Nestable table with slotted table top

• US 6,662,731 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2001
• Issued: 12/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation (Steelcase Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kincaid, Brett R., Teppo, David S., Hamilton, John R., Houda, James D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Lanna
• Assistant Examiner(s): FITZGERALD, JOHN P
• Application Number:
  US10/034,439
• Publication Number:
  US 20030121458A1
• Time in Patent Office: 719 Days
• Field of Search: 108/150, 108/151, 108/91, 108/92, 108/6, 108/7, 108/8, 108/9, 108/1, 108/136, 248/371, 248/395, 248/397, 248/398, 248/289.11, 248/278.1, 248/282.1, 248/188.8, 248/188.9
• US Class Current: 108/6
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0025 Hinge for pivotable, single column table top
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 3/0818 with manually actuated locking means A47B3/083, A47B3/087 and A47B3/091 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 7/02 Stackable tables; Nesting tables

Abstract

A table includes a round table top defining an unobstructed open slot that extends inwardly about halfway from a perimeter of the table top. The slot is shaped to receive a freestanding article of furniture slid horizontally into the slot, such as a screen, a partition panel, a leg of another table, or the like. The table top is pivoted to the base by links that are mechanically moveable over-center to a locking position when the table top is moved to a use position. A handle is formed as part of one of the links to assist with the over-center movement. The base is adapted to nest against similar bases for compact storage, and includes two feet with low-height flat ends that lie close to a floor surface so that they do not objectionably interfere with mating furniture nor with a person'"'"'s feet when using the table.

Claims

1. A table comprising:

a base including at least one leg;

a table top pivoted to the base for movement about a main pivot axis between a horizontal use position and a vertical storage position;

a pivot mechanism spaced from the main pivot axis for holding the table top in the horizontal use position, the pivot mechanism including a first link pivoted to the table top for rotation about a first axis and including a second link pivoted to the base for rotation about a second axis, one of the first and second links including a bore and the other of the first and second links including a rod slidably engaging the bore, the first and second axis defining a line therebetween, the bore including an end slidably engaging the rod;

the first and second links being movable so that the end of the bore is moved overcenter on one side of the line when the table top is in the horizontal use position in a locking position which secures the table top in the horizontal use position, but further being movable across the line to an opposite side of the line to a released position where the table top can be moved from the horizontal use position to the vertical storage position.

2. The table defined in claim 1, wherein the base includes a center post that is vertically extendable and that can be extended and retracted to vertically adjust a height of the table top.

3. The table defined in claim 2, wherein the base includes a lockable gas spring with a top release button for permitting adjustment, and further includes a handle with an actuating finger for engaging the button to adjust a height of the table top.

4. The table defined in claim 1, wherein the base includes feet on the at least one leg, and wherein at least one of the feet has a transverse cross section with a flat profile.

5. The table defined in claim 4, wherein the feet include two adjacent radially-extending feet that have a flat profile.

6. The table defined in claim 1, wherein the first link comprises a bent rod.

7. The table defined in claim 1, wherein table top includes a slot extending from a perimeter of the table top inwardly, the slot having a width and length shaped and adapted to receive a separate freestanding article of furniture slid horizontally into the slot.

8. The table defined in claim 7, wherein the slot has a width selected to receive a freestanding panel.

9. A combination including the table defined in claim 8, and further including a room divider with a panel positioned in the slot.

10. The combination defined in claim 9, wherein the room divider comprises a screen.

11. The table defined in claim 6, wherein the second link comprises a cast component having the bore defined therein.

12. The table defined in claim 6, wherein the bent rod is L-shaped and includes a bent section connecting first and second legs, the bent section at all times being positioned between the end of the bore and the table top.