US 5,438,937 AGranted

Mobile table system

AssigneeSteelcase Inc.

InventorsDouglas C. Ball, Lon D. Scheerhorn

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Abstract

A mobile table system is provided in which multiple tables can be juxtaposed in many different configurations to facilitate a wide variety of both group and individual activities. Each table has a top with oppositely oriented side edges shaped to abut flush with the side edges of like tables, an outer marginal edge configured to accommodate a user thereby, and an inner marginal edge with a generally concave shape which defines a central space when aligned with the inner marginal edges of like tables. Each table includes legs to support the same freestanding on a floor surface. A first one of the legs depends from the top adjacent the outer marginal edge thereof and has a foot at the lower end thereof, and a second one of the leg depends from the top adjacent the inner marginal edge thereof and has a roller at the lower end thereof, so as to permit manual translation of the tables across the floor surface in a wheelbarrow fashion. A latch arrangement may be provided to detachably interconnect like tables in a manner which enables the same to be readily pulled apart.

Claims44

Dependent claims

A mobile conference table, comprising:

a top having a pair of oppositely oriented, mutually tapered side edges configured to abut generally flush with similar side edges of adjacent like mobile tables to create an enlarged substantially continuous open worksurface, an outer marginal edge configured to accommodate a user thereby, and an inner marginal edge with a shape which defines a central space when aligned with similar inner marginal edges of adjacent like mobile tables;
said top side edges tapering inwardly toward each other from said outer marginal edge to said inner marginal edge;
and
a plurality of legs connected with said top and depending therefrom to support said mobile table on a floor surface in a freestanding fashion;
first and second ones of said legs having upper ends thereof connected with said top at locations disposed adjacent to said outer marginal edge at opposite sides thereof, and lower ends thereof with feet to abut the floor surface, and third and fourth ones of said legs having upper ends thereof connected with said top at locations disposed adjacent to said inner marginal edge at opposite sides thereof, and lower ends thereof with rollers to permit manual translation of said mobile table across the floor surface in wheelbarrow fashion, so that like mobile tables can be easily reconfigured by a single person to accommodate different groups and meeting activities.

2 more elements

A mobile conference table system, comprising:

a plurality of mobile tables, each including:
a top having a pair of oppositely oriented, mutually tapered side edges configured to abut generally flush with similar side edges of adjacent ones of said mobile tables to create an enlarged substantially continuous open worksurface, an outer marginal edge configured to accommodate a user thereby, and an inner edge with a shape which defines a central space when aligned with similar inner marginal edges of adjacent ones of said mobile tables;
said top side edges tapering inwardly toward each other from said outer marginal edge to said inner marginal edge;
and
a plurality of legs connected with said top and depending therefrom to support each of said mobile tables on a floor surface in a freestanding fashion, wherein first and second ones of said legs have upper ends thereof connected with said top at locations disposed adjacent to said outer marginal edge at opposite sides thereof, and lower ends thereof with feet to abut the floor surface, and third and fourth ones of said legs have upper ends thereof connected with said top at locations disposed adjacent to said inner marginal edge at opposite sides thereof and lower ends thereof with rollers to permit manual translation of said mobile tables on the floor surface in wheelbarrow fashion, such that said mobile tables can be easily reconfigured by a single person to accommodate different groups and meeting activities.

2 more elements

A modular table system, comprising:

a plurality of individual modular tables, each including a top having at least one side edge thereof configured to abut generally flush with a similar side edge of an adjacent one of said modular tables to create an enlarged substantially continuous worksurface, and at least one leg connected with said top and depending therefrom to support said modular tables on a floor surface in a freestanding fashion;
a male latch member mounted on a first one of modular tables, and including a resilient arm configured to protrude outwardly of said side edge of said first modular table;
said male latch member including an upwardly protruding barb portion thereof disposed adjacent a free end of said arm, and having a beveled outer edge;
a female latch member mounted on a second one of said modular tables, and including a catch edge shaped to engage the barb portion of said male latch member, and positioned to selectively retain the side edges of said first and second modular tables closely together when the same are positioned in an adjacent and aligned condition;
said female latch member including a marginal edge portion, which is disposed outwardly of said catch edge adjacent the side edge of said second modular table, and is beveled to wedgingly mate with the beveled outer edge of said male latch member;
said marginal edge extending uninterrupted between opposite sides of said catch edge, whereby the barb portion of said male latch member is abuttingly deflected over the beveled marginal edge of said female latch member and snaps into place against said catch edge, even when the side edges of said first and second modular tables are manually converged along a line of motion which is not substantially perpendicular to said side edges.

3 more elements

A modular table, comprising:

a top having at least one side edge thereof configured to abut generally flush with a similar side edge of an adjacent one of said modular tables to create an enlarged substantially continuous worksurface, and at least one leg connected with said top and depending therefrom to support said modular table on a floor surface in a freestanding fashion;
a male latch member mounted on said top adjacent one end of said side edge, and including a resilient arm configured to protrude outwardly of said side edge;
said male latch member including an upwardly protruding barb portion thereof disposed adjacent a free end of said arm, and having a beveled outer edge;
a female latch member mounted on said top adjacent an opposite end of said side edge, and including a catch edge shaped to engage the barb portion of an adjacent male latch member, and positioned to selectively retain the side edges of adjacent modular tables closely together when the same are positioned in an adjacent and aligned condition and wherein said female latch member includes a beveled marginal edge portion, which is disposed outwardly of said catch edge adjacent said side edge, whereby the barb portion of said male latch member is abuttingly deflected over the beveled marginal edge of said female latch member and snaps into place against said catch edge, even when the side edges adjacent modular tables are manually converged along a line of motion which is not substantially perpendicular to said side edges.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.