Table Construction

• US 20080276841A1
• Filed: 06/14/2004
• Published: 11/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Vitra Patente AG
• Original Assignee: Vitra Patente AG
• Inventors: Brauning, Egon, Citterio, Antonio
• Application Number:
  US11/629,585
• Publication Number:
  US 20080276841A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 108/154
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/02 Underframes
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0082 Cable inlet in worktop or desk, e.g. grommet
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 12/40 Joints for furniture tubing
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 12/52 Metal leg connections F16B12/50 takes precedence

Abstract

The invention relates to a table construction comprising a frame (2) which is provided with at least four base-struts (20) which form at least one table area (T1,T2), which are in contact in pairs in the corner regions of the frame (2) and which are connected together by means of corner angles (27) which are used as binders. Feet (3) can be mounted in a detachable manner onto the frame (2). The frame (2) is covered, corresponding to the number and the shape of table areas (T1,T2), with configured table plates (1) which are adapted in order to form work surfaces. The corner angles (27) have two lateral limbs which are arranged at a right angle in relation to each other and which receive the displaced ends of the base struts (20). The top ends of the feet (3) supporting the frame (2) are also fixed to the corner angles (27). Bridge pieces are provided in order to expand the frame (2), said bridge pieces connecting the base struts (20) in pairs and arranging them in a line. Inner struts (23) which are fixed to the base struts (20) or to one side of another inner strut (23) by connecting pieces (26) are arranged inside the frame (2) formed by the base struts (20).

Claims

1. A table construction comprising:

a) a frame (2) with at least four basic struts (20,21,22,25) which form at least one table section (T1) and come together in pairs, and are connected to one another by means of connectors (27) in the corner regions of the frame (2);

b) legs (3) mounted in a releasable manner on the frame (2);

c) at least one table top (1) seated on the frame (2), characterized in that

d) the connectors (27) are corner angles (27) which comprise two side limbs (270) arranged at right angles to one another;

e) the side limbs (270) accommodate the pushed-on ends of the basic struts (20,21,22,25); and

f) the top ends of the legs (3), which bear the frame (2), are fastened on the corner angles (27) at the same time.

2. The table construction as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, in order to extend the frame (2),

a) bridge pieces (28) are provided, these allowing the basic struts (20,21,22, 25) to be connected to one another in pairs and in a state in which they are arranged along a line;

and

b) inner struts (23,24) are provided, these being fastened by docking parts (26), within the frame (2) formed by the basic struts (20,21,22,25), on the basic struts (20,21,22,25) or, at one end, on a further inner strut (23,24).

3. The table construction as claimed in at least one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that, over and above the one table section (T1), the following table combinations can be erected:

a) two table sections (T1,T2) lined up one beside the other along the narrow sides to give an elongate-rectangular work surface;

b) two table sections (T1,T2) lined up one beside the other along the longitudinal sides to give a square work surface;

c) two table sections (T1,T2) lined up one beside the other along the longitudinal sides and a relatively narrow add-on section (A1) fitted along the narrow sides in a more or less T-shaped manner to form a square work surface;

d) two table sections (T1,T2) lined up one beside the other along the longitudinal sides and one table section (T3) fitted along the narrow sides in a more or less T-shaped manner to give a rectangular work surface;

e) two table sections (T1,T2) lined up one beside the other along the longitudinal sides and two further table sections (T3,T4) fitted thereon, once again along the longitudinal sides, to give a rectangular work surface;

f) two table sections (T1,T2) lined up one beside the other along the longitudinal sides and two further table sections (T3,T4) fitted thereon, once again along the longitudinal sides, and, on the outside in each case, a relatively narrow add-on section (A1,A2) fitted along the narrow sides in a more or less T-shaped manner to form a rectangular work surface;

g) two table sections (T1,T2) lined up one beside the other along the longitudinal sides and two further table sections (T3,T4) fitted thereon, once again along the longitudinal sides, and, on the outside in each case, a table section (T1,T6) fitted along the narrow sides in a more or less T-shaped manner to give a rectangular work surface;

h) two table sections (T1,T2) fitted on one another in an L-shaped manner or one table section (T1) and an add-on section (A1) fitted thereon in an L-shaped manner;

or

i) three table sections (T1-T3) fitted on one another in a Z-shaped manner or a table section (T1), an intermediate section (Z1) fitted thereon in an L-shaped manner and a table section (T2), fitted thereon once again in an L-shaped manner, to give likewise a Z-shaped table combination.

4. The table construction as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that

a) a basic strut (20,21,22,25) may be configured as a short longitudinal strut (20), transverse strut (21), long longitudinal strut (22) or short strut (25), in which case preferably

aa) the length of the short longitudinal strut (20) is equal to double the length of the transverse strut (21);

ab) the length of the long longitudinal strut (22) is equal to the length of the short longitudinal strut (20) plus the length of the transverse strut (21); and

ac) the length of the short strut (25) is equal to half the length of the transverse strut (21);

b) the length of the table top (1) corresponds approximately to the length of the short longitudinal strut (20) and the width of the table top (1) corresponds approximately to the length of the transverse strut (21);

c) a panel segment (100) is provided for positioning on the table frame (2) in order to cover over an intermediate section (Z1) or an add-on section (A1), the width of the panel segment (100) corresponding approximately to the length of the short strut (25) and the length of the panel segment (100) corresponding approximately to the length of the short longitudinal strut (20).

5. The table construction as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that an inner strut (23,24) may be configured as a long inner strut (23) or short inner strut (24);

in which case

a) the length of the long inner strut (23) corresponds to the length of the short longitudinal strut (20);

b) the length of the short inner strut (24) corresponds to half the length of the transverse strut (21); and

c) the basic struts (20,21,22,25) comprise a hollow quadrilateral profile of rectangular cross section, while the inner struts (23,24) have a square cross section.

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

a) top boxes (4) are provided for placing on the work surface, it being possible for these top boxes to be positioned in a releasable manner preferably by means of adapter plates (41), which are fastened on the work surface and beneath the top box (4), and retaining plates (410) which complement the adapter plates;

b) desk containers (45) or floor-level cabinets (48) are designed for supporting the frame (2) in a load-bearing manner;

c) the table top (1) contains a clearance (10) for cable lead-through purposes, and a cable system (9) may advantageously be arranged beneath the work surface in a state in which it is fastened in a releasable manner at least on one side;

d) a receptacle-outlet unit (8), which is installed in a receptacle-outlet holder (6) or a multipurpose holder (7), is accessible via the clearance (10), the multipurpose holder serving, at the same time, for securing a screen (5) which rises up vertically from the work surface.

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

a) the bridge piece (28) comprises a central part (280) to which a respective flank part (285) is attached on both sides, it being possible for the ends of the basic struts (20,21,22,25) to be pushed onto these flank parts;

b) the docking part (26) comprises a base (260) and a shank (265) attached thereto, it being possible for the docking part (26) to be fastened directly on the frame (2), or on the central part (280) of the bridge piece (28), by way of the base (260);

c) for fastening on the docking part (26), the ends of the inner struts (23,24) are pushed onto the shank (265) thereof;

d) the ends of the basic struts (20,21,22,25) and of the inner struts (23,24) are provided with a mitered cutout (200); and

e) a supporting leg (3′

) can be mounted beneath a docking part (26) installed in the frame (2), the supporting leg being connected to the docking part (26).

8. The table construction as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that

a) the base (260) of the docking part (26) is screwed onto the central part (280) of the bridge piece (28);

b) the end of the inner strut (23,24) on the shank (265) of the docking part (26) is fastened by means of a wedge/screw connection (267,269);

c) the top end of the leg (3) is screw-connected to the corner angle (27) by way of the pushed-on ends of the basic struts (20,21,22,25); and

d) a corner nose (271) is present on the corner angle (27), this nose engaging in a form-fitting manner in an arresting slot (34) at the top end of the mounted leg (3).