EP1945062B1

EP1945062B1 - Multi-user desk system

Info

Publication number: EP1945062B1
Application number: EP06779656A
Authority: EP
Inventors: David Robbens
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-10-05
Filing date: 2006-10-04
Publication date: 2010-12-08
Anticipated expiration: 2026-10-04
Also published as: EP1945062A1; WO2007039770A1; GB2430869A; WO2007039770B1; ATE490707T1; GB2430869B; GB0520161D0; DE602006018774D1

Abstract

A multi-user desk comprising a frame 10 with a plurality of recesses for receiving desk capsules 11 preferably similar to sliding drawers in a vertically stacked arrangement, and at least one movable support member 12 for supporting a desk capsule 11. The support member 12 is preferable slidingly mounted within vertical channels for height adjustment by a motorised pulley and cable system and can be pivoted into a storage position. The support member 12 may also have an electrical power and or communications connector. The plurality of desk capsules provide inter-changeable customised workspaces enabling hot desking. Preferable three support frames are provided to enable three people to share the desk simultaneously.

Description

The present invention relates to a multi-user desk system, in particular a desk apparatus for simultaneous use by one or more people.
Desks are universally used throughout the world in offices and homes and are an essential requirement in any office furniture suite. It is commonly known for offices to operate flexible office hours policies in which staff may work from home. Additionally, many businesses operate in the services sectors, in which many of their employees work predominantly work on-site at clients' premises and who may only return to their employer's office briefly each week. Under such working practices a traditional approach to office planning and set up would result in inefficient use of space and unnecessary overhead costs. As a result, it is commonly known to operate 'hot desking' systems in which a number of employees share desks, or a series of communal desks are provided. In such a system, when a person returns to the office to work, they are able to use one of the communal desks to carry out any work. The desks are also generally provided with network connections so a user may plug their laptop into the office network. When they have finished the user simply collects their items leaving the desk free for the next user to use when required. This means that the desk is either voluntarily cleared by the departing user or involuntarily cleared by the next user.
This system of multiple users saves space and because usually only one or two users of a desk are in the office at one time, the system is tolerated but not always appreciated since the desks cannot be personalized for each user.
A further problem associated with this kind of system is that there is no scope for leaving a user's paperwork or office consumables etc. laid out on the desk for extended periods. Items which might look unimportant to one person and are cleared away, may be crucial to another - but then can not be found or even remembered again easily. Also the desk users often dislike the lack of personalized space and find that such desk systems provide an uncomfortable working environment when compared with more traditional office furniture arrangements.
Document WO 91/ 15133 A1 discloses an apparatus for use as a case and desk with means provided for requisites.
The present invention seeks to address the problems mentioned above and provide an improved multi-user desk system and storage apparatus.
According to the present invention there is provided a multi-user desk apparatus comprising:

(a) a frame comprising a plurality of desk capsule receiving chambers;
(b) a plurality of desk capsules; and
(c) at least one moveable desk capsule support frame.

Preferably, the plurality of desk capsules are each slidably mountable within and removable from a respective chamber to the at least one moveable desk capsule support frame. Preferably, each desk capsule is slidably removable from front, rear or side sections of the frame.
Preferably, the plurality of desk capsules are vertically stackable within the frame.
Preferably, the at least one moveable desk capsule support frame is adjustable for height to facilitate removal of any of the stacked plurality of desk capsules. Suitably, a pulley and cable system provides the height adjustment means. Preferably, the height adjustment means is motorised. Preferably, the motorised height adjustment means is programmable and further comprises a series of sensors to facilitate precise positioning of a moveable desk capsule support frame operatively-adjacent a desk capsule-receiving chamber.
Preferably, the moveable desk capsule support frame is slidably engageable and mountable within vertical channels formed in the apparatus frame. Suitably, the vertical channels are formed at corners of the apparatus frame.
Preferably, the moveable desk capsule support frame is hingedly mountable within the channel of the apparatus frame to allow the support frame to be folded against the apparatus frame for storage or when not in use.
Suitably, the moveable desk capsule support frame further comprises at least one support leg. Preferably, the moveable desk capsule support frame further comprises two support legs. Suitably, the moveable desk capsule support frame is demountable with the hinge attachment and comprises four support legs. Preferably, the support legs are adjustable for height. Optionally, the support legs further comprise wheels.
Alternatively, the desk capsule is demountable from the moveable desk capsule support frame and engageable with at least one wheeled support element. Preferably, desk capsule further comprises slots or channels in an underside thereof and with which the at least one wheeled support element is engageable. Preferably, the at least one wheeled support element lockingly engages with the slots or channels of the desk capsule.
Suitably, two moveable desk capsule support frames are provided for simultaneous use. Preferably, three moveable desk capsule support frames are provided for simultaneous use. Optionally, a demountable moveable desk capsule support frame is provided for each desk capsule.
Preferably, the multi-user desk apparatus further comprises vertical privacy panels. Suitably, the privacy panels are hingedly attached to the apparatus frame. Optionally, the privacy panels are demountable.
Preferably, the support frame further comprises electrical service means. Suitably, the electrical service means comprises an electrical power supply and computer network and telephone connections.
Suitably, the multi-user desk apparatus comprises a modular system, wherein the top mechanism-containing panel, the front, back and side framework pieces, secrecy panels, moveable desk capsule support frame(s), and the desk capsules are supplied as single piece units for on-site construction. Suitably, the modular system can be stored in a 'flat-pack' arrangement.
The above and other aspects of the present invention will now be illustrated in further detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1: is a perspective view from the front and to a first side of a multi user desk apparatus according to the present invention;
Figure 2: is a partial sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 1;
Figure 3: is an above plan view of the embodiment of Figure 1;
Figure 4: is a side view of a Desk Capsule ejection system for a multi user desk apparatus according to the present invention;
Figure 5: is a perspective view of a desk capsule fitted with a pair of wheeled support elements; and
Figure 6: is a side view of a wheeled support element.

Figure 1 shows a multi user desk apparatus with a number of stored desk capsules inside a desk storage frame, in which one desk capsule is open and ready for work, one desk capsule to the front closed, and one support frame to the right as seen in the Figure is empty for receipt of a stored desk capsule.
The apparatus comprises a generally rectangular apparatus frame 10, divided into a plurality of chambers or storage compartments each for housing a desk capsule 11. The desk capsules 11 are slidably mounted on sliding means in the form of track, rollers or an air cushion arrangement of the apparatus frame 10. The apparatus frame 10 further comprises movable support frames 12 which support desk capsules 11 when in a deployed position. As is seen in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the desk apparatus is provided with three movable support frames 12 in which two are shown in receipt of deployed desk capsules, and one is vacant. The moveable support frames 12 are pivotally attached to apparatus frame 10 through a moveable hinge assembly 13 which allows the frame to be folded against the apparatus frame 10 when it is not required, and also for storage purposes.
As is illustrated in Figure 1, moveable support frames 12 are provided with service connecting means 14 so that a user can connect to a power supply, phone socket or the office network.
Towards the front of the multi-user desk apparatus of Figure 1 is shown a closed desk capsule on the front located moveable support frame. To left and right sides of the desk are mounted modesty or privacy panels 15. The privacy panels may be removable or pivotally attached to the apparatus frame 10.
The moveable hinge 13 locates within a vertical channel at an outside edge of apparatus frame 10 and is adjustable for height. As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 (and further discussed below) a pulley system enables vertical movement of the hinge 13 and consequently moveable support frame 12.
In one embodiment, the support frame 12 is permanently attached through hinge 13 to apparatus frame 10 and may be provided with support legs. Preferably these are foldably incorporated into the support frame to provide added stability to a desk thus formed. In an alternative embodiment the moveable support frame is demountable and the support legs are preferably fitted with wheels to allow a desk formed from a desk capsule and the moveable support frame to be moved to a location remote from the desk apparatus frame. In further alternative embodiments, separate wheeled support elements are engageable with the underside of a desk capsule and the capsule and wheeled support element are demountable from a moveable support frame 12 for use at a location remote from the desk apparatus frame.
Each desk capsule 11 comprises a boxed unit with hingedly attached lid 20. In use, the capsule lid is raised and is lockable in an upright position to prevent the lid falling on a user. The base of the capsule 11 comprises a work surface 21 which may be adapted to suit a particular expected end use of an individual user. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the lid 20 also comprises a desk lamp 22 and notice/pin board 23. Each desk capsule also comprises a post box 24 in a front wall and lid of the capsule 11 for private memos or mail delivery.
Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, there is shown a pulley mechanism for independent raising and lowering of each hingedly attached moveable support frame 12.
Figure 2 illustrates a partial section through moveable support frame 12 showing a vertical guide rail 25 of the apparatus frame 10 in which a carriage 34, comprising moveable hinge 13 and linked frame 12, is located. Carriage 34 is supported within guide rail 25 by bearing wheels 30 and is attached at a top edge to a lifting cable 31. Lifting cable 31 in turn links to a pulley system (Figure 3) via a dead block 32, located towards the top of guide rail 25 and mounted upon apparatus frame 10, and a further dead block 33, located on the top of apparatus frame 10.
The carriage 34 is vertically moveable up and down inside the vertical guide rail 25. As mentioned above, the moveable support frame 12 may be demountable at hinge 13, for ease of installation/convenience when not in use or to facilitate demounting of a horizontal support frame having integral support legs and a desk capsule loaded thereon for use remote from the main apparatus frame 10 if required. In alternative embodiments, a wheeled support element is engaged with a desk capsule and the capsule removed from moveable support frame 12, as described in greater detail below in relation to Figures 5 and 6. The moveable support frame is fitted with rollers 35 along an inside edge of the support frame 12. The rollers 35 may be motorised for automatic operation if required (not shown) or other similar devices to enable easy sliding of the desk capsules on to and off the moveable support frame may also be provided.
Referring to Figure 3, lifting cable 31, attached to the carriage 34 of Figure 2, is linked to a motor/gearbox assembly 40 through a pulley/drive mechanism 41 which is located on an upper surface of apparatus frame 10. Pulley/drive mechanism 41 comprises a rotatable shaft 42 linked at one end through a thrust bearing 43 to motor/gearbox assembly 40. Rotatable shaft 42 is at least partially threaded from its opposite end and is screwably engaged with a follower carriage 44. The follower carriage further comprises a pair of follower pulleys 45, through which the respective ends of cable 31 pass. The ends of cable 31 are anchored to the apparatus frame 10 at anchor points 50, which are provided with adjustment means for adjusting the cable length (not shown).
In use, motor/gearbox assembly 40 is operated to rotate shaft 42 and drive follower carriage 44 by means of the pulley/drive mechanism 41. Depending upon the direction of rotation, follower carriage 44 moves along shaft 42 to raise or lower the height of desk carriage 34. In the arrangement of the embodiment shown, when the follower carriage 44 moves along rotatable shaft 42 towards motor/gearbox assembly 40, cable 31 is drawn so that desk carriage 34 is raised relative to the floor surface. Conversely, when the follower carriage 44 moves away from motor/gearbox assembly 40, cable 31 is let out by the pulley/drive mechanism and the desk carriage 34 is lowered.
Position location detectors 51, located on an upper surface of the apparatus frame 10, detect the relative location of the threaded follower carriage 44 so that the relative height of a capsule 11 located within a moveable support frame 12 can be calibrated and set. By this means, specific height adjustment can be made so that the carriage 34 can be accurately positioned adjacent a particular desk capsule 11 bay (antecedent). In alternative embodiments (not shown), position location detectors are located in vertical guide rail 25 so that the position of carriage 34 can be monitored.
Additionally shown are two further sets of motor/pulley/drive mechanism assemblies to enable independent operation of each moveable support frame.
In the illustrated embodiments, the three motor/pulley/drive mechanism assemblies are mounted onto a top chassis plate of the apparatus frame 10, however it will be recognised that in alternative arrangements they could be mounted at any level or on the back or remote from the central storage system.
A system of safety devices and barriers (not shown) may be incorporated to prevent persons entering under the working apparatus during desk capsule changes. These could be fitted with safety interlocks.
A desk capsule ejection system 52 supported on a strut 53 of the apparatus frame 10 is illustrated in Figure 4. The desk capsule ejection system 52 comprises a rockable carriage 54, pivotally connected towards its base through a spindle 55, to strut 53. A motorised jack 60 is pivotally connected to, and located between, one end of the rockable carriage 54 and strut 53, and provides a means to rock carriage 54 about spindle 55. The desk capsule ejection system 52 also comprises an ejector mechanism comprising a reversible motor 61 suitably linked for driving a shaft 62 which is supported on bearings 63. At one end of the reversible motor shaft 62 a bevel gear set 64 drives a front/rear movement drive wheel 65 supported on drive wheel shaft 70 which is rotatably mounted in an upper surface of rockable carriage 54. At a second end, the reversible motor shaft 62 drives a worm gear set 71 which in turn drives the side to side drive wheel 72 supported on side to side drive wheel shaft 73, rotatably mounted in an upper surface of rockable carriage 54. Also shown in Figure 4 is the lower surface of a desk capsule 11 supported on a plurality of non-directional bearings 74 (only one shown for clarity).
To initiate movement of a desk capsule from the central stored location of the apparatus frame 10 onto a moveable support frame 12 such as shown in Figure 1, a desk ejection as illustrated in Figure 4 is used. In the embodiment shown, the desk capsule 11 is supported on non-directional bearings 74, however in alternative embodiments a low friction surface will be used. To initiate movement the motorised jack 60 is used to engage either drive wheel (65 or 72), as appropriate, with the underside of the desk capsule by suitably moving the rockable carnage 54, depending on requirement for front / back movement or side to side movement of desk capsule 11. The desk capsule ejection system is used to initiate movement onto the horizontal supports or to dock the desk capsule on return to the central storage unit. Final movement along the horizontal supports is by hand or use of the motorised rollers or other system contained in the horizontal supports.
In use, a user locates their particular desk capsule 11 and aligns an unused moveable support frame 12 adjacent the particular capsule 11. Alignment of the unused moveable support frame 12 will be provided either by controlled motorised means, which may be programmable to return to specific capsule location when used in conjunction with a suitable input means, or by a rotatable height adjustment handle means. The required desk capsule 11 is then moved onto the moveable support frame 12 using a desk capsule ejection system as shown in Figure 4. In alternative constructions, the sides and front of each desk capsule have a handle so that a user can simply pull a required capsule from the apparatus frame without the need for a motorised ejection system.
Once the required desk capsule 11 has been docked with moveable support frame 12, the moveable support frame 12 is adjusted to a desired working height and locked in place by a suitable locking means (not shown). The user would then raise the desk capsule lid 20 to reveal the desk contents as previously left when last used. Raising the lid to its working position could also provide a means of automatically connecting to the office computer and telephone networks, and also a mains power supply system for all normal office functions.
In preferred embodiments, support legs are incorporated in the moveable support frame to give added stability.
An alternative arrangement is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, in which a desk capsule 11 is supported on a pair of wheeled support elements 74. The wheeled support elements 74 are substantially C-shaped and are provided with a pair of castors 75 along a bottom edge thereof for moving the desk capsule 11 to a location remote from the apparatus frame 10, where it is to be used.
The wheeled support elements 74 are slidably engageable with slots 76, located on the underside of the desk capsule 11, and lockingly engage to secure them in place whilst in use.
A desk capsule 11 is removed from the apparatus frame 10 for use in the described alternative arrangement by first selecting a desk capsule using an empty moveable support frame 12 as described above. The moveable support frame 12 containing a selected desk capsule 11 is then lowered to a position just above normal desk working height, and the wheeled support elements 74 engaged and locked in place on the underside of the desk capsule 11. The moveable support frame 12 is subsequently lowered until the desk arrangement is supported on castors 75 of the wheeled support element 74, and the desk capsule disengaged from the moveable support frame 12. The desk capsule 11 on its wheeled support elements 74 is then moved to the required working location.
Replacement and storage of a desk capsule into the apparatus frame 10 is carried out by the reverse process.
Power supply and office networking connections can be manually connected if required.
To aid transportation and delivery of a multi-user desk apparatus as described above, the system can be constructed as a modular system. For instance, the top mechanism-containing panel, the front, back and side framework pieces, secrecy panels, moveable desk capsule support frame(s), and the desk capsules could all be supplied as single piece units for construction on-site. This would lead to a reduction in the amount of space required for storage, and also for delivery since the apparatus could be stored in a 'flat-pack' arrangement.
The desk storage apparatus of the present invention accordingly allows one or more people to work at their 'own' personal desk with their 'own' items on that desk. The desk capsules are easily closed and stored without disturbing the items on the desk surface. The apparatus provides an attractive alternative to traditional hot-desking strategies, which is more flexible, cost effective and makes more efficient use of existing office space. This would permit a business to operate from smaller premises which would result in a reduction in overhead costs whilst allowing the business to maintain a relatively high staff capacity.
The desk storage apparatus of the present invention additionally lends itself to environments including craft and light assembly work for use in micro-workshops.

Claims

A multi-user desk apparatus comprising:
(a) a frame (10) comprising a plurality of desk capsule receiving chambers;

(b) a plurality of desk capsules (11);

(c) at least one moveable desk capsule support frame (12).
A multi-user desk apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 in which the plurality of desk capsules are each slidably mountable within and removable from a respective chamber to the at least one moveable desk capsule support frame.
A multi-user desk apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 in which each desk capsule is slidably removable from front, rear or side sections of the frame.
A multi-user desk apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 in which the plurality of desk capsules are vertically stackable within the frame.
A multi-user desk apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 in which the at least one moveable desk capsule support frame is adjustable for height by a height adjustment means to facilitate removal of any of the plurality of desk capsules.
A multi-user desk apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 in which the height adjustment means is motorised, is optionally programmable and further comprises a series of sensors (51) to facilitate precise positioning of a moveable desk capsule support frame operatively-adjacent to a desk capsule-receiving chamber.
A multi-user desk apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 in which the moveable desk capsule support frame is slidably engaged and mounted within vertical channels (25) formed in the apparatus frame.
A multi-user desk apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 in which the moveable desk capsule support frame is hingedly mounted within the channel of the apparatus frame to allow the support frame to be folded against the apparatus frame for storage or when not in use.
A multi-user desk apparatus as claimed in any of claims 7 to 8 in which the moveable desk capsule support frame further comprises between one and four support legs, wherein the legs are optionally adjustable for height.
A multi-user desk apparatus as claimed in Claim 9 in which the moveable desk capsule support frame is demountable from the hinge attachment wherein the support legs optionally comprise wheels.
A multi-user desk apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 in which two moveable desk capsule support frames are provided for simultaneous use.
A multi-user desk apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 in which a desk capsule is demountable from the moveable desk capsule support frame and engageable with at least one wheeled support element (74).
A multi-user desk apparatus as claimed in Claim 12 in which the desk capsule further comprises slots (76) or channels in an underside thereof for engagement with the at least one wheeled support element, and in which the at least one wheeled support element is lockingly engageable with a desk capsule.
A multi-user desk apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the support frame further comprises electrical service means (14) comprising an electrical power supply and computer network and telephone connection means.
A multi-user desk apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in modular form comprising a top mechanism-containing panel, front, back and side framework pieces, secrecy panels, at least one moveable desk capsule support element, and a plurality of desk capsules.