Table

Abstract

A table includes: a table plate having a penetration hole formed through a portion of an edge thereof; a connector unit coupled to the penetration hole to be disposed at a lower side of the table plate and exposed on an upper surface of the table plate through the penetration hole, the connector unit having a first port; a pair of first table legs disposed at one side of a lower surface of the table plate; a pair of second table legs disposed at the other side of the lower surface of the table plate; and a connection communication unit comprising a second port disposed at one side of the lower surface of the table plate.

Description

FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a table and, more particularly, to a table configured to allow easy connection of cables.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In general, with increasing distribution of office automation devices, various electronic devices, such as computers, printers, telephones, fax machines, and the like, are disposed and used around tables in each home or offices.

[0003] In addition, tables connected in the horizontal direction are provided not only with such electronic devices, but also with external devices including microphones.

[0004] Each of such external devices is powered through a cable or is provided with various cables for data transmission.

[0005] Recently, the number of wires connected to each table tends to increase due to network wiring or telephone wiring connecting each computer in the office.

[0006] Accordingly, if these lines are irregularly arranged, there can be problems of negative external appearance and inconvenience of workers sitting on the tables.

[0007] In particular, when the tables need to be moved due to department shift, repositioning, and the like, there is inconvenience of reconnecting the network wiring or telephone wiring. Therefore, there is a need for a table that allows easy connection of such cables.

SUMMARY

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention have been conceived to solve such a problem in the art and it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a table allowing easy connection of cables.

[0009] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited thereto and the above and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description of the following embodiments.

[0010] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a table includes: a table plate having a penetration hole formed through a portion of an edge thereof; a connector unit coupled to the penetration hole to be disposed at a lower side of the table plate and exposed on an upper surface of the table plate through the penetration hole, the connector unit having a first port adapted to allow a first communication line extending from an adjacent table to be detachably and electrically connected thereto; a pair of first table legs disposed at one side of a lower surface of the table plate; a pair of second table legs disposed at the other side of the lower surface of the table plate; and a connection communication unit including a second port disposed at one side of the lower surface of the table plate and adapted to allow a second communication line extending from the adjacent table to be detachably and electrically connected thereto and a connection communication line electrically connected at one end thereof to the second port and extending toward the other side of the table plate and outward from the table plate to be electrically connected to first and second ports of another adjacent table.

[0011] In one embodiment, the table may further include a reinforcement frame unit including a first reinforcement frame disposed at one side of the lower surface of the table plate and connecting the pair of first table legs to each other, and a second reinforcement frame disposed at the other side of the lower surface of the table plate and connecting the pair of second table legs to each other.

[0012] In one embodiment, the second port may be detachably provided to the first reinforcement frame.

[0013] In one embodiment, the table may further include a support plate detachably provided to the second reinforcement frame and receiving a portion of the connection communication line extending outward from the table plate.

[0014] In one embodiment, the table may include a holding clip detachably coupled to the lower surface of the table plate and receiving a portion of the connection communication line therein to secure the connection communication line to the lower surface of the table plate.

[0015] In one embodiment, the connector unit may further include a power socket to which an external power line is detachably and electrically connected.

[0016] In one embodiment, a jack may be coupled to the other end of the connection communication line to be inserted into the second port.

[0017] According to embodiments of the present invention, the connection communication unit may be detachably coupled to the table plate, thereby allowing a location of the second port to be changed as needed. Accordingly, the table may be arranged in various ways without being limited by an installation direction of the table.

[0018] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above effects and other advantageous effects of the present invention can become apparent from the detailed description and the claims of the invention.

DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are perspective views of a table according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the table according to the embodiment of the present invention, showing a connector unit of the table.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the table according to the embodiment of the present invention, showing a connection communication unit of the table.

[0022] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a second port shown in FIG. 4.

[0023] FIG. 6 is an exemplary view of the connection communication unit of the table according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a support plate shown in FIG. 6.

[0025] FIG. 8 is a view of one example of cable connection of the table according to the embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that like components will be referred to by like names and by like reference numerals throughout the specification and the accompanying drawings. In addition, descriptions of details apparent to those skilled in the art will be omitted for clarity.

[0027] When an element is referred to as being "connected to", "contacting" or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly connected to, contact, or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In addition, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," and/or "including," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features.

[0028] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms, "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Moreover, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," and/or "including," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are perspective views of a table according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the table shown in FIG. 1.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the table may include a table plate 100, a connector unit 200, first table legs 300, second table legs 400, and a connection communication unit 500.

[0032] The table plate 100 may have a penetration hole 110 (see FIG. 3) formed through a portion of an edge of the table plate 100.

[0033] The connector unit 200 is coupled to the penetration hole 110 to be placed at a lower side of the table plate 100.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the table according to the embodiment of the present invention, showing a connector unit of the table.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 3, the connector unit 200 may include a first port and power sockets 220.

[0036] The first port may include lower ports 210, 211 coupled to the penetration hole 110 and exposed to a lower side of an accommodation unit 230 and upper ports 212, 213 coupled to the penetration hole 110 and exposed to an upper side of the accommodation unit 230. The lower ports 210, 211 and the upper ports 212, 213 may be arranged to constitute pairs of upper and lower ports and may be electrically connected to each other. Specifically, one lower port 210 may be electrically connected to one upper port 212 and the other lower port 211 may be electrically connected to the other upper port 213.

[0037] A first communication line may be detachably and electrically connected to each of the lower ports 210, 211. The first communication line may include an Internet line or a telephone line. For example, when the Internet line is connected to one lower port 210, the telephone line may be connected to the other lower port 211. As such, an Internet line for an electronic product, for example, a computer, may be connected to the upper port 212 electrically connected to the lower port 210 and a telephone line connected to a telephone may be connected to the other upper port 213. With this arrangement, the computer can be connected to the external Internet line and the telephone may be connected to the external telephone line.

[0038] The upper ports 212, 213 may be exposed to an upper side of the table plate 100 through the penetration hole 110. As a result, the Internet line of the computer and the telephone line of the telephone can be easily coupled to the upper ports 212, 213.

[0039] The power socket 220 may include a power line 221 extending outward through the accommodation unit 230 and connected to a power source. An external power line may be detachably and electrically connected to the power socket 220. The external power line may be, for example, an electric wire of a computer. In addition, the power socket 220 may be, for example, a multi-tap.

[0040] The power socket 220 may be exposed to the upper side of the table plate 100 through the penetration hole 110, whereby a power line of the computer can be easily connected to the power socket 220.

[0041] The connector unit 200 may be provided with a cover 240 coupled to an upper portion of the accommodation unit 230 to open or close the penetration hole 110.

[0042] The first table legs 300 may be provided in a pair and may be disposed at one side of a lower surface of the table plate 100. One of the first table legs 300 may be provided with a first wheel 321.

[0043] The second table legs 400 may be provided in a pair and may be disposed at the other side of the lower surface of the table plate 100. One of the second table legs 400 may be provided with a second wheel 421, and only the first wheel 321 and the second wheel 421 may be disposed to contact the ground, thereby facilitating use of the table.

[0044] The connection communication unit 500 may include a second port 510 and a connection communication line 550.

[0045] The second port 510 may be disposed at one side of the lower surface of the table plate 100 and a second external communication line may be detachably and electrically connected to the second port 510.

[0046] The connection communication line 550 may be disposed on the lower surface of the table plate 100 and may be electrically connected at one end thereof to the second port 510. In addition, the connection communication line 550 may extend toward the other side of the table plate 100 and outward from the table plate 100. The second external communication line may be connected to the second port 510 and may also be connected to the connection communication line 550 by the second port 510.

[0047] The table may include a reinforcement frame unit 600.

[0048] The reinforcement frame unit 600 may include a first reinforcement frame 610 and a second reinforcement frame 620.

[0049] The first reinforcement frame 610 may be disposed at one side of the lower surface of the table plate 100 and may connect the pair of first table legs 300 to each other.

[0050] The second reinforcement frame 620 may be disposed at the other side of the lower surface of the table plate 100 and may connect the pair of second table legs 400 to each other.

[0051] Further, the reinforcement frame unit 600 may include a connection reinforcement frame 630. The connection reinforcement frame 630 may be connected at one thereof to the first reinforcement frame 610 and at the other end thereof to the second reinforcement frame 620 to support the table plate 100.

[0052] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the table according to the embodiment of the present invention, showing a connection communication unit of the table and FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the second port shown in FIG. 4.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the second port 510 may be provided to a support plate 530 and may be disposed in plural in a longitudinal direction of the support plate 530.

[0054] In addition, the support plate 530 may be coupled to a coupling plate 520. The coupling plate 520 may have a plurality of first coupling holes 522 formed therethrough. In addition, the first reinforcement frame 610 may be formed with first fastening holes 611 corresponding to the first coupling holes 522, and first fastening members 525 may be coupled to the first fastening holes 611 through the first coupling holes 522, whereby the coupling plate 520 can be coupled to the first reinforcement frame 610. In addition, upon separation of the first fastening members 525, the coupling plate 520 can be separated from the first reinforcement frame 610. That is, the second port 510 may be detachably provided to the first reinforcement frame 610.

[0055] The coupling plate 520 may be provided with a first opening 521. One end 551 of the connection communication line 550 may extend to a space between the coupling plate 520 and the table plate 100 through the first opening 521 to be connected to the second port 510.

[0056] The connection communication line 550 may be disposed on the lower surface of the table plate 100 to be parallel to the connection reinforcement frame 630. To this end, the table may include a holding clip 800.

[0057] The holding clip 800 may be coupled to the lower surface of the table plate 100 and may receive a portion of the connection communication line 550 therein such that the connection communication line 550 can be secured to the lower surface of the table plate 100.

[0058] The holding clip 800 may be detachably coupled to the table plate 100 by a fastening member (not shown). The holding clip 800 may have a through-hole 810 through which a tool, for example, a bolt driver, moves to fasten or unfasten the fastening member. The holding clip 800 may be provided in plural.

[0059] FIG. 6 is an exemplary view of the connection communication unit of the table according to the embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a support plate shown in FIG. 6.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the table may further include a support plate 700.

[0061] The support plate 700 may have a plurality of second coupling holes 720 formed therethrough. In addition, the second reinforcement frame 620 may be formed with second fastening holes 621 corresponding to the second coupling holes 720, and second fastening members 725 may be coupled to the second fastening holes 621 through the second coupling holes 720, whereby the support plate 700 can be coupled to the second reinforcement frame 620. In addition, upon separation of the second fastening members 725, the support plate 700 can be separated from the second reinforcement frame 620. That is, the support plate 700 may be detachably provided to the second reinforcement frame 620. Accordingly, the connection communication unit 500 may be detachably coupled to the table plate 100 and the second port 510 may be coupled to the first reinforcement frame 610 or the second reinforcement frame 620, as needed.

[0062] The support plate 700 may be provided with a second opening 710. The other end of the connection communication line 550 may extend to a space between the support plate 700 and the table plate 100 through the second opening 710. As described above, the connection communication line 550 may have a length to extend outward from the table plate 100 and may be stored in a space between the support plate 700 and the table plate 100.

[0063] A jack 580 may be coupled to the other end of the connection communication line 550. The jack 580 may be inserted into a second port of another adjacent table. Specifically, the jack of the connection communication line of one table may be coupled to the second port of another table, whereby two tables can be electrically connected to each other.

[0064] Herein, although the second port 510 is provided in the form of a power socket and the jack 580 is inserted into the second port 510 in this embodiment, the second port 510 may be provided in the form of a jack and the jack 580 may be provided in the form of a power socket in other embodiments.

[0065] The first communication line connected to the connector unit 200 may be a partial communication line 560 of a connection communication line 550 of an adjacent table. Here, the communication line 560 may include an Internet line 561 and a telephone line 562.

[0066] FIG. 8 is a view of one example of cable connection of the table according to the embodiment of the present invention. The following description will be given with reference to FIG. 8.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 8, an Internet line 561a and a telephone line 562a included in a connection communication line 550a of a left table 10a may be connected to a connector unit 200b of a right table 10b according to the present invention. With this arrangement, adjacent tables can be connected to each other by the connection communication line, thereby facilitating connection of the communication line while reducing the number of lines exposed to the outside, thereby providing a pleasant appearance.

[0068] The connection communication line 550 includes a second communication line, which may be connected to adjacent tables.

[0069] That is, as shown in FIG. 8, according to the present invention, a second communication line 570a included in the connection communication line 550a of the left table 10a may be connected to a second port 510b of the right table 10b. With this arrangement, adjacent tables can be connected to each other by the connection communication line, thereby facilitating connection of the communication line while reducing the number of lines exposed to the outside, thereby providing a pleasant appearance. Likewise, a communication connection line 550b of the right table 10b may be connected to first and second ports of a third table.

[0070] On the table according to the present invention, a monitor may be disposed near the connector unit 200. When plural tables are arranged in an office, the locations of monitors can be changed depending upon the location of the tables.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 8, in an arrangement wherein a connector unit (not shown) of the left table 10a is disposed in the same direction as the connector unit 200b of the right table 10b, the second port 510b of the right table 10b is disposed at the left of the connector unit 200b to be close to the left table 10a. Accordingly, the second port 510b of the right table 10b is disposed near the jack of the connection communication unit of the left table 10a and thus can be easily connected thereto.

[0072] If the connector unit 200b of the right table 10b is disposed downwards, the second port 510b of the right table 10b is disposed at the right side. In this case, in order to connect the connection communication line 550a of the left table 10a to the second port 51b of the right table 10b, the second communication line 570b of the left table 10a is required to extend to the right side of the right table 10b. In this arrangement, the second communication line 570a of the left table 10a droops, thereby providing an unpleasant appearance. In a severe case, the second communication line 570a cannot be connected to the second port 510b due to a short length thereof.

[0073] According to the present invention, after the coupling plate 520 is separated from the first reinforcement frame 610, the support plate 700 is separated from the second reinforcement frame 620, and the holding clip 800 is separated from the table plate 100, the coupling plate 520 is coupled to the second reinforcement frame 620, the support plate 700 is coupled to the first reinforcement frame 610, and the holding clip 800 is coupled to the table plate 100 such that the second port 510b can be placed near the left table 10a. That is, according to the present invention, since the location of the second port can be adjusted, the table can be disposed in various ways without being limited to an installation direction of the table.

[0074] Although some embodiments have been described herein, it should be understood that these embodiments are provided for illustration only and the present invention can be easily modified into different forms by those skilled in the art without changing the technical idea or essential features of the present invention. For example, each component illustrated as a single component can be implemented by several components separated from each other and several components separated from each other can be implemented as a single component.

[0075] It should be understood that the scope of the invention should be limited only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof and that various modifications, changes, alterations, and equivalent embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and equivalents thereto.

Claims

1. A table comprising: a table plate having a penetration hole formed through a portion of an edge thereof; a connector unit coupled to the penetration hole to be disposed at a lower side of the table plate and exposed on an upper surface of the table plate through the penetration hole, the connector unit having a first port adapted to allow a first communication line extending from an adjacent table to be detachably and electrically connected thereto; a pair of first table legs disposed at one side of a lower surface of the table plate; a pair of second table legs disposed at the other side of the lower surface of the table plate; and a connection communication unit comprising a second port disposed at one side of the lower surface of the table plate and adapted to allow a second communication line extending from the adjacent table to be detachably and electrically connected thereto and a connection communication line electrically connected at one end thereof to the second port and extending toward the other side of the table plate and outward from the table plate to be electrically connected to first and second ports of another adjacent table.

2. The table according to claim 1, further comprising: a reinforcement frame unit comprising a first reinforcement frame disposed at one side of the lower surface of the table plate and connecting the pair of first table legs to each other, and a second reinforcement frame disposed at the other side of the lower surface of the table plate and connecting the pair of second table legs to each other.

3. The table according to claim 2, wherein the second port is detachably provided to the first reinforcement frame.

4. The table according to claim 2, further comprising: a support plate detachably provided to the second reinforcement frame and receiving a portion of the connection communication line extending outward from the table plate.

5. The table according to claim 1, further comprising a holding clip detachably coupled to the lower surface of the table plate and receiving a portion of the connection communication line therein to secure the connection communication line to the lower surface of the table plate.

6. The table according to claim 1, wherein the connector unit further comprises a power socket to which an external power line is detachably and electrically connected.

7. The table according to claim 1, wherein a jack is coupled to the other end of the connection communication line to be inserted into the second port.