Multi-configurable countertop

Abstract

A countertop system includes a first slab having a first lateral slot that is laterally obscured by a first cover, and a second slab having a second lateral slot that is laterally obscured by a second cover. The first and second covers are configured to be removed with an application of pressure, and the first slot aligns with the second slot to receive a connector to couple the first slab to the second slab.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A countertop system comprising:
 a first slab having a first lateral slot that is laterally obscured by a first cover; and   a second slab having a second lateral slot that is laterally obscured by a second cover, wherein:
 the first and second covers are configured to be removed with an application of pressure, and 
 the first slot aligns with the second slot to receive a connector to couple the first slab to the second slab. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first slab comprises a first body having a first exterior surface;   the second slab comprises a second body having a second exterior surface;   the first cover has a first cover exterior surface that is monolithic with the first exterior surface of the first body; and   the second cover has a second cover exterior surface that is monolithic with the second exterior surface of the first body.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first exterior surface and the first cover exterior surface comprise a first laminate layer; and   the second exterior surface and the second cover exterior surface comprise a second laminate layer.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first slab is substantially rectangular and further comprises a first lateral side, a second lateral side, a third lateral side, and a fourth lateral side,
 wherein the first slot comprises a plurality of slots, and   wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth lateral sides comprises at least one of the plurality of slots.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth lateral sides comprises two of the plurality of slots. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein a distance between the two of the plurality of slots is equal for all of the first, second, third, and fourth lateral sides. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the second slab is identical to the first slab, and wherein the two of the plurality of slots of the first side of the first slab are configured to align with two of a second plurality of slots of any of the lateral sides of the second slab. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the first and third lateral sides are of a first length,   the second and fourth lateral sides are of a second length greater than the first length, and   the at least one slot of each of the second and fourth sides is closer to the first side than to the third side.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one slot of each of the second and fourth lateral sides is within 6 inches of the first side. 
     
     
         10 . A method of manufacturing a slab for use in a multi-configuration countertop comprising:
 forming a slab with a body having a bottom surface and at least one side;   machining an inner cavity in the body from the bottom surface, the inner cavity having a first width and a depth less than a lateral thickness of the body; and   machining a slot from the inner cavity radially outwards towards an exterior surface of the at least one side, the slot having the depth of the inner cavity and a second width less than the first width,   wherein a lateral cover remains between an end of the slot and the exterior surface of the at least one side.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein forming the slab comprises applying a laminate layer over the exterior surface of the body. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the cover is configured to be removed with an application of pressure. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one side comprises a first lateral side, a second lateral side, a third lateral side, and a fourth lateral side, and
 wherein machining the slot further comprises machining at least one slot on each of the first lateral side, the second lateral side, the third lateral side, and the fourth lateral side.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein machining the slot further comprising machining two slots on each of the first lateral side, the second lateral side, the third lateral side, and the fourth lateral side, and wherein a distance between the two slots is the same for all of the lateral sides. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the slot is laterally obscured by the cover until the cover is removed. 
     
     
         16 . A slab for a countertop system comprising:
 a body having an exterior surface; and   a lateral slot that is laterally obscured by a cover,   wherein the cover:
 is configured to be removed with an application of pressure, and 
 has a cover exterior surface that is monolithic with the exterior surface of the body. 
   
     
     
         17 . The slab of  claim 16 , wherein the slab is substantially rectangular and further comprises a first lateral side, a second lateral side, a third lateral side, and a fourth lateral side,
 wherein the slot comprises a plurality of slots, and   wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth sides comprises at least one of the plurality of slots.   
     
     
         18 . The slab of  claim 17 , wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth lateral sides comprises two of the plurality of slots. 
     
     
         19 . The slab of  claim 18 , wherein a distance between the two of the plurality of slots is equal for all of the first, second, third, and fourth lateral sides. 
     
     
         20 . The slab of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one slot of each of the second and fourth lateral sides is within 6 inches of the first side.