GB2304561A

GB2304561A - Work station

Info

Publication number: GB2304561A
Application number: GB9518396A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jocelyn Iggulden; Adrian Plant
Original assignee: PARAGON BUSINESS FURNITURE PLC
Current assignee: PARAGON BUSINESS FURNITURE PLC
Priority date: 1995-09-08
Filing date: 1995-09-08
Publication date: 1997-03-26
Anticipated expiration: 2015-09-08
Also published as: GB9518396D0; GB2304561B

Abstract

A work station 1 with a work surface 2 and a support frame 4 in which the work surface 2 is adjustable in relation to the support frame 4 in two directions normal to each other and in any direction therebetween. The work surface 2 can move a predetermined distance to uncover channels 6 under the work surface 2 which are used for cable management. The conjunction between the support frame 4 and the work surface 2 is contained in a single plane.

Description

WORK STATION This invention relates to a work station, particularly to work stations for use with visual display terminals.

Visual display terminals and other electrical and telecommunication equipment have cables which require management in order to keep the work station clear and to provide access to the cables in the event of malfunction or servicing of the equipment.

Cable management systems are known in which a channel is provided at the back of a top work surface of the work station. Access to the channel is provided either by removing a cover to the channel or by sliding or tilting the surface of the work station to reveal a concealed channel below the surface.

The known systems which have a cover for a channel have the disadvantage that items can be placed on the cover and these would need to be rearranged and disrupted to access the channel.

The known systems which have a sliding or tilting work surface enable access to the channel without disrupting the items on the work surface but the access is limited by the surface only moving in one direction at any time, although the direction can be selected from two possible directions.

This may mean that the work station or adjacent objects need to be moved before the sliding or tilting of the surface can take place.

A further known system enables a work surface to move in a range of directions by the use of two orthogonal slides mounted one on top of the other. This system allows a combination of movements in two parallel planes to combine to result in a range of movement between the two orthogonal directions of the slides. This system has the disadvantage of being complex and bulky, preventing ease of operation and maintenance.

According to the present invention there is provided a work station comprising a work surface and a support frame wherein the surface is moveable relative to the support frame in two directions normal to each other and in any direction therebetween, there being a single plane of conjunction between the support frame and the work surface.

The movement may be allowed by the co-operation of constraints and support members. The movement of the work surface in relation to the support frame may be limited to a predetermined distance in each direction.

Preferably, the work surface is selectively lockable in relation to the support frame. The work surface may be lockable in selected positions relative to the support frame.

Preferably, the support frame has a plurality of support members which co-operate with constraints on the underside of the work surface. Preferably, at least one support member is parallel to each of the two directions, the support members being contained in the single plane, which plane is parallel to the plane of the work surface.

Preferably, the constraints are in the form of brackets which are disposed around the support members of the support frame.

A preferred embodiment of the work station in accordance with the present invention is now described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the work station; Fig. 2 is a detail of a bracket on the underside of the work surface of the work station of Fig. 1; Fig. 3A is a detail of the locking means of the work station shown at D in Fig. 1; and Fig. 3B is a cross section of the locking means of Fig. 3A with the locking means in engagement.

Referring to the drawings, there is provided a work station 1 with a work surface 2 and a support frame 4. In this example the work station 1 is a corner unit with a curved front edge 5. Channels 6 are formed in the support frame 4 underneath the work surface 2 at two orthogonal back edges 8, 10 of the work surface 2. A first back edge 8 is longer that a second back edge 10. The two back edges 8, 10 could equally be of the same length.

The support frame 4 has a horizontal supporting deck formed of a plurality of support members 12. The support members 12 are each parallel to one of the back edges 8, 10 of the work station 1. A first support member 14 is parallel to the first back edge 8 and spans the length of the work station 1. A second support member 16 is parallel to the second back edge 10 and spans the width of the widest portion of the work station 1. An additional support member 18, parallel to the second support member 16, is normal to and spans between the first support member 14 and the first back edge 8. The support members 12 are in the form of elongate members of rectangular cross section.

Edges 20 to the support frame 4 include legs 22 for the work station 1 and the edges 20 support the free ends of the support members 12.

Two brackets 24, 25 are provided on each of the first and second support members 14, 16 and one bracket 25 is provided on the additional support member 18. Each bracket 24, 25 is of a " top hat" form and has a depth 26 suitable to enclose the rectangular cross sections of the support members 12.

Each bracket 24, 25 is normal to the support member 12 which it encloses and has a length 28 within which the support member 12 can slide. The length 28 of the brackets 24, 25 corresponds to the width of the channels 6 to which access is required. The brackets 24, 25 are attached to the underside 32 of the work surface 2 by screw means 34 forming enclosed loops in which the support members 12 are enclosed.

The support members 12 can have friction reducing means in the form of nylon pips on the surfaces of the support members 12.

Locking means 36 are provided to secure the work surface 2 in relation to the support frame 4 in a number of different positions. The locking means 36 can be used to secure the work surface 2 when access to the channels 6 is not required and also to secure the work surface 2 in a position uncovering one or both channels 6 whilst work in the channels 6 is being carried out.

The locking means 36 includes a plurality of moulded insets 38 which are recessed in the underside 32 of the work surface 2, in this example four insets 38 are provided.

Each moulded inset 38 has a recess 48 of rectangular form.

The locking means 36 also has a lever operated sprung catch 44 which is attached to one of the support members 12 of the support frame 4 and which co-operates with the recesses 48.

The lever 46 is accessible under the work surface 2. For ease of access, the lever 46 is placed close to the front edge 5 of the work surface 2. The catch 44 has a sprung peg 40 which can be located in the recesses 48 and which can be depressed to release it from the recesses 48 to allow movement of the work surface 2. The peg 40 can be biased such that when the peg 40 is adjacent one of the recesses 48 it springs into the recess 48 preventing further movement of the work surface 2 in relation to the support frame 4, alternatively, the peg 40 can be activated by operation of the lever to secure the work surface 2. In this example, the four recesses 48 allow the work surface 2 to be locked in a closed position, a position with both channels 6 uncovered and positions with only one of the channels 6 uncovered.

In use, access may be required to either or both of the channels 6. The work surface 2 can be moved a first direction A to uncover the channel 6 adjacent the first back edge 8. The work surface 2 slides in relation to the support frame 4 a distance corresponding to the length 28 of the brackets 24 which are parallel to direction A as this is the distance the first support member 14 can move within the bracket 24.

The work surface 2 can also be moved in a direction B, normal to direction A, to uncover the channel 6 adjacent to the second back edge 10. The work surface 2 slides in relation to the support frame 4 a distance corresponding to the length 28 of the brackets 25 which are parallel to direction B.

The work surface 2 can also be moved in any direction between the directions A and B, shown as direction C in Figure 1, due to the range of angular movement of the support members 12 within the brackets 24, 25 which is possible. This provides the user with full flexibility in the direction of the movement of the work surface 2. The work surface 2 can be moved in any direction in the range provided which enables it to be moved clear of obstructions in the form of other desking, walls etc. Increased access to particular parts of the channels 6 can also be obtained.

In order to ensure that no unwanted movement of the work surface 2 takes place when access to the channels 6 is not required, the locking means 36 is used. The peg 40 of the locking means 36 is released from a closed position recess 42 and the work surface 2 can then be moved in relation to the support frame 4 to uncover the required channels 6.

When the required position of the work surface 2 is achieved the peg 40 can be locked into one of the other recesses 48.

When the channels 6 no longer need to be accessed, the peg 40 can be depressed and the work surface 2 can be returned to its closed position and the peg 40 locked into the closed position recess 42.

Improvements and modifications can be made to the forgoing without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A work station comprising a work surface and a support frame wherein the surface is moveable relative to the support frame in two directions normal to each other and in any direction therebetween, there being a single plane of conjunction between the support frame and the work surface.

2. A work station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movement is allowed by the co-operation of constraints and support members.

3. A work station as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the movement of the work surface in relation to the support frame is limited to a predetermined distance in each direction.

4. A work station as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the work surface is selectively lockable in relation to the support frame.

5. A work station as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the work surface is lockable in selected positions relative to the support frame.

6. A work station as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support frame has a plurality of support members which co-operate with constraints on the underside of the work surface.

7. A work station as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least one support member is parallel to each of the two directions, the support members being contained in the single plane, which plane is parallel to the plane of the work surface.

8. A work station as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the constraints are in the form of brackets which are disposed around the support members of the support frame.

9. A work station substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.