US3342147A - Modular table - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 19, 1967 M. w. SHETTLES 3,342,147

MODULAR TABLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 12, 1966 INVENTOR MACK W SHETTLES magi? ATTORNEYS p 96 M. w. SHETTLES 3,342,147

MODULAR TABLE- Filed April 12, 1966 v FIG. 8

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Huu- INVENTOR MACK W SHETTLES ATTOR NE YS United States Patent ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Modular tables of a size that would normally accommodate a single person, and of a shape such that a similar table can be positioned adjacent thereto, locked into position, so that the two adjacent tables virtually form a single surface.

Background 0 the invention In accommodating a plurality of people at a table, it is not unusual to encounter difficulty in finding a table or combination of tables that will seat the people in a desirable disposition. The problem is further complicated by the fact that occasionally the number of people to be seated is not ascertained until they arrive on the scene. When utilizing the conventional rectangular tables 'or round tables in such circumstances, the problems involved are usually that the tables do not fit the room in which they are used; gaps are present between adjacent tables, and a few of the people seated at the tables are forced to straddle the legs of adjacent tables. Also, the addition of a few extra people may cause the use of a face than actually needed by the few people, and the usual standard dimensions of rectangular tables limit the particular number of arrangements that might be formed with the tables.

Summary of the invention Accordingly, this invention comprises a modular table, or a plurality of modular tables, that are positionable adjacent each other and capable of being attached to each other so as to create a plurality of various shaped rigid table surfaces. The particular shape of an individual modular table is that of an equilateral triangle and the locking elements of each table are positioned adjacent the angle formed between adjacent sides of the table. The

locking elements take the form of a pivotal latch that, when pivoted to its unlatched position, is retained beneath the table to which it is attached and, when pivoted to its latched position, is received in the latching element of an adjacent table, so as to connect adjacent tables to each other.

Thus, it is an object of this invention to provide a table that is positionable adjacent another table so that the two adjacent tables form an extended table surface.

Another object of this invention is to provide a plurality of tables having latching elements connected thereto that connect the tables to each other.

Another object of this invention is to provide a plurality of tables of similar shape that are positionable adjacent each other to form various table surface arrangements.

large additional table which creates a much larger sur- Another object of this invention is to provide a plurality of tables, each table taking the shape of an equilateral triangle.

Another object of this invention is to provide a triangular shaped table having latching elements adjacent the apex of each angle thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide a plurality of tables that are positionable adjacent each other so as to form a table surface of various sizes and shapes so as to conform with the boundaries of a room in which the tables are located.

Another object of this invention is to provide a table surface, the shape of which is adaptable to various room situations.

Another object of this invention is to provide a modular table that is economical to manufacture, convenient to use, and adaptable to various room arrangements.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Brief description of the drawing FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the modular table with a center support.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the modular table, similar to FIG. 1, but showing a corner support.

FIG. 3 is a bottom schematic View of a plurality of modular tables arranged to form a straight table surface.

FIG. 4 is a bottom schematic view of a plurality of modular tables assembled to form a six-sided table sur face that accommodates a single person at each side.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a plurality of modular tables assembled in a manner so as to form a six-sided table surface of a size to accommodate two persons at each side.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a latching element in its open or unlatched position, showing the manner in which it is fastened to a table.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the latching element shown in FIG. 6, adjacent a cooperating latching element, showing the latching element in its closed or latched position.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a series of latching elements shown in their latched or closed positions.

Description of the embodiments Referring now more particularly to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows a table 10 of a triangular configuration having sides 11a, 11b, and of equal length, defining angles 12a, 12b, and 12c therebetween. The table takes the shape of an equilateral triangle having equal angles between sides of equal length. The table 10 is supported by a center post 14 which is supported by outwardly extending legs or spokes 15a, 15b, and 15c. The spokes can be located directly beneath the angles 12 of the table to afford maximum balance characteristics to the table or they can be disposed intermediate the angles 12 of the table so the person seated at the table will normally straddle one of the spokes.

Referring to FIGS. 68, a latching element 16 is attached to the underside of the table 10, adjacent one edge 11b thereof. The latching element 16 comprises a support portion 18 and a pivotal connecting portion 19.

The support portion 18, as seen in FIG. 8, is substantially rectangular in shape and has an apertured flange portion 20 adapted to be positioned adjacent the underside of the table 10. The flange portion 20 has a plurality of apertures 21 therein so that conventional wood screws 22 can be inserted therethrough and screwed into the underside of the table 10. The support portion 18 also comprises a body portion 24 extending downwardly from the flange portion 20, defining a recess 25 in a portion thereof remote from the edge 11b of the table 10. The recess 25 is cylindrically shaped at its innermost portion 26, and tapered at 2'7, outwardly of the innermost portion 26. The innermost portion 26 of the recess 25 contains a magnetized substance 28 therein.

The support portion 18 of the latching element 16 further comprises a pair of downwardly extending flanges 30 at opposite edges thereof. The flanges 30 are apertured at 31 to support a retaining pin 32, extending between the flanges 30. The pivotal connecting portion 19 of the latching element 17 comprises a stem 34 having a base 35 defining an aperture 36 therein adapted to surround the retaining pin 32 of the support portion 18. The stem 34 terminates at its end opposite from the base 35 in a double-ended head 38. Each side of the double-ended head 38 conforms in shape to the recess 25 of the support portion 18. The double-ended head 38 has a tapered portion 39 that conforms to the shape of the tapered portion 27 of the recess 25, and a cylindrical portion 40 that conforms in shape to the cylindrical innermost portion 26 of the support portion 18.

The stem 34 of the pivotal connecting portion 19 is of a length so that when the double-ended head 28 is pivoted to the position shown in FIG. 6, one side of the doubleended head will fit snugly into the recess 25 of the support portion 18 of the latching element. The magnetized substance 28 inside the innermost portion 26 of the recess 25 tends to retain the pivotal connecting portion 19 in the position as shown in FIG. 6.

As is shown in FIG. 8, the latching elements 16 are positioned so that the center of the recess 25 is located near the apex of an angle between adjacent sides of the axis about which the pivotal connection portion 19 pivots,

is disposed in a vertical plane extending through the edge of the table. In this manner, the pivotal connecting portion 19 will pivot to its closed or connecting position, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, so that it reaches beyond the edge of its table a distance equal to its length. Inasmuch as each latching element 16 is located in a similar manner on each table, the pivotal connecting portion 19 of one latching element will pivot into the recess 25 of an adjacent support portion of an adjacent latching element when adjacent tables are positioned with their sides adjacent to each other and with their ends aligned with each other, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Of course, since the recess 25 of each latching element 16 contains a magnetized substance 28, when the pivotal connecting portion 19 of a latching element 16 is pivoted to its closed or latching position, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the magnetized substance 28 will tend to retain the pivotal connecting portion 19 in its latched or closed position.

In order to facilitate easy removal of the pivotal connecting portion 19 from the recess 25 of its support portion 18, or from the recess 25 of an adjacent support portion 18, a tab 41 is provided that extends in a direction substantially normal to the extension of the stem 34. The tab 41 enables a person to insert his finger between the tab and the table to force the pivotal connecting portion 19 of the latching element 16 away from the magnetized substance 28 of the recess 25.

When the latching elements 16 are attached to the underside of the tables 10, they are all positioned so that they extend in one general direction with respect to the table; that is, when facing away from the upper surface of the center of the table toward one of the angles between the side portions thereof, the latching elements are oriented on the underside of the table so that when the pivotal connecting portion is extended so as to be in its closed or latched position, it extends outwardly from the left edge of the table, and its tab 41 extends in a direction toward the angle between the side of the table.

Each table has three latching elements connected to the underside thereof, one latching element being disposed near the apex of the angle between the sides of the table. With this arrangement, when the pivotal connecting portion 19 of each latching element 16 is pivoted to its closed or latched position, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, each side of the table will have a single pivotal connecting portion extending therefrom. When the tables are assembled in a manner similar to that shown in FIGS. 3-5, the latching elements 16 will function to connect adjacent tables to each other. By the arrangement of the latches, one may join any side of any table to any other side of any other table.

Operation FIG. 3 shows the underside of a plurality of table surfaces arranged to form a single elongated table surface. The tables 51-59 are shown with their latching elements in their closed or latched position so as to attach the tables to each other. For instance, table 51 has its latching element 51a shown in its extended position, extending from the right edge of the table (as viewed from the bottom of the table) to show how this latching element would function if there were another table adjacent to table 51 to be latched thereto. Of course, since there is no table for latching element 51a to engage, it would normally be maintained in its retracted or unlatched position, as shown in FIG. 6. Since the table 52 is disposed adjacent table 51, and the latching element 51b is positioned to open in the direction from table 51 toward table 52, the pivotal connecting portion of latching element 52a is removed from its recess and the pivotal connecting portion of the latching element 51b is pivoted to its latching or closed position; that is, latching element 51b is pivoted so that it fits down into the recess of the latching element 52a so as to attach table 51 to table 52 in the vicinity of the latching elements 51b and 52a. Of course, since there is no table adjacent the edge of table 51 toward which the latching element 51c operates, the pivotal connecting portion of the latching element 510 will be removed from its recess and allowed to hang or dangle beneath the bottom surface of the table 51.

The pivotal connecting portion of the latching element 520 of table 52 is pivoted to its latched or closed position so that it is received in the recess of the latching element 510 of table 51. Of course, this connects table 52 to table 51 in the vicinity of latching elements 510 and 520. However, since the edge of the table 52 toward which the latching element 52b operates is not adjacent another table, the pivotal connecting portion of the latching element 52b will be removed from its recess and allowed to dangle beneath the table 52, in the manner similar to latching element 510 of table 51.

Of course, to connect tables 52 and 53 to each other, the pivotal connecting portion of the latching element 53a of the table 53 is removed from its recess and the pivotal connecting portion of latching element 52a is inserted therein, and the pivotal connecting portion of latching element 53c is received in the recess of the latching element 52b of table 52. This attaches tables 52 and 53 to each other at two points, near the ends of the common sides of the tables. This assures a firm connection between the adjacent tables.

Tables 53-59 are identical to tables 51 and 52, and are connected to each other in an identical manner, as is shown in FIG. 3. Of course, a firm connection is made between each adjacent table by the latching element so that there is no danger of the tables being misaligned, or of gaps appearing between adjacent tables.

Because of the tapered portions 27 and 39 of the recess 25 and the double ended head 38, respectively, the double ended head is guided into its position in the recess 25 when assembling the tables. This functions to perfectly align adjacent tables. if the double ended head 38 is properly received in its recess.

As is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the tables of the instant invention can be assembled in various manner to meet the requirements of the situation. For instance, FIG. 4 shows six tables assembled so that they form a six-sided table surface. The tables 61-66 are assembled so that each has one of its angles adjacent the center of the table surface formed by the plurality of tables, two edges thereof each being adjacent an adjacent table, and the third edge forming an outside edge of the table surface formed by the table. The latching element of each of the tables 61-66 nearest the center of the table surface formed by the tables 61-66 are moved to their latched or closed position so that they engage the recess of the latching element next adjacent thereto. For instance, the connecting portion of latching element 61a is pivoted so as to be received in the recess of the latching element 66a, the pivotal connecting portion of the latching element 66a is pivoted so as to be receive-d in the recess of the latching element 65a, the pivotal connecting portion of the latching element 65a is pivoted to be received in the recess of the latching element 64a, and so on, until a complete circle is made by the pivotal connecting portion of each of the latching elements of the adjacent table. This, of course, creates a firm connection between each of the tables 61-66 at their inner portions, near the center of the table surface created by these tables.

Each of the tables 61-66 are connected to their next adjacent tables by the latching elements disposed outwardly from the center of the table surface formed by these tables. For instance, the pivotal connecting portion of latching element 61b is received in the recess of the latching element 62c; the pivotal connecting portion of the latching element 62c merely hanging or dangling vertically from the lower surface of the table 62c. The pivotal connecting portion of the latching element 62b is received in the recess of the latching element 63c; its pivotal connecting portion also hanging downwardly from the bottom surface of the table 63. The remaining tables 63-.

61 are connected to each other in a similar manner. Of course, the tables 61- being connected to each other at two places along each adjacent side creates a firm con nection between the tables so that accidental displacement of one table from an adjacent table is virtually impossible. Furthermore, if the tables of FIG. 4 are connected to each other only by the outer latching elements, the inner latching elements 6111-6611 remaining open, the tables 61- 66 will be firmly connected to each other.

FIG. 5 merely shows another method in which the tables can be assembled with firm connection being maintained between each individual table, to form a continuous table surface. While the particular manner of connection between individual tables is not shown in FIG. 5, it should be understood that the latching elements shown in FIGS. 6-8 would also be adaptable to this particular arrangement of tables.

While the tables have been shown with a center post supporting the table surface, it should be understood that other leg supports can be utilized without destroying the versatility of the tables. For instance, the spokes 15ac can be disposed intermediate the sides of the table so that a person sitting at the table will straddle the spokes. Also, FIG. 2 shows [a table 68 having a single vertical support 69 extending downwardly from one corner thereof, and outwardly extending spokes 70 and 71 extending 6 away from the vertical support 69 at angles that correspond to the edges of the table adjacent the corner from which the vertical support 69 extends. With this arrangement, accidental tipping of the table surface 68 would be unlikely. Also, while a single center post and a single corner post have been shown (FIGS. 1 and 2) it should be understood that other support arrangements can be utilized without destroying the versatility of the invention. For instance, vertical supports could extend downwardly from the corner of the table. The only criterion that must be maintained with the various supports desired to be utilized with the table is that space be present to .properly position the latching elements adjacent edges of the table.

While the invention has been disclosed with latching elements adjacent every corner of each table, it should be understood that it is not beyond the scope of this invention to construct the tables with latching elements attached to less than all of the corners of the tables or to connect less than all the latches to each other. As applied to FIG. 4, it can be seen that if tables 61-66 had only the latching elements 61a-66a connected thereto that the tables 61-66 would have a substantially firm connection therebetween, in spite of the absence of the remaining latching elements. Inspection of FIGS. 7 and 8 show that the flat adjacent edges of the tables is such that a single coupling between the tables is enough to prevent adjacent tables from parting due to the expanse of adjacent edges of the tables mating with each other.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many variations may be made in the embodiments chosen for the purpose of illustrating the present invention without departing from the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A plurality of tables of equal size and each formed with a triangular equilateral surface, means for connect ing said tables to one another comprising a latching element disposed adjacent at least one angle between adjacent sides of each table, said latching element including a support portion attached to the underside of its table, said support portion defining a recess therein, a pivotal connecting portion including a stern pivotally connected to said support portion at a point thereof remote from said recess, said stem terminating in a head having opposite sides each of a size and shape corresponding to the size and shape of said recess, said stem being of a length to pivot said head so that one of its sides is received in said recess, said latching element being disposed with its recess centered on a line bisecting the angle formed by converging edges of said table and with said pivotal connecting portion pivotal about an axis disposed in a vertical plane extending through one edge of said table.

2. A plurality of tables, means for retaining said tables to one another including at least one metallic latching element connected to the bottom of the table surface, magnetized means connected to the bottom of the table surface inward of the table edge for retaining said latching element in a retracted position beneath the table surface or for maintaining the latching element of an adjacent table in a latched position whereby adjacent tables are connected to one another.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said tables are formed with triangular surfaces and each edge of said tables includes at least one of said magnetized means for connecting adjacent ones of said tables to one another.

4. A plurality of tables each including a generally horizontally disposed table surface and connecting means for connecting said tables to one another so that their table surfaces are disposed in abutting relationship, said connecting means comprising at least one latching element connected to the bottom of the table surface of each table adjacent an edge of the table, receiving means connected to the bottom of each table surface inwardly of the edge of the table, and magnetic means for main- References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Saveland 297-248 Boyle.

January.

Harrington.

Rizzuto 108--150 8 7/ 1946 Butler 108-64 11/1954 Trafford 108-64 8/1961 Kobrin 108-64 9/ 1962 CheslOW 10864 FOREIGN PATENTS 10/ 1922 Austria.

11/ 1956 Denmark. 2/1957 Germany. 2/ 1949 Great Britain.

FRANCIS K. ZUGEL, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A PLURALITY OF TABLES OF EQUAL SIZE AND EACH FORMED WITH A TRIANGULAR EQUILATERAL SURFACE, MEANS FOR CONNECTING SAID TABLES TO ONE ANOTHER COMPRISING A LATCHING ELEMENT DISPOSED ADJACENT AT LEAST ONE ANGLE BETWEEN ADJACENT SIDES OF EACH TABLE, SAID LATCHING ELEMENT INCLUDING A SUPPORT PORTION ATTACHED TO THE UNDERSIDE OF ITS TABLE, SAID SUPPORT PORTION DEFINING A RECESS THEREIN, A PIVOTAL CONNECTING PORTION INCLUDING A STEM PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID SUPPORT PORTION AT A POINT THEREOF REMOTE FROM SAID RECESS, SAID STEM TERMINATING IN A HEAD HAVING OPPOSITE SIDES EACH OF A SIZE AND SHAPE CORRESPONDING TO THE SIZE AND SHAPE OF SAID RECESS, SAID STEM BEING OF A LENGTH TO PIVOT SAID HEAD SO THAT ONE OF ITS SIDES IS RECEIVED IN RECESS, SAID LATCHING ELEMENT BEING DISPOSED WITH ITS RECESS CENTERED ON A LINE BISECTING THE ANGLE FORMED BY CONVERGING EDGES OF SAID TABLE AND WITH SAID PIVOTAL CONNECTING PORTION PIVOTAL ABOUT AN AXIS DISPOSED IN A VERTICAL PLANE EXTENDING THROUGH ONE EDGE OF SAID TABLE.

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