This invention relates to dealer desking and it particularly relates to such desking providing multiple dealer stations.

Modern financial dealing is heavily dependent upon telecommunications eguipment, computer-driven information services and the like; both to present information to the dealers, usually by way of a series of monitors or display screens accessed and controlled by keyboards and complex multi-line telephone PABX systems for communication with outside organisations.

Within any one organisation, the dealers operate in large rooms so that they directly see and talk to one another. They sit in to either side of elongate desking that is often purpose-built to accommodate given equipment and numbers of dealer stations. The pace of development in dealing is such that additional or different monitors, telecommunication and computing equipment are often required and these have to be "tacked-on" to the existing desks; which do not provide for change. Consequently, monitors are often dangerously piled upon top of one another on the desks, blocking dealer-to- dealer vision and with little or no regard to the ventilation requirements of the equipment. Also, valuable desk space is taken up by additional keyboards, telephone and other equipment.

It is an object of the present invention to provide adaptable dealer desking that can readily be rearranged or

reconfigured but which appears to be purpose-built.

United States Patent Specification No. 113331 (Derdzinski et al) discloses a modular console system for housing display devices, panel-mounted apparatus, storage facilities, writing surfaces and the like comprising interchangeable parts which can be assembled or replaced on site, writing surfaces are added or removed from the front and are cantilevered from a V-shaped structural member. European Patent Specification No.0071913 A2 (Herman Miller, Inc.) discloses a work surface support system for modular laboratory furniture, and is directed towards a common support means that includes a hollow vertical leg, a bracket member and means for securing one portion of the leg to the bracket member. United States Patent Specification No.4705327 (Bollman) discloses a multi- adjustable, multi-functional work station system which includes vertically-extending support means adjustable at a plurality of horizontal and angular positions with respect to the vertical axis of the support means, accessory means are attached to a connector means which is adjustably coupled to track means located within the support means. None of these documents relates to or mentions dealer desking.

According to the present invention, adaptable dealer desking comprises a horizontally elongate framework, a continuous, horizontally-extending upper surface fixed to the framework and a continuous, horizontally-extending lower, desk surface fixed to the framework, the framework being arranged to provide a continuous, horizontally, obstruction-free zone between the upper surface and the lower desk surface and

interchangeable modules, for differing functions, are mounted side-by-side to fill the horizontal zone, a given arrangement of modules defining a dealer station; whereby the desking can readily be reconfigured by rearrangement and/or substitution of modules to provide differing numbers or arrangements of stations.

None of the above-referred documents discloses such an elongate horizontal zone, let alone the provision of interchangeable modules filling the zone; to provide adaptable dealer desking that, in appearance, is indistinguishable from purpose-built dealer desking.

In an embodiment of the invention, the desk surface is offset transversely to the upper surface with the outside edge of the upper surface generally vertically within the inside edge of the desk surface; the modules being slideable lengthwise of the horizontal zone and supported on the framework to bridge between the upper and desk surfaces. The modules may be supported on the framework beneath the level of the desk surface and be configured to be mountable only by lengthwise insertion into the horizontal zone.

In another embodiment of the present invention, two desk surfaces are provided one to either side of the upper surface; each desk surface being supported by cantilevers extending sideways outwardly from the framework.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the framework comprises upright posts, to be fixed to a floor, transverse cross-pieces and longitudinal stringers; the upper surface being supported on center posts, upper cross-pieces

and upper stringers.

In a still further embodiment, the modules are each supported on pairs of longitudinal battens carried by middle cross-pieces; the position of the middle cross-pieces and the depth of the battens being such that the tops of the battens are lower than the desk surfaces.

In a still further embodiment of the present invention, longitudinal tracks are attached to the upper part of the framework and pivotable monitor stands are slideably carried by the track.

The above and other features of the present invention are illustrated, by way or example in the Drawings, wherein:-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of dealer desking in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the desking of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a telephone pad module for the desking of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a shelf or bin module;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a cable outlet module; and.

Fig. 6 is a detail side elevation of an embodiment of the dealer desking of Fig. 1.

As shown, multiple-station dealer desking 10 consists of a steel framework 12 to be fixed to the floor of a dealing room. The framework has a longitudinally extending series of four transversely aligned upright posts 14,16,18,20; transversely linked by upper 22, middle 23 and lower 26 cross-pieces and connected lengthwise by longitudinal stringers 33.

Frame pieces 24 extend outwardly from middle cross-pieces

23 and outside uprights 14 or 20 to form cantilever supports for one of two horizontal, longitudinally continuous, wooden desk surfaces 28, 30.

The center pair of uprights 16,18 extend above the outside uprights and are linked by upper cross-pieces 22 and stringers 33 to support a central, horizontal, longitudinally continuous, wooden upper surface 32.

A cable tray 36 is carried by the center section of the lower cross-pieces 26, plug panels 36 extend longitudinally and are vertically attached to uprights 16,18, to either side of the cable tray and provide for termination of the cables and connection of electronic and telecommunication equipment for dealer use. Vertical trim panels 39 are attached to cross-pieces 23,26 to mask the cable tray and plug panel.

The uprights, cross-pieces and stringers are arranged to leave horizontally-extending, obstruction free zones 31 (one to either side of the desking) under the upper surface and between the outside edges 35 of the upper surface 32 and the inside edges 29 of the desk surfaces 28,30. These zones 31 receive modules 42,44,46; each constructed to perform different functions necessary to dealer desking.

The modules rest on pairs of longitudinal, wooden battens 34, carried by the middle cross-pieces 23 to either side of the center section. The modules are shaped and sized so that they each fill the space between upper surface outside edges 35 and desk surface inside edges 29 and to only be insertable into the zone longitudinally of the desking; i.e. the modules

cannot simply be inserted or removed transversely of the desking.

Module 44 (Fig.3) is a telephone communication pad, the front face 48 of which is angled to run from outside upper edge 35 down to inside desk edge 29. The pad's body or chassis rests on a packing piece 46 which is carried by battens 34 and which sets the height of the module in the frame.

Module 42 (Fig. 4) is an open-fronted bin forming a shelf in the desking and is sized to store computer print-out or a computer keyboard, when not in use. The bin bottom 50 is arranged flush with the desk surface 28 or 30 and the front edges of the bin sides 51 are again angled to run between outside upper edge 35 and inside edge 29. This module can rest directly on the battens 34.

Module 40 (Fig.5) has grommeted ports 52,54 in its angled front face 49 for cabling; such as for telephone handsets, keyboards, calculators etc. This module requires a packing piece 56, having an aperture 58 for the cables.

The overall height of the desking has been chosen so that monitors or displays 60 can stand on the upper surface 32 such that the tops of the monitors are below the eye level of dealers seated at the desking stations; this is very important for direct dealer-to-dealer communication. Monitor cable holes 61 are provided in the upper surface.

In an embodiment shown by Fig.6, the monitors 60 are carried by pivotable stands 62 that can slide in longitudinal tracks 64 attached to the upper part of the framework 12.

The upper surface 32 is longitudinally split, each side of the central portion being supported by a longitudinal batten 66 and the outside edge portions 35 are supported by a T-section brackets 68 attached to the stringers 33 that link the center uprights 16,18.

There are two tracks, one to either side of the desking. Each track is of C-shaped channel section with a plate 70 longitudinally slideable in the track and having an upstanding internally threaded socket 72 to receive a complementary threaded post 74 that is pivoted to the stand 62. The overall height of the stands are kept as low as possible so as to maintain dealer-to-dealer visibility across the desking.

In either embodiment, a wide range and number of monitors can be accommodated. Free standing filing cabinets and the like can be positioned beneath the desk surfaces.

It is a simple operation to reconfigure or rearrange dealer stations along the desking; modules are easy to remove and replace and the cabling is controlled, tidy and readily accessible. The dealer desking of the present invention can readily be adapted to different situations by rearrangement of the modules and/or by the provision of new modules to meet changing circumstances of dealing and the introduction of new equipment.