Horizontally supported planar surfaces – Having means for supporting an electrical component
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-31
2001-09-04
Chen, Jose V. (Department: 3636)
Horizontally supported planar surfaces
Having means for supporting an electrical component
C312S223600
Reexamination Certificate
active
06283043
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a furniture unit for use in trading rooms and the like, and in particular to a freestanding knock-down furniture arrangement that can be quickly and easily assembled on-site, rearranged and/or adjusted as required for a particular application.
Modern offices are becoming increasingly complicated and sophisticated due largely to the ever increasing needs of the users for improved utilities support at each workstation, such as communications, computers and other types of data processes, electronic displays, etc. For example, trading areas may have a plurality of trader desks arranged in a row, with various computer monitors, communications equipment, and the like supported on the trader desk. Existing trader desk arrangements may include a vertical screen or other structure positioned at the center of the trader desk. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,657 discloses to a desk system having a centrally positioned vertical slat wall that provides support for various platforms that, in turn, support computer monitors and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention is to provide a knock-down trader desk including a frame having at least two upright frame members and at least two horizontal beams. The beams releasably interconnect the upright frame members to form a freestanding knock-down rigid frame. A plurality of vertically oriented panels are detachably connected to the rigid frame to define a storage area within the rigid frame. The trader desk includes at least three worksurfaces including a pair of outer worksurfaces defining two opposed user accessible elongate edges. The trader desk also includes at least one central worksurface positioned above the storage area and between the outer worksurfaces. The three worksurfaces are engagable with the frame at a plurality of heights, such that the worksurfaces are selectively positionable at a plurality of heights. At least one access opening is provided for passing utility lines from the storage area to an upper surface of the central worksurface.
Another aspect of the present invention is a furniture unit having a knock-down construction including a frame with at least two upright members and at least two horizontally spaced-apart horizontal members. The horizontal members rigidly yet releasably interconnect the upright members to form a rigid frame. At least one generally horizontal worksurface is attached to the frame, and has at least one user accessible elongate edge. The furniture unit also includes a cable support member having opposed C-shaped ends forming hangers. Each of the hangers engage a selected horizontal frame member whereby the cable support member is suspended adjacent the worksurface.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is a trader desk including a frame having spaced-apart vertically extending frame portions defining a central space. A central worksurface extends horizontally into the central space, and the central worksurface is adjustably cantilevered to a selected one of the vertically extending frame portions in a manner permitting attachment of the center support member at a selected one of a plurality of heights within the upwardly-opening central space of the frame for supporting a display screen on the center support member at a selected height. A pair of horizontally spaced-apart outer worksurfaces are attached to the frame and positioned adjacent the central space with the central support between and below the outer worksurfaces.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is a freestanding furniture unit including a rigid frame having at least one vertically extending frame member. The frame member has an upper portion, and the frame has a lower portion adapted to abuttingly support the frame freestanding on a floor surface. First and second horizontal worksurfaces define concave curved edge portions adjacent the upper portion of the frame member, and the concave curved edge portions are horizontally spaced-apart from the upper portion of the vertically extending frame member to define a gap therebetween for routing of utility lines.
These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims, and appended drawings.
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Althofer Gerd
Howard Peter D.
Stern Timothy R.
Chen José V.
Price Heneveld Cooper DeWitt & Litton
Steelcase Development Corporation
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