GB2156206A - Workstation - Google Patents

Abstract

A console for a computer workstation comprises a work surface (1) and a pedestal (2) supporting the work surface. The pedestal comprises a framework of extrusions (3) joined at their ends by corner pieces and closed by fascia panels (5). Each extrusion (3) has undercut recesses for receiving bolts or threaded strips in order to secure ancillaries to the extrusions, particularly for supporting computer electronics within the pedestal. Thus the pedestal and thus the console can be made to any dimension simply by cutting the extrusions to the desired length and cutting the fascia panels accordingly. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Workstation This invention relates to a consolefora computer workstation.

According to the present invention there is provided a work console comprising a work surface and at least one pedestal supporting the work surface, the pedestal comprising a framework of extrusions extending along and defining edges of the pedestal and brackets which join the three ends ofthree extrusions by screw-threaded fasteners.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an extrusion for a console as described in the preceding paragraph, the extrusion having a generally "L"- or "V"-shaped cross section providing external major surfaces at 900, each major surface having an undercut recess therein, at least one further undercut recess located in each limb of the "V" or "L" and another undercut recess defined by the inner cavity ofthe "V" or"L"forsupporting a bolt which will protect away from the major surfaces and at 45" to each for securing the extrusion to other similar extrusions by a bracket.

In orderthatthe invention can be clearly understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. lisa perspective exploded view of a console according to an embodiment of the invention, Figs. 1A and 1 B showing details of Fig. 1; Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the extrusion for the console of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows an alternative console constructed from the extrusion and other parts of Fig. 1 but with a half depth pedestal in addition to the full depth pedestal, and Figs. 4Ato 4E show various layouts of consoles according to other embodiments ofthe present invention.

Referring to Fig. 1 there is shown a computer console which serves three functions. It houses the computer electronics in a removable manner in the pedestal; it provides a work centre for a computer operator; and importantly it can be built to any dimension and can be dismantled and rebuilt two provide a different sized housing for new or additional computer electronics with a minimum of new structural and fascia parts. This is a big advantage for a computer user because the console structure is almost certainly going to outlive the electronics which will probably be updated in two to five years time and the cost ofthe consoleto begin with is a not insignificant part ofthetotal initial outlay.

Thus one of the main features of the present invention is the provision of a computer console which can be made to any dimension and can be updated at somefuture point in time with the minimum additional expense.

The console comprises a work surface 1, a full depth pedestal framework 2 of metal extrusions3, preferably aluminium, rigid corner brackets 4 (Fig. 1A) and fascia panels such as 5.

The cross section oftheextrusions3 is shown in Fig.

2. The extrusion serves as the main structural support eiement and provides for mounting ancillaries. it is generally symmetrical about the plane 6. It has a generally "L"- or "V"-shaped cross section having major outer surfaces A and B at 90 to each other. A central undercut recess 7 captures the head of a main secu ring bo It 8 (Fig. 1A)for secu ri ng the end of the extrusiontothebracket4which is made of pressed and welded steel. This bolt projects away from the major surfaces A and B and at 45 to each. The bracket 4 has three holes to accept the three bolts 8 for securing together the ends ofthe three extrusions 3 by means of nuts such as 8A. A caster 9 or other foot is secured through a fourth hole by a nut 10.A modified bracket similar to the bracket 4 but without the fourth hole is also provided (not shown) for securing together the ends of the extrusions 3 wherever a supporting foot or caster is not required, e.g. adjacent the upper surface of the pedestal and this modified bracketorthe bracket4asshown can also be used to secure two extrusions 3 to an intermediate point on a third extrusion 3.

A cap 11 is fitted into the corner recess 12 to provide a smooth and attractive finish to the corner joint. The cap is held by a screw 13 extending through a fifth hole in the bracket 4. Where two extrusions 3 are secured to an intermediate point on a third extrusion, then of course the corner finishing cap would not be required.

Undercut recesses 14take a standard M5 bolt head 1 6for securing aZ-shaped cross section mounting strip 1Sfor mounting 19 inch equipment practice racks (15 is shown in broken line in Fig. 2) by means of a nut 17. Thus each limb of the extrusion has an extremity 14A inboard ofthe major surface such as B and providing the undercut recess 14 located beyond the edge of major surface B remote from the edge common to both surfaces A and B.

Undercut recesses 20 acceptan M5 bolt head for securing ancillaries such as drawer runners, chassis slides, cable trunking or internal power distribution sockets.

Recesses 21 accept one edge of a fixed fascia panel which is trapped between opposed extrusions, and lies in a plane just inboard ofthe pertaining major surfaceAor B. Alternatively removablefascia panels 5 (Fig. 1) can be provided in which quick release latches 5A (Fig. 1) hold behind the part of the extrusion defining the recess 14 such that on rotation the latch movesawayto release the panel.

Recesses 22 are used to trap an M5 bolt head for joining together two abutting frameworks, such as shown by way of example in Fig. 3, where framework x abuts framework Y and the abutting extrusions are secured together by straps 22A extending across from the recess 22 in one extrusion in the common plane to the recess 22 in the abutting extrusion. In Fig. 3the console is similartotheone shown in Fig. 1 exceptthat pedestal X has been provided in place of the modesty panel and all-welded end leg. The pedestal X contains additional electronic equipment supported by Zshaped supporting brackets 15 (Fig. 2), and such brackets would be used in pedestal Y also. Alternatively the electronics equipment can be supported in drawers (not shown) orchassis mounted on slides, and secured by bolts to recesses 20(Fig. 2).

The work surfaces such as the one shown in Fig. 1 or Fig. 3, aresecured to the upper extrusions via recesses 22 using channel shaped extrusions 30 and 31 shown in broken line in Fig. 2, onechannel member30 being secured to the bolt orthreaded strip in the recess 22 andthe otherchannel 31 beingsecuredtothe underside ofthe work surface. Then the work surface is slid onto the top ofthe or each pedestal so that the channels 30 and 31 interlock with one another. These channels are indicated schematically in Fig. 1 before being secured.

Thechannel pieces 30 and 31 also cause the work surfaceto be raised slightly from the top major surfacesAorBoftheextrusions3(Fig. 1)enabling cable entryfrom the work surfaceto the pedestal between thework surface and the extrusions.

In place ofthe M5 bolts it is possible and in some cases preferable to provide a strip 30 (Fig. 2A) with threaded holes such as 31, and to slide this strip down the undercut recess in place of the bolts, and then screw the bolts into the strip located in the recess to secure the various ancillaries to the extrusions.

Referring to Fig.4there are shown various console layouts 4Ato 4E, each console C incorporating a pedestal such as the one indicated in Fig. 1 or Fig. 3, as appropriate. lntermediatetriangularfiller pieces F are joined to the work surfaces ofthe various consoles C in orderto achievethevarious layouts.

Claims (11)

1. A work console comprising a work surface and at least one pedestal supporting the work surface, the pedestal comprising a framework of extrusions extending along and defining edges ofthe pedestal and brackets which join the three ends ofthree extrusions by screw-threaded fasteners.

2. Aconsoleasclaimedin claim 1,whereinthe brackets on the bottom ofthe pedestal each have a foot such as a caster secured thereto.

3. A console as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the extrusions have the same cross sectional configuration.

4. A console as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein an extrusion is symmetrical about a centre plane and of generally "L"- or "V"-shaped cross section having major outer surfaces at 45" to the central plane, and an undercut recess in each major surface whereby two extrusions abutting along major surfaces can be secured together by strapping fixed to bolts held in the undercut recesses in the other major surfaces.

5. A console as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein an extrusion is of generally "L"- or "V"shaped cross section having major outer surfaces at 90 ,the endsof each limb ofthe "L" or"V" having a recess to receive a fixed fascia panel lying in a plane just inboard of the pertaining majorsurface.

6. A console as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein an extrusion is of generally "L"- or "V"shaped cross section providing external majorsur faces at9O%the innercaviWofthe "U' or"V" defining an undercut recess to secure the head of a boltwhich will project awayfrom the majorsurfaces at 45" to each for securing the extrusion to the bracket.

7. A console as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein an extrusion is of generally "L"- or "V"shaped cross section providing external major surfaces at 90C, each limb of the "V" or "L" having an extremity inboard of the major surface and providing an undercut recess located beyond the edge of that surface remote from the edge common to both surfaces, said recess able to carry a bolt head or screw-threaded strip.

8. A console as claimed in claim 7, wherein each limb provides at least one further undercut recess for carrying a bolt head or screw-threaded strip and opening in a direction opposite that of the recess of claim 7.

9. A console substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

10. An extrusion for a console as claimed in any preceding claim, the extrusion having a generally "L"or"V"-shaped cross section providing external major surfaces at 90", each major surface having an undercut recess therein, at least one further undercut recess located in each limb ofthe "V" or"L" and another undercut recess defined by the inner cavity of the "V" or"L"forsupporting a boltwhichwill projectaway from the major surfaces and at 45 to each for securing the extrusion to othersimilarextrusions by a bracket.

11. An extrusion substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.