Supports: cabinet structure – With movable components
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-09
2001-04-03
Cuomo, Peter M. (Department: 3624)
Supports: cabinet structure
With movable components
C312S249900, C312S314000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209977
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to furniture. In particular, this invention relates to mobile furniture for an office or the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various traditional designs for work places have been developed. Traditionally, workers were positioned in offices and were provided with desks, filing cabinets and the like. Each piece of furniture was relatively heavy and in many cases two people were required to move each piece of furniture. Each worker may be provided with an individual office which may be constructed using traditional construction methods (e.g. drywall and the like). Alternately, dividers had been used to create a number of individual offices in an open area.
More recently, office systems have been created which comprise, in combination, divider panels and support surfaces which may be hung on the panels to create a work station. While these office systems may be re-configured by a single worker, they are not intended to be reconfigured on a daily basis.
In order to deal with the addition of computers to the work place, additional pieces of furniture have been added to traditional furniture lines. Accordingly, in some cases, separate computer tables have been designed (see for example U.S. Pat. No. 4,491,375). Such pieces of furniture are intended for use with other pieces of furniture, such as desks, filing cabinets and the like so as to create a complete office environment.
Accordingly, one disadvantage of such designs is that they do not provide a mobile work station for a worker.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The instant invention provides a mobile work stationfor a single worker. It may be used in an office environment as well as in a home office environment. In design, the unit may replace a desk, a computer table and a filing cabinet in a single unit, all of which is mounted on wheels for ease of use.
In particular, in accordance with the instant invention there is provided an article comprising a main body portion defining a foot print for the article; a lower drawer having a front end and a rear end and slidably mounted with respect to the main body portion along a first line travel between a closed position and an open position, the front end of the lower drawer having at least one wheel associated therewith; and, an upper member slidably mounted with respect to the main body portion between an open position in which at least a portion of the upper member is horizontally displaced from the main body portion and a closed position in which the upper member is positioned within the foot print.
Accordingly, using the work station of the instant invention, people may easily be able to work together without significant difficulty. For example, if a number of people need to work together on a single project, they may each have a mobile work station that may house a computer and which may be wheeled to a common location. The people will then be able to work together for the desired purpose. Each person may have in their work station any current files which are required for the project (which may be stored in the lower drawer) and any tools which they may require for their project which may be stored in the upper drawer (anything from pens, pencils to drafting equipment and the like).
A further advantage of the instant invention is that by slidably mounting the top work surface to the work station, the work surface provides a convenient surface for a computer, especially a lap top computer. When the work surface is in the open position, an open area is preferably provided there below so that the user may bring their chair towards and preferably slightly under the work station so as to more ergonomically position themselves with respect to the keyboard.
In addition, by slidably mounting the work station in a different line of travel in which the lower drawer opens, the worker may have access to their files, as well as the contents of the upper drawer, while they are working on their computer. At the end of the day, the work station may easily be closed and rolled to a storage position if desired.
In one embodiment, the main body portion has a front end and a rear end, the front end of the main body portion having an opening to receive the lower drawer and the rear end of the main body portion having wheels associated therewith.
In another embodiment, the lower drawer has an upper perimeter defining open top and the article further comprises at least one slide having a first portion connected to the main body portion and a second portion connected to the lower drawer whereby the slide supports the upper perimeter in a horizontal plane when the lower drawer is open.
In another embodiment, the main body portion further comprises a compartment positioned beneath the upper member when the upper member is in the closed position, whereby the compartment defines an upper drawer which is open when the upper member is in the open position.
In another embodiment, the upper member has an upper surface which is flat to provide a work surface.
In another embodiment, the upper member slides at an angle which is preferably 90° to the first line of travel.
In accordance with the instant invention, there is also provided an article comprising: a main body portion; a lower drawer having a front end and a rear end and slidably mounted with respect to the main body portion along a first line travel between a closed position in which the lower drawer is received in the main body portion and an open position, the front end of the lower drawer having at least one wheel associated therewith; and, a member extendable outwardly with respect to the main body portion to an open position in which the member provides a generally horizontally disposed work surface which is displaced outwardly from the main body portion, the member moving outwardly in a second line of travel different to the first line of travel whereby the member has an open area there below when in the open position.
In accordance with the instant invention, there is also provided an article comprising: support means for receiving a lower drawer, the support means having a front and a rear, the rear having wheel means associated therewith; a lower drawer receivable in the support means and having a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion having wheel means for supporting the front portion of the lower drawer as the lower drawer moves outwardly from the support means in a first line of travel, the rear portion operatively connected to the support means for supporting the rear portion of the lower drawer as the lower drawer moves outwardly from the support means; and, a member having a flat surface moveable outwardly from the support means to provide a work surface having an open area there below.
In one embodiment, the support means further comprises a compartment positioned within the support means, whereby the compartment defines an upper drawer which is open when the member is moved outwardly from the support means.
In another embodiment, the member is slidably mounted on the support means.
In another embodiment, the compartment is positioned beneath the upper member when the upper member is in a closed position.
In another embodiment, the member moves outwardly at an angle of 90° to the to the first line of travel.
In accordance with another embodiment of the instant invention, there is provided an article comprising an upper drawer having side, front and rear panels; a lower drawer having side, front and rear panels; an exterior body defined by a plurality of the panels of the upper and lower drawers, the lower drawer movably mounted with respect to the upper drawer in a first line of travel and accessible from above when opened, the upper drawer openable in a second line of travel at an angle to the first line of travel; a plurality of legs provided adjacent the front panel of the lower drawer; a plurality of legs provided adjacent the rear panel of the upper drawer; and, at least one wheel associated with a forward portion of the lower drawer.
Another advantage of the instant invention
Breskin & Parr
Cuomo Peter M.
Fisher Michael J.
Global Contract Limited Partnership, an Ontario Limited Partners
Mendes da Costa Philip C.
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