Table leg with cable management system

• US 6,086,028 A
• Filed: 05/26/1999
• Issued: 07/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joel W. Pfister
• Original Assignee: Joel W. Pfister
• Inventors: Pfister, Joel W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Braun, Leslie A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SZUMNY, JONATHON A
• Application Number:
  US09/320,309
• Time in Patent Office: 412 Days
• Field of Search: 108/50.01, 108/50.02, 108/190, 248/188.8, 248/188.1, 248/188, 248/677, 312/198, 312/223.6, 312/223.3, 52/220.2, 52/220.7
• US Class Current: 248/188.8
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/06 characterised by means for holding, fastening or concealing cables

Abstract

A cable management system incorporated for use in routing one or more cables through the readily accessible interior of an open channel structure used for a leg of a table. A positionable access panel is attached by springs to the interior of the open channel structure and is maneuvered to reveal a channel opening and thus allow access to the interior of the open channel structure for cable routing, and is maneuvered once again to close the channel opening and capture the routed cable therein.

Claims

1. A table leg with a cable management system for cables comprising:

a. a base;

b. an open C-shaped channel means secured to said base;

c. at least one mounting post secured to said C-shaped channel means, said C-shaped channel having inner edges;

d. a planar panel portion with opposing lips;

e. at least one mounting post secured to said planar panel portion; and

,

f. a spring between said mounting posts for engaging said lips of said planar portion against the inner edges of said open C-shaped channel means, thereby adapted to cover cables in the open C-shaped channel means.

2. A structural member with provision for cable or wire management and being for use as a table leg, comprising:

a. a rigid elongated channel element having an access opening extending along its entire length;

b. A rigid access panel located within said channel element and positioned to close said access opening;

c. said access panel being movable between a closed position wherein it closes said access opening and an open position which allows entry of a cable or wire into said channel element through said access opening; and

d. means for biasing said access panel to said closed position.

3. A structural member as defined in claim 2, wherein said access panel has an outer face and an inner face, closed position comprises at least one spring extending between said inner face of said access panel and an inner surface portion of said channel element.

4. A structural member as defined in claim 3, wherein each said at least one spring is a coil spring.

5. A structural member as defined in claim 3, wherein said inner face of said access panel and said inner surface portion of said channel element each includes means for anchoring an end of each said at least one spring thereto.

6. A structural member as defined in claim 2, wherein said channel element includes opposite ends, and wherein a base for engaging a floor or other supporting surface is attached to one of said opposite ends and a mounting plate for fastening to the undersurface of a table top is attached to the other of said opposite ends.