Cantilever table

Abstract

 A cantilever table comprising a worktop (2) which is perimetrically provided with an arc-like recess (4) to allow arrangement for example adjacent to the trunk of a tree. Fastening elements (5a,5b) for adapting and fastening the worktop (2) to the tree trunk are provided at the arc-like recess (4). A supporting rod (15) of adjustable length is furthermore pivoted to the worktop (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cantilever table.

[0002] Conventional tables are currently substantially constituted by a worktop below which legs are perimetrically associated or below which a single leg for resting on the ground is associated in a central position with respect to the worktop.

[0003] These conventional tables cannot be used effectively outside homes and in particular they cannot be used adjacent to tree trunks, since the ground near trees is usually not flat and the trunk furthermore constitutes a bulk which hinders the correct positioning and use of the table.

[0004] The aim of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, eliminating the drawbacks of the cited prior art, by providing a table which can be used in an outdoor environment with uneven ground and even adjacent to the trunk of a tree, while having optimum stability and planarity characteristics.

[0005] Within the scope of this aim, an important object of the present invention is to provide a table which is structurally simple and easy and quick to position.

[0006] Another important object of the present invention is to provide a table which has low manufacturing costs and is reliable and safe in use.

[0007] This aim, these objects and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a cantilever table characterized in that it comprises a worktop which is perimetrically provided with an arc-like recess which has means for adapting and fastening to the trunk of a tree, a supporting rod of adjustable length being pivoted to said worktop.

[0008] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a particular but not exclusive embodiment thereof, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the table;

Figure 2 is a sectional view, taken along the line II-II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view of the table, similar to Figure 1, in which the means for adapting and fastening to the trunk of a tree are activated in a different manner;

Figure 4 is another side view of the table.

[0009] With reference to the above figures, the reference numeral 1 designates a cantilever table which comprises a worktop 2 which preferably but not necessarily has a circular plan shape.

[0010] At a perimetric edge 3 of the worktop 2 at least one arc-like recess 4 is provided which is preferably but not necessarily hemispherical.

[0011] At an arc-like recess 4 there are means for adapting and fastening the worktop for example to the trunk of a tree: said means comprise two wings 5a and 5b which are slightly arc-shaped and are freely pivoted, at one end, at a suitable pair of sleeves 6a and 6b which are rigidly coupled adjacent to the worktop 2.

[0012] Preferably, said two wings are arranged in a region that lies below the worktop 2, so that they are not visible.

[0013] The sleeves are preferably arranged in a mirror-symmetrical fashion with respect to the diametrical axis of the worktop 2 that passes through the centerline of the recess 4 and the free ends 7a and 7b of the wings 5a and 5b are arranged proximate to the perimetric edge 3.

[0014] Said wings are preferably metallic and can be actuated, in their rotation with respect to the sleeves 6a and 6b, so as to reduce the space formed by the recess 4 by way, of suitable means constituted by two first screws 8a and 8b, the threaded shank whereof is associated at a complementarily threaded nut, designated by the reference numerals 9a and 9b, which is rigidly coupled at two tabs 10a and 10b which are fixed to the worktop 2 and protrude downward from it.

[0015] Advantageously, the head of the first screws 8a and 8b is of the wing type so as to improve grip for the user.

[0016] The free end of the shank of the first screws therefore interacts in the vicinity of the outer lateral surface of the wings 5a and 5b and therefore allows a movement thereof so as to adapt to the curvature of the trunk of the tree which can be arranged at the recess 4.

[0017] The ends of two traction elements, such as bands or belts 11a and 11b, are associated at the free ends 7a and 7b of the wings 5a and 5b; their tips can be mutually fastened by means of suitable locking devices, such as a lever 12 which is associated with one of the belts and has an adapted traction element 13 which can be selectively engaged at adapted hooks 14 associated with the other adjacent belt.

[0018] The two belts can also be mutually partially overlapped at the their free ends and their fastening allows to secure the table to the tree trunk.

[0019] As an alternative, it is possible to use different means which are in any case adapted to allow a reduction in the useful space between the free ends of the wings 5a and 5b.

[0020] A supporting rod 15 whose height or length can be adjusted is furthermore present below the worktop.

[0021] Said rod 15 is pivoted at one end, by means of a suitable pivot 16, at a partially hollow body 17 which protrudes below the worktop 2.

[0022] Said rod 15 is partially axially hollow at its free end and contains a telescopically extendable arm 18 which can be locked in a chosen position by means of an adapted second screw 19 which is fixed at the rod 15 and whose shank interacts with the arm 18.

[0023] The tip of the arm 18 is T-shaped and slightly curved so as to allow its correct positioning adjacent to the trunk of the tree.

[0024] The table is in fact used as follows: first of all it is placed adjacent to the tree trunk at the arc-like recess 4 after opening the belts 11a and 11b.

[0025] Depending on the diameter of the tree trunk, the user then tightens the first screws 9a and 9b more or less fully and then places the tip of the arm 18 adjacent to the trunk, locking the mutual arrangement of the arm 18 and the rod 15 in the condition in which the worktop 2 is arranged horizontally.

[0026] At this point it is sufficient to tighten the belts 11a and 11b, thus achieving optimum anchoring of the table to the tree trunk.

[0027] It has thus been observed that the invention has achieved the intended aim and objects, by providing a table which can be used in an outdoor environment with uneven ground and even adjacent to the trunk of a less than perfectly straight tree while maintaining optimum characteristics in terms of stability and planarity.

[0028] The table thus provided is further structurally simple and easy and quick to position.

[0029] The invention is of course susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the same inventive concept. The materials and the dimensions that constitute the individual components of the invention may of course also be the most pertinent according to specific requirements.

[0030] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. TV98A000121 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0031] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A cantilever table, characterized in that it comprises a worktop (2) being perimetrically provided with an arc-like recess (4) which has fastening means (5a,5b) for adapting and fastening the worktop (2) to the trunk of a tree, and a supporting rod (15) of adjustable length being pivoted to said worktop (2).

2. The table according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one arc-like and preferably hemispherical recess (4) is formed at the perimetric edge (3) of said worktop (2).

3. The table according to claim 1, characterized in that fastening means for adapting and fastening said worktop (2) to the trunk of a tree are provided at said arc-like recess (4), said fastening means comprising two wings (5a,5b) which are slightly arc-shaped and are freely pivoted, at one end, at two suitable sleeves (6a,6b) which are rigidly coupled adjacent to said worktop (2).

4. The table according to claims 1 and 3, characterized in that said two wings (5a,5b) are arranged in a region located below said worktop (2).

5. The table according to claims 1 and 3, characterized in that said sleeves (5a,5b) are arranged in a mirror-symmetrical configuration with respect to the diametrical axis of said worktop (2) that passes through the centerline of said recess (4), the free ends (7a,7b) of said wings (5a,5b) being arranged proximate to said perimetric edge (3).

6. The table according to claims 1 and 3, characterized in that said two wings (5a,5b) are preferably metallic and can be actuated, in their rotation with respect to said sleeves (6a,6b) so as to reduce the space formed by said recess (4), by way of suitable means which are constituted by two first screws (8a,8b) the threaded shank whereof is associated at a complementarily threaded nut (9a,9b) which is rigidly coupled at two tabs (10a,10b) which are rigidly coupled to said worktop (2) and protrude downward from it.

7. The table according to claims 1 and 6, characterized in that the head of said first screws (8a,8b) is wing-shaped.

8. The table according to claims 1 and 6, characterized in that the free end of the shank of said first screws (8a,8b) interacts adjacent to the outer lateral surface of said wings (5a,5b) in order to allow a movement of said wings (5a,5b) in order to adapt to the curvature of the trunk of the tree that can be arranged at said recess (4).

9. The table according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ends of two traction elements (11a,11b), such as belts or bands, are associated at said free ends (7a,7b) of said wings (5a,5b), the tips of said traction elements (11a,11b) being mutually associable by way of adapted locking devices (12) such as a lever which is associated with one of said belts (11a) and has an adapted traction element (13) which can be selectively engaged at suitable hooks (14) which are associated with the other adjacent said belt (11b).

10. The table according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one supporting rod (15) which can be adjusted in terms of length or height is provided below said worktop (2) and is pivoted, at one end and by way of a suitable pivot (16), at a partially hollow body (17) which protrudes below said worktop (2).

11. The table according to claims 1 and 10, characterized in that said rod (15) is partially axially hollow at its free end, a telescopically extendable arm (18) being arranged inside said rod (15) and being lockable in a chosen position by way of a suitable second screw (19) which is fixed at said rod (15) and whose shank interacts with said arm (18).

12. The table according to claims 1 and 11, characterized in that the tip of said arm (18) is T-shaped and slightly curved so as to allow correct positioning thereof adjacent to the tree trunk.

Drawing