GB2160905A - Work station - Google Patents

Abstract

Demountable partition panels 1,2 are connected to one another with independent posts 3, to form a zig zag or "H" structure in a manner that provides stability to the station. The vertical adjustable post 3 enables the structure to be levelled on the office floor. The posts 3 have hooks 16, which engage in slots 13 in the trim 10 of the panels, and slots 21 for hanging worktop attachments, cupboards and shelves. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION WORK STATION The invention relates to demountable work stations commonly used in open plan offices or large office areas.

The work station provides personnel with personal work areas much the same as an ordinary office, but with far more flexibility in so far as the work station could be moved or enlarged or altered in shape to cope with modern day office environments.

The work station consists of demountable partition panels fitted in a manner that provides stability to the system.

A vertial adjustable foot enables the partition to stand level on the general office floor. The work station allows, by means of hooks, attachments of work tops, cupboards and shelves at varying heights on the partition panels. The work station partition panels vary in width and in height to suit all manner of office equipment.

The following drawings give a clear indication of the basic function for work stations.

Figure 1 Shows the make up of the partition post with a cut away detailing the hook fixture.

Figure 2 The partition panel trim to which the post is connected by slotting into the panels trim slot arrangement.

Figure 3 Illustrates the vertical adjustable foot arrangement.

Figure 4 Illustrates the directions partition panels can be assembled.

Figure 5 Shows in perspective the assembly of work station partition panels with the attached work tops, cupboards and shelves.

Figures 1 & 2 show the work stations partition panels 1 make up which would normally consist of a timber or similar frame. 7 with insulating or hardboard corrugated or similar core. 11 (not detailed) which in turn is which is faced with a decorative finish. 12 of varying textures and suitable backing (not detailed). The whole panel is edged with a metal trim. 10 finished to customers specification.

The metal trim 10 has holes 14 drilled at constant centres for securing to panel frame 7. Also the trim 10 has slots 13 at constant centres to accept hooks 16 the hooks 16 placed at appropriate centres are sandwiched between two halves of the metal top hat sections 15 which make up Post 3 which are held together with welded joints 17. The post 3 is finished to customers requirements. The top hat section 15 has slots 21 at constant close centres which allows the hanging of the cupboards 5, work tops 4 and shelves 6.

Figure 3 shows the assembly of the vertical adjustable foot 8 which is threaded to a purpose made aluminium socket 9 which in turn is held tightly in the post 3.

Figure 4 shows typical partition assemblies which are connected by posts 3 to panels 1 in runs (Figure 4A), to side panels 2 (Figure 4B), to corners 6 (Figure 4C). The metal insert 18 (Finished to customers requirements) and likewise the panel trim 10 when no other panel is attached it is capped with a plastic or similar beading 20. The corner 6 consist of metal section 19 formed to the appropriate shape and finished to customers requirements.

The metal section 19 has two sets of slots (not detailed) at centres corresponding to panel trims 10 slots 13 for locating posts 3.

Figure 5 The work stations partition panels 1. are connected to one another to form generally a zig zag of 'H' structure to suit individual customers requirements. This zig zag or 'H' arrangement of the partition panels 1 and right angled side or end panels 2 stablise the structure. The partition panels 1 & 2 are connected to one another with hooked posts 3, work tops 4, cupboards 5 and shelves 6, are hung to the partition posts 3 by means of hooks (not detailed).

1. Work station partition panels are easily assembled due to the simple hooking arrangement by post to partition panels.

2. The partition panel assembly as claimed in Claim 1 avoid any necessity for onsite mechanical fixing.

3. The partition panels can be assembled in an upright position when end or side panels are fitted in a manner as claimed in Claim 1, this avoids unecessary laying down on uncleaned surfaces.

4. As claimed in Claim 1 the continuing assembly of the partition panels by simply hooking to the post.

5. In the methods as claimed in Claims 1, 2, 3 and 4, the partition panels including the side and end panels all incorporate slotted trim or mid inserts that allow for future extensions.

6. The partition post being metal strengthens the joint between the post and the partition panels either side.

7. The hooking of attachments (Worktops, Cupboards and Shelves) to the metal partition post gives a stronger fixing.

8. The adjustable foot being fitted on the partition post enables the panels either side to be levelled at once.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION WORK STATION The invention relates to demountable work stations commonly used in open plan offices or large office areas. The work station provides personnel with personal work areas much the same as an ordinary office, but with far more flexibility in so far as the work station could be moved or enlarged or altered in shape to cope with modern day office environments. The work station consists of demountable partition panels fitted in a manner that provides stability to the system. A vertial adjustable foot enables the partition to stand level on the general office floor. The work station allows, by means of hooks, attachments of work tops, cupboards and shelves at varying heights on the partition panels. The work station partition panels vary in width and in height to suit all manner of office equipment. The following drawings give a clear indication of the basic function for work stations. Figure 1 Shows the make up of the partition post with a cut away detailing the hook fixture. Figure 2 The partition panel trim to which the post is connected by slotting into the panels trim slot arrangement. Figure 3 Illustrates the vertical adjustable foot arrangement. Figure 4 Illustrates the directions partition panels can be assembled. Figure 5 Shows in perspective the assembly of work station partition panels with the attached work tops, cupboards and shelves. Figures 1 & 2 show the work stations partition panels 1 make up which would normally consist of a timber or similar frame. 7 with insulating or hardboard corrugated or similar core. 11 (not detailed) which in turn is which is faced with a decorative finish. 12 of varying textures and suitable backing (not detailed). The whole panel is edged with a metal trim. 10 finished to customers specification. The metal trim 10 has holes 14 drilled at constant centres for securing to panel frame 7. Also the trim 10 has slots 13 at constant centres to accept hooks 16 the hooks 16 placed at appropriate centres are sandwiched between two halves of the metal top hat sections 15 which make up Post 3 which are held together with welded joints 17. The post 3 is finished to customers requirements. The top hat section 15 has slots 21 at constant close centres which allows the hanging of the cupboards 5, work tops 4 and shelves 6. Figure 3 shows the assembly of the vertical adjustable foot 8 which is threaded to a purpose made aluminium socket 9 which in turn is held tightly in the post 3. Figure 4 shows typical partition assemblies which are connected by posts 3 to panels 1 in runs (Figure 4A), to side panels 2 (Figure 4B), to corners 6 (Figure 4C). The metal insert 18 (Finished to customers requirements) and likewise the panel trim 10 when no other panel is attached it is capped with a plastic or similar beading 20. The corner 6 consist of metal section 19 formed to the appropriate shape and finished to customers requirements. The metal section 19 has two sets of slots (not detailed) at centres corresponding to panel trims 10 slots 13 for locating posts 3. Figure 5 The work stations partition panels 1. are connected to one another to form generally a zig zag of 'H' structure to suit individual customers requirements. This zig zag or 'H' arrangement of the partition panels 1 and right angled side or end panels 2 stablise the structure. The partition panels 1 & 2 are connected to one another with hooked posts 3, work tops 4, cupboards 5 and shelves 6, are hung to the partition posts 3 by means of hooks (not detailed). CLAIMS

1. Work station partition panels are easily assembled due to the simple hooking arrangement by post to partition panels.

2. The partition panel assembly as claimed in Claim 1 avoid any necessity for onsite mechanical fixing.

3. The partition panels can be assembled in an upright position when end or side panels are fitted in a manner as claimed in Claim 1, this avoids unecessary laying down on uncleaned surfaces.

4. As claimed in Claim 1 the continuing assembly of the partition panels by simply hooking to the post.

5. In the methods as claimed in Claims 1, 2, 3 and 4, the partition panels including the side and end panels all incorporate slotted trim or mid inserts that allow for future extensions.

6. The partition post being metal strengthens the joint between the post and the partition panels either side.

7. The hooking of attachments (Worktops, Cupboards and Shelves) to the metal partition post gives a stronger fixing.

8. The adjustable foot being fitted on the partition post enables the panels either side to be levelled at once.