FRAME SUBASSEMBLY FOR ATTACHING A TABLE
A frame subassembly for attaching a table to a panel of a workstation assembly. The panel includes a frame and a panel insert that overlies the frame. The subassembly includes a first frame mount coupled to a first vertical frame member between its ends. The subassembly includes a second frame mount coupled to a second vertical frame member between its ends. The subassembly includes a beam coupled to the first frame mount and the second frame mount. The beam multiple defines apertures spaced along its length. The subassembly includes a table mount alternately couplable to the beam adjacent each aperture to position the table mount at a desired location along the length of the beam. The table mount extends through the panel insert and couples to a table strut to connect the table to the panel.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/745,109, filed Jan. 14, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSUREThe present disclosure relates to a frame subassembly. Specifically, the frame subassembly provides a connection between a table and a panel of a workstation assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURETables, such as height-adjustable tables, require support such that a worksurface of the table is stable. Most height-adjustable tables are free-standing and do not rely on other structures for support.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREThe present disclosure provides, in one aspect, a frame subassembly for attaching a table to a panel of a workstation assembly. The panel includes a frame and a panel insert that overlies the frame. The frame subassembly includes a first frame mount configured to be coupled to a first vertical frame member of the frame between a first end and a second end of the first vertical frame member. The frame subassembly includes a second frame mount configured to be coupled to a second vertical frame member of the frame between a first end and a second end of the second vertical frame member. The frame subassembly includes a beam coupled to the first frame mount and the second frame mount. The beam defines a plurality of apertures spaced apart along a length of the beam between the first frame mount and the second frame mount. The frame subassembly includes a table mount alternately couplable to the beam adjacent each aperture of the plurality of apertures to position the table mount at a desired location along the length of the beam. The table mount is configured to extend through the panel insert and be coupled to a strut of the table to connect the table to the panel.
The present disclosure provides, in another aspect, a method of attaching a table to a panel of a workstation assembly. The panel includes a frame and a panel insert that overlies the frame. The method includes coupling a first frame mount to a first vertical frame member of the frame between a first end and a second end of the first vertical frame member, coupling a second frame mount to a second vertical frame member of the frame between a first end and a second end of the second vertical frame member, and coupling a beam to the first frame mount and the second frame mount. The beam defines a plurality of apertures spaced apart along a length of the beam between the first frame mount and the second frame mount. The method includes positioning a table mount at a desired location along the length of the beam adjacent an aperture of the plurality of apertures and coupling the table mount to the beam at the desired location. The table mount extends through the panel insert. The method includes coupling a strut of the table to the table mount such that the table and the panel are connected.
Other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
Before any constructions of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other constructions and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONAs illustrated in
The workstation assembly 100 includes a frame subassembly 164 that couples an end of the first strut 122 to the panel 128. The frame subassembly 164 provides an adjustable connection point for the first strut 122 such that tables of assorted sizes can be coupled to the panel 128 and/or can be coupled in different locations relative to the panel 128. For instance, as shown in
In addition to the adjustability provided by the frame subassembly 164, the frame subassembly 164 is compatible with existing panels. That is, the frame subassembly 164 provides a solution for coupling, or retrofitting, the HAT 104 to existing panels. In particular, the frame subassembly 164 allows the HAT 104 to be coupled to the panels 128 at horizontal positions between the vertical frame members 144, 148, rather than being limited to being coupled to the panels 128 at the vertical frame members 144, 148 where there is sufficient structural support.
The main body 192 defines a plurality of apertures 200 that are configured to align with apertures 204 of the beam 180 (
The attachment mechanism 196 includes the first hook 216, an arm 220, and a fastener 224. The arm 220 includes a body 228 defining a first end 232 and a second end 236. The arm 220 is adjustably coupled to the main body 192. The body 228 includes a step 240 at the first end 232 that is received by the slot 208 of the main body 192. The body 228 defines an aperture 244 disposed between the first end 232 and the second end 236. The aperture 244 is configured to receive the fastener 224 (e.g., a threaded fastener, such as a bolt). The body 228 also includes a second hook 248 that engages the first vertical frame member 144. The second hook 248 is located at the second end 236, opposite from the step 240.
To couple the first frame mount 172 to the first vertical frame member 144 as shown in
As shown in
To attach the HAT 104 (e.g., a strut of the HAT 104) to the panel 128 of the plurality of panels 108, the panel insert 140 is removed from the frame 132 prior to coupling the first frame mount 172 and the second frame mount 176 to the frame 132. Removing the panel insert 140 exposes the first vertical frame member 144 and the second vertical frame member 148. In some scenarios, the panel insert 140 may not have been installed before the first and second frame mounts 172, 176 are coupled to the frame 132. The first frame mount 172 is coupled to the first vertical frame member 144 between the first end 160 and the second end 162. The second frame mount 176 is coupled to the second vertical frame member 148 between the first end 160 and the second end 162. The beam 180 is coupled to the first frame mount 172 and the second frame mount 176 by sliding the beam 180 on the first frame mount 172 and the second frame mount 176. The beam 180 is fixed to the first frame mount 172 and the second frame mount 176 via the fasteners 288 extending through the beam 180 and the main body 192.
Depending on the location of the table mount 168 of the first leg 118, the table mount 188 of the frame subassembly 164 is positioned at a desired location along the length of the beam 180 adjacent an aperture of the plurality of apertures 184. The nut plate 292 is inserted into the beam 180 via the first slot 272 near to the aperture of the plurality of apertures 184 corresponding to the position of the table mount 188. The table mount 188 is coupled to the beam 180 via the fasteners 320 extending through the table mount 188 and the beam 180 and into the nuts 300 of the nut plate 292.
Prior to attaching the panel insert 140 on the frame 132, the position and size of the table mount 188 is marked on the panel insert 140. The mark is used for measuring a cutout 324 that is defined on the panel insert 140, as shown in
After the cutout 324 is formed (e.g., cut) in the panel insert 140, the panel insert 140 can be attached to the frame 132. In some constructions, the table mount 188 is too large to fit through the cutout 324. As such, the table mount 188 is unthreaded from the nut plate 292 and removed from the beam 180 and the panel insert 140 is attached to the frame 132. After the panel insert 140 is attached to the frame 132, the table mount 188 is coupled to the nut plate 292 such that the table mount is coupled to the beam 180. The first strut 122 can be coupled to the table mount 188 such that the HAT 104 and the panel 128 are connected. Similar assembly steps can also be performed for the second table mount and the second strut 124.
The frame subassembly 164 thereby allows the HAT 104 to be attached to the panels 128 of the workstation assembly 100 at various horizontal locations between the vertical frame members 144, 148 of the panels 128. As such, an assembler is not constrained to only mounting the HAT 104 at locations that align with the vertical frame members 144, 148. In addition, the frame subassembly 164 is configured to be usable with frames of existing panels such that the frame subassembly 164 can be retrofitted into existing panels to add a table to a workstation assembly that is already installed.
The table mount 188 includes the support 332 that is coupled to the beam 180 (
The first strut 122 includes apertures 344 that enable access to the table mounts 168, 188 when the strut 122 is received by the table mounts 168, 188. The first strut 122 includes alignment brackets 348 that are disposed on each side of the first strut 122. In the illustrated construction, each of the brackets 348 has a C-shape and are coupled (e.g., welded) to the first strut 122 such that the brackets 348 are fixed relative to the first strut 122. The table mount 168 includes a fastener 352 that extends through a bracket of the brackets 348 to fix the bracket to the support 340. The table mount 188 includes a fastener 356 that extends through a bracket of the brackets 348 to fix the bracket to the support 332. The fasteners 352, 356 are accessible through the apertures 344 such that the connection between the supports 332, 340 and the brackets 348 can be tightened or loosened.
Although the disclosure has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred constructions, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the disclosure as described.
Claims
1. A frame subassembly for attaching a table to a panel of a workstation assembly, the panel including a frame and a panel insert that overlies the frame, the frame subassembly comprising:
- a first frame mount configured to be coupled to a first vertical frame member of the frame between a first end and a second end of the first vertical frame member;
- a second frame mount configured to be coupled to a second vertical frame member of the frame between a first end and a second end of the second vertical frame member;
- a beam coupled to the first frame mount and the second frame mount, the beam defining a plurality of apertures spaced apart along a length of the beam between the first frame mount and the second frame mount; and
- a table mount alternately couplable to the beam adjacent each aperture of the plurality of apertures to position the table mount at a desired location along the length of the beam, the table mount configured to extend through the panel insert and be coupled to a strut of the table to connect the table to the panel.
2. The frame subassembly of claim 1, further comprising a nut plate positioned within the beam, wherein the table mount is secured to the beam by the nut plate.
3. The frame subassembly of claim 2, wherein the nut plate includes a plate body and a nut coupled to the plate body, wherein the nut is aligned with an aperture of the plurality of apertures at the desired location, and wherein a fastener extends through the aperture and engages the nut to secure the table mount to the beam.
4. The frame subassembly of claim 3, wherein the beam includes a first slot formed in an upper side of the beam, and wherein the nut plate is insertable into the beam through the first slot.
5. The frame subassembly of claim 4, wherein the beam includes a second slot formed in a lower side of the beam opposite from the first slot, and wherein a portion of the nut plate is received in the second slot.
6. The frame subassembly of claim 5, wherein the plate body includes a step configured to engage the beam near the second slot.
7. The frame subassembly of claim 4, wherein the first slot is one of a plurality of first slots formed in the upper side of the beam, and wherein the nut plate is alternately insertable into each of the plurality of first slots to position the nut plate in alignment with an aperture of the plurality of apertures at the desired location along the length of the beam.
8. The frame subassembly of claim 1, wherein each of the first frame mount and the second frame mount includes a main body that supports the beam and an attachment mechanism configured to be coupled to the frame.
9. The frame subassembly of claim 8, wherein each attachment mechanism includes
- a first hook configured to engage the first vertical frame member or the second vertical frame member,
- an arm adjustably coupled to the main body, the arm including a second hook configured to engage the first vertical frame member or the second vertical frame member, and
- a fastener coupled to the arm and the main body, the fastener operable to adjust a position of the arm relative to the main body to move the second hook into engagement with the first vertical frame member or the second vertical frame member.
10. The frame subassembly of claim 9, wherein the main body of each attachment mechanism defines a slot, and wherein the arm of each attachment mechanism includes a step received in the slot.
11. The frame subassembly of claim 1, wherein the beam includes a first beam end defining a first opening that receives the first frame mount and a second beam end defining a second opening that receives the second frame mount.
12. A workstation assembly comprising:
- a table including a worksurface, a leg extending from the worksurface, and a strut extending from the leg;
- a panel including a frame and a panel insert, the frame having a first vertical frame member and a second vertical frame member; and
- the frame subassembly of claim 1, wherein the first frame mount is coupled to the first frame member, the second frame mount is coupled to the second frame member, and the table mount extends through the panel insert and is coupled to the strut.
13. The workstation assembly of claim 12, wherein the table is a height adjustable table.
14. The workstation assembly of claim 12, wherein the frame subassembly also includes a bezel, and wherein the bezel at least partially covers a cutout in the panel through which the table mount extends.
15. The workstation assembly of claim 12, wherein the leg is a first leg, the strut is a first strut, and the table mount is a first table mount, wherein the table also includes a second leg extending from the worksurface and a second strut extending from the second leg, and wherein the frame subassembly also includes a second table mount extending through the panel insert and coupled to the second strut.
16. A method of attaching a table to a panel of a workstation assembly, the panel including a frame and a panel insert that overlies the frame, the method comprising:
- coupling a first frame mount to a first vertical frame member of the frame between a first end and a second end of the first vertical frame member;
- coupling a second frame mount to a second vertical frame member of the frame between a first end and a second end of the second vertical frame member;
- coupling a beam to the first frame mount and the second frame mount, the beam defining a plurality of apertures spaced apart along a length of the beam between the first frame mount and the second frame mount;
- positioning a table mount at a desired location along the length of the beam adjacent an aperture of the plurality of apertures;
- coupling the table mount to the beam at the desired location, the table mount extending through the panel insert; and
- coupling a strut of the table to the table mount such that the table and the panel are connected.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein coupling the table mount to the beam includes inserting a fastener through the table mount and the aperture.
18. The method of claim 16, further comprising removing the panel insert from the frame of the panel prior to coupling the first frame mount, coupling the second frame mount, and coupling the beam.
19. The method of claim 16, further comprising attaching the panel insert to the frame of the panel after coupling the first frame mount, coupling the second frame mount, and coupling the beam.
20. The method of claim 16, further comprising cutting an aperture through the panel insert, wherein the table mount extends through the aperture of the panel insert.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 14, 2026
Publication Date: Jul 16, 2026
Inventors: Michael Katje (Grand Haven, MI), Jeffrey Lee (Mertztown, PA)
Application Number: 19/448,250