Device for fastening a table top on a substructure

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for fastening a table top on a substructure which comprises a fastening means which can be screwed to the underside of the table top, in particular a fastening means with a fastening cross, fastening plate or the like, on which the table top rests, wherein said fastening means has a defined pattern of holes with a plurality of holes or mounts for fastening screws, which can be plugged through said holes in each case and by way of which the fastening means is screwed to the table top. According to the invention, the table top (10) has slots (11) or grooves which are made in its underside and run such that, when the table top is placed in position on the fastening means, in particular the fastening cross, they coincide with the holes (20) or mounts of the fastening means, in particular of the fastening cross (17), wherein fastening screws which can be screwed into the table top (10) in each case in the region of the slots (11) or grooves are provided.

Claims

1. A device for fastening a table top on a substructure, which comprises a fastening cross to be screwed to the underside of the table top on which the table top rests, wherein this fastening cross has a defined hole pattern with several holes or mounts for respective fastening screws that are to be plugged through these holes and used to screw the fastening cross to the table top, characterized in that the underside of the table top (10) exhibits slots (11) or grooves that run in such a way as to align with the holes (20) or mounts of the fastening cross when placing the table top on the fastening cross and that fastening screws (21) are provided, which can be screwed into the table top (10) in the respective area of the slots (11) or grooves, wherein four slots are present on each of two intersecting diagonal lines, and sets of two adjacent slots are interrupted in each case by a non-slotted area, creating a total of eight slots, between which there is a total of six non-slotted areas, wherein the slots end at a distance from the corners of the table top and wherein the central area of the table top is also not slotted, wherein said slots lie in a cross-shaped arrangement corresponding to the progression of arms of the fastening cross.

2. The device for fastening a table top on a substructure according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one slot (11) or one groove extends along a line as seen from a top view of the underside of the table top (10) whose linear elongation passes through the midpoint (15) of a table top (10) having a circular, rectangular, quadratic, polygonal or freeform contour.

3. The device for fastening a table top on a substructure according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two slots (11) or grooves extend along lines (13, 14) as seen from a top view of the underside of the table top (10) whose respective elongations cross in roughly the area of the midpoint (15) of a table top (10) having a circular, rectangular, quadratic or polygonal contour.

4. The device for fastening a table top on a substructure according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two slots (11) or grooves extend along lines (13, 14) as seen from a top view of the underside of the table top (10) whose respective elongations cross at roughly a right angle in roughly the area of the midpoint (15) of a table top (10) having a circular, rectangular, quadratic, polygonal or freeform contour.

5. The device for fastening a table top on a substructure according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two slots (11) or grooves are provided along a line (13, 14) extending roughly through the midpoint (15) of the table top (10) as seen from a top view of the underside of the table top, with at least one being located on one side of the midpoint, and at least another being located on the other side of the midpoint.

6. The device for fastening a table top on a substructure according to claim 1, characterized in that, in terms of their depth, the slots (11) or grooves extend into the table top (10) at least over roughly half its the material thickness to about four fifths of its material thickness.

7. The device for fastening a table top on a substructure according to claim 1, characterized in that a total of at least four, preferably of about four to eight, slots (11) or grooves, each interrupted by non-slotted areas (16) of the table top (10), are provided, which are situated along two intersecting lines (13, 14).

8. The device for fastening a table top on a substructure according to claim 1, characterized in that the respective width of the slots (11) measures roughly 75% to about 90% of the diameter of the fastening screws (21) used to fasten the table top (10) on the fastening cross (17) in the thread area.

9. The device for fastening a table top according to claim 1, characterized in that the table top (10) consists of a high pressure laminate material.

10. The device for fastening a table top according to claim 1, characterized in that self-tapping screws are used as the fastening screws.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will be explained in more detail below based upon exemplary embodiments, making reference to the attached drawings. Shown on:

(2) FIG. 1A is a top view of the underside of an exemplary rectangular table top according to the invention with a slot pattern in a diagonal layout;

(3) FIG. 1B shows the top view of FIG. 1A with a rectangular layout;

(4) FIG. 2A is a top view of the underside of an exemplary round table top according to the invention with a slot pattern in a diagonal layout;

(5) FIG. 2B shows the top view of FIG. 2A with a rectangular layout;

(6) FIG. 3A is a detailed view of a section through a table top in a longitudinal section in the area of a rectangular slot cut transverse to the slot;

(7) FIG. 3B is the detail view of FIG. 3A with a wedge-shaped slot cut transverse to the slot;

(8) FIG. 4A is a view of the underside of a table top with fastening cross applied;

(9) FIG. 4B is a detailed view of one of the support arms;

(10) FIG. 5A is a magnified detailed view of a section from FIG. 4A, wherein a self-tapping fastening screw is visible;

(11) FIG. 5B shows the detailed view of FIG. 5A with the support arm further to the left with respect to the slot.

(12) FIG. 5C shows the detailed view of FIG. 5A with the support arm even further to the left with respect to the slot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(13) Reference will first be made to FIGS. 1A and 1B, which present a schematically simplified view of the underside of the table top according to the invention. The table top itself is marked with reference number 10, and in the present case has a quadratic outline, for example. In the example, the slots 11, 12 according to the invention extend along two diagonally running lines 13, 14, which run through the midpoint 15 of the table top, and there intersect at a right angle. As a consequence, the two lines are here aligned with the two diagonals in the square of the contour of table top 10. However, the slots 11, 12 themselves do not pass through the midpoint 15 in the exemplary embodiment. The slots extend along a respective one of the two lines 13, 14, and also do not proceed all the way to the outer corner of the table top 10, but rather stop some distance before it. In addition, the slots 11, 12 are each interrupted in the direction of the lines 13, 14 by non-slotted areas 16 of the table top.

(14) This type of slot pattern is sufficient to cover a plurality of varying hole patterns for holes in the fastening means with the smallest possible overall slot length.

(15) An extension of the slots 11, 12 over the respective entire diagonal of the table top 10 is not necessary, and would lead to greater wear on the tools used to introduce the slots. In addition, the goal is not to introduce any more slots into the table top 10 than absolutely necessary, so as to prevent the material from weakening, and thus avoid a risk of breakage. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a total of four slots 11 or 12 are present on the two intersecting diagonal lines 13, 14, of which two adjacent slots 11, 12 each are interrupted by a respective non-slotted area 16. Therefore, a total of eight slots are present in the table top 10 according to FIGS. 1A and 1B, between which a total of six non-slotted areas lie, wherein the slots end a distance from the corners of the table top, and wherein the central area of the table top is also not slotted. However, an interruption of the slots is technically unnecessary, but rather serves exclusively to prolong the service life of the tools, as well as to enhance the stability of the table top. The slot pattern is rotated by 45° in FIGS. 2A and 2B. This position rotated around the midpoint can also be realized, just like any another. The slots need also not be symmetrical in terms of arrangement or length.

(16) FIGS. 2A and 2B show a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the table top 10 here exhibits a circular contour. As evident in comparison to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the pattern of slots 11, 12 and non-slotted areas 16 in FIGS. 2A and 2B is similar to the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1A and 1B. The lines along which the slots extend here pass through the midpoint of the circular table top 10, and there intersect at a right angle. As a consequence, two radii of the circular shape intersecting at a right angle are here involved, so that the slots lie on a cross-shaped arrangement, which roughly corresponds to the progression of the arms of a fastening cross depicted on FIG. 4A. As demonstrated by a comparison between FIGS. 1A and1B and FIGS. 2A and 2B, the same fastening crosses can be used for both table tops.

(17) FIGS. 3A and 2B show a small cutout of a vertical section through a table top 10 in the area of one of the slots 11. As evident here, the slot is milled into the table top like a groove, so that it extends through most of the material thickness of the table plate, but of course does not pass completely through the latter. The slot is here cut transverse to its longitudinal extension, and thus reveals the width of the slot, which is somewhat less than the thread dimensions of the fastening screws used for attachment purposes, thereby ensuring that the screw cuts into the table top on the sides of the slot. As depicted on FIG. 3B, this function can also be realized with a conically tapering slot.

(18) FIG. 4A presents a view of the underside of a table top 10, shown with a fastening cross 17 of the substructure. Such a fastening cross 17 is screwed onto the table top 10, wherein a post or the like is in turn secured to the fastening cross 17. These types of fastening means are available on the market in different shapes and sizes. As shown on FIG. 4A, the latter usually have four support arms 19 arranged like a cross and extending from a roughly round central piece 18 that accommodate various holes 20 through which the fastening screws (not depicted here, see FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C) are then plugged and screwed into the table top 10. As evident, these holes 20 can be located at various positions of the fastening cross 17, in part radially more outwardly and in part radially more inwardly on the support arms 19. Since different fastening crosses are used and these holes can thus be located at the most varied of positions relative to the table top, it is advantageous to introduce the slots 11 into the table top 10 as described in the invention. With the fastening cross placed on the table top, the slots 11 obviously extend roughly along the middle of the support arms, where the holes 20 are located, so that a slot is always situated under a hole after placement of the fastening cross.

(19) FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C present a magnified detailed view of one of the support arms 19 of the fastening cross 17, wherein the slot 11 of the table top obviously extends radially even more outward, making the screw position variable, and, for example, making it possible to also screw on a larger fastening cross with holes lying further outward. Also evident from FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C is one of the fastening screws 21, wherein a self-tapping (self-cutting) screw was used in this case, which passes through the hole 20, and can be screwed into the slot 11, which is somewhat narrower than the screw thread, in such a way as to retain the screw.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(20) 10 Table top 11 Slot 12 Slot 13 Line 14 Line 15 Midpoint 16 Non-slotted areas 17 Fastening cross 18 Central piece 19 Support arms 20 Holes 21 Fastening screws