GB2302827A - Laboratory furniture - Google Patents

Abstract

An item of laboratory furniture is disclosed which, in one embodiment, consists of a central work station (70) around which are arranged three work benches (1). Each work bench (1) docks against the central working station (70) and the work benches (1) may be height adjustable. The central work station (70) includes water and/or gas and/or electricity supply and the supplies may be coupled to the work benches (1).

Description

FURNITURE The present invention relates to laboratory furniture. It finds particular, but not exclusive use, in relation to laboratory furniture for use in schools, colleges and other educational establishments.

Current laboratory furniture typically includes work benches which are arranged at various fixed spaced locations around a laboratory. Many such benches are often arranged around the perimeter of the laboratory.

Generally, at least some of the fixed work benches are plumbed with all the typically required services, namely water, gas and electricity. The work benches provide a generally flat working surface for the performance of scientific experiments, and for pupils to use as work desks. Alternatively, the services may be plumbed into a fixed "station" against which conventional tables are placed to provide work surfaces for use of the services.

Another form of furniture currently in use comprises a series of octagonal work benches linked by rectangular bridges which accommodate sinks. In such items of furniture the various elements are secured together so that they are all presented at a uniform height.

Problems arise with current forms of laboratory furniture. In particular, the furniture is not very versatile or adaptable, especially in cases where the work benches or stations are intended to be secured in fixed locations. Also, the services are generally provided at fixed points on the stations or work benches i.e. gas cocks, electric sockets and sinks are provided at fixed positions, say along a work bench. As a result of this, the laboratory furniture is not readily adaptable to suit the various requirements of different science disciplines.

For example, biology, chemistry or physics experiments may utilise the various services to different extents.

A further disadvantage is that the work benches often provide sufficient work surfaces for experimental equipment and students books only in combination with a large expanse of "dead" space which cannot be readily accessed by the pupils.

The present invention seeks to alleviate at least some of the aforementioned difficulties, by providing various items of alternative laboratory furniture.

Also, as noted above, conventional laboratory furniture is designed to present work surfaces at a single height, such that the pupils perform their experiments when standing. When not performing experiments the pupils are required to sit at high stools which can be uncomfortable.

Accordingly, in a first aspect the present invention provides an item of laboratory furniture including: a central work station having gas and/or water and/or electricity supplied thereto and dispensable therefrom, the central work station having two or more generally vertical faces; and two or more work benches arranged substantially equispaced around the work station, each one being connectable to a respective one of said two or more generally vertical faces.

Preferably the central work station has three generally vertical sides and the item of furniture includes three work benches each one connectable to a respective one of said three generally vertical sides.

In a preferred embodiment, only three work benches are connectable to said central work station at any one time.

Preferably each work bench includes an elongate bench top and one longitudinal end of the bench top has a generally flat face, wherein said flat face of each work bench is connectable to said respective generally vertical faces of said central work station. Preferably the opposite longitudinal end may be substantially semicircular, which results in an advantageous ergonomic arrangement. Each work bench may include mobile support means for the bench top.

Preferably the central work station includes three sinks, each sink being located between a respective pair of said work benches so as to be accessible when said work benches are connected to the central work station. The central work station may also include gas and/or mains electricity outlets.

Preferably the central work station has six generally vertical sides and each one of said three work benches is connectable to a respective alternate on of the vertical sides. By "respective alternate" is meant that if, for example, the six sides of the work station were numbered consecutively from 1 to 6 then a work bench would be connected to each of sides 1, 3 and 5 (or 2, 4 and 6 as the case may be).

Preferably each work bench includes a work surface and means for adjusting the height of the work surface relative to the floor. Alternatively, the height of the work surface may be fixed and non-adjustable.

Preferably the furniture includes coupling means for coupling one or more of said gas and/or water and/or electricity supplies to each of said work benches.

Preferably the work bench includes an elongate bench top, which defines a correspondingly elongate work surface. In preferred embodiments, one longitudinal end of the bench top has a generally flat face. This is arranged so that a first work bench may closely abut another, like work bench, or alternatively to closely abut other items of laboratory furniture. Most preferably, interengageable coupling means are provided at or near the end of the work bench providing the generally flat face, to enable a pair of benches to be coupled to one another and/or the work bench to be coupled to a work station - in which later case, coupling means would also be provided on the work station.

Preferably, the mobile support means comprise one or more legs depending from the work bench. Most preferably such mobile support means are provided at or near the longitudinal ends of the bench top. It is also preferred that the legs are provided with means for advancing them over a laboratory floor. Preferred such means include castors and the like. Preferably, one end of the work bench is provided with mobile support means which are capable of movement in various directions, so as to permit the work bench to be steered to a desired location. In this respect, preferably a work bench includes one or more mobile support means in the form of one or more legs associated with swivel castors. In particularly preferred embodiments the work bench is mounted on a set of swivel castors and a set of fixed castors.

Suitably, the work bench is provided with selectively operable locking means, provided to inhibit motion of the mobile support means once the work bench is arranged in a desired location. Generally, any such locking means may be associated with the support means. Such locking means may be operational to engage with the floor of a laboratory, or otherwise to disable the mobile support means.

Any means for coupling the work bench to a gas and/or electricity supply are preferably constructed of flexible materials, so as to be readily adaptable upon adjustment of height of the work surface. Preferably, any such coupling means are readily releasable. In this regard, in preferred embodiments the coupling means comprise a flexible linkage, (e.g. tubing/cable as appropriate) provided at their free ends with quick release couplings.

Preferably any such linkages communicate with gas supply outlets and electricity supply outlets accommodated in an openable compartment in the work bench, which is arranged to be closable so as to preferably be flush with the work surface. Thus, such a compartment may accommodate gas outlet means in the form of one or more gas cocks, and electricity outlet means in the form of one or more switched electrical sockets.

Preferably any such flexible linkages are principally accommodated in the work bench (especially in the bench top) in such a way as to reduce accessibility to unauthorised persons. In this respect, preferably such linkages are accommodated in service trunking, preferably associated with the underside of the bench top.

In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a work station for fixed location in a laboratory, the work station being provided with one or more sinks and having means for supplying gas and electricity to work benches of the present invention. In this respect, such work stations are adapted to be interengageable with the coupling means for receiving gas and electricity supply and associated with the work bench.

In preferred embodiments a work station defines two or more generally vertical faces arranged for abutting generally flat longitudinal edges of a work bench.

Other aspects of the present invention concern combinations of work stations and work benches.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a work bench for a laboratory or similar, the work bench comprising a bench top defining a work surface, mobile support means for the bench top, means for adjusting the height of the work surface and means for coupling the work bench to a gas supply and/or an electricity supply.

Generally, coupling means will be provided to supply both gas and electricity to the work bench.

Important advantages arise from the height adjustment provision in the above aspect of the present invention.

In particular the work bench can be adjusted to be used by pupils whether standing or seated, especially when seated in a chair which is more ergonomically desirable than prior tall stools.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the means for adjusting the height of the work surface are associated with or incorporated in the support means for the work bench. Preferably, the work bench incorporates one or more depending legs which are adapted to be height adjustable. In preferred embodiments, such depending legs comprise first and second parts, a first part providing a sleeve and a second part accommodated therein, and arranged with means for adjusting the extent to which the second part is accommodated in or extends from the first part.

It will be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention may have any or all of the following features: 1. The concept can readily optimise the usable space with virtually no dead areas, therefore making the maximum use of the area available in any room.

2. The example "satellite" work benches dock to a hexagonal station, three sides of which have a sink facility, one for each satellite group of pupils and three sides with gas and mains electricity sockets, one for each satellite.

3. The design may cater universally for the three sciences, physics, chemistry and biology therefore providing a flexible teaching set-up rather than a subject specific one, i.e. rooms can be interchanged.

4. Each satellite work bench is preferably: a) Mobile by having two fixed and two swivel castors. The steering end is fitted with a trunk lock which, when engaged with the floor combines in effect with the two fixed castors to immobilise the workstation.

b) Mechanically height adjustable most preferably between 720-920mm catering for different heights of pupils as between 11 and 17 years for there is a great change in size. The work benches may cater also for seated and standing applications, i.e. ergonomic advantages.

c) Provided with gas cocks and mains electrical sockets in a recessed compartment with a locking flap door in the work surface. These services are fed from the docking station by way of flexible flying leads with a quick release coupling plug on the gas and an industrial plug on the main lead.

d) Docking is also provided against perimeter units rather than being or combined with docking stations anywhere within the room away from the walls.

e) Satellite work benches are designed to be butted end to end to make up into a long project table arrangement for the likes of optical experiments in physics, etc. or for group discussion and work.

f) Current science teaching calls for group work and the example work benches are preferably designed in both size and shape to cater for four pupils, their books and the science apparatus likely to be used.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 illustrates example work benches and a work station; Fig. 2 illustrates in more detail service supply from a work station to a work bench; Fig. 3 illustrates an alternative work station and work bench combination; Fig. 4 illustrates a dual work bench combination; and Fig. 5 illustrates an example school laboratory plan, incorporating work benches and work stations.

Fig. 6 is a further embodiment of a work station and work bench configuration.

Fig. 7 is a further example laboratory layout plan using the laboratory furniture of Fig. 6.

Turning firstly to Fig. 1, this shows a work bench, illustrated generally at 1. The work bench comprises a bench top 3 which defines a flat work surface 6. The bench top 3 has a flat rear edge 7 and a curved front edge 8.

The bench top 3 is mounted on mobile support means, illustrated generally at 10. In more detail, this comprises front and rear depending legs, 12, 14 respectively. Each leg 12, 14 is constructed in two parts, one being slidably movable within the other. A geared mechanism, operable by the foldaway crank handle 17, is provided for adjusting the extent to which one leg part is accommodated within the other, so as to provide means for adjusting the height of the bench top 3 and associated work top 6.

The front leg 12 is mounted on swivel castors 22 and the rear leg 14 mounted on fixed castors 24. In this way, the combination of swivel and fixed castors enables the work bench 1 to be readily steered towards its desired location. Selectively operable locking means, in the form of an over centre truck lock 26, is associated with the front leg 12. This is selectively operable to engage the laboratory floor to prevent displacement of the work bench. Alternatively, this could be achieved in a similar way using 4 swivel castors having e.g. both wheel and swivel brake mechanisms.

Each work bench 1 accommodates an openable service compartment 9. The compartment accommodates the gas and electricity outlets i.e. gas cocks and switched sockets.

The compartment is closable by a lid 16 so as to be generally flush with the remaining part of the work surface 6.

Fig. 2 illustrated in more detail the gas and electricity supply arrangement. Here there is shown a means for coupling the work bench 1 to an electricity supply, illustrated generally at 34. In more detail, this comprises a flexible cable 30 provided with a plug 32 at one end, its other end 31 communicating with the service compartment 9. The plug 32 engages a corresponding socket provided in work station 70.

The means for coupling a gas supply to the work bench are illustrated generally at 38. In this case, there is provided a flexible tubing 39 provided at one end with a quick release coupling 40, and communicating at end 41 with the service compartment 9. Trunking 46 is provided to accommodate both the cable 30 and the tube 39.The cable 30 and tubing 39 are flexible so as to accommodate height adjustment of the work bench.

As illustrated in both Figs. 1 and 2, an example work station 70 comprises a housing defining various vertical faces 73 to abut against flat rear edges 7 of work benches 1. In the illustrated embodiment a work station 70 is provided with three sinks 75 which are suitably arranged so as not to be alongside the vertical faces 73 which are intended to abut the work benches 1. In this way, the sinks 75 are generally more accessible.

As noted above in relation to Fig. 2, a work station is plumbed with both gas and electricity supplies, arranged for interengagement with the appropriate coupling means of a work bench.

It will be appreciated that the present furniture is particularly versatile, in that the mobile support means permits the work benches to be moved about to various selected locations, in accordance with the varying needs of the user. Fig. 1 illustrates example dimensions for a work bench. Of course, the bench top may be of a host of different dimensions and shapes. However, the illustrated arrangement has been found to be especially preferred in terms of providing adequate space for conducting experiments and associated written work, whilst not leaving a large degree of dead" space near the centre of the work bench.In particular, work stations of generally hexagonal shape (providing three sinks and three edges for abutting work benches) when used in combination with three work benches, each having a first flat edge and a second curved edge have been found to provide a good use of available space.

Fig. 3 illustrates a work bench 1 coupling to a work station 80 which provides a first vertical face 83 for abutting against the work bench 1, and at which the gas and electricity supply outlets are provided. The work station provides a second vertical face 85, arranged in use to be alongside the work bench 1, and at which a sink 86 is located.

Fig. 4 illustrates an alternative use for work benches 1, 1' in which they have been coupled together at rear edges 7 and 7' respectively. This arrangement can be desirable for use at times when service supplies are not necessary. Thus, the combined work benches 1, 1' may be used for performance of experiments which do not require water, gas or electricity, or alternatively simply for use as conventional desks for performance of written work or group discussion.

Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of an example school laboratory plan, which shows how various work benches and work stations may be arranged.

Fig. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of an item of laboratory furniture according to one aspect of the present invention. The three work benches 100 are each arranged to abut one of the "long" sides 102 of the central work station 104. Indeed, the "short" sides 106 of the central work surface 104 may be non-existent so as to render the central work station 104 substantially triangular in cross section.

The central work station includes a number of water taps 108, sinks 110 and shrouded twin mains sockets 112, all of which are accessible when the work benches 100 are located in place. The sinks 110 are arranged at what are in effect the corners of a substantially triangular shaped work station 104 so that these in particular are accessible and the work benches are docked against the work station.

Fig. 7 is a further schematic illustration of an example school laboratory plan, which shows how various work benches and work stations may be arranged.

It will be appreciated that various modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiments. For example, mobility for the work bench may be provided by means other than the castors illustrated and, of course, various means for providing height adjustment are known in other fields.

However, omitting any height adjustment means may provide an item of furniture which is more economic to produce.

Any such modifications may nevertheless provide some of the principal advantages of the present invention, namely that by affording mobility the work bench is very versatile and readily locatable in various desired arrangements. Also, the height adjustment feature means that a single form of laboratory furniture may be used throughout a school by pupils of all ages. The present furniture is also adaptable for use in various science disciplines i.e. for conducting physics, chemistry or biology experiments.

Claims (11)

CLAIMS:

1. An item of laboratory furniture including: a central work station having gas and/or water and/or electricity supplied thereto and dispensable therefrom, the central work station having two or more generally vertical faces; and two or more work benches arranged substantially equispaced around the work station, each one being connectable to a respective one of said two or more generally vertical faces.

2. An item of laboratory furniture according to claim 1 wherein the central work station has three generally vertical sides and the item of furniture includes three work benches each one connectable to a respective one of said three generally vertical sides.

3. An item of laboratory furniture according to claim 2 wherein only three work benches are connectable to said central work station at any one time.

4. An item of laboratory furniture according to any one of the above claims wherein each work bench includes an elongate bench top and one longitudinal end of the bench top has a generally flat face, wherein said flat face of each work bench is connectable to said respective generally vertical faces of said central work station.

5. An item of laboratory furniture according to claim 4 wherein the opposite longitudinal end of each bench top is substantially semi-circular.

6. An item of laboratory furniture according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein each work bench includes mobile support means for supporting the bench top.

7. An item of laboratory furniture according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the central work station includes three sinks, each sink being located between a respective pair of said work benches so as to be accessible when said work benches are connected to the central work station.

8. An item of laboratory furniture according to claim 2 or dlaim 3 wherein the central work station has six generally vertical sides and each one of said three work benches is connectable to a respective alternate one of the vertical sides.

9. An item of laboratory furniture according to any one of the above claims wherein each work bench includes a work surface and means for adjusting the height of the work surface relative to the floor.

10. An item of laboratory furniture according to any one of the above claims including coupling means for coupling one or more of said gas and/or water and/or electricity supplies to each of said work benches.

11. An item of furniture substantially as any one embodiment herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.