Rubbermaid Office Products

Patrick M Green

Robert R Huerto

Hanging file

Storage container

A desk assembly (10) is disclosed comprising first and second pedestal units (12, 14), each comprising first and second side panels (18,20), first and second edge panels (30,32), and a frontward panel (22), with corner posts (34,36) formed interposed between the edge and side panels, and the side and frontward panels. The pedestals are integrally formed as a coplanar form with elastomeric hinges (42, 44, 46, and 48) formed to connect the corner posts to the edge, side, and frontward panels. The pedestal units are reconfigured from the flat manufactured form into a box form by pivotal movement of the side and edge panels, facilitated by the elastomeric hinges. The pedestal units further include a back panel (28) that attaches to back surfaces of the edge panels (30,32) to connect the edge panels together and to maintain the pedestal unit in its box form. A shelf panel (26) and bottom panel (24) are inserted into each pedestal unit during its reconfiguration, and held in position by grooves and sockets within the side, frontward, and edge panels, and the corner posts. The pedestal units are assembled to the underside (132) of a top panel (16) to fixedly support the panel (16) as a desk surface. Attachment of the components together is accomplished by dovetail projections (60) and projection-receiving dovetail sockets (114,134).

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Maryville, TN, United States of America

Patrick M Green