[0001] The present invention relates to a multi-use anchor plate for table legs, which,
in particular, can also be used as a junction plate between tables.
[0002] For practical purposes, tables are generally made up of parts which can be dismantled
to facilitate their transportation and storage, making them much less bulky. The leg-fixing
system should enable easy dismantling without causing the quality of the connection
to deteriorate over a period of time, as a result of this operation. A solution to
this necessity consists of the use of an interposed connecting device, firmly applied
to each corner of the table, to which the leg is connected.
[0003] Another strongly felt necessity in this area is the possibility of creating a table
whose surface can be dismantled into distinct parts, practically and safely joined
to each other, for example by a connecting plate.
[0004] As both of these demands relate to the assembly of tables, the use of a single connecting
device capable of being adapted to both requirements, would seem most logical for
making the assembly devices as uniform as possible.
[0005] A solution is already currently in use, which combines the two necessities, consisting
of a metal plate, suitably shaped, on which there is a sufficient number of holes
appropriately positioned, to allow use in both situations. At each corner of the table
surface there are holes with a standard arrangement, to which the plate is fixed,
both for joining two tables and also in assembly on the corner, for fixing the leg.
For this purpose, there are devices for a reciprocal firm anchorage between plate
and leg.
[0006] An objective of the present invention is to produce an anchor plate for table legs,
which can also be used in particular as a junction plate between tables, which is
not bulky and reduces the risk of damaging people and objects when assembled on the
table surfaces.
[0007] A further objective of the present invention is to produce a multi-use anchor plate
for table legs which optimizes the holing system effected on the corner of the table
surface with respect to both uses of the plate.
[0008] Yet another objective of the present invention is to produce a multi-use anchor plate
for table legs which is particularly simple and functional, with limited costs.
[0009] These objectives according to the present invention are achieved by the production
of a multi-use anchor plate for table legs as described in claim 1.
[0010] Further characteristics of the multi-use anchor plate for table legs are illustrated
in the dependent claims.
[0011] The characteristics and advantages of a multi-use anchor plate for table legs according
to the present invention are evident from the following, illustrative and non-limiting
description, referring to the enclosed schematic drawings, wherein:
- figure 1 is a plan view of a first illustration of an anchor plate for table legs,
which, in particular, can also be used as a junction plate between tables;
- figure 2 shows the section of the plate of figure 1 according to the line II-II;
- figure 3 shows the plate fixed to the surface in an angular position to allow the
connection of the leg;
- figure 4 shows the assembly of the plate as a junction between two tables;
- figure 5 is an elevation sectional view of the table-leg connection;
- figure 6 is a plan view of a second illustration of a multi-use anchor plate for table
legs;
- figure 7 shows the section of the plate of figure 6 according to the line VII-VII,
in which a screw having an axial hexagonal head is positioned;
- figure 8 is a plan view illustrating the dimensioned plate of the invention; and
- figure 9 is a dimensioned representation on a reduced scale of the corner of a table
indicating the anchorage holes of the plate of figure 8.
[0012] With reference to the figures, these illustrate a multi-use anchor plate for table
legs, indicated as a whole with 10, in the form of a right-angle triangle and symmetrical
with respect to a median axis 11 which contains the height of the triangle. The vertexes
are amply rounded and the profile is curved in the central portion of the hypotenuse.
[0013] Along each cathetus there are two buttonholes 12 at the ends and two central holes
13, in line and at the same distance. Along the hypotenuse, in addition to the two
buttonholes 12 already mentioned, in correspondence with the shorter sides, there
are two holes 14 in the central portion, also in a symmetrical position with respect
to the median axis 11 (figure 1). At the centre of the plate there is an ashlar 15
or 16, only slightly protruding, which creates a space, for example either round or
hexagonal, perforated in the centre (figures 2 and 7). A plate 10 formed as described
above has the dimensions indicated in figure 8.
[0014] In a first embodiment of a multi-use anchor plate for table legs, said ashlar 15
is round and has a central threaded hole. The table leg, having a threaded stem, is
therefore inserted in the threaded hole of the ashlar 15. The space between table
and plate, created by said ashlar 15, forms a housing for receiving the threaded stem
and ensures the grip of all the hole threads, without having to resort to the perforation
of the table surface (figure 5).
[0015] A second embodiment is also proposed of a multi-use anchor plate for table legs (figure
6), which differs from the previous one only in that the ashlar 16 in the central
zone, is hexagonal with a non-threaded central hole.
[0016] A hexagonal nut or a suitably sized screw having an axial hexagonal head are inserted,
as an in the hexagonal housing, to ensure that they correctly fit into hexagonal form
of the ashlar 16 when anchoring the leg. The leg can therefore be equipped with a
threaded stem or threaded hole, respectively.
[0017] As can be clearly seen from figure 9, the surface T of the table used, which allows
both types of assembly, is equipped with a total of 9 holes, arranged at an equidistance
of 32 mm in line, at the corner. When the plate is fixed to the surface T, the holes
F of the latter, with an interspacing of 32 mm, therefore exactly coincide with the
buttonholes 12 and holes 13 of the plate 10, also having an interspacing of 32 mm,
as can be seen in detail in figure 8. The holes 14 of the plate 10, on the other hand,
have an interspacing between each other and from the buttonholes 12, in line with
these, of 64 mm.
[0018] The assembly of the plate onto the corner of the table for fixing the table leg,
utilizes the buttonholes 12 and holes 13 arranged on each cathetus of the triangular
plate (figure 3). The assembly of the plate as a junction between two tables is effected
by positioning said plate with the hypotenuse arranged along the outer edge of the
two joined tables. For the assembly, the buttonholes 12 along the catheti, and the
holes 14 on the hypotenuse, are used (figure 4).
[0019] The anchor plate for table legs, which, in particular, can also be used as a junction
plate between tables, object of the present invention, has the advantage of being
flat, without protruding connecting elements, which allows table surfaces, to whose
corners said plates have been pre-applied, to be stacked up with limited bulk, thus
reducing the risk of damage and accidents.
[0020] Furthermore the extremely simple shape and holing system represents an advantage
in the production of the plates, holes and assembly.
[0021] The widest possible distribution of holes on the surface, allows the stress distribution
on the anchoring points to be optimized.
1. A multi-use anchor plate for table legs, which can also be used in particular as a
junction plate between tables, having a specular shape with respect to a symmetry
axis (11), on which there are holes for connection to the surface (12, 13, 14) and
which has connecting devices for a table leg (15, 16), characterized in that it is flat with a reduced height.
2. The multi-use anchor plate for table legs according to claim 1, characterized in that said connecting devices for a table leg consist of a round ashlar (15) with a central
threaded hole, which receives the end of the threaded stem of a leg which is inserted
into said threaded hole.
3. The multi-use anchor plate for table legs according to claim 1, characterized in that said connecting devices for a table leg consist of a hexagonal ashlar (16) with a
non-threaded central hole, which receives and blocks a hexagonal nut or a screw having
an axial hexagonal head.
4. The multi-use anchor plate for table legs according to any of the previous claims,
characterized in that it is in the form of a right-angle triangle with said holes for connection to the
surface (12, 13, 14) in line along its three sides.
5. The multi-use anchor plate for table legs according to claim 4, characterized in that the holes used for connection to the surface are in line along the edges of the single
surface, for anchoring a leg to the corner, or in line on the edges of both surfaces
connected to each other.
6. The multi-use anchor plate for table legs according to claim 1, characterized in that said holes (12, 13, 14) have an interspacing of 32 mm, or a multiple of 32 mm, corresponding
to the holes (F) situated at the corners of a table (T).