Table with electrical ports
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A table comprising:
- a table top surface defining at least one aperture therethrough;
a port housing disposed in the aperture and rotatable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the port housing comprises;
a top surface; and
a functional surface coupled to the top surface;
at least one port coupled to the functional surface for supplying power or data;
a support bar disposed below the table top surface and hidden from view from above the table top surface;
wherein the port housing is rotatable about the support bar;
wherein the port housing top surface is flush with the table top surface in the closed position;
wherein the port housing top surface is immediately adjacent to the table top surface in the closed position; and
wherein the port housing top surface and the functional surface are each orientated at a non-zero angle relative to the table top surface in the open position.
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Abstract
A table having electrical ports for supplying power or data. The table may include one or more port housings having one or more electrical ports disposed on a surface of the port housing. The port housing may be configured to rotate between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the one or more electrical ports may be concealed beneath the top surface of the table. In the second position, the one or more electrical port may be deployed above the top surface table. The table may include a motor coupled to an assembly for rotating the one or more port housings between the first position and the second position.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A table comprising:
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a table top surface defining at least one aperture therethrough; a port housing disposed in the aperture and rotatable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the port housing comprises; a top surface; and a functional surface coupled to the top surface; at least one port coupled to the functional surface for supplying power or data; a support bar disposed below the table top surface and hidden from view from above the table top surface; wherein the port housing is rotatable about the support bar; wherein the port housing top surface is flush with the table top surface in the closed position; wherein the port housing top surface is immediately adjacent to the table top surface in the closed position; and wherein the port housing top surface and the functional surface are each orientated at a non-zero angle relative to the table top surface in the open position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A table comprising:
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a table top surface; a port housing rotatable between a first position and a second position, wherein the port housing comprises; a top surface; a functional surface coupled to the top surface; and a cavity defined by a cavity wall; at least one port coupled to the functional surface for supplying power or data; a linkage coupled to the cavity wall; a motor and a gear box coupled to the linkage via a drive shaft, the motor, gear box, drive shaft, and linkage configured to rotate the port housing between the first and second positions. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A table comprising:
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a table top surface; a port housing configured to be rotated between a first position and a second position, wherein the port housing comprises; a top surface; and a functional surface coupled to the top surface; at least one port coupled to the functional surface for supplying power or data; a motor configured to rotate the port housing between the first position and the second position; a sensor coupled to the table below the table top surface and in communication with a controller and configured to automatically sense an external condition, wherein the controller is configured to; detect a first signal and a second signal from the sensor; rotate the port housing from the first position to the second position in response to detecting the first signal; and rotate the port housing from the second position to the first position in response to detecting the second signal. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for deploying electrical ports on a table, the method comprising:
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receiving a first signal from a sensor disposed below a top surface of a table; rotating a port housing from a first position to a second position relative to the top surface of the table in response to receiving the first signal, wherein a top surface of the port housing is flush with the table top surface in the first position, and wherein the port housing top surface is oriented at an oblique angle to the table top surface and at least one electrical port of the port housing is deployed above the table top surface in the second position; receiving a second signal from the sensor; and rotating the port housing from the second position to the first position in response to receiving the second signal. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification