Table top connector unit

Abstract

A new table top connector unit designed to efficiently stack table tops, prevent damage and increase safety of table. The table top connector unit has a generally flat top, bottom and sides with radius corners between the bottom and sides, with a central opening to accept a support leg and having radially spaced holes to accept fasteners to mount the table top connector unit to the underside of a table top.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/892,145, filed Feb. 28, 2007.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention related generally to tables, and more specifically to connecting supports of tables.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward a table top connector unit mountable to the underside of a table top, accepts a support post and allows for easy assembly and disassembly from said support post, allowing tables to be, along with this invention to be efficiently assembled, dis-assembled, safely and efficiently stored, reducing or eliminating damage to other table tops.

Mountable table top connector units are particularly useful at supporting table tops and chair bottoms, connecting the table top to support posts and structure without the need for extensive support structure such as arms to support the table top.

Inventor has found that existing table top connector units have been constructed in a inverted cone shaped manner with the larger end of the cone connecting to the table and the smaller end of the cone extending downward upon the support post. If the table owners leave the table top connector units assembled to the table top, Inventor has found that existing table top connector units have been constructed in such a way as to hinder easy stacking and storage of disassembled table tops. Inventor has found that existing table top connector units are made of materials that cause other tables to become scratched when stacked. Thus, Inventor has found that owners of tables will often remove the table top connector units in order to efficiently stack the table and then reinstall the table top connector unit prior to reusing the table.

Inventor has found that existing table top connector units have been constructed in a manner that is small to remain inconspicuous. This leads to the use of materials which can bear and transfer significant loads to the table post when applied on the table top. However, due to the small cone shaped size, the load is concentrated into a small section centrally located on the table top, leading to damage of the table top, or alternatively, tipping of the table when in use, creating a safety issue for the table patron.

Problem P1—Unstackable Table Tops

Lightweight tables that quickly assemble and disassemble are useful in the conference and banquet industry. Inventor has found that existing tables have table top connector units that prevent efficient stacking of table tops when the tables are not in use. Existing table top connector units are designed to support heavy forces and are shaped in a cone shape with the larger end connected to the table with fasteners. Because existing table top connector units are relationally much smaller compared to the size of the table, the cone shaped table top connector unit prevents easy stacking when the tables are disassembled from the table support leg(s); thus, the table top connector unit must be removed to prevent stacked tables from tipping over.

Problem P2—Cosmetic Damage to Table Top

Table top connector units connect the table top to the table support leg and distribute the forces of the weight of the table plus any forces applied to the top of the table onto the support leg. Often the tables must bear over 300 pounds of force. Because of this re-distribution onto the support leg, the smaller table top connector units are made of metallic materials. Metallic materials can cause damage to table tops. To prevent damage to stacked table tops, the table owner must either remove the table top connector unit or place a buffer, such as a blanket, between the stacked tables. Inventor has found that owners of tables will remove the table top connector units in order to prevent damage to other tables when storing for future use.

Problem P3—Structural Damage to the Table Top

Table top connector units connect the table top to the table support leg, and distribute the forces of the weight of the table plus any forces applied to the top of the table, onto the table support leg. Often the table assembly must bear over 300 pounds of force. Because existing table top connector units have a smaller surface area, the downward forces are concentrated into a smaller area of the table top. This concentration leads to fatigue, damage and ultimately failure of the table top. As a consequence the life of a table top is reduced.

Problem P4—Table Safety

Table top connector units connect the table top to the table support leg, and distribute the forces of the weight of the table plus any forces applied to the top of the table, onto the table support leg. Often the table assembly must bear over 300 pounds of force. Because existing table top connector units have a smaller surface area, the downward forces are concentrated into a smaller area of the table top. As a consequence, table safety is compromised because the surface area of the existing table top connector units create a focal point causing the entire table to tip.

Inventor has sold, set-up and stored tables for banquets, conventions and conferences for a number of years. The invention disclosed herein arises from the need to improve the current design of existing table top connector units.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention described herein is directed to a new and more useful table top connector unit. The invention disclosed herein saves a table owner assembly time, prevents damage to the table and is safer to use.

The table top connector unit attaches to a table top and is constructed with generous radial surfaces and in a shorter and wider manner. The table top connector unit has a central opening which allows for the insertion of a post that the table top or chair bottom sits atop. The table top connector unit allows for easy stacking because it has a larger surface area than existing table top connector units. The table top connector unit's width allows the use of materials that are not as conducive to damaging other tables when stacked upon each other. The table top connector unit has generous radial surfaces, which prevents scratching of the tables when stacked.

The size and shape of the table top connector unit can be changed to accommodate any table; although the Inventor has found that the most preferable shape is circular, Inventor envisions rectangular, triangular or any possible shape as a smaller subset of the table it attaches too.

Although directed toward table tops, the Inventor envisions that the table top connector unit can be adapted for anything that can be stabilized using a post, such as but not limited to stools, chairs and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The preferred embodiments, certain objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be more readily appreciated from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating the present invention attached onto the underside of a table top; and

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 illustrate the preferred embodiment of the present invention, presenting a radial apparatus with a bottom and top which is flat, with large surface area and generous radius corners on the side.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1 there is illustrated a table top connector unit 10 attached to the underside of a table top 20 with a support leg 30 inserted into the table top connector unit 10 coming to rest on the underside of the table top 20.

Referring to FIG. 2 the table top connector unit is in a radial shape. The table top connector unit 10 has a central opening 40 to accommodate a table leg. The table top connector unit 10 has multiple concentric fasteners holes 50 to allow attachment to the underside of a table.

Referring to FIG. 3 the table top connector unit 70 is wider and has more surface area than existing traditional table top connector units in the industry. The top surface 60 of the table top connector unit 70 is generally flat to allow the table top connector unit 70 to attach flush to the underside of a table top. The sides 60 have corner radiuses 90 interfacing with the bottom surface 80.

Referring to FIG. 2, the table top connector unit 10 is of sufficient size to distribute the loads from the table tops and any extraneous forces applied during use.

Referring to FIG. 2, the size and shape of the table top connector unit 10 can be sized to accommodate multiple table sizes and shapes; although the Inventor has found that the most preferable shape is circular, Inventor envisions rectangular, triangular or a multitude of possible shapes.

Referring to FIG. 2, the inventor has found that the best materials to practice the invention are of a composite nature, such as plastic, the table top connector unit 10 can be manufactured of using most other materials, such as wood, and metal alloys.

Claims

1. A table connector mountable on the underside of a table top which accepts a support leg:

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in a radial shape comprising two generally flat surfaces, with the top and bottom surface connected by a side surface, the connecting edges of the bottom and side surface having radius corners

3. The apparatus of claim 1 having a central opening to accept a support leg;

4. The apparatus of claim 1 having radially spaced fastener holes;

5. The apparatus of claim 1, being hollow; and

6. The apparatus of claim 1 having internal support ribs.