Detachable fastening means for table tops and the like

April 1, 1958 f. j. valtri 2,829,018

DETACHABLE FASTENING. MEANS FOR TABLE TOPS AND THE LIKE

Filed Oct. 14, 1955

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United States Patent Office

2,829,018

Patented Apr. 1, 1958

2,829,018

DETACHABLE FASTENING MEANS FOR TABLE TOPS AND THE LIKE

Frank J. Valtri, Prospect Park, Pa.

Application October 14,1955, Serial No. 540,437 2 Claims. (Cl. 311—4)

This invention relates to detachable fastening means, and more particularly relates to means for detachably fastening, aligning and levelling sectional table tops and similar panelled constructions where alignment of sides and levelling of surfaces is required.

It is the chief object of this invention to provide means for detachably fastening, aligning and levelling the sections of panelled constructions.

It is a further object of this invention to provide fastening means for panelled constructions whereby the individual panels may be readily detached.

It is a further object of this invention to provide means for detachably fastening, aligning and levelling the sections of extension table tops which eliminates the need for using dowels, levelers and locks for this purpose.

It is a further object of this invention to provide fastening means for extension tables which are adaptable for use with table leaves.

It is a further object of this invention to provide fastening means for extension table tops and the like wherein such means comprises a pair of opposing L-shaped brackets, a pin secured to one leg of one of said brackets, an aperture in one leg of the other bracket, the pin and the aperture being axially aligned, and spring means for detachably holding the pin in the aperture.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will appear from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the bottom of a table top utilizing this invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side elevation of a table top shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the table top with a leaf inserted therein.

Fig. 4 is an exploded view in perspective of the fastening means which is the subject of this invention.

For the purpose of illustration only, this invention has been shown and described for use in connection with an extension table top. It is to be understood that the terms, expressions and illustrations used herein are used as media of description only, and in no way reflect a limitation of the invention.

In Fig. 1 is shown a table top 10 divided into sections 11 and 12, having, respectively, opposing sides 8 and 9. To the bottom of section 12 are mounted a pair of sliding rails 13 adapted for reciprocal movement in rail supports 14 attached to the bottom of section 11. Secured to the bottom of section 12, adjacent side 9, is an L-shaped bracket 15 having a dependent arm 16. The bracket 15 is mounted on section 12 in such manner that its dependent arm 16 is spaced inwardly from side 9 of section 12 a slight distance 19α. Secured to the distal end of bracket arm 16 is a pin 17 having a notch 18 formed in the upper surface thereof. Pin 17 is secured to bracket arm 16 by any suitable means, such as riveting 20. Pin 17 is preferably formed with its distal end 21 tapered.

A second L-shaped bracket 22 is secured to the bottom of table top section 11 in opposing relation to bracket 15. Bracket 22 is mounted adjacent side 8, with its dependent arm 23 spaced inwardly from the side 8 by a slight distance ³ 19b. Bracket arm 23 is formed with an aperture 24 axially aligned with pin 17. Mounted on bracket arm 23 is a spring clip 25 having a transverse indentation formed in its distal end to produce a protuberance 26 adapted to snap into notch 18 when pin 17 is properly positioned ¹⁰ in aperture 24. Spring clip 25 may be secured to bracket arm 23 by any well known means, such as rivet 27.

Brackets 15 and 22 may be secured to the table top sections 11 and 12 by any suitable means, such as screws.

The novel fastening means described above is utilized ¹³ as follows. When the two table top sections 11 and 12 are pushed together so that their sides 8 and 9 are contiguous, pin 17 will slide through aperture 24 a sufficient distance to permit protuberance 26 of spring clip 25 to snap into notch 18. The entry of pin 17 into aperture 24 ²θ is facilitated by the tapered end 21 of the pin. The pressure of spring clip 25 urging protuberance 26 into notch 18 is sufficient to prevent pin 17 from being removed from aperture 24 by ordinary force or jarring. Thus, the table top sections 11 and 12 will be properly secured, ²⁵ aligned and levelled in abutting relationship.

When it is desired to separate sections 11 and 12, it is merely necessary to pull them apart under ordinary force, in the usual manner, to disengage protuberance 26 and notch 18, thereby permitting retraction of pin 17 from aperture 24 with ease. In ordinary table constructions, it is suggested that from three to six sets of fastening means of this invention be used.

The instant invention readily lends itself to use with table leaves. In Fig. 3 is shown a leaf 28 mounted be⁵ tween sections 11 and 12. Secured to the underside of leaf 28 is an L-shaped bracket 29 similar in all respects to bracket 22 mounted on table top section 11. Mounted on the opposite side of leaf 28 is a second L-shaped .. bracket 30 similar in all respects to bracket 15 mounted on table top section 12. It will be noted from Fig. 3 that bracket 29 is mounted in opposing relationship to bracket 15 and that bracket 30 is mounted in opposing relationship to bracket 22. When the table top sections 11 and 12 are pushed into abutting relationship with leaf 28, brackets 15 and 29 and brackets 30 and 22, respectively, will be detachably secured together. It will be obvious from the above description that it is possible to use any number of leaves in a table when this invention is uti50 lized as the fastening means thereof.

While a preferred embodiment of this invention has been particularly described and illustrated, it is to be understood that various modifications and changes in the shape, proportion and arrangement of the parts may be 55 resorted to without departing from the scope of the claims. For example, instead of notch 18, a circumferential groove may be used to receive protuberance 26. If such a groove is adapted, it should preferably be formed with a curved bottom to facilitate disengagement of protuberance 26. 50 The novel fastening means of this invention is readily adaptable to many uses, in addition to table tops, where panelling is used, such as wall panelling, concrete molds, etc.