MODULAR CONFERENCE TABLE

• US 20120103235A1
• Filed: 01/10/2012
• Published: 05/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Regency Seating, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Regency Seating, Inc.
• Inventors: SUMMERVILLE, AARON
• Granted Patent: US 8,875,639 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 108/89
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 1/03 the leaves being foldable or revolvable
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 1/04 with supplementary leaves or drop leaves arranged at the periphery A47B1/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/08 Table tops; Rims therefor not restricted to table tops A47B95/04
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/088 Sectional table tops
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0079 Conference or video conference table
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/12 Vanity or modesty panels
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 3/06 with separable parts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A modular conference table allows meeting participants and office staff to quickly and effectively change the length of the conference table as the needs of the meeting participants change. The present invention includes a tabletop assembly including a first end-top, a second end-top, and a modular insert top. Additionally, modular conference table includes a leg assembly upholding the tabletop assembly. The legs assembly includes two terminal supports and center supports. The modular conference table can be expanded in order to accommodate the needs of the user by adding an additional number of modular insert tops, modesty panels, and center supports. Thus, the invention allows attendees of meetings and office staff to adjust the size of a conference table according to the size of the space or the needs of the user.

Claims

1. A table comprising:

a tabletop assembly including a first end-top, a second end-top, and a modular insert top which includes at least one elongated central opening in which a grommet is placed where the modular insert top is interposed between the first and second end-tops to form a singular elongated work surface;

a leg assembly upholding the tabletop assembly wherein the leg assembly includes a first terminal support perpendicularly attached to the first end-top, a second terminal support perpendicularly attached to the second end-top, and a center support located between the terminal supports and perpendicularly attached to the modular insert top; and

,

two modesty panels, wherein the first modesty panel is interposed between the first terminal support and the center support, wherein the second modesty panel is interposed between the second terminal support and the center support, and wherein each modesty panel is perpendicularly attached to the elongated work surface.

2. A table comprising:

a substantially planar top surface, wherein the top surface includes two non-contiguous end portions;

at least one terminal support extending perpendicular from the two non-contiguous end portions; and

,

at least one insertable top portion, wherein the insertable top portion is between the end portions, wherein the at least one insertable top portion has at least one terminal support extending perpendicularly from the top portion, wherein the at least one top portion and the two non-contiguous end portions for a substantially flat surface, wherein the at least one insertable top portion is removably attached to at least one of the end portions.

3. The table of claim 2, wherein the terminal supports are removably attached to the top portions.

4. The table of claim 3, wherein the table comprises at least two insertable top portions, wherein both top portions are between the end portions.

5. The table of claim 2, wherein the table further comprises:

at least one modesty panel, wherein the modesty panel extends downwardly from an underside of the top portion.

6. The table of claim 4, wherein the table further comprises:

at least two modesty panels, wherein the modesty panels extends downwardly from an underside of the top portion, wherein the modesty panels are removably attached to the terminal support of the top portion.

7. The table of claim 6, wherein the modesty panel is removably attached to the terminal support of the end portion.

8. The table of claim 2, wherein the table comprises:

n insertable top portions, wherein n>

1, wherein the insertable top portions are between the end portions, wherein the insertable top portions have at least one terminal support extending perpendicularly from the top portion, wherein the top portions and the two non-contiguous end portions fora substantially flat surface, wherein the insertable top portions are removably attached to at least one of the end portions; and

,

n+1 modesty panels, wherein the modesty panels extends downwardly from an underside of the top portion, wherein the modesty panels are removably attached to the terminal support of the top portion.

9. The table of claim 8, wherein the top portions, end portions, modesty panels, and terminal supports are connected to each other with cam pins and cam locks.

10. A method for increasing the size of a table, the method comprising the steps of:

inserting at least one top portion between two end portions;

connecting the at least one top portion to the end portions;

attaching a terminal support to the at least one top portion; and

,

attaching a terminal support to each end portion, wherein the top portion and the terminal supports are removably attachable.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one top portion is at least two top portions.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

attaching a modesty panel on each side of the terminal support of the top portion; and

,

attaching the modesty panels to terminal supports of the end portions.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

attaching a modesty panel on each side of the terminal supports of the top portions.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the table comprises n insertable top portions, wherein n>

1, wherein the insertable top portions are between the end portions, wherein the insertable top portions have at least one terminal support extending perpendicularly from the top portion, wherein the top portions and the two non-contiguous end portions for a substantially flat surface, wherein the insertable top portions are removably attached to at least one of the end portions; and

,

n+1 modesty panels, wherein the modesty panels extends downwardly from an underside of the top portion, wherein the modesty panels are removably attached to the terminal support of the top portion.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the top portions, end portions, modesty panels, and terminal supports are connected to each other with cam pins and cam locks.