Office furniture construction

US5791751A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Steelcase Inc. · US

Inventors

• Peter Meyer · Beverungen, DE
• Mitchell Clark · Alexandria, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 31, 1996
• Grant date: Aug 11, 1998
• Expiry date: May 31, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A47B17/065
• WIPO field: Furniture, games
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

An office furniture construction includes a desk having a primary work surface and a service unit mounted over the work surface including an overhead bookshelf and side located supports for supporting the overhead bookshelf. A work table is pivoted to the worksurface for horizontal movement between an inwardly pivoted position for use by the primary user, and an outwardly pivoted position for providing an open arrangement conducive for conferencing by a group of workers. The office system further includes a bifolding security door movably attached to the service unit for articulated movement between a storage position located generally under the overhead bookshelf, and a closed secured position covering a front edge of the work surface that prevents access to the primary work area. By using the security door, a primary user is able to leave confidential papers spread out on the primary work surface between work sessions, but is able to secure the papers from view by other workers even when the other workers use the table, such as when the primary user is gone.