Secretary with work surface wings

Abstract

A secretary with work surface wings has a base, a desktop connected with the base, a wing support connected with the base, and a wing hingedly connected with the wing support. The base may be a floor standing base. The desktop may have first and second desktop ends and provide a user with a work surface. The wing may have a wing mating edge that is adapted to mate with the first desktop end. The wing hinges between stored and extended positions with the wing mating edge mating with the first desktop end in the extended position and adding to the work surface. A releasable coupling may further be used between the wing and the desktop. Also, a pivot may be interposed between the wing support and the base, with the wing support pivoting between open and closed positions relative to the base.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a non-provisional application based on and claiming the filing priority of co-pending provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/195,845, Apr. 11, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to an item of furniture that conceals a desk. More particularly, the item of furniture presents an appearance of a traditional furniture cabinet in which the front of the furniture is closed by doors and the contents of the cabinet are conceal.

[0003] The presence of an office in the home is an increasing trend. A home office may be used for household finances or for doing business work at home. A popular use in a home office is the operation of a computer in the home. Home offices typically include a desk, file storage, and drawer storage.

[0004] With a premium on space in most homes and apartments, it is not always possible to dedicate a room solely to a home office, and even when a room can be dedicate solely to a home office, it is commonly desired to give the home office a more homey appearance than conventional office furniture typically provides. For these reasons, it is desirable to incorporate a desk, storage compartments, and computer hardware into a furniture unit that can be closed to conceal the fact that the unit is actually a desk, and to conceal storage and computer hardware, for example. A desk and accompanying storage compartments that are encloseable by doors to create the impression of a conventional home storage cabinet, buffet, or armoire, for example, and that are openable to provide a fully functioning desk are clearly desirable for the home office.

[0005] Further, computer hardware does not lend itself to blending in with any interior decor, not even traditional executive offices. Thus, the ability to conveniently access and conceal computer equipment in a furniture cabinet that presents an appearance of traditional storage furniture is very desirable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Accordingly, a secretary with work surface wings of the invention has a base, a desktop connected with the base, a wing support connected with the base, and a wing hingedly connected with the wing support. The base may be a floor standing base. The desktop may have first and second desktop ends and provide a user with a work surface. The wing may have a wing mating edge that is adapted to mate with the first desktop end. The wing hinges between stored and extended positions with the wing mating edge mating with the first desktop end in the extended position and adding to the work surface. A releasable coupling may further be used between the wing and the desktop. Also, a pivot may be interposed between the wing support and the base, with the wing support pivoting between open and closed positions relative to the base.

[0007] These and other features, objects, and benefits of the invention will be recognized by one having ordinary skill in the art and by those who practice the invention, from the specification, the claims, and the drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0008] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a secretary according to the invention;

[0009] FIG. 2 is another front perspective view thereof, showing the doors open and a work surface deployed;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view thereof;

[0011] FIG. 4 is another front elevational view thereof, showing the doors open and the work surface deployed;

[0012] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view thereof;

[0013] FIG. 6 is the view of FIG. 2, showing a storage drawer extended;

[0014] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary enlarged detail, showing the interrelation of a main work surface and an extension wing in perspective view;

[0015] FIG. 8 is another fragmentary enlarged detail, showing the interrelation of a main work surface and an extension wing in perspective view;

[0016] FIG. 9 is a fragmentary edge elevational view thereof in partial cross section, taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 7;

[0017] FIG. 10 is a fragmentary elevational view of a door interior face, showing an extension wing in a lowered position; and

[0018] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view thereof, along line XI-XI of FIG. 10; and

[0019] FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of a first alternative embodiment of a secretary according to the invention; and

[0020] FIG. 13 is another front perspective view thereof, showing the

[0021] FIG. 14 is a fragmentary top plan sectional view of a second alternative embodiment of a secretary according to the invention; and

[0022] FIG. 15 is the view of FIG. 14 with the work surface deployed; and

[0023] FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of a third alternative embodiment of a secretary according to the invention;

[0024] FIG. 17 is another front perspective view thereof, showing the doors open and the work surface deployed;

[0025] FIG. 18 is a front elevational view thereof;

[0026] FIG. 19 is another front elevational view thereof, showing the doors open and the work surface deployed;

[0027] FIG. 20 is a side elevational view thereof, and

[0028] FIG. 21 is the view of FIG. 17, showing a storage drawer extended.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] A secretary with work surface wings according to the invention as generally shown in the drawings figures and identified with reference number 50. The secretary 50 has a floor standing base 52, a desktop 54, a wing 56, and a wing support 58. While a preferred embodiment 50 is shown in the several views of the drawing to resemble an armoire storage cabinet when closed, one having ordinary skill in the art will know that the present invention may be employed in various alternative cabinet configurations.

[0030] The floor standing base 52 shown regarding secretary 50 includes side panels 62 and 64 that extend generally vertically upward from a floor and are spaced apart. The desktop 54 is connected with the base 52. More specifically, the desktop 54 is supported by the side panels 62 and 64. Further, the desktop 54 has first and second desktop ends 66 and 68, respectively, and is attached to the side panels 62 and 64 with slide track hardware as is commonly known. Thus, the desktop 54 slides between retracted and extended (FIGS. 2, 4, and 6) positions relative to the base 52.

[0031] A door 72 and 74 is hingedly connected with each of the two side panels 62 and 64. Further, the doors 72 and 74 move between open (FIGS. 2, 4, and 6) and closed (FIGS. 1, 3, and 5) positions. In the closed position the doors 72 and 74 close the secretary 50 and conceal its contents. With the doors 72 and 74 in the open position, the interior of the secretary 50 is revealed and a user may slide the desktop 54 to its extended position.

[0032] A wing 56 or 76 may be hingedly connected with either or each of the doors 72 and 74. So connected, the wing 56 or 76 may hinge between stored (FIGS. 10 and 11) and extended (FIGS. 2, 4, and 6) positions. A mounting block 78 (FIG. 4) may be used between wing 56 or 76 and door 72 or 74, respectively. Screw fasteners 82 (FIG. 4, 10, and 11) preferably extend through elongated apertures 84 in the mounting block 78. Use of elongated apertures 84 facilitates alignment or elevational adjustment of the wing 56 or 76 relative to the desktop 54. More specifically, the fastener 82 may include a machine screw or the like that is mated with a threaded insert that is seated within the door 72 or 74, for example.

[0033] The wing 56 or 76 is provided with a mating edge 92 that is adapted to mate with an adjacent end 66 or 68 of the desktop 54. The desktop end 66 or 68 corresponds to the wing mating edge 92. The wing 56 or 76 and desktop 54 are further releasably coupled in their respective extended positions. While numerous releasable coupling arrangements may be utilized, as understood by one having ordinary skill in the art, a lap or rabbet joint engagement (FIGS. 7-9) between the wing 56 or 76 and the desktop 54 in combination with a post 94 and aperture 96 coupling has been found to provide convenient and secure interconnection of the wing 56 or 76 with the desktop 54 in their respective extended positions. A wear plate 98 may also preferably be provided around the aperture 96.

[0034] While the drawing figures generally show the post 94 extending from the desktop side of the engagement between the wing 56 or 76 and the desktop 54, with the aperture 96 extending into the wing, one having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a particular user or maker of the invention may have a preference to reverse this relationship. Further, in the reversed relationship with the post 94 extending from the wing 56 or 76, one will notice that the post may serve double duty and also provide a bumper between the wing and the door instead of the bumper 102.

[0035] Further to the variations mentioned above, a secretary with work surface wings according to the invention may be incorporated in a cabinet 200 without an upper storage hutch (FIGS. 12 and 13). The cabinet 200 includes common elements with the secretary 50, namely, a base 252 with side panels 262 and 264. A desktop 254 is supported above a floor by the base 252. The desktop 254 is slidably connected with the side panels 262 and 264. At least one wing 256 is hingedly connected with a door or wing support 272. More preferably, another wing 276 is hingedly connected with another door or wing support 274.

[0036] In another exemplary embodiment 300 (FIGS. 14-15), the invention may also be implemented with a pull-out wing support 372 in the manner of self storing or pocket doors, commonly known in use with entertainment centers and the like. The desktop 354 has an end 366 that is adapted to mate with the wing 356, which is hingedly connected with the wing support 372 by a mounting block 378.

[0037] Another alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 16-21. This embodiment is the same as the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 except for the decorative exterior design of the secretary cabinet. The same numerals are used in FIGS. 16-21 as are used in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, with the exception that the numerals are primed. Otherwise, the construction and function of the components is the same as described above for FIGS. 1-6.

[0038] It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art and by those who practice the invention, that various modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosed concept. Various relational terms, including left, right, front, back, top, and bottom, for example, are used in the detailed description of the invention and in the claims only to convey relative positioning of various elements of the claimed invention. The scope of protection afforded is to be determined by the claims and by the breadth of interpretation allowed by law.

Claims

1. A secretary comprising:

a floor standing base;

a desktop connected with the base, the desktop having opposing first and second desktop ends, the desktop providing a user with a work surface;

a wing support connected with the base;

a wing hingedly connected with the wing support, the wing having a wing mating edge that is adapted to mate with the first desktop end, the wing hinging between stored and extended positions, the wing mating edge mating with the first desktop end in the extended position and adding to the work surface.

2. The secretary of

claim 1 further including a releasable coupling between the wing and the desktop.

3. The secretary of

claim 1 wherein the wing mating edge releasably couples with the first desktop end.

4. The secretary of

claim 1 further including a pivot between the wing support and the base, the wing pivoting relative to the base between open and closed positions.

5. The secretary of

claim 1 wherein the wing support is movable between open and closed positions.

6. The secretary of

claim 5 wherein the wing hinges between the stored and extended positions when the wing support is in the open position.

7. A secretary comprising:

a base;

a desktop connected with the base, the desktop having opposing first and second desktop ends;

a wing connected with the base, the wing having a mating edge that is adapted to mate with the first desktop end;

a pivot connected between the wing and the base;

a wing support connected between the pivot and the base.

8. The secretary of

claim 7 further including a releasable coupling between the wing and the desktop.

9. The secretary of

claim 7 wherein the wing mating edge releasably couples with the first desktop end.

10. The secretary of

claim 7 further including a pivot between the wing support and the base, the wing pivoting relative to the base between open and closed positions.

11. The secretary of

claim 7 wherein the wing support is movable between open and closed positions.

12. The secretary of

claim 11 wherein the wing hinges between the stored and extended positions when the wing support is in the open position.

13. A secretary comprising:

a base;

a desktop connected with the base, the desktop having opposing first and second desktop ends;

a pivot connected with the base;

a wing connected with the pivot, the wing having a mating edge that is adapted to mate with the first desktop end;

a wing support connected with the base.

14. The secretary of

claim 13 further including a releasable coupling between the wing and the desktop.

15. The secretary of

claim 13 wherein the wing mating edge releasably couples with the first desktop end.

16. The secretary of

claim 13 further including a pivot between the wing support and the base, the wing pivoting relative to the base between open and closed positions.

17. The secretary of

claim 13 wherein the wing support is movable between open and closed positions.

18. The secretary of

claim 17 wherein the wing hinges between the stored and extended positions when the wing support is in the open position.