Table with removable top

Abstract

An improved support member for use with a table having a frame comprising a table perimeter portion defining an opening, and a channel portion located at least partially within the opening and substantially adjacent the table perimeter portion. The support member comprises a support portion and a lower anchor portion, and is configured to support a table top having a peripheral edge. The upper support portion of the support member supports the table top adjacent the peripheral edge, and the lower anchor portion of the support member is received by the channel portion of the table frame. As such, the present invention provides an improved table top support member for use with table tops made of relatively brittle materials, such as glass. Unlike prior art table top supports, the table top support member of the present invention provides continuous support adjacent the peripheral edge. Additionally, the anchor portion of the support member may also be anchored to the channel portion along its length such that the table top support member remains attached to the table frame when the table top is removed.

1 . A table comprising: 
 a frame comprising: 
 a table perimeter portion having an inside perimeter which defines an opening;  
 at least one leg supporting said table perimeter portion in a horizontal orientation; and  
 a channel portion located within said opening and joined to said inside perimeter of said table perimeter portion, said channel portion including a mounting slot or opening in a top surface thereof;  
   an elongate elastomeric support member having an upper support portion and a lower anchor portion with said lower anchor portion being received in said mounting slot or opening of said channel portion; and    a removable table top receivable in said frame opening and having a peripheral edge,    wherein said support member extends substantially continuously about said perimeter of said opening such that said table top is continuously supported upon said upper support portion of said support member substantially adjacent said peripheral edge of said table top.    
   
   
       2 . The table of  claim 1 , wherein said lower anchor portion of said support member is substantially captured within said channel portion.  
   
   
       3 . The table of  claim 2 , wherein said mounting slot or opening in said top surface of said channel portion comprises a pair of oppositely directed lateral slots, and wherein said upper support portion of said support member has a cross-section comprising a horizontal top side and a pair of lateral sides generally perpendicular to said top side, and said lower anchor portion of said support member has a first lip portion extending into one of said lateral slots and a second lip portion extending into the other of said lateral slots.  
   
   
       4 . The table of  claim 3 , wherein said one of said lateral slots and said first lip portion have mating rectangular cross sections, and wherein said other of said lateral slots and said second lip portion have mating triangular cross sections so as to define a chamfer for aiding in installing said support member into said mounting slot or opening of said channel portion.  
   
   
       5 . The table of  claim 2 , wherein said channel portion has a rectangular tube cross section with an elongate slot in said top surface thereof, and wherein said upper support portion of said support member comprises a frustum cross-section with a horizontal top side, oppositely directed lateral sides, and a horizontal bottom side, and said lower anchor portion of said support member has an inverted frustum cross-section with a horizontal top side, oppositely directed lateral sides, and a horizontal bottom side, and wherein said support member further comprises a neck portion that extends between and connects said upper support portion and said lower anchor portion.  
   
   
       6 . The table of  claim 5 , wherein said lower anchor portion of said support member is received in said elongate slot such that said upper support portion of said support member is located above said top surface of said channel portion and said neck portion is adjacent said elongate slot.  
   
   
       7 . The table of  claim 1 , wherein said table top is constructed substantially of glass.  
   
   
       8 . The table of  claim 1 , wherein said support member is constructed of a unitary piece.  
   
   
       9 . The table of  claim 1 , wherein said support member is constructed of at least two elongate pieces and wherein said pieces are located end-to-end and together extend substantially continuously about said perimeter of said opening in order to continuously support said table top upon said upper support portion of said support member substantially adjacent said peripheral edge of said table top.  
   
   
       10 . The table of  claim 1 , wherein said table perimeter portion, said channel portion, and said support member generally define rectangular shapes.  
   
   
       11 . The table of  claim 1 , wherein said table perimeter portion, said channel portion, and said support member generally define circular shapes.