GB2478905A

GB2478905A - Stackable table

Info

Publication number: GB2478905A
Application number: GB201004589A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Perry Day
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-03-19
Filing date: 2010-03-19
Publication date: 2011-09-28
Also published as: GB201004589D0

Abstract

A stacking table comprising a table top 10, a wide spaced pair of legs 21, 31 and a close spaced pair of legs 25, 35. The legs are formed from a length of tube 20, 30 shaped to include two of the legs, 21, 25 and a connecting portion which extends beneath the table top. The connecting portion includes two angled diverging portions 22, 24 which bend outwardly towards the respective legs. The lengths of tube may be smoothly curved tubes of round cross section and may be secured to the table top by releasable fixings. The lengths of tube preferably each include one leg of the wide spaced pair and one leg of the close spaced pair.

Description

STACKING TABLE

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to stacking tables.

BACKGROUND

Stacking tables are often used in schools and other establishments, but they have a number of disadvantages.

* The tables cannot be lined up next to each other in a row without being offset.

* The legs often comprise lengths of square section tube which are formed using "crushed bends". Such bends are necessary for correct positioning of the legs, but they are prominent and unsightly.

* Existing tables are awkward to deliver, take up a large amount of storage space, and a'so occupy a considerable volume during transportation, which sig nificantly increases their carbon cost.

* Rectangular tables are generally stacked by sliding them over their long edges, and larger tables are difficult to hold and stack by one person.

* With some kinds of table, particularly where so-called rotational stacking is used, only a small number of tables can be stacked before the stack becomes unstable and risks toppling over.

* The table tops usually have sharp right angle corners which may present a risk of injury, and are prone to damage.

The present invention seeks to provide a new and inventive form of table which is an improvement over existing tables and which addresses at least some of these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention proposes a table comprising a table top, a first pair of legs and a second pair of legs which are spaced further apart than the first pair, in which the legs are formed from two lengths of tube, each length of tube being shaped to include two of the legs and a connecting portion which extends beneath the table top, and the connecting portion includes two angularly disposed sections which diverge outwardly to the respective legs.

In a preferred arrangement each length of tube is shaped to include one leg of the first pair and one leg of the second pair. -3-.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a general view from above of a stacking table in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a general view from below of the stacking

table;

Figure 3 is a general view of three such tables arranged in a stack; and Figure 4 is a general view of three such tables arranged side-by-side.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring firstly to Figs 1 and 2, the illustrated stacking table includes a table top 10 and four legs 21, 31 and 25, 35 positioned at the four corners of the table top.

The table top 10 may be formed of known materials such as MDF, although other materials such as melamine-covered woodchip could be used. In this example the table top is substantially rectangular (e.g. 600mm x 1200 mm) although the table may be of other dimensions. For example, the top may be substantially square (e.g. 600mm x 600mm). The four corners of the table are rounded forming a smooth curve, as shown.

The legs at one end of the table constitute a first pair of legs 21 and 31, and the legs at the opposite end constitute a second pair 25 and 35. When viewed from above, the first pair of legs 21 and 31 are disposed outside the periphery of the table top 10 and will thus be referred to as the wide spaced legs. The second pair 25 and 35, on the other hand, are positioned just within the periphery of the table top and are thus spaced closer together than the first pair (preferably by just over twice the width of one leg) so that the second pair will be referred to as the close spaced legs.

The legs are formed from two lengths of round section metal tube 20 and 30. Although initially straight, each length of tube is shaped to include one leg of the first pair, one leg of the second pair and a connecting portion which extends beneath the table top. Thus, considering the length 20, this is shaped to form wide spaced leg 21, a connecting portion 22, 23 and 24, and close spaced leg 25. The connecting portion is substantially planar and includes a straight inner section 23 with two shorter angled sections 22 and 24 which diverge outwardly to the respective legs 21 and 25. The angled section 22 connecting the inner section 23 to the wide spaced leg 21 is longer than the angled section 24 leading to the close spaced leg 25. The bends between the five sections can all be formed as smooth curves without crushing the tube. The other length of tube 30 is formed in a similar configuration to provide the wide spaced leg 31, angled section 32, inner section 33, shorter angled section 34 and close spaced leg 35. The two straight inner sections 23 and 33 are substantially parallel to each other. With elongate tables such as the one shown in the drawings the inner sections 23 and 33 provide support for the table top along most of its length, reducing any tendency for the table top to distort and the legs to splay apart when loaded.

The lengths of tube 20 and 30 are attached to the underside of the table top 10 using reusable fixings such as screws or bolts, preferably inserted through the angled sections 22, 24 and 32, 34. The tables can thus be stored, transported and delivered in a dismantled configuration and are easily assembled at the point of use.

As shown in Fig. 3, the tables can be stacked by sliding the wide spaced legs of one table over the close spaced legs of another table and sliding the table longitudinally over the other, The converging sections 22 and 32 of the upper table initially assists in centring the table, while the straight parallel sections 23 and 33 provide an effortless sliding action. Furthermore, stacking the tables longitudinally ensures that the stack is more stable and less likely to topple.

Another advantage of the stacking tables is that they can be arranged edge-to-edge in a row without being staggered, as shown in Fig. 4, particularly if the wide spaced legs of one table are placed next to the close spaced legs of another.

In the case of table tops where their width and length are of similar dimensions it would be possible to form the wide spaced legs from one length of tube and the close spaced legs from the other, although sliding one table over the other during stacking would be more difficult since the connecting portions would run transverse to the stacking direction.

Whilst the above description places emphasis on the areas which are believed to be new and addresses specific problems which have been identified, it is intended that the features disclosed herein may be used in any combination which is capable of providing a new and useful advance in the art.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A table comprising a table top, a first pair of legs and a second pair of legs which are spaced further apart than the first pair, in which the legs are formed from two lengths of tube, each length of tube being shaped to include two of the legs and a connecting portion which extends beneath the table top, and the connecting portion includes two angularly disposed sections which diverge outwardly to the respective legs.
2. A table according to Claim 1 in which each length of tube is shaped to include one leg of the first pair and one leg of the second pair.
3. A table according to Claim 1 or 2 in which the legs are formed from lengths of round section tube.
4. A table according to any preceding claim in which the lengths of tube are formed with smoothly curved bends without crushing.
5. A table according to any preceding claim in which each connecting portion includes an inner section disposed between the two divergent sections.
6. A table according to Claim 5 in which the inner sections are substantially straight.
7. A table according to Claim 6 in which the inner sections are substantially parallel.
8. A table according to any preceding claim in which one of the divergent sections is longer than the other.
9. A table according to any preceding claim in which the connecting portion is secured to the table top by releasable fixings.
10. A table according to Claim 9 in which the releasable fixings comprise screws or bolts.
11. A table according to any preceding claim in which the table top has four straight edges with smoothly curved corners.
12. A table according to any preceding claim in which the first pair of legs are positioned outside the periphery of the table top in plan view.
13. A table according to any preceding claim in which the second pair of legs are positioned inside the periphery of the table top in plan view.
14. A table according to any preceding claim in which the table top is of elongate shape and the connecting portions extend longitudinally of the table top.
15. A table substantiaJly as described with reference to the drawings.