Table frame
The table frame design with quick connect mounting assemblies addresses the complexity of existing table frames by using fewer parts and toolless fasteners, simplifying assembly and ensuring stability through strategic bracket connections.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/US2024/016209
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-02-16
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-21
AI Technical Summary
Existing table frames for supporting tabletops have numerous separate parts and fasteners, requiring tedious assembly, increasing the risk of missing parts, insufficient tightening, and potential loosening over time, leading to instability.
A table frame design featuring quick connect tabletop mounting assemblies with strategically connected longitudinally and laterally extending support brackets, utilizing toolless fasteners and a sequence of connections to simplify assembly and enhance stability.
The design reduces assembly time and labor, minimizes the risk of loose connections, and ensures a stable, wobble-free table frame by using fewer parts and toolless fasteners, allowing for efficient and secure attachment of tabletops.
Smart Images

Figure US2024016209_21082025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
TABLE FRAMEBACKGROUNDField of the Disclosure
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to apparatus for supporting a tabletop. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to improved apparatus including a table frame for connection to a tabletop and including quick mounting assemblies.Description of Related Art
[0002] Modern office spaces and home offices often include height adjustable tables and / or fixed height tables. Unfortunately, prior art table frames for supporting a tabletop tend to include assemblies having an abundance of separate parts and fasteners. Such structures require tedious and timeconsuming labor to connect and align all the parts and to properly tighten all the fasteners. Due to the large number of parts and fasteners, such prior art table frames have an increased potential to have missing parts, fasteners that may not be tightened sufficiently or that may loosen over time, or difficulty in aligning all of the parts to achieve a stable, wobble-free table.
[0003] Some table leg assemblies have relatively uniform mounting structures at the head of a table leg, which may include a universal mounting hole pattern for receiving a plurality of fasteners to be installed when assembling the table. Assembly can be a tedious and time consuming task, during which fasteners may be misplaced or insufficiently secured.SUMMARY
[0004] The disclosure pertains to improved apparatus in the form of table frames for connection to tabletops and including quick connect tabletop mounting assemblies. The table frames support tabletops. The disclosure provides various examples of table frames having a plurality of tabletop quick mounting assemblies. Each tabletop quick mounting assembly includes a leg head fitting connected to the upper end of a leg and having a base includingat least one longitudinally extending side wall and a laterally extending end wall connected to the at least one longitudinally extending side wall. Each tabletop quick mounting assembly further includes at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket and a laterally extending tabletop support bracket, both of which are connected to the respective base.
[0005] The at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket is first connected to the base and then the laterally extending tabletop support bracket is connected to the base. When the laterally extending tabletop support bracket is connected to the base, it prevents the longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket from becoming disconnected from the base. The plurality of tabletop quick mounting assemblies form a table frame, which is connected to a tabletop, thereby permitting the table frame to support the tabletop. In some instances, the tabletop quick mounting assemblies are spaced apart in a longitudinal direction and are only connected to each other via their separate connection to the tabletop. In other examples, two tabletop quick mounting assemblies are spaced apart longitudinally but are connected together via at least one tabletop central support member. In such embodiments, the tabletop quick mounting assemblies are connected to the tabletop and the tabletop central support member may be integrally formed with the longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets or formed by an overlapping connection of two longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets. The tabletop central support member also may be connected to the tabletop.
[0006] Thus, a plurality of tabletop quick mounting assemblies may be utilized to support a tabletop and typically would be employed in at least pairs. The tabletop quick mounting assemblies generally are constructed of rigid materials, and at least some of the fasteners used to connect the respective components may be toolless, such as in the form of a post and keyhole slot or a bayonet hook and slot. The time and labor to complete final assembly of a table by a consumer may be reduced by reducing the number of separate fasteners that require installation using a tool. For example, the longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets may utilize toolless connection to the respective leg head fittings, while the laterally extending tabletop supportbrackets may be removably connected to the respective leg head fittings such as via threaded fasteners or the like, while both may be removably connected to the underside of a tabletop via threaded fasteners or alternative suitable means of connection.
[0007] Thus, the quick mounting assemblies of the table frame of the present disclosure reduce the number of parts to be connected and the number of separate fasteners to be individually handled and tightened by a consumer when connecting together the parts of a table frame and connecting the table frame to a tabletop. Utilizing a strategic sequence of connecting at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket to a leg head fitting base followed by connecting a laterally extending tabletop support bracket to the leg head fitting base permits the laterally extending tabletop support bracket to lock the longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket to the leg head fitting base. This results in simplified, faster assembly, requiring less labor.
[0008] Example table frames may include two or more tabletop quick mounting assemblies. For example, a table frame may include two spaced apart tabletop quick mounting assemblies connected to a tabletop.Depending on the size, shape and construction of the tabletop, the table frame may include a tabletop central support member that extends beneath the tabletop and provides the table frame additional stiffening and support. The tabletop quick mounting assemblies typically may be used in pairs, with such tabletop central support member extending therebetween, and if using more than one pair, they may be located in a rectangular or square pattern, and proximate or spaced inward from the corners and / or sides of the tabletop. It will be appreciated that the tabletop quick mounting assemblies also may be used in odd numbers, such as to support a circular tabletop or the like.Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the number of such tabletop quick mounting assemblies used to form a table frame for connection to and support of a tabletop may vary, as needed or desired. Nevertheless, all such table frames may benefit from the structures and methods disclosed herein.
[0009] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a table frame for supporting a tabletop, the table frame comprising: a plurality of tabletop quick mounting assemblies spaced apart in a longitudinal direction, each quickmounting assembly comprising: a leg head fitting connected to an upper end of a leg, the leg head fitting comprising a base having at least one longitudinally extending side wall and a laterally extending end wall connected to the at least one side wall. Each tabletop quick mounting assembly further comprising at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket comprising a vertical portion configured to be located adjacent the at least one longitudinally extending side wall of the base and a horizontal portion extending laterally outward from the vertical portion; and a laterally extending tabletop support bracket comprising a vertical portion configured to be located adjacent the laterally extending end wall of the base; and at least one slot in the at least one longitudinally extending side wall of the base or in the adjacent vertical portion of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket and at least one complementary fastener extending from the other of the at least one longitudinally extending side wall of the base or the adjacent vertical portion of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket; wherein the at least one slot further comprises an initial receiving area and at least one locking area extending longitudinally from the initial receiving area; and wherein the at least one complementary fastener further comprises a portion that prevents lateral separation of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket from the base when the at least one complementary fastener is located in the at least one locking area of the at least one slot and the laterally extending tabletop support bracket is adjacent the laterally extending end wall and connected to the base.
[0010] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of assembling a quick mounting assembly of a table frame, the method comprising: obtaining a leg head fitting connected to an upper end of a leg, the leg head fitting comprising: a base having at least one longitudinally extending side wall and a laterally extending end wall connected to the at least one longitudinally extending side wall. The method further comprising obtaining at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket comprising: a vertical portion configured to be located adjacent the at least one longitudinally extending side wall of the base and a horizontal portion extending laterally outward from the vertical portion. The method furthercomprising obtaining a laterally extending tabletop support bracket comprising: a vertical portion configured to be located adjacent the laterally extending end wall of the base. At least one slot in the at least one longitudinally extending side wall of the base or in the adjacent vertical portion of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket and at least one complementary fastener extending from the other of the at least one longitudinally extending side wall of the base or the adjacent vertical portion of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket; wherein the at least one slot further comprises an initial receiving area and at least one locking area extending longitudinally from the initial receiving area; and wherein the at least one complementary fastener further comprises a portion that prevents lateral separation of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket from the base when the at least one complementary fastener is located in the locking area of the at least one slot and the laterally extending tabletop support bracket is adjacent the laterally extending end wall and connected to the base. The method further comprising: moving the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket into a position adjacent the at least one longitudinally extending side wall of the base wherein the at least one complementary fastener is received by the initial receiving area of the at least one slot; moving the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket into a position wherein the at least one complementary fastener is received by at least one of the locking areas of the at least one slot; and connecting the laterally extending tabletop support bracket to the base, wherein the laterally extending tabletop support bracket is positioned adjacent the laterally extending end wall of the base and prevents the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket from separating from the base.
[0011] The present disclosure provides several aspects of the subject matter which may be embodied separately or together in the apparatus described and claimed herein. These aspects may be employed alone or in combination with other aspects of the subject matter described herein, and the description of these aspects together is not intended to preclude the use of these aspectsseparately or the claiming of such aspects separately or in different combinations as set forth in the claims appended hereto.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] In describing the preferred example embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawing figures wherein like parts have like reference numerals, and wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 A is an upper front perspective view of a first example table having an example table frame including quick connect mounting assemblies for connection to a tabletop;
[0014] FIG. 1 B is an upper plan view of one of the example table frame quick mounting assemblies of FIG. 1 A and having a section line extending through side fasteners;
[0015] FIG. 1 C is a side view of a portion of the sectioned quick mounting assembly of FIG. 1 B, identifying a detailed area;
[0016] FIG. 1 D is an enlarged view of the detailed area in FIG. 1 C;
[0017] FIG. 2A is an upper front perspective view of a second example table having a table frame including the content of the quick connect mounting assemblies for connection to a tabletop of FIGS. 1 A-1 D having additional connection structures further including a tabletop central support member connected to additional respective longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets;
[0018] FIG. 2B is a partially exploded view of the table frame of the second table of FIG. 2A;
[0019] FIG. 3A is an upper front perspective view of a third example table having a table frame including quick connect mounting assemblies for connection to a tabletop somewhat similar to the second example of FIGS. 2A-2B but wherein the all of the longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets are configured to be even handed;
[0020] FIG. 3B is a partially exploded upper front view of the table frame of FIG. 3A;
[0021] FIG. 30 is a further partially exploded upper rear view of the table frame of FIGS. 3A-3B;
[0022] FIG. 3D is an enlarged upper front perspective view of quick connect fasteners at two locations connecting a longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket to a tabletop central support member of FIGS. 3A-3C;
[0023] FIG. 3E is an enlarged partially exploded upper front perspective view of the quick connect fasteners in states of disconnection from the longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket and the tabletop central support member of FIGS. 3A-3C;
[0024] FIG. 3F is an upper plan view of the third example table frame of FIGS. 3A-3E and having a section line extending through side fasteners;
[0025] FIG. 3G is a side view of a portion of the one sectioned quick mounting assembly of FIG. 3F, identifying a detailed area;
[0026] FIG. 3H is an enlarged view of the detailed area in FIG. 3G;
[0027] FIG. 4A is a partially exploded upper front perspective view of a fourth example table having a table frame including quick connect mounting assemblies for connection to a tabletop which includes longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets and a tabletop central support bracket that are integrally formed and even handed, and an alternative fastener for connecting the laterally extending tabletop support bracket;
[0028] FIG. 4B is an enlarged assembled upper front perspective view of one of the quick connect mounting assemblies for connection to a tabletop of FIG. 4A; and
[0029] FIG. 5 is a partially exploded upper front perspective view of a fifth example table having a table frame including quick connect mounting assemblies for connection to a tabletop which includes longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets that overlap to provide a tabletop central support bracket.
[0030] It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, with some views enlarged for enhanced viewing. While some details of the example table frames, including details of fastening means and other plan and section views of particular components may not be shown, such details are considered to be within the comprehension of those skilled in the art in light of the present disclosure. It also should be understood that the present disclosure and claims are not limited to the preferred embodiments illustrated.DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] The embodiments disclosed herein are for the purpose of providing a description of the present subject matter, and it is understood that the subject matter may be embodied in various other forms and combinations not shown in detail. Therefore, specific designs and features disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting the subject matter as defined in the accompanying claims.
[0032] Referring generally to FIGS. 1 A-5, it will be appreciated that a table frame for supporting a tabletop and having a plurality of tabletop quick mounting assemblies of the present disclosure may be embodied in numerous configurations.
[0033] For instance, FIGS. 1 A-1 D illustrate a first example embodiment of a table frame 10 for supporting a tabletop 12. The table frame 10 includes a plurality of tabletop quick mounting assemblies 14 spaced apart in a longitudinal direction L. Each quick mounting assembly 14 includes a leg head fitting 16 connected to an upper end 18 of a leg 20, which may include a foot F at a lower end 22 of the leg 20. The leg head fitting 16 includes a base 24 having at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 and a laterally extending end wall 28 connected to the at least one side wall 26.
[0034] Each tabletop quick mounting assembly 14 further includes at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30, which includes a vertical portion 32 configured to be located adjacent the at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24 and a horizontal portion 34 extending laterally outward from the vertical portion 32. Each tabletop quick mounting assembly 14 also includes a laterally extending tabletop support bracket 36, which includes a vertical portion 38 configured to be located adjacent the laterally extending end wall 28 of the base 24.
[0035] Each tabletop quick mounting assembly 14 additionally includes at least one slot 40 in the at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24 or in the adjacent vertical portion 32 of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30 and at least one complementary fastener 42 extending from the other of the at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24 or the adjacent vertical portion 32 of theat least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30. The at least one slot 40 further includes an initial receiving area 44 and at least one locking area 46 extending longitudinally from the initial receiving area 44. The at least one complementary fastener 42 further includes a portion 48 that prevents lateral separation of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30 from the base 24 when the at least one complementary fastener 42 is located in the at least one locking area 46 of the at least one slot 40 and the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 36 is adjacent the laterally extending end wall 28 and connected to the base 24.
[0036] The fasteners 42 may be pre-installed by the manufacturer or installed by a user prior to further assembly. After the longitudinally extending tabletop bracket 30 is moved into position to have the fastener 42 received by the receiving area 44 of the at least one slot 40 and then moved to have the at least one complementary fastener 42 received in the at least one locking area 46, the portion 48, which may be formed for example as an enlarged head, such as a head of a shoulder bolt, will prevent the longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30 from being able to move laterally and separate from the base 24. When the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 36 is connected to the laterally extending end wall 28 of the base 24, it prevents the longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30 from being moved to a position where the head portion 48 returns to the initial receiving area 44 to be removed. Depending on the dimensions and configuration, as the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 36 is being connected to the laterally extending end wall 28, it may force the longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30 to move so as to have the at least one locking area 46 of the at least one slot 40 further engage the at least one complementary fastener 42. Once connected, the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 36 locks the longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30 in place, with the at least one complementary fastener 42 in the at least one locking area 46 of the at least one slot 40, and with the portion 48 of the at least one fastener 42 thereafter preventing separation of the longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30 from the base 24.
[0037] In the example shown, the base 24 of the leg head fitting 16 may further include a bottom wall 50 connected to the at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 and to the laterally extending end wall 28. The base 24 also may include an opposed end wall. It will be appreciated that the base 24 may be a stamping, a molded part or a weldment that connects various structural elements to form a rigid base. Depending on the configuration and required stiffness and load capacity, the base 24 may be constructed of any suitable rigid material, such as various metal, plastic or synthetic materials or the like. The base 24 may be connected to the upper end 18 of the leg 20 by use of fasteners, welding or the like. It will be appreciated that while the example is shown with a leg 20 having a telescopic height adjustable construction, the leg alternatively may simply have a fixed height. Also, if the leg is height adjustable, the leg head fitting 16 may house a motor and drive components within the base 24.
[0038] For purposes of connecting the tabletop 12 to the table frame 10, the horizontal portion 34 of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30 may include apertures 52. The apertures 52 may receive fasteners therethrough, such as screws or alternative suitable means of connection may be used to connect the assembled table frame 10 to the tabletop 12.
[0039] The vertical portion 38 of the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 36 also may include at least one aperture 54 configured to receive a fastener 56 that may removably connect the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 36 to the laterally extending end wall 28 of the base 24. The fastener 56 may be a screw received in an aperture 58 in the laterally extending end wall 28, such as by having complementary threads, or may be an alternative suitable fastener for making the connection. The fasteners and apertures are best seen in FIG. 2B, showing a leg head fitting 16’, which includes the components of the leg head fitting 16 but additionally includes a second set of fasteners 42 extending from a second longitudinally extending side wall 26, resulting in a base 24’.
[0040] In the first example shown in FIGS. 1A-1 D, the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 36 also may include a horizontal portion 60extending longitudinally outward from the vertical portion 38. For purposes of connecting the tabletop 12 to the table frame 10, the horizontal portion 60 of the at least one laterally extending tabletop support bracket 36 may include apertures 62. The apertures 62 may receive fasteners therethrough, such as screws or alternative suitable means of connection may be used to connect the assembled table frame 10 to the tabletop 12.
[0041] In the first example, the at least one complementary fastener 42 extends laterally outward from the at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24 and the at least one slot 40 is in the adjacent vertical portion 32 of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30. It will be appreciated that the at least one complementary fastener 42 of this example is configured with a stem 64 and an enlarged head 48, wherein the stem 64 engages the at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24. Thus, in this example, the enlarged head 48 is the portion that prevents lateral separation of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30 from the base 24 when the at least one complementary fastener 42 is located in the at least one locking area 46 of the at least one slot 40 and the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 36 is adjacent the end wall 26 and connected to the base 24. As such, the at least one complementary fastener 42 may be a shoulder bolt having threads at an end of the stem 64 that are received by a threaded aperture 66 in the at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24.
[0042] It will be appreciated that the at least one slot 40 may have a different shape or configuration, as may the at least one complementary fastener 42. For example, the slot may be square or rectangular and the fastener similarly may have a portion that is square or rectangular. As an example, the fastener may be a bayonet or hook type fastener that is formed into the component from which it extends, such as by being stamped or ruptured out of a flat metal segment, or connected thereto, such as by welding or the like. In addition, it will be appreciated that the configuration may be reversed, such as by having the at least one slot be in the longitudinally extending side wall of the base of the leg head fitting and by having the at least one complementaryfastener extend laterally inward from the longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket.
[0043] It further will be appreciated that to ensure an even more robust connection of the components of the leg head fitting 16, the table frame 10 may further include a second slot 40 in the at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24 or in the adjacent vertical portion 32 of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30 and a second complementary fastener 42 extending from the other of the at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24 or the adjacent vertical portion 32 of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30. The second slot 40 similarly may include an initial receiving area 44 and at least one locking area 46 extending longitudinally from the initial receiving area 44. The second complementary fastener 42 also similarly may include a portion that prevents lateral separation of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30 from the base 24 when the second complementary fastener 42 is located in the at least one locking area 46 of the second slot 40 and the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 36 is adjacent the laterally extending end wall 28 and connected to the base 24.
[0044] In the example shown in FIGS. 1 A-1 D, the second complementary fastener 42 extends laterally outward from the at least one side wall 26 of the base 24 and the second slot 40 is in the adjacent vertical portion 32 of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30. As with the first complementary fastener 42, the second complementary fastener 42 of this example is configured with a stem 64 and an enlarged head 48, wherein the stem 64 engages the at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24 and the enlarged head 48 is spaced from the at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24. Thus, in this example, the second complementary fastener 42 may be a shoulder bolt having threads at an end of the stem 64 that are received by a threaded aperture 66 in the at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 of base 24. Also, as noted with respect to the previous description of the first complementary fastener andaperture, the second complementary fastener and aperture are best appreciated by viewing FIG. 2B, showing a similar leg head fitting 16.
[0045] It will be appreciated that if the table frame 10 uses shoulder bolt type fasteners for fasteners 42 and keyhole type slots for slots 40, then to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and provide the most stable and secure connection of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30 to the base 24, it is preferable that the at least one longitudinally extending slot 40 in the adjacent vertical portion 32 of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30 has a first length and the second longitudinally extending slot 40 in the adjacent vertical portion 32 of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30 may advantageously have a second length, the first length being slightly longer than the second length, and the second longitudinally extending slot 40 being spaced further from the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 36 than the at least one longitudinally extending slot 40. This configuration will cause the fastener 24 to bottom out in the locking area 46 of the at least one slot 40 toward the center of the tabletop 12 prior to that of the second fastener 42 in the second slot 40 of the longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30 near the outer end, when the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 36 is moved into position adjacent the laterally extending end wall 28 of the base 24. Thus, if the apertures 58 in the laterally extending end wall 28 and fasteners 56 are threaded, then as the fasteners 56 are tightened, the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 36 will force the locking areas 46 of the slots 40 in the longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30 to slide into further engagement with the fasteners 42 extending laterally outward from the longitudinally extending sides walls 26 of the base 24.
[0046] It also will be appreciated that the slots 40 in the longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets 30 of the first example include a locking area 46 extending longitudinally in only one direction from the initial receiving area 44. Given the configuration, each longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30 is a handed bracket, meaning each is either a left handed or right handed bracket, for use on a particular longitudinally extending side wall 26 of a base 24. For example, the at least one slot 40 in the adjacentvertical portion 32 of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30 is configured as a one directional keyhole slot having the initial receiving area 44 spaced from the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 36 and having the at least one locking area 46 extending longitudinally from the initial receiving area 44 and toward the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 36.
[0047] Turning to the second example table frame 10’ shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, it will be appreciated that each tabletop mounting assembly 14’ is shown as including all of the components of each tabletop mounting assembly 14 of the first example table frame 10 seen in FIGS. 1 A-1 D. However, to add further support and provide a more secure connection for the longer tabletop 12’, each tabletop quick mounting assembly 14’ of the second example table frame 10’ is supplemented by additional components that provide additional load capacity and stiffness to the table frame 10’. The like parts of the second example to those of the first example are identified by like reference numbers. Thus, the description of the second example table frame 10’ includes the foregoing description of the first example table frame 10, but adds further components thereto.
[0048] For example, each tabletop quick mounting assembly 14’ of the second example in FIGS. 2A-2B may include a table leg 20 and a leg head fitting 16’ may be similar to that which is shown and described for the first example table frame 10 as leg had fitting 16, but may further include additional means of connection. For instance, each base 24 of the first example may have a second longitudinally extending side wall 26 parallel to and spaced from the first longitudinally extending side wall 26 and connected to the laterally extending end wall 28, resulting in a base 24’. This permits each tabletop quick mounting assembly 14’ to further optionally include at least one slot 40 in a second longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24’ or in the adjacent vertical portion 32’ of a second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30’ and at least one complementary fastener 42 extending from the other of the second longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24 or the adjacent vertical portion 32’ of the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30’.
[0049] In the second example, the at least one complementary fastener 42 extends laterally outward from the second longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24’ and the at least one slot 40 is in the adjacent vertical portion 32' of the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30’. It will be appreciated that the alternative configuration may be utilized, wherein the at least one slot may be in the second longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24’ and the at least one complementary fastener may extend from the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30’ inward to engage the at least one slot.
[0050] As with the previous example, the at least one complementary fastener 42 associated with the second longitudinally extending side wall 26 is configured with a stem 64 and an enlarged head 48, wherein the stem engages the second longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24’ and the enlarged head is spaced from the second longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24’. For the second example, the at least one complementary fastener 42 on the second longitudinally extending side wall 26 is shown as a shoulder bolt which would have threads at an end of the stem 64 that are received by a threaded aperture 66 in the second longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24’, similarly to the at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24. Thus, the fasteners 42 may be pre-installed by the manufacturer or may be installed by the user before further assembly.
[0051] The at least one slot 40 in the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30’ may further include an initial receiving area 44 and at least one locking area 46 extending longitudinally from the initial receiving area 44. The at least one complementary fastener 42 also may include a portion 48 that prevents lateral separation of the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30’ from the base 24’ when the at least one complementary fastener 42 is located in the at least one locking area 46 of the at least one slot 40 and the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 36 is adjacent the laterally extending end wall 28 and connected to the base 24’.
[0052] It will be appreciated that, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30’ may be longer than the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30. Also, for each tabletop quick mounting assembly 14’ of the table frame 10’ of the second example there may be an additional at least one fastener 42 extending laterally outward from the second longitudinally extending side wall 26 which is parallel to the first longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24’. In turn, each tabletop quick mounting assembly 14’ includes a second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30’ having an additional slot 40, which is shown configured to be located adjacent the second longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24’ for connection to the second fastener 42 on the second longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24’. Thus, in the second example, the vertical portion 32’ of each longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30’ includes two slots 40 to receive two respective fasteners 42 for connection in the same manner as previously described for the first example.
[0053] Each tabletop quick mounting assembly 14’ that includes a second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30’ may further include a horizontal portion 34’ extending laterally outward from the vertical portion 32’. For purposes of connecting the tabletop 12’ to the table frame 10’, the horizontal portion 34’ of the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30’ may include apertures 52’. The apertures 52’ may receive fasteners therethrough, such as screws or alternative suitable means of connection may be used to connect the assembled table frame 10’ to the tabletop 12’.
[0054] As shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, spaced from the at least one slot 40, each longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30’ also includes at least one aperture 70 to receive a fastener 72. In turn, the plurality of tabletop quick mounting assemblies 14’ are spaced apart in a longitudinal direction and each includes at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30’ which may be connected to a tabletop central support member 74. The tabletop central support member 74 includes a vertical portion 76 having apertures 78 that correspond with the at least one aperture 70 in each of thevertical portions 32’ of the longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets 30’. The fasteners 72 connect the tabletop central support member 74 to the respective longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets 30’ via the respective corresponding apertures 70, 78.
[0055] In the second example, the fasteners 72 that connect the tabletop central support member 74 to the respective longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets 30’ are shown as slide wedge fasteners, which may be installed without tools, so as to be toolless fasteners, as will be described later herein. However, it will be appreciated that the fasteners for connecting the tabletop central support member 74 to the respective longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets 30’ may be more conventional fasteners, such as nuts and bolts, or the tabletop central support member and respective longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets may be connected by any other suitable means of connection. Also, as shown, for a more secure connection, each longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30’ may be connected to the tabletop central support member 74 by a plurality of fasteners 72.
[0056] For purposes of connecting the tabletop 12’ to the table frame 10’, the tabletop central support member 74 may further include a horizontal portion 80, which may include at least one aperture 82. The at least one aperture 82 may receive a fastener therethrough, such as a screw or alternative suitable means of connection may be used to connect the assembled table frame 10’ to the tabletop 12’.
[0057] For the second example table frame 10’ it will be appreciated that the slots 40 in the longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets 30’ include a locking area 46 extending longitudinally in only one direction from the initial receiving area 44. As was the case with the configuration of the longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets 30, each longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30’ is a handed bracket. The at least one slot 40 in the adjacent vertical portion 32’ of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30’ is configured as a one directional keyhole slot having the initial receiving area 44 spaced from the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 36 and having the at least one locking area 46extending longitudinally from the initial receiving area 44 and toward the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 36. Thus, each longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30’ is either a left handed or right handed bracket intended for use on a particular longitudinally extending side wall 26 of a base 24’.
[0058] It will be appreciated that, if additional support is desired, the first example table frame 10 alternatively could employ the longer longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets 30’, instead of the shorter longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets 30, along the at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 of each respective base 24 of a leg head fitting 16. Similarly, such a configuration additionally could utilize a tabletop central support member 74 for connection to the respective spaced apart longitudinally extending tabletop support members 30’, to add further support and potentially further connection to the center of a tabletop. In addition, the lengths of the longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets 30’ and tabletop central support member 74 may be selected as desired to provide for appropriate support and connection to a given tabletop. This can be facilitated by the tabletop central support member 74 having multiple apertures for varied connection to respective longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets 30’. Still further, it will be appreciated that even more robust support and connection to a tabletop may be provided, for example, if the table frame utilizes longer longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets 30’ along both longitudinally extending side walls 26 of each base 24’ of each leg head fitting 16’, while additionally including a tabletop central support member 74 connected to each of the respective opposed pairs of longer longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets 30’.
[0059] Turning to the third example table frame 110 of FIGS. 3A-3H, it will be appreciated that each tabletop mounting assembly 114 is shown as including similar components relative to each tabletop mounting assembly 14 of the first example table frame 10 seen in FIGS. 1 A-1 D and to the tabletop mounting assembly 14’ of the second example table frame 10’ seen in FIGS. 2A-2B. Indeed, each leg head fitting 16’ is as previously described, including a base 24’ having longitudinally extending side walls 26 and a laterally extending endwall 28. However, the longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets 130 and the relatively longer longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets 130’ are configured to be even handed, such that any of such brackets may be connected to any longitudinally extending side wall 26 of a base 24’.
[0060] Accordingly, the third example shown in FIGS. 3A-3H illustrates table frame 110 for supporting a tabletop 112 with the table frame 110 including a plurality of tabletop quick mounting assemblies 114 spaced apart in a longitudinal direction L. Each quick mounting assembly 1 14 includes a leg head fitting 16’ connected to an upper end 18 of a leg 20, which may include a foot F at a lower end 22 of the leg 20. The leg head fitting 16’ includes a base 24’ having at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 and a laterally extending end wall 28 connected to the at least one side wall 26. In this example, the base 24’ includes a second longitudinally extending side wall 26 parallel to the first, and similarly connected to the laterally extending end wall 28. These components may be constructed in a manner as previously described.
[0061] Each tabletop quick mounting assembly 114 further includes at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130, which includes a vertical portion 132 configured to be located adjacent the at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24’ and a horizontal portion 134 extending laterally outward from the vertical portion 132. Each tabletop quick mounting assembly 1 14 also includes a laterally extending tabletop support bracket 136, which includes a vertical portion 138 configured to be located adjacent the laterally extending end wall 28 of the base 24’.
[0062] Each tabletop quick mounting assembly 114 additionally includes at least one slot 140 in the at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24’ or in the adjacent vertical portion 132 of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130 and at least one complementary fastener 42 extending from the other of the at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24’ or the adjacent vertical portion 132 of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130. The at least one slot 140 further includes an initial receiving area 144 and at least one locking area 146 extending longitudinally from theinitial receiving area 144. The at least one complementary fastener 42 further includes a portion 48 that prevents lateral separation of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130 from the base 24’ when the at least one complementary fastener 42 is located in the at least one locking area 146 of the at least one slot 140 and the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 136 is adjacent the laterally extending end wall 28 and connected to the base 24’.
[0063] The fasteners 42 may be constructed and installed as previously described. After the longitudinally extending tabletop bracket 130 is moved into position to have the fastener 42 received by the receiving area 144 of the at least one slot 140 and then moved to have the at least one complementary fastener 42 received in the at least one locking area 146, the portion 48, which may be formed for example as an enlarged head, such as a head of a shoulder bolt, will prevent the longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130 from being able to move laterally and separate from the base 24’. Similarly to the previous example embodiments, when the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 136 is connected to the laterally extending end wall 28 of the base 24’, it prevents the longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130 from being moved to a position where the head portion 48 returns to the initial receiving area 144 to be removed. Depending on the dimensions and configuration, as the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 136 is being connected to the laterally extending end wall 28, it may force the longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130 to move so as to have the at least one locking area 146 of the at least one slot 140 further engage the at least one complementary fastener 42. Once connected, the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 136 locks the longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130 in place, with the at least one complementary fastener 42 in the at least one locking area 146 of the at least one slot 140, and with the portion 48 of the at least one fastener 42 thereafter preventing separation of the longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130 from the base 24’.
[0064] In the example shown, the base 24’ of the leg head fitting 16’ may further include a bottom wall 50 connected to the at least one longitudinallyextending side wall 26 and to the laterally extending end wall 28. The base 24’ also may include an opposed end wall. It will be appreciated that the base 24’ may include a second longitudinally extending side wall 26, and the base 24’ be constructed as previously described. The base 24’ may be connected to the upper end 18 of the leg 20 by use of fasteners, welding or the like. It also will be appreciated that while the example is shown with a leg 20 having a telescopic height adjustable construction, which may accommodate motor and drive components within the base 24’, the leg alternatively may simply have a fixed height.
[0065] For purposes of connecting the tabletop 112 to the table frame 1 10, the horizontal portion 134 of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130 may include apertures 152. The apertures 152 may receive fasteners therethrough, such as previously described, to connect the assembled table frame 110 to the tabletop 112.
[0066] The vertical portion 138 of the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 136 also may include at least one aperture 154 configured to receive a fastener 156 that may removably connect the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 136 to the laterally extending end wall 28 of the base 24’. The fastener 156 may be a screw received in an aperture 58 in the laterally extending end wall 28, such as by having complementary threads, or may be an alternative suitable fastener for making the connection. The fasteners and apertures are best seen in FIG. 3B, showing a leg head fitting 16’, including a second set of fasteners 42 extending from a second longitudinally extending side wall 26, resulting in a base 24’.
[0067] The laterally extending tabletop support bracket 136 also may include a horizontal portion 160 extending longitudinally outward from the vertical portion 138. For purposes of connecting the tabletop 112 to the table frame 110, the horizontal portion 160 of the at least one laterally extending tabletop support bracket 136 may include apertures 162. The apertures 162 may receive fasteners or alternative suitable means of connection may be used to connect the assembled table frame 110 to the tabletop 112.
[0068] As with the previous examples, the at least one complementary fastener 42 extends laterally outward from the at least one longitudinallyextending side wall 26 of the base 24’ and the at least one slot 140 is in the adjacent vertical portion 132 of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130. However, it will be appreciated that the opposite configuration may be employed with the slot on the base and the fastener on the longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket.
[0069] It also will be appreciated that the at least one complementary fastener 42 of this example is configured as described in the previous examples, such as with a stem 64 and an enlarged head 48, wherein the stem 64 engages the at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24’. Thus, the enlarged head 48 is the portion that prevents lateral separation of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130 from the base 24’ when the at least one complementary fastener 42 is located in the at least one locking area 146 of the at least one slot 140 and the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 136 is adjacent the laterally extending end wall 28 and connected to the base 24’. As such, the at least one complementary fastener 42 may be a shoulder bolt having threads at an end of the stem 64 that are received by a threaded aperture 66 in the at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24’. As previously discussed, it will be appreciated that the at least one slot may have a different shape or configuration, as may the at least one complementary fastener 42.
[0070] It further will be appreciated that to ensure an even more robust connection of the components of the leg head fitting 16’, the table frame 110 may further include a second slot 140 in the at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24’ or in the adjacent vertical portion 132 of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130 and a second complementary fastener 42 extending from the other of the at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24’ or the adjacent vertical portion 132 of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130. The second slot 140 similarly may include an initial receiving area 144 and at least one locking area 146 extending longitudinally from the initial receiving area 144. The second complementary fastener 42 also similarly may include a portion that prevents lateral separation of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130 from the base24’ when the second complementary fastener 42 is located in the at least one locking area 146 of the second slot 140 and the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 136 is adjacent the laterally extending end wall 28 and connected to the base 24’.
[0071] In the third example shown in FIGS. 3A-3H, the second complementary fastener 42 extends laterally outward from the at least one side wall 26 of the base 24’ and the second slot 140 is in the adjacent vertical portion 132 of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130. The second complementary fastener 42 of this example is configured in the same way as the first complementary fastener 42, and similarly engages and is connected to the at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24’. The enlarged head 48 is spaced from the at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24’ and may be a shoulder bolt having threads at an end of the stem 64 that are received by a threaded aperture 66 in the at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 of base 24’. Also, as noted with respect to the previous description of the first complementary fastener and aperture, the second complementary fastener and aperture are best appreciated by viewing FIGS. 3B and 3C.
[0072] As above-noted, each longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130 is even handed, and thus may be connected to either leg head fitting 16’. For example, each longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130 includes slots 140 in a vertical portion 132 that are symmetrical end to end. It will be appreciated that each slot 140 in the adjacent vertical portion 132 of the longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130 is configured as a two directional keyhole slot having an initial receiving area 144 spaced from the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 136 and two locking areas 146 extending longitudinally from the initial receiving area in opposed directions. As such, the longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets 130 are even handed because each slot 140 may receive and engage a fastener 42 and be moved longitudinally in either direction to be blocked by the laterally extending tabletop bracket 136, so as to be prevented from separating laterally from the base 24’.
[0073] The third example includes further means of connection of the table frame 110 to the tabletop 112. For instance, each base 24’ may have a second longitudinally extending side wall 26 parallel to and spaced from the first longitudinally extending side wall 26 and connected to the laterally extending end wall 28. This permits each tabletop quick mounting assembly 114 to further optionally include at least one slot in a second longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24’ or in the adjacent vertical portion 132’ of a second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130’ and at least one complementary fastener extending from the other of the second longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24’ or the adjacent vertical portion 132’ of the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30’.
[0074] In the third example, the at least one complementary fastener 42 extends laterally outward from the second longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24’ and the at least one slot 40 is in the adjacent vertical portion 132’ of the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130’. It will be appreciated that the alternative configuration may be utilized, wherein the at least one slot may be in the second longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24’ and the at least one complementary fastener may extend from the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130’ inward to engage the at least one slot.
[0075] As described with the previous examples, the at least one complementary fastener 42 associated with the second longitudinally extending side wall 26 is configured with a stem 64 and an enlarged head 48, wherein the stem engages the second longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24' and the enlarged head is spaced from the second longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24’, such as in a configuration of a shoulder bolt having threads at an end of the stem 64 that are received by a threaded aperture 66 in the second longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24’.
[0076] The at least one slot 40 in the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130’ may further include an initial receiving area 44 and at least one locking area 46 extending longitudinally from the initial receivingarea 44. The at least one complementary fastener 42 also may include a portion 48 that prevents lateral separation of the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130’ from the base 24’ when the at least one complementary fastener 42 is located in the at least one locking area 46 of the at least one slot 40 and the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 136 is adjacent the laterally extending end wall 28 and connected to the base 24’.
[0077] It will be appreciated that, as was the case with the second example, the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130’ may be longer than the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130. Also, for each tabletop quick mounting assembly 114 of the table frame 110 of the third example there may be an additional at least one fastener 42 extending laterally outward from the second longitudinally extending side wall 26 which is parallel to the first longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24’. In turn, each tabletop quick mounting assembly 114 includes a second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130’ having an additional slot 40, which is shown configured to be located adjacent the second longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24’ for connection to the second fastener 42 on the second longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24’. Thus, in the third example, the vertical portion 132’ of each longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130’ includes two slots 40 to receive two respective fasteners 42 for connection in the same manner as previously described.
[0078] Each tabletop quick mounting assembly 114 that includes a second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130’ may further include a horizontal portion 134’ extending laterally outward from the vertical portion 132’. For purposes of connecting the tabletop 112 to the table frame 110, the horizontal portion 134’ of the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130’ may include apertures 152’. The apertures 152’ may receive fasteners therethrough, consistent with the previous description.
[0079] Each longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130’ includes slots 40 and apertures 170’ in vertical portions 132’ that are symmetrical end to end. Thus, in a somewhat different configuration from that of the slots inlongitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130, the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130’ of each tabletop quick mounting assembly 114 still yields an even handed result. Each slot 40 is located in the adjacent vertical portion 132’ of the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130’ of each tabletop mounting assembly 114. Each slot 40 is configured as a one directional keyhole slot having an initial receiving area 44 spaced from the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 136 and one locking area 46 extending longitudinally from the initial receiving area 44 in one direction, toward a closest end of the longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130’, such that the locking areas 46 of slots 40 at opposite ends of the longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130' extend in opposite directions. This configuration also provides for even handed longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets 130’, because each slot 40 may receive and engage a fastener 42 and be moved by a laterally extending tabletop support bracket 136, regardless of which tabletop mounting assembly 114 the longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130' is connected. So, it will be appreciated that each longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130, 130’ includes slots 140, 40, respectively, that are in a pattern that is symmetrical end to end and even handed.
[0080] Similarly to the second example, spaced from the at least one slot 40, each longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130’ also includes at least one aperture 170’ to receive a fastener 72. In turn, the plurality of tabletop quick mounting assemblies 114 are spaced apart in a longitudinal direction and each includes at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130’ which may be connected to a tabletop central support member 174. The tabletop central support member 174 includes a vertical portion 176 having apertures 178 that correspond with the at least one aperture 170 in each of the vertical portions 132’ of the longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets 130’. The fasteners 72 connect the tabletop central support member 174 to the respective longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets 130’ via the respective corresponding apertures 170, 178.
[0081] As with the second example, the fasteners 72 of the third example that connect the tabletop central support member 174 to the respective longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets 130’ are shown as slide wedge fasteners, which may be installed without tools, so as to be toolless fasteners. Enlarged views of the slide wedge fasteners 72 are shown in FIGS. 3D and 3E. The fasteners 72 are connected to the respective longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets 130’ via a threaded connection of a nut to a stem of the fastener, which extends through an aperture 170’. An operable portion of the fastener 72 then is positioned to be perpendicular to the vertical portion 132’, so as to extend through an aperture 178 in the vertical portion 176 of the tabletop central support member 174. Once the operable portion is extending through the aperture 178, it is rotated approximately 90 degrees and an aperture therethough cause the fastener 72 to apply a clamping load as the operable portion is moved in a direction parallel to the vertical portion 176 of the tabletop central support member 174. If moved in the opposite direction, the clamp load is released and the operable portion may be rotated to the initial insertion position, to remove the tabletop central support member 174 from the fastener 72. Nevertheless, it will be appreciated that the fasteners for connecting the tabletop central support member 174 to the respective longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets 130’ may be more conventional fasteners, such as nuts and bolts, or the tabletop central support member and respective longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets may be connected by any other suitable means of connection. Also, as shown, for a more secure connection, each longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130’ may be connected to the tabletop central support member 174 by a plurality of fasteners 72.
[0082] For purposes of connecting the tabletop 112 to the table frame 1 10, the tabletop central support member 174 may further include a horizontal portion 180, which may include at least one aperture 182. The at least one aperture 182 may receive a fastener therethrough, such as a screw or alternative suitable means of connection may be used to connect the assembled table frame 110 to the tabletop 112. It will be appreciated that the horizontal portions any of the tabletop support brackets may include depressions, whichwill form a gap between the respective support bracket and the underside of the tabletop 1 12. Such gaps may facilitate passage of wires or cables, or may be used to hold accessories to the table frame 1 10.
[0083] The slots 40 in the longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets 130’ may be configured in a manner previously described with respect to having slightly different lengths, so as to cause fastener 42 to bottom out in the locking area 46 of the at least one slot 40 toward the center of the tabletop 1 12 prior to that of the second fastener 42 in the second slot 40 of the longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130’ near the outer end, when the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 136 is moved into position adjacent the laterally extending end wall 28 of the base 24’. Thus, if the apertures 58 in the laterally extending end wall 28 and fasteners 56 are threaded, then as the fasteners 56 are tightened, the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 136 will force the locking areas 46 of the slots 40 in the longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130’ to slide into further engagement with the fasteners 42 extending laterally outward from the longitudinally extending side walls 26 of the base 24’.
[0084] Accordingly, use of a second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130’ would be consistent with the previous description as providing further support and a more secure connection of a tabletop quick mounting assembly 1 14 to a tabletop 1 12. However, it is contemplated that each tabletop quick mounting assembly 1 14 may alternatively be constructed without a longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130, and exclusively with a longer longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130’. Still further, for the most robust connection to a tabletop 1 12, each tabletop quick mounting assembly 1 14 may include two of the longer longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets 130’. Such longer longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets 130’ provide additional load capacity and stiffness to the table frame 110. Thus, as will all of the second through fifth examples disclosed herein, it will be appreciated that while two sets of longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets are shown and while each is illustrated with two slots, it will be appreciated that any combination of one or two sets of longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets may beused and any combination of one or more slots may be used. Moreover, as previously noted, the at least one slot may be in the longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket or in the longitudinally extending side wall, with a complementary fastener in the other of the two structures.
[0085] Turning to the fourth example table frame 210 of FIGS. 4A-4B, it will be appreciated that each tabletop quick mounting assembly 214 is shown as including similar components relative to the previous tabletop quick mounting assemblies, 14, 14' and 114 of the first through third example table frames 10, 10’ and 1 10. Thus, like numbers are used for like components and the previous descriptions of such components apply and need not be repeated. For example, each leg head fitting 16’ is as previously described, including a base 24’ having at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 and a laterally extending end wall 28. Each tabletop quick mounting assembly 214 also includes at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130, as was described with the third example table frame 1 14.
[0086] Each of the two spaced apart bases 24’ also includes a previously described optional second longitudinally extending side wall 26. However, the fourth example further features at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket of at least two spaced apart tabletop quick mounting assemblies which are integrally formed as one piece that further includes a tabletop central support member. Thus, an integrally formed one piece assembly effectively includes at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 230 for each tabletop quick mounting assembly 214, as well as a tabletop central support member 274. Therefore, the three separate but connected components 130’, 174, 130’ of the third example may be replaced in the fourth example by the single piece, integrally formed assembly of components 230, 274, 230.
[0087] For support and connection to a tabletop, the laterally extending horizontal portions 234 of each longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 230 also include apertures 252 that receive fasteners for connecting to a tabletop, as previously described in the earlier examples. For support and connection to the respective bases 24’ of the leg head fittings 16’, the vertical portions 232 of the longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets230 include slots 40. The slots 40 are formed in a symmetric pattern end to end, so as to provide even handed mounting to either side of the bases 24’. The tabletop central support member 274 includes a vertically extending portion 176 and laterally extending horizontal portion 280. The laterally extending horizontal portion 280 may include apertures to receive fasteners for additional connection to a tabletop.
[0088] The fourth example also differs slightly from the third example by virtue of each tabletop quick mounting assembly 214 having a laterally extending tabletop support bracket 136’ with a single aperture 154. The single aperture 154 receives a fastener 156’ therethrough for connection to the laterally extending end wall 28. The fastener 156’ shown includes a rachet body and integrated handle, for convenience of toolless tightening. It will be appreciated that an alternative fastener or fasteners may be used, such as a screw or bolt, or other suitable means of fastening.
[0089] Nevertheless, it will be appreciated that similar to the third example with respect to each tabletop quick mounting assembly 214 having a laterally extending tabletop support bracket 136’, the apertures 154 in the vertical portion 138 of the laterally extending tabletop support brackets 136’ receive the fasteners 156’ therethrough for connection to the laterally extending end wall 28 at apertures 58. Consistent with the previous examples, it will be appreciated that if a longitudinally extending support bracket 130, 230 is moved to a position to have at least one slot 140, 40 receive a fastener 42, then as the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 136’ thereafter is connected to the laterally extending end wall 28, such as via tightening of the fastener 156’, the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 136’ will force the respective longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130, 230 to have the fastener 42 held in a locking area 146, 46, thereby preventing lateral separation of the respective longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130, 230 from the base 24’ of the leg head fitting 16’.
[0090] It will be appreciated that the table frames 10, 10’ and 110 permit a fairly wide range of variation in longitudinal length, based on potential positioning of the spaced apart respective leg head fittings. Such table frames may provide for adaptation to and use with tabletops having arespective fairly wide variety of lengths. As an alternative, the table frame 210 of the fourth example provides a particularly efficient construction when one may utilize at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket of at least two spaced apart tabletop quick mounting assemblies which are integrally formed as one piece that further includes a tabletop central support member. Such integral construction having a single fixed longitudinal length may be utilized when employed for use with a narrower range of lengths of tabletops.
[0091] As with the previous examples, it will be appreciated that the integrally formed one piece assembly that includes at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 230 for each tabletop quick mounting assembly 214, as well as a tabletop central support member 274 may be used along one longitudinally extending side wall 26 of a pair of spaced apart bases 24’ as the sole longitudinal support, or may be used as a second longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets, as shown in the fourth example. Moreover, for still more robust support, the example integrally formed one piece assembly may be connected adjacent each of the longitudinally extending side walls 26 of respective bases 24’, so as to have two tabletop central support members 274 extend between the bases 24’.
[0092] Turning to the fifth example table frame 310 of FIG. 5, it will be appreciated that each tabletop quick mounting assembly 314 is shown as including similar components relative to the previous tabletop quick mounting assemblies, 14, 14’ and 114 of the first through third example table frames 10, 10’ and 1 10. Accordingly, like numbers are used for like components and the previous descriptions of such components apply and need not be repeated. For example, each leg head fitting 16’ is as previously described, including a base 24’ having at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 and a laterally extending end wall 28. Each tabletop quick mounting assembly 314 also includes at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130, as was described with the third example table frame 1 10.
[0093] Each of the two spaced apart bases 24’ also includes a previously described optional second longitudinally extending side wall 26. However, the fifth example further features at least one longitudinally extending tabletopsupport bracket of each of at least two spaced apart tabletop quick mounting assemblies includes an elongated portion that when connected provide a tabletop central support member. Thus, it will be appreciated from FIG. 5 that the table frame 310 includes two tabletop quick mounting assemblies 314, 314’ with at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 330 having an elongated portion and at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 330’ having an elongated portion, and when the respective elongated portions are connected together, they form a tabletop central support member within at least a portion of the overlapping connected lengths. Therefore, the three separate but connected components 130’, 174, 130’ of the third example may be replaced in the fifth example by the two connected components 330, 330’.
[0094] For support and connection to a tabletop, the laterally extending horizontal portions 334, 334’ of the respective longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets 330, 330’ also include apertures 352, 352’ that receive fasteners for connecting to a tabletop, as previously described in the earlier examples. For support and connection to the respective bases 24’ of the leg head fittings 16’, the vertical portions 332, 332’ of the respective longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets 330, 330’ include slots 40. The slots 40 are formed in one directional manner, similarly to the slots 40 of previous examples, but each longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 330, 330’ does not have slots 40 at each end, arranged in a symmetric pattern. Thus, while each tabletop quick mounting assembly 314, 314’ includes a shorter longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130 adjacent and connected to a longitudinally extending side wall 26 of a base 24’, via two directional slots 140 and fasteners 42, the one direction slots 40 are configured to have a handed orientation, with each longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 330, 330’ to be adjacent and connected to a respective longitudinally extending side wall 26 of a base 24’. That said, it will be appreciated that the two longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 330, 330’ collectively may be connected to longitudinally extending side walls 26 on either side of two spaced apart bases 24’.
[0095] The longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets 330, 330’ include respective vertically extending portion 332, 332’ and laterally extending horizontal portions 334, 334’. The vertically extending portions 332, 332’ may include respective apertures 370, 370’ to receive fasteners 372 to connect the two longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets 330, 330’. The fasteners may be of a type as previously described and are shown in the example as being bolts with corresponding nuts. Thus, each of the elongated portions of the two respective at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets 330, 330’ has a vertical portion 332, 332’ having apertures 370, 370’ that receive fasteners 372 to be connected together. The respective laterally extending horizontal portions 334, 334’ may include apertures 352, 352’ to receive fasteners for additional connection to a tabletop, consistent with the descriptions of the previous examples.
[0096] The fifth example is similar to the third example with respect to each tabletop quick mounting assembly 314, 324’ having a laterally extending tabletop support bracket 136. As such, apertures 154 in the vertical portion 138 of the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 136 receive fasteners, such as previously described fasteners 156 or 156’, therethrough for connection to the laterally extending end wall 28 at apertures 58. Consistent with the previous examples, it will be appreciated that if a longitudinally extending support bracket 130, 330, 330’ is moved to a position to have at least one slot 140, 40 receive a fastener 42, then as the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 136 thereafter is connected to the laterally extending end wall 28, such as via tightening of fasteners 156, the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 136 will force the respective longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130, 330, 330’ to have the fastener 42 held in a locking area 146, 46, thereby preventing lateral separation of the respective longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 130, 330, 330’ from the base 24’ of the leg head fitting 16’.
[0097] The two longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets 330, 330’ of the table frames 310 overlap in length to provide a tabletop central support member of adjustable length, so as to accommodate a variety of tabletop lengths. It will be appreciated that, as with previous examples, thelongitudinally extending tabletop support brackets 330, 330’ may be used without other longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets, or may be used in conjunction with longer or shorter longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets, or with an identical set of longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets 330, 330’, depending on the desired support and strength to be provided to a given tabletop.
[0098] Having described the structures of example embodiments, it will be appreciated that there is a method of assembling a tabletop quick mounting assembly 14, 14’, 114, 214, 314 of a respective table frame 10, 10’, 110, 210, 310 that may be employed with each respective example embodiment, and understood by using the associated reference numbers of the respective example embodiments.
[0099] The method includes obtaining a leg head fitting 16, 16’ connected to an upper end 18 of a leg 20. The leg head fitting 16, 16’ includes a base 24, 24’ having at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 and a laterally extending end wall 28 connected to the at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26. The method further includes obtaining at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30, 30’, 130, 130’, 230, 330, 330’ including a vertical portion 32, 32’, 132, 132’, 232, 332, 332’ configured to be located adjacent the at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24, 24’ and a horizontal portion 34, 34’, 134, 134’, 234, 334, 334’ extending laterally outward from the respective vertical portion 32, 32’, 132, 132’, 232, 332, 332’. The method also includes obtaining a laterally extending tabletop support bracket 36, 136, 136’ including a vertical portion 38, 138 configured to be located adjacent the laterally extending end wall 28 of the base 24, 24’.
[0100] The method additionally includes wherein at least one slot 40, 140 in the at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24, 24’ or in the adjacent vertical portion 32, 32’, 132, 132’, 232, 332, 332’ of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30, 30’, 130, 130’, 230, 330, 330’ and at least one complementary fastener 42 extending from the other of the at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24, 24’ or the adjacent vertical portion 32, 32’, 132, 132’, 232, 332, 332’ of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30, 30’, 130, 130’,230, 330, 330’; wherein the at least one slot 40, 140 further includes an initial receiving area 44, 144 and at least one locking area 46, 146 extending longitudinally from the initial receiving area 44, 144; and wherein the at least one complementary fastener 42 further comprises a portion 48 that prevents lateral separation of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30, 30’, 130, 130’, 230, 330, 330’ from the base 24, 24’ when the at least one complementary fastener 42 is located in the locking area 46, 146 of the at least one slot 40, 140 and the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 36, 136, 136’ is adjacent the laterally extending end wall 28 and connected to the base 24, 24’.
[0101] The method further includes moving the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30, 30', 130, 130', 230, 330, 330’ into a position adjacent the at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24, 24’ wherein the at least one complementary fastener 42 is received by the initial receiving area 44, 144 of the at least one slot 40, 140; moving the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30, 30’, 130, 130’, 230, 330, 330’ into a position wherein the at least one complementary fastener 42 is received by at least one of the locking areas 46, 146 of the at least one slot 40, 140; and connecting the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 36, 136, 136' to the base 24, 24’, wherein the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 36, 136, 136’ is positioned adjacent the laterally extending end wall 28 of the base 24, 24’ and prevents the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30, 30’, 130, 130’, 230, 330, 330’ from separating from the base 24, 24’.
[0102] The aforementioned method also may further include wherein the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30, 30’, 130, 130’, 230, 330, 330’ further includes a second slot 40, 140 in the at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24, 24’ or in the adjacent vertical portion of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30, 30’, 130, 130’, 230, 330, 330’ and a second complementary fastener 42 extending from the other of the at least one longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24, 24’ or the adjacent vertical portion 32, 32’, 132, 132’, 232, 332, 332’ of the at least one longitudinally extendingtabletop support bracket 30, 30’, 130, 130’, 230, 330, 330’; wherein the second slot 40, 140 further comprises an initial receiving area 44, 144 and at least one locking area 46, 146 extending longitudinally from the initial receiving area 44, 144; and wherein the second complementary fastener 42 further comprises a portion 48 that prevents lateral separation of the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30, 30’, 130, 130’, 230, 330, 330’ from the base 24, 24’ when the second complementary fastener 42 is located in at least one locking area 46, 146 of the second slot 40. 140 and the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 36, 136, 136’ is adjacent the laterally extending end wall 28 and connected to the base 24, 24’.
[0103] The aforementioned method alternatively may also include wherein the base 24, 24' includes a second longitudinally extending side wall 26 connected to the laterally extending end wall 28, and further including obtaining a second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30, 30’, 130, 130’, 230, 330, 330’ including a vertical portion 32, 32’, 132, 132’, 232, 332, 332’ configured to be located adjacent the second longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24, 24’ and a horizontal portion 34, 34’, 134, 134’, 234, 334, 334’ extending laterally outward from the vertical portion 32, 32’, 132, 132’, 232, 332, 332’; and at least one slot 40, 140 in the second longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24, 24’ or in the adjacent vertical portion 32, 32’, 132, 132’, 232, 332, 332’ of the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30, 30’, 130, 130’, 230, 330, 330’ and at least one complementary fastener 42 extending from the other of the at least second longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24, 24’ or the adjacent vertical portion 32, 32’, 132, 132’, 232, 332, 332’ of the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30, 30’, 130, 130’, 230, 330, 330’.
[0104] The method may further include wherein the at least one slot 40, 140 further includes an initial receiving area 44, 144 and at least one locking area 46, 146 extending longitudinally from the initial receiving area 44, 144; and wherein the at least one complementary fastener 42 further includes a portion 48 that prevents lateral separation of the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30, 30', 130, 130', 230, 330, 330’ from the base 24,24’ when the at least one complementary fastener 42 is located in at least one locking area 46, 146 of the at least one slot 40, 140 and the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 36, 136, 136’ is adjacent the laterally extending end wall 28 and connected to the base 24, 24’; and prior to connecting the laterally extending tabletop support bracket 36, 136, 136’ to the base 24, 24’ the method further includes moving the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30, 30’, 130, 130’, 230, 330, 330’ into a position adjacent the second longitudinally extending side wall 26 of the base 24, 24’ wherein the at least one complementary fastener 42 is received by the initial receiving area 44, 144 of the at least one slot; and moving the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket 30, 30’, 130, 130’, 230, 330, 330’ into a position wherein the at least one complementary fastener 42 is received by the locking area 46, 146 of the at least one slot 40, 140.
[0105] As noted, the example embodiments and methods disclosed herein are for the purpose of providing a description of the present subject matter, and it is understood that the subject matter may be embodied in various other forms and combinations not shown in detail. Therefore, specific designs and features disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting the subject matter as defined in the accompanying claims.
Claims
CLAIMS1 . A table frame for supporting a tabletop, the table frame comprising: a plurality of tabletop quick mounting assemblies spaced apart in a longitudinal direction, each quick mounting assembly comprising: a leg head fitting connected to an upper end of a leg, the leg head fitting comprising: a base having at least one longitudinally extending side wall and a laterally extending end wall connected to the at least one side wall; at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket comprising: a vertical portion configured to be located adjacent the at least one longitudinally extending side wall of the base and a horizontal portion extending laterally outward from the vertical portion; a laterally extending tabletop support bracket comprising: a vertical portion configured to be located adjacent the laterally extending end wall of the base; and wherein at least one slot in the at least one longitudinally extending side wall of the base or in the adjacent vertical portion of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket and at least one complementary fastener extending from the other of the at least one longitudinally extending side wall of the base or the adjacent vertical portion of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket; wherein the at least one slot further comprises an initial receiving area and at least one locking area extending longitudinally from the initial receiving area; and wherein the at least one complementary fastener further comprises a portion that prevents lateral separation of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket from the base when the at least one complementary fastener is located in the at least one locking area of the at least one slot and the laterally extending tabletop supportbracket is adjacent the laterally extending end wall and connected to the base.
2. The table frame of claim 1 , wherein the base of the leg head fitting further comprises a bottom wall connected to the at least one longitudinally extending side wall and to the laterally extending end wall.
3. The table frame of claim 1 , wherein the horizontal portion of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket further comprises apertures.
4. The table frame of claim 3, wherein the vertical portion of the laterally extending tabletop support bracket further comprises at least one aperture configured to receive a fastener that removably connects the laterally extending tabletop support bracket to the laterally extending end wall of the base.
5. The table frame of claim 1 , wherein the laterally extending tabletop support bracket further comprises a horizontal portion extending longitudinally outward from the vertical portion.
6. The table frame of claim 5, wherein the horizontal portion of the laterally extending tabletop support bracket further comprises apertures.
7. The table frame of claim 1 , wherein the at least one complementary fastener extends laterally outward from the at least one longitudinally extending side wall of the base and the at least one slot is in the adjacent vertical portion of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket.
8. The table frame of claim 7, wherein the at least one complementary fastener is configured with a stem and an enlarged head, wherein the stem engages the at least one longitudinally extending side wall of the base and the enlarged head is spaced from the at least one longitudinally extending side wall of the base.
9. The table frame of claim 8, wherein the at least one complementary fastener is a shoulder bolt having threads at a base of the stem that are received by a threaded aperture in the at least one longitudinally extending side wall of the base.
10. The table frame of claim 7, wherein the at least one slot in the adjacent vertical portion of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket is configured as a one or two directional keyhole slot having the initial receiving area spaced from the laterally extending tabletop support bracket and having the at least one locking area extending longitudinally from the initial receiving area and toward the laterally extending tabletop support bracket.11 .The table frame of claim 1 , further comprising a second slot in the at least one longitudinally extending side wall of the base or in the adjacent vertical portion of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket and a second complementary fastener extending from the other of the at least one longitudinally extending side wall of the base or the adjacent vertical portion of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket.
12. The table frame of claim 11 , wherein the second slot further comprises an initial receiving area and at least one locking area extending longitudinally from the initial receiving area, and wherein the second complementary fastener further comprises a portion that prevents lateral separation of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket from the base when the second complementary fastener is located in the at least one locking area of the second slot and the laterally extending tabletop support bracket is adjacent the laterally extending end wall and connected to the base.
13. The table frame of claim 12, wherein the second complementary fastener extends laterally outward from the at least one side wall of the base and the second slot is in the adjacent vertical portion of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket.
14. The table frame of claim 13, wherein the second complementary fastener is configured with a stem and an enlarged head, wherein the stem engages the at least one longitudinally extending side wall of the base and the enlarged head is spaced from the at least one longitudinally extending side wall of the base.
15. The table frame of claim 14, wherein the second complementary fastener is a shoulder bolt having threads at an end of the stem that are received by a threaded aperture in the at least one longitudinally extending side wall of the base.
16. The table frame of claim 13, wherein the second slot in the adjacent vertical portion of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket is configured as a one or two directional keyhole slot having the initial receiving area spaced from the laterally extending tabletop support bracket and having at least one locking area extending longitudinally from the initial receiving area and toward the laterally extending tabletop support bracket.
17. The table frame of claim 16, wherein the at least one longitudinally extending slot in the adjacent vertical portion of the at least one longitudinally extendingtabletop support bracket has a first length and the second longitudinally extending slot in the adjacent vertical portion of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket has a second length, the first length being longer than the second length, and the second longitudinally extending slot being spaced further from the laterally extending tabletop support bracket than the at least one longitudinally extending slot.
18. The table frame of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tabletop quick mounting assemblies spaced apart in a longitudinal direction includes at least two tabletop quick mounting assemblies with the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket of each longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket being connected to a tabletop central support member.
19. The table frame of claim 18, wherein the tabletop central support member further comprises a vertical portion having apertures and the longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets have corresponding apertures.
20. The table frame of claim 19, wherein the apertures in the vertical portion of each of the longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets have a symmetrical pattern end-to-end.21 .The tabletop frame of claim 19, wherein fasteners connect the tabletop central support member to the respective longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets via the respective corresponding apertures.
22. The tabletop frame of claim 20, wherein the fasteners that connect the tabletop central support member to the respective longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets are toolless fasteners, or nuts and corresponding bolts.
23. The tabletop frame of claim 1 , wherein the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket of at least two spaced apart tabletop quick mounting assemblies are integrally formed as one piece further comprising a tabletop central support member.
24. The tabletop frame of claim 1 , wherein the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket of each of at least two spaced apart tabletop quick mounting assemblies includes an elongated portion that when connected provide a tabletop central support member.
25. The tabletop frame of claim 24, wherein each of the elongated portions of the two respective at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support brackets has a vertical portion having apertures that receive fasteners to be connected together.
26. The table frame of claim 1 , wherein the base of each leg head fitting further comprises a second longitudinally extending side wall spaced from and parallel to the at least one longitudinally extending side wall and being connected to the laterally extending end wall.
27. The table frame of claim 26, wherein each of the tabletop quick mounting assemblies further comprises a second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket comprising a vertical portion configured to be located adjacent the second longitudinally extending side wall of the leg head fitting and a horizontal portion extending laterally outward from the vertical portion.
28. The table frame of claim 27, wherein the horizontal portion of the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket further comprises apertures.
29. The table frame of claim 27, further comprising at least one slot in the second longitudinally extending side wall of the base or in the adjacent vertical portion of the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket and at least one complementary fastener extending from the other of the second longitudinally extending side wall of the base or the adjacent vertical portion of the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket, and wherein the at least one slot further comprises an initial receiving area and at least one locking area extending longitudinally from the initial receiving area, and wherein the at least one complementary fastener further comprises a portion that prevents lateral separation of the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket from the base when the at least one complementary fastener is located in the at least one locking area of the at least one slot and the laterally extending tabletop support bracket is adjacent the laterally extending end wall and connected to the base.
30. The table frame of claim 29, wherein the at least one complementary fastener extends laterally outward from the second longitudinally extending side wall of the base and the at least one slot is in the adjacent vertical portion of the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket.31 .The table frame of claim 30, wherein the at least one complementary fastener is configured with a stem and an enlarged head, wherein the stem engages thesecond longitudinally extending side wall of the base and the enlarged head is spaced from the second longitudinally extending side wall of the base.
32. The table frame of claim 31 , wherein the at least one complementary fastener is a shoulder bolt having threads at an end of the stem that are received by a threaded aperture in the second longitudinally extending side wall of the base.
33. The table frame of claim 29, wherein the at least one slot in the adjacent vertical portion of the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket is configured as a one or two directional keyhole slot having the initial receiving area spaced from the laterally extending tabletop support bracket and the locking area extending longitudinally from the initial receiving area and toward the laterally extending tabletop support bracket.
34. The table frame of claim 33, further comprising a second slot in the second longitudinally extending side wall of the base or in the adjacent vertical portion of the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket and a second complementary fastener extending from the other of the second longitudinally extending side wall of the base or the adjacent vertical portion of the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket.
35. The table frame of claim 34, wherein the second slot further comprises an initial receiving area and at least one locking area extending longitudinally from the initial receiving area, and wherein the second complementary fastener further comprises a portion that prevents lateral separation of the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket from the base when the second complementary fastener is located in the at least one locking area of the second slot and the laterally extending tabletop support bracket is adjacent the laterally extending end wall and connected to the base.
36. The table frame of claim 34, wherein the second complementary fastener extends laterally outward from the second longitudinally extending side wall of the base and the second slot is in the adjacent vertical portion of the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket.
37. The table frame of claim 36, wherein the at least one longitudinally extending slot in the adjacent vertical portion of the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket has a first length and the second longitudinally extending slot in the adjacent vertical portion of the second longitudinally extending tabletop supportbracket has a second length, the first length being longer than the second length, and the second longitudinally extending slot in the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket being spaced further from the laterally extending tabletop support bracket than the at least one longitudinally extending slot in the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket.
38. The table frame of claim 37, wherein the second complementary fastener is configured with a stem and an enlarged head, wherein the stem engages the second longitudinally extending side wall of the base and the enlarged head is spaced from the second longitudinally extending side wall of the base.
39. The table frame of claim 38, wherein the second complementary fastener is a shoulder bolt having threads at an end of the stem that are received by a threaded aperture in the second longitudinally extending side wall of the base.
40. The table frame of claim 29, wherein the second slot in the adjacent vertical portion of the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket is configured as a one or two directional keyhole slot having the initial receiving area spaced from the laterally extending tabletop support bracket and the locking area extending longitudinally from the initial receiving area and toward the laterally extending tabletop support bracket.41 .A method of assembling a quick mounting assembly of a table frame, the method comprising: obtaining a leg head fitting connected to an upper end of a leg, the leg head fitting comprising: a base having at least one longitudinally extending side wall and a laterally extending end wall connected to the at least one longitudinally extending side wall; obtaining at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket comprising: a vertical portion configured to be located adjacent the at least one longitudinally extending side wall of the base and a horizontal portion extending laterally outward from the vertical portion; obtaining a laterally extending tabletop support bracket comprising: a vertical portion configured to be located adjacent the laterally extending end wall of the base; andwherein at least one slot in the at least one longitudinally extending side wall of the base or in the adjacent vertical portion of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket and at least one complementary fastener extending from the other of the at least one longitudinally extending side wall of base or the adjacent vertical portion of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket; wherein the at least one slot further comprises an initial receiving area and at least one locking area extending longitudinally from the initial receiving area; and wherein the at least one complementary fastener further comprises a portion that prevents lateral separation of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket from the base when the at least one complementary fastener is located in the locking area of the at least one slot and the laterally extending tabletop support bracket is adjacent the laterally extending end wall and connected to the base; moving the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket into a position adjacent the at least one longitudinally extending side wall of the base wherein the at least one complementary fastener is received by the initial receiving area of the at least one slot; moving the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket into a position wherein the at least one complementary fastener is received by the at least one locking area of the at least one slot; connecting the laterally extending tabletop support bracket to the base, wherein the laterally extending tabletop support bracket is positioned adjacent the laterally extending end wall of the base and prevents the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket from separating from the base.
42. The method of claim 41 , further comprising: wherein the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket further comprises a second slot in the at least one longitudinally extending side wall of the base or in the adjacent vertical portion of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket and a second complementary fastener extending from the other of the at least onelongitudinally extending side wall of the base or the adjacent vertical portion of the at least one longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket; wherein the second slot further comprises an initial receiving area and at least one locking area extending longitudinally from the initial receiving area; and wherein the second complementary fastener further comprises a portion that prevents lateral separation of the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket from the base when the second complementary fastener is located in at least one locking area of the second slot and the laterally extending tabletop support bracket is adjacent the laterally extending end wall and connected to the base.
43. The method of claim 41 , wherein the base of the leg head fitting further comprises a second longitudinally extending side wall connected to the laterally extending end wall, and the method further comprises: obtaining a second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket comprising: a vertical portion configured to be located adjacent the second longitudinally extending side wall of the base and a horizontal portion extending laterally outward from the vertical portion; and at least one slot in the second longitudinally extending side wall of the base or in the adjacent vertical portion of the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket and at least one complementary fastener extending from the other of the at least second longitudinally extending side wall of the base or the adjacent vertical portion of the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket; wherein the at least one slot further comprises an initial receiving area and at least one locking area extending longitudinally from the initial receiving area; and wherein the at least one complementary fastener further comprises a portion that prevents lateral separation of the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket from the base when the at least one complementary fastener is located in at least onelocking area of the at least one slot and the laterally extending tabletop support bracket is adjacent the laterally extending end wall and connected to the base; and prior to connecting the laterally extending tabletop support bracket to the base: moving the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket into a position adjacent the second longitudinally extending side wall of the base wherein the at least one complementary fastener is received by the initial receiving area of the at least one slot; and moving the second longitudinally extending tabletop support bracket into a position wherein the at least one complementary fastener is received by the locking area of the at least one slot.
Citation Information
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