BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to work surfaces and tables, and more particularly to a user configurable table that can be adapted to accommodate a variety of environments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention provides a table unit including a work surface having an upper surface, a lower surface opposite the upper surface, and a first perimeter side and a second perimeter side. The table unit has a base that includes a floor support, a pedestal, and a top support. An upright wall portion is connected to the base, and the pedestal extends upwardly from the floor support. In addition, the pedestal has an adjustable length extending in a first direction. The top support is supported on the pedestal and includes a frame and a slide. The frame is rotatable about an axis and the slide is linearly movable with respect to the frame. The work surface is mounted on the slide and is movable with the slide. Further, the work surface can rotate with the frame between at least a first position, with the first perimeter side adjacent the upright wall portion, and a second position, with the second perimeter side adjacent the upright wall portion.

[0003] In another embodiment, the table unit includes an upright wall, a height adjustable pedestal, and a work surface. The upright wall has a width, an upper end and a lower end, the lower end being capable of supporting the upright wall on a floor. The height adjustable pedestal includes a member that is connected to the upright wall. The work surface is supported on the height adjustable pedestal and includes a first side edge and a second side edge forming a corner therebetween. The work surface is rotatable on the pedestal between a first position with the first side edge facing the upright wall and a second position with the second side edge facing the upright wall.

[0004] In another embodiment, the connecting frame member that is connected between the upright wall and the height adjustable pedestal defines a cable management channel. [0005] In yet another embodiment, rotation of the frame, movement of the slide, and adjustment of the pedestal length are independent of one another. Adjustment of the length of the height adjustable pedestal may simultaneously raise or lower the work surface and the upper end of the upright wall.

[0006] These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the description of the current embodiment and the drawings.

[0007] Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of operation or to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention may be implemented in various other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in alternative ways not expressly disclosed herein. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and tenninology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including" and "comprising" and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may be used in the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed as limiting the invention to any specific order or number of components. Nor should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from the scope of the invention any additional steps or components that might be combined with or into the enumerated steps or components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a table unit according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] Fig. 2 is a top view of the table unit of Fig. 1, illustrating in broken lines the work surface of the table unit in various positions; [0010] Fig. 3 is a top view of the table unit with electrical components positioned on the work surface, illustrating in broken lines a work surface of the table unit in oriented in an extended position;

[0011] Fig. 4 is a top view of the table unit, illustrating an intermediate position of the work surface;

[0012] Fig. 5 is a top view of the table unit, illustrating the work surface oriented in a rotated position;

[0013] Fig. 6A is a top, detailed view of a cable management channel and baffle of the table unit, illustrating the baffle in a compressed position;

[0014] Fig. 6B is a top, detailed view of the cable management channel illustrating the baffles in an intermediately compressed position

[0015] Fig. 6C is a top, detailed view of the cable management channel illustrating the baffles in an intermediately compressed position;

[0016] Fig. 6D is a top, detailed view of the cable management channel, illustrating the baffles in an expanded position;

[0017] Fig. 7 A is a perspective view of the table unit, illustrating the work surface in a first position and an upright wall portion of the table unit in a lowered position;

[0018] Fig. 7B is a perspective view of the table unit, illustrating the work surface in a raised second position and the upright wall portion in a raised position;

[0019] Fig. 7C is a perspective view of the table unit, illustrating the work surface in an intermediate position and the upright wall portion in the lowered position;

[0020] Fig. 7D is a perspective view of the table unit, illustrating the work surface in an oppositely rotated first position and the upright wall portion in the lowered position;

[0021] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the table unit arranged for a seated posture, where the work surface is in the first position and the upright wall portion is in the lowered position; and [0022] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the table unit arranged for a perched posture, where the work surface is in the raised second position and the upright wall portion is in the raised position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT

Π. Overview

[0023] A user configurable table unit 10 that can be adapted to accommodate a variety of environments is shown in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The table unit 10 is height adjustable, enabling a user to raise and lower a work surface 12. The table unit 10 is also rotatable; the work surface 12 is able to rotate 180°. The table 10 includes a rotational arm that connects the work surface 12 to a privacy screen, such that the privacy screen moves up and down with the work surface 12. The ability to change the orientation of the work surface 12, in combination with the ability to raise and lower the work surface 12, provides a number of different configurations in which the table unit 10 can be arranged. This configurability offers valuable flexibility, especially in the office environment, through the use of a single table unit 10.

[0024] Throughout this description, directional terms, such as "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "upper," "lower," "inner," "inwardly," "outer" and "outwardly," may be used to assist in describing the invention based on the orientation of the embodiments shown in the illustrations. The use of directional terms should not be interpreted to limit the invention to any specific orientation(s).

Π. Structure

[0025] Referring to the illustrated embodiment show in Figs. 1-9, the user configurable table unit 10 generally includes a work surface 12, a base 22, and an upright wall portion 30.

The work surface 12 has an upper surface 14 and a lower surface 16, and a first perimeter side 18 and a second perimeter side 20. The work surface 12 is generally rectangular; the first perimeter side 18 is longer than the second perimeter side 20, and forms a corner 21 between the sides. In the exemplary embodiment, a rectangular work surface 12 is illustrated; however, other work surface shapes are contemplated.

[0026] As shown, the base 22 includes a floor support 24, a pedestal 26, and a top support 28. The floor support 24 is a generally T-shaped, flat member configured to be situated on a floor. The pedestal 26 is affixed to and extends upwardly from one portion of the floor support 24, and the wall portion 30 is connected to and extends upwardly from the other portion of the floor support 24. The pedestal 26 includes first and second telescoping sections 46 and 48 such that the length of the pedestal 26 is adjustable and may be extended in a first direction A, illustrated in Fig. 1. Though not shown, the pedestal 26 may include a conventional manual crank, electric motor, springs, gas assist, or any other mechanism capable of height adjustment. The work surface 12 is supported on its lower surface 16 by the height adjustable pedestal 26.

[0027] The wall portion 30 has a width and includes a lower section 36, which may be referred to as a modesty screen, and an upper section 38, which may be referred to as a privacy screen. In one embodiment, the lower section 36 is a structural member and is capable of supporting the wall portion 30. As illustrated, the lower section 36 may be mounted to the floor support 24 of the base 22 (although it is possible for the wall portion 30 to be supported on a floor support that is not connected to the base 22). The upper section 38 is movably mounted to the lower section 36 and can be moved with respect to the lower section 36 in a direction generally parallel to the pedestal 26. In one example, the upper section 38 is telescopingly mounted to the lower section 36. Additionally, the upper section 38 acts as a privacy screen and may include features such as an accessory tool interface, a tack surface, a dry erase surface, or may contain integrated technology elements, such as power, data, visual display, and the like.

[0028] Perhaps as best seen in Fig. 2, the table unit 10 also includes a connecting frame member 40 that extends generally perpendicular to the pedestal 26. The connecting frame member 40 is affixed at one end to the pedestal 26 and at the other end to the upper section 38 of the wall portion 30. Accordingly, the connecting frame member 40 connects the pedestal 26 and the upper section 38 so that adjusting the length of the pedestal 26 simultaneously raises or lowers the upper section 38 of the wall portion 30. Further, the work surface 12 is also supported on the pedestal 26 and adjusting the length of the pedestal 26 also raises or lowers the height of work surface 12. Thus, adjusting the length of the pedestal 26 may simultaneously raise or lower both the upper section 38 of the wall portion 30 and the work surface 12.

[0029] Referring now to any of Figs. 2-5, the connecting frame member 40 defines a cable management channel 42 which is positioned adjacent the wall portion 30. The cable management channel 42 may include a vertical opening 44 in the connecting frame 40 through which cables, electrical cords, and the like may be routed from under the work surface 12 to above the work surface 12, and vice versa.

[0030] Referring to Figs. 6A-D, the cable management channel 42 includes a baffle 56 disposed within the vertical opening 44. The baffle 56 is made of a compressible material to accommodate a variety of cables, electrical cords, and the like, while at the same time obstructing the remaining portion of the vertical opening 44. The example shown in Fig. 6A illustrates the baffle 56 in a compressed position with a relatively large number of larger diameter cords routed through the cable management channel 42. In contrast, the baffles 56 shown in Figs. 6B and C are shown with fewer and/or smaller diameter cords routed through the cable management channel 42. Lastly, the baffle 56 shown in Fig. 6D illustrates the baffle 56 in the fully expanded position when no cords or cables are routed through the cable management channel 42 and the channel 42 is fully obstructed. The baffle 56 functions to allow cables to pass through the cable management channel 42, while filling the vertical opening 44 to prevent, or at least deter, items placed atop the work surface 12 from falling through the channel 42.

[0031] Referring back to Figs. 2-5, the top support 28 is positioned under the work surface 12, extends generally perpendicularly to the pedestal 26, and is rotatably mounted to the pedestal 26. The top support 28 includes a frame 32 and a slide 34. The frame 32 defines a channel 54 that has a first end 50 and a second end 52, and the frame 32 is rotatably mounted at a first end 50 to the pedestal 26. More specifically, the frame 32 is a horizontal member and is rotatable in a horizontal plane about an axis X defined by the vertical axis of the pedestal 26.

The slide 34 is mounted within the frame 32 and is linearly movable within the channel 54 between the first and second ends 50 and 52 of the frame 32. Further, the work surface 12 is affixed to the slide 34 and is therefore movable and rotatable with the slide 34 and frame 32.

Accordingly, as will be described in greater detail below, the work surface 12 is configured to rotate with the frame 32.

ΙΠ. Operation

[0032] The table unit 10 is configured such that the work surface 12 is movable between horizontal rotational orientations defined generally by a first position Y and a second position Z. In the first position Y illustrated in Fig. 7A, the work surface 12 is arranged with the first perimeter side 18 adjacent the upright wall portion 30; in the second position Z illustrated in Fig. 7B, the work surface 12 is arranged with the second perimeter side 20 adjacent the upright wall portion 30. To rotate the work surface 12 from one position to the other, a user may first slide the work surface 12 away from the upright wall 30 to create a clearance space between the work surface 12 and the upright wall 30, wherein the user pulls the work surface 12, sliding the slide 34 within the frame 32 from the first end 50 to the second end 52 (or at least to some intermediate position between the first end 50 and the second end 52). This extends the work surface 12 away from the upright wall 30 so that the corner 21 of the work surface 12 can clear the upright wall 30 during subsequent rotation of the work surface 12. The user then rotates the work surface 12 and frame 32 about the axis X until the work surface 12 is oriented in the reciprocal position. After rotation, the user can optionally slide (i.e., retract) the work surface 12 back so that the slide 34 is again adjacent the first end 50 of the frame 32.

[0033] In addition, in the illustrated embodiment, the table unit 10 is configured for the work surface 12 to rotate 180°. Thus, the work surface 12 can move between the first and second positions Y and Z, and to a third position Y', as shown in Fig. 7D. Like the first position Y, in the third position Y', the first perimeter side 18 is adjacent the upright wall portion 30.

However, in the third position Y', the work surface 12 is rotated 180° relative to the first position

Y. This enables a user to shift the work surface 12 to either the left or the right.

[0034] Thus, the work surface 12 orientation can be changed as desired according to the user's needs and preferences. In the second position Z of the illustrated embodiment, the work surface 12 extends a greater distance out from the wall portion 30, while in the first and third positions Y and Y', the work surface 12 is tucked in closer to the wall portion 30. The flexibility and ability to change the orientation of the work surface 12 provides a facilities planner with a broad range of application solutions, all from the same table unit 10.

[0035] The table unit 10 is also configured for adjustment such that a user may raise or lower the height of the work surface 12 as desired. The user can adjust the height of the work surface 12 to accommodate his or her height, or to move the table unit 10 between a sitting posture height, as illustrated in Fig. 8, and a perched or standing posture height, as illustrated in Fig. 9. To adjust the height of the work surface 12, the user activates the height adjustment mechanism (not shown) associated with the pedestal 26. As discussed above, the upper section 38 of the wall portion 30 may be connected to the pedestal 26 by the connecting frame member 40, so adjusting the length of the pedestal 26 simultaneously raises or lowers the upper section 38 of the wall portion 30. In this manner, the upper section 38, or privacy screen, tracks up and down with the work surface 12.

[0036] The table unit 10 described herein offers many benefits and advantages and can be adapted to accommodate a variety of environments. The table unit 10 work surface 12 is adjustable in both its horizontal orientation and its height. A user can raise and lower the work surface 12 and rotate the work surface 12 180°. Further, the work surface 12 is connected to the privacy screen, such that the privacy screen moves up and down with the work surface 12. The ability to change the orientation of the work surface 12, in combination with the ability to raise and lower the work surface 12, provides a number of different configurations in which the table 10 can be arranged. This configurability offers valuable flexibility, especially in the office environment, through the use of a single table unit 10. Examples of a select few of the orientation combinations are shown in Figs. 7A-7D.

[0037] The above description is that of current embodiments of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. This disclosure is presented for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive description of all embodiments of the invention or to limit the scope of the claims to the specific elements illustrated or described in connection with these embodiments. For example, and without limitation, any individual elements) of the described invention may be replaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similar functionality or otherwise provide adequate operation.

This includes, for example, presently known alternative elements, such as those that might be currently known to one skilled in the art, and alternative elements that may be developed in the future, such as those that one skilled in the art might, upon development, recognize as an alternative. Further, the disclosed embodiments include a plurality of features that are described in concert and that might cooperatively provide a collection of benefits. The present invention is not limited to only those embodiments that include all of these features or that provide all of the stated benefits, except to the extent otherwise expressly set forth in the issued claims. Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles "a," "an," "the" or

"said," is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.