IP Library Granted Patent US 11,284,712
Granted Patent B2
US 11,284,712 · App. 16/997,637 · Granted Mar 29, 2022

Cantilevered desk and components and method for the use thereof

Inventors: John Allen (Grand Rapids, MI); Matthew Buist (Grand Rapids, MI); Colin Cote (Quebec, CA); Megan Grygiel (Wyoming, MI); Bradley Youngs (Byron Center, MI); Bryan Wahlfield (Grand Rapids, MI)
Assignee: STEELCASE INC.
A47B21/02A47B9/14A47B9/20A47B21/06A47B2021/066
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,284,712
App. No.
16/997,637
Granted
Mar 29, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A power grommet embedded in the worksurface includes a housing, at least a first and second outlet block disposed in the housing, and a lid pivotally connected to the housing. The lid is pivotable between an open position, wherein the first and second outlet blocks are exposed along a top of the housing, and a closed position, wherein the first outlet block is exposed along a top of the housing and the second outlet block is covered by the lid.

Claims (32)

1. A power grommet comprising:

a housing defining an elongated cavity extending in a longitudinal direction, wherein the cavity is open along a top of the housing;

at least a first and second outlet block disposed in the cavity and accessible through the top of the housing; and

a lid pivotally connected to the housing about an axis extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the lid pivotable between an open position, wherein the first and second outlet blocks are exposed along the top of the housing, and a closed position, wherein the first outlet block is exposed along the top of the housing and the second outlet block is covered by the lid.

2. The power grommet of claim 1 , wherein the first and second outlet blocks are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction, wherein a portion of the cavity defines a through-opening between the top and a bottom of the housing and between opposing sides of the spaced apart first and second outlet blocks, and wherein the through opening is exposed when the lid is in the closed position.

3. The power grommet of claim 2 further comprising a monitor support extending into the through-opening.

4. The power grommet of claim 1 , wherein the second outlet block comprises first and second outlets.

5. The power grommet of claim 4 , wherein the first outlet comprises a standard power outlet, and wherein the second outlet comprises a USB or USB-C port.

6. The power grommet of claim 1 , wherein the lid covers more than ½ of a top of the cavity when pivoted to the closed position.

7. A desk comprising:

a worksurface comprising an upper surface and an elongated opening extending into the worksurface from the upper surface;

a power grommet comprising:

a housing received in the opening of the worksurface, the housing defining an elongated cavity, wherein the cavity is open along a top of the housing;

at least a first and second outlet block disposed in the cavity and accessible through the top of the housing; and

a lid pivotally connected to the housing about a horizontal axis, the lid pivotable between an open position, wherein the first and second outlet blocks are exposed along the top of the housing, and a closed position, wherein the first outlet block is exposed along the top of the housing and the second outlet block is covered by the lid.

8. The desk of claim 7 , wherein the housing comprises a lip overlying the upper surface of the worksurface.

9. The desk of claim 7 , wherein the first and second outlet blocks are spaced apart, wherein a portion of the cavity defines a through-opening between the top and a bottom of the housing and between opposing sides of the spaced apart first and second outlet blocks, and wherein the through opening is exposed when the lid is in the closed position.

10. The desk of claim 9 further comprising a monitor support extending into the through-opening, wherein the monitor support is coupled to the worksurface.

11. The desk of claim 10 , wherein the monitor support comprises a clamp engaging the upper surface and a bottom surface of the worksurface.

12. The desk of claim 7 , wherein the second outlet block comprises first and second outlets.

13. The desk of claim 12 , wherein the first outlet comprises a standard power outlet, and wherein the second outlet comprises a USB or USB-C port.

14. The desk of claim 7 , wherein the lid covers more than ½ of a top of the cavity when pivoted to the closed position.

15. A desk comprising:

a worksurface comprising an upper surface and an elongated opening extending into the worksurface from the upper surface; and

a power grommet comprising:

a housing received in the opening of the worksurface, the housing defining an elongated cavity, wherein the cavity is open along a top of the housing;

at least a first and second outlet block disposed in the cavity and accessible through the top of the housing, wherein the first and second outlet blocks are spaced apart, wherein a portion of the cavity defines a through-opening between the top and a bottom of the housing and between opposing sides of the spaced apart first and second outlet blocks.

16. The desk of claim 15 , wherein the housing comprises a lip overlying the upper surface of the worksurface.

17. The desk of claim 15 further comprising a lid pivotally connected to the housing about a horizontal axis, wherein the lid is pivotable between an open position, wherein the first and second outlet blocks are exposed along the top of the housing, and a closed position, wherein the first outlet block is exposed along the top of the housing and the second outlet block is covered by the lid.

18. The desk of claim 17 , wherein the through opening is exposed when the lid is in the closed position.

19. The desk of claim 15 further comprising a monitor support extending into the through-opening, wherein the monitor support is coupled to the worksurface.

20. The desk of claim 19 , wherein the monitor support comprises a clamp engaging the upper surface and a bottom surface of the worksurface.

Assignments (3)
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 4, 2026
From: AMQ SOLUTIONS, LLC; HALCON FURNITURE LLC; SMITH SYSTEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY; STEELCASE INC.
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 074944/0368 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 4, 2026
From: AMQ SOLUTIONS, LLC; HALCON FURNITURE LLC; SMITH SYSTEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY; STEELCASE INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 074944/0784 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 16, 2024
From: ALLEN, JOHN M.; BUIST, MATTHEW; COTE, COLIN; GRYGIEL, MEGAN; WAHLFIELD, BRYAN; YOUNGS, BRADLEY
To: STEELCASE INC.
Reel/Frame 066131/0770 →