GB2247613A - A frame for a desk - Google Patents

Abstract

A frame (12) for a desk (10) comprises two sub-frames (16) connected by transom rails (18) and a top (10). Each sub-frame (16) comprises two legs (22) attached to the ends of a cross member (24). The legs and cross members (22, 24) are identical in section and include two recesses (26, 28) (Fig. 3) in which cabling can be located. The recesses (26, 28) (Fig. 3) are closed off by a seal (Fig. 6) comprising two seal elements (32), one end of each seal element being located in a slot (30) located on each side of the recesses (26, 28). The ends of the legs (22) terminate in adjustable feet (74) and the top (14) is provided with one or more access slots (84) which are closed off by a two-part cover (90). <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO DESKS This invention relates to desks. Desks for use in offices and the home usually comprise a working surface mounted on a base or frame. The desk can be provided with drawers for the storage of files, documents and instruments, but such storage arrangements need not always be provided.

It is now common place for a variety of machines such as word processors, calculators, and telecommunication equipment, such as telephones, telex and facsimile transmission apparatus to be used in a modern office. All of this type of equipment requires cabling, either cabling to supply power to the machines, or data transmission cabling. Such cabling can present a safety hazard in the region of a desk if the cabling is not properly located, and the presence of a variety of cabling on the desk top and around the edges of the desk creates an unappealing aspect. Any run of cabling from, for example, a power point or a telephone socket can be located in appropriate ducting on an office floor to conceal the cabling so as to reduce the safety hazard and improve appearances.

A number of proposals have been made to organise the cabling within a desk structure so as to reduce safety hazards and improve appearances.

For example, EP0058535 discloses a desk having a working top on a hollow beam supported on two side uprights at each end of the hollow beam, the beam being spaced inwardly from the front edge of the desk top. The side uprights each have a channel for cabling which can be concealed by a removeable cover. The hollow cross member can also receive cabling and also has a removeable cover to conceal the cabling. In such a desk the covers have to be removed and replaced to locate and conceal the cabling and the access points for the cabling onto the desk are restricted.

GB2130022 discloses ducting which can be used in the construction of furniture, eg, a desk leg. The ducting includes a channel enclosing a sleeve which has a longitudinal slit. Cabling can be inserted into the sleeve via the slit and can be lead from the sleeve via the slit.

In order to use the ducting for a table or desk leg, the sleeve has to be inserted prior to the ducting being attached directly or indirectly to a table or desk top. The ducting only allows cabling to be conducted along the leg of a desk and therefore restricts the range of usefulness of the ducting.

The present invention seeks to provide a frame for a desk or cable in which both the legs and cross members of the frame have a recess to receive cabling, the recess being closed off by a two part seal which can be assembled onto the frame after the frame has been constructed.

Accordingly the present invention provides a frame for a desk or table comprising legs and cross members connecting the legs, the legs and cross members including at least one recess in which cabling can be located, the at least one channel being closed off by seal means attached to the legs and cross members externally of the recesses in the legs and cross members.

The seal means can comprise two seal elements, each element being located at one end in a slot form adjacent the opening of each recess, the other ends of the seal element butting one another to close off the recesses.

The frame can comprise two sub-frames connected together by transom rails, each sub-frame comprising two legs and a cross member, one leg being attached at each end of the cross member.

The frame can include spacer members located at each end of each transom rail, and at least one tie bolt at each end of the frame extending from one sub-frame to the other sub-frame and passing through the two spacer members and the transom rail.

The legs and cross members can be identical in cross-section, the section being generally triangular in form and having two recesses for cabling, each recess being generally triangular in section.

The cross member of each frame can be mitred at each end and the upper end of each leg of each sub-frame can be mitred at its upper end, the legs and cross members being joined together at their mitred ends by a joint member, the joint member being T-shaped in section and being located in a T-shaped opening in each leg and cross member.

A slot can be provided on each side of each recess in the legs and cross members, the slot being arranged to retain one end of each of the seal elements.

The seal elements can be arcuate in section and each element can be formed at one end with an abutment face and formed at the other end with a generally circular enlargement.

Each leg of the frame can have an adjustable foot, each foot comprising a housing attached to the end of the leg and a shroud located within the recess in the housing, and adjustment means operable to move the shroud relative to the housing.

The adjustment means can comprise a threaded post rotatably secured to the shroud, the post engaging a threaded bore in the housing, the housing having an access opening for a tool engagable with the threaded post.

The invention further comprises a desk including a working surface and a frame according to the invention in which the edge of the working surface has at least one access slot to conduct cabling from the frame onto the working surface, the slot including a removable open ended cover enabling a cable to be located in the slot, the cable being retained in the slot by the cover.

The present invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which, Fig. 1 shows a front elevation of one form of desk according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a plan view of the desk shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a section on line III-III in Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a section on line IV-IV in Fig. 2, Fig. 5 is an exploded, perspective, diagramatic view of one of the corner joints of the desk shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 6 is a section to an enlarged scale of a pair of seals for use with the frame of the desk shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 7 is a side view of a joint member for connecting a leg to a beam of the desk shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 8 is a front view of the joint member shown in Fig. 7, Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are respectively front, side and plan views of a spacer member for connecting two sub-frames of the desk shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 12 is a perspective view of an adjustable foot and shroud at the end of one of the legs of the desk shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 13 is a top plan view of the shroud shown in Fig. 12, Fig. 14 is an underneath plan view of the shroud shown in Fig. 12, Fig. 15 is a view on arrow A in Fig. 12, Fig. 16 is a section on line XVI-XVI in Fig. 13, Figs. 17 and 18 are respectively top and underneath plan views of the foot shown in Fig. 12, Fig. 19 is a section on line XIX-XIX in Fig. 17, Figs. 20 and 21 are respectively sections through a threaded stem and retaining cap for use with the shroud shown in Figs. 17, 18 and 19, Figs. 22, 23 and 24 are respectively plan, side and front views of a cable guide, Fig. 25 is a section on line XXV-XXV in Fig. 22, and Fig. 26 is a perspective of the cable guide shown in Figs. 22 to 25 installed in a desk.

Referring to the figures, a desk 10 comprises a frame 12 and a top 14. The frame 12 comprises two similar sub-frames 16 connected via two transom rails 18 and spacers 20 (see Figs. 5, and 9-11 inclusive).

Each sub-frame 16 comprises two legs 22 each attached to one end of a cross member 24 by means of a joint member 26 (Figs. 7 and 8). The legs 22 and cross-member 24 are all formed from a hollow aluminium extrusion, the cross-section of which is shown in Fig. 3 The extrusion is essentially T-shaped, and the stem and cross-bar of the T define two generally triangular shaped recesses 28 which are intended in use to receive electrical or other cabling.

Adjacent the edges of each recess 26, 28 are longitudinal slots 30 formed integrally with the extrusion to locate and maintain in place one end of each one of a pair of seals 32 (Fig. 6) which cover the recesses 26, 28. It will be noted from Fig. 6 that one end of each seal 32 has a generally circular section 32A which locates in a corresponding part of the respective slot 30. Each seal 32 also has a lip 32B so as to give a neat external appearance to the junction between the seal and the leg or cross-member 22, 24.

The extrusion is also formed with three further longitudinal slots 34, provided to receive self tapping screws for the attachment of adjustable feet, described below with reference to Figs. 12-19.

Further longitudinal slots 36 are formed in the extrusion to receive strips of coloured plastic trim (not shown).

It will be appreciated that the extrusion is twin walled comprising wall portions 38A, 38B and 38C and 38D and 38E, defining a space 40. If necessary, the two walls 38D and 38E defining the stem of the extrusion can be provided with longitudinal slots 42, enabling cabling to be routed between the recesses 26 and 28.

Lengths of the extrusion which form the legs 22 and the cross-member 24 are joined together by the joint member 26, the upper ends of the legs 22 and both ends of the cross-member 24 having first been mitred.

The joint members 26 (Figs. 5, 7 and 8) are right-angled and Tshaped in section, each having a stem 26A and cross-bar 26B. The stem and cross-bar are both provided with ridges 44 and 46 respectively on both sides, and the stem 26A has four holes 48, the function of which is described below with reference to Figs.

4, 5, 9, 10 and 11.

A leg 22 is joined to the cross-member 24 by first applying a generous coating of a suitable cold setting metal to metal adhesive to both surfaces of the joint member. The joint member is then inserted into both the leg and cross-member in sequence so that the stem 26 and the cross-piece 26B enter the relevant extrusions between the wall portions 38A and 38E, and 38A and 38B and 38C respectively, and the mitred end of the leg is urged into contact with the mitred end of the cross-member 24. Any excess adhesive is removed and the joint is left to set. The operation is repeated in order to attach the other leg to the cross-member, so that one of the sub-frames 16 is assembled. The other sub-frame 16 is assembled in a similar manner. Both sub-frames are then drilled with holes in the legs and cross-members to correspond with the holes 48.

It will be appreciated that the provision of the ridges 44 and 46 create a 'key' for the joint adhesive, and strengthen the joint.

The two sub-assemblies 16 are joined together using two transom rails 20 and spacers 20 at each end of the transom rails.

Referring to Fig. 4, each transom rail 18 is a hollow extrusion which is generally in the shape of right-angled triangle in section. The rail has a flat top 18A, which is co-planar in use with the wall portion 38A of the cross-member 24. A side face 18B of the rail which is at right-angles to the face 18A is formed with a pattern and in use is co-planar with the wall portion 38A of the legs 22, these wall portions also being correspondingly patterned.

The rail 18 has two further faces 18C and 18D which are at right-angles to the faces 18A and 18B respectively, and a further face 18E connects the faces 18C and 18D. The face 18E is formed at 1350 to both the faces 18C and 18D and has channels 18F and 18G.

The rail 18 is formed internally with a number of part circular walls which between them define four slots 50, corresponding to the four holes 48A in the joint members 26.

The rail 18 is provided with a longitudinal slot 52 in the flat top 18A in which a strip of plastics material can be located. A further slot 54 is provided adjacent to the lower edge of the side face 18B to receive self tapping screws (not shown) the screws enabling side panels and/or drawer systems to be attached to the frame.

The rails 18 are mated with the sub-frame 16 by means of the spacers 20, one of which is located at each end of each rail 18.

Referring to Fig. 5 and Figs. 9, 10 and 11, each spacer 20 is an integral casting having a flat face 18 which corresponds in shape and size to the end face of the rail 18. Thus the face 56 has edges 56A, B, C, D and E which match the faces 18A, B, C and D respectively of the rail 18.

The spacer 20 has faces 58, 60 and 62 which extend from the edges 56C, 56D and 56E respectively at right-angles to the surface 56.

The lower edges 58A, 60A and 62A respectively of the faces 58, 60 and 62 are shaped to mate with the corresponding surfaces of the legs 22 and cross-member 24.

Two generally circular hollow housings, 64, 66 extend from the faces 58, 62 and 60, 62 respectively at right angles to one another. The housings are closed off at their ends by walls 68 and 70 which are shaped to correspond with the seals 32. Walls 68, 70 are also shaped and relieved to fit the shape of the legs 22 and cross-beams 18.

The face 56 is provded with a number of through openings including openings 72 which are sized and located to correspond with the openings 48 in the joint members 26 and the holes in the sub-frame 16. The sub-frames are joined together by passing threaded tie bars (not shown) through the openings at the corners of one of the sub-frames and into a first spacer member 20, a transom rail 18, a second space member 20 and through the openings at the corner of the other one of the sub-frames. The tie bars are tensioned by using nuts at each end to draw the two sub-frames together and clamping the transom rails and spacing members between the sub-frames.

The top 14 can then be attached to the frame 12 by means of clips (not shown) which engage in one of the slots 30 of both cross-beams.

Referring to Figs. 12 to 21 inclusive, each leg 22 terminates in an adjustable foot 74 which comprises a foot moulding 76, a shroud 78 and a threaded post 80 which terminates in a foot 82. The foot moulding is generally triangular in section and conforms to the triangular shape of the legs 22. The moulding includes two semiconical integral housings 84 which serve to close off the open ends of the seals 32 which are mounted on each leg 22 as previously described. The upper peripheries 84A of the housings 84 correspond to the periphery of the lower end of the seals 32.

The foot moulding has three counterbore holes 76A which are aligned with the longitudinal slots 34 in the extrusion which forms each leg 22. The foot moulding 76 is attached to the leg 22 by using self tapping screws which pass through the hole 76A and engage the ends of the slots 34 in the leg 22. The foot moulding 76 is attached to the leg 22 prior to the shroud 78, threaded post 80 and foot 82 being assembled with the foot moulding.

The foot moulding also has a triangular shaped cavity 76B in which the shroud 78 is located, a threaded bore 76C for the threaded post 80, and two slot shaped openings 76D which are closed off by covers 76E. The openings 76D provide access to the cavity 76B for an adjustment tool for the threaded post 80, as will be described below.

Referring particularly to Figs. 17, 18 and 19 the shroud 78 is generally triangular in section and is a sliding fit in the cavity 76B. The shroud 78 has a central opening 78A having a counterbore 78B. The threaded post has a shoulder 80A which locates in the counterbore 78B and the spigot 80B which locates in the bore 76C.

The foot 82 has a spigot 82A which is a force fit in the bore 80C of the threaded post 80 and the shroud 78 is attached to the threaded post by trapping the shroud 78 between the post and the foot 82.

The post 80 is first attached to to the foot moulding 76 by threading the post into the threaded bore 76B. The shroud 78 is then secured to the threaded post 80 by using the foot 82. The threaded post has an hexagonal recess 80D which enables the post to be adjusted relative to the foot moulding 76 by using a tool having access through one of the openings 76E.

It will be appreciated that as the post is turned the shroud 78, together with the foot 82, will move vertically with respect to the foot moulding 76. In this way the length of each leg 22 can be adjusted as required.

The edges of the desk top can be provided with access points 84 to enable cabling to be fed from the recesses 26, 28 in the legs 22, cross members 24 or transom rails 18 to the upper surface of the desk top 14. Each access point comprises a slot 86 cut into the desk top, and infill member 88 and a sleeve 90 which is located on the infill member 88. The infill member 88 comprises two parallel walls 88A having ends 88B shaped to match the edge form of the desk top. The walls 88A are joined by a semi-circular wall 88C and the walls 88A and 88C are moulded integrally with a base 88D.

The under surface of the desk top is recessed in the region of the slot 86 and the base 88D of the infill member is fixed in the recess (not shown). A slot 92 is defined between the walls 88A, and the sleeve 90 which comprises a fixed part 90A and a sliding part 90B lining the infill member. The two parts 90A and 90B define the slot 92. The part 90B can be detached from the infill member to allow cabling to be located in the slot in the infill member. The moveable part 90B is then located on the infill member and moved into contact with fixed post 90B. The cabling is contained within the slot 92.

The type of cabling which can be contained in the recesses in the legs 22, cross members 24 and concealed by the seals 32, and in the transom rails 16 can be power cables, communication cables and data transmission cables, eg for use with computers. As the cabling is concealed by the seals 32 there will be no length of cabling trailing from the desk at a variety of locations. Instead the cabling will enter and leave the desk as required through the two part seals 32 and will be contained within the legs and cross members, and the transom rails, if required. Such an arrangement reduces the hazards presented by loose lengths of cabling and the desk has a neat professional appearance, pleasing to the eye. The desk can be provided with the top having a variety of shapes, eg circular or elliptical to suit the needs of the user. Also the frames of the desk can be made triangular or of any polyginal form if required. Adjacent desk frames can be attached together either directly or through corner units to form continuous lengths of desking, eg for use in an open plan office.

Each frame of whatever form can be provided with side panels and modesty panels at the front. Drawer units can be attached to the frame using any suitable form of attachment means.

Claims (13)

1A frame for a desk or table comprising legs and cross members connecting the legs, the legs and cross members including at least one recess in which cabling can be located, the at least one recess being closed off by seal means attached to the legs and cross members externally of the recesses in the legs and cross members.

2 A frame as claimed in claim 1 in which the seal means comprises two seal elements, each element being located at one end in a slot formed adjacent the opening of each recess, the other ends of the seal elements abuting one another to close off the recesses.

3 A frame as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 comprising two sub-frames connected together by transom rails, each sub-frame comprising two legs and a cross member, one leg being attached at each end of the cross member.

4 A frame as claimed in claim 3 in which a spacer member is located at each end of each transom rail, and at least one tie bolt at each end of the frame extends from one sub-frame to the other sub-frame passing through the two spacer members and the transom rail.

5 A frame as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the legs and cross members are identical in section, the section being generally triangular in form and having two recesses for cabling, each recess being generally triangular in section.

6 A frame as claimed in claim 3 in which the cross members of each sub-frame are mitred at each end and the upper end of each leg of each sub-frame is mitred, the legs and cross members being joined together at their mitred ends by a joint member, the joint member being T-shaped in section and being located in a T-shaped opening in each leg-and cross member.

7 A frame as claimed in claim 5 in which a slot is provided on each side of each recess in the legs and cross members the slot being arranged to retain one end of the each of the seal elements.

8 A frame as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 2-7 in which the seal elements are arcuate in section, each seal element being formed at one end with an abutment face, and formed at the other end with generally circular section enlargement.

9 A frame as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which each leg has an adjustable foot, each foot comprising a housing attached to the end of the leg and a shroud located within a recess in the housing, and adjustment means operable to move the shroud relative to the housing.

10 A frame as claimed in claim 9 in which the adjustment means comprises a threaded post rotatably secured to the shroud, the post engaging a threaded bore in the housing, the housing having an access opening for a tool engageable with the threaded post.

11 A desk comprising a working surface and a frame as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the edge of the working surface has at least one access slot to conduct cabling from the desk frame onto the working surface, the slot including a removable open-ended cover enabling a cable to be located in the slot, the cable being retained in the slot by a cover.

12 A frame for a desk or table constructed and arranged for use and operation substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13 A desk including a frame as claimed in claim 12.