US20070057605A1

US20070057605A1 - Work-surface system and work surface therefor

Info

Publication number: US20070057605A1
Application number: US11/225,258
Authority: US
Inventors: Terry Wien
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-09-12
Filing date: 2005-09-12
Publication date: 2007-03-15

Abstract

A work-surface system (20) and a work surface therefor (28) is disclosed. The system (20) uses standard two-drawer filing cabinets (26) to support the work surface (28). The work surface (28) is made up of a worktop (22), and a top adapter (24) for each filing cabinet (26). The top adapters (24) fit snugly onto top sides (32) of the filing cabinets (26), and are fixedly coupled to the worktop (22). No alteration or modification of the filing cabinets (26) is required. The top adapters (24) are constructed of a polymeric or other material so as not to mar or otherwise damage the filing cabinets (26). Use of the filing cabinets is not affected by the work surface (28). The work surface (28) may be easily removed from the filing cabinets (26) at any time and stored in a minimum of space.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of office furniture. More specifically, the present invention relates to the field of modular components effecting work surfaces in office environs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There often arises in office environs a need for an additional work surface. This need is often temporary or transient. For example, a project may require additional work surfaces for supporting a laptop or desktop computer, working on papers and/or files, charts, maps, collation, packaging, or other space-consuming activity.
It is wasteful to permanently designate valuable office space for such transitory projects. Because of this wastefulness, such projects are often done in a conference room, lunchroom, or like area. This presents a problem in that that area is then no longer usable for its intended purposes.
Another transient use problem arises when an employee is hired in advance of a procurement of appropriate furniture (e.g., a desk). This new employee is often grouped with another employee at his/her desk, to the detriment of efficiency, or placed in an unsuitable work environment, such as the aforementioned conference room or lunchroom.
Audits, equipment programming or troubleshooting, or other circumstances where outside personnel are temporarily working within the office environs also pose work-area problems.
It would be neither cost-effective nor practical to procure permanent furniture for such transient use.
Many prior art solutions to these transient-use problems exist. All such solutions, however, require either specialized work-surface supports, or require the alteration of already existent office equipment or furniture. Solutions requiring specialized work-surface supports (e.g., legs, panels, and drawer assemblies) are often unattractive and/or impractical. The specialized supports typically have no function when the work surface is not needed, pose bulky storage problems, and result in unnecessary expenses.
Solutions requiring the alteration of already existent office equipment or furniture often result in unattractive and impractical modifications (holes, brackets, etc.) that serve no purpose when the work surface is not needed. In addition, such modifications often require the use of tools (wrenches, drills, hole saws, etc.) not found in the typical office environment. The skills necessary to use such tools properly and to perform the modifications without damaging the furniture or office equipment may not exist. This may result in a botched modification, damaged furniture or equipment, and/or a decrease in office appearance and morale. Alternatively, a person possessing the requisite skills may be hired to perform the modification, resulting in additional and undesirable expense.
A need therefore exists for quickly and easily erected office work surfaces. Such work surfaces should utilize resources already present in the office for support. Such work surfaces should be inexpensive, occupy a minimum of storage space when not in use, and require no alteration of or cause damage to other office furniture or equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an advantage of the present invention that a work-surface system and work surface therefor are provided.
It is another advantage of the present invention that a work surface is provided that utilizes conventional two-drawer file cabinets as surface supports.
It is another advantage of the present invention that a work surface is provided that, while utilizing conventional two-drawer file cabinets as surface supports, does not require the alteration of those file cabinets.
It is another advantage of the present invention that a work surface is provided that, while utilizing conventional two-drawer file cabinets as surface supports, does not damage or otherwise mar those file cabinets.
It is another advantage of the present invention that a work surface is provided that, while utilizing conventional two-drawer file cabinets as surface supports, does not affect the use of those file cabinets.
The above and other advantages of the present invention are carried out in one form by a work-surface system made up of a worktop, N top adapters configured to fixedly couple to the worktop, where N is an integer greater than 1, and N filing cabinets, wherein each filing cabinet is configured to unalterably couple to one of the N top adapters.
The above and other advantages of the present invention are carried out in another form by a work surface for use with a filing cabinet. The work surface includes a worktop and a top adapter configured to fixedly couple to the worktop and to unalterably couple to the filing cabinet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar items throughout the Figures, and:
FIG. 1 shows an exploded isometric view of a work-surface system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of an alternative top adapter for the system of FIG. 1 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 shows an isometric view of another alternative top adapter for the system of FIG. 1 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 shows a side view of the system of FIG. 1 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 shows a front view of the system of FIG. 1 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 shows a front view of a variant of the system of FIG. 1 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 7 shows a front view of a single-cabinet variation of the system of FIG. 1 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows an exploded isometric view of a work-surface system 20 made up of a worktop 22, a top adapter 24, and a filing cabinet 26 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2 and 3 show isometric views of alternative top adapters 24 for system 20. FIGS. 4 and 5 show side and front views, respectively, of a preferred embodiment of system 20. FIGS. 6 and 7 show front views of alternative multi-cabinet and single-cabinet embodiments, respectively, of system 20. The following discussion refers to FIGS. 1 through 7.
Work-surface system 20 is intended to be primarily a transient work-surface system. That is, work-surface system 20 is intended to be used for any given period of time, from a few hours to several years, and serves the need of additional work space in an office environment. But those skilled in the art will appreciate that the term “transient” used herein imposes no limitation upon the use of system 20.
Work-surface system 20 is also practical where space is limited and functionality is important. For example, a home office may require filing cabinets and a desk, but not have room for both. System 20 provides a solution for such a circumstance.
Work-surface system 20 is made up of a work surface 28 and at least one filing cabinet 26. In the preferred embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 through 6, work-surface system 20 is free-standing and entirely self-supporting. In this embodiment, work surface 28 is itself made up of at least one worktop 22 and at least two top adapters 24, where each top adapter 22 is configured to couple with one filing cabinet 26. This is discussed in more detail hereinafter.
It will be appreciated that a variant embodiment of system 20 (FIG. 7) is possible wherein work surface 28 is made up of one worktop 22 and one top adapter 24, where top adapter 22 is configured to couple with one filing cabinet 26. In this embodiment, the “free” end of worktop 22 is affixed to a vertical surface 74, such as a wall. In FIG. 7, worktop 22 is affixed to wall 74 by a bracket or molding 76 affixed to wall 74 in a conventional manner. It will be appreciated that this is not a requirement of the present invention. Other means of affixing worktop 22 to wall 74 may be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It will also be appreciated that variations of the embodiment of FIG. 7 may incorporate multiple wall supports, including but not limited to affixing worktops 22 to opposing walls 76 and centrally supporting these worktops 22 with a central filing cabinet 26.
Each of filing cabinets 26 is desirably a conventional commercial two-drawer vertical filing cabinet 26. The use of such filing cabinets 26 bring substantive vertical hanging-file capacity to system 20. This is desirable in most office environs, and a markedly desirable feature when system 20 is used as a desk.
As viewed from the front, filing cabinets 26 have a height H_C, a width W_C, and a depth D_C(FIGS. 1, 4, and 5). Conventional commercial two-drawer vertical filing cabinets 26 are known to have nominal heights H_C(FIG. 5) of 26 1/16 inches (H_C=H_C-26), 28⅜ inches (H_C=H_C-28), and 29 inches (H_C=H_C-29). Other heights may also be available. Similarly, conventional commercial two-drawer filing cabinets 26 are known to have nominal widths W_C(FIG. 5) of 15 inches ±¼ inch (W_C=W_C-15) for letter-sized filing cabinets, and 18¼ inches ±¼ inch (W_C=W_C-18) for legal-sized filing cabinets. Other widths may also be available. Finally, conventional commercial two-drawer vertical filing cabinets 26 are known to have nominal depths D_C(FIG. 4) of 22 inches (D_C=D_C-22), 25 inches (D_C=D_C-25), 26½ inches (D_C=D_C-26), and 28½ inches (D_C=D_C-28). Other widths may also be available.
For a given system 20, filing cabinets 26 may have different widths W_Cand depths D_C, but should have the same nominal height H_Cin order that work surface 28 be substantially level. For example, in FIG. 5 width D_Cfor either of filing cabinets 26 may independently be D_C=D_C-15or D_C=D_C-18, but height H_Cof both filing cabinets 26 should be substantially equal, i.e., H_C=H_C-26, H_C=H_C-28, or H_C=H_C-29.
Filing cabinets 26 are essentially flat-sided boxes. That is, each filing cabinet 26 has a substantially planar front side 30, a substantially planar top side 32, a substantially planar left side 34, a substantially planar right side 36, and a substantially planar back side 38. Each filing cabinet also has a bottom side (not shown), which may or may not be substantially planar. The bottom side is not germane to this discussion.
Sides 30, 32, 34, 36, and 38 are contiguous. That is, top side 32 is substantially perpendicularly contiguous with front side 30, left side 34, right side 36 and back side 38, and front side 30 and back side 38 are each substantially perpendicularly contiguous with left side 34 and right side 36. The contiguity of top side 32 with front, left, right, and back sides 30, 34, 36, and 38 results in top side being circumscribed with four edges. The juncture of top side 32 and front side 30 defines a front-top edge 40. The juncture of top side 32 and left side 34 defines a left-top edge 42. The juncture of top side 32 and right side 36 defines a right-top edge 44. And the juncture of top side 32 and back side 38 defines a back-top edge 46.
Being two-drawer filing cabinets 26, front side 30 encompasses two file drawers, an upper drawer 48 and a lower drawer 50. Upper and lower drawers 48 and 50 normally have handles 52 with which to operate drawers 48 and 50.
Front side 30 has a substantially planar upper front surface 54, which is the flat area between upper drawer 48 and front top-edge 40. Conventionally, upper front surface 54 has a location, typically identified by a knock-out common in the industry, where an optional lock 56 may be installed. This location is most commonly positioned proximate right side 36, but may in some designs be located proximate left side 34. For the purposes of this discussion, it will be assumed that optional lock 56 is installed at a location proximate right side 36 (FIGS. 1 and 5).
Conventional commercial filing cabinets 26 are normally fabricated of material such as painted sheet steel. This is assumed throughout this discussion. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the use of other materials does not depart from the spirit of the present invention.
Throughout this discussion, it is assumed that work surface 28, or more specifically, top adapters 24, are configured to unalterably couple to filing cabinets 26. That is, the coupling of top adapters 24 to filing cabinets 26 does not require that filing cabinets 26 have any hole, indentation, protrusion, bracket, or other alteration for use in fastening, locating, registering, or otherwise coupling to top adapter 24. In other words, after the need for work surface 28 has passed, top adapters 24 may be removed, leaving file cabinets 26 in the same condition file cabinets 26 were in prior to being coupled to top adapters 24. The coupling occurs without an alteration to the filing cabinet 26. In addition, the coupling and/or uncoupling of work surface 28, when ordinary care is exercised, desirably avoids denting, bending, scratching, chipping, flaking, or otherwise cosmetically damaging the surface of filing cabinets 26. This serves to maintain filing cabinets 26 in an intact condition with a normal appearance, and maintains a professional office environs. Environs having cosmetically damaged equipment, while fully functional, are unsightly. This often results in a decrease of pride in the workplace, and a corresponding decrease in morale and efficiency.
Filing cabinets 26 are conventional commercial two-drawer vertical filing cabinets 26, and remain so when used as a part of the present invention.
System 20 has N filing cabinets 26, where N is an integer greater than 1. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, N=2, in that of FIG. 6, N=3. By extension, system 20 may have any number of filing cabinets 26 (greater than 1) necessary to support a work surface of a desired size.
Each filing cabinet 26 couples to one top adapter 24. Therefore, system 20 has N top adapters 24.
For stability, each worktop 22 is supported by two filing cabinets 26, one at each end. System 20 therefore has N-1 worktops 22. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, N=2, and system 20 has N-1 (one) worktop 22, N (two) top adapters 24, and N (two) filing cabinets 26 in that embodiment. Similarly, in the embodiment of FIG. 6, N=3, and system 20 has N-1 (two) worktops 22, N (three) top adapters 24, and N (three) filing cabinets 26 in that embodiment.
Top adapters 24 are fixedly coupled to worktop 22 to form work surface 28. In the embodiments of the Figures, this is accomplished by fasteners 58 in the form of screws. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the use of fasteners 58 is not a requirement of the present invention. The use of other methods of fixedly coupling top adapters 24 to worktop 22 does not depart from the spirit of the present invention. Such other methods may include, but are not limited to, keyhole slots and tabs, offset slots and tabs, adhesives, and integral molding, forming, or machining.
Each top adapter 24 is made up of a bearing section 60. Bearing section 60 serves to bear the load of worktop 22, and whatever may be on worktop 22, and distribute that load over the filing cabinet 26 to which top adapter 22 is coupled. Desirably, bearing section 60 transfers the bulk of the load to edges 40, 42, 44, and 46 of file cabinet 26, and thence to front, left, right, and back sides 30, 34, 36, and 38. In this manner, top side 32 is neither dented nor damaged by the load of worktop 22.
In the embodiment of FIG. 1, bearing section 60 is a rectangle having a width W_Aand a depth D_Asubstantially equal to width W_Cand depth D_Cof filing cabinet 26, i.e., W_A≅W_Cand D_A≅D_C. Bearing section 60 therefore distributes the load of worktop 22 substantially evenly over top side 32 of filing cabinet 26. The natural flexibility of top side 32 transfers that load to edges 40, 42, 44, and 46.
Bearing section 60 is fixedly attached to worktop 22 by fasteners 58. While not shown in the Figures, it will be understood by those skilled in art that the heads of fasteners 58 may be recessed or countersunk into bearing section 60 so as to prevent the scratching of top side 32 of filing cabinet 26. Bearing section 60 therefore has a height (thickness) H_Asufficient to maintain appropriate strength after such countersinking.
In the embodiment of FIG. 2, bearing section 60 is again a rectangle having a width W_Aand a depth D_Asubstantially equal to width W_Cand depth D_Cof filing cabinet 26. In this embodiment, top adapter 24 has mounting ears 62 extending from bearing section 60. Fasteners 58 fasten top adapter 24 to worktop 22 through mounting ears 62. Since mounting ears 62 extend beyond tops side 32 of filing cabinet 26, recessing or countersinking of fasteners 58 is not necessary. Additionally, since mounting ears 62 extend beyond top side 32, top adapters 24 may be fastened to worktop 22 after being positioned on filing cabinets 26.
In the embodiment of FIG. 3, bearing section 60 is partitioned into M subsections 64, where M is a positive integer, and where each subsection 64 has one bearing section 60. In effect, bearing section 60 is again a rectangle having a width W_Aand a depth D_Asubstantially equal to width W_Cand depth D_Cof filing cabinet 26, but with the center and corners removed. The advantage of this embodiment is that angular sections 64 may be used with filing cabinets having different widths W_Cand/or depths D_C. That is, the sectional form of top adapter 24 is not “dedicated” to a specific size filing cabinet 26.
As with the embodiment of FIG. 1, the heads of fasteners 58 may be recessed or countersunk into bearing section 60 so as to prevent the scratching of top side 32 of filing cabinet 26.
Top adapter 24 also includes a front lip 66, a left lip 68, a right lip 70, and a rear lip 72. Each of lips 66, 68, 70, and 72 is configured, in conjunction with bearing section 60, to wrap over and engage front-top edge 42, left-top edge 44, right-top edge 46, and back-top edge 48, respectively, of file cabinet 26.
Front lip 66 of top adapter 24 engages upper front surface 54 of file cabinet in a manner that does not interfere with the operation of upper drawer 48. Also, front lip 66 is shorter than width W_Aof bearing section 60 so as to not interfere with the operation of lock 56, whether lock 56 is located proximate right side 36, as is more common, or left side 34.
Top adapter 24 is formed of a material that is softer than the material of which filing cabinet 26 is formed. Assuming, as is typically the case, that filing cabinet 26 is formed of painted sheet steel, then the material of top adapter 24 may include, but is not limited to, steel or other metal lined with felt, rubber, or other yielding material, wood, or a polymeric material. In the preferred embodiment, top adapter 24 is desirably formed of a polymer.
Worktop 22 may be formed of wood, metal, a polymer, or other suitable material having sufficient strength for the purpose. When formed of a polymer, an advantage is realized in that worktop 22 and top adapters may be integrally formed in a single process. Stiffeners, such as angular metal strips, may be added to increase the strength of worktop 22.
Worktop 22 has a width W_T, a depth D_T, and a height (thickness) H_T. Similarly, work surface 28 has a width W_Sand a depth D_S. When only a single worktop 24 is used (FIG. 5), then work surface width W_Sis worktop width W_T. When multiple worktops are used (FIG. 6), then work surface width W_Sis the sum of all worktop widths W_T. In FIG. 6, the widths W_Tof each worktop 22 are substantially equal. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that this is not a requirement of the present invention, and that worktops 22 having dissimilar lengths W_Tmay be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
Because each top adapter 22 has left and right lips 68 and 70, the overall width W_Tof worktop 22 is desirably greater than a sum of the widths W_Cof the filing cabinets 26 supporting worktop 22.
Depth D_Tof worktop 22 defines depth D_Sof work surface 28. Any desired worktop depth D_Tmay be used. However, it is most common that worktop depths D_Tbe that of a desk, i.e. 30 inches (D_T=D_T-30), or that of a common work table, i.e., 36 inches (D_T=D_T-36) . These “standardized” worktop depths D_Tare shown in FIG. 4. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other worktop depths D_Tmay be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
Height H_Tof worktop 22 should be sufficient for the materials involved and the strength desired. Worktop height H_Tmay also be used to adjust a height H_Sof work surface 28. Work-surface height H_Sis a working height for those using system 20. Desirably, it should be a height that is comfortable for the user(s).
Work-surface height H_Sis a sum of filing cabinet height H_C, top adapter height H_A, and worktop height H_T. As discussed hereinbefore, conventional commercial two-drawer vertical filing cabinets 26 are known to have nominal heights H_C(FIG. 5) of 26 1/16 inches (H_C=H_C-26), 28⅜ inches (H_C=H_C-28), and 29 inches (H_C=H_C-29). Assuming, for purposes of this discussion, that top adapter 24 has a height H_Aof ½ inch, and that worktop 22 has a height H_Tof 1 inch, then work surface height H_Sis one of 27 9/16 inches, 29⅞ inches, or 30½ inches, depending upon the specific file cabinet 26 used. Naturally, other adapter and/or worktop heights H_Aand/or H_Twill result in other work surface heights H_S.
Work surface 28 is secured to filing cabinets 26 by gravity. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other non-destructive, non-altering methods may be used to secure work surface 28. For example, magnets may be incorporated into top adapter 24 to more securely couple work surface 28 to filing cabinets 26. The use of other securing methods does not depart from the spirit of the present invention.
When work surface 28 is no longer needed (e.g., when appropriate permanent furniture has been received for a new employee, when transient personnel have departed, or when a project has been completed), system 20 may be easily broken down by the simple expedient of removing work surface 28 from filing cabinets 26. Filing cabinets 28 may then be returned to their normal locations in the office.
Work surface 28, being essentially flat, may be easily stored behind filing cabinets 26 or other furniture, in a closet, or simply against a wall, thereby occupying a minimum of floor space, and minimizing clutter within the office. It will be appreciated that work surfaces 28 may remain intact, i.e., top adapters 24 may remain fixedly coupled to worktop 22.
Since file cabinets 26 have not been cosmetically compromised by the use of work surface 28, the quality of appearance of filing cabinets 26, and of the office environs as a whole, is maintained in an appropriate and professional manner.
In summary, the present invention teaches a work-surface system 20 using a work surface 28 and at least two conventional commercial two-drawer filing cabinets 26 as surface supports. The use of file cabinets 26 as supports for work surface 28 does not require the alteration of, damage, or otherwise mar file cabinets 26 in any way, and does not affect the use of file cabinets 26 as file cabinets.
Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A work-surface system comprising:

a worktop;

N top adapters configured to fixedly couple to said worktop, where N is an integer greater than 1; and

N filing cabinets, wherein each of said filing cabinets is configured to unalterably couple to one of said N top adapters.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said system comprises N-1 of said worktops; and

two of said N top adapters are configured to fixedly coupled to each of said N-1 worktops.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

one of said N filing cabinets comprises:

a top side;

a front side substantially perpendicularly contiguous with said top side;

a left side substantially perpendicularly contiguous with said top side and said front side;

a right side substantially perpendicularly contiguous with said top side and said front side; and

a back side substantially contiguous with said top side, said left side, and said front side; and

each of said N top adapters comprises:

M substantially planar bearing sections, where M is a positive integer, wherein, for said one filing cabinet, each of said M bearing sections is configured to contact said top side;

a front lip configured to engage said top side and said front side of said one filing cabinet in conjunction with one of said M bearing sections;

a left lip configured to engage said top side and said left side of said one filing cabinet in conjunction with one of said M bearing sections;

a right lip configured to engage said top side and said right side of said one filing cabinet in conjunction with one of said M bearing sections; and

a rear lip configured to engage said top side and said back side of said one filing cabinet in conjunction with one of said M bearing sections.

4. A system as claimed in claim 3 wherein:

said one filing cabinet additionally comprises:

an upper drawer; and

an upper front surface of said front side between said upper drawer and said top side; and

said front lip is configured to engage said top side and said upper front surface of said one filing cabinet so as to not interfere with an operation of said upper drawer.

5. A system as claimed in claim 3 wherein:

said one filing cabinet additionally comprises a lock mounted in said front side proximate said top side and one of said left side and said right side; and

said front lip is configured to engage said top side and said front side of said one filing cabinet without obstructing said lock.

6. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

each of said N filing cabinets has a width; and

said width is one of a first width and a second width greater than said first width.

7. A system as claimed in claim 6 wherein:

said first width is 15 inches ±¼ inch; and

said second width is 18¼ inches ±¼ inch.

8. A system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said worktop has a top width greater than a sum of said widths of said N filing cabinets.

9. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

each of said N filing cabinets is formed of a first material; and

each of said N top adapters is formed of a second material softer than said first material.

10. A system as claimed in claim 9 wherein:

said first material is painted sheet steel; and

said second material is a polymer.

11. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said N filing cabinets has a substantially equal height.

12. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said N filing cabinets is configured to couple to one of said N top adapters without alteration of said each filing cabinet.

13. A work surface for use with a filing cabinet, said work surface comprising:

a worktop; and

a top adapter configured to fixedly couple to said worktop and to unalterably couple to said filing cabinet.

14. A work surface as claimed in claim 13 wherein:

said filing cabinet is one of a plurality of said filing cabinets;

wherein said top adapter is one of a plurality of said top adapters; and

wherein each of said top adapters is configured to fixedly couple to said worktop and to unalterably couple to one of said filing cabinets.

15. A work surface as claimed in claim 13 wherein said top adapter comprises:

a substantially planar bearing section configured to contact a top side of said filing cabinet;

a front lip configured to engage a front-top edge of said filing cabinet in conjunction with said planar bearing section;

a left lip configured to engage a left-top edge of said filing cabinet in conjunction with said bearing section;

a right lip configured to engage a right-top edge of said filing cabinet in conjunction with said bearing section; and

a rear lip configured to engage a back-top edge of said filing cabinet in conjunction with said bearing section.

16. A work surface as claimed in claim 15 wherein said front lip is configured so as to not obstruct a lock mounted in a front side of said filing cabinet proximate said front-top edge.

17. A work surface as claimed in claim 13 wherein said top adapter comprises:

a plurality of substantially planar bearing sections, wherein each of said bearing sections is configured to contact a top side of said filing cabinet;

a front lip configured to engage a front-top edge of said filing cabinet in conjunction with a first one of said bearing sections;

a left lip configured to engage a left-top edge of said filing cabinet in conjunction with a second one of said bearing sections;

a right lip configured to engage a right-top edge of said filing cabinet in conjunction with a third one of said bearing sections; and

a rear lip configured to engage a back-top edge of said filing cabinet in conjunction with a fourth one of said bearing sections.

18. A work surface as claimed in claim 13 wherein said top adapter comprises mounting ears by which said top adapter is configured to be fixedly coupled to said worktop.

19. A work surface as claimed in claim 13 additionally comprising fasteners by which said top adapter may be fixedly coupled to said worktop.

20. A work-surface system comprising:

N two-drawer filing cabinets, where N is an integer greater than 1, wherein each of said N filing cabinets comprises:

an upper drawer;

a substantially planar front side formed of painted sheet steel, encompassing said upper drawer, and comprising an upper front surface between said upper drawer;

a substantially planar top side formed of painted sheet steel and substantially perpendicularly contiguous with said front side;

a substantially planar left side formed of painted sheet steel and substantially perpendicularly contiguous with said top side and said front side;

a substantially planar right side formed of painted sheet steel and substantially perpendicularly contiguous with said top side and said front side; and

a substantially planar back side formed of painted sheet steel and substantially contiguous with said top side, said left side, and said front side;

N polymeric top adapters, wherein each of said N top adapters is configured to unalterably couple with one of said N filing cabinets, and wherein each of said N top adapters comprises:

M substantially planar bearing sections, where M is a positive integer, wherein each of said M bearing sections is configured to contact said top side of said one filing cabinet;

a front lip configured to engage said top side and said upper front surface of said one filing cabinet in conjunction with one of said M bearing sections so as to not impede operation of said upper drawer;

a rear lip configured to engage said top side and said back side of said one filing cabinet in conjunction with one of said M bearing sections; and

(N-1) worktops, wherein each of said N-1 worktops is configured to fixedly couple to two of said N top adapters;