EP1171075A1

EP1171075A1 - Portable and folding table for massaging or any other type of treatment

Info

Publication number: EP1171075A1
Application number: EP00920827A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean-Luc Simonin
Original assignee: LPG Design Development; LPG Design Dev
Current assignee: LPG Design Development; LPG Design Dev
Priority date: 1999-04-20
Filing date: 2000-04-18
Publication date: 2002-01-16
Also published as: FR2792523A1; CN1348350A; WO2000062732A1; US20020043182A1; FR2792523B1; AU4125800A

Abstract

The invention concerns a portable and folding table consisting of a base (2) designed to support a plate (3) whereon a person can lie down, characterised in that: the plate has length and width greater than the support surface of the base on the ground; The lower part of the plate (3) comprises means to be fitted onto the base while being supported around and against the peripheral edge of the box forming said base; the articulation between the two panels (9) forming the plate, is formed by a connecting strip (12) on either side of which the elementary panels (9) are linked so as to form two articulations (13), the width of said connecting strip (12) being not less than the total thickness of the folded side walls of the box(es) forming the base, the dimensions of the two elementary panels (9) forming said plate corresponding substantially to the height and the width of the non-folding side surfaces of the elementary box(es) forming the base.

Description

MASSAGE TABT-E OR TOTTT OTHER TYPE OF

TR ATTEMENT. PT RIM AND TR ANSPORTABUE.

nnmaine technique The present invention relates to the technical field of the treatment of a person, maintained in a lying position either directly against the ground, or at a raised level, in order to allow him to perform exercises or be manipulated and / or treated, for example during a massage operation.

It relates more particularly to a new type of table, foldable and portable, consisting, in known manner, of a base and a tray intended to support the person in the lying position.

In the following description, the new type of table according to the invention will be referred to as a "massage table", although it could possibly be used for other applications.

Previous techniques

In addition to conventional massage tables whose legs and table are permanently joined together, it has been proposed for a long time, for such use, to make foldable and transportable tables.

Among the solutions proposed to date, mention may be made of those subject in particular to French patents 2,611,123, 2,591,475 and 2,555,422.

In all these installations which, in general, can be compared to the folding tables used in the leisure sector, the base is permanently fixed to the tray, and consists of uprights, possibly associated with crosspieces, articulated with respect to to the tray and can be folded against the latter, said tray also being made up of a plurality of elements which can be folded together.

Among these devices, the most attractive solution is that which is the subject of FR 2 555 422 in which the tray consists of two equal parts, articulated with respect to each other, and is equipped with folding feet, against the back of said tray, which makes it possible to have, in the folded and closed state, an assembly which is substantially in the form of a suitcase.

Such an embodiment is, however, relatively complex and, in use, wear can occur on the bearings supporting the hinge pins, which can go as far as breaking. In addition, if the fact of having feet allowing a height adjustment may seem attractive, this possibility goes to the detriment of the stability of the table and, the leveling is difficult to achieve since one must adjust independently of the others the eight legs that such a table has.

It has also been proposed, as is apparent from FR-A-2 572 633, to produce folding and dismountable furniture composed of a base intended to support a tray.

In such an embodiment, the base consists of a parallelepipedal block comprising four vertical faces and forming a box open at its base and at its upper part, said vertical faces being articulated two by two with respect to each other along of their common edge.

However, such a solution poses problems when it is desired to store and transport the assembly after having disassembled it, taking into account the fact that the lateral faces of the base are simply folded back against each other, thus causing a lengthwise overall size. equal to twice the width on each side of the base.

In US patent 4,138,951 which relates to a removable and foldable table, also consisting of a base and a built-in tray at the top of the base, the lateral faces of said base include folding zones making it possible to reduce the space requirement. of the assembly during storage and transport. Similarly, the upper plate can also be folded in its middle part.

However, such a solution is not entirely satisfactory by the fact that the base occupies an area on the ground identical to that of the plate, and the maintenance of the latter on said plate lacks reliability. Furthermore, when the base and the tray are folded, they form a relatively bulky assembly and delicate to transport and store.

Statement of the invention

The invention aims to propose a new type of massage table, foldable and transportable, which not only is very simple, but also makes it possible to obtain perfect stability during use.

It also aims at a new type of table eliminating any risk of wear and breakage caused by the presence of articulation in previous solutions.

Finally, it aims to achieve a structure such that the table top can not only be used in the normal way by being associated with a base, but which, moreover, can possibly be used by placing it directly on the ground, thus serving as " exercise mat for the user.

In general, the new type of foldable and transportable table according to the invention therefore consists of a base intended to support a tray on which a person can rest in the lying position, and in which:

_ the base consists of at least one parallelepipedal block comprising only four vertical faces and forming a box open at its base and at its upper part, said vertical faces being articulated two by two with respect to each other along their common edge; _ the tray consists of at least two panels hinged relative to each other.

The table according to the invention is characterized in that: the table has a length and a width greater than the bearing surface on the floor of the base;

_ the underside of the tray includes means able to be embedded on the base by being supported around and against the peripheral edge of the box forming said base;

_ the articulation between the two panels constituting the plate, is formed by a connecting strip on either side of which the panels elementary are connected so as to form two articulations, the width of said connecting strip being at least equal to the total thickness of the folded side walls of the box (es) forming the base, the dimensions of the two elementary portions constituting said plate substantially corresponding to the height and width of the non-foldable side faces of the elementary box (es) constituting the base.

According to a simplest embodiment, the base consists of a single rectangular block whose long side faces have a plurality of folding zones.

According to a preferred embodiment, said base is preferably composed of two parallelepipedic blocks, which can be joined to one another, two opposite faces comprising a folding zone in their middle part.

In this preferred embodiment, the central connection part comprises, on its underside, means able to be embedded on and around the ends of the panels, and on either side of the juxtaposed faces of the two elementary blocks constituting the base, thus improving the stability of the whole.

As a material making it possible to produce the boxes forming the base, it is possible to use plates of densified cardboard, plastic material, so as to form, in the unfolded state, a structure of parallelepipedal shape articulated in its four angles, two opposite walls called " front side "and" rear side "also comprising a folding zone over their entire height.

Thanks to such a design, the two boxes can be folded, the two side faces trapping between them the front and rear faces of the box which are folded. During transport, the boxes thus folded are arranged between the elementary panels constituting the tray, connected together by any suitable means such as a strap, so as to form a compact unit which is easy to store and transport.

The tray is constituted for example by a plastic plate comprising, along its length, one or two folding zones, and covered on its face upper layer ensuring comfort for the user, for example a layer of thermo-compressed foam, in a way forming a carpet.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will however be better understood thanks to the concrete embodiment given below by way of indication but not limitation, and which is illustrated by the appended diagrams in which:

_ Figure 1 schematically illustrates, in perspective, a preferred form of massage table according to the invention during its use;

_ Figures 2,3,4 and 5 illustrate, also in perspective, the different operating phases for disassembling, folding the different elements constituting such a table in order to group them (Figure 5) when one wishes to move it; _ Figure 6 illustrates a variant of the box to achieve the base of the table according to the invention;

_ Figures 7 and 8 are respectively cross-sectional and longitudinal views of a table produced in accordance with the invention, and showing more particularly the manner in which the association of the table top with its base is produced;

_ Figure 9 illustrates a simplified form of a variant of a folding base for making a table according to the invention.

Manner of Carrying Out the Invention Referring to the appended diagrams, the invention therefore relates to a new type of table, designated by the general reference (1) which therefore consists of a base, designated by the general reference (2) supporting a tray (3) on which a person can rest in a lying position.

The base (2) consists of two parallelepipedic blocks designated by the same reference (4), open at their base and at their upper part and therefore comprising only four vertical faces (5a, 5b, 6a, 6b), articulated two to two relative to each other along their common edge (7), the two opposite faces (6a, 6b) having a folding zone (8) in their middle part. The plate (3) has a length and a width greater than the bearing surface on the floor of the base which is therefore constituted by the two boxes (5a) joined to one another. This plate (3) consists of at least two panels (9) articulated with respect to each other.

The tray is covered on its upper face with a layer of material ensuring comfort for the patient.

Its lower face (10) comprises means (11) able to be embedded on the boxes forming the base while being in abutment against the peripheral rim of the latter.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the appended figures, the articulation between the two main elements (9) constituting the plate, is formed by a connecting strip (12) on either side of which the elementary panels are connected so as to form two joints (13).

The underside of this connecting strip (12) is shaped in the form of a groove defined between two raised beads (14), which traps the two lateral faces (6a, 6b) of the two elementary caissons (see FIG. 8 ).

Such a tray is preferably made by thermoforming a plastic material.

When the table top and the base are associated with each other, as shown in Figures 1, 7 and 8, a table is obtained with perfect stability.

To obtain an assembly that can be transported in a minimum space, the dimensions of the elementary boxes (4) are such that the surface of the side walls (5a, 5b) correspond to the surface of the panels (9) constituting the tray.

Furthermore, the connection zone (12) has a width such that it is equal to approximately eight times the thickness of the side walls of the boxes. As an indication, for a massage table having a width of 69 cm and a total length of 180 cm, and in which the boxes forming the base are made from a material such as densified cardboard having a thickness of

1.5 cm, the side faces (5a, 5b) will have a height of 67 cm and a length of 82 cm, the width of the panel (6) being 63 cm, the dimensions of the elementary panels (9) corresponding to those of side panels (5), and the junction area (12) having a width of 14 cm.

Thanks to such a design, it is possible, as shown in Figures 3 to 5, to easily disassemble said table, each box being folded so that the faces (6a, 6b) fold up around the vertical axis ( 8) and are held between the lateral faces (5a, 5b), the tray is itself also folded and is arranged on either side of the boxes (FIG. 4), the extreme edges of the trays then being interconnected by any suitable means, such as by means of a strap.

The edges thus folded, all the elements constituting the table can therefore be easily stored and transported.

When it is desired to mount the said table, this operation is done very quickly by opening the fastener (10) (FIG. 5), then by unfolding the boxes (FIG.

4) and the plate (figure 3). The two boxes being placed side by side, one then realizes the embedding of the interior face of said plate inside the base thus formed.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the concrete example of embodiment described and it could be envisaged, as is apparent from FIG. 6, to have additional boxes designed to receive transverse reinforcements, such as plates built into grooves provided in the upper part of the side faces (5) of each box.

In addition to its great ease of installation, such a table also has additional advantages by the fact that the side walls of the base being full, it is possible to use them as a support for decorative or advertising element. Furthermore, additional means can be provided to ensure the elementary boxes are kept in the folded state, for example by providing hooking means of the "Velcro" type on the folded faces.

Similarly, when the base consists of two elementary boxes, the latter may comprise on the faces facing one another, attachment means also of the "Velcro" type.

Finally, provision may be made for lateral orifices on the walls of the casing (s) forming the base, orifices making it possible to maintain various accessories.

Finally, as shown in Figure 9, the base can also be made from a single block of parallelepiped shape.

In such an embodiment, the lateral faces will have folding zones (8), while the front and rear faces will be formed from rigid panels.

As in the preferred example described above, it is therefore possible to fold the base which, in its folded form, therefore has a thickness corresponding to the total sum of the thicknesses of each element of the articulated walls.

In such a case, the tray will preferably be produced as previously by including a central zone (12), thus making it possible to use this element to surround the base in the folded state.

Claims

REVE-NmCATTONS

1 / Foldable and transportable table composed of a base (2) intended to support a tray (3) on which a person can rest in the lying position, and in which:

_ the base (2) consists of at least one parallelepipedal block comprising only four vertical faces and forming a box open at its base and at its upper part, said vertical faces being articulated two by two with respect to each other the along their common edge; _ the plate (3) consists of at least two panels (9) articulated with respect to each other, characterized in that:

_ the tray has a length and a width greater than the bearing surface on the floor of the base; _ the underside of the plate (3) comprises means capable of fitting onto the base while being supported around and against the peripheral rim of the box forming said base;

_ the articulation between the two panels (9) constituting the plate, is formed by a connecting strip (12) on either side of which the elementary panels (9) are connected so as to form two articulations (13) , the width of said connecting strip (12) being at least equal to the total thickness of the folded side walls of the box (es) forming the base, the dimensions of the two elementary portions (9) constituting said plate corresponding substantially to the height and width of the non-foldable side faces of the elementary box (es) constituting the base.

2 / foldable and transportable table according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper face of the tray is covered with a layer of material ensuring comfort for the patient.

3 / Table according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the base (2) consists of a single box of parallelepiped shape whose long side faces have a plurality of folding zones. 4 / Table according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the base (2) consists of two parallelepipedic blocks (4), contiguous to each other, two opposite faces (6a, 6b) comprising a folding zone (8) in their middle part.

5 / table according to claim 4, characterized in that the central connection part (12) comprises, on its underside, means (14) adapted to be embedded on and around the ends of the panels and on the one hand and another of the juxtaposed faces of the two elementary blocks constituting the base.

6 / Table according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the box or boxes (s) forming the base (2) are made of plates of densified cardboard, plastic ....

11 Table according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the plate (3) consists of a thermoformed plastic plate covered on its upper face with a layer ensuring comfort for the user, such as a layer of thermocompressed foam, and has, on its underside, raised areas capable of fitting inside the box (es) forming the base bearing against or around the walls of this or these) .