GB2284543A

GB2284543A - Connection of table top to under frame

Info

Publication number: GB2284543A
Application number: GB9316656A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terence James Frederick Mander
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-08-11
Filing date: 1993-08-11
Publication date: 1995-06-14
Also published as: GB9316656D0

Abstract

A table (2) comprising a table top (4), support means (6) for supporting the table top (4) at a desired height, and mounting means (8) for mounting the table top (4) on the support means (6), the mounting means (8) comprising a first frame-like mounting member (10) secured to the table top (4), a second platform-like mounting member (12) secured to the support means (6), first connecting means (14) for connecting the first and the second mounting members (10, 12) together, and second connecting means (16) for connecting the first and the second mounting members (10, 12) together, and the first and the second connecting means (14, 16) being such that when they are both connecting the first and the second mounting members (10, 12) together then the table top (4) is fixed on the support means (6). First connecting means comprises a pair of pins, and the second means is a spring biased locking pin. <IMAGE>

Description

A TABLE This invention relates to a table.

As is well known, tables comprise a table top and support means for supporting the table top at a desired height. There is always a problem in connecting the table top to the support means in a neat, inexpensive and easy way.

It is an aim of the present invention to obviate or reduce the above mentioned problem.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided a table comprising a table top, support means for supporting the table top at a desired height, and mounting means for mounting the table top on the support means, the mounting means comprising a first mounting member secured to the table top, a second mounting member secured to the support means, first connecting means for connecting the first and the second mounting members together, and second connecting means for connecting the first and the second mounting members together, and the first and the second connecting means being such that when they are both connecting the first and the second mounting members together then the table top is fixed on the support means.

Preferably, the table is one in which the first mounting member is an open frame member, and in which the second mounting member is a platform member which locates in the open frame member. If desired, the reverse arrangement may be employed.

The open frame member preferably has a peripheral flange which is provided with apertures for receiving screws by which the open frame member is secured to an underside portion of the table top. The open frame member can thus easily and simply be secured to the underside portion of the table top.

The open frame member is preferably made of an expanded plastics material. A presently preferred expanded plastics material is expanded styrene. Nonexpanded plastics materials such for example as ABS or nylon may be employed. Metals may also be employed.

Where a metal is employed, it is preferably a light weight metal such for example as an aluminium alloy.

The platform member will usually be made of wood.

Other materials including plastics materials and metals may be employed.

The first connecting means may operate in a direction which is at right angles to the direction of operation of the second connecting means.

The first connecting means may be a pair of pivot pins which locate a pair of holes in the first mounting member. The pivot pins may be simple push-in pivot pins, spring loaded pivot pins or any other suitable and appropriate type of pivot pins. The pivot pins enable pivoting of the table top about the mounting means. The first connecting means may include a pair of locking pins for locking the pivot pins in position.

The second connecting means is preferably a spring biased locking pin which is biased to a locking position. The spring biased locking pin will usually locate in a hole in the first mounting means. Other types of second connecting means may be employed.

The support means will usually be a support leg.

The support means may be one or more legs. Other types of support means may be employed. Generally the support means may be produced in any shape, style and size.

Similarly, the overall table may be made in any shape, style and size. Usually the table will be made in wood but other materials may be employed if desired.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from underneath of a table, with the table top being pivoted upwardly for illustrative purposes; Figure 2 is a side view of the table as shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the table as shown in Figure 2 but with the table top in a locked horizontal position; Figure 4 is an underneath view of the table top as shown in Figure 3; and Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of second connecting means used in the table shown in Figures 1 4.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a table 2 comprising a table top 4, support means 6 for supporting the table top 4 at a desired height, and mounting means 8 for mounting the table top 4 on the support means 6.

The mounting means 8 comprises a first mounting member 10 secured to the table top 4, and a second mounting member 12 secured to the support means 6. The mounting means 8 further comprises first connecting means 14 for connecting the first and the second mounting members 10, 12 together, and second connecting means 16 which is also for connecting the first and the second mounting members 10, 12 together. The first and the second connecting means 14, 16 are such that when they are both connecting the first and the second mounting members 10, 12 together, then the table top 4 is fixed on the support means 6.

As shown in Figure 1, the first mounting member 10 is an open frame member having four straight sides 18.

The open frame member forms a square but it could be rectangular if desired. The open frame member is moulded from expanded styrene plastics material. Such material is cost effective to use and it can be produced in the required rigidity.

The second mounting member 10 is a platform member as shown in Figure 1. This platform member locates in the open frame member constituting the first mounting member 10. The second mounting member 12 is made of wood.

As best can be seen from Figure 4, the first connecting means 14 operates in a direction which is at right angles to the direction of operation of the second connecting means 16.

The first connecting means 14 is a pair of pivot pins 20, 22 which pass through blocks 24, 26 on the open frame forming the first mounting member 10. The pivot pins 20, 22 pass into holes (not shown) in edges 28, 30 of the platform member forming the second mounting member 12.

The frame member forming the first mounting member 10 is provided with an outwardly extending flange 32.

This flange 32 has apertures above the blocks 24, 26 for receiving locking pins (not shown) for locking the pivot pins 20, 22 in position. The flange 32 is also provided with apertures 34 for receiving screws (not shown) for enabling the first connecting member 10 to be screwed to an underside portion 36 of the table top 4.

As best seen in Figures 1, 4 and 5 the second connecting means 16 is a spring biased locking pin having a locking pin member 38 which slides in a housing 40 and which locates in a hole 42 in the second mounting member 12. The housing 40 contains a spring (not shown) which biases the locking pin member 38 to the locking position in which it is located in the hole 42. In order to release the locking pin member 38 from the hole 42, a knob portion 44 is pulled. The housing 40 has a pair of wings 46 which are each provided with a hole 48 for receiving a screw, rivet or other connecting member for enabling the second connecting means 16 to be secured to the first mounting member 10 as shown in Figure 1.

The support means 6 is shown as a single leg member which branches into three foot members 50. Each foot member 50 has a castor 52 for enabling easy movement of the table 2.

It is to be appreciated that the table 2 can be of any shape, style and size. The first and the second mounting members 10, 12 can easily and cheaply be formed. The first and the second connecting means 14, 16 can also be cheaply formed and they are easy to operate. Assembly, either in a factory or on site, is easily effected.

The embodiment of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings has been given by way of example only and modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, different types of first and second mounting members 10, 12 may be employed, as may be different types of first and second connecting means 14, 16.

Claims

CLAMS

1. A table comprising a table top, support means for supporting the table top at a desired height, and mounting means for mounting the table top on the support means, the mounting means comprising a first mounting member secured to the table top, a second mounting member secured to the support means, first connection means for connecting the first and the second mounting members together, and second connecting means for connecting the first and the second mounting members together, and the first and the second connecting means being such that when they are both connecting the first and the second mounting members together then the table top is fixed on the support means.

2. A table according to claim 1 in which the first mounting member is an open frame member, and in which the second mounting member is a platform member which locates in the open frame member.

3. A table according to claim 2 in which the open frame member has a peripheral flange which is provided with apertures for receiving screws by which the open frame member is secured to an underside portion of the table top.

4. A table according to claim 2 or claim 3 in which the open frame member is made of an expanded plastics material.

5. A table according to claim 4 in which the expanded plastics material is expanded styrene.

6. A table according to any one of claims 2 - 5 in which the platform member is made of wood.

7. A table according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first connecting means operates in a direction which is at right angles to the direction of operation of the second connecting means.

8. A table according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first connecting means is a pair of pivot pins which locate in a pair of holes in the first mounting member.

9. A table according to claim 8 in which the first locking means includes a pair of locking pins for locking the pivot pins in position.

10. A table according to any one of the preceding claims in which the second connecting means is a spring biased locking pin which is biased to a locking position.

11. A table according to claim 10 in which the spring biased locking pin locates in a hole in the first mounting means.

12. A table according to any one of the preceding claims in which the support means is a support leg or legs.

13. A table substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.