IP Library Granted Patent US 12,628,942
Granted Patent B2
US 12,628,942 · App. 18/437,092 · Granted May 19, 2026

Channel assembly to reduce worksurface sag

Inventors: Jeffrey P. Lee (Mertztown, PA); Gary Bockol (Wynnewood, PA)
Assignee: Knoll, Inc.
A47B13/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,628,942
App. No.
18/437,092
Granted
May 19, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A channel assembly configured to support a worksurface includes an outer channel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The outer channel decreases in height from the first end to the second end. The channel assembly also includes an inner channel configured to be connected to the worksurface, the inner channel having a third end and a fourth end opposite the third end. The inner channel increases in height from the third end to the fourth end. The inner channel is at least partially received in the outer channel such that the fourth end is positioned within the outer channel and the second end overlaps the inner channel. The inner channel is movable relative to the outer channel to adjust a width between the first end and the third end.

Claims (39)

1 . A channel assembly configured to support a worksurface, the channel assembly comprising:

an outer channel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the outer channel decreasing in height from the first end to the second end; and

an inner channel configured to be connected to the worksurface, the inner channel having a third end and a fourth end opposite the third end, the inner channel increasing in height from the third end to the fourth end, the inner channel at least partially received in the outer channel such that the fourth end is positioned within the outer channel and the second end overlaps the inner channel,

wherein the inner channel is movable relative to the outer channel to adjust a width between the first end and the third end,

wherein in response to the inner channel being moved apart from the outer channel, the fourth end of the inner channel is moved away from the first end and toward the second end of the outer channel and an upper edge of the inner channel is raised relative to an upper edge of the outer channel to push upwardly on an underside of the worksurface.

2 . The channel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the height of the outer channel gradually decreases from the first end to the second end.

3 . The channel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the height of the inner channel gradually increases from the third end to the fourth end.

4 . The channel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inner channel defines an aperture, and wherein the inner channel is coupled to the worksurface via a fastener extending through the aperture.

5 . The channel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inner channel and the outer channel are both U-shaped channels.

6 . The channel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inner channel includes a bottom wall and a sidewall extending from the bottom wall, wherein the outer channel includes a bottom wall and a sidewall extending from the bottom wall, and wherein the bottom wall of the inner channel rests on the bottom wall of the outer channel.

7 . The channel assembly of claim 6 , wherein the inner channel also includes a flange extending from the sidewall of the inner channel, and wherein the flange is configured to couple the inner channel to the worksurface.

8 . The channel assembly of claim 7 , wherein the sidewall of the inner channel extends perpendicularly from the bottom wall of the inner channel, and wherein the flange of the inner channel extends perpendicularly from the sidewall of the inner channel.

9 . The channel assembly of claim 1 , wherein a height of the outer channel at the first end is between 0.05 inches and 0.1 inches greater than a height of the outer channel at the second end, and wherein a height of the inner channel at the fourth end is between 0.05 inches and 0.1 inches greater than a height of the inner channel at the third end.

10 . The channel assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a ruler having a plurality of indicators corresponding to widths of different worksurfaces.

11 . The channel assembly of claim 10 , wherein the ruler is coupled to a bottom wall of the outer channel.

12 . A table comprising:

a worksurface;

a first leg coupled to the worksurface;

a second leg coupled to the worksurface; and

a channel assembly positioned beneath the worksurface, the channel assembly including

an outer channel having a first end coupled to the first leg and a second end opposite the first end, the outer channel decreasing in height from the first end to the second end, and

an inner channel connected to the worksurface, the inner channel having a third end coupled to the second leg and a fourth end opposite the third end, the inner channel increasing in height from the third end to the fourth end, the inner channel at least partially received in the outer channel such that the fourth end is positioned within the outer channel and the second end overlaps the inner channel,

wherein the inner channel is movable relative to the outer channel to adjust a width between the first end and the third end,

wherein in response the inner channel being moved apart from the outer channel, the fourth end of the inner channel is moved away from the first end and toward the second end of the outer channel and an upper edge of the inner channel is raised relative to an upper edge of the outer channel to push upwardly on an underside of the worksurface.

13 . The table of claim 12 , wherein the outer channel is not directly coupled to the worksurface.

14 . The table of claim 12 , wherein the height of the outer channel gradually decreases from the first end to the second end, and wherein the height of the inner channel gradually increases from the third end to the fourth end.

15 . The table of claim 12 , wherein the inner channel includes a bottom wall and a sidewall extending from the bottom wall, wherein the outer channel includes a bottom wall and a sidewall extending from the bottom wall, and wherein the bottom wall of the inner channel rests on the bottom wall of the outer channel.

16 . The table of claim 15 , wherein the inner channel also includes a flange extending from the sidewall of the inner channel, and wherein the flange is configured to couple the inner channel to the worksurface.

17 . The table of claim 16 , wherein the sidewall of the inner channel extends perpendicularly from the bottom wall of the inner channel, and wherein the flange of the inner channel extends perpendicularly from the sidewall of the inner channel.

18 . The table of claim 12 , wherein a height of the outer channel at the first end is between 0.05 inches and 0.1 inches greater than a height of the outer channel at the second end, and wherein a height of the inner channel at the fourth end is between 0.05 inches and 0.1 inches greater than a height of the inner channel at the third end.

19 . The table of claim 12 , further comprising:

a first support bracket coupled to the worksurface and the first leg; and

a second support bracket coupled to the worksurface and the second leg,

wherein the outer channel is coupled to the first leg via the first support bracket and wherein the inner channel is coupled to the second leg via the second support bracket.

20 . A table comprising:

a worksurface;

an outer channel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end having a first height, the second end having a second height that is less than the first height; and

an inner channel connected to the worksurface, the inner channel having a third end and a fourth end opposite the third end, the third end having a third height, the fourth end having a fourth height that is greater than the third height, the inner channel at least partially received in the outer channel such that the fourth end is positioned within the outer channel and the second end overlaps the inner channel,

wherein the inner channel is movable relative to the outer channel between a first configuration and a second configuration to adjust a width between the first end and the third end, wherein the fourth end of the inner channel is closer to the first end of the outer channel when the inner channel is in the first configuration than when the inner channel is in the second configuration, and wherein in the second configuration an upper edge of the inner channel is raised further relative to an upper edge of the outer channel to push upwardly on an underside of the worksurface than when in the first configuration.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT COLLATERAL Recorded Aug 8, 2025
From: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 072342/0529 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 30, 2025
From: KNOLL, INC.
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 071267/0076 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 26, 2024
From: LEE, JEFFREY P.; BOCKOL, GARY
To: KNOLL, INC.
Reel/Frame 066556/0691 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63444637 · Feb 10, 2023
Related Publication 20240268552A1 · Aug 15, 2024
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