U.S. patent application number 12/126443 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-27 for workstation system and workstation with multiple, adjustable height, work tops.
This patent application is currently assigned to UNIFOR S.P.A.. Invention is credited to Cesare Picchio.
Application Number | 20080289545 12/126443 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39791101 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080289545 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Picchio; Cesare |
November 27, 2008 |
Workstation System and Workstation with Multiple, Adjustable
Height, Work Tops
Abstract
A module is disclosed. The module includes a pair of uprights,
each being of adjustable-height. The module is used in a grouping
of two or more with an equal grouping of work tops. In the
grouping, which forms a workstation, the modules and the worktops
are secured to one another in alternating relation such that each
work top is supported at its ends by a respective pair of modules
and is independently height-adjustable. A modular furniture system
based on the module is also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Picchio; Cesare; (Turate,
IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CONLEY ROSE, P.C.;David A. Rose
P. O. BOX 3267
HOUSTON
TX
77253-3267
US
|
Assignee: |
UNIFOR S.P.A.
Turate
IT
|
Family ID: |
39791101 |
Appl. No.: |
12/126443 |
Filed: |
May 23, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/106 ;
108/147 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 9/04 20130101; A47B
87/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/106 ;
108/147 |
International
Class: |
A47B 9/00 20060101
A47B009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 25, 2007 |
CA |
2,590,413 |
Claims
1. A workstation comprising: two or more work tops, each work top
having a pair of ends; and two or more modules secured to the work
tops in alternating relation such that each work top is supported
at its ends by a respective pair of modules, wherein the modules
are adapted so as to support the work tops in a manner which
permits the horizontal elevation of the work tops to be
independently adjusted.
2. A workstation according to claim 1, wherein each module
comprises: a pair of uprights, each supporting a respective work
top end and including an inner leg and an outer leg assembled for
telescopic movement relative to one another to provide for said
horizontal adjustability of the work top having the end which said
each upright supports; and a bridge rigidly securing the pair of
uprights to one another.
3. A workstation according to claim 2, wherein the inner legs are
operatively secured to the work tops; and, in each module, the
outer legs are rigidly secured to one another.
4. A workstation according to claim 2, wherein each upright
includes an elevation mechanism for causing telescopic movement of
the inner and outer legs thereof.
5. A workstation according to claim 4, wherein, of the uprights
supporting each work top, one of the uprights has an actuator for
selectively driving the elevation mechanism of said one upright to
provide for said telescopic movement.
6. A workstation according to claim 5, further comprising a
transmission element for each work top, said transmission element
operatively coupling the elevation mechanisms of the uprights
supporting said each work top such that operation of the actuator
of the one upright causes telescopic movement of the uprights
supporting said each work top and horizontal movement of said each
work top.
7. A workstation according to claim 5, wherein the actuator is a
crank.
8. A workstation according to claim 6, wherein the two or more work
tops consists of two work tops arranged back-to-back and the
transmission element is a linear, rigid shaft.
9. A workstation according to claim 6, wherein the two or more work
tops is a plurality of work tops arranged in a closed loop and the
transmission element is a pair of shafts coupled by a universal
joint.
10. A module comprising: a pair of uprights, each being of
adjustable-height, said module being used in a grouping of two or
more with an equal grouping of work tops, wherein said modules and
worktops are secured to one another in alternating relation such
that each work top is supported at its ends by a respective pair of
modules and is independently height-adjustable.
11. A module according to claim 10, wherein each upright comprises
an inner leg and an outer leg assembled for telescopic movement
relative to one another to provide for said height
adjustability.
12. A module according to claim 11, wherein the outer legs are
rigidly secured to one another and, in use, the inner legs are
operatively secured to the work tops.
13. A module according to claim 11, wherein each upright includes
an elevation mechanism for causing telescopic movement of the inner
and outer legs thereof.
14. A module according to claim 13, wherein one of the uprights has
an actuator for selectively driving the elevation mechanism of said
one upright to provide for said telescopic movement.
15. A module according to claim 14, wherein the actuator is a
crank.
16. A modular furniture system wherein the elements comprise: a
module according to claim 14; a work top; a transmission element,
wherein, in use, work tops are securable to modules in alternating
relation such that, in use, each work top is supported at its ends
by a respective pair of modules; and each transmission element, in
use, operatively couples the elevation mechanisms of the uprights
supporting said each work top in use such that operation of the
actuator of the one upright causes telescopic movement of the
uprights supporting said each work top and horizontal movement of
said each work top.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 37 C.F.R. .sctn. 1.19
and 1.55 to Canadian Patent Application No. 2,590,413 filed May 25,
2007 and entitled "Workstation System and Workstation with
Multiple, Adjustable Height, Work Tops," hereby incorporated herein
by reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The invention relates to office or institutional
furniture.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Groupings of work tops are needed in office or institutional
environments. Such groupings need to be relatively robust,
aesthetically-pleasing and inexpensive to manufacture, and are
advantageously flexible, to permit reconfiguration.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A workstation forms one aspect of the invention. The
workstation comprises two or more work tops and modules. Each work
top has a pair of ends. The modules are secured to the work tops in
alternating relation such that each work top is supported at its
ends by a respective pair of modules. The modules are adapted so as
to support the work tops in a manner which permits the horizontal
elevation of the work tops to be independently adjusted.
[0006] A module forms another aspect of the invention. The module
comprises a pair of uprights. Each upright is of adjustable height.
The module is used in a grouping of two or more with an equal
grouping of work tops, wherein said modules and worktops are
secured to one another in alternating relation such that each work
top is supported at its ends by a respective pair of modules and is
independently height-adjustable.
[0007] A furniture system based on the module forms another aspect
of the invention.
[0008] Other advantages, features and characteristics of the
present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of
the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts
and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon
consideration of the following detailed description and the
appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the
latter being briefly described hereinbelow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a workstation constructed
according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a partially transparent view of the structure of
FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the structure of
FIG. 1, namely, a module, which forms one aspect of the invention,
the illustrated module being constructed according to one
embodiment thereof;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a partially schematic, side cross-sectional view
of the structure of FIG. 3;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a view of the components or elements of a modular
furniture system according to another embodiment of the
invention;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a partially schematic top plan view of a
three-seat workstation constructed according to another embodiment
of the invention;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a partially schematic top plan view of a
fourteen-seat workstation constructed according to another
embodiment of the invention; and
[0016] FIG. 8 is a partially schematic top plan view of a four-seat
workstation according to yet another embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] A module which forms one aspect of the invention is
illustrated in FIG. 3 and designated with general reference numeral
20. The module 20 comprises a pair of uprights 22A,22B and a bridge
26.
[0018] Each upright 22A,22B comprises: an inner 28 and an outer 30
steel leg, assembled for telescopic movement relative to one
another so as to provide for height-adjustability of said each
upright 22A,22B; an elevation mechanism (not shown in FIG. 3 and
described fully below) for causing said telescopic movement of the
inner 28 and outer 30 leg; and a work top bracket 34. One 22A of
the uprights further comprises an actuator 36.
[0019] In FIG. 4, wherein the module 20 is shown, partially
schematically, in cross-section, the inner legs 28 will be seen to
be seated within slide bearings 38 of polytetrafluorethylene or
other self-lubricating material inside the outer legs 30, to
provide for smooth reciprocation.
[0020] The elevation mechanism comprises a threaded shaft 40, a
tower 42 and a gear set 44,46, all of steel. The tower 42 has an
interiorly-threaded bore 48 and extends upwardly from the base of
the outer leg 30 to which it is rigidly secured. The threaded shaft
40 is threadingly engaged in the tower bore 48 and is rotatably
mounted by a bearing 50,52 to the inner leg 28, such that rotation
of the threaded shaft 40 causes telescopic movement of the inner 28
and outer 30 legs. The gear set 44,46 includes a pair of 90.degree.
bevel gears 44,46, one 44 being rigidly secured to the threaded
shaft 40 and the other 46, shown in phantom outline, being mounted
to a stub shaft 48 (identified in FIG. 3) which is operatively
rotatably mounted to the inner leg 28 for rotation about an axis X2
normal to the axis X1 of threaded shaft 40 such that rotation of
the threaded shaft 40 causes rotation of the stub shaft 48 and vice
versa. The stub shaft 48 terminates in a female socket receptacle
50, also seen in FIG. 3.
[0021] The work top brackets 34 are secured one on each inner leg
28 and define respective horizontal, upwardly-presenting surfaces
52 when the uprights 22A,22B are oriented upright and on the outer
legs thereof 30.
[0022] As best seen in FIG. 4, actuator 36 is for selectively
driving the elevation mechanism of the one upright 22A and
comprises a crank shaft 54 rotatably mounted to the inner leg 28 of
the one upright 22A and terminating in a further 90.degree. bevel
gear 56 in mesh with the gear 44 secured to the threaded shaft
40.
[0023] The bridge 26 is a steel member welded to the outer legs 30
to rigidly secure the outer legs 30 together in spaced, parallel
relation to one another.
[0024] A pair of the modules 20 is shown in use in FIGS. 1,2, in a
workstation 58A which forms another aspect of the invention. In
addition to the modules 20, the workstation 58A comprises a pair of
rectangular work tops 60, specifically, two work tops 60, arranged
in back-to-back relation.
[0025] Each work top 60 has a pair of ends 62.
[0026] The modules 20 are secured to the work tops 60 in
alternating relation. Specifically, the inner legs 28 are secured
to the work tops 60 via the brackets 34, which are screwed (not
shown) or otherwise conventionally fastened to the underside of the
work tops 60. So secured, each work top 60 is supported at its ends
62,62 by a respective pair of the modules 20,20, each upright
22A,22B supports a respective work top end 62,62 and, in the
uprights 22A,22B supporting each work top 60, there is one of the
uprights 22A having the actuator 36.
[0027] Workstation 58A further comprises a transmission element 66A
in the form of a rigid shaft for each work top 60 which operatively
couples the elevation mechanisms of the uprights 22A,22B supporting
said each work top 60 such that operation of crank shaft 54 of the
one upright 22A causes telescopic movement of the uprights 22A,22B
supporting said each work top 60 and horizontal, independent
movement of said each work top 60.
[0028] As best seen in FIG. 5, to provide for said operative
coupling, the rigid shaft 66A terminates at its ends in male socket
receptacles 68,70 shaped and dimensioned for driving engagement
with the female receptacles 50 of the stub shafts 48. One 70 of the
male socket receptacles is spring-mounted, and can be manually
withdrawn by retraction of a thumb latch 72, so as to enable the
ends of the rigid shaft 66A to be fitted into opposed stub shaft
sockets 50,50 in use. Alternatively, the shaft 66A can be made
sufficiently flexible to allow insertion/removal.
[0029] According to another aspect of the invention, the module
forms part of a modular furniture system 74 the elements of which
include, in addition to the module 20, the rectangular work top 60
and the rigid shaft transmission element 66A, an L-shaped work top
76, a generally boomerang-shaped work top 78, an arcuate work top
80, a non-rectangular quadrilateral work tops 82,83 of two
orientations and an articulated transmission element 66B, all as
shown in FIG. 5. The L-shaped work top 76, boomerang shaped work
top 78, arcuate work top 80 and non-rectangular quadrilateral work
top 82,83 are all substantially similar to the rectangular work top
60, but for their shape in plan. The articulated transmission
element 66B is substantially similar to the transmission element
66A but includes a pair of shafts 82 coupled by a conventional
universal joint 84.
[0030] The furniture system elements can be deployed to form
workstations with multiple, adjustable-height work tops, the
workstations being characterized in that, therein, the module is
used in a grouping of two or more with an equal grouping of work
tops, and the modules and worktops are secured to one another in
alternating relation such that each work top is supported at its
ends by a respective pair of modules and is independently
height-adjustable.
[0031] One configuration of the elements is shown in the
workstation 58B shown in FIG. 6, which includes three of the
boomerang-shaped work tops 78, three of the modules 20 and three of
the articulated transmission elements 66B operatively coupled in a
closed loop.
[0032] Another configuration of the elements is shown in the
workstation 58C shown in FIG. 7, which shows six of the
quadrilateral work tops 82,83, six of the modules 20 and six of the
rigid transmission elements 66A arranged in a Y grouping, and eight
of the modules 20, eight of the arcuate work tops 80 and eight of
the rigid transmission elements 66A shown extending in an arc from
one branch of the Y grouping.
[0033] Yet another configuration of the elements is shown in the
workstation 58D illustrated in FIG. 8, which shows four of the
L-shaped work tops 76, four of the modules 20 and four of the
articulated transmission elements 66B arranged in a cruciform
arrangement.
[0034] Whereas but a single embodiment of the module is herein
shown, it will be understood that numerous changes thereto can be
made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0035] For example, whereas the uprights illustrated take the form
of inner and outer tubes arranged telescopically, other mechanisms
for height adjustability could readily be provided, such as linear
slides or turnscrews.
[0036] As well, whereas the bridge shown couples the top ends of
the outer legs, the bridge could readily be lowered to an
intermediate position, or to a position which runs along the floor
in use, or could take the form of a panel or the like spanning
between the uprights.
[0037] Similarly, whereas in the modules shown, the outer legs of
the uprights are fixed together, the module could easily be
reversed, such that the inner legs were fixed together, and the
outer legs raised and lowered telescopically.
[0038] Further, whereas the described elevation mechanism takes the
form of a threaded shaft and shaft tower, other elevation
mechanisms, for example, hydraulics or pneumatics could be
employed.
[0039] Moreover, whereas a crank arrangement is shown, other forms
of actuator could be employed, for example, a single electric
motor. Alternatively, electric motors could be provided on each
upright, in which case, the actuator could be a switch and the
transmission element could be an electrical conductor.
[0040] Additionally, whereas only six work top variations are
shown, other variations are possible. Further, whereas only four
workstation configurations are shown, it will be readily
appreciated that numerous variations are possible.
[0041] Accordingly, it should be understood that the invention is
intended to be limited only by the accompanying claims, purposively
construed.
* * * * *