Abstract:
An extension table with multiple legs with two table tops sliding back and forth in relation to each other and at least one leaf and at least four supporting members each comprising at least two table legs, including a first table leg and a second table leg. The supporting members support the extension table when the sliding table tops are joined in a first position, and they support the extension table when the sliding table tops are pulled apart in a second position. The first table legs in each supporting member are directly or indirectly connected to the sliding table tops through fasteners which, in one embodiment, comprise sliding means.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a national stage application pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2013/050249, filed Jan. 9, 2013, which claims priority to, and the benefit of, Danish Patent Application No. BA 2012 00005, filed on Jan. 10, 2012, now Danish Patent No. BR 2012 00005, issued on Apr. 29, 2013, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention relates to an extension table with multiple legs with two sliding table tops sliding back and forth in relation to each other and a number of leaves and at least four supporting members each comprising at least two table legs—a first table leg and a second table leg—said supporting members supporting the extension table with multiple legs when the sliding table tops are joined in a first position and supporting the extension table when the sliding table tops are pulled apart in a second position 
     BACKGROUND 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,086,941 discloses an extension table with multiple legs having four corners each comprising supporting members, said supporting members comprising four legs that are separated when the table is extended so that two of the legs stay in place while the two remaining legs follow the leaf, thereby supporting the extended leaf. However, when the table is made of a living material like wood, the system is problematic. Since wood extends and contracts due to inter alia humidity and temperature as well as the characteristics of the chosen material, it is ascertained that for every two meters of a table, the table may extend and/or contract by two centimeters as a consequence of the outer conditions. Naturally, this creates tension in the table and may result in the collapse or cracking of the table or parts of the table. 
     Additionally, there is a risk of the table not being stable when assembled when a supporting leg leans compared to the leg with which it belongs. Consequently, the two concurrent legs may not be as supporting and stabilising as they would otherwise be when assembled. Furthermore, there is a risk of the table being unstable when the legs are separated, whereby the legs wobble, especially when the ground is uneven. 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     The aspect of the invention is to provide an extension table with multiple legs without the above-mentioned disadvantages or at least to provide a useful alternative. 
     The aspect is achieved by an extension table with multiple legs according to the introduction and where the first table legs in each supporting member are directly or indirectly connected to the sliding table tops by means of fasteners comprising sliding means, and by said fastener, the first table leg and the corresponding sliding table top are arranged to slide relative to each other from a position A to a second position B differing from position A and at least in the extension direction of the table and with fastening means co-operating with the sliding means of the fastener in order to secure the first table leg in the chosen position. 
     The table, which may be completely or partially made of a wooden material, has at least four supporting members placed in each corner so that each leaf of the extension table with multiple legs has at least two supporting members. Thereby, each supporting member comprises two legs that are close to each other in a first position, whereby, in principle, the legs stabilise each other. When the table is extended, the legs in each supporting member comprise a first leg and a second leg. The second leg is mounted to the stationary rail, while the first legs being directly or indirectly connected to the extension table are removed from the stationary second leg, thereby supporting the extended table top. 
     Typically, the leaves will be placed in box-shaped cavities under the table tops when said table tops are pulled apart. Said cavities are provided by longitudinal stationary rails and transverse rails forming a fixed box to which the second table legs are mounted. The first table legs may be directly or indirectly connected to the sliding table tops as the first table legs may be connected to a transverse rail. Thereby said transverse rail is mounted on the sliding table top by means of a fastener. Alternatively, the first table legs may be mounted by a fastener directly to the underside of the sliding table top, or the rail to which the legs are fastened may be adjusted. 
     At the moment the table changes its dimensions due to for example a change in temperature creating tensions, it is possible to release these tensions by means of the fastener placed under the table top. The fastener comprises sliding means cooperating with the fastening means, said fastening means is released. The fastener, which may be angle brackets with oval bores, ensures that the table top can slide a given distance in relation to the first table leg from a position A to a position B as the position of the bracket is adjusted to the longitudinal direction of the extension table with multiple legs, so that tension is released. Subsequently, by means of the fastening means, the sliding top will be fixedly mounted to the first table leg, thereby stabilising the table leg without tension. Preferably, the fastening means is a separate means such as a screw. 
     According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the extension table with multiple legs comprises a rail being transverse in relation to the direction of extension, said rail being connected to the two first table legs both supporting the same slidable table top. 
     By this construction, in which a transverse rail is used, it is ensured that the first two table legs may be synchronically slid, each keeping their mutual position. This is also a simple way of sliding the table legs. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the fastener comprises a mounting or a transverse rail and the sliding means of the fastener comprise at least two oval bores in each mounting or rail, said longitudinal axis of the oval bores being axis-parallel with the direction of extension of the extension table with multiple legs, and in said bores, fastening means such as screws, bolts, pins, threaded rods and nuts cooperate with the bores for fastening of the fastener in a certain position. 
     Thereby, the sliding of table legs takes place by the brackets being adjustable, said brackets being fastened to each table leg or to the rail, where the table legs are mounted. Alternatively, the oval bores are provided directly in the rail, thereby being able to adjust its position. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the rail is fastened to the sliding table top by means of a separate fastener and the sliding means of the fastener comprise at least two oval bores in each mounting, said longitudinal axis of the oval bores being axis-parallel with the direction of extension of the extension table with multiple legs, and in said bores, mounting means such as screws, bolts, pins, threaded rods and nuts co-operate with the bores for fastening of the fastener in a certain position. 
     In this case, the rail is fastened to a fastener, said fastener being a bracket. The position of the bracket, and thereby the rail and the table legs, may be adjusted. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the fastener comprises at least one mounting comprising a first sheet part and a second sheet part protruding essentially perpendicularly from said first sheet part, said first sheet part being arranged to be directly or indirectly connected to the first table leg, and said second sheet part comprising sliding means and being arranged to be connected with the sliding table top by means of the fastening means. 
     This is a preferred embodiment of the fastener. Said fastener having the shape of an angle bracket, where the first top part is fastened to either a rail or directly to the first table leg, is immovable in relation to this top, while the second top part comprises sliding means cooperating with the fastening means. Thereby, the sliding means ensure a connection without tension. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the fastener comprises at least one mounting comprising a first sheet part, a second sheet part protruding essentially perpendicularly from said first sheet part, said first sheet part being arranged to be connected with the transverse rail, and said second sheet part comprising sliding means and being arranged to be connected with the sliding table top by means of the fastening means. 
     By this embodiment, the second top part is connected to the underside of the sliding table top, while the first top part is connected to the transverse rail being immovable in relation to this. Typically, the first top part is fastened to the rail by means of screws or bolts fitting into the pre-cut threaded hole. Thereby, the second top part can slide in relation to the table top. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the fastener comprises at least one mounting comprising a first sheet part and a second sheet part protruding essentially perpendicularly from said first sheet part, said first sheet part being arranged to be connected with the first table legs and said second sheet part comprising sliding means and being arranged to be connected with the sliding table top by means of the fastening means. 
     By this embodiment, the second top part is connected to the underside of the sliding table top, while the first top part is connected to the first table leg being immovable in relation to this. Typically, the first top part is fastened to the rail by means of screws or bolts fitting into the pre-cut threaded hole. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the fastener comprises at least two mountings connected to the transverse rail or each mounted to separate first table legs. 
     By using two mountings, a stable construction is achieved. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the sliding means comprise at least two, preferably four, oval bores, said longitudinal axis of the bores being parallel with the direction of extension of the extension table with multiple legs, and in said bores, the mounting means consisting of screws, bolts, pins, threaded rods and nuts cooperate with the bores for fastening of the fastener in a certain position. 
     This is a preferred embodiment of the sliding means, as the oval shape ensures that the sliding of the mounting is precise and in the direction of the extension. However, depending on the lateral shape of the oval bore, it may also be possible to slide the mounting sideways. In the longitudinal direction, there are good possibilities for sliding and depending on the length of the bores, the position of the first legs may be adjusted in order to release the tension. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the bores in the longitudinal direction are at least twice the diameter of the fastening means, preferably two to six times the diameter, said fastening means having essentially circular cross sections. 
     This is a preferred dimension of the bores allowing sufficient adjustment of the table legs. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the sliding table tops each being supported by at least two supporting members when the extension table with multiple legs is in its first position. 
     Preferably, said supporting members are placed opposite each other. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the sliding table tops each being supported by at least two first legs when the extension table with multiple legs is in its second position. 
     Preferably, the first table legs are placed opposite each other. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the extension table with multiple legs is completely or partially made of wood or a wood-containing material. 
     The material may be chipboard, wooden laminate etc. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the contact face of the first table leg, which contact face abuts a surface of the second table leg in the first position of the sliding table tops, and said surface of the second table leg are congruent. 
     Thereby, a good stability of the supporting legs is achieved when the sliding table tops are in a first position as the tops support each other. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the contact face of the first table leg, which contact face abuts the surface of the second table leg in the first position, and said surface of the second table leg are plane. 
     Thereby, a good stability of the supporting legs is achieved in a simple manner when the sliding table tops are in a first position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S) 
       The invention is explained in detail below with reference to the drawing(s), in which 
         FIG. 1  shows an extension table with multiple legs according to the invention in its first position, e.g. the sliding table tops are joined. 
         FIG. 2  shows the extension table with multiple legs shown in  FIG. 1  from the underside. 
         FIG. 3  shows the extension table with multiple legs shown in  FIG. 1 , where the sliding tops are pulled apart. 
         FIG. 4  shows the extension table shown in  FIG. 3 , where the leaf is placed between the sliding tops. 
         FIG. 5  shows the extension table shown in  FIG. 4  from the underside. 
         FIG. 6  shows a fastener and associated fastening means. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows an extension table with multiple legs  1  according to the invention comprising two sliding table tops  2  being supported by four supporting members  4 . A supporting member  4  comprises a first table leg  6  and a second table leg  7 . Said two table legs are placed as close to each other as possible when the table  1  is not extended, i.e. in its first position. Typically, the supporting members  4  are oval when seen in cross-sectional view, the longitudinal axis being parallel with the direction of extension of the extension table with multiple legs. The first table leg  6  and the second table leg  7  are half of an oval when seen in a cross-sectional view, and the flat sides of the legs abut each other in the first position. Essentially, the two surfaces abutting each other completely or partially are congruent and thereby, the two surfaces cover each other. In the shown embodiment, the two surfaces are plane. However, the surfaces may bend so that one surface is convex and the other surface is concave, said surfaces still being congruent. 
     The second table leg  7  is mounted to a box-shaped frame  24  comprising longitudinal stationary rails  20 . The first table leg  6  is mounted to the underside of the sliding table tops  2  so that when said table tops are being slid, the first table leg  6  also slides. The position of the table leg  6  being separated as much as possible from the second table leg  7  is called the second position. The first table leg  6  may be directly connected to the sliding table tops  2  by a fastener, or it may be indirectly connected by being mounted to a transverse rail  13 , said transverse rail  13  being mounted to the underside of the sliding table tops  2  by means of the fastener  8 . The transverse rail  13  may be slid as explained below. 
       FIG. 2  shows the extension table with multiple legs  1  shown in  FIG. 1  from the underside and shows the stationary frame  24  provided by the two longitudinal stationary rails  20  being connected to each other by means of two transverse fixed rails  21 . The longitudinal sliding rails  22  are placed along the longitudinal stationary rails  20 . The sliding table top  2  is connected to the sliding rails  22  so that the right sliding table top is mounted to a set of sliding rails, and the left sliding table top is mounted to another set of sliding rails. The sliding rails are controlled by a groove/recess arrangement or by being placed between a set of stationary rails. The stationary frame  24  may be strengthened by a set of transverse boards  25  forming the bottom of the stationary frame  24  so that the leaves  3  may be placed therein. The first table legs  6  are each mounted to a transverse rail  13  in pairs, said transverse rails being mounted to the underside of the sliding table tops  2  by means of a fastener  8 , preferably an angle bracket. The angle bracket  8  is fastened to the transverse rail  13  and the underside of the table top  2 . The fastener  8  comprises sliding means  12  being longitudinal and through-going bores, whose longitudinal axis is axis-parallel with the direction of extension of the extension table. The bores are oval. Fastening means  11 —not shown on the figure—such as screws, nuts and bolts, which are fitted in the pre-carved thread, attach the mounting to the underside of the table. By means of the longitudinal, oval bores  12 , the transverse rail  13  and thereby the table legs  6  may change their position from a position A to a position B differing from position A. The position may be changed by adjusting the position of the fastener  8 , which is done by loosening the screws inside the longitudinal bores and then slide the rail  13  in the direction of extension of the extension table and possibly perpendicularly, as the rail is now loosened in relation to the table top. Thereby, the table legs  6  are slided to an appropriate position. Subsequently, the fastener  8  is tightened by means of the fastening means  11 . 
       FIG. 3  shows the extension table with multiple legs shown in  FIG. 1  being extended, i.e. the second position. The stationary frame  24  comprises the leaves  3  and the longitudinal sliding rails  22  are separated as much as possible. In the shown embodiment, the length of the table is changed from 2 meters in a joined position, as shown in  FIG. 1 , to 8 meters as shown in the present figure. By this extension, the support members  4 , i.e. the first table leg  6  and the second table  7  leg, separated as much as possible. 
       FIG. 4  shows the extension table with multiple legs  1  shown in  FIG. 3 , where the leaves  3  are removed from the cavity in the stationary frame  24  and placed on the longitudinal rails, both the stationary rails  20  and the sliding rails  22 .  FIG. 5  shows the same table/embodiment seen from underneath. With reference to  FIG. 6 , the fastener  8  comprises a first top part  15  and an essentially perpendicular protruding second top part  16 . The first top part  15  is stationary mounted to the transverse rail  13 , while the other top part  16  comprises sliding means  12  such as the previously mentioned oval bores, in which a fastening means  11 , in this case a screw, fits. The sliding table top  2  and the first table legs  6  are fastened to each other to a position A by means of screws. If the position and thereby the relation between the first table leg  6  and the table top is changed from a position B differing from position A, the screws are loosened so that the sliding means  12  of the fastener  8  ensure that the mounting is slided back and forth. Essentially, the sliding back and forth is axis-parallel with the direction of extension of the extension table by means of the cooperation between the screw  11  and the oval bore  12 . Said oval bore functions as a slide, although a slip occurs creating the risk of a small lateral staggering. Thereby, the first table legs  6  have the intended position in relation to the table top  2  and the second table leg  7 . Thus, the legs can be adjusted to avoid tension in the construction. 
     Typically, the fastener is fastened to the transverse rail  13  by means of circular holes  14  arranged in the first top part  15 , in which an appropriate screw fits. Fastener  8  may be fastened directly to each of the first table legs  6  instead of being fastened to the transverse rail  13 . Thereby, the first table legs  6  may be adjusted independently of one another. This may be interesting, for example when the table is in a first position, i.e. joined, and the table legs are adjusted from a position A to the second position B and B′. In the chosen embodiment, an angle bracket with oval bores is shown. 
     Other types of fasteners with integrated sliding means may be used. For instance, oval bores in the actual rail  13  may be provided, whereby the rail and the first table legs fastened to the rail may be slid. In that case, the oval bores in the rail are provided with the longitudinal axis of the oval being axis parallel with the direction of extension of the extension table. The bores extend through the entire thickness of the rail measured perpendicularly on the underside of the table. In this example, the fastening takes place with a threaded rod going through the oval bore in the rail, said rod being fastened to the underside of the table top, where the fastening means are made up of wing nuts fastening and loosening the rail into the wanted positions. 
     Preferably, the table according to the invention is made of wood, completely or partially, or of a wood-like material such as chip board, laminate etc. 
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
           1  Extension table with multiple legs 
           2  Sliding table tops 
           3  Leaf 
           4  Supporting members 
           6  First table leg 
           7  Second table leg 
           8  Fastener 
           11  Fastening means 
           12  Sliding means 
           13  Transverse rail 
           14  Hole in first top sheet part 
           15  First sheet part 
           16  Second sheet part protruding perpendicularly 
           20  Longitudinal stationary rail 
           21  Second transverse rail 
           22  Longitudinal sliding rail 
           23  Additionally circular bores 
           24  Stationary frame 
           25  Boards