TABLE

Abstract: A table comprises a table-top (2) and a plurality of legs (3) fixed to the table-top by means of a plurality of joints (4) which are also used for supporting and interconnecting a series of horizontal cross members extending beneath the table-top. Each joint comprises a base element (6) fixed to the lower surface of the table-top (2) and having a seat (15) in which the upper end of the respective leg (3) is received and clamped by means of a wedge (11), and a cover (16) fixed to the base element (6). The facing surfaces of the base element (6a) and the cover (16) have recesses (20, 21) which cooperate with each other to define one or more seats in which the corresponding parts of the horizontal cross members (5) are received and clamped.

Description: The present invention refers to a table, particularly an office table, of the kind described in the pre-characterizing portion of annexed claim 1. A table of this kind is described for example in EP-A-0133231. This document refers to an assembly structure for table comprising a table top to which a plurality of upper joints are connected. These joints are each provided with three cilindrical seats having parallel axes and intended to accomodate a respective upright in a forced fit relationship, each group of uprights connected to the same joint constituting a leg of the table. When these uprights are repeatedly assembled and disassembled, it is possible that their couplings with the respective joints become loose with a consequent unstableness of the table structure. In order to obviate this drawback the present invention provides a table of the kind described in the characterizing portion of annexed claim 1. The table according to the invention has a structure that is simple to construct and easy and quick to assemble, which is aesthetically unique and which lends itself to assuming a plurality of different configurations. The invention will now be described with reference to the appended drawings provided purely by way of non-limiting example, in which: Figures 1, 2 and 3 are a side view, a view from below and an end view of a first embodiment of the table according to the invention, Figure 4 is a view from below of a joint forming part of the table according to the invention, on an enlarged scale, Figure 5 is a section taken on the line V-V of Figure 4, Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the detail of Figure 5, Figure 7 is a section taken on the line VII-VII of Figure 5, Figures 8, 9, 10 and 11 show four possible variants of the table according to the invention, Figure 12 is a section taken on the line XII-XII of Figure 4, and Figure 13 is a front view of the detail of Figure 12. With reference to Figures 1-7, a table is generally indicated 1 and has a table-top 2, which is of wood in the embodiment illustrated, and a plurality of supporting legs 3. The legs 3 are fixed to the table-top 2 by means of joints 4 which are also used for supporting and interconnecting a plurality of horizontal cross members 5 which extend beneath the table-top 2 at a short distance therefrom. As can be seen particularly in Figures 5 and 6, each joint 4 includes a base element 6 (which, in the example illustrated, is of light alloy) fixed against the lower surface of the table-top 2 by screws 7. The base element 6 incorporates a central seat 6a in which the upper end of a circular-sectioned tubular element 8 projecting from the upper end of the leg 3 is received. The leg 3 is constituted by a tubular element of circular section. The tubular element 8 is inserted coaxially into the leg 3 with the interposition of a spacer bush 9, also of light alloy, having a plurality of radial walls 10 (Figure 7). The bush 9 is glued to the element 8 and to the leg 3. The use of bushes of different outside diameters enables the table to be adapted to legs of various diameters. The upper end of the tubular element 8 is clamped in the seat 6a by means of a clamping wedge 11 which can be clamped to the base element 6 by means of a screw 12. The wedge 11 has a curved face 13 in contact with the surface of the tubular element 8 and an opposite face 14 which is complementary in shape to the corresponding surface 15 of the seat 6a. The tightening of the screw 12 into the base element 6 causes the body 11 to be wedged into the space between the wall of the seat 6a and the tubular element 8, so as to clamp the latter in the seat 6a. A cover 16 is fixed to the base element 6 by means of screws 17 (Figure 6) which engage holes 18, 19 in the cover 16 and in the base element 6. Along three sides of the joint, the lower surface of the base element 6 has elongate cavities of semicircular profile, indicated 20 in the drawings. These recesses cooperate with corresponding cavities 21 formed in the upper surface of the cover 16 (Figure 5) to define three seats in which three respective horizontal cross members 5 can be received and clamped. Figure 6 shows the case in which the joint 4 is at a T-intersection of two cross members 5. Figure 5 shows the case of an angled intersection. As can be seen, the apertures of the joint 4 which are not in use are closed by plastics covers 22 (Figures 12, 13) having appendages 23 which are housed in seats 24 of the elements 6, 16. Figures 8 and 9 show two variants of the table according to the invention, in which the table-top 2 is circular in shape and in which the conformation of the horizontal cross members 5 varies from that described above. The table according to the invention also lends itself to the production of integrated structures constituted by several tables, such as that illustrated in Figure 10. In this case, the structure also includes corner elements 30 supported by those ends of the horizontal cross members 5 which project from the adjacent table. Finally, it is possible to use inclined legs, as illustrated in Figure 11.

Claims: 1. A table comprising a table-top (2) and a plurality of legs (3) fixed to the table-top (2) by means of a plurality of joints (4) which are also used for supporting and interconnecting a series of horizontal cross members (5) extending beneath the table-top (2), characterized in that each joint (4) comprises a base element (6) fixed to the lower surface of the table-top (2) and having a seat (6a) in which the upper end (8) of the respective leg (3) is received and clamped by means of a clamping wedge (11) which can be screwed to the base element (6), and a cover (16) fixed to the base element (6), the facing surfaces of the base element (6) and the cover (16) of each joint (4) having recesses (20, 21) which cooperate with each other to define one or more seats in which the corresponding parts of the horizontal cross members (5) are received and clamped. 2. A table according to Claim 1, characterized in that a connecting element (8) which projects from the upper end of the body (3) of the leg is engaged in the seat (6a) of the base element (6) by the clamping wedge (11) and is fixed within this body by means of the interposition of a bush (9). 3. A table according to Claim 1, characterized in that the seats of the joint through which no cross member passes are closed by plastics covers (22).

Inventors: PIRETTI, GIANCARLO
Applicants: B&B ITALIA S.P.A.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: A47B13
IPC codes: A47B3, A47B13