SLAB TABLE TOP

Abstract

The invention relates to a table (T) with a slab table top (100, 200) comprising: at least one piece of natural material (101, 102, 201, 202); and a carbon fiber wrap (105, 205) around the top (100, 200) to limit its deformation. Figure for abstract: FIG. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: TABLE TOP MADE OF SLABS Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to slab table tops. More specifically, although not exclusively, the present invention relates to slab table tops formed from epoxy and a natural material, such as wood, for use in tables. Technical background

[0002] Slab table tops are known and typically comprise one or more pieces of natural material, such as wood. They may also be wrapped, surrounded, or joined by a cast epoxy resin.

[0003] The problem with these conventional slab table tops is that they tend to warp over time with seasonal variations. To counter this phenomenon, steel angles can be inserted into the lower parts of the tables, which is relatively restrictive, heavy and unattractive. This solution also has the disadvantage of not allowing local reinforcement of potentially weaker parts. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention aims to provide a slab table top which alleviates the aforementioned problems associated with known designs.

[0005] The invention relates to a slab table top comprising at least one piece of natural material and a carbon fiber wrap around the top to limit its deformation.

[0006] The inventor believes that this arrangement makes the slab table top more resistant to deformation and can be used to reinforce potentially weaker local areas.

[0007] The carbon fiber winding may comprise a strip. The strip may surround the plate at least once, for example along a direction of at least 20 degrees with the general or main direction of the grain of the natural material.

[0008] More specifically, the carbon fiber winding may comprise a strip that surrounds the plate at least once along a direction of at least 20 degrees with the main direction of the grain of the natural material.

[0009] The band may surround the tray along a direction of 20-90 degrees, for example 30-60 degrees or 40-50 degrees, with the general or main direction of the grain of the natural material. In some cases, the band may surround the tray along a direction substantially perpendicular to the grain of the natural material.

[0010] The carbon fiber strip may be received in a groove or groove of the natural material.

[0011] The carbon fiber strip may be one of a pair of carbon fiber strips. The carbon fiber strips may each surround or encircle a different portion of the tray.

[0012] More specifically, the carbon fiber strip may be one of a pair of carbon fiber strips each surrounding a different portion of the tray.

[0013] The slab table top may be substantially rectangular.

[0014] The carbon fiber strip may comprise an endless loop. The endless loop may surround or encircle the plate at least twice at different locations.

[0015] More specifically, the carbon fiber strip may comprise an endless loop encircling the plate at at least two different locations.

[0016] The slab table top may be substantially circular.

[0017] The at least one piece of natural material may comprise at least two pieces of natural material.

[0018] The slab table top may comprise a resin, which may be molded along or around at least one edge of the or each piece of natural material, for example to provide a substantially planar contiguous surface.

[0019] The carbon fiber must have a mechanical strength at break of at least 10000 psi, preferably at least 20000 psi. The carbon fiber must have a mechanical strength at break of between 30000 psi and 60000 psi.

[0020] The carbon fiber winding may be coated in the resin.

[0021] More specifically, the slab tabletop may include a resin molded along or around at least one edge of the or each piece of natural material to provide a substantially planar contiguous surface, wherein the carbon fiber wrap is embedded in the resin.

[0022] Pieces of natural material can be separated by resin.

[0023] More specifically, the at least one piece of natural material may comprise at least two pieces of natural material separated by resin.

[0024] The piece of natural material may include wood.

[0025] Alternatively, the natural material part may comprise any other natural material.

[0026] The resin may comprise a thermosetting resin, for example epoxy.

[0027] More specifically, the resin may comprise an epoxy resin.

[0028] The resin may comprise a thermoplastic resin, for example a polyester.

[0029] The resin can be opaque, transparent or translucent.

[0030] At least a portion of the periphery of the tray may be formed by resin.

[0031] In some cases, the carbon fiber winding is coated in a resin different from the resin molded along or around at least one edge of the or each piece of natural material. Each of these resins may include one of the aforementioned resins.

[0032] For example, the carbon fiber winding may be coated in a thermoplastic resin, while the resin molded along or around at least one edge of the or each piece of natural material may comprise a thermosetting resin.

[0033] The slab table top can be elliptical, L-shaped or any other shape.

[0034] The invention also relates to a table comprising a slab table top as described above.

[0035] For the avoidance of doubt, all features described herein apply equally to any aspect of the invention.

[0036] For the avoidance of doubt, the terms "may", "and / or", "for example", and any other similar terms used herein should be interpreted as non-limiting, such that any feature so described need not necessarily be present. Brief description of the figures

[0037] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

[0038] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] illustrates a table top made of slabs according to a first example;

[0039] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] illustrates a partial sectional view along line AA of the [Fig.l] ; and

[0040] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] illustrates a slab table top according to a second example. Detailed description of the invention

[0041] Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, there can be seen a table T comprising a rectangular slab table top 100 having at least one, in this case first and second, pieces of natural material 101, 102 and a resin 103 molded between the pieces of natural material 101, 102, in this example wood, to provide a substantially planar contiguous surface 104. The slab table top 100 also comprises two carbon fiber wraps 105 around the top 100 and embedded in the resin 103.

[0042] The resin 103 is also molded along a portion of another edge 110 of the first piece of wood 101 such that the adjoining surface 104 continues to a rectangular outer edge. This prevents the outer edge of the slab table top from having an irregular shape.

[0043] In this example, each carbon fiber winding 105 comprises a strip 150 which at least once surrounds the slab table top 100 along a direction substantially perpendicular to the grain of the wood. As shown in [Fig.2], each carbon fiber strip 150 is received in a groove or groove 111, 121 in one of the pieces of wood 101, 102 and surrounds a different portion of the slab table top 100.

[0044] The carbon fiber strip 150 is covered or embedded in the resin 103 such that the resin 103 fills the groove or channel 111, 121 to ensure that the surface 104 is contiguous. In this example, the resin 103 comprises an opaque epoxy resin 103. The epoxy resin may be any suitable color to enhance the characteristics of the wood and / or to achieve the desired artistic effect.

[0045] The slab table top 100 forms the upper working surface of the table T, which also includes a pair of elongated beams 106, which serve as legs for the table. In this case, the table T is a coffee table intended for use in a living room, but it is also possible to provide longer legs to obtain a kitchen table or another type of table.

[0046] [Fig. 3] shows a tile table top 200 according to another example similar to the tile table top 100 of Figures 1 and 2, where like references represent like characteristics, incremented by 100.

[0047] The slab table top 200 according to this example differs from that of Figures 1 and 2 in that it is circular and the carbon fiber strip 250 comprises an endless loop encircling the top 200 twice at different locations.

[0048] In this example, resin 203 is also transparent.

[0049] Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments described above may vary in many ways, provided that they are consistent with the scope of the claims.

[0050] For example, the slab table top 100, 200 may comprise a single piece of natural material 101, 102, 201, 202 and the carbon fiber winding(s) 105, 205 around the top 100, 200 to limit its deformation. Also, the slab table top 100, 200 may comprise two pieces of natural material 101, 102, 201, 202 and the carbon fiber winding(s) 105, 205. Other arrangements will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art. List of reference signs

[0051] 1 00 slab table top

[0052] 101 first piece of wood

[0053] 110 edge of the first piece of wood

[0054] 111 groove or groove of the first piece of wood

[0055] 102 second piece of wood

[0056] 120 edge of the second piece of wood

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[0073] 121 groove or groove of the second piece of wood 103 cast epoxy resin 104 substantially flat contiguous surface 105 carbon fiber winding 150 carbon fiber strip T table 200 slab table tops 201 first piece of wood 210 edge of the first piece of wood 211 groove or groove of the first piece of wood 202 second piece of wood 220 edge of the second piece of wood 221 groove or groove of the second piece of wood 203 cast epoxy resin 204 substantially flat contiguous surface 205 carbon fiber winding 250 carbon fiber strip

Claims

Claims

1. A slab table top (100, 200) comprising: at least one piece of natural material (101, 102, 201, 202); and a carbon fiber wrap (105, 205) around the top (100, 200) to limit its deformation.

2. The slab table top (100, 200) of claim 1, wherein the carbon fiber wrap (105, 205) comprises a strip (150, 250) that wraps around the top (100, 200) at least once along a direction of at least 20 degrees with the main grain direction of the natural material.

3. A slab table top (100, 200) according to claim 2, wherein the carbon fiber strip (150, 250) is received in a groove or channel (111, 121, 211, 221) of the natural material (101, 102, 201, 202).

4. A slab table top (100) according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the carbon fiber strip (150) is one of a pair of carbon fiber strips (150) each surrounding a different portion of the top (100).

5. A slab table top (100) according to claim 4, wherein the top (100) is substantially rectangular.

6. A slab table top (200) according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the carbon fiber strip (250) comprises an endless loop encircling the top (200) at at least two different locations.

7. A slab table top (200) according to claim 6, wherein the top (200) is substantially circular.

8. A slab table top (100, 200) according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one piece of natural material (101, 102, 201, 202) comprises at least two pieces of natural material (101, 102, 201, 202).

9. A slab table top (100, 200) according to any preceding claim comprising a resin (103, 203) molded along or around at least one edge (110, 120, 210, 220) of the or each piece of natural material (101, 102, 201, 202) to provide a substantially planar contiguous surface (104, 204), wherein the carbon fiber winding (105, 205) is embedded in the resin (103, 203).

10. A slab table top (100, 200) according to claim 9, wherein the at least one piece of natural material (101, 102, 201, 202) comprises at least two pieces of natural material (101, 102, 201, 202) separated by resin (103, 203).

11. A slab table top (100, 200) according to claim 9 or claim 8, wherein the resin (103, 203) comprises an epoxy resin (103, 203).

12. A slab table top (100) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the resin (103) is opaque, transparent or translucent.

13. A slab table top (100) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein at least a portion of its periphery is formed by resin (103).

14. A slab table top (100, 200) according to any preceding claim, wherein the piece of natural material (101, 102, 201, 202) comprises wood.

15. Table (T) comprising a slab table top (100, 200) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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