NAYLOR THOMAS FRANCIS EDMUND (GB)
DE10061926A1 | 2002-06-13 | |||
FR85777E | 1965-10-08 | |||
GB589356A | 1947-06-18 |
Dismountable modular nesting dual height, optionally flat packing, trestle table leg. Claims 1. A trestle leg for supporting a table top, comprised of two mirrored elements (Figure 1., elements 1. and 2.) that when set together form a V at one end, a V in a parallel plane at the other end facing the opposite direction, a rigid diagonal support connecting the two Vs at their respective points, and further supports running between the diagonal and each strut of each V. 2. A leg assembly as in Claim 1., where the elements (1.) and (2.) are manufactured as a single piece. 3. A leg assembly as in Claim 1., where the two elements are comprised of two smaller elements, (Figure 3., 7., and 8.,) which can be taken apart to allow for the trestle to be stored flat. 4. A leg assembly as in Claims 1. and 3. which is provided with a folding table top, illustrated in Figures 6. and 7. 5. A leg assembly as in Claims 1. and 3., where the mechanism for holding them together is a steel rod or tube (Figures 4. & 5., 9.) that sits within Figure 3. (7.) and (8.), and fits upon two internal rods (10.) and (11.), Figures 4. and 5, allowing for rigid support and the correct angle to be set. 6. A leg assembly as in Claims 1. and 3., where the two mirrored elements are held in place in the central diagonal by a section of flexible tube. An example of the placement of such a piece of tube is shown in Figure 8. (12). 7. A leg assembly as in Claims 1. and 3, where the two mirrored elements in the central diagonal section are held in place by a strip of material and means for holding securely wrapped around, such as a zip, Velcro (RTM), belt, or material with buttons. An example of the placement of such a piece of material is shown in Figure 8. (12). 8. A leg assembly as in Claims 1. and 3., where, when in the position as in Figure 1., four pieces of a non slip material, such as rubber, are affixed to the upper side of each upper V, or around the arms of each upper V. 9. A leg assembly as in Claims 1. and 3., where, in the position as in Figure 9., four pieces of a non slip material such as rubber are affixed between the four points of contact of the table leg with the table top surface. 10. A leg assembly as in Claims 1. and 3. where in the position as in Figure 1., the arms of each upper V have a fixed means of attachment to the table top. 11. A leg assembly as in Claims 1. and 3. where the supporting struts (3.)(4.) (5.) and (6.) are not an integral part of the whole, but can be clipped in or removed. 12. A leg assembly as in Claims 1. and 3., where the material of the table is of sufficient rigidity not to require supporting struts, as in Figure 9. 13. A leg assembly as in Claims 1. and 3., where the supporting strut is not a vertical rod in shape, but a variant, from an n shape, as in Figure 11. (13.) to a waisted shape, Figure 11. (14.). 14. A leg assembly as in Claims 1. and 3. which is provided with one or more sizes of non folding table top. |
Description
The Invention is comprised of a trestle leg unit, as shown in Figure 1. that can singly support a table top, at dining, Figure 8., or occasional table height, Figure 9., or with further units support longer table surfaces; Figure 2. showing a surface being supported by two units. The trestle leg can be arranged in a large range of configurations according to preference, while still providing robust table top support.
The Invention as shown would be appropriate for construction with tubular steel, but it is envisioned that other materials of suitable strength would also be fit for purpose.
The leg can be comprised of a single piece or two mirrored units as shown in Figure 1. (1.)& (2.), that fit together, and the mirrored units may have the capability of being split in two, as shown in Figure 3., and de-constructed for flat packing. The method for holding them together is a steel rod or tube (Figures 4. & 5., 9.) that sits within (7.) and (8.) (Figure 3.), and fits upon two internal rods {10.) and (11.) that are firmly fixed allowing for rigid support and the correct angle to be set.
The leg can be arranged with another leg in such a way that the legs descend at an angle towards the central floor point under the table top, allowing for no impediment to the legs of people seated at the table, and full flexibility for seating arrangements, as shown in Figure 2. With the Invention, 'getting stuck with a table leg' at dinner can be a thing of the past. Two legs can also be arranged at the dining table height with nested with each other, e.g. when a table top is only half extended, Figure 6. showing the table extended with a table top that folds, and Figure 7. showing the two units nested under the folded table top. Alternatively a leg can be used to support an occasional table as in Figure 9. For a larger occasional table, more units can be used, and arranged or nested in multiple configurations.
The Invention is designed so that the weight of the table top adds to the stability: when in position per Figure 1., the V elements have the slight tendency to spread wider on the floor and the surface when the weight of the table top is added, creating the increased stability.
The invention can be supplied with non slip attachments , eg made of rubber, that sit between the table surface and the elements of the leg in contact with the table top surface, to prevent slippage.
Alternatively, the invention can be supplied with a table top and fixed clips which attach to the table legs.
With people living in ever smaller living spaces, the Invention meets the demand for a truly versatile and multipurpose table leg unit, that can be stored in a small space, and be arranged for an occasional table, or half sized or full sized dining table.
The Invention meets the demand for flexibility from a cost perspective, where consumers can choose more or less expensive components for the system, either a single leg, or pair, or more, depending on their requirements. The Invention allows for the struts, (3.), (4.),( 5.), and (6.), to be attachable to the legs, rather than integral as shown. From a retail perspective this allows for variants on aesthetic and design, with the consumer choosing a metal, plastic, reinforced glass, or other composite material, to form the struts.
The Invention allows for struts of different shape, as shown in Figure 11. according to what is determined to be preferable from an aesthetic perspective.
The Invention allows for different designs of top to be supplied with it, such as a single oval, in Figure 2., a folding oval, as illustrated, in Figures 6. and 7., or for other appropriate shapes of top such as rectangle or square, or for the consumer to just purchase the just the leg unit, to use with a surface that the consumer already has.
The Invention, when at dining table height, allows for placement of the table on soft ground outside, taking an advantage over vertical table legs that would sink into for example a soft lawn.
The Invention is of a simple enough design to enable it to be mass manufactured cheaply for conferences, events, marquee use, or budget consumer use, or manufactured to a high finish in materials and colours chosen with appearance as well as support in mind.