Table benching apparatus and methods of using the same

• US 9,655,445 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2015
• Issued: 05/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Workrite Ergonomics Incorporated (Knape & VOGT Manufacturing Company)
• Original Assignee: Workrite Ergonomics Incorporated (Knape & VOGT Manufacturing Company)
• Inventors: Gammon, Erik Alexander, Schaefer, Ruby, Sulistio, Oky, Hautau, Alexander Justin, Johnston, John E., Lawrence, Charles F., Dean, David Warren, Timm, Derek Aaron, Darwin, Cody Ralph, Hulsey, Darren S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V
• Application Number:
  US14/870,371
• Publication Number:
  US 20170086581A1
• Time in Patent Office: 601 Days
• Field of Search: 108 64, 108 5001, 108180, 108186, 108190, 248188
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 87/002 Combination of tables; Linking or assembling means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 87/005 Linkable dependent elements with the same or similar cross-section, e.g. cabinets linked together, with a common separation wall
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/20 Telescopic guides
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 91/00 Feet for furniture in general castors B60B33/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 1/00 Devices for securing together, or preventing relative movement between, constructional elements or machine parts
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/83 Use of a magnetic material

Abstract

This disclosure provides apparatus that includes kits and systems for connecting together a plurality of tables, having a plurality of elongated foot members that include a plurality of table leg connectors that are connectable to the lower ends of legs of a plurality of tables.

Claims

1. A table benching kit for connecting together a plurality of tables that each independently have at least two legs and a table top, the table benching kit comprising:

at least first and second elongated foot members;

each of the at least first and second elongated foot members having opposed ends and further comprising a plurality of table leg connectors spaced apart from each other and spaced inward from the respective opposed ends;

wherein when the table benching kit is connected to the plurality of tables, at least a first one of the plurality of table leg connectors of the first elongated foot member is connected to a lower end of a first leg of a first table and at least a second one of the plurality of table leg connectors of the first elongated foot member is connected to a lower end of a first leg of a second table, and at least a first one of the plurality of table leg connectors of the second elongated foot member is connected to a lower end of a second leg of the first table and at least a second one of the plurality of table leg connectors of the second elongated foot member is connected to a lower end of a second leg of the second table; and

wherein when the table benching kit is connected to the lower end of the legs of the first and second tables, an upper end of the first leg of the first table is separately movable relative to an upper end of the first leg of the second table and an upper end of the second leg of the first table is separately movable relative to an upper end of the second leg of the second table, and the first and second tables are positioned parallel to each other.

2. The table benching kit of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second elongated foot members further comprises a lower portion that supports at least one leg of each of the first and second tables.

3. The table benching kit of claim 2, wherein each of the first and second elongated foot members further comprises at least one elongated stiffening element.

4. The table benching kit of claim 2, wherein the lower portion of each of the first and second elongated foot members further comprises two upstanding side walls connected to a lower wall.

5. The table benching kit of claim 4, wherein each of the first and second elongated foot members further comprises a plurality of stiffening elements disposed between the two upstanding side walls.

6. The table benching kit of claim 4, wherein each of the first and second elongated foot members further comprises an upper wall connected to the lower portion.

7. The table benching kit of claim 6, wherein the upper wall of each of the first and second elongated foot members includes at least two apertures, wherein each aperture receives the lower end of at least one leg of the first or second table.

8. The table benching kit of claim 7, wherein the lower wall of each of the first and second elongated foot members further comprises at least one aperture, and at least one fastener is extendable through the at least one aperture and connects the lower portion to the lower end of at least one leg of the first or second table.

9. The table benching kit of claim 2, wherein each of the first and second elongated foot members further comprises at least two downward extending glides.

10. The table benching kit of claim 9, wherein each glide extends downward from and is adjustable relative to the lower wall.

11. The table benching kit of claim 1, further comprising:

at least third and fourth elongated foot members;

each of the at least third and fourth elongated foot members having opposed ends and further comprising a plurality of table leg connectors spaced apart from each other and spaced inward from the respective opposed ends;

wherein when the table benching kit is connected to the plurality of tables, at least a first one of the plurality of table leg connectors of the third elongated foot member is connected to a lower end of a first leg of a third table and at least a second one of the plurality of table leg connectors of the third elongated foot member is connected to a lower end of a first leg of a fourth table, and at least a first one of a plurality of table leg connectors of the fourth elongated foot member is connected to a lower end of a second leg of the third table and at least a second one of the plurality of table leg connectors of the fourth elongated foot member is connected to a lower end of a second leg of the fourth table;

at least one spanner that connects the second elongated foot member to the third elongated foot member; and

wherein when the at least one spanner is connected to the second and third elongated foot members and the table benching kit is connected to the lower end of the legs of the first, second, third and fourth tables, an upper end of the first leg of the third table is separately movable relative to an upper end of the first leg of the fourth table and an upper end of the second leg of the third table is separately movable relative to an upper end of the second leg of the fourth table, and the first, second, third and fourth tables are positioned parallel to each other.

12. The table benching kit of claim 11, further comprising a second spanner that connects the second elongated foot member to the third elongated foot member.

13. The table benching kit of claim 11, further comprising a cover that is connected to the at least one spanner by at least one releasable connector.

14. The table benching kit of claim 13, wherein the cover releasable connector further comprises a magnet that connects to the spanner.

15. The table benching kit of claim 11, wherein a series of connected pairs of tables is defined when the pair of first and second elongated foot members is connected to a first pair of tables and the pair of third and fourth elongated foot members is connected to a second pair of tables and the second pair of tables is connected to the first pair of tables by the at least one spanner, and wherein the table benching kit further comprises two or more additional elongated foot members having a plurality of table leg connectors and one or more additional spanners to connect one or more additional pairs of tables to each other and to the series.

16. The table benching kit of claim 1, further comprising:

at least a third one of the plurality of table leg connectors of the second elongated foot member is connected to a lower end of a first leg of a third table and at least a fourth one of the plurality of table leg connectors of the second elongated foot member is connected to a lower end of a first leg of a fourth table;

at least a third elongated foot member having opposed ends and further comprising a plurality of table leg connectors spaced apart from each other and spaced inward from the respective opposed ends;

at least a first one of the plurality of table leg connectors of the third elongated foot member is connected to a lower end of a second leg of the third table and at least a second one of the plurality of table leg connectors of the third elongated foot member is connected to a lower end of a second leg of the fourth table; and

wherein when the table benching kit is connected to the lower end of the legs of the first, second, third and fourth tables, an upper end of the first leg of the third table is separately movable relative to an upper end of the first leg of the fourth table and an upper end of the second leg of the third table is separately movable relative to an upper end of the second leg of the fourth table, and the first, second, third and fourth tables are positioned parallel to each other.

17. The table benching kit of claim 16, wherein a series of connected pairs of tables is defined when the first and second elongated foot members are connected to a first pair of tables and the second and third elongated foot members are connected to a second pair of tables, and wherein the table benching kit further comprises one or more additional elongated foot members having a plurality of table leg connectors to connect one or more additional pairs of tables to each other and to the series.

18. A table benching system comprising,

first and second tables;

each of the first and second tables independently further comprising at least a first leg and a second leg that are connected to a table top;

first and second elongated foot members;

each of the first and second elongated foot members having opposed ends and further comprising a plurality of table leg connectors spaced apart from each other and spaced inward from the respective opposed ends;

a lower end of the first leg of the first table and a lower end of the first leg of the second table being connected to respective table leg connectors of the first elongated foot member;

a lower end of the second leg of the first table and a lower end of the second leg of the second table being connected to respective table leg connectors of the second elongated foot member; and

wherein when the respective lower ends of the legs of the first and second tables are connected to the first and second elongated foot members, an upper end of the first leg of the first table is separately movable relative to an upper end of the first leg of the second table and an upper end of the second leg of the first table is separately movable relative to an upper end of the second leg of the second table, and the table tops of the first and second tables are positioned parallel to each other.

19. The table benching system of claim 18, wherein each of the first and second elongated foot members further comprises a lower portion that supports the lower end of at least one leg of the first and second tables.

20. The table benching system of claim 19, wherein the lower portion of each of the first and second elongated foot members further comprises two upstanding side walls connected to a lower wall.

21. The table benching system of claim 20, wherein each of the first and second elongated foot members further comprises a pair of stiffening elements disposed between the two upstanding side walls.

22. The table benching system of claim 20, wherein each of the first and second elongated foot members further comprises an upper wall connected to the lower portion.

23. The table benching system of claim 22, wherein the upper wall of each of the first and second elongated foot members includes at least two apertures, wherein each aperture receives the lower end of at least one leg of the first or second table.

24. The table benching system of claim 23, wherein the lower wall of each of the first and second elongated foot members further comprises at least one aperture, and at least one fastener is extendable through the at least one aperture and connects the lower portion to the lower end of at least one leg of the first or second table.

25. The table benching system of claim 19, wherein each of the first and second elongated foot members further comprises at least two downward extending glides.

26. The table benching system of claim 18, wherein each of the first and second elongated foot members further comprises at least one elongated stiffening element.

27. The table benching system of claim 18, further comprising:

third and fourth tables;

each of the third and fourth tables independently further comprising at least a first leg and a second leg that are connected to a table top;

third and fourth elongated foot members;

each of the third and fourth elongated foot members having opposed ends and further comprising a plurality of table leg connectors spaced apart from each other and spaced inward from the respective opposed ends;

a lower end of the first leg of the third table and a lower end of the first leg of the fourth table being connected to respective table leg connectors of the third elongated foot member;

a lower end of the second leg of the third table and a lower end of the second leg of the fourth table being connected to respective table leg connectors of the fourth elongated foot member; and

wherein when the respective lower ends of the legs of the third and fourth tables are connected to the third and fourth elongated foot members, an upper end of the first leg of the third table is separately movable relative to an upper end of the first leg of the fourth table and an upper end of the second leg of the third table is separately movable relative to an upper end of the second leg of the fourth table, and the table tops of the third and fourth tables are positioned parallel to each other.

28. The table benching system of claim 27, further comprising at least one spanner that connects the second elongated foot member to the third elongated foot member;

and

wherein when the at least one spanner is connected to the second and third elongated foot members, the table tops of the first, second, third and fourth tables are positioned parallel to each other.

29. The table benching system of claim 28, further comprising a second spanner that connects the second elongated foot member to the third elongated foot.

30. The table benching system of claim 28, further comprising a cover that connects to the at least one spanner.

31. The table benching system of claim 30, wherein the cover further comprises a releasable connector.

32. The table benching system of claim 28, wherein a series of connected pairs of tables is defined when the pair of third and fourth tables that are connected by the third and fourth elongated foot members are further connected by at least one spanner to the pair of first and second tables that are connected by the first and second elongated foot members, and wherein the table benching system further comprises one or more additional pairs of tables that each are connected by an additional pair of elongated foot members and are connected to the series by at least one additional spanner.

33. The table benching system of claim 18, wherein each of the legs of the first and second tables is height adjustable.

34. The table benching system of claim 18, further comprising:

third and fourth tables;

each of the third and fourth tables further comprising at least a first and a second leg that are connected to a table top;

at least a third elongated foot member having opposed ends and further comprising a plurality of table leg connectors spaced apart from each other and spaced inward from the respective ends;

a lower end of the first leg of the third table and a lower end of the first leg of the fourth table being connected to respective table leg connectors of the second elongated foot member;

a lower end of the second leg of the third table and a lower end of the second leg of the fourth table being connected to respective table leg connectors of the third elongated foot member; and

wherein when the respective lower ends of the legs of the first, second, third and fourth tables are connected to the first, second and third elongated foot members, an upper end of the first leg of the third table is separately movable relative to an upper end of the first leg of the fourth table and an upper end of the second leg of the third table is separately movable relative to an upper end of the second leg of the fourth table, and the table tops of the first, second, third and fourth tables are positioned parallel to each other.

35. The table benching system of claim 34, wherein a series of connected pairs of tables is defined when the first and second elongated foot members are connected to a first pair of tables and the second and third elongated foot members are connected to a second pair of tables, and wherein the table benching system further comprises one or more additional elongated foot members having a plurality of table leg connectors to connect one or more additional pairs of tables to each other and to the series.

36. A table benching kit for connecting together a plurality of tables that each have at least two legs and a table top, the table benching kit comprising:

at least first and second elongated foot members;

each of the at least first and second elongated foot members having opposed ends and further comprising a plurality of table leg connectors spaced apart from each other and spaced inward from the respective opposed ends;

wherein when the table benching kit is connected to the plurality of tables, at least a first one of the plurality of table leg connectors of the first elongated foot member is connected to a lower end of a first leg of a first table and at least a second one of the plurality of table leg connectors of the first elongated foot member is connected to a lower end of a first leg of a second table, and at least a first one of the plurality of table leg connectors of the second elongated foot member is connected to a lower end of a second leg of the first table and at least a second one of the plurality of table leg connectors of the second elongated foot member is connected to a lower end of a second leg of the second table;

at least third and fourth elongated foot members;

each of the at least third and fourth elongated foot members having opposed ends and further comprising a plurality of table leg connectors spaced apart from each other and spaced inward from the respective opposed ends;

wherein when the table benching kit is connected to the plurality of tables, at least a first one of the plurality of table leg connectors of the third elongated foot member is connected to a lower end of a first leg of a third table and at least a second one of the plurality of table leg connectors of the third elongated foot member is connected to a lower end of a first leg of a fourth table, and at least a first one of a plurality of table leg connectors of the fourth elongated foot member is connected to a lower end of a second leg of the third table and at least a second one of the plurality of table leg connectors of the fourth elongated foot member is connected to a lower end of a second leg of the fourth table;

at least one spanner that connects the second elongated foot member to the third elongated foot member; and

wherein when the at least one spanner is connected to the second and third elongated foot members and the table benching kit is connected to the lower end of the legs of the first, second, third and fourth tables, the first, second, third and fourth tables are positioned parallel to each other.