Folding Furniture
A folding table has a top shelf with a primary bracket pivotably attached to the top shelf and to a base. A top brace extends from the primary bracket and clips to the top shelf while a bottom brace extends from the primary bracket and clips to the base. The folding table collapses into a compact configuration. A folding shelving system has shelves mounted upon two opposing support sides. A typical shelf is pivotally attached to the support sides at one end and clipped at another end. The sides may be rotated to engage or release the shelf from the clip. The shelving system collapses to a compact configuration. A quick assembly cart has two opposing side structures that are secured in a spaced-apart parallel arrangement by removable connecting tubes.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/824,548, filed Sep. 5, 2006.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention is directed to folding furniture comprised of 1) a folding table, 2) a folding desk, 3) a folding corner table, 4) a folding bookcase, and 5) a cart. More particularly, the subject invention is directed to the folding linkages associated with the majority of these pieces, such that they are flat and easily transportable in their collapsed configuration.
2. Description of Related Art
Ready-To-Assemble furniture typically is provided to a customer completely disassembled in discrete parts. Assembly of such discrete parts may be relatively straight forward, however, the mere existence of many parts that need to be assembled sometimes requires a large amount of time. A design is needed which provides high quality ready-to-assemble furniture which requires a minimum effort to assemble and install.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA first embodiment of the invention is directed to a folding table having a top shelf with a top surface and a bottom surface. The table also has a shelf connector attached to the bottom surface of the top shelf, a base and a first primary bracket having a first end pivotally attached to the bottom surface of the top shelf and a second end pivotally attached to the base. The table also has a first primary bracket top brace having a first end and a second end along a longitudinal axis, wherein the first end is pivotally attached along the length of the first primary bracket and the second end is retained by the shelf connector. In the assembled state, the first primary bracket top brace supports the top shelf in a generally horizontal position and in the collapsed state; the folding table has a flat compact configuration suitable for transporting.
A second embodiment of the invention is directed to a shelving system comprised of two opposing support sides, wherein each side has a front support member having a length, a rear support member having a length, and a mounting bracket having a first end and a second end. The first end of the mounting bracket is pivotally connected along the length of the front support member and the second end of the mounting bracket is pivotally connected along the length of the rear support member. The side also has a base, wherein the front support member is pivotally connected to the base at one location and wherein the rear support member is pivotally connected to the base at another location, spaced apart from the first location. The pivotal connections securing the front support member, rear support member, mounting bracket and base, together define a parallelogram. The system has at least two shelves, wherein each shelf has associated with it a front shelf post attached to the front support member of each opposing support side and a rear shelf post attached to the rear support member of each opposing support side. Each shelf is pivotally secured at one location to one of either the front shelf post or the rear shelf post while each shelf at a spaced-apart location rests upon the other of the front shelf post or the rear shelf post.
A third embodiment of the invention is directed to a quick-assembly cart having two opposing side structures, wherein each side structure is comprised of an upper member, a lower member, and frame members therebetween. The frame members are rigidly attached to one another and to the upper and lower members. The cart also has removable connecting tubes extending between and securing the two opposing side structures in a spaced parallel relationship. At least one connecting tube is an axle through the lower member, wherein wheels are mounted to opposing ends of the axel to secure the axle and to provide a mechanism to roll the cart.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Directing attention to
In the assembled state, as illustrated in
The folding table 100 additionally includes a base connector 135 attached to the base 115 and a first primary bottom bracket bottom brace 140 having a first end 142 and a second end 144 along a longitudinal axis 145. The first end 142 is pivotally attached along the length of the first primary bracket 120 and the second end 144 is retained by the base connector 135. The first primary bracket top brace 125 includes a segment 126 (
The folding table 100 additionally includes a first secondary bracket 150 having a first end 152 and a second end 154, wherein the bracket 150 is pivotally connected at the first end 152 to the bottom surface 109 of the top shelf 105 and is pivotally connected at the second end 154 with the base 115. Additionally, the first secondary bracket 150 is spaced from but parallel to the first primary bracket 120 to form a parallelogram comprised of the first primary bracket 120, the first secondary bracket 150, a line L1 intersecting with the pivotal connection of the first ends 122, 152 of the brackets 120, 150 with the top shelf 105 and a line L2 intersecting with the pivotal connection of the second ends 124, 154 of the brackets 120, 150 with the base 115. Through the use of such a parallelogram configuration, the top shelf 105 and the base 115 remain generally parallel to one another when the table 100 is assembled, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
Directing attention to
Additionally the folding table 100 may include at least one wheel 165 mounted to the base 115, wherein in the collapsed state illustrated in
It should be noted that while only a first primary bracket 120 and a first secondary bracket 150 with their braces and pivotal supports has been so far discussed, such an arrangement properly positioned relative to the top shelf may be sufficient to support the top shelf 105. However, in a preferred embodiment, a first primary bracket 120 with a first secondary bracket 150 on each side of the top shelf 105 is preferred and it is this embodiment that is illustrated in
Directing attention to
It should be noted that the first secondary brackets 150, 150′, as illustrated in
Briefly directing attention to
The folding bookcase 400 is comprised of two opposing support sides 405, 410 wherein each side 405, 410 is symmetric and, for purposes of this discussion, opposing side 405 will be discussed.
Opposing side 405 has a front support member 415 having a length and a rear support member 420 having a length. A mounting bracket 425 has a first end 427 and a second end 429, wherein the first end 427 of the mounting bracket 425 is pivotally connected along the front support member 415 and a second end 429 of the mounting bracket 425 is pivotally connected along the length of the rear support member 420. The opposing support side 405 has a base 430 and the front support member 415 is pivotally connected to the base 430 at one location 432, while the rear support member 420 is pivotally connected to the base 430 at another location 434. The first location 432 is spaced apart from the second location 434. A line L3 connecting the pivotal connections securing the front support member 415 to the rear support member 420 at the mounting bracket 425 and a line L4 connecting the pivotal connections securing the front support member 415 and a rear support member 420 to the base 430 form with the front support member 415 and the rear support member 420 a parallelogram.
The folding bookcase 400 has at least two shelves 435, 436 and for purposes of this discussion, shelf 435 will be discussed with the understanding that, not only shelf 436, but other shelves associated with the folding bookcase 400, may be identical.
In particular, shelf 435 has associated with it a front shelf post 440 attached to the front support member 415 and a rear shelf post 445 attached to the rear support member 420. The shelf 435 is pivotally attached to the rear support member 420 through a clamp 447, while the shelf 435 rests upon the front shelf post 440. It is also possible for the clamp 447 to be secured to the front shelf post 440 and for the shelf 435 to rest upon the rear shelf post 445.
Although the shelf 435 rests upon the front shelf post 440, a bracket 455 may be utilized to restrain the motion of the shelf 435 relative to the front shelf post 440. In particular, the bracket 455 may be c-shaped, as illustrated in
Directing attention to
As illustrated in
Directing attention to
From inspection of
Opposing structure 505 has an upper member 515, a lower member 520 and frame members 522, 523, 524 therebetween, wherein the frame members 522, 523, 524 are rigidly attached to one another and to the upper member 515 and to the lower member 520.
Removable connecting tubes 530, 535, 540 extend between and secure the two opposing side structures 505, 510 in a spaced parallel relationship. At least one removable connecting tube 540 is an axle 542 extending through the lower member 520 wherein wheels 545 are mounted to opposing ends 547, 548 on the axle 542 to secure the axle 542 and to provide a mechanism to roll the cart 500.
As seen in
The shelf 550 may be used to support a computer cabinet or another object.
The CPU cart 500 illustrated with respect to
While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. The presently preferred embodiments described herein are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.
Claims
1. A folding table comprised of:
- a) a top shelf having a top surface and a bottom surface;
- b) a shelf connector attached to the bottom surface of the top shelf;
- c) a base;
- d) a first primary bracket having a first end pivotally attached to the bottom surface of the top shelf and a second end pivotally attached to the base; and
- e) a first primary bracket top brace having a first end and a second end along a longitudinal axis, wherein the first end is pivotally attached along the length of the first primary bracket and the second end is retained by the shelf connector; and wherein in the assembled state, the first primary bracket top brace supports the top shelf in a generally horizontal position and wherein in the collapsed state, the folding table has a flat compact configuration suitable for transporting.
2. The folding table according to claim 1, further comprising:
- a) a base connector attached to the base; and
- b) a first primary bracket bottom brace having a first end and a second end along a longitudinal axis, where the first end is pivotally attached along the length of the first primary bracket and the second end is retained by the base connector.
3. The folding table according to claim 2, wherein:
- a) the top brace includes a segment extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at the second end;
- b) the bottom brace includes a segment extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at the second end; and
- c) the shelf connector and the base connector are clips which accept the perpendicular segments of the braces.
4. The folding table according to claim 2, further comprising a first secondary bracket having a first end and a second end, wherein the bracket is pivotally connected to the bottom surface of the top shelf and with the base, and wherein the first secondary bracket is spaced from but parallel to the first primary bracket to form a parallelogram comprised of the first primary bracket, the first secondary bracket, a line intersecting with the pivotal connection of the first ends of the brackets with the top shelf and a line intersecting with the pivotal connection of the second ends of the brackets with the base, such that the top shelf and base remain generally parallel to one another when the table is assembled and when the table is collapsed.
5. The folding table according to claim 4, wherein the first primary bracket, first secondary bracket and the top brace are secured to the bottom surface of the top shelf through an intermediate mounting strip.
6. The folding table according to claim 1, further comprising a handle on the top shelf.
7. The folding table according to claim 6, wherein the handle is an aperture extending through the top shelf.
8. The folding table according to claim 1, further comprising at least one wheel mounted to the base, wherein in the collapsed state the at least one wheel has an axle oriented in a direction non-perpendicular to the top shelf such that in the collapsed state the table may be supported by the wheel for transportation.
9. The folding table according to claim 8, wherein the axle of the at last one wheel is oriented in a direction generally parallel to the top shelf.
10. The folding table according to claim 1, further comprising:
- a) a second primary bracket having a first end pivotally attached to the bottom surface of the top shelf and a second end pivotally attached to the base;
- b) a second primary bracket top brace having a first end and a second end along a longitudinal axis, wherein the first end is pivotally attached along the length of the second primary bracket and the second end is retained by the shelf connector; and
- c) a second primary bracket bottom brace having a first end and a second end along a longitudinal axis, where the first end is pivotally attached along the length of the second primary bracket and the second end is retained by the base connector; wherein in the assembled state, the first locking element and the second locking elements of the first and second brackets support the top shelf in a generally horizontal position and wherein in the collapsed state, the folding table has a flat compact configuration suitable for transporting.
11. The folding table according to claim 10, further comprising a second secondary bracket spaced from but parallel to the second primary bracket to form a parallelogram comprised of the second primary bracket, the second secondary bracket, a line intersecting with the pivotal connection of the first ends of the brackets with the top shelf and a line intersecting with the pivotal connection of the second ends of the brackets with the base, such that the top shelf and base remain generally parallel to one another when the table is collapsed.
12. The folding table according to claim 10, wherein:
- a) each top brace includes a segment extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at the second end;
- b) each bottom brace includes a segment extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at the second end;
- c) the shelf connector and the base connector are clips which accept the perpendicular segments of the braces;
- d) wherein the perpendicular segments extending from the top braces meet to form a common top cross member and the perpendicular segments extending from the bottom braces meet to form a common bottom cross member.
13. The folding table according to claim 1, wherein the first primary bracket supports one portion of the top shelf and fasteners are attached to another portion of the top shelf adapted to be secured to an adjacent furniture piece for support.
14. The folding table according to claim 13, wherein the top shelf has opposing sides disposed relative to one another at right angles to provide a corner table.
15. A shelving system comprised of:
- a) two opposing support sides, wherein each side is comprised of: i) a front support member having a length; ii) a rear support member having a length; iii) a mounting bracket having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the mounting bracket is pivotally connected along the length of the front support member and the second end of the mounting bracket is pivotally connected along the length of the rear support member; and iv) a base, wherein the front support member is pivotally connected to the base at one location and wherein the rear support member is pivotally connected to the base at another location, spaced apart from the first location, wherein the pivotal connections securing the front support member, rear support member, mounting bracket and base together define a parallelogram;
- b) at least two shelves, wherein each shelf has associated with it a front shelf post attached to the front support member of each opposing support side and a rear shelf post attached to the rear support member of each opposing support side; and
- c) wherein each shelf is pivotally secured at one location to one of either the front shelf post or the rear shelf post while each shelf at a spaced-apart location rests upon the other of the front shelf post or the rear shelf post.
16. The shelving system according to claim 15, wherein each shelf is pivotally secured at one location with a clamp to a shelf post and wherein each shelf further comprises a bracket to permit the shelf to rest upon the shelf post but also to restrain motion of the shelf post within the bracket.
17. The shelving system according to claim 16, wherein in the upright position, the two opposing sides are angled with respect to the base such that gravity will urge the opposing sides to rest against a wall and that in such a position the shelf posts are urged against the wall of the bracket to lock each shelf in place.
18. The shelving system according to claim 15, wherein each opposing support side has a top and a bottom and wherein the width a each shelf increases from the top to the bottom of the opposing support sides.
19. The shelving system according to claim 15, further comprising a mounting plate attached to the mounting bracket, wherein the mounting plate is adapted to be secured to a wall when the shelve system is in the upright position.
20. The shelving system according to claim 15, wherein the front support member and the rear support member of the two opposing side supports may be moved relative to one another resulting in the shelve system folding into a compact configuration suitable for transporting.
21. A quick-assembly cart comprised of:
- a) two opposing side structures, wherein each side structure is comprised of: i) an upper member; ii) a lower member; iii) frame members therebetween, wherein the frame members are rigidly attached to one another and to the upper member and to the lower member; and
- b) removable connecting tubes extending between and securing the two opposing side structures in a spaced parallel relationship; wherein at least one connecting tube is an axle through the lower member, wherein wheels are mounted to opposing ends of the axle to secure the axle and to provide a mechanism to roll the cart.
22. The quick-assembly cart according to claim 21, wherein a single connecting tube attaches at one end of the upper member of the opposing side structure and further comprising a shelf mounted between the lower members of the opposing side structure.
23. The quick-assembly cart according to claim 21, wherein a pair of connecting tubes attaches, one at each end of the upper member of the opposing side structures, and wherein the opposing side structures are spaced apart and the connecting members have support runners therebetween shaped and positioned to accommodate hanging files.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 5, 2007
Publication Date: May 1, 2008
Applicant: Bush Industries, Inc. (Jamestown, NY)
Inventor: John Green (East Otto, NY)
Application Number: 11/850,205
International Classification: A47B 3/02 (20060101); A47B 95/02 (20060101); A47F 5/10 (20060101);