MODULAR DESK ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A modular desk assembly may include systems for easily linking, pairing, or securing desk units to other desk units. Such a modular desk assembly may provide secure, interchangeable storage for electronic media.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 61/345,590, filed on May 17, 2010, entitled “Modular Desk Assembly,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure relates generally to desk assemblies and, more specifically, to modular desk assemblies.

BACKGROUND

Conventional desk systems typically include standalone desk units that cannot be easily linked with, paired with, or secured relative to other desk units. Moreover, conventional desk systems fail to integrate easily accessible and secure storage for computers, laptops, terminals, flat panel monitors, or other electronic media.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide a modular desk assembly that may include a first linked desk system comprising at least one side panel, at least one side bracket disposed along at least one surface of the at least one side panel, the at least one side bracket including at least one fastening mechanism to join the first linked desk system to a second linked desk system, and at least one nest to store electronic media, such as a laptop, flat-panel monitor, computer, central processing unit, monitor, terminal, television, electronic display, external drive, storage device, computer accessory, lighting system, circuit breaker, electrical outlet, telecommunications-related outlet, Ethernet outlet, wide area network (WAN) outlet, satellite outlet, cable outlet, audio/visual outlet, and/or wire management system. The at least one fastening mechanism may be selected from the group comprising a magnet, latch, fastener, chain, belt, and/or hook and loop fastener.

The first linked desk system also may include an alignment mechanism that may include ridges, grooves, and/or aligning tabs. The first linked desk system may further include recessed wheels disposed in an offset position relative to an outside surface of the at least one side panel. The recessed wheels may be caster wheels, faultless caster wheels, twin-wheel caster wheels, swivel wheels, general duty wheels, ball-bearing wheels, and/or self-lube bearing wheels. The first linked desk system also may be comprised of a panel disposed on the front side of the first linked desk system.

The at least one nest may include at least one insert to hold electronic media within the at least one nest. The at least one insert may include at least one support. The at least one nest may further include at least one locking mechanism to secure and lock electronic media in the at least one nest.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may further provide a modular desk assembly including a first linked desk system having at least one nest for interchangeable storage of electronic media and at least one fastening mechanism to secure the first linked desk system to a second linked desk system. The at least one nest may include at least one insert to hold electronic media within the at least one nest. The at least one insert also may include at least one support. The at least one fastening mechanism may be disposed on a surface of at least one side bracket.

Other embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a first linked desk system that may include side panels, each side panel having at least one side bracket with magnets disposed on the at least one side bracket to secure the first linked desk system to a second linked desk system. The at least one side bracket may be disposed along a distal surface of each of the side panels. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one side bracket may be disposed along a lower outer surface of each of the side panels. The first linked desk system also may include at least one nest. The at least one nest may include at least one insert to retain electronic media within the at least one nest. The magnets disposed on the at least one side bracket may be selected from the group comprising neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets, neodymium cup magnet assembly, nickel-plated magnets, multilayered magnets, and/or steel-housed magnets.

Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of this disclosure and its features, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular desk assembly system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the system shown in FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the system shown in FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a somewhat simplified illustration showing the relative positions of the magnets of two adjoining modular desk assembly systems according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the system shown in FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a nest insert for use with the system shown in FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the system shown in FIG. 1 having a cover and locking mechanism according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide a modular desk assembly that may include systems for easily linking, pairing, or securing desk units to other desk units. In certain embodiments, the present disclosure may provide a desk assembly with secure, interchangeable storage for electronic media.

FIGS. 1-7 are somewhat simplified illustrations of modular desk assembly system 100 and parts of system 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be understood that system 100 shown in FIGS. 1-7 are for illustrative purposes only and that any other suitable system or subsystem may be used in conjunction with or in lieu of system 100 and parts of system 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, system 100 may include surface 102, side panels 104a and 104b (collectively referred to herein as side panels 104), side brackets 106a and 106b (collectively referred to herein as side brackets 106), magnets 108a and 108b (collectively referred to herein as magnets 108), recessed wheels 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d (collectively referred to herein as recessed wheels 110), panel 112, nest 114, shelf 116, cable clearances 118a, 118b, 118c, 118d, 118e, and 118f (collectively referred to herein as cable clearances 118), supports 120a and 120b (collectively referred to herein as supports 120), insert 122, cover 124, and locking mechanism 126 as generally shown in FIGS. 1-7.

Surface 102 may be used as, for example, a workspace, writing surface, storage space, reading area, organization platform, other suitable uses, or any combination thereof according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Surface 102 may include one or more surfaces that are, for example, generally horizontal, semi-horizontal, inclined, tilted, two-tiered, multiple tiered, other suitably disposed, shaped, configured, or treated body, element, or surface, or any combination thereof.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, surface 102 may include any suitable surface, platform, plane, shelf, drawer, compartment, pocket, storage area, accessory, electrical outlet, telecommunications-related outlet, Ethernet outlet, wide area network (WAN) outlet, satellite outlet, cable outlet, audio/visual outlet, wire management system, other suitable structures, connections, outlets, or areas, or any combination thereof. It should be understood that surface 102 may be customized, reconfigured, or adjusted to provide a certain size, shape, configuration, position, purpose, utility, decorative look, other suitable disposition, or any combination thereof.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, surface 102 or parts of surface 102 may be made of, composed of, coated with, layered with, or otherwise include, for example, laminate, veneer, wood, cork, medium density fiber (MDF) board, particle board, melamine, granite, solid surface, tile, ceramic tile, fiberglass, soap stone, engineering stone, marble, concrete, slate, wood, butcher block, glass, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, metal, mesh, apertured material, plastic, blackboard material, wipe-off board material, mirror, paint, lacquer, polypropylene, polyurethane, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), silicon, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyester, high-gloss polyester, synthetic rubber, natural rubber, polymer, natural fiber, synthetic fiber, other suitable materials, or any combination thereof.

Side panels 104 may be used to generally support surface 102 or provide a partial enclosure or frame for system 100 as shown in FIG. 1 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Side panels 104 may be generally vertical, semi-vertical, inclined, tilted, two-tiered, multiple tiered, other suitably disposed, shaped, configured, or treated body, element, or surface, or any combination thereof. However, it should be appreciated that side panels 104 are not limited to solid structures. Side panels 104 may include any suitable surface, platform, plane, shelf, drawer, compartment, pocket, storage area, accessory, electrical outlet, telecommunications-related outlet, Ethernet outlet, WAN outlet, satellite outlet, cable outlet, audio/visual outlet, wire management system, other suitable structures, connections, outlets, or areas, or any combination thereof.

It should be understood that side panels 104 may be customized, reconfigured, or adjusted to provide a certain size, shape, configuration, position, purpose, utility, decorative look, other suitable disposition, or any combination thereof. In addition, it should be understood that side panels 104 may be made of, composed of, coated with, layered with, or otherwise include, materials similar to those described above with respect to surface 102.

Side brackets 106 may be disposed along a distal surface of side panels 104 and be customized, reconfigured, or adjusted to provide a certain size, shape, configuration, position, purpose, utility, decorative look, other suitable disposition, or any combination thereof. Side brackets 106 may be used to aid in supporting, mounting, securing, retaining, or otherwise anchoring recessed wheels 110. In embodiments of the present disclosure, side bracket 106b may be disposed along a lower outer and inner surface of side panel 104a and generally be used to support, mount, secure, retain, or anchor magnets 108. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, side bracket 106a may be disposed along a lower outer surface of side panel 104a and provide a generally magnetic or metallic mating or coupling surface for one or more magnets 108 associated with a second system 100.

Magnets 108 may be used to mate, couple, link, or otherwise join two or more systems 100 together. Magnets 108 may be any suitably shaped, sized, or configured magnets, set of magnets, or magnet-like materials. Magnets 108 may be affixed to one or more side brackets 106. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, magnets 108 may be affixed to one side of system 100 (e.g., uniformly on the left side of each system or disposed on side panel 104b rather than side panel 104a) as generally shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5. Although only two magnets 108 are shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5, it should be understood that any suitable number of magnets 108 may be used according to embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, system 100 may be configured to accommodate three magnets 108.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, magnets 108 may include a neodymium cup magnet assembly approximately 2 inches in diameter having a height of 5/16 inch. Magnets 108 may be comprised of, for example, neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB). Magnets 108 may be multilayered and nickel-plated, and may include a steel housing made of, for example, bright zinc-plated mild steel. Magnets 108 may be potted to any suitable surface using, for example, black potting epoxy.

It should be understood that in embodiments of the present disclosure, system 100 may include a latch, fastener, chain, belt, hook and loop fasteners, other suitable securing or retaining system, or any combination thereof in conjunction with or in lieu of magnets 108. It should also be understood that system 100 may include ridges, grooves, aligning tabs, or other shapes to aid in matching up or otherwise aligning one system 100 to another system 100.

Recessed wheels 110 may be used to allow mobility of system 100 and may be generally disposed in an offset position relative to an outside surface of side panel 104a. Thus, first linked desk system 100 may be linked or otherwise joined to second desk system 100 and positioned flush next to each other as generally shown in FIG. 4. Recessed wheels 110 may include, for example, caster wheels, faultless caster wheels, twin-wheel caster wheels, swivel wheels, general duty wheels, ball-bearing wheels, self-lube bearing wheels, other suitable wheel type, or any combination thereof. In embodiments of the present disclosure, recessed wheels 110 may include 3-inch caster wheels having a lock brake system, matching swivel option, fully heat treated dual ball bearing raceways, matching thread guards, and precision bearing wheels with a nut and bolt axle.

Panel 112 may be generally disposed on a front side of system 100 and used as a modesty panel for system 100 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5. Panel 112 may be made of any suitable material including those described above in conjunction with surface 102. In embodiments of the present disclosure, panel 112 may include an apertured or perforated steel panel. In one example, the side of system 100 facing the user of system 100 may include “pim nuts” that fasten to the holes of panel 112 and may be held in place by bolts on the exterior of panel 112.

Nest 114 may include an area in a generally recessed position relative to surface 102. Nest 114 may include a removable or interchangeable insert such as, for example, insert 122 to generally house, retain, or otherwise hold electronic media such as a laptop, computer, central processing unit (CPU), monitor, terminal, television, electronic display, external drive, storage device, computer accessory, lighting system, circuit breaker, electrical outlet, telecommunications-related outlet, Ethernet outlet, wide area network (WAN) outlet, satellite outlet, cable outlet, audio/visual outlet, or wire management system, and other suitable objects, devices, connections, outlets, or areas, such as paper, writing utensils or office supplies, or any combination thereof.

In one embodiment, nest 114 may be any suitably shaped, sized, or configured area according to embodiments of the present disclosure and may be made of any suitable material such as those described above in conjunction with surface 102. In embodiments of the present disclosure, nest 114 may include an apertured or perforated steel panel to allow for, for example, ventilation. Although only one nest 114 is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 6, it should be understood that any suitable number of nests 114 may be used in system 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, nest 114 may include a cover and locking mechanism to secure and lock an object in nest 114. Such a cover and locking mechanism may be any suitable size, shape, or configuration according to embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, locking mechanism may include a cylinder key lock mechanism.

Shelf 116 may provide additional structural integrity or storage space for system 100. In addition, shelf 116 may be used to allow a user of system 100 to rest his/her feet. Shelf 116 may be any suitably shaped, sized, or configured area or insert according to embodiments of the present disclosure and may be made of any suitable material such as those described above in conjunction with surface 102. In embodiments of the present disclosure, shelf 116 may include an apertured or perforated steel panel.

Cable clearances 118 may include any suitably shaped, sized, or configured area used to store, route, secure, or otherwise organize wires, cables, and other electronic devices according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In embodiments of the present disclosure, cable clearances 118 may be used to organize wire or cables associated with a laptop, computer, central processing unit (CPU), monitor, terminal, television, electronic display, external drive, storage device, computer accessory, lighting system, circuit breaker, electrical outlet, telecommunications-related outlet, Ethernet outlet, wide area network (WAN) outlet, satellite outlet, cable outlet, audio/visual outlet, wire management system, other suitable devices, objects, connections, outlets, or areas, or any combination thereof.

Insert 122 may be a customized, removable and interchangeable housing used to generally house, retain, or otherwise hold any suitable object within nest 114 as generally shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Insert 122 may include any suitably shaped, sized, or configured area or insert and may be made of any suitable material such as those described above in conjunction with surface 102. Although only one insert 122 is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, it should be understood that any suitable number of inserts 122 may be used in system 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, insert 122 may include an apertured or perforated steel compartment-like structure to generally house, retain, or otherwise hold, for example, an object, laptop, computer, central processing unit (CPU), monitor, terminal, television, electronic display, external drive, storage device, computer accessory, lighting system, circuit breaker, electrical outlet, telecommunications-related outlet, Ethernet outlet, wide area network (WAN) outlet, satellite outlet, cable outlet, audio/visual outlet, wire management system, paper, writing utensils, office supplies, other suitable devices, connections, outlets, or areas, or any combination thereof.

Supports 120 may be used to provide structural support to insert 122 as generally shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Support 120 may be any suitable size, shape, or configuration according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In one example, supports 120 may be an elongated angle bracket having a slotted surface to receive a portion of insert 122 as shown in, for example, FIG. 6.

Cover 124 may be used to cover or otherwise provide a lid for or protection to nest 114 and insert 122. Cover 124 may be a removable or reconfigurable cover or lid of any suitable size, shape, or configuration and may be made of any suitable opaque or transparent material such as those described above in conjunction with surface 102 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In embodiments of the present disclosure, cover 124 may include clearances allowing for wires or other cables to pass between an area external to system 100 and nest 114.

Locking mechanism 126 may aid in locking or otherwise securing cover 124 to nest 114. Locking mechanism 126 may include a simple mechanical or electro-mechanical lock such as, for example, a key lock, turnkey lock, a skeleton key lock, magnetic key lock, other suitable lock, keycard lock, tubular key lock, combination lock, or any combination thereof.

Accordingly, system 100 generally may provide a modular desk assembly that may include systems for easily linking, pairing, or securing desk units to other desk units and may provide secure, interchangeable storage for electronic media.

It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used in this patent document. The term “couple” and its derivatives refer to any direct or indirect communication between two or more elements, whether or not those elements are in physical contact with one another. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like.

Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

Claims

1. A modular desk assembly, said assembly comprising:

a first linked desk system comprising: at least one side panel; at least one side bracket disposed along at least one surface of said at least one side panel, said at least one side bracket including at least one fastening mechanism to join said first linked desk system to a second linked desk system; and at least one nest to store electronic media.

2. The modular desk assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one fastening mechanism is selected from the group comprising:

magnet, latch, fastener, chain, belt, and hook and loop fastener.

3. The modular desk assembly of claim 1, said first linked desk system further comprising:

an alignment mechanism.

4. The modular desk assembly of claim 3, wherein said alignment mechanism is selected from the group comprising:

ridges, grooves, and aligning tabs.

5. The modular desk assembly of claim 1, said first linked desk system further comprising:

recessed wheels disposed in an offset position relative to an outside surface of said at least one side panel.

6. The modular desk assembly of claim 5, wherein said recessed wheels are selected from the group comprising:

caster wheels, faultless caster wheels, twin-wheel caster wheels, swivel wheels, general duty wheels, ball-bearing wheels, and self-lube bearing wheels.

7. The modular desk assembly of claim 1, said first linked desk system further comprising:

a panel disposed on the front side of said first linked desk system.

8. The modular desk assembly of claim 1, said at least one nest comprising:

at least one insert to hold said electronic media within said at least one nest.

9. The modular desk assembly of claim 8, said at least one insert further comprising:

at least one support.

10. The modular desk assembly of claim 1, said at least one nest further comprising:

at least one locking mechanism to secure and lock electronic media in said at least one nest.

11. The modular desk assembly of claim 1, said electronic media selected from the group comprising:

laptop, flat-panel monitor, computer, central processing unit, monitor, terminal, television, electronic display, external drive, storage device, computer accessory, lighting system, circuit breaker, electrical outlet, telecommunications-related outlet, Ethernet outlet, wide area network (WAN) outlet, satellite outlet, cable outlet, audio/visual outlet, and wire management system.

12. A modular desk assembly, said assembly comprising:

a first linked desk system including at least one nest for interchangeable storage of electronic media and at least one fastening mechanism to secure said first linked desk system to a second linked desk system.

13. The modular desk assembly of claim 12, said at least one nest comprising:

at least one insert to hold said electronic media within said at least one nest.

14. The modular desk assembly of claim 13, said at least one insert further comprising:

at least one support.

15. The modular desk assembly of claim 12, wherein said at least one fastening mechanism is disposed on a surface of at least one side bracket.

16. A first linked desk system, said first linked desk system comprising:

side panels, each side panel having at least one side bracket with magnets disposed on said at least one side bracket to secure said first linked desk system to a second linked desk system; and

at least one nest.

17. The first linked desk system of claim 16, wherein said at least one side bracket is disposed along a distal surface of each of said side panels.

18. The first linked desk system of claim 16, wherein said at least one side bracket is disposed along a lower outer surface of each of said side panels.

19. The first linked desk system of claim 16, said at least one nest comprising:

at least one insert to retain electronic media within said at least one nest.

20. The first linked desk system of claim 16, said magnets selected from the group comprising:

neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets, neodymium cup magnet assembly, nickel-plated magnets, multilayered magnets, and steel-housed magnets.