FREESTANDING WORKSTATION
A freestanding workstation includes a desk assembly and a supported hutch assembly, wherein the desk assembly includes a privacy screen that is telescopingly adjustable, thereby allowing adjustment of the overall length thereof and use within desk assemblies of varying lengths. The hutch assembly includes a drop-in tackboard extending along a rear wall thereof, and wire routing assemblies extending along support members for supporting a storage bin, and for housing communication and electrical lines associated with the workstation.
This is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/789,597, filed Feb. 27, 2004, entitled FREESTANDING WORKSTATION, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a freestanding workstation, and in particular to a highly adjustable and easily assembled workstation.
Freestanding workstations are used in a wide variety of office environments, and typically require both easy adjustment and reconfiguration. These workstations typically include a desk assembly having a worksurface, and a hutch assembly supported above the worksurface and including a storage bin for storing office-associated materials and equipment therein.
Heretofore, the desk assemblies associated with these workstations have required specialized parts usable only in a desk and/or hutch of a particular size. As a result, desk assemblies of varying sizes require completely different components, thereby adding to the manufacturing cost of each of these units by requiring specialized manufacturing equipment. Further, components constructed for a desk assembly of a particular size that are not compatible with desk assemblies of different sizes add to costs associated with material handling and logistics. These workstations have also been difficult to assemble, may require specialized tools, and at times specialized knowledgeable personnel.
A workstation is desired that incorporates components usable between workstations of varying sizes and configurations, while simultaneously being quick and easy to assemble and disassemble without the requirement of specialized equipment, tools and/or personnel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONOne aspect of the present invention is to provide a privacy screen for use within a desk assembly having a worksurface and an open span located below the worksurface, the privacy screen including a first member having a generally planar first portion, a first flange extending longitudinally along the first planar portion, and a first end adapted to be secured to a desk assembly within an open span located below a worksurface of the desk assembly. The privacy screen also includes a second member having a generally planar second portion, a second flange extending longitudinally along the second planar portion and configured to telescopingly receive the first flange of the first member therein such that the planar second portion is substantially proximate the planar first portion, and a second end adapted to be secured to the desk assembly within the span located below the worksurface of the desk assembly. The first member and the second member is telescopingly adjustable with respect to one another, thereby allowing adjustment of an overall length of the privacy screen extending between the first end and the second end.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a desk assembly that includes a worksurface, a first supporting member supporting the worksurface, and a second supporting member supporting a worksurface, wherein the first supporting member and the second supporting member cooperate to define a span therebetween. The desk assembly also includes a first privacy screen assembly including a first member having a generally planar first portion, a first flange extending longitudinally along the planar first portion, and a first end adapted to be secured to the first supporting member. The privacy screen also includes a second member having a generally planar second portion, a second flange extending longitudinally along the planar second portion and telescopingly received within the first flange of the first member such that the planar second portion is substantially proximate the planar first portion, and a second end secured to the second support member, such that the first member and the second member are telescopingly adjusted with respect to one another to extend across an entire length of the span.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a hutch assembly that includes a storage bin, and at least one support member adapted to support the storage bin above a worksurface, thereby defining an open span between the storage bin and the worksurface. The hutch assembly also includes an upper track member located below the storage bin and including a first pocket defining a first depth, and a lower track member adapted to be located above the worksurface and including a second pocket defining a second depth that is less than the first depth. The hutch assembly further includes a substantially planar tackboard having an upper edge and a lower edge wherein the tackboard is located within the upper and lower tracks by inserting the upper edge of the tackboard into the first pocket of the upper track, positioning the lower edge of the tackboard over the second pocket of the lower track, and lowering the lower edge of the tackboard into the second pocket.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a wire routing assembly that includes a housing member including a plurality of laterally-extending, spaced apart, flexibly resilient fingers forming at least a part of a rearwall and a first sidewall, and a longitudinally-extending second wall opposed across the rearwall from the first sidewall, wherein the first sidewall includes a first portion of a first coupler, and the second sidewall includes a first portion of a second coupler. The wire routing assembly also includes a cover member that includes a body portion having a longitudinally-extending first edge and a longitudinally-extending second edge opposed across the body portion from the first edge, a second portion of the first coupler extending along the first edge of the body portion and adapted to couple with the first portion of the first coupler, and a second portion of the second coupler extending along the second edge of the body portion and adapted to couple with the first portion of the second coupler. The cover member is connected with the housing member by flexing the fingers of the housing member, thereby allowing coupling of the first and second portions of the coupler, and coupling the first and second portions of the second coupler.
Still yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a hutch assembly that includes a storage portion, and at least one support member adapted to support the storage portion above a worksurface, wherein the at least one support member has an inner surface and a channel extending into and longitudinally along the inner surface. The hutch assembly also includes a wire routing assembly that includes a housing including a plurality of laterally-extending, spaced apart, flexibly resilient fingers forming at least a part of a rearwall and a sidewall, and a longitudinally-extending second wall opposed across the rear from the first sidewall, wherein the first sidewall includes a first portion of a first coupler, and the second sidewall includes a first portion of a second coupler, and wherein the housing is located within the channel of the at least one support member. The wire routing assembly also includes a cover member including a body portion having a longitudinally-extending first edge and a longitudinally-extending second edge opposed across the body portion from the first edge, a second portion of the first coupler extending along the first edge and adapted to couple with the first portion of the first coupler, and a second portion of the second coupler extending along the second edge and adapted to couple with the first portion of the second coupler. The cover member is connected with the housing member by flexing the fingers of the housing member, thereby allowing coupling of the first and second portions of the first coupler and coupling of the first and second portions of the second coupler.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a hutch assembly that includes a storage portion, and at least one support member adapted to support the storage portion above a worksurface, wherein the at least one support member includes an inner surface and a channel extending into and longitudinally along the inner surface, and wherein the channel includes a pair of opposed walls each having an inwardly-facing surface. The storage assembly also includes a cover member including a body portion and a pair of sidewalls extending longitudinally along and substantially orthogonally from the body portion, wherein each side wall of the cover member has an outwardly-facing surface. The cover member is coupled with the at least one support member by positioning the cover member within the channel such that the outwardly-facing surface of each wall of the cover member frictionally engages the inner-facing surface of the respective wall of the channel. The cover member cooperates with the channel to form a wire passageway therebetween.
The present inventive freestanding workstation has comparatively reduced manufacturing costs, includes an uncomplicated design, is economical to manufacture, can be easily and quickly assembled by even unskilled personnel and is particularly well adapted for the proposed use.
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.
For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
The reference numeral 10 (
Each leg 200 (
The privacy screen 26 (
In assembly, as best illustrated in
The privacy screen 26 (
The rearwall 50 (
As best illustrated in
The rearwall 50 further includes a pair of end flanges 120 each having a plurality of apertures 122 that receive mounting hardware such as screws 124 therein for securing the rearwall 50 to the end walls 34 of the hutch assembly 14. A plurality of apertures 105 extend through the top wall 104 of the upper track member 100 and the bottom wall 108 of the lower track member 102 for securing the rearwall 50 to the bottom wall 30 of the storage bin 28 and the worksurface 22, respectively. The rearwall 50 further includes an aperture 128 located proximate the lower track member 102 and the end flanges 120. Each aperture 128 is adapted to receive electrical and communication lines therethrough as typically associated with an office-type setting.
The hutch assembly 14 further includes a pair of wire routing assemblies 130 (
In assembly, the housing member 136 (
In an alternative embodiment, a single-piece wire cover 230 (
In assembly, each cover 230 is placed within an associated channel 132 such that the outer surfaces of each flange 238 frictionally engage the sidewalls of the channel 132, thereby holding the cover 230 within the channel 132.
In another alternative embodiment, a rearwall 50a is constructed to provide a gap 240 between the bottom of the rearwall 50a and the worksurface 12 when the rearwall 50a is positioned within the workstation 10. Since the rearwall 50a is similar to the previously-described rearwall 50, similar parts appearing in
In assembly, the rearwall 50a is assembled within the workstation 10 as previously described. The gap 240 is then covered from view by the strip member 242. Specifically, the strip member 242 is fitted onto the lower track member 102a by flexing the strip member 242 such that the lower track member 102a is located within the gap 251 and the cover wall 252 extends below the lower track member 102a and preferably contacts the worksurface 12. Communication and electrical lines can be routed anywhere along the length of the gap 240, thereby providing significant versatility and adaptability to the office environment and specifically to the workstation 10.
The present inventive freestanding workstation has comparatively reduced manufacturing costs, includes an uncomplicated design, is economical to manufacture, can be easily and quickly assembled by even unskilled personnel and is particularly well adapted for the proposed use.
In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims, unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
Claims
1. A hutch assembly, comprising:
- a storage portion;
- at least one support member adapted to support the storage portion above a worksurface, the at least one support member having an inner surface and a channel extending into and longitudinally along the inner surface, the channel including a pair of opposed walls each having an inwardly facing surface; and
- a cover member including a body portion and pair of side walls extending longitudinally along and substantially orthogonally from the body portion, each side wall of the cover member having an outwardly facing surface;
- wherein the cover member is coupled with the at least one support member by positioning the cover member within the channel such that the outwardly facing surface of each wall of the cover member frictionally engages the inwardly facing surface of the respective wall of the channel, and wherein the cover member cooperates with the channel to form a wire passageway therebetween.
2. The hutch assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover member includes at least one notch extending therethrough that is adapted to receive wires therethrough.
3. The hutch assembly of claim 2, wherein the at least one notch is located within the body portion.
4. The hutch assembly of claim 2, wherein the at least one notch is substantially rectangularly shaped.
5. The hutch assembly of claim 2, wherein the at least one notch is located substantially proximate the storage portion.
6. The hutch assembly of claim 2, wherein the at least one notch includes a pair of notches located at opposites ends of the cover member.
7. The hutch assembly of claim 6, wherein at least one of the pair of notches is adapted to be located substantially proximate a worksurface.
8. The hutch assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the support member and an outer surface of the body portion of the cover member comprise a similar aesthetic appearance.
9. The hutch assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the support member and an outer surface of the body portion of the cover member are substantially flush when the cover member is coupled with the support member.
10. A workstation, comprising:
- a desk assembly comprising a worksurface; and
- a hutch assembly comprising: a storage portion; at least one support member adapted to support the storage portion above a worksurface, the at least one support member having an inner surface and a channel extending into and longitudinally along the inner surface, the channel including a pair of opposed walls each having an inwardly facing surface; and a cover member including a body portion and pair of side walls extending longitudinally along and substantially orthogonally from the body portion, each side wall of the cover member having an outwardly facing surface; wherein the cover member is coupled with the at least one support member by positioning the cover member within the channel such that the outwardly facing surface of each wall of the cover member frictionally engages the inwardly facing surface of the respective wall of the channel, and wherein the cover member cooperates with the channel to form a wire passageway therebetween.
11. The workstation of claim 10, wherein the cover member includes at least one notch extending therethrough that is adapted to receive wires therethrough.
12. The workstation of claim 11, wherein the at least one notch is located within the body portion.
13. The workstation of claim 11, wherein the at least one notch is substantially rectangularly-shaped.
14. The workstation of claim 11, wherein the at least one notch is located substantially proximate the storage portion.
15. The workstation of claim 11, wherein the at least one notch includes a pair of notches located at opposites ends of the cover member.
16. The workstation of claim 15, wherein at least one of the pair of notches is located substantially proximate the worksurface.
17. The workstation of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the support member and the outer surface of the body portion of the cover member comprise a similar aesthetic appearance.
18. The workstation of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the support member and an outer surface of the body portion of the cover member are substantially flush when the cover member is coupled with the support member.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 1, 2008
Publication Date: Nov 20, 2008
Inventors: Kirt Martin (Alto, MI), Alan E. Rheault (Grand Rapids, MI), Daniel R. Van Dyk (Belding, MI), David C. Eberlein (Hudsonville, MI), Mark A. Groenheide (Hudsonville, MI)
Application Number: 12/184,462
International Classification: A47B 81/00 (20060101);