U.S. patent application number 10/875069 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-29 for modular desk system.
Invention is credited to Althofer, Gerd, Gray, Daniel G., Klassy, Aaron C..
Application Number | 20050284341 10/875069 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35504170 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050284341 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Klassy, Aaron C. ; et
al. |
December 29, 2005 |
Modular desk system
Abstract
A trading table handling dense arrays of cabling and connected
data and voice communications hardware includes a main
multi-function beam comprising the main structural connection
between leg assemblies and support for the table top, the beam also
providing support for vertical post assemblies to mount hardware
and other equipment and a variety of support devices to support and
organize wires and cabling for data and voice communications and
power below the table top in a manner that readily facilitates
access for installation, maintenance and repair. A pan assembly
supplements the beam in providing support for the table top and
also supports a tray arrangement positioned below the beam for
supporting cabling.
Inventors: |
Klassy, Aaron C.;
(Sheboygan, WI) ; Althofer, Gerd; (New York,
NY) ; Gray, Daniel G.; (Kohler, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Joseph J. Jochman
ANDRUS, SCEALES, STARKE & SAWALL, LLP
Suite 1100
100 East Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee
WI
53202-4178
US
|
Family ID: |
35504170 |
Appl. No.: |
10/875069 |
Filed: |
June 23, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/50.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 21/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/050.02 |
International
Class: |
A47B 037/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A table for use by one or more persons to receive, manipulate
and send data and voice communications, the table including a base
having pairs of supporting legs on opposite base ends, and a table
top supported by and extending between the base ends, said table
comprising: a beam extending between the base ends and along one
longitudinal edge of the table top, said beam providing
interconnection of the base ends, support for said one longitudinal
edge of the table top, and support for data and voice communication
hardware and cabling; a pan assembly attached to and extending
between the base ends, the pan assembly including an upper support
for the table top and a lower support for one edge of a horizontal
tray extending between the pan assembly and the beam, said tray
providing additional support for said cabling.
2. The table as set forth in claim 1 wherein said beam comprises a
substantially closed box-like structure including horizontal top
and bottom walls and vertical opposite side walls, openings spaced
longitudinally along the horizontal top wall and sized to receive
and provide lateral support for a vertical post assembly, and post
connection locations spaced longitudinally along the horizontal
bottom wall in vertical alignment with said openings to provide
connection for a lower end of a post assembly.
3. The table as set forth in claim 2 wherein each post assembly
includes a sleeve with a pair of threaded studs extending from the
lower end, and each post connection location includes a pair of
bolt holes for receipt of the studs.
4. The table as set forth in claim 3 wherein each post assembly
includes a hardware support post received and supported in said
sleeve.
5. The table as set forth in claim 4 including a clamping bushing
for securing the support post within the sleeve.
6. The table as set forth in claim 4 including friction fit
supports attached to said posts for adjustable vertical
positioning.
7. The table as set forth in claim 2 including a channel member
having a center web and opposite edge flanges, said channel member
attached by the center web to one side walls, and said edge flanges
having openings therein for receipt of cabling fasteners.
8. The table as set forth in claim 2 including a horizontal support
lip attached to said one side wall of the beam to support said one
longitudinal edge of the table top.
9. The table as set forth in claim 8 including a brush grommet
attached to said one longitudinal edge and closing a space between
said edge and said one side wall.
10. The table as set forth in claim 1 wherein the base includes a
truss on each base end providing attachment for one pair of
supporting legs and for one end of the beam.
11. The table as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pan assembly
includes an upper flange providing the support for the table top
and a lower flange providing the support for said one edge of the
tray.
12. The table as set forth in claim 11 wherein the table top
comprises a fixed outer section attached to the base ends and to
the upper flange of the pan assembly, and a removable inner
section, said inner section removably supported on said lip and on
a support face coplanar with the upper flange of and attached to
said pan assembly
13. The table as set forth in claim 11 including a second table
top, a second support lip attached to the other side wall of the
beam to provide support for one longitudinal edge of said second
table top, and a second pan assembly having an upper flange for
supporting an intermediate portion of said second table top.
14. The table as set forth in claim 13 wherein said second pan
assembly includes a lower flange, and said tray rests along an
opposite tray edge to the lower flange of said second pan
assembly.
15. The table as set forth in claim 14 wherein said tray comprises
a plurality of tray sections with each edge of said tray section
having a vertically offset lip adapted to rest on the lower flange
of one of said pan assemblies.
16. The table as set forth in claim 13 wherein said second table
top comprises a fixed outer section attached to the base ends and
to the upper flange of the second pan assembly, and a removable
inner section supported on said second lip and on a support face
coplanar with the upper flange of and attached to said second pan
assembly.
17. The table as set forth in claim 16 wherein the inner section of
each of said table tops includes a brush grommet for closing a
space between a longitudinal edge of said table top inner section
and said other side wall.
18. The table as set forth in claim 7 wherein said channel member
comprises a plurality of channel sections each having parallel
upper and lower edge flanges, each flange having a plurality of
openings positioned to provide vertically aligned opening pairs in
said flanges.
19. The table as set forth in claim 18 including a patch panel
bracket demountably attached to said channel section.
20. The table as set forth in claim 19 wherein said patch panel
bracket comprises a frame member for receiving a cable connection
terminal, an upper leg and a lower leg extending respectively from
an upper edge and a lower edge of the frame member, and pairs of
vertically aligned connector tabs extending from said upper and
lower legs for receipt in the opening pairs in said upper and lower
edge flanges.
21. A multi-use table to facilitate the receipt, manipulation and
transmission of data and voice communications, the table including
a base and supporting legs on opposite base ends, and a table top
supported by and extending between the base ends, said table
comprising: a main beam extending between the base ends and along
one longitudinal edge of the table top and providing
interconnection of the base ends and support for one longitudinal
edge of the table top; a pan assembly attached to and extending
between the base ends, the pan assembly providing support for one
edge of a horizontal tray extending between the pan assembly and
the beam; and, the beam, the pan assembly and the tray defining a
technology trough for the support and routing of data and voice
communication cabling and connecting hardware.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to desking systems for use in
business situations requiring high density data and voice
communications and, in particular, such a desking system providing
high functionality both in use and for maintenance and service,
such as are required in stock, money and commodities exchange
functions.
[0002] A class of tables or workstations has evolved that are
particularly adapted for use as so-called "trading tables" where
traders operating in the stock, currency, or commodities markets
need rapid access to large volumes of computer data and voice
transmissions. Such tables must typically hold, for rapid
convenient access, keyboards, CRTs or flat panel screens, and
telephones or other data and voice communications hardware. These
tables typically also include a space beneath the table top for the
computer hard drives and other data and communication hardware. The
tables have typically developed to be specified in linear runs and
modular table construction has facilitated the joining of multiple
tables in many different arrangements. In addition to the active
data and voice communications hardware, the tables also may be
adapted to provide screen panel dividers when assembled in
face-to-face relation.
[0003] In addition to the functional requirements for regular use,
it is important that any trading table construction provide support
and organization for data and voice cabling, connection terminals,
power supply wires and cables and other peripheral hardware in a
manner that keeps it out of sight for aesthetic purposes, yet
allows ready access thereto for maintenance, repair, or
replacement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The invention is directed to a table for use in data and
voice communications to and from communication hardware supported
on the table. The support for the hardware is provided by the table
top and a main beam, the main beam and a pan and tray assembly
beneath the table top define a technology trough for supporting and
routing cabling and connecting hardware for cable-supported
communication hardware.
[0005] In accordance with the present invention, a trading table
for use by a number of persons to receive, manipulate and send data
and voice communications includes a base supporting structure
having pairs of supporting legs on opposite base ends, and a table
top supported by and extending between the base ends, the unique
feature of the table comprising a multi-function technology trough
that extends between the base ends, and between and along at least
one longitudinal edge of the table top and a beam providing
interconnection of the base ends. The beam also provides support
for one longitudinal edge of the table top and support for data and
voice communications hardware and cabling. The beam comprises a
substantially closed box-like structure that includes horizontal
top and bottom walls and vertical opposite side walls. There are
openings spaced longitudinally along the horizontal top wall which
are sized to receive and provide lateral support for vertical post
assemblies that are adapted to support flat panel displays and
privacy screens between stations, and post connection locations
spaced longitudinally along the horizontal bottom wall and in
vertical alignment with the openings in the top wall to provide
connection for a lower end of a post assembly. A horizontal tray
member rests below the beam to provide support for data, voice
communication and power cabling. A channel member, having a center
web and opposite edge flanges is attached by the center web to one
side wall of the beam, and the edge flanges of the channel member
have openings therein for receipt of cabling fasteners and other
support hardware. A horizontal support lip is also attached to the
beam side wall to support one longitudinal edge of the table top.
The edge of the table top supported on the support lip adjacent the
beam includes a continuous brush grommet to close the space between
the table top edge and the beam side wall.
[0006] Each of the opposite base ends of the table includes a truss
that provides attachment for one pair of supporting legs and for
one end of the beam. In a preferred embodiment, the table includes
a pan assembly attached at opposite ends to and extending between
the trusses and parallel to the beam. The pan assembly includes a
lower flange for supporting the other edge of a cable-supporting
tray and an upper flange for supporting an intermediate portion of
the table top. The assembly of the beam channel member, the pan and
the tray defines the technology trough for the support and routing
of cabling and connecting hardware. The table top preferably
comprises a fixed outer section that is attached to the trusses and
to the upper flange of the pan assembly, and a removable inner
section that includes the brush grommet, the inner section being
removably supported on the lip, the upper flange of the pan
assembly, and on a support face that is coplanar with the upper
flange of and is attached to the pan assembly. Laterally adjacent
tables can be fastened together to provide side-by-side stations in
which the technology trough is continued station-to-station.
[0007] Each of the openings in the top wall of the beam is lined
with a bushing to provide protective support for the post
assemblies. Each post assembly includes a sleeve that includes a
pair of threaded studs that extend from the lower end and each post
location includes a pair of bolt holes for receipt of the studs. A
post then is inserted to the sleeve and fixed in position by a
clamping device. The posts are provided with friction fit supports
for adjustable vertical positioning of accessory hardware.
[0008] In the presently preferred embodiment, the table includes a
second table top which is supported on one longitudinal edge by a
second support lip attached to the other side wall of the beam. A
second pan assembly is also provided and has an upper flange for
supporting an intermediate portion of the second table top. The
second table top is preferably identical to the first and includes
a fixed outer section attached to the trusses and the upper flange
of the second pan assembly, and a removable inner section that is
supported on the second lip and on a support face coplanar with the
upper flange of and attached to said second pan assembly.
Similarly, the inner section of the second table top includes a
second brush grommet to close the space between the longitudinal
edge of the second table top inner section and the other side wall
of the beam.
[0009] The tray for supporting the cabling comprises a plurality of
tray sections each of which tray section has two vertically offset
lips adapted to rest on the lower flange of the pan assemblies.
[0010] The channel member preferably comprises a plurality of
channel sections each having parallel upper and lower edge flanges,
each flange having a plurality of openings positioned to provide
vertically aligned opening pairs in said flanges. A patch panel
bracket is provided for demountable attachment to each channel
section. The patch panel bracket comprises a frame member adapted
to receive a terminal face plate, an upper leg and a lower leg
extending respectively from an upper edge and a lower edge of the
frame member, and pairs of vertically aligned connector tabs
extending from said upper and lower legs for receipt in the opening
pairs in the upper and lower edge flanges of the channel
section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the table of the present
invention with certain elements removed to show details of the
interior construction.
[0012] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1 with the
table top removed.
[0013] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the
main supporting beam and pan assemblies showing various attachment
and support devices for table top components, cabling, and related
hardware.
[0014] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross section through the main beam
taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 1 and also including portions of the pan
assembly.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing a modified
construction.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0016] The table 10 of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 in
which all of the basic components of the table may be seen. The
table top 11 is supported on opposite base ends 12, each of which
includes a horizontal truss 13 and a pair of legs 14. A main beam
15 extends between the trusses 13 and also provide support for part
of the table top 11. The beam 15 forms the structural backbone of
the table and also provides support below the surface of the table
top for data, voice and power cabling and various hardware
connections, and above the table top for CRTs or flat panel
displays as well as other hardware accessories.
[0017] In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, the table
10 includes back-to-back table tops 11, each of which is preferably
sized to accommodate one user. Each table top 11 includes a main
outer section 16 which is attached at opposite longitudinal edges
to the trusses 13, and an inner section 17 which, in the preferred
construction, includes a pair of removable panels 18. The table top
may be finished with an edge trim piece 20 if that edge of the
table is exposed, or the edge trim piece 20 is eliminated if an
identical modular table 10 is attached.
[0018] Referring also to FIGS. 2-4, the main beam 15 is a
substantially closed box-like sheet metal structure that includes
horizontal top and bottom walls 21 and 22 and interconnecting side
walls 23. A connection plate 24 is welded to each end of the beam
to provide attachment to the trusses 13. A plurality of circular
openings 25 are provided in spaced locations longitudinally along
the length of the top wall 21 of the beam 15. The openings 25 are
adapted to receive, with a snug slip fit, post assemblies 26 which
are used to support various items of hardware and accessories above
the table top for convenient access by the user. Each post assembly
26 includes a mounting sleeve 19 and a post 39. Each sleeve 19 is
secured in position by a pair of threaded studs 27 attached to and
extending downwardly from the lower end of the sleeve. The studs
are received in a pair of holes 28 in the bottom wall 22, aligned
vertically with an opening 25 and providing a post connection
location for each of the openings 25. Each sleeve 19 is secured in
position by threading a nut and lock washer to the studs 27 from
beneath the bottom wall 22. A bushing 30 of suitable rubber or
plastic material is attached in each opening 25 to provide lateral
support and prevent metal-to-metal contact between the sleeve 19
and the top wall 21 of the beam. Posts 29 are inserted into the
sleeve 19 and are fixed in place by a threaded clamping bushing 34
at the top of the sleeve assembly. Friction fit supports 31 are
attached to each post assembly for adjustable vertical positioning
of the various hardware elements, such as flat panel displays
29.
[0019] A generally horizontal tray 32 is positioned below the main
beam 15. The tray 32 provides support for power, data and voice
communication cabling. Preferably, the tray 32 comprises a
plurality of tray sections 33 each of which has stepped opposite
edges 37 that terminate in horizontal flanges 38. Each horizontal
flange rests on and is supported by the lower flange 40 of a pan
assembly 41 that is attached to and extends between the trusses 13
parallel to the main beam 15. The stepped edge construction of the
tray sections 33 allows them to be easily installed and permitted
to rest on the lower flange 40 of the pan assemblies where they are
free to be positioned in any location specified by the user. The
pan assembly 41 also includes an integral vertical face and
oppositely extending upper flange 43, the function of which will be
described below. Cables, wires and the like supported by the pan
assembly and the beam can be arranged to pass laterally between
side-by-side stations by utilizing the continuous technology trough
concept disclosed herein.
[0020] A channel member 44 is attached to the side wall 23 of the
beam just above the tray sections 33. The channel member preferably
comprises a number of channel sections 45 equal in number to the
tray sections 33. Each channel section includes parallel upper and
lower edge flanges 46 and 47, respectively, and an integral
interconnecting center web 48 by which the,channel section 45 is
attached to the face of the side wall 23 with suitable fasteners
50, such as sheet metal screws, rivets, machine screws or spot
welds. Each of the upper and lower flanges 46 and 47 of the channel
section 45 is provided with elongated openings 51 which can be used
to attach cabling ties to secure bundles of cable in place. An
accessory patch panel bracket 52 may be utilized to secure industry
standard voice or data terminals (not shown). The patch panel
bracket 52 includes a frame member 53 in which may be mounted a
conventional wire or cable connection terminal. The patch panel
bracket also includes an upper leg 54 provided with a number of
stepped tabs 55 that are received in the elongated openings 51 in
the upper edge flange 46 of a channel section 45. The patch panel
bracket includes a lower leg 56 provided with a number of angled
tabs 57 aligned vertically with the upper stepped tabs 55 and
adapted to snap into the elongated openings 51 in the lower edge
flange 57 when the lower leg is released from deflection, as shown
in FIG. 4. This provides a secure yet demountable connection for
the patch panel 52.
[0021] In the longitudinal center of the beam 15, a horizontal lip
58 is attached by an integral vertical flange 60 to the outside
face of the beam side wall 23 immediately above the center channel
section 45. The horizontal supporting surface of the lip 58 is
positioned vertically below the horizontal top wall 21 of the beam
by a distance equal to the thickness of the inner table section 17
and provides support for the inner edge of that table section 17.
The opposite outer edge of the inner table section 17 is supported
by a portion of the upper flange 43 of the pan assembly 41, but is
supplementally supported on a support face 61 attached to the
vertical face 42 of the pan assembly so that it is coplanar with
the upper flange 43 of the pan assembly and the lip 58 supporting
the opposite edge of the table section. Conveniently, the support
face 61 may be made identically to the opposite supporting lip 58,
including an integral vertical flange 62 by which it is attached to
vertical face 42 of the pan assembly 41. As shown in the drawings,
each of the panels 18 forming the inner table section 17 rests on
an upper surface of the truss 13, the lip 58, the support face 61
and a portion of the upper flange 43 of the pan assembly. Each of
the table panels 18 is provided with a continuous brush grommet 63
along its inner edge, through which wiring, cabling and the like
from the secured position on the beam 15 below the table top may be
brought through the brush grommets to flat panel displays mounted
on posts 26 above the table top or to monitors, keyboards,
telephone equipment or other hardware supported on the table top 11
itself. Each of the table top panels 18 is separately and easily
removable for access to the cabling and wires below and the
terminals carried by the patch panels 52.
[0022] The main outer section 16 of the table top 11 is supported
on and attached to the trusses 13 and is also supported on and
attached to a portion of the upper flange 43 of the pan assembly
41, such that adjacent edges of the outer and inner table sections
16 and 17 abut one another and are commonly supported on the upper
flange 43 of the pan assembly.
[0023] The completely open construction of the table 10 beneath the
beam and tray assemblies defining the technology trough permits the
convenient placement of computer hard drives and related hardware
or bulky voice communications equipment on the floor beneath the
table, while still permitting ample leg room for face-by-face
users. The back-to-back construction of the table 10 of the
preferred embodiment is designed for two users seated face-to-face
and sharing mounting posts 26 which may be used, for example, to
mount back-to-back flat panel displays, or common privacy
partitions. The disclosed table construction also permits easy
modification to a two-person side-by-side table by simply
substituting shortened truss members 13 and eliminating the table
top 11 and pan assembly 41 from one side of the preferred
construction.
[0024] The construction of a modified table 59 is shown in FIG. 5.
This construction utilizes modified tray sections 64 which are
narrower than the tray sections 33 of the preferred embodiment.
Each modified tray section 64 includes a stepped inner edge 65
provided with a number of horizontally extending tabs 66 adapted to
be received in horizontal slots 67 in the side wall 23 of the beam
15 near the bottom edge thereof. The opposite outer edge of each
modified tray section 64 is identical to that of the preferred
embodiment and includes a stepped construction that terminates in a
horizontal flange 68 that rests on and is supported by the lower
flange 40 of the pan assembly 41.
[0025] The exposed end of a table or a line of such tables can be
closed off with any of a variety of decorative end panels which may
be easily attached to end trusses 13 and/or legs 14. When multiple
tables 10 are joined together in a row, the edge trim piece 20 is
eliminated and the table top 11 of an adjacent table rests upon and
is attached to the truss 13 (and shares the legs 14) of the table
to which it is attached.
* * * * *