Steelcase Inc.

James B Lowell

Robert Larry Stewart

Jeffrey P Cronk

Ting-Wen Nieh

Kevin S Wilson

A conference table includes a work surface having one or more central openings. A utility distribution system is position below the central opening on a support channel. The support channel defines separated wireways for communicating separated utilities along the support channel. The utility distribution system further includes a plurality of W-shaped utility modules positioned on beams of the channel below the central opening. The utility modules set end-to-end in an arrangement that facilitates initial installation and later retrofit or repair. The table is supported on legs that define a vertical wireway space, and further include a repositionable divider configured to selectively subdivide the vertical wireway space into subwireways of different cross-sectional sizes for accommodating different cross-sectional sizes of utility conduit bundles. A removable double-pivoted door is releasably supported to cover the opening and to provide easy access to the opening from either side of the table top.

Table with two-way cover for utility access

A conference table includes a work surface having one or more central openings. A utility distribution system is positioned below the central opening on a support channel. The support channel defines separated wireways for communicating separated utilities along the support channel. The utility distribution system further includes a plurality of W-shaped utility modules positioned on beams of the support channel below the central opening. The utility modules set end-to-end in an arrangement that facilitates initial installation and later retrofit or repair. The table is supported on legs that define a vertical wireway space, and further include a repositionable divider configured to selectively subdivide the vertical wireway space into subwireways of different cross-sectional sizes for accommodating different cross-sectional sizes of utility conduit bundles. A removable double-pivoted door is releasably supported to cover the opening and to provide easy access to the opening from either side of the tabletop.

Conference table with central utility system

A conference table includes a large elongated work surface having one or more elongated central openings dividing the work surface into opposing half sections, with each opposing half section including work areas large enough for a conference meeting. A utility distribution system is positioned below the elongated central opening on a support channel. The support channel defines separated wireways for communicating separated utilities along the support channel, such as power wiring, telecommunication wiring, and network or video cabling. The utility distribution system further includes a plurality of W-shape utility modules positioned on beams of the support channel below the elongated central opening. The utility modules set end-to-end in an arrangement that facilitates initial installation and later retrofit or repair. Each person at the conference can access and connect to the utility outlets from above the work surface for operating or receiving individual utilities for the conference, but characteristically can access and connect to the utility outlets without the persons reaching awkwardly under an edge of the work surface. The table is supported on tubular legs that define a vertical wireway space, and further include a repositionable divider configured to selectively subdivide the vertical wireway space into subwireways of different cross-sectional sizes for accommodating different cross-sectional sizes of utility conduit bundles. A removable double-pivoted door is releasably supported to cover the opening and to provide easy access to the opening from either side of the tabletop.

Growing community of inventors

Arlington, TX, United States of America

James B Lowell