Modular furniture system with wire management

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10117511-B2
Application number	US-201615122370-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 15, 2016
Priority date	Jun 15, 2015
Publication date	Nov 6, 2018
Grant date	Nov 6, 2018

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to modular and reconfigurable architectural assemblies such as modular walls and modular furniture, including modular and reconfigurable desk systems, with features and components that provide wire management functionality. A modular desk system includes a horizontal work surface and a lower vertical section extending vertically downward and/or upward from the work surface. At least a portion of the lower vertical section houses one or more resource trays having power and data receptacles for user wires to plug into. An access component such as a cover encloses the resource tray to provide a functional and aesthetically pleasing assembly while allowing management and organization of user wires and/or supply wires.

First claim

We claim:

1. A modular architectural assembly, comprising:
a substantially horizontal work surface having an upper side and a lower side, the work surface shaped to define at least one opening in the work surface;
a lower vertical section extending a distance below the work surface from the opening of the work surface, the lower vertical section housing a resource tray having one or more power receptacles and data receptacles, wherein the opening provides access to the resource tray within an interior of the lower vertical section and wherein the resource tray is configured to house one or more wires;
an access component configured to enclose the opening of the work surface, the access component being selectively changeable from a closed configuration wherein the opening is partitioned from the work surface to an open configuration wherein the opening is accessible from the work surface; and
one or more vertical supports extending through the lower vertical section, wherein:
at least one of the one or more vertical supports includes a support spline having a section of reduced width relative to a width of the at least one vertical support; and
the section of reduced width enables one or more supply wires to be moved between the support spline and an access tile.

2. The architectural assembly of claim 1 , wherein the access component is a wire cover configured to overlie the opening to form a substantially flat surface across the work surface and the wire cover.

3. The architectural assembly of claim 2 , wherein the wire cover includes one or more cover seals extending from a wire cover body to cover one or more edges of the opening, the one or more cover seals being configured to allow passage of one or more user wires from the resource tray to the upper side of the work surface when the wire cover is in the closed configuration.

4. The architectural assembly of claim 2 , wherein the lower vertical structure includes a support member for supporting the wire cover in a position substantially flush with the upper side of the work surface when the wire cover is in the closed position.

5. The architectural assembly of claim 4 , wherein the support member includes a pivot groove configured with a curved shape to enable a smooth tilting motion as the wire cover is lifted at a first end to move the wire cover from the closed configuration to the open configuration.

6. The architectural assembly of claim 2 , wherein the wire cover is detachable from the opening to provide access to the resource tray.

7. The architectural assembly of claim 2 , wherein:
the resource tray comprises one or more tray panels that define one or more corresponding side walls; and
one or more of a rear edge of the work surface and an upper edge of a corresponding tray panel are angled relative to the work surface.

8. The architectural assembly of claim 7 , wherein an upper edge of the tray panel is angled such that fluid spilled on the upper edge will flow away from the one or more receptacles of the resource tray.

9. The architectural assembly of claim 1 , wherein the resource tray includes one or more tray seals positioned between the work surface and one or more tray panels.

10. The architectural assembly of claim 9 wherein the one or more tray seals are configured to flex away from the tray panel to provide passage of one or more user wires from the resource tray past the one or more tray seals to an area underneath the work surface.

11. The architectural assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lower vertical assembly further includes one or more channels disposed below the resource tray, the one or more channels configured to route one or more supply wires.

12. The architectural assembly of claim 1 , further comprising one or more cantilevers attached to the vertical support and extending substantially horizontally from the vertical support to support the work surface.

13. The architectural assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an upper vertical section extending above the work surface.

14. The architectural assembly of claim 13 , further comprising a hinged access component in the upper vertical section, the access component configured to provide access to the resource tray.

15. The architectural assembly of claim 13 , wherein the upper vertical section includes a monitor system housing one or more monitors facing a first direction and one or more monitors facing a second direction.

16. The architectural assembly of claim 1 , wherein the resource tray includes one or more wire trays extending perpendicular to the lower vertical section, wherein one or more sideways-facing receptacles are disposed above the one or more wire trays on the lower vertical section.

17. The architectural assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lower vertical assembly includes one or more access panels disposed below the work surface, the one or more access panels being openable to provide access to the resource tray.

18. A modular architectural assembly, comprising:
a substantially horizontal work surface having an upper side and a lower side, the work surface shaped to define at least one opening in the work surface;
a lower vertical section extending a distance below the work surface from the opening of the work surface to a position above a floor surface when the architectural assembly is assembled; and
a wire cover configured to overlie the opening of the work surface to form a substantially flat surface across the work surface and the wire cover, the wire cover being selectively changeable from a closed configuration wherein the opening is partitioned from the work surface to an open configuration wherein the opening is accessible from the work surface;
wherein:
the lower vertical section houses a resource tray having one or more power receptacles and data receptacles positioned adjacent at least one tray panel;
the lower vertical section comprises one or more removable access tiles that provide access to the resource tray;
the resource tray includes one or more tray seals disposed beneath the work surface;
the opening of the work surface provides access through the work surface to the resource tray within an interior of the lower vertical section; and
the resource tray is configured to house one or more user wires extending to the upper or lower side of the work surface.

19. A modular architectural assembly, comprising:
a substantially horizontal work surface having an upper side and a lower side, the work surface shaped to define at least one opening in the work surface;
a lower vertical section extending a distance below the work surface from the opening of the work surface, the lower vertical section housing a resource tray having one or more power receptacles and data receptacles;
wherein: (i) the opening provides access to the resource tray within an interior of the lower vertical section, (ii) the resource tray is configured to house one or more user wires extending to the upper or lower side of the work surface; and (iii) lower vertical assembly includes one or more access panels disposed below the work surface, the one or more access panels being removable to provide access to the resource tray;
an upper vertical section extending a distance above the work surface from the opening of the work surface, the upper vertical section including a monitor system housing one or more monitors mounted on one side of the upper vertical section, and one or more monitors mounted on an opposed second side thereof; and
an access component configured to enclose the opening of the

Assignees

• Dirtt Env Solutions Inc
• Dirtt Environmental Solutions

Inventors

• Gosling Geoff
• Smed Mogens F
• Brown Thomas A

Classifications

• A47B2021/066

  with power or communication connection interface · CPC title

• A47B2200/008

  Tables or desks having means for applying electronic or electric devices · CPC title

• A47B83/001

  Office desks or work-stations combined with other pieces of furniture, e.g. work space management systems · CPC title

• A47B2200/0075

  Computer kiosks or stands · CPC title

• A47B2200/0082

  Cable inlet in worktop or desk, e.g. grommet · CPC title