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Variable configuration desk having worksurface locking feature

Variable configuration desk having worksurface locking feature description/claims

The present invention relates generally to furniture and, more particularly, to a desk capable of varying configurations and having a worksurface locking feature.

Schools, universities, corporate training rooms, learning centers, and other education facilities traditionally have arranged student desks in rows and columns. Such an arrangement is widely recognized as providing an orderly appearance as well as being effective in influencing orderly student behavior. However, increasingly, some educational facilities are moving away from conventional row and column arrangements and adopting so-called “huddled” formations wherein student desks are arranged in a circle facing each other.

Conventional student desks designed to be arranged in rows and columns have been generally designed to have a rectangular or square worksurface with legs arranged in a similar rectangular/square configuration. However, it has been generally adopted that a student desk designed to be used in a huddled formation have a trapezoidal shaped worksurface and its legs arranged to similarly have a trapezoidal configuration.

To meet the demands of institutions using conventional desks as well as those using desks in a huddled formation, desk manufactures have had to design, make, and maintain an inventory of separate worksurface support structures for both styles of desks, which can be particularly costly. Thus, there is a need for a worksurface support structure that can be configured, as desired, to support the worksurface of a student desk used in a conventional row and column formation or the worksurface of a student desk used in a huddle formation.

The present disclosure is generally directed to a furniture assembly, such as a student desk or computer desk, having support members that connect to one another using tooth/slot connections. The furniture assembly has a worksurface that locks the tooth/slot connections when it is connected to the support members. The tooth/slot connections are constructed such that there is a limited, yet intentional play that allows the support members to be oriented relative to one another at various angles until the worksurface is secured into place. In one embodiment, the slots are oversized relative to the teeth thereby allowing movement of the teeth in the slots. Once a desired angle of orientation is achieved, the angle can be locked by securing the worksurface to the support members. Optionally, the furniture assembly includes a tray, such as book tray or keyboard tray.

Therefore, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a furniture assembly is disclosed as having a worksurface and a pair of worksurface support members. A transverse member is connected to the pair of worksurface support members. The connection of the transverse member to the pair of worksurface support members is not locked until the worksurface is connected to the transverse member and the pair of worksurface support members.

In accordance with another aspect, the present disclosure includes a desk having a worksurface and a pair of worksurface supports connected to the worksurface. Each of the worksurface supports has a first slot that is constructed to loosely retain a projection of a panel connected to the worksurface and to the worksurface supports. When the worksurface is secured to the worksurface supports and the panel, the projections are locked into position within the slots.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a furniture assembly is disclosed as having a worksurface and a plurality of worksurface support elements that are connected using a projection and slot construction, and in which the worksurface itself locks the plurality of worksurface support elements together by preventing projections from moving within respective slots.

Various other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description and the drawings.

The drawings illustrate one preferred embodiment presently contemplated for carrying out the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a desk according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the desk shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is diagrammatic view of a tooth construction incorporated in the desk shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the desk shown in FIG. 1 with the worksurface support structure shown in phantom;

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the desk of FIG. 1 showing partial assembly of a modesty panel to a pair of side leg assemblies;

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the desk of FIG. 1 showing partial assembly of a pair of gussets to the pair of side leg assemblies;

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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