US 4,951,576 AGranted

Plastic support surface structure

AssigneeBryan Equipment Company, Inc.

InventorsCharles R. Cobos, Gary A. Ludwig

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Abstract

A plastic-sandwiched framework structure for constucting a portable folding table. The structure includes upper and lower plastic table top halves and a framework grid sandwiched therebetween. The table top halves are bonded or cemented to one another. The framework grid is preferably made of wood, and includes joists or beam members interconnected by cross members. The framework grid is received in a correlatively shaped shell integrally formed in the lower half of the table top. Folding legs are mounted on the underside of the table top and connected through the lower table top half to the cross members. The lower table top half is provided with gussets at selected locations between relatively high vertical walls and the adjacent horizontal planar surfaces. Substantially all other interfaces between vertical and horizontal surfaces on the exterior of the lower table top half are provided with a radius. Stiffening ribs, which may be extensions of the shell, are also disposed on the lower table top half. A magnetic strip is mounted around the periphery of the table for attracting magnetic strips on a drapery for attaching the drapery to the table. The upper surface of the upper table top half may be provided with a woodgrain veneer.

A plastic-sandwiched framework structure, comprising:

a plastic upper half member;
a plastic lower half member;
a framework grid disposed between said upper and lower half member, said members being affixed to one another;
said framework grid comprising at least one joist member running longitudinally axially of said structure and at least one cross member running transversely of said structure, said cross member being connected to said joist member;
said lower half member including a planar main body portion having a lower exterior surface and a shell integrally formed in relief fashion in said lower half member and shaped to receive and partially enclose said framework grid, said shell having downwardly depending, spaced apart, opposed walls and a substantially planar bottom portion interconnecting said opposed walls, the walls of said shell being substantially perpendicular to said main body portion, said shell including at least one relatively deep portion with relatively long opposed shell walls for receiving said joist and at least one relatively shallow portion with relatively short opposed shell walls for receiving said cross member;
the lower exterior surface of said lower half member including gusset means connected between the relatively long opposed shell walls and the lower exterior surface of the planar main body portion of said lower half member at selected locations where the planes of said relatively long opposed shell walls of said relatively deep portions of said shell intersect the planes of said lower exterior surface of said planar main body portion for providing increased structural support and rigidity for the framework structure and for maintaining structural integrity of the plastic comprised in said lower half member;
and
fastening means disposed through said cross member and said lower half member and extending beyond the lower exterior surface thereof and adapted for attachment to an external supporting member for supporting said plastic-sandwiched framework structure off the floor or other base surface.

5 more elements

Abstract

Claims16