Sheet metal table top stiffener

Abstract

A channel is secured to the underside of a stainless steel table top by means of caps that pass through openings in the flanges of the channel and are fused to the underside of the table top. The caps have dimples which concentrate the heat of welding to a limited area and reduce the amount of heat transferred to the table top. Double sided adhesive foam strips are disposed on the flanges of the channel in order to initially adhere the channel to the underside of the table top.

1 . In combination, 
 a sheet metal table top of elongated rectangular shape;    a plurality of legs secured to and supporting said table top;    a metal channel disposed on an underside of said table top, said channel having a pair of flanges extending longitudinally of said table top, each said flange having a plurality of spaced apart openings therein; and    a plurality of caps securing said channel to said underside of said table top, each said cap being disposed in a respective opening in a respective flange and having at least one dimple thereof welded to said underside of said table top and a peripheral lip engaging said respective flange on a side opposite said table top.    
   
   
       2 . The combination as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising foam means disposed between a respective flange of said channel and said underside of said table top.  
   
   
       3 . The combination as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said foam means includes a pair of foam strips, each said foam strip being disposed between a respective flange of said channel and said underside of said table top.  
   
   
       4 . The combination as set forth in  claim 3  wherein each foam strip has a first adhesive layer on one side adhesively secured to a respective flange of said channel and a second adhesive layer on an opposite side secured to said underside of said table top.  
   
   
       5 . The combination as set forth in  claim 4  wherein each said foam strip has a plurality of openings for passage of said caps therethrough.  
   
   
       6 . The combination as set forth in  claim 1  wherein each said cap is of circular cross-section.  
   
   
       7 . The combination as set forth in  claim 6  wherein each said dimple is centrally located on a respective cap.  
   
   
       8 . The combination as set forth in  claim 1  wherein each said flange is outwardly directed.  
   
   
       9 . The combination as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said channel is disposed centrally of said table top.  
   
   
       10 . The combination as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said table top is made of stainless steel.  
   
   
       11 . In combination, 
 an elongated metal channel having a pair of flanges, each said flange having a plurality of spaced apart openings therein; and    foam layer means secured to each said flange of said channel and having an adhesive layer on a side opposite said channel for securing said channel to an underside of a table top to stiffen the table top against twisting.    
   
   
       12 . The combination as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said foam layer means includes a pair of foam strips, each said foam strip having a first adhesive layer on one side adhesively secured to a respective flange of said channel and a second adhesive layer on an opposite side for securing said channel to an underside of a table top.  
   
   
       13 . The combination as set forth in  claim 11  further comprising a plurality of caps securing said channel to an underside of a table top, each said cap passing through said foam layer means and being disposed in a respective opening in a respective flange and having at least one dimple thereon for welding to the underside of a table top and a peripheral lip engaging said respective flange on a side opposite said dimple.  
   
   
       14 . The combination as set forth in  claim 13  wherein each said cap is of circular cross-section.  
   
   
       15 . The combination as set forth in  claim 14  wherein each said dimple is centrally located on a respective cap.  
   
   
       16 . The combination as set forth in  claim 11  wherein each said flange is outwardly directed.