Abstract:
A table having multiple stations arranged about a central stationary table top. The stations are independently vertically adjustable to accommodate the individual needs of the users. Adjustment mechanisms are utilized to independently adjust the height of each station and are easily operated by persons with a wide range of physical capabilities. More than one adjustment mechanism may be utilized. There can be a minimum of two stations but the dimensions and shape of the table top may be chosen to enable any desired number of stations. The use of a central stationary table top with stations arranged thereabout provides for a common area on which to place shared items and materials. This table encourages interaction among the users while enabling each to adjust his or her station to an exact table height as needed. The stations may also have tilt capabilities to further accommodate the needs of the users.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The instant invention relates to tables, and more particularly to tables with multiple stations each of which is independently height adjustable.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    There have been a variety of tray assemblies, tables and adjustable stands or workstations designed for use by persons of varying sizes and statures and for persons with a wide variety of needs. Workstations have also been designed to accommodate persons with disabilities and persons using wheelchairs and other special seating arrangements. Such trays, tables and workstations can be used when eating, working or performing a variety of tasks. One such workstation is taught by Golden et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,410,971. The workstation can be used as a desk or other work place because the work surface is tiltably mounted to a frame having pivot arms and gas cylinders which enable the entire work surface to move laterally as well as vertically.  
           [0003]    A problem arises when two or more persons wish to eat or work together, especially if they share various items. It is often difficult to move their stands, workstations or trays close enough to a table to make it practical or advisable to do so. The prior art has not directly addressed this problem though some of the prior art may be pertinent.  
           [0004]    U.S. design Pat. No. Des. 371,687 to Sims discloses a desk o r worktable having a two section work surface. One surface is fixed in height and the other can be vertically adjusted by means of a hand cranking mechanism.  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 1,077,826 to Frisina discloses an extension table having a removable top and a compartment within the table body for storing a series of round leaves. Each leaf has a hinged connection to a slot within the compartment. A spring beneath the leaves pushes them upward as each is set and locked in place. When all of the leaves are locked in position, the table top can be replaced in the center resulting in six circular leaves extending outwardly from the central table top. All of the leaves are at the same level as the table top, but they appear to form separate stations. Eliason in U.S. Pat. No. 2,492,139 teaches a round extension table with a square center and four leaves shaped such that when placed between the outer rounded segments and square center result in a larger circular table. All parts of the extended table are at the same level when properly positioned  
           [0006]    Fuller et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 3,124,084 teaches a rotatable circular file surrounded by an annular circular table surface. One or more desk units can be attached to the table surface such that they each radiate outwardly from separate  20  positions. The desks can be independently moved to any position around the circular table. The desks are curved at one edge so they closely abut the circular table, but all surfaces are at the same height.  
           [0007]    A picnic table with wheelchair access is taught by Thom in U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,436. The table is constructed of wood and has an elevated rotatable central portion that operates as a lazy susan. There is a continuous bench made up of several segments supported by struts which are attached to the table framework.  
           [0008]    One or more of the segments can be removed to provide wheelchair access to the table. A separate table extension can be affixed to the table at the site of the wheelchair opening, but this extension is at the same level as the table top.  
           [0009]    A European patent application No. 94304109.5 to Ball et al. discloses a system of mobile tables that fit together to form a larger table. Each unit is on wheels for ease of movement and the table tops abut so that one continuous surface results when they are placed together. The inner edge of each table is curved so that t he grouping may have a circular central opening. The tables can be placed around a post unit holding various electrical, communication, computer or other s u c h systems. The individual tables can be arranged in several different configurations. All of the table tops are at the same level.  
           [0010]    The prior art does not disclose a single table that can accommodate several persons with different needs so that they can eat or work together, each at his or her own comfortable table height. The prior art does not disclose a multistation table where each station is independently height adjustable and where the adjustments can be easily accomplished by able bodied persons of all ages as well as persons with different capabilities or limitations.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    The instant invention provides a table having multiple stations, each of which is independently height adjustable without the necessity of tools of any kind.  
           [0012]    It is an object of the instant invention to provide a table having at least two stations, each of which can be independently adjusted as to height to accommodate the individual needs of the users.  
           [0013]    It is another object of the instant invention to have a multi-station table which can be utilized for a wide variety of different activities.  
           [0014]    A further object of the instant invention is to have a multi-station table having stations that are easily adjustable by persons with different physical capabilities or limitations.  
           [0015]    A still further object of the instant invention is to provide a multi-station table that enables persons with different disabilities and different needs to work, eat or participate in a variety of other activities together.  
           [0016]    Another object of the instant invention is to provide a multi-station table having stations that are tiltable to meet special needs of the users.  
           [0017]    A further object of the instant invention is to provide a table having a stationery portion for the placement of commonly used items as well as multiple height adjustable stations to accommodate individual needs.  
           [0018]    Another object of the instant invention is to provide a table that is sized to accommodate both a pediatric and an adult population.  
           [0019]    A further object of the instant invention is to provide a single table that c an accommodate the needs of children from pre-school through high school, adults, senior citizens and persons with disabilities.  
           [0020]    A still further object of the present invention is to provide a table that meets all o f the needs of the users and is also esthetically pleasing.  
           [0021]    The instant invention is a table for use by at least two persons, each of whom ha s different needs with respect to the height of the table. The table comprises a frame for placement on a supporting surface. There are at least two stations having substantially horizontal surfaces affixed to the frame. The stations are capable of being vertically adjusted and there are means to vertically adjust e a c h station.  
           [0022]    A table for use by at least two persons, each of whom has different needs. The table comprises a table top oriented horizontally and support means to which t h e table top is attached and for the support of the table on a horizontal surface. There are at least two stations capable of independent vertical movement and connecting means cooperating between the table top and each of the stations. The connecting means enable the stations to be attached to the table top and further to enable the stations to be vertically adjusted with respect to the table top. Each state can be vertically adjusted to accommodate the individual needs of the user.  
           [0023]    A multi-station table for use by persons having different physical requirements while enabling their participation in communal activities. The table comprises a table top of generally polygonal shape with side edges. There is a support means for supporting the table top on a horizontal surface, a plurality of stations each having an outer edge and an inner edge, the inner edge of which is disposed substantially in contiguous relationship to one of the side edges of the table top and a plurality of pivotally segmented connecting means each cooperating between the table top and one of the stations to connect the station to the table top and additionally to enable the station to be vertically adjusted. There is also a control means in cooperation with each of the connecting means to control the vertical adjustment of the stations so that each person can vertically adjust the station at which he or she is seated in order to accommodate his or her individual needs while participating with the other persons similarly seated in the communal activities.  
           [0024]    Other features and advantages of the invention will be seen from the following description and drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0025]    [0025]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the table of the instant invention showing each of the six stations at different elevations;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 2 is perspective view of the table of FIG. 1 with additional structural detailing;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the table of FIG. 1 emphasizing the different levels of the end station;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 4 is a plan view of the underside of one end of the table of the instant invention;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lifting mechanism;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the instant invention;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 7 is a perspective view one end of the table with an alternate station.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0032]    The multi-station table of the instant invention may be used as a dining table or a school room table. It may also be used for accessing computers, participating i n different therapies or for a variety of work or recreational activities. Many more and varied uses may certainly be possible. The preferred embodiment may b e designed for use by groups of persons of various sizes, various ages from very young children to adult, as well as groups ranging from the able bodied to persons with various disabilities and limitations.  
         [0033]    The table may be made to accommodate at least two stations and may be designed to fulfill spatial and/or various other requirements. The table may consist of a simple frame or support with adjustable stations each of which may be attached directly to the frame. There may be a central table top attached to the frame with stations attached to the table top, to the frame, or a combination of the two forms of attachment.  
         [0034]    The preferred embodiment of the multi-station table  10  may be seen in FIG. 1. The table  10  may have a central table top  11  that may be generally rectangular in shape. The table top  11  may be supported at its opposing ends by two substantially U-shaped stanchions  12  that may be of fixed height. The table top may also rest on a strut  13  that may run longitudinally beneath the table top  11  and may be attached at each end to one of the stanchions  12 . There may be six individual stations  14 , two situated at each side of the table top  11  and one situated at each end. The use of two stanchions  12  connected by a strut, the trestle support, may be preferable to other support means because it provides little interference with a wide variety of chairs or with wheelchair access to the table while permitting the vertically adjustable stations to be placed on all four sides of the table  10 .  
         [0035]    The six stations  14  may all be height adjustable by means of the same mechanism, or the four side stations  15  may be adjusted by one type of mechanism and the two end stations  16  may be adjusted by another mechanism. (FIGS. 1, 2 and  3 ) Other combinations may be possible according to preference or structural limitations. Ideally, the stations should be easily adjustable by an able bodied person as well as a person with disabilities and without the need for tools of any kind. Two types of adjustment means have been used in the preferred embodiment and are illustrated and described herein.  
         [0036]    The four side stations  15  may be adjusted by means of a control system  17  (FIGS. 4 and 5) such as the Position Mate (trademark) Work Surface Control Systems (model number WN-18520-29 in the catalogue of Baer Supply Company, 2000, 909 Forest Edge Drive, Vernon Hills, Ill. 60061-3149) manufactured by the Weber Knapp Company.  
         [0037]    The side stations  15  may be connected to the table top  11  by a control system  1   7  which may consist of two anchor portions  18 , two lift portions  19  and two lift arms  20 . The two anchor portions  18  may be attached at points on the underside of the table top  11  and the two lift portions  19  may be attached on each side of the underside of the side station  15 . The lift arm  20  may cooperate with each set of the attached portions with a lift arm strut  21  connecting the two lift arms  20  and providing additional support to the system. Tension may be provided by a spring  22  situated within each of the anchor portions  18 . A tension control  2   4  may cooperate with the spring  22  on one side only. The control system may b e easily operable by means of a paddle release  23  that is merely squeezed to alter the height of the side station  15 . A Bowden cable  25  may extend from the paddle release  23  to the tension control  24 . See FIG. 4.  
         [0038]    In addition to being height adjustable, the side stations  15  may also be tilted. The tilt may be made possible by a tilt lever  26  found on each lift portion  19  and which may cooperate with a curved slot  27  in the side of each lift portion  19 . The side stations  15  may be tilted up to 15° away from the user, arc C-D in FIG. 3, and up to 9° toward the user, arc A-B in FIG. 3. The tilt may be advantageous to accommodate special needs or for ergonomic reasons such as when a keyboard is to be used.  
         [0039]    This control system  17  may easily position the workstation  15  to an exact and comfortable height as needed by the user. The change in position may b e accomplished with the paddle release  23  which requires minimal dexterity to operate. The workstation may also be tilted by means of the control system  17  tilt lever  26  to a desired angle, as noted above. The lift range of the control system  17  may be 12.75 inches (32.4 cm) which may provide a height adjustment of 7 inches (17.8 cm) above the level of the table top  11  and 5.75 inches (14.6 cm) below the level of the table top  11 . The stations  14  may have a concavity  2   8  along their outer edges to enable the user to be closer to the table top  11  and to provide additional shoulder girdle support and arm support as well as more useful surface area for the user.  
         [0040]    The two end stations  16  may be supported in a different manner. Height adjustment may be accomplished by means of two slotted standards  30  affixed to each stanchion  14  and two brackets  31  affixed to each end station  16 . The brackets  31  may have flanges that may cooperate with the slots in the standards  30  and enable the elevation of the end stations  16  to be changed as needed. The particular standards and brackets used in the preferred embodiment may be the Reeve Store Equipment Co. RV-766 Series Heavy Duty Locking bracket model RV-766ZC and RV-700 Series Heavy Duty standard model RV-700ZC (Baer Supply Company catalog as noted above). Such standards and brackets may b e commonly used in bookcases, shelf systems and the like. This support system may require more effort to effect a change in height than the control system  17 , an d may also require any materials that may have been placed on the end station  16  to be removed before the change in height may be made. However, this system may be chosen to keep the size of the table  10  to proportions suitable for six users while providing easy access to items on the central table top  11  and free wheel chair access to all stations  14 .  
         [0041]    To alter the height of an end station  16  the sides may be grasped with two hands and the end station  16  lifted until the flange portions of the two brackets  31  are removed from the slots of the standards  30 . The end station  16  may thereafter be moved to the desired height and the flanges of the brackets  31  reinserted in t h e slots of the standards  30  such that the end station  16  may be securely seated. FIG. 3 may show an end station  16  situated below the level of the table top  11 , in a position  16 B level with the height of the table top  11  and in another lowered position  16 A below the table top  11  and below the level of station  16 . Movable stations using the standard and bracket system cannot be raised above the level of the table top  11  in the specific design illustrated. Other accommodations may b e made in the design of the table to enable such a station to be raised above table top level and are not illustrated herein.  
         [0042]    The particular choice of the combination of two adjustment systems may be dictated by the dimensions chosen for the table  10  and the number of stations  14  desired. The choice of six stations  14  may permit considerable interaction among users and also make sharing of common utensils and/or service items to be practical and within the reach of all. The preferred embodiment may have a table top  11  measuring 66 in (168 cm) long and 25.25 in (64 cm) wide which may comfortably accommodate six stations  14  each measuring 28.625 in (73 cm) wide and 16 in (41 cm) deep, with all of the stations  14  reasonably close together.  
         [0043]    Each U-shaped stanchion  12  may be 27 in (69 cm) high. The upper edge  32  may be 25 in (63.5 cm) wide so that it may just fit under the table top  11  and may provide maximum support therefor. The width of the stanchion leg  33 , the portion that rests on the floor, may be 7 in (18 cm). The inside U-shaped opening or middle portion of the stanchion  12  may be 17.75 in (45 cm) high. The overall width, or floor width of the stanchion  12 , may be 42 in (107 cm) and may provide a very stable base for the table  10 . The strut  13  may be 62 in (158 cm) long and 10 in (25 cm) high. All parts may be made of wood boards that may be 1.5 in (3.8 cm) in thickness. All surfaces may be covered with plastic laminate to provide a pleasing appearance and easy maintenance.  
         [0044]    The placement of the stanchions  12  close to the ends of the table top  11  may permit the attachment of the anchor portions  18  of two control systems  17  as well as easy access without interference for two wheel chairs on each side of the table  10 . The overhang remaining at each end of the table top  11  may be only 2 in (5 cm) which would not be sufficient to permit the installation of the control system  17  which may require at least 11 in (28 cm) clearance for proper installation. (See FIGS. 2 and 3) For this reason the standard  30  and bracket  31  system may be used for the height adjustment of the end stations  16 .  
         [0045]    The table top  11  may be made longer by at least 22 in (56 cm), 11 in (28 cm) at each end, to accommodate the installation of a control system  17  at each end. This may result in the users seated at the ends of the table  10  to be too far from the users seated on the sides of the table  10  to make the exchange and use of common items practical without necessitating additional modifications. The present arrangement may provide sufficient space for each station while keeping t h e overall dimensions as compact as possible.  
         [0046]    A drawback of the system utilizing the standards  30  and brackets  31  may be t h e limitations of the ease of adjustment for the users at the end stations  16 . For some users the assistance of others may be required. However, this system may permit all of users at the table  10  to be close enough to each other to exchange and share items. As an example, when used as a dining table, items such as salt and pepper shakers, sugar, cream, condiments and family style platters of food may easily b e passed from one person to the other, even considering a limited mobility if some or all of the users are seated in wheel chairs, have other disabilities or have limited upper body mobility. When used for other activities, the table  10  m a y permit items such as scissors, adhesives, measuring tools or various paint pigments to be easily shared.  
         [0047]    Future refinements of available control systems or new developments in such systems may make it possible for this general form of control system to be used at all stations while maintaining the ease of adjustment of the control system  1   7  described above and the close proximity of the stations to each other. Pneumatic, electric and/or a variety of mechanical systems may also be utilized in the design of such multi-station tables. The particular height adjustment system utilized may be an individual design choice and the instant invention may not be limited by the two systems described herein.  
         [0048]    The table  10  may be quite heavy and difficult to move from place to place. To make moving the table  10  easier, casters  29  may be affixed to the bottom of the stanchion legs  33 . (FIG. 7) The casters  29  may have locks to insure that no movement of the table  10  is possible once the table  10  is placed in a desired location. The dimensions of the stanchions  12  may be adjusted accordingly if casters  29  are attached so as to maintain the table top  11  at the desired height.  
         [0049]    Each station may rarely be at the same level as the table top  11 , and therefore there may be a tendency for objects to be pushed over the back edge  36  of the station, the edge farthest from the user. To avoid this possibility, an alternative station  34  may be utilized. This alternative station  34  may have a raised lip  35  running along the entire back edge  36  of the station  34 . The lip  35  may not interfere with the operation of the station  34  but may insure that objects cannot be pushed off the back edge  36  of the station  35  when being removed from and replaced on the table top  11 .  
         [0050]    The choice of the U-shaped stanchions  12  is only one of many design choices for the support of the table  10  of the instant invention. The more conventional table top  37  supported on four legs  38  may also be used, but may be more limiting. This may be seen in the second embodiment  40  of the instant invention illustrated in FIG. 6. This embodiment  40  may also be of any desired dimensions, but again, the stations  39  should be close enough to enable the users to share materials. With this in mind, it may not be possible to have stations at the ends  41  of the table  40 . The table legs  38  may be situated at the corners of the table top  37  to provide the best stability and sufficient room for the installation of the anchor portions  18  of the control system  17 . There may be no surface on which to anchor the standards  30  and brackets  31  of the “book case” system. The addition of a vertical board at each end  41  of the table  40  for attachment of the standards  30  may not present an esthetically pleasing result. To accommodate end stations utilizing t h e control system  17 , the table top  37  would have to be extended at least 11 in (28 cm) on each end  41  placing the users at the end stations farther from the users at t h e side stations and may make sharing of materials more difficult for persons with limited reach capabilities. Additionally, if there are no end stations, there may b e more than two stations situated on each side of the table. A table of the type shown in FIG. 6 may have three stations on each side and still exhibit the overall dimensions of the preferred embodiment (table  10 ).  
         [0051]    The instant invention may just as easily be practiced using a polygonal shaped table top with a central support and stations disposed at each edge. Again, the dimensions and structural limitations may be dictated by the type of adjustment mechanism selected.  
         [0052]    While two embodiments of the instant invention have been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited thereto and may be otherwise practiced within the scope of the following claims.