AU2018101377A4 - Conduits for height adjustable desks - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a height adjustable desk comprising a conduit for cables. The conduit comprises an inlet for cables to enter the conduit and one or more sockets on an external surface of the conduit, the sockets being in electrical communication with the cables inside the conduit. The conduit is configured such that the one or more sockets present at an angle. 16 25 19 10 - 12 Figure 1 Figure 2

Description

Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to height adjustable desks comprising conduits for cables.

Background Art [0002] As the deleterious health effects associated with sitting for long periods of time are becoming more apparent, adjustable height desks are becoming more popular. The work surface of an adjustable height desk can be elevated from a low position, which is at a height appropriate for a person to work at whilst sitting, to a high position, at which the user can work whilst standing.

[0003] One of the problems associated with height adjustable desks relates to the electrical cables required by appliances typically found on the work surfaces of desks. For example, computers require electrical cables and often data cables in order to function, and these cables extend between the computer and sockets provided in the walls of a building. Sufficient cable therefore needs to be provided for the desktop in its elevated position, which can result in excess cable pooling on the floor underneath the desk when the desk is in its lower position. Such pooled cabling presents a number of hazards, perhaps most importantly that it presents a snag hazard for the user’s feet.

[0004] Some height adjustable desks include internal conduits or cable trays for guiding electrical cables in a manner that prevents them from pooling underneath the desk and presenting a snag hazard. It would be advantageous to improve such height adjustable desks.

Summary of Invention [0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a height adjustable desk comprising a conduit for cables. The conduit comprises an inlet for cables to enter the conduit and one or more sockets on an external surface of the conduit, the sockets being in electrical communication with the cables inside the conduit. The conduit is configured such that the one or more sockets present at an angle.

2018101377 20 Sep 2018 [0006] The height adjustable desk and conduit of the present invention advantageously address dangers or inconveniences associated with existing height adjustable desks, where any sockets (e.g. GPOs - general power outlets) associated with the desk are presented (i.e. orientated) in horizontal or vertical orientations under the desk’s work surface. The inventors recognised that horizontally presented power outlets positioned underneath the work surface of a desk might be dangerous in that items (e.g. paperclips or the like) could fall from the work surface and into the GPO, potentially becoming live and presenting an electrocution hazard. Similarly, liquids spilt on the work surface of such desks might drip directly into the GPO, potentially causing short circuits. The inventors further recognised that vertically presented power outlets positioned underneath the work surface of a desk would be situated in a location where they might be contacted by a user’s legs (their knees and feet, primarily), possibly resulting in plugs accidentally being dislodged from such GPOs, with the attendant disadvantages of power cuts to electrical items (e.g. computers) on the work surface.

[0007] Upon discovering these problems with existing adjustable height desks, the inventors recognised that such problems can be mitigated by presenting the socket(s) at an angle, and hence completed the invention the subject of the present application. Electrical sockets such as GPOs which are presented at an angle are less likely to snag items falling from above and plugs retained in the sockets will be orientated in a direction where a user’s legs are less likely to make contact with them. Protecting electrical connections in this manner substantially improves the usefulness of the adjustable height desks of the present invention, compared to exiting adjustable height desks.

[0008] In some embodiments, the angle at which the one or more sockets present may be between about 70 and about 20 degrees from horizontal (e.g. about 30, about 45 or about 60 degrees from horizontal). Such angles can significantly reduce the likelihood of the problems described above from occurring.

[0009] In some embodiments, the conduit may extend across a width of the desk. In some embodiments, the conduit may define a cross bar that spans laterally opposed legs of the desk. Thus, the conduit may itself define a part of the height adjustable desk, providing an additional structural functionality.

[0010] In some embodiments, the conduit may further comprise a removable cover for accessing an interior of the conduit. Such a removable cover may enable substantially unhindered access to the conduit, should this ever be required post-installation.

2018101377 20 Sep 2018 [0011] In some embodiments, the conduit may further comprise a cable retaining formation inside of the conduit (e.g. on a floor of the conduit). Such formations may be used to organise cables inside the conduit according to any desired criteria.

[0012] In some embodiments, the conduit may comprise a plurality of sockets. In some embodiments, the sockets may be spread across a length of the conduit.

[0013] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a conduit for cables. The conduit is configured for use with a height adjustable desk and comprises an inlet for cables to enter the conduit and one or more sockets on an external surface of the conduit, the sockets being electrically connectable to cables inside the conduit. The conduit is configurable whereby the one or more sockets present at an angle when the conduit is assembled in the height adjustable desk. Such conduits may, for example, be adapted for retrofitting to existing adjustable height desks and hence sold as a discrete item.

[0014] In embodiments of the second aspect of the present invention, the conduit may, mutatis mutandis, be as described herein in the context of the conduit of the adjustable height desk of the first aspect of the present invention.

[0015] In a third aspect, the present invention provides a kit of parts which, when assembled, provide the adjustable height desk of the first aspect of the present invention or the conduit of the second aspect of the present invention.

[0016] Additional features and advantages of the various aspects of the present invention will be described below in the context of specific embodiments. It will be appreciated, however, that such additional features may have a more general applicability in the present invention than that described in the context of these specific embodiments.

Brief Description of Drawings [0017] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0018] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an adjustable height desk in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a conduit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

2018101377 20 Sep 2018 [0020] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the conduit of Figure 2, with its cover having been removed;

[0021] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the conduit of Figure 2; and [0022] Figure 5 shows the conduit of Figure 2 in which an electrical plug has been plugged into the socket.

Description of Embodiments [0023] As disclosed herein, the overarching purpose of the present invention is to provide conduits for electrical cables (e.g. power cables, data cables, etc.) which, when used in adjustable height desks, present electrical sockets in a safer manner and in a manner where a plug is less likely to be accidentally dislodged than is presently the case.

[0024] Conduits (sometimes called cable trays) are commonly used to bundle and guide cables from one location to another. Housing cables in a conduit reduces the risk of accidents or damage inadvertently being caused should a cable be snagged and pulled by a user. Conduits are frequently used in furniture applications in order to guide electrical cords (e.g. power cords, data cords, telephone cords, etc.) from outlets in the floor or wall of a building to desktop appliances such as computers, monitors, telephones, lights, etc.

[0025] The present invention provides a height adjustable desk comprising a conduit for cables. The conduit comprises an inlet for cables to enter the conduit and one or more sockets on an external surface of the conduit, the sockets being in electrical communication with the cables inside the conduit. The conduit is configured such that the one or more sockets presents at an angle.

[0026] The present invention also provides a conduit for cables. The conduit is configured for use with a height adjustable desk and comprises an inlet for cables to enter the conduit and one or more sockets on an external surface of the conduit, the sockets being electrically connectable to cables inside the conduit. The conduit is configurable whereby the one or more sockets present at an angle when the conduit is assembled in the height adjustable desk.

[0027] The conduit may include one or more sockets, depending on factors such as the needs of the user, size of the desk, etc. In embodiments where the conduit comprises a plurality of sockets, the sockets may be positioned (at the appropriate angle) at any position on the

2018101377 20 Sep 2018 conduit. In some embodiments, for example, the sockets may be spread across a length of the conduit (e.g. towards the left hand side and right hand side of the desk).

[0028] The individual components of the height adjustable desk and the conduit may be made from any suitable materials, and would typically be the same as those currently used in such products. Factors to consider in selecting the types of materials include whether the component is a structural (i.e. potentially load-bearing) component, whether it needs to be insulating, and what exposure to UV light the component will likely receive.

[0029] Lighter components of the desk and the conduit itself could, for example, be formed from suitable plastic materials, fibreglass or other composite materials. Components such as the legs, supports of the desk and its lifting/lowering mechanisms, upon which the desk’s strength and stability depend, would need to be made from heavier materials. Metallic materials such as aluminium may therefore be preferred, although glass filled plastics or composite nylon might also be used.

[0030] The conduit is configured such that the one or more sockets on its external surface (which are in electrical communication with the cables inside the conduit) present at an angle. In the context of the present invention, the phrase “present at an angle” will be understood to mean that the sockets are orientated in use at an angle somewhere between substantially vertical and substantially horizontal. Conduits that are horizontally (or close to horizontally) orientated will suffer from the problems mentioned above, namely that they may be an electrical hazard. Conduits that are vertically (or close to vertically) orientated will suffer from the problems mentioned above, namely that plugs plugged into such sockets may inadvertently be knocked out in normal use of the desk.

[0031] A conduit configured to present the socket on its external surface at any angle between these extremes is envisaged to be suitable for use in the present invention. In some embodiments, for example, the angle may be between about 70 and about 20 degrees from horizontal, between about 60 and about 30 degrees from horizontal or between about 50 and 40 degrees from horizontal. In some embodiments, for example, the angle may be 80, 75, 70, 65, 60, 55, 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15 or 10 degrees from the horizontal.

[0032] Typically, the external surface of the conduit will be substantially planar and at a constant angle (as is the case in the embodiments described in greater detail below), this being the simplest structure capable of achieving the advantageous effects of the present invention. It will be appreciated, however, that this need not always be the case and that the

2018101377 20 Sep 2018 external surface of the conduit may have a more complicated structure. In some embodiments, for example, each of the plurality of sockets on a conduit may present at different angles, if this might be advantageous for a specific height adjustable desk.

[0033] In some embodiments, the conduit may comprise two (or more) external surfaces having sockets thereon. For example, in embodiments where the adjustable height desk includes two work desks in a “back to back”-type configuration (each work desk potentially being independently operable), the conduit may be centrally located and configured to present angled sockets in opposing directions (i.e. facing towards each of the work spaces).

[0034] The conduit may take any form having the structure and capable of providing the functionality described herein. The conduit may be located with respect to the height adjustable desk in any functionally effective configuration.

[0035] The conduit may, for example be provided in the form of an extrusion. Such an extrusion may have a substantially constant cross section or may vary in cross section. The conduit may, for example, be substantially trapezoidal in cross section, with the angled side(s) of the trapezoid defining the angled exterior surfaces. The trapezoid may be a right trapezoid, having only one angled side, or a classic trapezoid, having opposing angled sides.

[0036] The conduit may be configured with respect to other components of a height adjustable desk in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, the conduit may extend across a width of the desk, which enables cables to be located underneath the entire desk for ready access thereto.

[0037] In some embodiments, the conduit may itself define a structural feature of the height adjustable desk. For example, in some embodiments, the conduit may define a cross bar that spans laterally opposed legs of the desk. Such a cross bar may provide a degree of structural stability to the desk in addition to its cable carrying function. When in this configuration, the cross bar would typically be located closer to the working surface of the desk than the ground, and at a height unlikely to be struck by a user’s knees. As the lowest desk height is likely to be around 70 cm off the ground, the inventors believe that locating the conduit about 60cm above the floor would be appropriate.

[0038] The conduit may be sealed along its length or may include a removable cover for accessing an interior of the conduit. In embodiments including a cover, the cover may extend for all or only part of the length of the conduit, and be provided as a single cover or a plurality of covers.

2018101377 20 Sep 2018 [0039] In some embodiments, the interior of the conduit may further comprise a cable retaining formation. Such a formation may be used, for example, to separate different classes of cable (e.g. to separate data cables from 240V power cables). The cable retaining formation may be provided at any suitable location in the conduit, for example on a floor of the conduit.

[0040] The conduit of the present invention also comprises an inlet for cables to enter the conduit. The inlet may be provided in any form and at any point on the conduit. Typically, the inlet would be provided in the form of an open end at either side of the conduit, the open end either being in communication with another hollow member of the desk (e.g. a leg of the desk) or being open to the surroundings.

[0041] The height adjustable desk of the present invention may include other features commonly associated with such desks. In some embodiments, for example, the desk may further comprise an umbilical conduit for holding cables plugged into the one or more sockets. Such an umbilical cord neatly co-locates all of the cabling for the desktop appliances, and can move as necessary as the height of the desktop is raised and lowered.

[0042] In some embodiments, the height adjustable desk may also include a screen along an edge thereof, especially in embodiments where two desks are back to back and users would face each other. In some embodiments, the height adjustable desk may also include a console for an electronic lifting mechanism.

[0043] Specific embodiments of a height adjustable desk and conduit of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring firstly to Figure 1, shown is a height adjustable desk 10, which includes a conduit shown in the form of cable tray 20. Desk 10 has four legs, shown generally as legs 12, with two legs being provided on each side of the desk for maximum stability. A cross member 14 is provided between legs 12, 12 on each side of desk 10, both to stabilise the desk as well as to provide a mounting for conduit 20.

[0044] Desk 10 also has two substantially identical desktops 16 and 16, each of which are mounted onto laterally opposed legs 12 and 12 via electrically actuated lifting members 18 and 18. The lifting members 18, 18 for each desktop 16 are operable via an electronic console 19 in order to raise and lower the respective desktop 16, depending on whether the user wants to sit or stand. The lifting members 18, 18 of each desktop 16, 16 are independently adjustable so that a first user can sit/stand at the first desk 16 and a second user sit/stand at the second desk 16. Although not shown, screens may be provided along the

2018101377 20 Sep 2018 inside edges of the desks 16, 16 in order to block direct visual contact between the first and second users.

[0045] The conduit 20 is shaped like an isosceles trapezoid in cross section and includes substantially centrally located general power outlets (GPOs) 21 on each angled face and into which electrical plugs 22 have been plugged (only one GPO and plug can clearly be seen in Figure 1). Electrical cords leading to electrical appliances (not shown) on the desk 16 are housed within umbilical cords 25, 25 which are configured to safely contain the electrical cords when the desk 16 is raised and lowered.

[0046] Referring now to Figures 2 to 5, a conduit in accordance with another embodiment of the invention is shown in the form of conduit 50. Conduit 23 is provided as a right trapezoidal-shaped hollow extrusion having a substantially constant cross section, with a base 24, a sidewall 25, a return portion 26 and an angled face 28. As can best be seen in Figure 4, base 24 includes a divider 30, which divides the inside floor of the conduit 23 into two sections, one for power cords carrying 240V and the other for data cables, phone cables, etc., carrying lower voltages. Conduit 23 is open at both of its ends 32 and 32, so that cables can easily be fed therethrough. In use, the cables would be connected to an outlet in a building’s wall or floor, and fed into the conduit 23 via a leg 12 and cross member 14 of the desk 10.

[0047] In use, cables can be fed through conduit 23 and electrically connected to a GPO 21 having appropriate outlets provided on angled face 28. The angled face 28 is at an angle of about 30 degrees off horizontal, which the inventors have found with this specific desk configuration, to be particularly advantageous. Specifically, any items that may fall from the desktop 16 and land on the angled face 28 will not tend to remain there, but will rapidly slide off. As can be seen in Figures 1 and 5, the plug 22 projects substantially perpendicularly away from the angled face 28, and in an orientation and location where plug 22 is much less likely to be struck by a user’s knee or foot, etc. Even should a user make contact with the plug 22, however, it is less likely that such contact may be of a kind where the plug is likely to become dislodged, as can often be the case with vertically orientated GPOs.

[0048] The angled face 28 can be removed from the conduit, should this ever be necessary (e.g. if additional cables need to be provided for the user of the desk). A longitudinal edge of the base 24 of the conduit 23 is provided with a U-shaped recess 34 that is configured to receive a complimentary formation 38 at a longitudinal edge of the angled face 28. The other longitudinal edge of angled face 28 has a formation 40 configured to interlock with a

2018101377 20 Sep 2018 complimentary formation 42 along the longitudinal edge of the conduit’s return portion 26. As can be seen in Figure 4, formations 40 and 42 define a snap lock-type configuration therebetween which, in normal use, securely retains the angled face 28 to the conduit 23, where it covers the interior of the conduit.

[0049] A recess having a lip 44 is defined between the return portion 26 and angled face 28 and has a size appropriate to receive a user’s fingers. Should a user want to remove the angled face 28, all they need to do it pull the angled face outwardly with a force sufficient to overcome the resilience of formations 40 and 42. Once formations 40 and 42 are disengaged, further rotation of angled face 28 with respect to the U-shaped recess 34 will disengage the angled face 28 from the base 24. Loose softwiring between the GPO 21 and the cables in the conduit (not shown) will enable the angled face 28 to be removed in this manner. When the conduit 23 needs to be covered again, the angled face 28 can be attached to the base 24 and return portion 26 via the process described above in reversed.

[0050] In summary, the invention relates to height adjustable desks having conduits for electrical cables that present electrical outlets (e.g. GPOs) at an angle between horizontal and vertical. It will be appreciated that the present invention provides a number of new and useful results. For example, specific embodiments of the present invention may provide one or more of the following advantages:

• a significantly reduced risk of electrical mishap due to items commonly found on workstation surfaces falling onto and into an upwardly-facing GPO;

• a significantly reduced risk of electrical mishap due to a user’s foot or knee accidentally striking an electrical plug and either dislodging or damaging the plug, with the attendant consequences;

• the conduits provide structural form and stability to the adjustable height desk;

• an angled face prevents build-up of dust particles;

• existing adjustable desks (which have meet required standards) can easily be redesigned to include the conduit described herein without significant structural changes; and • existing adjustable desks can easily be retrofitted with the conduit described herein.

2018101377 20 Sep 2018 [0051] It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the following claims.

[0052] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

2018101377 20 Sep 2018

Claims (5)

1. CLAIMS:

   1. A height adjustable desk comprising a conduit for cables, the conduit comprising:

   an inlet for cables to enter the conduit; and one or more sockets on an external surface of the conduit, the sockets being in electrical communication with the cables inside the conduit, whereby the conduit is configured such that the one or more sockets present at an angle.
2. 2. The height adjustable desk of claim 1, wherein the angle is about 30 degrees from horizontal.
3. 3. The height adjustable desk of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the conduit defines a cross bar that spans laterally opposed legs of the desk.
4. 4. The height adjustable desk of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the conduit is substantially trapezoidal in cross section.
5. 5. A conduit for cables, the conduit being configured for use with a height adjustable desk, the conduit comprising:

   an inlet for cables to enter the conduit; and one or more sockets on an external surface of the conduit, the sockets being electrically connectable to cables inside the conduit, the conduit being configurable whereby the one or more sockets present at an angle when the conduit is assembled in the height adjustable desk.

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   Figure 5