Table and method

• US 20070251428A1
• Filed: 04/27/2006
• Published: 11/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation (Steelcase Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hamilton, John, Ludwig, James, Mead, Karl
• Application Number:
  US11/412,969
• Publication Number:
  US 20070251428A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 108/50.20
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/02 Underframes
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 83/001 Office desks or work-stations combined with other pieces of furniture, e.g. work space management systems
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/7422 with separate framed panels without intermediary support posts
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7483 Details of furniture, e.g. tables or shelves, associated with the partitions
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7488 Details of wiring

Abstract

A table for offices and the like includes an elongate center beam and two center posts having lower ends abuttingly supported on a floor surface and upper ends connected with opposite ends of the center beam. Two outrigger beams are positioned on opposite sides of the center beam in a generally mutually perpendicular relationship therewith, and have inner ends connected with one of the center posts. Two outrigger posts are positioned on opposite sides of the center beam, and have lower ends thereof abutting the floor surface and upper ends connected with the outside ends of the outrigger beams to stabilize the table. Two elongate worksurfaces are positioned along opposite sides of the center beam and have a length generally commensurate with the same. The worksurfaces have inside edges connected with and at least partially supported by the center beam, end segments abutting and at least partially supported by the upper ends of the outrigger posts, and outside edges which protrude outwardly from the outrigger posts in a cantilevered fashion and extend freely therealong to permit unencumbered access to the worksurfaces.

Claims

1. A table for offices and the like, comprising:

a rigid, elongate center beam member having first and second oppositely disposed ends thereof defining a predetermined length therebetween;

first and second center post members, positioned adjacent to said first and second ends of said center beam member, and having lower ends thereof configured for abutting support on an associated floor surface, and upper ends thereof operably connected with said first and second ends of said center beam member to support said center beam member in a generally horizontal orientation at a predetermined height above the floor surface;

first and second rigid outrigger beam members positioned on opposite sides of said center beam member in a generally mutually perpendicular relationship therewith, and having outer ends thereof, and inner ends thereof operably connected with opposite sides of said first center post member;

first and second outrigger post members positioned on said opposite sides of said center beam member adjacent said first center post member, and having lower ends thereof configured for abutting support on the floor surface, and upper ends thereof operably connected with said outside ends of said first and second outrigger beam members to stabilize said table; and

first and second elongate worksurfaces positioned along said opposite sides of said center beam member, and having predetermined lengths thereof generally commensurate with said predetermined length of said center beam member, inside edges thereof operably connected with and at least partially supported by said center beam member, end segments thereof abuttingly engaging and at least partially supported by said upper ends of said first and second outrigger post members, and outside edges thereof protruding outwardly from said first and second outrigger post members in a cantilevered fashion and extending freely therealong to permit unencumbered access to said first and second worksurfaces.

2. A table as set forth in claim 1, including:

third and fourth rigid outrigger beam members positioned on opposite sides of said center beam member in a generally mutually perpendicular relationship therewith, and having outer ends thereof, and inner ends thereof operably connected with opposite sides of said second center post member; and

third and fourth outrigger post members positioned on said opposite sides of said center beam member adjacent said second center post member, and having lower ends thereof configured for abutting support on the floor surface, and upper ends thereof operably connected with said outside ends of said third and fourth outrigger beam members to further stabilize said table.

3. A table as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

said first and second worksurfaces abuttingly engage and are at least partially supported by said upper ends of said third and fourth outrigger post members.

4. A table as set forth in claim 3, wherein:

said first center post member has a generally X-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration, and includes four mutually perpendicular flanges extending outwardly from a central region of said first center post member; and

said first end of said center beam member is detachably connected with a first one of said flanges on said first center post member.

5. A table as set forth in claim 4, wherein:

said inner ends of said first and second outrigger beam members are detachably connected with second and third ones of said flanges on said first center post member.

6. A table as set forth in claim 5, wherein:

said first outrigger post member has a generally X-shaped cross-sectional configuration that is generally commensurate with said cross-sectional configuration of said first center post member, and includes four mutually perpendicular flanges extending outwardly from a central region of said first outrigger post member; and

said outer end of said first outrigger beam member is detachably connected with a first one of said flanges on said first outrigger post member.

7. A table as set forth in claim 6, wherein:

each of said flanges of said first center post member includes a T-shaped slot extending along an outer edge thereof; and

including

a first connector retained in said T-shaped slot of said one flange on said first center post member and detachably connected with said first end of said center beam member.

8. A table as set forth in claim 7, including:

a second connector retained in said T-shaped slot of said second flange on said first center post member and detachably connected with said inner end of said first outrigger beam member.

9. A table as set forth in claim 8, wherein:

each of said flanges of said first outrigger post member includes a T-shaped slot extending along an outer edge thereof; and

including

a third connector retained in said T-shaped slot of said one flange on said first outrigger post member and detachably connected with said outer end of said first outrigger beam member.

10. A table as set forth in claim 9, wherein:

said center beam member includes mounting slots extending along opposite side faces thereof; and

including

a plurality of brackets detachably retained in said mounting slots, and detachably connected with said first and second worksurfaces to at least partially support said inside edges thereof.

11. A table as set forth in claim 10, wherein:

said first and second center post members have a height greater than the height of said first, second, third and fourth outrigger post members, such that at least an upper portion of said center beam member protrudes vertically above said first and second worksurfaces.

12. A table as set forth in claim 11, wherein:

said mounting slots on said center beam member are disposed vertically above said first and second worksurfaces, and are configured to receive and detachably retain accessories therein.

13. A table as set forth in claim 12, including:

a plurality of accessories detachably retained in said mounting slots on said center beam member.

14. A table as set forth in claim 13, wherein:

said first and second outrigger beam members have a lateral cross-sectional shape which is generally commensurate with the lateral cross-sectional shape of said center beam member.

15. A table as set forth in claim 14, wherein:

said center beam member defines a first center beam member; and

including

a second rigid, elongate center beam member having first and second oppositely disposed ends thereof defining a predetermined length therebetween; and

wherein

said first end of said second center beam member is detachably connected to a fourth one of said flanges on said first center post member.

16. A table as set forth in claim 15, including:

a third center post member, positioned adjacent to said second end of said second center beam member, and having a lower end thereof configured for abutting support on the floor surface, and an upper end thereof operably connected with said second end of said second center beam member to support said second center beam member in a generally horizontal orientation at a predetermined height above the floor surface in alignment with said first center beam member;

fifth and sixth rigid outrigger beam members positioned on opposite sides of said second center beam member in a generally mutually perpendicular relationship therewith, and having outer ends thereof, and inner ends thereof operably connected with opposite sides of said third center post member;

fifth and sixth outrigger post members positioned on said opposite sides of said second center beam member adjacent said third center post member, and having lower ends thereof configured for abutting support on the floor surface, and upper ends thereof operably connected with said outside ends of said fifth and sixth outrigger beam members to stabilize said table; and

third and fourth elongate worksurfaces positioned along said opposite sides of said second center beam member, and having predetermined lengths thereof generally commensurate with said predetermined length of said second center beam member, inside edges thereof operably connected with and at least partially supported by said second center beam member, end edges thereof abuttingly engaging and at least partially supported by said upper ends of said fifth and sixth outrigger post members, and outside edges thereof protruding outwardly from said fifth and sixth outrigger post members in a cantilevered fashion and extending freely therealong to permit unencumbered access to said third and fourth worksurfaces.

17. A table as set forth in claim 16, wherein:

said third center post member and said fifth and sixth outrigger post members have a generally X-shaped cross-sectional configuration that is generally commensurate with said cross-sectional configuration of said first and second center post members and said first, second, third and fourth outrigger post members; and

said second center beam member and said fifth and sixth outrigger beam members have a lateral cross-sectional shape that is generally commensurate with said lateral cross-sectional shape of said first center beam member and said first, second, third and fourth outrigger beam members.

18. A table as set forth in claim 17, wherein:

each of said first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth outrigger beam members includes a T-shaped slot extending along a lower edge thereof; and

said accessories include at least one electrical outlet member detachably mounted in said T-slot in an associated one of said outrigger beams.

19. A table as set forth in claim 18, including:

at least one shroud positioned around and enclosing at least a portion of said one outrigger beam and said one of said outrigger post members connected therewith.

20. A table for offices and the like, comprising:

a rigid, elongate center beam member having first and second oppositely disposed ends thereof defining a predetermined length therebetween;

first and second center post members, positioned adjacent to said first and second ends of said center beam member, and having lower ends thereof configured for abutting support on an associated floor surface, and upper ends thereof operably connected with said first and second ends of said center beam member to support said center beam member in a generally horizontal orientation at a predetermined height above the floor surface;

at least one outrigger beam member positioned on one side of said center beam member in a generally mutually perpendicular relationship therewith, and having an outer end thereof, and an inner end thereof operably connected with an associated side of said first center post member;

at least one outrigger post member positioned on said one side of said center beam member adjacent said first center post member, and having a lower end thereof configured for abutting support on the floor surface, and an upper end thereof operably connected with said outside end of said outrigger beam member to stabilize said table; and

at least one elongate worksurface positioned along said one side of said center beam member, and having a predetermined length thereof generally commensurate with said predetermined length of said center beam member, an inside edge thereof operably connected with and at least partially supported by said center beam member, an end segment thereof abuttingly engaging and at least partially supported by said upper end of said outrigger post member, and an outside edge thereof protruding outwardly from said outrigger post member in a cantilevered fashion and extending freely therealong to permit unencumbered access to said worksurface.

21. A table as set forth in claim 20, wherein:

said first center post member has a generally X-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration, and includes four mutually perpendicular flanges extending outwardly from a central region of said first center post member;

said first end of said center beam member is detachably connected with a first one of said flanges on said first center post member; and

said inner end of said outrigger beam member is detachably connected with a second one of said flanges on said first center post member.

22. A table as set forth in claim 21, wherein:

said outrigger post member has a generally X-shaped cross-sectional configuration that is generally commensurate with said cross-sectional configuration of said first center post member, and includes four mutually perpendicular flanges extending outwardly from a central region of said outrigger post member;

said outer end of said outrigger beam member is detachably connected with a first one of said flanges on said outrigger post member; and

said outrigger beam member has a lateral cross-sectional shape which is generally commensurate with the lateral cross-sectional shape of said center beam member.

23. A table as set forth in claim 22, wherein:

said center beam member includes mounting slots extending along opposite side faces thereof; and

including

a plurality of brackets detachably retained in said mounting slots, and detachably connected with said worksurface to at least partially support said inside edge thereof.

24. A table as set forth in claim 23, wherein:

said first and second center post members have a height greater than the height of said outrigger post member, such that at least an upper portion of said center beam member protrudes vertically above said worksurface;

said mounting slots on said center beam member are disposed vertically above said worksurface, and including

a plurality of accessories detachably retained in said mounting slots on said center beam member.

25. In a table for offices and the like, the improvement comprising:

a rigid, elongate center beam member having first and second oppositely disposed ends thereof defining a predetermined length therebetween;

at least one center post member, positioned adjacent to said first end of said center beam member, and having a lower end thereof configured for abutting support on an associated floor surface, and an upper end thereof operably connected with said first end of said center beam member to support at least a portion of said center beam member in a generally horizontal orientation at a predetermined height above the floor surface;

first and second rigid outrigger beam members positioned on opposite sides of said center beam member in a generally mutually perpendicular relationship therewith, and having outer ends thereof, and inner ends thereof operably connected with opposite sides of said center post member;

first and second outrigger post members positioned on said opposite sides of said center beam member adjacent said center post member, and having lower ends thereof configured for abutting support on the floor surface, and upper ends thereof operably connected with said outside ends of said first and second outrigger beam members to stabilize said table; and

first and second elongate worksurfaces positioned along said opposite sides of said center beam member, and having predetermined lengths thereof generally commensurate with said predetermined length of said center beam member, inside edges thereof operably connected with and at least partially supported by said center beam member, end segments thereof abuttingly engaging and at least partially supported by said upper ends of said outrigger post members, and outside edges thereof protruding outwardly from said outrigger post members in a cantilevered fashion and extending freely therealong to permit unencumbered access to said first and second worksurfaces.

26. A table as set forth in claim 25, wherein:

said center post member has a generally X-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration, and includes four mutually perpendicular flanges extending outwardly from a central region of said first center post member;

said first end of said center beam member is detachably connected with a first one of said flanges on said first center post member; and

said inner ends of said first and second outrigger beam members are detachably connected with second and third ones of said flanges on said center post member.

27. A table as set forth in claim 26, wherein:

said first outrigger post member has a generally X-shaped cross-sectional configuration that is generally commensurate with said cross-sectional configuration of said center post member, and includes four mutually perpendicular flanges extending outwardly from a central region of said first outrigger post member;

said outer end of said first outrigger beam member is detachably connected with a first one of said flanges on said first outrigger post member; and

said first and second outrigger beam members have a lateral cross-sectional shape which is generally commensurate with the lateral cross-sectional shape of said center beam member.

28. A table as set forth in claim 27, wherein:

said center beam member includes mounting slots extending along opposite side faces thereof; and

including

a plurality of brackets detachably retained in said mounting slots, and detachably connected with said first and second worksurfaces to at least partially support said inside edges thereof.

29. A table as set forth in claim 28, wherein:

said center post member has a height greater than the height of said first and second outrigger post members, such that at least an upper portion of said center beam member protrudes vertically above said first and second worksurfaces;

said mounting slots on said center beam member are disposed vertically above said first and second worksurfaces; and

including

a plurality of accessories detachably retained in said mounting slots on said center beam member.

30. In a table for offices and the like, the improvement comprising:

a rigid, elongate center beam member having first and second oppositely disposed ends thereof defining a predetermined length therebetween;

at least one center post member, positioned adjacent to said first end of said center beam member, and having a lower end thereof configured for abutting support on an associated floor surface, and an upper end thereof configured for operable connection with said first end of said center beam member to support at least a portion of said center beam member in a generally horizontal orientation at a predetermined height above the floor surface;

said center post member having a generally X-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration, and including four mutually perpendicular flanges extending outwardly from a central region of said center post member, and wherein said first end of said center beam member is detachably connected with a first one of said flanges on said first center post member;

at least one rigid outrigger beam member positioned on one side of said center beam member in a generally mutually perpendicular relationship therewith, and having an outer end thereof, and an inner end thereof operably connected with an associated side of said center post member;

said outrigger beam member has a lateral cross-sectional shape which is generally commensurate with the lateral cross-sectional shape of said center beam member;

at least one outrigger post member positioned on said side of said center beam member adjacent said center post member, and having a lower end thereof configured for abutting support on the floor surface, and an upper end thereof operably connected with said outside end of said outrigger beam member to stabilize said table;

said outrigger post member having a generally X-shaped cross-sectional configuration that is generally commensurate with said cross-sectional configuration of said center post member, and including four mutually perpendicular flanges extending outwardly from a central region of said outrigger post member, and wherein said outer end of said outrigger beam member is detachably connected with a first one of said flanges on said outrigger beam member; and

at least one elongate worksurface positioned along said one side of said center beam member, and having a predetermined length thereof generally commensurate with said predetermined length of said center beam member, an inside edge thereof operably connected with and at least partially supported by said center beam member, an end segment thereof abuttingly engaging and at least partially supported by said upper end of said outrigger post member, and an outside edge thereof protruding outwardly from said outrigger post member in a cantilevered fashion and extending freely therealong to permit unencumbered access to said worksurface.

31. A table as set forth in claim 30, wherein:

each of said flanges of said center post member includes a T-shaped slot extending along an outer edge thereof; and

including

a first connector retained in said T-shaped slot of said one flange of said center post member and detachably connected with said first end of said center beam member.

32. A table as set forth in claim 31, wherein:

said center beam member includes mounting slots extending along opposite side faces thereof; and

including

a plurality of brackets detachably retained in said mounting slots, and detachably connected with said first and second worksurfaces to at least partially support said inside edges thereof.

33. A table as set forth in claim 32, wherein:

said center post member has a height greater than the height of said outrigger post member, such that at least an upper portion of said center beam member protrudes vertically above said first and second worksurfaces.

34. A table as set forth in claim 33, wherein:

said mounting slots on said center beam member are disposed vertically above said first and second worksurfaces; and

including

a plurality of accessories detachably retained in said mounting slots on said center beam member.

35. A method for making a table:

comprising;

forming a rigid, elongate center beam member with first and second oppositely disposed ends defining a predetermined length therebetween;

forming rigid first and second center post members with lower ends thereof configured for abutting support on an associated floor surface, and upper ends thereof configured for operable connection with the first and second ends of the center beam member;

forming rigid first and second outrigger beam members with outer ends thereof, and inner ends thereof configured for operable connection with opposite sides of the first center post member;

forming rigid first and second outrigger post members with lower ends thereof configured for abutting support on the floor surface, and upper ends thereof configured for operable connection with the outside ends of the first and second outrigger beam members;

forming first and second elongate worksurfaces with predetermined lengths thereof generally commensurate with the predetermined length of the center beam member, and including inside edges, end segments and outside edges;

detachably connecting the upper ends of the first and second center post members with the first and second ends of the center beam member to support the center beam member in a generally horizontal orientation at a predetermined height above the floor surface;

positioning the first and second outrigger beam members on opposite sides of the center beam member in a generally mutually perpendicular relationship therewith;

detachably connecting the inner ends of the first and second outrigger beam members with opposite sides of the first center post member;

positioning the first and second outrigger post members on the opposite sides of the center beam member adjacent the first center post member;

detachably connecting the upper ends of the first and second outrigger post members with the outer ends of the first and second outrigger beam members to stabilize the table;

positioning the first and second worksurfaces along the opposite sides of the center beam member with the inside edges thereof extending generally parallel and adjacent to the opposite sides of the center beam member, the end segments thereof positioned adjacent to the upper ends of the first and second outrigger post members, and the outside edges thereof protruding outwardly from the first and second outrigger post members in a cantilevered fashion and extending freely therealong to permit unencumbered access to the first and second worksurfaces;

detachably connecting at least a portion of the inside edges of the first and second worksurfaces with the center beam member to at least partially support the same thereon; and

abuttingly engaging at least a portion of the end segments of the first and second worksurfaces with the upper ends of the first and second outrigger post members to at least partially support the same thereon.

36. A method as set forth in claim 35, including:

forming rigid third and fourth outrigger beam members with outer ends thereof, and inner ends thereof configured for operable connection with opposite sides of the second center post member;

forming rigid third and fourth outrigger post members with lower ends thereof configured for abutting support on the floor surface, and upper ends thereof configured for operable connection with the outside ends of the third and fourth outrigger beam members;

positioning the third and fourth outrigger beam members on opposite sides of the center beam member in a generally mutually perpendicular relationship therewith;

detachably connecting the inner ends of the third and fourth outrigger beam members with opposite sides of the second center post member;

positioning the third and fourth outrigger post members on the opposite sides of the center beam member adjacent the second center post member; and

detachably connecting the upper ends of the third and fourth outrigger post members with the outer ends of the third and fourth outrigger beam members to stabilize the table.

37. A method as set forth in claim 36, including:

abuttingly engaging at least a portion of the end segments of the first and second worksurfaces with the upper ends of the third and fourth outrigger post members to at least partially support the same thereon.

38. A method for making a table;

comprising;

forming a plurality of rigid, elongate center beam members with first and second oppositely disposed ends defining a variety of different predetermined lengths therebetween;

forming rigid first and second center post members with lower ends thereof configured for abutting support on an associated floor surface, and upper ends thereof configured for operable connection with the first and second ends of an associated one of the center beam members;

forming rigid first and second outrigger beam members with outer ends thereof, and inner ends thereof configured for operable connection with opposite sides of the first center post member;

forming rigid first and second outrigger post members with lower ends thereof configured for abutting support on the floor surface, and upper ends thereof configured for operable connection with the outside ends of the first and second outrigger beam members;

forming a plurality of pairs of elongate worksurfaces with a variety of different predetermined lengths generally commensurate with the predetermined lengths of the center beam members, and including inside edges, end segments and outside edges;

selecting one of the center beam members with a predetermined length generally commensurate with the desired length of the table;

detachably connecting the upper ends of the first and second center post members with the first and second ends of the one center beam member to support the one center beam member in a generally horizontal orientation at a predetermined height above the floor surface;

positioning the first and second outrigger beam members on opposite sides of the one center beam member in a generally mutually perpendicular relationship therewith;

detachably connecting the inner ends of the first and second outrigger beam members with opposite sides of the first center post member;

positioning the first and second outrigger post members on the opposite sides of the one center beam member adjacent the first center post member;

detachably connecting the upper ends of the first and second outrigger post members with the outer ends of the first and second outrigger beam members to stabilize the table;

selecting one pair of the worksurfaces with predetermined lengths substantially commensurate with the predetermined length of the one center beam member;

positioning the first and second worksurfaces along the opposite sides of the center beam member with the inside edges thereof extending generally parallel and adjacent to the opposite sides of the center beam member, the end segments thereof positioned adjacent to the upper ends of the first and second outrigger post members, and the outside edges thereof protruding outwardly from the first and second outrigger post members in a cantilevered fashion and extending freely therealong to permit unencumbered access to the first and second worksurfaces;

detachably connecting at least a portion of the inside edges of the first and second worksurfaces with the center beam member to at least partially support the same thereon; and

abuttingly engaging at least a portion of the end segments of the first and second worksurfaces with the upper ends of the first and second outrigger post members to at least partially support the same thereon.

39. A method as set forth in claim 38, including:

forming rigid third and fourth outrigger beam members with outer ends thereof, and inner ends thereof configured for operable connection with opposite ends of the second center post member;

forming rigid third and fourth outrigger post members with lower ends thereof configured for abutting support on the floor surface, and upper ends thereof configured for operable connection with the outside ends of the third and fourth outrigger beam members;

positioning the third and fourth outrigger beam members on opposite sides of the one center beam member in a generally mutually perpendicular relationship therewith;

detachably connecting the inner ends of the third and fourth outrigger beam members with opposite sides of the second center post member;

positioning the third and fourth outrigger post members on the opposite sides of the one center beam member adjacent the second center post member; and

detachably connecting the upper ends of the third and fourth outrigger post members with the outer ends of the third and fourth outrigger beam members to stabilize the table.

40. A method as set forth in claim 39, including:

abuttingly engaging at least a portion of the end segments of the first and second worksurfaces with the upper ends of the third and fourth outrigger post members to at least partially support the same thereon.