Table assembly with reversible leg assembly

Abstract

A leg assembly for a table includes a support configured to be coupled to a table work surface. A leg member engages the support and is movable relative to the support such that the leg assembly is configured to support the table work surface above a floor surface. A first friction-reducing member is attached to a first end of the leg member. A second friction-reducing member is configured to be attached to a second end of the leg member. The first end and the second end are configured to alternately engage the support relative to one another such that the leg member is reversibly received by the support, and such that the first friction-reducing member abuts the floor surface when the second end of the leg member engages the support, and the second friction-reducing member abuts the floor surface when the first end of the leg member engages the support.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a table assembly having a leg assembly configured to adjustably support a work surface above a floor surface, the leg assembly reconfigurable between varying floor-engaging configurations and adjustable between varying height configurations. SUMMARY

[0002] A leg assembly for a table assembly as disclosed herein can include an upper tube configured to couple to a table work surface, a lower tube telescopically coupled to the upper tube, the lower tube having a first end and a second end each configured to be alternately received within the upper tube with one another, a glide coupled to the first end of the lower tube and configured to abut a floor surface when the second end of the lower tube is received within the upper tube, and a caster configured to couple to the second end of the lower tube such that the caster is configured to abut the floor surface when the first end of the lower tube is received within the upper tube and the caster is coupled to the second end of the lower tube.

[0003] A leg assembly for a table assembly can also or instead include a support configured to couple to a table work surface, a leg member engaging the support and movable between a first position in which the leg member is configured to support the table work surface at a first height and a second position in which the leg member is configured to support the work surface at a second height different from the first height, a first friction-reducing member attached to a first end of the leg member, and an attachment member attached to a second end of the leg member and configured to attach a second friction-reducing member to the second end of the leg member, wherein the first end and the second end of the leg member are alternately engageable with the support with one another.

[0004] A leg assembly for a table assembly can further or instead include a support configured to couple to a table work surface, a leg member engaging the support and movable relative to the support such that the leg assembly is configured to support the table work surface above a floor surface, a first friction-reducing member attached to a first end of the leg member, a second friction-reducing member configured to attach to a second end of the leg member, wherein the first end and the second end are configured to alternately engage the support with one another such that the leg member is reversibly received by the support, and such that the first friction-reducing member abuts the floor surface when the second end of the leg member engages the support and the second friction-reducing member abuts the floor surface when the first end of the leg member engages the support.

[0005] These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0006] In the diagram:

[0007] Figure 1 is a top perspective view of the table assembly of the present disclosure on a floor surface at a first height;

[0008] Figure 2 is a top perspective view of the table assembly of the present disclosure on a floor surface at a second height;

[0009] Figure 3 is a bottom perspective view of a table assembly of the present disclosure;

[0010] Figure 4 is a side perspective view of the leg assembly in a first configuration;

[0011] Figure 5 To follow Figure 4 a cross-sectional elevational view of the leg assembly taken along line VV;

[0012] Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the leg assembly;

[0013] Figure 7 is a side perspective view of the leg assembly in a second or reversed configuration; and

[0014] Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the leg assembly in a second configuration.

[0015] The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] For the purpose of the description herein, the terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "rear", "front", "vertical", "horizontal" and their derivatives shall be used as such. Figure 1 The orientations herein are relevant to the present disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, the term "front" shall refer to the surface of an element that is closer to an intended viewer, and the term "rear" shall refer to the surface of an element that is farther from an intended viewer. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure may assume various alternative orientations, unless expressly specified to the contrary. It should also be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification are exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, unless the claims expressly state otherwise, the specific dimensions and other physical characteristics associated with the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered limiting.

[0017] Reference numeral 10( Figures 1-3) generally designate a leg assembly for the table assembly 12. In the illustrated example, the table assembly 12 includes four leg assemblies 10, each leg assembly 10 including a mounting bracket 13 coupled to the table work surface 16, a support 14 configured to be coupled to the table work surface 16 via the mounting bracket 13, and a leg member 18 that engages the support 14. Additionally or alternatively, the support 14 can be referred to as an upper tube, an outer tube, or an upper leg, and the leg member 18 can be referred to as a lower tube, an inner tube, or a lower leg. The lower leg 18 is movable between a first position 20 in which the leg assembly 10 is configured to support the table work surface 16 at a first height A above a floor surface 21 Figure 1 and 4 ) and a second position 22 in which the leg assembly 10 is configured to support the table work surface 16 at a second height B different from the first height A. Figure 2 and 7 .

[0018] The leg assembly 10 Figure 1 , 7 and 8) can also include a first friction-reducing member 28 attached to a first end 30 of the lower leg 18 via an attachment member 32 received within the first end 30 of the lower leg 18, and a second friction-reducing member 36 Figure 1 , 4 and 5) attached to a second end 34 of the lower leg 18 via a second attachment member 32 received within the second end 34 of the lower leg 18. In the illustrated example, the first friction-reducing member 28 includes a glide 119 Figure 7 and 8 configured to allow the table assembly 12 to easily slide, move, or otherwise be repositioned on the floor surface 21, while the second friction-reducing member 36 includes a caster assembly 106 Figures 4-6 , the first and second friction-reducing members 28 and 36 being described further below.

[0019] Referring to Figures 1-4 , in the illustrated example, the table assembly 12 includes a table work surface 16 supported by four of the leg assemblies 10; however, more or fewer legs can be utilized depending on the configuration of the table work surface 16. The table work surface 16 can include a bottom surface 50 and an upper surface 52, and can be constructed of wood, polymeric materials, metals, and other materials commonly known in the art to be suitable for use as a work surface, as well as combinations thereof.

[0020] Each leg assembly 10 includes a mounting bracket 13 attached to the bottom surface 50 of the table work surface 16 via a plurality of self- threading mounting screws 54 or other suitable fasteners Figure 3 , 4and 6). In the illustrated example, mounting bracket 13 includes an attachment plate 58 that includes a plurality of attachment apertures 60 spaced about the perimeter of attachment plate 58, where apertures 60 are configured to receive screws 54. Mounting bracket 13 can also include a base 62 that extends downward from attachment plate 58 and is coupled to upper leg 14 via welding, mechanical fasteners, and / or other attachment methods known in the art. Base 62 can include a plurality of ramps 64 configured to distribute load from table work surface 16 along leg assembly 10.

[0021] Referring now to Figures 4-8 As illustrated, upper leg 14 and lower leg 18 each have a tubular shape with a circular cross-section. It is also contemplated that upper leg 14 and lower leg 18 can have any cross-sectional shape that benefits the inward movement of lower leg 18 and the outward movement of upper leg 14. Upper leg 14 can telescopically receive lower leg 18 within a receiving cavity 72 of upper leg 14, thereby allowing lower leg 18 to slidably engage upper leg 14.

[0022] Leg assembly 10 can further include a lock 80 configured to lock lower leg 18 in a plurality of pre-selected telescopically adjustable positions relative to upper leg 14. Figures 4-6 In the illustrated example, lower leg 18 includes a plurality of apertures 74 spaced along length LI, which generally correspond to at least a first height A and a second height B. A user can telescopically adjust lower leg 18 relative to upper leg 14 to achieve a selected first height A and / or second height B. Lock 80 can also include an outwardly extending pocket relief 81 positioned along the length of upper leg 14, a threaded nut 82 welded to upper leg 14 within pocket relief 81 of the present invention, and a lock component 84 telescopically received within nut 82. In operation, lower leg 18 can be repositioned or moved relative to upper leg 14 by unscrewing lock component 84 from threaded nut 82 until lock component 84 no longer extends through a selected aperture 74. Lower leg 18 is then telescopically moved or adjusted relative to upper leg 14 until a different selected aperture 74 is aligned with lock component 84. Lock component 84 can then be screwed into threaded nut 82 to engage the newly selected aperture 74.

[0023] Attachment component 32 Figures 4-8) can be disposed within the first end 30 and / or the second end 34 of the leg member 18. The attachment member 32 can be configured to couple the first and / or second friction reducing members 28, 36 to the first and second ends 30, 34 of the leg member 16. In the illustrated example, each attachment member 32 includes a plurality of retention ridges 90 spaced along a body 92 of each attachment member 32. The attachment member 32 is configured to engage an interior sidewall 94 of the lower leg 18, thereby retaining the attachment member 32 within a cavity 96 of the lower leg 18. Each attachment member 32 can also include a threaded opening 98 configured to couple the first and / or second friction reducing members 28, 36, as described below. In the illustrated example, the attachment member 32 coupled to the first friction reducing member 28 is disposed within the first end 30 of the leg member 18, and the attachment member 32 coupled to the second friction reducing member 36 is disposed within the second end 34 of the leg member 18.

[0024] As mentioned above, in the illustrated example of the second friction reducing member 36 includes a caster assembly 106 coupled to the second end 34 of the leg member 18 via one of the attachment members 32. While the illustrated example of the second friction reducing member 36 includes the caster assembly 106, it should be noted that other suitable friction reducing arrangements can be utilized in place of or in addition to the caster assembly 106, including non-pivoting casters, rollers, bearings, friction reducing or slipping surfaces, e.g., a smooth plastic surface and / or oil-impregnated plastic / nylon, or other suitable arrangements. The second friction reducing member 36 provides minimal frictional resistance to the leg assembly 10 and ultimately the table assembly 12, such that the table assembly 12 can be easily moved or repositioned on the floor surface 21. The caster assembly 106 can also include a lock assembly 108 such that once the table assembly 12 has been repositioned, the caster 107 can be locked from rotating.

[0025] In the illustrated example, the second friction reducing member 36, illustrated as the caster assembly 106, includes a threaded shaft 104 configured to threadably couple to the threaded opening 98 of the associated attachment member 32. The first friction reducing member 28 can include a skid member 119 Figure 5 、 6 and 8) having a base 120 configured to allow the table assembly 12 to easily slide, move, or otherwise be repositioned on the floor surface 21. The base 120 can comprise a smooth plastic or metal surface, and / or an oil-impregnated plastic / nylon, or other suitable material and surface configuration. In the illustrated example, the skid member 119 includes a threaded shaft 122 extending from the base 120 and configured to threadably couple to the threaded opening 98 of the associated attachment member 32. It is also contemplated that the skid member 119 can be attached to the attachment member 32 or the first end 30 of the leg member 18 via a press fit, snap connection, adhesive, or combination thereof.

[0026] As mentioned above, the lower leg 18 is configured to be reversibly disposed within the upper leg 14 such that either the first end 30 or the second end 34 can be positioned within the upper leg 14. As Figure 4 and 5 As explained in the first configuration, the first end 30 of the lower leg 18 can be disposed within the upper leg 14 such that the first friction reducing component 28 is in a stowed position and the second end 34 of the lower leg 18 is positioned away from the upper leg 14 such that the second friction reducing component 36 abuts the floor surface 21.

[0027] In the illustrated example, the configuration of the glide 119 allows the glide 119 to be disposed or stored within the receiving cavity 72 of the upper leg 14 without removing or decoupling the glide 119 from engagement with the attachment component 32. In the second configuration of the leg assembly 10 Figure 7 and 8 In the illustrated example, the caster assembly 106 is decoupled from the attachment component 32, thereby allowing the attachment component 32 and the second end 34 to be received within the upper leg 14.

[0028] To interchangeably utilize either or both of the first friction reducing component 28 and the second friction reducing component 36, a user removes the first end 30 or the second end 34 of the lower leg 18 from engagement with the upper leg 14, reorients the lower leg 18 relative to the upper leg 14, and then engages the opposite end 30, 34 within the receiving cavity 72 of the upper leg 14. For example, if the leg assembly 10 is in the first configuration such that the caster assembly 106 is positioned to support the table assembly 12, the lower leg 18 can be removed from engagement with the upper leg 14 by disengaging the lock 80 and sliding the lower leg 18 from the upper leg 14. The caster assembly 106 can then be removed from engagement with the attachment component 32 located in the second end 34 of the lower leg 18, and the second end 34 of the lower leg 18 can be inserted into the receiving cavity 72 of the upper leg 14 such that the glide 119 supports the table assembly 12.

[0029] The leg assemblies and table assemblies as described herein provide useful adjustments between varying friction reducing supports while allowing for adjustable support of associated work surfaces at various vertical heights. The leg assemblies and associated table assemblies incorporate various parts for use with different friction reducing components, such as casters, rollers, glides, etc. By stowing either end of the leg component within the support, the parts are contained and remain substantially intact even in a storage or stowed position. Further, the leg component having the attachment feature provides for optional arrangement of either of the friction reducing components.

[0030] In the foregoing description, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that modifications can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims unless these claims explicitly state otherwise.

Claims

1. A leg assembly for a table assembly, comprising: an upper tube configured to be coupled to a table work surface; a lower tube telescopically coupled to the upper tube, the lower tube having a first end and a second end each configured to be alternately received within the upper tube from one another; a glide coupled to the first end of the lower tube and configured to abut a floor surface when the second end of the lower tube is received within the upper tube; and a caster configured to be coupled to the second end of the lower tube such that the caster is configured to abut the floor surface when the glide and the first end of the lower tube are received within the upper tube and the caster is coupled to the second end of the lower tube.

2. The leg assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper tube and the lower tube each have a circular cross-sectional shape.

3. The leg assembly of any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the leg assembly includes a caster assembly, the caster assembly including the caster.

4. The leg assembly of any one of claims 1-3, further comprising: a mounting bracket configured to be coupled to the table work surface, and wherein the upper tube is attached to the mounting bracket.

5. The leg assembly of any one of claims 1-4, further comprising: a lock configured to lock the lower tube relative to the upper tube at a plurality of preselected positions.

6. The leg assembly of claim 5, wherein the lock includes a locking component threadably engaging one or more apertures of the upper tube and / or the lower tube.

7. The leg assembly of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the lower tube is telescopically movable between a first position in which the leg assembly is configured to support the table work surface at a first height and a second position in which the leg assembly is configured to support the table work surface at a second height different from the first height.

8. A table assembly comprising the leg assembly of any one of claims 1-7 coupled to the table work surface.

9. A leg assembly for a table assembly, comprising: a support configured to be coupled to a table work surface; a leg component engaging the support and movable between a first position in which the leg component is configured to support the table work surface at a first height and a second position in which the leg component is configured to support the work surface at a second height different from the first height; a first friction-reducing component attached to a first end of the leg component; and an attachment component attached to a second end of the leg component and configured to attach a second friction-reducing component to the second end of the leg component; wherein the first end and the second end of the leg member are alternately engageable with the support member to one another, and wherein the first friction reducing member remains attached to the first end of the leg member when the first end is engaged with the support member.

10. The leg assembly of claim 9, wherein the support member includes a receiving cavity that telescopically receives the leg member.

11. The leg assembly of any one of claims 9 and 10, further comprising: a mounting bracket configured to couple the support member to the table work surface.

12. The leg assembly of any one of claims 9-11, wherein the first end and the second end of the leg assembly are alternately engageable with the support member between a first configuration in which the first end is coupled to the support member and the second end is positioned away from the support member and a second configuration in which the second end is coupled to the support member and the first end is positioned away from the support member.

13. The leg assembly of any one of claims 9-12, wherein the first friction reducing member includes a glide configured to abut a floor surface when the leg member is in the second configuration.

14. The leg assembly of any one of claims 9-13, wherein the second friction reducing member includes a caster coupled to the attachment member, wherein the caster is configured to abut a floor surface when the leg member is in the first configuration.

15. A table assembly comprising the leg assembly of any one of claims 9-14 coupled to the table work surface.

16. The leg assembly of any one of claims 9-14, further comprising: a lock configured to lock the leg member at a plurality of preselected positions relative to the support member.

17. A leg assembly for a table assembly, comprising: a support member configured to be coupled to a table work surface; a leg member engaging the support member and movable relative to the support member such that the leg assembly is configured to support the table work surface over a floor surface; a first friction reducing member attached to a first end of the leg member; and a second friction reducing member configured to be attached to a second end of the leg member; wherein the first end and the second end are configured to alternately engage the support member to one another such that the leg member is reversibly received by the support member, and such that the first friction reducing member abuts the floor surface when the second end of the leg member engages the support member, and the second friction reducing member abuts the floor surface when the first end of the leg member engages the support member, and wherein the first friction reducing member is configured to remain engaged with the first end of the leg member when the second friction reducing member abuts the floor surface; and the leg assembly further comprises a lock configured to lock the leg member at a plurality of preselected positions relative to the support member.

18. The leg assembly of claim 17, wherein the support member telescopically receives the leg member.

19. The leg assembly of any one of claims 17 and 18, further comprising: an attachment member coupled to the second end of the leg member, wherein the attachment member is configured to attach the second friction member to the second end of the leg member.

20. The leg assembly of claim 19, wherein the second friction member is configured to threadably engage the attachment member.

21. A table assembly comprising the leg assembly of any one of claims 17-20 coupled to the table work surface.

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