Modular table system with cable management

• US 6,435,106 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2001
• Issued: 08/20/2002
• 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:
  US09/749,120
• Publication Number:
  US 20010013305A1
• Time in Patent Office: 553 Days
• Field of Search: 108/50.02, 108/50.01, 108/50.11, 312/223.6, 312/223.3, 312/223.1, 312/194
• 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;

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 power supply support member located below the table top, and one or more power supply receptacles mounted to the power supply support member;

a passage formed in the table top at a location spaced from the power supply support member, 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 support member and releasably engaged with engagement structure associated with the lower surface of the table top, wherein the cover is located such that the passage is disposed between the support member and the cover when the cover is engaged with the engagement structure 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.

2. The table assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover defines a lower end mounted to the power supply support member below the one or more power supply receptacles, and an upper end selectively engageable with the engagement structure associated with the underside of the table top.

3. The table assembly of claim 2, wherein the cover includes hinge structure located adjacent its lower end for providing movement of the cover between its open and closed positions.

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 power supply support member located below the table top, and one or more power supply receptacles mounted to the power supply support member;

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, wherein the power supply receptacles are mounted to a first mounting area defined by the power supply support member, and wherein the power supply support member includes a passage-defining structure that defines a passage separate from the first mounting area for receiving one or more communication wires.

5. The table assembly of claim 4, further comprising one or more communication receptacles mounted to the passage-defining structure of the power supply support member.

6. A table assembly, comprising:

a table top defining an upper surface, an 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 support member disposed below the table top;

one or more first power supply receptacles mounted to the power supply support member 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 power supply support member 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.