U.S. patent application number 11/127860 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-16 for flexible modesty panel for furniture.
This patent application is currently assigned to Robert Luchetti Associates, Inc.. Invention is credited to David Alfred Brothers, Matthew John Bushey, Robert James Luchetti.
Application Number | 20060254471 11/127860 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37022841 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060254471 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Luchetti; Robert James ; et
al. |
November 16, 2006 |
Flexible modesty panel for furniture
Abstract
A flexible modesty panel is able to conform to curved furniture
shapes to allow the modesty panel to be used in connection with
furniture such as continuous classroom desk systems that may assume
an arbitrary configuration. For example, the flexible modesty panel
may be used with a modular desk system configured to form rows of
continuous curving desk surfaces. The modesty panel may have a
plurality of grooves on one side. Panels may be longitudinally
interconnected using connectors disposed within the grooves and may
supported using panel support brackets that connect to the grooves.
Bolts having oblong heads that are designed to slip into the
grooves in the modesty panel enable panel support brackets to be
connected at arbitrary positions along the length of the modesty
panel. A top groove in the modesty panel may be provided to enable
name cards to be supported on the top edge of the modesty
panel.
Inventors: |
Luchetti; Robert James;
(Cambridge, MA) ; Bushey; Matthew John;
(Arlington, MA) ; Brothers; David Alfred;
(Radford, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JOHN C. GORECKI, ESQ.
P.O BOX 553
CARLISLE
MA
01741
US
|
Assignee: |
Robert Luchetti Associates,
Inc.
Cambridge
MA
|
Family ID: |
37022841 |
Appl. No.: |
11/127860 |
Filed: |
May 12, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/50.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 96/205 20130101;
F16B 12/125 20130101; A47B 2200/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/050.01 |
International
Class: |
A47B 37/00 20060101
A47B037/00 |
Claims
1. A flexible modesty panel for furniture, comprising: a first
modesty panel section configured to be pliable in a longitudinal
direction to enable the modesty panel section to assume a desired
radius of curvature.
2. The flexible modesty panel of claim 1, further comprising at
least a second modesty panel, configured like the first modesty
panel, and joined to the first modesty panel section to form a
continuous modesty panel.
3. The flexible modesty panel of claim 1, wherein a groove is
defined along a top edge of the flexible modesty panel, said groove
being configured to a hold name card associated with a person
located at that longitudinal place along the modesty panel.
4. The flexible modesty panel of claim 1, wherein the modesty panel
section is formed to have a plurality of elongate grooves formed in
the longitudinal direction.
5. The flexible modesty panel of claim 4, wherein the elongate
grooves are formed by a plurality of elongate T-shaped
protrusions.
6. The flexible modesty panel of claim 5, wherein the modesty panel
sections are connected by splices configured to fit within said
grooves and engage edges of said T-shaped protrusions.
7. The flexible modesty panel of claim 5, wherein the inside edges
of said T-shaped protrusions are configured to engage a head of a
bolt to resist the bolt from being extricated from the groove in
the modesty panel.
8. The flexible modesty panel of claim 7, wherein the grooves are
configured to be on a back surface of the flexible modesty panel,
and wherein the grooves are configured to enable the flexible
modesty panel to be engaged by the bolts to support the modesty
panel relative to an associated furniture surface.
9. The flexible modesty panel of claim 1, further comprising a
decorative surface on a front surface of the modesty panel.
10. The flexible modesty panel of claim 9, wherein the decorative
surface comprises a plurality of longitudinally aligned triangular
ridges.
11. The flexible modesty panel of claim 1, wherein the modesty
panel comprises a plurality of longitudinally aligned grooves, and
the modesty panel further comprises at least one support bracket
configured to engage a first set of the grooves of the modesty
panel to hold the modesty panel in a first vertical position
relative to an adjacent object.
12. The flexible modesty panel of claim 11, wherein the first
vertical position may be changed by causing the support bracket to
engage a second set of grooves of the modesty panel.
13. The flexible modesty panel of claim 11, further comprising an
E-shaped bracket configured to engage a second set of grooves of
the modesty panel at an end of the modesty panel to enable a
junction to be formed between the modesty panel and a side modesty
panel.
14. A modesty panel for a curved desk system, the modesty panel
comprising: at least one longitudinally elongated flexible modesty
panel positioned about an edge of curved desk system and flexed to
approximate a radius of curvature of the curved desk system; and a
plurality of brackets configured to attach to the curved desk
system and engage the longitudinally elongated flexible modesty
panel.
15. The modesty panel of claim 14, wherein the curved desk system
comprises a plurality of modular table tops supported by support
plates.
16. The modesty panel of claim 14, wherein the elongated flexible
modesty panel has a plurality of longitudinally extending T-shaped
projections defining elongate grooves running a significant portion
of the length of the modesty panel.
17. The modesty panel of claim 16, wherein the brackets are
configured to engage at least one of the elongate grooves to
support the modesty panel in a predetermined vertical position
relative to the curved desk system.
18. The modesty panel of claim 14, wherein the longitudinally
elongated flexible modesty panel is configured to be disposed along
a curved edge of the curved desk system, the modesty panel further
comprising an end modesty panel section configured to attach to the
longitudinally elongated flexible modesty panel at a corner
junction.
19. The modesty panel of claim 18, further comprising an E-shaped
bracket configured to attach to an end of the longitudinally
elongated flexible modesty panel, and an L-shaped bracket
configured to adjustably attach to the E-shaped bracket, wherein
the combination of the E-shaped bracket and the L-shaped bracket
enable the corner junction to be positioned a desired distance from
the edge of the curved desk system.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to furniture such as desks and
tables and, more particularly, to a flexible modesty panel for
furniture.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Educational facilities generally have many classrooms to
enable multiple classes to occur simultaneously. Initially,
classrooms were simply rooms with desks or chairs where the
students could sit in the presence of the lecturer. As teaching
styles developed, classroom design changed as well to suit the
different teaching styles. Thus, the configuration of a classroom
may depend on the intended teaching style which, frequently,
depends on the subject matter to be taught in the classroom. The
type of furniture and the particular design of the furniture to be
used in the classroom will similarly depend on the classroom
configuration.
[0005] One common way of configuring a classroom is to create long
desk surfaces surrounding a central presentation area. Chairs
spread along the long desk surface allow students to face the
presentation area while seated along the desk surface. The desk
surfaces may be straight to form straight rows, or may be curved to
form curved rows about the central presentation area, depending on
the configuration of the classroom. Classrooms of this nature are
widely used in specialized educational facilities, such as law
schools and business schools, and are increasingly being
implemented in other types of educational facilities such as
colleges, universities, and high-schools. Additionally, facilities
that are not primarily educational, such as office buildings, are
starting to install classrooms to enable on-site training to be
provided to employees.
[0006] Although classrooms with curved desk surfaces may have
certain advantages over other classroom configurations for
particular teaching styles, the desk surfaces for use in a
classroom of this nature must often be custom-designed for that
classroom. Specifically, where the desk surfaces are to be formed
as arcs surrounding the central presentation area, each desk
surface will need to be formed to have a different radius of
curvature given that it is to be placed a different distance from
the presentation area. The modesty panels for use in such a
classroom must be formed to fit the desk surfaces and, hence, must
be customized for the particular classroom as well. The
customization associated with fabricating the modesty panels
increases the costs associated with outfitting a classroom which,
in turn, may inhibit proliferation of such classrooms.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A flexible modesty panel allows a conforming modesty panel
to be provided with curved desk systems disposed in an arbitrary
configuration. According to one embodiment, the flexible modesty
panel is configured to have a plurality of grooves enabling the
modesty panel to be secured to the modular furniture components or
other types of furniture systems at a desired height. Panels may be
secured to each other using modular in-line connectors and may be
connected to the desk surfaces using panel support brackets.
Specially designed bolts having oblong heads are designed to slip
into the grooves in the modesty panel and engage lips on the edges
of the modesty panel grooves to enable the panel support brackets
to be connected at arbitrary positions along the length of the
modesty panel. A top groove in the modesty panel may be provided to
enable name cards to be supported on the top edge of the modesty
panel. The modesty panel may be used with the classroom table
system described herein or with other tables, desks, table systems,
or furniture.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Aspects of the present invention are pointed out with
particularity in the appended claims. The present invention is
illustrated by way of example in the following drawings in which
like references indicate similar elements. The following drawings
disclose various embodiments of the present invention for purposes
of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the
invention. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be
labeled in every figure. In the figures:
[0009] Aspects of the present invention are pointed out with
particularity in the appended claims. The present invention is
illustrated by way of example in the following drawings in which
like references indicate similar elements. The following drawings
disclose various embodiments of the present invention for purposes
of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the
invention. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be
labeled in every figure. In the figures:
[0010] FIGS. 1 and 2 are block diagrams of classrooms including
rows of desk surfaces created from modular furniture components
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a portion of a desk
surface according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a top view of a support plate according to an
embodiment of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 5A is a top view of a table top configured to be used
in an embodiment of the invention;
[0014] FIGS. 5B, 5D, and 5E are top views of the table top of FIG.
5A supported by support plates of approximately the same size
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0015] FIG. 5C is a front view of the desk system of FIG. 5B;
[0016] FIG. 6A is a top view of another table top shape configured
to be used in an embodiment of the invention;
[0017] FIG. 6B-6D are top views of the table top of FIG. 6A
supported by support plates of approximately the same size
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 7A is a top view of another table top shape configured
to be used in an embodiment of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 7B-7D are top views of the table top of FIG. 7A
supported by support plates of approximately the same size
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a front paraline exploded view of a portion of a
desk system according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a modesty panel
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 10 is a side view in partial cross-section of a portion
of the modesty panel and a splice according to an embodiment of the
invention;
[0023] FIG. 11 is a side view in partial cross-section of a portion
of the modesty panel and a L-shaped support bracket according to an
embodiment of the invention;
[0024] FIGS. 12 and 13 are top views of an attaching bolt that may
be used to secure items to the modesty panel of FIG. 11;
[0025] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the bolt of one of FIGS. 12
and 13;
[0026] FIGS. 15 and 16 are top views illustrating the junction
between a front modesty panel and a side modesty panel as the
radius of curvature of the desk system is changed;
[0027] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an E-shaped corner bracket
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0028] FIG. 18 is a side view illustrating two alternative
techniques of connecting an L-shaped support bracket to the modesty
panel according to an embodiment of the invention; and
[0029] FIG. 19 is a series of side views in partial cross-section,
of a modesty panel and support bracket system illustrating a
plurality of available height options for the modesty panel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] The following detailed description sets forth numerous
specific details to provide a thorough understanding of the
invention. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In
other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components,
protocols, algorithms, and circuits have not been described in
detail so as not to obscure the invention.
[0031] FIGS. 1 and 2 are block diagrams of classrooms 10 configured
using furniture designed according to an embodiment of the
invention. In the deployment shown in FIG. 1, the desk surfaces 12
are configured to form straight rows while in the deployment shown
in FIG. 2, the desk surfaces 12 are configured to form curved rows
with different radii of curvature (R1 and R2). Other desk surface
shapes may be constructed as well, such as rows including both
straight and curved portions, and the invention is not limited to
the particular deployments illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the classroom 10 includes a presentation
area 14, which may include a desk, podium, or other teaching stand,
and may also include other common teaching aids such as white
boards, chalk boards, video presentation equipment, and other
commonly available teaching aids. The classroom also includes a
student seating area 16 which may include chairs 18 and elongated
desk surfaces 12 formed in rows.
[0033] According to an embodiment of the invention, the desk
surfaces 12 are formed from modular table tops 20 supported by
support plates 22 which allow the table tops to be angularly
adjusted relative to each other. Specifically, the table tops 20
may be supported by the support plates 22 at an arbitrary angle
relative to a neighboring table top so that the combination of
table tops and support plates allow a unified desk surface of
arbitrary shape and radius to be approximated. Additionally, the
support plates allow gaps between adjacent table tops to be spanned
so that a continuous desk surface may be created using discrete
modular table tops 20 and support plates 22.
[0034] For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the table tops may be
disposed at selected angles relative to each other to enable the
table tops and support plates to form arcuate continuous desk
surfaces having different radii (R1, R2) in a classroom setting.
Other classroom configurations are possible as well and the
invention is not limited to a classroom having straight or arcuate
shapes. Rather, any common classroom configuration may be
approximated using the modular table tops and support plates, so
that classroom desk surfaces may be formed without requiring the
design and fabrication of custom furniture for the particular
classroom.
[0035] The support plates are supported by pedestals 24 and the
table tops are bolted or otherwise secured to the support plates so
that the table tops may be fully supported by the support plates
without requiring the table tops to have an independent set of
legs. Optionally, the rows of tables may be mounted on risers
relative to the presentation area, in which case the pedestals may
be attached to the riser floor or the riser ridge extending between
riser floors.
[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which a
pedestal 24 is provided to elevate the support plate 22 relative to
the ground surface 26. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the
pedestal 24 has a base 28 configured to bolt or otherwise attach to
the floor of the classroom. The base 28 in the illustrated
embodiment supports two chairs 18 in a self-retracting manner such
that the chairs will be pulled toward the table tops 20 when not in
use. The invention is not limited to the use of a pedestal that
includes self-retracting chairs, however, as other types of chairs
may be used as well. An example of a chair that may be used in
connection with an embodiment of the invention is described in
greater detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/076,358,
filed Mar. 9, 2005, and entitled Chair With Self-Adjusting Chair
Back, the content of which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
[0037] The pedestal 24 includes post 30 to extend between the base
28 and the support plate 22. The post 30 may extend straight upward
or may angle away from the base 28 (e.g. forward) to allow the
support plate to be supported at a region other than directly over
the base 28. For example, the post 30 may extend forward so that
the base 28 may be mounted to the riser and the support plate may
extend over the edge of the riser. Additionally, causing the post
to extend forward allows the location of the pivot point of the
self-retracting chairs to be placed closer to the rear edge of the
table top to make it easier for the users to get into and out of
the chairs. The invention is not limited to the use of a particular
configuration for the pedestal 24 as many different configurations
may be possible.
[0038] The post 30 connects to the support plate 22 using an
appropriate attachment mechanism, such as bolts or rivets. Other
permanent attachment techniques may be used as well, such as by
welding the support plate 22 to the post 30. The invention is not
limited to the particular manner in which this connection is
made.
[0039] Optionally, an electrical module 32 having one or more data
ports 34 and/or electrical outlets 36 may be provided on the
support plate to allow users to connect a laptop computer to a
computer network and to allow users to power electrical devices
that may need to be used in the classroom. Optionally, electrical
wires 38 and data cables 40 required to service the electrical
module 32 may be channeled through the pedestal 24, although other
wire keeping mechanisms may be used as well.
[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, the support plate 22 is
disposed under the table tops 20 to provide support to the table
tops. The invention is not limited in this manner, however, as the
support plate may be configured to extend over the top of the table
tops 20 or into a groove carved in the edge of the table tops 20.
For example, the support plates may be formed of 1/8 inch or 3/16
inch stainless steel or other metal and beveled to attach so that
an edge of the support plate merges into the top surface of the
table top. Thus, many combinations of support plates and table tops
may be possible and the invention is not limited to the several
illustrated embodiments.
[0041] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a support plate 18 that may
be used in connection with desk system according to an embodiment
of the invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the support plate 22 has a
front edge 42 designed to be closer to the edge of the desk facing
the chairs, and has a rear edge 44 away from the edge of the desk
where the users will be sitting.
[0042] In the illustrated example, the table tops are relatively
trapezoidal in shape, which allows the inter-table spacing, when
measured along the front edge 42 of the support plate 36, to vary
depending on the relative angle .alpha. between adjoining tables,
while allowing the inter-table spacing, when measured along the
rear edge 44, to remain relatively constant. The opposite
configuration may be used as well, where the inter-table spacing
along the front edge 42 is caused to remain relatively constant,
and the rear table corners are allowed to be disposed at different
distances relative to each other. Additionally, optionally, the
tables may be connected to the support plates intermediate the
front and rear edges so that the inter-table spacing at the middle
of the plate may be relatively constant. The invention is thus not
limited to the particular embodiments described herein.
[0043] The support plate may include a first set of apertures 46
located adjacent the rear edge of the support plate 30, and through
which bolts may be used to connect the table tops to the support
plate. The first set of apertures 46 allow the rear edge 44 of the
support plate 22 to be connected to the table tops 20 in a
consistent manner to achieve regular inter-table spacing along the
rear edge of the desk system. Specifically, the apertures 46 close
to the rear edge 44 may accept bolts (not shown) that will engage a
mating nut or otherwise engage the material of the table top 20 to
secure the corner of the table top to the support plate. By using
apertures 46 approximating the size of the bolts, the inter-table
spacing along the rear edge 38 may be maintained regardless of the
orientation of the tables relative to each other.
[0044] Since the table tops are to be mountable at different angles
relative to the support plate, an arcuate connector 48 is formed in
at least one of the support plate 22 and the table top 20 to enable
variably positioned interconnection of the support plate and table
top to occur closer to the front edge 42 of the support plate 22.
The radius of curvature (R3) of the arcuate connector 48 may be set
to be coincident with the distance between the aperture 46 and the
respective arcuate connector 48 so that a mating connector may
connect with a portion of the arcuate connector at any desired
position. For example, the arcuate connector may be an arcuate
aperture in the support plate through which a bolt may engage an
aperture 50 in the table. Alternatively, the arcuate connector may
be a groove carved in the table top through which a bolt may engage
the table top via an appropriately disposed aperture in the
connector plate. Other connection systems may be used as well and
the invention is not limited to one of these connection
systems.
[0045] The support plate may have additional features, such as an
aperture 52 to receive or accept an electrical module 32. As shown
in FIG. 4, the electrical module should be located in a portion of
the support plate 22 that is not intended to support the table tops
18. In the illustrated embodiment, the data port has been drawn as
relatively close to the rear surface 44, since the mounting
location of the table tops 20 is configured to be fixed along the
rear edge. Specifically, since the tables are fixed along the rear
edge, sufficient room to support the data port should be available
regardless of the manner in which the tables are disposed relative
to each other. The invention is not limited in this manner, as the
electrical module may be placed in another suitable location or,
alternatively, multiple electrical modules may be provided on the
support plate.
[0046] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the front corners
along the front edge 42 are beveled 54 to prevent the corners from
sticking out from the front surface of the table tops when the tops
are angled relative to each other. The invention is not limited in
this regard, as alternatively a square or other shaped support
plate may be used.
[0047] The support plates 22 may be formed of metal, plastic, wood,
or another material capable of supporting the weight of the table
tops, books, and other items commonly placed on table tops in an
educational environment. The table tops may be made of wood such as
furniture grade particle board covered with a melamine or other
laminate surface, may be made of a solid surface, or may be made of
a plastic such as a blow-molded plastic. The invention is not
limited to the type of material used to make the table tops or
support plates.
[0048] The support plates may be relatively small in comparison to
the table tops 20 as shown in FIGS. 1-4 or, as shown in FIGS.
5A-5D, 6A-6D, and 7A-7D, may be sized to approximate the table
tops. FIG. 5C illustrates a front view of the desk system of this
embodiment where the support plates are configured to be of
approximately the same sizes as the table tops. Sizing the support
plates to be relatively large may allow the support plate to be
used as additional writing areas by students in the classroom. In
these several figures, the shape of the trapezoids is varied such
that both surfaces are straight (FIGS. 5A-5D), one surface is
straight and one has a slight curvature (FIGS. 6A-6D), or to have
two slightly curved surfaces (FIGS. 7A-7D). The invention is thus
not limited to the use of a perfect trapezoid but rather may extend
to use table tops shaped in other ways.
[0049] The angle .beta. (see FIG. 5A) of the trapezoid and the
length of the tables determines the minimum radius of curvature
that may be formed in a desk system using the modular tables
described herein. Accordingly, these parameters may be adjusted to
allow typical deployments to occur without requiring modification
of the tables. For example, in one embodiment of the invention the
angle .beta. between the front and side edges of the trapezoidal
shaped table top is between about 70.degree. and 80.degree., and
more particularly approximately 74.degree., although the invention
is not limited in this manner as other angles may be used as well.
Where the table is to seat two people, the table top may be
designed to have a front surface of approximately five to six feet.
The invention is also not limited in this manner, however, as other
sized table tops may be used without departing from the present
invention.
[0050] FIG. 8 illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of the
invention in which a flexible modesty panel is provided in
connection with the desk system. As shown in FIG. 8, and as
described above, the desk system includes table tops 20' supported
by support plates 22, each of which is configured to mate with a
pedestal 24. A flexible modesty panel 56 may be attached to the
table top or support plates using an L-shaped support bracket 58.
The modesty panel 56 may be supported on its ends by an E-shaped
corner bracket 60 configured to engage the modesty panel 56 and an
end support bracket 62. The end support bracket 62 connects to a
modesty panel end piece 64 configured to shield the underside of
the desks at the end of a row of tables. Additional details about
each of the pieces associated with the modesty panel and the
various brackets that may be used to attach the modesty panel to
the tables are provided below.
[0051] The table described herein may be used with the modesty
panel described below, or alternatively, the table may be provided
with no modesty panel or provided with a differently configured
modesty panel. Similarly, the modesty panel described herein may be
used with the desk system described herein, other desk systems
including custom made desk systems, tables, desks, and other types
of furniture. The modesty panel and desk system, while configured
to work together, are not limited to being used together as each
may be used alone or in combination with other respective
components.
[0052] FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of a flexible modesty
panel 56 that may be used with the desk system described herein or
with another piece of furniture such as another desk system, desk,
or table. Providing a flexible modesty panel allows the same
modesty panel to be used with a desk system regardless of the
configuration of the desk system. Specifically, by making the
modesty panel flexible, the same modesty panel sections may be used
to create a continuous arc shape of arbitrary radius of curvature
to allow the modesty panel to be used in a classroom setting, such
as in connection with a group of table tops and support plates
forming a desk surface as discussed in greater detail above.
Additionally, the flexible modesty panel allows the modesty panel
to conform to other curved shapes depending on the particular type
of application with which it is to be used. For example, the
flexible modesty panel could be used with desks having a curved
rear edge. Thus, the flexible modesty panel may be used in a
plurality of different settings.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 9, the modesty panel 56 may be configured
with a plurality of elongate grooves 66 to enable the modesty panel
to be attached to the support brackets 58, 60 to be supported
relative to the table. By providing a plurality of grooves along
the inside surface, optionally at regular vertical intervals, the
support brackets 58, 60 may be attached to the modesty panel at
different heights and, hence, the top edge 68 of the modesty panel
56 may be adjusted relative to the top surface of the tables. For
example, where the modesty panel is to extend only to the top edge
of the table top, the support brackets 58, 60 used to attach the
modesty panel to the desk system may be attached to one or more of
the elongate grooves 66 relatively close to the top edge 68. Where
the top edge is to extend above the top surface of the table top, a
set of grooves downward from the top edge may be selected.
[0054] Optionally, the modesty panel may have a textured front
exterior surface 70, for example including a plurality of
vertically spaced triangular ridges 72 extending the length of the
modesty panel. These or other decorative surfaces may be extruded
with the panel, embossed on the surface of the modesty panel, or
otherwise provided to enhance the appearance of the modesty panel.
The invention is not limited to a particular type of decorative
front surface 70.
[0055] A top groove 74 may be created to run the length of the
modesty panel to allow name cards to be inserted into the top edge
68 of the modesty panel. The name cards may be used to designate
particular seats as being assigned to individuals, or may be used
to identify the individual seated at that position to the person
making the presentation and other students in the classroom.
[0056] The modesty panel 56 may be formed of a plurality of pieces
which are joined together by a splice mechanism 76. One example of
a splice mechanism 76 that may be used, for example, is illustrated
in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 9, the splice mechanism 76 has two
pieces 78, 80 of material such as metal, that are configured to be
received in ends of the grooves 66 of respective pieces of material
that are being joined together. Once inserted into the grooves, the
two pieces 78, 80, may be caused to move away from each other (e.g.
by turning screws or bolts disposed through the splice) such that
one piece 78 impinges on the back wall of the groove 66 and the
other piece 80 impinges the front edges of the groove 66.
[0057] FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of a splice mechanism
76 inserted into one of the grooves 66 of the modesty panel 56. As
shown in FIG. 10, the grooves 66 of the modesty panel 56 are formed
by adjacent T-shaped protrusions 82, which define front interior
surfaces 84, side interior surfaces 86, and a back interior surface
88. When the pieces of the splice 76 move away from each other
(e.g. by turning bolt 90), the front piece 80 engages the front
surfaces 84 of adjacent T-shaped protrusions 82 and the rear piece
78 engages the back interior surface 88 of the groove 66.
Engagement of these pieces (78, 80) with the surfaces of the groove
66 prevents the splice 76 from sliding along the groove 66. By
disposing a portion of the splice 76 into grooves of adjacent
sections of modesty panel 56, the modesty panel sections may be
joined together. A similar mechanism may be used to secure the
prongs 92 of the E-shaped corner bracket 60 (see FIG. 17) within
the grooves 66 of the modesty panel 56 to secure the E-shaped
corner bracket 60 to the modesty panel 56 and, hence, allow the
modesty panel to be secured at its ends.
[0058] L-shaped support brackets 58 and other elements of interest,
such as optionally shelves or hooks, may be secured to the modesty
panel using bolts 92 that are designed to fit into the grooves 66
and engage the front interior surfaces 84 of the T-shaped
protrusions 82. FIG. 11 illustrates an L-shaped support bracket 58
attached to the modesty panel 56, and FIGS. 12-14 illustrate
embodiments of a bolt that may be configured to perform this
purpose. As shown in these figures, the bolt 92 has a head 94 and a
shaft 96. The head 94, in this example, is elongated in one
direction and thin in the other, so that the thin dimension (a) of
the bolt will allow the bolt to fit between the edges 96 of the
T-shaped protrusions 82 to slip into the grooves 66 in the modesty
panel 56 intermediate the ends of the modesty panel. At the same
time, the elongated portions of the head 94 are designed to be of
sufficient length (b) to engage the interior side surfaces 86 when
the bolt is turned relative to the groove 66.
[0059] By inserting the bolt 90 into the groove 66 and turning the
bolt through an angle approaching 90 degrees, the longer portions
of the head 94 will engage the front interior surfaces 84 causing
the bolt to be placed in a position where it is able to exert force
against the front interior surfaces 84 and, hence, to hold onto the
modesty panel. Optionally, the long portions of the head of the
bolt may be configured to be slightly longer than an interior
dimension of the groove 66 such that the edges 98 of the long
portion of the head 94 of the bolt 92 will butt against the side
interior surfaces 86 of the groove 66 to prevent the head of the
bolt from turning within the groove more than a particular amount.
This enables the bolt to be tightened to nut 100 while positioned
within the groove without requiring a tool to hold the head of the
bolt 92 from turning within the groove.
[0060] The modesty panel may be made of one or more resilient
pliable plastic sheets of appropriate width and thickness, and
extend the length of the row of tables. These sheets may be
supported by L-shaped support brackets 58 intermediate the ends and
may be supported on the ends by a combination of an E-shaped corner
bracket 60 and an end support bracket 62 and a modesty panel end
piece 64.
[0061] To allow the radius of curvature of the modesty panel to
remain relatively constant at the end of a row of tables, the
junction between the modesty panel 56 and the modesty panel end
piece 64 may be adjustable relative to the edge of the tables. For
example, as shown in FIG. 15, where the tables tops are positioned
in a straight line, the modesty panel will follow the straight line
of the edges of the tables and the joint 104 between the front
modesty panel 56 and the modesty panel end piece 64 will be
relatively close to the front edge of the tables. However, as shown
in FIG. 16 where the tables are positioned in an arc, to allow the
modesty panel to have an arced shape at the ends of the rows of
desks, the joints 104 between the front modesty panel 56 and the
modesty panel end piece 64 will need to be formed a distance away
from the edge of the table.
[0062] According to an embodiment of the invention, end support
bracket 62 is attached to the support plate 22 at the end of the
row of tables. The end support bracket 62 has a plurality of
horizontally oriented elongate apertures 63 formed to allow the
modesty panel end piece 64 to be attached to the vertical portion
of the end support bracket 62 at a desired horizontal position
relative to the end piece. For example, the modesty panel end piece
64 may be formed from melamine and carry pre-threaded inserts
configured to receive bolts disposed through the elongate apertures
63.
[0063] The modesty panel end piece is attached to the E-shaped
corner bracket 60 using bolts or another appropriate attachment
mechanism. By mounting the modesty panel end piece relative to the
support plate 22 at a desired horizontal location, the junction 104
between the modesty panel end piece 64 and the modesty panel 56 may
be positioned at a desired distance away from the front edge of the
tables. The invention is not limited to this particular described
embodiment, as other ways of enabling the modesty panel 56 to
assume a relatively uniform radius of curvature may be employed as
well. For example, the end support bracket 62 may be adjustably
connected to the support plate 22 and fixed directly to the
E-shaped corner bracket or, alternatively, made integral with the
E-shaped corner bracket and thus configured to directly carry the
expandable plates 84 of the E-shaped corner bracket.
[0064] As mentioned above, the modesty panel is supported
intermediate its ends via L-shaped support brackets 58 attached to
the table tops 20. Optionally, the modesty panel may also be
attached to the support plates 22 disposed between the table tops
using L-shaped support brackets 58. However, as with the end
junction described above, the junction between the modesty panels
and support plates will vary depending on the amount of curvature
of the desk system. Thus, since the distance between the support
plate and modesty panel will vary depending on the radius of
curvature of the modesty panel, the L-shaped support brackets 58
may have elongated slot-shaped apertures formed in their upper
surfaces to allow the L-shaped support brackets 58 to be attached
to the support plates at different relative locations. This allows
the downwardly dependent portion of the L-shaped support bracket to
be spaced a desired distance from the rear edge of the support
panel depending on the particular configuration of the desk surface
and associated modesty panel.
[0065] The E-shaped corner bracket 60 is illustrated in greater
detail in FIG. 17. As shown in FIG. 17, the corner bracket has one
or more pairs of plates 92 that are designed to expand to engage
the interior surfaces 84, 86 of the grooves 66 of the modesty panel
56 in a manner similar to the splices 76 described above in
connection with FIGS. 9 and 10. The E-shaped corner bracket also
has a plurality of apertures 86 through which bolts may extend to
engage the modesty panel end piece 64.
[0066] As described above, the modesty panels may be formed with a
plurality of grooves on one surface to allow the modesty panels to
be connected at any point along their surface to support brackets
to thereby allow the modesty panels to be used regardless of the
radius of curvature of the desk system to which they are attached.
The modesty panels may be secured using bolts such as the bolts
described above in connection with FIGS. 13-14, or may be
configured to receive appropriately configured appendages 108 on
support brackets 58', such as the protrusions illustrated in FIG.
18.
[0067] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 18, one support
bracket 58 is designed to be connected to the modesty panel 56
using bolts 90 and the other support bracket 58' is designed to
have mating appendages 108 that are configured to fit within the
grooves 66 defined by the T-shaped protrusions 82 on the modesty
panel 56. The mating appendages 108 may be slid into the grooves
from the end of the modesty panel or may be pushed into the grooves
66 intermediate the ends of the modesty panel such as by bending
the panel about a lateral axis to open the grooves or by angling
the front faces of the mating appendages.
[0068] Three examples of shapes that may be used to form the
appendages have been illustrated in FIG. 18. In practice, one shape
would most likely be selected for the appendages. In particular,
the appendages 108 have been illustrated as assuming a relatively
rectangular shape 110, a rectangular shape with beveled edges 112,
and an arrow-shaped portion 114 having flexible ends 116 that may
be bent toward a central shaft 118 to allow the appendage 108 to
more easily push into the groove 66.
[0069] To provide stability to the modesty panel, a bracket 58, 58'
may have more than one appendage 108 or a bolt 90 vertically spaced
along its length to allow the bracket 58, 58' to engage multiple
grooves 66 in the panel 56. Since the bolts/appendages may engage
any of the grooves 66, the height of the modesty panel 56 may be
adjusted when it is installed or at a later date to cause the
height of the modesty panel 56 to vary such that the top edge 68 of
the modesty panel 56 may extend below the desk surface, be
approximately flush with the desk surface, or extend a desired
height above the desk surface. Allowing the modesty panel height to
vary allows different teachers with different teaching styles to
specify whether the top of the desk should be viewable from the
presentation area or not.
[0070] In the description set forth above, the L-shaped support
bracket 58 may be relatively short, e.g. on the order of one to two
inches, to provide intermittent support to the modesty panel along
its length. In another embodiment, the L-shaped may be formed to be
elongated, for example to attach to the modesty panel along its
entire length. This allows any gap that may exist between the
modesty panel and the edge of the desk to be filled so that pencils
and other sundry elements will not fall through the gap on the far
edge of the desk. The invention is not limited in this regard,
however, as many different embodiments may be envisioned.
[0071] The modesty panel may have different numbers of grooves and
different embossments on the surface opposite the grooves. In one
embodiment, the modesty panel has a series of grooves intermediate
non-grooved end portions. FIG. 19 illustrates an embodiment of the
modesty panel having two edge regions of differing lengths that are
provided without grooves. The non-grooved end regions are designed
to allow the portion of the modesty panel 56 that extends above the
surface of the desk to not have exposed grooves. This may be
advantageous where the grooves are likely to collect debris if
exposed above the surface of the desk.
[0072] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 19, the edge regions
of the modesty panel form a first flat area 118 having a first
height and a second flat area 120 having a second, longer height.
These heights are configured to allow flat regions of differing
amounts to be exposed above the surface of the desk depending on
the manner in which the modesty panel 56 is oriented relative to
the desk surface. For example, in position A the modesty panel 56
is oriented with the short flat area 118 toward the top and the
L-shaped support bracket 58 engaged in the top grooves to cause the
top surface 68 of the modesty panel 56 to be somewhat below the top
surface of the table top. As the L-shaped support bracket 58 is
moved downward, as shown in positions B and C, into successive
combinations of grooves, the top edge of the modesty panel becomes
approximately flush with the top surface of the table top (position
B) and then rises such that a portion of the short flat area 118 of
the modesty panel begins to be exposed above the top surface of the
table top (position C).
[0073] Once the L-shaped support bracket 58 has been lowered a
sufficient distance, additional lowering of the L-shaped support
bracket 58 will start to cause the grooves 66 to appear above the
top of the table surface. To provide a higher flat portion of
exposed modesty panel 56, the modesty panel may be flipped
vertically to cause the relatively longer flat portion 120 to be on
top, for example as shown in position D. As the L-shaped support
bracket 58 is moved downward, additional area of the large flat
region 120 will be exposed as shown in positions E and F.
[0074] It should be understood that various changes and
modifications of the embodiments shown in the drawings and
described in the specification may be made within the spirit and
scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that
all matter contained in the above description and shown in the
accompanying drawings be interpreted in an illustrative and not in
a limiting sense. The invention is limited only as defined in the
following claims and the equivalents thereto.
* * * * *