KNOCK DOWN DESK OR BENCH

Abstract

A light weight knock down desk or bench in which the various components of the desk or bench are assembled together without the use of tools or fasteners. The various components are flat panels or panel like members, some of which include integrally formed hooks or tabs extending from their edges and some include slots for receiving such hooks or tabs to interlock said components. Preferably the components include end panels, a vertical cross member having integral hook members extending from each end, a horizontal cross member having integral tabs extending from each end and a top work surface panel having tabs extending from each end. The integral extending hooks and tabs engage appropriately located slots in the end panels.

Description

FIELD AND BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to the field or knock down desks or benches. Knock down products are shipped as separate components which are then assembled by the consumer. They are assembled using simple tools and fasteners such as screws, bolts, or variations thereof.

Publication No. U.S. Pat. No. 10,334,943 B2 titled “Table with retractable power cables,” discusses a table for concealing one or more power adapters, in this reference, a table comprising a frame, a tab and slot joinery inter-engage with different components, a stretcher panel analogous to the vertical support, tabletop (work surface) flip-over on either side.

Publication No. U.S. Pat. No. 10,278,490 B1 titled “Portable table assembly,” discusses a portable table assembly for indoor and outdoor use. In this reference, a portable table assembly comprising tabletop, elongated horizontal rails, and pair of end panels interlocks with inter-engaging slots.

Publication No. U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,450 A titled “Tote-table,” discusses a combined table and bench assembly. In this reference, table and bench assembly comprising tabletop, center support (horizontal cross support), and interlocking notch with various components engaging are discussed.

Publication No. U.S. Pat. No. 5,644,995 A titled “Rapidly assembled and disassembled portable table, work bench, or the like,” discusses a portable table with rapidly assembled and disassembled. In this reference, portable table comprising tabletop, horizontal cross support, and components with inter-engaging slot assembly are discussed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a light weight knock down desk or bench in which the various components of the desk or bench are assembled together without the use of tools or fasteners. The various components are flat panels or panel like members, some of which include integrally formed hooks or tabs extending from their edges and some include slots for receiving such hooks or tabs to interlock said components. Preferably the components include end panels, a vertical cross member having integral hook members extending from each end, a horizontal cross member having integral tabs extending from each end and a top work surface panel having tabs extending from each end. The integral extending hooks and tabs engage appropriately located slots in the end panels.

In one preferred embodiment, the end panels have upwardly opening notches in their top edges for receiving tabs extending from the ends of the work surface panel. In this way, the work surface panel can be easily removed, reversed, and replaced so that different typed of work surfaces can be presented to the user.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the Description of the Preferred Embodiments, appended drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vertical, cross member 20 being assembled to an end panel 10;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a horizontal cross member 30 being added to the assembly of FIG. 1:

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a top work surface member 40 being added to the assembly of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a second end panel 10 being added to the assembly of FIG. 3 to complete a desk 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of assembled desk 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment desk 2 having “I” shaped end panels and a top 40 having an accessory groove therein;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a partially assembled desk having end panels 10b with upwardly opening notches in its upper edge;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a top work surface member being assembled to the assembly of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the fully assembled alternative embodiment desk 3; and

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of a reversable top work surface panel having accessory groove in each their respective work surfaces.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the preferred embodiments, the panels or panel like components of the desk or bench are made from sheets of a wood instead of a composite material. All of the components are thus flat panels or panel like members. Composites are heavier than wood. Preferably the wood used is Baltic Birch Plywood. The term “panel like” component or member refers to the fact that a component is made from flat sheet material, though it may have a configuration that would not normally be considered a “panel.”

Three, alternative embodiment desks 1-3 are disclosed, all having the same basic components, but with variations in some of the components. By “mixing and matching” the varying components, further variations in desks 1, 2 or 3 can be obtained. The various components and features are numbered in the drawings and description as indicated in the following parts list:

PARTS LIST

• End panels 10, 10 and 10b
  • Slots 11 or notches 11a for receiving top panel tabs 42
  • Slots 12 for receiving tabs 32 of horizontal cross supports 30
  • Vertical slots 13 for receiving projecting integral hooks 21 on vertical cross piece
• Vertical cross support and panel connector 20
  • Projecting hooks 21
  • Projecting tab 22
• Horizontal cross support panel 30 for stability
  • hand hold opening 31
  • end tabs 32
  • tab receiving slot 33
• Top panel or work surface member 40, 40a, 40b, or 40c
  • Accessory groove 41 for holding pencils, computer tablets or reference materials
  • End tabs 42
• Locking pegs 50

Desk 1 is made of two rectangular end panels 10, a vertical cross support 20, horizontal cross support panel 30 and top panel or “work surface member” 40 (FIGS. 1-5). Each end panel 10 includes two slots 11 near the top edge thereof for receiving the two top panel tabs 42 integral with and projecting from the end of and in the plane of top panel/work surface member 40 (FIG. 3). Two smaller slots 12 are located in end panel 10 somewhat below slots 11. These are for receiving integral tabs 32 of horizontal cross support panel 30. Finally, each panel 10 includes centrally located vertical slots 13, one located above the other, for receiving projecting integral hooks 21 on vertical cross piece member 20.

A flat panel like vertical cross connector 20 includes a pair of hooks 21 integral with and in the plane of said connector 20, at each end thereof (FIG. 1). Hooks 21 hook into slots 13 of each end panel and serve to lock the spaced end panels 10 together. Cross support/connector member also provides support for horizontal cross panel 30 and includes a top tab 22 which engages slot 33 in horizontal support panel 30.

Horizontal cross support panel 30 includes two tabs 32 projecting from each end thereof (FIG. 2). Tabs 32 are integral with and in the plane of horizontal support panel 30. These tabs fit into slots 12 on spaced end panels 10. Horizontal cross support panel also includes a centrally located slot 33 into which top tab 22 of vertical cross support is inserted when horizontal panel 30 is in place. Panel 30 also includes a hand hold opening 31, located between slot 33 and the front or back edge of panel 30.

Horizontal cross support panel 30 is multifunctional. It provides: (1) strength and stability to the unit, (2) it connects and locks the spaced end panels 10 together, it provides a storage shelf underneath the top work surface 40, and (4) a hand hold whereby the assembled desk or bench 1 can be lifted and moved.

Top panel 40 provides the work surface for desk or bench 1 (FIGS. 3, 4). It includes two tabs 42 projecting from each end, which are integral with and in the plane of top panel 40. In assembly, tabs 42 project into slots 11 near the top edge of each of the end panels 10. Preferably, top panel 40 is provided with a decorative upper work surface, or a chalk board surface, or a dry erase writing surface.

While a customer might find various ways to assemble the components of desk or bench 1, FIGS. 1-4 provide a convenient order as numbered. Cross support 20 is hooked into vertical slots 13 of a first end panel 10 (FIG. 1). Horizontal cross support panel 30 is assembled next by having its projecting end tabs 32 slid into slots 12 in end panel 10, and then its slot 33 lowered down over tab 22 of vertical support 20 (FIG. 2). The projecting end tabs 42 of top panel 40 are slid into slots 11 of an end panel 10 (FIG. 3). Finally, the various hooks and tabs at the other end of the assembly are inserted into a second panel 10 (FIG. 4), resulting in the assembled desk 1 (FIG. 5). Locking peg 50 is shown in FIG. 5 inserted into slot 13 from the outside of panel 10, after book 21 is in position in slot 13. This locks vertical cross support member in place.

FIG. 6-h 8 discloses an alternative desk 2 and alternative desk 3 having “I” shaped end panels 10a. Since end panels 10a are narrower front to back than end panels 10, the tabs 42 on top panel 40a are spaced closer together. As a result, top panel 40a projects outwardly a bit from between end panels 10a. Desk 2 also differs from desk 1 in that an accessory groove 41 is provided in the work surface of top panel 40a. Preferably, groove 41 is sufficiently deep that it can accommodate pencils and the like, but also such that it can receive a computer tablet and hold it upright in groove 41.

FIGS. 7 and 8 disclose a desk 3 variation from either desk 1 or 2, which accommodates the use of a reversable top panel 40b. Specifically, end panels 10b include upwardly opening notches 11a at the top edge of the panel, in place of slots 11. This facilitates the use of a top panel 40b having two different work surfaces located on the opposite surfaces of panel 40a. The open notches 11a allow tabs 42 on top panel 40b to be simply lowered into or lifted out of notches 11a when the user wants to use either of the alternative work surfaces. (As shown, the end panels 10b are of the “I” shaped type but could also be either the rectangular type panel 10 or the “X” shaped type panel 10c shown in FIG. 1.)

Preferably top 40b is optionally provided with a chalk board surface on one side and a dry erase writing surface on the other. Both sides include the accessory groove 41, but, they are offset from one another in order to accommodate the required depth for the grooves 41 to support a tablet computer in an upright position (FIG. 10).

Alternative desk 4 is like desks 1 and 2, except that it includes “X” shaped end panels 10c, and its top panel 40c is provided with a hand hold opening 42 adjacent one of the lateral edges of top panel 40c. The variations in component features can be varied in other ways to create other variations in the overall design of the knock-down desk or work bench.

Claims

1. A light weight knock down desk or bench in which the various components of the desk or bench are assembled together without the use of tools or fasteners, said desk or bench consisting essentially of: flat panels or panel like members, at least some of which include integrally formed hooks or tabs extending from their edges; at least some of which include slots for receiving said hooks or tabs to interlock said components for assembling said desk or bench.

2. The desk or bench of claim 1 in which said components include: end panels; a vertical cross member having integral hook members extending from each end; a horizontal cross member having integral tabs extending from each end; a top work surface panel having integral tabs extending from each end; said end panels including appropriately located openings for receiving said integral extending hooks and said integral extending tabs.

3. The desk or bench of claim 2 in which: said end panels have top edges and upwardly opening notches in said top edges for receiving said integral tabs extending from said ends of said work surface panel, whereby said work surface panel can be easily which allow said integrally formed tabs on said top work surface panel to be simply lowered into or lifted out of said notches.

4. The desk or bench of claim 3 in which said top work surface panel is a reversable top panel having two different work surfaces located on the opposite surfaces of said panel, whereby said top work surface panel can be simply lowered into or lifted out of said notches and reversed, and replaced in said notches so that different types of work surfaces can be presented to the user depending on which work surface side is facing upwardly.

5. The desk or bench of claim 3 in which both said work surface sides of said top work surface panel include an accessory groove; said accessory grooves being offset from one another in order to accommodate the required depth for the grooves to support a tablet computer in an upright position.

6. The desk or bench of claim 5 in which said work surface panel has a chalk board work surface on one side and a dry erase writing work surface on the other.

7. The desk or bench of claim 3 in which: said top work surface panel includes lateral edges and includes a hand hold opening adjacent one of said lateral edges of top panel to facilitate lifting said top work surface panel out of said out of said upwardly opening notches in said end panels.

8. A light weight knock down desk or bench in which the various components of the desk or bench are assembled together without the use of tools or fasteners, said desk or bench consisting essentially of: two end panels, a vertical cross support including integral hooks projecting from the ends thereof, a horizontal cross support panel and top work surface panel; said top work surface panel including two ends, with two integral tabs projecting from said ends in the plane thereof; each said end panel includes top edges and includes two slots near said top edge thereof for receiving said two top work surface panel tabs; said horizontal cross support panel including two ends, each including at least one integral tab projecting there from and in the plane thereof; each said end panel including at least one slot located somewhat below said top edges such that said horizontal cross support in an assembled desk or bench is located spaced from and below said top work surface panel; each said end panel including centrally located vertical slots, one located above the other, for receiving said projecting integral hooks on said vertical support.

9. The desk or bench of claim 9 in which said end panels are “X” shaped.

10. A light weight knock down desk or bench in which the various components of the desk or bench are assembled together without the use of tools or fasteners, said desk or bench consisting essentially of: “I” shaped end panels; a horizontal cross support panel and top work surface panel positioned above said cross horizontal support panel; said horizontal cross member having integral tabs extending from each end; said top work surface panel having integral tabs extending from each end; said “I” shaped end panels including appropriately located openings for receiving said integral extending tabs from said cross horizontal support panel and said top work surface panel; said “I” shaped end panels being vertically narrower front to back than said top work surface panel whereby said top work surface panel projects outwardly at least beyond said front or back of said “I” shaped end panels.

11. The desk or bench of claim 10 in which said appropriately located openings in said “I” shaped end panels for receiving said integrally formed tabs on the ends of said top work surface are upwardly opening notches at the top edge of said “I” shaped end panels which allow said integrally formed tabs on said top work surface panel to be simply lowered into or lifted out of said notches.

12. The desk or bench of claim 11 in which said top work surface panel is a reversable top panel having two different work surfaces located on the opposite surfaces of said panel, whereby said top work surface panel can be simply lowered into or lifted out of said notches and inverted when the user wants to use either of the alternative work surfaces.

13. The desk or bench of claim 12 in which said top work surface panel is provided with a chalk board surface on one, side and a dry erase writing surface on the other.

14. The desk or bench of claim 12 in which both of said work surfaces on said top work surface panel sides include an accessory groove, but they are offset from one another in order to accommodate the required depth each of said accessory groove to support a tablet computer in an upright position.

15. A light weight knock down desk or bench in which the various components of the desk or bench are assembled together without the use of tools or fasteners, said desk or bench consisting essentially of: two end panels; a top work surface panel; said top work surface panel including two ends, with two integral tabs projecting from said ends in the plane thereof; said end panels including top edges and upwardly opening notches at said top edges which allow said integrally formed tabs on said top work surface panel to be simply lowered into or lifted out of said notches.

16. The desk or bench of claim 15 in which said top work surface panel is a reversable top panel having two different work surfaces located on the opposite surfaces of said panel, whereby said top work surface panel can be simply lowered into or lifted out of said notches and inverted and replaced in said notches when the user wants to use either of the alternative work surfaces.

17. The desk or bench of claim 16 in which said top work surface panel is provided with a chalk board surface on one side and a dry erase writing surface on the other.

18. The desk or bench of claim 16 in which both of said work surfaces on said top work surface panel sides include an accessory groove, but they are offset from one another in order to accommodate the required depth each of said accessory groove to support a tablet computer in an upright position.

19. The desk or bench of claim 6 in which: said top work surface panel includes lateral edges and includes a hand hold opening adjacent one of said lateral edges of top panel to facilitate lifting said top work surface panel out of said out of said upwardly opening notches in said end panels.

20. The desk or bench of claim 16 in which said components also include: a vertical cross member having integral hook members extending from each end; a horizontal cross member having integral tabs extending from each end; said end panels including appropriately located openings for receiving said integral extending hooks of said vertical cross member and said integral extending tabs of said horizontal cross member.

21. The desk or bench of claim 20 which also include locking pegs for locking said integral hooks in place when they have been hooked into their said openings in said end panels, said locking pegs being inserted into said openings after said integral hooks are in place, thereby preventing said integral hooks from being removed from said openings unless said locking pegs are removed first.