Work surface, edge treatment and method for configuring work surface

Abstract

A steel two skin worksurface configuration is disclosed. The worksurface configuration includes a metallic core matrix including spaced coplanar top lands defining a first bearing surface of the core matrix and spaced coplanar bottom lands defining a second bearing surface parallel to the first bearing surface. A bridging structure connects the top lands and the bottom lands. The bridging structure has throughholes arranged around top lands and arranged inline between top lands and adjacent bottom lands. The bridging structure includes saddle shaped regions between adjacent top lands and between adjacent bottom lands. The worksurface configuration also includes a metallic top sheet bonded to the top lands, and a metallic bottom sheet bonded to the bottom lands. An edge treatment configuration having an edge channel that is bonded to a perimeter area of the bottom sheet is also disclosed. The edge channel receives various edge members. A system for mounting components, such as legs, to the worksurface configuration is also disclosed.

1 . A core matrix for a structural member, the core matrix comprising: 
 a first group of spaced coplanar lands defining a first bearing surface of the core matrix;    a second group of spaced coplanar lands defining a second bearing surface of the core matrix, the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface arranged in spaced apart relationship; and    a bridging structure connecting the first group of spaced coplanar lands and the second group of spaced coplanar lands, the bridging structure forming throughholes arranged around at least a subset of lands of the first group, at least a subset of the throughholes being arranged inline between lands of the first group and adjacent lands of the second group, and the bridging structure including curvilinear regions between adjacent lands of the first group.    
   
   
       2 . The matrix of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the matrix is metallic.    
   
   
       3 . The matrix of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the bridging structure includes saddle-shaped regions between adjacent lands of the first group.    
   
   
       4 . The matrix of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the bridging structure includes curvilinear regions between adjacent lands of the second group.    
   
   
       5 . The matrix of  claim 4  wherein: 
 the bridging structure includes saddle-shaped regions between adjacent lands of the first group, and saddle-shaped regions between adjacent lands of the second group.    
   
   
       6 . The matrix of  claim 1  wherein: 
 individual lands of the first group are dimensioned to have a larger area than individual lands of the second group.    
   
   
       7 . The matrix of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the lands of the first group are circular and the lands of the second group are circular.    
   
   
       8 . The matrix of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the throughholes are one of circular, oval and elliptical.    
   
   
       9 . The matrix of  claim 1  wherein: 
 four throughholes are arranged equally spaced around a perimeter of the lands of the first group, and    the four throughholes are arranged in-line between the lands of the first group and adjacent lands of the second group.    
   
   
       10 . The matrix of  claim 9  wherein: 
 an edge of each of the four throughholes touches a perimeter of the land of the first group.    
   
   
       11 . The matrix of  claim 10  wherein: 
 individual lands of the first group are dimensioned to have a larger area than individual lands of the second group.    
   
   
       12 . A structural member comprising: 
 (a) a core matrix including 
 (i) a first group of spaced coplanar lands defining a first bearing surface of the core matrix,  
 (ii) a second group of spaced coplanar lands defining a second bearing surface of the core matrix, the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface arranged in spaced apart relationship, and  
 (iii) a bridging structure connecting the first group of spaced coplanar lands and the second group of spaced coplanar lands, the bridging structure having throughholes arranged around at least a subset of lands of the first group, at least a subset of the throughholes being arranged inline between lands of the first group and adjacent lands of the second group,  
   (b) a first sheet member bonded to the first group of spaced coplanar lands; and    (c) a second sheet member bonded to the second group of spaced coplanar lands.    
   
   
       13 . The structural member of  claim 12  wherein: 
 the core matrix is metallic.    
   
   
       14 . The structural member of  claim 12  wherein: 
 the first sheet member is metallic.    
   
   
       15 . The structural member of  claim 12  wherein: 
 the second sheet member is metallic.    
   
   
       16 . The structural member of  claim 12  wherein: 
 the bridging structure includes curvilinear regions between adjacent lands of the first group.    
   
   
       17 . The structural member of  claim 12  for use as a top of a table wherein the table includes at least one leg member mounted to an undersurface of the second sheet member.  
   
   
       18 . The structural member of  claim 12  wherein: 
 the bridging structure includes curvilinear regions between adjacent lands of the second group.    
   
   
       19 . The structural member of  claim 12  wherein: 
 the first metallic sheet member includes a top surface layer comprising a material selected from ceramic coatings, polymeric coatings, laminates, and metallic coatings.    
   
   
       20 . The structural member of  claim 12  wherein: 
 individual lands of the first group are dimensioned to have a larger area than individual lands of the second group.    
   
   
       21 . The structural member of  claim 12  wherein: 
 the lands of the first group are circular and the lands of the second group are circular.    
   
   
       22 . The structural member of  claim 12  wherein: 
 the throughholes are one of circular, oval and elliptical.    
   
   
       23 . The structural member of  claim 12  wherein: 
 four throughholes are arranged equally spaced around the perimeter of the lands of the first group, and    the four throughholes are arranged in-line between the lands of the first group and adjacent lands of the second group.    
   
   
       24 . The structural member of  claim 12  further comprising: 
 at least one reinforcement bracket secured to an interior surface of the first metallic sheet and secured to an interior surface of the second metallic sheet, each reinforcement bracket extending through a throughhole.    
   
   
       25 . The structural member of  claim 12  wherein: 
 the first sheet member is one of adhered to and welded to the first group of coplanar lands, and    the second sheet member is one of adhered to and welded to the second group of coplanar lands.    
   
   
       26 . The structural member of  claim 25  wherein: 
 the first sheet member is adhered to the first group of coplanar lands, and    the second sheet member is welded to the second group of coplanar lands.    
   
   
       27 . An edge treatment configuration for the perimeter of a worksurface configuration, the edge treatment configuration comprising: 
 a back wall having oppositely facing first and second edges;    a first group of spaced apart tabs extending outwardly from the first edge of the back wall in a first direction; and    at least one extending member extending from at least one of the spaced apart tabs in the first group along a trajectory at least partially aligned with the back wall and generally away from the second edge.    
   
   
       28 . The edge treatment configuration of  claim 27  further comprising: 
 a second group of spaced apart tabs extending outwardly from the second edge of the back wall in the first direction, and    at least one extending member extending outwardly from at least one of the spaced apart tabs in the second group along a trajectory at least partially aligned with the back wall and generally away from the first edge.    
   
   
       29 . The edge treatment configuration of  claim 28  wherein: 
 the back wall forms notches between the tabs of the first group that extend from the first edge toward the second edge, and    the back wall forms notches between the tabs of the second group that extend from the second edge toward the first edge.    
   
   
       30 . The edge treatment configuration of  claim 28  wherein: 
 the first group of spaced apart tabs define a first planar bearing surface, and    the second group of spaced apart tabs define a second planar bearing surface spaced in a substantially parallel relationship with the first bearing surface.    
   
   
       31 . The edge treatment configuration of  claim 30  further comprising: 
 an edge member including a first finger member and a second finger member;    wherein each tab of the first group includes an inwardly spaced distal section opposite the back wall, the distal section of each tab of the first group being substantially parallel to the first bearing surface, the distal section of each tab of the first group at least in part defining first channel for receiving the first finger member; and    wherein each tab of the second group includes an inwardly spaced distal section opposite the back wall; the distal section of each tab of the second group being substantially parallel to the second bearing surface, the distal section of each tab of the second group at least in part defining a lower channel for receiving the second finger member.    
   
   
       32 . The edge treatment configuration of  claim 31  wherein: 
 the edge member includes a first outwardly extending flange that extends beyond the first bearing surface when the first finger member is received in the upper channel.    
   
   
       33 . The edge treatment configuration of  claim 32  wherein: 
 the edge member includes a second outwardly extending flange that extends beyond the second bearing surface when the second finger member is received in the lower channel.    
   
   
       34 . The edge treatment configuration of  claim 27  wherein: 
 the edge treatment configuration is formed from a metallic material.    
   
   
       35 . The edge treatment configuration of  claim 27  further comprising: 
 an edge member including a finger member, and    wherein each tab of the first group includes an inwardly spaced distal section opposite the back wall, the inwardly spaced distal section of the tab of the first group defining a region for receiving the finger member.    
   
   
       36 . The edge treatment configuration of  claim 35  wherein: 
 the edge member includes a second finger member, and    each tab of the second group including an inwardly spaced distal section opposite the back wall, the inwardly spaced distal section of the tabs of the second group defining a second region for receiving the second finger member.    
   
   
       37 . The edge treatment configuration of  claim 36  wherein: 
 the distal section of each of the tabs of the first group has at least one outwardly extending member for engaging the first finger member; and    the distal section of each of the tabs of the second group has at least one outwardly extending member for engaging the second finger member.    
   
   
       38 . The edge treatment configuration of  claim 36  wherein: 
 the distal section of each tab of the first group is of reduced width in relation to a proximal section of each tab of the first group adjacent the back wall, and    the distal section of each tab of the second group is of reduced width in relation to a proximal section of each tab of the second group adjacent the back wall.    
   
   
       39 . The edge treatment configuration of  claim 36  wherein: 
 the first finger member of the edge member is arranged in spaced substantially parallel relationship with respect to the second finger member of the edge member.    
   
   
       40 . The edge treatment configuration of  claim 27  wherein: 
 the back wall is flexible.    
   
   
       41 . The edge treatment configuration of  claim 27  wherein: 
 the outwardly extending member comprises a sharp barb.    
   
   
       42 . A worksurface configuration comprising: 
 a first sheet member;    a second sheet member arranged in spaced parallel relationship with respect to the first sheet member; and    the edge treatment configuration of  claim 27  mounted in a perimeter area between the first sheet member and the second sheet member.    
   
   
       43 . The worksurface configuration of  claim 42  wherein: 
 the first sheet member is formed from a metallic material.    
   
   
       44 . The worksurface configuration of  claim 43  wherein: 
 the second sheet member is formed from a metallic material.    
   
   
       45 . The worksurface configuration of  claim 44  wherein: 
 the edge treatment configuration is formed from a metallic material.    
   
   
       46 . A system for mounting a component to a worksurface configuration having first and second spaced apart sheets arranged to form an interior space in the worksurface configuration, the system comprising: 
 a spacer having a side wall and a flange extending away from an edge of the side wall of the spacer, the spacer being dimension to fit in the interior space in the worksurface configuration with the side wall extending between the first and second sheets and the flange contacting an interior surface of the second sheet; and    at least one fastener for mounting the component to the second sheet, the at least one fastener suitable for extending through the second sheet and engaging the flange of the spacer.    
   
   
       47 . The system of  claim 46  wherein: 
 the spacer includes a base wall transverse to the side wall, and    the spacer is dimensioned such that the base wall contacts the interior surface of the first sheet of the worksurface configuration.    
   
   
       48 . The system of  claim 46  wherein: 
 the flange extends outwardly from the edge of the side wall of the spacer.    
   
   
       49 . The system of  claim 46  wherein: 
 the spacer includes a base wall, four side walls extending laterally away from the base wall, each side wall terminating at its outer end in an outer edge of the spacer, and a flange extending outwardly from each outer edge of the spacer.    
   
   
       50 . The system of  claim 46  wherein: 
 the second sheet is a bottom sheet.    
   
   
       51 . The system of  claim 46  wherein: 
 the component is a leg.    
   
   
       52 . The system of  claim 46  wherein: 
 the system further comprises a mounting bracket attached to the component, the mounting bracket having holes for receiving the fastener, and    the flange has holes for receiving the fastener, the holes of the flange aligning with the holes in the bracket when the component is mounted to the worksurface configuration.    
   
   
       53 . The system of  claim 52  wherein: 
 the fastener is a screw.    
   
   
       54 . A method of manufacturing a structural member including a core matrix, the method comprising: 
 forming a blank of planar sheet metal, the formed blank having central sections and throughholes arranged around a perimeter of each central section, the central sections arranged in columns and rows; and    deforming the blank such that a first subset of the central sections in every other column and in every other row are used to form a first group of spaced coplanar lands at one side of the core matrix and such that a second subset of the central sections including central sections located between central sections from the first subset form a second group of spaced coplanar lands at an opposite side of the core matrix.    
   
   
       55 . The method of  claim 54  wherein: 
 the material of the cells is deformed such that a top plan view of the blank has the same perimeter dimensions as a top plan view of the core matrix.    
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 54  wherein: 
 individual lands of the first group are dimensioned to have a larger area than individual lands of the second group.    
   
   
       57 . The method of  claim 54  wherein: 
 the lands of the first group are circular and the lands of the second group are circular.    
   
   
       58 . The method of  claim 54  wherein: 
 the core matrix includes a saddle-shaped region between adjacent lands of the first group.    
   
   
       59 . The method of  claim 54  wherein: 
 the throughholes are one of circular, oval and elliptical.    
   
   
       60 . The method of  claim 54  wherein: 
 the central sections in the first subset are one of circular, oval and elliptical,    four throughholes are arranged equally spaced around the perimeter of the central sections in the first subset, and    the four throughholes are arranged on a line between the central sections in the first subset and the central sections in the second subset.    
   
   
       61 . The method of  claim 60  wherein: 
 an edge of each of the four throughholes touches the perimeter of the central sections in the first subset.    
   
   
       62 . The method of  claim 54  further comprising: 
 bonding a first metallic sheet to the first group of spaced coplanar lands.    
   
   
       63 . The method of  claim 62  further comprising: 
 bonding a second metallic sheet to the second group of spaced coplanar lands.    
   
   
       64 . The method of  claim 63  further comprising: 
 securing an edge channel to a perimeter area between the first sheet and the second sheet, the edge channel forming an outward opening.    
   
   
       65 . The method of  claim 64  further comprising: 
 inserting an edge member in the opening of the edge channel.    
   
   
       66 . The method of  claim 54  further comprising: 
 bonding a second metallic sheet to the second group of spaced coplanar lands;    securing at least one reinforcement bracket to an interior surface of the second metallic sheet, each reinforcement bracket extending through a throughhole; and    bonding a first metallic sheet to the first group of spaced coplanar lands and the reinforcement brackets.    
   
   
       67 . The method of  claim 54  further comprising: 
 welding a second metallic sheet to the second group of spaced coplanar lands;    securing an edge channel to a perimeter area of the second sheet, the edge channel forming an outward opening;    adhesively bonding a first metallic sheet to the first group of spaced coplanar lands and the edge channel; and    inserting an edge member in the opening of the edge channel.    
   
   
       68 . The method of  claim 67  wherein: 
 the edge channel includes a back wall, a first group of spaced apart tabs extending outwardly from a first edge of the back wall in a first direction, and a second group of spaced apart tabs extending outwardly from a second edge of the back wall in the first direction; and    the edge channel is secured to the perimeter area of the second sheet by inserting a welding tool between the tabs of the first group of spaced apart tabs and welding tabs of the second group of spaced apart tabs to the second metallic sheet.    
   
   
       69 . A method of manufacturing a worksurface configuration, the method comprising: 
 providing a core matrix including a first group of spaced coplanar lands at one side of the core matrix and a second group of spaced coplanar lands at an opposite side of the core matrix;    welding a second sheet to the second group of spaced coplanar lands; and    adhesively bonding a first sheet to the first group of spaced coplanar lands.    
   
   
       70 . The method of  claim 69  wherein: 
 the first sheet is formed from a metallic material.    
   
   
       71 . The method of  claim 69  wherein: 
 the second sheet is formed from a metallic material.    
   
   
       72 . The method of  claim 69  wherein: 
 the core matrix is formed from a metallic material.    
   
   
       73 . The method of  claim 69  wherein the step of providing a core matrix comprises: 
 forming a blank of planar sheet metal, the formed blank having central sections and throughholes arranged around a perimeter of each central section, the central sections forming columns and rows; and    deforming the blank such that a first subset of the central sections in every other column and in every other row are used to form a first group of spaced coplanar lands at one side of the core matrix and such that a second subset of the central sections including central sections located the central sections from the first subset form a second group of spaced coplanar lands at an opposite side of the core matrix.    
   
   
       74 . The method of  claim 69  further comprising: 
 securing an edge channel to a perimeter area of the second sheet before adhesively bonding a first sheet to the first group of spaced coplanar lands.    
   
   
       75 . The method of  claim 74  further comprising: 
 inserting an edge member in an opening in the edge channel.    
   
   
       76 . The method of  claim 74  wherein: 
 the edge channel includes a back wall, a first group of spaced apart tabs extending outwardly from a first edge of the back wall in a first direction, and a second group of spaced apart tabs extending outwardly from a second edge of the back wall in the first direction; and    the edge channel is secured to the perimeter area of the second sheet by inserting a welding tool between the tabs of the first group of spaced apart tabs and welding tabs of the second group of spaced apart tabs to the second metallic sheet.    
   
   
       77 . The method of  claim 76  further comprising: 
 mounting a plurality of spacers in an interior region between the first sheet and the second sheet, the spacers having a side wall and a flange extending away from an edge of the side wall of the spacer, the side wall extending between the first and second sheets; and    mounting support legs on the second sheet, each support leg being mounted with fasteners that engage the flange of a spacer.    
   
   
       78 . The method of  claim 77  wherein: 
 each spacer includes a top wall, at least one side wall extending downwardly from the top wall and terminating at its bottom in a lower edge of the spacer, and a flange extending outwardly from each lower edge of the spacer, and    the top wall of each spacer is adhesively bonded to the first metallic sheet and the lower flange of each spacer is welded to the second sheet.