Table connection mechanism and method of using the same

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 connection body such that a 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.

16. The method of claim 15 , comprising:

providing a second column positioned below a second tabletop and wherein the first cross-member has a second end, a second bracket body being attached to the second column and a second cross-member connection body being attached within the second end of the first cross-member,

inserting a second fastener through the second cross-member connection body via an opening defined in a the first cross-member adjacent the second end of the first cross-member that is in communication with a cavity or channel in which the second cross-member connection body is positioned;

passing the second fastener though a hole in the second bracket body after the second fastener is inserted through the second cross-member connection body;

rotating the second fastener to define a direct connection between the second bracket body and the second cross-member connection body such that a 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.

17. The method of claim 16 , comprising:

providing a third column positioned below a first tabletop and a second cross-member, a third bracket body being attached to the third column and a third cross-member connection body being attached within a first end of the second cross-member,

inserting a third fastener through the third cross-member connection body via an opening defined in the second cross-member that is in communication with a cavity or channel in which the third cross-member connection body is positioned;

passing the third fastener though a hole in the third bracket body after the third fastener is inserted through the third cross-member connection body;

rotating the third fastener to define a direct connection between the third bracket body and the third cross-member connection body such that a 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.

18. The method of claim 17 , comprising:

providing a fourth column positioned below the second tabletop and wherein the second cross-member has a second end, a fourth bracket body being attached to the fourth column and a fourth cross-member connection body being attached within the second end of the first cross-member,

inserting a fourth fastener through the second cross-member connection body via an opening defined in a the second cross-member adjacent the second end of the second cross-member that is in communication with a cavity or channel in which the fourth cross-member connection body is positioned;

passing the fourth fastener though a hole in the fourth bracket body after the fourth fastener is inserted through the fourth cross-member connection body;

rotating the fourth fastener to define a direct connection between the fourth bracket body and the fourth cross-member connection body such that a 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.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein:

the first, second, third and fourth bracket bodies each has a shape generally resembling a “7” and the first, second, third, and fourth cross-member connection bodies each has a generally U-shape.

20. The method of claim 18 , comprising:

passing the first fastener through a first reinforcing member attached to the first bracket body;

passing the second fastener through a second reinforcing member attached to the second bracket body;

passing the third fastener through a third reinforcing member attached to the third bracket body; and

passing the fourth fastener through a fourth reinforcing member attached to the fourth bracket body.