Table unit

• US 6,318,276 B1
• Filed: 09/15/2000
• Issued: 11/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dauphin Entwicklungs- und Beteiligungs GmbH
• Original Assignee: Dauphin Entwicklungs- und Beteiligungs GmbH
• Inventors: Reinecke, Harry
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ANDERSON, GERALD A
• Application Number:
  US09/662,586
• Time in Patent Office: 431 Days
• Field of Search: 108/155, 108/156, 108/157.16, 108/158.12, 108/158.13, 108/159.11, 108/64, 248/221.12, 248/222.13, 248/223.21
• 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 87/002 Combination of tables; Linking or assembling means therefor

Abstract

A table unit, in which table tops with pedestals can be joined to, and detached from, each other easily and without the need of tools, comprises at least one table top, which has at least one locking slot provided thereon; and at least one pedestal supporting the at least one table top, the pedestal having at least one locking bolt, which is movable into engagement with the at least one locking slot for connection of both, and an arresting device to be operated without tools for arresting the at least one locking bolt in the at least one locking slot.

Claims

1. A table unit (1) comprising

a) at least one table top (2, 3, 4), which has

i) at least one locking slot provided thereon;

and

b) at least one pedestal (5) supporting the at least one table top (2, 3, 4), the pedestal having

i) at least one locking bolt (19), which is movable into engagement with the at least one locking slot for connection of both, and

ii) an arresting device to be operated without tools for arresting the at least one locking bolt (19) in the at least one locking slot,

wherein

the at least one locking slot is provided in a locking plate (22, 23, 24, 25), which is joined to the at least one table top (2, 3, 4);

the arresting device comprises a shaft (13) and at least one eccentric cam disk (15), which is joined thereto and is pivotal from a position of assembly, in which the at least one locking bolt (19) is not in arresting engagement with the at least one locking slot, into a stop position, in which the at least one locking bolt (19) is in arresting engagement with the at least one locking slot;

said table unit further comprises an operating lever (14) coupled to the shaft (13) for pivoting the shaft; and

the at least one cam disk (15) is supported relative to the locking plate (22, 23, 24, 25).

2. A table unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the shaft (13) is lodged in a housing (11) that is joined to the pedestal (5), the at least one locking bolt (19) being joined to the housing (11).

3. A table unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one locking slot has the shape of a keyhole.

4. A table unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the locking bolt (19) has a neck (20) and a head (21) joined thereto and standing out therefrom.

5. A table unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein a first table top (4) is provided with a first locking slot and a second table top (3) is provided with a second locking slot, and wherein at least one pedestal (5) is provided, having a first locking bolt (19) and a second locking bolt (19), the first locking bolt (19) being movable into engagement with the first locking slot and the second locking bolt (19) being movable into engagement with the second locking slot.

7. A table unit according to claim 1, wherein:

said cam disk is pivotable with said shaft about an axis;

said cam disk has a cam section that contacts an area of contact of said locking plate when said cam disk is in the stop position;

said cam section has an outer surface having a varying radius relative to the axis and has a portion that is at a greatest radial distance from the axis; and

said outer surface portion that is at a greatest radial distance from the axis is located such that when said cam disc is pivoted from said position of assembly to said stop position, said outer surface portion that is at a greatest radial distance from the axis moves past the area of contact of said locking plate.

8. A table unit (1) comprising

a) at least one table top (2, 3, 4), which has

i) at least one locking slot provided thereon;

and

b) at least one pedestal (5) supporting the at least one table top (2, 3, 4), the pedestal having

i) at least one locking bolt (19), which is movable into engagement with the at least one locking slot for connection of both, and

ii) an arresting device to be operated without tools for arresting the at least one locking bolt (19) in the at least one locking slot,

wherein

the at least one locking slot is provided in a locking plate (22, 23, 24, 25), which is joined to the at least one table top (2, 3, 4);

the arresting device comprises a shaft (13) and at least one eccentric cam disk (15), which is joined thereto and is pivotal from a position of assembly, in which the at least one locking bolt (19) is not in arresting engagement with the at least one locking slot, into a stop position, in which the at least one locking bolt (19) is in arresting engagement with the at least one locking slot; and

the shaft (13) is lodged in a housing (11) that is joined to the pedestal (5), the at least one locking bolt (19) being joined to the housing (11).

6. A table unit (1) according to claim 9, wherein the engagement of the first locking bolt (19) with the first locking slot and the engagement of the second locking bolt (19) with the second locking slot is arrested by actuation of an arresting device.

9. A table unit (1) according to claim 8, wherein a first table top (4) is provided with a first locking slot and a second table top (3) is provided with a second locking slot, and wherein at least one pedestal (5) is provided, having a first locking bolt (19) and a second locking bolt (19), the first locking bolt (19) being movable into engagement with the first locking slot and the second locking bolt (19) being movable into engagement with the second locking slot.

10. A table unit (1) according to claim 9, wherein the engagement of the first locking bolt (19) with the first locking slot and the engagement of the second locking bolt (19) with the second locking slot is arrested by actuation of an arresting device.

11. A table unit (1) according to claim 8, wherein the at least one cam disk (15) is supported relative to the locking plate (22, 23, 24, 25).

12. A table unit (1) according to claim 8, wherein the at least one locking slot has the shape of a keyhole.

13. A table unit (1) according to claim 8, wherein the locking bolt (19) has a neck (20) and a head (21) joined thereto and standing out therefrom.

14. A table unit (1) according to claim 8, wherein the shaft (13) is pivotal by 5 an operating lever (14).