Media station including technology backbone and magnetically ganged table

A media station can be broken-down and reconfigured such that the individual parts of the media station can be used in multiple configurations. The media station includes a central technology backbone that houses the computer hardware and media modules required for the type of monitor/media sharing desired. The technology backbone includes magnetic coupling members that increase the options for the different types of work tables that can be connected to the technology backbone dependent upon the user's needs and the size of the group. The ability to separate the work tables from the central technology backbone allows for flexibility in the styles of table used as well as the potential for cross room cohesiveness and economies of scale in unit types. When the media station is not in use, users can separate the individual work tables from the backbone and use the tables in a conventional manner.

BACKGROUND

Presently, different types of media sharing furniture exist that consist of a large single unit having a defined overall aesthetic look. Typically, this type of furniture includes seating stations for multiple persons to view a display screen.

Although several types of media sharing furniture exist, each type of furniture limits the user's flexibility from an aesthetic and planning standpoint since the unit is often large and difficult to move and reconfigure.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure generally relates to a media station that can be broken-down and reconfigured in an easy and convenient manner such that the individual parts of the media station can be used in multiple configurations. The media station of the present disclosure includes a central technology backbone that houses the computer hardware and media modules required for the type of monitor/media sharing desired. The technology backbone includes magnetic coupling members that increase the options for the different types of work tables that can be connected to the technology backbone dependent upon the user's needs and the size of the group. The ability to separate the work tables from the central technology backbone allows for greater flexibility in the styles of table used as well as the potential for cross room cohesiveness and economies of scale in unit types. When the media station is not in use, users can separate the individual work tables from the backbone and use the tables in a conventional manner in the same room. The ability to separate the tables from the technology backbone allows for flipping and nesting tables to be used to further enhance mobility and storage options.

A technology backbone for a media station is disclosed. The technology backbone has a top surface, a first support member positioned beneath the top surface and extending downward from the top surface, and a coupling member embedded in the first support member such that the coupling member does not protrude from the first support member.

A work table for use with a technology backbone having a magnetic coupling member embedded in a support member is also disclosed. The work table has a generally horizontal work surface having at least one side edge, and a magnetic coupling member embedded in the at least one side edge. When the at least one side edge of the work table is positioned adjacent the technology backbone, the magnetic coupling member embedded in the support member of the technology backbone is attracted to the magnetic coupling member embedded in the side edge of the work table. The work table is thereby held in position adjacent the technology backbone.

A complete media station for providing access to media equipment is also disclosed. The media station has a technology backbone having a top surface and a support member positioned beneath the top surface and extending downward from the top surface. The media station also has at least one work table having a work surface. A first plurality of coupling members are recessed within the support member of the technology backbone and a second plurality of coupling members are recessed within an edge of the work table. The work table is movable such that it can be positioned adjacent the technology backbone. Spacing between the first plurality of coupling members corresponds to spacing between the second plurality of coupling members, such that the first and second plurality of coupling members interact to hold the work table in position adjacent the technology backbone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the present description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes only and are intended to be broadly construed. The different systems described herein may be used alone or in combination with other systems. Various equivalents, alternatives and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims. Each limitation in the appended claims is intended to invoke interpretation under 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph only if the terms “means for” or “step for” are explicitly recited in the respective limitation.

FIG. 1illustrates a media station10constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. The media station10generally includes a central technology backbone12, a series of work tables14a,14band14c, and a display16. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, the display16is a video monitor, although other types of displays are contemplated as being within the scope of the present disclosure. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, the display16is mounted to a support stand18. The support stand18may be formed from laminate and bolts onto the technology backbone12when the user wishes to place the media station10in the center of a room rather than against a wall. However, it is contemplated that the display16could be mounted to a wall of a room while operating within the scope of the present disclosure.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the media station10can be broken down into separate, individual components such that each of the individual components can be utilized separate and apart from the combination shown inFIG. 1. As illustrated inFIG. 3, each of the work tables14a,14b,14ccan be separated from the technology backbone12and used separate and apart from the media station10. Each of the individual work tables14includes a pair of wheeled legs20such that each of the work tables14can be moved to a different location within the facility. In the embodiment shown, each leg20has two wheels22. In other embodiments, the legs20can have more than two wheels22or no wheels.

Although not shown in the embodiment ofFIG. 3, it is contemplated that each of the work tables14could be designed to be a flipping or nesting table such that when the individual work tables14are separated from the entire media station10, the work tables14could be stored in an efficient manner. Each of the work tables14includes a generally planar work surface24. To flip and nest the work tables14, for example, the work surface24of the work tables14can be flipped along an axis x (FIG. 2) where the underside of the work surface24is connected to the legs20of the work table14.

As shown inFIG. 4, when the work tables14are joined to the technology backbone12, the work surface24is positioned slightly below a top surface26of the technology backbone12. This allows coupling members in the work tables14to be positioned adjacent coupling members in sidewalls32of the technology backbone12, as will be described further herein below.

FIG. 5provides a detailed illustration of the configuration of the technology backbone12of the present disclosure. The technology backbone12generally includes a top surface26having a series of individual cutouts28that provide access to an open interior30. The open interior30is designed to include various different types of electronic equipment, such as computers, projectors, internet routers, electrical supply conduits or any other type of electrical connection that may be needed by users working at the media station10. Although the embodiment shown inFIG. 5includes eight separate cutouts28, it is contemplated that a fewer number of cutouts28could be utilized while operating within the scope of the present disclosure. In the embodiment illustrated, the technology backbone12is formed from laminated particle board, although other types of materials are contemplated as being within the scope of the present disclosure. The top surface26is formed from laminated particle board and includes the cutouts28that allow access the open interior30. Each cutout28receives a media module that provides a point of connection for a laptop of a user seated at one of the work tables. The cutouts28can be sized to accept various different types of collaborative media modules. The function of the media modules can be varied by the supplier and model. Typically, the media modules allow for laptop users to plug in audio and video to be displayed (shared/toggled) on the display16. The modules also contain access to the internet or a local area network.

The technology backbone12includes a support member positioned beneath the top surface26and extending downward from the top surface26. The technology backbone12can include a second support member spaced from the first support member. For example, the first support member can be a first sidewall32and the second support member can be a second sidewall32. The technology backbone12can include a third support member and a fourth support member extending downward from the top surface26, wherein the third support member and the fourth support member are spaced from one another. For example, the third support member can be a front wall56(seeFIG. 3) and the fourth support member can be a back wall34. In other embodiments, the support members are not walls, but are legs, blocks, or any other structure capable of supporting the top surface26.

In the embodiment shown inFIG. 5, for example, the technology backbone12includes a pair of sidewalls32that define the open interior30along with a back wall34and a front wall56(seeFIG. 3). In other embodiments, the technology backbone12could include only one support member, such as one sidewall32. In other embodiments, the technology backbone12could include only two support members, such as the front wall56and the back wall34. Other combinations of sidewalls32, front wall56, and back wall34are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure.

In the embodiment shown inFIG. 5, the sidewall32includes a removable access panel36that provides access to the hardware contained within the open interior30of the technology backbone12. The access panel36is removable for access and assembly of the wiring of the table top modules and switching hardware. Once assembly is complete, the panel is locked shut to restrict access. In the preferred embodiment of this disclosure, the front wall56(FIG. 3) includes a decorative perforated steel panel covering a large air vent57. The back wall34(FIG. 5) can include a cutout38that acts as an air vent and may also act as the access opening to attach the optional support stand18.

In the embodiment shown inFIG. 5, the cutout38in the back wall34allows access to the open interior30. The cutout38allows various wires and cables to pass into the technology backbone12. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 5, an extension40is mounted to the back wall34to interface either with the support stand18shown inFIG. 1or a wall of a room.

Referring now toFIG. 6, the technology backbone12includes a coupling member embedded in the first support member such that the coupling member does not protrude from the first support member. More than one coupling member can be provided. The coupling members can be, for example, a series of permanent magnets42mounted into the outer surface44of each sidewall32. Preferably, the permanent magnets42are embedded into the sidewall32such that they do not affect the aesthetics of the technology backbone12by protruding from the outer surface44of the technology backbone12. The permanent magnets42can be positioned slightly below the top surface26. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 6, the sidewall32is recessed from the outer edge46such that the permanent magnets42are recessed from the outer edge46. The technology backbone12can comprise more than one coupling member, such that a first permanent magnet42of a first polarity (for example, positive) is embedded in the sidewall32and a second permanent magnet42of a second polarity (for example, negative) is embedded in the sidewall32at a distance D from the first permanent magnet42. Embedding the permanent magnets42into the sidewall32makes the permanent magnets42difficult to tamper with or remove.

As can be seen inFIGS. 6 and 7, each of the work tables, such as work table14a, has edges, such as side edges50and end edges52. The work table14aincludes four permanent magnets48recessed into the side edge50. As illustrated inFIG. 7, the permanent magnets48have alternating polarities such that two positive magnets and two negative magnets are recessed into the side edge50. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 7, only one of the side edges50includes the permanent magnets48. However, it is contemplated that the opposite side edge50could also include permanent magnets48while operating within the scope of the present disclosure.

In the embodiment shown inFIG. 7, both of the end edges52also include a pair of permanent magnets54. The permanent magnets54formed in the end edges52also have opposite polarities for reasons as will be described in detail below.

Referring back toFIG. 6, when the work table14ais positioned adjacent to the technology backbone12, the permanent magnets42formed in the technology backbone12engage the permanent magnets48formed in the work table14a. As can be understood fromFIG. 6, the spacing between the permanent magnets42on the technology backbone12corresponds to the spacing between the permanent magnets48formed in the work table14a. Thus, the work table14ais held in contact with the sidewall32of the technology backbone12through the interaction between the permanent magnets42,48.

Referring now back toFIG. 2, when the work tables14a,14b, and14cand technology backbone12are brought together to form the media station10, the permanent magnets48formed in the side edges50of the work tables14a,14cengage the permanent magnets42formed in the pair of sidewalls32of the technology backbone12. In the configuration shown, the permanent magnets48formed in the side edge50of the work table14bengage the end edge magnets54formed in the end edges52of the work tables14aand14c. As can be understood inFIG. 2, the positioning of the permanent magnets54in the end edges52allows the work tables14a,14b,14cto interact with each other to define the media station10.

The media station10therefore includes a technology backbone12having a top surface26and a support member positioned beneath the top surface26and extending downward from the top surface26. The media center10also includes a work table14having a work surface24. A first plurality of coupling members are recessed within the support member of the technology backbone12. A second plurality of coupling members are recessed within an edge of the work table14. The work table14is movable such that it can be positioned adjacent the technology backbone12. Spacing between the first plurality of coupling members corresponds to spacing between the second plurality of coupling members, such that the first and second plurality of coupling members interact to hold the work table14in position adjacent the technology backbone12. More specifically, a pair of permanent magnets42of the first plurality of coupling members are recessed within the support member (such as the sidewall32) and a pair of permanent magnets48of the second plurality of coupling members are recessed within the edge of the work surface24. The pair of magnets42in the sidewall32have opposite polarities from one another and the pair of magnets48in the edge have opposite polarities from one another. The edge of the work table14is positioned adjacent the technology backbone12such that the magnets42in the sidewall32are attracted to the magnets48in the edge, thereby holding the work table14in position adjacent the technology backbone12.

Referring now back toFIG. 3, the media station10can be easily separated into its individual components, as illustrated, by simply pulling each of the work tables14a,14b, and14caway from the technology backbone12with sufficient force to break the magnetic forces created between the magnets described previously with reference toFIG. 2.

Referring now toFIGS. 8aand8b, the individual work tables14a,14b,14ccan be used separate from the media station10and ganged to each other through the interaction between the magnets formed in the end edges52and the side edges50of each individual work table14a-14c. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 8a, two work tables14a,14bare joined to each other along their respective side edges50. In the embodiment ofFIG. 8b, three of the work tables14a,14band14care joined to each other along their respective end edges52. Although two different configurations for the work tables14a,14b,14care shown inFIGS. 8aand8b, it is contemplated that the work tables14could be joined in other configurations while operating within the scope of the present disclosure. As discussed above, the magnets formed in the side edges50and end edges52allow the tables to be magnetically ganged either to each other or to the central technology backbone12.

As described above, each of the work tables14a-14ccan include eight permanent magnets48,54formed along one or both of the side edges50and one or both of the end edges52. The permanent magnets48,54can be embedded beneath an edge treatment or laminate surface material to provide a visually pleasing appearance. Setting the permanent magnets48,54beneath an edge treatment makes the permanent magnets48,54impossible to tamper with or be removed. As described, the permanent magnets48,54also provide a fail-safe release if the work tables14a-14care impacted or run into by an unsuspecting person. Although permanent magnets48are shown embedded into only one of the side edges50, it is contemplated that the permanent magnets48could be embedded into both side edges50while operating within the present disclosure. It is also contemplated that fewer than eight permanent magnets48,54could be used.

The present disclosure is not meant to be limited to coupling members that comprise permanent magnets. For example, the coupling members could also comprise hook and loop fasteners, latches, electromagnets, and any other coupling members capable of coupling the technology backbone12to the work tables14a-14cand the work tables14a-14cto one another, according to the above description. Further, it is to be understood that fewer or more than three work tables can be ganged to one another (i.e., to another work table14) or to the technology backbone12. For example, a fourth work table14could be provided adjacent the back wall34of the technology backbone12. In other embodiments, two work tables14can be provided along each sidewall32of the technology backbone12. The configurations shown herein are therefore not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.