Patent Application
20080115697
The present disclosure relates generally to a communication system used for two-way audio transmission. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to audio communication systems for use in conducting meetings, teleconferences, and the like.
Generally, conference tables are used concurrently by multiple persons as a gathering place for information exchange. The tables are typically designed to support writing pads and utensils necessary to facilitate the exchange of information and, in most cases, are designed to support electronic devices to communicate information more efficiently. These electronic devices may include, for example, telephones, computers, monitors, speakers and various audio devices, word processors and play-back devices, as well as the wirings and connectors associated therewith.
Because modern business meetings typically require the use of several different modes of electronic communication, meetings where multiple electronic devices are required can be problematic because the devices and wirings occupy a large portion of the table. Consequently, available work space for meeting participants is reduced and, therefore, overall meeting efficiency is reduced.
Moreover, the presence of multiple electronic devices including the wirings and connectors associated therewith, can detract from the overall aesthetic appearance of a workspace. More specifically, increased amounts of clutter on conference tables during meetings can not only decrease communication efficiency but can also create a less aesthetically pleasing environment, which detracts from the efficiency of the meeting.
In an embodiment, a two-way communication system is provided. The communication system includes a frame having at least one sidewall, where the frame is mountable to a portion of a tabletop. The communication system also includes a support pivotally connected to the frame by a plurality of split bearings. Each of the split bearings include an interior bore. The support is pivotable about a central axis between a working position and a storage position. The support includes a top member and a bottom member that define an interior space. The top member is at least partially exposed when the support is in the storage position, and the bottom member at least partially exposed when the support is in the working position. The communication system also includes a two-way communication apparatus mounted to the bottom member of the support.
In an embodiment, when the support of the communication system is in the storage position, a surface of the top member is substantially parallel with a surface of the tabletop. In an embodiment, when the support is in the working position, the two-way communication apparatus extends beyond a surface of the tabletop.
In an embodiment, the two-way communication apparatus includes at least one wiring that is routed through an opening in the bottom member and into the interior space of the support.
In an embodiment, the two-way communication apparatus includes at least one wiring that is routed through an opening in the bottom member, through the interior space of the support, and through the interior bore of at least one of the bearings.
In an embodiment, the two-way communication apparatus includes a plurality of wirings, at least one of said wirings being routed through a first one of the bearings, and at least a different one of said wirings being routed through a second one of the bearings.
In an embodiment, the frame includes at least one detent that resists pivoting of the support when the support is in either of the working position or the storage position.
In an embodiment, the communication system further includes a rotation obstructer extending from a side of the support and that is contactable with plural portions of the frame, where the rotation obstructer limits the pivotal range of the support with respect to the frame to about 180 degrees. In an embodiment, when the support is pivoted to the working position, the rotation obstructer contacts a first portion of the frame, and wherein when the support is pivoted to the storage position, the rotation obstructer contacts a second portion of the frame.
In an embodiment, the two-way communication apparatus comprises a microphone.
In an embodiment, a table is provided. The table includes at least one supporting member, a tabletop supported by the supporting member, the tabletop defining a substantially horizontal surface and having at least one opening, and a communication system accommodated within the opening. The communication system includes a support and a two-way communication apparatus mounted to the support. The support is pivotally connected to the tabletop and pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis between an open position and a closed position. The support includes a first member which includes a melamine based substrate, a buffer layer adhered to the substrate, and a surface veneer adhered to the buffer layer.
In an embodiment, the buffer layer includes a substantially oil free wood based veneer.
In an embodiment, the wood based veneer is prepared by a process including bleaching the wood, and boiling the wood.
In an embodiment, the buffer layer is adhered to the substrate with an adhesive comprising a urethane prepolymer in a weight percent ranging from about 60% to about 70%, and polymeric MDI in a weight percent ranging from about 30% to about 40%.
In an embodiment, the communication system has a substantially symmetrical cross-sectional shape selected from the following shapes: square; ovular; circular; and rectangular.
In an embodiment, a communication system is provided. The communication system includes a table. The table includes at least one supporting member and a tabletop. The tabletop included at least one opening and at least one vertical mounting surface defined by the opening. The communication system also includes a square frame having at least one vertical sidewall, the frame mountable to the tabletop by attaching the vertical sidewall of the frame to the vertical mounting surface of the tabletop. The communication system also includes a support pivotally connected to the frame about a central axis between a working position and a storage position. The support includes a top member and a bottom member that define an interior space. The top member at least partially exposed when the support is in the storage position, and the bottom member at least partially exposed when the support is in the working position. The communication system also includes a two-way communication apparatus mounted to the bottom member of the support.
In an embodiment, the square frame is adjustably mounted to the tabletop with a plurality of securing members. The securing members may be: screws, bolts, nails, and pins.
In an embodiment, a table is provided that includes at least one supporting member and a tabletop supported by the supporting member. The tabletop has a substantially horizontal surface and at least one opening. The table also includes an audio amplification system accommodated within the opening, the communication system comprising a support and a two-way communication apparatus mounted to the support. The support is pivotally connected to the tabletop about a substantially horizontal axis between an open position and a closed position. The support includes a substrate, a buffer layer adhered to the substrate, and a veneer adhered to the buffer layer.
In an embodiment, the substrate comprises melamine. In an embodiment, the buffer layer comprises a substantially oil free wood based veneer. In an embodiment, the buffer layer is adhered to the substrate with an adhesive comprising a urethane prepolymer in a weight percent ranging from about 60% to about 70%, and polymeric MDI in a weight percent ranging from about 30% to about 40%.
Additional features are described herein, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description and the figures.
The present disclosure relates to tables, communication systems that are intended to be incorporated within a tabletop, and methods for conducting business meetings. As used in the present description, the expression “tabletop” means any surface that is elevated and designed to afford an individual the ability to utilize the surface for work, eating, or similar activities, including surfaces defined by tables, desks, end tables, coffee tables, or conference tables. For example, the tabletop could include a large conference table that is 40-60 feet in length and has a plurality of communications systems embedded within or mounted to the tabletop, thereby providing a conference table wherein a number of people may be seated about the periphery of the table, and have a separate communication system available for their use.
As illustrated in
The table 10 includes one opening 18 that is configured to accommodate a two-way communication system 20. In addition, the table may include one or more additional electronic or peripheral devices 22 that may or may not be connected to the separate audio amplification systems 20. In one example, the peripheral device 22 may be an audio amplification device or microphone or other communication apparatus. In
As illustrated in
Although the table 10 in
In an embodiment, as illustrated in
In one embodiment, as illustrated in
In one embodiment, as illustrated in
The support 70 may also include one or more grooves 73 formed into the sidewall 94. In one example, as best illustrated in
In an embodiment, as shown in
In an embodiment, the frame 50 is attached to the tabletop 14 using fastening means 97 (as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As best illustrated in
In an embodiment, the telephone or other suitable two-way communication apparatus 26 is mounted to the surface 76 of the support 70 such that the two-way communication apparatus is hidden when in the storage position (see,
In an embodiment, as shown in
In one embodiment, the user can release the support 70 from the locked position by tapping, depressing or otherwise releasing the detent 51. After the support 70 has been released, the user can then pivot the support 70 into either the working position or the storage position. These embodiments allow the support 70 to remain in a stable position and also facilitate the user in pivoting the support 70 from one position to another. In other embodiments, the communication system 20 includes a drive or motor (not shown) that causes the support 70 to pivot to a different position after the user has released the support from a starting position.
In an embodiment, as shown in
In an embodiment, the opening in the tabletop 14 is a rectangular opening sized to accommodate the communication system 20. The rectangular opening defines four walls or mounting surfaces (not shown) that a have a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the tabletop. These four walls include threaded openings for mounting the frame 50. More specifically, the sidewalls 64 of the square frame 50 of the support include several openings 54 corresponding to the openings in the four mounting surfaces in the tabletop. Any suitable attaching means such as screws, pins, dowels, or bolts are fed through the holes 54 in order to mount the frame 50 to the tabletop 14. Therefore, the frame 50 is side-mounted to the walls of the tabletop. It should be appreciated that where the opening in the tabletop 14 is circular or ovular or any suitable shape that the frame is a corresponding shape and would similarly include holes for side-mounting the frame to the tabletop 14. In one embodiment, the holes 54 of the frame 50 are countersunk and accept a screw with a tapered head. In this embodiment, the screws are substantially flush with or slightly recessed from the inside surfaces of the sidewalls 64 of the frame 50. This allows the support 70 to freely pivot within the frame 50 without interfering with the mounting bolts or screws.
In an embodiment, as illustrated in
Although the support 70 has been described above as including two main components or members, it should be appreciated that the support 70 may be a single piece or may include three or more components, such that the wires 68 from the two-way communication apparatus 26 can be suitably routed therein.
As illustrated in
In an embodiment, the support 70 includes at least one melanine based substrate having a surface coating or layer 76 or veneer applied thereto. In one embodiment, the surface layer 76 includes a composite veneer. In this example, the surface 76 is attached or affixed or adhered to the melanine based substrate. Any suitable adhesive, glue or other suitable affixing medium may be used. It should be appreciated that the substrate of the top member 100 may comprise any suitable materials such as polymer based materials, resins, wood, ceramics or the like. In an example, the surface 76 has an artificial wood grain appearance. In further examples, the surface 76 may be marble, faux leather, wood or any other suitable surface material. As mentioned above, the one-way audio amplification apparatus 26 or microphone is fixed or mounted to the surface 76 of the support 70, such that the audio amplification apparatus 26 extends above the surface 16 of the tabletop 14 for use.
The other surface 78 of the support 70 includes a table coating having a composite veneer. In this example, the surface 78 is attached or affixed or adhered to the melanine based substrate as well. Any suitable adhesive, glue or other suitable affixing medium may be used. It should be appreciated that the surface 78 may be marble, faux leather, wood or any other suitable surface material, as described above with reference to the surface 76. Alternatively, the surface 78 can include other suitable materials having appropriate cosmetic or tactile appeal to the users.
In an embodiment, the communication system 20 includes a switch or switching device (not shown) that activates the power such that when a user pivots the support 70 from the storage position to the working or open position the audio amplification system powers on. In one example, when the support 70 is pivoted into the working position, the support 70 completes an electrical circuit to cause the communication system 20 to turn on or power up. Similarly, when the support 70 is pivoted away from the working position, the electrical circuit is broken and the communication system 20 is powered down. The switching device may be a mercury switch, a roller ball or any other suitable electrical switching device that operates, at least in part, based on gravity. In other embodiments, the communication system 20 may be powered on even when the support 70 is pivoted to the storage or closed position.
In one embodiment, as illustrated in
Melamine is used to produce melamine resin, which when combined with formaldehyde produces a very durable thermoset plastic. This thermoset plastic has a relatively low density, is easily machinable and highly durable. Accordingly, the melamine based substrate is suitable for use in the pivoting support member 70. However, there is a difficultly in directly adhering the surface layer 200 or surface veneer directly to the melamine substrate 208. Accordingly, a buffer layer 204 or adhesion layer is first applied to the melamine substrate 208 with a suitable adhesive 206.
In one embodiment, the buffer layer 204 is a preprocessed wood based veneer. In one example, the preprocessing includes slicing, bleaching and boiling the wood based veneer to substantially remove the oils from the wood. Thus, the buffer layer 204 is a substantially oil free wood based veneer. The wood based veneer may include one or more types of wood, where the wood may be African obiche wood that has been reconstituted according to the above preprocessing methods. However, it should be appreciated that any suitable wood may be used that has suitable adhesion properties to the melamine based substrate 208.
In one embodiment, the first adhesive layer 206 includes an adhesive sold under the trade name Gorilla Glue™. This adhesive includes, at least in part, a urethane prepolymer and a polymeric MDI (4,4′-Diphenylmethane diisocyanate), where polymeric MDI is a mixture of monomeric MDI, isomeres and a homopolymer. The urethane prepolymer is included in a weight percent ranging from about 60-70% and the polymeric MDI is included in a weight percent ranging from about 30-40%. It should be appreciated that any suitable adhesive may be used in the first adhesive layer provided that the adhesive is suitable for adhering a substantially oil free wood based veneer to a melamine substrate.
In one embodiment, applying the buffer layer 204 or adhesion layer to the substrate 208 includes wetting the buffer layer 204, applying the adhesive to the buffer layer 204 or the substrate 208 to form the first adhesive layer 206, clamping the buffer layer 204 to the substrate 208, and allowing the adhesive to dry or set for approximately five to eight hours.
In one embodiment, the second adhesive layer 202 is applied to the upper surface of the buffer layer 204. In an embodiment, the second adhesive layer 202 comprises a polyvinyl acetate (PVA) glue. PVA glue is typically referred to as wood glue or carpenter's glue, and has the following chemical structure:
It should be appreciated that any suitable adhesive may be used in the second adhesive layer 202 that sufficiently bonds the surface layer 200 to the buffer layer 204. In an embodiment, the surface layer 200 is a veneer having a wood grained appearance. The wood grain can be selected to substantially mimic a surface of the tabletop. In another embodiment, the surface layer 200 includes a faux leather covering. It should be appreciated that the surface layer 200 can comprise any suitable material, covering or coating, and may further include aesthetic or tactile characteristics that would be enhance the overall look and feel of the table.
Accordingly, by providing a buffer layer 204 or adhesive layer between the surface layer 200 and the melamine substrate 208, the surface layer 200 does not peel away or separate from the underlying substrate 208.
It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.
