Mobile table system

• US 5,438,937 A
• Filed: 06/08/1993
• Issued: 08/08/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc. (Steelcase Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Inventors: Scheerhorn, Lon D., Ball, Douglas C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V.
• Application Number:
  US08/074,073
• Time in Patent Office: 791 Days
• Field of Search: 108/64, 108/66, 108/50, 312/249.8, 312/107, 312/201, 403/329, 403/326
• US Class Current: 108/64
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 87/002 Combination of tables; Linking or assembling means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/606 Leaf spring

Abstract

A mobile table system is provided in which multiple tables can be juxtaposed in many different configurations to facilitate a wide variety of both group and individual activities. Each table has a top with oppositely oriented side edges shaped to abut flush with the side edges of like tables, an outer marginal edge configured to accommodate a user thereby, and an inner marginal edge with a generally concave shape which defines a central space when aligned with the inner marginal edges of like tables. Each table includes legs to support the same freestanding on a floor surface. A first one of the legs depends from the top adjacent the outer marginal edge thereof and has a foot at the lower end thereof, and a second one of the leg depends from the top adjacent the inner marginal edge thereof and has a roller at the lower end thereof, so as to permit manual translation of the tables across the floor surface in a wheelbarrow fashion. A latch arrangement may be provided to detachably interconnect like tables in a manner which enables the same to be readily pulled apart.

Claims

1. A mobile conference table, comprising:

a top having a pair of oppositely oriented, mutually tapered side edges configured to abut generally flush with similar side edges of adjacent like mobile tables to create an enlarged substantially continuous open worksurface, an outer marginal edge configured to accommodate a user thereby, and an inner marginal edge with a shape which defines a central space when aligned with similar inner marginal edges of adjacent like mobile tables;

said top side edges tapering inwardly toward each other from said outer marginal edge to said inner marginal edge; and

a plurality of legs connected with said top and depending therefrom to support said mobile table on a floor surface in a freestanding fashion;

first and second ones of said legs having upper ends thereof connected with said top at locations disposed adjacent to said outer marginal edge at opposite sides thereof, and lower ends thereof with feet to abut the floor surface, and third and fourth ones of said legs having upper ends thereof connected with said top at locations disposed adjacent to said inner marginal edge at opposite sides thereof, and lower ends thereof with rollers to permit manual translation of said mobile table across the floor surface in wheelbarrow fashion, so that like mobile tables can be easily reconfigured by a single person to accommodate different groups and meeting activities.

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

said roller comprises a caster pivotal about a generally vertical axis to facilitate translation of said mobile table in all directions.

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

a back panel extending between and connected with said second and third legs to rigidify the same and enclose the central space.

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

a utility post supported on the floor surface, and shaped to be received in the central space created by adjacently positioned like mobile tables.

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

a latch connected with said mobile table, and configured to detachably interconnected adjacent like mobile tables in a pull-apart fashion.

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

said outer marginal edge and said inner marginal edge have a substantially identical shape such that said inner marginal edge matches the outer marginal edge of an adjacent like mobile table top.

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

a fifth one of said legs has an upper end thereof connected with said top at a location disposed adjacent to said outer marginal edge intermediate said third and fourth legs, and a lower end with a vertically adjustable glide to abut the floor surface.

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

said outer marginal edge of said top is curved to create at least one work area.

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

said latch is configured to selectively engage similar latches of adjacent like mobile tables even when the side edges of like mobile tables are manually converged along a line of motion which is not substantially perpendicular to said side edge.

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

said outer marginal edge and said inner marginal edge are contoured.

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

said side edges are flat, and disposed substantially perpendicular to Upper and lower surfaces of said top.

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

said inner marginal edge has a quarter-circle plan shape.

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

said latch includes a male latch member and a female latch member, which are positioned adjacent each of said side edges and are spaced equidistant from opposite ends thereof, such that adjacent like mobile tables can be interconnected in a variety of different configurations.

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

said male latch member is movably mounted on said top to permit shifting said male latch member between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position to facilitate use of said mobile table in a stand-alone condition.

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

a utility post supported on the floor surface, and shaped to be received in the central space created by adjacently positioned like mobile tables.

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

a latch connected with said mobile table, and configured to detachably interconnected adjacent like mobile tables in a pull-apart fashion.

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

said latch is configured to selectively engage similar latches of adjacent like mobile tables even when the side edges of like mobile tables are manually converged along a line of motion which is not substantially perpendicular to said side edge.

18. A mobile table as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said outer marginal edge and said inner marginal edge have a substantially identical shape such that said inner marginal edge matches the outer marginal edge of an adjacent like mobile table top.

19. A mobile table as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said outer marginal edge and said inner marginal edge are contoured, and said side edges are flat and disposed substantially perpendicular to upper and lower surfaces of said top.

20. A mobile table as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

a fourth one of said legs has an upper end thereof connected with said top at a location disposed adjacent to said outer marginal edge intermediate said third and fourth legs, and a lower end with a vertically adjustable glide to abut the floor surface.

21. A mobile conference table system, comprising:

a plurality of mobile tables, each including;

a top having a pair of oppositely oriented, mutually tapered side edges configured to abut generally flush with similar side edges of adjacent ones of said mobile tables to create an enlarged substantially continuous open worksurface, an outer marginal edge configured to accommodate a user thereby, and an inner edge with a shape which defines a central space when aligned with similar inner marginal edges of adjacent ones of said mobile tables;

said top side edges tapering inwardly toward each other from said outer marginal edge to said inner marginal edge; and

a plurality of legs connected with said top and depending therefrom to support each of said mobile tables on a floor surface in a freestanding fashion, wherein first and second ones of said legs have upper ends thereof connected with said top at locations disposed adjacent to said outer marginal edge at opposite sides thereof, and lower ends thereof with feet to abut the floor surface, and third and fourth ones of said legs have upper ends thereof connected with said top at locations disposed adjacent to said inner marginal edge at opposite sides thereof and lower ends thereof with rollers to permit manual translation of said mobile tables on the floor surface in wheelbarrow fashion, such that said mobile tables can be easily reconfigured by a single person to accommodate different groups and meeting activities.

22. A mobile table system as set forth in claim 21, including:

a utility post supported on the floor surface, and shaped to be received in the central space created by adjacently positioned ones of said mobile tables.

23. A mobile table system as set forth in claim 21, wherein:

each of said mobile tables includes a latch connected therewith, and configured to detachably interconnect adjacent ones of said mobile tables in a pull-apart fashion.

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

said latch is configured to selectively engage similar latches of adjacent ones of said mobile tables even when the side edges of said mobile tables are manually converged along a line of motion which is not substantially perpendicular to said side edges.

25. A mobile table system as set forth in claim 21, wherein:

said outer marginal edge and said inner marginal edge of each of said mobile tables have a substantially identical shape such that said inner marginal edge matches said outer marginal edge of an adjacent one of said mobile tables.

26. A modular table system, comprising:

a plurality of individual modular tables, each including a top having at least one side edge thereof configured to abut generally flush with a similar side edge of an adjacent one of said modular tables to create an enlarged substantially continuous worksurface, and at least one leg connected with said top and depending therefrom to support said modular tables on a floor surface in a freestanding fashion;

a male latch member mounted on a first one of modular tables, and including a resilient arm configured to protrude outwardly of said side edge of said first modular table;

said male latch member including an upwardly protruding barb portion thereof disposed adjacent a free end of said arm, and having a beveled outer edge;

a female latch member mounted on a second one of said modular tables, and including a catch edge shaped to engage the barb portion of said male latch member, and positioned to selectively retain the side edges of said first and second modular tables closely together when the same are positioned in an adjacent and aligned condition;

said female latch member including a marginal edge portion, which is disposed outwardly of said catch edge adjacent the side edge of said second modular table, and is beveled to wedgingly mate with the beveled outer edge of said male latch member;

said marginal edge extending uninterrupted between opposite sides of said catch edge, whereby the barb portion of said male latch member is abuttingly deflected over the beveled marginal edge of said female latch member and snaps into place against said catch edge, even when the side edges of said first and second modular tables are manually converged along a line of motion which is not substantially perpendicular to said side edges.

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

said barb portion of said male latch member includes an inner edge shaped to abuttingly deflect over and disengage said female latch member when said first and second modular tables are manually diverged.

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

said male latch member is movably mounted on said first modular table to permit shifting said male latch member between a fully extended position wherein said arm protrudes from the side edge of said first modular table, and a fully retracted position wherein said arm is positioned wholly under the top of said first modular table to facilitate use of said first modular table in a stand-alone condition.

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

said male latch member comprises a cam rotatably mounted on a lower surface of the top of said first modular table for rotation about a generally vertical axis between said fully extended position and said fully retracted position.

30. A modular table system as set forth in claim 29, wherein:

said leg of each of said modular tables includes a lower end thereof with means for permitting manual translation of said modular tables across the floor surface.

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

said top of each of said modular tables includes an inner edge with a generally concave shape which defines a central space when aligned with similar inner marginal edges of adjacent ones of said modular tables.

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

said top of each of said modular tables includes an outer marginal edge configured to accommodate a user thereby.

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

said at least one leg includes a first leg having an upper end thereof connected with said top at a location disposed adjacent to said outer marginal edge and a lower end thereof with a foot to abut the floor surface, and a second leg having an upper end thereof connected with said top at a location disposed adjacent to said inner marginal edge and a lower end thereof with a roller to define at least a portion of said table translation means, and thereby permit .manual translation of said mobile table across the floor surface in wheelbarrow fashion.

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

said roller comprises a caster pivotal about a generally vertical axis to facilitate translation of said modular tables in all directions.

35. A modular table system as set forth in claim 34, wherein:

said at least one leg includes a third leg having an upper end thereof connected with said top at a location disposed adjacent to said inner marginal edge, generally opposite said first leg, and a lower end thereof with a roller to permit manual translation of said modular tables across the floor surface in wheelbarrow fashion.

36. A mobile table system as set forth in claim 35, wherein:

said side edge of each of said modular tables includes one said male latch member and one said female latch member spaced equidistant from opposite ends thereof, such that said modular tables can be interconnected in a variety of different configurations.

37. A modular table system as set forth in claim 26,

said male latch member is movably mounted on said first modular table to permit shifting said male latch member between a fully extended position wherein the same protrudes from the side edge of said first modular table, and a fully retracted position wherein the same is positioned wholly under the top of said first modular table to facilitate use of said first modular table in a stand-alone condition.

38. A modular table system as set forth in claim 26, wherein:

said male latch member comprises a cam rotatably mounted on a lower surface of the top of said first modular table for rotation about a generally vertical axis between a fully extended position and fully retracted position.

39. A modular table system as set forth in claim 26, wherein:

said leg of each of said modular tables includes a lower end thereof with means for permitting manual translation of said modular tables across the floor surface.

40. A modular table system as set forth in claim 26, wherein:

said top of each of said modular tables includes an inner edge with a generally concave shape which defines a central space when aligned with similar inner marginal edges of adjacent ones of said modular tables.

41. A modular table system as set forth in claim 26, wherein:

said at least one leg includes a first leg having an upper end thereof connected with said top at a location disposed adjacent to said outer marginal edge and a lower end thereof with a foot to abut the floor surface, and a second leg having an upper end thereof connected with said top at a location disposed adjacent to said inner marginal edge and a lower end thereof with a roller to define at least a portion of said table translation means, and thereby permit manual translation of said mobile table across the floor surface in wheelbarrow fashion.

42. A modular table, comprising:

a top having at least one side edge thereof configured to abut generally flush with a similar side edge of an adjacent one of said modular tables to create an enlarged substantially continuous worksurface, and at least one leg connected with said top and depending therefrom to support said modular table on a floor surface in a freestanding fashion;

a male latch member mounted on said top adjacent one end of said side edge, and including a resilient arm configured to protrude outwardly of said side edge;

said male latch member including an upwardly protruding barb portion thereof disposed adjacent a free end of said arm, and having a beveled outer edge;

a female latch member mounted on said top adjacent an opposite end of said side edge, and including a catch edge shaped to engage the barb portion of an adjacent male latch member, and positioned to selectively retain the side edges of adjacent modular tables closely together when the same are positioned in an adjacent and aligned condition and wherein said female latch member includes a beveled marginal edge portion, which is disposed outwardly of said catch edge adjacent said side edge, whereby the barb portion of said male latch member is abuttingly deflected over the beveled marginal edge of said female latch member and snaps into place against said catch edge, even when the side edges adjacent modular tables are manually converged along a line of motion which is not substantially perpendicular to said side edges.

43. A modular table system as set forth in claim 42, wherein:

said barb portion of said male latch member includes an inner edge shaped to abuttingly deflect over and disengage said female latch member when adjacent modular tables are manually diverged.

44. A modular table system as set forth in claim 43, wherein:

said male latch member is movably mounted on said top to permit shifting said male latch member between a fully extended position wherein said arm protrudes from said side edge, and a fully retracted position wherein said arm is positioned wholly under said top to facilitate use of said modular table in a stand-alone condition.