US3125387A

US3125387A - Office furniture

Info

Publication number: US3125387A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1964-03-17
Anticipated expiration: 1981-03-17

Description

C. M. ABRAHAMSON March 17, 1964 OFFICE FURNITURE 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 8, 1961 March 17, 1964 c. M. ABRAHAMSON 3,125,387

OFFICE FURNITURE Filed Feb. 8, 1961 I 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 17, 1964 c. M. ABRAHAMSON 3,125,387

OFFICE FURNITURE Filed Feb. 8, 1961 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 17, 1964 i c. M. ABRAHAMSON 3,125,387

OFFICE FURNITURE Filed Feb. 8, 1961 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 I j g j I.

Inve 72 Zavas Garza/VA brain/2205072 2? ym gm '7 2/6: 67?? 5e March 17, 1964 c. M. ABRAHAMSON 3,125,387

OFFICE FURNITURE Filed Feb. 8, 1961 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 March 1964 c. M. ABRAHAMSON 3,125,387

OFFICE FURNITURE Filed Feb. 8. 1961 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 zzs c H I'll "W" lll'pzac 1 w. 1. W I" M" W Wm Jrzawziar .5? 63. J28 CiQwZas/KflraMsm g vz w, jammy EIIM ll H26! March 17, 1964 c. M. ABRAHAMSON OFFICE FURNITURE Filed Feb. 8, 1961 9 SheetsSheet 8 March 1964 c. M. ABRAHAMSON 3, 87 I OFFICE FURNITURE 7 Filed Feb. 8, 1961 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 I O f lfll 2 I WOJL' f LL? i I o o o fi United States Patent 3,125,387 OFFICE FURNITURE Charles M. Abrahamson, Aurora, lll., assiguor to All- Steel Equipment Inc., a corporation of Illinois Filed Feb. 8, 1961, Ser. No. 87,897 13 Claims. (Cl. 312-195) This invention relates to ofiice furnituresuch as desks, conference tables, bookcases, credenzas and the like and more particularly is concerned with oflice furniture constructions characterized by interchangeable components and framing elements for use in various distinctive combinations in equipment of this general type.

Interchangeable component constructions afford a maximum of flexibility and versatility and these features are important not only for satisfying the varied needs and wants of the user but also for simplifying the problems of maintaining an adequate inventory forassuring immediate availability of the various furniture combinations to be selected. An almost indefinite number of arrangements can be devised from a basic set of components and this permits custom assembly of any particu- Moreover, the standardization of component construction reduces inventory and handling problems at the factory and further emphasizes the usual advantages of mass production techniques.

The principal object of this invention is the provision of office furniture constructions comprised of interchangeable standardized components and matching framing ele ments: thataifordsrnaximum flexibility and versatility in the number and type of arrangements; that permits custom assembly of any selected arrangement; that minimizes the number of parts required to be stocked; that affords ease and speed of assembly; and that makes maximum use of mass production techniques.

Briefly, the invention provides a construction having side support members such as desk pedestals formed with external grooves that extend across the top and down the side thereof, having a top member such as a desk top equipped with fixed mounting members spaced apart and matched to the spacing and size of the grooves across the top of the side members to be received and secured in nested relation therein and having vertical legs received and secured in nested relation in the grooves down the side of the side members.

These same features of construction are embodied in various desk configurations, including L-units, and in bookcase and credenza units and wherever size and shape admits of-it the identical components are freely interchangeable between these various units.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will'become apparentduring the course ofthe following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts'throughout the same:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a double pedestal desk unit constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view illustrating the basic desk components and framing elements embodied in the double pedestal. desk unit of FIG. 1;

3,125,387 Patented Mar. 17, 1964 "ice FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a desk unit of the L-type having a side mounted offset top arrangement constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a fragmentary exploded perspective view illustrating the basic desk components and framing elements embodied in the L unit desk of FIG. 2;

FIG. 2B is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the details of the connection structure between the tops of the offset mounted L unit of FIG. 2;

FIG. 2C is a fragmentary detailed sectional view illustrating the joint bar arrangement of the connection structure and is taken on the line 2C2C of FIG. 2B;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a desk unit of the L- type having a side mounted flush top arrangement;

FIG. 3A is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the details of the connection structure between the tops of the flush mounted L unit of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3B is a fragmentary detailed sectional view taken on the line SIS-3B of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a bookcase unit constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4A is an explodedperspective view illustrating the components and framing elements embodied in the bookcase unit of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a credenzaunit constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view illustrating the components and framing elements embodied in the credenza construction of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a pedestal component of the type used in the office furniture units of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and '5;

FIG. 6A is a sectional view taken in the plane of the line 6A6A shown in FIG. 6 and particularly illustrating edge and corner construction details;

FIG. 6B is a sectional view taken in the plane of the line 6B6B shown in FIG. 6 to illustrate other edge and corner construction details;

FIG. 7 is a developed view partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating details of a support leg construction and mounting arrangement utilized in the ofiice furniture units constructed in accordance with this invention and is taken approximately on the line 7-7 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 88 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken onthe line 9-9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view through a center drawer structure utilized in the desks and is taken on the line 10-10 of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are face and side views, respectively, of a C-channel and illustrates a preferred uniform pattern of mounting holes therein;

FIG. 13 is an underneath face view of the mounting hole punching utilized in the small size tops; and

FIG. 14 is an underneath face view of'the mounting hole punching utilized in the larger size tops.

General Description Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, a variety of different office furniture units are illustrated in which the novel components making up each unit are of standardized construction and are interconnected by novel framing elements of standardized construction. In fact, where these various different units are of the same dimension, the components that comprise the units are freely interchangeable. Thus, the components of the desk of FIG. 1 which includes a top, pedestals, and support legs can also be employed in the L-type desk arrangements such as are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Alternatively, the tops and pedestals utilized in the bookcase of FIG. 4 \and the credenza of FIG.

5 are, in general, interchangeable and frequently are interchangeable with the corresponding elements in the side mounted sections of the L-type desk units.

As the construction details of these various units are described in more specific terms, it will become clear that the entire line of office furniture is made up of components and framing elements of uniform arrangement and interconnection. This uniformity in the basic elements gives the line a degree of flexibility and versatility of outstanding scope, and it will become apparent that numerous office furniture arrangements other than those shown herein for purposes of illustrative disclosure are also possible and are contemplated.

The uniformity of the basic elements is important for standardizing and facilitating the manufacturing operation in that the possibilities and advantages in employing mass production techniques are greatly enhanced. The particular uniform construction depicted herein has important additional advantages in that it greatly facilitates actual assembly and interconnection of the various elements.

For convenience of this disclosure, a reference character system has been adopted utilizing a 100 series of numbers for FIG. 1, and so on up to a 500 series of numbers for FIG. 5. However, corresponding components and elements utilized in these various different units all have the same last two digits.

In the double pedestal desk which is designated generally as 100 in FIG. 1, the basic components are a top 110, pedestals I and 121, respectively, at the right-hand and left-hand ends of the top, a set of fore and aft mounting

channels

140 and 141, respectively, for attachment to the top by a series of screws (not shown) and for engagement to the pedestals by means of fasteners 142, which preferably are of a type known as swing nuts, and a set of support legs 150 which are fixed to the pedestals and which, for the [arrangement illustrated, act through the pedestal to support the top.

A separate center drawer assembly 164) is arranged for securement to the mounting

members

140 and 141 independently of the pedestals. Since center drawers are normally an optional feature in desks, it is advantageous in a standardized line of office furniture that it be separately connectable to the top. This facilitates the subsequent removal or attachment of a center drawer without requiring major disassembly.

Finally, the desk is shown equipped with a knee space panel 170 that has inturned opposite side edge flanges 171 each apertured adjacent its upper and lower ends for receiving mounting screws 172 that are engageable in false filler channels 151 provided along the inboard side face of each pedestal, full length support legs on both sides of the pedestals being unnecessary. It will be apparent that where desired the desks may be equipped with island leg units of any suitable type in which even false filler channels are utilized on both sides of both pedestals.

In the L-type desk unit construction shown in FIG. 2, corresponding components are given reference characters in the 200 series, but the last two digits of the reference characters are identical for the corresponding elements of the double pedestal desk.

It will be noted that in the case of the L-type desk unit, no pedestal is provided on the right side of the desk, its function being fulfilled by an end support panel 280 fitted with gusset plate type mounting brackets 281 for supporting engagement with the top mounting

members

240 and 241. In this instance, the knee space panel 274; is horizontally elongated and at one end is fixed to the desk pedestal 221, and at the other end to the end support panel 280. The end support panel 280 is basically like a vertical side wall of a pedestal in that it has external vertical mounting grooves for receiving support legs 250 and it has mounting holes 232H at the lower ends of the grooves for receiving mounting screws 232.

The vertically offset side mounted desk section of FIG. 2 also has a top 21%, an end pedestal 220, and knee space panel 270' and a vertically extending angle bracket adaptor 282 connecting the knee space panel 270 to the end panel 280 of the main desk section. These latter elements with the exception of the adaptor 282 are standardized components and have application in other furniture arrangements. Special connection facilities, as shown in FIG. 2B, are provided to anchor the

top mounting members

240 and 241 of the side mounted desk section to the adjacent top mounting member 240 of the main desk section.

In L-type desk units having offset tops, it is desirable from the standpoint of appearance and compatability with adjacent desk units that the lower elevation line of the pedestal and knee space panel members be located in the same plane. In the furniture arrangements of this invention, therefore, the pedestal 220 for the side mounted desk section is of lesser height than the pedestal 221 for the main desk section. The difference in the height dimension of these pedestal units being equal to the amount of offset of the tops, and this standardized relationship is built into the size gradations of the pedestal units and is a feature of the present line.

In FIG. 3, there is shown an L-type desk unit having a flush top side mounted desk section and it will be understood that for this arrangement the components of the main desk section, such as the top 310, the pedestal 321, the top mounting members and knee space panel (not visible), and the end support panel 380 are identical to the corresponding elements in the main desk section of FIG. 2. The elements that comprise the side mounted sections in FIGS. 2 and 3 correspond and are numbered accordingly and in the case of FIG. 3 are of greater vertical dimension in order to match the lines of the main desk section. In addition, in the full height side mounted desk section of FIG. 3 a front apron 373 may be provided along the underneath edge of the top 310 to match with the lines of the center drawer 360 of the main desk section.

In the bookcase of FIG. 4, the

pedestals

420 and 421 are equipped with shelves rather than drawers but otherwise are identical with desk pedestals. One of the bookcase pedestals is engaged to the mounting members 440 and 441 fixed to the underface of the top and on its outer face the support legs 450 are secured in identical fashion to that described previously. Where common center support legs 453 are to be secured between adjacent faces of the bookcase pedestals the second pedestal is engaged to the mounting members only by fasteners located on the attachment pads at its outermost face. The center support legs 453 may also be omitted in favor of suitable interlocking elements between the upper and lower ends of the inner faces of the pedestals. It will also be apparent that in bookcases, the outer support legs 450 may, if desired, be replaced by false filler channels with the bookcase pedestals being mounted on island leg units.

The credenza unit of FIG. 5 is more like the bookcase units than like the desk units in that, in actual practice, the pedestals for bookcases and credenzas are generally of the same dimensions. In the particular credenza unit illustrated, a double width pedestal 522 having a curtain door is shown at the left-hand end and identical drawer pedestals 520 and 521 are shown at the right-hand end. Full length support legs 550 are provided at the pedestal faces at the opposite ends of the top while special interlocking elements are provided to secure the upper and lower ends of the adjacent inner faces of the pedestal units.

Assuming the pedestal 522 is first installed, the fasteners 542 on the inner face thereof are equipped with reinforcement pads 542R arranged to underlie the attachment pad at the upper end of the adjacent face of pedestal 521. Fasteners are not provided on this side of pedestal 521. Similarly, the other face of pedestal 521 has its fasteners equipped with reinforcement pads 542R arranged to underlie the attachment pads of the adjacent face of pedare provided in bookcase pedestals.

estal 520. Tap clips 543 are secured between the lower attachment pads of adjacent pedestal faces.

'It will be apparent that symmetrical construction of the credenza pedestals accommodates full interchangeability for providing other credenza arrangements such Pedestal Construction The pedestals utilized in the various desk, bookcase and credenza units of'FIGS. V1 to 5 basically are all of the same construction though the shape and size of the various physical embodiments range rather widely to meet the various applications which exist in a full line of furniture.

For example, the various desk arrangements utilize ped specific application to desksit will be appreciated that the same construction and mounting details are incorporated in pedestals for the side mounted sections of desks and in pedestals for bookcases and'credenzas. This typical pedestal takes the 'form of a hollowbox-shaped structure that is open at its front and at its top. The front is open to receive drawers in the case of desk pedestals or curtain arrangements'in the case ,of credenzas or merely'to provide access to support shelves such as Thetopisopen to conserve material since in the usual arrangement the pedestals are mounted beneath a separate -.top';member as in the units illustrated in eachof FIGS. 1 to 5 and are in flush-faced engagement with the surface of the top.

The pedestal has endless external grooves 123 and v124 encircling it in vertical planes adjacent its;front and back ends respectively and it is comprised of a rectangular front end frame 125, a rectangularrear end frame 126,

side panels 127 and a bottom panel 128 that connectthe end frames in parallel foreand aft spaced registering relation. A rear panel 129 is recessed into and spansthe rear end frame. The mounting groove 123-is locatedin recessed relation in the front end frame 125 and the mounting groove 124 is located in recessedrelation in the rear end frame 126.

The front end frame is comprised of right-angularly connected top, bottom and

side rails

125T, 125B and .1258, respectively, and correspondingly the rear end frame is comprised of 'right-angularly connected top, bottom and side rails 126T, 126B, and 1268, respectively, the cross-sectional configurations of these rails beingshown .in FIGS. 6A and 6B. Therails of .the front end frame are all of identical angular cross-sectional configuration 'and have a channel shaped main body portion 125C forming the mounting groove 123 and terminating along its rear side in a rearwardly extending flange portion'125F. The main body portion has a channel forming web 125W .along its front side with the web 125W terminating in a rearward ly projecting inside wall edge that provides a neat finished appearance at the inner periphery of the front end of the pedestal.

The rails of the rear end frame are all of identical cross-sectional configuration and correspond generally to the configuration of the rails of the front end frame in that they comprise a channel shaped main body por- 127E along its top and bottom ends and secured at the corners of the end frames by welding as indicated at 130 in FIG. 6. Correspondingly, the bottom panel 128 of the pedestal is provided with end flanges 128F engageable in the bottom portion of the grooves of the end frames.

As is best seen in FIG. 6, the rails of both the front and rear end frames have horizontally projecting attachment pads 131 at the upper corners of the pedestal and .have vertically projecting depending attachment pads 132 at the lower corners of the pedestal. Preferably, these pads are located wholly within the confines of the mounting grooves of the pedestal and the upper attachment pads 131 are equipped with a swing nut type of screw fastener 142 which is engageable in the C-channels and 141 carried on the underface of the tops (see FIG. 1A) while the bottom attachment pads 142 are arranged for attachment to the support legs 15%) or leg stringers 151 of the various furniture items shown herein.

In FIG. 6 it is also indicated that the channel shaped main body portions 125C and 126C of the vertical side rails of the end frames are suitably punched to accommodate guide rails for the drawers of desk pedestals. A drawer slide arrangement such as is shown in Abrahamson et al. Patent No. 2,743,149 is preferred. Where the pedestal is utilized in a bookcase or credenza unit the usual support shelves and such details will be apparent to those skilled in this art.

C-Channels In a present'line of equipment the C-channels which are provided for attachment to the underface of the top to facilitate the assembly of the various elements, are provided in a range of sizes from 21" to 81" in 3" increments and in the present practice of the invention the 0- channels of 57", 63", 69" and 75" lengths have special side hole punchings for engagement with fasteners utilized in securing the side mounted sections of L-type desk units.

A C-channel is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 as having a line of mounting holes 43 spaced apart on 1 /2" centers along its attachment face and extending from one end to the other thereof and on each end of each side flange it is provided with an end hole 44 and a cooperating mounting hole 45 matched to the punching of the gusset plates 281 such as are shown in FIG. 2A. The spacing of these holes is standardized at the dimensions applied to FIG. 11 and all C-channels regardless of length may have this basic punching configuration.

C-channels which are used with the 54 and 60 inch tops foroptional connection to 13" side mounted desk sections have another hole 47 spaced 8 inwardly from the gusset plate hole 45. Correspondingly, G-channels'for 66" base sets in addition to the hole 47 which accommodates connection to 18" L-units have another hole 48 to accommodate connection to 24" L-units. Finally, the C-channels for 60", 66", 72" and 78" base sets in addition to the hole 47 for use with 18" L-units and the hole 48 for use with 24" L-units have still another hole 49 for use with 30 L-units.

Tops

The tops 110 shown herein are preferably constructed in accordance with the teachings of Grube Patent No. 2,911,274. The underface of the tops are prepunched in accordance with standardized practice. Tops of a width of 18, 24" and 30 as shown in FIG. 13 have a single row of holes on 3" centers adjacent each of its lengthwise edges, whereas tops of 36" and 42 width have two double rows of holes adjacent each of its lengthwise edges, the holes again being on 3" centers and the adjacent rows being spaced 3" apart. The double row hole arrangement of these wider tops of FIG. 14 accommodates offset connection of the C-channels and hence of the entire base set. The pedestals may thus be mounted in offset relation to the top so that the top may overhang at the front or rear side thereof as desired. In addition the hole punchings in the top and in the C-channels accommodate endwise offsets to permit the top to overhang at either the left or right side of the unit.

Legs

Various different leg arrangements are used in the present line of furniture and in general the legs are constructed for mountin in nested relation in the vertical grooves of the pedestals or where end panels are used they are mounted in nesting arrangement in the vertical grooves provided in these end panels.

The support legs which are designated 150, 250, 350, 450 and 55% in FIGS. 1 to 5, respectively, are formed of hexagonal tubing having its upper end notched out on its inside or concealed face in order to accommodate and mask the upper attachment pads 131 of the pedestals and the fasteners associated therewith.

The mounting details for these support legs, such as are designated d, d, 359, 450 and 559 in FIGS. 1 to 5, respectively, are best shown in FIG. 7 wherein a leg 150 is shown applied within a groove of a pedestal and, for anchoring the leg, each upper attachment pad of the pedestal is provided with a downwardly directed U- clip 134 having a mounting slot 1348 in each arm or tab thereof. Each support leg is notched out at its upper end to match and socket into the slots in the U-clip. Each support leg is also provided with a screw hole 15H located along its inside face and equipped with a Riv nut 150N for receiving a screw fastener 1508 that is engaged in the corresponding lower attachment pad 132 of the pedestal. Finally, each support leg 150 is shown equipped with a threadedly adjustable foot 15tlF.

To install the leg, the notched side of the upper end of the leg is first engaged or socketed into the slots of the U-clip 134 with the leg then being swung into nested relation in the groove, whereupon the screw 1508 is secured through the lower attachment pad 132 and into the Riv nut 15tiN in the hole in the bottom end of the leg. It may be seen that the lower attachment pad 132 is offset slightly outwardly from the plane of the main wall defining the groove. The clip 134 at the upper end of the groove is correspondingly outwardly offset.

The false filler channels, such as are shown at 151 and 251 in FIGS. 1 and 2, are of channel shaped configuration and are equipped with mounting

pads

155 and 156, respectively, braced thereacross adjacent their upper and lower ends. The mounting pad 155 at the upper end is engageahle or socketed into the slots of the U-clip 134 and the pad 156 at the lower end is provided with a tapped hole for receiving a mounting screw that projects through the attachment pad at the bottom of the pedestal. It should be apparent that where the desk pedestals are equipped with island leg units mounted therebeneath, the false filler channels would be used on both the inner and outer faces of the pedestal.

Center Drawers The center drawer assemblies such as are used in the desk of FIGS. 1 and 2 are completely separate and independently mounted structures. The mounting frame for a center drawer assembly, as is best shown in FIGS. 1A and 10, includes a pair of side guide rails 161 for receiving slides (not shown) on the center drawer 162 and front and rear bridging rails 163 connecting between corresponding ends of the guide rails 161. The rear bridging rail has a right angled abutment flange 163A depending from its main section and has vertical straps or end flanges 163E connected to the side rails to support the main body of the bridging rail in spaced relation thereabove. The front bridging rail has a corresponding right angled abutment flange 163A on its main section and corresponding vertical straps 163E at opposite ends and connected to the side rails. Each bridging rail is apertured adjacent its opposite ends to receive a mounting screw 164 for attachment clamps 165 which extend in cantilever fashion from the bridging rails and have end flanges 165E enterable upwardly into the C-channel pockets to engage behind the C-channels ledges. Tightening of the mounting screws 164 locks the center drawer mounting frame at any selected position along the C-channels and this permits the center drawer mounting frame to be applied either prior to assembly of the related pedestal structures or after, as desired. The side rails of the center drawer mounting frame may be patterned after the drawer mounting slides of the aforesaid Abrahamson et al. Patent No. 2,743,149 and they are arranged to receive drawer mounted slides which also may be constructed in accordance with the teachings in the Abrahamson et 211. patent.

Assembly In accordance with the present invention the furniture structures are assembled in inverted relationship and, in general, the invention offers the important advantage of permitting all assembly work to be performed externally. In the assembly the desk top is first placed on the floor with its prepunched underneath face uppermost and the holes which are punched on 3" centers in the tops allow a selection of the attachment position for the C-channels and 141 which are then placed on the exposed face of the top. The C-channels have holes punched on 1 /2" centers. In the description herein the term base set as applied to the desks or other units refers to the C-channels plus the support structures such as the pedestals or the end support panels and the length of the base set is therefore equal to the length of the C-channels that are employed.

With the C-

channels

140 and 141 fixed in place on the top and accurately spaced apart in accordance with the relationship of the holes in the top, the C-channels mate to and nest within the grooves of the pedestals to permit of setting each pedestal on the top with the upper end of the pedestal resting flush against the underface of the top. The attachment lugs 131 at the upper corners of each pedestal are located adjacent to the C-channels and are equipped with swing nuts 142 and when the pedestal is properly positioned endwise relative to the top the swing nuts are enterable into the pockets of the C-channels and, upon tightening thereof, are engaged behind the ledges of the C-channels. It will be apparent that with this construction the position of the pedestal is selectable along the length of the C-channel.

After the swing nuts 142 in the four upper attachment pads 131 of the pedestals are securely fastened in the C-channels 140 and 14-1, the support legs are fitted into place by first hooking the notched upper end thereof within the slots of the U-elip 134 within the vertical run of the mounting groove of the pedestal and then swinging the leg into fully nested relation within the groove where it is secured by a leg screw 1508 in the lower corner attachment pad 132 of the pedestals. The upper attachment pads 131 and swing nut fasteners 142 are masked within the upper ends of the legs and the lower attachment pad 132 is retained fully within the pedestal groove and therefore these elements are not visible nor are they subject to catching or snagging on anything or anyone.

The fillers 151 on the inner faces of the pedestals are attached in a similar fashion. It is preferable that these fillers project beyond the vertical face of the desk pedestals to a distance on the order of.%". The fillers at the rear of the desk are provided with screw holes adja cent the upper and lower ends of their external'face for use in attaching the knee space panel 170 by means of the screws 172.

The lower ones of the mounting screws 172 can function as pivot axles for swingably mounting the knee space panel 170, this being achieved simply by removing the upper mounting screws and loosening the lower screws slightly. In this connection it is desirable that side clearance be provided to accommodate swinging movement of the panel without fear of scratching or otherwise marring the adjacent pedestal face. For this purpose the filler channels 151 project beyond theplane of the pedestal face.

It will also be noted that the screw holes in the upper and lower attachmentpads 1'31 and 132 are identically spaced on both faces of the pedestal and the support legs 150 and filler channels 151 .have .identical matching mounting hole arrangements to permit of free interchangeability of the various parts.

The center drawer assembly 160, as mentioned previously, may be secured in position either prior to or after the attachment of the pedestals.

The assembly procedures for the other units of this line of furniture are generally like those described with reference to the desk of FIG. 1. The present line features matching hole spacings throughout the entire line of components and framing members and this gives the equipment versatility and interchangeability unequaled in this art.

L-Unit Connection Details In the side mounted offset top L-unit desk arrangement shown in FIGS. 2, 2A, 2B and'ZC, special connectors in the form of joint plugs 290 are provided for connecting the C-channels 240' and 241" to a drop mounting bracket 291 which is in turn secured to an apron 292 that has integral end flanges 292F for attachment to end panel 280 at one end and to the adjacent side guide rail 261 of the center drawer assembly. Each joint plug 290 is of inverted channel-shaped cross-sectional configuration for slidable insertion endwise into the pocket of the C-

channels

240 and 241 and has a C-shaped locator band 290C secured externally thereon by welding or other suitable means. Each joint plug is provided with holes 290H matched to the spacing of mounting holes of the C-channels 240' and 241.

In assembling an L-unit'desk the apron 292 is first secured in abutting underlying relation along the end of the C-channel 240 that is affixed to the main desk top 210, this apron being anchored by means of screws 2928 which project through'its end flanges 292F into the end support panel 280 and side guide rail 261 of the center drawer assembly. The drop mounting bracket 291 has an inwardly directed lip 291U along its upper edge and provided with spaced apertures for receiving mounting screws 291Swhich are equipped with swing nuts that are to be anchored in the C-channel. The drop mounting bracket has an outwardly turned lip 291L along its lower edge. The vertical wall portion of the bracket 291'located immediately above the lip 291L is apertured to receive mounting screws 291M which project horizontally therethrough to engage in a tapped hole provided in a vertical end flange 290F.on the joint plug 290. Tightening of the mounting screws 291M then draws the --top tightto the bracket .291 with a filler block 293 clamped therebetween.

With the main desk section completely assembled and with the apron 292, the drop mounting bracket 291, the joint plugs 290, and the filler block 293 properly assembled thereto,. and with theside desk section completely assembled, the desk 'sectionsare readily interconnected by fitting the joint plugs 290 into the C-chan- It) nels 240' and 241'. When the parts are in properly assembled relation, the bolt holes of the joint plugs will be in registry with the bolt holes in the C-channels and a bolt 294 and nut 295 is then secured in each set of registering holes to lock the desk sections in predetermined fixed relationship.

In the side mounted flush top L-unit desk arrangement shown in FIGS. 3, 3A, and 3B, an identical joint plug structure 390 equipped with a C-shaped locator band 390C and having corresponding bolts holes for registry with bolt holes in the C-channels340' of the side mounted desk section is again employed. The joint plug includes an integral upstanding apertured flange 390F to abut against the side face of the C-channel 340 of the main desk section. One of the joint plugs registers with the end mounting hole 44 of the G-channel while the other joint plug registers with the mounting hole 47 (see FIG. 3B), with through bolts 394 anchoring in tapped holes in the joint plug end flanges 390F to draw the joint plug towards the C-channel. An apron 392 is shown underlying the C-channel 340 of the main desk section.

The simplicity of this arrangement for connecting the flush mounted L-unit and the ease of assembly will be apparent in view of the foregoing description.

What is claimed is:

1. In a construction of the class described, in combination a top, a box-shaped support pedestal having exterior recesses having horizontal portions extending across the upper end of said pedestal and vertical portions extending down opposite side Walls thereof, means including a set of mounting members secured to said top and nestable in the horizontal recesses across the upper end of said pedestal and fasteners receivable in the upper end of the vertical recesses to engage said mounting membersfor securing said pedestals to said top and a separate leg shaped member in each vertical recess to mask the fastener at the upper end thereof.

2. In a construction that includes a top, a base set of elongated mounting members fixed to the underside of the top to extend endwise thereof and in parallel laterally spaced apart relation, and support structures for opposite ends of the top, the improvement wherein one of said support structures is of box-shaped .configuration and has full length horizontal recesses across its upper end and disposed in parallel spaced apart relation for receiving said mounting members and has vertical recesses intersecting said horizontal recesses, said one support structure having horizontal mounting pads overhanging said vertical recesses, fasteners located at the upper end of said vertical recesses and securing said mounting pads to said mounting members, a separate leg-shaped member in each vertical recess to mask the mounting pad and fastener at the upper end thereof and means fixing each leg-shaped member to said one support structure.

3. In a construction that includes a top having attachment surfaces at predetermined locations on itsunderneath side and support structures for opposite ends of the top and connected thereto, the improvement wherein one of said support structures is of box-shaped configuration and has vertical exterior recesses along its'opposite vertical walls, said one support structure having horizontal mounting'walls fixed thereon at locations overhanging said recesses and registrable with said attachment surfaces, fasteners located at the upper end of said recesses and securing said mounting walls to said attachment surfaces, a separate leg shaped member extending lengthwise in each recess to mask the mounting wall and fastener at the upper end thereof and means fixing each member to said one support structure to retain each member in its corresponding recess.

4. In a construction that includes a top having attachment surfaces at predetermined locations on its underneath side and support structures for opposite ends of ill the top and connected thereto, the improvement wherein one of said support structures is a drawer pedestal of box-shaped configuration and has mounting pads rigidly mounted thereon and projecting horizontally from selected points adjacent each of its upper corners for register with said attachment surfaces, fasteners securing said mounting pads to said attachment surfaces to lock said one support structure to said top, a separate leg shaped member fixed to said one support structure to extend vertically therealong and mask each separate mounting pad and fastener and means fixing each member to said one support structure.

5. A construction of the class described and comprising a horizontal top, a set of horizontally elongated mounting members fixed to the underside of the top to extend endwise thereof and in parallel spaced apart relation therebeneath, each of said mounting members having a vertical side wall provided with a series of holes spaced apart horizontally therealong, support structures for opposite ends of the top, at least one of said support structures comprising a vertical panel offset from and spanning the ends of said mounting members, gusset plates fixed to said panel adjacent its opposite upper corners to extend adjacent and alongside the vertical side Walls of said mounting members, and fasteners carried by said gusset plates and projecting through said holes to engage said plates to said mounting members for fixing said panel in supporting position beneath one end of said top.

6. A construction of the class described and comprising, a top having an underneath plate provided with a series of holes in predetermined arrangement, a base set of elongated form and provided with a series of holes in predetermined arrangement for registration with the holes in the top at selected predetermined spaced positions end to end and fore and aft of said top, and means engageable through the holes in said top and said base set for fastening said base set to said top at a predetermined selected position, said base set having elongated attachment surfaces extending in a direction end to end of said top, support structure mounted beneath said base set adjacent opposite ends thereof, and means engageable in said support structure and interlocked with said attachment surfaces to secure said support structure to said base set at any selected position therealong.

7. A construction of the class described and comprising a top having an underneath plate provided with a series of holes in predetermined arrangement, a base set of elongated form and provided with a series of holes in predetermined arrangement for registration with the holes in the top at selected predetermined spaced positions end to end and fore and aft of said top, and means engageable through the holes in said top and said base set for fastening said base set to said top at a predetermined selected position, said base set having elongated attachment surfaces extending in a direction end to end of said top, support structure mounted beneath said base set adjacent opposite ends thereof, said support structure having mounting pads fixed at points thereon spaced apart endwise of said top to project horizontally therefrom, and fasteners in said mounting pads and engageable with said attachment surfaces to secure said support structure to said base set at any selected position therealong.

8. A pedestal construction for universal application in desks, bookcases, credenzas and the like and comprising a front end frame of rectangular cross-sectional configuration and having an outwardly opening mounting groove disposed in externally exposed recessed relation therein at a location adjacent its rearward edge, a rear end frame of corresponding rectangular cross-sectional configuration and having an outwardly opening mounting groove disposed in externally exposed recessed relation therein at a location adjacent its forward edge, and bottom and side panels bridged between said front and rear end frames and having front and rear edge flanges, said front edge flanges being engaged in the rear region of the groove of said front frame and said rear edge flanges being engaged in the front region of the groove of said rear frame to lock said end frames together and provide a hollow boxshaped body having exterior grooves encircling said body in parallel spaced apart relation.

9. A matched set of components and framing elements for assembly into an article of furniture that has a top, side members supporting said top at opposite ends thereof and legs on said side members, said matched set comprising a top component having a flat lengthwise and transversely extending underface provided with prepunched transversely spaced rows of mounting holes, with the holes in each row being spaced lengthwise in predetermined relation, elongated mounting elements having a prepunched line of holes for lengthwise alignment and registry at various different selectable positions with the mounting holes of said top component to locate said mounting elements in various different lengthwise spaced positions relative to said top component, side support members at opposite ends of said top and having side member attachment facilitaties spaced apart transversely in accordance with the row spacing and matched to said mounting elements for fixed engagement therewith, said side members having vertical exterior grooves aligned with said side member attachment facilities and said side members also being provided with leg attachment facilities in predetermined vertically spaced relation, and legs nestable in said grooves and having complementary vertically spaced attachment facilities for engagement with the last named leg attachment facilities.

10. A construction of the class described comprising a separate top, support structures connected to said top beneath regions of the top adjacent and offset inwardly of opposite ends thereof, one of said support structures including a vertical outer side wall extending crosswise beneath one end of said top, said wall having a vertically extending recess, a vertical support leg nested in said recess and extending beneath said wall, a vertical pad rigid with and depending from said Wall at the lower end of said recess, said pad and said leg having corresponding holes, attachment structure at the upper end of said leg supportingly engageable with cooperating attachment structure on said wall adjacent the upper end of said recess to mount said leg in said recess with said holes in register and fastener means in said holes to fix said leg to said pad.

11. A matched set of components and framing elements for assembly into an article of furniture that has a top, side members supporting said top at opposite ends thereof and legs on said side members, said matched set comprising a top component having a flat lengthwise and transversely extending underface provided with prepunched transversely spaced rows of mounting holes, with the holes in each row being spaced lengthwise in predetermined relation, elongated mounting elements having a prepunched line of holes for lengthwise alignment and registry at various different selectable positions with the mounting holes of said top component to locate said mounting elements in various different lengthwise spaced positions relative to said top component means underlying one end of said top and connected in rigid supporting relation thereto, a support pedestal to engage underneath the other end of said top and having an upper face provided with a pair of horizontal recesses spaced apart in accordance with said row spacing and matched to said mounting elements to receive said mounting elements within said recesses, first attachment facilities to engage between said pedestal and each of said mounting elements, said pedestal having side wall structure provided with a pair of spaced apart coextensive vertical exterior recesses, said side wall structure having leg attachment facilities in predetermined vertically spaced relation along each of said vertical recesses, and a separate leg nestable in each vertical recess and having complementary vertically spaced amass? 13 attachment facilities for engagement with the last named leg attachment facilities.

12. A matched set in accordance with claim 11 and wherein each of said mounting elements is a Q-channel having an elongated opening facing downwardly and flanked by attachment ledges and said first attachment facilities comprise separate fasteners each to engage said pedestal and project upwardly through the opening of the corresponding channel to engage in overlying relation with the ledges thereof.

13. A construction of the class described and comprising a top having an underneath plate provided with a series of holes in predetermined arrangement, a set of C channels each provided with a series of holes in predetermined arrangement for registration with the holes in said plate at selected predetermined spaced positions end to end and fore and aft of said top, means engageable through the holes in said plates and said C-channels for fastening said C-channels to said top in a predetermined spaced position, each of said C-channels having an elongated opening facing downwardly and flanked by attachment ledge portions thereof, separate support structures mounted beneath said top adjacent opposite ends thereof, and a plurality of separate fasteners engaged in each support structure and projecting upwardly through the opening of the corresponding channel to engage in overling relation with the ledge portions thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 194,890 Camp Sept. 4, 1877 1,115,996 Wilson Nov. 3, 1914 1,292,946 Yawman Jan. 28, 1919 1,918,780 Rand July 18, 1933 2,240,767 Friedel May 6, 1941 2,576,409 Michaelis Nov. 27, 1951 2,686,704 Wolters Aug. 17, 1954 2,759,779 Bergman Aug. 21, 1956 2,778,703 McBride Jan. 22, 1957 2,915,351 Shinn Dec. 1, 1959 2,940,804 Bullock June 14, 1960 2,973,232 Knoll Feb. 28, 1961 2,992,055 Kass July 11, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 162,779 Great Britain May 3, 1921 579,684 Great Britain Aug. 13, 1946 679,312 Great Britain Sept. 17, 1952 787,825 Great Britain Dec. 18, 1957

Claims

1. IN A CONSTRUCTION OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED, IN COMBINATION A TOP, A BOX-SHAPED SUPPORT PEDESTAL HAVING EXTERIOR RECESSES HAVING HORIZONTAL PORTIONS EXTENDING ACROSS THE UPPER END OF SAID PEDESTAL AND VERTICAL PORTIONS EXTENDING DOWN OPPOSITE SIDE WALLS THEREOF, MEANS INCLUDING A SET OF MOUNTING MEMBERS SECURED TO SAID TOP AND NESTABLE IN THE HORIZONTAL RECESSES ACROSS THE UPPER END OF SAID PEDESTAL AND FASTENERS RECEIVABLE IN THE UPPER END OF THE VERTICAL RECESSES TO ENGAGE SAID MOUNTING MEMBERS FOR SECURING SAID PEDESTALS TO SAID TOP AND A SEPARATE LEG SHAPED MEMBER IN EACH VERTICAL RECESS TO MASK THE FASTENER AT THE UPPER END THEREOF.