Patent Publication Number: US-2009217847-A1

Title: Nesting task table

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/055,792 filed Mar. 26, 2008, which claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/908,063 filed Mar. 26, 2007. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO A MICROFISHE APPENDIX 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to small office and home office market furniture and more specifically, an accessory task table. 
     Laptop computers currently outsell tower and other such desktop computers by more than a two to one ratio. Home and office lifestyles are much more mobile now than even just a few years ago. This may be attributed to current office technologies, including their affordability as well as their functionality, such as miniaturization and disconnection as evidenced by laptop and palmtop computers, various wireless peripheral and network connections, and multifunction machines. Users of technology have been taught that technology is adaptable and may be unobtrusive. Thus, their furnishings may also be reconsidered as something other than mere office furniture and more desirably should not look and feel like mere office furniture. Rather, one&#39;s environment, furnishings, should integrate into their lifestyle and meet all the functional requirements provided by present and new technologies. 
     Thus, a need for satellite work centers for laptops, for example, not conventional desk solutions, has developed to avail technology to more user friendly and productive home and office environments. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, a nesting task table of the invention provides a flexible and dynamic task support with a nesting task table in combination with a furniture case good. When not required, the nesting task table nests with the case good and is camouflaged to appear as a conventional portion of the case good. Yet, the nesting task table is readily at hand and easily acquired for use. 
     Generally, a nesting task table of the invention has a base, a pedestal extending generally upward from the base, and a table top supported above the base by the pedestal. A cooperating furniture case good has a front and an opposite back, has a left side and an opposite right side, and has a top. The left and right sides extend generally upward from a supporting surface to the top. The top is supported above the supporting surface by the left and right sides. For the nesting task table, the case good further has a table nest, a base nest, and a pedestal nest. The table nest is defined between the top and the supporting surface, extends between the left and right sides, and is adapted to removably receive the table top in free sliding engagement. The base nest extends generally upward from the supporting surface toward the top, is defined between the left and right sides, and is adapted to removably receive the base in free sliding engagement. The pedestal nest extends from the base nest to the table nest and is adapted to removably receive the pedestal in free sliding engagement. Considered as a whole, the table nest, the base nest, and the pedestal nest define a task table nest that corresponds to the task table so that the task table nests with the case good and is camouflaged to appear as a conventional portion of the case good. 
     These and other features, objects, and benefits of the invention will be recognized by one having ordinary skill in the art and by those who practice the invention, from this disclosure, including the specification, the claims, and the drawing figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is an upper front and left perspective view of a nesting task table of the invention as embodied with a single pedestal desk, showing the task table not nested; 
         FIG. 2  is the view of  FIG. 1 , showing the task table nested; 
         FIG. 3  is an upper front and left perspective view of a nesting task table of the invention as embodied with a tall chest of drawers, showing the task table not nested; 
         FIG. 4  is the view of  FIG. 3 , showing the task table nested; 
         FIG. 5  is an upper front and left perspective view of a nesting task table of the invention as embodied with a tall display cabinet, showing the task table not nested; 
         FIG. 6  is an upper front and left perspective view of an entertainment grouping that incorporates the display cabinet of  FIG. 5 , showing the task table nested; 
         FIG. 7  is an upper front and left perspective view of a nesting task table of the invention as embodied within a single pedestal desk, somewhat similar to the pedestal desk shown in  FIG. 1 , and further showing the task table in an un-nested position; 
         FIG. 8  is a front elevation view of the nesting task table and pedestal desk illustrated in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is the an upper front and left perspective view of the nesting task table and single pedestal desk shown in  FIG. 7 , but showing the task table in a nested position; 
         FIG. 10  is a left end elevation view of the nesting task table and single pedestal desk shown in  FIG. 7 , with the task table in a nested position; 
         FIG. 11  is a left end elevation view of the single pedestal desk shown in  FIG. 7 , and with the task table removed from view; 
         FIG. 12  is an upper front and left perspective view of a nesting task table of the invention as embodied within a second version of a tall chest of drawers, and showing the task table in an un-nested position, with  FIG. 12  showing the chest of drawers with a configuration somewhat similar to the drawers shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a left end elevation view of the chest of drawers and nesting task table shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is an upper front and left perspective view of the nesting task table and chest of drawers shown in  FIG. 12 , but showing the task table in a nested position; 
         FIG. 15  is a front elevation view of the nesting task table and tall chest of drawers shown in  FIG. 12 , but showing the task table in a nested position; 
         FIG. 16  is a left end elevation view of the nesting task table and tall chest of drawers shown in  FIG. 12 , with the task table in a nested position; 
         FIG. 17  is an upper front and right perspective view of a nesting task table of the invention as embodied within a tall display cabinet, with the cabinet being substantially a mirror image of the cabinet illustrated in  FIG. 5 , and showing the task table in an un-nested position; 
         FIG. 18  is a side elevation view of the nesting task table illustrated in  FIG. 17 ; and 
         FIG. 19  is a front and open end elevation view of the nesting task table illustrated in  FIG. 17 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     A preferred embodiment of a nesting task table  100  according to the invention is generally shown in the drawing figures and discussed below. Generally, the nesting task table  100  has a base  110 , a pedestal  120 , and a table top  130 . As shown, the nesting task table  100  has a generally C-shaped configuration with the table top  130  and the base  110  being two legs extending in the same general direction from opposite ends of a bight portion that is provided by the pedestal  120 . 
     A cooperating case good  200  may be of any desired configuration or design as is generally shown in the drawing figures and is generally distinguished from other case goods by having a table nest  230 , a base nest  210 , and a pedestal nest  220 . Taken together, the table nest  230 , base nest  210 , and pedestal nest  220  define a task table nest that corresponds to the nesting task table  100 . Thus, the nesting task table  100  most desirably nests in the task table nest of the furniture case good  200  and is camouflaged to appear as a conventional portion of the case good  200 . 
     Because the overall configuration of the furniture case good  200  is not particularly material to the present invention, various case good configurations are shown in the drawing figures to demonstrate this aspect of the invention. Also, common reference numbers are used for the same parts of different configurations. Each of the case goods  200  and the nesting task table  100  may be fabricated of any suitable material, including woods, plastics, metals, and combinations thereof. Further, any method or process of fabrication may be used as is appropriate to the materials selected. 
     Referring again to the nesting task table  100 , the base  110  defines a foundation of the nesting task table  100  and is preferably provided with furniture casters  112  or the like for ease of mobility. Skids and the like may be used in the alternative as desired. The pedestal  120  extends upward from one end of the base  110 . Further, the pedestal  120  is readily visible when the nesting task table is nested with the case good  200 . Therefore, the pedestal  120  is most preferably provided with an outer facing surface that matches the corresponding case good, so that the nested task table  100  is not conspicuous and appears as a panel of the case good. As shown in various figures of the drawing, the pedestal  120 , and the nesting task table  100  as a whole, may appear as a panel of a pedestal desk ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  7 - 11 ), as drawers of a chest of drawers ( FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  12 - 16 ), or as a panel of a storage cabinet ( FIGS. 5 ,  6 , and  17 - 19 ). 
     The pedestal  120  supports the task table top  130 , which may be cantilevered from the pedestal  120 , completing a C-shaped configuration as discussed above. The table top  130  may be a fixed member as is generally shown in the drawing figures, or may be provided with a fold leaf  134  ( FIGS. 3 ,  12 , and  13 ). Thus, one who makes the nesting task table  100  is free to choose the size of task table top, rather than being limited by the configuration of the companion case good  200 . 
     As earlier stated, each of the various case goods described herein and disclosed in the drawings will be identified as a case good  200 . With respect to the variations among the case goods  200 , the principal material distinctions relate to the provisions of the case good itself and its structure and configuration for receiving the corresponding nesting task table  100 . In this regard, it should also be noted that in view of the relative similarities of the example embodiments of nesting task tables in accordance with the invention, each of the task tables is referred to by reference number as a nesting task table  100 . However, it should be emphasized that various types of nesting task tables, differing with respect to size, structure and configuration, may be utilized without departing from the principal concepts of the invention. 
     Turning first to the cooperating case good  200  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the case good  200  can be characterized as a pedestal desk  248 . The pedestal desk  248  can be characterized as including a front  250  and an opposite back (not shown). The pedestal desk  248  also includes a left side  252 , an opposite right side (not shown) and a top  214 . The left side  252  and the right side (not shown) extend generally upwardly from a supporting floor or surface  254 , to a top  214  as is conventionally known in furniture case goods. The previously referenced table nest  230  is defined between the top  214  and the supporting surface  254 , and extends between the left side  252  and right side (not shown). The table nest  230 , as primarily shown in  FIG. 1 , is located in this particular pedestal desk  248  immediately below the top  214 . The table nest  230  is anticipated as typically being a generally rectangular pocket or generally horizontally oriented void space, having an open side  256  ( FIG. 1 ) that penetrates the interior of the case good pedestal desk  248 . Of course, it will be apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art that various different and specific configurations may be utilized, in accordance with preferences of fabricators. 
     More particularly, the table nest  230  is positioned above the floor  254  so as to match the elevation of the nesting task table top  130  above the floor  254 . Further, the table nest  230  is configured so as to correspond to and is dimensioned at least as large as the nesting task table top  130 . Thus, the table nest  230  is adapted to removably receive the table top  130  in what is preferably a free sliding engagement. 
     With further reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the corresponding base nest  210  is similarly provided in the cooperating case good or desk  248 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the base nest  210  may typically be provided as a generally rectangular void spaced below the table nest  230 , adjacent the level of the floor  254 . Again, however, various configurations may be utilized. One may, accordingly, generally describe the base nest  210  as extending generally upward from the supporting surface  254  toward the top  214 , and defined between the left side  252  and right side (not shown) between the front  250  and the back (not shown) of the pedestal desk  248 . As with the table nest  230 , the base nest  210  is also adapted to removably receive the base  110  of the nesting task table  100  in a free sliding engagement. 
     The pedestal nest  220  may be somewhat different from the table nest  230  and the base nest  210 , if only because of its generally vertical orientation. The pedestal nest  210  also connects between the table nest  230  and the base nest  210 . Beyond that, the pedestal  120  may have an outer surface  258  which remains revealed when the nesting task table  100  is nested with the pedestal desk  248 . Correspondingly, when nested, almost the entirety of the remainder of the nesting task table  100  is concealed by the corresponding pedestal desk  248 . Accordingly, the pedestal nest  220  does not encase the pedestal  120  in the same manner that the table nest  230  may encase the table top  130 , or the base nest  210  may encase the base  110  between the case good  248  and the floor  254 . Instead, the pedestal nest  220  may be considered to “wrap around” or “cradle” the pedestal  120 , so as to removably receive the pedestal  120  and present the outer surface  258 . The nested configuration of the nesting task table  100  and the pedestal desk  248  is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an un-nested configuration of a nested task table  100  with a chest of drawers  260 . The chest of drawers  260  includes a left side  262 , right side (not shown), front  264  and top  266 . As with the pedestal desk  248 , the chest of drawers  260  also includes a table nest  230 , base nest  210  and pedestal nest  220 . In this particular embodiment, the nesting task table  100  is adapted to nest and be received within the front  264  of the chest of drawers  260 , at a position essentially corresponding to the lower half of the chest of drawers  260 . Also, as earlier stated, the particular nesting task table  100  illustrated in  FIG. 3  includes a fold leaf  134  which may be extendable outwardly from the table top  130  immediately above the pedestal  120 . 
       FIG. 4  is an illustration of the chest of drawers  260  shown in  FIG. 3 , with the nested task table  100  being fully received within the drawers  260 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the use of one of the nesting task tables  100  in accordance with the invention with a tall display cabinet  268 . With reference to  FIG. 5 , the tall display cabinet  268  is conventional in nature with a front  270 , left side  272  and right side (not shown). The cabinet  268  also includes a top  276  and is supported on a floor or other support surface  254 . With this particular cabinet  268 , the nesting task table  100  is received within the lower half of the left side  272 . Specifically, the task table  100  includes the base  110 , pedestal  120  and table top  130 . Correspondingly, the left side  272  of the cabinet  268  includes a table nest  230 , base nest  210  and pedestal nest  220 . The table nest  230  is positioned as shown in  FIG. 5  upwardly along the left side  272  from the floor  254 . The nesting task table  100 , in this particular instance, is shown with a hand-pull recess  274  which may be extendable outwardly from the position immediately below the pedestal  120 . The hand-pull recess  274  is illustrated in its retracted position in  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates what could be characterized as an upper front and left perspective view of an entertainment grouping  280 . In the particular grouping  280 , which is merely an example embodiment of how nesting task tables in accordance with the invention may be utilized, the grouping  280  includes the tall display cabinet  268  positioned on the left side (as viewed from the front) of the grouping  280 , with the display cabinet  268  corresponding to the cabinet  268  previously described herein with respect to  FIG. 5 . Positioned at the center of the grouping  280  and to the right side of the display cabinet  268  is a center credenza  282  having somewhat of a conventional configuration. The credenza  282  supports a TV stand  284 , with a television  286  mounted thereon. To the right side of the center credenza  282  is a second tall display cabinet  290 . If desired, the second tall display cabinet  290  can substantially correspond in size and structural configuration to the tall display cabinet  268 . However, the second tall display cabinet  290  may include a nesting task table (not shown) adapted to be received within the right side (not shown) of the second tall display cabinet  290 . Accordingly, the second tall display cabinet  290  can be characterized as being configured as a “mirror image” of the tall display cabinet  268 . 
     A further pedestal desk  292  adapted to be used with a nesting task table  100  in accordance with the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 7-11 . With reference first to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the pedestal desk  292  includes a front  294  and an opposite back (not shown). The pedestal desk  292  also includes a left side  296 , an opposite right side (not shown) and a top  298 . The left side  296  and the right side (not shown) extend generally upwardly from a supporting floor or surface  254 , to the top  298  as is conventionally known in furniture case goods. The pedestal desk  292  further includes a table nest  230  which may be characterized as being defined at its upper portion by the top  298  and at its lower portion by the pedestal nest  220  of the desk  292 . The table nest  230  extends inwardly into the pedestal desk  292  from the left side  296 . As with the pedestal desk and nesting task table shown in  FIG. 1 , the table nest  230  associated with the pedestal desk  292  is located immediately below the top  298 . More specifically, the table nest  230  is positioned above the floor  254  so as to match the elevation of the nesting task table top  130  above the floor  254 . Accordingly, the table nest  230  is adapted to removably receive the table top  130  in what is preferably a free sliding engagement. 
     With further reference primarily to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the corresponding base nest  210  is similarly provided in the pedestal desk  292 . The base nest  210 , in this particular instance, can be a generally rectangular void spaced below the table nest  230 , adjacent the level of floor  254 . As with the table nest  230 , the base nest  210  is also adapted to removably receive the base  110  of the nesting task table  100  in a free sliding engagement. 
     The pedestal nest  220  has a generally vertical orientation, and connects between the table nest  230  and the base nest  210 . The pedestal  120  of the nesting task table may have an outer surface  300  which remains revealed when the task table  100  is nested with the pedestal desk  292 . Correspondingly, almost the entirety of the remainder of the nesting task table  100  is concealed by the corresponding pedestal desk  292  when the table  100  is nested with the desk  248 . The pedestal nest  220  may be characterized as “wrapping around” or “cradling” the pedestal  120 , so as to removably receive the pedestal  120  and present the outer surface  300 . 
     A second version of a chest of drawers  302  adapted for use with a nesting task table  100  is illustrated in  FIGS. 12-16 .  FIG. 12  is an upper front and left perspective view of the nesting task table  100  with the second version of the tall chest of drawers  302 , and showing the task table  100  in an un-nested position. With respect primarily to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the second version of the chest of drawers  302  includes a left side  304 , right side (not shown), front  306  and top  308 . A series of drawers  312  are located in the upper half of the front  306 . Immediately below the drawers  312  is a table nest  230 . Immediately below the table nest  230  is the pedestal nest  220 , with the pedestal nest  220  having a vertical orientation. Below the pedestal nest  220  is the base nest  210 . The nesting task table  100  includes the base  110 , pedestal  120  and table top  130 . In this particular instance, the table top  130  is illustrated as not only being receivable within the table nest  230  of the chest of drawers  302 , but also slidable relative to the pedestal  120 . Also in this particular embodiment, the nesting task table  100  is adapted to nest and be received within the front  306  of the chest of drawers  302 , at a position essentially corresponding to the lower half of the chest of drawers  302 , immediately below the lowermost drawer  312 . 
       FIG. 13  is a left end elevation view of the chest of drawers  302  and nesting task table  100 .  FIG. 14  is an upper front and left perspective view of the table  100  and chest of drawers  302 , showing the table  100  in the nested position.  FIG. 15  is a front elevation view of the table  100  and chest of drawers  302 , with the table  100  in a nested position. Correspondingly,  FIG. 16  is a left end elevation view of the table  100  and chest of drawers  302 , with the table  100  in a nested position. 
     Attention is now directed to  FIGS. 17 ,  18  and  19 , which illustrate a display cabinet  304  which may be utilized with a nesting task table  100  in accordance with the invention. With some minor structural variations, the tall display cabinet  304  is substantially a mirror image of the display cabinet  268  illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Accordingly, and again with some minor structural differences, the tall display cabinet  304  is substantially similar to the second tall display cabinet  290  illustrated with the entertainment grouping  280  in  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 17  specifically is an upper front and right perspective view of the nesting task table  100  of the invention as embodied within the tall display cabinet  304 , and showing the task table  100  in an un-nested position. Correspondingly,  FIG. 18  is a side elevation view of the nesting task table  100  illustrated in  FIG. 17 , while  FIG. 19  is a drawing which may be characterized as a front and open end elevation view of the nesting task table  100  illustrated in  FIG. 17 . The tall display cabinet  304  includes, as shown in  FIG. 17 , a right side  308 , left side (not shown), front  306  and top  310 . The cabinet  304  also includes a table nest  230 , base nest  210  and pedestal nest  220 . In this particular embodiment, the nesting task table  100  is adapted to nest and be received within the right side  308  of the tall display cabinet  304 , at a position essentially corresponding to a lower half of the display cabinet  304 . The nesting task table  100  includes a base  110  adapted to be received within the base nest  210 , and a table top  130  adapted to be received within the table nest  230 . Vertically extending between the base  110  and the table top  130  is a pedestal  120  having an outer surface  312 . In part, the display cabinet  304  is illustrated and described herein so as to show the concept that nesting task tables in accordance with the invention are not limited to being receivable only within one side or a front of a case good. 
     One having ordinary skill in the art and those who practice the invention will understand from this disclosure that various modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosed inventive concept. One will also understand that various relational terms, including left, right, front, back, top, and bottom, for example, may be used in this detailed description of the invention and in the claims only to convey relative positioning of various elements of the claimed invention without limitation to the invention.