US3327658A

US3327658A - Table construction

Info

Publication number: US3327658A
Application number: US534467A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kenneth D Schreyer
Original assignee: Lyon Metal Products LLC
Current assignee: Lyon Metal Products LLC
Priority date: 1966-03-15
Filing date: 1966-03-15
Publication date: 1967-06-27
Anticipated expiration: 1984-06-27

Description

June 27, 1967 SCHREYER 3,327,658

TABLE CONSTRUCTION Filed March 15, 1966 3 Shets-Sheet 1 FIG. I

INVENTOR 4 I KENNETH D. SCHREYER ATTORNEYS June 27, 1967 K. o. SCHREYER TABLE CONSTRUCTION INVENTOR KENNETH D. SCHREYER 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY Mai 3.

.9 mo. i 6.

United States Patent s,s27,ess TABLE QGNTRUQT1N Kenneth D. Schreyer, Doylestown, Pa, assignor to Lyon Metal Products, llncorporated, Aurora, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed Mar. 15, 1066, Ser. No. 5%,467 15 Claims. (Cl. 100-156) ABSTRAQT (111 THE DES CLQS'URE An essentially all metal table is provided having a flat top carrying thereunder a pair of spaced apart mounting channels and an edging extending downwardly below the mounting channels, an apron assembly carried by the mounting channels, within the periphery of the edging and including attachment brackets at the corners and panel brackets at the side both secured by bolts engaging nuts in the mounting channels, legs being provided in the corners of the apron assembly and secured to the attachment brackets by pairs of integral studs, and a decorative trim formed of a plastic being disposed between the table top and the apron assembly to fill the voids therebetween and to deaden sound transmission therebetween.

This invention relates to tables, and particularly to improved structures for mounting legs on tables and for mounting aprons on table tops.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved table, and particularly an improved table formed essentially of sheet metal that is simple in construction and economical in manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved table including a top having a pair of spaced apart mounting channels on the underside thereof and an apron assembly arranged therebeneath and disposed within the periphery thereof, a plurality of attachment brackets secured within the apron assembly and provided with fasteners attaching the brackets to the mounting channels, thereby to connect the apron assembly to the top, and a plurality of legs detachably secured to the attachment brackets for supporting the table upon an underlying support surface.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is another object of the invention to provide a decorative trim around the lower edge of the table top against which the upper edge of the apron assembly is held, the trim preferably being formed of a synthetic organic plastic resin and serving to fill the space between the parts and to deaden sound transmission therebetween.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved structure for mounting a leg on the apron assembly of a table of the type set forth, the leg being mounted directly upon an attachment bracket carried by the apron assembly and secured thereto by a stud integral with the leg and extending through an opening of the attachment bracket, a fastener engaging the stud to secure the leg in the operative position.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved structure for mounting an apron assembly of the type set forth on the table top utilizing both the attachment brackets and panel brackets connected to the mounting channels on the top, the attachment brackets being disposed fundamentally in the corners of the rectangular table top and the panel brackets being disposed along the sides of the table top intermediate the corners thereof.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of the parts, whereby the above-outlined and additional features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of construction, together with further objects and advan- 3,327,058 Patented June 27, 1067 ice tages, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a table made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the table of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the upper end of a leg forming a part of the table of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an attachment bracket forming a part of the table of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the apron assembly forming a part of the table of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view showing one corner of the apron assembly and the parts utilized to secure a leg thereto, the parts being viewed from the top thereof;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale of a corner of the table of FIG. 2 as seen along the lines 7-7 thereof;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view with certain portions broken away in vertical section through the table of FIG. 1 along the line 38 thereof;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged View with certain parts broken away in vertical section through an edge of the table of FIG. 2 along the line 9-9; and

FIG. 10 is a view in vertical section along the line 10-10 in FIG. 9.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, there is illustrated a table made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention. The table 100 includes a table top 101 beneath which is mounted an apron assembly 200 carrying therein a drawer 270 and supported by four legs 300, one of the legs 300 being disposed in each of the four corners of the generally rectangular apron assembly 200 and each having a foot 305 at the lower end thereof. Further details of construction of the table top 101 will be described with particular reference to FIGS. 8 to 10 of the drawings, wherein it will be seen that the table top 101 includes a generally flat top plate 102, the top plate 102 being generally rectangular in shape and having the corners thereof formed square, the periphery of the top plate 102 being essentially the same as the periphery of the table top 101. Disposed beneath the top plate 102 and extending around the periphery thereof is an edging 103 also formed of sheet metal, a substantially flat piece of sheet metal having been deformed to provide an attachment flange 104, a side flange 105, a mounting flange 106, an inturned flange 107 and trim mounting flanges 108 and 111. More specifically, the attachment flange 104 is disposed against the underside of the top plate 102 but is spaced inwardly with respect to the outer edge thereof, the outer edge of the attachment flange 104 carrying thereon the mounting flange 106 which is offset downwardly away from the underside of the top plate 102 and extends outwardly slightly beyond the outer edge thereof. As illustrated, the side flange 105 is integral with the mounting flange 106 and depends therefrom and is disposed substantially normal thereto. There is provided on the lower edge of the side flange 105 a lower trim mounting member including the inturned flange 107 carrying on the inner edge thereof a first integral outer trim holding flange 108 and an upwardly directed inner trim holding flange 111. Preferably the edging 103 is formed as two pieces and is secured to the top plate by Welding at the attachment flange 104 and the abutting edges of the edging 103 located substantially at the midpoints of the shorter top sides are also welded to form seams therebetween.

Also disposed on the underside of the top plate 102 is a reinforcing sheet formed from a substantially flat piece of sheet metal bent to provide an attachment portion 141, ribs 142 having side walls 143 and connecting portions 144 at the outer periphery thereof. The attachment portions 141 are disposed toward the underside of the top plate 102, there being a body of mastic (not shown) applied therebetween through which a weld is made. The side walls 143 extend downwardly from the attachment portions 141 to form the ribs 142 which are spaced from the underside of the top plate 102. The connecting portions 144 are offset from the underside of the top plate 102 to accommodate therebctween portions such as the attachment flanges 104 on the edging 103, the three layers mentioned being connected as by welding.

Also mounted beneath the top 101 are two longitudinally extending and substantially parallel and spaced apart mounting channels 120, each mounting channel 120 including a longitudinally extending main wall 121 and a pair of depending side flanges 122 carrying on the lower ends thereof respectively inturned holding flanges 123, all of the other parts of the table 100 being mounted upon the table top 101 by means of the mounting channels 120. Disposed on the upper surface of the top plate 102 is a covering 125, preferably formed of a synthetic organic resin, the preferred materials being those sold under the trademarks Textolite, Micarta and Formica. An adhesive is applied both to the upper surface of the top plate 102 and to the lower surface of the covering 125 to provide a good bond therebetween, the preferred adhesive being a synthetic rubber resin adhesive of the contact type such as that sold under the trademark D-SOO by Armstrong Cork Company, the two parts being oven heated to about 200 F. to drive off the volatile ingredients in the adhesive. The outer edges of the covering 125 extend slightly beyond the outer edge of the top plate 102 and the upper outer corner is cut back or beveled as at 126. To complete the table top 101, a lower decorative trim 115 is provided around the periphery of the lower portion of the edging 103 and an upper decorative trim 130 is provided about the edge of the top plate 102. Referring first to the lower trim 115, it will be seen that the trim 115 includes a main wall 116 that is disposed below the flanges 108 and 111, the main wall 116 having integral therewith an upwardly directed decorative side wall 117 having a generally concave vertical outer surface and carrying on the upper end thereof an integral and inwardly directed mounting flange 118 adapted to engage on the trim holding flange 108. The inner edge of the main wall 116 carries an upstanding integral inner wall 119 having on the upper end thereof an outwardly directed mounting flange 114 that overlies the upper edge of the inner flange 111. The two

mounting flanges

114 and 118 cooperate to hold the decorative lower trim 115 upon the trim holding flanges 108 and 111 on the lower edge of the edging 103, the trim 115 extending completely around the periphery of the associated table top 101. The preferred materials of construction of the trim 115 are synthetic organic plastic resins, one preferred material being an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) such as those sold under the trademarks Abson, Kralastic and Cycolac, and another preferred material being high-impact polystyrene.

The upper trim 130 is preferably formed of sheet metal, the preferred material being stainless steel. A single sheet of metal is bent to provide an outer wall 131, a top flange 132 and a mounting tongue 135. As illustrated, the outer wall 131 is disposed generally vertically and carries on the upper edge thereof the top flange 132 that extends inwardly and slightly upwardly from the outer wall 131 and abuts against the edge of the covering 125 at the beveled portion 126 thereof. The lower edge of the outer wall 131 extends downwardly at least to the top of the edging 103 and carries on the lower end thereof the mounting tongue 135 that is resiliently held between the top plate 102 and the mounting flange 106.

Mounted beneath the table top 101 and extending substantially around the entire periphery thereof, but slightly recessed inwardly with respect thereto is the apron assembly 200, certain details of construction thereof being best illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7 of the drawings. The apron assembly 200 is made up of a plurality of individual aprons suitably interconnected and including a pair of spaced apart front aprons 201 each including an outer wall 202 having on the upper and lower edges thereof integral top and

bottom walls

203 and 204, respectively, the inner edge of the bottom wall 204- carrying an upstanding reinforcing flange 205 thereon. The outer walls 202 of the front aprons 201 are disposed in the same vertical plane when in use and have the adjacent ends thereof spaced apart and the space between the top and

bottom walls

203 and 204 closed thereat by means of end walls 206, these end walls 206 receiving the drawer 270 therebetween as will be described more fully hereinafter.

Disposed at the rear of the apron assembly 200 is a rear apron 210 including an outer wall 212 that is disposed substantially parallel to the outer walls 202 of the front aprons 201, the outer wail 212 carrying on the upper and lower edges thereof a top wall 213 and a bottom wall 214, respectively, the inner edge of the bottom wall 214 carrying an upturned reinforcing flange 215 thereon.

Spaced from the outer ends of the front aprons 201 and the adjacent ends of the rear aprons 210 are side aprons 220 identical in construction, whereby like reference numerals have been applied to both throughout the drawings. Each of the side aprons 220 also includes an outer wall 222 that is disposed vertically during the use of the table and lies in a plane that is normal both to the outer walls 202 and the outer wall 212. The upper edge of the outer wall 222 carries an inwardly directed top wall 223.

and the lower edge of the outer wall 222 carries an inwardly directed bottom wall 224, the inner edge of the bottom wall 224 carrying an upwardly directed reinforcing flange 225.

interconnecting the inner ends of the front aprons 201 and intermediate portions of the rear apron 210 are channel shaped drawer supports 230, two of the drawer supports 230 of an identical construction being provided whereby like reference numerals have been applied to both in the several figures of the drawings. Each of the drawer supports includes a main wall 232 disposed vertically and essentially normal to the outer walls 202 and 212 and substantially parallel to the outer walls 222, the vertical extent of the main wall 232 being such that it can fit within and between the top wall 203 and the bottom wall 204 of the associated front apron 201 and between the top wall 213 and the bottom wall 214 of the rear apron 210. There further are provided respectively on the upper and lower edges of. the main wall 232 laterally and outwardly directed top and bottom flanges 233, the flanges 233 all being disposed between the top wall 203 and the bottom wall 204 on the associated front apron 201 and between the top wall 213 and the bottom wall 214 on the rear apron 210; further, it is pointed out that the main wall 232 has the outer surface thereof disposed against the inner surface of the end wall 206 on the associated front apron 201. Finally, the top wall 203 and the top flange 233 in the overlying portions thereof are suitably connected as by Welding at 236, the bottom flange 234 and the bottom wall 204 are likewise joined by welding, and the top flange 203 and the top wall 213 are also joined by welding as are the bottom flange 234 and the bottom flange 214, whereby to interconnect the front apron 201, the rear apron 210 and the drawer supports 230. In order to provide further reinforcement at the front of the apron assembly 200, a cross tie 240 is provided having a bottom flange 241 suitably secured as by welding to the top flanges 233 and an upstanding reinforcing flange 242 on the rear edge thereof.

The side aprons 220 are connected to the adjacent ends of the rear apron 210 and the associated front apron 201 by means of attachment brackets 250, the details of construction of one of the attachment brackets 250 being best illustrated in FIGS. 4, 6, 7 and 9 of the drawings; four of the attachment brackets 250 are provided, but since each is formed identical to the other, only one will be described in detail and like reference numerals applied to like parts throughout the drawings. The attachment bracket 250 includes a main wall 251 which is generally rectangular in shape and carries on the outer shorter sides thereof vertically arranged reinforcing flanges 252 disposed at an obtuse angle of approximately 133 with respect to the body 251. There further is provided an inwardly directed reinforcing rib 253 that is disposed substantially midway between the longer sides of the main wall 251 and continues outwardly onto the reinforcing flanges 252 to form a very strong structure. Formed on the upper longer edge of the main wall 251 is a top wall 255 which extends therefrom in the same direction as the reinforcing flanges 252 but is disposed substantially normal thereto. Disposed essentially centrally of the top wall 255 is an opening 256 about which is an upwardly directed conical flange 257 for receiving a flat head bolt, as will be described more fully hereinafter. The lower longer edge of the main wall 251 carries an inwardly directed bottom wall 258 having an opening 259 substantially centrally thereof.

As may be best seen in FIGS. 5 and 9, one of the attachment brackets 250 is disposed at the juncture of the ends of the side aprons 220 with the associated front apron 201 and with the rear apron 210, the top Wall 255 and the bottom wall 253 more particularly being disposed between the top and bottom walls of the associated apron and suitably secured thereto as by welding at points 236. The described interconnection completes the apron assembly 200 and provides an extremely rigid construction thereof. As will be best seen in FIG. 5, the adjacent ends of the various aprons are spaced apart at the corners to form essentially square recesses which are to receive the adjacent upper end of a leg 300 therein as will be described more fully hereinafter.

As illustrated, the drawer 270 is mounted within the apron assembly 200 and more specifically is mounted upon and between the drawer supports 230 thereof. Referring to FIG. 8, it will be seen that the drawer 270 is supported on each side thereof by a pair of glides 271 mounted upon the associated drawer supports 230, the glides 271 preferably being formed of a lubric material. The drawer 270 more particularly includes a bottom wall 272 having a pair of upstanding side walls 273 carrying on the outer sides thereof lower drawer support rails 274 and upper drawer support rails 275. The forward end of the drawer 270 is closed by a drawer head 276 and the rear end is closed by a rear wall 277. Further details of the glides 271 and of the drawer suspension system are set forth in the copending application of Kenneth D. Schreyer, Ser. No. 503,157, filed Oct. 23, 1965.

Another important function of the attachment bracket 250 is to provide a first structure for mounting the apron assembly 200 upon the undersize of the table top 101, and particularly on the mounting channels 120 thereof. Referring specifically to FIG. 9, it will be seen that the top opening 256 in the top wall 255 receives therethrough a flat head bolt 280 including a head 281 disposed below the conical flange 257 and a shank 282 extending upwardly through the opening 256 therein and engaging a nut 285 disposed in the associated mounting channel 120, the costruction and operation of the nut 285 being set forth in greater detail in the abovementioned application Ser. No. 503,157. It will be understood that each of the attachment brackets 250 is provided with a bolt 280 engaging an associated nut 285, whereby the top walls 203 on the front aprons 201, the top wall 213 on the rear apron 210 and the top walls 223 on the side aprons 220 are urged firmly against the main wall 116 of the lower trim 115, thereby to make a firm connection therebetween. In this manner the apron assembly 200 is firmly mounted upon the table top 101 by attachment to the mounting channels 120 thereof and is held firmly thereagainst and the joint therebetween sealed by virtue of the presence of the trim 115, the trim 115 also substantially preventing transmission of sound between the table top 101 and the apron assembly 200 and associated parts whereby to provide a table having good sound deadening properties.

Another important function of the attachment brackets 250 is to mount the legs 300 on the table 100. Referring particularly to FIGS. 3, 6 and 7 of the drawings, it will be seen that each of the legs 300 is essentially square in cross section and includes four identical side walls 301 joined to form a hollow tubular leg 300 of essentially square cross section. Aflixed to each of the legs 300 adjacent to the upper end thereof is a pair of mounting studs 302 that extend outwardly at a corner thereof, the axis of each of the studs 302 being disposed at an angle of 135 with respect to the adjacent side wall 301. The studs 302 are spaced apart vertically a distance equal to the vertical spacing of the openings 261 in the attachment brackets 250, whereby the studs 302 are readily inserted therethrough, and the outer surfaces of the studs 302 further are threaded for reception of an internally threaded nut 303 and an associated lock washer 304 used in mounting the leg 300 on the associated attachment bracket 250. There further is disposed between each of the legs 300 and the associated attachment bracket 250 a corner spacer 310 formed of sheet metal and shaped to provide a pair of right angularly disposed main walls 311 and a pair of vertically extending side flanges 312, the juncture main walls 311 having a pair of openings 313 thereat to receive therethrough the studs 302 on the associated leg 300. Referring particularly to FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings, it will be seen that the leg 300 fits within the essentially square opening formed by spacing apart the adjacent ends of the front apron 201 and the side apron 220, for example, the corner spacer 310 being disposed between the adjacent side walls 301 of the leg 300 and the adjacent ends of the front apron 201 and the side apron 220, respectively, the side flanges 312 of the conrer spacer 310 overlying the adjacent edges of the apron

main walls

202 and 222, respectively. The mounting studs 302 extend through the aligned openings in the corner spacer 310, and the attachment bracket 250 and receive on the outer ends thereof the associated lock washer 304 the associated nut 303, thereby firmly to mount the associated leg 300 upon the associated attachment bracket 250. It will be seen that the outer surfaces of the leg 300 are disposed substantially in the same plane as the outer surfaces of the associated apron

outer wall

202 and 222, as the case may be.

In order further to interconnect the apron assembly 200 to the underside of the table top 101, and particularly to interconnect the table top 101 to the apron assembly 200 at points spaced from the corners thereof, there has been provided a plurality of panel brackets 320, the details of construction of which are best seen in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 of the drawings. As illustrated, each of the panel brackets 320 includes a body 321 generally rectanuglar in shape and having on opposed sides thereof upstanding flanges 322 adapted to receive therebetween an associated mounting channel 120. There is provided on the inner edge of the body 320 an abutment surface 323 that is disposed upwardly and abuts against the underside of the associated mounting flange 123, and there is proivded on the outer edge of the body 321 an integral depending leg 324 carrying on the lower end an outwardly extending arm 325. From the drawings it will be seen that the arm 325 extends outwardly to engage beneath the associated

top wall

203, 213 or 223, as the case may be. The body 321 further has an opening 326 therein which receives therethrough a bolt 330, and specifically the threaded shank 332 thereof, the bolt 330 also having a head 331 engaging the underside of the bracket body 321. The shank 332 of the bolt 330 extends upwardly into the associated mounting channel and there engages one of the special nuts 285 described hereinabove, thereby firmly to mount the panel bracket 320 upon the mounting channel 120. In mounting the panel bracket 320 in the operative position, it will be seen that as the bolt 330 is tightenened, the entire bracket 320 will tend to pivot about the abutment surface 323 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 10, whereby to urge the outer end of the arm 325 upwardly, thereby to urge the associated top wall 223 of the side apron 220 against the resilient trim 115, thereby firmly to press the adjacent apron against the trim 115 on the underside of the table top 101 at the point of contact with the panel bracket 320.

One of the important features of the present invention resides in the fact that the various parts mounted on the underside of the table top 101 are urged upwardly to engage and to abut against the underside of the lower trim 115. More specifically, the various

top walls

203, 213 and 223 are all urged upwardly against the trim 115 both by the cooperation of the attachment brackets 250 and the associated bolts 280 engaging the nuts 285 in the mounting channels 120, and also by means of the panel brackets 320 being urged upwardly by means of the bolts 330 engaging the nuts 285 in the associated mounting channels 120. Likewise, the upper ends of the legs 300 will be urged against the trim 115 due to the attachment thereof to the attachment brackets 250. The interposition of the trim 115 between the lower edge of the table top 101 and the upper edges of the apron assembly 200 and the legs 300 serves to deaden sound transmission between the various parts as well as to form a neat and attractive appearance at the joints therebetween. It has already been pointed out above that the table top 101 is so constructed in the interconnection of the reinforcing sheet 1410 to the top plate 102 as to provide good sound deadening qualities therein.

Fundamentally, the table 100 is formed of sheet metal with the exception of the several parts mentioned in the course of the above description. Furthermore, the sheet metal forming the various parts is of relatively light gauge, as will be appreciated from the following examples of the gauge of the sheet metal utilized to form various parts of the table 1%. For example, in a typical illustrative embodiment of the table top 101, the top plate 102 is formed of 20 gauge steel, the edging 103 is formed of 18 gauge steel, the reinforcing sheet 140 is formed of 24 gauge steel and the mounting channels 120 is formed of 18 gauge steel. In an illustrative example of the apron assembly 200, the front aprons 201 are formed of 18 gauge steel, the rear apron 210 is formed of 18 gauge steel, the side aprons 229 are formed of 18 gauge steel, the drawer supports 230 are formed of 20 gauge steel, the cross tie 240 is formed of 16 gauge steel, and the attachment brackets 250 are formed of 14 gauge steel. With respect to the legs 301) and the mounting thereof, each leg is formed by bending 16 gauge sheet steel to the shape illustrated and chromium plating the exterior thereof to improve the appearance; the corner spacer 310 is formed of 22 gauge steel.

From the above description it will be seen that there has been provided an improved table which fulfills all of the objects and advantages set forth above. More specifically, there has been provided an improved table formed essentially of sheet metal that is simple in construction and economical in manufacture. The improved table 100 includes an improved table top 101 having a pair of spaced apart mounting channels 120 on the underside thereof and an apron assembly 200 arranged therebeneath and disposed within the periphery thereof, a plurality of attachment brackets 250 secured within the apron assembly 200 and provided with

fasteners

281 and 285 attaching the brackets 250 to the mounting channels 120, thereby to connect the apron assembly 200 to the table top 101, and a plurality of legs 300 detachably secured to the attachment brackets 250 for supporting the table 100 upon an underlying support surface. There further is provided between the lower edge of the table top 101 and the upper edge of the apron assembly 200 a decorative trim preferably formed of synthetic organic plastic resin and serving to fill the void between the parts and to deaden sound transmission therebetween.

In the improved table 100, an improved structure for the mounting of the legs 300 on the apron assembly 200 has been provided, the legs being mounted directly upon the attachment brackets 259 carried by the apron assembly 200 and secured thereto by studs integral with the legs and extending through openings in the associated attachment bracket 250, the nuts 303 engaging the studs to secure the legs 300 in the operative position.

Finally, an improved structure in the form of the panel brackets 32% has been provided to connect the apron assembly 201 to the table top 101 by means of the mounting channels 126 at points spaced from the corners at which the attachment brackets 250 are provided.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modificatons as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A table comprising a top including a substantially fiat top plate, a pair of spaced apart mounting channels disposed adjacent to the underside of said top plate and secured thereto, an edging extending around the periphery of said top plate and including a dependent side flange that extends downwardly well below said mounting channels; an apron assembly arranged adjacent to the underside of said top and extending around the periphery thereof and disposed Within the outer periphery of said dependent side flange, a plurality of attachment brackets disposed about said apron assembly within the periphery thereof and secured thereto, a corresponding plurality of fasteners engaging said attachment brackets and detachably securing said apron assembly to the adjacent mounting channels, thereby detachably to connect said apron assembly to said top; and a corre sponding plurality of legs detachably secured to said attachment brackets to support said table upon an underlying support surface.

2. The table set forth in claim 1, wherein said top and said apron assembly are essentially rectangular in shape, and said attachment brackets and said legs are disposed in the corners of said apron assembly.

3. The table set forth in claim 1, wherein said apron assembly has recesses in the periphery thereof adjacent to said attachment brackets and shaped complementary to said legs for receiving said legs therein.

4. The table set forth in claim 1, wherein the structure for securing said legs to said attachment brackets each comprises a stud secured to each leg adjacent to the upper end thereof and extending through an opening in the associated attachment bracket and a fastener engaging the stud to secure the same to the attachment bracket.

5. A table comprising a top including a substantially rectangular fiat top plate, a pair of spaced apart mounting channels disposed adjacent to the underside of said top plate and secured thereto, an edging extending around the periphery of said top plate and including a dependent side flange that extends downwardly well below said mounting channels; an apron assembly arranged adjacent to the underside of said top and including a front apron and a rear apron and a pair of side aprons all disposed within the outer periphery of said depending side flange a plurality of attachment brackets disposed between the adjacent ends of said aprons within the periphery thereof and secured thereto and securing said aprons one to the other, a corresponding plurality of fasteners respectively engaging said attachment brackets and securing said apron assembly to the adjacent mounting channels, thereby to connect said apron assembly to said top, each of said attachment brackets having a pair of openings therein; and a corresponding plurality of legs and each including a pair of longitudinally spaced apart studs secured thereto and extending outward-1y therefrom into an adjacent pair of stud openings, and fasteners engaging said studs for detachably securing said legs to said attachment brackets to support said table upon an underlying support surface.

6. The table set forth in claim 5, wherein said legs are substantially square in cross section and the corners of said apron assembly have complementarily shaped recesses disposed therein for receiving said legs, whereby the outer surfaces of said legs are substantially flush with the outer surfaces with the adjacent ones of said aprons.

7. The table set forth in claim 5, and further comprising a plurality of spacers respectively disposed between said legs and said apron assembly and including side flanges overlying the adjacent edges of said aprons.

8. A table comprising a top including a substantially flat top plate, a pair of spaced apart mounting channels disposed adjacent to the underside of said top plate and secured thereto, an edging extending around the periphery of said top plate and including a dependent side flange that extends downwardly well below said mounting channels, a trim disposed on the lower edge of said side flange and extending around the periphery of said top; an apron assembly arranged against the underside of said trim and extending around the periphery of said top and dis osed within the outer periphery of said trim, a plurality of attachment brackets disposed about said apron assembly within the periphery thereof and secured thereto, a corresponding plurality of fasteners detachably engaging said attachment brackets and securing said apron assembly to the adjacent mounting channels, thereby detachably to connect said apron assembly to said top; and a corresponding plurality of legs detachably secured to said attachment brackets to support said table upon an underlying support surface.

9. The table set forth in claim 8, wherein said trim is formed of a synthetic organic plastic resin.

10. The table set forth in claim 8, wherein said trim is formed of an aorylonitrile-b utadiene-styrene copolymer.

11. A table comprising a top including a substantially flat top plate, a pair of spaced apart mounting channels disposed adjacent to the underside of said top plate and spaced inwardly from the adjacent edges thereof and secured thereto, each of said mounting channels including a pair of downwardly extending side walls and a pair of inwardly directed retaining flanges on the lower edges thereof and having the inner edges spaced apart, an edging extending along the rear edgeof said top plate and including a depending side flange that extends downwardly well below said mounting channel; an apron assembly arranged against the underside of said side flange and extending around the periphery of said top and disposed within the outer periphery of said side flange, a plurality of attachment brackets disposed about said apron assembly within the periphery thereof and secured thereto, a corresponding plurality of fasteners detachably interconnecting said attachment brackets and said retaining flanges for securing said apron assembly to the adjacent mounting channels, thereby detachably to connect said apron assembly to said top; a plurality of panel brackets detacha'bly secured to the retaining flanges on said mounting channel and having a depending leg thereon extending downwardly along one side wall carrying on the lower end thereof an arm extending into and detachably engaging said apron assembly detachably to support said apron assembly on said top at pohits spaced from said attachment brackets; and a plurality of legs detachably secured to said attachment brackets to support said table upon an underlying support surface.

12. The table set forth in claim 11, wherein said apron assembly has a generally horizontally and inwardly directed flange at the upper edge thereof, and each of said arms extends outwardly from the associated leg and with respect to the associated mounting channel to engage beneath said apron flange to hold said apron assembly in the mounted position thereof.

13. The table set forth in claim 11, wherein each of said panel brackets includes a body disposed against the underside of the associated mounting channel and a pair of upstanding retaining flanges on the edges of said body for engaging the outer surface of the associated mounting channel to limit movement therebetween, and a nut disposed in said mounting channel and a bolt passes through said body and engages said nut securely to mount the associated panel bracket upon the associated mounting channel.

14. The table set forth in claim 11, and further comprising a trim disposed between the lower edge of said depending side flange and the upper surface of said apron assembly to fill the space therebetween.

15. The table set forth in claim 1, wherein said apron assembly includes a front apron and a rear apron and a pair of side aprons all disposed Within the outer periphery of said dependent side flange, and said plurality of attachment brackets secure said aprons one to another.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,153,946 9/1915 Ohstrand 108156 X 2,166,195 7/1939 Rosenberg et a1. 108155 2,228,504 1/1941 Braun 52624 2,260,934 10/ 1941 Corduan et a1 52624 2,369,140 2/1945 Dewey 108156 2,846,283 8/1958 Pasewalk 52623 3,065,860 11/1962 Swanson 211-153 3,102,616 9/1963 Simkins 248188 X 3,173,385 3/1965 Tucker 108158 C 3,187,693 6/1965 Hamilton et a1. 108156 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,075,507 12/1958 France.

DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner. JAMES T. McCALL, Examiner,

Claims

1. A TABLE COMPRISING A TOP INCLUDING A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT TOP PLATE, A PAIR OF SPACED APART MOUNTING CHANNELS DISPOSED ADJACENT TO THE UNDERSIDE OF SAID TOP PLATE AND SECURED THERETO, AN EDGING EXTENDING AROUND THE PERIPHERY OF SAID TOP PLATE AND INCLUDING A DEPENDENT SIDE FLANGE THAT EXTENDS DOWNWARDLY WELL BELOW SAID MOUNTING CHANNELS; AN APRON ASSEMBLY ARRANGED ADJACENT TO THE UNDERSIDE OF SAID TOP AND EXTENDING AROUND THE PERIPHERY THEREOF AND DISPOSED WITHIN THE OUTER PERIPHERY OF SAID DEPENDENT SIDE FLANGE, A PLURALITY OF ATTACHMENT BRACKETS DISPOSED ABOUT SAID APRON ASSEMBLY WITHIN THE PERIPHERY THEREOF AND SECURED THERETO, A CORRESPONDING PLURALITY OF FASTENERS ENGAGING SAID ATTACHMENT BRACKETS AND DETACHABLY SECURING SAID APRON ASSEMBLY TO THE ADJACENT MOUNTING CHANNELS, THEREBY DETACHABLY TO CONNECT SAID APRON ASSEMBLY TO SAID TOP; AND A CORRESPONDING PLURALITY OF LEGS DETACHABLY SECURED TO SAID ATTACHMENT BRACKETS TO SUPPORT SAID TABLE UPON AN UNDERLYING SUPPORT SURFACE.