Table-like Display Furniture Unit And Stackable Modules Thereof

Abstract

Molded plastic tables may be paired to form stackable modules, with the lower table unit of the pair inverted so that its upward-extending legs receive the leg ends of an upright table unit. The table units so paired each have table surfaces with an outward slanting apron, which extends downwardly at the table corners to form the outer surfaces of hollow legs. Inner leg portions are vertical and intersect at right angles beneath the table corners, with hollow lower leg ends provided with interfitting plugs and sockets. For stacking the paired modules, small posts and wells are aligned along opposite edges of the table surfaces; those of the downward presented table surface interfit with the posts and wells of an upright table unit beneath.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Stackable modular units, suitable for display fixtures, home furnishings and the like, have heretofore been constructed in a variety of ways. If constructed so that each module is integral, the modules may be too bulky for packing and shipment, or may lack sturdiness. One successful unit, shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,429,428, is a windowed, substantially box-shaped stackable modular structure, each module being made up of four interconnected side panels, with interposed upper and lower surfaces. A demand exists for modules of non-rectilinear, more fluid shape, which require fewer assembly steps than such panel structures, and which are less bulky than integral modules.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The principal object of the present invention is to provide, for display fixtures and for furniture purposes, molded table-like units adapted for pairing to form windowed modules whose form is more flowing than the form of rectilinear units, which modules may be stacked and arranged in a variety of interesting shapes and patterns. Another purpose is to provide a molded table-like unit with leg and foot provisions which have such strength as, on interfitting, to serve as strong, bend-resistant load-bearing members of said windowed modules. Still another purpose is to provide the horizontal surfaces of such table-like units and modules with interfitting provisions for stacking, to resist transverse forces and provide either for vertical arrangements or for open criss-cross arrangements, and which further may hold outstanding planar shelves extending between modules.

Summarizing the invention generally, without limiting its scope, we provide basic table-like molded plastic units which are adapted for pairing with similar units to provide stackable windowed modules. The rectangular table top portion of the preferred unit has a downward, somewhat outward slanting apron, which continues downward at the corners to merge into and provide outer surfaces for hollow table legs. The legs have vertical inner portions intersecting at right angles substantially beneath the corners of the table portion, so that the legs taper broadeningly downward from pointed upper ends, permitting both graceful shapes and easy molding. Except for those table units whose feet may rest on the floor and which therefore are not paired in modules, two of the legs of each unit to be paired have at their lower ends integrally formed downward extending plugs, while the other two legs have integral sockets. When one such unit is inverted, so that its leg ends are presented upwardly, an upright unit may have its legs interfitted, to form a paired module whose sides are windowed by the apron and leg portions of the units so joined.

Small aligned posts and wells are provided along opposite edges of the table surfaces, at locations hereafter described. Their interfit permits stacking of the paired modules on the table-like surfaces of the units beneath, in either vertical alignment or in an open criss-cross arrangement. Alternately, if it is desired to use horizontally outstanding shelves to connect groups of modules spaced horizontally apart, such shelves may be held between vertically stacked modules so arranged that their outstanding posts align with each other and are anchored together by bores in the shelves.

The interfitted plug and socket leg end projectons permit two table-like units to be readily assembled into a module, which is made self-aligning with similar modules by the post and well provisions. These features are utilizable with table-like units of varying shapes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cabinet projection, partly broken away, of a typical table-like unit embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a completed bottom view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional sketch showing assembly of two intermediate-positioned table-like units into a module, its vertical stacking on a lowermost unit, and an open criss-cross arrangement of an uppermost unit thereon. The sections through all the units corresponds to line 3--3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section taken along either line 4--4 or line 4"--4" of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional sketch showing two lower table-like units stacked in a reversed alignment and arranged to hold between them an outwardly extending planar shelf. The portions seen correspond to line 5--5 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary section taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The basic table-like unit utilized in the present invention is the molded plastic table 10 seen in the cabinet projection FIG. 1 and the bottom view FIG. 2. It includes a rectangular table top portion 11 terminating in a downward and somewhat outward slanting apron 12 which includes arched portions 13 merging downwardly into leg outer surfaces 14 which are downward continuations of the outer surfaces of the apron portion 12.

The said legs, generally designated 15, are hollow and have vertical inner portions 16 intersecting at right angles at and beneath the four corners 18 of the table top portion 11. Inasmuch as the leg outer surfaces 14 slope somewhat outward, the legs 15 taper broadeningly downward from substantially pointed hollow upper ends 20 to the hollow lower ends 21. It will be apparent that loads applied to the table portion 11 and resisted by the legs 15 would ordinarily have a tendency to bend outward any legs whose upper ends were pointed. However, the apron 12 and its arched parts 13 so merge with the leg outer surfaces 14 as to distribute bending loads through the arched apron parts 13, so that there are substantially no bending loads whatsoever at the pointed upper ends 20 of the legs 15. The apron 12 and arched parts 13 preferably have a lower margin 17, thickened internally to almost vertical, which gives further bending strength to the table unit 10.

The table units 10 are adapted for pairing with similar units so that the pair comprises a stackable windowed module generally designated 24, as shown schematically in FIG. 3. In each such module 24 windows generally designated 25 in the module sides are bounded by the apron portions 12, arched portions 13, and legs 15 of the paired units 10, the lower of which is inverted with its lower leg ends 21 presented upwardly and the upper of which is interfitted therein as hereinafter described.

Each of the table-like units 10 has two legs 15 in which socket means generally designated 27 are formed. Said socket means 27 include vertical flange wall portions 28 inwardly of the leg outer surfaces 14 commencing near their lower ends 21 and extending to a level flush therewith. Together with the corresponding lower ends of the vertical inner leg portions 16, they form the sockets 27 to substantially square shape, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. An L-shaped groove 29 between the flange wall portions 28 and the leg outer surfaces 14 at their lower ends 21, avoids undue thickness of such leg ends which might otherwise result in warpage on cooling of the molded plastic material.

Except where such a table-like unit is used to rest on the floor, as with the unit generally designated 10' shown in FIG. 3, the other two of its legs 15 are provided with projecting plug means generally designated 30, which are of such height as to substantially fill the socket means 27 as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3. The plug means 30, like the socket means 27, have vertical flange wall portions 31 inward of the sloping outer leg surfaces 14, commencing at such a height as will cause them to be presented immediately inward of the socket means 27 of a similar unit. Above a level b corresponding to the level at which the leg outer surfaces 14 terminate, the flange walls 31 and the walls of the vertical leg inner portion 16 are relatively fairly thick, to correspond substantially in outer dimensions to those to the socket means 27. At the level b, however, the lowermost portions of each inner leg wall 16 is provided with an inward step 33, which leave the plug walls 34 thin enough to fit within the socket means 27. To afford tighter fit, if desired, one or more of the plug walls 34 may be provided with slender, shallow, vertical ribs 35, which serve, on interfitting with socket means 27, to bind the plug means 30 tightly in place. L-shaped grooves 36 are provided between the vertical flange wall portions 31 and the leg outer surfaces 14 outwardly thereof, similar to but broader than the L-shaped grooves 29 outwardly of the socket means 27.

Referring to the lower part of FIG. 3, special table units 10' are provided to rest on the floor; and these are formed without the downward projecting plug walls 34. The same molding dies may be used if desired, either by slight change of the die portions to eliminate the walls 31, 34 or by forming them initially and cutting them off at the level b.

If the molded plastic tables 10 are to be utilized as individual tables, without stacking similar units thereon, or if they are to be used as the uppermost units of stacked modules, the portions heretofore described will suffice. However, for stacking it is important to make provisions for alignment with similar units paired to form modules, and to assure such alignment so as to resist transverse displacement therefrom. For this purpose, the rectangular table top portion 11 is molded with a plurality of projecting post means and a corresponding plurality of inwardly extending post accommodating well means as now to be described.

Referring to FIG. 1, the pair of opposite edges marked d, f are referred to as the first pair of opposite edges, and the edges g, h are referred to as intermediate edges. Parallel lines j, k are located at equal spacings inwardly of the edges of d, f. Along said lines are located first wells 38, second wells 39, first posts 40 and second posts 41. The wells 38, 39 are fairly shallow depressions in the table top 11, formed to nearly cylindrical cross-section but with a draft angle which opens upwardly, for ease of molding. The posts 40, 41 are molded to project upward from the table surface 11; they are formed to nearly cylindrical cross-section but tapering toward the table surface 11 for ease of molding, and are sized slightly smaller, in diameter and height, than the diameter and depth of the wells 38, 39 to assure easy fit. Measured from the intermediate edge g, along lines j and k, first wells 38 are formed at a spacing m, first posts 40 at a spacing o, second wells 39 at a spacing p and second posts 41 at a spacing q. As to the post and well elements 38, 39, 40 and 41 along both said lines j, k, the succession of spacings measured from the second intermediate edge h is the reverse of the spacings measured from the edge g; that is, the spacing m of the first wells 38 from the edge g equals the spacing of the second posts 41 from the edge h; the spacing o of the first posts 40 from the edge g equals the spacing of said second wells 39 from the edge h, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a special table unit 10' (formed without downwardly projecting plug walls 34) is shown as resting on a floor. Inverted over its table top surface 11 is the table top surface of a paired module comprising two of the molded plastic tables 10. Interfitted on the post 41 of the lower unit 10' is one of the wells 38 of the inverted table unit 10. The parts as seen are taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1. It will be recognized that if the section were taken instead through the well 39 of FIG. 1, a post 40 of the inverted module 10 would project downward therein. A similar interfit of upward projecting posts near each of the four corners of the lowermost unit 10', with wells of the inverted unit 10, will exist at each of the four corners.

This interfit is illustrated in FIG. 4, which illustrates the four interfitting post and well provisions along each of the lines j, k which achieve precise alignment and provide resistance against any forces which might otherwise displace the interfitted units, or modules thereof, from each other.

One of the advantages in having the succession of wells and posts 38, 40, 39 and 41, along both edges d and f, in the same succession measured from an intermediate edge g, is the feature of allowing open criss-cross arrangements of modules made of the paired units 10. This is seen from the upper portion of FIG. 3, in which a post 41 on the upright table unit 10 likewise mates with a well 38 on the inverted unit thereabove, along a line 4'--4' whose interfit is the same as shown in FIG. 4. In this instance, however, the inverted unit is shifted so that instead of being stacked directly above the units therebeneath, it extends outwardly therefrom to bridge across to another grouping (not shown) of an underlying table unit 10' resting on the floor and a paired module of two table units 10 thereupon. There is no limit to the extent of such an open criss-cross arrangements of units; these add both utility and visual interest to a grouping of such paired modules.

By having at least one post 40, 41 at each of the corners of the table unit 10, it is possible to make combinations of the units 10 with outstanding shelves, such as the typical planar shelf 43 as shown fragmentarily in FIG. 5. Before discussing characteristics of such shelf 43, the stacked arrangement of FIG. 5 will be explained. Inverted over the molded table-like unit 10' used on the floor is a module made up of two typical molded table units 10, the lower being shown fragmentarily and the upper being fragmentarily suggested in dashed lines. The presentation of FIG. 5 is schematically from the front as in FIG. 1, with portions of the lowermost unit 10' broken away back to the posts 40. The unit 10 inverted thereover is in position reversed from the interfit of FIG. 3, so that its posts 40 are presented directly above and in alignment with the posts 40 of the lower unit 10'. FIG. 6, taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5, shows that the other set of posts 41 will likewise be in alignment, with the wells 38, 39, spaced from the posts 40, 41 as shown.

The planar shelf 43 may be of any length, and its width equals the length of the table edges d, f. Its thickness is preferably at least equal to the combined heights of the posts 40. It has cylindrical bores 44 spaced from each other at a spacing corresponding to that of the posts 40, 41 from each other, for interfit as shown in FIG. 6. Preferably the shelf 43 extends not only outward, to the right as shown in FIG. 5, but also inward to an edge 45 at the middle of the table surfaces 11, to permit use of a corresponding shelf at the left side. In absence of such corresponding shelf, a flat filler element 46, of the same width and thickness as the shelf 43 and having similar bores 44, may be used to fill out the left side space. It is understood that the right end of the outstanding shelf 43 will be formed similarly and fitted between similar stacked units, not shown, at the end of the shelf 43. For the support of such shelves, it is important that there be at least one post 40, 4l at each corner of the units 10, 10'.

If the planar shelves 43 are relatively long and thin, their bending deflection under load may tend to raise their inner edges 45, thus tending to pry apart the superimposed units 10, 10'. In such case a simple screw (not shown) may be applied, between the bores 44 and edges 45, to tie the shelves 43 to the table surfaces 11 above and below.

For table units 10, 10' which are to be used as uppermost surfaces, regardless whether many units 10, 10' or only one are utilized, such uppermost surfaces may be formed free of any post and well provisions 38, 39, 40, 41.

It will be recognized that easy molding, without need for movble cores, is accomplished by the configuration of the basic table unit 10, of its hollow legs 15 tapering from nearly pointed upper ends 20 to the squared sockets 27 and plugs 30, of the apron reinforcing margins 17, and of the posts and wells 38, 39, 40, 41. Various alternatives may be utilized. For example, if no shelves 43 were to be used, in some instances a single post and a single well along each of the lines j, k might suffice. If post-to-post alignment for use with shelves as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 was not required, it would not be necessary to measure the sequence of posts and wells 38, 40, 39, 41 from the same intermediate edge g, and if open criss-cross stacking, as shown in the upper portion of FIG. 3, was not to be used, it would not be necessary to locate them along straight lines. In any event, as will be obvious, the post and well means should be in a succession of spacings, commencing from an edge of said table-like surface nearest the first of said post and well means and ending at an edge adjacent to the last thereof, which corresponds with the spacings, measured from said latter edge, of the reverse of said succession. A greater number, for example three, post and well provisions might be utilized along each of the lines j, k. It would be obvious to change the shapes of the interfitting provisions; and as used in the claims, the terms "post means" and "well means" are to include other shapes of integral projecting and mating sunken provisions.

Further, as used herein, the phrase "table-like display furniture unit" includes units for furniture, display fixtures, window displays, merchandising units for products regardless of type, convention exhibits, and units for both decorative and functional purposes. In the claims certain terms are to be recognized as used only in a relative sense; thus the upper ends of the legs which merge into the table top, described as pointed, will be understood to be only relatively so; and the description of their inner portions as being vertical will be recognized as subject to usual draft angles. These, as well as variations in structure and conformation, will be apparent from this disclosure to persons skilled in the molded furniture art.

Claims

We claim:

1. For use as display furniture and the like, the base and stackable module comprising

A. a table-like base unit having

a table top portion terminating in a downward and somewhat outward slanting apron portion, and

having an even number of tapering legs whose outer surfaces are downward continuations of the outer surfaces of said apron portion, the legs having vertical inner portions beneath said table top portion,

the legs further having hollow lower ends, and

means formed perpendicular to said table top portion to align with a similar module and to resist transverse displacement therefrom, said means comprising

a plurality of projecting post means and a corresponding plurality of inwardly extending post-accommodating well means positioned along lines adjacent to a first pair of opposite edge portions of said surface,

the post and well means along one of said lines being located at spacings from one of the edge portions intermediate thereto which corresponds to the spacings, measured from the same intermediate edge portion, of corresponding post and well means located along the other of said lines, and

B. a plurality of stackable modules located thereon, each comprising two units, each being formed similarly to said table-like base unit, with plug means formed in the lower ends of half of said legs and socket means formed in the lower ends of the other legs,

whereby when one of said units is inverted to present its hollow leg ends upward, the leg ends of a similar unit may be interfitted thereto, thereby to form a module whose sides are windowed by the apron and leg portions, in combination with

C. a planar shelf whose thickness is at least twice the height of said post means,

the shelf having post-accommodating recesses spaced to correspond with the spacings of the post means of the said module,

whereby when the post means projecting downward from one said module is aligned with the upward extending posts means of another of said modules or of said table-like base unit therebeneath, said planar shelf may be interfitted on said post means to extend horizontally outward, for support at the same level by a similar base and stackable module.

2. A table-like molded plastic unit adapted for pairing with a similar unit to comprise a stackable windowed module, comprising

a table top portion terminating in a downward and somewhat outward slanting apron portion, and

having an even number of legs whose outer surfaces are downward continuations of the outer surfaces of said apron portion, the legs having vertical inner wall portions beneath said table top portion,

whereby the legs taper broadeningly downward from upper ends,

the legs further having hollow lower ends, and

plug means formed in the lower ends of half of said legs and socket means formed in the lower ends of the other legs, wherein

the said socket means includes flange wall portions formed inwardly of and extending substantially vertically within the lower ends of said slanting outer surfaces and joining the vertical inner wall portions of the legs in which said socket means are located, and wherein

the said plug means include flange wall portions similarly formed in the lower ends of the legs in which said plug means are located and joining the vertical inner wall portions thereof,

the said flange wall portions and vertical inner wall portions of said plug means projecting below the said slanting outward surfaces of said leg portions in which the plug means are located,

whereby the interfit of the plug portions of one said unit into socket portions of a similar unit gives the legs of the two units, so interfitted, bending resistance to react vertical loads in the manner of beam columns stabilized at the table top portions by the apron portions.

3. For use with similar modules, as display furniture and the like, a stackable module comprising

a pair of table-like integral molded units, each having

legs whose ends are interfitted with the leg ends of the other unit, each further having

a planar table-like surface adapted to be positioned horizontally, and having

means formed perpendicular to said planar surface to align with a similar module and to resist transverse displacement therefrom, said means comprising

projecting post means and inwardly extending post-accommodating well means positioned along lines adjacent to a pair of opposite edge portions of said surface,

the said post and well means along one of said lines being located in a succession at spacings, measured from a first of the edge portions intermediate thereto, which correspond with the spacings, measured from the other intermediate edge portion, of the reverse of said succession of post and well means, and

the said post and well means along the other of said lines having identical spacings and succession,

whereby on inverting one of said modules, its post and well means may be aligned and mate with corrsponding well and post means therebeneath, thereby permitting vertically stacked alignment.

4. A stackable module as defined in claim 3, wherein the said lines, along which said post and well means are formed, are parallel, and

the said successions of the post and well means along said lines are identical as measured from said first intermediate edge portion,

whereby on inverting one of said modules and offsetting it from a similar upright module at a lower level, its post and well means may mate with corresponding well and post means of such lower level module in an open criss-cross alignment.

5. The combination of a stackable module as defined in claim 4, and

a planar shelf whose thickness is substantially twice the height of said post means,

the shelf having post-accommodating recesses spaced to correspond with the spacings of the post means of the said module,

whereby, when said module is inverted and its post means aligned with those of a similar upright module therebeneath, said planar shelf may be interfitted on the post means of said two modules to extend horizontally outward therefrom.