevant workstation. [054] Also as a means of partition by being able to vary the height an occupant of the workstation can still get adequate privacy and protection from the light or others as required, but also interaction if necessary with adjacent workstations, windows, large screen monitors and so forth if so required. 7 [055] As best seen in Figure 3 the curved indent (21) would allow a user who is sifting upon the chair (44) to get as close as possible to the interactive components located on the table frame (20) such as the keyboard (48), telephone (50), filing tray (52) and printer (54). [056] Advantageously however by being able to comfortably move close to the keyboard (48) by virtue of the curved indent (21) means that it is possible then to create additional functional spacing on the table frame (23) and (25) so as to house there underneath additional office furniture such as a cabinet (48) and so forth, or place things thereupon. [057] In relation to Figure 4 the illustration of the interconnectability of one furniture unit to another is shown wherein vertical panels (60), (61) and (62) can be combined to provide spacing (63) to which for example potted plants and so forth could be comfortably positioned therein so as to provide an overall feel good and aesthetic functionality to the complete office layout. [058] Also shown in this illustration the fact that the vertical panels extend all the way down to the floor shown by way of arrow (64) so that a user's (71) feet as well as any of their personal belongings that may be placed under the table frame are not in view. [059] Figure 4 also once again demonstrates how the varying of the height of the vertical segments above the table frame allows some part of a partition to be appropriately elevated to cover as required things such as monitors and so forth but also as introduced above a contoured curved streamline of differential height elevations to allow light in or out and also if required the opportunity to provide a degree of interaction or exposure from one workstation to the other if need be. 8

Claims (5)

1. An office modular furniture unit having vertical support panels for a table frame, said vertical support panel including a slot having an extendible/retractable platform for supporting an electrical/electronic device thereon between a first position under the table frame and a second position external to the outside of the vertical support panel.

2. The office modular furniture unit of claim 1 wherein the slot is covered by a hingeable door and the electrical/electronic device is a computer tower containing a motherboard for a computer and/or each office modular furniture unit is integratable with another said unit.

3. The office modular furniture unit of claim 1 wherein the vertical support panels include segments that vertically extend beyond the table frame so as to rise above the height of computer monitors, electronic displays and other items located upon the table frame as required.

4. The office modular furniture unit of claim 3 wherein the segments that vertically extend beyond the table frame include contoured upper edges so that the vertical height of these vertical extensions beyond the table frame can be raised and lowered across the table frame so that the degree of partitioning effect and/or light entering the workstation can be altered depending upon the requirements of the work table and the degree of interaction users require between an adjacent modular furniture unit, window and so forth when integrated to form an office layout.

5. The office modular furniture unit of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the table frame includes a curved indent which allows the user of the furniture unit to come in closer against those devices and components which the user is interacting with upon the table frame and/or wherein the vertical support panels for the table frame extend all the way down to the ground. 9