Table made with interconnected parts

In order to be able to combine different types and sizes of tables with the help of as few as possible individual elements, it is proposed in connection with a table with a table top inserted into a frame that the frame consists of corner pieces each forming a corner frame, and of frame rails connecting two corner pieces each, where a removable table leg is associated with each corner piece, the table top is supported at least on one frame rail and the upper surface of the table top extends approximately flush with the top of the frame.

DESCRIPTION 
The invention relates to a table with a table top inserted into a frame, 
where the frame consists of corner pieces, each forming a corner frame, 
and frame rails connecting each two of the corner pieces, where a 
removable table leg is associated with each corner piece, the table top is 
supported on at least one frame rail, and the upper surface of the table 
top extends approximately flush with the top of the frame, where 
furthermore the rail height is reduced step-like at the inside of the 
frame and the table top rests on the reduced rail section, where the 
height of the frame step approximately corresponds to the thickness of the 
table top. Such a table has become known from EP-A-0 198 610. If there the 
individual table is enlarged or even is to be made into an extended table, 
this is only possible in that at least one incomplete, as it were, table 
having only two legs is attached in an extension of the table. Thus a 
frame having three rails and two legs is required for each additional 
table top. Therefore this structure is only suitable for making a table 
longer, not for making extended tables of arbitrary shape. It also has not 
been provided to insert a leaf without legs between two individual tables. 
However, the latter is possible in EP-A-0 332 096. But it is considered 
disadvantageous in connection with this table that the frame rail must be 
welded together and this frame is placed on the four corner pieces of the 
individual table, to each of which a leg has been assigned. This frame 
construction is more expensive than the pluggable one of the first 
mentioned EP-A. Added to this is that with the table according to EP-A-0 
332 096 it is necessary to place the table top on the frame. Protection of 
the table edges is not possible in this way. 
In the table according to EP-A-0 198 610, the table top can be placed 
inside the frame, but only the two long edges are protected by the frame. 
However, in a table of a different type (DE-B-1 125 608) it is already 
known to reduce the frame rails in the form of steps on the inside of the 
frame and in this way to house the table top inserted in the frame and 
preferably flush at the top. In this case this is a table glued together, 
in particular a desk, which does neither permit a building block method 
nor an enlargement, if necessary. 
Thus it is the object to improve a table of the above mentioned type in 
such a way that it can be used selectively as an individual table or an 
extended table while being simple to construct and having a visually 
advantageous look, where there are for all practical purposes no limits 
regarding the shape of the extended table and where the use of legless 
leaves is possible. 
To attain this object it is proposed by the invention that the table in 
accordance with the preamble of claim 1 is embodied in accordance with the 
characterizing part of this claim. This table fulfills the demands made on 
it. It is always possible to house its table top inserted and thus 
protected in a frame, regardless of whether it is an individual table or 
an extended table made of at least two individual tables or of individual 
tables and at least one leaf. If more than one individual table is 
required, it can quickly be enlarged by at least one further individual 
table or by at least one further individual table and a leaf, while the 
individual elements of the extended table can be securely connected by 
means of connecting members. This connection can be made quickly and, if 
needed, can also be undone. 
Because each corner piece has two receptacles for a connecting element each 
placed at an angle to each other, it is possible to assign each angle leg 
an angle leg of another corner piece and then releasably connect these two 
angle legs by means of a connecting member. In this way it is 
theoretically possible to assign two corner pieces to one corner piece. 
But particular importance is lent to the two receptacles of a corner piece 
because of the fact that this "extension" of this individual table can be 
selectively assigned to the one or the other rail of this corner. 
Furthermore, based on this frame construction in the manner known from the 
table which constitutes the species, it is possible to provide tables of 
different length by the use of rails of different length. Because the 
table top is protectively placed in the frame it can be made of delicate 
materials. It is therefore easily possible to use table tops of glass, 
stone, wood, plastic and similar materials. Because of the detachable legs 
and the removable table top there are no problems during shipping and 
packing. Because the legs are detachable, they can easily be exchanged for 
other ones. 
The size of the table top is not determined by the interior clearance of 
the frame, instead it is larger in the longitudinal as well crosswise 
direction by the width of the step--measured in the horizontal 
direction--than the interior clearance of the frame. If it is intended 
that the table top should end flush with the frame at the top and be 
placed on support elements, this must be correspondingly considered in 
connection with the thickness of the table top, if the step-like reduction 
of the rail height has a preset size. For practical purposes the 
receptacle of the corner pieces is selected to be rectangular, so that a 
rectangular table top can be inserted, which can be manufactured more 
cost-effectively than a table top with rounded corners. 
Particular embodiments of the rails are described in claims 5 to 12. 
In a very advantageous manner the corner piece can be provided with a 
female thread, and a corresponding male thread is placed on the associated 
upper leg end, where the corner piece has on its underside a particularly 
conically tapering lug, in which the female thread terminates and which 
slightly protrudes over the lower plane of the frame. The leg can be 
unscrewed for shipping or if the table is not needed, because of which its 
space requirements are reduced. On the other hand, this connection between 
frame and legs speeds up the manufacture of the table. These lugs can be 
used as spacers when the tables are stacked after removal of the legs. 
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the table leg is embodied 
conically on its upper end associated with the lug of the corner piece, 
where the cone of the leg engages a conical receptacle of the lug. In this 
way the leg is centered and held secured against rocking. 
As a rule, tables, in particular tables for offices, schools and the like, 
are rectangular or square. In this case corner pieces are used which 
automatically assure a right-angled association with adjoining frame 
rails. However, there are also requirements for other table shapes, in 
particular if such a table is intended to be placed directly next to a 
table with the same or a different shape in order to achieve a quite 
particular shape of the entire table. To do justice to such requirements, 
too, a preferred variant of the invention provides that the corner piece 
is embodied in the form of a corner hinge with a hinge axis extending 
perpendicular to the plane of the table, the two legs of the hinge 
enclosing an angle of approximately 60.degree. to approximately 
180.degree.. If the legs of this corner piece form a 90.degree. angle with 
each other, this corner piece can be used for providing a frame for a 
rectangular or square table. If it is intended to make the table 
pentagonal, hexagonal or of other shapes, the angle enclosed by the two 
legs is selected to be correspondingly greater. With three corner pieces, 
each set to 60.degree., the formation of a triangular frame for a table 
with three legs is possible. But the corner pieces of a frame need not all 
be set at the same angle. These corner pieces can also be used for a table 
with no regular multi-cornered shape. 
Another preferred embodiment of the invention ensues from claim 18. As 
already mentioned it is possible--in the normal case with equal table 
heights--to place a plurality of tables next to each other in order to 
obtain an extended table. If two individual rectangular tables are used, 
the extended table has eight legs. In accordance with the embodiment of 
claim 18, however, it is possible to create an extended table with the 
help of two individual tables and a leaf without legs inserted between 
them, which is larger by the area of the leaf than the total area of the 
two individual tables, but which only has a total of eight legs when two 
four-legged individual tables are used. It is advantageous to embody the 
leaf in the same way as the two table tops. Because of this, the 
production of individual parts, in particular of corner pieces, is 
increased, and cost-effective production is attained by mass production. 
Because the leaf does not have legs of its own, its weight must be 
supported by the adjoining individual tables. Transfer of this force of 
weight takes place via the connecting members or at least one connecting 
member between each individual table and the leaf. The connecting members 
provide a direct connection between adjoining frame rails. 
If two individual tables of at least the same width are connected with each 
other via a leaf, it is practical as a rule to choose the width of the 
leaf to be the same as that of the individual tables. On the other hand, 
the two individual tables must not absolutely have the same measurements, 
for example the same width, and the adjoining rails of the individual 
tables and the leaf also need not be of the same length. However, if the 
adjoining rails of an individual table and of the leaf are chosen with the 
same length, the two connecting members can be advantageously associated 
with the corner pieces, i.e. adjacent corner pieces can always be 
connected with each other via the intermediate members. In this case the 
additional connection of the rails is not required. On the other hand, 
though, this does not necessarily mean that the connecting members must be 
associated with the corner pieces. 
A further embodiment of the invention ensues from claim 12. Attachment of 
the connecting members to the leaf is given preference over the attachment 
to the frames of the individual tables. The connecting members each must 
be fixedly connected with their frames, while their hooks are only 
suspended from above in the associated receptacle of the other frame. No 
additional fixed connection is required there, because the hooks are 
firmly pressed into the receptacles by the weight of the frame and top to 
be suspended. Otherwise the receptacles must be embodied in such a way 
that lateral yielding is impossible either in the longitudinal direction 
of the connecting members or crosswise thereto. 
A further variant of the invention ensues from claim 13. It permits the 
attachment of a leaf to each rail of the individual table. By means of 
this a universal table system is achieved, which makes many variants 
possible. 
A further embodiment of the invention is characterized by a plug with 
fastening pegs, which can be inserted into the through-bore of the corner 
piece and which closes off the associated cutout for a connecting element 
in the corner piece flush with the exterior, while the step-like recess of 
the corner piece for receiving the corner of the table top remains free. 
Another advantageous embodiment of the invention ensues from claim 17. It 
permits lateral attachment of a leaf to an individual table where the 
associated or adjoining rails of the leaf and the individual table are of 
different length. One connection of the two rails can be provided in the 
area of the corner pieces associated with each other, while the second 
connection takes place in the area of the other corner piece and of the 
cutout disposed on a fixed location of the rail. This is an additional 
cutout, i.e. one or at least one cutout is located not only on this rail, 
but also on the two associated corner pieces. 
For example, in order to be able to support two leaves, which are disposed 
next to each other and which directly adjoin each other, on one long side 
of a rectangular table, a further embodiment of the invention is 
characterized by two cutouts in the frame rail, the lateral distance of 
which corresponds to approximately twice the distance of a cutout of the 
corner piece from the outer edge of the corner piece. In the example 
mentioned, the two frame rails, which are placed one in the extension of 
the other, of the two leaves may together have the same length as their 
associated longitudinal rail of the individual table. 
To avoid special shapes of the rails, a further embodiment of the invention 
provides that the two cutouts are located on a center section of a rail 
consisting of three rails which can be rigidly connected with each other. 
This center rail section, in particular provided with two cutouts, in 
principle corresponds to a corner piece with only the difference that in 
place of two angled connections it has two parallel ones. 
To make possible special shapes of an extended table, for example a 
horseshoe shape or a special round shape, a further variant of the 
invention provides that at least one of the rails has the shape of a bow. 
For example, it can be constructed of three rigidly connected partial 
sections or in one piece. The idea in particular is to use a table top 
which in plan view is approximately C-shaped. In this case the bow-shaped 
rail is associated with a table edge of the same shape. The other rails 
can extend in a straight line. It is also conceivable that in a further 
embodiment of the invention two parallel rails each have a bow-shaped 
form, these bows being disposed parallel. In this connection "parallel" is 
understood to be a disposition where the center sections of the bows 
extend parallel to each other and the legs of the bows each point in 
approximately the same direction. The connection of the right with the 
left ends of the legs of the bows can take place by means of a straight 
rail. 
Particularly varied shapes of extended tables can be put together by the 
corner piece embodied as a corner hinge, consisting of two essentially 
equal parts which can be displaced around the hinge axis in respect to 
each other, having set-off legs and a threaded bore which is concentric in 
respect to the hinge axis or a through-bore for the threaded stem of the 
leg. In this way it is possible to set practically arbitrary angles at the 
corner hinges, in which case of course the table tops can be irregular 
polygons having the corresponding angles. 
For assembly, the portions of the corner piece embodied as a hinge can each 
be partially inserted in the frame rail and for locking there they can be 
divided into two partial legs which can be resiliently spread apart by 
means of a spreader screw. 
Attachment of side tables at practically arbitrary locations can be made 
possible in that at least a portion of the rails have on at least one side 
a longitudinal groove which in cross section is undercut and in which a 
connecting member is displaceably guided, the connecting member supporting 
the free end of a rail of a leaf. Connection at an arbitrary angle can be 
achieved in a particularly advantageous manner in that the connecting 
member has a partial leg pivotable around a perpendicular hinge axis, 
where in an advantageous manner this partial leg also can be split into 
two parts which can be resiliently spread apart by means of a spreader 
screw so that in this way they are securely fixed in the end of the rail. 
To be able to insert a connecting member at an arbitrary location of the 
rail having a longitudinal groove, a guide member displaceable in the 
longitudinal groove can be made of two parts, divided perpendicular to the 
hinge axis, where these two parts can then be individually introduced 
through the opening of the undercut longitudinal groove and can then be 
pushed on each other and then kept together by means of a screw or the 
threaded stem of a leg. 
In a practical manner the screw holding the two parts together can be used 
simultaneously as the hinge for the partial leg which is adjustable around 
the hinge axis. For this purpose the partial leg can have two guide 
protrusions, which are received towards the interior in receiving grooves 
of the two parts of guide element, where these guide protrusions are 
preferably embodied rotationally symmetrical in respect to the axis of 
rotation. 
Additional embodiments of the invention ensue from further dependent claims 
.

The table 1 or individual table consists of a frame 1, a table top 2 
inserted therein as well of at least three legs 3. However, preferably 
these are tables with four legs. All legs are removable, they preferably 
can be unscrewed in the exemplary embodiments. For this purpose they have 
on their ends which are oriented towards the frame 1 a threaded stem 4 
which is screwed into a threaded bore 5 of a corner piece 6 of the frame. 
The opposite arrangement is also conceivable, namely the application of a 
threaded stem on the corner piece and of a threaded bore on the leg. 
The frame consists of corner pieces and frame rails 7 inserted between each 
two corner pieces. Thus the frame of a four-cornered table consists of 
four corner pieces and four rails. If it is a rectangular table as in the 
exemplary embodiments 1 to 3, it has two long rails and two short rails. 
As can be seen in FIGS. 23 to 26, for example, the table top 2 is inserted 
into the frame in such a way that the surface 8 of the table top extends 
flush or at least approximately flush with the top 9 of the frame. It can 
furthermore be seen in these drawing figures that the table top is 
supported at least on the frame rails, the support being preferably 
directly on the frame rails. It can be seen in FIG. 18 that by means of 
the appropriate embodiment of the corner pieces the table top can also be 
supported on them. This requires that there be a bead 10 running around 
the inside (FIG. 22), which also extends over the corner pieces and which 
preferably has the same dimensions in the area of the corner pieces as in 
the area of the rails. The bead 10 is produced by the rail height 11 being 
reduced step-like on the inside of the rail or the inside of the frame. 
The table top 2 rests on the reduced rail piece 12, while the higher rail 
piece 13 encloses the table top to form the table edge. 
If the term "reduced height" is used here, this does not necessarily mean 
that the rail has been worked, rather than that it can be an appropriately 
shaped profile as shown by way of example in FIG. 22. From FIGS. 23 to 26 
it can be seen that the height of the frame step or bead 10 approximately 
corresponds to the thickness of the table top or, with a table top of 
uneven thickness, to the edge of the table top. 
It can be seen, for example, from FIGS. 1 and 3 that the height of the 
frame rails--measured in the perpendicular direction--is equal or at least 
approximately equal to the height of the corner pieces. This can also be 
seen for example in the enlarged view of FIGS. 16 and 17. The angled bead 
14 of the corner piece 6 (FIG. 18) is indicated by 14. 
While the rail 7 in accordance with FIG. 21 consists of solid material, the 
rail 7 of FIG. 22 is a section of a hollow profile. In contrast thereto 
the rails of FIGS. 23 to 26 are made in two pieces. The division is 
provided in the longitudinal direction, i.e. both rail pieces are of equal 
length. In accordance with FIGS. 23 and 24, the rail is essentially made 
of a specially shaped hollow profile, for example of aluminum, forming the 
one rail piece. This rail piece alone is responsible for the stability of 
the frame 1. The respectively other rail piece 16 of this rail structure 
primarily has an esthetic effect. It is made of a plastic profile strip, 
preferably of plasticized PVC. Although in accordance with FIG. 24 the 
table top 2 of the inside of the frame extends flush with the frame, the 
outer frame edge of this variant has been raised a little, so that liquids 
cannot run over the table edge there. 
The two rail pieces 15 and 16 of FIGS. 23 and 24 are interlockingly 
connected with each other, so that even under a somewhat increased load 
the rail piece 16 cannot separate from the rail piece 17. In these 
variants the other rail piece 16 has an essentially C-shaped cross 
section, where each of the ends of the C-shaped legs are embodied 
hook-like. Each one of these free, hook-like C-shaped legs engages a 
groove of the one rail piece 15. The two rail sections are pushed one on 
the other by pushing the smaller strip-shaped rail piece 16 in a 
longitudinal direction on the larger rail piece 15, which in a practical 
way is made as an aluminum profile. In accordance with FIGS. 25 and 26, 
the rail 7 may also be constructed from a metallic hollow profile and a 
solid profile rigidly connected therewith, where the hollow profile forms 
the one rail piece 15 and the solid profile the other rail piece 16. It is 
intended in particular in these two exemplary embodiments for the one rail 
piece 15 to be an aluminum profile, while the other rail piece 16 is made 
of wood. In this case the fall 10 is formed by both rail pieces together, 
while in the embodiments of FIGS. 23 and 24 it is primarily determined by 
the rail piece 15. In both cases the table top 2 rests on the upwardly 
oriented surface 17 of the one rail piece 15. The edge 19 of the solid 
profile or the other rail piece 16, oriented towards the interior of the 
frame and preferably parallel to the table top edge is, if possible, 
placed directly in front of the latter. 
In the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 25 and 26, the connection of the two 
rail pieces 15 and 16 is provided with the aid of a plurality of screws 
20, disposed offset in the longitudinal direction, which are screwed into 
threaded bushings 21. The latter are maintained fixed against rotation in 
the other rail piece 16, for example pressed in. The screw extends through 
two bores, aligned with the thread of the bushing 21, in the parallel rail 
walls of the one rail piece 15. 
It can also be seen from FIGS. 25 and 26 that the two pieces 15 and 16 of 
the rail 16 are interlockingly connected with each other. This can be 
achieved, for example, by forming two parallel strips 22 and 23 on the 
hollow profile of the one rail piece 15, which engage in appropriately 
disposed grooves of the solid other rail piece 16. 
By way of example it can be seen from FIGS. 16 and 17 that the corner piece 
has on its underside a lug 24, particularly tapering conically, in which 
the female thread 5 terminates on the outside. In the exemplary 
embodiments this lug extends slightly, i.e. by a few millimeters, beyond 
the lower plane 25 of the frame. 
On its upper end associated with this eye 24 of the corner piece 6, the 
table leg 3 is embodied conically, this cone being designated by 26. In 
the exemplary embodiment (FIG. 16), the free cone surfaces and the cone 
height have been selected to be of different size. It has been provided in 
particular that the leg cone 26 engages the opposite cone of the lug 24, 
which widens towards the outside, and is centered in this way and securely 
maintained. 
The lower end of the table leg 3 is also embodied conically, this cone 
being designated by 27. Preferably at least the cone angles of the two leg 
cones 26 and 27 are of the same size. The height of the lower cone 27 in 
FIG. 16 is of approximately the same size as that of the upper cone 26. On 
the lower end of the leg 3 a female thread 29 which extends centered 
through the cone 27 is disposed, which extends into the non-reduced cross 
section of the leg. It is used for screwing in an adjustment leg 29 for 
the height of the table. 
While the corner pieces of the above described variants of the table 
determine a solid angle for the rails to be connected which, in a 
preferred manner is a right angle, the corner piece in accordance with 
FIGS. 29 and 30 is embodied as a type of a corner hinge. The hinge axis 30 
extends perpendicular to the plane of the table top 2. In the exemplary 
embodiment, the angle 31 formed by both legs of this corner piece can be 
changed over a large range of, for example approximately 60.degree. to 
approximately 120.degree.. 
Each corner piece 6 is equipped with two receptacles 34, placed at right 
angles to each other, for a connecting member 33. These connecting 
members, preferably a pair of connecting members, are used for the rigid 
connection of the table top 2 of the table with a further top, which can 
be a further table top or a leaf 36 placed between two individual tables, 
which will be discussed in more detail below. These receptacles 34, 35 in 
accordance with FIG. 17, for example, are in the form of a longitudinal 
slot open at the top and side, which is recessed at its inner end in a 
step-like way. The hook of a connecting member 33 engages this recess. 
After the connecting member in accordance with FIG. 21 has been connected 
with the corner piece via a screw 37 or in another known manner, and is 
furthermore embodied symmetrically in respect to a perpendicular cross 
center plane, it is sufficient if two connecting members are rigidly 
mounted on only one of the two associated rails of the two table tops. The 
free projecting ends, namely the hooks 32, are simply suspended from above 
at the other table top. This connection is securely maintained by reason 
of the weight of the suspended table top alone, where it is unimportant 
whether or not legs have been attached to the suspended table top. It can 
further be seen in FIG. 21 that the connecting piece extends flush or at 
least approximately flush with the top of the corner piece 6 and 
preferably with the top of the entire frame 1. In this way the width and 
depth as well as the step-like recess of the receptacles 34 and 35 follow 
the corresponding dimensions of the connecting member 33. 
In the exemplary embodiment, the screw 37 is screwed in one of two parallel 
female threads 38, 39. If the table top with the connecting members is 
only suspended in the frame of the other table top, the female thread 39 
remains unused. On the other hand it would also be possible to make a 
connection there with the aid of a screw, if all corner pieces are 
embodied the same and thus each has a receiving bore 40 for the fastening 
screw. 
FIGS. 4 to 8 show that the table top 2 does not necessarily have to be 
square or rectangular. Four-legged tables are easily conceivable having a 
roughly C-like shape 43 or 44 deviating from the square shape 41 or the 
rectangular shape 42. The same corner pieces 6 can be used with the table 
shapes 43 and 44 as with square or rectangular tables. With these variants 
the rails 45 and 46 do not extend parallel, but angled, in respect to each 
other. Additionally, at least one of the rails connecting these two 
straight rails 45 and 46 with each other is bow- or U-shaped. With the 
embodiments according to FIGS. 4 and 5 the two rails 47 and 48 have an 
approximately U shape, where each of the two left and two right legs 
extend parallel to each other and perpendicular to the associated straight 
rail 45 or 46. 
The table shapes in accordance with FIGS. 4 and 5, but also the 
approximately triangular table in accordance with FIG. 6, can be parts of 
an extended table. Different variants of such an extended table ensue from 
FIGS. 9 to 15. For example, the extended table in accordance with FIG. 9 
consists of two tables according to FIG. 5 and three tables according to 
FIG. 8. In this case it is not necessarily required that the two tables in 
accordance with FIG. 5 themselves have legs, instead they can be leaves 49 
and 50. Their frames are constructed in the same way as the frames of the 
tables 41, 42 of corner pieces and rails 7 placed between adjacent corner 
pieces. Furthermore, the table top 2 has been inserted recessed in each 
one of these frames. The connection between two adjoining tables is made 
in the manner described above by means of at least two connecting members 
33 between adjoining table tops, where each of the connecting elements is 
advantageously fastened on the leaves 49 or 50. 
Whether such an extended table is constructed of a plurality of individual 
tables with legs or only partly of individual tables and partly of at 
least one leaf 49, 50, depends on the one hand on the conditions and 
partially also on the total shape of the extended table. Thus it is 
recommended in connection with the two lower tables in FIG. 3, for 
example, to provide at least one pair of legs at least at the ends of the 
tables facing each other. 
If the individual table is not connected with another individual table or 
with a leaf 49, 50, no connecting members 33 are needed. In this case it 
is advantageous if the receptacles 34, 35 can be closed off by means of a 
plug 51 (FIG. 27). It has a fastening peg 52 which allows a pluggable 
connection with the receiving bore 40 of the corner piece 6. Otherwise the 
shape of the plug 51 is chosen to correspond to that of the receptacle 34 
or 35, so that the plug can completely close off the receptacle in the 
corner piece 6 and a surface level at the top is created. 
If, for example, it is intended to connect a shorter table or the narrow 
side of another individual table or a leaf 36 in an off-centered way with 
the long side of an individual table, it is easy to make the connection at 
this place in the manner described with corner pieces of the two frames 
which are associated with each other. The other corner piece 6 of the 
short rail, however, can only be connected with the longer rail via a 
connecting member, if this rail has a receptacle 34 (FIG. 2) at the 
associated place, for example in its center area, which corresponds in its 
design to one of the two receptacles 34, 35 of the corner piece. A 
particularly advantageous possible for the right angle connection of 
rectangular tables of, for example, the same size, or of an individual 
table and a leaf, can be achieved in accordance with FIG. 2, if the 
longitudinal rail 53 has two receptacles 34, 35 disposed parallel and at a 
distance from each other. In this way it is possible to associate the 
second individual table or the leaf 49, 50 either to the rail part which 
is to the left in FIG. 2 or to the right rail part of the rail 53. Even 
the connection of the individual table of FIG. 1 with two further 
individual tables or leaves disposed parallel to each other is 
conceivable. In FIG. 2 the lateral distance 54 of the two receptacles 34 
and 35 is approximately twice as great as the distance 55 of a receptacle 
34 or 45 from the outer edge 56 of the corner piece (FIG. 8). 
It is now possible to dispose the two receptacles 34, 35 directly on the 
appropriate rail 53 or create a special straight intermediate piece 
corresponding to the corner piece 6, so that the rail 53 consists of three 
parts, namely the intermediate piece, in particular center piece, having 
the receptacles 34 and 35, and two rail pieces disposed to the left and 
right thereof. The two free ends of the latter are then each connected 
with a corner piece 6. The connection of the three rail pieces must assure 
sufficient load capacity of this rail. 
In FIGS. 19 and 20 it can be seen, mostly indirectly, that it is possible 
to dispose a plate 57 for use as a cover between two adjoining table legs 
3. Its perpendicular length facing the leg 3 encompasses the respective 
leg from the inside to the outside in accordance with FIGS. 19 and 20. In 
the case of a circular cross section of the leg, the long edge is in the 
shape of an arc of a circle. Because of this the plate can easily absorb 
forces directed crosswise to its surface. In the exemplary embodiment this 
perpendicular long edge is not formed directly on the plate, but on a 
profiled strip 59 fixedly connected with it, for example glued. In a 
practical manner this is a profiled plastic strip. 
In accordance with the illustration of FIG. 19 in connection with FIG. 16, 
the profiled strip 59 has been provided at its upper and lower ends with a 
protrusion 60 or 61 in the shape of a barb pointing away from the plate. 
In this case the upper protrusion 60 overlaps the upper cone 26 of the leg 
3 from above, while the protrusion 61 overlaps the lower cone 27 of the 
leg 3 from below. 
In this way the plate 57 is not only securely maintained crosswise to its 
plane, but also in the perpendicular direction, without special fastening 
elements. It can be mounted as easily as it can be removed. 
A connecting member 33' is shown in FIGS. 31 to 33, which is guided 
longitudinally displaceable in a longitudinal groove 66 of a rail 7 with a 
guide element 67. This connecting member 33' is made of several pieces. It 
consists of the guide element 67 composed of two parts 67', 67" and a 
partial leg 65 which is partially received in the rail 7 and for fastening 
is split into partial legs 64 and 64', which can be spread in the rail 7 
with the help of a spreader screw 63. 
The two parts 67', 67" of the guide element 67 have receiving grooves 69 
extending crosswise to the longitudinal groove 66, in which guide 
protrusions 70 of the partial leg 65, which is spread in this location, 
are received. The partial leg 65 is pivotable via a screw 68 in respect to 
the guide element 67 around the pivot axis 30'. 
In place of the screw 68 it is also possible to screw in an appropriately 
embodied threaded stem 4 of a leg 3 to receive the perpendicular load of 
the rail 7. 
Using the connecting members 33' embodied in accordance with FIGS. 31 to 
33, it is possible to assemble an extended table composed of a plurality 
of table tops 2 and leaves 49, 50 in practically any arbitrary shape, as 
illustrated in FIGS. 37 and 38. It is then possible to embody the table 
tops 2 or the leaves 49, 50 in an appropriate polygonal shape and the 
required frames 7 can be adapted. By means of the embodiment of the corner 
pieces 6 as hinges or with the connecting members 33', which can be set at 
an angle, practically any shape for the extended table can be realized, 
and only a few different individual parts are required.