Trapezoidal hidden-monitor computer desk modules and assemblies thereof

A computer desk module, comprising in combination:

• (a) an at least partially triangular desk top having a front edge and first and second side edges, the desk top having an opening therein;
• (b) a transparent window plate supported in a top surface of the desk top covering the opening;
• (c) first and second side panels adjoining the first and second side edges, respectively;
• (d) a pull-out keyboard shelf supported beneath a front edge portion of the desk top;
• (e) a first storage section bounded by the first side panel and a first knee space side panel, and a second storage section bounded by the second side panel and a second knee space side panel;
• (f) a monitor compartment bounded by the desk top, the back panel, the first and second side panels, and a knee space back panel, the first and second knee space side panels, and the knee space back panel bounding a tapered knee space under the desk top, the knee space back panel being movable between an open position allowing access to the monitor compartment and a closed position preventing access to the monitor compartment;
• and
• (g) a computer monitor support in the monitor compartment adapted to support a computer monitor so that a viewing screen thereof is upwardly-inclined to allow viewing of the screen through the window plate.

A cluster of computer desk modules each comprising.

• (a) a trapezoidal desk top having front and rear edges and first and second side edges, the rear edge being shorter in length than the front edge, the desk top having an opening therein;
• (b) a transparent window plate supported in a top surface of the desk top covering the opening;
• (c) a back panel adjoining the rear edge, and first and second side panels adjoining the first and second side edges, respectively;
• (d) a pull-out keyboard shelf supported beneath a front edge portion of the desk top;
• (e) a first storage section bounded by the first side panel and a first knee space side panel, and a second storage section bounded by the second side panel, and a second knee space side panel;
• (f) a monitor compartment bounded by the desk top, the back panel, the first and second side panels, and a knee space back panel, the first and second knee space side panels, and the knee space back panel bounding a tapered knee space under the desk top;
• (g) a computer monitor support in the monitor compartment adapted to support a computer monitor so that a viewing screen thereof is upwardly-inclined to allow viewing of the screen through the window plate,
• a plurality of the computer desk modules being arranged in a semi-octagonal configuration, each computer desk module having a computer monitor in its monitor compartment and a personal computer in its first storage section,
• electrical power being supplied to the computer monitors and the personal computers by means of a distribution structure including a plurality of vertical tubular legs, a cabinet having a top and a plurality of side panels arranged in a semi-octagonal shape complementary with the rear edges and back panels of the plurality of computer desk modules, respectively, the legs extending from the cabinet to a ceiling of a room, power cables extending from the ceiling through one of the legs, through the cabinet, into each of the computer desk modules to the computer monitor and personal computer therein.

A method of providing an arrangement of computer desk modules, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a plurality of the computer desk modules, each including
• i. a trapezoidal desk top having front and rear edges and first and second side edges, the rear edge being shorter in length than the front edge, the desk top having an opening therein,
• ii. a transparent window plate supported in a top surface of the desk top covering the opening,
• iii. a back panel adjoining the rear edge, and first and second side panels adjoining the first and second side edges, respectively,
• iv. a pull-out keyboard shelf supported beneath a front edge portion of the desk top,
• v. a first storage section bounded by the first side panel and a first knee space side panel, and a second storage section bounded by the second side panel and a second knee space side panel,
• vi. a monitor compartment bounded by the desk top, the back panel, the first and second side panels, and a knee space back panel, the first and second knee space side panels, and the knee space back panel bounding a tapered knee space under the desk top, and
• vii. a computer monitor support in the monitor compartment;
• (b) supporting a plurality of computer monitors in the computer monitor support in each of the computer desk modules so that a viewing screen thereof is upwardly-inclined to allow viewing of the screen through the window plate;
• (c) connecting the computer desk modules end-to-end such that one of the first and second side panels of each computer desk module is connected to adjoin one of the first and second side panels of another of the computer desk modules, to thereby form the arrangement;
• (d) supplying electrical power from an overhead power line through a distribution tower including a base cabinet that mates with a plurality of the computer desk modules in the arrangement;
• and
• (e) wherein those of the first and second side panels which are connected to adjoin one of the first and second side panels of another of the computer desk modules each include a ventilation opening aligned with a corresponding ventilation opening in the adjoining side panel, the method including moving a stream of air through all of the ventilation openings to thereby ventilate all of the monitor compartments.