GB2553487A - A desk - Google Patents

Abstract

A desk 1 suitable for use as office furniture comprises a stand 15 for supporting a work surface 9 and one or more partitions 8,14. A post 5 supports the one or more partitions and is rotatably mounted so as to be rotatable relative to the stand. The engagement means comprises one or more post engagement means (22, figure 5) attached to the post and/or one or more stand engagement means (23, figure 5) attached to the stand.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: A desk

Abstract Title: Desk with screen partition (57) A desk 1 suitable for use as office furniture comprises a stand 15 for supporting a work surface 9 and one or more partitions 8,14. A post 5 supports the one or more partitions and is rotatably mounted so as to be rotatable relative to the stand. The engagement means comprises one or more post engagement means (22, figure 5) attached to the post and/or one or more stand engagement means (23, figure 5) attached to the stand.

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A DESK

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to office furniture and in particular to a desk.

Background to the Invention

Desk partitions or screens are often used in an open plan office to provide a range of benefits such as privacy, sound absorption and wall space. Such partitions may attach to the back of a single desk or may be positioned across a work surface of a large desk to divide it into separate work spaces.

Desk partitions are conventionally attached to a desk in a fixed position by using one or more brackets.

Embodiments of the present invention seek to provide an improved desk.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a desk comprising:

a stand for supporting a work surface off of the ground;

a post for supporting one or more partitions; and engagement means for rotatably mounting the post to the stand so that the post is rotatable relative to the stand.

In this way, the present invention provides a desk in which the position of partitions dividing up a work surface into work spaces can be moved independently relative to the work surface and/or desk by rotating a post to which the partitions are attached relative to the desk stand. Since each partition can be connected to the central post, rotation of the post effects rotation of the partitions together. This improves functionality and ensures that despite being able to move relative to desk, the partitions do not move relative to one another. This enables aesthetically pleasing arrangements of desks to be created by allowing the partitions of each desk in the arrangement to be aligned to ensure that each work space created by the partitions has sufficient privacy, sound absorption and wall space.

The engagement means may comprise one or more post engagement means attached to the post and/or one or more stand engagement means attached to the stand. In particular the engagement means may comprise four or eight post engagement means attached to the post and four or eight stand engagement means attached to the stand. The post engagement means and stand engagement means may thus be arranged to engage with one another to rotatably mount the post to the stand.

Each post engagement means may be positioned circumferentially equidistantly around an outside surface of the post. Each post engagement means may positioned on a corner of the post. Each post engagement means may comprise one or more post engagement means members attached to a body that is connected to the post. Each post engagement means member may comprise a curved slot for engaging with a protuberance. The curved slot may curve around the post. The curved slot may curve approximately 32° around the post. Thus, the curved slot may extend approximately 16° either side of the post so that the post can rotate approximately 16° clockwise and approximately 16° anti-clockwise.

Each stand engagement means may be positioned circumferentially equidistantly around an inside surface of the stand. Each stand engagement means may comprise one or more stand engagement means members attached to a body that is connected to the stand. A protuberance may be mounted to each stand engagement means member. Each protuberance may protrude upwardly from the stand engagement means members for engaging with a slot on the post engagement means. Each protuberance may be formed in a fixed position relative to the post. Each protuberance may be a fixing such as a bolt, screw or in particular an M6 cap head fixing.

The desk may comprise a work surface. The work surface may be circular or have a circular profile or may be any other suitable shape. The work surface may be flat and/or plate-like. The work surface may be formed from wood or any other material. The work surface may comprise an opening or aperture. The opening may be at the centre of the work surface. The opening may be circular. The opening may comprise a circumferential rim. The desk may further comprise a cover for engaging with the opening to cover the opening. The cover may comprise a channel for engaging with the rim. The cover may be rotatably mountable to the rim. Thus, the cover may be rotatable about the opening relative to the stand. The cover may be rotatable about the opening independent of the rotation of the post.

The stand may comprise or be formed from a plurality of stand members. For example, four stand members may be connected together to form the stand. Each stand member may comprise a leg connected to an arm and a foot. Each leg and/or each arm and/or each foot may be an elongate member. The arm and/or foot of a stand member may be arranged or formed parallel or substantially parallel to one another. The arm and/or foot of a stand member may be arranged or formed perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the leg of the stand member. The stand may be formed by connecting a plurality of stand members together. In particular, the stand may be formed by connecting the legs together such that the arms and/or the feet of the stand members project radially outwards from the connected legs.

The post may be an elongate member. The post may be mounted to the stand such that the post is substantially upright or substantially vertically oriented. The post may be 5 mounted to the stand such that the post has a portion that protrudes above the work surface. The post may comprise one or more channels. Each channel may be arranged to receive, support or engage a partition or a part connected to a partition.

The desk may comprise one or more partitions that can be arranged for separating the work surface in to individual work spaces. In particular, the desk may comprise two partitions. Each partition may be a flat substantially rectangular or substantially square panel. Each partition may be of the same size. Alternatively, one partition may be substantially larger and/or longer that the other partition or partitions. Each partition may comprise an engagement means for engaging with a complementary engagement means formed on the post. The engagement means may be a slidable member for engaging with a channel formed on the post.

The desk may comprise one or more power units. In particular, the desk may comprise one or more above desk power units that may be arranged to allow user access from above the work surface and/or one or more below desk power units that may be arranged to allow user access from below the desk.

The desk may be configured for use by a sitting user. Alternatively, the desk may be configured for use by a standing user. To this end, the height of the desk may be adjustable by altering the length of the legs of the stand members.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an arrangement comprising a plurality a desks according to the first aspect of the invention.

The arrangement may comprise desks organised in a line. The line of desks may be straight, curved or wavy.

Detailed Description of the Invention

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood an embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a desk according to a first embodiment of the 10 present invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the desk shown in Figure 1 but with the work surface, display monitors and partitions removed;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the desk shown in Figure 1, with the display monitors removed and the partitions separated from the post;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the desk shown in Figure 3, with the partitions mounted to the post;

Figure 5 is a top view of the desk shown in Figure 4, with a section of a cover removed and the post in a neutral home position;

Figure 6 is a top view of the desk shown in Figure 4, with the post rotated to a 20 clockwise rotated position; and

Figure 7 is a top view of the desk shown in Figure 4, with the post rotated to an anti-clockwise rotated position.

Referring to Figures 1 to 7, a desk 1 comprises a substantially circular work surface 9 supported by a stand 15.

The stand 15 is formed from a plurality of stand members 19, each of which comprises a leg 12 that is formed with a foot 13 at its bottom and an arm 17 at its top. In this embodiment, the stand is 15 is formed from four stand members 19 and therefore four legs 12, four feet 13 and four arms 17 are provided. Each leg 12, foot 13 and arm 17 is an elongate member and each foot 13 is longer than its corresponding arm 17. Each leg also has a curved cross section. Each stand member 19 is formed so that its foot 13 and arm 17 are parallel to one another and perpendicular to the leg 12. Thus, each stand member 19 is generally U-shaped.

The stand 15 is assembled by locking the stand members 19 together at the legs 12 using a plurality of connectors 21 and fasteners such that the feet 13 and arms 17 are arranged circumferentially equidistantly around the legs 12. The feet 13 are arranged to contact with the ground in order to support and stabilise the desk 1 to prevent it from falling over. To assist with this, arubberpad 16 is attached to the base of each foot 13 for gripping the ground. Each rubber pad 16 is attached at a distal end of the foot 13 away from its leg 12. The arms 17 are arranged to contact with the work surface 9 in order to support the work surface 9 in a position elevated above the ground. A plurality of screws or other fasteners may be used to secure the work surface 9 to the arms 17. Each foot 13 and each arm 17 is consequently disposed at an angle that is substantially parallel to the work surface 9 and to the ground.

A plurality of removable leg covers 20 are provided to for aesthetic purposes to cover gaps between the legs 12 when the stand 15 is formed.

The stand 15 houses a vertically oriented elongate bracket 18 in a central void 26. The bracket 18 is provided in order to hold a below desk power unit comprising a a plurality of electrical sockets. The user may access the below desk power unit by removing one of the removable leg covers 20.

The work surface 9 is provided with a central circular opening 27 that allows access to the stand 15 from above the work surface 9. The opening 27 is formed with a rim 28. A two part removable cover 11 comprises a circular channel 30 and is rotatably mounted to the rim 28 by engagingthe channel 30 with the rim 28. The cover 11 also has a corresponding substantially square central opening 31 that allows access to the stand 15 10 from above the work surface 9 when the cover 11 is mounted to the rim 28. A 12mm gap is provided between the post 5 and the opening 31 to allow cables to pass through the opening 31.

The desk 1 further comprises a substantially vertically oriented post 5. The post 5 is substantially cuboidal and has rounded comers. The post 5 is received into the opening and is rotatably mounted centrally to the stand 15. To this end, the post 5 comprises a plurality of post engagement means 22 provided on its outside surface for engaging and cooperating with complementary stand engagement means 23, which are provided on the inside surface of each leg 12.

Eight post engagement means 22 are provided equidistantly spaced around the circumference of the post 5. Each post engagement means 22 comprises a body (not shown) connected to the post 5. A set of two parallel members 32 is formed on the body. The members 32 are arranged in the same plane as one another and each protrudes radially outwardly from the post 5. Each member 32 comprises a vertically oriented slot that curves partially around the post 5. In particular, each slot 24 extends approximately 32° around the post 5, approximately 16° either side of where the post engagement means 22 is mounted to the post 5.

Eight stand engagement means 23 are provided, each being formed on a leg 12 5 such that the stand engagement means 23 are equidistantly spaced around the circumference of the inside surface of the stand 15. Each stand engagement means 23 comprises a bracket 33 connected near the top of the inside surface of each leg 12. A body comprising a set of two parallel members 34 is fixed to each bracket. The members 34 are arranged in the same plane as one another and each protrudes radially inwardly from its leg 12. A removable vertically oriented protuberance 25 is mounted to each member 34 so that the protuberance 25 protrudes upwards with a portion extending beyond its member 34. Each protuberance in this embodiment is an M6 cap head fixing.

In order to rotatably mount the post 5 to the stand 15, the slot 24 on each post engagement means 22 is engaged with a protuberance 25 on a corresponding stand engagement means 23. Thus, the post 5 is secured in its position relative to the stand 15, but can rotate about the centre axis.

The post 5 further comprises four channels 35 disposed in pairs oppositely on its outside surface along substantially the whole length of the post 5. A set of three apertures is formed on the post 5 directly below each channel 35, with the openings of the 20 apertures 36 oriented in line with the channel 35.

The desk 1 further comprises two flat panel partitions 8, 14 that are arranged to divide the work surface 9 into two separate work spaces. Although in this embodiment, the partitions 8, 14 are of a substantially similar size, in other embodiments the partitions

8, 14 may be of different sizes, for example they may have different lengths. A sliding member 37 is provided on a side wall of each partition 8, 14 for engaging with a channel 35 on the post 5 and its corresponding set of apertures 36 to attach the partitions 8, 14 to the post 5. A cap 4 can be attached to the top of the post 5once the sliding members 37 are engaged to their channel 35 to secure the partitions 8, 14 in their engaged position with the post 5.

Each partition 8, 14 also comprises a partition foot 38 for contacting with the work surface 9 when in the partitions 8, 14 are in their engaged position.

Above desk power units 10 are attached on opposing sides of the post 5 to 10 provide a plurality of electrical sockets. Display mounting arms 3, 6 are also attached on opposing sides of the post 5. The display mounting arms 3, 6 are attached on the same sides of the post 5 as the above desk power unitslO and are positioned above the above desk power units 10. A display 2, 7 is mounted to each display mounting arm 3, 6. Each display mounting arm 3, 6 is arranged to allow a user to move the display 2, 7 to a desired position.

In use, once the stand 15 has been assembled from the stand members 19 in the manner discussed above, the circular work surface 9 is placed on to the arms 17 and positioned centrally so that its opening 27 is over the central void 26 of the stand 15. The work surface 9 is secured to each arm 17 by using a plurality of fasteners such as screws. 20 In this secured position, the work surface 9 thus sits with its circular worktop substantially parallel to the ground.

The post 5 is then mounted to the stand 15 by the post engagement means 22 engaging with the stand engagement means 23. In particular, after aligning the post engagement means 22 with the stand engagement means 23, the protuberances 25 are inserted through respective slots 24 and into their stand engagement means members 34. This secures each post engagement means 22 to a stand engagement means 23. In particular, each slot 24 is secured vertically between a stand engagement means members

34 and a head part of a protuberance 25. This arrangement mounts the post 5 to the stand but allows the post 5 to rotate relative both the stand 15 and the desk since the post engagement means 22 can rotate on the fixed protuberances 25 along a path formed by the slots 24. This path is approximately 32°.

For example, the post 5 can be rotated clockwise from its home position inFigure 10 5, in which the post 5 is oriented so thatthe protuberances 25 sit centrally within the slots

24, to a clockwise rotated position shown in Figure 6, in which the post 5 is oriented so that the protuberances 25 sit in a position at the right-hand portion of the slots 24.

Alternatively, the post 5 can be rotated anti-clockwise from its home position in Figure 5 to an anti-clockwise rotated position shown in Figure 7, in which the post 5 is oriented so that the protuberances 25 sit in a position at the left-hand portion of the slots.

A pair of partitions 8, 14 can then be mounted to the post 5. The sliding member 37 formed on each partition 8, 14 is engaged with and slides along a channel 35 formed in the post 5. As the edge of the sliding members 37 protrude beyond the bottom edge of the partitions 8, 14, when the partitions 8, 14 are fully engaged with their channel 35, the protruding edge of each sliding member 3 7 locks off at the top with grub screws to secure the partition 8, 14 to the post 5. In this engaged position, the partition feet 14 abut with the work surface 9 to form a small gap that elevates the partition above the work surface

9. The cap 4 is then fitted on top of the post 5.

The cover 11 is clipped over the opening 27 by engaging its channel 30 with the rim 28 on the opening 27 with a clip 39.

The above desk power units 10, display mounting arms 3, 6 and displays 2, 7 are then also mounted to the post 5.

With this arrangement, since the central post 5 can rotate along a fixed path relative to the stand 15, the orientation of the two partitions 8,14 that are fixed oppositely on the post 5 can be altered to suit a user’s requirements. Thus, if a user compiled several desks together in an arrangement, such as curved line, then the orientation of the partitions 8, 14 can be altered to ensure that the partitions 8, 14 on each desk align correctly. This is more aesthetically pleasing and ensures that each work space on the work surface 9 has sufficient privacy. In addition, the cover 11 is rotatable on the rim 28 independently of rotation of the post 5.

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

For example, the circular work surface 9 may have any suitable shape. In particular, the work surface 9 may be a “bite” shape, which is substantially circular but with a missing curved segment. This work surface shape allows many desks to be easily positioned together to create a long line of tables.

In addition, although in this embodiment, the desk 1 is configured to be used by a user in a sitting position, the desk 1 may equally be configured to be used by a user in standing position. Thus, the height of the desk 1 may be altered by adjusting the length of the legs 12. Furthermore, the desk 1 may further comprise means for altering the height of the desk.

Claims (27)

1. A desk comprising:

a stand for supporting a work surface off of the ground;

a post for supporting one or more partitions; and

5 engagement means for rotatably mounting the post to the stand so that the post is rotatable relative to the stand.

2. A desk according to claim 1, wherein the engagement means comprises one or more post engagement means attached to the post and/or one or more stand engagement means attached to the stand.

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3. A desk according to claim 2, wherein the engagement means comprises eight post engagement means attached to the post and eight stand engagement means attached to the stand.

4. A desk according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein each post engagement means is positioned circumferentially equidistantly around an outside surface of the post.

15 5. A desk according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein each post engagement means is positioned on a corner of the post.

6. A desk according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein each post engagement means comprises one or more post engagement means members attached to a body that is connected to the post.

20 7. A desk according to claim 6, wherein each post engagement means member comprises a curved slot for engaging with a protuberance.

8. A desk according to claim 7, wherein each curved slot curves around the post.

9. A desk according to claim 8, wherein each curved slot curves approximately 32° around the post.

10. A desk according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein each stand engagement means is positioned circumferentially equidistantly around an inside surface of

5 the stand.

11. A desk according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein each stand engagement means comprises one or more stand engagement means members attached to a body that is connected to the stand.

12. A desk according to claim 11, wherein each stand engagement means member

10 comprises a protuberance that protrudes upwardly from the stand engagement means members for engaging with a slot.

13. A desk according to claim 12, wherein each protuberance is formed in a fixed position.

14. A desk according to any preceding claim, further comprising a work surface.

15 15. Adesk according to claim 14, wherein the work surface comprises an opening or aperture.

16. A desk according to claim 15, further comprising a cover for engaging with the opening to cover the opening.

17. A desk according to claim 16, wherein the opening comprises a circumferential

20 rim.

18. A desk according to claim 17, wherein cover comprises a channel for engaging with the rim.

19. A desk according to claim 18, wherein the cover is rotatably mountable to the rim.

20. A desk according to claim 19, wherein the cover rotatable about the opening independent of the rotation of the post.

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21. A desk according to any preceding claim, wherein stand comprises a plurality of stand members.

22. A desk according to claim 21, wherein each stand member comprises a leg connected to an arm and a foot.

23. A desk according to claim 22, wherein each leg and/or each arm and/or each foot

10 is an elongate member.

24. A desk according to any preceding claim, wherein the post is mounted to the stand such that the post has a portion that protrudes above the work surface.

25. A desk according to any preceding claim, further comprising one or more partitions that can be arranged for separating the work surface in to individual

15 work spaces.

26. A desk according to claim 25, wherein each partition is of the same size.

27. A desk according to claim 25, wherein one partition is substantially larger and/or longer that another partition.

28. A desk according any one of claims 25 to 27, wherein each partition comprises an

20 engagement means for engaging with a complementary engagement means formed on the post.

29. A desk according to any preceding claim, wherein the desk is configured to be used by a standing user.

30. An arrangement comprising a plurality a desks according to any one of claims 1 to 29.

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31. An arrangement according to claim 30, wherein the desks are organised in a line.

32. An arrangement according to claim 31, wherein the line of desks is straight, curved or wavy.

33. A desk substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1610240.2 Examiner: Mr David McWhirter