US3359930A

US3359930A - Desk construction

Info

Publication number: US3359930A
Application number: US548569A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kenneth D Schreyer
Original assignee: Lyon Metal Products LLC
Current assignee: Lyon Metal Products LLC
Priority date: 1966-05-09
Filing date: 1966-05-09
Publication date: 1967-12-26
Anticipated expiration: 1984-12-26

Description

\ Dec. 26, 1967 K. SCHREYER 3,359,930

DESK CONS TRUCT ION Filed May 9, 1966 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 F I6. I

Dec. 26, 1967 K. D. SCHREYER DESK CONSTRUCTION \v MON. .\QMM RMM/ N\N 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 UHHHII".

Dec. 26, 1967 Filed May 9, 1966 United States Patent 3,359,930 DESK CONSTRUCTION Kenneth D. Schreyer, Doylestown, Pa., assignor to Lyon Metal Products, Incorporated, Aurora, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed May 9, 1966, Ser. No. 548,569 29 Claims. (Cl. 108-92) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE There is disclosed an attachment assembly for interconnecting a desk top and a run-off top, where in the desk 'top has a front edge and an end edge and a pair of spaced apart mounting channels secured to the underside thereof and extending parallel to the front edge and substantially normal to the end edge and leg structure on the ends thereof for supporting it in operative position above an underlying support surface, and wherein the run-off has a rear edge extending substantially parallel to the desk top end edge and an end edge at one end thereof extending substantially parallel to the desk top front edge and leg structure on the other end thereof for supporting it in operative position above an underlying support surface; the attachment assembly comprising a pair of spaced apart attachment channels extending substantially parallel to the associated desk top end edge and substantially normal to the associated mountingchannels, a first spacer interconnecting the rear ends of the attachment channels and slidably connecting the rear ends of the attachment channels to the rear one of the mounting channels to accommodate movement of the attachment channels in a direction normal to the desk top end edge, a second spacer interconnecting the front ends of the attachment channels to the front one of the mounting channels to accommodate movement of the attachment channels in a direction normal to the desk top end edge, a support channel connected to the underside of the one end of the associated run-off top and also slidably connected to the attachment channels for accommodating movement of the run-off top along a path parallel to the desk top end edge and beneath the desk top and between the leg structures on the ends thereof, and a finishing panel mounted on the attachment channels for closing the space bounded by the underside of the desktop and the underside of the run-off top and the forward edge of the adjacent desk leg structure.

The present invention relates to desk constructions, and particularly to attachment assemblies for interconnecting a run-01f top or the like in operative position beneath the end of an associated desk top.

It is highly desirable with respect to certain types of desks, such as secretarial desks of the single pedestal type, to provide thereon additional work space and additional mounting space for typewriters, calculating machines, and the like by attaching a run-oflf top beneath the end of the desk opposite the pedestal, the run-off also sometimes being referred to as a typewriter platform or a return unit or a modular unit. In the present application, the invention will be illustrated as applied to the attachment of a typewriter platform and the term run-off will be utilized herein as meaning all such attachments including those with and without pedestals or other storage facility at the outer end thereof.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide an attachment assembly of the type set forth which is particularly useful to connect run-off tops to a desk top having mounting channels extending laterally thereof on the underside substantially parallel to the front edge and substantially normal to the end edges thereof.

In connect-ion with the foregoing object, it is another object of the invention to provide an attachment assembly of the type set forth which permits the run-01f top to be adjustably moved along a path parallel to the desk top end edge and beneath the desk top and between the leg structures provided on the ends thereof, the attachment assembly also permitting adjustment of the run-off top in a direction normal to the desk top end edge.

Aonther object of the invention is to provide an attachment assembly of the type set forth which accommodates movement of the run-off top to an extended position disposed outwardly from under the desk top, and also accommodating movement of the run-off top to a position disposed laterally beyond the adjacent desk leg structure to position the run-off rear edge in a common vertical plane with the desk top end edge when the run-off top is in the extended position thereof.

Yetanother object of the invention is to provide in an attachment assembly of the type set forth a finishing panel mounted thereon and closing the space bounded by the underside of the desk top and the upper side of the run-off top and the forward edge of the adjacent desk leg structure.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an attachment assembly of the type set forth which is particularly adapted to be utilized with a run-off top having a pair of spaced apart mounting channels secured to the underside thereof and extending substantially parallel to the associated desk top end edge, the attachment assembly being connected to the run-off mounting channels at the end thereof adjacent to the desk top.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an attachment assembly of the type set forth including spaced apart attachment channels extending substantially parallel to the associated desk top end edge and a pair of spacers interconnecting the opposite ends of the attachment channels and adjustably connected to the mounting channels on the underside of the associated desk top, a support panel connected to the underside of one end of the run-off top and also slidably connected to the attachment channels for accommodating movement of the run-off top along a path parallel to the desk top end edge, and a finishing panel mounted on the attachment channels for closing the space bounded by the underside of the desk top and the upper side of the run-off top and the forward edge of the desk leg structure.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an attachment assembly of the type set forth wherein adjustment of the run-off top toward and away from the associated desk top end edge is accommodated by the shiftable movement of the attachment channels longitudinally of the associated desk mounting channels and a plurality of adjusted positions of the finishing panel with respect to the attachment channels.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an attachment assembly of the type set forth wherein adjustment of the run-off top toward and away from the associated desk top end edge is accommodated by the shiftable movement of the support panel laterally of the attachment channels, the attachment channels and the finishing panel remaining fixed with respect to the mounting channels on the associated desk top.

A further object of the invention is to provide desk constructions incorporating therein desk tops and run-off tops and attachment assemblies of the type set forth.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular construction and arrangement of the parts whereby the above-outlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a first form of a single pedestal desk having a run-off in the form of a typewriter platform connected thereto by means of an attachment assembly made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the assembly of FIG. 1 as seen in the direction of the arrows 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in horizontal section with certain portions broken away as seen along the line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a further enlarged fragmentary view in vertical section along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view in vertical section along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating the parts in the second adjusted position thereof;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6 and showing the parts in the adjusted position illustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of a second form of desk and typewriter platform assembly made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an end elevational view of the assembly of FIG. 9 as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 10-10 thereof;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary enlarged view in horizontal section with certain portions broken away as seen along the line 1111 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 and showing the parts in another adjusted position thereof;

FIG. 13 is a further enlarged view in vertical section through the assembly as seen along the line 13-13 of FIG. 11; and

*IG. 14 is a view in vertical section along the line 14-14 of FIG. 13.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 8 of the drawings, there is illustrated a furniture construction or assembly made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention, the assembly including a desk 100, a typewriter platform 200 and an attachment assembly 300 connecting the adjacent ends of the desk 100 and the typewriter platform 200 for adjustable positioning therebetween. The desk 100, more particularly includes a-desk top 101, the details of construction of which may be best seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 of the drawings, wherein it will be seen that the desk top 101 includes a generally flat top plate 102 that is generally rectangular in shape, the corners thereof being rounded, the periphery of the top plate 102 being essentially the same as the periphery of the desk top 101. Disposed beneath the top plate 102 and extending around the periphery thereof is an edging 103 also formed of sheet metal, a substantially flat piece of sheet metal having been deformed to provide an attachment flange 104, a side flange 105, a mounting flange 106, a bottom flange 107 and an upturned flange 108. More specifically, the attachment flange 104 is disposed against the underside of the top plate 102 but is spaced inwardly with respect to the outer edge thereof, the outer edge of the attachment flange 104 carrying thereon the mounting flange 106 which is offset downwardly away from the underside of the top plate 102 and extends outwardly slightly beyond the outer edge thereof. As illustrated, the side flange 105 is integral with the mounting flange 106 and depends therefrom and extends slightly inwardly toward the center of the top plate 102, the flange 105 making an angle of for example 75 with respect to the mounting flange 106. The bottom flange 107 is disposed on the lower edge of the side flange 105 and extends inwardly substantially parallel to the

flanges

104 and 106 and carries on the inner end thereof the upturned flange 108 that extends upwardly toward the top plate 102 and is disposed substantially normal thereto and to the bottom flange 107.

Also disposed on the underside of the top plate 102 is a reinforcing sheet 110 formed from a substantially flat piece of sheet metal bent to provide attachment portions 111, ribs 112 having side walls 113, and connecting portions 114 at the periphery thereof. The attachment portions 111 are disposed toward the underside of the top plate 102, there being a body of mastic (not shown) applied therebetween through which a weld 116 is made to interconnect the attachment portions 114 and the top plate 102 to provide a firm connection therebetween, the mastic also serving to deaden sound transmission therebetween. The side walls 113 depend downwardly from the attachment portion 111 to form the ribs 112. which are spaced from the underside of the top plate 102. The connecting portions 114 are offset from the underside of the top plate 102 to accommodate therebetween portions such as the attachment flange 104 on the edging 103 the three layers mentioned being connected as by welding at 116.

Also mounted beneath the top 101 are two longitudinally extending and substantially parallel and spaced apart mounting channels 120, each mounting channel 120 including a longitudinally extending main wall 121 and a pair of depending side flanges 122 carrying on the lower ends thereof respectively inturned holding flanges 123. As will be explained in detail hereinafter, the typewriter platform 200 is connected by the attachment assembly 300 to the desk 100 by means of the mounting channels 120.

Disposed on the upper surface of the top plate 102 is a covering 125 preferably formed of a synthetic organic resin, an adhesive being applied between the upper surfaceof the top plate 102 and the lower surface of the covering 125 to provide a good bond therebetween. To complete the desk top 101, a decorative trim is provided therearound, the trim. 130 including a decorative body 131 having an associated mounting tongue 135 thereon that is releasably secured in a space defined between the top plate 102 and the flange 106.

Mounted at one end of the desk top 101 and secured thereto via the mounting channels 120 is a pedestal 150, the pedestal being generally rectangular in both vertical and horizontal cross sections and being disposed adjacent to the lefthand end of the top 101. The pedestal 150 more specifically includes a body 151 within which is housed a shelf 152 having a pull 153 thereon, a box drawer 154 having a pull 155 thereon and a file drawer 156 having a pull 157 thereon. .Disposed beneath the pedestal 150 is a pair of legs 158 that serve to mount and support the lefthand end of the desk 100 in the operative position above an underlying support surface.

Disposed at the righthand end of the desk 100 and connected to the mounting channels 120 on the underside of the top 101 is an end panel 160, the end panel 160 including an outer wall 161 and an inner wal l 162 having the edges thereof joined and including therein a filler 163 (see FIGS. 4 and 7 also). Mounted on the lower end of the end panel 160 is a pair of legs 1 68 that serve to support the righthand end of the desk 100 in the operative position above an underlying support surface. There also is provided a back panel disposed adjacent to the rear edge of the desk top 101 and mounted on the rear mounting channel 120 and interconnecting the pedestal 150 and the end panel 160. Finally, there is provided a center drawer 171 mounted beneath the desk top 101 and a lock 172 for locking the center drawer 171 and the drawers 154- and 156 in the pedestal 150 in the closed positions thereof.

Further details of the construction and arrangement of the parts of the desk 100 can be found in the copending application for United States Letters Patent, Ser. No. 503,157 filed Oct. 23, 1965 by Kenneth D. Schreyer for Desk Construction.

In accordance with the invention, there is connected to the righthand end of the desk 100 and beneath the top 101 thereof the typewriter platform 200, the details of construction of the typewriter platform 200 being best seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 6 of the drawings. The typewriter platform 200 more particularly includes a top 201 having a generally flat top plate 202 that is generally rectangular in shape, the corners thereof being rounded, the periphery of the top plate 202 being essentially the same as the periphery of the top 201. Disposed beneath the top plate 202 and extending around the periphery thereof is an edging 203 also formed of sheet metal, a substantially flat piece of sheet metal having been deformed to provide an attachment flange 204, a side flange 205, a mounting flange 206, a bottom flange 207 and an upturned flange 208. More specifically, the attachment flange 204 is disposed against the underside of the top plate 202 but is spaced inwardly with respect to the outer edge thereof, the outer edge of the top flange 204 carrying thereon the mounting flange 206 which is offset downwardly away from the underside of the top plate 202 and extends outwardly slightly beyond the outer edge thereof. As illustrated, the side flange 205 is integral with the mounting flange 206 and depends therefrom and extends slightly inwardly toward the center of the top plate 202, the flange 205 making an angle of for example 75 with respect to the mounting flange 206. The bottom flange 207 is disposed on the lower edge of the side flange 205 and extends inwardly substantially parallel to the

flanges

204 and 206 and carries on the inner end thereof the upturned flange 208 that extends upwardly toward the top plate 202 and is disposed substantially normal thereto and to the bottom flange 207.

Also disposed on the underside of the top plate 202 is a reinforcing sheet 210 formed from a substantially flat piece of sheet metal bent to provide attachment portions 211, ribs 212 having side walls 213, and connecting portions 214 at the periphery thereof. The attachment portions 211 are disposed toward the underside of the top plate 202, there being a body of mastic (not shown) applied therebetween and suitable welds made therethrough as at 216 to interconnect the attachment portions 211 and the top plate 202 to provide a firm connection therebetween. The side walls 213 depend downwardly from the attachment portions 211 to form the ribs 212 which are spaced from the underside of the top plate 202. The connecting portions 214 are offset from the underside of the top plate 202 to accommodate therebetween portions such as the attachment flange 204 on the edging 203, the three layers mentioned being connected as by welding at 216.

Also mounted beneath the top 201 are two longitudinally extending and substantially parallel and spaced apart mounting channels 220, each mounting channel 220 including a longitudinally extending main wall 221 and a pair of depending side flanges 222 carrying on the lower ends thereof respectively inturned holding flanges 223. As will be explained in detail hereinafter, all the parts of the typewriter platform 200 are mounted upon the top 201 by means of the mounting channels 220, and the attachment assembly 300 is likewise connected to the mounting channels 220.

Disposed on the upper surface of the top plate 202 is a covering 225, preferably formed of a synthetic organic resin, an adhesive being applied both to the upper surface of the top plate 202 and to the lower surface of the covering 225 to provide a good bond therebetween. To complete the run-off top 201, a decorative trim 230 is provided there-around including a decorative body 231 and a mounting tongue 235 integral therewith and disposed in the space between the top plate 202 and the flange 206.

Secured to the run-off top 201 opposite the end thereof attached to the desk is an end panel 250 extending downwardly toward the underlying support surface and having mounted on the lower end thereof a pair of

legs

258 and 259 that rest upon the underlying support surface to support the outer end of the run-off 200 in the position illustrated. The end panel 250 is in fact mounted upon the mounting channels 220'. Also mounted upon the righthandmost mounting channel 220 is a back panel 255 extending from the inner edge of the end panel 250 back toward the desk 100 and substantially to the inner end of the run-olf top 201 (see FIG. 3).

The details of construction of the run-off end panel 250 are substantially identical to the details of construction of the end panel 160 on the desk 100, except as to the dimensions thereof; and the details of construction of the back panel 255 on the typewriter platform 200 are substantially identical to those of the back panel 170 on the desk 100, except as to the dimensions thereof. Accordingly, further details of construction of the typewriter platform 200 and the component parts thereof can be found in the aforementioned application Ser. No. 503,157.

In order to connect the rear end of the typewriter platform 200 to the righthand end of the desk 100, the improved attachment assembly 300 of the present invention has been provided, the details of construction of which will now be described with special reference to FIGS. 3 to 8 of the drawings. The attachment assembly 300 includes an attachment frame comprising a rear spacer 301, a pair of attachment channels 310- and a spacer channel 320. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, it will be seen that the rear spacer 301 includes a substantially rectangular attachment flange 302 that extends between the associated attachment channels 310 at the rear ends thereof and is disposed substantially normal to the longitudinal axes thereof. Extending upwardly and rearwardly from the at tachment flange 302 is another flange 303 carrying on the upper rear edge thereof a generally horizontally disposed mounting flange 304, the flange 304 in use being disposed immediately below the rear mounting channel on the associated desk 100 (see FIG. 5). A pair of slots 306 is provided adjacent to the ends of the flange 304 defining ears 309 having openings 307 therethrough to receive a bolt 305 that extends upwardly into the associated desk mounting channel 120 and engages a special nut disposed therein for attachment of the spacer 301 to the desk mounting channel 120. The details of construction of the special nut 140 are set forth in the aforementioned application Ser. No. 503,157 and the description thereof is incorporated herein by reference.

Two of the attachment channels 310 are provided, the attachment channels 310 being spaced apart and disposed substantially parallel to each other and normal to the mounting channels 120 on the associated desk top 101. Each of the attachment channels 310 includes a main wall 311 having a pair of depending side flanges 312 that carry on the lower ends thereof inturned holding flanges 313 to define a longitudinally extending slot between the inner edges thereof. The spacing between the rear ends of the attachment channels 310 is maintained by the rear spacer 301 which is welded to the channel main walls 311 as by welds at 308. The forward ends of the attachment channels 310 are held in the operative position with respect to each other and are connected to the forward one of the desk mounting channels 120 by means of the spacer channel 320. The spacer channel 320 includes a main wall 321, a pair of upstanding side walls 322 carrying on the upper ends thereof inturned holding flanges 323, the inner edges of which define a longitudinally extending slot therebetween. The spacer channel 320 is disposed immediately beneath the forward one of the desk mounting channels 120 and the width of the main wall 321 thereof is the same as the width of the main wall 121 of the mounting channel 120, whereby the parts can be registered vertically as illustrated in FIG. 5, there being aligned openings in the attachment channel main walls 311 and the spacer channel main walls 321 to receive therethrough respectively a pair of bolts 325 that extend upwardly through the spacer channel 320 and into the associated mounting channel 120 to engage one of the special nuts 140 therein, thereby to connect the forward ends of the attachment channels 310 to the spacer channel 320 and also to connect the spacer channel 320 to the mounting channel 120.

From the above it will be seen that the attachment frame forming a part of the attachment assembly 300 and comprising the spacer 301 and the attachment channels 310 and the spacer channel 320 is mounted firmly upon the underside of the desk top 101, the attachment channels 310 being urged against the underside of the ribs 112 and fixedly positioned when the

bolts

305 and 325 are firmly connected in the associated nuts 140. However, it will be seen that by simply loosening the

bolts

305 and 325 with respect to the associated nuts 140, the position of the attachment frame with respect to the desk top 101 can be shifted laterally of the desk 106, i.e., toward and away from the righthand desk top end edge.

Mounted upon the attachment channels 310 for shiftable movement longitudinally therealong and in a direction parallel to the desk top end edge is a support panel 330 formed of sheet metal shaped to provide a top flange 331, a downturned flange 334, a horizontal flange 337 and pairs of upstatnding flanges 338 and attachment flanges 339. More specifically, and referring to FIGS. 4, and 6 of the drawings, it will be seen that the top flange 331 is essentially rectangular in shape. and has a length greater than the distance between the mounting channels 310 and is disposed immediately therebelow and bears against the underside of the inturned flanges 313 thereon. Formed integral with the forward edge of the top flange 331 and depending downwardly therefrom is the downturned flange 334, the longitudinal extent of the downturned flange 334 being equal to that of the top flange 331. The lower end of the downturned flange 334 has the outwardly extending flange 335 integral therewith and extending forwardly therefrom and carries on the forward edge thereof the downturned front flange 336. The lower edge of the front flange 336 has integral therewith a horizontal flange 337 which has integral with the opposite side edges thereof two upstanding flanges 338 (see FIG. 6 particularly) which carry on the upper edges thereof outwardly directed attachment flanges 339. The dimensions of the horizontal flange 337 and the upstanding flanges 338 are such that the attachment flanges 339 thereon can be mounted beneath the inner ends of the mounting channels 220 on the run-off top 201. Each of the attachment flanges 339 has an opening (not shown) therein which receives therethrough a bolt 305 that engages one of the special nuts 140 disposed in the associated run-off mounting channel 220, whereby to interconnect the support panel 330 and the inner end of the run-off top 201, this interconnection although being of a slidable type in fact being considered substantially stationary and fixed in use.

The top flange 331 on the support panel 330 is slidably connected to the attachment channels 310 for longitudinal sliding movement therealong. More specifically, the top flange 331 has a pair of spaced apart openings therein disposed beneath the associated attachment channels 310 and receiving bolts 345 and specifically the shanks 347 thereof therethrough, each of the bolts 345 having a head 346 disposed in the associated attachment channel 310 with the shank 347 extending downwardly between the inturned flanges 313 thereon and through the associated opening in the top flange 331. Also disposed within each of the attachment channels 310 and associated with each of the bolts 345 is a lock clip 340 including a body 341 having a width slightly less than the distance between the inner walls of the depending flanges 312, whereby the body 341 is supported upon the inturned flanges 314, the body 341 having an upturned rear end 342 integral with the rear thereof and a depending finger 344 extending downwardly between the inner edges of the inturned flanges 313 and through a complementarily shaped slot in the top flange 331. Finally, there is provided on the shank 347 of each of the bolts 345 a wing nut 348 which threadedly engages the associated shank whereby to clamp between the head 346 and the wing nut 348 the lock clip 340, the attachment flanges 313 and the top flange 331 of the support panel 330. In this manner, the support panel 330 is slidably mounted upon the attachment channels 310 for adjustable positioning with respect thereto at substantially any point therealong, adjustment of the position of the support panel 330 and the attached run-off top 201 simply being accomplished by loosening the wing nuts 348, shifting the parts to the new desired position, and thereafter retightening the wing nuts 348.

There further is provided on the attachment frame a finishing panel 350, see FIGS. 4, 5 and 7 particularly, the finishing panel 350 including a front Wall 351 having a vertical extent slightly less than the distance between the underside of the desk top 101 as defined by the lower surface of the flange 107 and the upper side of the run-off top 201 as defined by the upper surface of the covering 225 thereon, and the width of the finishing panel 350 being equal substantially to the distance between the end panel 160 and the drawer 171 on the desk to close the space therebetween. There is provided on the lower edge of the front wall 351 a rearwardly directed bottom flange 352 disposed substantially normal to the front wall 351, and disposed on the vertical side edges of the front wall 351 are rearwardly and inwardly directed inturned side flanges 353 (see FIG. 4). The finishing panel 350 is connected to the attachment frame by means of an attachment flange 354 integral with the upper edge of the front wall 351 and extending rearwardly therefrom substantially normal thereto, the attachment flange 354 having pairs of

notches

355, 355 and 35"! therein at the rear edge thereof defining corresponding positions designated on the drawings as position #1, position #2 and position #3. Associated with each of the notched pairs is a pair of

elongated slots

365, 366 and 367 associated with the notched

pairs

355, 356 and 357, respectively, and likewise corresponding to position #1, position #2 and position #3 respectively. In each of the positions, the associated

slot pair

365, 366 and 367 as the case may be, is aligned beneath a pair of openings in the main wall 321 of the spacer channel 320, there being provided on the upper surface of the main wall 321 weld nuts 327 in alignment with the openings therein. A pair of fasteners such as the screws 328 are received through the slot pairs and engage the weld nuts 327 to mount the finishing panel 350 on the spacer channel 320. In FIG. 4 the parts are shown mounted in position #2, i.e., the forward ends of the attachment channels 310 are received in cooperating notched pairs 356 corresponding to position #2, i.e., the middle position, wherein the outer or rear edge of the run-off top 201 is disposed inwardly with respect to the desk end panel 160. The finishing panel 350 extends from the inner surface of the front edge of the desk end panel 160 to the left to the righthand edge of the center drawer 171. Throughout the adjustment of the position of the run-off top 201 with respect to the desk top 101, the finishing panel 350 remains in the same position with respect to the desk top 101 While the position of the attachment channels 310 along the mounting channels is changed and while the position of the support panel 330 with respect to the attachment channels 310 is changed.

In accordance with the present invention, there are three fundamental positions of adjustment possible be tween the run-off top 201 and the desk top 101, two of the three positions being useful on a lefthand pedestal desk as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8 of the drawings, and two of the three positions being useful on a righthand pedestal desk. The first and second adjusted positions are diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 2, position #1 being illustrated by the dashed line position of the typewriter platform 200 disposed to the right and position #2 being illustrated by the solid line representation of the typewriter platform 200. In position #1, the rear edge of the run-off top 201 in the same vertical plane as the righthand end edge of the desk top 101; in position #2, the rear edge of the run-off top 201 is disposed slightly inwardly or to the left of the desk end panel 160.

Position #3 is utilized when the typewriiter platform 200 is to be mounted upon a righthand pedestal desk, i.e., when the end panel 160 is disposed to the left of the desk top 101, and accordingly, the run-off top 201 is disposed to the left. In position #3, the rear edge of the run-off top 201 is in the same vertical plane as the lefthand end edge of the desk top 101. Position #2 is also useful when the typewriter platform 200 is mounted on a righthand pedestal desk, in that case the rear edge of the run-off top 201 being disposed just slightly inwardly or to the right of the desk end panel 160. 1

It will be understood that any desired number of positions may be provided, and that by removal of the finish ing panel 350, a continuous adjustment of the run-off top 201 beneath the desk top 101 is possible from the position #1 illustrated in FIG. 2 to a position wherein the lefthand or front edge of the run-off top 201 is disposed flush against the righthand edge of the center drawer 171, this adjustment being made possible by connection between the rear spacer 301 and the front spacer channel 320 with the desk mounting channels 120.

There is diagrammatically illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings the amount of adjustability of the run-off top 201 with respect to the desk end top 101 in a direction parallel to the righthand desk edge when the parts are in position #2, i.e., with the rear edge of the run-off top 201 disposed inwardly with respect to the desk end panel 160. More specifically, the bolt and wing nut connection between the support panel 330 and the attachment channels 310 permits any adjusted position therebetween along the entire length of the attachment channels 310, i.e., from a full out position wherein the rear or left hand edge of the run-off top 201 as viewed in FIG. 5 is disposed outwardly with respect to the front edge of the desk end panel 160 to a full nested position wherein the support panel 330 is disposed rearwardly and substantially against the front surface of the desk rear panel 170.

Finally, there is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawings the disposition of the parts when they are in position #1. It will be noted that now the rear or righthand edge of the run-off top 201 is in alignment with the righthand desk end edge, whereby it is not possible to move the run-off top 201 beneath the desk top 101. In other words, when the parts are in position #1, there can be no adjustment in the position of the run-ofl top 201 in the direction parallel to the righthand desk end edge, the parts being essentially in the positions illustrated.

A second form of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 14 of the drawings, wherein a desk 400 has connected thereto a typewriter platform 500 by means of an attachment assembly 600. The desk 400 has a desk top 401 including a generally flat top plate 402 (see FIG. 13) that is generally rectangular in shape, the periphery of the top plate 402 being generally the same as the periphery of the desk top 401. Disposed beneath the top plate 402 and extending around the periphery thereof is an edging 403 also formed of sheet metal, a substantially flat piece of sheet metal having been deformed to provide an attachment flange 404, a side flange 405, a mounting flange 406, a bottom flange 407 and an upturned flange 408. More specifically, the attachment flange 404 is disposed against the underside of the top plate 402 but is spaced inwardly with respect to the outer edge thereof, the outer edge of the top flange 404 carry- 10 ing thereon the mounting flange 406 which is offset downwardly away from the underside of the top plate 402 and extends outwardly slightly beyond the outer edge thereof. As illustrated, the side flange 405 is integral with the mounting flange 406 and depends therefrom substantially perpendicular thereto and carrying thereon the bottom flange 407 extending inwardly therefrom and the upturned flange 408 extending upwardly toward the top plate 402. The

flanges

407 and 408 cooperate to mount thereon a lower decorative trim 445 preferably formed of a synthetic organic resin and held thereon by cooperating clamping flanges integral therewith, the trim 445 extending completely around the periphery of the desk top 401.

Also disposed on the underside of the top plate 402 is a reinforcing sheet 410 formed from a substantially flat piece of sheet metal bent to provide attachment portions 411, ribs 412 having side walls 413, and connecting portions 414 at the periphery thereof. The attachment portions 411 are disposed toward the underside of the top plate 402, there being a body of mastic (not shown) applied therebetween and a weld 416 made through the mastic whereby both the mastic and the weld 416 serve to interconnect the attachment portions 411 and the top plate 402 to provide a firm connection. The side walls 413 depend downwardly from the attachment portions 411 to form the ribs 412 that are spaced from the underside of the top plate 402. The connecting portions 414 are offset from the underside of the top plate 402 to accommodate therebetween portions such as the attachment flanges 404 on the edging 403, the three layers mentioned being connected as by welding at 416.

Also mounted beneath the top 401 are two longitudinally extending and substantially parallel and spaced apart mounting channels 420, each mounting channel'420 including a longitudinally extending main wall 421 and a pair of depending side flanges 422 carrying on the lower ends thereof respectively inturned holding flanges 423. As will be explained more fully hereinafter, all of the other parts of the desk 400 are mounted upon the desk top 401 by means of the mounting channels 420, and the attachment assembly 600 likewise connects to the mounting channels 420 to connect the typewriter platform 500 in position with respect to the desk 100.

Disposed on the upper surface of the top plate 402 is a covering 425, preferably formed of a synthetic organic resin, an adhesive being applied both to the upper surface of the top plate 402 and to the lower surface of the covering 425 to provide a good bond therebetween. To complete the desk top 401, a decorative trim 430 is provided therearound, the trim 430 being formed of stainless steel bent to provide an outer wall 431 and a mounting tongue 435, the outer wall 431 pressing against the covering 425 and the mounting tongue 435 extending into the opening between the undersurface of the top plate 402 and the upper surface of the mounting flange 406 to mount the trim 430 on the desk top 401.

Disposed at the lefthand end of the desk top 401 as viewed in FIG. 9 and mounted upon the mounting channels 420 thereunder is a pedestal 450, the pedestal 450 including a body 451 within which is disposed a box drawer 454 having a pull 455 thereon and a file drawer 456 having a pull 457 thereon. Disposed at the other end of the desk top 401 are mounted thereunder by means of the mounting channels 420 is an end panel 460, the end panel 460 including an outer wall 461 and an inner wall 462, a filler 463 of honeycomb construction being disposed therebetween. Also mounted on the desk top 401 adjacent to the rear edge thereof and extending between the pedestal 450 and the end panel 460 is a back panel 470. There also is provided in the top 401 a lock 472 to lock the

drawers

454 and 456 in the closed positions thereof. Finally, four upstanding legs 480 are disposed at the four corners of the desk top 401 and are connected to the associated one of the pedestals 450 and the end panel 460 and the back panel 470, as the case may be,

the legs 430 serving to mount the desk 400 in the operative position above an underlying support surface.

The typewriter platform 500 is illustrative of the types of run-off structures that can be connected to the single pedestal desk 400 utilizing the second preferred form of the attachment assembly of the present invention. The typewriter platform 500 has a top 501 including a generally flat top plate 502 that is essentially rectangular in shape, the periphery of the top plate 502 being essentially the same as the periphery of the run-off top 501. Disposed beneath the top plate 502 and extending around the periphery thereof is an edging 503 also formed of sheet metal, a substantially flat piece of sheet metal having been deformed to provide an attachment flange 504, a side flange 505, a mounting flange 506, a bottom flange 507 and an upturned flange 508 (see FIG. 14). More specifically, the attachment flange 504 is disposed against the underside of the top plate 502 but is spaced inwardly with respect to the outer edge thereof, the outer edge of the attachment flange 504 carrying thereon the mounting flange 506 that is offset downwardly away from the underside of the top plate 502 and extends outwardly slightly beyond the outer edge thereof. As illustrated, the side flange 505 is integral with the mounting flange 506 and depends therefrom substantially normal thereto, the lower edge of the flange 505 carrying the bottom flange 507 directed inwardly and the upturned flange 506 extending upwardly toward the top plate 502. The flanges 507 and 508 cooperate to provide a mounting structure for a lower trim 545 disposed thereon and clampingly held in place by the integral flanges, the trim 545 preferably being formed of a synthetic organic plastic resin.

Also disposed on the underside of the top plate 502 is a reinforcing sheet 510 formed from a substantially flat piece of sheet metal bent to provide attachment portions 511, ribs 512 having side walls 513, and connecting portions 514 at the periphery thereof. The attachment portions 511 are disposed against the underside of the top plate 502 and carry thereon the depending flanges 513 that cooperate to form the ribs 512 which are spaced from the underside of the top plate 502. The connecting portions 514 are offset from the underside of the top plate 502 to accommodate therebetween portions such as the attachment flange 504 on the edging 503, the three layers mentioned being connected as by welding at 516.

Also mounted beneath the top 501 are two longitudinally extending and substantially parallel and spaced apart mounting channels 520, each mounting channel 520 including a longtiudinally extending main Wall 521 and a pair of depending side flanges 522 carrying on the lower ends thereof respectively inturned holding flanges 523. As will be explained more fully hereinafter, all of the other parts of the typewriter platform 500 are mounted upon the run-off top 501 by means of the mounting channels 520, and the attachment assembly 600 is likewise connected to the mounting channels 520.

Disposed on the upper surface of the top plate 502 is a covering 525, preferably formed of a synthetic organic resin, an adhesive being applied both to the upper surface of the top plate 502 and to the lower surface of the covering 525 to provide a good bond therebetween. To complete the run-off top 501, a decorative trim 530 is provided therearound, the trim 530 preferably being formed of stainless steel bent to provide an outer wall 531 and a mounting tongue 535, the outer wall 531 extending upwardly to engage the covering 525 and the mounting tongue extending into a space formed between the underside of the top plate 502 and the upper surface of the mounting flange S06, resiliently to hold the trim 530 in the operative position.

Mounted on the outer end of the run-off top 501 and more specifically mounted upon the mounting channels 520 thereof is an end panel 550 having an outer wall 551. There also is provided a back panel 555 extending from the end panel 550 back to the rear edge of the runoff top 501, the back panel 555 being in fact mounted upon the rear or righthandmost one of the mounting channels 520. Finally, a pair of

legs

560 and 561 is provided on the outer end of the typewriter platform 500, the leg 560 being connected to the end panel 550 and the leg 561 being connected both to the end panel 550 and to the back panel 555, the

legs

560 and 561 serving to mount the front or outer end of the typewriter platform 500 in the operative position above an associated underlying support surface.

The inner end of the typewriter platform 500 is mounted beneath the righthand end of the desk 400 by means of the attachment assembly 600, further details of the construction of which are best illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 14 of the drawings. The attachment assembly 600 includes an attachment frame comprising a rear spacer 601, a pair of attachment channels 610 and a front spacer channel 620. Referring to FIGS. 11 and 13, it will be seen that the rear spacer 601 includes a substantially rectangualr attachment flange 602 that extends between the associated attachment channels 610 at the rear ends thereof and is disposed substantially normal to the longitudinal axes thereof. Extending upwardly and rearwardly from the attachment flange 602 is another flange 603 carrying on the upper rear edge thereof a generally horizontally disposed mounting flange 604, the flange 604 in use being disposed immediately below the rear mounting channel 420 on the associated desk 400 (see FIG. 13). A pair of slots 606 is provided adjacent to the ends of the flange 604 defining ears 609 having openings 607 therethrough to receive bolts 605 that extend upwardly into the associated desk mounting channel 420 and engage special nuts disposed therein for attachment of the spacer 601 to the desk mounting channel 420. The details of construction of the special nut 140 are set forth in the aforementioned application Ser. No. 503,157 and the description thereof is incorporated herein by reference.

Two of the attachment channels 610 are provided, the attachment channels 610 bieng spaced apart and disposed substantially parallel to each other and normal to the mounting channels 420 on the associated desk top 401. Each of the attachment channels 610 includes a main wall 611 having a pair of depending side flanges 612 that carry on the lower ends thereof inturned holding flanges 613 to define a longitudinally extending slot between the inner edges thereof, The spacing between the rear ends of the attachment channels 610 is maintained by the rear spacer 601 which is welded to the channel main walls 611 as by welds at 608. The forward ends of the attachment channels 610 are held in the operative position with respect to each other and are connected to the forward one of the desk mounting channels 420 by means of the spacer channel 620. The spacer channel 620 includes a main wall 621, a pair of upstanding side walls 622 carrying on the upper ends thereof inturned holding flanges 623, the inner edges of which define a longitudinally extending slot therebetween. The spacer channel 620 is disposed immediately beneath the forward one of the desk mounting channels 420 and the width of the main wall 621 thereof is the same as the width of the main wall 421 of the mounting channel 420, whereby the parts can be registered vertically as illustrated in FIG. 13, there being aligned openings in the attachment channel main walls 611 and the spacer channel main walls 621 to receive therethrough respectively bolts 625 that extend upwardly through the spacer channels 620 and into the associated mounting channel 420 to engage special nuts 140 therein, thereby to connect the forward ends of the attachment channels 610 to the spacer channels 620 and also to connect the spacer channels 620 to the front mounting channel 420.

From the above it will be seen that the attachment frame forming a part of the attachment assembly 600 and comprising the spacer 601 and the attachment channels 610 and the spacer channels 620 is mounted firmly upon the underside of the desk top 401, the attachment channels 610 being urged against the underside of the ribs 412 and fixedly positioned when the

bolts

605 and 625 are firmly connected to the associated nuts 140. However, it will be seen that by simply loosening the

bolts

605 and 625 with respect to the associated nuts 140, the position of the attachment frame with respect to the desk top 401 can be shifted laterally of the desk 400, i.e., toward and away from the righthand desk end edge.

Mounted upon the attachment channels 610 for shiftable movement longitudinally therealong and in a direction parallel to the righthand desk top end edge is a support panel 630 formed of sheet metal shaped to provide a top flange 631, a downturned flange 634, a horizontal flange 637 and pairs of upstanding flanges 638 and attachment flanges 639. More specifically, and referring to FIGS. 11 to 14 of the drawings, it will be seen that the top flange 631 is essentially rectangular in shape and has a length substantially greater than the distance between the mounting channels 610 and is disposed immediately therebelow and bears against the underside of the inturned flanges 613 thereon. Formed integral with the forward edge of the top flange 631 and depending downwardly therefrom is the downturned flange 634, the longitudinal extent of the downturned flange 634 being equal to that of the top flange 631. The lower end of the downturned flange 634 has the outwardly extending horizontal flange 637 thereon which has integral with the opposite side edges thereof the two upstanding flanges 638 (see FIG, 14 particularly) which carry on the upper edges thereof the outwardly directed attachment flanges 639. The dimensions of the horizontal flange 637 and the upstanding flanges 638 are such that the attachment flanges 639 thereon can be mounted beneath the inner ends of the mounting channels 520 on the run-off top 501. Each of the attachment flanges 639 has an opening (not shown) therein which receives therethrough a bolt 605 that engages one of the special nuts 140 disposed in the associated run-off mounting channel 520, whereby to interconnect the support panel 630 and the inner end of the run-off top 501, this connection although being of a sildable type in face being substantially stationary and fixed in use.

The top flange 631 on the support panel 630 is slidably connected to the attachment channel 610 for longitudinal sliding movement therealong. More specifically, the top flange 631 has three pairs of spaced apart

openings

675, 676 and 677 therein adapted to be disponsed beneath the associated attachment channels 610 and receiving bolts 645 and specifically the shanks 647 thereof therethrough. Each of the bolts 645 has a head 646 disposed in the associated attachment channels 610 with the shank 647 extending downwardly between the inturned flanges 613 thereon and through the associated one of the cooperating pair of

openings

675, 676 or 677, as the case may be. Also disposed within each of the attachment channels 610 and associated with each of the bolts 645 is a lock clip 640 including a body 641 having a width slightly less than the distance between the inner walls of the depending flanges 612, whereby the body 641 is supported upon the inturned flanges 613, the body 641 having an upturned rear end 642 integral with the rear thereof and a depending finger 644 extending downwardly between the inner edges of the inturned flanges 613 and through a complementarily shaped slot in the top flange 631, three cooperating pairs of

slots

685, 686 and 687 being provided for this purpose. Finally, there is provided on the shank 647 of each of the bolts 645 a wing nut 648 which threadedly engages the associated shank whereby to clamp between the head 646 and the wing nut 648, the lock'clip 640, the attachment flanges 613 and the top flanges 631 of the support panel 630. In this manner, the support panel 630 is slidably mounted upon the attach- .ment channels 610 for adjustable positioning with respect thereto at substantially any point therealong in a 'direction parallel to the desk top end edge; adjustment of the position of the support panel 630 and the attached run-off top 501 is accomplished by loosening the wing nuts 648, shifting the parts to the new desired position, and thereafter retightening the wing nuts 648. The provision of the three cooperating sets of

openings

675, 676 and 677 and the corresponding cooperating pairs of

slots

685, 686 and 687 also permit the support panel 630 to be mounted in any one of three selected positions with respect to the attachment channels 520, whereby also to permit positioning of the attached run-off top 501 in the three adjustable positions described.

There further is provided on the attachment frame a finishing panel 650, see FIGS. 9, 13 and 14, particularly, the finishing panel 650 including a front wall 651 having a vertical extent slightly less than the distance between the underside of the desk top 401 as defined by the lower surface of the lower trim 445 and the upper side of the run-ofl? top 501 as defined by the upper surface of the covering 525, and the width of the finishing panel 650 being slightly greater than the width of the run-ofl top 501 (see FIG. 9). There is provided on the lower edge of the front wall 651 a rearwardly and upwardly directed bottom flange 652, and disposed on the vertical side edges of the front wall 651 are rearwardly directed side flanges 653. The finishing panel 650 is connected to the attachment frame by means of an attachment flange 654 integral with the upper edge of the front wall 651 and extending substantially the entire length thereof, the ends of the attachment flange 654 being cut away to provide a narrower portion 655 centrally thereof to fit between the inner walls of the attachment channels 610 and "extending rearwardly and beneath the spacer channel 620. The attachment flange portion 655 and the overlying portion of the main wall 621 of the spacer channel 620 have a pair of aligned openings therethrough, weld nuts 627 being welded on the upper surface of the main wall 621 in registration with the openings therein, a pair of fasteners such as screws 628 being received through the aligned openings and engaging the weld nuts 627 to mount the finishing panel 650 on the spacer channel 620.

In accordance with the present invention, there are three fundamental positions of adjustment possible between the run-oif top 501 and the desk top 401, two of the three positions being useful on a lefthand pedestal desk illustrated in FIGS 9 to 14 of the drawings, and two of the three positions being useful on a righthand pedestal desk. The first and second adjustable positions are diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 9, position #1 being illustrated by the dashed line position of the typewriter platform 500 disposed to the right and position #2 being illustrated by the solid line representation of the typewriter platform 500. In position #1, the rear edge of the run-off top 501 is in the same vertical plane as the righthand end edge of the desk top 401; in position #2, the rear edge of the run-off top 501 is disposed slightly inwardly or to the left of the desk end panel 460.

Position #3 is utilized when the typewriter platform 500 is to be mounted upon a righthand pedestal desk, i.e., when the end panel 460 is disposed to the left of the desk top 401, and accordingly, the run-off top 501 is disposed to the left. In position #3, the rear edge of the runoff top 501 is in the same vertical plane as the lefthand end edge of the desk top 401. Position #2 is also useful when the typewriter platform 500 is mounted on the righthand pedestal desk, in that case the rear edge of the run-off top 501 being disposed just slightly inwardly or to the right of the desk end panel 460.

Such adjustment of the parts in position #1 and positron #2 and position #3 is accomplished by moving the support panel 630 with respect to the attachment channels 610, the position of the attachment channels 610 and the finishing panel 650 remaining fixed as has been explained above. For example, as is diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 11, the parts are placed in position #2 by placing the openings 676 and the slots 686 beneath the attachment channels 610, whereby to position the rear edge of the run-off top 501 inwardly a short distance with respect to the desk end panel 460. On the other hand as is illustrated in FIG. 12, if opening 675 and the slot 685 are placed in registration with the attachment channels 610, the parts are placed in position #1, i.e., the rear edge of the run-off top 501 is placed in the same plane as the desk top end edge.

When the parts are in position #2 diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 11, the bolt and wing nut connection between the support panel 630 and the attachment channels 610 permits any adjusted position therebetween along the entire length of the attachment channel 610', i.e., from a full out position wherein the rear or lefthand edge of the run-off top 501 as viewed in FIG. 11 is disposed outwardly with respect to the front edge of the desk end panel 460 to a full nested position wherein the support panel 630 is disposed rearwardly and substantially against the front surface of the desk rear panel 470. When the parts are in position #3, the movement of the run-off top 501 between a full extended position and a full nested position is also possible as described above with respect to the situation when the parts are in position #2.

Finally, as may be best seen in FIG. 12 of the drawings wherein the parts are in position #1, the rear edge of the run-oif top 501 is in alignment with the righthand desk end edge, whereby to prevent movement of the run-off top 501 beneath the desk top 401. In other words, when the parts are in position #1 illustrated in FIG. 12, there can be no adjustment in the position of the run-off top 501 in the direction parallel to the righthand desk end edge, the parts being essentially fixed in the positions illustrated.

Fundamentally the attachment assemblies 360 and 600 are formed of sheet metal with the exception of the several parts mentioned during the above description. Furthermore, the sheet metal forming the various parts is of relatively light gauge as will be appreciated from the following examples of gauge of the sheet metal utilized to form various parts of the

attachment assemblies

300 and 600. For example, in a typical illustrative embodiment of the invention, the

rear spacers

301 and 601 are formed of 16 gauge sheet metal; the

attachment channels

310 and 610 are formed of 18 gauge steel; the

spacer channels

320 and 620 are formed of 16 gauge steel; the

support panels

330 and 630 are formed of 12 gauge steel; and the finishing

panels

350 and 650 are formed of 18 gauge steel.

From the above description it will be seen that there have been provided improved desk constructions, and specifically improved attachment assemblies for interconnecting the run-ofi tops beneath the desk tops, which fulfill all of the objects and advantages set forth above. More specifically, there has been provided an improved attachment assembly of the type set forth that is formed essentially of sheet metal and that is simple in construction and economical in manufacture. The attachment assembly is of the type particularly useful to connect run-off tops to a desk top having mounting channels extending laterally thereof on the underside substantially parallel to the front edge and substantially normal to the end edges thereof, the attachment assembly permitting the adjustment of the run-off along a path parallel to the desk top end edge and beneath the desk top and between the leg struc tures provided on the ends thereof, the attachment assembly also permititng adjustment of the run-off top in a direction normal to the desk top end edge. Such adjustment even accommodates positioning the run-off top in an extended position out from under the desk top wherein the rear edge of the run-off can be disposed in a common vertical plane with the desk top end edge. There also has been provided a finishing panel mounted on the attachment assembly and closing the space bounded by the underside of the desk top and the upper side of the run-off top and the forward edge of the adjacent desk leg structure. The attachment assembly also is particularly useful for mounting run-off tops having mounting channels secured to the underside thereof and extending substantially parallel to the associated desk top end edge.

While there have been described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A desk construction comprising a desk top having a front edge and an end edge, a pair of spaced apart mounting channels secured to the underside of said desk top and extending substantially parallel to said front edge and substantially normal to said end edge, leg structure on the ends of said desk top for supporting it in operative position above an underlying support surface, a runoif top having a rear edge extending substantially parallel to said desk top end edge and an end edge at one end of said run-off top extending substantially parallel to said desk top front edge, leg structure on the other end of said run-off top for supporting it in operative position above an underlying support surface, and an attachment assembly for adjustably interconnecting said one end of said run-off top to said desk top mounting channels, said attachment assembly including an attachment frame extending between and mounted on said desk top mounting channels, first structure slidably interconnecting said one end of said run-off top and said attachment frame for movement of said run-off top along a path parallel to said desk top end edge and beneath said desk top and between said leg structures on the ends thereof, and second structure slidably interconnecting said desk top mounting channels and said attachment frame for movement of said attachment frame and the connected run-off top in a direction normal to said desk top end edge.

2. The desk construction set forth in claim 1, wherein said first structure is constructed and arranged to accommodate movement of said run-off top to an extended position disposed outwardly from under said desk top, and said second structure is constructed and arranged to accommodate movement of said run-off top to a position disposed laterally beyond the adjacent desk leg structure to position said run-off top rear edge in a common vertical plane with said desk top end edge when said run-off top is in the extended position thereof.

3. The desk construction set forth in claim 1, and further comprising a finishing panel mounted on said attachment frame and closing the space between the underside of said desk top and the upper side of said run-off top.

4. The desk construction set forth in claim 1, wherein said run-01f top has a pair of spaced apart mounting channels secured to the underside thereof and extending substantially parallel to said desp top end edge and substantially normal to said desk mounting channels, and said first structure is connected to said run-01f mounting channels at said one end thereof.

5. A desk construction comprising a desk top having a front edge and an end edge, a pair of spaced apart mounting channels secured to the underside of said desk top and extending substantially parallel to said front edge and substantially normal to said end edge, leg structure on the ends of said desk top for supporting it in operative position above an underlying support surface, a run-off top having a rear edge extending substantially parallel to said desk top end edge and an end edge at one end of said run-off top extending substantially parallel to said desk top front edge, leg structure on the other end of said runoff top for supporting it in operative position above an underlying support surface, and an attachment assembly for adjustably interconnecting said one end of said runoff top to said desk top mounting channels, said attachment assembly including an attachment frame extending between and mounted on said desk top mounting channels, a support panel slidably interconnecting said one end of said run-off top and said attachment frame for movement of said run-01f top along a path parallel to said desk top end edge and beneath said desk top and between said leg structures on the ends thereof, mounting structure slidably interconnecting said desk top mounting channels and said attachment frame for movement of said attachment frame and the connected run-01f top in a direction normal to said desk top end edge, and a finishing panel mounted on said attachment frame for closing the space bounded by the underside of said desk top and the upper side of said run-off top and the forward edge of the adjacent desk leg structure.

6. The desk construction set forth in claim 5, wherein said support panel is constructed and arranged to accommodate movement of said run-off top to an extended position disposed outwardly from under said desk top, and said mounting structure is constructed and arranged to accommodate movement of said run-off top to a position disposed laterally beyond the adjacent desk leg structure to position said run-off top rear edge in a common vertical plane with said desk top end edge when said run-off top is in the extended position thereof.

7. The desk construction set forth in claim 5, wherein said support panel is constructed and arranged to accommodate both movement of said run-off top to an extended position disposed outwardly from under said desk top and movement of said run-off top in a direction normal to said desk top end edge to position said run-off top rear edge in a common vertical plane with said desk top end edge when said run-off top is in the extended position thereof, and said finishing panel is fixedly connected to said attachment frame.

8. The desk construction set forth in claim 5, wherein said run-off top has a pair of spaced apart mounting channels secured to the underside thereof and extending substantially parallel to said desk top end edge and substantially normal to said desk mounting channels, and said support panel is connected to said run-off mounting channels at said one end thereof.

9. A desk construction comprising a desk top having a front edge and an end edge, a pair of spaced apart mounting channels secured to the underside of said desk top and extending substantially parallel to said front edge and substantially normal to said end edge, leg structure on the ends of said desk top for supporting it in operative position above an underlying support surface, a run-off top having a rear edge extending substantially parallel to said desk top end edge and an end edge at one end of said run-01f top extending substantially parallel to said desk top front edge, leg structure on the other end of said run-off top for supporting it in operative position above an under lying support surface, and an attachment assembly for adjustably interconnecting said one end of said run-off top to said desk top mounting channels, said attachment assembly including a pair of spaced apart attachment channels extending substantially parallel to said desk top end edge and substantially normal to said mounting channels, a first spacer interconnecting the rear ends of said attachment channels and slidably connecting the rear ends of said attachment channels to the rear one of said mounting channels to accommodate movement of said attachment channels in a direction normal to said desk top end edge, a second spacer interconnecting the front ends of said attachment channels and slidably connecting the front ends of said attachment channels to the front one of said mounting channels to accommodate movement of said attachment channels in a direction normal to said desk top end edge, a support panel connected to the underside of said one end of said run-01f top and also slidably connected to said attachment channels for accommodating movement of said run-off top along a path parallel to said desk top end edge and beneath said desk top and between said leg structures on the ends thereof, and a finishing panel mounted on said attachment channels for closing the space bounded by the underside of said desk top and the upper side of said run-off top, and the forward edge of the adjacent desk leg structure.

10. The desk construction set forth in claim 9, wherein said second spacer is a spacer channel mounted beneath and in vertical alignment with the front one of said desk mounting channels, and said finishing panel is mounted on said spacer channel.

11. The desk construction set forth in claim 9, wherein said support panel and said attachment channels cooperate to accommodate movement of said run-off top to an extended position disposed outwardly from under said desk top, said first and second spacers are shiftable along said mounting channels to accommodate movement of said run-off top to a position disposed laterally beyond the adjacent desk leg structure to position said run-off top rear edge in a common vertical plane with said desk top end edge when said run-off top is in the extended position thereof, and said finishing panel is mountable upon said second spacer at a plurality of adjusted positions to accommodate the movement of said attachment channels and the associated run-off top in a direction normal to said desk top end edge.

12. The desk construction set forth in claim 9, wherein said support panel is shiftable longitudinally along said attachment channels to accommodate movement of said run-off top to an extended position disposed outwardly from under said desk top, and the connection between said support panel and said attachment channels has a plurality of adjusted positions to accommodate the movement of said support panel and the associated runoff top in a direction normal to said desk top end edge.

13. The desk construction set forth in claim 9, wherein said run-off top has a pair of spaced apart mounting channels secured to the underside thereof and extending substantially parallel to said desk top end edge and substantially normal to said desk mounting channels, and said support channel is connected to said run-off mounting channels at said one end thereof.

14. An attachment assembly for interconnecting a desk top and a run-off top, wherein the desk top has a front edge and an end edge and a pair of spaced apart mounting channels secured to the underside thereof and extending parallel to the front edge and substantially normal to the end edge and a leg structure on the ends thereof for supporting it is operative position above an underlying support surface, and wherein the run-off has a rear edge extending substantially parallel to the desk top end edge and an end edge at one end thereof extending substantially parallel to the desk top front edge and leg structure on the other end thereof for supporting it in operative position above an underlying support surface; said attachment assembly comprising an attachment frame for extending between and for mounting on the associated desk top mounting channels, first structure slidable interconnecting the one end of the run-off top and said attachment frame for movement of the run-off top along a path parallel to the desk top end edge and beneath the desk top and between the leg structures on the ends thereof, and second structure slidable interconnecting the desk top mounting channels and said attachment frame for movement of said attachment frame and the connected run-off top in a direction normal to the desk top end edge.

15. The attachment assembly set forth in claim 14, wherein said first structure is constructed and arranged to accommodate movement of the run-off top to an extended position disposed outwardly from under the desk top, and said second structure is constructed and arranged to accommodate movement of the run-off top to a position disposed laterally beyond the adjacent desk leg structure to position the run-oft top rear edge in a common vertical plane with the desk top end edge when the run-off top is in the extended position thereof.

'19 16. The attachment assembly set forth in claim 14, and further comprising a finishing panel mounted on said attachment frame for closing the space between the underside of the associated desk top and the upper side of the associated run-off top.

17. An attachment assembly for interconnecting a desk top and a run-off top, wherein the desk top has a front edge and an end edge and a pair of spaced apart mounting channels secured to the underside thereof and extending parallel to the front edge and substantially normal to the end edge and a leg structure on the ends thereof for supporting it in operative position above an underlying support surface, and wherein the run-off has a rear edge extending substantially parallel to the desk top end edge and an end edge at one end thereof extending substantially parallel to the desk top front edge and leg structure on the other end thereof for supporting it in operative position above an underlying support surface, said attachment assembly comprising an attachment frame for extending between and for mounting on the associated desk top mounting channels, a support panel slidably interconnecting the one end of the associated run-off top and said attachment frame for movement of the run-off top along a path parallel to the associated desk top end edge and beneath the desk top and between the leg structures on the ends thereof, mounting structure slidably interconnecting the associated desk top mounting channels and said attachment frame for movement of said attachment frame and the connected runoff top in a direction normal to the desk top end edge, and a finishing panel mounted on said attachment frame for closing the space bounded by the underside of the desk top and the upper side of the run-off top and the forward edge of the desk leg structure.

18. The attachment assembly set forth in claim 17, wherein said support panel is constructed and arranged to accommodate movement of the associated run-off top to an extended position disposed outwardly from under the associated desk top, and said mounting structure is constructed and arranged to accommodate movement of the run-off top to a position disposed laterally beyond the adjacent desk leg structure to position the run-off top rear edge in a common vertical plane with the desk top end edge when the run-off top is in the extended position thereof.

19. An attachment assembly for interconnecting a desk top and a run-off top, wherein the desk top has a front edge and an end edge and a pair of spaced apart mounting channels secured to the underside thereof and extending parallel to the front edge and substantially normal to the end edge and a leg structure on the ends thereof for supporting it in operative position above and underlying support surface, and wherein the run-off has a rear edge extending substantially parallel to the desk top end edge and an end edge at one end thereof extending substantially parallel to the desk top front edge and leg structure on the other end thereof for supporting it in operative position above an underlying support surface; said attachment assembly comprising a pair of spaced apart attachment channels extending substantially parallel to the associated desk top end edge and substantially normal to the associated mounting channels, a first spacer interconnecting the rear ends of said attachment channels and slidably connecting the rear ends of said attachment channels to the rear one of the mounting channels to accommodate movement of said attachment channels in a direction normal to the desk top end edge, a second spacer interconnecting the front ends of said attachment channels to the front one of the mounting channels to accommodate movemet of said attachment channels in a direction normal to the desk top end edge, a support panel connected to the underside of the one end of the associated run-off top and also slidably connected to said attachment channels for accommodating movement of the run-off top along a path parallel to the desk top end 20 edge and beneath the desk top and between the leg structures on the ends thereof, and a finishing panel mounted on said attachment channels for closing the space bounded by the underside of the desk top and the underside of the run-off top and the forward edge of the adjacent desk leg structure.

20. The attachment assembly set forth in claim 19, wherein said second spacer is a spacer channel mounted beneath and in vertical alignment with the front one of the associated desk mounting channel, and said finishing panel is mounted on said spacer channel.

21. The attachment assembly set forth in claim 19, wherein said support panel and said attachment channels cooperate to accommodate movement of the associated run-off top to an extended position disposed outwardly from under the associated desk top, said first and second spacers are shiftable along the associated mounting channels to accommodate movement of the run-off top to a position disposed laterally beyond the adjacent desk leg structure to position the turnoff top rear edge in a common vertical plane with the desk top end edge when the run-off top is in the extended position thereof, and said finishing panel is mountable upon said second spacer at a plurality of adjusted positions to accommodate the movement of said attachment channels and the associated run-off top in a direction normal to the desk top end edge.

22. The attachment assembly set forth in claim 19, wherein said support panel is shiftable longitudinally along said attachment channels to accommodate movement of the associated run-off top to an extended position disposed outwardly from under the associated desk top, and the connection between said support panel and said attachment channels has a plurality of adjusted positions to accommodate the movement of said support panel and the associated run-off top in a direction normal to the desk top end edge.

23. A desk construction comprising a desk top having I a front edge and an end edge, a pair of spaced apart mounting channels secured to the underside of said desk top and extending substantially parallel to said front edge and substantially normal to said end edge, leg structure on the ends of said desk top for supporting it in operative position above an underlying support surface, a runoff top having a rear edge extending substantially parallel to said desk top end edge and an end edge at one end of said run-off top extending substantially parallel to said desk top front edge, leg structure on the other end of said run-off top for supporting it in operative position above an underlying support surface, and an attachment assembly for adjustably interconnecting said one end of said run-off top to said desk top mounting channels, said attachment assembly including an attachment frame extending between and mounted on said desk top mounting channels, first structure slidably interconnecting said one end of said run-off top and said attachment frame for movement of said run-off top along a path parallel to said desk top end edge to accommodate movement of said run-off top to an extended position disposed outwardly from under said desk top and to accommodate no movement of said run-off type in a direction normal to said desk top end edge, and second structure slidably interconnecting said desk top mounting channels and said attachment frame for movement of said attachment frame and the connected run-off top in a direction normal to said desk top end edge to accommodate movement of said run-off top to a position disposed laterally beyond the adjacent desk leg structure to position said run-off top rear edge in a common vertical plane with said desk top end edge when said run-off top is in the extended position thereof.

24. A desk construction comprising a desk top having a front edge and an end edge, a pair of spaced apart mounting channels secured to the underside of said desk top and extending substantially parallel to said front edge and substantially normal to said end edge, leg structure on the ends of said desk top for supporting it in operative position above an underlying support surface, a runoff top having a rear edge extending substantially parallel to said desk top end edge and an end edge at one end of said run-off top extending substantially parallel to said desk top front edge, leg structure on the other end of said run-off top for supporting it in operative position above an underlying support surface, and an attachment assembly for adjustably interconnecting said one end of said run-off top to said desk top mounting channels, said attachment assembly including an attachment frame, a support panel slidably interconnecting said one end of said run-off top and said attachment frame for movement of said run-off top along a path parallel to said desk top end edge and beneath said desk top and between said desk leg structures to accommodate movement of said run-off top to an extended position disposed outwardly from under said desk top and to accommodate no movement of said run-off top in a direction normal to said desk top end edge, mounting structure slidably interconnecting at least one of said desk top mounting channels and said attachment frame for movement of said attachment frame and the connected run-off top in a direction normal to said desk top end edge to accommodate movement of said run-off top to a position disposed laterally beyond the adjacent desk leg structure to position said run-off top rear edge in a common vertical plane with said desk top end edge when said run-off top is in the extended position thereof, and a finishing panel mounted on said attachment frame for closing the space bounded by the underside of said desk top and the upper side of said run-off top and the forward edge of the adjacent desk leg structure, the connection between said finishing panel and said attachment frame having a plurality of adjusted positions to accommodate the movement of said attachment frame and the associated run-off top in a direction normal to said desk top end edge.

25. An attachment assembly for interconnecting a desk top and a run-off top, wherein the desk top has a front edge and an end edge and a pair of spaced apart mounting channels secured to the underside thereof and extending parallel to the front edge and substantially normal to the end edge and a leg structure on the ends thereof for supporting it in operative position above an underlying support surface, and wherein the run-off has a rear edge extending substantially parallel to the desk top end edge and an end edge at one end thereof extending substantially parallel to the desk top front edge and leg structure on the other end thereof for supporting it in operative position above an underlying support surface; said attachment assembly comprising an attachment frame for extending between and for mounting on the associated desk top mounting channels, first structure slidably interconnecting the one end of the run-off top and said attachment frame for movement of the run-off top along a path parallel to the desk top end edge to accommodate movement of the associated run-off top to an extended position disposed outwardly from under the associated desk top and to accommodate no movement of the runoff top in a direction normal to the desk top end edge, and second structure slidably interconnecting the desk top mounting channels and said attachment frame for movement of said attachment frame and the connected run-off top in a direction normal to the desk top end structure to accommodate movement of the run-off top to a position disposed laterally beyond the adjacent desk leg structure to position the run-off top rear edge in a common vertical plane with the desk top end edge when the run-off top is in the extended position thereof.

26. An attachment assembly for interconnecting a desk top and a run-off top, wherein the desk top has a front edge and an end edge and a pair of spaced apart mounting channels secured to the underside thereof and extending parallel to the front edge and substantially nor- 22 mal to the end edge and aleg structure on the ends thereof for supporting it in operative position above an underlying support surface, and wherein the run-off has a rear edge extending substantially parallel to the desk top end edge and an end edge at one end thereof extending substantially parallel to the desk top front edge and leg structure on the other end thereof for supporting it in operative position above an underlying support surface, said attachment assembly comprisingan attachment frame, a support panel slidably interconnecting the one end of the associated run-off top and said attachment frame for movement of the run-off top along a path parallel to the associated desk top end edge to accommodate movement of the associated run-off top to an extended position disposed outwardly from under the associated desk top and to accommodate no movement of the run-off top in a direction normal to the desk top end edge, mounting structure slidably interconnecting at least one of the associated desk top mounting channels and said attachment frame for movement of said attachment frame and the connected run-off top in a direction normal to the desk top end edge to accommodate movement of the run-off top to a position disposed laterally beyond the adajcent desk leg structure to position the run-off top rear edge in a common vertical plane with the desk top end edge when the run-off top is in the extended position thereof, and a finishing panel mounted on said attachment frame for closing the space bounded by the underside of the desk top and the upper side of the runoff top and the forward edge of the desk .leg structure, the connection between said finishing panel and said attachment frame having a plurality of adjusted positions to accommodate the movement of said attachment frame and the associated run-off top in a direction normal to said top end edge.

27. An attachment assembly for interconnecting a desk top and a runoff top, wherein the desk top has a front edge and an end edge and a pair of spaced apart mount ing channels secured to the underside thereof and extending parallel to the front edge and substantially normal to the end edge and a leg structure on the ends thereof for supporting it in operative position above an underlying support surface, and wherein the run-off has a rear edge extending substantially parallel to the desk top end edge and an end edge at one end thereof extending substantially parallel to the desk top front edge and leg structure on the other end thereof for supporting it in operative position above an underlying support surface, said attachment assembly comprising an attachment frame, a support panel slidably interconnecting the one end of the associated run-off top and said attachment frame for movement of the run-off top along a path parallel to the associated desk top end edge to accommodate both movement of the associated run-off top to an extended position disposed outwardly from under the associated desk top and movement of the runoff top in a direction normal to the desk top end edge to position the run-off top rear edge in a common vertical plane with the desk top end edge when the run-off top is in the evtended position thereof, mounting structure slidably interconnecting at least one of the associated desk top mounting channels and said attachment frame for movement of said attachment frame and the connected run-off top in a direction normal to the desk top end edge, and a finishing panel fixedly mounted on said attachment frame for closing the space mounded by the underside of the desk top and the upper side of the run-off top and the forward edge of the desk leg structure.

28. An attachment assembly for interconnecting a desk top and a run-off top, wherein the desk top has a front edge and an end edge and a pair of spaced apart mounting channels secured to the underside thereof and extending parallel to the front edge and substantially normal to the end edge and a leg structure on the ends thereof for supporting it in operative position above an underlying support surface, and wherein the run-off has a rear edge extending substantially parallel to the desk top end edge and an end edge at one end thereof extending substantially parallel to the desk top front edge and leg structure on the other end thereof for supporting it in operative position above an underlying support surface; said attachment assembly comprising a pair of spaced apart attachment channels extending substantially parallel to the associated desk top end edge and substantially normal to the associated mounting channels, a first spacer interconnecting the rear ends of said attachment channels and slidably connecting the rear ends of said attachment channels to the rear one of the mounting channels to accommodate movement of said attachment channels in a direction normal to the desk top end edge, a second spacer interconnecting the fronts ends of said attachment channels to the front one of the mounting channels to accommodate movement of said attachment channels in a direction normal to the desk top end edge, and a support panel connected to the underside of the one end of the associated run-off top and also slidably connected to said attachment channels for accommodating movement of the run-off top along a path parallel to the desk top end edge and beneath the desk top and between the leg structure on the ends thereof.

29. A desk construction comprising a desk top having a front edge and an end edge, a pair of spaced apart mounting channels secured to the underside of said desk top and extending substantially parallel to said front edge and substantially normal to said end edge, leg structure on the ends of said desk top for supporting it in operative position above an underlying support surface, a run-off top having a rear edge extending substantially parallel to said desk top end edge and an end edge at one end of said run-01f top extending substantially parallel to said desk top front edge, leg structure on the other end of said run-off top for supporting it in operative position above an underlying support surface, and an attachment assembly for adjustably interconnecting said one end of said run-off top to said desk top mount ing channels, said attachment assembly including a pair of spaced apart attachment channels extending substan tially parallel to said desk top end edge and substantially normal to said mounting channels, a first spacer interconnecting the rear ends of said attachment channels and slidably connecting the rear ends of said attachment channels to the rear one of said mounting channels to accommodate movement of said attachment channels in a direction normal to said desk top end edge, a second spacer interconnecting the front ends of said attachment channels and slidably connecting the front ends of said attachment channels to the front one of said mounting channels to accommodate movement of said attachment channels in a direction normal to said desk top end edge, and a support panel connected to the underside of said one end of said run-off top and also slidably connected to said attachment channels for accommodating movement of said run-off top along a path parallel to said desk top end edge and beneath said desk top and between said leg structures on the ends thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,821,450 1/1958 Knoll 312- X 2,940,804 6/1960 Bullock 312-198 X 2,987,362 6/1961 Bernath 312-195 X 3,125,387 3/1964 Abrahamson 312-195 3,192,884 7/1965 Hamilton et al 108-92 3,207,097 9/1965 Schreyer 108-92 CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,359,930 December 26, 1967 Kenneth D. Schreyer It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 2, line 9, for "Aonther" read Another column 7, line 28, for "upstatnding" read H upstanding column 9, line 11, for "typewriiter" read typewriter line 58, after "essentially" insert fixed column 10, line 63, for "are" read and column 12, line 20, for "tangualr" read tangular column 13, line 41, for "sildable" read slidable line 47, for "dispensed" read disposed column 15, line 67, for "permititng" read permitting column 19, line 70, for "movemet" read movement column 22, line 60, for "evtended" read extended line 66, for "mounded" read bounded Signed and sealed this 25th day of February 1969.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

Claims

1. A DESK CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING A DESK TOP HAVING A FRONT EDGE AND AN END EDGE, A PAIR OF SPACED APART MOUNTING CHANNELS SECURED TO THE UNDERSIDE OF SAID DESK TOP AND EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO SAID FRONT EDGE AND SUBSTANTIALLY NORMAL TO SAID END EDGE, LEG STRUCTURE ON THE ENDS OF SAID DESK TOP FOR SUPPORTING IT IN OPERATIVE POSITION ABOVE AN UNDERLYING SUPPORT SURFACE, A RUNOFF TOP HAVING A REAR EDGE EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO SAID DESK TOP END EDGE AND AN END EDGE AT ONE END OF SAID RUN-OFF TOP EXTENDING SUBSTTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO SAID DESK TOP FRONT EDGE, LEG STRUCTURE ON THE OTHER END OF SAID RUN-OFF TOP FOR SUPPORTING IT IN OPERATIVE POSITION ABOVE AN UNDERLYING SUPPORT SURFACE, AND AN ATTACHMENT ASSEMBLY FOR ADJUSTABLY INTERCONNECTING SAID ONE END OF SAID RUN-OFF TOP TO SAID DESK TOP MOUNTING CHANNELS, SAID ATTACHMENT ASSEMBLY INCLUDING AN ATTACHMENT FRAME EXTENDING BETWEEN AND MOUNTED ON SAID DESK TOP MOUNTING CHANNELS, FIRST STRUCTURE SLIDABLY INTERCONNECTING SAID ONE END OF SAID RUN-OFF TOP AND SAID ATTACHMENT FRAME FOR MOVEMENT OF SAID RUN-OFF TOP ALONG A PATH PARALLEL TO SAID DESK TOP END EDGE AND BENEATH SAID DESK TOP AND BETWEEN SAID LEG STRUCTURES ON THE ENDS THEREOF, AND SECOND STRUCTURE SLIDABLY INTERCONNECTING SAID DESK TOP MOUNTING CHANNELS AND SAID ATTACHMENT FRAME OR MOVEMENT OF SAID ATTACHMENT FRAME AND THE CONNECTED RUN-OFF TOP IN A DIRECTION NORMAL TO SAID DESK TOP END EDGE.