Table having pivoting communication modules

Abstract

A table that incorporates a plurality of pivoting communication apparatuses and a lift device is provided. An opening in the tabletop is configured to pivotally accommodate the plurality of communication apparatuses. The table includes at least one supporting member or leg, and a tabletop supported by the leg. The lift device is housed in an interior portion of the body of the table and at least partially supports each of the communication apparatuses. The lift device is movable between a lowered position and a raised position, and is slidably coupled to each of the communication apparatuses. The movement of the lift device between the raised and lowered positions causes an edge of the lift device to slide along a cam surface of the communication apparatuses, and thus cause the communication apparatuses to pivot with respect to the tabletop.

1 . A table comprising:
 a body defining a tabletop and having an interior;   a plurality of communication devices pivotally coupled to the tabletop, each communication device pivotable between an open position and a closed position, at least two of the communication devices located at an angle of at least 45° relative to one another;   a member located at least when the communications devices are in the closed position at least partially within the interior of the body and so constructed and arranged to cause the pivotal movement of the plurality of communication apparatuses.   
   
   
       2 . The table according to  claim 1 , wherein the member is movable between a raised position and a lowered position. 
   
   
       3 . The table according to  claim 2 , wherein when the member is in the lowered position, a surface of the tabletop, surfaces of the communication devices, and a surface of the member are substantially coplanar. 
   
   
       4 . The table according to  claim 2 , wherein when the member is in the raised position, the surfaces of the communication devices are oriented at an angle with respect to the surface of the tabletop and the surface of the member. 
   
   
       5 . The table according to  claim 4 , wherein when the member is in the raised position, the surface of the member is positioned above the surface of the tabletop. 
   
   
       6 . The table according to  claim 1 , wherein the member includes at least one platform slidably connected to each the communication devices. 
   
   
       7 . The table according to  claim 6 , wherein the communication devices each include a lower cam surface, and when the member moves between the raised position and the lowered position, an edge of the platform slides along the cam surfaces of each of the communication devices to cause the communication devices to pivot between the open position and the closed position. 
   
   
       8 . The table according to  claim 1 , wherein the tabletop further includes a plurality of input devices, each input device pivotally coupled to the tabletop and pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis between an open position and a closed position. 
   
   
       9 . The table according to  claim 8 , wherein the input devices are keyboards, and each keyboard is operably coupled to one of the communication devices. 
   
   
       10 . A communication system comprising:
 a table having a body, the body defining a tabletop and having an interior;   a plurality of communication devices pivotally coupled to the tabletop, each communication device pivotable between an open position and a closed position, at least two of the communication devices positioned at an angle of at least 45° relative to one another;   a member movably located at least partially within the interior of the body and so constructed and arranged to cause the pivotal movement of the plurality of communication apparatuses.   
   
   
       11 . The communication system of  claim 10 , wherein the communication devices include at least one device selected from the group consisting of: a monitor; an IEEE 1394 port; a headphone jack; a CD/ROM drive; a DVD/ROM drive; a floppy drive; a USB port; and a central processing unit. 
   
   
       12 . The communication system of  claim 10 , including a plurality of housings hingedly connected to the tabletop, wherein at least two communication devices are mounted to each of the housings. 
   
   
       13 . The communication system of  claim 12 , wherein the member is slidably connected to each of the housings, the movement of the member causing the housings to pivot between the open position and the closed position. 
   
   
       14 . The communication system of  claim 12 , wherein each of the housings are pivotable about a different horizontal axis. 
   
   
       15 . The communication system of  claim 10 , wherein the tabletop includes a plurality of secondary openings, and a plurality of input devices accommodated within each of the openings, each input device being separately pivotally connected to the tabletop and pivotable through at least a 180° angle. 
   
   
       16 . A table comprising:
 a body defining a tabletop and having an interior;   a plurality of platforms pivotally coupled to the tabletop, each platform pivotable between an open position and a closed position about a different substantially horizontal axis;   a member located at least partially within the interior of the body and movable between a raised position and a lowered position, the movement of the member causing the pivotal movement of the plurality of platforms.   
   
   
       17 . The table of  claim 16 , wherein each of the platforms include at least one communication device. 
   
   
       18 . The table according to  claim 16 , wherein the tabletop includes a substantially square or rectangular opening defining four interior edges, and wherein one platform is pivotally connected to each of the interior edges. 
   
   
       19 . The table according to  claim 18 , wherein when the member is moved to the lowered position, all of the platforms are pivoted to be substantially flush with a surface of the tabletop. 
   
   
       20 . The table according to  claim 18 , wherein when the member is moved to the raised position, all of the platforms are pivoted to extend above and be oriented at an angle relative to a surface of the tabletop.