EP2422648A1 - Office device with multiple spatial configurations - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a work surface formed of a movable plate (3) mounted on another work surface (1) close to an end (3a) to authorize rotation of the former work surface between a closed position in which longitudinal axes of the work surfaces are aligned and an open position in which the longitudinal axes of the work surfaces are not aligned. The former work surface is mounted on the latter work surface in a sliding manner to authorize displacement of the former work surface along the longitudinal axis of the latter work surface. The former work surface is mounted under the latter work surface.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for an office that can take multiple spatial configurations.

This desk is composed of several elements including an additional work surface adapted to fit into the other elements or to be brought into the position of use by pivoting and / or sliding.

This type of office is as well used in companies as in hotels, or in places of seminars, etc ... It provides a solution meeting criteria of modularity, flexibility, as well as a current policy of company aiming for continuous improvement of the tasks carried out thanks to the storage of the workspaces. This type of office is therefore intended to easily and quickly adapt the work environment according to the field of activity and / or the number of users.

• les bureaux ayant une surface de travail additionnelle mobile uniquement en rotation par rapport au plan de travail principal ou par rapport à un caisson de rangement ;
• les bureaux ayant une unique surface de travail mobile uniquement en translation par rapport à un support fixe de type étagères ;
• les bureaux ayant une surface de travail additionnelle mobile au moyen d'une combinaison de différents mouvements.

Many offices of this type exist, and can schematically be classified into three categories, namely:

• offices having an additional work surface that is movable only in rotation with respect to the main work surface or with respect to a storage box;
• offices having a single work surface mobile only in translation with respect to a fixed shelf-type support;
• desks with additional mobile work surface using a combination of different movements.

The document US 6,145,448 describes a structure belonging to this third category, and in particular discloses a small intermediate plate placed between two tables of the same height. This intermediate plate is movable between a closed position where the tray is hidden under the two tables placed against each other, and an open position where the tray is accessible between the two tables distant from each other. This plate is connected to one of the tables by means of pivoting and sliding.

The major disadvantage of this configuration lies in the fact that access to the intermediate plateau is necessarily accompanied by the displacement of one of the tables, which is not always obvious given their weight. In addition, the intermediate plate has a very small area and its position relative to the tables is limited to a single location.

The invention aims to overcome these disadvantages by providing a desk with a relatively large additional work surface easily movable in translation and / or rotation, which can therefore occupy many positions, thus allowing multiple spatial configurations to be obtained. in association with the other elements of the table.

The invention also aims to provide a storage position of the additional work surface to make the office very compact in case of non-use.

The office according to the invention consists mainly of two working surfaces each having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis.

In a first configuration, the first work surface is mounted adjacent a first end to the second work surface.

This first work surface is rotatable between a closed position in which the longitudinal axes of the working surfaces are aligned, and an open position in which the longitudinal axes of the work surfaces are not aligned.

In order to achieve the aforementioned objectives, the invention is characterized in that the first work surface is also movable in translation, and slides along the longitudinal axis of the second work surface.

The first movable work surface can therefore perform complex movements with respect to the second work surface that is fixed, and thus provides an additional work surface in addition to that of a traditional work surface.

In a second configuration, the first movable work surface is mounted adjacent a first end under the second fixed work surface. A third, optional work surface can be mounted on the second work surface, the latter then becoming a simple shelf within the office.

In general, the second work surface rests on two jambs formed by side panels. The first work surface rests on the ground via a base attached to the vicinity of its second end and is connected in the vicinity of its first end to a parallelepipedal storage box by means of a vertical shaft, said box being placed under all working surfaces and resting on the ground.

More specifically, the vertical shaft is pivotally mounted in a groove formed in the upper surface of the box, in which it can slide.

Therefore, all the complex movements of the first work surface are performed by means of said shaft which pivots and slides.

In the first configuration where the first work surface is mounted on the second work surface, the latter comprises an orifice having the shape of the groove of the box and cooperating with the vertical shaft. Indeed, the vertical shaft supporting the first work surface is inserted into this hole and must be able to pivot and slide freely through the second work surface.

In the second configuration where the first work surface is mounted under the second work surface, the latter does not include a hole and is a large worktop.

This second configuration will be developed later in this description.

In practice, one side of the box is attached to one of the legs of the second work surface, while the other side of the box is distant from the other leg, creating a storage space.

This storage space provided between the box and a jamb of the second work surface makes it possible to accommodate the base of the first work surface in the closed position.

In this case, the first work surface is stored and no element exceeds the volume defined by the structure of the second work surface, so as to obtain a compact office leaving users free access over its entire periphery.

According to the invention, the groove in which the shaft slides comprises damping stops at its ends. The location of the stops in the groove is in particular calculated according to the length of the first movable surface and the desired clearances between the first movable surface and the jambs.

When the shaft comes to a stop opposite the storage space, it must be possible to pivot the first movable surface to store it under the second work surface. This storage must be able to be performed without the first moving surface does not hit a jamb regardless of the length of the second surface.

However, for reasons of comfort of use or to allow the use of the desktop in various work configurations, the first movable surface is in practice provided with a maximum length consistent with its storage under the second work surface. Similarly, to optimize the storage possibilities, the length of the box is maximum.

So that extraction / storage remains possible regardless of the length of the first movable surface, the profile of its first end is rounded in the shape of a center semicircle corresponding to the center of rotation of the vertical shaft. Thus, when the tree is in abutment opposite the storage space, it is possible to rotate the tray while keeping a constant minimum clearance between its rounded edge and the neighboring leg.

Consequently, the location of this stop in the groove is defined so that the edge of the first surface is proximal to the neighboring leg, without contact of the folded position to a deployed perpendicularity position, when the shaft is in position. stop.

Symmetrically, the location of the opposite stop in the groove is defined so that the edge of the first moving surface does not come into contact with the neighboring leg, when the first and second surfaces are perpendicular, the clearance between the edge of the first surface and said jamb being minimal.

According to one possibility, the second end of the first moving surface is not rounded but rectilinear with two right angles.

When the tree is in abutment and the office is stored, the deployment of the first movable surface must obviously take place without one of the right angles of its second end bangs the demarcating leg with one end of the box l storage space of his base.

Thus, the maximum length of the first surface is determined so that, in the stowed position with the shaft in abutment, its second end does not come into contact with said leg during its deployment.

The desk is symmetrical about a vertical longitudinal median plane, in a stowed position.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique illustrant le bureau de l'invention avec la première surface de travail rangée sous la seconde surface de travail ;
• la figure 2 est une vue schématique illustrant le bureau avec la première surface mobile déployée perpendiculairement à la seconde surface ;
• les figures 3 à 10 représentent des configurations spatiales possibles adaptées à différents environnements de travail.

Other advantages and features of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description which follows and refers to the accompanying drawings given solely by way of example and in which:

• the figure 1 is a schematic view illustrating the desktop of the invention with the first work surface stored under the second work surface;
• the figure 2 is a schematic view illustrating the desktop with the first movable surface deployed perpendicular to the second surface;
• the Figures 3 to 10 represent possible spatial configurations suitable for different work environments.

On the figure 1 , the office is represented in its most compact form thanks to the alignment of the different elements composing this office one under the other.

This office is first of all a work plan (1) corresponding to the "second work surface" as described above.

This worktop (1) is based on two legs (6a, 6b) composed of side panels having the same width as the work plane (1). The latter is fixed to the ground and its height is about 1000mm, which corresponds to a raised working height which users can enjoy by means of chairs also elevated, such as bar chairs for example.

This office is then made of a storage box (2) parallelepiped of shorter length than that of the work plane (1). This box (2) is placed under the work plane (1), and its right side face (8b) is in contact with the inner face (7) of the right leg (6b) of the worktop (1), while its left side face (8a) is distant from the left leg (6a) of the worktop (1). This distance between the box (2) and the left leg (6a) creates a free storage space. The height of the box (2) is around 500mm for example. The box (2) is also fixed relative to the ground.

The last component of this office is an additional work surface consisting of a movable plate (3) corresponding to the "first work surface" as described above. This movable plate (3) is located between the box (2) and the work plane (1) at a height of about 730 mm corresponding to a standard working height associated with office chairs. The movable plate (3) is connected to the box (2) near its end (3a) by means of a vertical shaft (4).

As illustrated on the figure 2 , the plate (3) is rotatable relative to the axis shown by the vertical shaft (4) located in the transverse median plane of the box (2). This vertical shaft (4) slides in a groove (5) formed on the upper surface (9) of the box (2) in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the plate (3) is also movable in translation along the longitudinal axis of the groove (5).

The plate (3) can pivot and slide simultaneously to take many positions relative to the fixed elements (1, 2).

The tray (3) is supported at its end (3a) by the vertical axis (4) and at the other end (3b) by a base (10) formed of a side panel providing good stability to the tray (3). ). This tray (3) provides a working surface almost as large as the worktop (1) when it is deployed relative thereto.

According to one possibility, when the vertical axis (4) comes into abutment at the right end (5a) of the groove (5), the jamb (10) of the movable plate (3) can be stored in the free space created between the box (2) and the left jamb (6a) of the worktop (1). All the elements are thus aligned one under the other and the trundle is stored.

The movable plate (3) has a freedom of rotation of 180 ° since the table has a symmetry with respect to the longitudinal vertical median plane, in the stowed position.

Whether the tray (3) is stored or deployed, access to the storage box (2) remains easy, as the access to the worktop (1).

In addition, to increase the storage capacity, a shelf (11) can be fixed under the worktop (1).

The Figures 3 to 10 showcase possible work area configurations using multiple desks quickly and easily adapting to different landscaped office activities and configurations through intuitive and fluid movement of moving trays (3).

The figure 3 represents a work area that favors contact between people. In this configuration, four desks (A, B, C, D) aligned define a workspace where people can discuss and work, either side-by-side on the same work surface (A1, B1) with the moving platen (A3, B3) arranged, or face to face on two moving platens (C3, D3) positioned almost against each other perpendicular to the work surfaces (C1, D1). In the latter case, in order to join the trays (C3, D3), it is necessary that the desks (C, D) are inverted relative to each other, while remaining aligned, so as to bring the maximum the caissons (C2, D2) and even more so the trees of the mobile trays (not visible in the figure).

The figure 4 presents a configuration highlighting the adaptability of the working environment according to the number of collaborators in a work team. For more flexibility, the desks (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H) are placed in the same direction, and aligned in two rows, forming a large central workspace. Mobile trays (B3, C3, D3, E3, F3, G3, H3) can thus be deployed on either side of this central workspace. Preferably, each employee can deploy a mobile platform (B3, C3, D3, E3, F3, G3, H3) to create his own workspace, while remaining close to other employees.

The configurations represented in Figures 5 and 6 aim to implement a single-person workspace that can occasionally accommodate one or two additional people. The offices (A, B) are positioned similarly to the figure 3 with moving trays (A3, B3) close together. This configuration lends itself, for example, to an office of director or service manager wishing to receive one or more employees at his office for a meeting in a restricted committee.

The movable platen (A3) has the advantage of a sufficiently large working surface, by its length, for two people placed side by side on the same side, or two people placed opposite each other in a quincunx .

With a configuration identical to that of the figure 5 , the figure 7 illustrates the case of a workspace corresponding to a meeting room.

The figure 8 shows a space suitable for training, where the trainer is installed at the end of the work plan (B1), facing the participants seated in rows of two at the level of the moving trays (A3, B3).

The Figures 9 and 10 have a configuration designed for meetings or teleconferences. The movable trays (A3, B3) are then no longer placed perpendicular to the work surfaces (A1, B1), but obliquely so as to allow all the participants of the meeting to correctly view either a television (20) or a table (21).

Of course, the invention is not limited to the configuration examples described and illustrated.

Claims (13)

A multi-spatial arrangement office device comprising a first work surface (3) and a second work surface (1), both surfaces (3, 1) having a longitudinal and transverse axis, the first work surface (3) being mounted in the vicinity of a first end (3a) on the second working surface (1) allowing a rotation of the first surface (3) between a closed position in which the longitudinal axes of the working surfaces (3, 1) are aligned, and an open position in which the longitudinal axes of the working surfaces (3, 1) are not aligned,
characterized in that the first work surface (3) is also slidably mounted on the second work surface (1) allowing the first surface (3) to move along the longitudinal axis of the second work surface (1). Office device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first working surface (3) is mounted under the second working surface (1). Office device according to claim 2, characterized in that a third working surface is mounted on the second working surface (1). Office device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second work surface (1) rests on two legs (6a, 6b) formed by side panels, and the first work surface (3) is supported by the floor via a base (10) fixed in the vicinity of its second end (3b) and is connected in the vicinity of its first end (3a) to a parallelepiped storage box (2) by means of a vertical shaft (4), said box (2) being placed under all working surfaces (1,2,3) and resting on the ground. Office device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said vertical shaft (4) is pivotally mounted in a groove (5) formed in the upper surface (9) of the box (2), in which it can slide. Office device according to one of Claims 1, 4 and 5, characterized in that the second working surface (1) under the first working surface (3) comprises an orifice having the shape of the groove of the housing (2 ) and cooperating with the vertical shaft (4). Office device according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that a storage space is provided between the box (2) and one of the legs (6a) of the second work surface (1) for accommodating the base (10) of the first surface (3) in the closed position. Office device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the profile of the first end (3a) of the first working surface (3) is rounded in the shape of a center semicircle corresponding to the center of rotation of the vertical shaft (4). Office device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the box (2) is fixed to the jamb (6b) of the second working surface (1) opposite that delimiting the storage space. Office device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the groove (5) of the box (2) has damping stops at its ends (5a, 5b). Office device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the location of the stop in the groove (5) is defined in such a way that the edge of the first working surface (3) is adjacent to the neighboring leg (6a, 6b), without contact, when the shaft (4) abuts. Office device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the length of the first working surface (3) is determined so that, in the closed position with the shaft (4) in abutment, the second end (3b) the first work surface (3) does not come into contact with the neighboring leg (6a) during its deployment. Office device according to one of claims 4 to 12, characterized in that the working surfaces (3, 1) and the box (2) are symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal vertical median plane, in the closed position.

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