GB2214227A - Securing table top to support rail - Google Patents

Abstract

Table top 1 has secured along one side edge and adjacent to each end a connecting member comprising a substantially U-shaped hook member 2 with a laterally extending flange 3 which is secured by means of screws 4 to the underside of the table 1; a rotatable U-shaped catch 5 is received within the member 2 and is rotatable by manual force applied to tab 6 so as to turn from a rail releasing position (Figure 6) to a rail trapping position (Figure 5) or vice versa. The rail 7 is secured by means of end pieces 8 to the wall of a caravan in a horizontal position. An intermediate support 9 may be provided. The catch 5 has portion 5a within hook member 2 and portion 5b carrying tab 6 and secured to part 5a by rivet 10. <IMAGE>

Description

TITLE Connecting Member for securing a Table Top tc a Support Rail This invention relates to a connecting member for securing a table top to a support rail and is particularly intended for securing a table top structure in a caravan or the like to a horizontal wall mounted rail whereby the table top may be disconnected in a simple manner from the rail for stowage and in which horizontal sliding movement between the table top-and rail may be effected. in caravans, due to space requirements, it is often required to provide an easily dismountable table top and one method of achieving this is to provide a horizontal rail secured to a wall of the caravan with a table top incorporating hook members to engage the rail, a single support leg then being provided to carry the other side of the table top on the floor of the caravan.With this arrangement the support leg can be removed and the table either dropped down to a vertical position against the caravan wall or, as an alternative, the top can be removed completely. It is also convenient to provide for horizontal sliding motion between the table top and rail so that the position of the table, for example in relation to seating, can be adjusted.

According to this invention there is provided a connecting member for securing a table top to a support rail, the member comprising a body having a hook member and a laterally extending flange for attachment to a side edge of a table top, the hook member having associated therewith a rotatable catch. which may be turned to release or trap the rail when engaged with the hook member.

In use, two connecting members will be provided at spaced locations along one side edge of a table top with the hook members receiving the rail which will be secured in a horizontal position to a caravan or the like structure.

The rotatable catch member will preferably include a manually operable tab by which same may be rotated. The tab member preferably will extend coplanar to the table top when in a locking position trapping the rail and will extend at right angles when in the rail releasing position.

The invention is. further described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings showing an embodiment by way of an example only.

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 shows a table top structure secured to a rail using two connecting members according to the invention, Figure 2 shows one connecting member in more detail and in the locked position, Figure 3 shows a longitudinal section through the connecting member, Figure 4 shows a plan view of the connecting member, Figure 5 shows a cross section through the connecting member in the locked position, Figure 6 shows a cross section through the connecting member in the unlocked position, and Figure 7 shows an end view in the unlocked position.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, these show the general arrangement of connecting member secured to a table top whereby same is attached to a horizontal rail.

A table top 1 shown in part view has secured along one side edge and adjacent to each end a connecting member comprising a substantially U-shaped hook member 2 with a laterally extending flange 3 which is secured by means of screws 4 to the underside of the table 1. A rotatable U-shaped catch 5 is received within the member 2 and is rotated by manual force applied to tab 6 so as to turn from a rail releasing position to a rail trapping position or vice versa. The release position is shown in Figure 1 and the trapped position is shown in Figure 2.

A rail 7 is secured by means of end pieces 8 to the wall of a caravan or the like in a horizontal position.

An intermediate support 9 may be provided.

The way in which the connecting member functions will be more readily apparent from Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings. As shown in these figures, the hook member 2 secured by the flange 3 .to the underside of the table 1 embraces a portion of the rotatable catch. In the position shown in Figure 6 parts 2 and 5 are positioned so that they define a generally U-shaped opening by which the connecting member may be engaged to embrace the rail 7. By operation of the tab 6 the catch 5 can be rotated through about 900 thereby trapping the rail 7 and preventing removal of the connecting member and hence the table top.

The construction of the hook member and catch parts forming the connecting member is more specifically illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 of. the drawings and as may be seen, the hook member 2 has the flange 3 secured t.o the table and this hook member is of generally U-shaped form and is integral with the flange. The rotatable catch part 5 comprises a portion 5a which locates within the hook member 2 and a portion 5b which is located coaxially with the part 5a and secured thereto by means of a rivet 10. Part 5b carries the tab 6. The part 2 includes an annular recess around the outer periphery at each end and these recesses are each engaged by a complementary shaped projection on the part 5a and the part 5b.

With this arrangement connection and release of the table top can be effected in a particularly simple and convenient manner by operation from the side edges of the table without recourse to operation of catches or sliding latches positioned beneath the table. In addition, the particular configuration of the rotatable parts which trap the horizontal rail 7 provide for considerable strength against forces exerted beneath the table thus preventing accidental dislodgement.

Claims (8)

1. A connecting member for securing a table top to a support rail, the member comprising a body having a hook member and a laterally extending flange for attachment to a side edge of a table top, the hook member having associated therewith a rotatable catch which may be turned to release or trap the rail when engaged with the hook member.

2. A connecting member according to Claim 1, wherein the hook member has a U-shaped cross-section and the catch member has a U-shaped cross section which, when aligned, permit entry of the rail, the catch member rotating to trap the rail therein.

3. A connecting member according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the hook member is of U-shaped cross-section with the limbs defining an entry slot for the rail, the catch being cylindrical with a slot which may be brought into alignment with the entry slot of the hook member to receive the rail and thereafter rotated to misalign the slots and trap the rail.

4. A connecting member according to any preceding claim, wherein the catch has a tab to facilitate rotation.

5. A connecting member according to any preceding claim, wherein the catch comprises a cylindrical body with a longitudinal slot for entry of the rail within the bore of the body, said body being embraced by the hook member and rotatably connected therewith.

6. A connecting member according to Claim 6, wherein one end of the cylindrical catch body has a flange engaging a end of the hook member, the other end of the catch body being connected with an annular member having an abutment face engaging the other end of the hook member.

7. A connecting member for securing a table top to a rail as herein described and exemplified with reference to the drawings.

8. A table with a connecting member or members according to any preceding claim for the purpose herein set forth.