Table connection mechanism and method of using the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10413063-B2
Application number	US-201816101872-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 13, 2018
Priority date	Aug 14, 2017
Publication date	Sep 17, 2019
Grant date	Sep 17, 2019

Abstract

A table arrangement includes connection mechanisms for inter-connection of height adjustable tabletops so that the tabletops are independently moveable in a stable way. Embodiments of the table arrangement can be configured so that different height adjustable tabletops can be arranged to accommodate different users' preferences. Some embodiments of the table arrangement can utilize at least one cross-member connection mechanism connected to at least one column connection mechanisms 20.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A table arrangement comprising:
a first tabletop;
a second tabletop;
a base that supports the first and second tabletops, the base comprising:
a first column positioned below the first tabletop;
a second column positioned below the second tabletop;
a first cross-member extending between the first column and the second column;
a first bracket body being attached to the first column;
a first cross-member connection body being attached within a first end of the first cross-member, and
a first fastener extending from the first cross-member connection body to the first bracket body to attach the first cross-member connection body to the first bracket body so that the first bracket body and the first cross-member connection body are within the first end of the first cross-member and are spaced apart by a first gap.

2. The table arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the first gap spaces the first cross-member connection body from the first bracket body by a distance of between 0.079375 cm and 2.54 cm.

3. The table arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the first gap spaces the first cross-member connection body from the first bracket body by a distance of about 0.635 cm.

4. The table arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the base also comprises:
a second bracket body being attached to the second column;
a second cross-member connection body being attached within a second end of the first cross-member,
a second fastener extending from the second cross-member connection body to the second bracket body to attach the second cross-member connection body to the second bracket body so that the second bracket body and the second cross-member connection body are within the second end of the first cross-member and are spaced apart by a second gap.

5. The table arrangement of claim 4 , wherein the second gap spaces the second cross-member connection body from the second bracket body by a distance of between 0.079375 cm and 2.54 cm.

6. The table arrangement of claim 4 , wherein the second gap spaces the second cross-member connection body from the second bracket body by a distance of about 0.635 cm.

7. The table arrangement of claim 4 , wherein the base also comprises:
a third column positioned below the first tabletop;
a fourth column positioned below the second tabletop;
a second cross-member extending between the third column and the fourth column;
a third bracket body being attached to the third column;
a third cross-member connection body being attached within a first end of the second cross-member,
a third fastener extending from the third cross-member connection body to the third bracket body to attach the third cross-member connection body to the third bracket body so that the third bracket body and the third cross-member connection body are within the first end of the second cross-member and are spaced apart by a third gap.

8. The table arrangement of claim 7 wherein the base also comprises:
a fourth bracket body attached to the fourth column;
a fourth cross-member connection body being attached within a second end of the second cross-member,
a fourth fastener extending from the fourth cross-member connection body to the fourth bracket body to attach the fourth cross-member connection body to the fourth bracket body so that the fourth bracket body and the fourth cross-member connection body are within the second end of the second cross-member and are spaced apart by a fourth gap.

9. The table arrangement of claim 8 , wherein:
the third gap spaces the third cross-member connection body from the third bracket body by a distance of between 0.079375 cm and 2.54 cm; and
the fourth gap spaces the fourth cross-member connection body from the fourth bracket body by a distance of between 0.079375 cm and 2.54 cm.

10. The table arrangement of claim 8 , wherein:
the third gap spaces the third cross-member connection body from the third bracket body by a distance of about 0.635 cm; and
the fourth gap spaces the fourth cross-member connection body from the fourth bracket body by a distance of about 0.635 cm.

11. The table arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the base also comprises:
a third column positioned below the first tabletop;
a fourth column positioned below the second tabletop;
a second cross-member extending between the third column and the fourth column;
a second bracket body being attached to the third column;
a second cross-member connection body being attached within a first end of the second cross-member,
a second fastener extending from the second cross-member connection body to the second bracket body to attach the second cross-member connection body to the second bracket body so that the second bracket body and the second cross-member connection body are within the first end of the second cross-member and are spaced apart by a second gap.

12. The table arrangement of claim 11 , wherein the base also comprises:
a third bracket body attached to the fourth column;
a third cross-member connection body being attached within a second end of the second cross-member,
a third fastener extending from the third cross-member connection body to the third bracket body to attach the third cross-member connection body to the third bracket body so that the third bracket body and the third cross-member connection body are within the second end of the second cross-member and are spaced apart by a third gap.

13. The table arrangement of claim 1 , wherein a bottom of the first cross-member has a first opening in communication with a cavity or channel in which the first cross-member connection body is positioned such that the first fastener is insertable through the opening of the bottom of the first cross-member and through a hole defined in the first cross-member connection body and a hole defined in the first bracket body.

14. A table arrangement comprising:
a first tabletop;
a second tabletop;
a base that supports the first and second tabletops, the base comprising:
a first column positioned below the first tabletop;
a second column positioned below the second tabletop;
a first cross-member extending between the first column and the second column;
a first bracket body being attached to the first column, wherein the first bracket body has a shape generally resembling a “7”;
a first cross-member connection body being attached within a first end of the first cross-member, wherein the first cross-member connection body is generally C-shaped; and
a first fastener extending from the first cross-member connection body to the first bracket body to attach the first cross-member connection body to the first bracket body so that the first bracket body and the first cross-member connection body are within the first end of the first cross-member and are spaced apart by a first gap.

15. A method of forming a table arrangement comprising:
providing a first column positioned below a first tabletop and a first cross-member, a first bracket body being attached to the first column and a first cross-member connection body being attached within a first end of the first cross-member,
inserting a first fastener through the first cross-member connection body via an opening defined in a the first cross-member that is in communication with a cavity or channel in which the first cross-member connection body is positioned;
passing the first fastener though a hole in the first bracket body after the first fastener is inserted through the first cross-member connection body;
rotating the first fastener to define a direct connection between the first bracket body and the first cross-member connect

Assignees

• Knoll Inc

Inventors

• Lee Jeffrey P

Classifications

• A47B83/001

  Office desks or work-stations combined with other pieces of furniture, e.g. work space management systems · CPC title

• A47B2200/0012

  Lateral beams for tables or desks · CPC title

• A47B2087/004

  Table combination leaving a central opening · CPC title

• A47B13/02

  Underframes · CPC title

• A47B2200/0046

  Desks with double worktop of which one at least is separately height adjustable · CPC title