TABLE ASSEMBLY WITH ADAPTABLE GANGING CONNECTIONS

A table assembly includes a first table having a first edge, and a ganging member. The ganging member includes a connecting member and a first affixing member. The first affixing member affixes the connecting member to the first table in a first ganging position, in which the connecting member extends a first distance beyond the first edge and connects the first table to a first furniture unit to gang the first furniture unit to the first table, and a second ganging position, in which the connecting member extends a second distance beyond the first edge, and gangs the first table to the first furniture unit and to a second furniture unit in series. The second distance is greater than the first distance.

FIELD

A table assembly and related systems are described herein.

BACKGROUND

Conference tables and desks are known that include openings through which power connections can extend through the tabletop. Some tables are provided with power centers that house electrical, communication, and data plug-sockets in compartments on the tabletop. This arrangement can reduce the useable surface of the tabletop, and can interfere with the usability of the tabletop and aesthetics of the furniture. Other tables are known that include a drawer mounted beneath the tabletop that houses the plug sockets. Another arrangement is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,645,878, which discloses a furniture member with its own leg that provides power connections adjacent a tabletop edge.

Some assemblies are known that provided ganged tables. These assemblies, however, typically require tools to assemble, and do not allow a user to interchangeably connect tables and furniture accessories together in various arrangements.

A more convenient way to gang tables and furniture accessories or provide a power center is needed.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, disclosed is a table assembly that includes a first table having a first edge, and a ganging member. The ganging member includes a connecting member, and a first affixing member. The first affixing member affixes the connecting member to the first table in a first ganging position, in which the connecting member extends a first distance beyond the first edge and connects the first table to a first furniture unit to gang the first furniture unit to the first table, and a second ganging position, in which the connecting member extends a second distance beyond the first edge, and gangs the first table to the first furniture unit and to a second furniture unit in series. The second distance is greater than the first distance.

The first table can have a tabletop, and the affixing member can affixes the connecting member to the tabletop. The table can extend longitudinally from a first longitudinal edge to a second longitudinal edge, and laterally from a first lateral edge to a second lateral edge; and the first edge can be one of the first or second longitudinal edges, or one of the first or second lateral edges. The first furniture unit can be adjacent the first table edge when the first furniture unit is ganged to the first table. When the connecting member connects the table to a first furniture unit only, the connecting member is affixed to the first table in one of a plurality of first ganging positions that are at different angles with respect to each other. The connecting member can include a first base-attachment portion, which the first affixing member engages in the in the first ganging position, and a second base-attachment portion, which the first affixing member engages in the second ganging position. The first connecting member can include a first ganging-attachment portion that is engaged by a second affixing member that affixes the connecting member to the first furniture unit when the connecting member is affixed in the first ganging position; and a second ganging-attachment portion that is engaged by a second affixing member that affixes the connecting member to the one of the first or second furniture units when the connecting member is affixed in the second ganging position.

The connecting member can include a third ganging-attachment portion that is engaged by a third affixing member that affixes the connecting member to the other of the first or second furniture units in the second configuration when the connecting member is affixed in the second ganging position. The second base-attachment portion and the second and third ganging-attachment portions can be aligned linearly. The first base-attachment portion can be aligned linearly with the second base-attachment portion and the second and third ganging-attachment portions. The first base-attachment portion and first ganging-attachment portion can be aligned with each other at a non-parallel angle from the alignment of the second base-attachment portion and second and third ganging-attachment portions, such that the connecting member in the first ganging position is oriented at a different angle than in the second ganging position. The first ganging-attachment portion can define a side slot that extends generally laterally to receive the second affixing member by rotating the connecting member about the first affixing member to engage the side slot.

At least one of the ganging-attachment members can define a slot with an open end to slidingly receive the respective affixing members. At least one of the ganging-attachment members can define an enlarged opening to receive an enlarged head of the respective affixing member, and a narrowed slot open to the enlarged opening to slidingly receive post of said respective affixing member but prevent reception therethrough of the enlarged head. The connecting member can define a slot that connects the first and second base-attachment portions to allow the connecting member to slide over the first affixing member between the first and second ganging positions. The affixing members comprises a knob having an enlarged head that is manipulable by a user, and a shaft that attaches to the respective table or furniture unit to affix the attachment portions of the connecting member. The shaft of each affixing member is threaded to the respective table or furniture unit.

The first affixing member can be connected to the table at an edge distance from the first edge; and the ganging-attachment portions can be disposed on the connecting member to attach to the respective affixing members, which are positioned at said edge distance from an edge of the respective furniture unit. The first furniture unit can be a furniture accessory having first and second opposite furniture edges, and the connecting member is disposed equidistant, at said edge distance, from each of the opposite furniture edges. The table can have a tabletop with a length and a width, the length being substantially twice the dimension of the width, and a width of the furniture accessory being substantially equal to the width of the first platform. The table assembly can have a plurality of mating members that can affix to the first attachment portion to affix the connecting member, to gang the furniture unit to the edge of the tabletop along the width of the tabletop, or to gang two adjacent furniture units to the edge along the length of the tabletop. The table assembly can have a plurality of said ganging members that cooperatively affix to and gang the furniture units. The plurality of said ganging members can gang the furniture units at a plurality of locations about the table.

The table can have a tabletop and a table support that supports the tabletop in a substantially horizontal position on a ground, the ganging member can be located on an underside of the tabletop to connect the underside of the tabletop to an underside of the first furniture unit. The table assembly can include the table and the first furniture unit, the first furniture unit having a thickness substantially equal to a thickness of the tabletop so that a top surface of the first furniture unit is substantially coplanar with a top surface of the tabletop. and the ganging member, when attached to the first platform in the first configuration, supports the furniture accessory in a horizontal position above the ground. In some embodiments, when a user disengages the second affixing member from the connecting member, the second affixing member remains attached to the power bar.

In some embodiments, disclosed is a table assembly that includes a first table having a first horizontal platform and a support member, and a ganging member, and a power bar for housing electrical components. The ganging member includes a connecting member and a first affixing member. The first affixing member affixes the connecting member to a bottom surface of the first horizontal platform. The power bar is connected to the first table by a second affixing member that affixes the connecting member to a bottom surface of the power bar, so to cantilever off an edge of the first horizontal platform.

The structural connection can support the tabletop above the ground in a substantially horizontal position, without a support that directly supports the power bar above the ground. The ganging member can be reconfigurably attachable to the first tabletop, such that in a second ganging position, the connecting member extends beyond the edge of the first horizontal platform and connects the first table to the power bar and to a second table in series.

In some embodiments, a ganging member for connecting together two or more furniture articles is disclosed. The ganging member includes a connecting member that extends from a front end to a rear end, the connecting member having a first wall that defines an elongate aperture, a second wall that defines a hole, a front edge that defines a front slot extending from a front end of the connecting member, and a side edge that defines a side slot extending from a side of the connecting member. The ganging member includes an affixing member having a head and a shaft extending therefrom, wherein the elongate aperture, the hole, front slot, and side slot are each configured to slidingly receive the post of the affixing member but prevent reception therethrough of the enlarged head. The head can be knurled to allow a user to grasp the head to tighten or loosen the first affixing member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed is a table assembly having a table and a ganging member that is repositionable to connect the table to one or more other furniture units.

Referring toFIGS. 1-3, an embodiment of a table assembly100includes a table102and a ganging member104that is in a first ganging position to connect the table102to a first furniture unit. The ganging member104includes a connecting member200and a first affixing member202that affixes the connecting member200to the table102, for example, to the tabletop110of the first table102. When the ganging member104is in a first ganging position, the first affixing member202engages a first base-attachment portion204of the connecting member200. In preferred embodiments, the first base-attachment portion204defines a first portion of an elongate aperture220, through which the first affixing member202extends to fasten the connecting member200to the table102.

A second affixing member300affixes the connecting member200to the first furniture unit to gang the table102to the first furniture unit. The connecting member200has a first ganging-attachment portion216that the second affixing member300engages to affix the connecting member200to the first furniture unit. In the illustrated embodiment, the first ganging-attachment portion is a side slot216that extends generally laterally to receive the second affixing member300by rotating the connecting member200. In preferred embodiments, the connecting member200rotates by pivoting about the first affixing member202to engage the side slot216with the second affixing member300.

In the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-3, the first furniture unit is a furniture accessory, and more particularly, a power bar106for housing electrical components. Other furniture accessories could be used, such as a container, for example to house office supplies, or a tabletop extension to lengthen the tabletop surface. The ganging member104is shown connected to the table102in a first ganging position, and also connected to the power bar106, and the ganging member104supports the power bar106in a cantilevered position, preferably without requiring or without providing additional legs connected directly to the power bar to support the power bar106above the ground. The connecting member200can be made of a suitable material to provide sufficient structural support for the cantilevered furniture accessory. For example, the connecting member200can be made of steel, for example,11gauge steel.

The first table102includes a tabletop110and a support112that supports the tabletop110in a horizontal position above ground. The power bar106is cantilevered and supported above the ground by way of the ganging member104, as the power bar106extends beyond a tabletop edge120past the ganging member104. As shown inFIG. 2, in preferred embodiments the power bar106is connected to a tabletop110of the table102by way of two ganging members104that are spaced along the tabletop edge120. The two ganging members104are spaced to provide sufficient clearance for the container122of the power bar106to fit therebetween.

FIGS. 4-6show perspective and bottom views of the table102and ganging member104that is in a second ganging position to connect the table102to first and second furniture units106,108in series. The connecting member200has a second base-attachment portion206, which the first affixing member202engages in this second ganging position to affix the connecting member200to the first table102. An elongate aperture220connects first and second base-attachment portions204,206to allow the connecting member200to slide along the first affixing member202between the first and second ganging positions. As shown in phantom lines inFIG. 6, in preferred embodiments, the connecting member200has a retracted position in which it does not extend past the edge of the table top.

In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 3-6, the first furniture unit102is a furniture accessory (a power bar)106and the second unit is a second table108connected in series by the ganging member104in its second ganging position. The connecting member200includes a second ganging-attachment portion210that the second affixing member300engages to affix the connecting member200to the power bar106. As shown inFIGS. 6 and 9, in some embodiments, the second ganging-attachment portion210comprises an enlarged opening212and a slot222extending therefrom. In cases in which the second affixing member300has a head with an extending shaft, the large opening212receives the enlarged head of the affixing member, and the narrow slot222extending from the large opening221slidingly receives the post of the affixing member, but prevents reception therethrough of the enlarged head.

The connecting member includes a third base-attachment portion208that a third affixing member400engages to affix the connecting member200to the second table108. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 6, in some embodiments, the third ganging-attachment portion208comprises a slot218with an open end to slidingly receive the third affixing member400. In cases in which the third affixing member400has a head with an extending shaft, the slot218slidingly receives the post of the affixing member, but prevents reception therethrough of the enlarged head.

FIGS. 7-9show the first table102ganged to one other unit, which is another table108. The first affixing member202engages the first base-attachment portion204of the connecting member200. The second affixing member300affixes the third ganging-attachment portion208of the connecting member200to the second table108to gang the first table102to the second table108. As shown, the slot218slidingly receives the second affixing member300.

In preferred embodiments, the second base-attachment portion206and the second and third ganging-attachment portions210,208are aligned linearly along the connecting member200. In some embodiments, the first and second base-attachment portions204,206and the second and third ganging-attachment portions210,208are aligned linearly along the connecting member200. Preferably, the first base-attachment portion204and first ganging-attachment portion216are aligned with each other at a non-parallel angle θ from the alignment of the second base-attachment portion206and second and third ganging-attachment portions210,208, such that the connecting member200is oriented at a different angle in the first ganging position than in the second ganging position.

In preferred embodiments, the connecting member200defines an elongate aperture220extending from the first base-attachment portion204to the second base-attachment portion206. The first affixing member202includes a head with a shaft extending therefrom, the shaft extending through the aperture220and affixing to the first table102. Thus, in repositioning the ganging member104from the first ganging position to the second ganging position, a user can pivot the connecting member200about the first affixing member202and then slide the connecting member200relative to the first affixing member202.

Referring toFIGS. 10A, 13 and 14, in some embodiments, each affixing member202,300,400includes a knob234having an enlarged head that is manipulable by a user, and a shaft232extending from the knob to affix the connection member200to a respective furniture unit. For example, the enlarged head234can be a butterfly head, or a knob having a knurled surface. In preferred embodiments, the shaft232is threaded to screw into a female threaded portion233of the respective furniture unit. In preferred embodiments, the female threaded portion233is made of a sufficiently strong material, such as steel and/or other metals and/or alloys. Additionally or alternatively, the female threaded portion233can be made of plastic. In preferred embodiments, the female threaded portion233is anchored with sufficient strength to maintain the ganged furniture units together in normal use. Referring toFIG. 10B, the head of knob234of each affixing member202,300,400is larger than the respective portion204,206,212,208of the connecting member200with which it engages, and the shaft232is smaller so that the shaft extends through the respective portion204,206,212,208. When the shaft is screwed into the respective female threaded portion233of the respective furniture unit, the knob234clamps the connecting member200so to affix the connecting member200to the furniture unit. As shown inFIG. 14, the knob235can have a stepped portion235that provides a friction fit with the respective portion of the connecting member200. For example, for the first affixing member202, the diameter of the stepped portion235can be slightly smaller than the width of the elongated aperture220so that the stepped portion235tightly fits within the elongated aperture to secure the connecting member200to the table102.

Referring toFIG. 13, in some embodiments, the tabletop110has a layer of wood604between bottom layer602aand a top layer602bof fiberboard, for example, medium density fiberboard.

The ganging member104can connect the furniture units to be adjacent, and preferably abutting, one another. In some embodiments, when the connected furniture units are ganged, their top surfaces lie flush with one another. As shown inFIGS. 1, when the ganging member104gangs first table102to the power bar106, the power bar106has an upper surface111that is substantially flush with a top surface113aof the tabletop110. As shown inFIG. 4, when the ganging member104gangs the first table102to the power bar106and the second table108, the power bar106has an upper surface111that is substantially flush with a top surface113aof the first tabletop110aand with a top surface113bof the second tabletop110b.

As shown inFIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 6, in the first ganging position (FIG. 3), the connecting member200extends a first distance1002beyond the edge120of the table. In the second ganging position (FIG. 6), the connecting member200extends a second distance1008beyond the edge120that is greater than the first distance1002. Thus, when the ganging member104is in its first ganging position to connect the table102to the power bar106, the ganging member104does not stick out past edge of the power bar106, remaining preferably entirely within the periphery of the power bar. When the ganging member104is in its second ganging position to connect the table102to the power bar106and other table108, then the ganging member104extends beyond the power bar106to attach the members in series.

Referring toFIGS. 3 and 6, the first affixing member200is affixed to the tabletop110at a distance1010from an edge120of the table102. The second affixing member200is affixed to the power bar106a distance1012from a first power bar edge121of the power bar106. In preferred embodiments, distance1010is substantially equal to distance1012. Referring toFIG. 6, the second affixing member200is affixed to the power bar102a distance1014from a second power bar edge123of the power bar. In preferred embodiments, the distance1012is substantially equal to1014. The third affixing member400is affixed to the second table108a distance1016from an edge125of the second table108. In preferred embodiments, distance1016is substantially equal to distance1010, and substantially equal to distances1012,1014. Thus, in preferred embodiments, the second affixing member300is affixed to the power bar106at a location equidistant from the edges121,123of the power bar106. In preferred embodiments, affixing members200,400are affixed to each table102,108at locations equidistant from the respective tabletop edge120,125. The underside of each table102,108can have female threaded portions233that are positioned on the under surface of the tabletop110at locations equidistant from the tabletop edges120,124,126,128. As shown inFIG. 2, the underside of the tabletop110can include threaded female portions233at locations500along one or more edges120,124,126,128of table each table102,108. The threaded portions233at these locations500can receive an affixing member200to gang a furniture unit thereto. For example, referring toFIG. 2, a user can affix a first affixing member200to affix another connecting member200at location500to gang an additional power bar106or to gang another table108, or can detach the power bar from edge120and reattach the power bar106to edge126. In some embodiments, one or more longitudinal edge126,128of the tabletop has four threaded female portions233and one or more lateral edge120,124has two threaded female portions233. Thus, referring toFIGS. 19-21, to each longitudinal edge126,128, a user can gang one or two power bars106, gang another table108along its longitudinal edge126,128, or gang two other tables108at their lateral edges120,124. To each lateral edge120,124, a user can gang a power bar106, or another table at its lateral edge120,124.

Referring toFIGS. 3, 6 and 9, when the ganging member104gangs the table102to the power bar106, the connecting member200extends a distance1006laterally inward from the second affixing member200and toward the container122. When the ganging member gangs the table102to the power bar106and the second table108, the connecting member200extends a second distance1018laterally inward from the second and third affixing members300,400. When the ganging member gangs the table102to the second table108, the connecting member200extends the second distance1018laterally inward from the second and third affixing members300. In preferred embodiments, the distance1006is less than distance1018. Thus, the side slot216is configured to reduce the distance the connecting member200laterally extends when the table102is ganged to the power bar106, for example, to provide more room for the power bar container122.

Referring toFIGS. 3 and 9, in some embodiments, the connecting member200attaches to the one furniture unit in a plurality of first ganging positions. For example, when the connecting member200gangs the table102to the power bar106, the connecting member200is in one first ganging position (FIG. 3) that is oriented at an angle relative to another first ganging position the connecting member200is in when it gangs the table102to the other table108(FIG. 9). When the connecting member200gangs the first table102to the power bar106(FIG. 3), the connecting member200is in a first ganging position that is angled with respect to the second ganging position (FIG. 6). When, however, the connecting member200gangs the first table102to the other table108(FIG. 9), the connecting member200is in a first ganging position that is not angled with respect to the second ganging position (FIG. 6). When the connecting member2000is in the first ganging position to gang the table102to the power bar106, the connecting member200extends a distance1002from the table edge120(FIG. 3), which is less than another distance1003the connecting member200extends from the table edge120when it gangs the table102to the other table108. As shown inFIGS. 3 and 9, the connecting member200can move between various first ganging positions by sliding the first affixing member202within the aperture220to different locations205a,205bof the first base attachment portion204.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 15, in some embodiments, the tabletop110extends longitudinally from a first longitudinal edge120to a second longitudinal edge124, and laterally from a first lateral edge126to a second lateral edge128. The ganging member104can gang the power bar106to an edge120of the tabletop110. In such case, the edge121of the power bar106abuts (e.g., is flush with) the edge120of the tabletop.

The power bar106can be removed from the lateral edge of the tabletop110by disengaging the connecting member200from the second affixing member300(e.g., by rotating the connecting member200about the first affixing member202to disengage the side slot216from the second affixing member300). Then, for example, a user can remove the power bar106from the edge120of the table102and replace the power bar106by attaching another table108to the edge120.

Referring toFIGS. 11A and 11B, the power bar106has a platform313having a top surface111and a container122extending from the platform313. The container122is configured to house electrical components310, for example, electrical power sockets. The container defines a hole312through which electrical wires or cables116can extend to connect the electrical components310in the container122to an external supply (e.g., an AC outlet connected to a power supply for a building). The power bar106can have a door304that opens to provide a user access to the electrical components310, and that closes to provide a surface that is flush with the top surface of the platform313. The power bar106can include an indent308to allow a user to engage the door304to open and close it.

Referring toFIG. 12, when the power bar106is ganged to one or more tables102,108, the electrical cables116can be daisy-chained from one power bar106to another power bar106. The cables116can extend through the holes312within the containers122and run along an undersurface of the tabletops110.

As shown inFIGS. 15-18, the platform313of the power bar106can have a thickness that is substantially the same as the thickness of the tabletop110. Thus, when the first affixing member202affixes to the connecting member200to the bottom surface of the tabletop110and the second affixing member300affixes the connecting member to a bottom surface of the platform313, an upper surface111of the power bar106is substantially flush with an upper surface113of the tabletop. In embodiments in which the table102has movable legs112(e.g., so to allow the table to collapse), a bushing317is disposed to provide clearance between the legs112and the tabletop110.

Referring toFIG. 2, in some embodiments, the table102includes legs that can move relative the tabletop110, for example, to allow the tabletop110to move between an extended position and a collapsed position relative to the legs112. For example, in embodiments, in the collapsed position, the table102occupies a smaller volume than in the extended position, to facilitate storage and handling. Articulations such as pivots allow components of the collapsible support2002to collapse and expand, by pivoting, folding, or otherwise moving between desired positions. Other types of articulation that allow legs112to move under vertical load could be used. In embodiments, first and second primary legs2002a,2002bare each pivotally attached to the main support2008so that they can move between an extended position and a collapsed position. First and second secondary legs2006a,2006bare each pivotally attached to a respective primary leg2002a,2002bso that they can move between an extended position and a collapsed position. Arcs2000,3000show the paths of the primary leg2002aand secondary leg2006, as the primary leg moves between an extended position and a collapsed position. The first affixing members202are located outside of the arcs2000,3000so they do not interfere with the bushings317as the legs moves beneath the tabletop110. Thus, bushings317provides sufficient clearance between the legs112and the tabletop110. More details of the collapsible feature are described in U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 14/991,791 entitled “Collapsible Table,” filed Jan. 8, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. In other embodiments, table legs are detachable for table storage or have other folding arrangements. For example, the legs can be foldable flat under the tabletop by pivoting at the corners of the tabletop110and foldable into a collapsed position. In other embodiments, the table legs are fixed with respect to the tabletop110.

The tabletop110has a length, extending from the first longitudinal edge120to the second longitudinal edge124, and a width, extending from the first lateral edge126to the second lateral edge128. In some embodiments, the length is substantially twice the dimension of the width. In some embodiments, the width of the furniture accessory106is substantially equal to the width of the tabletop110. In such cases, when the furniture accessory106is connected to a lateral edge of the tabletop110, the furniture accessory106extends past the tabletop110surface in a streamlined fashion. Also, as shown inFIGS. 18-21, two furniture accessories106can be connected to a longitudinal edge124,126of the table102.

As shown inFIGS. 19-21, the table assembly is reconfigurable between various arrangements.FIG. 19shows a power bar106that is ganged to a longitudinal edge of the first able108, and a lateral edge of a second table108is ganged to the power bar106.FIG. 20shows a four tables102,103,108,109ganged together by two power bars106,106b,106c,106dganged to each table at along a longitudinal edge of the table.FIG. 21shows an arrangement in which the ganging member104gangs the first table102to the second table108so that a lateral edge of the second table108is adjacent a longitudinal edge of the first table102.

The foregoing description has broad application. For example, while examples disclosed herein may focus on power accessories, it should be appreciated that the concepts disclosed herein may equally apply to substantially any other type of furniture accessories or components. Similarly, the ganging member can be used to connect other furniture articles in addition to or as an alternative to a table. Accordingly, the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be exemplary and is not intended to suggest that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to these examples.