Wire Management System

The present invention relates principally to furniture, such as desks, tables, credenzas, returns, cabinets and tile like, and, more particularly, to a wire management system for such articles of furniture.

Heretofore, various proposals have been made for managing the numerous wires, cables, cords and the like associated with a wide variety of equipment found in the modern office. Freestanding lights, calculators, printers, computers, telephone lines and other communications data wires may all be found at a single desk or work station. Unless provision is made to route tile wires and the like interiorly of the desk structure, a cluttered and inefficient work environment will result which also detracts significantly from the aesthetics of the furniture.

Various wire management systems which have been proposed include access openings in the vertical panels of the furniture and in the tops. Provision has been made for closing the access openings when not needed for wire management purposes. Prior approaches have included elongated wiring channels or troughs which run the full length or width of the desk, credenza or the like and within which the various wires and cables are routed. In addition, office furniture has been provided with removable panels to provide access to the interior and to the wiring channels and ducts. Examples of prior proposals may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 1,786,823 entitled DESK, which issued on Dec. 30, 1930 to Carrington et al; U.S. Pat. No. 3,883,202 entitled DESK HAVING ELECTRICAL SUPPLY LINES WHICH ARE LAID IN THE TABLE, which issued on May 13, 1975 to Konig; U.S. Pat. No. 3,922,045 entitled MODULAR STRUCTURE, which issued on Nov. 25, 1975 to Meyer; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,163,867 entitled WIRING ACCESS SYSTEM FOR DESKS AND THE LIKE, which issued on Aug. 7, 1979 to Breidenbach. efficiency while remaining aesthetically pleasing, with reduced cost and complexity from that heretofore found.

In accordance with the present invention, the aforementioned needs are fulfilled. Essentially, an article of furniture, such as a desk, credenza and the like, is provided with all access opening in a top or vertical panel. A plurality of wire management supports, hooks or clips are attached to vertical panels of the article of furniture in a cantilevered fashion. Provision is made for closing the access openings when not in use.

In narrower aspects of the invention, the article of furniture may be provided with a removable vertical panel and a security panel which prevents access to file drawers and the like. The wire management supports include a base, front and rear walls joined to the base and a hook-like portion configured to snap over and clamp onto the security panel or other vertical panel of the furniture.

Access openings in the top of the article of furniture may be closed by a closure subassembly including a sleeve configured to be received within the access opening and which removably supports at least one access the. The access the may define a slot through which wires and the like may pass. Different tiles may be arranged and rearranged along the access opening to suit the needs of the particular user.

The wire management system in accordance with the present invention is readily adapted to existing articles of furniture and readily incorporated into desks, credenzas, returns and the like. The system provides for efficient and aesthetically pleasing management of the large number of wires, cables, power cords and related equipment typically found in the office environment. The system is easily manufactured, possesses reduced complexity from prior systems and may be included at reduced costs from that heretofore experienced.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a work station incorporating the wire management system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, side, elevational view of a portion of the work station illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side, elevational view of a wire management support included in the present invention;

FIG. 3a is a fragmentary view showing the support of FIG. 3 attached to the undersurface of a worksurface;

FIG. 4 is a front, elevational view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, elevational view of a side access cover and opening in a vertical panel of the work station;

FIG. 5a is a side, elevational view of the access cover;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, top, plan view of an access opening and closure assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line VII--VII of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a sleeve element incorporated in the closure assembly of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a front, elevational view of the sleeve element of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a front, elevational view of another sleeve element;

FIG. 11 is an end, elevational view of the element of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary view of a portion of the element of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of an access the incorporated in the closure assembly of FIG. 6;

FIG. 14 is an end, elevational view of the tile of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line XV--XV of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a the member;

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a light shield incorporated in the tile of FIG. 13;

FIG. 18 is top, plan view of an alternative closure assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line XIX--XIX of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a plan view of a sleeve incorporated in the assembly of FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line XXI--XXI of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a bottom view of a the member incorporated in the embodiment of FIG. 18;

FIG. 23 is a plan view of a light shield incorporated in the closure assembly of FIG. 18;

FIG. 24 is a fragmentary, plan view of a desk or credenza top for use with the closure assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally along line XXV--XXV of FIG. 24; and

FIG. 26 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally along line XXVI--XXVI of FIG. 24.

A work station incorporating a wire management system in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 and generally designated by the numeral 10. Work station 10 includes a plurality of articles of furniture, namely, a desk 12, a return or transition section 14 and a credenza 16. Desk 12 includes a top or horizontal worksurface 18 and a pedestal 20. Pedestal 20 includes side panels 22 and a rear panel 24. Drawers 26 are slideably mounted within the pedestal in a conventional fashion. Desk 12 further includes a modesty panel 28 and an end panel 30. Return 14 extends from end panel 30 and top 18 and interconnects desk 12 with credenza 16. Return 14 includes a top or horizontal worksurface 40 and a modesty panel 42. Credenza 16 includes end panels 44 and rear panels 46. The panels support a top or horizontal worksurface 48. Modesty panels 28, 42 and other vertical panels 24, 46 may be removably mounted on the furniture articles. The modesty panels may be hinged to adjacent panels or pedestals so that they may be pivoted inwardly into the knee space or well defined by the article of furniture or outwardly therefrom. An example of a desk with a hinged modesty panel may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 2,853,251 entitled DESK WITH APRON, which issued on Sep. 23, 1958 to Bassett. The hinge mounting permits the modesty panel to pivot in both directions.

As seen in FIG. 2, pedestal 20 includes stretchers or structural members 60, 62 which extend between side panels 22. Rear panel 24 is removably and detachably mounted on pedestal 20 at stretchers 60, 62 by snap fasteners 64. Fasteners 64 include pins or studs which snap into apertures positioned in the panel or stretcher. Panel 24 may, therefore, be removed to provide access to the interior of pedestal 20. Panels 46 of credenza 16 may also be removably mounted in a similar fashion.

Since panel 24 is removable, protection must be provided for the file drawers 26 mounted within the pedestal. In accordance with the present invention, a security panel 72 is secured to and extends between side panels 22 of the pedestal. The side panels may be routed to form grooves or channels within which security panel 72 is retained. Panel 72 extends upwardly for enough to prevent access to drawers 26 when panel 24 is removed.

In accordance with the present invention, a plurality of wire management supports, clips or hooks generally designated 76 are provided. Supports 76 may be suspended in spaced relationship and in a cantilevered fashion from the vertical panels of the articles of furniture. As schematically illustrated in FIG. 1, the hooks or clips 76 support wires, cables and the like 78 which are directed through access openings in the furniture.

As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, each wire management support 76 includes a base 78, a front wall 80, a rear wall 82 and an intermediate partition 84. An attachment clip or hook portion 86 extends rearwardly from an upper edge 87 of wall 82. Base 78 is joined to and extends at an angle "a" upwardly from horizontal front wall 82. In an existing embodiment, angle "a" is approximately four degrees. Partition 84 is smoothly curved in cross section or side elevation and has a semicircular shape. Partition 84 has a concave surface 88 which faces an inner surface of wall 80. A convex surface 90 of partition 84 faces wall 82. A support flange or shelf 92 is joined to and extends horizontally from an upper edge of wall 80. Hook or clip portion 86 includes a horizontal base 94 and a downwardly and inwardly angled leg portion 96. Leg portion 96 terminates in an outwardly angled entrance flange 98. Hook portion 86 defines a channel 100 for receipt of a panel of the article of furniture. It is presently preferred that wire management support 76 be extruded from a flexible plastic material such as rigid PVC 8700. Hook portion 86 may flex to accommodate panels within a thickness range and to securely clamp the support onto the panel.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, support 76 may be hooked onto a vertical panel, such as security panel 72. Leg 96 of hook portion 86 clamps against a surface of the security panel to securely retain wire management support 76 thereon. The support cantilevers from panel 72. When supports 76 are hooked over security panels, they extend toward removable panels 24. The supports are hidden from view within the article of furniture. If the supports 76 are hooked over panels 24 or panels 42, 46 so as to extend inwardly under the tops or horizontal surfaces of the articles of furniture, leg 96 of hook portion 86 may be visible depending on the nature of the article, the degree of overhang of the top and the like. In these instances, as shown in FIG. 3a, support 76 may be attached to an undersurface 99 of the horizontal worksurface such as top 40 of the article by a suitable fastener. Fastener 101 is a self-tapping screw which passes through horizontal portion 94 of hook portion 86. Support 76 extends adjacent to and inwardly towards a knee space from vertical panel 42.

Partition 84 and wall 80 define a wire management space 102 within which wire or cable 78' may be retained. Flange 92 can serve as a handle for the user to pull wall 80 and base 78 downwardly to allow access to the spaces defined by the support. The support is formed from a resilient material which allows flexing between base 78 and walls 80, 82. The space between convex surface 90 of partition 84 and wall 82 may be used to support and retain an item 104 such as a power strip, power transformer and the like. Items plugged into the power strip may rest on support flange 92. Base 78 assumes a substantially horizontal position when supporting the weight of an article 104.

Vertical panels 22 of the pedestal and 44 of the credenza, for example, may be provided with wire access openings 112 (FIGS. 1 and 5). Openings 112 may be closed by a moveable cover 114. In the embodiment shown, cover 114 is pivotally mounted on a pivot rod or axle 116 which extends across and is mounted in opposite sides of opening 112. As seen in FIG. 5a, a pivot block 118 is secured to a rear surface 120 of cover 114. Pivot block 118 defines a groove 122 dimensioned to snap over and capture pivot rod 116. The user may gain access to the interior space of the article of furniture merely by pivoting cover 114 inwardly or outwardly about pivot rod 116. In addition, cable may be routed upwardly into the space between security panel 72 and rear panel 24 through the base or from underneath the article.

Additional access to the interior of the article of furniture for routing of cords, wires and the like may be provided through top access openings .130 cut into the tops of the furniture. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, access opening 130 may be formed in top 40, for example, adjacent to but spaced inwardly from a rear lateral edge of the top surface. In accordance with the present invention, access opening 130 is closed by a closure subassembly generally designated 132. Closure subassembly 132 includes a peripheral sleeve or frame 134 disposed within the access opening and which supports a plurality of access tiles 136, 138.

Sleeve 134 includes end portions or sleeve elements 142 pressed into access opening 130 at each end 144, 146 thereof. End portions are positioned within the access opening in opposed, facing relationship. As seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, each sleeve element 142 is generally U-shaped in plan and includes a base 152 joined to legs 154. A retention or border flange or elongated trim bead 156 extends around the periphery of base 152 and legs 154 along an upper edge thereof. Flange 156 extends outwardly and rests on the upper surface of desk top 40. A mounting or slide flange defined by horizontal flange elements 162 extends inwardly from an inner surface 164 of sleeve element 142. A plurality of detents or the retention members 166 also extend inwardly from inner surface 164. Detents 166 are spaced vertically from mounting flange elements 162.

Sleeve 132 also includes elongated elements or extensions 172. As seen in FIGS. 7, 10, 11 and 12, extensions 172 are formed as elongated extrusions and include a vertical web 174, an elongated, horizontally extending mounting flange or slide flange 176 and a retention or border flange 178. As with sleeve portion 142, flange 178 engages and rests on the upper surface of the top of the furniture. Extension 172 also defines an elongated the retention or detent flange 182 which extends outwardly in vertically spaced relationship from mounting flange 176.

It is presently preferred that the sleeve elements be molded or extruded from a plastic material and that the sleeve have a dual durometer construction. The vertical portions of the sleeve and the horizontal mounting flanges are fabricated from a plastic such as rigid PVC 8700. The detent and detent flanges 166, 182 are fabricated from a semi-rigid or resilient plastic such as semi-rigid PVC 7011-EE 80A. Tim detents and detent flanges are softer than the remaining portions of the sleeve. As described below, the detent and detent flanges engage and removably retain the tile elements within the sleeve.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, assembly 132 is provided with four the elements 136, 138. The assembly may be adjusted to include more or less elements or merely a single square element 136. If the single element 136 is used, a pair of the end sleeve elements 142 are positioned in a square access opening in opposed, abutting relationship. As additional tiles are added, the access opening is increased and the portions are moved apart by the extension elements 172. The tiles 136, 138 are easily slid along flanges 162 and 176 of the sleeve. The asseembly, therefore, provides great versatility to the furniture designer and the user.

Access the assembly 136 is best seen in FIGS. 13, 14 and 15. As shown, the assembly 136 includes the halves or elements 190 which sandwich a light shield 192 therebetween. Tile element 190 is a rigid member including bosses 194 and pins 196 on an undersurface thereof (FIG. 16). Tile element 190 further defines a plurality of slots 198 which open through a lateral edge 200 thereof. As seen in FIG. 15, when two of the elements 190 are positioned in opposed relationship, pins 196 of one element fit into bosses 194 of the other element. The elements are secured together by a suitable adhesive. Elements 190 and, hence, tile 136 are configured around peripheral edges thereof to define a peripheral retention or detent groove 202. The groove receives detents 166 or detent flanges 182 of the sleeve assembly elements. Tile 136 is securely yet removably retained within the sleeve.

Light shield 192 is fabricated from a flexible, rubber-like material and is a thin, sheet-like member. Light shield 192 defines apertures 204. Bosses 194 and pins 196, as shown in FIG. 15, pass through apertures 204 of light shield 192 to retain the shield in place. Shield 192 is sandwiched between elements 190. Light shield 192 further defines a plurality of slits 208. Slits 208, as seen in FIG. 13, extend along the centerlines of slots 198 defined by elements 190. Light shield 192 is fabricated from resilient or flexible rubber material such as EPDM having a durometer of 60 plus or minus 5. It is presently preferred that elements 190 be fabricated from a plastic material such as a heavily mineral reinforced PBT blend resin. Such material is a heavy resin which approximates the weight of glass, ceramic, porcelain, ivory and metal and provides the heft and feel of quality. The resin is sold by General Electric Company under the brand name Valox HV700 Series resins. The resin possesses the advantages of engineering thermoplastics and can be injection molded to produce the the elements.

Tile 136, with the slots 198 and slits 208 in the light shield, provide access to opening 130. Cords, wires and the like may be routed into the interior of the article of furniture through the slits and slots.

Tiles 138 have a similar construction to tiles 136. Tiles 138 are filler tiles and do not provide access through the opening. As seen in FIG. 7, tiles 138 include mating halves or elements 216, 218. Elements 216, 218 of tiles 138, in the same manner as elements 190, include bosses 220 and pins 222. The elements are mated at the bosses and pins and glued together. Elements 216, 218 are configured around their peripheral edges to define a retention or detent groove 224. As seen in FIG. 7, detent flange 182 is disposed within the retention groove 224. As shown, the elements 216, 218 are not identical. A surface 226 of element 216 is curved inwardly to define a recess. The filler the functions, therefore, as a pencil holder. The tile elements, therefore, can define or form a desk accessory. Different accessories such as a pencil holder, a cup, a card file clip and the like could be formed on each tile element. The tile could then be rotated to present the desired accessory to the user. In the alternative, of course, elements 216, 218 could be identical as with square tile element 190.

An alternative closure assembly 302 is illustrated in FIGS. 18-23. Assembly 302 is adapted for use with circular access openings in a desk or other worksurface. Assembly 302 includes a circular sleeve 304 and a circular the subassembly 306. As seen in FIGS. 19-21, sleeve 304 is cylindrical in shape and includes an outer surface 310 and an inner surface 312. A peripheral border flange 3 14 extends around the upper end of the sleeve. Flange 3 14 retains the sleeve in the access opening and performs a decorative function. A mounting flange, including a plurality of flange portions 320, extends inwardly from inner surface 312 of sleeve 304. As seen in FIG. 19, flange portions 320 support the 306. Tile 306 defines a peripheral groove 324. Sleeve 304 defines detents 326 on inner surface 312 which are disposed in groove 324. As with the prior embodiments, detents 326 engage and retain tile 306 within the sleeve.

Tile 306 is of a construction similar to the 136. The tile includes mating tile halves or elements 332 (FIG. 22). Each the element 332 defines slots 334,336, bosses 338 and attachment pins 340. A pair of halves 332 are assembled as shown in FIG. 19 with pins 340 received in bosses 338. Halves 332 sandwich a light shield 346 (FIG. 23). Shield 346 defines apertures 348 through which bosses 338 and pins 340 extend. The halves are glued together. Light shield 346 defines opposed slits 352. Slits 352 permit cords to pass through slots 334 of the 306.

A top construction for a desk, credenza and the like and which defines access opening 130 is illustrated in FIGS. 24-26 and generally designated by the numeral 402. When the access opening 130 is positioned immediately adjacent a rear edge of the top, reinforcement may be necessary for the desk structure. The portion of the desk in a wood desk between the access opening and the outer lateral edge of the desk should be stabilized. Top 402 is of a multi-piece construction which may be covered with a suitable veneer to provide a desired wood furniture finish. As shown, top 402 includes a plurality of edge trim pieces or nose pieces 404, 405,406. The pieces are secured to the perimeter of a planar base sheet or board 408 and joined together at miter joints 410. The nose pieces, in effect, frame piece 408. An insert 412 is secured to base piece 408. Insert 412 is glued or mechanically fastened to board 408. Insert 412 includes a lateral edge 414 which abuts against a front nose piece 405 and lateral edges 416 which abut against end nose pieces 406. The insert extends between pieces 406 along the length of piece 405. Another lateral edge 418 is spaced from rear nose piece 404. The spacing between lateral edge 418 and nose piece 408 defines access slot 130.

Board 408 is formed with a series of spaced, tandemly arranged access slots 422. The board, therefore, also defines a plurality of finger or reinforcement sections 424 between slots 422. Nose piece 404 is secured to board 408 by suitable fasteners such as staples 425 driven through the outer lateral edges of the portions 424. As seen in FIGS. 25 and 26, pieces 404, 405 and 406 each include a depending skirt 428 against which finger portion 424 abuts. The nose pieces define a shoulder which rests on an upper surface of fingers 424 and the peripheral perimeter portions of board 408. Piece 404 is, therefore, securely attached to the remainder of the desk top and stabilized. Movement or bowing of piece 404 outwardly with respect to the access opening is prevented.

In a wood desk construction, insert 412 and planar piece 408 may be fabricated from particle board. The nose pieces are formed from solid wood and define perimeter trim molding for the desk. The insert may be covered with a suitable veneer for aesthetic purposes.

In top constructions made of solid wood, tops with the opening spaced inwardly sufficiently from a lateral edge or when access openings having limited lengths to accommodate a single tile are desired, the opening would be cut directly through the top piece. In addition, stabilizing portions or attachments between the outer peripheral edges and the remaining portion of the desk top could be readily formed during the routing operation, for example. A single piece top having the shape of that of FIGS. 24-26 could be fabricated with conventional techniques.

As seen in FIG. 26, a space is defined between the tile pieces 138 and finger portions 424 of base board 408. Cords and the like may be routed over and supported by the finger portions. Access to the space below the top is provided through slots 422.

The components of the wire management system in accordance with the present invention provide for efficient control and management of all wires, cables, cords and the like associated with a typical work station. In addition, power strips, transformers and other items may be supported on the wire management supports or clips which are cantilevered from the panels or readily secured to the underside of horizontal worksurfaces of the furniture. Ready access to the interior is provided by access openings in the furniture. Versatility in the configuration and dimensions of the access openings and top surfaces is provided by the closure assemblies in accordance with the present invention. The subject components are relatively easily manufactured applying conventional manufacturing techniques. The components are readily added to existing furniture or incorporated in new designs and configurations. The system is adaptable to interconnection of multiple pieces of furniture, as shown, for example, in FIG. 1. The system is reliable and versatile in use.

In view of the above description, those of ordinary skill in the art may envision various modifications which would not depart from the inventive concepts disclosed herein. It is expressly intended, therefore, that the above should be considered as only a description of the preferred embodiments. The true spirit and scope of the present invention may be determined by reference to the appended claims.