Systems, brackets, and methods for mounting storage structures to office work surfaces

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11006749-B2
Application number	US-201815934550-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 23, 2018
Priority date	Mar 23, 2018
Publication date	May 18, 2021
Grant date	May 18, 2021

Abstract

A system for mounting to an underside of a work surface of an office furniture structure includes a storage structure and a bracket. The storage structure includes at least one storage chamber and at least one installation feature coupled to the at least one storage chamber. The bracket includes at least one securing feature configured to secure the bracket to the underside of the work surface of the office furniture structure. The bracket further includes at least one installation feature configured to couple the least one installation features of the storage structure. At least one of the storage structure and the bracket includes at least one restraining feature configured to engage the other of the storage structure and the bracket and inhibit the storage structure from being detached from the bracket.

First claim

The following is claimed:

1. A bracket for mounting a storage structure to an underside of a work surface of an office furniture structure, the bracket comprising:
at least one securing feature configured to secure the bracket to the underside of the work surface of the office furniture structure;
at least one installation feature configured to couple the bracket to the storage structure, the at least one installation feature comprising a channel configured to slidably receive a rail of the storage structure; and
at least one restraining feature configured to engage the storage structure and inhibit the storage structure from being detached from the bracket, the at least one restraining feature comprising an arm configured to be received in an aperture to inhibit the storage structure from being detached from the bracket, wherein the at least one restraining feature further comprises a leg that is configured to engage and be displaced by the storage structure to inhibit the storage structure from being detached from the bracket.

2. The bracket of claim 1 , wherein the channel is first channel and the rail is a first rail, and wherein the at least one installation feature further comprises a second channel configured to slidably receive a second rail of the storage structure.

3. The bracket of claim 1 , wherein the at least one securing feature comprises a through hole configured to receive a mechanical fastener.

4. The bracket of claim 1 , further comprising at least one locating feature configured to engage an edge of the work surface.

5. A system for mounting to an underside of a work surface of an office furniture structure, the system comprising:
a storage structure, comprising:
at least one storage chamber;
at least one installation feature coupled to the at least one storage chamber, the at least one installation feature comprising a rail;

a bracket, comprising:
at least one securing feature configured to secure the bracket to the underside of the work surface of the office furniture structure; and
at least one installation feature configured to couple to the at least one installation feature of the storage structure, the at least one installation feature of the bracket comprising a channel configured to slidably receive the rail of the storage structure; and

wherein at least one of the storage structure and the bracket comprises at least one restraining feature configured to engage the other of the storage structure and the bracket and inhibit the storage structure from being detached from the bracket, the at least one restraining feature comprising a leg that is configured to engage and be displaced by the other of the storage structure and the bracket to inhibit the storage structure from being detached from the bracket.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the storage structure further comprises an aperture, and the at least one restraining feature further comprises an arm of the bracket, the arm being configured to be received in the aperture to inhibit the storage structure from being detached from the bracket.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the bracket comprises the leg.

8. A method for mounting a storage structure to an underside of a work surface of an office furniture structure, the method comprising:
securing a bracket to the underside of the work surface of the office furniture structure, the bracket comprising at least one restraining feature comprising a leg, and the bracket comprising at least one installation feature comprising a channel; and
engaging the storage structure with the bracket and translating the storage structure relative to the bracket such that the channel slidably receives a rail of the storage structure and the leg engages and is displaced by the storage structure and inhibits the storage structure from being detached from the bracket.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the storage structure includes at least one aperture, and the at least one restraining feature further comprises an arm that is received in the at least one aperture to inhibit the storage structure from being detached from the bracket.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the bracket further comprises at least one locating feature, and wherein securing the bracket to the underside of the work surface of the office furniture structure comprises engaging the at least one locating feature with an edge of the work surface.

11. The system of claim 5 , wherein the bracket comprises the leg.

12. The system of claim 5 , wherein the at least one securing feature comprises a through hole configured to receive a mechanical fastener.

13. The system of claim 5 , wherein the bracket comprises at least one locating feature configured to engage an edge of the work surface.

14. The system of claim 5 , wherein the channel is first channel and the rail is a first rail, wherein the at least one installation feature of the storage structure further comprises a second rail, and wherein the at least one installation feature of the bracket further comprises a second channel configured to slidably receive the second rail.

Assignees

• Hni Tech Inc

Inventors

• Anderson Jared
• Allgood Lance
• Mccarthy Ryan

Classifications

• A47B2097/006

  Computer holding devices · CPC title

• A47B96/06 Primary

  Brackets or similar supporting means for cabinets, racks or shelves ({A47B96/022 takes precedence; } aspects of adjusting height or inclination A47B57/00 {; brackets for the display of articles A47F5/08}) · CPC title

• A47B2200/09

  Combined attachment of a frame, a storage tray and a work surface of a desk · CPC title

• A47B2200/0084

  Accessories for tables or desks · CPC title

• A47B83/001 Primary

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