Coupling Structure for Tables

This application claims the priority of CN patent application No. 202421093757.5, entitled “Coupling Structure for Tables,” filed May 20, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

The present subject matter is in the field of furniture design and manufacture. More particularly, embodiments of the present subject matter relate to coupling structure for tables or other furniture.

Tables are essential furniture in daily life, study, and work. Currently, tables mainly come in two types: fixed and folding. Fixed tables have a shape and size that cannot be changed once the table is manufactured, whereas folding tables can fold their legs or part of the tabletop. When not in use, the table can be folded to save space, and when in use, the table can be unfolded.

However, regardless of whether the table is fixed or foldable, its shape and size are predetermined once manufactured, and cannot be expanded according to different usage needs, resulting in limited flexibility. To solve the problem of table expansion, two tables are sometimes coupled together, but this often leads to relative sliding between the two connected tables, causing inconvenience during use. Moreover, the existing table coupling method is singular and cannot be flexibly adjusted according to the space or position.

In summary, there is a need for connecting tables to provide expanded table surface.

The technical problem to be solved by the present subject matter is to provide a table coupling structure with high connection strength and convenient assembly, addressing the deficiencies of the prior designs.

The technical solution to solve the above problem is as follows: a table coupling structure including a first table and a second table coupled together, where the first table has a first tabletop and the second table has a second tabletop. The coupling side of the first tabletop is provided with a first coupling groove, and the coupling side of the second tabletop is provided with a second coupling groove. A coupling member is inserted into the first and second coupling grooves to connect the first and second tabletops together.

To ensure the coupling member can reliably join the first and second tabletops, both the first and second coupling grooves are strip-shaped grooves. Correspondingly, the coupling member has a rod-shaped inserting portion and a limiting portion provided at the tail of the inserting portion. The rod-shaped inserting portion is inserted into the first and second coupling grooves, forming a coupling gap between the first and second tabletops. The limiting portion is confined within the coupling gap.

To effectively limit the movement between the first and second tabletops, both are provided with arc-shaped corner surfaces. The coupling gap is formed between the arc-shaped corner surfaces of the two tabletops, and the side of the limiting portion has a first arc surface that matches the arc-shaped corner surfaces of the first and second tabletops.

To further enhance the reliability of the connection between the tabletops, the limiting portion is provided with a longitudinal insertion hole. The structure also includes a connecting base, which has a vertically upwardly extending insertion post. The connecting base abuts the lower edge of the arc-shaped corner surfaces of the first and second tabletops, and the insertion post is inserted upward into the longitudinal insertion hole.

Preferably, the side of the connecting base has a second arc surface matching the arc-shaped corner surfaces of the first and second tabletops. This setup allows for better mutual restriction between the first and second tabletops.

The coupling grooves may have various structures. According to one embodiment, both the first and second coupling grooves are T-shaped grooves. Correspondingly, when the grooves are docked, they form an I-shaped structure, and the cross-section of the rod-shaped inserting portion is I-shaped accordingly.

To allow various coupling mechanisms between the first and second tables, the first coupling groove can be provided on the front and rear sidewalls or left and right sidewalls of the first tabletop, and the second coupling groove can be on the front and rear sidewalls or left and right sidewalls of the second tabletop.

Preferably, both the first and second tabletops are rectangular. The short sides of the two tabletops may be joined together, or the short side of one may be connected with the long side of the other, or both long sides may be coupled together.

The present subject matter provides at least the following advantages over the prior designs: The coupling side of the first tabletop is provided with a first coupling groove, and the coupling side of the second tabletop is provided with a second coupling groove. During assembly, the coupling member only needs to be inserted into the first and second coupling grooves to connect the tabletops. The connection is highly secure, and the coupled tabletops are not prone to separation during use. For disassembly, the coupling member can be simply pulled out. Both assembly and disassembly are quick and convenient. Additionally, multiple tables can be connected together as needed, and different coupling methods can be freely combined.

The present subject matter pertains to improved approaches for connecting tables or similar furniture. Embodiments of the present subject matter are discussed below with reference to.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present subject matter. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present subject matter may be practiced without some of these specific details. In addition, the following description provides examples, and the accompanying drawings show various examples for the purposes of illustration. Moreover, these examples should not be construed in a limiting sense as they are merely intended to provide examples of embodiments of the subject matter rather than to provide an exhaustive list of all possible implementations. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the details of the disclosed features of various described embodiments.

As shown in, the table coupling structure of this embodiment includes a first tableand a second tablecoupled to each other. The first tablehas a first tabletop, and the second tablehas a second tabletop. A first coupling grooveis formed on the coupling side of the first tabletop, and a second coupling grooveis formed on the coupling side of the second tabletop. A coupling memberis inserted into the first coupling grooveand the second coupling grooveto couple the first tabletopwith the second tabletop.

In this embodiment, both the first coupling grooveand the second coupling grooveare strip-shaped grooves. Correspondingly, the coupling memberhas a rod-shaped insertion portionand a limiting portionprovided at the rear end of the rod-shaped insertion portion. The rod-shaped insertion portionis inserted into the first coupling grooveand the second coupling groove. In this embodiment, the first coupling grooveand the second coupling grooveare both T-shaped grooves. Correspondingly, the first coupling grooveand the second coupling groovealign to form an I-beam-shaped structure, and correspondingly, the cross-section of the rod-shaped insertion portionis I-shaped.

A coupling gapis formed between the first tabletopand the second tabletop, and the limiting portionis limited within the coupling gap. Specifically, the first tabletophas an arc-shaped corner surface, and the second tabletopalso has an arc-shaped corner surface. A coupling gapis formed between the arc-shaped corner surfacesof the first tabletopand the second tabletop. The side surface of the limiting portionhas a first arc-shaped surfacethat matches the arc-shaped corner surfacesof the first tabletopand the second tabletop.

The coupling structure of this embodiment further includes a connecting base. A vertical insertion holeis formed on the limiting portion. The connecting basehas an upwardly extending insertion post. The connecting baseabuts against the lower edges of the arc-shaped corner surfacesof the first tabletopand the second tabletop. The insertion postis inserted upward into the vertical insertion hole. In addition, the side surface of the connecting basehas a second arc-shaped surfacethat matches the arc-shaped corner surfacesof the first tabletopand the second tabletop. In this way, after installation, both the first arc-shaped surfaceof the limiting portionand the second arc-shaped surfaceof the connecting baseare in contact with the arc-shaped transition surfacesat the coupling gap, allowing the coupling memberto effectively limit the first tabletopand the second tabletop.

In this embodiment, both the first tabletopand the second tabletopare rectangular. The first coupling grooveis provided on the short edge of the first tabletop, and the second coupling grooveis provided on the short edge of the second tabletop. The short edge of the first tabletopis coupled to the short edge of the second tabletop. Taking the direction indicated by arrow B inas the right direction, the first coupling grooveis formed on the left and right side walls of the first tabletop, and the second coupling grooveis formed on the left and right side walls of the second tabletop. After the first tabletopand the second tabletopare coupled to each other, the length of the tabletop becomes longer, forming a transverse coupling structure.

In this embodiment, a storage slotis formed on the left side of the first tabletopand on the right side of the second tabletop. The storage slotcan be used to place various items, thereby expanding the functionality of the table. It can also serve as a storage groove to hold items from the tabletop, making the tabletop tidier.

As shown in, the structure of the first tableand the second tablein this embodiment is the same as that in Embodiment 1. The difference from Embodiment 1 is that after the first tableand the second tableare coupled in this embodiment, the two storage slotsare positioned adjacent to each other.

In addition, the coupling memberin this embodiment does not have a connecting base, and the limiting portionalso does not have a vertical insertion hole. The rest of the structure is the same as in Embodiment I and will not be described again.

As shown in, in this embodiment, the first coupling grooveis provided on the short edge of the first tabletop, and the second coupling grooveis provided on the long edge of the second tabletop. The short edge of the first tabletopis coupled with the long edge of the second tabletop, forming a corner-type coupling structure. The coupling memberin this embodiment may be the same as the coupling member in Embodiments I and II.

As shown in, in this embodiment, the first coupling grooveis provided on the short edge of the first tabletop, and the second coupling grooveis provided on the short edge of the second tabletop. The short edge of the first tabletopis coupled with the short edge of the second tabletop, and after coupling, a table with extended length is formed. The coupling memberin this embodiment may be the same as the coupling member in Embodiments I and II. The difference from Embodiment I is that in this embodiment, no storage slots are provided on the first tabletopor the second tabletop. Instead, additional built-in storage shelfs are provided under both tabletops.

In addition, the long edge of the first tabletopmay be coupled with the short edge of the second tabletop, or the long edge of the first tabletopmay be coupled with the long edge of the second tabletop.

In the specification and claims of the present subject matter, directional terms such as “front,” “back,” “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “side,” “top,” and “bottom” are used to describe various structural parts and elements of the exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter. These terms are used merely for convenience of description and are defined based on the orientations shown in the drawings. Since the embodiments disclosed in the present subject matter may be arranged in different directions, these directional terms are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. For example, “upper” and “lower” are not necessarily limited to directions opposite or aligned with the direction of gravity.

Having disclosed exemplary embodiments and the best mode, modifications and variations may be made to the disclosed embodiments while remaining within the scope of the embodiments of the subject matter as defined by the following claims.