Abstract:
A multi-purpose table for furnishing is anticipated, comprising: a top ( 2 ) with a thickness and perimeter edges ( 2   a ) delimiting a support surface ( 3 ) of the top ( 2 ), supports ( 4 ) on the underside of the top ( 2 ), a clearance aperture ( 5 ) passing through the top ( 2 ) and developing in such a way as to interrupt both the support surface ( 3 ) and perimeter edges ( 2   a ), a mobile element ( 6 ) counter-profiled to the clearance aperture ( 5 ) and aimed at re-forming the support surface ( 3 ) and perimeter edges ( 2   a ), and fixing means ( 7 ) between the top ( 2 ) and mobile element ( 6 ) to constrain the mobile element ( 6 ) in a removable way in the clearance aperture ( 5 ).

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a multi-purpose table for furnishing, usable in particular in public and meeting places, of stackable type and comprising a top with a thickness and perimeter edges, and support means on the underside of the top.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART  
       [0002]     As is known, tables for furnishing present a support surface defined by a top or the like. Said top is important in determining the exterior appearance and functionality of tables for furnishing and it is thus opportune that it is in harmony with the surrounding furnishings, or fit for the required uses.  
         [0003]     The colours or colour combinations and physical characteristics of the support surface are particularly important. For instance, a non-porous, non-absorbent and easily cleanable surface is necessary when the table is used for meals or contact with food, while a surface with a suitable robustness is necessary when the table is also used to support heavy or sharp-edged objects, a smooth surface is suitable for writing, a relatively soft surface which is pleasant to touch is suitable for a simple hand rest, etc.  
         [0004]     However, once chosen, the top cannot be varied in terms of appearance or functional characteristics, except partly in a dimensional sense when it is composed by foldable, hinged parts. In practice the appearance and functionality of the tables in question are for the most part permanently fixed at the time of their production and purchase.  
         [0005]     It is also known that the tables intended to furnish public places, in particular those placed outside, must present accentuated characteristics of simplicity, solidity and low cost. For this reason tables with main tops composed of hinged and foldable parts are generally unsuitable.  
         [0006]     Furthermore, in public spaces or places it is often opportune for tables to be stackable upon one another.  
         [0007]     This property is useful because it permits the tables to be accumulated in a restricted space, to then be taken when necessary. Public places can thus prepare only the number of tables sufficient for the clientele at that time, avoiding unnecessary space restrictions.  
         [0008]     If the tables are stackable then cleaning or maintenance of the available places or spaces becomes much easier.  
         [0009]     Similar requirements of solidity, simplicity, low cost and stackability must be anticipated for tables to be hired, together with relative chairs, for occasional events or gatherings, typically in open spaces.  
         [0010]     Stacking of tables having a single piece top requires the tables&#39; supporting legs to be suitably expanded external to the top, to avoid interference with the top of the table below upon stacking.  
         [0011]     The aesthetics of these tables, with supporting legs protruding from the perimeter edge of the main tops, is not very satisfactory and furthermore the described stacking method presents an important drawback: to be stacked or taken, the tables must be lifted to a height above that of the table or pile of tables underneath.  
         [0012]     The known tables forming part of the furnishings of a public space or meeting place also have the drawback of not being inter-distinguishable and therefore require special movable added countersigns to indicate booked tables, tables connected to a given clientele, tables in the charge of diverse attendants, etc, as needed.  
         [0013]     In the case of tables hired for a fee for shows and events it may also be useful to distinguish each time diverse types of place and diverse costs connected with them.  
         [0014]     The additional countersigns are a supplementary cost and are not very suitable for tables placed outside, where they can easily be displaced or disordered by the wind, or damaged by the rain.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]     In this situation the technical aim at the base of the present invention is to design a multi-purpose table able to overcome the cited drawbacks.  
         [0016]     In the context of said technical aim an important object of the invention is to realise a table whose support surface can be varied in its aesthetics, in particular its colour, or its functionality.  
         [0017]     Another aim is to make available a table having precise and reliable identifying features, also suitable for public spaces or outside meeting places.  
         [0018]     A further aim of the invention is to realise a table which can be easily and quickly stacked.  
         [0019]     Yet another object of the invention is to make available a solid, simple, low cost table.  
         [0020]     The specified technical aim and objects are achieved with a multi-purpose table for furnishing comprising: a top with a thickness and perimeter edges, said perimeter edges delimiting a support surface of said top, means of support on the underside of said top, at least one clearance aperture passing through said top and developing in such a way as to interrupt both said support surface and said perimeter edges, at least one mobile element substantially counter-profiled to said clearance aperture and aimed at substantially re-forming said support surface and said perimeter edges, and fixing means between said top and said mobile element aimed at constraining said mobile element in a removable way in said clearance aperture. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]     Reported below, as an example, is the description of the preferred embodiments of a table according to the invention, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:  
         [0022]      FIG. 1  shows the table according to the invention in axonometric and partially exploded projection;  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  illustrates the stacking of the tables of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 3  highlights a portion of the top of the table of  FIG. 1 , with a mobile element in the inserted position;  
         [0025]      FIG. 4  shows said top from below in a further embodiment, with the mobile element in the out-of-use position;  
         [0026]      FIG. 5  shows a further embodiment of the invention, with two adjoining tables in position of use;  
         [0027]      FIG. 6  illustrates the two tables of  FIG. 5  in stacking position;  
         [0028]      FIG. 7  illustrates a further embodiment of the top of the table according to the invention in perspective view, and  
         [0029]      FIG. 8  presents another embodiment of the table according to the invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0030]     With reference to the cited Figures, the multi-purpose table according to the invention is globally indicated with the number  1 .  
         [0031]     It includes a main top or top  2 , which presents a thickness and is externally bordered by perimeter edges  2   a . The latter delimit an internal area  2   b  and a support surface  3  of top  2 .  
         [0032]     Table  1  also includes means of support  4 , which sustain the top  2  in a raised position with respect to the ground.  
         [0033]     At least one clearance aperture  5  is anticipated on top  2 . Said clearance aperture  5  develops for the entire thickness of top  2  and extends from the perimeter edges  2   a  to the internal area  2   b , so as to interrupt the continuity of the support surface  3  and perimeter edges  2   a.    
         [0034]     Numerous clearance apertures  5  are also possible, such as to define together a prevalent portion of the support surface  3  and perimeter edges  2   a.    
         [0035]     At least one mobile element  6  is anticipated, counter-profiled to the clearance aperture or apertures  5  and aimed at substantially re-forming the integrity and continuity of support surface  3  and perimeter edges  2   a.    
         [0036]     Said at least one mobile element  6  is constrained in a removable way to top  2  by appropriate fixing means  7 .  
         [0037]     The fixing means  7  defines a movement of insertion and removal of mobile element  6  in the relative clearance aperture  5  directed substantially parallel to the support surface  2 .  
         [0038]     In particular, the fixing means  7  can be composed of internal flanks  5   a  of aperture  5  and external sides  6   a  of the mobile element  6 , whenever the second are interconnectable with the first.  
         [0039]     The figures highlight the internal flanks  5   a  presenting a complementary profile to that of the external sides  6   a.    
         [0040]     For instance, the internal flanks  5   a  of aperture  5  may present a rounded, protruding profile which is counter-profiled to a rounded recession of the external sides  6   a  of the mobile element  6 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0041]     Another possible profile anticipates that the outer sides  6   a  and internal flanks  5   a  have a stepped structure  9 , as shown in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0042]     In this case the external sides  6   a  and internal flanks  5   a  preferably have a stepped profile  9  which impedes any displacement in a perpendicular direction to the support surface  3 : it presents alternate protruding and receding portions along the internal flanks  5   a  and, in a complementary manner, along the external sides  6   a.    
         [0043]     Diverse other profiles are possible, for instance it is possible that the internal flanks  5   a  and external sides  6   a  have ledges or grooves  10  of a slot type, as schematised in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0044]     The mobile element  6  may be realised in diverse materials and/or colours. Preferably said materials and/or colours are different to those of the support surface  3  of top  2 .  
         [0045]     In this way the mobile element  6  can at least partly vary the functional characteristics of support surface  3 .  
         [0046]     It is also flattened and presents opposite main faces  13 , one of which remains in sight when the element is inserted into the clearance aperture  5 .  
         [0047]     Furthermore the face of the mobile element  6  in view can vary the aesthetic appearance of table  1  by introducing one or more distinctive elements which may be a colour, a brand, advertising material or useful indications.  
         [0048]     To this aim the same distinctive elements may be prepared slightly in relief or slightly embedded or simply defined by graphic elements  14 .  
         [0049]     Furthermore the mobile element  6  may have distinctive elements, in particular the graphic elements  14 , in correspondence with each of the main faces  13  and possibly the distinctive elements of one face may be different to those of the other face, to obtain the maximum functionality and multi-purposing.  
         [0050]     To achieve the anticipated aims the mobile element  6  is preferably realised in a polymeric material, which permits less friction and thus easy sliding insertion into the aperture  5 , and a possible colour variation and economical printing of the graphic elements in relief or the like.  
         [0051]     The preferred embodiment of the table  1  anticipates an efficient stacking when the support means  4  includes a central post  4   a  as in  FIG. 1 , or three or more posts  4   a  as in  FIGS. 5 and 6 .  
         [0052]     The posts  4   a  may be directly in contact with the ground or floor, or additional ground supports  4   b  may be anticipated.  
         [0053]     To permit stacking it is expected that the aperture or apertures  5  are sized in such a way as to permit the insertion within it or them of the upper part of a post  4   a.    
         [0054]     Thanks to this solution a table  1  may be stacked on a table below by a slight lift and horizontal push as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , where this displacement defines the insertion trajectory  8 .  
         [0055]     With the aim of permitting stacking, any ground supports  4   b  must not present any obstacle to the insertion trajectory  8 .  
         [0056]     For instance, the ground supports  4   b  may be realised by arms radiating out from the base of a central post as in  FIG. 1 , or by poles which diverge in an upturned calyx shape from the same post, in the direction of the ground.  
         [0057]     According to a further aspect of the invention, coupling means  12  on top  2  may also be anticipated, aimed at holding the mobile element  6  in place when it is not inserted into the clearance aperture  5 .  
         [0058]     Said coupling means  12 , illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , are preferably positioned on top  2  on the part opposite support surface  3 , so as not to interfere with the same.  
         [0059]     There are opportunely composed of joints or the like made to measure for the mobile element  6  and are also preferably positioned in correspondence to a thinned portion of top  2 , so as not to impede stacking. If the mobile element  6  has a thickness less than that of top  2 , all protrusions towards the bottom of mobile element  6  are eliminated in the position removed from the clearance aperture  5 .  
         [0060]     The mobile element  6  may also present a recess  11 . Said recess  11  is aimed at defining a cavity in top  2  aimed at surrounding a post  4   a  when the mobile element  6  is inserted in the clearance aperture  5 .  
         [0061]     Said recess  11  can be placed in the section of the mobile element  6  which is most deeply inserted into top  2 , as shown in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0062]     In this way when the tables are stacked the mobile element  6  can still be fixed to the top  2  in aperture  5  and can thus constitute an obstacle to the dislodging of the stacked tables  1 .  
         [0063]     In summary, the mobile element  6  may be inserted, removed or changed as desired by means of a simple insertion of the same in aperture  5 .  
         [0064]     If the tables  1  are stacked, the mobile element  6  is removed to enable stacking of the tables  1 , and is re-inserted in the aperture  5  when the tables  1  are used. When the coupling means  12  are anticipated, the mobile element  6  may be held in place by this while the tables are stacked, thus avoiding the risk of losing the mobile element  6 .  
         [0065]     If the mobile element  6  instead presents the recess  11 , said element  6  may be inserted in opening  5  even when the tables are stacked.  
         [0066]     The invention permits important advantages.  
         [0067]     In fact the perfected table for furnishing  1  enables the aesthetics and functionality of the support surface  3  to be varied.  
         [0068]     In fact it is possible to use mobile elements  6  of different colours, so as to vary the appearance of the table itself, or again it is possible to indicate the table brand or any advertisement or various indications.  
         [0069]     Furthermore, especially in public spaces, mobile elements  6  may be used which distinguish the table itself. Said elements may for instance highlight a booking or the table&#39;s availability, or still more.  
         [0070]     The mobile element  6  may also present special surfaces suitable for specific requirements, so that the same table may at least partly be adapted for use for meals or the like, to support heavy or sharp-edged objects, to write, and still more, always presenting a suitable surface for the current use.  
         [0071]     The same mobile element may be used for different uses, if its main faces  13  are different to one another, and multiple clearance apertures  5  and corresponding mobile elements  6  may be placed on the same table.