Benching system for vertically adjustable desks

Abstract

A vertically adjustable desk benching system wherein a plurality of desks may be joined together. The vertically adjustable desks may each have a planar work surface and telescoping support legs which are operable to raise and lower the work surface. The vertically adjustable support legs may be telescoping legs. The benching system may include a main bracket which attaches to a plurality of adjoining vertically adjustable desks while a first and a second end bracket may attach front facing desks on either side of the centrally adjoining main bracket.

Claims

1. A vertically adjustable desk benching system, comprising: at least a first, second, and third vertically adjustable desk, each of the at least first, second and third vertically adjustable desks having: a horizontal work surface affixed to a first and a second vertically adjustable leg, each of the respective first and second vertically adjustable legs for each respective vertically adjustable desk having a support foot, the respective vertically adjustable leg for each respective vertically adjustable desk extending below the respective work surface allowing the respective horizontal work surface to be raised and lowered independent of the other vertically adjustable desks; the first and second vertically adjustable legs operably engaged to at least one electric drive, the at least one electric drive having a switch to activate the at least one electric drive and cause the first and second legs to vertically adjust the height of the horizontal work surface; the first and the second vertically adjustable legs for each respective vertically adjustable desk telescoping to vertically adjust the height of the horizontal work surface for the respective vertically adjustable desk; each of the respective vertically adjustable desks having an interior edge and at least one exterior edge, wherein the at least first, second and third vertically adjustable desks form at least three adjacent vertically adjustable desks, the at least three adjacent vertically adjustable desks positioned such that the respective support foot of the first vertically adjustable leg of each of the respective vertically adjustable desks adjacent to the respective support foot of the second vertically adjustable leg of an adjacent vertically adjustable desk; a plurality of main brackets, each of the main brackets removably affixable to the support foot of the first vertically adjustable leg and the support foot of the second vertically adjustable leg of an adjacent vertically adjustable desk; wherein each of the plurality of main brackets have a first and a second end, an interior edge and an exterior edge.

2. The vertically adjustable desk benching system of claim 1 wherein the interior edge of at least one of the vertically adjustable desks is arcuate.

3. The vertically adjustable desk benching system of claim 2 wherein the exterior edge of at least one of the vertically adjustable desks is a series of connected straight edges.

4. The vertically adjustable desk benching system of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of main brackets are curved.

5. The vertically adjustable desk benching system of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of main brackets has an arcuate interior edge.

6. The vertically adjustable desk benching system of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of main brackets has an arcuate exterior edge.

7. The vertically adjustable desk benching system of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of main brackets are affixed to a bottom surface of the support foot of the first vertically adjustable leg and the support foot of the second vertically adjustable leg of an adjacent vertically adjustable desk.

8. The vertically adjustable desk benching system of claim 7 wherein each of the plurality of main brackets are affixed to an offset bracket, the offset bracket affixed to the respective support foot.

9. A vertically adjustable desk benching system, comprising: a at least a first, second, and third vertically adjustable desk, each of the at least first, second and third vertically adjustable desks having: a horizontal work surface affixed to a first and a second vertically adjustable leg, each of the respective first and second vertically adjustable legs for each respective vertically adjustable desk having a support foot, the respective vertically adjustable leg for each respective vertically adjustable desk extending below the respective work surface allowing the respective horizontal work surface to be raised and lowered independent of the other vertically adjustable desks; the first and second vertically adjustable legs operably engaged to at least one electric drive, the at least one electric drive having a switch to activate the at least one electric drive and cause the first and second legs to vertically adjust the height of the supported horizontal work surface; the first and the second vertically adjustable legs for each respective vertically adjustable desk telescoping to vertically adjust the height of the horizontal work surface for the respective vertically adjustable desk; each of the respective vertically adjustable desks having an interior edge and exterior edges wherein the at least first, second and third vertically adjustable desks form at least three vertically adjustable desks, the at least three vertically adjustable desks positioned such that the respective support foot of the first vertically adjustable leg of each of the respective vertically adjustable desks adjacent to the respective support foot of the second vertically adjustable leg of an adjacent vertically adjustable desk; a plurality of main brackets spanning between two adjacent vertically adjustable desks, each of the main brackets removably affixable to the support foot of the first vertically adjustable leg and the support foot of the second vertically adjustable leg of an adjacent vertically adjustable desk; wherein each of the plurality of main brackets have a first and a second end, an interior edge and an exterior edge.

10. A vertically adjustable desk benching system, comprising: at least a first, second, and third vertically adjustable desk, each of the at least first, second and third vertically adjustable desks having: a horizontal work surface affixed to a first and a second vertically adjustable leg, each of the respective first and second vertically adjustable legs for each respective vertically adjustable desk having a support foot, the respective vertically adjustable leg for each respective vertically adjustable desk extending below the respective work surface allowing the respective horizontal work surface to be raised and lowered independent of the other vertically adjustable desks; the first and second vertically adjustable legs operably engaged to at least one electric drive, the at least one electric drive having a switch to activate the at least one electric drive and cause the first and second legs to vertically adjust the height of the supported horizontal work surface; the first and the second vertically adjustable legs for each respective vertically adjustable desk telescoping to vertically adjust the height of the horizontal work surface for the respective vertically adjustable desk; each of the respective vertically adjustable desks having an interior edge and exterior edges wherein the at least first, second and third vertically adjustable desks form at least three vertically adjustable desks, the at least three vertically adjustable desks positioned such that the respective support foot of the first vertically adjustable leg of each of the respective vertically adjustable desks adjacent to the respective support foot of the second vertically adjustable leg of an adjacent vertically adjustable desk; a plurality of main brackets spanning between two adjacent vertically adjustable desks, each of the main brackets removably affixable to the support foot of the first vertically adjustable leg and the support foot of the second vertically adjustable leg of an adjacent vertically adjustable desk; wherein each of the plurality of main brackets have a first and a second end, an interior edge and an exterior edge, wherein at least one of the interior edge and the exterior edge are curved.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 depicts a desk benching system for a plurality of vertically adjustable desks in which implementations as disclosed and described herein may be implemented.

(2) FIG. 2 depicts a main bracket which may be used in the benching system in implementations as disclosed and described herein.

(3) FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary exploded view of the main bracket of FIG. 2.

(4) FIG. 4 depicts one implementation of an offset bracket utilized as disclosed herein.

(5) FIG. 5 depicts one implementation of a main bracket utilized as disclosed herein.

(6) FIG. 6 discloses one method of joining adjacent desks using the end bracket in implementations as disclosed and described herein.

(7) FIG. 7 discloses an exploded view of the end bracket utilized in the implementation of FIG. 6.

(8) FIG. 8 depicts one implementation of an end bracket utilized as disclosed herein.

(9) FIG. 9 depicts an alternative desk benching system for a plurality of vertically adjustable desks in which implementations as disclosed and described herein may be implemented.

(10) FIG. 10 depicts an arcuate main bracket which may be utilized in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 9.

(11) FIG. 11 depicts an arcuate main bracket in an exploded view which may be utilized in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 9.

(12) FIG. 12 depicts an arcuate main bracket which may be utilized in various implementations described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(13) Various implementations of vertically adjustable desks utilize a benching system that incorporate positioning of brackets to attach or affix adjacent desks into a combined benched format in order to keep the desks aligned with each other allowing the users to work in a group and providing an organized working space. Beneficially, the system described herein easily connects multiple single desks without replacement of the individual desk assembly. Particularly, the systems variously described allows the desks to be adjusted from single desks to a benched design and back again with simple addition of additional hardware without adjusting or modifying existing vertically adjustable desk hardware.

(14) Various implementations disclosed herein enable benching of multiple vertically adjustable desks while allowing the joining of the desks without removing and/or replacing the various support structures of each of the desks. Moreover, the various systems described herein disclose a system and method which allow the benching or combination of vertically adjustable desks while utilizing the same desk structure to readily combine the desks into an organized and joined format.

(15) As shown in FIG. 1, the benching system 100 may create a grouping of vertically adjustable desks 10 wherein each of the vertically adjustable desk 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d are benched to form a combined grouping of vertically adjustable desks. In implementations, each of the vertically adjustable desks may include a horizontal work surface 22a, 22b, 22c and 22d supported by vertically adjustable right and left legs for each desk, namely 12a/13a, 12b/13b, 12c/13c, and 12d/13d. The vertically adjustable legs each may be attached to a right and left foot, such as 14a/15a, 14b/15b, 14c/15c, and 14d/15d. In embodiments, the vertically adjustable desks may also each include keypads or electrical switch respectively shown as 20a, 20b, 20c and 20d which allows the user to variously move and adjust the desks vertically.

(16) In some implementations, the desks may be vertically adjustable by at least one electric motor or drive which is affixed to vertical adjustment mechanisms in each of the vertically adjustable right and left legs. An electric motor or drive 11 (FIG. 2) may be positioned underneath the horizontal work surface 22a, for example, and be actuatable by the electric switch 20a or keypad for user interaction. Each individual horizontally adjustable desk may be accordingly adjusted by a similar drive or motor and, in some implementations, may be replaced by manual adjustment mechanisms. For example, the desks may be electrically adjustable by electric motor or drives which actuate gears positioned within the vertically adjustable legs 12a and 12b. In addition, or in place thereof, the electric drive or motors may include manual vertical adjustment mechanisms which allow the user to manually adjust the height of the horizontal work surface 22a by either lifting, hand cranking, or the like, with positioning locks for each leg.

(17) In the descriptions hereof, aspects described for a single desk may be applicable to each desk shown in the figures. As well, various modifications may be made to the multiple desks described herein such that combinations of features may be utilized to achieve similar goals and features set forth. Thus, descriptions of a single vertically adjustable desk are not necessarily applicable to each vertically adjustable desk utilized in the system.

(18) Depicted in the embodiment of the various Figures are a plurality of vertically adjustable desks which form, in the depicted embodiment, a quadrant group of vertically adjustable desks. The group of vertically adjustable desks 10 include four desks 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d which are in side to side and front to front relationship in this particular embodiment. Particularly, the first and second vertically adjustable desks 10a and 10b are in side to side relationship while the third and fourth desks 10c and 10d are similarly positioned. The grouping of horizontally adjustable desks placed in side by side relationship may also be grouped with another grouping of desks in side by side relationship so that the two groups of horizontally adjustable desks are positioned in front facing relationship. In some implementations, such groupings can be in adjacent relationship. For example, in some implementations, the grouping can form a quadrant of two side to side groups placed in face to face relationship. In other embodiments, multiple groupings can be in full side by side relationship to form a linear pairing. In other examples, groupings can be done in quadrants, triads or other plurality of combinations.

(19) As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the plurality of vertically adjustable desks may be combined by use of a main bracket 30 which may be attached to adjacent vertically adjustable legs, as depicted in FIG. 2 being 12a, 12c, 13b and 13d. For example, in some implementations, the main bracket 30 can be directly attached to the legs or to the support foot of the respective leg, such as 14a, 14c, 15b and 15d. In implementations, the main bracket 30 may be constructed of steel or other rigid material and may be directly affixed to the leg or the foot. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the bracket 30 is removably affixed to the foot of the respective vertically adjustable leg.

(20) As depicted in FIG. 3, the main bracket 30 may have an interposing structure between the main bracket and the respective vertically adjustable leg or support foot. For example, the main bracket may have a plurality of offset brackets 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d which are removably affixed to the main bracket 30. In other implementations, the main bracket 30 may be directly and removably affixed to the support foot or vertically adjustable leg. For example, the support bracket may be affixed by screws directly to the adjacent and joining structure.

(21) Offset brackets 32a, 32b, 32c and 32d may be utilized to allow the main bracket 30 to be vertically above or below the attachment point of the main bracket. For example, in some implementations, the main bracket 30 may be positioned above the affixation point of the offset brackets 32a-d by the offset brackets having an offset structure. For example, the offset brackets 32a-d affix to the support foot at a vertical position above the main brackets 30 vertical position interposed between the plurality of support foot 14a, 14c, 15b, 15d. In such implementation, the main bracket is positioned directly adjacent to the supporting floor surface while the offset brackets are attached to a position on the foot above the floor for securing the main bracket 30 in position.

(22) Offset brackets 32a-d may be variously positioned on the main bracket 30. For example of FIG. 3, offset brackets 32a, 32b, 32c and 32d are positioned at the four outer corners of the main bracket 30. Alternatively, the offset brackets may be affixed at alternative locations of the main bracket such as closer to the center of the bracket. Alternatively, the offset brackets may be integrated directly into the main bracket so that the main bracket includes the vertical offset attachment structures of the offset brackets depicted. For example, the main bracket 30 may have at various locations offset flanges to receive the removable screws or studs for affixation.

(23) The offset bracket 32a, depicted in FIG. 4 may combine both threaded apertures or receiving channels which may slidably receive adjustable structure on the receiving support foot or vertically adjustable leg, such as a threaded stud or other structure. While the offset bracket 32a has both slidable receiving channels and apertures, any combination of structures may be utilized. For example a combination of slidable receiving channels and apertures, as shown in the example of FIG. 4 or various other combinations.

(24) In other implementations, the main bracket may be affixed at alternative locations between the respective support foot or vertically adjustable legs. Further, in some implementations, multiple pairs of desks can be connected in series by a plurality of main brackets 30 so that long chains of vertically adjustable desks can be formed and connected utilizing the main brackets 30 and end brackets 36a, 36b disclosed herein.

(25) Referring to FIG. 5, the main bracket 30 may also be constructed in a length and having attachment points for the respective plurality of vertically adjustable desks. For example, the main bracket may include first and second ends 30a and 30b where each of the pair of the offset brackets are affixed. Also, for example, the main bracket may be positioned and sized to appropriately accommodate multiple work surface sizes of both depth and length.

(26) Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, in some implementations, the main bracket 30 may be combined with end bracket 36a which may be used to affix the free unattached end support feet of the combined vertically adjustable desks. For example, as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 6, the end brackets 36a, 36b may be used to affix the free ends on the outboard side of the combined quadrant of desks depicted. In the embodiment depicted, the second and the fourth vertically adjustable desk 10b and 10d may be combined at the free ends by using the end bracket 36a depicted in the example shown. The end bracket 36a may be affixed to the support foot at the leveling pads 17d1 and 17b2 or similar adjustable casters. Opposing leveling pads 17b1 and 17d2 may therefore not have to be utilized for affixation of the desks. Leveling pads 17d1 and 17b2, as depicted variously throughout, may also include casters or other adjustable mechanisms to modify the leveling height of the support foot and ultimately the working surface of the vertically adjustable desk.

(27) Referring to FIG. 8, end bracket 36a has a slidable receiving channel 36a1 and 36a2 which may affix to various structures on the vertically adjustable desk. For example, the end bracket 36a may receive the leveling pads 17d1, 17b2 which are affixed to a threaded stud and which therefor may be adjustable into or within the respective support foot. Similarly, by affixing the end bracket at opposition of the leveling pad, the end bracket may be located along the supporting floor and not in an obtrusive or highly visible location. Alternatively, the end brackets may be positioned at other locations along the adjacent vertically adjustable legs or support feet.

(28) Opposing end of the combined plurality of vertically adjustable legs may also include a similar end bracket structure 36b. For example, an end bracket 36b may be utilized to fixedly secure the opposing end of the combined plurality of vertically adjustable desks 10a and 10c.

(29) Other formations of utilizing the benching system described herein may be implemented. For example, a plurality of three vertically adjustable desks 200 is depicted in FIG. 9 wherein a vertically adjustable desks 210a, 210b and 210c may be combined. The vertically adjustable desks may similarly have first and second vertically adjustable support legs 212a, 212b, 212c, 213a, 213b and 213c. Additionally, the vertically adjustable support legs may also include support foot 214a, 214b, 214c, 215a, 215b and 215c.

(30) When arcuate interior edge desks are implemented as shown in this example, an interior curved desk edge with outer linear edges may be combined into a benching system connected plurality of desks. For example, in some implementations desk 210a and 210c may be joined at the adjacent support feet.

(31) For example, support foot 215a of vertically adjustable desk 210a may be connected to support foot 214c of vertically adjustable desk 210c. Various connecting structures may be utilized for the benching system to removably affix and attach the two legs or support feet together. For example, arcuate main bracket 230 may be utilized to attach to both adjacent feet while also remaining unobtrusive and similarly out of the leg space or leg well of the vertically adjustable desk.

(32) In various implementations, the attaching mechanism may be used to affix adjacent vertically adjustable legs or attached support feet on desks. For example, arcuate attachment bracket 230, as shown in FIGS. 9-11, may by removably attached to adjacent feet of an adjacent desk. In the depiction of the configuration of the embodiment depicted, the arcuate bracket 230 removably affixes at either end to offset bracket 232a, 232c such that the arcuate bracket may attach to the underside of the support foot 215a and 214c.

(33) In implementations, the arcuate bracket may include offset brackets 232a, 232c so that the arcuate bracket is positioned at a lower vertical height than the attachment point of the bracket to the respective support foot. In implementations, the offset connection may be made by using offset structure at the ends or other positions of the arcuate bracket. For example, in some embodiments, the arcuate bracket may have offset brackets 232a, 232c affixed at either end. In other embodiments, the offset structure may be made integral with the bracket itself not necessarily requiring separate offset brackets. For example, in some implementations, the arcuate bracket 230 may have flanges to effectuate the offset attachment or may be used to directly attach to the support foot or the vertically adjustable leg at any vertical position or height.

(34) With reference to FIG. 12, the arcuate bracket 230 may have an inner arcuate edge 231 and an outer arcuate edge 233 which allows the arcuate attaching bracket to be affixed and also maintain the connecting structure closely adjacent to the support feet being connected.

(35) Beneficially, the plurality of vertically adjustable desks 200 depicted in FIG. 9 may have lateral adjoining face to face edges while also incorporating an arcuate interior edge which the user faces. For example, as depicted in FIG. 9, vertically adjustable desk 210c has an arcuate or curved inner edge 240 while also having lateral edges 241 and 242 which allow the opposing desks 210a and 210b to be directly adjacent to form the triad plurality of desks. Other implementations and configurations however may be implemented in order to adjoin additional various configurations of desks while achieving the same effect of combining the desks in a benching system as depicted and described herein.

(36) While several inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

(37) All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

(38) The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

(39) The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

(40) As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

(41) As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

(42) It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.

(43) In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.