Article Of Furniture

Abstract

An improved article of furniture is provided which has a double-wall configuration, and which is formed of a sculptured molded fiber-reinforced plastic material. The article of furniture may be in the form of a desk having an inverted U-shape configuration to form side walls and a top. The desk top may have a depression formed therein for receiving a panel of appropriate material which constitutes the writing surface. An integral well may be formed as part of the article of furniture which has access through the top, and which serves as a convenient storage space. The molded construction of the article of furniture of the invention permits monolithic forms to be used in a variety of colors. The desk may be kept clean by means of a damp cloth, for example, without any tendency to metal rusting or paint peeling. The double-wall construction is advantageous in that it permits electrical and electronic equipment to be installed on or into the desk without any unsightly external power cords, leads or other electrical wiring.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The article of furniture of the present invention represents a new approach to the furniture art, in that the structure to be described is basically a monolithic molded unit formed of a fiberglass reinforced plastic material to a desired sculptured shape. The double-wall feature of the structure facilitates the fiberglass molding process, and it also permits electric wiring to be hidden, as mentioned above, for safety as well as aesthetic reasons.

The molded article to be described has generally rounded edges so as to eliminate sharp corners. One or more storage wells may be molded directly into the basic structure as integral components. A shallow depression is provided in the top surface of the structure, and a top panel of a selected material is mounted in the depression and adhesively attached to the top surface of the structure. The top panel, for example, may be formed of plywood, cork board, "Formica," or of any other appropriate material.

A hinged lid may be provided for the storage well, and this too may be formed of any appropriate material. A push latch of the "Ives," or other appropriate types, may be used in conjunction with the lid. As an added feature, for example, a cork panel may be mounted on the underside of the lid to serve as a bulletin board. File folders may be conveniently suspended on removable rods within the storage well, as will be described.

Briefly stated, the present invention provides an improved basically monolithic article of furniture of a sculptured molded construction and which is formed of fiberglass reinforced plastic. The article may be fabricated on a relatively inexpensive basis since it is particularly adapted to fiberglass molding techniques, and since machining operations are either eliminated completely or, at least, reduced to a minimum. In addition, articles constructed in accordance with the practice of the present invention are easy and comfortable to use, and are simple to maintain. For example, the articles may be sanded with or without a filler if scratched. Moreover, they may be provided in a variety of colors, as pointed out above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of a desk constructed to incorporate the concepts of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the desk of FIG. 1 taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1, and showing details of an integral storage well which is molded into the structure;

FIG. 2A is a fragmentary perspective showing of the manner in which a lid is supported over the open top of the storage well;

FIG. 3 is a further sectional view of the desk taken along the line 3--3 and showing particularly the details of the storage well;

FIG. 4 is a further sectional view of the desk of FIG. 1, taken along the line 4--4 of FIG. 1 and showing details of a removable tray which may be supported within the storage well; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary showing of the underside of the desk of FIG. 1 and showing a lock which may be provided for the lid of FIG. 2A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

The article of furniture shown in FIG. 1 is primarily intended to be used as a desk. The structure comprises, as mentioned above, a double-wall molded plastic construction, the plastic being reinforced with fiberglass and molded in accordance with usual fiberglass techniques. The particular structure shown in FIG. 1 has an inverted U-shaped configuration to define a pair of spaced and parallel side walls 10 and an integral top 12. The top 12 has a shallow depression formed therein, and a panel 14 of any appropriate material is mounted within the depression to serve as a writing surface for the article of furniture.

The illustrated embodiment has a pair of storage bins formed as integral molded components with the basic structure 10, 12, these storage bins being designated 16 and 18. The storage bins are accessible through openings in the top 12 of the basic structure. Lids 20 and 22 are provided for the bins 16 and 18, and in the illustrated embodiment, the lids are flush with the top surface of the panel 14 when they are in their closed condition.

As shown in FIG. 2A, for example, the lids, such as the lid 22 are hinged to the top 12 by means of a pair of hinges 30, and a torsion bar 32 is provided so as to hold the lids in their open condition, such as shown in FIG. 2. A limit rod 34 is provided to limit the extent of opening of the lids, and this rod may be replaced, for example, by a rope or chain, or other suitable limiting device.

A plurality of removable rods, such as the rods 40 are supported in apertures 42 in the walls of the storage bins, such as the bin 18 in FIG. 2. It will be observed that the apertures 42 have a diameter which is larger than the diameter of the rod 40, and the rod has ends of reduced diameter so that each rod may conveniently be inserted into a corresponding hole 42 and then supported therein in the manner shown in FIG. 2.

Appropriate file folders 44 may be suspended within the bins, such as the bin 18 on the rods 40. Suitable latches, such as the latch 50a, 50b in FIG. 2 may be provided for the lids, such as the lid 22, and these latches may, for example, be of the Ives push latch type, so that a lid may be opened merely by pushing it down against the latch so as to release it.

As best shown in FIG. 4, for example, side rails 56 may be molded directly into the side walls of the bins, such as the storage bin 18, and molded or other types of trays 58 may be removably supported on the side rails 56 to serve as receptacles for pencils and the like.

A lock 60 (FIG. 5) may be provided on the underside of the article of furniture for locking the lids 20 and 22 in their closed position.

The double-wall construction of the basic structure, as mentioned above, not only makes the fiberglass molding process possible, but it also permits electrical and electronic components to be supported in and on the article without any exposed electrical wiring, power cords or the like.

The configuration of the article, as best shown in FIG. 1, is such that it is most comfortable to use. Also, since there are no sharp edges or corners, all hazards with respect to injury or torn clothing are obviated. Moreover, there is no need for a finish to be applied to the article, and, as mentioned above, it may be maintained clean merely by wiping with a damp cloth.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, modifications may be made, and it is intended in the following claims to cover all such modifications which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An article of furniture comprising a one-piece monolith molded double-walled structure formed of a sculptured molded fiber-reinforced plastic material, having a generally inverted U-shape, defining a pair of spaced parallel upright double-wall sides and an integral double-wall top interconnecting said sides, said top having an integral double-walled bin formed therein and having a depression formed in the upper wall thereof, and a separate panel member supported in said depression to form a writing surface for the aforesaid article of furniture, a lid for said bin, and means intercoupling said lid and said top.

2. The article of furniture defined in claim 1, and which includes removable rods mounted in apertures in the sides of said bin for suspending files within said bin.

3. The article of furniture defined in claim 1, and which includes a torsion bar intercoupling said lid and said top for exerting an angular force on said lid.