AU2011201170A1 - Swing table - Google Patents

Abstract

A table (10) comprises at least one support leg (14a, 14b) and first and second beams (30, 32) supported by the at least one support leg (14a, 14b). A tabletop 12 is pivotable about the first beam (30). A latch mechanism (42) is co-operable with the second beam 5 (32) to latch the tabletop (12) in a substantially horizontal position. The leg (14a, 14b) may comprise a leg assembly with two leg portions (16a, 16b) and one or more connecting members (50, 52, 50', 52') extending therebetween. In an assembly system, the connecting members (50, 52, 50', 52') may be selected from a range of connecting members (50, 52, 50', 52') of various lengths for interconnecting the two leg portions 0 (16a, 16b) at various spacings. The connecting member(s) are selected according to a desired spacing for the leg portions (16a, 16b), which is determined according to the finished dimensions of the table (10).

Description

P/00/0 11 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Swing table The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 2 Swing Table Field of the invention The present invention relates to pivotable tables, in particular to a swing table, which is a table in which the table top is pivotal about a pivotal axis which is approximately 5 central relative to the width of the table. Such tables with the top in the stowed position take up less storage space. A number of tables with the table top in the stowed position can be conveniently stored side by side. Background of the invention One known swing table includes a pair of spaced leg assemblies with a cylindrical beam 0 extending between the two leg assemblies. The table top is pivotable about the cylindrical beam so that it can pivot from a substantially horizontal in-use position to a substantially vertical stowed position. The table has a latch mechanism operable from the underside of the table. The latch mechanism is co-operable with the cylindrical shaft to latch the table top in the substantially horizontal in-use position. However, this 5 arrangement presents difficulties in that the close arrangement of the latching point and the pivotal axis puts a strain on the latching mechanism. Furthermore, the arrangement is greatly susceptible to wear and misalignment over time such that the table top does not return to a level orientation in the latched position. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a table which addresses at 20 least some of the abovementioned difficulties. An alternative object is to provide the public with a useful choice over known tables. Reference to any prior art in the specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia or any other jurisdiction or that this prior art could 25 reasonably be expected to be ascertained, understood and regarded as relevant by a person skilled in the art.

3 Summary of the invention In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a table comprising: at least one support leg; 5 first and second beams supported by the at least one support leg; a table top pivotable about the first beam; and a latch mechanism co-operable with the second beam to latch the table top in a substantially horizontal position. Preferably, the first and second beams are cylindrical. They may be of hollow or solid 0 configuration. In order to effect pivoting of the table top, a pivot assembly may be affixed to the table top and journalled about the first beam. There may be two such pivot assemblies affixed to the table top near opposite ends of the table top. Each pivot assembly may include an adjustment mechanism to adjust the position of the first beam relative to the table top, to take account of wear and misalignment. In each 5 case, the adjustment mechanism may comprise three bushes which are equally spaced about the circumference of the first cylindrical beam. The bushes are radially adjustable and have respective adjustment screws. The pivot axis is preferably substantially coincident with the central longitudinal axis of the first beam, although the adjustment mechanism may vary this. 20 It will be understood that the first and second beams need not be cylindrical but can be of any cross-sectional shape, although it is advantageous if the first beam has a cylindrical cross section in the region of the one or more pivot assemblies. The first and second beams may be of a unitary construction, ie. a singular solid or hollow section. However, composite constructions are also possible. Preferably, the first and second 25 beams are substantially identical since this leads to a reduction in the number of parts 4 and adds to manufacturing simplicity. As such, the first and second beams are of substantially equal length and are disposed alongside one another. In a rectangular table, the beams preferably extend in alignment with the longitudinal dimension of the table. Preferably they are disposed substantially central relative to the 5 width of the table. However, the table top is not limited to being rectangular and other shapes such as square and round are possible. In the square case, the beams may run across the width. In the circular case, the beams are approximately diametric. The first and second beams are preferably evenly spaced apart along their lengths and are suitably joined by cross-braces, as appropriate. Furthermore, the first and second 0 beams are suitably disposed in the same substantially horizontal plane. Depending upon the dimensions of the table top, there may be a single support leg, eg. a pedestal type base. In the most preferred form of the invention, however, there are first and second spaced legs. The first and second spaced legs may be arranged at opposite ends of the first and second beams (preferably the first and second beams are 5 substantially equal in length). Alternatively, the spaced first and second legs may be disposed at any suitable spacing along the length of the first and second beams. Preferably the legs each comprise an assembly including first and second leg portions having a spacing therebetween which is selected during manufacture to suit the dimensions of the table top. Each leg portion preferably comprises a single ground 20 engaging point so that the leg assembly has two spaced ground engaging points. These ground engaging points may be provided with a caster. Preferably, the first and second leg portions are substantially identical to reduce the number of parts and add to the simplicity of manufacture. In the assembled table with two spaced leg assemblies, the first leg portions may be associated with the first beam and the second leg portions may 25 be associated with the second beam. Thus, since the spacing of the leg portions is selected according to the dimensions of the table top, the spacing between the first and second beams will be selected accordingly.

5 The table top is preferably pivotable between a first substantially horizontal position and a second substantially upright position. Preferably, the design of the leg(s)/leg assemblies is such that they do not interfere with the table top in the second position. Thus, the latch mechanism operates to latch the table in the first position. 5 The latch mechanism may be secured to the table top. There may be a detent associated with the second beam in order to latch the table top in the first substantially horizontal position. The detent may comprise a simple recess or cut out in the second beam to receive a latch tongue of the latch mechanism. Preferably the latch mechanism is operable from the underside of the table top. One or 0 more actuators may be provided on the underside of the table top, preferably adjacent an edge, with a cable actuator extending from the actuator to the latch mechanism. One or more seats may also be associated with the table top for bearing against the second beam. The position of the seat relative to the table top may be adjustable in order to ensure correct orientation of the table top in the first substantially horizontal 5 position. The seat may form part of a seat assembly which is fixed to the table top. The seat assembly preferably includes a sliding wedge which is adjustable to adjust the spacing of the seat from the table top. Preferably the seat is of a shape complimentary to the second beam. A seat assembly may be incorporated into each latch mechanism. In accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an 20 assembly system for a table with a pivoting top including: at least one leg assembly comprising two leg portions, each having an upper substantially upright portion and a lower transverse portion, the transverse portion having a ground engaging portion at the lower end, the ground engaging portion being spaced from the longitudinal axis of the substantially upright portion; and 25 a range of connecting members of various lengths for interconnecting the two leg portions at various spacings, the connecting member(s) being selected according to a desired spacing for the leg portions, which is determined according to the finished dimensions of the table.

6 In the finished table, there are preferably two spaced leg assemblies. The four substantially upright portions are preferably clustered towards the longitudinal centreline of the table to facilitate pivoting of the table top about a central pivotal axis. The two leg portions in each leg assembly may be substantially identical. They may be 5 symmetrically arranged about a substantially upright axis. In other words, the two leg portions may be arranged with the substantially upright portions back to back and the transverse portions arranged in a splayed configuration (most preferably at 1800C to each other). In a preferred form of the invention, two connecting members are selected for each leg 0 assembly, according to the desired spacing of the leg portions. The two selected connecting members are arranged at the top and bottom respectively of the substantially upright portions. The second aspect of the invention may also include any of the features described above in connection with the first aspect of the invention. 5 In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, there is provided, a method of assembling a leg assembly for a table with a pivoting top including: providing two leg portions, each having a ground engaging portion at the lower end; and selecting one or more connecting members from a range of connecting members of various lengths, the connecting member(s) being for interconnecting the two leg portions, the connecting 20 member(s) being selected according to a desired spacing for the leg portions, which is determined according to the finished dimensions of the table. The third aspect of the invention may also include any of the features described above in connection with the first aspect of the invention. It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification 25 extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

7 As used herein, except where the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise" and variations of the term, such as "comprising", "comprises" and "comprised", are not intended to exclude further additives, components, integers or steps. Brief description of the drawings / figures 5 In order that the invention may be fully understood, one embodiment will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the figures in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a table according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is an end view of the table of Figure 1, showing the table top in a O horizontal position; Figure 2a is a perspective view of a table showing alternative feet arrangements; Figure 2b is a perspective view of an adjusting spanner for adjusting the stationary foot shown in Figure 2a; Figure 3 is an end view, similar to Figure 2, except showing the table top in an 5 upright, stowed position; Figure 4 is an exploded view of a leg assembly for the table of Figure 1; Figure 5 is an exploded view of an alternative leg assembly for the table of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a detailed cross-sectional view showing a pivot assembly and a latch 20 assembly for the table of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a detailed cross-sectional view, similar to Figure 6, except showing the table top in the upright position; and 8 Figure 8 is a perspective view illustrating a latch mechanism incorporating a seating mechanism for the table of Figure 1. Detailed description of the embodiments Figure 1 is a perspective view from the underside of the table 10. The table 10 includes 5 a tabletop 12 supported by two longitudinally spaced leg assemblies 14a, 14b. As can be seen more clearly in figure 2, each leg assembly 14a, 14b is made up of two spaced leg portions 16a, 16b. As shown in Figure 2, each leg portion 16a, 16b has a substantially upright portion 18 and a transverse portion 20. The transverse portion 20 includes an angled portion 22 and lower portion 24. The lower portion 24 is connected 0 to a ground engaging caster 26. The caster 26 is lockable. Alternatively, each caster 26 may be substituted for a stationary foot 27 as shown in Figure 2a. Figure 2b shows the form of an adjusting spanner 29 for adjusting the stationary foot 27. The adjusting spanner 29 is provided with the table 10 and is received in a recess between the tabletop12 and the latch mechanism 42. 5 As can be seen from figure 2, the two leg portions 16a, 16b are symmetrical about an upright axis extending between the two of them. The leg portions 16a, 16b are generally arranged with the upright portions 18 back to back so that the angled portions 20 are disposed in a splayed arrangement, at 180 0 C to each other. This configuration of the leg assemblies 14a, 14b, with the upright portions 18 clustered towards a 20 longitudinal centre-line of the table, provides sufficient clearance for pivoting of the tabletop in the manner illustrated in figure 3. Reverting to figure 1, it can be seen that two cylindrical beams 30, 32 extend between the two leg assemblies 14a, 14b. The cylindrical beams 30, 32 extend in the lengthwise direction of the tabletop 12 and are spaced transversely in the width direction of the 25 tabletop 12. They are evenly spaced, with cross-bracing 34, 36 extending therebetween. The two cylindrical beams 30, 32 are also arranged in the same horizontal plane. The first cylindrical beam 30 extends between one of the leg portions 16a of the first leg assembly 14a and one of the leg portions 16c of the second leg assembly 14b.

9 Likewise, the second cylindrical beam 32 extends between the other leg portion 16b of the first leg assembly 14a and the other leg portion 16d of the second leg assembly 14b. This forms a solid support base for the pivoting tabletop 12. Having one cylindrical beam acting as the pivot and the other serving as the latching point, is a more stable 5 arrangement compared to the prior art. This inventive arrangement is less susceptible to wear and misalignment. The tabletop 12 is pivotally mounted on the first cylindrical beam 30 by means of two spaced pivot mechanisms 40. The pivot mechanisms 40 are disposed at opposite ends of the first cylindrical beam 30. Thus, the tabletop 12 may pivot about the first beam 30 10 from the substantially horizontal, in-use position illustrated in figure 2 to the substantially upright, stowed position illustrated in figure 3 (and back again). The tabletop 12 may be latched in the substantially horizontal position by means of two latching and seating mechanisms 42. The latching and seating mechanisms 42 are secured to the underside of the tabletop 12 (see figure 3). In the substantially horizontal 15 position illustrated in figure 1, the latching and seating mechanisms are co-operable with the second cylindrical beam 32. This will be explained further in connection with figure 6. As shown in Figure 1, two actuators 44 are also provided on the underside of the tabletop 12. These actuators 44 enable the latching and seating mechanism 42 to 20 release to enable the tabletop 12 to pivot to the stowed position shown in figure 3. As will be familiar to those in the art, the actuators 44 are each provided in a moulded housing 45 which is recessed into the underside of the tabletop 12. An actuator cable 46 is also recessed into the underside of the tabletop 12. Covers (not shown) are also provided over the recess and cable 16. 25 Figure 4 illustrates one of the leg assemblies 14a in greater detail. The leg portions 16a and 16b are interconnected by means of connecting members 50 and 52. The first connecting member 52 is in the form of a square hollow section. Each of the leg portions 16a, 16b has opposing recesses 54. These opposing recesses 54 wholly receive the first connecting member 52 so that it is not visible in the finished leg 10 assembly 14a (see figure 2). The first connecting member 52 is retained in position by means of screws 56. The second connecting member 50 also extends between opposing recesses in the two leg portions 16a, 16b and is secured in that position by means of screws 58. However, 5 the second connecting member 50 is visible as can be seen from figure 2. The benefit of this arrangement is that the connecting members 50, 52 can be substituted by alternative connecting members 52', 50' as shown in Figure 5. These alternative connecting members 50', 52' are longer so that the spacing between the leg portions 16a, 16b is increased. As a consequence, the spacing of the first and second 0 beams 30, 32 will also be increased. The resulting support structure made up of leg assemblies 14a',14b' and first and second cylindrical beams 30, 32 will be able to support a tabletop 12 of greater width than that shown in Figure 1. The middle section of the first connecting member 52' is shrouded with a sleeve 60 for greater aesthetic appeal. 5 It is generally not intended that the table will be adjustable in this manner once fully assembled. Rather, it enables the manufacturer to use a limited number of parts to construct tables of varying width. The only parts that need to be modified are the connecting members 50, 52, 50', 52', 60 and of course the tabletop itself 12. It will also be appreciated that tables of different lengths can be constructed, simply by shortening 20 or lengthening the first and second cylindrical beams 30, 32 and the tabletop 12 itself. Also, the positioning of the leg assemblies 14a, 14b can be modified. They need not be disposed at the opposite ends of the first and second cylindrical beams 30, 32. Instead, the leg assemblies 14a, 14b could be disposed at intermediate positions along the lengths of the cylindrical beams 30, 32. 25 Figure 6 illustrates the pivot assembly 40 and the latch and seating mechanism 42 in greater detail. The pivot assembly 40 includes a housing 62 having a bore 64 therethrough. The housing 62 is secured to the table top 12. The first cylindrical beam 30 is received 11 within the bore 64. Also received within the bore 64 are three bushes 66 which are arranged at equal spacing around the circumference of the cylindrical beam 30. The bushes 66 are adjustable in the radial direction relative to the cylindrical beam 30 by means of respective grub screws 68. In this way, the position of the table top 12 5 relative to the cylindrical beam 30 can be adjusted to take account of wear and misalignment. Figure 6 also illustrates the latch and seating mechanism 42 in greater detail. The latch mechanism includes a latch member 70 which is pivotable about pivot 72. The latch member 70 includes latch tongue 74 which, in the latched position, engages within 0 recess 76 of the second cylindrical beam 32. The recess 76 may be in the form of a simple hole or slot in the hollow cylindrical beam 32. The latch member 70 is normally biased into the latched position by means of a spring (not shown). As already explained in connection with figure 1, the latch mechanism is released by the actuator 44 which pulls on the actuator cable 46. As can be seen from a study of figure 6, the pulling of 5 actuator cable 46 will result in pivoting of the latch member 70 so that the latch tongue 74 is withdrawn from engagement with the recess 76. When both of the latch mechanisms 42 are released, the tabletop 12 can be pivoted to the upright orientation illustrated in figure 3. Figure 7 illustrates the tabletop 12 in the substantially upright stowed position. 20 The latch and seating mechanism 42 is shown three dimensionally in figure 8. This is the form of one of the latch and seating mechanisms 42 (right hand). The other latch and seating mechanism 42 will be a mirror image of that shown in Figure 8. The latch and seating mechanism 42 also includes an adjustable seat 78. The adjustable seat 78 includes a concave, part-cylindrical recess 80. The recess of the seat 78 rests upon the 25 second cylindrical beam 32 when the table is in the substantially horizontal position. The position of the seat, in particular the spacing from the tabletop 12 may be adjusted by means of a sliding wedge 82. The sliding wedge 82 is adjusted by means of bolt 84 (the nut which is not shown is at the other end). Tightening the bolt 84 pushes the sliding wedge 82 inward towards the recess 80, forcing the recess 80 to be spaced 30 further outwardly from the tabletop 12. Conversely, releasing the bolt 84 moves the 12 recess 80 towards the tabletop 12. The adjustment of the position of the seat 80 which bears on the second cylindrical beam 32 can be made to ensure that the tabletop 12 remains substantially level throughout its useful life. The foregoing describes only one embodiment of the present invention and 5 modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims (26)

1. A table comprising: at least one support leg; first and second beams supported by the at least one support leg; 5 a table top pivotable about the first beam; and a latch mechanism co-operable with the second beam to latch the table top in a substantially horizontal position.

2. The table as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first and second beams are cylindrical. l0

3. The table as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein one or more pivot assemblies are affixed to the table top and journalled about the first beam.

4. The table as claimed in claim 3 wherein the or each pivot assembly includes an adjustment mechanism to adjust the position of the first beam relative to the table top, to take account of wear and misalignment. 15

5. The table as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first and second beams are substantially identical, of substantially equal length and are disposed alongside one another.

6. The table as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one support leg includes first and second spaced legs arranged at opposite ends of the first 20 and second beams.

7. The table as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each leg comprises a leg assembly including first and second leg portions having a spacing therebetween selected during manufacture to suit the dimensions of the table top. 14

8. The table as claimed in claim 7 wherein each leg portion preferably comprises a single ground engaging point so that the leg assembly has two spaced ground engaging points.

9. The table as claimed in claim 7 or 8 wherein the first and second leg portions are 5 substantially identical.

10. The table as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein there are two spaced leg assemblies and the first leg portions of the two leg assemblies are associated with the first beam and the second leg portions of the two leg assemblies are associated with the second beam. 0

11. The table as claimed in claim any one or the preceding claims wherein the latch mechanism is secured to the table top, there being a detent associated with the second beam in order to latch the table top in the first substantially horizontal position.

12. The table as claimed in claim 11 wherein the latch mechanism includes one or more actuators, provided on the underside of the table top. i5

13. The table as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further including one or more seats associated with the table top for bearing against the second beam.

14. The table as claimed in claim 13 wherein the position of the seat relative to the table top is adjustable in order to ensure correct orientation of the table top in the substantially horizontal position. 20

15. The table as claimed in claim 13 or 14 wherein the seat is incorporated into the latch mechanism.

16. An assembly system for a table with a pivoting top including: at least one leg assembly comprising two leg portions, each having a ground engaging portion at the lower end; and 15 a range of connecting members of various lengths for interconnecting the two leg portions at various spacings, the connecting member(s) being selected according to a desired spacing for the leg portions, which is determined according to the finished dimensions of the table. 5

17. The assembly system as claimed in claim 16 wherein each leg portion has an upper substantially upright portion and a lower transverse portion, the transverse portion having the ground engaging portion at the lower end, with the ground engaging portion being spaced from the longitudinal axis of the substantially upright portion, with the two leg portions in each leg assembly arranged with the substantially upright portions back 10 to back and the transverse portions arranged in a splayed configuration.

18. The assembly system as claimed in claim 17 wherein two connecting members are selected for each leg assembly with the two selected connecting members arranged at the top and bottom respectively of the substantially upright portions.

19. The assembly system as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18 wherein the two 15 leg portions in each leg assembly are substantially identical.

20. A method of assembling a leg assembly for a table with a pivoting top including: providing two leg portions, each having a ground engaging portion at the lower end; and selecting one or more connecting members from a range of connecting members 20 of various lengths, the connecting member(s) being for interconnecting the two leg portions, the connecting member(s) being selected according to a desired spacing for the leg portions, which is determined according to the finished dimensions of the table.

21. The method as claimed in claim 20 wherein each leg portion has an upper substantially upright portion and a lower transverse portion, the transverse portion 25 having the ground engaging portion at the lower end, with the ground engaging portion being spaced from the longitudinal axis of the substantially upright portion. 16

22. The method as claimed in claim 20 or 21 wherein the method further includes: arranging the two leg portions with the substantially upright portions back to back and the transverse portions arranged in a splayed configuration; and connecting the substantially portions with the one or more connecting members. 5

23. The method as claimed in claim 22 when dependent on claim 21 wherein the step of selecting the one or more connecting members comprises selecting two connecting members for each leg assembly and the step of connecting comprises connecting the two selected connecting members at the top and bottom respectively of the substantially upright portions. 0

24. The table substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.

25. The assembly system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.

26. The method of assembling a leg assembly for a table substantially as 15 hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.