Two-way communication system

Abstract

A table that incorporates a pivoting two-way communication apparatus is provided. An opening in the tabletop is configured to pivotally accommodate a two-way communication system. The table includes at least one supporting member or leg, and a tabletop supported by the leg. The tabletop defines a substantially horizontal surface. The two-way 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 surface that is at least substantially co-planar with the horizontal surface of the tabletop when the communication system is in the closed position. In the open position, the two-way communication apparatus extends from the surface of the tabletop.

1 . A communication system comprising:
 a frame having at least one sidewall, the frame being mountable to a portion of a tabletop;   a support pivotally connected to the frame by a plurality of split bearings each defining an interior bore, the support having a first surface, a second surface and pivotable about a central axis between a working position and a storage position, the first surface at least partially exposed when the support is in the storage position, and the second surface at least partially exposed when the support is in the working position; and   a two-way communication apparatus mounted to the support.   
   
   
       2 . The communication system according to  claim 1 , wherein the support includes a top member including the first surface and a bottom member including the second surface, the top member and bottom member defining an interior space, and wherein the two-way communication apparatus is mounted to the bottom member. 
   
   
       3 . The communication system according to  claim 2 , wherein when the support is in the storage position, the first surface is substantially parallel with a surface of the tabletop. 
   
   
       4 . The communication system according to  claim 2 , wherein when the support is in the working position, the two-way communication apparatus extends beyond a surface of the tabletop. 
   
   
       5 . The communication system according to  claim 2 , wherein the two-way communication apparatus includes at least one wiring that is routed through an opening in the bottom member and into the interior of the support. 
   
   
       6 . The communication system according to  claim 2 , wherein 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. 
   
   
       7 . The communication system according to  claim 6 , wherein 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. 
   
   
       8 . The communication system according to  claim 1 , wherein 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. 
   
   
       9 . The communication system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a rotation obstructer extending from a side of the support and that is contactable with plural portions of the frame, wherein the rotation obstructer limits the pivotal range of the support with respect to the frame to about  180  degrees. 
   
   
       10 . The communication system according to  claim 9 , wherein 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. 
   
   
       11 . The communication system of  claim 1 , wherein the two-way communication apparatus is a telephone. 
   
   
       12 . A table comprising:
 at least one leg;   a tabletop supported by the legs, the tabletop defining a substantially horizontal surface and having at least one opening; and   a communication system accommodated within the opening, the communication system comprising a support and a two-way communication apparatus mounted to the support,   the support being pivotally connected to the tabletop and pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis between an open position and a closed position, and   the support including a first member, the first member comprising a melamine based substrate, a buffer layer adhered to the substrate, and a surface veneer adhered to the buffer layer.   
   
   
       13 . The table of  claim 12 , wherein the buffer layer comprises a substantially oil free wood based veneer. 
   
   
       14 . The table of  claim 13 , wherein the wood based veneer is prepared by a process including bleaching the wood, and boiling the wood. 
   
   
       15 . The table of  claim 12 , wherein 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%. 
   
   
       16 . The table of  claim 12 , wherein the communication system has a substantially symmetrical cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of: square; ovular; circular; and rectangular. 
   
   
       17 . A communication system comprising:
 a table having at least one leg and a tabletop supported by the leg, the tabletop including at least one opening and at least one vertical mounting surface defined by the opening;   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;   a support pivotally connected to the frame about a central axis between a working position and a storage position, the support including a first surface that is at least partially exposed when the support is in the storage position, and a second surface at least partially exposed when the support is in the working position; and   a two-way communication apparatus mounted to the support.   
   
   
       18 . The communication system of  claim 17 , wherein the square frame is adjustably mounted to the tabletop with a plurality of securing members, the securing members selected from the group consisting of: screws, bolts, nails, and pins. 
   
   
       19 . A table comprising:
 at least one leg;   a tabletop supported by the legs, the tabletop defining a substantially horizontal surface and having at least one opening; and   a communication system accommodated within the opening, the communication system comprising a support and a two-way communication apparatus mounted to the support,   the support being pivotally connected to the tabletop and pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis between an open position and a closed position, and   the support comprising a substrate, a buffer layer adhered to the substrate, and a veneer adhered to the buffer layer.   
   
   
       20 . The table of  claim 19 , wherein the substrate comprises melamine. 
   
   
       21 . The table of  claim 19 , wherein the buffer layer comprises a substantially oil free wood based veneer. 
   
   
       22 . The table of  claim 19 , wherein 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%. 
   
   
       23 . The table of  claim 19 , wherein the support has a substantially symmetrical cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of: square; ovular; circular; and rectangular.