Modular table system with cable management

• US 6,202,567 B1
• Filed: 06/10/1994
• Issued: 03/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Krueger International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Krueger International Incorporated
• Inventors: Gevaert, Steven C., Funk, David R.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHEN, JOSE V
• Application Number:
  US08/258,429
• Time in Patent Office: 2,475 Days
• Field of Search: 108/144, 108/50.01, 108/50.02, 108/50.11, 312/194, 312/223.1, 312/223.3, 312/223.6, 248/108.8, 248/108.9
• US Class Current: 108/50.02
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/066 with power or communication connection interface
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2037/005 Tables specially adapted for laboratories
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/06 characterised by means for holding, fastening or concealing cables
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0082 Cable inlet in worktop or desk, e.g. grommet

Abstract

A table assembly consists of a table top supported by a leg assembly, which includes a vertical tubular leg member. The leg assembly further includes a foot member mounted to the lower end of each leg via a mounting member. The length of the foot member can be varied according to the width of the table top to selectively provide different sizes of tables according to user requirements, while the mounting member is usable for all sizes of legs and foot members to mount the foot member to the leg. A power/communication housing is mounted to the underside of the table top. The housing includes first and second passages isolated from each other via a wall, with power supply cabling and communication cabling placed within the first and second passages, respectively. Power and communication receptacles are mounted to the power/communication housing, and an opening is formed in the table top for allowing power or communication cables to be passed through the table top to provide engagement with the power and communication receptacles. An access door interconnected with the power/communication housing conceals the cables fed below the table top, and also the power and communication receptacles mounted to the power/communication housing. The length of the power/communication housing and access door can be varied according to the width of the table top.

Claims

1. A table assembly, comprising:

a table top defining an upper surface and a lower surface and spaced side edges;

leg structure interconnected with the table top for supporting the table top above a supporting surface;

a power supply system disposed below the table top and including a housing mounted to the table top, the housing defining first and second ends, each of which is located adjacent one of the table top side edges, and wherein the housing includes wall structure extending between the first and second housing ends defining a first internal passage extending between the housing ends for receiving one or more power supply cables, and one or more power supply receptacles mounted to the housing, wherein the housing wall structure further defines a second internal passage extending between the housing ends for receiving one or more additional cables, and wherein the wall structure functions to isolate the second passage from the first passage;

a passage formed in the table top for routing one or more cables below the table top from a location above the table top for engagement with the one or more power supply receptacles;

wherein the housing comprises an extrusion member and wherein the wall structure defines an upper wall, a side wall, and first and second transverse walls, wherein the upper wall, side wall and first transverse wall define in part the first passage, and wherein the first transverse wall separates the first passage from the second passage.

2. The table assembly of claim 1, further comprising closure wall structure having an upper portion engaged with the extrusion member upper wall;

a lower portion engaged with the extrusion member second transverse wall; and

an intermediate portion engaged with the extrusion member first transverse wall;

wherein the closure wall structure functions to enclose the first and second passages.

3. The table assembly of claim 2, wherein the one or more additional cables comprises a communication cable, and wherein at least one of the power supply receptacles are mounted to the closure wall structure enclosing the first passage, and further comprising one or more communication receptacles mounted to the closure wall structure enclosing the second passage.

4. A table assembly, comprising:

a table top defining an upper surface and a lower surface;

leg structure interconnected with the table top for supporting the table top above a supporting surface;

a power supply system disposed below the table top and including a housing mounted to the table top, the housing defining an internal passage for receiving one or more power supply cables, and one or more power supply receptacles mounted to the housing;

a passage formed in the table top for routing one or more cables below the table top from a location above the table top for engagement with the one or more power supply receptacles; and

a cover movably mounted to the power supply system housing and releasably engaged with the lower surface of the table top, wherein the cover is located such that the passage is disposed between the housing and the cover when the cover is engaged with the underside of the table such that the cover encloses cables extending through the passage in the table top and engaged with the one or more power supply receptacles, wherein the cover is movable between an open position providing access to cables extending through the table top passage and a closed position preventing access thereto.

5. The table assembly of claim 4, wherein the cover defines a lower end mounted to the housing below the one or more power supply receptacles, and an upper end selectively engageable with engagement structure provided on the underside of the table top.

6. The table assembly of claim 5, wherein the cover includes hinge structure located adjacent its lower end for providing movement of the cover between its open and closed positions.

7. A table assembly, comprising:

a table top defining an upper surface and a lower surface;

leg structure interconnected with the table top for supporting the table top above a supporting surface;

a power and communication structure located adjacent the table lower surface, including an axially extending housing defining first and second ends and wall structure defining axial power supply and communication passages isolated from each other throughout the length of the housing for receiving power supply and communication cables, respectively; and

an access cover interconnected between the power and communication structure and the lower surface of the table, the access cover being movable between a closed position preventing access to the power supply and communication passages and an open position providing access thereto.

8. The table assembly of claim 7, wherein the table top includes a passage for routing one or more cables from above the table top to below the table top, and wherein the table top passage is located between the housing and the access cover so that the access cover functions to enclose cables extending below the table top when the access cover is in its closed position.

9. The table assembly of claim 8, wherein the access cover includes a lower end mounted to the power and communication structure, an upper end releasably engaged with engagement structure provided on the table top lower surface, and hinge structure providing movement of the access cover between its open and closed positions.

10. The table assembly of claim 9, wherein the hinge structure comprises a living hinge formed integrally with the access cover.

11. A modular table system, comprising:

a table top having a length and width selecting according to the requirements of an end user;

a power supply system including a housing defined at least in part by an extrusion member having a length determined according to the length of the table top, one or more power supply cables received within the housing, and a power supply receptacle mounted to the housing and interconnected with the one or more power supply cables; and

support structure for supporting the table top above a supporting surface, including a leg interconnected with and depending from the table top and terminating in a lower end, an axial foot member having a length selected according to the width of the table top, and mounting structure for mounting the foot member to the leg, wherein the mounting structure includes a mounting member separate from the leg and separate from the foot member, wherein the mounting member has a length less than the length of the foot member and includes an upper connection arrangement for securement to the lower end of the leg and a lower connection arrangement for securement to the foot member.

12. The modular table system of claim 11, wherein the table top defines first and second side edges, and wherein the extrusion member defines a pair of spaced open ends, each of which is located adjacent one of the table top side edges.

15. The modular table system of claim 11, wherein the lower connection structure comprises a series of threaded fasteners extending through the axial foot member into engagement with threaded passages provided in the mounting member, and wherein the upper connection structure comprises one or more threaded fasteners extending between the mounting member and one or more threaded passages provided toward the lower end of the leg.

16. The modular table system of claim 11, wherein the axial foot member defines first and second ends, and further comprising an end cap member engaged with each end of the axial foot member.

17. The modular table system of claim 16, wherein the axial foot member comprises a tubular member defining first and second open ends, and wherein the end cap includes a first internal portion adapted for placement within one of the open ends of the axial foot member and engaged with the axial foot member for mounting the end cap thereto, and a second external portion extending outwardly from the open end of each axial foot member and engageable with the supporting surface for supporting the table assembly thereabove.

18. The modular table system of claim 17, further comprising a glide member engaged with the external portion of each end cap member engageable with the supporting surface, and an adjustment member interposed between the end cap member external portion and the glide member for leveling the table top.

19. The modular table system of claim 11, wherein the leg defines an upper portion located adjacent the power supply system housing and a lower portion spaced therebelow and an internal passage extending between the upper and lower portions, and further comprising structure associated with the leg upper portion and the power supply system housing for providing communication between the leg internal passage and the power supply system housing for routing one or more power supply cables through the leg internal passage to the leg lower portion.

20. The modular table system of claim 19, further comprising an opening formed in the leg lower portion for enabling one or more power cables to pass from the leg internal passage, and grommet structure mounted to the leg over the opening.

21. The modular table system of claim 11, wherein the leg is located toward the rearward end of the table top, and wherein the support structure further includes an arm member mounted to the leg adjacent an upper end defined by the leg and extending forwardly therefrom for engaging the underside of the table top, and wherein the leg is engaged with the axial foot member via the mounting structure toward a rearward end defined by the axial foot member, wherein a portion of the mounting structure extends forwardly of the leg toward the forward end of the axial foot member.

13. A table assembly, comprising:

a table top defining an upper surface and a lower surface;

a power supply system disposed below the table top and including a housing defining an internal passage for receiving one or more power supply cables and one or more power supply receptacles mounted to the housing;

leg structure interconnected with the table top for supporting the table top above a supporting surface, wherein the leg structure includes a tubular leg member defining an upper end located adjacent the power supply system housing and a lower end disposed therebelow, the tubular leg member including a passage extending between its upper and lower ends; and

structure establishing communication between the power supply system housing passage and the tubular leg member passage for routing one or more power supply cables between the housing and the tubular leg member, the tubular leg member further including an opening located toward its lower end for routing the one or more power supply cables externally thereof.

14. The modular table system of claim 13, further comprising a closure engageable with the extrusion member for enclosing the first and second passages, wherein the power supply receptacle is mounted to the closure, and further comprising a communication receptacle interconnected with the one or more communication cables and mounted to the closure.

22. A leg assembly for supporting a table above a supporting surface, the table including a table top, comprising:

a leg member defining a lower end and an upper end engageable with the table top;

an axially extending foot member defining an upper surface and a lower surface facing the supporting surface; and

a mounting member separate from the leg member and separate from the foot member, the mounting member being engaged with the lower end of the leg member and with the upper surface of the foot member for securing the leg member and the foot member together to form the leg assembly, wherein the mounting member has a length less than the length of the foot member and includes an upper connection arrangement for securement to the lower end of the leg member and a lower connection arrangement for securement to the foot member.

23. The leg assembly of claim 22, wherein the foot member comprises an axially extending member defining first and second open ends between which the upper and lower surfaces extend, and further comprising an end cap mounted to the foot member adjacent each of its ends, wherein each end cap includes a first portion adapted for insertion within the foot member open end and a second portion extending outwardly from the open end and engageable with the supporting surface.

24. The leg assembly of claim 23, wherein the first portion of each end cap is mounted to the foot member via one or more threaded fasteners extending between and interconnecting the foot member with the end cap first portion.

25. The leg assembly of claim 23, further comprising an engagement member mounted to the second portion of each end cap for vertical adjustment relative thereto for use in leveling the table.

26. The leg assembly of claim 22, wherein the upper connection arrangement includes one or more downwardly facing threaded passages provided in the leg member lower end, and one or more threaded fasteners extending through the mounting member and into engagement with the threaded passages.

27. The leg assembly of claim 26, wherein the lower connection arrangement includes a series of downwardly facing threaded passages provided in the mounting member, and a series of threaded fasteners extending through the foot member into engagement with the threaded passages.

28. A table assembly, comprising:

a table top defining an upper surface, and underside, spaced front and rear edges and spaced side edges;

leg structure interconnected with the table top for supporting the table top above a supporting surface;

a power supply housing disposed below the table top and defining an internal passage within which one or more power supply cables are located;

one or more first power supply receptacles mounted to the housing and facing in a first direction toward the front edge of the table top, wherein the first power supply receptacles are accessible from below the front edge of the table top; and

one or more second power supply receptacles mounted to the housing and facing in a direction toward the rear edge of the table top, wherein the second power supply receptacles are accessible from below the rear edge of the table top.

29. A table system comprising a series of side-by-side table assemblies, each table assembly comprising:

a table top;

leg structure interconnected with the table top for supporting the table top above a supporting surface;

a power supply housing disposed below the table top and defining an internal passage;

a pair of spaced electrical connectors disposed within the housing;

electrical power cable means extending between and interconnected with the spaced electrical connectors for providing electrical power thereto;

one or more power supply receptacles mounted to the housing, wherein each power supply receptacle is interconnected with one of the electrical connectors for supplying electrical power to the power supply receptacle; and

a jumper interconnected with at least one electrical connector of a first table assembly and at least one electrical connector of an adjacent table assembly for communicating electrical power between the table assemblies.