# US 11,998,109 B2 · Table apparatus and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,998,109 B2 - Document ID: US11998109B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/116,173 - Filed: 2023-03-01 - Published: 2023-06-29 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2018-01-22 - Assignees: Halcon Furniture LLC - Applicants: Halcon Furniture LLC - Inventors: Benjamin Saintmane Conway; Peter Conway; Jacob Edward Snowbarger - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11998109B2 ## CPC - A47B 13/083: {Rims for table tops} - A47B 21/06: characterised by means for holding, fastening or concealing cables - A47B 2021/066: {with power or communication connection interface} - A47B 2200/0001: Tops - A47B 2200/0005: Removable or adjustable front edges for desktop - A47B 2200/008: Tables or desks having means for applying electronic or electric devices - A47B 2200/0081: Auxiliary apparatus with electrical connections for office furniture - A47B: TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE (furniture jointing F16B) ## Abstract Some implementations of a table system can include a protective member that is positionable below a table to provide protection to both a table and chairs. The protective member can extend lateral beyond a peripheral edge of the table top, for example, to protect the table and accessory furniture while allowing the table top and the peripheral edge of the table top to remain exposed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A table assembly, comprising: a table protector body having an upper body surface, a lower body surface opposite the upper body surface, and a peripheral body edge, and configured to protect a table top spaced above the upper body surface; and a table protector comprising: an upper protector portion having an upper protector surface substantially planar to the upper body surface; a lower protector portion having a lower protector surface substantially parallel to the lower body surface; a peripheral protector portion having a peripheral protector edge extending from the upper protector portion toward the lower protector portion; and an angled exterior protector portion having an angled exterior protector edge extending inwardly from the peripheral protector portion to the lower protector portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The table assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a body receiver defined in the lower body surface; and an upward protrusion extending from the lower protector portion toward the upper body surface and shaped to compliment the body receiver, wherein the table protector is at least partly coupled to the table protector body by insertion of the upward protrusion into the body receiver. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The table assembly of claim 1, wherein the table protector further comprises an angled interior protector edge extending inwardly from the peripheral protector portion to the lower protector portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The table assembly of claim 1, wherein: the table protector defines an interior gap opposite at least one of the upper protector portion, the lower protector portion, the peripheral protector portion, and the angled exterior protector portion; and the peripheral body edge comprises a body extension extending into the interior gap. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The table assembly of claim 1, wherein the table assembly further comprises an upper surface extension extending from the upper protector portion at least partly across the upper body surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The table assembly of claim 5, wherein the upper surface extension and the table protector are made of the same material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The table assembly of claim 1, wherein the table top comprises an upper table top surface and a lower table top surface abutted to the upper body surface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The table assembly of claim 7, wherein the lower table top surface is abutted to the upper body surface by an intermediary buffer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The table assembly of claim 7, wherein the table top is at least partly inset within the upper body surface of the table protector body. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The table assembly of claim 1, further comprising an electronics connector positioned on the angled exterior protector edge of the angled exterior protector portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The table assembly of claim 1, wherein the table protector is affixed to the peripheral body edge. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The table assembly of claim 1, wherein the peripheral protector edge extends at a substantially perpendicular angle away from the upper protector portion toward the lower protector portion. ### Claim 13 A method comprising: abutting a lower table top surface of a table top to an upper body surface of a table protector body; wherein the table protector body comprises the upper body surface, a lower body surface opposite the upper body surface, and a peripheral body edge, and configured to protect the table top spaced above the upper body surface; and a table protector affixed to the peripheral body edge and comprising: an upper protector portion having an upper protector surface substantially planar to the upper body surface; a lower protector portion having a lower protector surface substantially parallel to the lower body surface; a peripheral protector portion having a peripheral protector edge extending at a substantially perpendicular angle away from the upper protector portion toward the lower protector portion; and an angled exterior protector portion having an angled exterior protector edge extending inwardly from the peripheral protector portion to the lower protector portion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising coupling the table protector to the table protector body, wherein: the lower body surface defines a body receiver is defined; and an upward protrusion extends from the lower protector portion toward the upper body surface, and is shaped to compliment the body receiver, wherein the table protector is at least partly coupled to the table protector body by insertion of the upward protrusion into the body receiver. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the table protector further comprises an angled interior protector edge extending inwardly from the peripheral protector portion to the lower protector portion. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein: the table protector defines an interior gap opposite at least one of the upper protector portion, the lower protector portion, the peripheral protector portion, and the angled exterior protector portion; and the peripheral body edge comprises a body extension extending into the interior gap. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the upper protector portion further comprises an upper surface extension extending from the upper protector portion at least partly across the upper body surface. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the upper surface extension and the table protector are made of the same material. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising abutting an intermediary buffer between the lower table top surface and the upper body surface. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising insetting the table top at least partly within the upper body surface of the table protector body. ### Claim 21 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising affixing an electronics connector positioned on the angled exterior protector edge of the angled exterior protector portion. ### Claim 22 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising affixing the table protector to the peripheral body edge. ### Claim 23 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the peripheral protector edge extends at a substantially perpendicular angle away from the upper protector portion toward the lower protector portion.