Conference table and components and method for the use thereof
A conference table includes a base and a worksurface supported by the base. The worksurface has a peripheral edge and an aperture having a node and at least three branches extending radially outwardly from the node. The base has a peripheral wall defining an interior space, an opening and a panel moveable between an open position wherein the interior space is accessible through the opening and a closed position wherein the panel is disposed over the opening. One or more electronic components may be coupled to the panel. A cable retention device may be coupled to a utility cable above the worksurface. The cable retention device includes an inlet formed in a peripheral side, a first outlet in communication with the inlet and formed in the peripheral side at a location spaced apart from the inlet, and a second outlet in communication with the inlet and formed in a bottom.
1 . A conference table comprising:
a base; and
a worksurface supported by the base and comprising a peripheral edge, wherein the worksurface comprises an aperture comprising a node and at least three branches extending radially outwardly from the node, wherein each of the branches comprises a greatest width, and wherein the node comprises a width greater than the greatest width of each of the branches, and wherein each of the branches has a proximal end opening into and communicating with the node and a terminal end spaced from the node, wherein each of the terminal ends is spaced apart from and located within 36 inches of the peripheral edge of the worksurface.
2 . The conference table of claim 1 wherein each of the branches has a pair of upper edges on an upper surface of the worksurface and a pair of lower edges on a lower surface of the worksurface.
3 . The conference table of claim 2 wherein at least portions of at least some of the lower edges are chamfered.
4 . The conference table of claim 1 wherein the greatest width of each of the branches is less than 0.53 inches.
5 . The conference table of claim 1 wherein the width of the node is greater than 1.0 inches.
6 . The conference table of claim 1 further comprising a utility cable extending through the aperture.
7 . The conference table of claim 6 wherein the utility cable comprises a USB-C cable connected to a power source mounted on the base.
8 . The conference table of claim 6 further comprising a pod fixedly connected to the utility cable, wherein the pod is moveably supported on an upper surface of the worksurface, and wherein the pod is shaped and dimensioned to prevent the pod from passing through the branches or the node.
9 . The conference table of claim 8 wherein the pod comprises a first pod, and further comprising a second pod fixedly connected to the utility cable and disposed below the worksurface, wherein the second pod is shaped and dimensioned to prevent the pod from passing through the branches or the node.
10 . The conference table of claim 1 wherein the branches and node are arranged in a T-shape.
11 . The conference table of claim 1 wherein the base comprises a peripheral wall defining an interior space, an opening and a panel moveable between an open position wherein the interior space is accessible through the opening and a closed position wherein the panel is disposed over the opening.
12 . The conference table of claim 11 wherein the panel is pivotally mounted to the peripheral wall.
13 . The conference table of claim 12 wherein the panel comprises a bottom portion pivotally mounted to the peripheral wall about a horizontal axis.
14 . The conference table of claim 1 , wherein each of the terminal ends is at least 6 inches from the peripheral edge.
15 . A conference table comprising:
a base; and
a worksurface supported by the base and comprising a peripheral edge, wherein the worksurface comprises an aperture comprising a node and at least three branches extending radially outwardly from the node, wherein each of the branches comprises a greatest width, and wherein the node comprises a width greater than the greatest width of each of the branches, and wherein each of the branches has a proximal end opening into and communicating with the node and a terminal end spaced from the node, wherein each of the terminal ends is located within 36 inches of the peripheral edge of the worksurface; wherein the worksurface comprises a first worksurface piece defining a first portion of the peripheral edge and at least a portion of one of the upper edges of one of the branches and a second worksurface piece defining a second portion of the peripheral edge and at least a portion of the other of the upper edges of the one of the branches.
16 . The conference table of claim 15 wherein the first and second worksurface pieces have different finishes.
17 . A conference table comprising:
a base;
a worksurface supported by the base and comprising a peripheral edge, wherein the worksurface comprises an aperture comprising a node and at least three branches extending radially outwardly from the node, wherein each of the branches comprises a greatest width, and wherein the node comprises a width greater than the greatest width of each of the branches, and wherein each of the branches has a proximal end opening into and communicating with the node and a terminal end spaced from the node, wherein each of the terminal ends is located within 36 inches of the peripheral edge of the worksurface;
a utility cable extending through the aperture; and
a pod fixedly connected to the utility cable, wherein the pod is moveably supported on an upper surface of the worksurface, and wherein the pod is shaped and dimensioned to prevent the pod from passing through the branches or the node, wherein the pod comprises an inlet opening parallel to the upper surface, a first outlet opening parallel to the upper surface, and a second outlet opening downwardly toward the upper surface, wherein the utility cable passes through the inlet and first outlet when the pod is not overlying one of the branches or the node, and wherein the cable passes through the inlet and the second outlet when the pod and the second outlet are overlying one of the branches or the node.
18 . A conference table comprising:
a base, wherein the base comprises a peripheral wall defining an interior space, an opening and a panel moveable between an open position wherein the interior space is accessible through the opening and a closed position wherein the panel is disposed over the opening, wherein the panel comprises an outer cover and an inner mounting plate removably coupled to the outer cover, wherein the mounting plate comprises electronic component mounting features; and
a worksurface supported by the base and comprising a peripheral edge, wherein the worksurface comprises an aperture comprising a node and at least three branches extending radially outwardly from the node, wherein each of the branches comprises a greatest width, and wherein the node comprises a width greater than the greatest width of each of the branches, and wherein each of the branches has a proximal end opening into and communicating with the node and a terminal end spaced from the node, wherein each of the terminal ends is located within 36 inches of the peripheral edge of the worksurface.
19 . The conference table of claim 18 further comprising an electronic component coupled to the mounting features, and further comprising a utility cable coupled to the electronic component and extending through the aperture in the worksurface.