Reconfigurable table

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9271569-B2
Application number	US-201414204120-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 11, 2014
Priority date	Mar 11, 2013
Publication date	Mar 1, 2016
Grant date	Mar 1, 2016

Abstract

A table includes a vertical support column and a base. The base includes a first floor engaging portion disposed on a first side of a vertical axis and a second floor engaging portion disposed on an opposite second side of the vertical axis. The first and second floor engaging portions are weighted such that the base has a center of gravity spaced from the vertical axis on the second side of the vertical axis. A worksurface member is supported by the vertical support column and is vertically spaced from the base. The worksurface member is rotatable relative to the base. In one aspect, the worksurface member has an overall length greater than the overall length of the base. In another aspect, a stop limits rotation of the worksurface member.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A table comprising:
a vertical support column;
a base supporting said vertical support column along a vertical axis, wherein said base comprises a first floor engaging portion disposed on a first side of said vertical axis and a second floor engaging portion disposed on a second side of said vertical axis opposite said first side, wherein said first and second floor engaging portions are weighted such that said base has a center of gravity spaced from said vertical axis on said second side of said vertical axis, wherein said first and second floor engaging portions define in combination a first maximum overall length of said base along a horizontal direction; and
a worksurface member supported by said vertical support column, wherein said worksurface member is vertically spaced from said base, wherein at least one of said worksurface member and said support column are rotatable relative to said base, and wherein said worksurface member has a second maximum overall length along said horizontal direction, wherein said second maximum overall length of said worksurface is greater than said first maximum overall length of said base, and wherein said worksurface member extends a greater distance from said vertical axis on said first side of said vertical axis than on said second side of said vertical axis.

2. The table of claim 1 wherein said worksurface member is rotatable at least 180 degrees relative to said base between opposite left and right hand orientations, and wherein said worksurface member is rotatable 90 degrees from either of said left or right hand orientations to an intermediate orientation.

3. The table of claim 2 wherein said first floor engaging portion comprises an arm extending in a horizontal direction along a horizontal axis intersecting said vertical axis, wherein said arm extends parallel to and underlies said worksurface member when said worksurface member is in said intermediate position.

4. The table of claim 3 wherein said arm has a first height and said second floor engaging portion has a second height, wherein said second height is greater than said first height.

5. The table of claim 2 wherein a distal end of said worksurface member is spaced a first distance from said vertical axis when said worksurface member is in either of said left or right hand orientations, and wherein said distal end of said worksurface member is spaced a second distance from said vertical axis when said worksurface member is in said intermediate orientation, and wherein said second distance is greater than said first distance.

6. The table of claim 5 further comprising a rotation mechanism operable coupled between said support column and said worksurface member, said rotation mechanism comprising a sun gear coupled to said support column, a planet gear coupled to said worksurface member and an idler gear disposed between and meshing with said sun gear and said planet gear.

7. The table of claim 1 wherein said first floor engaging portion extends a first distance from said vertical axis in said horizontal direction and said second floor engaging portion extends a second distance from said vertical axis in said horizontal direction opposite said first floor engaging portion, wherein said first distance is at least 25% of said second distance.

8. The table of claim 7 wherein said worksurface member extends a third distance from said vertical axis in said horizontal direction in an overlying relationship with said first floor engaging portion, wherein said third distance is greater than said first distance.

9. The table of claim 8 wherein said third distance is at least twice said first distance.

10. The table of claim 8 wherein said worksurface member extends a fourth distance from said vertical axis in said horizontal direction in an overlying relationship with said second floor engaging portion, wherein said fourth distance is greater than said second distance.

11. The table of claim 1 wherein said first floor engaging portion is substantially T-shaped.

12. The table of claim 1 wherein said second floor engaging portion comprises a ballast container fillable with ballast.

13. The table of claim 12 wherein said base further comprises a frame having a plurality of radially extending arms, wherein at least a pair of said arms support said ballast container, and a cover disposed over at least some of said arms and said ballast container.

14. The table of claim 1 wherein a distal end portion of said second floor engaging portion is disposed under said worksurface member when said second floor engaging member and said worksurface member are aligned along said horizontal direction.

15. The table of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of wheels coupled to said base and adapted to support said table on a floor.

16. The table of claim 1 wherein said vertical support column is height adjustable.

17. A table comprising:
a vertical support column;
a base supporting said vertical support column along a vertical axis, wherein said base comprises a first floor engaging portion disposed on a first side of said vertical axis and a second floor engaging portion disposed on a second side of said vertical axis opposite said first side, wherein said first and second floor engaging portions are weighted such that said base has a center of gravity spaced from said vertical axis on said second side of said vertical axis;
a worksurface member supported by said vertical support column, wherein said worksurface member is vertically spaced from said base, wherein one of said worksurface member and said support column are rotatable relative to said base about said vertical axis, wherein said worksurface member extends a greater distance from said vertical axis on said first side of said vertical axis than on said second side of said vertical axis; and
a stop operably interfacing with said worksurface member to limit rotation of said worksurface member about said vertical axis.

18. The table of claim 17 wherein said worksurface member is rotatable at least 180 degrees relative to said base between opposite left and right hand orientations, and wherein said worksurface member is rotatable 90 degrees from either of said left or right hand orientations to an intermediate orientation.

19. The table of claim 18 wherein said first floor engaging portion comprises an arm extending in a horizontal direction along a horizontal axis intersecting said vertical axis, wherein said arm extends parallel to and underlies said worksurface member when said worksurface member is in said intermediate position.

20. The table of claim 18 wherein a distal end of said worksurface member is spaced a first distance from said vertical axis when said worksurface member is in either of said left or right hand orientations, and wherein said distal end of said worksurface member is spaced a second distance from said vertical axis when said worksurface member is in said intermediate orientation, and wherein said second distance is greater than said first distance.

21. The table of claim 20 further comprising a rotation mechanism operable coupled between said support column and said worksurface member, said rotation mechanism comprising a sun gear coupled to said support column, a planet gear coupled to said worksurface member and an idler gear disposed between and meshing with said sun gear and said planet gear.

22. The table of claim 17 wherein said worksurface member extends a greater distance from sai

Assignees

• Miller Herman Inc

Inventors

• Zaccai Gianfranco
• Young Kevin
• Bates Peter
• Aldrich John F
• Kurrasch Andrew J
• Seeley Robert M

Classifications

• A47B23/046 Primary

  C-shaped bed tables, e.g. foldable · CPC title

• A47B88/407

  Adjustably or detachably mounted drawers (A47B88/423 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A47B11/00

  Tables with tops revolvable on vertical spindles · CPC title

• A47B13/023

  with a central column · CPC title

• A47B13/16

  Holders for glasses, ashtrays, lamps, candles or the like forming part of tables · CPC title