GB2395113A

GB2395113A - Frame structure for a desk

Info

Publication number: GB2395113A
Application number: GB0226030A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adrian Charles Gould
Original assignee: S B F I Ltd
Current assignee: S B F I Ltd
Priority date: 2002-11-07
Filing date: 2002-11-07
Publication date: 2004-05-19
Anticipated expiration: 2022-11-07
Also published as: GB0226030D0; GB2395113B

Abstract

A frame structure for a desk or the like comprises a beam structure (1) consisting of three substantially parallel tubes (2) intended, in use, to be substantially horizontal, and respective end structures (11, 21) each of which comprises a central, beam-supporting region (12, 22) and a pair of arms (13, 14; 23, 24). Each arm is provided with a first leg receiving socket (15, 25) which is inclined to the longitudinal axis of the arm and with a second leg receiving socket (16, 26) which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the arm. Either the sockets (15, 25) or the sockets (16, 26) may be utilised to receive the appropriate legs (4 or 5). The central sections (12, 22) may also be provided with sockets (17, 27) for receiving legs and with further sockets (32) for receiving supports for an overhead gantry. One arm of each end structure may be omitted if desired. The frame is provided with sockets 18, 19, 28, 29 for receiving support members for a desk or like surface. The structure enables desk surfaces, monitor screens and other items to be interchangeably supported.

Description

23951 1 3

IMPROVEMENTS IN DESKS

This invention relates to improvements in desks, tables and the like.

The aim of the invention is to provide a frame structure for a desk or the like which enables a variety of desk surfaces, monitor screens and other office 5 items to be readily and interchangeably supported by the frame structure.

According to the invention, there is provided a frame structure for a desk or the like, wherein the frame structure comprises a beam structure which is intended, in use, to be substantially horizontal, and a pair of end structures each of which is adapted to be connected to a respective end of the beam structure, lo wherein each of the end structures is provided with a first set of sockets adapted to receive legs for the desk structure and with a second set of sockets adapted to receive support members for a desk or like surface.

The beam structure may be located at a central region of the end structures or it may be located at an end of each of the end structures.

is The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a frame structure for a desk according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a side view of the frame structure shown in Fig. 1; 20 Fig. 3 is an end view of the frame structure shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the frame structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of a frame structure according to the invention; and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a frame structure according to the invention.

5 In the drawings, like parts are denoted by like reference numerals.

Referring to the drawings, the frame structure for a desk according to the invention includes a beam structure 1 which is intended, in use, to be substantially horizontal. The beam structure consists of three substantially parallel tubes 2 which are braced apart by bracers 3. One end of the beam structure is connected 0 to a first end structure 11 and the other end of the beam structure is connected to a second end structure 21.

The end structure 11 comprises a central region 12 and a part of arms 13 and 14 extending from opposite sides of the central region 12 respectively. Each arm is provided with a pair of conically tapered sockets 15 and 16 of substantially 5 elliptical cross-section and the central region 12 is provided with a central socket 17 also of substantially elliptical cross-section. Similarly, the end structure 21 comprises a central region 22 and a pair of arms 23 and 24 extending from opposite sides of the central region 22 respectively. Each arm is provided with a conically tapered pair of sockets 25 and 26 of substantially elliptical cross section 20 and the central region 22 is provided with a central socket 27 also of substantially elliptical cross section. The sockets 15 and 25 are located adjacent to the ends of the arms remote from the central regions 12 and 22 respectively and are inclined to the longitudinal axes of the respective arms. The sockets 16 and 26 are located on the respective arms between the sockets 15,25 and the central regions 12,22 25 respectively and are substantially perpendicular to the axes of the respective arms.

The central sockets 17 and 27 are also substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the arms 13,14 and 23,24 respectively.

The sockets 15,16 and 25,26 are adapted to receive legs for the desk. As shown in Fig. 1, two legs 4 are inserted into the sockets 15 of the first end structure 11 so that the legs are inclined to the longitudinal axis of the end structure 11. Two legs 5 are inserted into the sockets 26 of the second end 5 structure 21 so that the legs are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the end structure 21. It should be noted that the leg configuration shown in Fig. 1 is by way of illustration only. Normally, all four legs could either be inclined as the two legs 4 shown in Fig. 1 or all of the legs could be perpendicular as the two legs 5 shown in Fig. 1. However, any combination of legs may be utilised as lo desired. The upper side of each arm of each end structure 11,21 is further provided with a further series of sockets 18, 19 and 28,29 respectively, the outer sockets 18 and 28 of each structure in each case being provided with tubular spigots 20,30 the upper ends of the spigots being located in the same horizontal plane as the IS arms in the regions of the sockets 18 and 28 respectively. This is to make allowance for the curved configuration of the upper surfaces of the arms which is apparent from Fig. 3. The sockets 18,19,28,29 are adapted to receive components fitted to desk surfaces (not shown), which are located, respectively, over the arms 13 and 23 and over the arms 14 and 24.

20 The central region 12,22 of each of the end structures 11,21 has a raised area 31 in which a respective socket 32 of elliptical crosssection is located. The sockets 32 are adapted to receive the legs of upper assemblies for instance a gantry (not shown) which can be located between the two desk surfaces referred to above. A series of monitor screens can be mounted on the gantry. The tubes 2 2s of the beam structure 1 are designed to support a variety of assemblies which can be mounted above or below the tubes.

Fig. 5 of the drawings shows a modification in which each end structure 11,21 consists of a respective central region 12,22 and a single arm 13, 23. This version is intended for a single desk surface (not shown). In this case, legs 6 are

inserted into the sockets 17 and 27. The other legs may be inclined legs 4 or perpendicular legs 5 as shown in Fig. 5. This desk is otherwise substantially the same as the desk shown in Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings.

In order that it can be accommodated in any one of the sockets 15,16,17 or 5 25,26,27, each of the legs 4, 5 and 6 is provided at its lower end with an inclined end cap 7 in which a foot 8 is adjustably and pivotally mounted.

The end structures 11 and 21 may be of unitary construction or modular construction. According to a preferred embodiment as shown in the drawings, the arms of each end structure are detachably secured to the central region by bolts or lo like fastening members. In this manner, the frame structure for a desk can be provided with arms 13 and 23 only, as shown in Fig 5, with arms 14 and 24 only or with arms 13, 14, 23 and 24 as shown in Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings. In this manner, a versatile frame structure for a variety of different desk configurations can be achieved.

5 A further modification is illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings in which the tubes 2 extend through bores in a central region 42 of a modified end structure.

This structure is otherwise similar to the end structures 11 and 21.

Claims

1. A frame structure for a desk or the like, wherein the frame structure comprises a beam structure which is intended, in use, to be substantially horizontal and a pair of end structures each of which is adapted to be connected to 5 a respective end of the beam structure and wherein each of the end structures is provided with a first set of sockets adapted to receive legs for the desk structure and with a second set of sockets adapted to receive support members for a desk or like surface.

2. A frame structure according to claim l, wherein the beam structure lo comprises a plurality of tubes.

3. A frame structure according to claim 2, wherein the tubes are substantially parallel and are braced apart by spacers.

4. A frame structure according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the beam structure comprises three substantially parallel tubes which are spaced apart from 15 each other.

5. A frame structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each end structure includes a beam receiving section and at least one arm extending from said beam receiving section.

6. A frame structure according to claim 5, wherein the beam receiving 20 section is provided with at least one socket adapted to receive an end of the beam structure.

7. A frame structure according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the beam receiving section is provided with a socket which is adapted to receive a leg.

8. A frame structure according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the or each arm is provided with at least one socket which is adapted to receive a leg.

9. A frame structure according to claim 8, wherein the or each arm is provided with two sockets each of which is adapted to receive a leg, the axis of 5 one of said sockets being inclined to the longitudinal axis of the arm and the axis of the other socket being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said arm.

10. A frame structure according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the sockets are substantially elliptical in cross-section and are adapted to receive the lo ends of legs of corresponding cross-section.

11. A frame structure according to any one of claims 7 to 1 0, wherein each leg is receivable at one end in a respective socket and the other end of each leg is provided with an adjustable foot.

12. A frame structure according to any one of claims 5 to 11, wherein the or 15 each arm is provided with at least one socket adapted to receive a spigot for supporting a desk or like surface.

13. A frame structure according to any one of claims 5 to 12, wherein the beam receiving section is provided with a socket adapted to receive a support for a gantry which is intended to extend over the beam structure.

20

14. A frame structure according to any one of claims 5 to 13, wherein each end structure is of unitary construction.

15. A frame structure according to any one of claims 5 to 13, wherein each end structure is of modular construction, the or each arm being detachably secured to the beam receiving section.

16. A frame structure according to any one of the preceding claims and further including an intermediate structure located between the two end structures and through which the beam structure extends.

17. A frame structure according to claim 16, wherein the intermediate 5 structure is similar to the end structure claimed in any one of claims 5 to 15.

18. A frame structure for a desk or the like, said frame structure being substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.