Table, especially conference and office table

• US 20060162626A1
• Filed: 08/28/2003
• Published: 07/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vitra AG
• Original Assignee: Vitra Patente AG
• Inventors: Bouroullec, Erwan, Bouroullec, Ronan, Brauning, Egon
• Granted Patent: US 7,703,398 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 108/143
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 1/08 with extensible frames or with additional legs
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/023 with a central column
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/06 of metal A47B13/023 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0013 Desks with central bearing beams

Abstract

The invention relates to a table which has variable dimensions, especially a long length, and is mainly used in offices and conferences. The base of the table is supported by feet (6) and carries table leaves (1,1) which are brought together at the longitudinal sides thereof, and an insert (8,81) which can be inserted in-between said leaves, can have different configurations and can be used as a support for various structures. The base of said table comprises at least two transversal supports (2) provided with a central sunken channel region (20) from which two extension arms (21) respectively extended in opposite directions, the feet (6) being mounted on said arms, and lateral struts (4) supporting the table leaves (1,1) being arranged on the outside. The transversal supports (2) are interspaced in a parallel manner, perpendicularly in relation to the longitudinal direction of the table. An upwardly open sheet metal channel (3) having a preferably trapeziform cross-section is fixed in the longitudinal direction of the table on the two transversal supports (2). Containers (9′) for CPUs are suspended below the table in free positions on the lateral struts (4). The particular advantages of said table are essentially the stability, even for a long structure, and relatively low construction costs. The freedom in the dimensioning, the various inserts (8,81) and the differrent structures create a design which is adapted to individual requirements.

Claims

1. A table, comprising a substructure, which is supported by legs (6) placed on a standing surface (S), and a tabletop (1) placed onto the substructure, characterized in that the substructure is formed from

a) at least two transverse supports (2) which in each case in the center have a lowered channel zone (20) from which extend in opposite directions respective extension arms (21) which have a leg mount (22) for the fitting-on of the legs (6) and a strut mount (23), transverse supports (2) being arranged, spaced apart from each other in parallel, transversely with respect to the longitudinal extent of the table;

b) a channel (3) which, in the longitudinal extent of the table, is secured on the at least two transverse supports (2), thus producing a double T in top view; and

c) respective side struts (4) which, in the longitudinal extent of the table, bridge the strut mounts (23) of the transverse supports (2), which strut mounts are placed in each case on one side of the table.

2. The table as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that

a) the channel (3) is upwardly open and has a U-shaped, V-shaped or rectangular cross section, but preferably a trapezoidal cross section;

and

b) the channel zone (20) in the transverse supports (2) is complementary to the cross section of the channel (3).

3. The table as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that

a) the legs (6;

6′

,6′

) are double legs and are attached to the leg mounts (22) of the transverse supports (2) in such a manner that the two legs (6′

,6′

) define a plane which points in the longitudinal direction of the table; and

b) the leg portions (64) of the two legs (6;

6′

,6′

) arranged opposite each other are preferably spread further apart than their head portions (63);

c) the area above the channel (3) is intended for the insertion of inserts (8); and

d) a tabletop (1) is provided in each case on both sides of the inserts (8).

4. The table as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the channel (3)

a) is provided for table lengths of preferably greater than 250 cm, with transverse supports (2) and legs (6) having to be provided only in the region of the front ends of the table in each case, i.e. it being possible to dispense with transverse supports (2) and legs (6) inserted in between;

b) has an average width which is a multiple of the height; and

c) preferably consists of sheet metal which is, e.g., 2.0 mm thick.

5. The table as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that

a) on both sides of the channel (3), on the plane of the tabletops (1) which are to be placed on, a respective surround (32) is provided for fixing the tabletops (1) at their longitudinal inner edges (13), the surround preferably being in the form of an angled stop with an edge engaging over at the top and under which the longitudinal inner edges (13) can be slid;

and

b) the tabletops (1) are fixed, on the other hand, in the vicinity of their longitudinal outer edges (12), to the side struts (4).

6. The table as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that

a) strut mounts (23) on the transverse supports (2) are of upwardly open V-profile;

b) the side struts (4) are essentially an upwardly open V-profile (40) which, at least with the pointed, lower region, find space with a suitable shape in the strut mounts (23), the V-profile (40) having at the top on both sides horizontal chamfered portions (41) which are used as a support for and securing of the tabletops (1); and

c) the fastening between the side struts (4) and the transverse supports (2) and between the side struts (4) and the tabletops (1) is preferably realized in a spot-type manner by means of screws (49′

,49).

7. The table as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that

a) at least one of the horizontal chamfered portions (41), which are present at the top on both sides, of the side strut (4) is adjoined by a downwardly pointing transition (44) which opens into a support edge (45), as a result of which, when the tabletop (1) is resting on it, a gap remains between the underside (11) thereof and the support edge (45);

b) a container (9′

) is provided with a useful space (90′

) and an adaptor region (94′

) intended for fitting onto the side strut (4);

c) the container (9′

) is dimensioned for the insertion of a CPU of a computer; and

d) the adaptor region (94′

) has a channel-like depression (95′

) which runs longitudinally, extends over the width of the container (9′

) and in which the V-profile (40) of the side strut (4) together with the strut mount (23), which supports the latter, of the transverse support (2) finds space.

8. The table as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that

a) the useful space (90′

) is formed by a base (91′

) and the two side walls (92′

, 92′

) extending upward therefrom, and the rear side (93′

) and the topside are preferably likewise open, thus enabling free access into the container (9′

) from the front and rear;

b) at the top of the depression (95′

), facing the rear side (93′

), there is an upwardly directed stop edge (97′

), and running parallel to the latter on the depression (95′

), facing the front side, is a bent-over portion (96′

) which points toward the depression (95′

);

c) in the fitted state, the bent-over portion (96′

) of the container (9′

) engages over the support edge (45) and the stop edge (97′

) of the container (9′

) is present on a second support edge (45) on the opposite side of the side strut (4), at the point where preferably said second support edge is situated, in the case of a symmetrical cross-sectional profile of the side strut (4); and

d) the suspension and position of the center of gravity of the container (9′

) in the fitted state cause it to be aligned toward the center of the table, the supported tendency of the container (9′

) to tilt being reinforced as said container is loaded.

9. The table as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that

a) on both sides of the channel (3), below the plane of the tabletops (1) to be placed on, a respective supporting edge (34), which points way from the channel (3), is provided for supporting and fixing the tabletops (1) at their longitudinal inner edges (13);

and

b) on both sides of the channel (3), below the plane of the inserts (8) to be placed on, set-down surfaces (33) pointing into the channel (3) are provided in each case, in order to support said inserts.

10. The table as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that

a) the supporting edges (34) and the set-down surfaces (33) are formed by a profiled material strip fixed on the channel (3);

and

b) the surround (32) is a continuation of the wall of the channel (3).

11. The table as claimed in one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that

a) in the channel (3), preferably in the base surface (30) thereof, installation apertures (301) can be provided as a means of access for lines and/or installations;

and

b) a tabletop extension (1′

) is provided which can be attached transversely and is supported by bridge struts (5′

) which are fastened, on the one hand, in the respectively aligned side strut (4) and, on the other hand, in the strut extensions (5′

) arranged on the underside (11′

).

12. The table as claimed in one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that on the head portion (63) of the legs (6) and on the leg mounts (22) on the transverse supports (2) there are mutually complementary screwing elements (630,631;

220,221).

13. The table as claimed in one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that

a) in the case of the leg (6), one leg portion (64) extends from the head portion (63) to the standing surface (S);

b) two legs (6′

, 6′

) emerge from the head portion (63), said legs spreading apart and being formed in each case by a leg profile (60); and

c) a height-leveling device (7) is contained in the leg (6); and

d) there emerges from each lower leg end (640,640) a base element (66) which is arranged displaceably, can be adjusted by means of the height-leveling device (7) and the set-down surface (660) of which is provided for supporting on the standing surface (S).

14. The table as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that in the case of the leg (6)

a) the height-leveling device (7) comprises an adjusting screw (78) which is accessible from the outside, is arranged in the head portion (63) and carries along a rotating spindle (71) on which a rocker element (73) is mounted in an oscillating manner;

b) in the leg portion (64) with the two legs (6′

,6′

) spread apart, a respective axially displaceable slide rod (70,70) is mounted in the respective leg profile (60,60) of said leg;

c) the upper ends of the two slide rods (70,70) butt against the rocker element (73) which determines, by means of its set height position, the push-in depth of the slide rods (70,70); and

d) the slide rods (70,70) act on the respective base element (66,66).

15. The table as claimed in either of claims 13 or 14, characterized in that

a) the base element (66) has a cross section which corresponds in principle to the clear internal cross section of the leg profile (60) at the lower leg end (640);

and

b) the set-down surface (660), which is situated right at the bottom of the base element (66), is an oblique plane which compensates for the oblique position of the leg portion (64) with respect to the standing surface (S).

16. The table as claimed in one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that

a) either a coupling element (65), to which the slide rod (70) is fastened at the top and the base element (66) is fastened at the bottom, is fitted between the lower end of a slide rod (70) and a base element (66);

or

b) the base element (66) and the coupling element (65) form an integral constructional unit; and

c) the coupling element (65), which is separate or is connected integrally to the base element (66), is arranged in the leg profile (60) in a manner such that it can be displaced axially over a defined region.

17. The table as claimed in one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that

a) the leg profile (60) is, in principle, of U-shaped cross section with a rear wall (600) and the two side walls (601,602) which are adjacent to the latter and lie opposite each other;

and

b) a leg covering (68) is provided for covering the open side lying opposite the rear wall (600).

18. The table as claimed in one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that

a) differently configured inserts (8;

80,81,82,83,84,85) which can have at least one aperture (800,811,841,850) and/or a groove (810,820,830,840) can be placed over the channel (3),

aa) the aperture (800,811,841,850) being used for receiving a socket unit (89) or for the insertion of a support (92), and the support (92) bearing, for example, a light (91), and

ab) structures can be inserted into the groove (810,820,830,840), for example in the form of a possibly axially displaceable and/or rotatable, horizontal panel (96), a possibly axially displaceable and/or rotatable book/file support (97) or a vertically standing screen (98);

b) structures (9) are provided for arrangement at and/or on the tabletop (1), which structures can easily be positioned and displaced or removed again, for example by sliding over the table edge (12); and

c) such structures (9) are, for example;

ca) a half-height, panel-shaped side screen (90) which forms a vertical delimitation on the table from the adjacent position and has, for example, an incision for securing it;

cb) a placemat (93) which lies on the tabletop (1), therefore defines a workplace and has for example, a bent-over edge at the front for securing it;

cc) a utensil tray or file/book support (94) which sits on the tabletop (1) and has, for example, a bent-over edge at the front for securing it;

cd) a high, panel-shaped side screen (95) with an upper part (950) standing above the tabletop (1) and a lower part (951) which forms a vertical delimitation into the vicinity of the standing surface (S), the side screen (95) having, for example, an incision for securing it; and

ce) a collecting container (98) which extends essentially below the tabletop (1) and has, for example, an incision for securing it.