Linkable modular table system

• US 5,794,545 A
• Filed: 02/14/1997
• Issued: 08/18/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: JAMI Incorporated (JSJ Corporation)
• Original Assignee: JAMI Incorporated (JSJ Corporation)
• Inventors: McDaniel, Randall D., White, Gergory J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V.
• Application Number:
  US08/800,051
• Time in Patent Office: 550 Days
• Field of Search: 108/64, 108/69, 108/65, 248/188.1, 248/188, 248/188.8
• US Class Current: 108/64
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/021 Fastening devices of the feet or legs A47B13/023 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 87/002 Combination of tables; Linking or assembling means therefor

Abstract

A modular table top system includes a variety of differently shaped modular table tops, including rectangular, triangular, curved, semi-circular, etc., which can be selectively linked to form customized table or desk shapes. Each modular table top accommodates leg brackets along linkable edges thereof in alternative positions. In a first position, each leg bracket is positioned completely under the table top proximate the linkable edges thereof, and, in a second position, each leg bracket is rotated 180 degrees to a position straddling two adjacent linked table tops. With leg brackets straddling adjacent table tops, the number of legs required to support a linked structure is reduced, allowing greater freedom of chair placement, and reducing overall cost.

Claims

1. A linkable modular table assembly comprising:

a) a plurality of modular table tops, each said table top including a plurality of threaded anchors positioned in a bottom side thereof;

b) a plurality of fasteners, each with a threaded shaft with a predetermined diameter and a head larger than said predetermined diameter;

c) at least one leg bracket with multiple sides, said leg bracket holding a supporting leg, said leg bracket including a plurality of leg bracket slots arranged in a pattern with each said leg bracket slot sized to receive the shaft of a respective said fastener but not the head of said fastener with each leg bracket slot extending inward from a respective side of said leg bracket; and

d) at least some of said threaded anchors on some of said table tops are arranged in patterns which match the pattern of said leg bracket openings such that said leg brackets can be attached beneath individual table tops via a plurality of said fasteners; and

wherein

e) when a pair of said table tops are positioned adjacent to each other with edges aligned, a combination of said anchors on both said table tops near said aligned edges are also arranged in a pattern which matches said pattern of said leg bracket openings such that said leg brackets can be attached to straddle and link said two tables together and such that said leg bracket can be removed from or installed on said table tops by loosening the fasteners and rotating said leg bracket until said slots disengage, or engage, respectively, respective ones of said fasteners in said pattern.

2. A linkable modular table top system as in claim 1, wherein:

a) said leg bracket comprises a plate with four approximately orthogonal sides.

3. A linkable modular table top system as in claim 2, wherein:

a) the patterns formed by said leg bracket slots, said threaded anchors on a single table top, and said combinations of threaded anchors on an adjacent pair of table tops are square.

4. A linkable modular table top system as in claim 1, and further comprising:

a) at least one linking member comprising an elongate plate with linking member openings near each end, said linking member openings being spaced apart a predetermined distance such that the distance between said linking member openings is equal to a distance between adjacent ones of said leg bracket slots in said pattern.

5. A linkable modular table top system as in claim 4, wherein:

a) a first of said linking member openings is an aperture and a second of said linking member openings is formed as a slot.

6. A linkable modular table assembly comprising:

a) a plurality of modular table tops;

b) a plurality of fasteners, each with a threaded shaft with a predetermined diameter and a head larger than said predetermined diameter;

c) a plurality of leg brackets, each said leg bracket mounting a supporting leg, each leg bracket comprising a plate with four approximately orthogonal sides and including a plurality of linking member slots arranged in a square pattern with each linking member slot positioned in a respective side of said plate and sized to receive the shaft of a respective said fastener but not the head of said fastener; and

d) a plurality of threaded anchors positioned in a bottom side of each table top, with each said anchor accommodating a respective one of said threaded shafts;

wherein

e) at least some of said threaded anchors on some of said table tops are arranged in square patterns which match the pattern of said leg bracket slots such that said leg brackets can be attached beneath individual table tops via a plurality of said fasteners; and

wherein

f) when a pair of said table tops are positioned adjacent to each other with edges aligned, a combination of said anchors on both said table tops near said aligned edges are also arranged in a square pattern which matches said square pattern of said leg bracket slots such that said leg brackets can be attached to straddle and link said two tables together.

7. A linkable modular table top system as in claim 6, wherein:

a) said leg bracket slots are angled with each leg bracket slot extending inward from a respective side of said bracket such that each sail leg bracket can be removed from or installed on said table tops by loosening the fasteners and rotating said plate until the leg bracket slots disengage, or engage, respectively, the fasteners in said square pattern.

8. A linkable modular table top system as in claim 6, and further comprising:

a) at least one linking member comprising an elongate plate with linking member openings near each end, said linking member openings being spaced apart a predetermined distance such that the distance between said linking member openings is equal to a distance between adjacent ones of said leg bracket slots in said pattern.

9. A linkable modular table top system as in claim 8, wherein:

a) a first of said linking member openings is an aperture and a second of said linking member openings is formed as a slot.

10. A linkable modular table assembly comprising:

a) a plurality of modular table tops;

b) a plurality of fasteners, each with a threaded shaft with a predetermined diameter and a head larger than said predetermined diameter;

c) a plurality of leg brackets, each said leg bracket mounting a supporting leg, each leg bracket comprising a plate with four orthogonal sides and including a plurality of leg bracket slots arranged in a square pattern with each leg bracket slot positioned in a respective side of said plate and sized to receive the shaft of a respective said fastener but not the head of said fastener; and

d) a plurality of threaded anchors positioned in a bottom side of each table top, with each said anchor accommodating a respective one of said threaded shafts;

wherein

e) at least some of said threaded anchors on some of said table tops are arranged in square patterns which match the pattern of said leg bracket slots such that said leg brackets can be attached beneath individual table tops via a plurality of said fasteners; and

wherein

f) when a pair of said table tops are positioned adjacent to each other with edges aligned, a combination of said anchors on both said table tops near said aligned edges are also arranged in a square pattern which matches said square pattern of said leg bracket slots such that said leg brackets can be attached to straddle and link said two tables together; and

g) said leg bracket slots are angled with each said leg bracket slot extending inward from a respective side of said bracket such that each said leg bracket can be removed from or installed on said table tops by loosening the fasteners and rotating said plate until the leg bracket slots disengage, or engage, respectively, the fasteners in said pattern.

11. A linkable modular table top system as in claim 10, and further comprising:

a) at least one linking member comprising an elongate plate with linking member openings near each end, said linking member openings being spaced apart a predetermined distance such that the distance between said linking member openings is equal to a distance between adjacent ones of said leg bracket slots in said pattern.

12. A linkable modular table top system as in claim 11, wherein:

a) a first of said linking member openings is an aperture and a second of said linking member openings is formed as a slot.