US 4,242,969 A · Table and shelf assembly

Abstract

A basically metal frame coffee table or stacked shelves or the like employing a plurality of tubes of circular, square or other regular shape joining at intersections by an improved corner member. The improved corner member is preferably die cast in a single piece including a pair of arms which define connectors for two adjoining tubes and an orthogonal opening to receive a leg. The corner member includes an integral support for holding a shelf. The integral support conceals a fastening member employed to hold the leg in place. Each of the arms define at least one recess at a predetermined distance outward from the corner and located in intimate contact relationship with the frame tubing whereby the tubes may be assembled to the corners merely by staking the underside of the frame to deform the tube locally into the recess of the corner member and thereby produce a fixed permanent frame. The legs are secured to the frame by removable fasteners whereby the legs may be removed, stored flat and the entire table may be transported in a flat or "knocked down" condition and easily assembled with one simple tool. In one embodiment the leg tube opening in the corner member is capped to provide an ornamental top. In another embodiment the leg tube opening extends fully through the corner member to provide for continuous upright leg members and for use in stacked tables or shelves.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A table comprising a plurality of unperforated tube members for defining a peripheral framework;

a plurality of corner members each including a central body portion and at least two arms extending angularly with respect to each other and each in telescoping relationship with adjacent tube members thereby defining a junction of said framework;
each of said arms defining at least one edge recess at a predetermined distance from said central body portion and adjacent to the interior of the wall of said tube member;
said tubular members and respective arms in dimpled interlocking staked relationship with each other at said recess;
the body portion of said corner member including a shelf support;
said body portion of said corner members defining a connecting member for receiving legs in an orthogonal relationship with at least one of said arms
wherein said arms are generally in cruciform shape with the extremities thereof matching the inside dimension of the tube member whereby said tube member and arms assume a generally rigid interconnection when telescoped;
and
wherein at least one of said cruciform portions of said arms extends in the direction downward when said table is in a normal position and said recess defined by said arm is at the underside of said arm whereby the dimpled connection between the arm and the tube is virtually invisible in normal use of the table.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Table and shelf assembly

Life of this patent

Table and shelf assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims6