Table and panel furniture system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11116312-B2
Application number	US-201916567825-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 11, 2019
Priority date	Feb 27, 2012
Publication date	Sep 14, 2021
Grant date	Sep 14, 2021

Abstract

A table assembly comprising a table including a top member and at least a first leg support member, the top member forming a substantially flat top surface and circumscribed by an outer edge, the at least one leg support member supporting the top member in a substantially horizontal position, a table dock secured to the top member and forming an elongated channel having a dock length dimension and at least a first display panel circumscribed by a panel edge and having at least one straight edge having a panel length dimension, the dock length dimension less than panel length dimension, wherein at least a portion of the straight edge of the panel is receivable within the dock channel with the panel extending out the open first and second ends of the channel to support the panel in a substantially upright orientation with at least a portion of the display panel extending to a height above the flat top surface.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for arranging furniture in a system for use in a classroom, the method comprising:
locating a first panel receiving assembly comprising a receiving channel to define a use position associated with a top surface of a table assembly, the first panel receiving assembly comprising first and second wall members defining the receiving channel and a plurality of cavity walls forming a cavity adjacent the receiving channel;
locating a second panel receiving assembly at a position spaced apart from the first panel receiving assembly associated with the table assembly, the second panel receiving assembly defining a storage position;
selectively moving a substantially flat panel between the use position and the storage position.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of locating a third panel receiving assembly on the table assembly to define a second storage position.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of locating the third panel receiving assembly at an edge of the table assembly below a table top.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of forming a handle in the substantially flat panel.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of forming the handle adjacent an edge of the substantially flat panel.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of locating the second panel receiving assembly on an easel assembly.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of forming a track in the easel assembly.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of locating the first panel receiving assembly on a table assembly comprises forming an opening in the top surface of the table assembly.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of coupling at least one of the first panel receiving assembly and the second panel receiving assembly to at least one wheel.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of forming a handle opening in the flat panel adjacent an edge portion.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of supporting the substantially flat panel vertically in the use position.

12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of centering the first panel receiving assembly in the top surface of the table assembly.

13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of locating third and fourth panel receiving assemblies on opposing sides of the table assembly.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising the step of locating the third and fourth panel receiving assemblies to receive the substantially flat panel in a substantially vertical orientation.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising the step of locating the third and fourth panel receiving assemblies to receive the substantially flat panel in a position beneath the top surface of the table assembly.

16. A method for arranging furniture in a system for use in a classroom, the method comprising:
locating a first panel receiving assembly to define a use position comprising a receiving channel opening on the top surface of a table assembly, the first panel receiving assembly comprising a central wall structure including first and second wall members defining the receiving channel, a third wall member extending across the receiving channel between the first and second wall members, and a plurality of cavity walls defining a cavity adjacent the central wall structure;
locating a second panel receiving assembly adjacent an edge of the top surface of the table assembly, the second panel receiving assembly offset from the first panel receiving assembly, the second panel assembly receiving assembly defining a first storage position below the top surface of the table assembly
selectively moving a substantially flat panel between the use position and the first storage position.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising the step of providing a third panel receiving assembly offset a distance from the table assembly.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein each of the first, second, and third panel receiving assemblies is configured to retain the substantially flat panel in a substantially vertical orientation.

19. The method of claim 17 , further comprising the step of associating the third panel receiving assembly with an easel.

20. The method of claim 16 , further comprising the step of forming a handle in the substantially flat panel.

21. The method of claim 16 , wherein the central wall structure divides the cavity into first and second halves.

22. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of cavity walls defining the cavity include a bottom wall member, front and rear wall members, and at least one lateral wall members.

23. The method of claim 22 , wherein the cavity is sized and dimensioned to support at least one of a pen and an eraser.

24. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second wall members are substantially parallel.

25. The method of claim 1 , wherein the panel comprises a rim structure formed of a resilient material.

26. The method of claim 1 , wherein the panel is solid.

27. The method of claim 1 , wherein the panel comprises steel.

28. The method of claim 1 , wherein the panel comprises whiteboard material on a first and a second oppositely facing side surfaces.

29. The method of claim 1 , wherein the whiteboard material comprises ceramic.

30. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second panel receiving assembly comprises first and second finger members.

31. The method of claim 30 , wherein the second panel receiving assembly comprises a shoulder member, and wherein the first and second finger members extend from opposite ends of and perpendicular to the shoulder member.

32. The method of claim 31 , wherein the shoulder member is a flat rigid member.

33. The method of claim 30 , wherein the first and second finger members are spaced apart a width that will accommodate an adult hand.

34. The method of claim 1 , wherein the panel is rectangular, having a length dimension that is longer than a width dimension.

35. The method of claim 34 , wherein the panel comprises an opening adjacent an edge corresponding to the width dimension.

Assignees

• Steelcase Inc

Inventors

• Battey David J
• Corcorran Sean M
• Elms Timothy
• Coffey Jeffrey
• Kong Duck Young
• Kincaid Brett Robert
• Schoolmeester Mark William
• Oberwelz Elger
• Overthun Thomas
• Eisner Jake
• Holstege Cody Jay
• Skibinski Michael

Classifications

• A47B41/00 Primary

  School desks or tables (attaching to floor A47B91/08) · CPC title

• G09B19/00

  Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass (teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying F41G3/26) · CPC title

• A47B83/04

  Tables combined with other pieces of furniture · CPC title

• A47B2200/0085

  Supplementary support fixed on the edge of a desk or table · CPC title

• A47B2200/12

  Vanity or modesty panels · CPC title