Desk with easel drawer

Abstract

A desk having a traditional appearance incorporates an easel or workstand for supporting a work piece in a closeable drawer adjacent the work surface of the desk. The easel comprises a folding panel pivotally mounted on edge of a side drawer. The panel pivots from a closed position, wherein the panel is folded into the top of the drawer and the drawer can be closed, to an open position, wherein the panel is upwardly and outwardly inclined so as to be in position to support work on the easel. A rail on the bottom of the easel supports work on the easel. The easel can serve as a writing surface when the easel is closed and the drawer is open. The desk includes a central drawer having a fold-down front panel that serves as a keyboard drawer, and computer accessory storage areas in other portions of the desk.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a desk, and more particularly to a desk incorporating an easel or work stand in a drawer.

[0004] Desks often serve a dual purpose of ornamental furniture and functional work stations. This is particularly true in the case of desks that are intended for use in the home and executive offices. Sometimes desks and computer work stations employed in the home are concealed behind doors of a cabinet that have the appearance of an armoire or the like.

[0005] It is also desirable to incorporate other computer functions into a desk that has an otherwise traditional appearance. Desks may be designed to include storage spaces for computer CPU's, keyboards, monitors, and data storage media, for example.

[0006] In order to work on a computer keyboard, it is desirable to have a work stand adjacent to the computer location for supporting material that needs to be typed or referenced to in a generally upright, readable position. Work support stands are common in office environments and usually include a separate component that stands on the surface of the desk, taking up space and presenting a generally undesirable appearance when not in use. It is the object of the present invention to provide an easel or work stand for use in connection with a desk, particularly a desk adapted for use with a computer, where the easel is integrally mounted in a desk drawer where in it can be opened for use or folded away in an unobtrusive way when not in use, without impairing the functionality of the drawer.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In accordance with the present invention, a desk incorporates an easel or work support for supporting a work piece or the like in a closable drawer adjacent the work surface of the desk. The easel comprises a folding plate or panel pivotally mounted on a drawer adjacent an operator work position, such that the panel can be pivoted between a closed position, wherein the panel is pivoted into the top of the drawer and the drawer can be closed, and an open position, wherein the panel is upwardly and outwardly inclined, so as to be in position to support work on the easel. A rail extends outwardly from a lower portion of the panel for supporting a work piece on the easel. A movement control mechanism permits the easel to open and close but stops outward pivotal movement at a desired rearward inclination that is appropriate for supporting a work piece on the easel. The upper surface of the easel serves as a writing surface when the easel is closed. The desk can incorporate other features that make the desk particularly suitable as a computer work station, including a central drawer having a fold-down front panel that serves as a keyboard drawer, and other storage areas in the desk serving as concealed areas for supporting computer equipment, a printer, and storage media.

[0008] These and other features, objects, and benefits of the invention will be recognized by one having ordinary skill in the art and by those who practice the invention, from the specification, the claims, and the drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0009] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a desk with easel drawer according to the invention;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a back perspective view thereof;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view thereof, the opposing side elevational view being a mirror image thereof;

[0012] FIG. 4 is another front perspective view thereof, showing the storage spaces open;

[0013] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top perspective view thereof, detailing the easel drawer;

[0014] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 5;

[0015] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the easel drawer with the easel panel shown in phantom;

[0016] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7 and;

[0017] FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the desk with the doors removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Referring to the drawings, a desk 10, shown in FIG. 1, includes a top 12, sides 14, a knee hole portion 16 having inner side panels 17, a center drawer 18, and side drawer 22, with the side drawer and center drawer being positioned on the underside of the desktop and the center drawer being positioned above the knee hole opening 16. Doors 24 and 26 positioned adjacent sides 14 cover interior storage areas under the side drawers. The top of door 24 may be formed to have the appearance of a side drawer front panel 20, in order to balance the appearance of side drawer 22 while providing an enlarged interior storage space at the left side. A back 28 encloses the back of the desk.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 4, the storage area behind door 24 includes a drawer 30 for compact discs or other media and a vertical storage space 32 for a tower computer case or the like. If the space is not needed for a computer CPU, the space can include an adjustable shelf 33 (FIG. 9). A floor 34 is positioned at the bottom of storage space 32. The floor can be elevated above front trim panel 36 for more easy access to the front of a computer in the cabinet. A pull-out writing panel 38 is positioned under the desk top 12 and above door 24.

[0020] Center drawer 18 comprises a fold-down front panel 40 that folds down away from side panels 42 to convert the front drawer into a keyboard drawer. The keyboard drawer can have a wrist rest 44 at a front edge, with the space 46 behind the wrist rest serving for placement of a keyboard.

[0021] The right door 26 covers a storage opening 48 having a pull-out lower drawer 50 slidably mounted in the bottom of the storage area. A printer or the like can conveniently be positioned on drawer 50. An adjustable shelf 51 (FIG. 9) also can be mounted in the storage area.

[0022] Upper drawer 22 includes the easel 52 of the present invention. Easel 52 is shown in a closed position in FIG. 4 and an open position in FIG. 5. Easel 52 comprises a flat rectangular plate or panel 54 mounted on an upper edge of an outer side panel 56 of the drawer by means of a hinge 58. A movement control mechanism 60 mounted on a transverse drawer panel 62 supports and limits the extent of upward pivotal movement of the easel to a slightly outwardly inclined position as shown in FIG. 5. Control mechanism 60 includes an arm 64 pivotally mounted at one end 66 to panel 54 and pivotally engaged in a lateral slide member 68 at a lower end 70. When opened, end 70 slides to the right hand end of slide member 68 (FIG. 5 orientation) and holds the easel in the open position shown. When the easel is closed, end 70 slides to the left hand end of slide member 68 and permits the easel to close to the flat position shown in FIG. 4. When closed, the easel encloses the top of the drawer and can be used as a writing surface. When opened, the easel opens the interior 72 of the drawer, and the underside of the easel can be used to support typing copy or other work materials.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 6, slide member 68 comprises an elongated rod 74 mounted by brackets 76 to drawer panel 62. The end 70 of member 64 is attached to a collar 78 mounted on rod 74 so as to be slideable along rod 74 between brackets 76, which serve to stop the collar. Other types of control devices to control the maximum outward pivotal movement of easel panel 54 could be employed.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 6, panel 54 is held in a rearwardly inclined position at an illustrated angle of about thirty degrees from a vertical position. An elongated flange or rail 80 screwed or otherwise attached to the panel through openings 82 extends outwardly at a bottom side of the panel and serves to support papers, books, or other materials in a working position on the easel. Panel hinge 58 is attached on one side to the bottom edge of panel 54 and on the other side to the top edge of the drawer and serves to pivotally mount the easel on the edge of the drawer.

[0025] The present invention provides a convenient way to incorporate a work supporting easel into a desk in an inconspicuous manner while still preserving the functionality of a drawer and providing a level work surface when the easel is closed.

[0026] It should be understood that the foregoing is merely exemplary of the preferred practice of the present invention and that various changes in the arrangements and details of construction of the embodiments disclosed herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A desk comprising: a desktop, the desktop having a front edge and an opposing back edge; opposing first and second side panels, the first and second side panels being spaced apart from one another, the first and second side panels extending generally downward from the desktop and supporting the desktop above a floor; a drawer, the drawer being slidably connected with the desktop, the drawer sliding between retracted and extended positions, the drawer having a front end and an opposing back end and a drawer length defined between the opposing front and back ends, the desktop overlaying substantially the entire length of the drawer when the drawer is in the retracted position, the drawer extending away from the desktop to the front end in the extended position; a panel, the panel being hinged connected with the drawer, the panel extending along a portion of the drawer length, the panel hinging between closed and open positions, the panel extending generally upward from the first drawer in the open position and defining an easel.

2. The desk defined in claim 1 wherein the panel hinges about a pivot axis and the pivot axis is generally parallel with the length of the drawer.

3. The desk defined in claim 1 wherein the panel hinges about a pivot axis and the pivot axis defines an included angle with the length of the drawer.

4. A desk comprising: a desktop, the desktop having a front edge and an opposing back edge; opposing first and second side panels, the first and second side panels being spaced apart from one another, the first and second side panels extending generally downward from the desktop and supporting the desktop above a floor; a drawer, the drawer being slidably connected with the first side panel, the drawer sliding between retracted and extended positions, the drawer having a front end and an opposing back end and a drawer length defined between the opposing front and back ends, the drawer being substantially adjacent the first side panel when the drawer is in the retracted position, the drawer extending away from the first side panel to the front end in the extended position; a panel, the panel being hinged connected with the drawer, the panel extending along a portion of the drawer length, the panel hinging between closed and open positions, the panel extending generally upward from the first drawer in the open position and defining an easel.

5. The desk defined in claim 4 wherein the panel hinges about a pivot axis and the pivot axis is generally parallel with the length of the drawer.

6. The desk defined in claim 4 wherein the panel hinges about a pivot axis and the pivot axis defines an included angle with the length of the drawer.

7. A desk comprising: a work surface; a pedestal, the pedestal extending generally downward from the work surface, the pedestal supporting the work surface above a floor; a drawer, the drawer being slidably connected with the work surface, the drawer having a front end an opposing back end and a drawer length defined between the opposing front and back ends, the drawer being slidable between a retracted position, generally under the work surface, and an extended position, in which the drawer extends outward from the work surface to the front end; a panel, the panel being hingedly connected with the drawer, the panel extending along a portion of the drawer length, the panel hinging between closed and open positions, the panel extending generally upward from the first drawer in the open position and defining an easel.

8. The desk defined in claim 7 wherein the panel hinges about a pivot axis and the pivot axis is generally parallel with the length of the drawer.

9. The desk defined in claim 7 wherein the panel hinges about a pivot axis and the pivot axis defines an included angle with the length of the drawer.

10. In a desk having a work surface mounted on support members, the improvement comprising an easel mounted in a drawer positioned under the work surface on one side of an operator work position, the easel comprising a generally flat panel pivotally mounted on the drawer so as to be movable between a closed position, wherein the panel is folded into the drawer such that the drawer can be closed, and an open position, wherein the panel extends upwardly so as to be in position to support a work piece.

11. A desk according to claim 10 wherein the easel is pivotally mounted on an upper edge of an outer side panel of the drawer, such that the panel closes the top of the drawer when closed, an outer side of the easel serving as a writing surface when the easel is closed and the drawer is open.

12. A desk according to claim 10 wherein the easel in includes a rail at a lower inner side of the panel to support a work piece on the easel when the easel is open.

13. A desk according to claim 10 wherein the easel is rearwardly inclined when in the open position, with the pivotal movement of the easel being limited by a movement control mechanism that prevents the easel from pivoting outwardly past its open position.