Patent Publication Number: US-9839305-B2

Title: Reconfigurable display table

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The embodiments of the present invention relate to a display table reconfigurable to accommodate varying needs of a user. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Convention centers and similar meeting facilities are designed with quick and easy modification in mind. That is, such facilities need to accommodate different groups, products and shows in relatively short spans of time so that they are designed to allow for quick and easy changes to the layout and appearance of the facility. 
     It would be advantageous to develop a reconfigurable display table providing versatility allowing a display table to be reconfigured readily and easily. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment of the present invention comprises a support pole, one or more arm hubs, one or more arms extending from said one or more arm hubs and table tops supported by said one or more arms. In one embodiment, the support pole is retained by a connection node of the type disclosed in co-pending application Ser. No. 13/304,076, filed on Nov. 23, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. In one embodiment, three to five arms extend from the one or more arm hubs. In one embodiment, the table tops are transparent to allow decorative arms to be viewed therethrough. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a bracket configured to connect to a wall unistrut, an arm hub, one or more arms extending from said arm hub and a table top supported by said one or more arms. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention involves expandable arms configured to receive and support arm branches. 
     The embodiments of the present invention provide a table display capable of easy re-configuration and versatility including both standalone and wall-mounted embodiments. 
     Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A-1B  illustrate upper perspective and side views of a standalone display table according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 2A-2B  illustrate upper perspective and front views of a wall-mounted display table according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 3A-3B  illustrate side and top views, respectively, of a first arm according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 4A-4B  illustrate side and top views, respectively, of a second arm according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 5A-5B  illustrate side and top views, respectively, of a third arm according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 6A-6B  illustrate side and top views, respectively, of a fourth arm according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 7A-7B  illustrate side and top views, respectively, of a fifth arm according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 8A-8B  illustrate side and top views, respectively, of an expandable arm according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 9A-9B  illustrate a perspective top view of the expandable arm of  FIGS. 8A-8B  with multiple arm branches attached according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 10A-10B  illustrate upper perspective and side views of a standalone display table including a pair of expandable arms according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 11A-11C  illustrate side and top perspective views of an arm hub according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 12A-12D  illustrate top views of exemplary table tops according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 13A-13B  illustrate perspective side, rear top and side views of a wall-mountable display table according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a front view of a unistrut of the type suitable for attachment of the wall-mountable display table shown in  FIGS. 13A-13B  according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a first alternative standalone display tables according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 16A-16B  illustrate a second alternative standalone display table according to the embodiments of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a flow chart detailing one methodology for erecting a display table according to the embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed. 
     The components of the embodiments of the present invention may be fabricated of any suitable materials, including, but not limited to, plastics, alloys, composites, resins and metals, and may be fabricated using suitable techniques, including, but not limited to, molding, machining and rapid prototyping. 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  show upper perspective and side views of a standalone display table  100  according to the embodiments of the present invention. The display table  100  comprises a support pole  110 , one or more arm hubs  120 , one or more arms  130  extending from said one or more arm hubs  120  and table tops  140  supported by said one or more arms  130 . 
       FIGS. 3A-3B  show a first arm  130 - 1  comprising an upper connector  131 - 1  and lower connector  132 - 1  at one end thereof and a shelf  133 - 1  proximate a second end thereof. As shown in  FIG. 1A , the shelf  133 , which may be padded, is configured to support a table platform  140 .  FIGS. 4A-4B  show a second arm  130 - 2  comprising an upper connector  131 - 2  and lower connector  132 - 2  at one end thereof and a first shelf  133 - 2  proximate a second end thereof and a second shelf  133 - 3  proximate the upper connector  131 - 2 .  FIGS. 5A-5B  show a third arm  130 - 3  comprising an upper connector  131 - 3  and lower connector  132 - 3  at one end thereof and a first shelf  133 - 4  proximate a second end thereof and a second shelf  133 - 5  proximate the upper connector  131 - 3 .  FIGS. 6A-6B  show a fourth arm  130 - 4  comprising an upper connector  131 - 4  and lower connector  132 - 4  at one end thereof and a first shelf  133 - 6  proximate a second end thereof and a second shelf  133 - 7  proximate the upper connector  131 - 4 .  FIGS. 7A-7B  show a fifth arm  130 - 5  comprising an upper connector  131 - 5  and lower connector  132 - 5  at one end thereof and a first shelf  133 - 8  proximate a second end thereof and a second shelf  133 - 9  proximate the upper connector  131 - 5 . The upper connectors  131 - 1  through  131 - 5  and lower connectors  132 - 1  through  132 - 5  are configured to attach to the collars  120  which rotate about the support pole  110 . In one embodiment, nuts  111  and bolts  112  serve to attach the arms  130 - 1  through  130 - 5  to the arm hubs  120 . Other connecting devices, such as rivets and screws, may be used as well. 
     The arms  130 - 1  through  130 - 5  are shown with abstract shapes and decorative openings  135  along lengths thereof. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the arms  130 - 1  through  130 - 5  are exemplary only and other arm designs are conceivable within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 8A-8B  illustrate side and top views, respectively, of an expandable arm  150  according to the embodiments of the present invention. With this embodiment, like arms  130 - 2  through  130 - 5 , the expandable arm  150  includes upper connector  151 , lower connector  152 , first shelf  153  and second shelf  154 . In addition, the expandable arm  150  includes upper linkage members  155 - 1 ,  155 - 2  and lower linkage members  156 - 1 ,  156 - 2  positioned along the length of the expandable arm  150 . The upper linkage members  155 - 1 ,  155 - 2  and lower linkage members  156 - 1 ,  156 - 2  are configured to receive arm branches  160 . As shown in  FIGS. 9A-9B , the arm branches  160 - 1 ,  160 - 2  are generally configured in a manner consistent with the arms  130 - 1  through  130 - 5 . Thus, in one embodiment, the arm branches  160 - 1  and  160 - 2  include an upper connector  161 , lower connector  162  and shelf  163 . In this instance, the connectors  161 - 1 ,  161 - 2 ,  162 - 1  and  162 - 2  serve to allow connection of the arm branches  160 - 1  and  160 - 2  to the first and second linkage  155 ,  156  of the expandable arm  150 . 
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate upper perspective and front views of a display table  101  including a first expandable arm  150 - 1  with a pair of arm branches  160 - 3  and  160 - 4  and a second expandable arm  150 - 2  including a pair of arm branches  160 - 5  and  160 - 6 . 
       FIGS. 11A-11C  show arm hub  120 . Arm hub  120  includes a cylindrical body  205 , upper connectors  210  and lower connectors  215 . The upper connectors  210  and lower connectors  215  of the arm hub  200  are configured to mate with the upper and lower connectors of the arms  130 ,  150  allowing the arms  130 ,  150  to be connected to the arm hub  120 . In one embodiment, the arm hub  120  includes three to five pairs of upper connectors  210  and lower connectors  215  to accommodate an equal number of arms. In other embodiments, more or less pairs of upper connectors  210  and lower connectors  215  may be included on said arm hub  120 . 
     The support pole  110 , best shown in  FIGS. 1B and 10B , comprises a central rod  111  which extends from a connection node  175  upwards to a desired height and sleeves  112 . While a connection node  175  may retain the central rod  111  in other embodiments, the central rod  111  may be retained by a weighted floor member or other device. A series of table sleeves  112 - 1  through  112 - 3  fit over the central rod  111  to form the support pole. A bottom table sleeve  112 - 1  rests upon a floor cap  113 . Arm hub  120 - 1  rests on table sleeve  112 - 1  and arm hub  120 - 2  rests on table sleeve  112 - 2  and arm hub  120 - 3  rests on table sleeve  112 - 3 . In such a configuration, the sleeves  112 - 1  through  112 - 3  and arm hubs  120 - 1  through  120 - 3  may each rotate relative to the central rod  111  and each other. Alternatively, the sleeves  112 - 1  through  112 - 3  and/or arm hubs  120 - 1  through  120 - 3  may be secured to the central rod  111  and/or each another. An optional end cap or decorative article  176  may be positioned at a top of the central rod  111 . Other support pole configurations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 12A-12D  illustrate top views of exemplary table tops according to the embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 12A  shows a first table top  300  generally heart shaped defining open area  301  to accommodate the support pole  110  when positioned on the arms  130 ,  150 .  FIG. 12B  shows a second table top  305  having a circular shape and opening  306  to receive the support pole  110  when positioned on the arms  130 ,  150 .  FIGS. 12C and 12D  show third table top  310  and fourth table top  315 , respectively. Each of the third table top  310  and fourth table top  315  has a polynomial shape defining multiple open areas  311 - 314  to accommodate the support pole  110  when positioned on the arms  130 ,  150 . In one embodiment, the table tops are fabricated of transparent glass and include beveled edges. Other table top materials and shapes are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     While  FIGS. 12A-12D  show separate table tops, in another embodiment, the table tops and arms  130 ,  150  are a single, integral unit. 
       FIGS. 2A-2B  illustrate upper perspective and front views of a wall-mounted display table  350  according to the embodiments of the present invention.  FIGS. 13A-13B  illustrate perspective side, rear top and side views of a wall-mountable display table  350  according to the embodiments of the present invention. The wall-mounted display table  350  includes one or more arms  355  extending from an arm hub  360 . The arms  355  may include shelves  357  configured and positioned to support table tops  359 . A support plate  365  connected to a rear of said arm hub  360  and a pair of adjustable connectors  370  allow the wall-mountable display table  350  to be connected to a unistrut  375  ( FIG. 14 ) installed in a wall  380 . 
       FIG. 15  shows an alternative display table  400  formed of a single member including a central support  405 , one or more table top supports  410 , table tops  415  and an optional signage support  420 . The display table  400  is secured to a connection node  175 . Alternatively, a weighted floor member may retain one end of the central support  405 . 
       FIGS. 16A-16B  show an alternative display table  500  comprising a support pole  505 , one or more sleeves  510 , arm hub  515  and integrated table tops  520  in the ornamental form of propellers. As shown in  FIG. 16B , the arm hub  515  is secured to the support pole  505  with screws  525  or similar fasteners which mate with cavities or openings  530  in the support pole  505 . 
       FIG. 17  shows a flow chart  600  detailing one methodology for erecting a display table according to the embodiments of the present invention. At  605 , a rod is inserted/secured into a connection node (a floor cap may be optionally in place) in a floor as described in co-pending application Ser. No. 13/304,076. At  610 , a first sleeve is placed over said rod and positioned near a bottom of said rod. Optionally, the sleeve is connected to the rod or floor cap. If a floor cap is in place, the sleeve rests thereupon. If no floor cap is in place, the sleeve may rest directly on the floor. At  615 , a first arm hub having one or more arms is placed over said rod and positioned on said first sleeve. Optionally, the first arm hub in connected to the rod or first sleeve. At  620 , one or more successive sleeves and arm hubs are placed over said rod in an alternating fashion until said rod is substantially concealed thereby. Optionally, the sleeves and/or arm hubs are connected to the rod or each other. At  625 , an optional end cap or decorative article may be attached to a top of the rod. 
     Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.