GB2197188A

GB2197188A - A desk

Info

Publication number: GB2197188A
Application number: GB08627110A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter G Hill
Original assignee: EQUIPMENT PEOPLE Ltd O
Current assignee: EQUIPMENT PEOPLE Ltd O
Priority date: 1986-11-13
Filing date: 1986-11-13
Publication date: 1988-05-18
Anticipated expiration: 2006-11-13
Also published as: GB2197188B; GB8627110D0

Abstract

A desk has a channel 18 in the top 10 extending from side to side at the back. The channel 18 has a shallower section 20 which is nearer to the front and separated from a deeper section 22 by an upstanding wall 24. A spring hinged cover plate 30 has a flexible lip 32 which cooperates with a flexible lip 34 along the edge of the channel to allow cable to extend therebetween into and out from the channel with the cover in the closed position. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A desk This invention concerns a desk.

With the advent of electric typewriters, desk top computers, word processors and other electrical office machinery, the problem has arisen of routing the cables for power and data supply.

Efforts have been made to put the cables in some form of ducting so that they do not trail on the floor. A desk is known which has a box or channel at the back for the cables. The problem with this is that it protrudes donwardly from the underneath of the desk top.

The horizontal depth of the desk has to be increased to allow mobile draw pedestals to be fitted underneath so that they do not protrude.

The invention provides a desk having a channel in the top extending from side to side at the back, wherein the channel has a shallower section which is nearer to the front.

Preferably the shallower section is no deeper than the thickness of the desk top.

With such a construction, the top of the channel can be flush with the desk top surface and the shallower section can be flush with the desk top underneath surface. Thus the horizontal depth of the desk can be reduced and yet a mobile draw pedestal can be fitted underneath without protruding.

Preferably the shallower section is separated from a deeper section by an upstanding wall so that cables having different functions can be segregated.

A channel cover can be hinged to the desk at the back so as to maximise the available desk top work surface area. Preferably flexible lips on the channel cover and an edge of the channel co-operate to allow cable to extend therebetween into and out from the channel with the cover in the closed position.

A deeper section may have one or more supports spaced from the base for mounting sockets for power, data and telephone, the spacing allowing the routing of cables along the base.

Preferably, one or more of the sections has an apertured base, for example, a slotted base which allows draining of any spilt liquid and fastening of the cables by ties or clamps.

Separated channels at the back of one side of the desk may extend upwardly and communicate with the channel at the back of the desk. This allows neat and unabtrusive routing of the cables.

Preferably, the desk has a back wall depending from the desk top, and the width of the channel, apart from the shallower section, corresponds to the thickness of the back wall.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying perspective view of a desk.

The illustrated desk comprises a top 10, legs 12 with feet 14, and at the back a wall 16 depending from the top. A channel 18 extends from side to side in the desk top 10 at the back. The channel 18 is divided into two longitudinal sections: a shallower section 20, which is nearer to the front of the desk, and a deeper section 22. The shallower section 20 is no deeper than the thickness of the desk top 10. The width of the deeper section 22 corresponds to the thickness of the back wall 16. The two sections 20 and 22 are separated from each other by an upstanding wall 24. The base of the shallower-section 20 has apertures 26 in the shape of slots. The deeper section 22 has a number of support plates 28 which are spaced from its base.

The channel 18 has a cover plate 30 which is spring hinged to the desk top 10 at the back. The cover plate 30 has a flexible lip 32 along its free edge which cooperates with another flexible lip 34 along the edge of the channel 18.

Three separate channels 36, 38 and 40 extend upwardly at the back of the left hand side of the desk and communicate with the channel 18.

The desk is shown with a telephone cable 42 extending up the channel 36 to a telephone socket 44 mounted on one of the support plate 28. An electrical power supply cable 46 extends up the central channel 38 and then along the deeper section 22 to a multiple socket 48 mounted on another support plate 28. Data transmission cable 50 extends up channel 40 and then along shallower section 20.

The channels 36, 38 and 40 are separated by upstanding walls and have bases with slots which are similar to the slots 26 in the base of the shallower section 20. These slots allow the cables 42, 46 and 50 to be secured by ties.

The flexible lips 32 and 34 allow cable to extend between them when the cover plate 30 is in the closed position.

1. A desk having a channel in the top extending from side to side at the back, wherein the channel has a shallower section which is nearer to the front.

2. A desk as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the shallower section is separated from a deeper section by an upstanding wall.

3. A desk as claimed in either preceding claim, wherein a channel cover is hinged to the desk at the back.

4. A desk as claimed in Claim 3, wherein flexible lips on the channel cover and an edge of the channel co-operate to allow cable to extend therebetween into and out from the channel with the cover in the closed position.

5. A desk as claimed in any preceding

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A desk This invention concerns a desk. With the advent of electric typewriters, desk top computers, word processors and other electrical office machinery, the problem has arisen of routing the cables for power and data supply. Efforts have been made to put the cables in some form of ducting so that they do not trail on the floor. A desk is known which has a box or channel at the back for the cables. The problem with this is that it protrudes donwardly from the underneath of the desk top. The horizontal depth of the desk has to be increased to allow mobile draw pedestals to be fitted underneath so that they do not protrude. The invention provides a desk having a channel in the top extending from side to side at the back, wherein the channel has a shallower section which is nearer to the front. Preferably the shallower section is no deeper than the thickness of the desk top. With such a construction, the top of the channel can be flush with the desk top surface and the shallower section can be flush with the desk top underneath surface. Thus the horizontal depth of the desk can be reduced and yet a mobile draw pedestal can be fitted underneath without protruding. Preferably the shallower section is separated from a deeper section by an upstanding wall so that cables having different functions can be segregated. A channel cover can be hinged to the desk at the back so as to maximise the available desk top work surface area. Preferably flexible lips on the channel cover and an edge of the channel co-operate to allow cable to extend therebetween into and out from the channel with the cover in the closed position. A deeper section may have one or more supports spaced from the base for mounting sockets for power, data and telephone, the spacing allowing the routing of cables along the base. Preferably, one or more of the sections has an apertured base, for example, a slotted base which allows draining of any spilt liquid and fastening of the cables by ties or clamps. Separated channels at the back of one side of the desk may extend upwardly and communicate with the channel at the back of the desk. This allows neat and unabtrusive routing of the cables. Preferably, the desk has a back wall depending from the desk top, and the width of the channel, apart from the shallower section, corresponds to the thickness of the back wall. An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying perspective view of a desk. The illustrated desk comprises a top 10, legs 12 with feet 14, and at the back a wall 16 depending from the top. A channel 18 extends from side to side in the desk top 10 at the back. The channel 18 is divided into two longitudinal sections: a shallower section 20, which is nearer to the front of the desk, and a deeper section 22. The shallower section 20 is no deeper than the thickness of the desk top 10. The width of the deeper section 22 corresponds to the thickness of the back wall 16. The two sections 20 and 22 are separated from each other by an upstanding wall 24. The base of the shallower-section 20 has apertures 26 in the shape of slots. The deeper section 22 has a number of support plates 28 which are spaced from its base. The channel 18 has a cover plate 30 which is spring hinged to the desk top 10 at the back. The cover plate 30 has a flexible lip 32 along its free edge which cooperates with another flexible lip 34 along the edge of the channel 18. Three separate channels 36, 38 and 40 extend upwardly at the back of the left hand side of the desk and communicate with the channel 18. The desk is shown with a telephone cable 42 extending up the channel 36 to a telephone socket 44 mounted on one of the support plate 28. An electrical power supply cable 46 extends up the central channel 38 and then along the deeper section 22 to a multiple socket 48 mounted on another support plate 28. Data transmission cable 50 extends up channel 40 and then along shallower section 20. The channels 36, 38 and 40 are separated by upstanding walls and have bases with slots which are similar to the slots 26 in the base of the shallower section 20. These slots allow the cables 42, 46 and 50 to be secured by ties. The flexible lips 32 and 34 allow cable to extend between them when the cover plate 30 is in the closed position. CLAIMS

5. A desk as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a deeper section has one or more supports spaced from the base for mounting sockets.

6. A desk as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one or more of the sections has an apertured base.

7. A desk as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein separated channels at the back of one side of the desk extend upwardly and communicate with the channel at the back of the desk.

8. A desk as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the desk has a back wall depnding from the desk top, and the width of the channel, apart from the shallower section, corresponds to the thickness of the back wall.

9. A desk substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.