Patent Publication Number: US-2005126452-A1

Title: Universal table leg

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
      This invention relates to table legs, and more particularly, to an attractive universal table leg, which may be readily and easily attached or removed from a table top.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Table legs have traditionally been rigidly secured to a table top using screws and glue, making the piece of furniture a bulky item. Alternatives have legs that have been pivotally secured, such that the table legs may be folded and the table stored, as in a card table, or alternatively the table legs are folded in pairs, as with a banquet table. These alternate securement means have typically been satisfactory but utilitarian, however, the limitations posed by these more traditional attachments have limited the creativity of the craftsman/designer.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      With the above-noted prior art in mind, it is a function of the present invention to present a universal table leg that can be quickly and easily attached to a variety of table top configurations.  
      It is a further function of the present invention to provide a table leg which releases creativity in terms of the shape and configuration of the table top, but further allows artistic creativity in terms of the leg itself.  
      Yet another function of the present invention is to provide a table leg which, while being attractive and creative, is extremely sturdy.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  depicts the inventive table leg secured to the corner of a rectangular table top.  
       FIG. 2  depicts the inventive table leg secured to the side of a rectangular table top.  
       FIG. 3  depicts the inventive table leg secured to the edge of a round table top.  
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged view disclosing the adjustable means for securing the table leg to a table top.  
       FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the inventive table leg secured to a table top.  
       FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of the inventive table leg.  
       FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the inventive table leg.  
       FIG. 8  is a front elevation view of the inventive table leg.  
       FIG. 9  is an alternate configuration for the table leg. 
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION  
      As seen in  FIG. 1 , the preferred embodiment of the present invention is secured to the corner of a rectangular table top T, includes three legs and an inverted pyramid configuration with a pair of legs  2 ,  4  extending along the outside edge of the table T and a third leg  6  terminating beneath the table. In this embodiment the three legs terminate at the bottom in a skid plate  8 , which can easily be adjustable. The securement of the leg to the table is accomplished by an extension of legs  2 ,  4  in the form of an isosceles angle having legs  10 ,  12  meeting at the vertex  14 . Leg  6  likewise joins the vertex of a angle  16  having legs which extend outwardly and are secured to legs  2 ,  4  in a parallel spaced position to the upper angle. Also seen in this view is an adjustable securement means, which will be explained in detail hereinafter.  
       FIGS. 2 and 3  depict the table leg of  FIG. 1  as secured to the side of the rectangular table in  FIG. 2  and to the edge of a circular table in  FIG. 3  and similar parts bear similar numeric identifiers.  
      Attention is now directed to  FIG. 4 , wherein the upper portion of the inventive leg is shown with the parts labeled, and further showing that the table leg includes scuff pads  18 ,  20 , as well as an adjustable clamping limit, including a pad  22 , which could be padded and rotatably secured to a threaded shaft  24 , passing through threaded element  26 . Likewise included is a locking nut  28 .  
      As seen in  FIG. 5 , when in place, the proportion of the leg  12  rests on the top of the table top T, and is held in position by pad  22 , which is clamped against the bottom portion of the table top T. The legs  2  and  6  extend downwardly to terminate in a floor contacting pad  8 , which likewise could be adjustable.  
      The inter-relationship of the various parts is more clearly depicted in the side elevational view of  FIG. 6  and the top plan view of  FIG. 7 , as well as the front elevational view of  FIG. 8 , which likewise shows an alternate treatment to the bottom terminus of the legs, wherein they form a smooth curve  30 .  
       FIG. 9  depicts the fact that the spaced parallel upper elements, which preferably are in the form of an isosceles angle could easily be fabricated to any desired shape, such as it arc  32  shown.  
      Thus, as can be seen, an inexpensive decorative table leg can be readily secured to a table top of one&#39;s choice.