GB2409968A

GB2409968A - A table top with concave and convex edges and a method of providing a flexible teaching environment

Info

Publication number: GB2409968A
Application number: GB0400941A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Hinchcliffe
Original assignee: SPACE2LEARN Ltd
Current assignee: SPACE2LEARN Ltd
Priority date: 2004-01-16
Filing date: 2004-01-16
Publication date: 2005-07-20
Anticipated expiration: 2024-01-16
Also published as: GB2409968B; GB0400941D0

Abstract

A tabletop (102) is configured to be received upon support means to provide a table for use in combination with other similar configured tables. The tabletop (102) is of a substantially triangular shape consisting of a first concave edge (109), a second concave edge (110) and a third convex edge (111). The tabletop configuration facilitates the provision of a flexible teaching environment in which a group of tables that are tessellated together, provide the environment by abutting the concave edge of a first table against one of said convex edges of a second table.

Description

A Table Top and a Method of Providing a Flexible Teaching Environment

Background of the Invention

For many years, alternatives have been put forward to replace conventional desking in teaching environments. A desirability for providing modular desking systems has been identified that allows configurations to be established that are appropriate for people's different learning needs. Thus, by the redeployment of existing furniture and equipment, there is an objective 0 to ensure that different learning styles and a different learner's are all accommodated while at the same time ensuring that learner and teacher performance is optimised. These requirements have been made more difficult in recent years by the provision of computer systems that, in many environments, are essential for the teaching process. For example, these could be situations where computer operations as such are being taught or, alternatively, where a program or an interactive multi-media application is being used as a teaching aid. It is therefore preferable to provide a system which allows the maximum number of workstations to be fitted within any accommodation while at the same time offering different kinds of study so spaces for different kinds of learners.

Brief Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a table top configured to be received upon support means to provide a table for use in combination with other similarly configured tables, wherein said table top is of a substantially triangular shape consisting of a first edge, a second edge and a third edge; and said first edge is concave, said second edge is concave and said third edge is convex.

In a preferred embodiment said convex edge of a first tabletop is configured to tessellate with said first concave edge or said second 0 concave edge of a second table top. ..

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing a flexible teaching environment, comprising: a plurality of tables, each configured to accommodate one user and having a concave edge providing an ergonomic interface for said user; a plurality of chairs, each presenting a seat for one of said user interface edges; and a plurality of computer terminals, each located on a respective one of said tables and presenting an output display towards it's user's edge, wherein each table top includes a second concave edge and a convex edge; and a plurality of tables are tessellated together to provide said environment by abutting said second concave edge of a first table against said convex edge of a second table.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawings Figure 1 shows a table of substantially triangular shape; Figure 2 shows a tessellation of tables of the type shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an alternative tessellation to that shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 shows alternative table top shapes; Figure 5 shows a tessellation of the type shown in Figure 3 supporting a computer system; Figure 6 shows an arrangement similar to that shown in Figure 5 with dividing screens; lo.. : ..'

Written Description of the Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Figure 1 A table 101 of substantially triangular shape is shown in Figure 1. The table 101 consists of a table top 102 supported by legs 103, 104 and 105 located towards corners 106, 107 and 108 respectively of the table top 102.

The table 101 is intended for use in combination with other similarly configured tables so as to provide a flexible teaching environment. A first edge 109, between corners 106 and 107 is concave, a second edge 110, between corners 106 and 108 is also concave, whereas a third edge 111 between corners 107 and 108 is convex.

In the preferred embodiment, the profile of concave edge 109 is substantially similar to that of the profile of concave edge 110. Furthermore, convex edge 111 has a similar radius of curvature to edges 109 and 110 such that, when it is abutted against a similarly configured table, convex edge 111 of a first table tessellates with a concave edge (109, 110) of a second

table.

The nature of concave edges 109 and 110 are such as to present an ergonomic interface to a user such that a user may, say, use computer equipment in a comfortable and efficient way when sat in proximity to the concave edge.

0 Figure 2. ' . . As previously described, the table shown in Figure 1 is arranged to tessellate in many configurations; an example being shown in Figure 2. .

Concave edges 201 and 202 are substantially similar and either may be used as an edge up against which a user may interface. Each of the concave it., edges 201 and 202 may tessellate with the convex edge of an abutting table.

Similarly, convex edge 203 abuts neatly against concave edge 204 with concave edge 205 providing a further user interface.

The curves presented by the edges of the tabletops are substantially circular, each having a similar radius of curvature. In this way, abutment may JO be provided either completely along the edges of two abutting tables or a rotational displacement may take place such that abutment does not occur over the entire lengths of the edges. In this way, greater flexibility is achieved 2348-P1 01 -GB in terms of the final layout of the tessellated tables.

Figure 3 An alternative tessellation is illustrated in Figure 3 in which six tables 301, 302, 303, 304, 305 and 306 have been abutted together to form a closed larger table presenting six user interface positions. Thus, a configuration of Figure 3 may be considered as a closed arrangement, with a teacher for example being able to stand at locations behind the pupils, where as the configuration shown in Figure 2 may be considered as an open arrangement in which it is possible for a teacher to enter a region that is substantially enclosed. As is well known in the art, different teaching: it techniques may be optimised with different classroom layouts, some emphasising private activity while other emphasising group activity, for example. Furthermore, different configurations could be provided within the .

same classroom allowing each pupil to make use of a user station that they, . find most comfortable for their particular temperament.

Figure 4 Tabletop 102 is shown in plan view in Figure 4. Preferably, the first concave edge 109 and the second concave edge 110 have the same radius of curvature. If edges 109 and 110 have differing curvature radii then the radius of curvature of convex edge 110 should be substantially the same as one of said concave edges. However, in the preferred embodiment, a convex edge of a first table should tessellate with either concave edges of a second 2348-P1 01 - table with the non-tessellated concave edge providing the user interface edge. Thus, preferably, all curvature radii are substantially equal.

The actual size of the radius of curvature of the tabletop 102 is to some extent variable. When the radius of curvature is decreased, a shape substantially similar to tabletop 401 is achieved and, ultimately, with a radius of curvature being too small the actual size of the table becomes too small and the system becomes unworkable. Similarly, the radius of curvature may be increased resulting in a tabletop shape substantially similar to that shown at 402. Ultimately, with very large curvature radii the shape of the tabletop becomes substantially triangular and the user interface aspect of the curved edge becomes lost. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the shape of the tabletop is optimised so as to proved an ergonomic concaved edge for a user while at the same time providing a tabletop of sufficient size. Preferably, two - concave edges of this type are provided in combination with a sympathetic convex edge such that said convex edge may tessellate with either concave edge of an abutting table.

Figure 5 The system is particularly attractive for use in environments using computer workstations, as illustrated in Figure 5. A configuration of tables has been established similar to that shown in Figure 3. Onto table 301 a computer monitor 501, a mouse 502 and a keyboard 503 have been located. A computer system box, not shown, may be located beneath the 2348-P1 01 -GB table or, in an alternative configuration, the workstation terminals may be connected to a mainframe system via a network cable.

Figure 6 In addition to providing assembly mechanisms for attaching legs 103, 104 and 105 to a tabletop 102, mechanisms 601 may be provided so as to facilitate the attachment of dividing screens 602. Furthermore, the screens may be completely solid, solid but transparent or may be fabricated from meshing or similar non continuous material.

The system provides a flexible teaching environment consisting of to tables 301 to 306 each arranged to accommodate one user and each presenting a concave edge 109 that in turn provides an ergonomic interface for the user. Each station is provided with a chair 606 thereby presenting a seat for one of said user interface edges. A plurality of computer terminals are provided each located on a respective one of the tables and presenting an output display 603 at its user's edge. Each tabletop includes a second concave edge 110 and a convex edge 111. A plurality of tables (301 to 306) are tessellated together to provide the environment by abutting second concave edges 110 of a first table 301 against the convex edge of a

second table 306.

Claims

2348-P1 01 -GB Claims 1. A tabletop configured to be received upon support

means to provide a table for use in combination with other similarly configured tables, wherein said table top is of a substantially triangular shape consisting of a first edge, a second edge and a third edge; and said first edge is concave, said second edge is concave and said third edge is convex. .. lo.
2. A table top according to claim 1, wherein said convex edge of...

a first table top is configured to tessellate with said first concave edge or .

said second concave edge of a second table top. :.
3. A tabletop according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said first concave edge and said second concave edge are substantially similar.
4. A tabletop according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said first concave edge presents an ergonomic interface to a user.
5. A table top according to claim 4, wherein said second concave edge is abuttable against a convex edge of a second table top and 2348-P1 01 -GB said third convex edge is abuttable against a second concave edge of a

third table top.
6. A table top according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of table tops are tessellated to provide a multi-user working environment.
7. A plurality of tables having table tops according to claim 6, configured to be tessellated into a first configuration for a fist activity and to be tessellated into a second configuration for a second activity. .. 10.
8. A table having a tabletop according to any of claims 1 to 6, . . including cable management attributes for accommodating cables of a ' computer system. ...... :::e I:.
9. A table having a table top according to any of claims 1 to 6, including at screen attached to said second concave edge or attached to said convex edge.
10. A method of providing a flexible teaching environment, So comprising: a plurality of tables, each configured to accommodate one user and having a concave edge providing an ergonomic interface for said user; 2343-P1 01 -GB a plurality of chairs, each presenting a seat for one of said user interface edges; and a plurality of computer terminals, each located on a respective one of said tables and presenting an output display towards it's user's edge, wherein each table top includes a second concave edge and a convex edge; and a plurality of tables are tessellated together to provide said environment by abutting said second concave edge of a first table against..

to said convex edge of a second table.

. - . - ....MC: CL_A47B01310