Underframe for tabletops for single and multiple tables

• US 5,549,055 A
• Filed: 01/30/1995
• Issued: 08/27/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dieter Kusch
• Original Assignee: Dieter Kusch
• Inventors: Kusch, Dieter
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V.
• Application Number:
  US08/380,659
• Time in Patent Office: 575 Days
• Field of Search: 108/154, 108/157, 108/153, 108/180, 108/192, 108/193, 108/165, 108/121, 108/125, 108/129, 108/130, 108/131, 108/132, 248/188, 248/188.1
• US Class Current: 108/159.11
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/003 Connecting table tops to underframes connecting furniture tubing to non-tubular parts F16B12/42
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/023 with a central column
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0003 Triangular or trapezoidal desk surface to join desks
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 87/002 Combination of tables; Linking or assembling means therefor

Abstract

Main components of the underframe for a tabletop (2) are a mounting plate (19), on which a leg column is fastened, two mounting rails (17) arranged on the underside (5) of the tabletop (2) at a distance from and parallel to one another, and two clamping devices (7) clamp the mounting plate (19) firmly to a mounting rail (17). The mounting rails (17) are L-cast profiles with a short reinforcing leg (17a) and a long holding leg (17b), fastened to the tabletop underside (5) with clamping studs (17c): or a molded-on clamping leg, offset downwardly. Clamping studs (17c) or the clamping leg, directed toward the center of the tabletop, form with the holding leg (17b) a slot (18) to move the tabletop (2) onto outer edges (19a) of the mounting plate (19) offset upwardly or to extend the mounting plate. On the mounting plate (19), two clamping devices (7) with a toggle joint (20) for actuating a locking rod (21) are attached at a distance, the rod fitting in locking position (21'"'"') with its clamping end (22) into a clamping gap (23), which is formed by clamping studs (17c), each in the locking position, or the clamping leg of one of two mounting rails (17) and outer edge (19a) of mounting plate (19), arranged at a distance over studs (17c) or the clamping leg.

Claims

1. An underframe for tabletops for single and multiple tables, comprising at least one leg or pedestal attached to a mounting plate fastened under the tabletop;

mounting rails (6) arranged on an underside (5) of a said tabletop (2) at a distance from and parallel to one another, the mounting rails (6) being adapted to be engaged with the mounting plate (3), and clamping devices (7) to clamp said mounting plate (3) firmly on at least one said mounting rail (6), said mounting rails (6) having a Z-profile and legs (8) of said mounting rails (6) being directed inwardly toward one another and forming gaps (9) with said tabletop underside (5) to hold two opposite edges (3a, 3b) of said mounting plate (3).

2. Underframe according to claim 1, wherein said mounting rails (6) have a reinforcing leg (16) bent downwardly from said leg (8).

3. Underframe according to claim 1, wherein said mounting rails (6) end shortly before tabletop edges (10) and wherein ends (11) of said mounting rails (6) are folded under to avoid leg injuries.

4. Underframe according to claim 1, wherein said clamping devices (7) are clamping disks (12) with an S-profile, which are pivotally mounted on an edge section (3c) of said mounting plate (3) connecting to at least one extending edge (3a, 3b), which is arranged at a distance under said tabletop (3) and are attached on one end (14) which is guided through said mounting plate (3) and is fixed in it, of a pivot lever (13) for rotation of said clamping disks (12) from a release position (12'"'"') into a clamping position (12") in a gap (9) between said tabletop underside (5) and said leg (8) of said mounting rail (6), said at least one extending edge (3a, 3b) of said mounting plate (3) in an area of rotation of said lever having recesses (15) corresponding to said clamping disks (12).

5. Underframe according to claim 4, wherein the clamping disks (12) have an oval shape.

6. An underframe for tabletops for single and multiple tables, comprising at least one leg or pedestal attached to a mounting plate fastened under the tabletop;

mounting rails (17) arranged on an underside (5) of said tabletop (2) at a distance from and parallel to one another, the mounting rails (17) being adapted to be engaged with the mounting plate (19), and clamping devices (7) to clamp said mounting plate (14) firmly on at least one said mounting rail (17), said mounting rails (17) being L-profile rods for the short reinforcing leg (17a) and a long holding leg (17b) secured to said table underside (5) and including clamping members (17c, 17d), said clamping members (17c, 17d) pointing toward a center of the tabletop and said holding leg (17b) forming a slot (18) that opens toward said center of the tabletop and that receives edges of said mounting plate, a locking rod (21) movable into and out of said slot (18), means (20,

     33) for moving said locking rod (21) into and out of said slot (18), said locking rod (21) having a clamping end (22) which, when inserted into said slot (18) wedges between an outer edge (19a) of said mounting plate (19) and said clamping members (17c, 17d) releasably to urge said outer edge (19a) into locked position against an underside of said holding leg (17b).

7. Underframe according to claim 6, wherein said clamping end (22) of said locking rod (21) is designed as a clamping ring.

8. Underframe according to claim 6, wherein said mounting plate (19) has a central section (19b) which merges into two edge sections (19c) directed obliquely upward, pointing outward, of which in each case said outer edge (19a) is offset, and wherein at least one said edge section (19c) of said mounting plate (19) has a number of through-openings (24) corresponding to the number of said clamping devices (7) for said locking rods (21) of said clamping devices (7).

9. Underframe according to claim 6, there being two said locking rods (21) arranged on said mounting plate (19).

10. Underframe according to claim 6, wherein a lever (25) is attached with its end (28) facing away from a connecting hinge (26) of two levers (25, 27) of said moving means (20, 33) at a fixed point (29) to a top side (30) of said mounting plate (19), and wherein said locking rod (21) can move in a slide bar (32) on the top side (30) of said mounting plate (19) and is connected to an end (31) of the other said lever (27) facing away from said connecting hinge (26).

11. Underframe according to claim 6, wherein said mounting rails (17) are extruded steel or aluminum profiles.