Table apparatus and method

Abstract

Some implementations of a table system can include a protective member that is positionable below a table to provide protection to both a table and chairs. The protective member can extend lateral beyond a peripheral edge of the table top, for example, to protect the table and accessory furniture while allowing the table top and the peripheral edge of the table top to remain exposed.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A table assembly, comprising:
 a table top having an exposed upper table top surface, a lower table top surface parallel to the upper table top surface, and an exposed table peripheral edge between the exposed upper table top surface and the lower table top surface;   a sub-top joined with the table top, the sub-top comprising:
 a first sub-top peripheral exposed surface that extends outwardly beyond the exposed table peripheral edge, wherein the first sub-top peripheral exposed surface is positioned entirely below the lower table top surface; and 
 a second sub-top peripheral exposed surface that extends outwardly beyond the exposed table peripheral edge, the second sub-top peripheral exposed surface at a height below the first sub-top peripheral exposed surface and extending inwardly at an angle relative to the first sub-top peripheral exposed surface, 
   wherein the exposed upper table top surface and the exposed table peripheral edge comprise a first material, and   wherein the first sub-top peripheral exposed surface and the second sub-top peripheral exposed surface comprise a second material that is softer than the first material.   
     
     
         22 . The table assembly of  claim 21 , the sub-top further comprising:
 a sub-top upper surface parallel to the exposed upper table top surface; and   an exposed sub-top lower surface,   wherein the first sub-top peripheral exposed surface is angled relative to the sub-top upper surface, and   wherein the second sub-top peripheral exposed surface is angled relative to the exposed sub-top lower surface.   
     
     
         23 . The table assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the second sub-top peripheral exposed surface is between the first sub-top peripheral exposed surface and the exposed sub-top lower surface. 
     
     
         24 . The table assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the first sub-top peripheral exposed surface is between the sub-top upper surface and the second sub-top peripheral exposed surface. 
     
     
         25 . The table assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the exposed sub-top lower surface is parallel to the lower table top surface. 
     
     
         26 . The table assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the sub-top upper surface is abutted to the lower table top surface. 
     
     
         27 . The table assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the sub-top upper surface and the lower table top surface define a gap between the sub-top upper surface and the lower table top surface. 
     
     
         28 . The table assembly of  claim 24 , the sub-top further comprising a third sub-top peripheral exposed surface comprising the second material, the third sub-top peripheral exposed surface between the first sub-top peripheral exposed surface and the second sub-top peripheral exposed surface. 
     
     
         29 . The table assembly of  claim 28 , wherein the third sub-top peripheral exposed surface is at a height below the first sub-top peripheral exposed surface and above the second sub-top peripheral exposed surface. 
     
     
         30 . The table assembly of  claim 29 , wherein the first sub-top peripheral exposed surface and the second sub-top peripheral exposed surface are integrally formed as a single component. 
     
     
         31 . The table assembly of  claim 29 , wherein the first sub-top peripheral exposed surface and the second sub-top peripheral exposed surface are made of the same material. 
     
     
         32 . The table assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the first sub-top peripheral exposed surface extends outwardly beyond the exposed table peripheral edge by a first distance less than 1.5% of a minimum width of the exposed upper table top surface. 
     
     
         33 . The table assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the sub-top is configured to protect chairs. 
     
     
         34 . The table assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the first sub-top peripheral exposed surface and the second sub-top peripheral exposed surface are not in contact with the exposed table peripheral edge. 
     
     
         35 . The table assembly of  claim 34 , wherein the first material comprises at least one of wood, glass, stone, metal, and laminate. 
     
     
         36 . The table assembly of  claim 35 , wherein the second material comprises a polymer material that is different than the first material that defines the exposed table peripheral edge. 
     
     
         37 . The table assembly of  claim 36 , wherein the second material comprises at least one of cork and leather. 
     
     
         38 . A table assembly, comprising:
 a table top having an exposed upper table top surface, a lower table top surface parallel to the upper table top surface, and an exposed table peripheral edge between the exposed upper table top surface and the lower table top surface;   a sub-top joined with the table top, the sub-top comprising:
 a first sub-top peripheral exposed surface that extends outwardly beyond the exposed table peripheral edge, wherein the first sub-top peripheral exposed surface is positioned entirely below the lower table top surface; 
 a second sub-top peripheral exposed surface that extends outwardly beyond the exposed table peripheral edge, the second sub-top peripheral exposed surface at a height below the first sub-top peripheral exposed surface and extending inwardly at an angle relative to the first sub-top peripheral exposed surface; and 
 a third sub-top peripheral exposed surface between the first sub-top peripheral exposed surface and the second sub-top peripheral exposed surface, 
   wherein the exposed upper table top surface and the exposed table peripheral edge comprise a first material,   wherein the first sub-top peripheral exposed surface, the second sub-top peripheral exposed surface, and the third sub-top peripheral exposed surface comprise a second material that is softer than the first material.   
     
     
         39 . The table assembly of  claim 38 , wherein the first material comprises at least one of wood, glass, stone, metal, and laminate, and the second material comprises a polymer or leather material. 
     
     
         40 . The table assembly of  claim 39 , wherein the third sub-top peripheral exposed surface is at a height below the first sub-top peripheral exposed surface and above the second sub-top peripheral exposed surface.