US3685466A

US3685466A - Table

Info

Publication number: US3685466A
Application number: US81676A
Authority: US
Inventors: Klaus Mehnert
Original assignee: WILHELM BOFINGER MOBELWERKSTAT
Current assignee: WILHELM BOFINGER MOBELWERKSTAT
Priority date: 1970-04-17
Filing date: 1970-10-19
Publication date: 1972-08-22
Anticipated expiration: 1989-08-22
Also published as: DE7014106U

Abstract

A table top is provided with at least three corners and has an upper surface bounded by a circumferential edge. At least three recesses are provided in the upper surface at respective ones of the corners extending inwardly from the circumferential edge and having a thickness which is smaller than the thickness of the table top. A corresponding number of legs is provided the upper end portions of which are each matingly received in one of the recesses so that their outer surfaces are flush with the upper surface of the table top. A securing means secures the respective legs releasably to the table top in the respective recesses.

Description

United States Patent Mehnert [4 1 Aug. 22, 1972 54] TABLE 3,420,484 1/1964 Mattick 8.....248/188 lnvemon. Klaus Meme", .smngan zuffen 3,455,605 I 7/1972 Anderson ..297/445 hausen, Germany FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPucATToNs 1 Assignee: Wilhelm Bofinser Mobelwermtkni 1 504,382 7/1954 Canada "248/188 llsfeld, Germany 22 Filed: Oct. 19, 1970 P' Mitchell 81 676 Attorney-Michael S. Striker [21] Appl. No.:

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data April 17, 1970 Germany 70 14 106.9

52 US. Cl ..l08/156, 248/188 51 Int.'Cl. ..A47b 3/06 [58] Field or Search ..l08/l'5 3, 156, 157; 248/188, 248/188.8

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,699,814 1/1955 Kal'ln ..248ll88.8 x 2,821,447 1/1958 Beller et al. ..248/l88.8

[ ABSTRACT A tabletop is provided with at leastthree corners and has-an upper surface bounded bya circumferential edge. At least three recesses are providediin the upper I I surface at respective ones of the comers extending inwardly from'the circumferential edge and having a thickness which is smaller than the thickness of the,

table top. A corresponding number of legs is provided the upper end portions of which are each matingly received in one of the recesses so that their outer sur- 20 Clairm, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEnwszz m2 3,685,466

I saw 105 5 INVENTOR um fiE'M/L'er f. f/LIL.

ATTORNEY PATENTED M1822 m2 SHEET .2 BF 5 FIG. :2

ATIDR N E Y PATENTEDAUBZZ m2 3.685.466

SHEET-0P5;

FIG. :4

INVENTOR 44 a: flan elf 4/4 MAL ATTURNE Y PATENTEDMZZ m2 7 3,685,466

sheet 5 0F 5 FIG. :5

NVENTO TORNEY TABLE BACKGROUND'QF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a table, and more particularlyto a table wherein the legs are releasably connected with the table top.

Table constructions are known in so many different varieties that it is entirely beyond the scope of the present disclosure to enter into a discussion thereof. However, inasmuch as the' present invention is concerned with tables wherein the legs are releasably connected with the table top, it is pointed out that such table constructions are also known from the prior art. For instance, it is known to provide sockets on the table top and to screw the upper ends of the legs into these sockets, usually by providing the upper ends of the legs with screw threads which can mate with topped bores in the socket. This is true for instance with garden tables or the like.

What is not known in the art is a table wherein the legs and the table top have a pronounced unity, meaning a construction wherein the legs appear to be unitary with the table top-but are nevertheless releasable therefromrather than clearly and unmistakably being separate elements. This is desirable for various reasons, including aesthetic reasons, but has not heretofore been accomplished in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide an improved table having this desired advantage. More particularly it is an object of the present invention to provide a table wherein the legs are releasably connected with the table top but have therewith a unity both in terms of appearance and of structure.

In pursuance of the above objects, and others which will become apparent hereafter, one feature of the in- Naturally, the number of legs may be greater than three, and the configuration of the table top itself may be generally polygonal, for instance triangular, quadratic, rectangular or the like with the number of legs varying as may be required-in dependence upon the different configuration of the table top. It is advantageous but not essential that the table consist of synthetic plastic material, or at least be predominantly composed of such material. Various synthetic plastic materials suitable for the purpose are known, and by way of example it is pointed out that one which has been found particularly advantageous from a point of view of appearance as well as of strength is a glass fiber reinforced polyester resin.

The table top may be provided with a circumferential margin or skirt which depends in downward direction from the main or upper portion ofthe table top, and the recesses may be provided both in the margin-at the respective comers-and in portions of the main table top portions which are adjacent the margin. These recesses have a depth which is smaller than the thickness of the table top itself and are thus bounded except at theouter edge of the table top, by shoulders.

.Outer exposed edges on the upper end portions of the respective legs abut tightly against these shoulders. I prefer that the legs themselves, or at least the upper end portions thereof received in the respective recesses, have such a thickness that their exposed surfaces are flush with the upper surface of the table top, so that there are no steps, ridges or the like present at the juncture between the legs and the upper surface of the table top itself. The term upper surface as employed herein will be understood to include the surface of the table top which is normally visible when the table is in its customary position in which it rests on the legs. Thus, the term includes that part of the exposed surface which normally faces directly upwardly and supports objects placed on the table, as well as that-portion of the exposed surface which is provided on and visible at the depending margin or skirt of the table top.

According to a further concept of the invention each of the recesses, which as already suggested before may be composed of a first part provided in the skirt and a second part constituting an extension of the first part and provided in the main portion of the table top, may be provided with a groove extending in the elongation of the respective recess, that is inwardly from the circumferential free edge bounding the depending skirt, and extending substantially diagonally with respect to the main table top portion. The upper end portions of the legs will then be provided with correspondingly configrrated ribs which are received in the respective grooves, and the cross-sectional configuration of the ribs and grooves may be selected as desired, generally polygonal or, for instance, rectangular. The grooves may be at least partly open at the underside of the table top, that is at that side of the table top which in normal use of thetable will face towards the ground, and the upper end portions of the legs may be provided with projections-which may or may not constitute extensions of the ribs-extending through the openings or open sides of the grooves underneath the main table top portion into engagement with the underside thereof so that in effect the main table top portion rests on these projections. The projections may of course be provided with guide surfaces, for instance tapered surfaces, for facilitating their insertion through the open sides or openings of the grooves.

The recesses may be provided both in the skirt portion and in the main table top portion, this being a particularly advantageous arrangement; however, the recesses could also be provided in the main table top portion in which case those parts of the upper end portions of the legs which are juxtaposed with the corresponding sections of the skirt portion would then be located in overlying relationship therewith, rather than having their exposed surfaces be flush with the upper surface of the table top.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages [FIGJS'is a Section taken on line V-fV of FIG. 4.

thereof, will be best understood from the following -F.lG.1-; a .FIG. 3 is a section taken on line III-III of FIG. 2;

' those parts which remainof the thickness of thetable FIG.-.4 'is, a top-plan view of the portion of the leg shown in FIG. 1; and

r DESCRIP' I' ION or Tl-IE PREFERRED I I EMBODIMENTS i I Before entering into a detailed discussion of the drawing it is pointed out that a table according to the present invention exhibits no particularity as concerns its outlineJFor this reason it is believed to be sufficient to illustrate, as has'been done in thedrawing, only one comerv portion of a table top, together with an upper end portion of a leg which is associated with the comer portion. If. the. table top is such as to be provided with threesuch legs, then it will have three corners which will all be identically constructed-insofar as the inven-' tion is concerned-as the one which has been shown in the drawing. If the table top has four corners and the table utilizes four legs, then the table top will have four of the comer arrangements and associated legs which are shown in the drawing. i 1

Keeping this in mind it is pointed out that the table perse isjidentified in the drawing with reference numeral 10. It has a table top 12 which, as already stated, is shown only fragmentarily and which is provided with a depending skirt ormarginal circumferentialportion 14which may extend substantiallyvertically-in the normal position of use of the, table-or which may also top aftenthe recess is provided, with a substantially diagonally extending groove 30 which extends inwardly from the outer edge 32 as shown in FIG. 3. That same figure also shows that the groove has a bottom wall-40 which extends substantially horizontally as well as approximately'vertically

oriented side walls

44 and 46; the bottom wall portion 40 merges via a rounded portion 36 into a substantially vertically oriented bottom wall portion 41 of a groove provided in the skirt l4 and which constitutes an extension .of the groove 30.

The "groove 34 maybe omitted according to one em-. bodiment of the invention, but it, is advantageous to provide it as illustrated.

Reference numerals

43 and 45 illustrate the side wall portions which bound the groove 34 together with the bottom wall portion 41 thereof. This isshown in FIG. 2.

A bore or aperture 38 is provided in the bottom wall portion 41, or, else a slot which will be open to the underside of the table top 'l2 and whose center line extends substantially in parallelism with the elongation of the groove which, as shown in FIG.3, is open at its inner end 42 so that it communicates with the under side of the table top 12. g

With the thus configurated corner of the table top 12 I there cooperates a leg-and it will be appreciated that be slightly inclined inoutward direction. The entire I table top, that is both the main table top portion and the dependingskirt portion 14 thereof, is of one piece. The table top may have various comers, of which one is I shown for purposes of explaining the invention.

The illustrated comers are identified with reference numeral 16 and it will be seen that the upper table top surface 18--which is the surface both of the main table top portion and of the depending skirt portion-is provided. in the region of the corner 16 with a recess elongated in direction inwardly from the free circumferentialedge 63 of the marginal skirt 14. This recess actually is composed of two parts, one of which is located in the upper table top portion and the ,other'of which is located in the skirt portion 14. Because of this recess, whose depth is smaller than the thickness of the table top 12 as is evident from the drawing, there is provided a step 2!) composed of two

shoulders

19 and 21 each of which extends inwardly from one edge 63 (as seen withreference to the comer where the inclined parts of the edge 63 meet) and which are joined by a rounded shoulder portion 22 The

portions

19 and 20 extend, substantially in parallelism, with the sides of the tabletop f Accerdingto the invention it is advantageous to providethe recessed parts 26'and 28 of the recess, that is at least three of these must be provided eachassociated with one such comer portion'which.is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. Preferably thetable leg has a. crosssectional configuration such as to provide an outwardly open angular profile 50 defined. by

arms

52 and 54. These

anns

52 and 54 may be inclined both downwardly and outwardly away from the table top, because this makes itpossible to stack several such t'ables quite readily and in a space saving manner. It will be appreciated that the legs of an upper table will always be received in the outwardly open angle defined I I between

thearms

52 and 54 of the legs of a lower table on which it is to be stacked. To provide forgreater stability of the table the contact surface of the legs at the bottom end thereof may be increased by providing an approximately horizontal ground-contacting bottom plate 56. at the lower end of each of the legs 24. This may also be of importance for other considerations, for instance to avoid the possibility of damage to carpets or drawing, provided with approximately'horizontally ex-.

tending portions '58 as shown particularly in FIGS. 6 1

and 5. These are obtained by. bending the upper ends of the

arms

52 and 54 substantially horizontally and by broadening each of these arms in the region of its upper end whereby additional portions are obtained.

According to the invention the configuration and the thickness of the

portions

58 and 60 corresponds to outline and the depth of the recess provided in the upper' surface 18 of the table top 12. Thus, when the leg 24 is secured to the table top in releasable manner, as'still to be discussed, the outer or exposed surface of each upper end portion of the, respective leg will be flush with the upper surface 18 of thetable topl2 without any projecting corners, ridges, steps or. the like. The outline of that upper end portion of the respective leg portion 24 which is received in the associated recess is identified in FIG. 4 with reference numeral 62 and it will be seen that the outline 64 (see FIG. 2) of the recess is identical with the outline 62. The thickness of the portion 60 corresponds to the height of the skirt 14, with the portion 60 merging from the corner 61 via a rounded part into the

arms

52 and 54.

The underside of the upper portion of the respective leg 24, that is the side which when the leg is connected with the table top 12 will face'the latter, is provided with a rib 70 as shown in FIG. 5. It is preferably of one piece with the remainder of the leg 24 and composed of two sections one of which is approximately vertical and the other of which merges with it via a rounded part and extends approximately horizontally, both of these references to the orientation of course referring to the position of the leg as secured to the table top and with the table in normal position of use. THe rib 70 is arranged symmetrically with reference to the plane of symmetry of the leg 24 as'shown in FIG. 4 and it is so configurated that it is tightly received in mating relationship in the

portions

30 and 34 which together make up the groove in the corner of the' table top. The rounded part connecting the substantially horizontal and the substantially vertical section of the rib 70 identified with reference numeral 74 in FIG. 5 and its curvature corresponds at least partly to the curvature of the rounded portion 36, the

bottom walls

40 and 41 of the

grooved portions

30 and 34.

In the illustrated embodiment a projection 76 is provided which may be considered a tongue or the like and which in this embodiment is an extension of the rib 70 beyond the outer contour line 62 of the leg. This can be omitted but in the illustrated embodiment the tongue 76 projects at 78 into underlying engagement with the underside of the table top 12, as shown in FIG. 3, when the leg 24 is connected with the table top 12. Thus, the latter is supported on the projection 76 of each leg 24. The introduction of the projections 76 is facilitated by providing it with

bevels

88 and 90.

As previously pointed out, the legs 24 are releasably connected with the table top. For this purpose it is advantageous to anchor in the approximately vertical portion of the rib 70 a screw or bolt 80, meaning that the head 82 and usually a portion of the shaft may be embedded in the material of the rib 70, for instance by being cast into it, so that the head is concealed and not visible. Naturally, the head and/or the embedded portion of the shaft may be of polygonal configuration to prevent turning of the bolt or screw 80 with reference to the rib 70.

The portion 84 of the shaft is tapped and projects beyond the inner surface of the rib 70 so as to extend through the bore or aperture 38 in the bottom wall 41 when the leg is connected with the table top 12. A nut 86-for instance cap nut or the like-is threaded onto the tapped portion 84 from the underside of the table that is illustrated in FIG. 5 to thereby obtain a rigid and highly stable and reliable connection between the leg and the table top.

It will be appreciated that the nut or screw 80 need not be embedded in part in the rib 70. It is clearly possible for instance to provide the rib 70 with a hole and to push the nut or screw through it from the exterior of the leg in which case the head would of course be visible at the exterior of the leg. Conversely it is also conceivable to pass the shaft of the screw or bolt from the underside of the table top through the bore 38 and to have it mesh with a tapped bore in the rib 70, or with a nut embedded in the latter. The wall thickness of the legs and the thickness of thetable top may of course be varied as desired, and it has been found that in many instances 6 mm would be entirely adequate.

If desired the tongue 76 may be provided with a short upwardly directed projection (not illustrated) which is glass fiber-reinforced polyester resin.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more-together, may also find a useful application in other types of construction differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a table, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim: a

l. A table comprising a table top provided with at least three comers and having a predetermined thickness and an upper surface bounded by a circumferential edge; at least three recesses provided at respective ones of said corners extending inwardly from said circumferential edge and downwardly from said upper surface to a depth which is smaller than said predetermined thickness so as to provide at each comer a recessed part; at least three legs each having an upper end portion matingly accommodated in a respective one of said recesses and overlying the recessed part, with an upper face of said end portion flush with said upper surface of said table top; and securing means for releasably securing said legs to said table top.

2. A table as defined in claim 1, wherein at least said table top consists at least predominantly of synthetic plastic material.

3. A table as defined in claim 1, wherein at least said table top consists of glass-fiber reinforced polyester.

4. A table as defined in claim 1, said table top comprising a main portion and a circumferential margin surrounding said main portion and extending of said legs are each matingly received in the respective recesses filling said first and second parts thereof. 5. A table as defined in claim 4, wherein said first part extends at least substantially horizontally and said second part extends at least substantially vertically, and

I wherein each of said upper end portions has two mutually inclined sections one of which is received in said first part and the other of which is received in said second part of the associated'recess.

' 6. A table as defined in claim 4, said upper end portions having a thickness corresponding to the difference between said depth and said predetermined thickness, and each of said upperend portions having an exposedsurface which is flush with said upper surface of said table top. V g

7. A table as defined in claim 4; further comprising a groove provided in at least one of said partsof the respective recesses extending in direction of elongation thereof substantially diagonally of said table top; and a rib provided on the upper end portion of the respective legs andv matingly received in said groove of the associated recess.

8. A table as defined in claim 7, wherein said groove and said rib are of polygonal cross-sectional configuration.

9. A table as defined in claim 7,'wherein said groove and said ribare of rectangular cross-sectional configuration.

' 10. A table as defined in claim 7, said table top hav ing an underside and said groove" being at least in part open at said underside; and further comprising a tongue constituting an extension of said rib and projecting beyond the same and outwardly of said groove into underlying engagement with said underside of said table i1, A table as defined in claim 7, said table top having an underside and said groove being at least in part open at said underside; and each of said upper end poring a lower end portion; and further comprising an at tions further being provided-with a tongue projecting outwardly of the respective groove into underlying en"- gagement with said underside of said table top;

1 12. A tableas defined in claim 7,wherein id one part is said f'u'st part.

13. A' table as defined in aa 'eaea. of said recesses further comprising an auxiliarygroove provided in the respective second part and also extending longitudinally of the respective recess; and wherein each of said ribs comprises a first and a second rib portion respectively received in said groove and said auxiliary groove of the respectively associated recess.

14. A table as defined in claim 13, wherein each of said auxiliary grooves is axially aligned with and con-' stitutes an extension of therespectively associated groove. o H

15. A table as defined in claim 13, wherein the respectively associated grooves and auxiliary grooves arg locate su tantial first and second rib portions alsoextend substantially normal to one another. I 16. A table as defined in claim 13, said table top having an underside; and wherein said securing means comprises a plurality of threaded elements each extending from said underside into a respective auxiliary groove and being fast with said second rib portion received therein.

17. A table as defined in claim 16, said threaded elements being bolts anchored in the respective second rib portion and extending through the associated auxiliary groove beyond'said underside; and further comprising a retaining nut threaded onto each of said bolts at said underside.

18. A table as defined in claim 17, said bolts each having a head non-rotatably embedded in the respective second rib portion.

"19. A table as defined in claim 1, said legs having in cross-section an angular profile which is open in direction outwardly away from'said table top.

20. A table as defined in claim 19, said legs each havleast substantially horizontal ground-engaging support plate provided on said lower end portion and extending transversely of said angular profile.

in res tive ener lanes w ich ex'te yn mi t'o on e ano tirgr, and w irerem saiifl

Claims

1. A table comprising a table top provided with at least three corners and having a predetermined thickness and an upper surface bounded by a circumferential edge; at least three recesses provided at respective ones of said corners extending inwardly from said circumferential edge and downwardly from said upper surface to a depth which is smaller than said predetermined thickness so as to provide at each corner a recessed part; at least three legs each having an upper end portion matingly accommodated in a respective one of said recesses and overlying the recessed part, with an upper face of said end portion flush with said upper surface of said table top; and securing means for releasably securing said legs to said table top.

4. A table as defined in claim 1, said table top comprising a main portion and a circumferential margin surrounding said main portion and extending downwardly with reference thereto, said table top also having a predetermined thickness and said upper surface being in part provided on said main portion and in part on said circumferential margin; said recesses having a depth smaller than said thickness and each being elongated inwardly of said edge and having a first part in said main portion and a second part in said circumferential margin; and wherein said upper end portions of said legs are each matingly received in the respective recesses filling said first and second parts thereof.

5. A table as defined in claim 4, wherein said first part extends at least substantially horizontally and said second part extends at least substantially vertically, and wherein each of said upper end portions has two mutually inclined sections one of which is received in said first part and the other of which is received in said second part of the associated recess.

6. A table as defined in claim 4, said upper end portions having a thickness corresponding to the difference between said depth and said predetermined thickness, and each of said upper end portions having an exposed surface which is flush with said upper surface of said table top.

7. A table as defined in claim 4; further comprising a groove provided in at least one of said parts of the respective recesses extending in direction of elongation thereof substantially diagonally of said table top; and a rib provided on the upper end portion of the respective legs and matingly received in said groove of the associated recess.

9. A table as defined in claim 7, wherein said groove and said rib are of rectangular cross-sectional configuration.

10. A table as defined in claim 7, said table top having an underside and said groove being at least in part open at said underside; and further comprising a tongue constituting an extension of said rib and projecting beyond the same and outwardly of said groove into underlying engagement with said underside of said table top.

11. A table as defined in claim 7, said table top having an underside and said groove being at least in part open at said underside; and each of said upper end portions further being provided with a tongue projecting outwardly of the respective groove into underlying engagement with said underside of said table top.

12. A table as defined in claim 7, wherein said one part is said first part.

13. A table as defined in claim 7, each of said recesses further comprising an auxiliary groove provided in the respective second part and also extending longitudinally of the respective recess; and wherein each of said ribs comprises a fIrst and a second rib portion respectively received in said groove and said auxiliary groove of the respectively associated recess.

14. A table as defined in claim 13, wherein each of said auxiliary grooves is axially aligned with and constitutes an extension of the respectively associated groove.

15. A table as defined in claim 13, wherein the respectively associated grooves and auxiliary grooves are located in respective general planes which extend substantially normal to one another, and wherein said first and second rib portions also extend substantially normal to one another.

16. A table as defined in claim 13, said table top having an underside; and wherein said securing means comprises a plurality of threaded elements each extending from said underside into a respective auxiliary groove and being fast with said second rib portion received therein.

17. A table as defined in claim 16, said threaded elements being bolts anchored in the respective second rib portion and extending through the associated auxiliary groove beyond said underside; and further comprising a retaining nut threaded onto each of said bolts at said underside.

19. A table as defined in claim 1, said legs having in cross-section an angular profile which is open in direction outwardly away from said table top.

20. A table as defined in claim 19, said legs each having a lower end portion; and further comprising an at least substantially horizontal ground-engaging support plate provided on said lower end portion and extending transversely of said angular profile.