CONFERENCE TABLE

Abstract

 Meeting table comprises a table board with an aperture and a sink in it. There is a bottom boards that can be moved in vertical direction and vertically fitted power and connection socket outlets inside the sink. Optionally it is possible to open or close the aperture in tabletop by moving the bottom board in vertical direction.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to furniture industry and depicts a meeting table that comprises an aperture and vertical sink inside, which can be relocated and optionally fitted with electrical and electronic interfaces/connections and supplies. The meeting table can be both used with the sink and as a uniform, flat surface.

Prior art

[0002] From prior art, a conference table (US2005268823, Bakker M.R; Bockheim R.J; et. al., published on 08.12.2005) that includes a worktop, supported by two supports, and having several sink in worktop, is known. Sinks are configured to receive electrical appliances and electrical connection diagrams that are required to connect the power unit to equipment. Sinks are covered by movable covers. Conference table may be supplied with light fittings that are fitted around the table. As for this solution, the covers of sinks do not form a uniform surface, which makes using the conference table as a regular table rather inconvenient.

[0003] Prior art knows worktops/desks with adjustable height that may include separate apertures/conduits. However, these solutions include adjustment of the height of worktop in general, not the vertical position of the aperture. Also, the presence of apertures/conduits will prevent the formation of uniform, level worktop, where appropriate. (http://issuu.com/asstandard/docs/standardoffice_collection_2014_2_es, pages 6-7).

[0004] The closest to the invention, by technical nature, is a Inno Interior OY meeting table In-Tensive (http://www.inno.fi/fileadmin/flash/index.html#det/1-1-1-uid_29846), which includes worktop and sink/conduit in the middle of the worktop; horizontal surface in the middle of the sink is fitted with socket outlets. The sink in the meeting table can be covered with two-sided covers. The disadvantage of the solution is the fact that the socket outlets are fitted into the sink horizontally, which means that some fluids etc., dripping from the conference table, may penetrate the sockets. Large gaps between the meeting table covers, meant to allow entry of cables to be connected to socket outlets, also represent a disadvantage as they won't allow formation of a uniform, level tabletop. Also, the covers, when open, take additional space on the meeting table.

Detailed description of the invention

[0005] The provided meeting table comprises of a tabletop with an aperture. Beneath the tabletop, close to the opening, there are two vertical boards, the lower ends of which are fitted with two horizontal non-movable boards which are not in contact with each other. Vertical and horizontal boards form a sink beneath the tabletop. A console has been fitted inside the sink, between horizontal boards, supplied with a lifting mechanism that can be moved in vertical direction; bottom board has been fitted to the lifting mechanism. Socket outlets and connections, intended for special purpose, are fitted inside the sink, along insides of vertical boards.

[0006] The meeting table can be used as two possible versions. One version includes the vertically movable bottom board on the bottom of the sink, which will allow using socket outlets for different electric and electronic appliances through open aperture in the tabletop, while the sink will be used for other items. Another version includes lifting the vertically movable bottom part up, by engaging the lifting mechanism, covering the aperture in tabletop and forming a uniform, flat tabletop.

List of figures

[0007] 

Figure 1 depicts the uniform, flat version of the meeting table;

Figure 2 depicts the version of the meeting table that involves open aperture.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

[0008] The presented meeting table comprises a tabletop with an aperture 1, vertical boards 2 that support tabletop 1, non-movable horizontal boards 3 that face each other at the lower ends of vertical boards 1. A console 4 has been fitted inside the sink, which is formed of horizontal boards 3 and vertical boards 2, supplied with a lifting mechanism 5 that can be moved in vertical direction; bottom board 6 has been fitted to the lifting mechanism 5. Socket outlets and connections, intended for special purpose 7, are fitted inside the sink, along insides of vertical boards 2.

[0009] The meeting table can be used as two possible versions:

• Version with open aperture includes the vertically movable bottom board 6 on the bottom of the sink, which will allow using vertical socket outlets and connections 7 for different electric and electronic appliances and/or place various items, which would otherwise occupy the tabletop 1 of the meeting table, onto bottom board on the bottom of the sink 6 and horizontal boards 3.
• Version with closed aperture includes lifting the vertically movable bottom part 6 up, by engaging the lifting mechanism 5, covering the aperture in tabletop 1, and thus forming a uniform, flat tabletop 1.

[0010] By changing the position of vertically movable bottom board 6 that moves into the tabletop 1 to form a uniform surface allows changing the purpose of the meeting table, resulting in a flat, uniform table becoming into a meeting table with a sink and socket outlets 7; the sink can be used for fitting various items (e.g. charging devices, transformers etc.), which would otherwise occupy too much space on tabletop 1. Vertical positioning of socket outlets 7 will prevent penetration of fluids inside the sockets and represents a useful effect for the purposes of safety. Such a position of plugs will also make plugging the devices in/pulling out in the direction away from use easier and will also be more hygienic as less dust, food waste etc. will end up in sockets. Standard conduits will be used for plugs (220V, telephone, USB, Internet, etc.) as these can be easily relocated later, should it be necessary. The number, location and type of plugs can be chosen and varied freely. When the bottom board 6 is in the raised position, a flat uniform tabletop 1 is formed, which adds useful effect for working with large (e.g. construction drawings etc.) documents on the meeting table.

[0011] The tabletop 1 may have a number of apertures, which will allow for diversified use of the meeting table.

[0012] Lifting mechanism 5 of the bottom board can be both electrical and mechanic. Preferred embodiment includes either a single or several Mini Linear Actuators.

Claims

1. A meeting table that comprises of a tabletop with an aperture (1), vertical (2) and horizontal boards (3) and a bottom board (6) that form a sink with socket outlets (7), console (4) and lifting mechanism (5), characterised in that bottom board of the sink (6) can be moved in vertical direction by means of a lifting mechanism (5) and socket outlets (7) are fitted inside the sink in a vertical direction, to the inside of vertical boards (2).

2. Meeting table, according to claim 1, characterised in that the bottom board (6) is intended, in lifted position, to act as a flat cover for the aperture in the tabletop (1).

3. Meeting table, according to claim 1, characterised in that the bottom board (6) will allow the use of socket outlets (7) in the let-down position, acting as the bottom of the sink of the tabletop (1).

4. Meeting table, according to claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the tabletop (1) has a number of sinks.

5. Meeting table, according to claims 1 to 4, intended to be used with an open sink,

6. Meeting table, according to claims 1 to 4, intended to be used with a closed sink.

Drawing