Table system

• US 4,915,034 A
• Filed: 09/04/1987
• Issued: 04/10/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Wilkening+Hahne GmbH+Co.KG
• Original Assignee: Wilkening+Hahne GmbH+Co.KG
• Inventors: Grabe, Rainer, Becker, Erich
• Primary Examiner(s): Aschenbrenner, Peter A.
• Application Number:
  US07/092,947
• Time in Patent Office: 949 Days
• Field of Search: 108/65, 108/114, 108/64, 108/89, 108/27, 248/345.1, 403/330, 403/316, 403/317, 403/300, 292/210
• US Class Current: 108/65
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 87/002 Combination of tables; Linking or assembling means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1092 Swinging catch

Abstract

The invention relates to a table system in which at least two adjacent table elements can be releasably connected via their opposing table top edges with the aid of at least one mechanical connecting arrangement. Of the essentially two-part connecting arrangement a first main part contains a retaining lever which is built into the table top edge region of one table element and can be pivoted outwards, whilst the second main part of the connecting arrangement, built into the table top edge region of the adjacent table element, is constructed so as to receive the retaining lever form-lockingly and contains a securing element for the locking engagement between the first and second main parts. The assembly and disconnection of the individual table elements can be carried out quickly and reliably without additional aids.

Claims

1. Table units adapted for separable connection to one another comprising a first table unit having a top surface;

a second table unit having a top surface;

first connecting means carried by one of said units at one side thereof and below the level of its top surface; and

second connecting means carried by the other of said units at one side thereof and below the level of its top surface, said first and second table units being arranged so that said one side of one unit confronts said one side of the other unit, said first connecting means comprising a lever terminating at one end in a hook means mounting said lever on one of said units for sliding and pivoting movements along a path between retracted and projected positions relative to said one side of said one of said units, said mounting means including pivot means fixed to said one of said units about which said lever pivots, said first connecting means further including means for stablizing said lever against selected pivoting movement when said lever is in its projected position, said second connecting means having means forming a recess for the accommodation of said hook when said lever is in its projected position, and securing means carried by one of said units for releasably engaging said lever and locking said hook in said recess.

2. Table units according to claim 1 wherein said securing means is carried by said second unit.

3. Table units according to claim 1 wherein each of said table units has a side below its top surface, the respective connecting means being fitted into the side of the associated table unit and below its top surface.

4. Table units according to claim 1 including supporting legs joined to at least one of said table units for supporting the latter independently.

5. Table units according to claim 4 wherein the other of said table units is free of supporting legs.

6. Table units according to claim 1 wherein said first and second connecting means are carried by the respective table units in pairs.

7. Table units according to claim 1 wherein said securing means is carried by said second connecting means.

8. Table units according to claim 1 wherein said securing means is pivotable into and out of engagement with said lever.

9. Table units according to claim 1 including yieldable means carried by said one of said units for yieldably retaining said lever in its retracted position.

10. Table units according to claim 1 wherein said stablizing means comprises an abutment surface engageable with said lever.

11. Table units according to claim 1 wherein said securing means is movable from a locking position to a release position.

12. Table units according to claim 11 including resilient means carried by said other of said units for yieldably maintaining said securing means in its locking position.

13. Table units according to claim 11 wherein said securing means when in said locking position lies in the path of movement of said hook into said recess and is movable to said release position in response to engagement by said hook as the latter approaches said recess.

14. Table units according to claim 1 wherein each of said table units has an elastic profile at its top surface and extending laterally beyond said top surface a distance sufficient to engage the profile of the adjacent unit when said table units are connected together.

15. Apparatus for separably connecting two table units to one another comprising a pair of cooperable connecting means the first of which is adapted to be carried by one of said units and the second of which is adapted to be carried by the other of said units in a position confronting said first connecting means, said first connecting means comprising a lever having a free end terminating in a hook, means mounting said lever for reciprocating and pivoting movements along a path between retracted and projected positions, abutment means forming a part of said first connecting means for engagement with said lever in the projected position thereof to limit further pivoting thereof, said second connecting means having a recess for the accommodation of said hook when said lever is in its projected position, and releasable securing means carried by one of said connecting means for releasably securing said hook in said recess.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said hook projects laterally of the direction of said path.