GB2492576A

GB2492576A - A reconfigurable desk providing a low work surface or a high work surface

Info

Publication number: GB2492576A
Application number: GB201111555A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Revington
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-07-06
Filing date: 2011-07-06
Publication date: 2013-01-09
Anticipated expiration: 2031-07-06
Also published as: GB2492576B; GB201111555D0

Abstract

A desk having a work surface area and a work surface height is able to reversibly transform between a first configuration [see Figure 2] and a second configuration [see Figure 5] where the desk has a greater work surface height and a smaller work surface area in the second configuration than in the first configuration. The work surface area in each configuration may be provided by different work surfaces. In the first configuration, a first work surface may be provided by a desktop 1 with a flap 2 hinged thereto to form a writing desk surface, and in the second configuration, a second work surface having a smaller area and a greater height than the first work surface may be provided by a pivoting top shelf 5 that forms a reading desk surface. In certain embodiments, the desk may be adapted to reversibly transform into a storage cabinet or a lectern. Gates 4 for supporting the or each flap 2 may be used as doors for a storage cabinet when the desk adopts the second configuration

Description

A DESK

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a desk.

BackQround to the Invention S With land prices escalating and space at a premium., the demand for space saving thrniture and storage solutions in homes and workplaces has soared in recent decades. In schools and other educational establishments in particular, tight budgets, limited space, and increasing student numbers mean that space-saving, versatile, multi-purpose furniture may he preferable to more traditional school or office furniture.

Increased, reliance upon laptop and tablet compiitcrs and digital whitchoards or projectors in classrooms and workplaces in recent years has meant that teachers, lecturers, and presenters require ifirniture that facilitates laptop or tablet computer use during teaching, lecturing and presentation activities. This includes furniture such as teaching desks and lecterns equipped for audiovisual presenl.ations, as well as work desk and storage units with computer-centric designs.

1-lowever, such products may be bulky and may lack the adaptability required for switching rapidly between different types of work or presentation. For example, ateacher or lecturer may wish to deliver a presentation standing up but may then prefer to sit and work at a desk while students completc assignments. Delivering a lesson or presentation in. a standing position, whilst attempting to use a computer that is mounted at desktop height, is ergonomically problematic and be awkward and inconvenient, as well as potentially causing eye strain, neck, and/or back injury, and many other problems associated with incorrectly positioned monitor screens and/or poor posture.

It is therefore an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide a space-saving item of furniture usable as a desk at both sittin.g and standing heights. It is another object of embodiments of the present invention to provide an item of furniture that is convertible between a desk with an extensive desktop area and a. storage cabinet which takes up a much smaller footprint.

of the Invention According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a desk having a work surface area and a work surface height, the desk being adapted to be reversibly transformed between a first configuration and a second configuration wherein the desk 1.0 has a greater work surface height and. a smaller work surFace area when in. the second configuration than when in the first configuration.

The work surface area may be provided by a different surface in each respective configuration. For example, in the flrst configuration, a. first work surface may be provided by a desktop with a flap hinged thereto to form a writing desk surface, and in the second configuration, a second work surface having a smaller area and a greater height than the first work surface may be provided by a top shelf that fonns a reading desk surface.

The desk may comprise a unit that comprises a desktop stipported on a desk support adapted to rest on a surface, a flap pivotably secured to a side of the unit, and a.

top shelf pivotably secured to a shelf support that is in turn pivotably secured to the unit, wherein the top shelf is movable between a raised position and a lower position, and wherein the flap is adapted to support the top shelf in its raised position. The desk may comprise a gate pivotably secured to the unit and adapted to support the flap.

* The desk may comprise a second flap adapted to support the shelf in its raised position and a second gate pivotably secured to the unit and adapted to support the second flap, wherein the flap and the second flap are pivotably secured to opposite sides of the unit. The desk may comprise a second gate pivotably secured to the unit and adapted to support the second flap, wherein the flap and the second flap are pivotably secured to opposite sides of the unit.

Theoreachflapmaybealignedinthesameplaneasthedesktopwhensupported on the or a respective gate. The desktop may be substantiajly aligned with a horizontal plane when the unit is supported on a horizontal surface. The desk support may comprise acabinet.

The or each gate may be adapted to form a door of the cabinet The desk may comprise fastening means fbr securing the or each door closed. The fastening means may comprise a Jock. The desk may comprise abase panel wherein the cabinet forms a closed compartment when the doors are secured closed. The base panel may be hinged to the desk support The desk support may comprise at least one shelf The or each gate may comprise at least one shelf The or each gate may comprise one or more storage compartment The shelf support and desk support may each comprise a substantially rigid board.

The top shelf and shelf support may be adapted to hang from an edge of the dcsktop. The top shelf and shelf support may be folded substantially flat relative to one another.

The top shclf and shelf support comprise fastening means for detachably securing * them to one another when folded flat. The desk may comprise fastening means for detachably securing the or each flap to the top shelf. The or each fastening means may comprise one or more clips, such as ball catches having a ball stud and a spring catch retainer for receiving and retaining the ball stud. The desk may comprise flush-lifting concealed hinges.

The top shelf may be substantially horizontally aligned when supported by the or each flap. The top shelf may have substantially the same dimensions as the desktop. The top shelf may be inclined between 5 and 40 degrees from the horizontal plane when supported by the or each flap. Preferably, the top shelf may be inclined between 10 and degrees from the horizontal plane when supported. by the or each flap. More prefeiib1y, the top shelf may be inclined between 15 and 20 degrees from the horizontal plane when supported by the or each flap. The top shelf may comprise a lip.

The or each gate may comprise a wb.eei., and the desk support may comprise whecis. The desktop and the top shelf may comprise cable holes.

The desk may be substanl.iafly formed from substantially ñgid hoard. The desk may be substantially formed from wood. The desk may be substantially formed from medium density fi.hreboard. The desktop and top shelf may be substantially rectangular.

The or each flap may be substantially rectangular.

The desk may be adapted to reversibly transform into a storage cabinet, and may he adapted to reversibly transfonn into a lectern.

Detailed Descption of the Invention in order that the invention may be more clearly understood. embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accothpanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a. desk according to au embodiment of th.e present invention; Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the desk of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front perspective view of the desk of Figure 1 in which the desk is partially transformed into a storage cabinet; Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of the desk of Figure 1 in which the desk is partially transformed into a storage cabinet; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the desk of Figure 1 in which the desk is hilly transformed into a storage cabinet; and Figure 6 is a perspective view of a desk according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which the desk is thlly transformed into a lectern.

Figures ito 5 show a dual purpose item of furniture that is convertible between a desk and an upright storage cabinet. in Figure 1, the item of furniture is shown in the desk configuration. The desk has a desktop formed from central desktop portion (1) and 1 5 two side flaps (2). The central desktop is supported on a central desk support (3) and the side flaps are each supported on an L-shaped side support gate (4). Hanging from the front of the central desk (I) are two boards (5, 6) which are hinged to one another at their lower edges. The outer board (5) forms a top shelf when the item of furniture is transformed into the cabinet configuration, and the inner board (6), which is hinged to the central desk at its upper edge, is a shelf support for supporting the top shelf Both the top shelf (5) and shelf support (6) are unused when the item of furniture is in the desk configuration, and are convenicntly stowed in a folded position at the front ofthe desk, as shown in Figure 1. To achieve this, a fastener (7) is used to secure the top shelf to tile shelf support.

Figure 2 is a view of the same desk from another direction, The central desk support (3) is an open cabinet containing shelves (10) which serve to reinforce its S structure as well as providing a convenient under-desk storage area. The side support gates (4) arc hinged to the cabinet by hinges (11) at their rear edges. The desktop side flaps (2) rest upon the side support gates (4), and are anchored to the central desk by hinges (11) at their adjoining edges. Optionally, a cable hole may be bored into the central desktop to facilitate the connection of desk mounted computer equipment with networking equipment, peripherals, a computer tower, and/or a power supply or extension lead conveniently mounted inside the cabinet.

In Figure 3, the desk is shown with certain parts folded on their hinges during transformation from the desk configuration into the cabinet configuration. The desktop side flaps (2) are slightly raised to allow the side support gates (4) to be folded inwards.

The top shelf (5) and shelf support (6) are detachedfrom one another at the fastener (7) and partially unfolded.

As the side gates (4) are folded further, as shown in Figure 4, they close over the desk support cabinet (3), forming a pair of cabinet doors. The side flaps (2) and the top shelf (5) and shelf support (6) are brought together above the central desktop (1) to form a box. Each side flap (2)is secured to the top shelf (5) using fasteners (14). The fasteners used to secure th.e side flaps and top shelf; and that used to secure the top shelf and shelf support when stowed away in the desk configuration, may be any suitable type of fastener as would be apparer it to the skilled person. For example, clips or magnets may be used. In preferred embodiments, the type, of clip used is a ba1lcatch push fastener such as the ball catch, Article No. 241.90.501, sold by Hafele GmbH & Co KG, Nagold, Germany.

Several types of hinge may be suitable, as would be apparent to the skilled person. In a preferred embodiment, a flush-fitting concealed hinge is used, such as the SOSS®' Invisible Hinge (sold by Universal Industrial Products, Pioneer. Ohio, USA).

These provide the advantages of 180-degree hinge rotation and full concealment of the side gate hinges when the cabinet doors are closed and of the side flap hinges when the desktop is laid out flat. Alternately, another type of hinge with a. greater range of rotation may allow the side flaps to be folded downward as well as upward, so that the desk may he transformed both into the upright storage cabinet (by closing the side gates and foldin.g the flaps and top shelf upwards) and into a. shorter, more compact cabinet (by closing the side gates and folding the side flaps downward to hang vertically).

In Figure 5, the desk is fully transformed into the upright storage cabinet configuration. The side flaps (2) are now' fastened to the top shelf(S) and the side gates (4) are filly closed, functioning as cabinet doors. Optionally, a latch and/or a lock (not shown) may be used to fasten the doors, This allows the cabinet to ftmction as a secure locker when not in use as a desk, which may be particularly useful in a classroom environment, for example. Conveniently, a handle may also be attached onto or recessed into one or both doors. The upright storage cabinet may be used as a desk or lectem for working while standing up or for delivering a lesson, lecture, or presentation in a standing position. Optionally, wheels such as casters may be secured to the bottom of the unit and/or the doors. In certain embodiments, a base panel (not shown) may be provided to form the bottom face of the cabinet, so that when the doors are locked the cabinet ibnns a closed, secure compartment. The base panel may be hinged to the inside of the desk support cabinet so that it may be folded upwards and stowed out of the way-and, optionally, held securely in its upright, stowed position against the inside of the cabinet using a further fastener-when the doors are open and the desk is in use.

In Figure 6, a lectern is shown which shares many features with the upright storage cabinet of FigureS and m'ey be transformed into a desk as well as generally used for similar purposes. H owever. the lectern has a top shelf(s) that forms a reading desk preferably angled at 15-20 degrees from the horizontal in order to support material such as books, lecture notes, or a laptop or tablot computer at an angle that is convenient and comfortable to the user. Optionally, the top shelf may have a lip (15) to prevent items from sliding off Cable holes (16) in the top shelf and central deslctop are shown, which would normally be plugged by standard desktop cable tidy' grommets with partial and/or removable caps.

Elements of any of the above embodiments may be combined, as would be apparent to the slcilled person. For example, the side flaps may have alternative fasteners at several locations to allow the top shelf to be secured to the side flaps at two or more possible angles of inclination. This would. allow a user to assemble the upright cabinet with the top shelf either aligned in a horizontal plane or inclined at an angle for use as a lectern, according to preference.

The above embodiments are described by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims,

Claims

<claim-text>CLAIMS1. A desk having a work surface area and a work surface height, the desk being adapted to reversibly trans form between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the desk has a greater work surface height and a smaller work surface al-ca when in the second configuration than when in the first configuration.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A desk according to claim I comprising a unit that comprises a desktop supported on a desk support adapted to rest on a surface, a flap pivotably secured to a side of the unit, and a top shelf pivotably secured to a shelf support that is in turn pivotably secured to the unit, wherein the top shelf is movable between a raised position an.d a lower position, and wherein the flap is adapted to support the top shelf in its raised position.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A desk according to claim 2 comprising a gate pivotably secured to the unit and adapted to support the flap.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A desk according to claim 2 or 3 comprising a second flap adapted to support the shelf in its raised position.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A desk according to claim 4 comprising a second gate pivotably secured to the unit and adapted to support the second flap, wherein the flap and the second flap are pivotably secured to opposite sides of the unit.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A desk according to claim 3 or 5 wherein the or each flap is aligned in the same plane as the desktop when supported on the or a respective gate.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A desk according to any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein (he desk support comprises a cabinet.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A desk according to claim 7, when dependent on claim 3 or 5, wherein the or each gate is adapted to form a door of the cabinet.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A desk according to claim 8 comprising fastening means for securing the or each door closed.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A desk according to claim 9 wherein the fastening means comprises a lock.II. A desk according to any one of claims 2 to 10 wherein the desk support comprises at least one shelf 12. A desk according to any one of claims 2 to 11 wherein the shelf support and desk support each comprise a substantially rigid board.13. A desk according to any one of claims 2 to 12 wherein the top shelf and shelf support are adapted to han.g from an edge of the desktop.14, A deslc according to any one of claims 2 to 1 3 wherein the top shelf and shelf support may he folded substantially flat.15. A desk according to any one of claims 2 to 14 wherein the top shelf and shelf support comprise fastening means for detachably securing them to one another when folded flat.16. A desk according to any one of cairns 2 to 15 comprising fastening means for detachably securing the or each flap to the top shelf 17. A desk according to claim 15 or 16 wherein the or each fastening means comprises ball-catch push fasteners.18. A desk according to any one of claims 2 to 17 comprising flush-fitting concealed hinges.19. A desk according to any one of claims 2 to 18 wherein the top shelf is substantially horizontally aligned when supported by the or each flap. ii20. A desk according to any one of claims 2 to 19 wherein the top shelf has substantially the same dimensions as the desktop.21. A desk according to any one of claims 2 to 20 wherein the top shelf is inclined between 5 and 40 degrees from the horizontal plane when supported by the or each flap.22. A desk according to any one of claims 2 to 21 wherein the top shelf is inclined between 10 and 30 degrees from the horizontal plane when supported by the or each flap.23. A desic according to claim 22 wherein the top she] us inclined between 15 and 20 degrees from the horizontal plane when supported by the or each flap.24. A desk according to claim 23 wherein the top shelf comprises a lip.25. A desk according to any one of claims 4 to 24, when dependent on claim 3 or 5, wherein the or each gate comprises a wheel.26. A desk according to any one of claims 2 to 25 wherein the desk support comprises wheels.27. A desk according to any one of claims 2 to 26 wherein the desktop and the top shelf comprise cable holes.28. A desk according to any preceding claim adapted to reversibly transform into a storage cabinet.29. A desk according to any preceding claim adapted to reversibly transform into a lectern.30. A desk substantially as herein described with reference to the appended figures.</claim-text>