Desk layout assembly, working space and method for the use of such a working space

Abstract

 A desk layout assembly having two or more workplace layouts, each for storing at least articles or aids within reach of one user at an associated workplace. At least one worktop unit for one user is positioned for use by a user at at least one of the workplaces. The number of worktop units is less than the number of workplace layouts. The desk layout assembly is equipped with a coupling structure for defining at least two positions, each associated with a workplace, of a worktop unit or worktop units which is or are coupled to the coupling structure or coupling structures, for use by a user at the associated one of the workplaces.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a desk layout assembly for a working space with different workplaces which are each equipped with an associated workplace layout for storing at least articles or aids within reach of one user at the workplace. The invention further relates to a working space and to a method for the use of such a working space.

[0002] The layout of offices with several workplaces in a working space typically comprises a workplace layout for each workplace. In such offices, normally, each user has a fixed workplace.

[0003] As a result of many office workers working part-time and/or working outside the office for a considerable part of their working hours, on average a considerable part of the workplaces remain unused. These part-time workers work for instance only three days a week, while the office where they work is open for instance five days a week. In such cases, therefore, working part-time has an adverse effect on the efficiency of the use of the area of the office.

[0004] As a solution to this problem, it is well known to arrange for individual users not to have fixed or virtually fixed workplaces, but to make use of different workplaces, so that at least a number of the workplaces are each used by different users at different times. For instance, there are offices where each one of a particular group of office users has his or her own mobile storage furniture unit for office requisites. In such offices, a user working by this principle can take the storage furniture unit belonging to him to a workplace still available within the office.

[0005] A disadvantage of this known solution to the problem is that it is often experienced as unpleasant to work one working day at one workplace and another working day at a different workplace. Another disadvantage is that all individual articles and aids need to be packed up and moved every time, and individualization of the workplace, both in a functional and in a decorative sense, is greatly hindered. Generally, workers find it more agreeable to work every working day at the same workplace where individual articles and aids, such as documents, computer equipment and personal belongings such as family pictures and the like, have a storage place, for instance partly in a (filing) cabinet and partly attached to a wall surface.

[0006] A further disadvantage of users working at different workplaces every time is that such users are more difficult to locate by others, in particular visitors not working in the working space in question.

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a solution which enables a more efficient use of office space while allowing users to have fixed workplaces.

[0008] This object is achieved according to the invention by providing a desk layout assembly according to claim 1. The invention can further be embodied in a working space according to claim 8, in which a desk layout assembly according to the invention is accommodated, as well as in a method according to claim 9, in which a desk layout assembly according to the invention is used.

[0009] As the number of worktop units each intended for use by one user is less than the number of workplaces for which workplace layouts are present, the space occupied by the worktops is limited, while yet each user can each time work at a fixed workplace and can work using the same workplace layout, apart from the worktop unit, by each time moving the worktop unit or units to the associated workplace or workplaces, depending on the presence of users. The coupling structure then provides that the worktop units can be connected only in fixed positions each associated with a workplace, and thereby provides that an orderly arrangement of the working space is preserved. The worktop units can each consist of a worktop intended for use by an individual user, but can also form part of a larger worktop with, for instance, worktop units (which may or may not merge without interruption) for two or more users, and may or may not be adapted to be uncoupled from the coupling structure.

[0010] Specific embodiments of the invention are laid down in the dependent claims.

[0011] In the following, the invention will be further elucidated with reference to the figures in the accompanying drawing.

[0012] Fig. 1 schematically shows a view in perspective of a desk layout assembly according to the invention.

[0013] Fig. 2 schematically shows in top plan view a similar desk layout assembly to that shown in Fig 1.

[0014] Figs. 1 and 2 show an example of a working space 4 according to the invention having therein a desk layout assembly 1 according to the invention. The desk layout assembly 1 according to this example comprises three mutually identical rectangular single-person worktops 2 each defining a worktop unit for use by one user at a time. Each worktop 2 is provided with a supporting leg 8 at each one of three corners. The supporting legs 8 may be provided at their lower ends with wheels which may or may not adapted to swivel. Further, the desk layout assembly 1 is provided with a guide 3 which is ring-shaped and arranged in the working space 4 in a horizontally fixed manner. Of each worktop 2, one corner is coupled to the guide part 3. According to this example, the corner in question is not provided with a supporting leg 8.

[0015] This coupling of the worktops 2 to the guide 3 can be realized in many ways, for instance with a set of wheels at the underside of the worktop 2, capable of rolling over the guide 3.

[0016] A pillar 9 of the desk layout assembly is fixedly connected with the floor and carries the guide 3 which surrounds the pillar 9 and is attached to the pillar 9 by means of supports.

[0017] According to this example, the height of the pillar 9 is greater than the height of the worktops 2, but it may also be less. Via the pillar 9, the corners of the worktops 2 where no leg 8 is situated are supported towards the floor. As the pillar 9 projects above the worktops 2, it is particularly suitable for carrying partitions 5, attached to the pillar 9, by which workplaces 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, situated at fixed locations, are at least partly separated from each other. A workplace is the fixed, normal place (for instance in front of a keyboard and display) where an individual user is present when performing activities at a desk or other worktop. Being "present" at the workplace may be considered to include, in addition to being seated, standing, or sitting on the desk and the like.

[0018] In addition to the partitions 5 situated above the worktops 2, the pillar further carries partitions 6 situated below the worktops, for further optical and acoustic mutual screening off of the workplaces. Of the four lower partitions 6, only two partitions 6 are visible in Fig. 1.

[0019] The lower partitions 6 each extend from a point closely above the floor of the working space 4 to a height closely under the worktops 2 and the guide 3, are attached to the pillar 9 along a vertical edge and project radially from the cylindrical pillar 9.

[0020] The upper partitions each extend upwards from a point closely above the worktops 2, are attached to the pillar 9 along a vertical edge and likewise extend radially (according to this example, each parallel to a subjacent lower partition 6) from the cylindrical pillar 9.

[0021] According to this example, the upper partitions 5 are identical in shape. This also holds for the lower partitions 6. The four upper partitions 5 as well as the four lower partitions 6 project from the pillar 9 at 90° angles relative to each other. Accordingly, the upper partitions 5 and the lower partitions 6 partly separate four single-person workplaces 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d from each other within the working space 4.

[0022] It is noted that according to the invention various other combinations of the number of worktops 2 and the number of workplaces are possible. For instance, it is possible, for four workplaces, to use two instead of three worktops 2. But other combinations are also possible, such as, for instance, 2:1, 3:2, 5:4, 5:3, 6:5, 6:4, and so forth, the first number being the number of workplaces and the second number being the number of worktops 2. Further, instead of worktops 2 of rectangular shape, worktops 2 of various other shapes can be used.

[0023] Each of the workplaces 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d is equipped with a workplace layout which, in this example, in each case consists of the sides 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d of two of the upper partitions 5 that face the respective workplace, which serve as carrier for a computer display 10 and network connections (not shown) and to which personal documents and decorations can be attached; the sides 16a, 16b, 16d of two of the lower partitions 6 that face the respective workplace, and a storage provision 7 in the form of a storage furniture unit. This storage furniture unit can be, for instance, a chest of drawers. In this example, this storage furniture unit has been placed on the floor of the working space 4 against a lower partition 6. Optionally, the storage furniture unit 7 may also be attached to the lower partition 6. The storage furniture unit 7 does not extend higher than the upper side of the lower partition 6. Any necessary cables can be hidden from view in that they run via the interior of the upper partitions 5 or raceways in and via the interior of the pillar 9 to, for instance, a ceiling or floor of the working space 4.

[0024] As the three worktops 2 are guidably connected with the ring-shaped guide 3 surrounding the pillar 9, and the worktops 2 and the guide 3 do not reach above the lower edges of the upper partitions 5 and do not reach below the upper edges of the lower partitions 6, the worktops 2 are rotatable about the pillar 9, passing between the partitions 5, 6. Accordingly, each of the three worktops 2 can be guided from each of the workplaces 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d to an adjacent workplace 4a, 4b, 4c or 4d. Thus, the worktops 2 are exchangeable between the different workplaces 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d. To clarify the path that a worktop 2 travels during displacement from one workplace to the next, Fig. 1 shows a frontmost worktop 2 in the view of the figure, which is in a position in the path between a position associated with the workplace 4b and a position associated with the workplace 4c, with a portion of the worktop 2 being situated between a lower partition 6 and an upper partition 5.

[0025] Fig. 2 shows in top plan view the situation where in positions associated with three workplaces 4a, 4b and 4c in each case one worktop 2 is present. In the position associated with the workplace 4d, no worktop 2 is present, and the broken lines indicate a position 11 to which one of the three worktops 2 guidably connected with the guide part 3 can be guided.

[0026] Now follows a description of how the desk layout assembly 1 can for instance be used by for instance four users A, B, C and D of an office. It is assumed in this example that of these four users, in each case at most three are present simultaneously. It is further assumed that each of the four users in each case uses the same workplace. User A works exclusively at workplace 4a, user B works exclusively at workplace 4b, user C works exclusively at workplace 4c and user D works exclusively at workplace 4d.

[0027] On a working day, or a part thereof, on which only the users A, B and C of the four users mentioned are present, the arrangement of the three worktops 2 of the desk layout assembly 1 is as shown in Fig. 2. Each of the users A, B and C present then disposes of his or her own worktop 2 in a position associated with the workplace assigned to him or her. If during another working day, or a part thereof, only the users A, B and D of the four users mentioned are present, the worktop 2 which is in the position associated with the workplace 4c can be rotated to the position 11 associated with the workplace 4d, so that it can be used by a user who is present at workplace 4d. In this way, in each case, every user present can dispose of a worktop 2 which he or she can use at his or her own workplace.

[0028] In this example, it may sometimes be necessary to move two of the three worktops 2 from a given workplace to an adjacent workplace. This is for instance the case when of the four users mentioned, only the users A, C and D are present, with the three worktops 2 still arranged as shown in Fig. 2. In this case, for instance, first the worktop 2 situated in the position associated with the workplace 4c can then be pivoted to the workplace 4d, so that in the position associated with the workplace 4c no worktop 2 is present anymore, whereupon the worktop 2 situated in the position associated with the workplace 4b can be pivoted to the position associated with workplace 4c. Also, as an alternative to these two clockwise displacements of worktops 2, first the worktop 2 situated in the position associated with the workplace 4a can be moved to the workplace 4d, followed by a displacement of the worktop 2 situated at the workplace 4b to the workplace 4a.

[0029] In this way, each of the users A, B, C and D can each time utilize the same single-person workplace in the working space 4. Moreover, individual requisites can be left in a storage in or near this workplace, according to this example in a storage 7, or on one of the upper partitions 5. Further, efficient use is made of the working space 4 in that the number of worktops 2 is less than the number of workplaces 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d.

[0030] Worktops occupy relatively much space, so that a saving on the number of worktops entails a considerable saving of space. In addition, there are standards for minimum floor area per workplace based on the number of worktops disposed in the working space. Through limitation of the number of worktops, a lesser floor area will suffice to meet these standards.

[0031] As the worktops 2 are movable relative to the workplace layouts between fixed positions defined by coupling structure 3 and each associated with a workplace 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, an accurate positioning of the worktops 2 is very simple to carry out and preservation of an orderly arrangement of the working space after displacement of one or more worktops is ensured. Optionally, the worktops 2 can also be adapted to be simply uncoupled, so that they can also be moved, for instance, to workplaces at another pillar.

[0032] As the worktops are moreover coupled to a guide 3 which limits movability to a movability between workplaces, displacement is further facilitated. By making detachment of the guide more difficult or impossible, removal of worktops from the working space 4 can be prevented.

[0033] Within the framework of the present invention, many other embodiments than the examples described above are conceivable. Thus, for instance, the worktops 2 can be connected with the guide 3 through various parts and in various ways.

[0034] Displacement of the worktops 2 relative to the workplace layouts can also be realized by disposing the worktops at fixed positions and moving the workplace layouts, for instance by designing the pillar 9 with the partitions 5 and/or 6 attached thereto to be rotatable about its axis. While this does not provide the advantage that all individual users of an office can always work at the same place in the working space 4, it does offer the advantage that the place changes little and that each user in each case has his or her "own" workplace layout available.

[0035] Also, both the worktops 2 and the pillar 9 can be rotatable in the working space 4, independently of each other. Further, it is possible to design the desk layout assembly with a guide part that is not ring-shaped but, for instance, substantially rectilinear. In the latter case, for instance a straight guide rail can be attached to a wall, for instance designed with side partitions, so that the worktops 2 can be guided rectilinearly along the wall. These and similar modifications fall within the framework of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A desk layout assembly, comprising:

at least two workplace layouts, each associated with one separate workplace (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) for storing at least articles or aids within reach of one user at the workplace (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) associated with that workplace layout,

at least one worktop unit (2) for one user, positioned for use by a user at at least one of the workplaces (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d), the number of the at least one worktop unit (2) being less than the number of the workplace layouts, and

at least one coupling structure (3) for defining at least two positions, each associated with a workplace (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d), of the at least one worktop unit (2) coupled to the at least one coupling structure (3), for use by a user at the associated workplace (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d).

2. A desk layout assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one coupling structure (3) is designed as a guide (3) for guiding displacement of the at least one worktop unit (2) relative to the workplace layouts between at least one of the positions for use by a user at one of the workplaces (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) and at least one other one of the positions for use by a user at one other one of the workplaces (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d).

3. A desk layout assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the workplace layouts comprise at least one partition (5, 6) separating the workplaces (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) at least partly from each other.

4. A desk layout assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the workplace layouts each comprise associated furniture (7) with storage space.

5. A desk layout assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a pillar (9), wherein the guide (3) is arranged for guiding pivoting of the at least one worktop unit (2) about the pillar (9) and wherein the workplace layouts are situated in a relative position displaced in a circumferential sense about the pillar (9).

6. A desk layout assembly according to claim 5, wherein the guide comprises a guide ring (3) around the pillar (9).

7. A desk layout assembly according to at least claim 3 and claim 5 or 6, wherein the pillar (9) supports the at least one partition (5, 6).

8. A working space comprising at least two workplaces (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) and a desk layout assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the number of workplaces (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) associated with said desk layout assembly (1) is greater than the number of the at least one worktop unit (2).

9. Use of a working space (4), comprising:

at least workplaces (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) each with an associated workplace layout for storing at least articles or aids within reach of one user at that workplace (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d);

at least one worktop unit (2) for one user, positioned for use by a user at at least one of the workplaces (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d), the number of the at least one worktop unit (2) being less than the number of the workplaces (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d), and

at least one coupling structure (3) for defining at least two positions, each associated with a workplace (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d), of the at least one worktop unit (2) coupled to the at least one coupling structure (3), for use by a user at the associated workplace (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d),

   wherein in each case at most a number of the at least one workplace (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) equal to the number of the at least one worktop unit (2) is or are used, and
   wherein prior to the use of another one of the workplaces (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) the at least one worktop unit (2) is moved from a position for use by a user at one of the workplaces (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) to a position for use by a user at another one of the workplaces (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d).

Drawing