US2658810A - Work unit - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 10, 1953 HY. ELLIS 'ETAL WORK UNIT 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 9, 1948 INVENTORS, ALBERT K. WILSON 7 HOWARD ELLIS ATTORAZEY Npv. 10, 1953 H. ELLIS ETAL WORK UNIT 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 9. 1948 v INVENTORS, ALBERT K. WILSON 0W1; ELLm ATTORNEY WORK UNIT 10 sheets-sheet 3 Filed April 9, 1948 INVENTORS. ALBERT K. WILSON a HOWARD ELLIS ATTORNEY Nov. 10, 1953 H. ELLIS ET AL WORK UNIT 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 9, 1948 JNVENTORS. ALBERT K. WILSON g9 Hon M4120 ELLIS AT TOR/VE'Y lllll L Nov. 10, 1953 H. ELLIS ETAL 2,658,810

WORK UNIT Filed April 9, 1948 1C Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS, ALBERT K. WILYSON HOWARD ELLIS 'ATToRAwY Nov. 10, 1953 H. ELLIS ET AL WORK UNIT 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed April 9, 1948 -ll lllhllliwllllPlllliu. L o 9 1 d n c o 1 llLlL INVENTORS, ALBERT If. wlllsa/v HOWARD ELLIS ATTORNEY Nov. 10, 1953 H. ELLIS ET AL WORK UNIT 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed April 9, 1948 mmvroza ALBERT K. WILSON HOWARD mus AJ'TOR1VEY Nov. 10, 1953 H. ELLIS ET AL WORK UNIT 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed April 9, 1948 JNVEN TORS, ALBERT K. WILSON HOWARD ELLIS w m m g p E 3 n 7 w Y l L .FVWU L 3/ F A, x v m m m ATTORNEY Nov. 10, 1953 H. ELLIS ET AL WORK UNIT 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed April 9, 1948 INVENTORS,

Ar M mu m wm m M (.A R Mm Mm w Patented Nov. 10, 1953 worm UNIT Howard Ellis, Greenville, and Albert K. Wilson, Wilmington, Del., assignors to E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application April 9, 1948, Serial No. 19,914

13 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a method for the more effective utilization of building space and is intended for use in offices, warehouses, laboratories and like buildings. A feature of this invention is the provision of a self contained work unit which, at the same time, defines the limits of the work area desired.

The design of buildings and the allocation of the space therein for the most efficient utilization has not hitherto been correlated with the furniture arrangement and needs of the prospective users. The result has been an enormous wastage of costly building space, the provision of work space not suited in area or arrangement for efiicient accomplishment of the worker's duties and a very great waste of time in the maintenance of liaison between workers whose duties are ,interrelated, and in the servicing of the over extended areas in which business is normally conducted. Where workers require some measure of privacy to effectively carry out their duties it has been the practice to subdivide the total inside building area into an appropriate number of independent Work rooms, using relatively thick, permanent walls to separate a specific work area from adjoining work areas. This has resulted in inordinate expense in building construction, lack of flexibility in work space arrangement and planning, and the blocking of natural light and ventilation.

A principal object of this invention is to provide a flexible method for the utilization of office building space at maximum worker efficiency, which method is correlated with standard building practices to such an extent that great construction savings may be made.

Another object of this invention is to permit an increase in the number of workers per unit of floor space, thereby greatly reducing the building size necessary to accommodate a given number of workers, while at the same time locating individual workers conveniently adjacent to their fellow workers.

Another object of this invention is the orientation of workers so that each faces away from his nearest neighbors, whereby the individual is protected from distractions which interfere with his work and are otherwise annoying.

A further object of this invention is the arrangement conveniently near at hand of all work facilities which the worker normally requires, whereby lost motion and worker fatigue are greatly reduced and the sequence of his opera tions made more eflicient.

A still further object is the provision of a 2 standard furniture unit incorporating interchangeable associated facilities which permits great flexibility in the assignment of work space to persons whose work is closely associated with the work of other persons.

Other objects will be apparent from the description of this invention which is illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of standard furniture unit constructed in accordance with this invention showing its relation to an adjoining partition.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the desk counter element proper showing by broken line representa-- tion the disposition of the upright members which support it and the location of the partition panels.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the underframe structure which supports the desk drawers, showing the relative locations of the brackets that engage with the leg members which support the desk counter from underneath.

Figure 5 is a front elevation of the desk counter assembly with one of its drawers in place.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along line 1'l of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of Figure 4 except with the desk counter element shown in assembled relationship.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of Figure 4.

Figure 10 is a rear elevation view of the desk counter assembly shown in front elevation in Figure 5.

Figure 11 is a side elevation of a filing cabinet auxiliary unit which may be used with the deskcounter of this invention, showing by broken line representation the relative disposition of its sup porting upright members and pedestal support member.

Figure 12 is a front elevation of the net auxiliary of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a sectional view taken along line I3--I3 of Figure 11.

Figure 14 is a top plan view of one of the upright supports showing the method of engaging the mounting strip of Figure 15 with it.

Figure 15 is a front elevation of a mounting strip piece which is adapted to support open or enclosed shelves from the upright members which are positioned at the rear of the desk counter.

filing cabi- Figurelfi is a side elevation of a leg member adapted to support the desk counter assembly from the underside, the lower portion being partially cut away to more clearly show the adjustable foot construction.

Figure 17 is a front elevation view of aclothes iocker-filin'g-cabine't auxiliary unit which may be used with the desk counter of this invention, showing by broken line representation the relative disposition of its supporting upright members and pedestal support member.

Figure 18 is a sectional view taken along line l8-l8 of Figure 1'7, with the drawers removed and the uprights and front pedestal :support being shown in broken line "representation.

Figure 19 is a partial side elevation view of one of the outer upright members which supports the desk counter and. its auxiliaries and also the separating partition panels, showing the mommon connecting elements fin assembled relationship thereWith.

Figure 20 is a rearelevation view of the filing cabinet auxilia'ry unit shown in front elevation in Figure 12, illustrating by broken line representation the relative disposition :of its supporting "upright members and -foot pedestal.

Figure '21 is 'a -side elevation :of the clothes locker-filing cabinet auxiliary unit shown in front elevation in :Figure 17, the -disposition-of its supporting uprights and foot pedestal being shown by broken line representation.

Figure 22 is a partial section-plan view taken along 'line =.22-22=of Figure 21.

Figure '23 is a plan view of a foot pedestal.

figure 24 is an end'el'evation 'view of a foot pedestal.

Figure 25 is a side elevation view of a foot pedestal shown in partial :section.

Figure 26 is a detail sectional view showing the assembly ofan upper partition panel, a'desk counter "back stop panel, :and a lower partition panel with one of the outer upright supporting members, the adjacent portions of the desk counter itself being shown 'by broken line representation.

Figure '27 'is a detail side elevation view showing the assembly of the lower separating partition panel with one of the outer upright supportingm'embers.

Figure 28 is a detail sectional view'of the lower end-of one of the upright supporting members, showing the adjustable 'foot element for securing level placemen'tof these members.

Figure 129 :is :a :perspective'view of the upright members in assembled relationship with the upper partition panels, back stop strips. and lower JPHItitiOH panels, shown without the desk counter element for purposes of clarity.

Figure 30 is a section taken along line '38-'30 oL-FlgureiZB.

.Fi'gure 31 isa partially broken side elevation detailed view looking in :the *directionof the arrows..-3il'3.l of :Figure -30 showing the method of attachment of the back stop strips to one ofthe inner upright members.

Figure 32 is a perspective view of :one of the clips used toassemble the'center :back stop strip with one of the inner upright "members.

Figure 33 is a broken perspective view :of a backing strip 'used to reinforce the front panel of the center back --stpstrip'in the course of assembly.

Figure 34 is .a diagrammatic representation showingone-method of utilizing to the maximum advantage the area lying withinthe buildingrbay defined by the four building columns shown, the area being gridded by the broken modular lines to illustrate the principles upon which the most effective utilization of this invention is based.

Figures 35, 36, and 37 are diagrammatic representations of still other ways for the efiective utilization of floor space .according tothis invention.

The definition of work space contemplated by this invention preferably is applied to buildings which are not partitioned with permanent inner walls or partitions. However, the invention is equally applicable to buildings which are permanently partitioned into relatively large work rooms, :and is also applicable to buildings which are unusual in plan arrangement, such as triangular buildings and the like.

For purposes of illustration the invention will hereinafter he described as utilized with a building devoid of any permanent building partitions whatever. In this case a single building floor will .-be entirely exposed to view'and readily accessible to any chosen areferencepoint, except for the vertical supporting columns which "extend from the hear to the ceiling at regular intervals. The vertical columns define the building bays, the bay areas between adjacent columns :generally being sixteen, eighteen, or twenty 'feet on a side, depending upon the column spacing chosen by the building-architect.

Assuming a column spacing of, say, sixteen feet from center to center, a typical building bay area might then be gridded into equal subdivisions of any convenient linearmagnitude, such a lengthunit being commonly referred to as a module or common unit of measurement. For a sixteen foot building bay it is convenient "to utilize .a sixteen inch module. The module is, ineffect, the correlation factor which relates the building construction with the furniture design and arrangement, and the module should be chosen so that the greatest possible number of building, furniture andarrangement dimensions will be unit multiples thereof.

Referring to Figure 34 the foregoing principles are "illustrated schematically. The building bay represented therein is defined by the four columns I, and the area included in the bay is subdivided into one hundred and forty-four equal sixteen inch grids of common sixteen inch module. The furniture arrangement within the bay area is represented by the four L-shaped work units 2 which occupy an effective area equivalent to sixteen grid spaces each. The remaining eighty grid :spaces are available for the seating of the worker 'personneltand for aisle space in any of thefour cardinal directions. According to the orderly arrangement illustrated herein .it .is practicable 'to house each one of four workers in a building space of only about forty-five square feet per person, and at the same time provide all necessary work "facilities and preserve the individuals comfort. The space economy realized :by' thisinventiont is accentuated by comparison of the described space allotment with that Of aro'om defined by'permanentpartitions which encompass an equivalent area of forty-five square feet. Such a room, less than seven feet square, would be so cramped, re stricted, and unhealthful as to be useless over any but relatively brief work periods.

Proceeding now to the description of the novel work unit 2 which is a part of this invention,one such unit is shown in perspective in Figure 1. The work unit comprises an L-shaped desk which also support partition panels. The work unit is provided with suitable file cabinet auxiliaries, counter drawers, letter trays, book shelves, and a clothes locker. It can likewise be provided with recessed lighting fixtures, compact telephone, buzzer signal and other communications facilities, and a detachable out-of-the-way waste basket if desired. Any suitable office chair may be used in conjunction with the unit. The work unit shown incorporates all facilities which are necessary to the performance of the office workers tasks, in a compact arrangement which enables him to utilize them with a minimum of effort and physical movement, and at the same time provides a large work table area. The worker is protected from distractions by orientation in a direction away from his fellow workers in the same bay and by the separating partition in the forefront. A further feature of the work unit is that all work facility space is concentrated alongthe walls or partitions and in the corners of the over-all work area in which it is located, that is, in space which is ordinarily largely wasted in buildings where work areas are defined by permanent walls.

The work unit is further characterized by a high degree of interchangeability of component parts, which makes it possible to adjust work space and arrangement to fit the workers individual needs, all as is hereinafter described.

Referring to Figure 2, the four rear upright supports 3 are shown in plan relation to-the counter 4. This view does not include any filing or clothes-locker auxiliary units, for the counter may be used singly, without the added facilities which make for a complete,'self-contained work unit, if such use is desired.

The counter 4 is a metal plate which may be fabricated as a single piece or which may be made up from several separate plates of suitable shape as illustrated which are welded to the longitudinal support elements 5. The front and back edges of the counter are bent downward to pre sent an edge of substantial thickness as shown in Figure 3. The counter is covered with a length ofsuitable desk covering material 1 (Figs. 6, '7 and 8) such as linoleum or the like which is widely sold for these purposes, the covering being preferably cemented securely to the metal plate member described.

The longitudinal supports 5 are channel shapes which are securely welded to the underside of counter top plate 4 and are cut through at points of intersection so that their lower surfaces all H lie in a common horizontal plane. Lateral connecting members 6 are metal strips of relatively small thickness which are welded to the undersides of the three pieces of metal which'make up the L-sh-aped counter top plate 4 and-thus join them together as a single unit. As shown in Figure 2 lateral connecting members 6 are interrupted at the points of intersection with longitudinal supports 5. When the counter is assembled to the underframe the forward support members 5 define the front of the work unit. Face plates 52 end welded to forward members 5, as indicated in Figure 5, close off the spaces between adjacent compartments of the counter.

The counter top plate 4 is secured by welding it to the underframe structure shown in plan in Figure 4 and in section in Figure 9. The underframe structure provides support for the removable desk drawers and also carries the leg bracket- s 8 and 9 which are adapted to receive the 'counterlegs 5l"(Fig. 16) which may be used to support the counter'from the underside. With this construction it is possible to dispense with the rear upright supports entirely if the counter is not used with separating partitions. If the counter is used with the partitions the counter legs will provide additional forward support for structural stability, however, such additional stability will usually be provided by auxiliaryfurniture units which are joined to the ends of the counter in a manner to be described, in which case the counter legs may be dispensed with.

The underframe consists of a continuous back plate I 0, formed by welding separate metal plates together at the points II. The ends of the underframe are closed off by the two end plates [4 which are welded to the back plate at the points H. The lower edges of plates in and H are bent inwardly as shown in Figures 6, '7, 8 and 9 and all bracing members intersecting these plates are cut through as shown at [3, Figure 9, to form a continuous, open wire receiving channel [2 for telephone, buzzer and other communications system electrical conductors. It will be noted that the wire-way so formed extends completely around the back side and both ends of the counter. I

The four cross struts I 5 are single pieces of metal formed with top flanges 53. Cross struts i 5 are securely welded to the back plate I I] at the points of intersection therewith and. are notched at the points where the longitudinal supports 5 traverse them. The counter top plate 4 and the underframe are assembled and are strut is involved. In this connection, the thickness of the lateral connecting members 6 is so small that the upper flanges of the end cross struts may be readily held against the underside of the counter plate by suitable clamps during the welding process, notwithstanding the fact that members 6 are interposed between the flanges of the inner cross struts l5 andthe counter plate only, and not between the end cross struts I 5 and the counter plate.

The forward edges of the two end-most cross struts I5 and the inner edges of the two endmost face plates 52 are formed with recessed flanges 54 which are adapted to receive removable front plates l6, secured thereto by threaded cap screws 55 which engage with tapped screw holes in the flanges. If it is desired to install special communications equipment, such as a telephone conversation recorder, an intra oflice buzzer button panel, or the like, front plates ['5 may be removed and the space thus provided may 'be utlized for securing and housing these devices in a compact arrangement adjacent to the wire-way hereinbefore described. I

The two inner cross struts i 5 are welded at their forward ends to diagonal struts [9 which define the side walls of a storage pigeon hole located in the region of the angle of the L- sha-ped counter.

Cross struts l5 support conventional counter drawer receiving channels l8 which are securely welded to them. It will be understood that the counter drawers are disengageable from chan- "Diagonal .struts :l'9 are .single pieces :of :metal formed :with top and bottompfianges .56 and :51, respectively. Asiindicated in Figure-9., :struts 1.9 are terminated air-a .lower-leyekthanfstruts 1,5, so that the topkfianges :55 are contiguous to the lower. surfacesof. longitudinal-supportsli :to' which they are joined by welding. The bottom .fianges dlaprouid'e support for the bottom plate 122 of the :storage pigconhole, to which they may ibe conveniently joined by spot welding.

The underframe structure is rcompleted by three leg bracket :retaining ibraces, the .two end braces 20 being similarly disposed while the central brace 12!, which deduce the rear'wall of the storage pigeon :hole, is :positionedtparallel .to the intermediate portion of backaplate l0, Braces 20 and 521 are single pieces of metal with top edges bent over to form flanges 25B .and 58,.respectively. 'Bracketsfi and a9, which'are-adapted to retain the counter legs 51,.are securely 'welded to braces 28 and :21, respectively, immediately below the :topflanges. ;Since :central brace 12;! is at a somewhat lower :level 'thanitheend braces 1211, due ito the fact that flange '15s is "welded to the underside of the longitudinal supports :5, this flange is cut :away in the region immediately above 'bracket H to permit free =passagezof the'central counter leg through it to the level of :the underside or counter plate "4, where .itsiupperend will lie in approximately the same plane .as the upper ends of the two end legs. The thin metal flanges 58, interposed between the upper :ends :01": the end legs and the counter plate, provide some additional strength-at these points.

Referring-nowto FiguresZQLLBO, 31, 32 and33, the detailed construction of the partition-upright assembly will be described.

The assembly shown in Figure 29 consists of the four rear upright members "the :two upper translucent partition panels 111, the'central'metal partition panel, the two 'side -back stop panels T2, the :central back stop panel'i'm, :the two lower metal side partition panels 14, and the central lower metal partition-panel '15, all of these elements being joined to the supporting uprights :3

bycap screws whichengage with tappedholes in these members.

As shown in Figure 14- upright members 3 are fabricated from square cross section metal tubing, the full size illustrated being provided with tworows of tapped screw holes n disposed equidistantly along the'quarter lines'of eachside surface-as indicated by the broken lines "a (see Fig. 26-). This invention contemplatesthe use ofseveral sizes of uprightsthe half size uprightbeing aclosedtube having=the same disposition of holes but being only half as thick, whereupon it will have only one row of holes on-itsshort-side. Similarly, the outer surfaces of a-quarter-size upright will be defined by the broken lines b--'b, and it will therefore only have a single row of 'tapped holes on each side surface. All other construction details of'the uprights arethe same, regardless o'f'the particular size under consideration.

The upper 'ends of the upright members may be closed on" by flat metal-caps H securely welded thereto. The lower ends are closed ed with cap pieces 45 (Fig. 28) which recess into the upright members and are joined to them by welding. Cap pieces are fitted with weldednutportions 46 which are adapted to receive height adjusting ,foot screws '44. The .entire bottom region is closed off by a shortguard piece 1-! which is frictionally engaged .with upright '3 and 'isjtreelyslidable thereon to permit its displacement to any 8 leyelreguired .bythe adjustment iofrinolt screw .44. The back stop panels 212 1(-Figs. 19, 26., .30 and 31 are madeiup .from single sheets :of metal'bent forwardly at the top and bottomzto iorm ahollow box-like enclosure. The forward ends are bent toward each other and are then drawn slightly inwards :to :form a shallow recess 'for'the attachment of .closure'platesalw. The ends of panels .12 are closed off by channels :82 securely welded to the edges of the sheet. Channels .82 are drilled to permit the passage of screws .15, joiningpanels 12 with uprights 3. A stifiening strip 83, :running the full length of panel -12, is welded .to channels 82 and serves as=abacking support :for the centralportioncf :closure plate 80.

The central back stop panel I3 is similar in construction to panels '12, except that, in this case, :the ioinder with uprights-3. is at-an acute angle, necessitating cutting 'the endszof thesheet at a suitable angle so that the top and bottom edges will lie adjacent to the inside surface of the upright 3. Drilled metal-clips 84, 'weldedrto the back side-of panel 11.3, and cap screws Mi secure the panel to the uprights. Stiffeningstrip 8.5,extending from the-center clip atone end of the panel to the center 011101315 the other, provides backing support :for zthe central portion of closure plate :86 whichis secured to tapped screw-holesin clips :84 by cap screws 9.8.

The top and bottom edges of :all back stop panels are -:drilled with tapped .screw holes 93 to permit the connection of th upper and lower partition panels with them.

Metal partition panels 14 and 1.5 are unitary plates withthe edges turned .inwardlyto provide flanges for screw connection to uprights :3. As shown in :Figure 2-7 the loweredges-of these plates are bent backwardly so as to contact with the,

vertical expanse ithereof, thereby providing a sloping surface upon which dust will not readily collect.

In erecting the assembly shown in Figure :29, alLoperationsare performed from the-front side. The -first elements assembled to the uprights are the back stop panels "12 and '13. In this operation the closure plates .80 and '86 are removed and the back stop panels are "secured along-the first :row of screwv holes inthe uprights by the cap screws 16. The closure 'plates are thenreplaced by securing their top screws -68 to the back stop panels. Panels "14 and =15 may next be assembled, using screws 16 to join them "to the uprights and screws 81 to join the upper edges .to the backstop panels. 'The'upper-partition panels -10 and '12! are then :assembled as a finalstep.

Panel II is 'a unitary metal plate with the side andbottom edges turned inwardly as has been described for panels and -15. The bottom and side flanges -so created afford connection surfaces with the top of the central back stop panel 113 by means of :cap screws identical with screwstl, and withthe uprights .3 by-screws 16.

The translucentpartition panels 10, which may be fabricated from glass or a;synthetic resinous material .having similar light transmitting properties, are joined to the-uprights .3 and back stoppanels 12 by moulding strips .48 (Figs. .19, 26 and .31), Moulding strips 48 are ,S-shaped metal lengths, the outside channel of which may be cushioned with a strip of elastic material .18 wherein contact with ,panels [0. Separate moulding strips, beveled at adjacent ends, are fitted to each sideand the bottom edges of the panels. The panels are conveniently joined to the unrights and the back stop panels by. first pressing all three strips into proper position along the three edges and then disposing the panel at an oblique angle across the top of the back stop panel. In this position a single screw 88 may be loosely engaged with the proper threaded hole in the top of panel 12, whereupon the partition may be rotated into its proper position by revolving it about the Single screw as a pivot. The elastic strips 78 are sufficiently flexible to permit bending the edge mouldings slightly to avoid any binding interference with the uprights during this operation. When the panels Hi have been rotated into position the edge moulding strips are secured to the uprights by screws 16 and the remaining screws 88 are inserted to complete the connection with the panels 12.

The assembly of the counter-underframe to the partitions and uprights is facilitated by the use of the three counter legs shown in Figure 16. The counter legs are constructed of square cross section metal tubing of the same dimensions as the full size upright members 3. The counter legs are, of course, much shorter, a length of about thirty inches being sufficient. The adjustable foot screws 83 of the legs are made of greater length than the foot screws 34 of the uprights to permit the complete removal of the uprights 5! after the assemblingoperation if they are to be used solely. as erecting aids.

With the counter-underframe supported on the three legs 5|, the assembly is shifted to its proper position adjacent to the closure plates 83 and 86 of the assembled partition elements and uprights and the common assembling screws 89 are inserted from the front side through the screw holes 23 in back plate Ill and engaged with the complementary tapped holes in the elements of the back stop panels.

While the assembled work unit comprising the counter-underframe with the counter legs and partition-uprights described may be used alone, the complete self contained embodiment of this invention incorporates additional facilities which will now be described.

One such adjunct is the filing cabinet auxiliary 24 shown in Figures 11, 12, 13 and 20. The body of the filing cabinet may be of conventional form with removable drawers supported upon suitable ways 21 secured to the inside walls. The side walls of the cabinet are provided with a series of screw-receiving tapped holes 25 mating with holes 23 in the end plates M of the counter underframe, while the rear wall is provided with through holes 23 mating with tappedholes 4', of uprights 3. The filing cabinet is integrally joined to the counter and to the rear uprights by cap screws inserted from the front side. The area to the rear of the filing cabinet is closed oif by providing upper and lower partition and back stop panels identical with those which have been described except that they are of correspondingly reduced length. Additional forward support is supplied to the cabinet by a removable foot pedestal 28 such as that shown in Figures 23, 24 and 25.

The foot pedestal consists of a short length of square cross section tubing 4! of the same size used for the fabrication of the full size uprights 3. The upper end of 4| is adapted to engage with a suitable bracket 9 secured to the underside of cabinet 24. Short angle iron support pieces 42 are welded to opposite sides of 4| and are drilled at points 94 to receive cap screws for engagement in mating tapped screw holes in 0 bracket49. The lower end of the foot pedestal is fitted with a height adjusting foot screw 44 and a guard piece 11 of identical design as hereinbefore described for the uprights 3.

If it is desired to utilize the filing cabinet auxiliary without rearuprights or partitions, it will be understood that this may be accomplished by providing two additionalrbrackets 49 disposed near the rear edge of the cabinet whereupon the cabinet may be independently supported upon three foot pedestal members 28.

A second useful auxiliary unit is the clothes locker-drawer cabinet 29 shown in Figures 17, 18, 21, and 22. This unitis adapted for assembly to either end .of the desk counter by cap screw connection through tapped screw holes 30, matching with screw holes 23 in end plates [4, in the same manner as described for the filing cabinet auxiliary. The clothes locker-drawer cabinet auxiliary 29 is made up of two compartments, the clothes locker 32 and the drawer cabinet 33, joined together by matching screw fittings 34 located along their adjacent sides. The clothes locker portion is similar to the common clothes locker used in work shops and gymnasiums exceptthat the door is made shorter in length to permit clearance with the drawer cabinet, and the bottom is open to facilitate recovery of any small articles which the user may inadvertently drop from the shelf 35. The rear corners of the clothes'locker are recessed as shown at 40 to permit neat cap screw assembly with uprights 3. The clothes locker may be fitted with clothes hooks, mirrors,.overshoe holding brackets or other convenient fixtures notshown.

The drawer cabinet component 33 is of modified conventional three drawer design, incorporating the three drawer hanger members 36, which support the several drawers on draw out and return, and which permit complete removal of the drawers in the event the user is moved to a new location. The top of the drawer cabinet is modified to receive the two compartment letter tray 37, which is permanently welded to the cabinet frame. Thebottom of the cabinet is fitted with a. foot pedestal receiving bracket 43 securely welded to the'drawer cabinet bottom plate 39 along its longitudinal center line for the reception of a foot pedestal member 23 of identical design with that hereinbefore described for the filing cabinet auxiliary 24.

The clothes locker-drawer cabinet may be used in conjunction with two rear uprights 3, as inclicated in Figure 22, in which case no partition panels are required to close off the area between the uprights, since auxiliary 29 extends from the bottom level to the top level of adjacent partition panels. If desired, auxiliary 29 may be independently supported on three foot pedestal supports 28 as in the case of filing cabinet 24, in which case the rear uprights may be dispensed with.

Uprights 3 may be conveniently employed to support a series of superimposed book shelves 35 as illustrated in Figure 1 by the use of mounting strips of the design shown in Figures 14 and 15. Mounting strips'90 comprise'single strips of metal bent into a channel shape and perforated along one side with an offset row of elongated holes 9! adapted to be engaged with mating projections on the adjacent edges of the book shelves. Cap screws 16 traversing screw holes 92 secure the mounting strips to the uprights.

The work unit may also be provided with a eyesesro shelf 96 supported on brackets"?! connected by screws or otherwise to the back stop panels at appropriate points.

As illustrated in Figure l the partitioning to the rear of the work unit may be extended by connecting additional partitioning sections to the endmost uprights. Such additional sections incorporate top and bottom partition panels and intermediate backstop panels similar to those which have been described for use in connection with the work units and provide supports for the connection of additional work units if this is desired.

If conditionsof use donot require partitioning to the front ofthe'work units, the L-shaped desk counter may be advantageously utilized as an open desk by reversing the position of the back stop members so that the end which is shown extended above the level of the counter in Figure 26isdisposed below the counter and the'lower end is disposed on a; level with the counter top. It will be understood that with this orientation the top screw 89" will engage with what was before the bottommost screw hole of the backstop while the lower screw 89 will engage with the intermediate screw hole. In this use the lower partition panels '54 and T5 are either not employed or corresponding panels of shorter'length must be substituted. When used as an open desk the desk counter may be supported by counter legs 5! or uprights similar in construction to the uprights 3 may be used, except that the length is made such'that these members terminate flush with the top of the back stop members.

Referring to Figures 35, 36 and 37, some of the preferred methods of utilization of the work units of this invention will now be described- In these views the locations of the front or Working sides of the units are indicated by the orientation of the office chairs 6| with respect thereto, the position of auxiliary filing cabinets being also shown. The use of common upright members for the support of adjacent work units is preferred wherever possible as such use contributes to economy and the saving of floor space and, in addition, permits the neat flush arrangement of neighboring units.

In Figure 35 two work units are shown in opposed relationship, the common quarter size uprights recessing into the rear corners of the clothes locker-drawer cabinet auxiliary units being indicated at 62. All other upright members may be full size as shown.

In Figure 36 four work units are shown in compact cluster arrangement about a single building column i. In this combination twelve full size uprights indicated at63 maybe used to advantage with single partition elements 6'6 interposed between adjacent work units, it being understood that in this case all units are provided with back stop members which close off the space between adjacent work units.

The alternated arrangement of Figure 3'7 employs a quarter size upright at $4 and a half size upright at 65. All other upright members may be full size as shown. Single partition elements indicated at 66 are again employed wherever possible.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that we have provided both a novel work unit and a flexible method of utilizing building space to the utmost advantage, and we intend to be limited in our invention only tothe eX- tent indicated in the following patent claims.

We claim:

1. In an article of oflice furniture, a. spacesaving unit comprising a L-shaped, metal desk top composed of a plurality of component parts joined together to form a unitary structure having rear edges at right angles, and having front and back edges bent. downwardly to present an edge of substantial thickness, an underframe structure comprising cross-struts and auxiliary elements including longitudinal channel members and lateral connecting members welded to the underside and: in supporting position for said desk top, a plurality of rear uprights in supporting position adjacent to said rear edges, back plates adjacent to said rear edges and carried' by said. uprights, and means securing. the rear edges to said back. plates.

2. The invention of claim 1 in which said cross-struts comprise single pieces ofmetal, end welded to said back plate at their points of intersection therewith, and supporting flanges for said counter carried by said cross-struts.

3. The invention of claim 1 including longitudinal supports. and lateral connecting members interposed in supporting position between said counter and underframe, in which saidlateral connecting members comprise relatively thin metal strips secured to the underside of said counter in supporting position and are interrupted at their points of intersection by said longitudinal supports.

4. The invention of. claim 1 in which said underframe structure comprises auxiliary furniture units joined to the underside of said counter in spaced relation to provide leg room for the operator and stability for said counter.

5. The invention of claim 1 in which said underframe comprises compartments and counter legs in spaced relation and insupporting position for said counter from its underside.

6. In an article of office furniture, a spacesaving unit comprising-a metal, L-shaped desk top having leg room beneath said top and longitudinal rear edges at right angles, -formed from a plurality of component parts including longitudinal supports and lateral connecting members welded to the underside of said desk top, an underframe structure in supporting position for said desk top comprising cross-struts and back plates also welded to the underside of said desk top, a plurality of rear uprights adjacent said rear edges, and in supporting position for said back plates, and a plurality of panels supported by saiduprights substantially in the same plane as the supported back plates.

'7. An article of ofiice furniture manufactured in sub-assembly components including a L- shaped, metallic desk top comprising a multiplicity of component parts joined together to form a unitary structure having neighboring work areas with rear edges arranged at right angles longitudinally, longitudinal and lateral connecting members welded to the underside of said desk top for securing the component parts together, an underframe structure of crossstruts and auxiliary elements for supporting said desk top, back plates extending along the line of said rear edges and welded in supporting position to the ends of said cross-struts, rear upright members supporting said back plates, and a plurality of. panels supported by said uprights substantially in the same plane as said back plates.

8. The invention of claim 7 including longitudinal supports and lateral connecting members interposed in supporting position between said counter and underframe.

9. An article of ofilce furniture manufactured in sub-assembly components, including a L-shaped, metallic desk top comprising a multiplicity of component parts joined together to form neighboring work areas, a multiplicity of prefabricated separate plates welded to the underside of said desk top for securing the component parts into a unitary structure having rear edges at right angles longitudinally, a plurality of uprights in supporting position adjacent said rear edges, an underframe structure supporting said desk top and providing leg room for the neighboring work areas, comprising cross-struts and auxiliary supporting elements, said underframe also including a plurality of back plates supported by said uprights and Welded to the rear ends of said cross-struts.

10. In an arrangement and construction of an article of office furniture, a L-shaped desk top comprising a multiplicity of component parts joined together into a unitary structure and adapted to form neighboring work areas having leg room beneath and horizontally positioned rear edges, a plurality of rear uprights adjacent said rear edges but outside the vertical plane thereof, an underframe structure in supporting position for said desk top but providing leg room for the worker comprising back plates supported by said uprights and cross-struts having their rear ends welded thereto and secured in supporting position for and beneath said desk top, partition panels also supported by said uprights in the same vertical plane as the back plates, drawer-receiving channels supported by said cross-struts, forwardly positioned legs for supporting the under structure and desk drawers therefor, and brackets for positioning said legs.

11. The invention of claim 10 in which the diagonal struts comprise single pieces of metal iormed with top and bottom supporting flanges.

12. The invention of claim 10 in which longitudinal supports and lateral connecting members are interposed between said cross-struts and counter top and are affixed thereto.

13. The invention of claim 10 in which diagonal struts are connected to the forward end of the inner cross-struts to form the side walls of an auxiliary storage space in the region of the angle of said L-shaped counter, counter leg brackets having legs in supporting position near the forward position of said counter, and face plates affixed to the forward ends of said crossstruts in the regions adjacent to said drawer space and auxiliary storage space.

HOWARD ELLIS. ALBERT K. WILSON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 419,295 Sutton Jan. 14, 1890 797,826 Sherman Aug. 22, 1905 959,230 Kurz May 24, 1910 1,357,062 Knight Oct. 26, 1920 1,392,418 Hill Oct. 4, 1921 1,420,942 Peyton June 27, 1922 1,441,331 Clark Jan. 9, 1923 1,455,569 Caminoni May 15, 1923 1,647,889 Saunders Nov. 1, 1927 1,648,891 Beersman Nov. 15, 1927 1,649,805 Brainard Nov. 22, 1927 1,729,268 Henderson l Sept. 24, 1929 1,764,229 Smith June 17, 1930 1,914,646 Rand June 20, 1933 1,915,046 Bales June 20, 1933 2, 10,721 Jones Aug. 6, 1940 2,439,027 Stonitz Apr. 6, 1948 OTHER REFERENCES The Evolving House-Bemis, vol. III, page 27 pyright 1936,

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