COMPUTER MONITOR STAND HAVING AN INTERNAL TRAY

Abstract

A stand has a tray movably extending along a first axis and also along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The tray has a pair of tray guide rails parallel to the second axis and located to engage a parallel pair of upper guide rails on an intermediate support. The support in turn has a pair of lower guide rails located to engage a pair of housing guide rails parallel to the first axis. The different mating pairs of guide rails guide the tray in and out of adjacent and perpendicular sides of the housing, with the support traveling along the first axis but not the second.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to Provisional Patent Application No. 61/771,205 filed Mar. 1, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

Various housings exist containing removable drawers or slidable trays that slide into and out of the housing in order to store things in the trays while concealing them from view. The housings may be sturdily made so that things can be set on top of the housings, such as computer monitors, computer printers or other things. Such trays can store printer paper or office supplies such as pens, pencils, tape, etc.

But during items are set in front of the drawers or leaned against the drawers, so that access to the drawers often becomes blocked. This blockage can have unfortunate consequences, as occurs if opening the drawer knocks over a soda or coffee cup positioned in the path of the drawer. There is thus a need for an improved drawer and housing that can reduce the blockage of the drawer.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A stand or housing suitable for supporting small office equipment has a tray movably extending along a first axis and also along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The tray a pair of guide rails parallel to the second axis and located to engage a second pair of parallel, upper guide rails on an intermediate support. The support in turn has a pair of lower guide rails parallel to and located to engage a pair of housing guide rails parallel to the first axis. The different mating pairs of guide rails guide the tray in and out of adjacent and perpendicular sides of the housing, with the support traveling along the first axis but not the second.

In more detail, a housing is provided, preferably having four corner posts joined by two parallel, housing connecting rods, the front and rear connecting rods. Two parallel, first and second housing guide rods join the two parallel connecting rods in a rectangular framework so the housing connecting rods are perpendicular to the housing guide rods. The first and second guide rods extend along a first axis 1 from the front to the rear of the housing. The first and second housing guide rods may be spot welded to the upper side of the housing connecting rods. These housing connecting rods and housing guide rods are all located toward a lower end of the corner posts. A top cover joins an upper end of all four corner posts to form a housing with open sides and a top cover.

A front opening is formed by a front housing connecting rod extending between two front corner posts and the corresponding side of the top. The other two corners are the rear corner posts and are connected to the rear housing connecting rod. A side opening is formed by the first (front) housing guide rod, one front corner post and one rear corner post on the same side of the housing, and the top cover.

An intermediate guiding support rests on top of front housing connecting rod and the two housing guide rods to slide in and out of the housing through the front opening. The intermediate guiding support has a first rectangular outer frame that is sized to fit between the front corner posts during use. The first rectangular outer frame is formed of two parallel, side rods and opposing front and rear rods. The intermediate guiding support has third and fourth guide rods each of which are adjacent to but offset from a different one of the side rods of the first rectangular outer frame. The third and fourth guide rods are preferably spot welded to the bottom side of the front and rear rods of the first rectangular outer frame. At least one of the third and fourth guide rods may have a first tray motion limit stop adjacent the juncture of that guide rod with the rear frame rod. A downward extending projection or bend in the rod is believed suitable for the first tray motion limit stop.

In use, the third and fourth guide rods fit inside and close to the first and second guide rods so the rods are generally aligned but offset. The first and second guide rods cooperate with the third and fourth guide rods, respectively, to guide the travel of the tray as it slides in and out of the first opening. The side rods of the first rectangular outer frame also cooperate with the front corner posts to guide the tray as it slides in and out of the first opening. The first and second housing guide rods fit between the side frames of the first rectangular outer frame and the third and fourth guide rods to guide the sliding along the first axis 1 in and out the front opening. The third and fourth guide rods slide over the first or front connecting rod as the tray slides in and out of the first opening, with the downwardly extending projection or limit stop limiting the withdrawal of the tray relative to the housing.

The intermediate guiding support also has fifth and sixth parallel guide rods extending between opposing side rods of the first rectangular outer frame. The fifth guide rod extends parallel to and adjacent to the front rod of the first rectangular outer frame. The sixth guide rod extends parallel to and adjacent to the rear rod of the first rectangular outer frame. The fifth and sixth guide rods are on the upper side of the first rectangular outer frame, whereas the third and fourth guide rods are on the lower side of the first rectangular outer frame. The fifth and sixth guide rods are perpendicular to the third and fourth guide rods. The fifth and sixth guide rods are also perpendicular to the first and second guide rods when the third and fourth guide rods are parallel with the first and second guide rods.

The wire tray has a rectangular, box-like shape with an open top, a closed bottom joining a closed front and back sides of the tray, and two opposing but closed sides of the tray joining the bottom, the front and the back of the tray. The tray thus has four closed sides, a closed bottom and a preferably open top. A front gripping recess is placed in the front side and a side gripping recess is placed in one of the sides of the tray that is adjacent to the front of the tray, and further placed on the side of the tray that faces and extends along the second axis 2 when pulled by the side gripping recess.

The bottom of the tray has two parallel guide rods extending outward from the tray bottom and parallel to the sides of the tray. The tray guide rods slide on one of the side frame members of the first, rectangular outer frame as the tray slides in and out of the second opening, on a different but adjacent side of the first opening. The tray guide rods preferably are located inside of abut adjacent to the fifth and sixth guide rods on the upper side of the first, rectangular frame. At least one of the tray guide rods may have a second tray motion limit stop adjacent the juncture of that guide rod with the rear frame rod. A downward extending projection or bend in the rod is believed suitable for the second tray motion limit stop. The second limit stop may abut the side frame member of the first, rectangular outer frame in order to limit withdrawal of the tray from the housing.

Clips are fastened to the bottom edges of the tray to releasably engage the rectangular outer frame, preferably releasably engaging one side of the rectangular outer frame, and more preferably releasably engaging the engage the side located on the same side on which the second gripping recess of the tray is located. In use, the clips hold the tray to the first rectangular frame of the intermediate guiding support as the tray and intermediate guiding support are moved into and out of the first opening as the tray is gripped by the front gripping recess. The clips also prevent the tray from moving out the opposing side of the stand. When the adjacent side of the tray is gripped by the side gripping recess, the tray may be pulled out of the second opening, the clip separating from the intermediate guiding support as the tray is withdrawn and reengaging the intermediate guiding support as the tray is reinserted into the second opening and fully seated in that second opening. Thus, the tray can be pulled out of two adjacent sides of the housing.

Further, the tray may have an insert placed therein, with the insert having a plurality of compartments formed in the insert. Thus, compartments configured to hold pencils, pens, paper clips, stables, and other office accessories is provided. The insert may be removed and the entire tray is usable for storage, as for example storing paper for a printer.

There is thus advantageously provided a support stand for office equipment that includes a rectangular housing having two front corner posts and two back corner posts and a top supported by the corner posts. A front elongated connecting member connects the front corner posts and a back elongated connecting member connects the rear corner posts. The connecting members are parallel. The housing has first and second parallel guide rails each extending between the front and back connecting members and each having an opposing end fastened to an upper side of the front and back connecting members. The first and second guide rails are parallel and extend parallel to a first axis extending between the front corner posts. The front and back elongated connecting members are parallel to a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis and exits a side of the housing.

The housing has an intermediate guiding support that in turn has third and fourth guide rails on a lower portion thereof. The third and fourth guide rails are parallel to the first axis and located to be aligned with and adjacent to the first and second guide rails during use to guide motion of the intermediate guiding support along the first axis during use. The intermediate guiding support also has fifth and sixth guide rails on an upper portion thereof with the fifth and sixth guide rails being parallel to the second axis.

The housing contains a tray having at least a front and one side adjacent the front and a bottom connected to the front and the at least one side. The tray has seventh and eight guide rails connected to the tray bottom and parallel with the second axis. The seventh and eighth guide rails are located to align with and be adjacent to the fifth and sixth guide rails during use in order to guide travel of the tray along the second axis during use. The tray is configured to fit through a front opening defined by the front corner posts, the top and the first elongated connecting member so the tray may move along the first axis guided by the first through fourth guide rails. The tray is further configured to fit through a side opening defined by one front and one rear corner post, the top and one of the first or second guide rails so the tray may move along the second axis guided by the fifth through eight guide rails.

In further variations the housing includes a motion limit stop limiting travel of the tray in a first direction along the first axis. The motion limit stop may include one of a member extending from the third or fourth guide rails, or a projection fastened to the first or second guide rails. The housing may also include a motion limit stop limiting travel of the tray in a first direction along the second axis. The motion limit stop may include one of a member extending from the sixth or seventh guide rails, or a projection depending from the tray. The tray advantageously has a shaped gripping opening on the front and another shaped gripping opening on at least one side adjacent the front, the gripping openings being configured to be manually gripped to move the tray relative to the housing.

In still further variations, the third and fourth guide rails each have a depending portion adjacent one end, with a laterally extending projection configured so the laterally extending portion is located below but adjacent to a different one of the first and second guide rails so that the projection cannot move vertically past the guide rail to which the projection is adjacent. A similar depending portion and laterally extending projection is provided on the seventh and eighth guide rails so the laterally extending portion is located below but adjacent to a different one of the fifth and sixth guide rails so that the projection cannot move vertically past the guide rail to which the projection is adjacent. Advantageously, the first, second, third and fourth guide rails are in substantially the same plane. Likewise, the fifth, sixth, seventh and eight guide rails may be in substantially the same plane as each other.

There is also advantageously provided a support stand for office equipment, that includes a housing having a tray movably extending out of and into the housing along a first axis and also out of and into the housing along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The tray has two tray guide rails extending on opposing sides of and parallel to the second axis. First and second guide rails are supported by the housing and extend parallel to and on opposing sides of the first axis. The housing has an intermediate guiding support located above and resting on the first and second guide rails, with third and fourth guide rails each depending from the intermediate guiding support parallel to and adjacent to a different one of the first and second guide rails so as to guide the tray along the first guide rails as the tray moves into and out of the housing along the first axis. The intermediate guiding support also has fifth and sixth guide rails each extending above the intermediate guiding support parallel to and on opposing sides of a different one of the two tray guide rails and extending a distance sufficient to cooperate with the two tray guide rails to guide the tray as the tray moves in and out of the housing along the second axis.

In further variations, the intermediate guiding support moves along the first axis with the tray as the tray moves in and out of the housing. The intermediate guiding support may not move along the second axis with the tray as the tray moves in and out of the housing. A motion limit stop limiting travel of the tray along the first axis may be provided to prevent a back portion of the tray from extending outside the housing while a front side of the tray is in the housing. The motion limit stop may include one of a member extending from the third or fourth guide rails, or a projection fastened to the first or second guide rails. A motion limit stop may be provided that limits motion of the tray in a first direction along the second axis, with structural and functional features like the stop limiting motion along the first axis. The motion limit stop may include one of a member extending from the tray guide rails, or a projection depending from the tray.

In still further variations the third and fourth guide rails each have a depending portion adjacent one end, with a laterally extending projection configured so the laterally extending portion is located below but adjacent to a different one of the first and second guide rails so that the projection cannot move vertically past the guide rail to which the projection is adjacent. The tray guide rails may also each have a depending portion adjacent one end, with a laterally extending projection configured so the laterally extending portion is located below but adjacent to a different one of the fifth and sixth guide rails so that the projection cannot move vertically past the guide rail to which the projection is adjacent. Advantageously, the first, second, third and fourth guide rails are in substantially the same plane. Likewise, the fifth, sixth, seventh and eight guide rails are in substantially the same plane, which plane does not contain the first, second, third or fourth guide rails.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, and other features and advantages of the present invention are further described in the following drawings and description in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top elevation view of a stand of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top elevation view of the stand of FIG. 1 with a tray extending along axis 2 from a first side of the stand and a first removable insert in the tray;

FIG. 3 is a top elevation view of the stand of FIG. 1 with a tray extending along axis 1 from a second side, the front side, of the stand and second a removable insert in the tray;

FIG. 4 is a side plan view of the stand of FIG. 1 taken along axis 2;

FIG. 5 is a front side plan view of the stand of FIG. 1 taken along axis 1;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the side of the stand of FIG. 1 opposite FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a side plan view of the stand of FIG. 1 opposite FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the stand of FIG. 1 but rotated 90 degrees;

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the stand of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the stand of FIG. 3;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a portion of the components contained in the housing of FIG. 1;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-10, a housing or stand 10 is provided that has an internal tray 12 with a sturdy top 14 on which may be placed various office equipment such as computer monitors or computer printers (not shown). The tray 12 may be opened from either of two adjacent sides of the stand 10 and may contain an optional insert 70 (FIGS. 2-3) with various compartments 18 to hold office supplies such as pens, paper clips, tape, etc. The divider 16 may be removed and larger items such as paper may be stored in the tray 12. As used herein the relative directions of up and down, upper and lower, above and below are taken with respect to the direction of gravity when the stand 10 is in its use position as shown in FIG. 3. The directions of inward and outward refer to the relative directions of parts relative to first axis 1 and second axes 2 along which the tray 12 travels, as described in more detail later, with inward being toward the axis and outward being away from the axis. The references to front and back are relative to the first axis 1.

The stand 10 has four corner posts including two front corner posts 20a, 20b and two rear corner posts 22a, 22b. The corner posts are shown having a rectangular cross-sectional shape, but the shape can vary. The corner posts are connected by two parallel housing connecting rods 24a, 24b with the front housing connecting rod 24a extending between front corner posts 20a, 20b and the rear housing connecting rod 24b extending between rear corner posts 22a, 22b. The housing connecting rods 24a, 24b may be spot welded to the innermost sides of the corner posts.

Two parallel, first and second housing guide rods 26a, 26b connect the two parallel connecting rods 24a, 24b in a rectangular framework so the housing connecting rods 24a, 24b are perpendicular to the housing guide rods 26a, 26b and may be spot welded together where they intersect adjacent each corner post 20a, 20b, 22a, 22b. The first and second housing guide rods 26a, 26b may spot welded to the upper side of the housing connecting rods 24a, 24b. These housing connecting rods 24 and housing guide 26 rods are all located toward a lower end of the corner posts 20a, 20b, 22a, 22b. The top 14 engages an upper end of all four corner posts 20, 22 to form a housing with open sides and a top cover 14. The first and second guide rods 26a, 26b, respectively extend parallel to a first axis 1 from the front to the rear of the stand 10, exiting between the two front corner posts 20a, and 20b.

A limit stop 28a, 28b (FIG. 8) extends upward from corresponding locations on guide rods 26a, 26b, each stop being adjacent one of corner post 20a or 20b. The stops 28 may be spot welded to the rods 26a, 26b. The limit stops 28 abut back rod 36b of frame 32 to limit motion of the frame 32 and tray 12 as the tray extends along the first axis 1. The limit stops 28 extend between the guide rods 38a, 38b and the adjacent side rods 34a, 34b of the outer rectangular frame 32. The limit stops 28 are L-shaped in cross section with the shorter leg of the L resiliently engaging and guiding parts of frame 30 as it travels along the first axis 1. q

A front opening is formed defined the front housing connecting rod 24a extending between two front corner posts 20a, 20b and the corresponding side of the top 14. The tray 12 slides in and out of this front opening. A side opening is formed by the front (first) housing guide rod 20a, two corner posts on the same side of the stand 10 (front corner post 20b and rear corner post 22b), and the adjacent side of the top cover 14. The tray 12 also slides in and out of this side opening along a second axis 2 which is perpendicular to the first axis 1.

A intermediate guiding support 30 rests on top of front housing connecting rod 24a and the two housing guide rods 26a, 26b to slide in and out of the stand 10 through the front opening and along the first axis 1. The intermediate guiding support 30 has a first rectangular outer frame 32 that is sized to fit between the front corner posts 20, 22 during use. The first rectangular outer frame is formed of two, parallel side rods 34a, 34b and opposing front and rear rods 36a, 36b. The intermediate guiding support 30 has third and fourth guide rods 38a, 38b each of which is adjacent to but offset from a different one of the guide rods of the first rectangular outer frame. The guide rods 38a, 38b are parallel to the first axis 1 and parallel to side rods 34a, 34b. The third and fourth guide rods are preferably spot welded to the bottom side of the front and rear rods 36a, 36b of the first rectangular outer frame. At least one and preferably both of the third and fourth guide rods 38a, 38b may have a first tray motion limit stop 40a, 40b adjacent the juncture of that guide rod with the rear frame rod 36b. A downward and/or laterally extending projection 42 or bend in the guide rod 38a, 38b is believed suitable for the first tray motion limit stop. The lateral projections 42a, 42b preferably extend from the lowest portion of the limit stop 40 and fit below housing guide rods 26a, 26b. The lateral projections 42a, 42b may engage and slide along the housing guide rods 26a, 26b and restrain the rear of the tray 12 from moving upward and tilting the front of the tray downwards as the tray moves out of the stand 10. The lateral projection 42 may also abut the front connecting rod 24a to limit relative travel of the tray 12 and the stand 10 to which the front connecting rod 24a is fastened.

In use, the third and fourth guide rods 38a, 38b fit inside and close to the first and second guide rods 20a, 20b, respectively, so the rods are generally aligned but offset. The first and second guide rods 26a, 26b cooperate with the third and fourth guide rods 38a, 38b, respectively, to guide the travel of the tray 12 as it slides in and out of the first opening along the first axis 1. The side rods 34a, 34b of the first rectangular outer frame also cooperate with the front corner posts 20a, 20b to guide the tray 12 as it slides in and out of the first opening. The first and second housing guide rods 26a, 26b fit between the side rods 34a, 34b and the third and fourth guide rods 38a, 38b to help the parts slide along the first axis 1. The third and fourth guide rods 38a, 38b slide over the first or front connecting rod 24a as the tray 12 slides in and out of the first opening, with the downwardly extending projection or limit stop 42a, 42b or the laterally (outwardly) extending projections 42a, 42b limiting the withdrawal of the tray relative to the housing along the first axis 1.

The intermediate guiding support 30 also has fifth and sixth parallel guide rods 46a, 46b extending between opposing side rods 34a, and 34b of the first rectangular outer frame 32. The fifth guide rod 46a extends parallel to and adjacent to the front rod 36 of the first rectangular outer frame 32. The sixth guide rod 46b extends parallel to and adjacent to the rear rod 36b of the first rectangular outer frame 32. The fifth and sixth guide rods 46a, 46b are on the upper side of the first rectangular outer frame 32, whereas the third and fourth guide rods 38a, 38b are on the lower side of the first rectangular outer frame 32. The fifth and sixth guide rods 46a, 46b are perpendicular to the third and fourth guide rods 38a, 38b but extend parallel to the second axis 2. The fifth and sixth guide rods 46a, 46b are also perpendicular to the first and second guide rods 26a, 26b while the third and fourth guide rods 38a, 38b are parallel to the first and second guide rods 26a, 26b.

When viewed relative to the first axis 1, the wire tray 12 has a rectangular, box-like shape with an open top, a closed bottom 48 joining a closed front side 50a and back side 50b of the tray, and two opposing but closed sides 52a, 52b of the tray joining the bottom 48, the front 50a and the back 50b of the tray. The tray 12 thus has four closed sides, a closed bottom and a preferably open top. The four tray sides 50a, 50b, 52a, 52b and bottom 48 are shown covered by an open wire mesh material, but different materials can be used and the tray may even be formed of an open wire frame construction. A front gripping recess 54 is placed in the front 50a and a side gripping recess 56 is placed in one of the sides of the tray that is adjacent to the front of the tray, shown here as side 52a. The tray may have tray-frame members extending along its edges but is shown as having the bottom 48 curve onto the sides 52a, 52b, while the front and back 50a, 50b have frame members along the top, bottom and sides of the front side 50a and back side 50b.

The bottom 48 of the tray 12 has two parallel tray guide rods 60a, 60b (the seventh and eight guide rods) fastened to the lower side of the tray bottom 48 and extending outward from the tray bottom and parallel to the sides 52a, 52b of the tray 12. The tray guide rods 60a, 60b slide on the side frame member 38b of the first, rectangular outer frame 32 as the tray 12 slides in and out of the second opening. The tray guide rods 60a, 60b preferably are located inside of extend along and adjacent to the fifth and sixth guide rods 46a, 46b on the upper side of the first, rectangular frame 32. At least one and preferably both of the tray guide rods 60a, 60b may have a second tray motion limit stop 62a, 62b adjacent the juncture of that guide rod with the back side 50b of the tray 12. A downward extending projection or bend in the rod is believed suitable for the second tray limit stop 62a, 62b. The second limit stop 62a, 62b may abut the side frame member 34a of the first, rectangular outer frame 32 in order to limit withdrawal of the tray from the housing along the second axis 2.

A lateral projection 64a, 64b preferably extends from the lowest portion of each limit stop 62a, 62b and fits below one of the fifth and sixth guide rods 46a, 46b. The lateral projections 64a, 64b may engage and slide along one of the respective guide rods 46a, 46b and restrain the rear of the tray 12 from moving upward and tilting the front of the tray downwards as the tray moves out of the stand 10 along the second axis 2. The lateral projection 64 may also abut the guide rod 38a to limit relative travel of the tray 12 and the stand 10 as the tray is inserted or withdrawn along the second axis 2.

Clips 66a, 66b (FIGS. 1, 9) are fastened to opposing, bottom edges of the tray 12 to releasably engage the rectangular outer frame, preferably releasably engaging side 34a of the rectangular outer frame 32 on the same side of the tray on which the second gripping recess 56 of the tray is located. The clips 66 are L-shaped in cross section with the shorter leg of the L resiliently engaging parts of the frame 32 and the longer leg of the L abutting the frame 32 to limit motion. In use, the clips 66a, 66b hold the tray to the side 34b of the first rectangular frame 32 of the intermediate guiding support 30 as the tray 12 and intermediate guiding support 30 are moved into and out of the first opening as the tray is gripped by the front gripping recess. The clips 66a, 66b also prevent the tray 12 from moving out the opposing side of the stand. When the adjacent side of the tray 12 is gripped by the gripping recess 56, the tray may be pulled out of the second opening, the clips 66a, 66b separating from the intermediate guiding support 30 as the tray is withdrawn and reengaging the intermediate guiding support as the tray is reinserted into the second opening and fully seated in that second opening. Thus, the tray 12 can be pulled out of two adjacent sides of the stand 10, with guide rods and motion limit stops along each direction of insertion and withdrawal of the tray.

There is thus provided a stand 10 for types of various office equipment having a slidable drawer or tray 12 that can be removed from two different sides of the stand. If one side of the stand is blocked with working papers or coffee mugs, the tray 12 can be opened from the adjacent side. The tray 12 and intermediate guiding support 30 move along the first axis 1, guided by first through fourth guide rails 26a, 26b, 38a, 38b. The tray 12 cooperates with the intermediate guiding support 30 to move along the second axis 2, guided by fifth through eighth guide rails 46a, 46b, 60a, 60b. The intermediate guiding support 30 thus has rectangular frame 30 with guide rods 38a, 38b on a bottom portion of the support 30 and parallel to the first axis 1, and with guide rods 46a, 46b on a top portion of the support 30 and parallel to the second axis 2. The support 30 moves with the tray along the first axis and remains in the stand 10 while the tray moves along the second axis 2. The third and fourth guide rails 38a, 38b of the intermediate guiding support 30 nest alongside and inside of the first and second guide rails 26a, 26b and all of those guide rails or rods 26, 38 are perpendicular to the second axis 2, so when the tray 12 is moved along the second axis the guide rails 38 abut the rails 26 and prevent the intermediate guide support 30 from traveling along the axis 2. Note that the cooperatively mating guide rails 26 and 38 may be located with rails 26a, 26b inside or outside of the mating rails 38a, and 38b. Likewise, cooperatively mating guide rails 24a, 24b may be located inside of or outside of guide rails 60a, 60b on the tray 12.

The stand 10 is preferably made of metal or plastic, although the top 14 may be glass. The top 14 is fastened to the corner posts 20, 22 by mechanical fasteners or adhesives, as for example by a threaded fastener extending through holes in the top and into the corner post aligned with the fastener hole. The various rods and frame assemblies can be molded of plastic or glued if of plastic, or they can be spot welded, staked, friction welded, joined by interference fit, glued or otherwise fastened if made of metal. The various rods and frame assemblies could be made of wood joined by various mechanical fasteners or adhesives. The tray 12 tray may be of plastic, wood, metal or combinations thereof. The corner posts 20, 22 may have non-skid bottoms if desired.

Referring to FIGS. 2-3, the tray 14 may have an insert 70 removably placed in the tray. The insert 70 is preferably molded of thin plastic but may be of wood, metal or glass. The insert 70 preferably as a number of dividers 72 separating the tray into various compartments 74. The size, orientation and arrangement of the compartments 74 and dividers 72 will vary. The compartments are advantageously sized to hold pens, pencils, paper clips, portable electronic storage devices and other items of assistance to the user.

The construction has been described using various rods, including rods 24, 26, 34, 36, 46 and 60 and it is understood that these may have various cross-sectional shapes and may be more generically referred to as elongated members, or simply members. For ease of distinguishing the parts, the guide rods 26, 28, 38, 48 and 60 may be referred to as rails since railroad rails provide a connotation of guiding a train and the guide rods or guide rails guide the tray 14 and mating parts along the first and second paths in and out of the housing 14.

The motion limit stops 28, 40, 62 and 66 are shown as depending members and projections, and other motion limit stops may be used, including projections extending from corner posts 20, 22, extending from the top 14, or elongated members extending between corner posts 20 and 22 on sides past which the tray 12 is to be prevented from moving.

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention. Further, the various features of this invention can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the invention is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments but is to be defined by the following claims when read in the broadest reasonable manner to preserve the validity of the claims.

Claims

1. A support stand for office equipment, comprising:

a rectangular housing having two front corner posts and two back corner posts and a top supported by the corner posts, a front elongated connecting member connecting the front corner posts and a back elongated connecting member connecting the rear corner posts and being parallel to the front elongated connecting member, first and second parallel guide rails each extending between the front and back connecting members and each having an opposing end fastened to an upper side of the front and back connecting members, the first and second guide rails being parallel and extending parallel to a first axis extending between the front corner posts, the front and back elongated connecting members being parallel to a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis and exits a side of the housing;

an intermediate guiding support having third and fourth guide rails on a lower portion thereof and parallel to the first axis and located to be aligned with and adjacent to the first and second guide rails during use to guide motion of the intermediate guiding support along the first axis during use, the intermediate guiding support having fifth and sixth guide rails on an upper portion thereof and parallel to the second axis;

a tray having at least a front and one side adjacent the front and a bottom connected to the front and the at least one side, and further including seventh and eight guide rails connected to the tray bottom and parallel with the second axis and located to align with and adjacent to the fifth and sixth guide rails during use to guide travel of the tray along the second axis during use, the tray being configured to fit through a front opening defined by the front corner posts, the top and the first elongated connecting member so the tray may move along the first axis guided by the first through fourth guide rails, the tray being further configured to fit through a side opening defined by one front and one rear corner post, the top and one of the first or second guide rails so the tray may move along the second axis guided by the fifth through eight guide rails.

2. The support stand of claim 1, further comprising a motion limit stop limiting travel of the tray in a first direction along the first axis.

3. The support stand of claim 1, wherein the motion limit stop comprises one of a member extending from the third or fourth guide rails, or a projection fastened to the first or second guide rails.

4. The support stand of claim 1, further comprising a motion limit stop limiting travel of the tray in a first direction along the second axis.

5. The support stand of claim 4, wherein the motion limit stop comprises one of a member extending from the sixth or seventh guide rails, or a projection depending from the tray.

6. The support stand of claim 1, wherein the tray has a shaped gripping opening on the front and a different shaped gripping opening on at least one side adjacent the front, the shaped gripping openings configured to be manually gripped to move the tray relative to the housing.

7. The support stand of claim 1, wherein the third and fourth guide rails each have a depending portion adjacent one end, with a laterally extending projection configured so the laterally extending portion is located below but adjacent to a different one of the first and second guide rails so that the projection cannot move vertically past the guide rail to which the projection is adjacent.

8. The support stand of claim 1, wherein the seventh and eighth guide rails each have a depending portion adjacent one end, with a laterally extending projection configured so the laterally extending portion is located below but adjacent to a different one of the fifth and sixth guide rails so that the projection cannot move vertically past the guide rail to which the projection is adjacent.

9. The support stand for office equipment as in claim 1, wherein the first, second, third and fourth guide rails are in substantially the same plane.

10. The support stand of claim 1, wherein the fifth, sixth, seventh and eight guide rails are in substantially the same plane.

11. A support stand for office equipment, comprising

a housing having a tray movably extending out of and into the housing along a first axis and also out of and into the housing along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, the housing comprising, the tray having two tray guide rails extending on opposing sides of and parallel to the second axis;

first and second guide rails supported by the housing and extending parallel to and on opposing sides of the first axis;

an intermediate guiding support located above and resting on the first and second guide rails, third and fourth guide rails each depending from the intermediate guiding support parallel to and adjacent to a different one of the first and second guide rails so as to guide the tray along the first guide rails as the tray moves into and out of the housing along the first axis, the intermediate guiding support having fifth and sixth guide rails each extending above the intermediate guiding support parallel to and on opposing sides of a different one of the two tray guide rails and extending a distance sufficient to cooperate with the two tray guide rails to guide the tray as the tray moves in and out of the housing along the second axis.

12. The support stand of claim 11, wherein the intermediate guiding support moves along the first axis with the tray as the tray moves in and out of the housing.

13. The support stand of claim 11, wherein the intermediate guiding support does not move along the second axis with the tray as the tray moves in and out of the housing.

14. The support stand of claim 11, further comprising a motion limit stop limiting travel of the tray along the first axis to prevent a back portion of the tray from extending outside the housing while a front side of the tray is in the housing.

15. The support stand of claim 11, wherein the motion limit stop comprises one of a member extending from the third or fourth guide rails, or a projection fastened to the first or second guide rails.

16. The support stand of claim 11, further comprising a motion limit stop limiting travel of the tray a first direction along the second axis.

17. The support stand of claim 16, wherein the motion limit stop comprises one of a member extending from the tray guide rails, or a projection depending from the tray.

18. The support stand of claim 11, wherein the third and fourth guide rails each have a depending portion adjacent one end, with a laterally extending projection configured so the laterally extending portion is located below but adjacent to a different one of the first and second guide rails so that the projection cannot move vertically past the guide rail to which the projection is adjacent.

19. The support stand of claim 11, wherein the tray guide rails each have a depending portion adjacent one end, with a laterally extending projection configured so the laterally extending portion is located below but adjacent to a different one of the fifth and sixth guide rails so that the projection cannot move vertically past the guide rail to which the projection is adjacent.

20. The support stand as in claim 11, wherein the first, second, third and fourth guide rails are in substantially the same plane.

21. The support stand as in claim 11, wherein the fifth, sixth, seventh and eight guide rails are in substantially the same plane.