Connecting system for elements forming modular furniture structures, in particular tables and/or desks

Abstract

The proposed connecting system for modular structures, in particular tables and/or desks, includes a junction block, which features a pair of coplanar horizontal plates. Support and stabilization means of a pair of bars are connected to the horizontal plates. The support members support the junction block.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A connecting system for elements forming modular structures, in particular tables and/or desks, the elements consisting of at least one bar ( 2 ) and at least one support member ( 10 , 90 ) to be joined together, said connecting system including: 
 a junction block ( 1 , 100 ) used to connect said at least one bar ( 2 ) with said at least one support member ( 10 , 90 );    at least one transversal seat ( 3 , 30 ) made at top of said junction block ( 1 , 100 ) for receiving therein said bar ( 2 ) set in transversal configuration with respect to said junction block ( 1 )    support and stabilization means situated in a region corresponding to said seat ( 3 , 30 ) for locking said at least one bar ( 2 ) therein;    with said at least one support member ( 10 , 90 ) being removably fastened to said junction block ( 1 , 100 ).    
     
     
         2 . A connecting system, according to  claim 1 , wherein said junction block includes: 
 a pair of coplanar horizontal plates ( 5   a , 5   b ), between which said at least one transversal seat ( 3 ) is situated;    two vertical flanges, namely a first flange ( 1   a ) and second flange ( 1   b ), fastened to said horizontal plates ( 5   a , 5   b ) to define an overturned “U” configuration of said junction block ( 1 ), considering planes orthogonal with respect to the direction of the longitudinal extension thereof;    at least one pair of aligned recesses, open in their upper part, each of which being formed in a related vertical flange ( 1   a , 1   b ) and situated to match with said transversal seat ( 3 ) aimed at receiving said bar ( 2 ) crossing said transversal seat ( 3 );    said support and stabilization means being situated in the area included between said horizontal plates ( 5   a , 5   b ) and said vertical flanges ( 1   a , 1   b ).    
     
     
         3 . A connecting system according to  claim 2 , wherein said support and stabilization means of said bar ( 2 ) include: 
 a small plate ( 4 ) disposed between and supported by said vertical flanges ( 1   a , 1   b ), arranged parallel to said horizontal plates ( 5   a , 5   b ), at a level lower with respect thereto and beside said transversal seat;    a clamping plate ( 6 ), aimed at removably locking said bar ( 2 ) within the respective first transversal seat ( 3 ) by being placed on said small plate ( 4 );    first means ( 7 ) for stabilization of the configuration of said clamping plate ( 6 ) with respect to said small plate ( 4 ).    
     
     
         4 . A connecting system according to  claim 3 , wherein said junction block ( 1 ) includes two transversal seats ( 3 ), aimed at receiving two bars ( 2 ) to be joined to said support member, and two pairs of aligned recesses, formed in said vertical flanges ( 1   a , 1   b ), said recesses being open in their upper part and disposed to match respectively with said transversal seat ( 3 ), and said small plate ( 4 ) is situated between said two transversal seats ( 3 )  
     
     
         5 . A connecting system according to  claim 2 , wherein said support member ( 10 ) has a coupling plate ( 9 ) fixed to one end, the coupling plate being provided for removable coupling with one of said horizontal plates ( 5   a , 5   b ) by locking means ( 70 ).  
     
     
         6 . A connecting system according to  claim 5 , wherein said support member ( 10 ) is constituted by at least one leg for desks and/or tables.  
     
     
         7 . A connecting system according to  claim 6 , further including a pair of support members ( 10 ) for supporting said junction block ( 1 ), fastened to both said horizontal plates ( 5   a , 5   b ).  
     
     
         8 . A connecting system according to  claim 3 , wherein said first stabilizing means ( 7 ) include screws aimed at being introduced into respective holes made in said clamping plate ( 6 ) and at engaging with threaded seats made in said small plate ( 4 ).  
     
     
         9 . A connecting system, according to  claim 3 , wherein said clamping plate ( 6 ) features at its sides a pair of winglets ( 6   a ), orthogonal thereto and aimed at being engaged with corresponding holes ( 50   a , 50   b ) made near in said horizontal plates ( 5   a , 5   b ) to center said clamping plate ( 6 ) with respect to said horizontal plates ( 5   a , 5   b ).  
     
     
         10 . A connecting system, according to  claim 1 , wherein said junction block ( 100 ) is shaped like a “U”, considering planes parallel to the direction of the longitudinal extension thereof, defining a lower portion ( 101 ), vertical portions ( 111 ) connected to said lower portion, and two horizontal plates ( 305   a , 305   b ) connected to said vertical portions; 
 said support and stabilization means for the bar ( 2 ), connected to said junction block ( 100 ), including: at least one second seat ( 30 ), open in its upper part and formed by said lower portion ( 101 ) of said “U”, aimed at receiving, freely resting thereonto, said bar ( 2 );  
 a small plate ( 40 ) formed by said lower portion ( 101 ) of said “U”, substantially parallel to said horizontal plates ( 305   a , 305   b ), at a level lower with respect thereto;  
 a clamping plate ( 6 ), aimed at allowing a removable introduction of said bar ( 2 ) into said second seat ( 30 ), in cooperation with said small plate ( 40 ), by being placed parallel to the latter in a configuration substantially coplanar with said horizontal plates ( 5   a , 5   b ); second means ( 700 ) for stabilizing the configuration of said clamping plate ( 6 ) with respect to said small plate ( 40 ).  
 
     
     
         11 . A connecting system, according to  claim 10 , further including a pair of second seats ( 30 ), formed by said lower portion ( 101 ) of said “U” in the area between said horizontal plates ( 5   a ,  5   b ) and connected to said vertical portions ( 111 ), said second seats ( 30 ) being open in their upper part and aimed at receiving, freely resting, a pair of bars ( 2 ) removably locked to said clamping plate ( 6 ), with said small plate ( 40 ) being situated between said second seats ( 30 ).  
     
     
         12 . A connecting system according to  claim 10 , wherein said support member ( 90 ), removably connected to said junction block ( 100 ), is constituted by only one upright which completely surrounds the latter, making it invisible.  
     
     
         13 . A connecting system, according to  claim 10 , wherein sad second stabilizing means ( 700 ) are second screws, aimed at being introduced into respective holes made in said clamping plate ( 6 ) and at engaging with threaded seats made in said small plate ( 40 ).  
     
     
         14 . A connecting system, according to  claim 10 , wherein said clamping plate ( 6 ) features at its sides a pair of winglets ( 6   a ), orthogonal thereto and aimed at being engaged with corresponding holes ( 50   a , 50   b ) formed in said horizontal plates ( 305   a , 305   b ) to center said clamping plate ( 6 ) with respect to said horizontal plates ( 305   a , 305   b ).  
     
     
         15 . A connecting system, according to  claim 1 , wherein a working surface ( 18 , 180 ) is removably connected with said at least one bar ( 2 ).  
     
     
         16 . A connecting system, according to  claim 15 , wherein said working surface ( 18 , 180 ) is fastened to said bar or bars ( 2 ) by support means ( 17 ), formed like an overturned “U”, with respect to the planes orthogonal to the direction of the biggest longitudinal extension thereof, and aimed at locking stably and removably a working surface ( 18 , 180 ) to said bar ( 2 ).  
     
     
         17 . A connecting system, according to  claim 16 , wherein said support means ( 17 ) include an upper flat base ( 17   a ), with a pair of vertical walls, first ( 18   a ) and second ( 18   b ), extending from the lower part thereof, orthogonal thereto, and further include a pair of opposite recesses, made in said vertical walls ( 18   a , 18   b ) and being open in their lower part, whose cross-section is complementary to the one of said bar ( 2 ), and which define a corresponding longitudinal seat ( 19 ), aimed at resting on the relative bar ( 2 ).  
     
     
         18 . A connecting system, according to  claim 17 , further including, made in said upper base ( 17   a ), a plurality of first holes, aimed at being engaged by first means ( 20 ) for locking said upper base to said working surface ( 18 ), and, made in said upper base ( 17   a ), a plurality of second holes, aimed at being engaged by second means ( 21 ) for locking said upper base to said bar ( 2 ).  
     
     
         19  A connecting system according to  claim 2 , wherein the horizontal plates and the small plate are formed in a single piece obtained from a shaped a strip of metal sheet, with the two horizontal plates formed at the opposite extremities of the metal strip, the small plates formed by the central part of the strip, and the transversal seats obtained by curving made in the portions of the strip joining the plates to the central part.  
     
     
         20 . A connecting system according to  claim 19 , wherein the curved portion are complementary to the profile of the bars.  
     
     
         21 . A connecting system for elements forming modular structures, in particular tables and/or desks, the elements consisting of at least one bar and at least one support member to be joined together, said connecting system including: 
 a junction block used to connect said at least one bar with said at least one support member;    a strip of metal sheet shaped so as to form two plates, at opposite extremities of the metal strip, a small plates formed by the central part of the strip, and curved portions joining the plates to the central part, said curved portions forming at least one transversal seat situated at top of said junction block for receiving therein said bar;    fixing means mounted in a region corresponding to said seat for locking said at least one bar therein;    at least one support member removably fastened to said junction block.    
     
     
         22 . A connecting system according to  claim 21 , including two support members, said support members consisting of two legs, each one provided with a coupling plate for removable coupling with a respective plate of said junction block.  
     
     
         23 . A connecting system according to  claim 21 , wherein said support member is constituted by only one upright which completely surrounds, and is fixed to, said shaped metal strip forming said junction block  24 . A connecting system according to  claim 23 , wherein the plates of said shaped metal strip of said junction block rest, at leas partially, on top of the upright.