EP0102582B1 - Mains connectable desk, especially for office work - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Electrifiable work table in particular for office work with a working top, characterized in - that the work table has on at least one side a side cupboard (1 ; 70), - that the side cupboard (1 ; 70) is covered by its own cover board (7 ; 82) in the plane of which is connected a working top (2, 90) fixed on the side cover (1 ; 70), - that the side cupboard (1 ; 70) contains an openable vertical viewing wall (36 ; 71) behind which for forming a cable shaft (48 ; 77) is disposed at a distance a false wall (55 ; 72), - that over the cable shaft (48, 77) in the cover board (7, 82) is fixed an openable flap (8), - and that in the flap (8) and/or in walls (13) of the cable shaft (48 ; 77) adjoining the flap (8) recesses (9, 10, 14 ; 37 ; 46, 47 ; 91 to 94) are made for the guiding in of cables.

Description

The invention relates to an electrifiable work table, in particular for office work according to the preamble of claim 1.

For office work, electrical devices such as dictation machines, calculating machines, screens, electrical typewriters, etc. are used to an ever increasing extent. These electrical devices are usually placed on a desk and occasionally on a side table and connected to a multiple socket with device-side cables with connection plugs. The multiple socket is usually on the desk and is connected to a floor or wall socket of the house network using a cable. This type of cabling leads to a tangle of cables on and next to the desk due to the unused remaining cable lengths. These cables lying around and hanging from the desk not only look ugly, but also restrict the usable work surface of the desk and lead to trip hazards.

Therefore, many desk users attached the remaining cable lengths on their own initiative with mostly provisional means such as cords, paper clips, etc. to worktops and support feet of the desk. This leads to an improvement in the optics, but usually makes it difficult to quickly replace devices because several cables have been tied together.

Work tables are known in which foldable cable ducts are attached to side support frames and under the worktop for an orderly cable routing. The cables are routed in these cable channels and the remaining cable lengths that are not required are stored. The connection to the devices on the desk is created by openings in the worktop. Such an electrifiable work table is known from US-A-4 323 291, which has a side cabinet on at least one side and a flap which can be opened above a cable duct is fitted in the work surface. There are cutouts in the flap for cable entry. This known type of electrification of a work table corresponds to an industrial wiring of a control desk. Such cabling involves a relatively high outlay on assembly and is created in the long term, for example for a screen workstation. This does not meet the needs of an office work table, on which a change must be made quickly by adding or removing an electrical device with simple and easily accessible cable routing and plug-in options to the electrical network.

In the unpublished De-A1-3 101 976 it is proposed to make the front panel fold down for the electrification of a desk and to attach a multiple socket to the inside of this front panel. Although this design leads to an improvement in the cable routing and avoids cable loops of remaining cable lengths hanging in the footwell, it still requires a relatively large amount of effort when attaching the cables, since the desk has to be moved to its front side and then after the cable has been folded down Front wall a bent-over cable must be plugged into the multiple socket on the front wall. A change in the wiring when adding or removing an electrical device from the desk is therefore not particularly convenient and quick to carry out.

In contrast, the object of the invention is to provide an electrifiable work table, in particular for office work, with which clean wiring with the possibility of a quick and convenient change can be carried out.

This object is achieved with the characterizing features of claim 1.

According to claim 1, it is assumed that the concept of a work table construction has changed compared to conventional desks. For this purpose, a side cabinet (container) with its own cover plate is used as the worktop and a flap arranged in it. Under this flap, which is accessible from above, there is a vertically downward cable duct between an outer wall and a blind wall, in which both the cables coming from the building's own network, the plug connections and the remaining cable lengths are received by the device cables. Cable entries from the cable duct to the electrical devices are provided in the flap and / or the walls of the cable duct. If the usual floor sockets are installed in an office space at the desk, the side cabinet can be placed over a floor socket and a connection cable can be inserted directly into the cable duct from below, so that no electrical connection is visible and no cables are lying around in the footwell as pegs or hang around. Since remaining cable lengths can be accommodated in the cable duct, only cables lead to the electrical devices arranged on the desk by the shortest route, which gives a clean and tidy impression of a desk.

To complete the desk, a worktop is level and attached to the side cabinet and at the height of the top of the side cabinet. In a preferred embodiment, this attachment is carried out with the aid of an angle rail, which leads to an almost seamless joint between the two plates. The worktop, under which the necessary free foot space is created for a table user, is either also connected to a side cabinet or supported by its own base. Support is also possible with a corner element with its own base frame, to which another worktop or side cabinet can be connected at right angles.

Due to the opening flap, a multiple plug arrangement in the cable duct is easy and accessible from the seat and work place, so that a quick change in the equipment of a desk with electrical devices is easy and convenient is feasible. This flap is available in different depths so that it can be adapted to different worktop widths. The recesses for electrical feedthroughs contained in the flap are located in the same place in relation to the side cabinet in all flap designs, so that subsequent widening and retrofitting of a desk is possible without difficulty. The dependent claims have expedient and advantageous refinements of the subject matter according to the main claim.

The object of the invention is explained to me with further features, details and advantages on the basis of a drawing.

• Fig. 1 eine schaubildliche Teilansicht eines Arbeitstisches mit einer ersten Ausführung eines Seitenschranks,
• Fig. 2 eine Ansicht eines Befestigungsmittels zwischen dem Seitenschrank und einer Arbeitsplatte,
• Fig. 3 eine Teilansicht des Arbeitstisches nach Fig. 1 mit einem Fussgestell,
• Fig. 4 eine Ansicht gemäss Fig. 3 mit herausgezogenem Fussgestell und einer eingehängten Ablageschale,
• Fig. 5 Vorder-, Seiten- und Rückansicht des Seitenschranks gemäss Fig. 1,
• Fig. 6 Seitenschrank mit verlängerter Klappenausführung,
• Fig. 7 Ansicht des Seitenschranks mit aufgeklappter Klappe und abgenommener Rückwand,
• Fig. 8 Schnitt im rückwärtigen Bereich des Seitenschrank entlang der Linie A-A aus Fig. 1,
• Fig. 9 schaubildliche Ansicht des hinteren oberen Eckbereichs des Seitenschranks mit aufgeklappter Klappe mit Durchführungen für Elektrokabel,
• Fig. 10 Durchführung für Elektrokabel etwa in Originalgrösse,
• Fig. 11 Ansicht einer Ausführungsform eines Beistellschranks mit ausziehbarer Tastaturplatte,
• Fig. 12 einen Querschnitt durch den Seitenschrank gemäss Fig. 11,
• Fig. 13 die Ansicht eines aus zwei Seitenschränken gemäss Fig. 11 und einer Arbeitsplatte aufgebauten Arbeitstisches,
• Fig. 14 eine Draufsicht auf einen Arbeitstisch gemäss Fig. 13,
• Fig. 15 einen L-förmig aufgebauten Arbeitstisch.

Show it:

• 1 is a perspective partial view of a work table with a first embodiment of a side cabinet,
• 2 is a view of a fastener between the side cabinet and a worktop,
• 3 is a partial view of the work table of FIG. 1 with a base frame,
• 4 is a view according to FIG. 3 with the foot frame pulled out and a suspended storage tray,
• 5 front, side and rear view of the side cabinet according to FIG. 1,
• 6 side cabinet with extended flap design,
• 7 view of the side cabinet with the flap open and the rear wall removed,
• 8 section in the rear area of the side cabinet along the line AA from FIG. 1,
• 9 is a perspective view of the rear upper corner area of the side cabinet with the flap open and feedthroughs for electrical cables,
• 10 feedthrough for electric cables approximately in original size,
• 11 view of an embodiment of a side cabinet with pull-out keyboard plate,
• 12 shows a cross section through the side cabinet according to FIG. 11,
• 13 the view of a work table constructed from two side cupboards according to FIG. 11 and a worktop,
• 14 is a plan view of a work table according to FIG. 13,
• 15 an L-shaped work table.

In Fig. 1 is about half of a work table, here a desk, shown consisting of a left side cabinet 1 and a worktop 2, which is drawn in a state not yet attached to the side cabinet 1 and transparent to illustrate the substructure. The side cabinet 1 stands on feet 3 and has a lower door 4 on its front, behind which there is a compartment for storing or hanging files, and above it a larger drawer 5 and an uppermost low drawer 6, the so-called pay drawer, for smaller office utensils. The top of the side cabinet 1 is covered by a cover plate 7, to which a flap 8 is connected to the rear. The design and depth of the cover plate and flap 8 correspond to that of the worktop 2 which, after attachment to the side cabinet 1, adjoins the cover plate 7 or flap 8 as an extension thereof, largely and without any joints. In the flap 8, a U-shaped recess 9, 10 are provided on the left and right as a cable passage, which are covered by plug-in shoes 11, 12. In the side wall 13 (and in the opposite, not visible side wall), another U-shaped recess 14 connects to the recess 10, which is also covered by a plug-in shoe 15. The U-shaped recesses are so large that a common connector for electrical devices can be pushed through. The plug-in shoes 11, 12, 15 in turn carry edge-side passages 16 in the cross section of an electrical cable, through which the cables are guided and held (after the electrical plug has been inserted).

To complete the side cabinet 1 to form a desk, the worktop 2 is laterally attached to the side cabinet 1. In front of the worktop 2 is the seat with foot space for a desk user, the side cabinet 1 taking over the function of the base cabinet which is otherwise customary for desks. The worktop 2 is pulled down on the long sides, so that hat profiles 17, 18 that run along the sides are visually covered and are covered against being touched by the desk user. These hat profiles serve both to stiffen the worktop 2 and as receptacles for support arms of base frames. Foot frames effecting a side closure are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Here, however, the use of so-called endless foot frames is also possible, which serve to continue building with further straight worktops to form a long table shape and which consist of a base bracket with support arms protruding in the longitudinal direction at the upper end on the left and right. With the help of the side cabinets shown here, the worktop to be described further, the base frames and corner elements (see for example Fig. 15), all possible office work tables, such as desks and conference tables, can be constructed in a U, L or wreath shape. On the worktop 2, an angle rail 19 is fastened flush on the end face, the vertically standing angle leg of which is provided with fastening bores 20, 21, 22 (elongated holes open at the bottom) and with two cutouts 23, 24 for cable passage on the left and right side. The recess 24 is aligned with the U-shaped recess 14 on the side cabinet 1, so that cables coming from it can be guided through the recess 24 under the worktop 2, for example to a side cabinet also arranged on the right on the worktop 2. Clamping devices are attached under the worktop 2 along the hat profiles 17, 18, in which cables can be held. The recess 23 has no function in the embodiment shown, but would be used in the event that the side cabinet 1 was rotated by 180 so that the seat of a user would be on the other side of the worktop 2.

The fastening bores 20, 21, 22 come to rest directly in front of the fastening bores 25, 26, 27 in the side wall 13 when the worktop 2 is attached. Behind the mounting holes 25, 26, 27, screw nuts are attached so that the worktop 2 can be connected firmly and almost seamlessly to the side cabinet 1 or its cover plate 7 with the aid of screw fastenings.

FIG. 2 shows the left section of the angle rail 19 approximately in its original size with a fastening screw 28. Allen screws are preferably used as fastening screws.

3 and 4, a possible design and support of the right part of the worktop 2 from FIG. 1 is shown. In this case, a bow-shaped base frame 29 with support feet 30, 31, which are bent in the upper area to support arms 32, 33 that run horizontally, is inserted with them into the hat profiles 17, 18 (not visible here) and held there with tabs. The side view of the hat profiles or a right-sided angled rail on the worktop 2 are covered by an attached edge strip 34.

In Fig. 4, the support arms 32, 33 of the base frame 29 are somewhat pulled out of the hat profiles 17, 18, but only to the extent that the stability and stability of the entire work table is not impaired. A space for hanging a tray 35 is thus created between the support arms 32, 33. Instead of the storage tray 35, a support plate could also be hung in order to expand a small typewriter station adjoining the work surface 2.

Instead of the base frame from FIG. 3, a further side cabinet in the first version as a container or the second version as a side cabinet or a corner element as shown in FIG. 15 could also be connected to the worktop 2 on the right.

5 shows a front, side and rear view of the side cabinet 1. From the side view it can be seen that the front of the cover plate 7 and the back of the flap 8 are rounded, but the other side edges run vertically upwards, so that they are suitable for seamless connection of worktop, corner elements or other side cabinets. In the rear view, a rear view wall 36 is shown, which also has a U-shaped recess 37 on its underside, which is covered by a further plug-in shoe 38. The plug-in shoe 38 contains two edge-side passages 39, 40, through which power supply cables 41, 42 coming from the floor are guided into the side cabinet. The formation of the side cabinet behind the rear wall 36 is explained below with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 6 shows a side cabinet according to FIG. 1 with a flap 8. A cable routing upwards and to the side under the worktop 2 is indicated by the cable pieces 43, 44 which come out of the cutouts 10 and 14.

The flap 8 closes with the rear wall 36. To extend beyond the rear wall 36, the flap 8 can be exchanged for a deeper flap 45, which also contains U-shaped recesses 46, 47. Since the side cabinet 1, as already described, is part of an entire system, this change in depth may be necessary to adapt to a wider worktop or a wider corner element. In addition, a relatively large distance of approximately 90 cm between the viewing screen and the user is required, especially for visual workplaces, so that even when setting up a visual workstation with an insufficiently deep side cabinet, the use of a deeper flap 45 is indicated.

7 shows the side cabinet 1 with the rear wall 36 removed, the flap 8 opened and the cable duct 48 indicated by broken lines. The U-shaped recess 37 can again be seen on the rear wall 36 on the lower side. The rear wall 36 is designed to be removable and can be hooked onto the corresponding projections 52, 53 on the side walls 13 by means of four hooks 49 to 52. A hinge connection could also be provided here. However, since the rear wall 36 only has to be removed rarely, usually only to connect the power supply to the side cabinet 1, the hook connection described is sufficient and inexpensive. A blind wall 55 is fixedly connected to the side cabinet 1 at a short distance from the visible rear wall 36. As a result, the narrow cable duct 48 in its lower region is formed between the blind wall and the rear wall 36. In its upper region, the cable duct 48 widens in that an inclined holding shell 56 is provided, over which the flap 8 can be opened.

This arrangement can be seen more precisely in the sectional illustration in FIG. 8. The cable duct 48 between the visible rear wall 36 and the blind rear wall 55 is again shown here. The blind wall 55 is shorter than the visible rear wall 36 and does not reach under the flap 8. On the blind wall 55 sits one side of the holding shell 56, which leads with its sloping bottom upwards in the direction of the cover plate 7, on which it is attached with the other side. In this holding shell 56 is the actual connection field with multiple plug devices, which are simply inserted here. Excess cable lengths can either be pushed into the area of the holding shell under the flap 8 or, in the case of longer cable lengths, be wound up at angles 57, 58 which are attached to the blind wall 55. The inclination of the holding shell 56 has proven to be expedient in relation to the cleaning and keeping the plug contacts clean.

No drawers or compartments are shown in FIG. 8, but it is readily apparent that these can extend in length in the lower region of the side cabinet 1 to the blind wall 55, while the top drawer is kept shorter by the width of the holding shell 56 got to.

The articulation of the flap 8 and its direction of folding onto the cover plate 7 can also be clearly seen from FIG. 8 (see dashed flap 8). When the flap 8 is fully opened, its upper side rests on the upper side of the cover plate 7, so that no additional supports and brackets are required for the opened flap 8.

In Fig. 8 is also the lower part of the page closets 1 drawn in detail. Two possible embodiments are shown. An embodiment with height-adjustable support feet 59 is shown on the left. This allows height adjustments to be made and uneven floors to be compensated for. An embodiment with rollers is indicated on the right. If a side cabinet with casters is used on both sides of the worktop 2, the desk thus obtained can be moved.

In Fig. 9 is enlarged and shown in detail the formation of the U-shaped recesses on the side wall 13 and the flap 8. The cutouts 10, 14 are somewhat larger than the diameter of a conventional electrical connector (FIG. 10 shows approximately the natural size). The plug-in shoes 12, 15 are in the inserted state and drawn in broken lines in the pulled-out state. It can be seen that the plug-in shoes consist of a compact upper part 60, 61 and a plate-shaped lower part 62, 63. As a result, a recessed grip 64 is created from the inside, which makes it easier to grip and pull out the plug-in shoes 12, 15. The plate-shaped lower part 62, 63 carries an extension 65 which snaps into a recess in the recess 10 or 14. In addition, in the plate-shaped lower part 62, 63, edge-side passages 66 to 69 are introduced, through which cables coming from the cable duct 48 or the holding shell 56 are guided and held.

The electrification of a work table of the type described thus proceeds in such a way that the cable feed coming from the in-house network is led through the lower recess 37 on the rear wall 36 into the cable duct 48. There, excess cable lengths are rolled up at angles 57 and 58 and a multiple plug arrangement connected to the cable end is placed in the holding shell 56. When connecting electrical devices to the desk, only the flap 8 needs to be opened and the device cables plugged in. Excess cable lengths either remain in the area of the holding shell 56 or can also be wound over the angles 57, 58 after the rear wall 36 has been removed. When a number of side cabinets 1 are lined up, the electrification can be carried out from one side cabinet to the other through the cutouts in the side walls. Furthermore, a power supply, for example from a side cabinet on one side of a worktop to a side cabinet on the other side of the worktop, is possible under the worktop 2 through the cutouts 23, 24 on the angle rail 19 in the other side cabinet.

11 shows a further, more functional version of a side cabinet, a so-called side cabinet 70. The rear structure corresponds to that of the side cabinet in the first embodiment and consists of a removable rear wall 71 with a blind wall 72 behind it (see FIG. 12), an attached holding shell 73 and angles 74, 75 fastened to the blind wall 72 for winding up remaining cable lengths. Between the rear wall 71 and the blind wall 72, a cable duct 77 is also formed here, which is covered in its upper widened area by a flap 88. Here, too, recesses 79, 80 are provided on the flap 88 and on the side wall for the passage of cables and plugs.

The essential feature of the side cabinet 70 is an extendable keyboard plate 81, which is designed as a kind of top drawer. The height of this drawer or the distance between the keyboard plate 81 and the underside of the cover plate 82 of the side cabinet 70 is selected such that a commercially available keyboard unit, such as is connected to a computer, can be inserted. The electrification and cable routing for this keyboard unit is solved in such a way that the keyboard plate 81 is open towards the rear towards the cable channel 77 or the holding shell 73, so that thicker cables can be inserted into the area of the keyboard plate from behind at any time. The cables to the keyboard unit are routed via a cable cutter 83 known per se, which is pulled out and pushed together by the movement of the keyboard plate 81 and takes over trouble-free cable routing during the movement. As can be seen from FIG. 12, the keyboard plate 81 has no laterally raised walls like a drawer, so that when the keyboard plate is pulled out there are no disruptive edges for operating the keyboard unit. The front handle 84 is also chosen to be very low, so that this does not cause any disability and gives the impression of an extended side table with the keyboard plate extended.

This proposed workplace is particularly recommended if, for example, clerks only occasionally use a keyboard unit to an external computer, which can be pushed away to save space when not in use.

It can be seen from FIG. 12 that designs with height-adjustable feet 85, 86 and rollers 87 are also possible in the side cabinet 70.

13 shows a work table consisting of a left and right side cabinet 88, 89 and a worktop 90 fastened between them. Of course, a base frame, a side cabinet (container), a further worktop or a corner element could equally well be from the system described be scheduled. Depending on the wishes and needs, the appropriate work table can be set up.

FIG. 14 shows a top view of the work table according to FIG. 13. It can be clearly seen here that a number of possible cable openings 91 to 94 are available on the top of the work table along its rear side, so that electrical appliances distributed on the work surface can be connected with only short cable runs.

In Fig. 15, a structure of a worktable from a worktop 95, a corner element 96 and a side cabinet 97 is schematically illustrated in plan view. The worktop is supported on the free side part by a foot frame 98 corresponding to a foot frame 29 from FIG. 3. The other side of the worktop 95 is supported by an endless foot frame described at the beginning with holding arms 99, 100 projecting on both sides, which additionally supports the adjacent side 96. The connection side of the corner element 96 for Side cabinet 97 is attached to the side cabinet 97 as described in connection with FIG. 1.

The types of fastenings used in the assembly of different work tables can be quickly and easily released, so that a quick regrouping or addition of work tables in accordance with changed working conditions or spatial conditions can be carried out very quickly and easily at any time.

It is readily apparent that the side cabinet 1 or the side cabinet 70 can also be used alone, so that the features associated therewith also have independent significance.

The electrifiable work table shown is easy to install with regard to its electrification, whereby a clean and functional cable routing is achieved and is overall variable and combinable, so that all requirements, especially in the office, of a work table can be met.

Claims (16)

1. Electrifiable work table in particular for office work, with a working top, characterised in

- that the work table has on at least one side a side cupboard (1; 70),

- that the side cupboard (1; 70) is covered by its own cover board (7; 82) in the plane of which is connected a working top (2, 90) fixed on the side cover (1; 70),

- that the side cupboard (1; 70) contains an openable vertical viewing wall (36; 71) behind which for forming a cable shaft (48, 77) is disposed at a distance a false wall (55; 72),

- that over the cable shaft (48, 77) in the cover board (7, 82) is fixed an openable flap (8),

- and that in the flap (8) and/or in walls (13) of the cable shaft (48; 77) adjoining the flap (8) recesses (9, 10, 14; 37; 46, 47; 91 to 94) are made for the guiding in of cables.

2. Electrifiable work table according to claim 1, characterised in that on at least one front side from underneath is fixed on the work top (2) an angle rail (19) the vertical rail sides of which close flush with the front side and has fixing bores (20, 21 , 22) and that on at least one side face (13) of the side cupboard (1) are likewise made fixing bores (25, 26, 27) which when the working top (2) is connected lie flush with the fixing bores (20, 21, 22) in the angle rail (19).

3. Electrifiable work table according to claim 2, characterised in that the working top (2) on its longitudinal sides has longitudinal sections (17, 18) fixed at a distance under the working top (2) into which supporting arms (32, 33) of foot supports (29) or corner elements are insertable.

4. Electrifiable work table according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterised in that there is fitted on one side of the working top (2) a side cupboard (1) and on the other working top a further side cupboard (1) or a foot support (29) or a corner element.

5. Electrifiable work table according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the vertical viewing wall is a detachable viewing rear wall (36; 11) with a false rear wall (36; 71) lying therebehind.

6. Electrifiable work table according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterised in that on the false wall (55, 72) in the cable shaft (48; 77) are fixed two angles (57, 58) at a distance spaced apart for the winding up of cable excess lengths.

7. Electrifiable work table according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterised in that in the under area of the cable shaft (48; 77) there is provided a passage (37) for the insertion of cables.

8. Electrifiable work table according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the cable shaft (48; 77) widens in the upper area to a place of deposit (56; 73) for connecting elements and an upper drawer in the side cupboard is constructed suitably shorter.

9. Electrifiable work table according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the flap (8) is connected with hinges to the cover board (7; 82) so that the flap (8) after opening comes to lie on the cover board (7, 82).

10. Electrifiable work table according to one of the claims 1 to 9, characterised in that U-shaped recesses (9, 10; 46, 47; 91 to 94) are embodied left and right in the flap (8).

11. Electrifiable work table according to one of the claims 1 to 10, characterised in that U-shaped recesses (14) are provided on the upper side of the side walls in the area of the cable shaft.

12. Electrifiable work table according to one of the claims 1 to 11, characterised in that in the angle rail (19) there are provided recesses (23, 24) flush with the recesses (14) in the side walls.

13. Electrifiable work table according to one of the claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the U-shaped recesses (9, 10; 14; 37; 46, 47; 91 to 94) are about the size of a conventional electric plug and are capable of being covered with connector shoes which in their turn again have edge side recesses (16; 66 to 69) about the size of an electric cable diameter.

14. Electrifiable work table according to one of the claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the side cupboard (1; 70) stands on height adjustable feet (59; 85, 86) or rollers (87).

15. Electrifiable work table according to one of the claims 1 to 14, characterised in that the flap (45) in its rear extension for a greather depth of the side cupboard (1; 70) projects beyond the rear wall (36; 71).

16. Electrifiable work table according to one of the claims 1 to 15, characterised in that the side cupboard is a so-called spares cupboard (70) with an upper removable keyboard plate (81) for the insertion of a keyboard unit and that between the keyboard plate (81) and the cable shaft (77) a cable shears (83) is disposed.

Images