|
(11) | EP 0 642 751 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (54) | Compound table |
| (57) The invention discloses an assemblable table comprising at least one table top (2),
locked through junction means (3) to a supporting leg (4) composed by two or more
supporting elements (41) easily united to one another through connecting means (5),
whereby each connecting means comprises a first connecting body (51) which is inserted
into each element (41) and a second connecting body (151) which is connected with
the first connecting body (51) through a junction body (251) which stably locks together
the elements (41) which compose the leg (4). |
[0002] It is a known fact that in the furniture field some assemblable tables are sometimes realized, that consist of a plurality of parts which can be taken apart.
[0003] Tables thus realized are known above all in the furniture field for garden, camping, bar, restaurants and similar, where it is necessary to have tables which can be easily taken apart and assembled in case of need, so as to make their transport easier and so that they can be easily stored without taking up much space.
[0004] In the realizations belonging to the known technique the elements composing the table are connected to one another by means of screws and nuts which are tightened and untightened by means of wrenches, screwdrivers or similar.
[0005] The assemblable tables obtained according to such realizations present therefore a first inconvenience in that in order to assemble them or take them apart, it is necessary to have available some tools such as wrenches, screwdrivers or similar which are not always within reach of the operator.
[0006] Another inconvenience besides this one is that said screws and said nuts are objects of small dimensions and can be easily lost.
[0007] Not the last inconvenience is that said screws and said nuts, in order to be easily accessible for the operations of assembling or taking apart the tables, are positioned so as to be seen and, therefore, when the assembly has been completed, they can be seen, thus damaging the aesthetic of the table once it has been put together, especially if they become rusty.
[0008] It is with the purpose of obviating such inconveniences that the assemblable table being the object of the present invention is realized.
[0009] In particular, the main purpose of the invention is to obtain an assemblable table in which the elements composing it are easily put together without using any screws.
[0010] It is another purpose that the assemblable table according to the invention can be assembled and taken apart without using any tools.
[0011] It is not the last purpose that the elements which connect the parts composing the table are not visible once the assembly of the table has been completed.
[0012] The described purposes are achieved by realizing an assemblable table which, in accordance with the main claim, comprises at least one table top removably attached through junction means to at least one underlying supporting leg, said leg being composed by two or more supporting elements removably and easily united to one another through connecting means and is characterized in that each of said connecting means comprises a first connecting body, provided with projections which are inserted with a snap into slits made in each of said elements composing said leg and a second connecting body, provided with indentations suited to lodge the corresponding ribs belonging to the same elements composing the mentioned leg, the stable connection between said elements occurring because of the forcing of said ribs into said indentations when each of said second connecting bodies is coupled with its corresponding first connecting body and is stably attached to it through at least one junction body.
[0013] Advantageously, the assemblable table according to the invention is easier to assemble than the assemblable tables belonging to the known technique, since it does not require for the assembly either screws or tools.
[0014] Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter.
[0015] However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific example, while indicating a preferred embodiment of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description and from the drawings, wherein:
- Fig. 1 shows the assemblable table according to the invention assembled and in an axonometric view;
- Fig. 2 shows the axonometric view of the table of Fig. 1 exploded into the elements composing it and complete both with the connecting means of the elements which form the supporting leg and with the means joining the table top to the supporting leg itself;
- Fig. 3 shows the detail of the supporting elements which form the leg joined together;
- Fig. 4 shows the drawing of the same detail of Fig. 4 wherein the supporting elements which form the leg are attached to one another through one of the connecting means;
- Fig. 5 shows the exploded axonometric view of one of the connecting means, complete with the junction body suited to join together the bodies composing it;
- Fig. 6 shows in a cross-section one of the junction means coupled both with one of the supporting elements which form the leg and with the table top;
- Fig. 7 shows a detail of the coupling represented in Fig. 6;
- Fig. 8 shows the detail of Fig. 6 with the junction means in locked position;
- Fig. 9 shows a lateral view of the detail of Fig. 8.
[0016] As can be observed in Fig. 1, the assemblable table according to the invention, indicated as a whole with 1, comprises a table top 2 which is removably attached through junction means 3, represented in Fig. 2, to an underneath supporting leg 4 consisting of a plurality of supporting elements 41 that can be joined together by means of connecting means 5, also represented in Fig. 2.
[0017] It is made clear that in the following description reference is made to an assemblable table the supporting leg of which is formed by four supporting elements all similar to one another and arranged in a perpendicular position in relation to one another. However, it is clear that such an embodiment is only indicative since the assemblable table can present a supporting leg composed by a different number of supporting elements.
[0018] It is understood that the table top can present whichever shape and can be supported by more than one leg. Obviously, both the table top and the leg can present any shape and dimension.
[0019] It can be observed in particular in Fig. 2 that each of the elements 41 composing the supporting leg 4 has a C shape and is provided, in correspondence with each end, with a slit 42 within which a projection 52 belonging to a first connecting body 51 which composes each of said connecting means 5 inserts itself with a snap.
[0020] In particular, it will be pointed out that said connecting means 5 are similar to one another and are arranged facing each other in correspondence with the two ends of the supporting leg.
[0021] It will also be pointed out that the solution which is being described and which foresees the use of two connecting means 5, is not binding since said connecting means can be different in number.
[0022] Said first connecting body 51 essentially consists of a tubular body 53, provided with an outer thread 54, ending with a prismatic body 55, in this case having a parallele-piped shape, said prismatic body presenting on each face one of said projections 52 which insert themselves into a corresponding slit 42.
[0023] Each connecting means 5 also comprises a second connecting body 151 which, as can be observed, consists of an essentially flat flange 152 which presents in its almost central position a through hole 153 and in correspondence with its corners some protruding areas 154 each of which presents an indentation 155 suited to lodge a corresponding rib 45, visible in Fig. 3, belonging to the supporting elements which form the leg.
[0024] In order to assemble the leg 4 one projection 52 of each first connecting body 51 is inserted into the corresponding slit 42 of one of the supporting elements 41 after that, in sequence, the remaining projections 52 are inserted into the corresponding slits 42 made in the other supporting elements 41 until said supporting elements are positioned close to each other as represented in Fig. 3.
[0025] Obviously, the arrangement of the supporting elements drawn close to each other as represented in Fig. 3, is the same in correspondence with both ends of the leg.
[0026] After that the supporting elements 41 are locked together by inserting, as it can be observed in Fig. 4, the tubular body 53 of the first connecting body 51, into the through hole 153 made in the second connecting body 151, making sure that each indentation 155 of the second connecting body 151 is aligned with the corresponding rib 45 of the supporting elements 41.
[0027] It can be observed in particular in Fig. 3 that said rib 45 is obtained through the junction of the edges 145 of two perimetral walls 43 of two supporting elements 41, when said perimetral walls 43 are placed face to face one against the other.
[0028] It can also be observed, in particular in Fig. 5, that each indentation 155 has a trapezoidal shape wherein its minor base 157 is turned in the direction following which the protruding area 154 protrudes above the upper surface of the flange 152 and this is to allow the indentation 155 to lodge by contrast the corresponding rib 45, when the second connecting body 151 is locked against the first connecting body 51.
[0029] This locking action is done by a junction body 251, visible in detail in the exploded drawing of Fig. 5, which consists of a tubular sleeve 252 presenting an inner thread 253 and outer hooking means 254 which are obtained by realizing an undercut 255 through a depressed diameter 256 made in the essentially central part of the junction body itself.
[0030] Said junction body 251 presents at one end a ring nut 257 which can be tightened and at the opposite end a cone-shaped area 258 provided with a radial notch 259 so that, when said cone-shaped area 258 is forced into the through hole 153 of flange 152, the junction body 251 remains bound to the second connecting body 151 in correspondence with the depressed diameter 256.
[0031] By manually acting on the ring nut 257 the junction body 251 is then tightened on the tubular body 53 of the first connecting body 51, thus realizing the forcing of the indentations 155 of the second connecting body 151 against the ribs 45 of the supporting elements 41 which form the leg 4, thus ensuring their stable connection, as has been previously said.
[0032] Because of the fact that the junction body 251 is stably connected to the second connecting body 151 through the depressed diameter 256 and the undercut 255, when the junction body 251 is untightened while the table is being taken apart, it rises in relation to the first connecting body 51 dragging also the second connecting body 151.
[0034] For this purpose it can be observed in Fig. 2 and more in detail in the Figures from 6 to 9, that each of the supporting elements 41 presents a first hole 31 having an elliptical section with the bigger axis arranged in an essentially horizontal position and drilled on the upper wall 44 of the supporting element 41 itself and a second hole 32 having a circular section, made in a projection 47 belonging to the same supporting element 41 and arranged in a receding position in relation to the upper wall 44 wherein the first hole 31 is drilled.
[0035] Said holes 31 and 32 are co-axial with each other so as to be able to lodge the junction means 3 which, as can be observed in better detail in the Figures from 6 to 9, consists of a cam 33 provided with a first pin 34 having a circular section arranged in correspondence with the turning handle 35 and with a second pin 36, also having a circular section, arranged at the opposite end.
[0036] The table top 2 presents in turn an appendix 21 provided with an elliptical hole 22 arranged so as to be aligned with the first hole 31 and with the second hole 32 of the corresponding supporting element 41 when the table top 2 is lain on the leg 4 and its appendix 21 is placed between said first hole 31 and said second hole 32.
[0037] In order to clamp the table top 2 to the leg 4, first the cam 3 is inserted into the first hole 31 and pushed it until its second pin 36 lodges inside the second hole 32 and its first pin 34 is lodged inside the first hole 31.
[0038] At this point, through a 90° counter-clockwise rotation 36 of the cam 33 through the turning handle 35, the cam 33 arranges itself in the position represented in the Figures 8 and 9 wherein it can be observed that it interferes with the elliptical hole 22 made in the appendix 21 of the table top 2 thus ensuring its stable connection to the leg 4.
[0039] Obviously, such an operation must be repeated for all the connecting means 3. After that, the table thus composed can be used.
[0040] It is understood how, according to what has been described, all the proposed purposes have been achieved.
[0041] First of all it has been seen that no screws and nuts are used for the connection of the elements which compose the table.
[0042] It has also been seen that the means joining the table top to the leg as well as the connecting means between the supporting elements which form the leg itself, are controlled and tightened through manual operations which do not require the use of tools.
[0043] Moreover, once the assembly has been completed, the junction means and the connecting means are arranged in such a position as not to be seen, thus helping to improve the aesthetic of the table on the whole.
1. An assemblable table comprising at least one table top (2), removably attached through
junction means (3) to at least one underlying supporting leg (4), said leg being composed
by two or more supporting elements (41) removably and easily united to one another
through connecting means (5), characterized in that each of said connecting means
(5) comprises a first connecting body (51), provided with projections (52) which are
inserted with a snap into slits (42) made in each of said elements (41) composing
said leg (4) and a second connecting body (151), provided with indentations (155)
suited to lodge the corresponding ribs (45) belonging to the same elements (41) composing
the mentioned leg (4), the stable connection between said elements (41) occurring
because of the forcing of said ribs (45) into said indentations (155) when each of
said second connecting bodies (151) is coupled with its corresponding first connecting
body (51) and is stably attached to it through at least one junction body (251).
2. An assemblable table according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one
junction body (251) consists of a tubular sleeve (252) provided with outer hooking
means (255, 256), suited to stably bind it with a snap into a through hole (153) drilled
in said second connecting body (151) and an inner thread (253), suited to stably bind
it with a tubular body (53), provided with an outer thread (54), belonging to said
first connecting body (51).
3. An assemblable table according to claim 2, characterized in that said outer hooking
means consist of an annular area having a depressed diameter (256), made on the outer
essentially central part of said tubular sleeve (252), suited to realize a contrasting
undercut (255), a radial notch (259) being obtained in one of the edges of said junction
body suited to make it elastically yelding.
4. An assemblable table according to claim 3, characterized in that the end of said edge
of said junction body (251) presents a tapered area (258).
5. An assemblable table according to claim 4, characterized in that said junction body
(251) presents a ring nut (257) which can be tightened and is arranged at the end
opposite to said tapered area (258).
6. An assemblable table according to claim 1, characterized in that said first connecting
body (51) consists of a tubular body (53) provided with an outer thread (54) along
a part of its length, said tubular body (53) ending with a prismatic body (55) presenting
on each of its lateral faces at least one of said projections (52) each inserting
itself with a snap into a corresponding slit (42) made in said elements (41) composing
said supporting leg (4).
7. An assemblable table according to claim 1, characterized in that said second connecting
body (151) consists of a flange (152) provided with an essentially central through
hole (153) and presenting some protruding areas (154), each of them presenting one
of said indentations (155) suited to lodge one of said ribs (45) belonging to said
elements (41) composing said supporting leg (4).
8. An assemblable table according to claim 7, characterized in that each of said indentations
(155) presents a profile having an essentially trapezoidal shape, the minor base (157)
of which is turned in the same direction following which said protruding area (154)
protrudes above the flange (152).
9. An assemblable table according to claim 1, characterized in that each of said ribs
(45) is composed by at least one section of the edge (145) of two perimetral walls
(43) belonging to two of the elements (41) composing said supporting leg (4) and placed
face to face one against the other.
10. An assemblable table according to claim 1, characterized in that said connecting means
(5) are two in number, that they are similar to one another and are arranged one in
correspondence with the top and one in correspondence with the bottom of the supporting
leg (4), said supporting leg (4) being composed by four supporting elements (41) similar
to one another.
11. An assemblable table according to claim 1, characterized in that said means (3) connecting
said table top (2) to said supporting leg (4) consist of a cam (33) which inserts
itself into a hole (22) having an eccentric profile drilled in an appendix (21) of
the table top (2), each of said cams (33) being also provided with pins placed at
each end (34, 36) having a circular profile and suited to insert themselves into a
pair of corresponding holes (31, 32) drilled in each of said elements (41) composing
said leg (4).
12. An assemblable table according to claim 11, characterized in that each pair of said
holes (31, 32) consists of a first hole (31) having an eccentric profile drilled in
the upper wall (44) of the element (41) to which it belongs and a second hole (32)
drilled in a projection (47) belonging to the element (41) itself and arranged in
a receding position as compared to said upper wall (44), said holes being co-axial
with one another.
13. An assemblable table according to claim 11, characterized in that said cam (33) is
provided with a turning handle (35) which, when it is rotated, realizes the interference
of said cam (33) against said hole (22) within which it is inserted, when the table
top (2) is laid on the leg (4) and said hole (22) is aligned between said first (31)
and said second (32) hole, both belonging to each of said elements (41) composing
said supporting leg (4).