GB2437780A

GB2437780A - Furniture framework with spigot and socket type connection between a leg and a rail

Info

Publication number: GB2437780A
Application number: GB0605343A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Bollen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-03-17
Filing date: 2006-03-17
Publication date: 2007-11-07
Also published as: GB0605343D0

Abstract

A furniture framework, e.g. for a table, comprises: at least one leg 1 with a lateral projection 7; at least one profiled rail member 3 having an end that can be slid into engagement with projection; and securing means for securing the rail and leg together. Preferably the rail is formed from two hollow sections that define a ledge upon which a furniture component. e.g. a table top, may be supported. The securing means is preferably a threaded element that extends between receiving and securing portions located on the projection and the rail.

Description

I

FURNITURE FRAMEWORK

Field of the invention

This invention relates to furniture frameworks and in particular to frameworks which, combined with other furniture components, provides support surfaces. Examples of furniture with which this invention is concerned are: low level seating and tables, shelving and other items where support surfaces are required.

Background to the Invention

Furniture such as low level seating or coffee tables are often provided in the form of self-assembly structures which are difficult to assemble and equally, if not more, difficult to disassemble for storage or transportation.

Statements of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a framework for a furniture item comprising a plurality of legs and a plurality of rails, each rail being for extension *. :* between and connectable to two legs, each leg being provided with a lateral projection which is slidingly engageable with an end of a rail, and said leg and said rail being provided with means to secure said leg and said rail together when in sliding engagement, said securing means being in the form of a fastening element extending *: * between juxtaposed element receiving and securing portions located on said projection * *** of said leg and on said rail. . * . .

Preferably, each rail includes an outer rail member and an inner rail member secured thereto and extending along at least a central portion of the outer rail member and providing an inner support ledge for supporting a furniture component. The furniture component may be, for example, a table top.

Preferably, said outer and inner rail members provide a substantially hollow structure.

Preferably, a receiving or securing portion for the fastening element is located within said hollow structure.

Preferably, said hollow structure is provided with an opening to allow access to said fastening element.

Preferably, said fastening element is a screw-threaded element such as a bolt.

Preferably, the framework includes at least one cross-rail for extension between two rails.

The present invention also provides an item of furniture incorporating the framework of the invention.

Furthermore, the present invention also provides a joint for interconnecting two framework members, the joint including two relatively slidably engageabie members and means for securing said members together, said means being in the form of a fastening element extending between juxtaposed element receiving securing portions located on said slidingly engageable members.

Brief description of the drawings

The accompanying drawings are as follows: :. . Figure 1 is a perspective view of a furniture framework according to the present: S.....

invention; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the furniture framework of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a detailed perspective view of the top of a leg of the furniture * : . framework of Figure 1; *SS* Figure 4 is a cross-section of a rail of the furniture framework of Figure 1; and Figure 5 is a cross-section of a cross-rail of the furniture framework of Figure 1. *

Detailed description of the Invention

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, a framework for a furniture item is, in this embodiment, a framework for a low-level table having four legs 1, four rails 3 and a single cross-rail 5. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, each rail 3 extends between and is connectable to two legs.

Each leg I is provided with two lateral projections 7, each lateral projection extending in a direction towards, in the assembled table, a corresponding rail 3. Inter-engagement between a rail 3 and a lateral projection 7 of leg I is effected by sliding engagement of the end of rail 3 over the projection 7. When a rail 3 has been slidingly engaged over lateral projection 7, it is then possible to secure that connection by means of a bolt (not shown) extended between rail 3 and lateral projection 7 in a manner which will be described hereinbelow.

Cross-rail 5 extends from the middle of one long rail 9 to the middle of its opposite long rail 11. The ends of the cross-rail 5 fit into corresponding slots in rails 9 and 11.

Referring now to Figure 4, there is illustrated in greater detail a section through a rail 3.

As can be seen from this drawing, rail 3 comprises two rail portions 13,15, portion 15 partially nesting within portion 13 and being connected thereto by suitable means, for instance welding, adhesive, force fit or the like. Rail portion 13 is a channel section member of which the channel base 17 provides the external surface of the upper part of the framework. The free ends 19 of rail portion 13 are turned inwardly, as illustrated, to provide a central gap within which sits rail portion 15. Rail portion 15 has a relatively large central channel section which extends outwardly of the channel section of rail: S:1 portion 13. The ends of rail portion 15 are turned outwardly and then longitudinally to *.SSSS provide two side channels which sit snugly within the lateral extremities of rail portion 13, again as illustrated.

S S * S S

Where the rail portion 15 extends outwardly of rail portion 13 a ledge surface 21 is provided and on the assembled framework, a furniture item, such as a table top, will sit *: :: : on this ledge, which, in the assembled framework, effectively extends around the whole: ::.

of the framework.

As illustrated in Figure 2 the rail portion 15 extends along the length of rail portion 13 although terminating short of each end thereof. As a result rail point 13 has at each end thereof a "free" portion 23, that is to say, one which is not overlapped b y rail portion 15.

Closely adjacent each end of rail portion 15 is a transverse plate 25 having located in a central portion thereof a hole 27. Extending through the hole 27 is a bolt (not shown) whose head, and accompanying washer, lies at the inner side of plate 25 and which has a retaining washer on the outer side of plate 27 so that the bolt does not slip out of hole 27.

On that side of plate 25 remote from the end of the rail portion 15, and spaced from plate 25, is a cut-out portion 29 which allows access via a suitable screwdriver to the head of the bolt.

Referring now to Figure 3, leg I is formed of two integral webs 31,33 at right angles to each other with each web having an inwardly turned flange 35. Extending from the upper end of leg I (each web of which is turned over at 37,39) is a lateral projection 41,43. Projections 41,43 are each welded to respective webs 31,33 and to each other and each has a cross-section similar to that of rail portion 15 of rail 3. Close to the free end of each projection 41,43 is a transverse plate 45. This plate 45 is similar to plate 25 of rail 3 but in this case it is provided with a screw-threaded ferrule 47 for receiving the free end of the bolt associated with each end of rail 3.

It will be appreciated that the end of a rail 3 may be slid onto the projection 41,43 of leg 1 so that, in cross-section, the result is similar to that shown in Figure 4 except that rail..

portion 15 is replaced by the projection 41,43. Once the leg I and the rail 3 have been:...:.

inter-engaged in this way they may be secured together by means of the bolt passing through hole 27 and plate 25 and being secured in the ferrule 47 of protection 41,43. S...

It will also be appreciated that legs I and rails 3 may be interconnected and secured. . . . S...

together as described above to form a table framework. In addition, cross-rail 5 may be.. : included. The cross-section of cross-rail 5 is illustrated in Figure 5. It is substantially of M shape, formed of two channel section portions 51,53 each of which has one short sidewall 55 and one longer sidewall 57. The two sidewalls 57 provide the central limb of the M cross-section and are connected together at intervals along the cross-rail 5. The cross-rail 5 slots at each end into appropriate shaped cut-out portions in oppositely disposed rails 3.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A framework for a furniture item comprising a plurality of legs and a plurality of rails, each rail being for extension between and connectable to two legs, each leg being provided with a lateral projection which is slidingly engageable with an end of a rail, and said leg and said rail being provided with means to secure said leg and said rail together when in sliding engagement, said securing means being in the form of a fastening element extending between juxtaposed element receiving and securing portions located on said projection of said leg and on said rail.

2. A framework according to Claim 1, wherein each rail includes an outer rail member and an inner rail member secured thereto and extending along at least a central portion of the outer rail member and providing an inner support ledge for supporting a furniture component.

:. * 15 3. A framework according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said outer and . inner rail members provide a substantially hollow structure. S... * IS

4. A framework according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a receiving 1.1 or securing portion for the fastening element is located within said hollow structure. * 20 * . S * S.

* ..: 5. A framework according to Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein said hollow structure is provided with an opening to allow access to said fastening element.

6. A framework according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said fastening element is a screw-threaded element such as a bolt.

7. A framework according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the framework includes at least one cross-rail for extension between two rails.

8. A framework according to Claim I and substantially as herein described.

9. A framework for a furniture item substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10. An item of furniture incorporating a frame work as claimed in any of the preceding claims. S. * S * S.. S... * . S... * S. * . S S...

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