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Patent 2533696 Summary

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(12) Patent Application: (11) CA 2533696
(54) English Title: WORKSURFACE SUPPORT SYSTEM WITH POWER AND COMMUNICATION CAPABILITY AND FRONT AND REAR ACCESS COVERS
(54) French Title: SYSTEME DE SUPPORT DE SURFACE DE TRAVAIL ET CAPACITE DE COMMUNICATION ET COUVERCLES D'ACCES AVANT ET ARRIERE
Status: Dead
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • A47B 91/02 (2006.01)
  • A47B 21/06 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • GAYHART, JON W. (United States of America)
  • WILLIAMS, SCOTT J. (United States of America)
(73) Owners :
  • KRUEGER INTERNATIONAL, INC. (United States of America)
(71) Applicants :
  • KRUEGER INTERNATIONAL, INC. (United States of America)
(74) Agent: BORDEN LADNER GERVAIS LLP
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued:
(22) Filed Date: 2003-01-31
(41) Open to Public Inspection: 2003-07-31
Examination requested: 2006-02-06
Availability of licence: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): No

(30) Application Priority Data:
Application No. Country/Territory Date
60/353,696 United States of America 2002-01-31

Abstracts

English Abstract




A table or desk includes a worksurface and leg structure, and a wire
management arrangement located below the worksurface. The wire management
arrangement includes upper and lower wire management members that support
wires or cables for providing power and/or communication capability to the
worksurface, and front and rear access covers which are movable between open
and
closed positions for providing access to the wire management members. The rear
access cover provides access to the lower wire management member, and engages
the upper wire management member when in the closed position. A portion of the
upper wire management member above the rear access cover is exposed, to mount
power outlets that can be accessed from the rear of the worksurface. The front
access cover is engaged with the worksurface when in the closed position, and
provides access to both the upper and lower wire management members when in
the open position.


Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.



24
CLAIMS:
1. An adjustable height support member for supporting an article of furniture
on a supporting surface such as a floor, wherein the article of furniture
includes a
threaded receiver, comprising:
an engagement member adapted to engage the supporting surface;
a sleeve threadedly engaged with the receiver; and
a stem secured to and extending upwardly from the engagement member,
wherein the stem is threadedly engaged with the sleeve such that rotation of
the
stem relative to the sleeve is operable to provide a first range of height
adjustment
for the engagement member relative to the article of furniture, and wherein
the stem
and the sleeve include engagement structure for preventing rotation between
the
stem and the sleeve when the stem is rotated relative to the sleeve to reach
an outer
extent of the first range of height adjustment, and wherein subsequent
rotation of
the stem and the sleeve together is operable to cause rotation of the sleeve
relative
to the receiver to provide a second range of height adjustment for the
engagement
member relative to the article of furniture.
2. The adjustable height support member of claim 1, wherein the stem is
threadedly engaged with the sleeve via a set of external threads formed on the
stem
that are engaged with a set of internal threads defined by the sleeve.
3. The adjustable height support member of claim 2, wherein the sleeve defines
an internal passage within which the stem is received.
4. The adjustable height support member of claim 3, wherein the sleeve defines
a lower wall and wherein the internal threads defined by the sleeve are formed
in an
opening associated with the lower wall of the sleeve.


25
5. The adjustable height support member of claim 4, wherein the engagement
structure comprises an expanded area of the stem located above the threads of
the
stem, wherein the expanded area of the stem is engageable with the lower wall
of
the sleeve adjacent the opening in the lower wall to prevent rotation of the
stem
relative to the sleeve.
6. The adjustable height support member of claim 5, wherein the expanded
area of the stem comprises a generally conical section formed toward an upper
end
defined by the stem, and wherein the lower wall of the sleeve includes a
beveled
surface adjacent the opening adapted to receive and engage the conical section
of
the stem when the stem attains a predetermined position relative to the sleeve
upon
rotation of the stem relative to the sleeve.
7. An adjustable height support member for an article of furniture,
comprising:
an engagement member for engaging a supporting surface such as a floor;
a lower adjustment member extending upwardly from the engagement
member;
an upper adjustment member engaged with the article of furniture via first
mating thread structure provided on the upper adjustment member and a receiver
member associated with the article of furniture such that the upper adjustment
member is movable inwardly and outwardly relative to the article of furniture;
wherein the lower adjustment member and the upper adjustment member are
engaged with each other via second mating thread structure such that the lower
adjustment member is movable inwardly and outwardly relative to the upper
adjustment member; and
engagement structure interposed between the upper and lower adjustment
members for preventing rotation between the upper and lower adjustment members
when the lower adjustment member attains a predetermined position as the lower
adjustment member is moved outwardly relative to the upper adjustment member,



26

wherein further rotation of the lower adjustment member causes rotation of the
upper adjustment member to move the upper adjustment member outwardly
relative to the article of furniture.
8. The adjustable height support member of claim 7, wherein the upper
adjustment member comprises a generally cylindrical member having a lower wall
and a threaded outer surface engaged with the receiver, and wherein the lower
adjustment member is threadedly engaged within a threaded opening in the lower
wall of the generally cylindrical member.
9. The adjustable height support member of claim 8, wherein the lower
adjustment member comprises a threaded shaft extending upwardly from the
engagement member and engaged within the threaded opening in the lower wall of
the generally cylindrical member.
10. The adjustable height support member of claim 9, wherein the engagement
structure comprises an expanded section associated with the threaded shaft,
wherein the expanded section is configured to engage the lower wall of the
generally cylindrical member adjacent the threaded opening when the threaded
shaft is rotated to extend the threaded shaft relative to the generally
cylindrical
member.
11. The adjustable height support member of claim 8, wherein the upper
adjustment member and the lower adjustment member include noncircular
engagement structure for facilitating rotation of the upper and lower
adjustment
members.

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


CA 02533696 2003-O1-31
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1
WORKSURFACE SUPPORT SYSTEM WITH
POWER AND COMMUNICATION CAPABILITY
AND FRONT AND REAR ACCESS COVERS
This application is a divisional application of co-pending application
2,418,035, filed January 31, 2003.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a desk or table, and more particularly to
improvements in connection with providing power and/or communication
capability for a desk or table and an adjustable height support assembly for
use with
a desk or table.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a desk or
table unit includes a worksurface and leg structure that supports the
worksurface
above a supporting surface such as a floor. The worksurface defines a front
and a
rear. A wire management arrangement is located below the worksurface, and may
be configured to extend between opposite sides defined by the worksurface. The
wire management arrangement includes at least one wire support member and
first
and second covers, each of which is movable between an open position and a
closed position. The first access cover is configured to provide access to the
wire
management member from the rear of the worksurface when the first access cover
is in the open position. The second access cover is configured to provide
access to
the wire management member from the front of the worksurface when the second
access cover is in the open position. The wire management arrangement
preferably
includes a pair of wire management members, in the form of an upper wire
management member and a lower wire management member. At least the lower
wire management member is preferably configured to define an upwardly facing
trough or channel, to provide lay-in capability for cables or wires to be
supported
by the lower wire management member. The upper wire management member is
also preferably formed to define an upwardly facing channel or trough, as well
as

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2
an upstanding mounting wall. With this construction, wires or cables can be
supported by the upper wire management member in a lay-in manner, or
components of a rigid wireway power distribution system can be secured to the
mounting wall of the upper wire management member. The first and second access
covers may be mounted to the lower wire management member for movement
between the open and closed positions. The first access cover is preferably
configured to engage the upper wire management member when the first access
cover is in the closed position. The first access cover and the upper wire
management member are preferably configured such that a portion of the upper
wire management member, which may be the mounting wall of the upper wire
management member, is exposed between the underside of the worksurface and the
upper end of the first access cover. With this construction, power outlets or
receptacles may be secured to the exposed portion of the upper wire management
member, to provide outwardly facing power outlets or receptacles that can be
accessed from the rear of the worksurface.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the leg structure
of the table or desk unit includes provisions for routing cables or wires from
the
lower end of the leg structure to the upper end, preferably for supplying
power or
communication wiring to a wire management arrangement located below the
worksurface of the table or desk unit. The leg structure includes a foot
member
adapted to engage a supporting surface such as a floor, and a leg member that
is
mounted to and extends upwardly from the foot member. A worksurface support
member is secured to the upper end of the leg member, and the worksurface is
mounted to the worksurface support member. A wire cover member or wireway is
releasably engageable with the leg member, and defines an internal passage
within
which wiring is adapted to be received. The wire cover member may have a
channel configuration, defining spaced apart edges that engage an exterior
surface
of the leg member. The wire cover member is releasably engaged with the leg

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3
member via a clip member secured to the leg member, which is preferably
configured to releasably engage the spaced apart edges of the wire cover
member.
The foot member preferably defines an upwardly facing recess within which a
lower end of the wire cover member is received. The wire management
arrangement, which is located below the worksurface, preferably includes an
opening within which an upper end of the wire cover member is received. With
this construction, the internal passage of the wire cover member establishes
communication with an internal area of the wire management arrangement, to
enable wires to be routed upwardly into the internal area of the wire
management
arrangement from a location adjacent the foot member. The wire cover member
includes an opening located toward one of its ends, and can be reversed such
that
the opening is located either adjacent the foot member or adjacent the wire
management arrangement. When the opening is located adjacent the foot member,
wires can be passed through the opening and the internal passage of the wire
cover
member and into the internal area of the wire management arrangement. When
there is no need for passing wires from the foot member into the internal area
of the
wire management arrangement, the wire cover member is reversed such that the
opening is located adjacent the wire management arrangement, to conceal the
opening in the wire cover member. The recess in the foot member has a shape
that
corresponds to the cross section of the wire cover member, to provide a
finished
appearance to the leg structure at the joint between the foot member and the
leg
member.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an adjustable
height support assembly is engaged with the leg structure of a table or desk
unit, to
adjust the height of the worksurface relative to a supporting surface such as
a floor.
The adjustable height support assembly includes an upper adjustment member, a
lower adjustment member movably mounted to the upper adjustment member, and
a support member such as a glide, which is secured to a lower end defined by
the

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4
lower adjustment member. In one embodiment, the upper adjustment member is
threadedly engaged within a receiver associated with the leg structure, which
may
be secured to a foot member associated with the leg structure. The lower
adjustment member is engaged with the upper adjustment member via a threaded
engagement arrangement, which enables the lower adjustment member to be
moved inwardly and outwardly relative to the upper adjustment member upon
rotation of the lower adjustment member. The upper adjustment member and the
lower adjustment member include engagement structure which is operable to
prevent rotation between the upper and lower adjustment members when the lower
adjustment member is moved outwardly to a predetermined position relative to
the
upper adjustment member. The engagement structure may be in the form of an
expanded section located toward an upper end of the lower adjustment member.
The upper adjustment member may be in the form of a generally cylindrical
sleeve
defining an externally threaded outer wall and a lower wall having a threaded
opening within which the lower adjustment member is engaged. The expanded
upper section of the lower adjustment member is engageable with the lower wall
of
the generally cylindrical sleeve when the lower adjustment member is moved
outwardly to a predetermined position relative to the sleeve, to prevent
rotation of
the lower adjustment member relative to the upper adjustment member.
Subsequent rotation of the lower adjustment member causes rotation of the
upper
adjustment member, to extend the upper adjustment member relative to the
receiver. In this manner, the upper and lower adjustment members provide a
dual
telescoping arrangement to increase the range of height adjustment that can be
attained within a relatively compact envelope occupied by the support
assembly.
The various features of the invention may be utilized independently
of each other, and each provides an advantage in the construction, assembly
and
operation of a table or desk unit. The features of the invention can also be
used

CA 02533696 2003-O1-31
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altogether or in various combinations, to provide a significant enhancement in
the
construction, assembly and operation of the table or desk unit.
Various other features, objects and advantages of the invention will
be made apparent from the following description taken together with the
drawings.
5
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of
carrying out the invention.
In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a desk unit incorporating the features of
the present invention, showing the rear access cover in a closed position;
Fig. 2 is a front isometric view of the desk unit of Fig. 1;
Figs. 3 is an enlarged partial isometric view of the desk unit of Fig. 1,
showing the rear access cover and the upper and lower wire management members;
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the upper and lower wire
management members and the front and rear access covers incorporated into the
desk unit of Fig. 1, showing both the front and rear access covers in a closed
position;
Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing the rear access cover in an
open position;
Fig. 6 is a rear isometric view of the desk unit of Fig. 1, again
showing the rear access cover in an open position;
Fig. 7 is an exploded isometric view showing the underside of the
desk unit of Fig. 1 and engagement of the legs with the underside of the desk
unit;
Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7, showing placement of the upper
wire management member below the worksurface and between the legs of the desk
unit;

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6
Fig. 9 is a view similar to Figs. 7 and 8, showing placement of the
lower wire management member and the rear access cover below the worksurface
and between the legs of the desk unit;
Fig. 10 is an isometric view showing a leg assembly incorporated into
the desk unit of Fig. 1;
Fig. 11 is a side elevation view of the leg assembly of Fig. 10;
Fig. 12 is an exploded isometric view of the components of the leg
assembly of Figs. 10 and 1 l;
Fig. 13 is an isometric view of a wire cover or wireway incorporated
into the leg assembly of Figs. 10-12;
Fig. 14 is an elevation view of the wire cover or wireway of Fig. 13;
Fig. 15 is an end view of the wire cover or wireway of Figs. 13 and
14;
Fig. 16 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of a wire
cover or wireway adapted to be incorporated into the leg assembly of Figs. 10-
12;
Fig. 17 is an elevation view of the wire cover or wireway of Fig. 16;
Fig. 18 is an exploded isometric view of a glide assembly
incorporated into the leg assembly of Figs. 10 and 1 l;
Fig. 19 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the assembled
components of the glide assembly of Fig. 18, showing the glide assembly in an
extended position;
Fig. 20 is an elevation view of the glide assembly of Figs. 18 and 19,
showing the glide assembly in a retracted position;
Fig. 21 is an isometric view of a clip incorporated into the leg
assembly of Figs. 10 and 11 for retaining the wire cover or wireway of Figs.
13-17
in position on the leg assembly;
Fig. 22 is a reverse isometric view of the clip of Fig. 21;
Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the clip of Figs. 22 and 23;

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Fig. 24 is an isometric view similar to Fig. 10 showing an alternative
embodiment for a leg assembly incorporated into the desk unit of the present
invention;
Fig. 25 is an isometric view, partially broken away, showing the
upper and lower wire management members and the front and rear access covers
incorporated into the desk unit of the present invention of the present
invention as
shown in Fig. 1, and illustrating one embodiment of a power distribution
system
incorporated into the desk unit;
Fig. 26 is a view similar to Fig. 25, showing another embodiment of a
power distribution system incorporated into the desk unit;
Fig. 27 is an isometric view showing another embodiment of a power
distribution system adapted for incorporation into the desk unit of Fig. 1.
Fig. 28 is an isometric view showing various lengths of the lower
wire management member as shown in Fig. 25;
Fig. 29 is an end elevation view of one of the lower wire management
members of Fig. 28;
Fig. 30 is an outer side elevation view of one of the lower wire
management members of Fig. 28;
Fig. 31 is an inner side elevation view of one of the lower wire
management members of Fig. 28;
Fig. 32 is an isometric view showing a plate member adapted for
engagement within one of the openings in the lower wire management members of
Fig. 28;
Fig. 33 is an end elevation view of the outer access cover as shown in
Fig.25;
Fig. 34 is an end elevation view of the inner access cover as shown in
Fig. 25;

CA 02533696 2003-O1-31
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Fig. 35 is an enlarged partial end elevation view showing the upper
portion of the inner access cover shown in Fig. 34;
Fig. 36 is an isometric view of a grommet for engagement within the
worksurface of the desk unit of Fig. 1, for enabling wires or cables to pass
from the
upper surface of the worksurface to an area below the worksurface;
Fig. 37 is an isometric view of a cover for engagement with the
grommet of Fig. 36 for selectively closing the opening of the grommet; and
Fig. 38 is a cross-sectional view through the grommet of Fig. 36.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to Figs. 1-3, a table or desk unit 50 is adapted for use in
either a stand-alone capacity or connected together with a series of
additional table
or desk units, such as in a classroom or training room environment. Table or
desk
unit 50 includes a worksurface 52 supported by a pair of leg assemblies 54,
each of
which generally includes a leg member 56, a foot 58 at the lower end of leg
member 56, and an upper worksurface support member or cantilever 60 at the
upper end of leg member 56. Screens or dividers 62, 64 may be mounted to the
edges of worksurface 52, or may be omitted if desired.
Table or desk unit 50 further includes a cable or wire management
system 66 located below worksurface 52. Cable or wire management system 66
includes an upper wire management member 68 and a lower wire management
member 70. A rear or outer access cover 72 is pivotably mounted to lower wire
management member 70 and is selectively engageable with upper wire
management member 68, for selectively providing access to lower wire
management member 70 from the rear of table or desk unit 50. As shown in Fig.
4,
a front or inner access cover 74 is pivotably mounted to lower wire management
member 70 and is selectively engageable with the underside of worksurface 52
via
a retainer catch or clip 75, for selectively providing access to upper wire

CA 02533696 2003-O1-31
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9
management member 68 and lower wire management member 70 from the front of
table or desk unit 50.
Worksurface 52 may have any size and shape as desired, and may be
configured according to user specifications. In a representative configuration
as
shown in Figs. 1-10, worksurface 52 may be in the form of a generally
rectangular
member and each leg assembly 54 is adapted for mounting to the underside of
worksurface 52 in a conventional manner. Each leg assembly 54 is located
toward
one of the side edges of worksurface 52 and rearwardly of the longitudinal
centerline of worksurface 52. Openings, such as shown at 76, are formed in the
rearward area of worksurface 52, for enabling wires or cables to pass through
worksurface 52.
The components and construction of each leg assembly 54 are shown
in Figs. 10-14. Each leg assembly 54 includes leg member 56, which may be in
the
form of a generally vertical tubular member, in combination with upper
cantilever
60 welded to the upper end of leg member 56 and lower foot 58 welded to the
lower end of leg member 56. Upper cantilever 60 includes a shoulder member 78
defining an opening 80 through which the upper end of leg member 56 extends,
and
an insert 82 located within a channel defined by shoulder member 78.
Similarly,
foot 58 includes a foot member 84 defining an opening 86 through which the
lower
end of leg member 56 extends. A foot insert 88 is mounted within the open
underside of foot member 84. A pair of receivers, in the form of weld nuts 90,
are
secured one to each end of foot insert 88, and each weld nut 90 is adapted to
receive either a glide assembly 92 or a caster assembly 94 for engagement with
a
supporting surface, such as a floor.
The construction of glide assembly 92 is shown in Figs. 18-20. In a
manner to be explained, glide assembly 92 is constructed so as to provide a
significant degree of vertical adjustment, to accommodate placement of table
or
desk unit 50 on an uneven floor. Glide assembly 92 includes an upper
adjustment

CA 02533696 2003-O1-31
. . 1 .
member or sleeve 96, which is a generally cylindrical member having an outer
surface that includes external threads engageable with the threads of weld
nuts 90.
Upper adjustment member 96 further includes a hex head 98, and a threaded
passage 100 which communicates with the open interior of upper adjustment
5 member 96, shown at 102. A lower adjustment member, in the form of an
extension member or bolt 104, defines external threads which engage the
internal
threads of threaded passage 100 defined by upper adjustment member 96.
Extension member 104 includes a head 106 which is engaged with a glide base
108
having a recess 110 in its upper surface, which is configured so as to receive
head
10 106 of extension member 104. A threaded fastener, such as a screw 112,
extends
through an opening 114 in glide base 108 and into an internally threaded
passage
116 that extends upwardly through head 106 and into the shank of extension
member 104. With this arrangement, screw 112 functions to securely engage
glide
base 108 with head 106 of extension member 104.
Upper adjustment member 96 and lower adjustment member 104
include engagement structure that functions to prevent rotation between upper
adjustment member 96 and lower adjustment member 104 when lower adjustment
member 104 is extended to a predetermined position relative to upper
adjustment
member 96. In the illustrated embodiment, the engagement structure is in the
form
of an expanded or outwardly flared section 118 located at the upper end of the
shank of extension member 104. Expanded section 118 has a diameter greater
than
the diameter of threaded passage 100 in the end wall of upper adjustment
member
96. In this manner, extension member 104 cannot be screwed out of upper
receiver
96, and engagement of expanded section 118 with the inner surface of the end
wall
of upper adjustment member 96 adjacent opening 100 functions to cause upper
adjustment member 96 and lower adjustment member 104 to rotate together upon
application of a rotational force to lower adjustment member 104.

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With the arrangement of glide assembly 92 as shown and described, a
telescoping action of extension member 104 is obtained when glide base 108 is
rotated so as to level table or desk unit 50, to level worksurface 52 relative
to the
support surface such as a floor. Initial adjustment is provided by rotating
lower
adjustment member 104 relative to upper adjustment member 96. When lower
adjustment member 104 is in its fully extended position, outwardly flared area
118
engages the edge of passage 100 so as to prevent further outward movement of
extension member 104 relative to upper receiver 96. Continued rotation of
lower
adjustment member 104 results in engagement of outwardly flared section 118
with
the inner edge of opening 100, which causes upper adjustment member 96 to
rotate
within the threaded passage of weld nut 90. Such rotation of upper adjustment
member 96 causes additional downward movement of glide base 108 relative to
weld nut 90. In this manner, lower adjustment member 104 and upper adjustment
member 96 provide a dual action telescoping glide assembly for providing a
significant range of vertical adjustment capability in a compact envelope.
When it
is desired to retract glide assembly 92, the user rotates either upper
adjustment
member 96 or lower adjustment member 104. When upper adjustment member 96
is fully seated, lower adjustment member 104 is rotated to extend into the
passage
or upper adjustment member 96 to provide telescoping retraction of glide
assembly
92. The user employs the noncircular engagement areas of upper adjustment
member 96 and lower adjustment member 104 to facilitate rotation of each in
order
to adjust the height of worksurface 52.
Referring to Figs. 10-17, opening 86 in foot member 84 has a depth
greater than that of leg member 56. A vertical wire cover or wireway 120, or a
base infeed cover 122, is adapted for engagement with leg member 56, and the
lower end of vertical wire cover 120 or base infeed cover 122 is received
within the
portion of foot member opening 86 located rearwardly of leg member 56. In a
preferred embodiment, vertical wire cover 120 or base infeed cover 122 is

CA 02533696 2003-O1-31
12
releasably engaged with leg 56 via a clip 124 located above floor member 86
and
below wire management system 66. Clip 124 functions to releasably engage the
upper end of vertical wireway 120 or base infeed cover 122, the lower end of
which
is received within the rearward area of foot member opening 86, such that
vertical
wireway 120 or base infeed cover 122 is releasably engaged with leg 56.
As shown in Figs. 13-15, vertical wire cover 120 is in the form of a
generally U-shaped channel member, including an outer wall 126 and a pair of
side
walls 128 having inwardly turned inner ends 130. Base infeed cover 122 is
similarly configured, as shown in Figs. 16 and 17. Vertical wire cover 120
includes
a recess 132 in one of its ends, and an opening 134 in its opposite end. In a
manner
to be explained, the interior of vertical wire cover 120 defines a passage
within
which wires or cables are contained, and which are supported above vertical
wire
cover 120 by either upper wire management member 68 or lower wire management
member 70. When vertical wire cover 120 is positioned such that recess 132 is
at
the lower end of leg member 56, recess 132 provides an exit area for such
wires or
cables from leg member 56. If desired, vertical wire cover 120 can be
positioned
with recess 132 either at the upper end or at the lower end of leg member 56.
When wires or cables are not to be fed downwardly at leg member 56, vertical
wireway 120 is positioned with recess 132 at the upper end of leg member 56,
to
conceal the presence of recess 132.
Base infeed cover 122 includes an opening 136 which is adapted to
receive an elbow fitting 138 associated with a power infeed conduit 140.
Lower wire management member 70 includes a pair of spaced
openings 214 located toward its ends. The upper end of the vertical wireway
120
or base infeed cover 122 of each leg assembly 54 is adapted to be received
within
one of the openings 214 in lower wire management member 70, such that the
passage defined by the vertical wireway 120 or base infeed cover 122 is
accessible
from above lower wire management member 70. In the event vertical wireway 120

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is positioned such that its recess 132 is located at the upper end of wireway
20,
lower wire management member 70 and outer access cover 72 are operable to
visually conceal the presence of recess 132 so as to provide a finished
external
appearance for the rearward area of leg assembly 54.
Referring to Figs. 11 and 12, clip 124 is adapted for engagement
within a rectangular opening 142 formed in the rear wall of leg member 56.
Vertical wire cover 120 or base infeed cover 122 is adapted to be releasably
engaged with clip 124, for releasably retaining its upper end in place. As
shown in
Figs. 21-23, clip 132 includes a generally V-shaped base section 144 defined
by a
pair of legs 146, each of which has a pair of outwardly extending wings 148
which
terminate in an upper surface 150. A retainer section 152 extends outwardly
from
the upper end of each leg 146. Each retainer section 152 includes a transverse
base
wall 154 spaced above the upper surfaces 150 of wings 148, and an angled ramp
wall 156 extending upwardly from the outer end of base wall 154. Ramp walls
156
define outer surfaces that converge toward each other, and retainer notches
158 are
formed by the lower end of each ramp wall 156 in combination with the outer
end
of its associated base wall 154. Reinforcing end walls 160 extend upwardly
from
the ends of each base wall 154 and inwardly from the ends of each ramp wall
156.
In operation, clip 124 functions as follows to releasably engage the
upper end of vertical wire cover 120 or base infeed cover 122 in engagement
with
leg member 56. First, clip 124 is secured to leg member 56 by engaging clip
124
within leg member opening 142 by inserting base section 144 into opening 142
with a push-on motion. As base section 144 is inserted into opening 142, wings
148 engage the facing edges of opening 142, which causes legs 146 to deflect
inwardly toward each other. The user is able to apply manual pressure to ramp
walls 156 to pinch the upper ends of legs 146 together, to accommodate such
inward movement of legs 146. This inward deflection of legs 146 results in the
outwardmost portions of wings 148 being moved inwardly an amount sufficient to

CA 02533696 2003-O1-31
14
enable wings 148 to pass through opening 142, such that the lower surfaces of
transverse base walls 154 engage the wall of leg member 56 adjacent opening
142.
The user then releases engagement with ramp walls 156, which results in
outward
movement of legs 146 under the influence of an outward bias provided by the
connection of legs 146 together at the inner end of base section 144. The
areas of
the wall of leg member 56 adjacent opening 142 are received within the space
between wing upper surfaces 150 and the facing lower surfaces of base walls
154,
such that clip 124 is releasably mounted within opening 142.
When it is desired to engage the upper end of wire cover 120 or base
infeed cover 122 with clip 124, the user first inserts the upper end of wire
cover
120 or base infeed cover 122 into and through opening 214 in upper wire
management member 70. Wire cover 120 or base infeed cover 122 is then moved
upwardly an amount sufficient to place the lower end of wire cover 120 or base
infeed cover 122 above the upper surface of foot member 58. The user then
moves
wire cover 120 or base infeed cover 122 toward leg member 56 such that the
lower
end of wire cover 120 or base infeed cover 122 is located over the rearward
portion
of recess 86 on the upper surface of foot member 58. This movement of wire
cover
120 or base infeed cover 122 causes wire cover 120 or base infeed cover 122 to
engage clip 124. During such movement of wire cover 120 or base infeed cover
122, inner ends 130 of side walls 128 engage clip ramp walls 156, and
continued
movement of wire cover 120 or base infeed cover 122 toward leg member 56
results in side wall ends 130 moving inwardly along ramp walls 156 so as to
move
clip legs 146 together, until side wall inner ends 130 clear the inner ends of
ramp
walls 156 and are received within retainer notches 158. Wing upper surfaces
150
are configured such that, during movement of legs 146 together in this manner,
wing upper surfaces 150 remain in engagement with the leg member wall adjacent
opening 142, to maintain clip 124 in engagement with leg member 56. When side
wall inner ends 130 are received within retainer notches 158, the outward bias
of

CA 02533696 2003-O1-31
clip legs 146 functions to move clip retainer sections 152 outwardly, to
releasably
secure the upper portion of wire cover 120 or base infeed cover 122 to leg
member
56. The user then lowers wire cover 120 or base infeed cover 122 so that its
lower
end is inserted into and foot member opening 86 rearwardly of leg member 56,
5 which maintains wire cover 120 or base infeed cover 122 in releasable
engagement
with leg member 56. When it is desired to remove wire cover 120 or base infeed
cover 122, the user reverses the above steps and applies an outward force on
the
upper end of wire cover 120 or base infeed cover 122, which causes inner ends
130
of side walls 128 to move along the curved surfaces of notches 158 so as to
move
10 legs 146 inwardly toward each other until inner ends 130 clear notches 158.
Side
wall inner ends 130 then move outwardly along ramp walls 156, and the outward
bias of the interconnected area of legs 146 functions to return base section
144 to
its original condition, engaged within leg opening 142 as described above.
As noted previously, wire management system 66 includes upper
15 wire management member 68, lower wire management member 70, outer access
cover 72 and inner access cover 74. The details of construction of wire
management system 66 are shown in Figs 4 and 25-37.
Referring to Figs. 4 and 25, upper wire management member 68 is in
the form of a channel-shaped member including an upper flange 164, a web or
mounting wall 166, a lower flange 168, and a lip 170 extending upwardly from
the
inner end of lower flange 168. An angled lip 172 extends downwardly from the
inner end of upper flange 164, for imparting rigidity to upper flange 164. A
series
of spaced apart openings 174 are formed in web 166.
As shown, upper flange 164 is adapted for connection to the
underside of worksurface 52 in any satisfactory manner, such as by threaded
fasteners that extend through openings in upper flange 164 and into engagement
with threaded receivers in the underside of worksurface 52. It is understood,
however, that upper wire management member 68 may also be mounted to leg

CA 02533696 2003-O1-31
16
assemblies 54, such as to the rear of cantilevers 60 or to the rear surfaces
of leg
members 56. Any other satisfactory mounting arrangement may be provided for
mounting upper wire management member 68 below worksurface 52.
In a non-powered version of cable management system 66, cover
members 176 (Fig. 31 ) are engaged within the openings 174 formed in mounting
wall 166 of upper wire management member 68. Each cover member includes an
upstanding section 178 that fills each opening 174. In a powered version as
shown
in Fig. 25, a rigid wireway assembly 180 is adapted to be supported by upper
wire
management member 68. In accordance with known construction, rigid wireway
assembly 180 includes a conduit 182 having connector blocks 184 at its
opposite
ends. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 26, a pair of rigid wireway assemblies
180
may be interconnected by a jumper 186, also in a manner as is known.
Each rigid wireway assembly 180 may be secured to upper wire
management member 68 in any satisfactory manner, such as by means of mounting
brackets and threaded fasteners, in a known manner. In the powered version,
power outlet receptacles are engageable with connector blocks 184, and
openings
174 in upper wire management member web 166 are positioned such that the power
outlet receptacles are exposed through openings 174. Power is communicated
between adjacent table or desk units 50 by engaging a jumper with connector
blocks 184 of the adjacent table or desk units 50.
In yet another alternative version, upper wire management member
68 may form the basis for a hardwired power distribution system 188, as shown
in
Fig. 27. In this version, one or more face plate assemblies 190 are secured to
the
front of upper wire management member 68. Each face plate assembly 190
includes a cover 192 and a series of outlet receptacles 194 secured to cover
192.
Cover 192 includes a front wall 196 to which outlet receptacles 194 are
mounted,
as well as an upper mounting flange 198 engageable with upper lip 172 and a
lower
mounting flange 200 engageable with lower lip 170. Cover 192 is adapted for

CA 02533696 2003-O1-31
17
securement to the front of upper wire management member 68 by means of
threaded fasteners, such as screws, extending through aligned openings in
upper
flange 198 and upper lip 172, as well as in lower flange 200 and lower lip
170.
In this manner, face plate assembly 190 cooperates with upper wire
management member 68 to define an internal passage 202 adapted to receive
power
distribution wires. The trough structure defined by web 166, lower flange 168
and
lip 170 of upper wire management member 68 functions to support wiring located
within internal passage 202. In a conventional manner, such power distribution
wiring is interconnected with outlet receptacles 194 via connector wires 204
which
extend from outlet receptacles 194, to distribute power along the length of
upper
wire management member 68. For adjacent table or desk units 50, such power
distribution wiring extends between aligned internal passages 202 defined by
the
upper wire management members 68 and face plate assemblies 190 of adjacent
table or desk units 50, to distribute power along the length of a series of
table or
desk units 50.
Referring to Figs. 28-31, lower wire management member 70 is
generally U-shaped in cross-section, and defines a channel trough-like
structure.
Lower wire management member 70 includes a bottom wall 206, a front wall 208
and a rear wall 210. Lower wire management member 70 is mounted below
worksurface 52 in any satisfactory manner, such as by means of screws 212 that
extend through openings in front wall 208 and into engagement with threaded
openings formed in the rear wall of leg member 56. Alternatively, it is
understood
that lower wire management member 70 may be mounted in any other satisfactory
manner to leg member 56 or to any other component of leg assembly 54, or may
be
mounted below upper wire management member 68 by connection to upper wire
management member 68 independently of engagement with any component of leg
assembly 54. In the illustrated embodiment, lower wire management member 70

CA 02533696 2003-O1-31
18
provides the dual function of managing a set of wires or cables as well as
providing
structural reinforcement to and between leg assemblies 54.
As noted previously, bottom wall 206 of lower wire management
member 70 includes an opening 214 located slightly inwardly of each end of
lower
wire management member 70, which is adapted to receive the upper end of
vertical
wire cover 120 or base infeed cover 122. In addition, bottom wall 206 defines
a
recess 216 which opens onto the end of lower wire management member 70, which
is configured to cooperate with the recess 216 of a lower wire management
member
70 associated with an adjacent table or desk unit 50 to form an opening shaped
similarly to opening 214, for receiving the upper end of vertical wireway 120
or
base infeed cover 122 of the adjacent table or desk unit 50. In this manner,
lower
wire management member 70 is normally positioned such that, at one end of
lower
wire management member 70, the upper end of a vertical wire cover 120 or base
infeed cover 122 is positioned within opening 214. At the opposite end of the
table
or desk unit 50, the other opening 214 is unoccupied and the vertical wire
cover
120 or base infeed cover 122 is received within the opening defined by
cooperating
recesses 216 of lower wire management members 70 of adjacent table or desk
units
50.
A series of outwardly extending mounting tabs 218 extend outwardly
from each end of bottom wall 206. Mounting tabs 218 are formed by cut out
areas
of front and rear walls 208, 210, respectively. Representatively, lower wire
management member 70 may be formed of a section of bent sheet metal, and
mounting tabs 218 may be stamped out of front and rear walls 208, 210,
respectively, and formed in the bending operation.
Front wall 208 of lower wire management member 70 is formed with
a series of relatively large rectangular openings 220 as well as smaller
rectangular
openings 222 and 224. Lower wire management member 70 is normally adapted to
support voice or data communication wires or cables, and openings 220, 222 and

CA 02533696 2003-O1-31
19
224 are adapted to receive voice or data communication receptacles
interconnected
with the wires or cables of the voice or data communication system.
With the construction and arrangement of upper wire management
member 68 and lower wire management member 70, the wiring associated with the
power distribution system and the wiring associated with the communication
distribution system are separate and isolated from each other. The open
construction of both upper wire management member 68 and lower wire
management member 70 provides lay-in wire capability, and also provides quick
and easy access to the wiring or cabling for service, addition or removal of
components, or any other operation which requires access to the power
distribution
or communication distribution components supported by upper wire management
member 68 and lower wire management member 70.
Referring to Figs. 4 and 33-35, outer access cover 72 and inner access
cover 74 may be interconnected together to form a cover assembly located below
worksurface 52 and enclosing lower wire management member 70 and the
forwardly facing portion of upper wire management member 68. The rearwardly
facing portion of upper wire management member 68, namely web 166, is normally
left exposed to provide access to rearwardly facing outlets or receptacles
associated
with upper wire management member 68. It is understood, however, that outer
access cover 72 may be constructed to fully enclose upper wire management
member 68. For example, outer access cover 68 may be engageable with the upper
area of upper wire management member 68 or with the underside of worksurface
52.
Outer access cover 72 generally includes an upper latch section 228, a
main cover section 230, a mounting section 232 and an inner cover connection
section 234.
Upper latch section 228 includes a detent ridge 236 at its inner end,
which extends upwardly from a wall 238. A hinge section 240 is located between

CA 02533696 2003-O1-31
latch section 228 and the upper end of main cover section 230, which enables
latch
section 228 to deflect relative to main cover section 230. A living hinge 242
is
located at the lower end of main cover section 230, and is formed of a
resilient
material which enables main cover section 230 and latch section 228 to pivot
5 relative to mounting section 232. In this manner, main cover section 230 is
movable between an open position for providing access to lower wire management
member 70, and a closed position in which latch section 228 is engaged with
catch
member 75 mounted to the underside of upper wire management member 68, to
releasably maintain main cover section 230 in its closed position. Wall 238 of
latch
10 section 228 underlies lower flange 166 of upper wire management member 68,
while an upwardly extending wall 244 engages the lower end of web 166 and
detent ridge 236 extends upwardly from the inner extent of lower flange 168,
to
engage latch section 228 with upper wire management member 68. Application of
a manual outward force on outer access cover 72, in the vicinity of hinge
section
15 240, functions to deflect latch section 228 downwardly so as to enable
detent ridge
236 to pass below upper wire management member 68, to allow outer access cover
72 to be moved to its open position by pivoting movement about living hinge
242.
Mounting section 232 is configured to engage the underside of lower
wire management member 70, such that outer access cover 72 is supported by
20 lower wire management member 70. It is understood that this is but one
convenient way of mounting outer and inner access covers 72, 74 below
worksurface 52, and that other mounting arrangements may be employed. For
example, access covers 72, 74 may be mounted to and between leg assemblies 54.
In addition, while mounting section 232 has been illustrated as forming a part
of
outer access cover 72, it is also understood that mounting section 232 may be
formed integrally with inner access cover 74.
Mounting section 232 includes an outer flange 244 having a hook 246
at its outer end, supported by a rib 248. Outer access cover 72 is preferably
formed

CA 02533696 2003-O1-31
21
in an extrusion process, such that the various components as illustrated are
formed
throughout the length of outer access cover 72. In addition, mounting section
232
includes a pair of ribs 250, 252, and a flange 254 extends laterally from the
upper
end of rib 252. Flanges 244 and 254, as well as the upper end of rib 250, are
adapted to engage the underside of bottom wall 206 of lower wire management
member 70, while hook 246 is adapted to engage the rear set of mounting tabs
218
extending from the rear edge of bottom wall 206. A finger 256 having a latch
258
at its upper end extends upwardly at a location forwardly of rib 252, and
latch
section 258 is adapted to engage the front set of mounting tabs 218 extending
from
the front edge of bottom wall 206. In this manner, mounting section 232 is
engageable with lower wire management member 70 with a snap-on engagement
arrangement, without the need for tools. This allows access covers 72, 74 to
be
quickly and easily mounted to and removed from lower wire management member
70.
A T-slot 260 is formed between ribs 250 and 252, and may be
employed for mounting additional components or the like to the underside of
outer
access cover 72.
Inner cover connection section 234 includes spaced apart wall
sections 262, 264, which define a slot 266 therebetween. Wall section 264 is
configured so as to extend upwardly at its inner end, to form an L-shape for
slot
266.
The ends of outer access cover 72 have notches 268, to accommodate
leg members 56. An end trim member 270 is engageable with each end edge of
outer access cover 72 above notch 268, for providing a finished appearance to
the
ends of outer access cover 72.
Inner access cover 74 has an L-shaped connection section 272 at its
lower end, which is adapted to be received within L-shaped slot 266 forming a
part
of connection section 234 of outer access cover 72. An adhesive, sonic welding
or

CA 02533696 2003-O1-31
22
the like is employed to secure connection section 272 within slot 266, such
that
inner access cover 74 and outer access cover 72 are connected together.
Inner access cover 74 further includes a main cover section 274, and a
living hinge 276 located at the lower end of main cover section 274 adjacent
connection section 272. A finger grip section 278 extends outwardly from the
upper end of main cover section 274, and a latch section 280 extends inwardly
from
the upper end of main cover section 274.
As noted previously, catch member 75 is mounted to the underside of
worksurface 252, and latch section 280 is selectively engageable with catch
member 75 to selectively maintain inner access cover 74 in its closed
position. The
user grips finger grip section 272 and applies an outward force, to disengage
latch
section 280 from catch member 75 and to pivot main cover section 274 about
living
hinge 276, to move inner access cover 74 to its open position. When inner
access
cover 74 is in its open position, the user has full access to the inner area
of upper
wire management member 68 as well as to lower wire management member 70. In
this manner, the user is able to manipulate cables, wires, power distribution
components, receptacles, etc., and to connect or disconnect cables or wires
associated with equipment supported by worksurface 52.
The side edges of inner access cover 74 have cut out areas 282 to
accommodate leg members 56.
Worksurface openings 76 are positioned so as to be located inwardly
of upper wire management member 68, and rearwardly of catch member 75 with
which inner access cover latch section 280 is engaged, such that cables or
wires
from equipment supported on worksurface 52 can be fed downwardly through
worksurface openings 76 and into an internal space between outer and inner
access
covers 72, 74, respectively, forward of upper wire management member 68 and
above lower wire management member 70. In this manner, such wires or cables
can be plugged into receptacles associated with the power supply distribution

CA 02533696 2003-O1-31
23
system of upper wire management member 68 and with the voice and data
communication receptacles associated with lower wire management member 70.
Referring to Figs. 36-38, a grommet 284 may be engaged within each
worksurface opening 76, for providing a finished appearance to opening 76.
Grommet 284 is operable to mount a flip top cover 286, which has a depth less
than
that of the opening defined by grommet 284, to define a space for receiving
cables
or wires extending through worksurface opening 76.
Various alternatives and embodiments are contemplated as being
within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and
distinctly
claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.

Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

For a clearer understanding of the status of the application/patent presented on this page, the site Disclaimer , as well as the definitions for Patent , Administrative Status , Maintenance Fee  and Payment History  should be consulted.

Administrative Status

Title Date
Forecasted Issue Date Unavailable
(22) Filed 2003-01-31
(41) Open to Public Inspection 2003-07-31
Examination Requested 2006-02-06
Dead Application 2009-07-27

Abandonment History

Abandonment Date Reason Reinstatement Date
2008-07-25 R30(2) - Failure to Respond
2009-02-02 FAILURE TO PAY APPLICATION MAINTENANCE FEE

Payment History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Amount Paid Paid Date
Request for Examination $800.00 2006-02-06
Registration of a document - section 124 $100.00 2006-02-06
Application Fee $400.00 2006-02-06
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 2 2005-01-31 $100.00 2006-02-06
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 3 2006-01-31 $100.00 2006-02-06
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 4 2007-01-31 $100.00 2006-12-05
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 5 2008-01-31 $200.00 2007-12-17
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
KRUEGER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Past Owners on Record
GAYHART, JON W.
WILLIAMS, SCOTT J.
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
Documents

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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Abstract 2003-01-31 1 25
Description 2003-01-31 23 1,114
Claims 2003-01-31 3 126
Drawings 2003-01-31 26 473
Representative Drawing 2006-03-22 1 9
Cover Page 2006-03-23 1 46
Correspondence 2006-02-21 1 39
Assignment 2003-01-31 4 125
Correspondence 2006-03-02 1 16
Prosecution-Amendment 2008-01-25 2 67