WO2009027738A1 - Improvements in and relating to furniture - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a table comprising a substantially horizontal upper surface, a modesty board, and legs to support the upper surface at a working height, wherein the upper surface and modesty board are integrally formed such that they are arranged substantially orthogonally and the modesty board is arranged to be coupled to at least some of the legs to provide structural integrity to the table.

Description

Improvements in and relating to furniture

The present invention relates to work stations such as tables, desks or benches, finding particular, but not exclusive, use in schools or colleges.

Prior art desks or benches used in a typical classroom environment make use of dedicated pieces of furniture, generally capable of fulfilling only one particular function due to different height requirements for different arrangements of classroom where, for instance, in a laboratory situation, students will generally be standing and in a regular classroom, they will be sitting.

The type of furniture normally installed in a typical classroom will comprise a plurality of desks, each with one or more associated stools or chairs. Such desks are generally of a fixed configuration (i.e. height, depth and width) and do not offer a very flexible solution to most classrooms' furniture requirements. For classrooms requiring more specialised furniture, e.g. science labs craft/design workshops, food technology rooms, art rooms, textiles or graphics rooms, dedicated specialist benching is normally provided which may comprise integrated services, such as water, gas or electrical supplies. Such specialised benches tend to be fixed in position meaning that the layout and configuration of the classroom can not be altered to make it more suitable for use for other subjects .

Furthermore, recent regulatory standards have been introduced which dictate that school children should be seated at workstations according to their nominal height. For schools teaching pupils of a wide age range, such standards can pose a problem in that a classroom configured to teach children at a more junior level may be inappropriate for teaching pupils at more senior level and vice a versa. European standard EN1729 provides detailed guidance on parameters such as desk heights, elbow height and shoulder breadth related to different nominal ages and/or heights.

Figure 1 shows a chart illustrating the requirements of the EN1729 standard for different ages and sexes of children. This chart demonstrates the problems faced by schools in configuring a classroom which is almost inevitably going to be used by pupils of differing heights and proportions.

It is an aim of embodiments of the present invention to provide flexible, configurable, workstations which are able to be adapted for use in accommodating pupils of a variety of ages and also to be configurable to allow the classroom layout to be adapted to different needs. It is a further aim of embodiments of the present invention to address other problems with prior art classroom furniture whether disclosed herein or not.

According to the present invention, there is provided a table comprising a substantially horizontal upper surface, a modesty board, and legs to support the upper surface at a working height, wherein the upper surface and modesty board are integrally formed such that they are arranged substantially orthogonally and the modesty board is arranged to be coupled to at least some of the legs to provide structural integrity to the table. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a bench comprising integrated drainage means extending from a sink positioned at an upper surface of the bench to a lower portion of the bench, whereby the drainage means may be coupled to a drain positioned below the bench.

This has the advantage that a bench can be moved and the drainage for the sink included with the bench can be moved with the bench without exposing the drainpipes once the bench is moved away.

Preferably, the drain in the floor is sealable to prevent against the release of foul odours and recessed below a door to conceal the drain.

Preferred features of the invention will be apparent from the description which follows.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a chart illustrating the requirements of a particular standard for schoolroom seating;

Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 shows a side view of an embodiment of the present invention; Figures 4a-e show sample classroom layouts;

Figures 5a and 5b show how embodiments may be joined together; and

Figure 6 shows dado-trunking according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of the present invention in the form of an adjustable workstation for use in a classroom setting. The workstation 1 comprises a working surface 10, supported by a pair of supports 20.

The working surface 10 comprises a flat surface 11 upon which work may be performed. It also comprises an integrally formed modesty board 12 which is arranged to be orthogonal to the flat surface 11.

The working surface 10 is manufactured from a material such as solid grade laminate, MDF, plywood, solid wood or it could be manufactured from a moulded plastics material or other suitable material.

The working surface, which has a generally L-shaped cross- section provides rigidity and strength to the structure of the workstation 1. Once the pair of supports 20 are attached, then the structure of the workstation is stable, rigid and strong enough to be used as a writing desk, work bench, computer bench, laboratory bench or for most other classroom purposes.

By providing a unitary work surface 10, incorporating the modesty board 12, it is possible to construct a viable, sturdy work station using only 3 generic components - a single working surface 10 and a pair of supports 20. This enables a school to maintain a supply of suitable parts and construct a classroom according to a desired format simply, quickly and cost-effectively, while also complying with regulatory requirements.

The support 20 is manufactured from extruded steel or aluminium. Alternatively, it may be manufactured from other materials, using other processes, such as pressing, casting or moulding.

As shown in Figure 3, each support 20 comprises a pair of legs 21, joined by a horizontal upper member 22. Each leg 21 is terminated in an adjustable foot 23, which comprises a screw thread which permits the height of the leg to be adjusted. Above the adjustable foot 23, a packing piece can be inserted to allow more height adjustment if this is required

Furthermore, the support 20 comprises an additional height adjuster 24, which allows the height of the work surface 10 to be adjusted relative to the support 20. The height adjuster 24 comprises two connectors 24a, one of which is connected fixedly to the underside of the work surface 10 and the other of which is connected to the support 20.

The height adjuster 24 comprises a rigid member which is arranged to slide up or down within the leg 21 so that the height of the work surface can be raised or lowered as needed. Once the desired height has been selected, the height adjuster can be locked using a simple locking mechanism comprising a screw, nut and bolt, pin or ratchet mechanism.

Once a suitable height has been selected, the modesty board 12 is fastened into position using one or more fixing devices per leg 21. The combination of the locking action provided by height adjuster 24 and the fastening devices 25 ensures that the entire structure of the work station is rigid and stable.

The two different height adjustment means are provided to allow for the full range of height adjustment between the lowest possible configuration, which may correspond to use in an infant classroom, and the highest configuration, which may correspond to an adult-sized laboratory. If only a single height adjustment means was provided, the modesty board would need to be excessively large to provide for all possible height variations and provide the degree of structural integrity that it does. In fact, to provide the range of heights required, the modesty board could not be suitable dimensioned. The provision of the two different means allows for a wide range of adjustment and allows the modesty board to be maintained at a reasonable size.

In the configuration shown in Figure 2, the work station 1 is configured to be a stand-alone desk or work bench. However, each work station 1 is arranged to be semipermanently fixed to one or more other similar work stations, allowing longer runs of desk or bench space to be provided. This type of configuration may be appropriate to laboratory layouts and other practical subjects and lessons . To achieve this flexibility, each leg 21 of each support 20 is provided with two sets of fixing apertures for cooperation with fixing devices 25. This is shown in Figures 5a and 5b. Figure 5a shows the case where a workstation is configured in stand-alone mode. In this way, the modesty board 12 is positioned to align exactly with the outer edge of the leg 21 and a fastening device, such as a nut and bolt, is positioned to pass through complementary holes in the modesty board 12 and leg 21 so that the work surface 10 is secured in position. This configuration is used for stand alone work stations or at the end of a run of work stations connected together as described below.

Figures 4a-e show a range of different classroom layouts made possible through use of embodiments of the invention.

Figure 4a shows a typical classroom set up for group work. Each island of desks comprises three basic workbenches.

Figure 4b shows a classroom set up for a more practical subject, such as art or drafts. In this configuration, adjacent tables may be joined together as will be described.

Figure 4c shows a classroom set up as a laboratory with the benches located around the periphery being the same basic building block as the tables located in the central portion .

Figure 4d shows a classroom set up for food science or cookery The long run of benches in the centre of the classroom are each joined to their neighbour. Figure 4e shows a classroom set up for use as an art study room.

Each of the sample layouts shows the flexibility which may be achieved through use of embodiments of the present inventions. By use of the same basic building block in each case, a classroom can be configured for use in one of many different schemes or layouts.

Head teachers facing ever increasing space pressure can therefore adjust the use of a particular room with ease, without requiring a large stock of different types of furniture .

The basic building block in each case is the basic workbench or table which is configured in either standalone format or coupled to a neighbour as described below.

Figure 5a shows how the modest board 12 is attached to a leg 21, if the table 1 is used in standalone configuration or if it forms the end of a run of joined tables. The darkened portion 25 signifies the presence of a fastener, such as a pin, a screw, a nut or a bolt.

Figure 5b shows how a single support 20 can be used to join and support two adjacent work surfaces 10. In Figure 5b, a single leg 21 of a support 20 is placed adjacent the junction of two adjacent modesty boards 12 such that each modesty board 12 is attached to one of a pair of fixing apertures, as shown by the darkened area 25. This arrangement may be repeated as often as necessary to create a linear run of work stations of the desired configuration and length.

The upper connector 24a (as shown on Figure 3) is similarly arranged and also requires attachment to one of two sets of fixings or holes depending on whether it is a stand-alone or linked configuration.

In a typical room configuration, in which embodiments of the invention may be used, dado-trunking (as shown in Figure 6) is provided around the perimeter of the wall to house the supply means for services such as electrical power, gas, water or data/telecommunications. Such services may be used in a variety of different classroom settings, such as science laboratories, craft and design workshops, food technology rooms or general purpose classrooms. By providing such services around the perimeter of the room, the arrangement of the room furniture can be altered without needing to take account of the services. In prior art systems e.g. science laboratories, the services were integrally connected with the work benches, meaning that the classroom layout was fixed and could not be altered.

The trunking comprises one or more lengths of hollow conduit formed from a plastics material, steel or aluminium, the conduit being arranged to house the necessary pipes and/or cables and connections thereto.

A particular problem arises in connection with the water supply or rather with the drainage for disposing of the water. Taps are provided which extend from the dado trunking. Optional benches incorporating sinks may be arranged around the periphery of the room such that the taps are positioned above the sinks. However, since the benches may be removed and the layout of the room changed, the problem arises of how to deal with the drainage of the sinks .

In order to address this problem, the benches, which are movable, and may be provided with wheels for this purpose, provide a drainage pipe beneath the surface of the bench, which may preferably be concealed behind a cupboard or a set of drawers. The drainage pipe extends to the base of the bench where it emerges and may be releasably coupled to a waste system concealed in the floor of the room.

The concealed waste system comprises a hinged flap which covers a coupling to which the drainage pipe may be attached. Thus, when the bench is positioned adjacent the dado trunking, the tap may discharge into the sink and waste water can travel through the waste pipe and into the drainage system installed beneath the floor. When the bench is moved away and a different classroom layout is in use, the drainage coupling in the floor can be blanked off with a suitable cover to avoid the emission of foul odours, the hinged flap can be lowered and the drainage system is completely hidden from view.

By use of such an arrangement, a given classroom can be laid out with maximum flexibility, allowing it to be used for a variety of different uses without being constrained by the need to provide services at each and every bench or desk in the room. Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s) . The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A table comprising a substantially horizontal upper surface, a modesty board, and legs to support the upper surface at a working height, wherein the upper surface and modesty board are integrally formed such that they are arranged substantially orthogonally and the modesty board is arranged to be coupled to at least some of the legs to provide structural integrity to the table.

2. A table as claimed in claim 1 wherein the upper surface and modesty board are of unitary construction.

3. A table as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the upper surface and modesty board comprise one of solid grade laminate, MDF, plywood, solid wood or a moulded plastics material.

4. A table as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the legs comprise at least two pairs of supports positioned towards each lateral edge of the table.

5. A table as claimed in claim 4 wherein each support comprises a pair of legs joined by a substantially horizontal upper member.

6. A table as claimed in any preceding claim wherein at least one leg is arranged to comprise two sets of fixing apertures such that the modesty board of the table may be coupled to the first set of fixing apertures and the modesty board of an adjoining table may be coupled to the second set of fixing apertures.

7. A bench comprising integrated drainage means extending from a sink positioned at an upper surface of the bench to a lower portion of the bench, whereby the drainage means may be coupled to a drain positioned below the bench.