Table, especially office and conference table

Abstract

The invention relates to a table which is primarily used as an office or conference table, is longer than 2.5 m, and comprises an upwardly open trough ( 2 ) as a substructure which is arranged beneath the leaf ( 1 ) of the table and preferably consists of sheet metal which is e.g. 2 mm thick. The leaf of the table ( 1 ) is connected in a fixed manner to edges ( 25 ) which are bent away from the trough ( 2 ), creating a sandwich-type structure with mutual reinforcement of the leaf ( 1 ) of the table and the trough ( 2 ). Especially advantageously, the trough ( 2 ) has a trapezoidal cross-section. A grid of openings ( 210 ) in the trough ( 2 ) enables the feet ( 4 ) of the table to be mounted in any position. Additional appliance openings ( 211 ) are used to insert socket units ( 80 ), while installation openings ( 200 ) in the bottom ( 20 ) of the trough ( 2 ) as used as cable ducts. A height leveling device is provided in each foot ( 4 ). A particular advantage of the invention is the stability achieved with a relatively light structure, even for longer tables.

1 . A table, comprising a substructure, which is supported by legs ( 4 , 6 ) placed on a standing surface (S), and a tabletop ( 1 ) placed onto the substructure, characterized in that 
 a) the substructure is designed as an upwardly open trough ( 2 ) which is arranged below the tabletop ( 1 ); and    b) the tabletop ( 1 ) is connected fixedly to the trough ( 2 ), thus resulting in a sandwich-like construction with mutual reinforcement of the tabletop ( 1 ) and trough ( 2 ).    
   
   
       2 . The table as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the trough ( 2 ) 
 a) is of rectangular, trapezoidal, U-shaped or V-shaped cross section; and    b) has, at least on two opposite side, plane elements ( 25 ) which are fixed over their entire area or at a multiplicity of spot-type, fixed connections ( 3 ) to the underside ( 11 ) of the tabletop ( 1 ).    
   
   
       3 . The table as claimed in  claim 1  or  2 , characterized in that 
 a) the trough ( 2 ) for square or approximately square tabletops ( 1 ) likewise has an at least approximately square area; and    b) for elongate tabletops ( 1 ) the trough ( 2 ) has an elongated area.    
   
   
       4 . The table as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  3 , characterized in that the trough ( 2 ) 
 a) is arranged along the extent of the tabletop ( 1 ) and is provided for lengths of the tabletop ( 1 ) of preferably greater than 250 cm, with legs ( 4 , 6 ) having to be provided only in the region of the front ends of the tabletop ( 1 ) in each case, i.e. it being possible to dispense with legs ( 4 , 6 ) inserted in between;    b) has an average width which is a multiple of the height;    c) for example, has a width in the region of 50 cm and a height in the region of 10 cm, resulting in a ratio of 5:1;    d) the tabletop ( 1 ) protrudes in each case with a lateral projecting length ( 14 ) over the trough ( 2 ) arranged below it, and there can also be a respective front projecting length ( 15 ); and    e) the plane elements ( 25 ) are present at least on the two opposite longitudinal sides of the trough ( 2 ).    
   
   
       5 . The table as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  4 , characterized in that the trough ( 2 ) 
 a) has, in the case of a V-shaped cross section, a trench line, which is situated right at the bottom, or otherwise a base ( 20 ), from which a respective longitudinal flank ( 21 ) extends to both sides, said longitudinal flanks merging in each case into an outwardly bent-over edge forming the plane elements ( 25 );    b) preferably consists of sheet metal which is, e.g., 2.0 mm thick; and    c) the fixed, spot-type connections ( 3 ) between the tabletop ( 1 ) and the trough ( 2 ) are screw connections.    
   
   
       6 . The table as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  5 , characterized in that 
 a) the trough ( 2 ) is open at its end sides, but is preferably closed by a respective front surface ( 22 ), the front surfaces ( 22 ) extending as far as the underside ( 11 ) of the tabletop ( 1 ) or a clearance ( 28 ) remaining toward the tabletop ( 1 ); and    b) the base ( 20 ) and the two longitudinal flanks ( 21 ) of the trough ( 2 ) defining, in cross section, an upwardly widening isosceles trapezoid.    
   
   
       7 . The table as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  6 , characterized in that 
 a) a strip-shaped vertical section ( 24 ) is situated in each case between the longitudinal flanks ( 21 ) and the plane elements ( 25 ),    b) a respective vertical strip ( 23 ) adjoins the oblique front surfaces ( 22 );    c) the gaps ( 26 ) arising between the converging front surfaces ( 22 ) and longitudinal flanks ( 21 ) remain open or are welded together;    d) the gaps present between the converging vertical strips ( 23 ) and vertical sections ( 24 ) are closed preferably by means of weld seams ( 27 ).    
   
   
       8 . The table as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  7 , characterized in that 
 a) the trough ( 2 ) has apertures ( 210 ) and, in the case of an elongated trough ( 2 ), has a grid of such apertures ( 210 ) for attaching the legs ( 4 , 6 ) in optional positions;    b) the attached legs ( 4 , 6 ) apply force into the edge around the apertures ( 210 ); and    c) in addition to the apertures ( 210 ) appliance apertures ( 211 ) can be provided, for example for inserting socket units ( 80 ); and    d) installation apertures ( 200 ) as a means of access for lines and/or installations can be provided in the base ( 20 ) of the trough ( 2 ).    
   
   
       9 . The table as claimed in  claim 8  characterized in that the trough ( 2 ) has, in each case on both the longitudinal sides, preferably in the longitudinal flanks ( 21 ), a mutually complementary grid of apertures ( 210 ) for attaching the legs ( 4 , 6 ).  
   
   
       10 . The table as claimed in one of  claims 7  to  9 , characterized in that the apertures ( 210 ) for attaching the legs ( 4 , 6 ) extend, on the one hand, nearly to the vertical sections ( 24 ) and, on the other hand, nearly to the transitions from the base ( 20 ) to the longitudinal flanks ( 21 ) in order to use the reinforcing effect of bending edges.  
   
   
       11 . The table as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  10 , characterized in that 
 a) each leg ( 4 , 6 ) has, on its head portion ( 43 , 63 ), a flange edge ( 432 , 632 ) which, when fitted on, engages at least virtually completely below the edge of the aperture ( 210 ) selected for the positioning of the leg ( 4 , 6 ); and    b) in order to secure the attached leg ( 4 , 6 ), a mating plate ( 49 ) is provided which covers the selected aperture ( 210 ) from the interior of the trough ( 2 ) and is screwed to the leg ( 4 , 6 ).    
   
   
       12 . The table as claimed in  claim 11 , characterized in that 
 a) the mating plate ( 49 ) has a planar plate base ( 490 ) and a bent-over plate edge ( 492 ) encircling the latter;    b) on the mating plate ( 49 ) there are screwing elements ( 491 , 493 ; 491 , 499 ′) for which there are complementary screwing elements ( 430 , 431 , 499 ; 630 , 631 ) on the head portion ( 43 , 63 ) of the leg ( 4 , 6 ); and    c) in the fitted state, the plate edge ( 492 ) of the mating plate ( 49 ) sits on the edge of the aperture ( 210 ) selected for the positioning of the leg ( 4 , 6 ), in a manner at least virtually completely encircling it.    
   
   
       13 . The table as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  12 , characterized in that, 
 a) the leg ( 4 , 6 ) is designed as a single leg ( 4 ) or double leg ( 6 ; 6 ′, 6 ′);    b) in the case of the single leg ( 4 ) or in the case of the double leg ( 6 ), one leg portion ( 44 , 64 ) extends from the head portion ( 43 , 63 ) to the standing surface (S);    c) in the case of the single leg ( 4 ), the leg portion ( 44 ) is formed by a leg profile ( 40 ) while, in the case of the double leg ( 6 ), two legs ( 6 ′, 6 ′) emerge from the head portion ( 63 ), said legs spreading apart and being formed in each case by a leg profile ( 60 ); and    d) a height-leveling device ( 5 , 7 ) is contained in each leg ( 4 , 6 ); and    e) there emerges from each lower leg end ( 440 ; 640 , 640 ) a base element ( 46 ) which is arranged displaceably, can be adjusted by means of the height-leveling device ( 5 , 7 ) and the set-down surface ( 460 ) of which is provided for supporting on the standing surface (S).    
   
   
       14 . The table as claimed in  claim 13 , characterized in that, in the case of the single leg ( 4 ), 
 a) the height-leveling device ( 5 ) comprises an adjusting screw ( 58 ) which is accessible from the outside and is preferably arranged in the head portion ( 43 );    b) the adjusting screw ( 58 ) carries along a slide rod ( 50 ) which is mounted in an axially displaceable manner in the leg portion ( 44 ) in the leg profile ( 40 ); and    c) the slide rod ( 50 ) acts on the base element ( 46 ).    
   
   
       15 . The table as claimed in  claim 13 , characterized in that, in the case of the double leg ( 6 ; 6 ′, 6 ′), 
 a) the height-leveling device ( 7 ) comprises an adjusting screw ( 78 ) which is accessible from the outside, is arranged in the head portion ( 63 ) and carries along a rotating spindle ( 71 ) on which a rocker element ( 73 ) is mounted in an oscillating manner;    b) in the leg portion ( 64 ) with the two legs ( 6 ′, 6 ′) spread apart, a respective axially displaceable slide rod ( 70 , 70 ) is mounted in the respective leg profile ( 60 , 60 ) of said legs;    c) the upper ends of the two slide rods ( 70 , 70 ) butt against the rocker element ( 73 ) which determines, by means of its set height position, the push-in depth of the slide rods ( 70 , 70 ); and    d) the slide rods ( 70 , 70 ) act on the respective base element ( 46 , 46 ).    
   
   
       16 . The table as claimed in one of  claims 13  to  15 , characterized in that 
 a) the base element ( 46 ) has a cross section which corresponds in principle to the clear internal cross section of the leg profile ( 40 , 60 ) at the lower leg end ( 440 , 640 ); and    b) the set-down surface ( 460 ), which is situated right at the bottom of the base element ( 46 ), is an oblique plane which compensates for the oblique position of the leg portion ( 44 , 64 ) with respect to the standing surface (S).    
   
   
       17 . The table as claimed in one of  claims 13  to  15 , characterized in that 
 a) either a coupling element ( 45 ), to which the slide rod ( 50 , 70 ) is fastened at the top and the base element ( 46 ) is fastened at the bottom, is fitted between the lower end of a slide rod ( 50 , 70 ) and a base element ( 46 ); or    b) the base element ( 46 ) and the coupling element ( 45 ) form an integral constructional unit; and    c) the coupling element ( 45 ), which is separate or is connected integrally to the base element ( 46 ), is arranged in the leg profile ( 40 , 60 ) in a manner such that it can be displaced axially over a defined region.    
   
   
       18 . The table as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  17 , characterized in that 
 a) the leg profile ( 40 , 60 ) is, in principle, of U-shaped cross section with a rear wall ( 400 , 600 ) and the two side walls ( 401 , 402 ; 601 , 602 ) which are adjacent to the latter and lie opposite each other;    b) the double legs ( 6 ; 6 ′, 6 ′) are attached to the trough ( 2 ) in such a manner that the two legs ( 6 ′, 6 ′) define a plane which points in the longitudinal direction of the table; and    c) a leg covering ( 48 ) is provided for covering the open side lying opposite the rear wall ( 400 , 600 ).    
   
   
       19 . The table as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  8  and  13  to  18 , characterized in that 
 a) the legs ( 4 , 6 ) are arranged with a correspondingly matched head portion ( 43 , 63 ) in the corner regions of the trough ( 2 ); and    b) in order to secure the individual, attached leg ( 4 , 6 ), a mating plate is provided which is put in place from the interior of the trough ( 2 ) and is screwed to the leg ( 4 , 6 ).    
   
   
       20 . The table as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  19 , characterized in that 
 a) there can be at least one aperture ( 13 , 13 ) in the tabletop ( 1 ) for passing cables through or for receiving a socket unit ( 8 ) or for the insertion of a support ( 92 ) which, for example, bears a light ( 91 );    b) structures ( 9 ) are provided for arrangement at and/or on the tabletop ( 1 ), which structures can easily be positioned and displaced or removed again for example by sliding over the table edge; and    c) such structures ( 9 ) are, for example:    ca) a half-height, panel-shaped side screen ( 90 ) which forms a vertical delimitation on the table from the adjacent position and has, for example, an incision for securing it;    cb) a placemat ( 93 ) which lies on the tabletop ( 1 ), therefore defines a workplace and has, for example, a bent-over edge at the front for securing it;    cc) a utensil tray ( 94 ) which sits on the tabletop ( 1 ) and has, for example, a bent-over edge at the front for securing it;    cd) a high, panel-shaped side screen ( 95 ) with an upper part ( 950 ) standing above the tabletop ( 1 ) and a lower part ( 951 ) which forms a vertical delimitation into the vicinity of the standing surface (S), the side screen ( 95 ) having, for example, an incision for securing it;    ce) a file/book rest ( 97 ) which sits on the tabletop ( 1 ) and has, for example, a bent-over edge at the front for securing it; and    cf) a collecting container ( 98 ) which extends essentially below the tabletop ( 1 ) and has, for example, an incision for securing it.