Table with folding support
A table includes a table top with an underside and a support attached to the underside of the table top. The support is rotatable between a stored position and an extended position and extends generally away from the table top when the support is in the extended position and substantially lays against the underside of the table top when the support is in the stored position. A tab is carried by the support. A latch is positioned on the underside of the table top and includes a catch shiftable between an obstructing position and a withdrawn position. The catch includes a locking surface adapted to releasably engage the tab to secure the support in the extended position.
The invention relates to tables, and more particularly to tables with support legs that fold for easy storage.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONFolding tables such as banquet tables have a table top and a support on each end attached to the underside of the table top. Each support can include a pair of legs and can be collapsible or can fold between an extended position and a stored position. In the extended position, the supports are approximately perpendicular to the table top, while in the stored position, the supports are folded against the table top. By placing the supports in the stored position, the table can be stored in a comparatively small space.
In a particular known table, each support is rotatably attached to the underside of the table top. A two bar linkage has a first end connected to the underside of the table top and a second end connected to the support at a position approximately midway down the support. As the support is rotated from the stored position to the extended position, the linkage is extended and locks the support in the extended position.
At least some known tables are cumbersome to use. For example, some two bar linkage systems may be difficult to move into the locking position. Some systems may also present undesirable pinch points.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the disclosure to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and the equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings,
The first support 22 is rotatably attached to the underside 38 of the table top 34 and is rotatable through at least an extended position with the table in its set-up condition, as is depicted in
Referring now to
The table top 34 can further include at least one receiver 46. In this example, the receiver 46 is a separate piece of hardware fastened to the underside 38 of the table top 34. The receiver 46 is adapted to receive a portion of the first support 22 and removably secure the first support 22 in the stored position. In another example, the receiver 46 can be integral with the table top 34 itself, adapted to receive therein a portion of the first support 22. In this example, the receiver 46 is in the form of a clamp into which a part of the support snaps and is retained.
The table top 34 can include an optional frame 48 on its underside 38. The frame 48 in this example is constructed to provide support to the table top 34 without adding a substantial amount of weight. The frame 48 in this example includes a first rail 50 and a second rail 52 extending along the front side 30 and the back side 32, respectively, on the underside 38, and in this example within the skirt 44. The rails 50, 52 in this example are fabricated from steel and have a Z-shaped cross section. Other constructions of the frame 48 are known to those of skill in the art depending on a particular table application. For example, if the table 20 must support a great amount of weight, the frame 48 can include a number of cross members connecting and extending between the rails 50, 52. The rails 50, 52 can also have increased size in wall thickness and cross-section, or have a different configuration in cross section, such as tubular, or the like. The frame material can also vary as needed.
The first support 22 can be rotatably connected to the frame 48. In this example, the rail 50 includes a front receiving hole 54 and the rail 52 has a back receiving hole 56 on the right side 28 generally opposite the front receiving hole 54. The first support 22 includes a cross member 58 with a front end 60 and a back end 62 rotatably disposed in the front and back receiving holes 54, 56, respectively. The front end 60 and the back end 62 are disposed in the respective receiving holes 54, 56 to provide a connection between the support 22 and the frame 48 such that the first support 22 can be rotated relative to the table top 34 between at least the stored position and the extended position. As such, the cross member 58 defines an axis of rotation 64. Other methods of connection are possible, including bearings, bushings, or a cross member fixed to the frame 48 with the remainder of the first support 22 being rotatably connected to the fixed cross member. The cross member 58 can further be rotatably secured to the table top 34 by one or more U-brackets 66 as an alternative, or as a supplemental support as shown.
In the alternative, where no receiving holes 54, 56 are provided in the frame 48 or no frame is provided at all, receiving holes or depressions can be formed in the skirt 44 or other structure of the underside 38. Further, brackets or other structure could be added to or be integral with the underside 38 of the table top 34. These alternate structures can provide holes or a suitable receptacle to rotatably couple the first support 22 to the table top 34.
The cross member 58 in this example includes a tab 68 extending outwardly from the cross member 58 and positioned approximately midway between two ends 60, 62. As can be seen in
The first support 22 further includes a pair of legs 70 extending radially away from the cross member 58. In this example, the legs 70 terminate at a connection to a crescent-shaped, downwardly depending foot section 72. The legs 70 and the foot section 72 can be fabricated from tube steel. However, any configuration and cross section of the legs 70 is possible, with or without a foot section 72, in which the table top 34 is supported in an elevated position away from the substrate 40. In this example, the two legs 70 are provided spaced apart from each other along the cross member 58. Further, more or fewer legs 70 can be included in the first support 22. Even a single leg with an appropriate foot can be used if it can provide stability for the table top 34. As is known, the legs 70 support the table top 34 in an elevated position above the substrate 40.
An optional mounting bracket or channel 74 is fastened to the underside 38 of the table top 34 and in this example creates an area in which the tab 68 can rotate. The bracket 74 includes a plate section 76 mounted against the underside 38 with a pair of wings 77 extending generally perpendicularly away from the plate section 76. The wings 77 include notches 77a to allow for the cross member 58 to pass laterally across the bracket 74. The bracket 74 in this example is made of steel, but can be made of any suitable material. The bracket 74 in this example provides a durable surface for the tab 68 to bear against when the support 22 is in the extended position and provides a mounting surface for a latch 78.
The latch 78 is spring loaded in this example and is mounted to the table top 34, and can be mounted to the plate section 76 in the bracket 74, as in this example. The latch 78, best seen in
To move the first support 22 from the stored position to the extended position, the user can simply grasp the first support 22 and rotate the first support 22 out of the receiver 46 and toward the position in which the legs 70 are approximately perpendicular to the table top 34. As the first support 22 rotates and nears the extended position, the tab 68 rotates into contact with the cam surface 86 of the catch 84. The cam surface 86 is angled such that as the first support 22 rotates, the tab 68 forces the catch 84 into the housing 80 to the withdrawn position until the tab 68 passes by the catch 84 and into the gap 89. The catch 84 then springs back to the obstructing position.
At this point, the tab 68 is maintained in the gap 89 between the locking surface 88 of the catch 84 and the plate section 76 of the channel 74, as is shown in
To return the first support 22 back to the stored position, the user engages and pushes the lever 82 of the latch 78 which thereby pivots the catch 84 into the housing 80 and into the withdrawn position, as is shown in
An alternate example of a latch 90 is depicted in
Referring now to
The table 100 further includes a frame 116 on the underside 114 of the table top 110. The frame 116 includes a first rail 118 extending along the front side 104 of the table top 110 and a second rail 120 extending along the back side 106 of the table top 110. The first rail 118 and the second rail 120 both include a receiving hole 122 on the left side 108. The rails 118, 120 of the frame 116 can have a similar configuration and be fabricated of similar materials as in the first example.
The first support 102 includes a cross member 124 which in this example is in the shape of a tube with a front end 124a and a rear end 124b. The first support 102 includes a pair of legs 126 spaced laterally from each other and extending radially out from the cross member 124. Although two legs 126 are shown herein, again, more or fewer legs can be used. The two legs 126 terminate at a U-shaped footer 127. In this example, the footer 127 has a wider base than the legs 126 to provide greater stability of the table.
The front end 124a and rear end 124b of the cross member 124 are each contained within a respective receiving hole 122 of the first rail 118 and the second rail 120. The receiving holes 122 thereby receive the cross member 124 of the first support 102 and rotatably secure the first support 102 to the table top 110. Again, other structures may be used to rotatably secure the cross member 124 and therefore the first support 102 to the table top 110, such as brackets, depressions or holes in the lip, or the like.
Seen best in
A casing 132 is fastened to the underside 114 of the table top 110 and generally envelops the cross member 124 along a portion of its length. The casing 132 includes a first slot 134 and a second slot 136 through which the legs 126 can travel when the first support 102 is rotated between the stored and the extended position. The slots 134, 136 have a width and a length and both terminate in a stop surface 138, 140. The width of each of the slots 134, 136 is slightly wider than the width or diameter of the legs 126, while the length can be such that when the first support 102 is in the extended position, the legs 126 bear against the slot stop surfaces 138, 140.
The casing 132 includes a bottom surface 141 fastened to the underside 114 of the table top 110 and a top surface 143 distal from the bottom surface 141. In between the top surface 143 and the bottom surface 141 is a step surface 142 substantially parallel to the underside 114 of the table top 110. The step surface 142 is connected to the top surface 143 and the bottom surface 141 by a pair of risers 143a, 141a. The step surface 142 is adapted to engage the second tab 130 when the first support 102 is in the extended position and prevent the first support 102 from rotating past the extended position.
Fastened to the casing 132 is a spring loaded latch 146. The latch 146 includes a housing 147 and is positioned such that it is opposite the first tab 128 attached to the cross member 124. The latch 146 includes a handle 148 and a catch 150 connected at a pivot point 149. The handle 148 includes a lip 148a and a cam 148b. The catch 150 includes an angled cam surface 152 and a locking surface 154. The catch 150 is shiftable toward and away from cross member 124 between an obstructing position, shown in
A plate 158 can be fastened to the underside 114 of the table top 110 opposite the latch 146 and the first tab 128. The plate 158 provides a surface against which the first tab 128 bears when the first support 102 is in the extended position. A depression 160 can be disposed in the underside 114 of the table top 110 positioned adjacent the second tab 130. The depression 160 is constructed such that as the first support 102 is rotated from the extended position to the stored position, the second tab 130 rotates within and is fully contained within the depression 160.
To move the first support 102 from the stored position shown in
In this example, the second tab 130 is also rotated into contact with the stop surface 144 of the casing 132 when the first support 102 is in the extended position, thereby further preventing rotation of the first support 102 past the extended position. Finally, the legs 126 of the first support 102 travel through the slots 134, 136 in the casing 132. When the first support 102 is rotated into the extended position, the legs 126 are brought into contact with or near to the stop surfaces 138, 140 in the slots 134, 136. This further buttresses the legs 126 when the first support 102 is in the extended position and inhibits them from collapsing.
To move the first support 102 back to the stored position, the user can grasp the handle 148 and pull the catch 150 away from the cross member 124 from the obstructing position to the withdrawn position. The catch 150 is no longer blocking travel of the first support 102, and the first support 102 can simply be rotated back to the stored position.
The foregoing description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is contemplated that various changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A table comprising:
- a table top with an underside;
- a support attached to the underside of the table top and rotatable between a stored position and an extended position, the support extending generally away from the table top when the support is in the extended position and substantially laying against the underside of the table top when the support is in the stored position;
- a tab carried by the support; and
- a latch positioned on the underside of the table top and including a catch shiftable between an obstructing position and a withdrawn position, the catch including a locking surface releasably engageable with the tab when the support is in the extended position and the catch is in the obstructing position to releasably secure the support in the extended position.
2. The table of claim 1, the catch being biased to the obstructing position, the catch further comprising a cam surface, wherein the tab is adapted to cam against the cam surface as the support is rotated from the stored position to the extended position to shift the catch from the obstructing position to the withdrawn position.
3. The table of claim 1, the support including a cross member, wherein the tab is attached to the cross member and is engageable with the catch during rotation of the support.
4. The table of claim 1, further comprising a mounting bracket disposed on the underside of the table top, the mounting bracket including a stop surface, wherein the tab is confined between the stop surface of the mounting bracket and the locking surface of the latch when the support is in the extended position.
5. The table of claim 1, the latch further comprising a pivot lever, the lever adapted to shift the catch between the obstructing position and the withdrawn position upon pivoting of the lever.
6. The table of claim 1, the latch further comprising a shift lever moveable longitudinally, the shift lever adapted to shift the catch between the obstructing position and the withdrawn position upon longitudinal movement of the shift lever.
7. The table of claim 1, further comprising a plate disposed on the underside of the table top opposite from the locking surface of the latch, a gap being defined between the plate and the locking surface, wherein the tab is confined in the gap when the support is in the extended position.
8. The table of claim 1, further comprising a casing about at least a portion of the support.
9. The table of claim 8, the casing further comprising at least one slot, the support moveable through the slot as the support is moved between the extended position and the stored position.
10. The table of claim 9, the slot further comprising a slot stop, wherein when the support is in the extended position, the leg is adjacent the slot stop such that the support cannot rotate past the extended position.
11. The table of claim 8, the casing further comprising a stop surface, the support including a second tab extending outward, wherein when the support is in the extended position, the second tab bears against the stop surface such that the support cannot rotate past the extended position.
12. The table of claim 1, further comprising U-brackets to rotatably secure the cross member to the table top.
13. The table of claim 1, further comprising a frame extending along the front side and the back side of the table and adapted to provide strength to the table top, the frame comprising a first rail and a second rail.
14. The table of claim 13, the first rail and the second rail each comprising an opening, the support comprising end portions rotatably disposed inside the openings such that the support is rotatable within the frame.
15. The table of claim 1, the table further comprising a receiver located on the underside of the table top, the receiver configured to secure the support in the stored position.
16. The table of claim 1, the latch further comprising a handle pivotably connected to the catch, the handle including a lip and a cam, the catch moveable longitudinally by rotation of the lip about the cam.
17. The table of claim 1, wherein an angle of the support relative to the table top is greater than 90° when the support is in the extended position.
18. A table comprising:
- a table top having an underside;
- a support attached to the underside of the table top and shiftable between a stored position and an extended position;
- a tab carried by the support; and
- a releasable latch positioned on the underside of the table top and adapted to engage the tab to secure the support in the extended position.
19. The table of claim 18, wherein the latch is automatically shiftable between an obstructing position and a withdrawn position in response to movement of the support toward the extended position.
20. The table of claim 19, the latch including a cam surface, wherein the tab is adapted to cam against the cam surface of the latch to shift it to the retracted position as the support is rotated to the extended position.
21. The table of claim 18, the support further including an axle, wherein the support is rotatable about the axle having a pivot axis.
22. The table of claim 21, wherein the tab is carried by the axle.
23. The table of claim 21, wherein the tab comprises a recess formed in the axle.
24. The table of claim 18, wherein the latch is biased toward the obstructing position.
25. The table of claim 18, wherein the latch includes a handle disposed in a housing.
26. The table of claim 25, wherein the handle is pivotable about an axis.
27. The table of claim 25, wherein the handle retracts linearly.
28. A table comprising:
- a table top having an underside;
- a support attached to the underside of the table top and rotatable between a stored position and an extended position;
- a first tab carried by the support;
- a second tab carried by the support; and
- a latch secured to the table top and including a catch having a locking surface, the catch shiftable between an obstructing position and a withdrawn position;
- wherein in the extended position, the first tab is secured between the table top and the locking surface of the catch, and the second tab bears against a stop surface.
29. The table of claim 28, further comprising a casing mounted to the underside of the table top and including the stop surface against which the second tab bears while in the extended position, the first tab and the second tab rotatable within the casing.
30. The table of claim 29, the casing further including at least one slot, wherein the support is moveable through the slot between the extended position and the stored position.
31. The table of claim 30, the slot including a slot stop, wherein the support bears against the slot stop when the support is in the extended position.
32. The table of claim 28, further comprising a spring that biases the catch to the obstructing position.
33. The table of claim 28, the table top further comprising a recess, wherein the second tab is moveable within the recess between the extended position and the stored position.
34. A table comprising:
- a table top having an underside;
- a support attached to the underside of the table top and shiftable between a stored position and an extended position;
- a shiftable latch positioned on the underside of the table top and engageable with the support to releasably secure the support in the extended position.
35. The table of claim 34, the support further comprising a slot, the shiftable latch engageable with the slot to releasably secure the support in the extended position.
36. The table of claim 34, the support further comprising a tab, the shiftable latch engageable with the tab to releasably secure the support in the extended position.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 30, 2004
Publication Date: Feb 2, 2006
Inventors: Brian Pleiman (Medina, OH), David Sander (Medina, OH), Michael Gregory (Wooster, OH)
Application Number: 10/903,287
International Classification: A47B 3/00 (20060101);