ES2378696B1 - EXPANDABLE CUBIC TABLE AND STORAGE CHAIRS. - Google Patents

Abstract

Expandable cubic table and storable chairs, characterized in that the table in a closed situation constitutes a cube with a fixed upper part (9), around which 8 more squares are deployed, which are doubly folded (1-5, 2-6, 3 -7, 4-8) on the 4 vertical faces of the cube, which can have a telescopic structure (13) (16), with elongated legs (17), which once opened the table constitutes a surface 9 times larger and that under the same (or separately) can be stored another smaller cube of edges (31), which strengthens a set of 4 or 6 chairs-stools also square and telescopic to adjust to the height of the table, and can be used as a stool (21) without backrest or as a chair with him (21?).

Description

constitutes the upper face of the cube that forms the

Expandable cubic table and storable chairs.

Object of the invention

The object of the invention is to design a table that, starting from a very small volume, when folded, can acquire a large surface dimension when deployed, housing inside the storage of the chairs necessary for joint use, and all this can be used at different levels of height. Background of the invention

There are many materials and construction techniques used throughout history for the design and construction of expandable furniture. From traditional wood-based furniture, to current state-of-the-art materials, such as carbon fibers. There are a number of approaches to this sector of the industry, where, above all, the fashion variables prevail over the future of construction techniques.

Usually, when designing expandable tables, the possibilities offered by the addition of different boards that are usually housed under the table top or, exceptionally, folded to one side are raised.

Under this approach, it is usually based on a square (or elongated) table whose supplement boards make it rectangular (or very elongated). Description of the invention

The present invention raises a new geometric and technical development, to achieve the design and manufacture of tables, which starting from a cube (relatively large), can be expanded up to nine times its initial size, also having the possibility of being used in several heights to various uses

The invention is completed with a set of chairs capable of accommodating the different variable heights of the table and that are stored in a smaller cube, inside the table once folded.

The cube is therefore the origin of the table design. Its geometry has 6 faces or square and equal sides. If the cube rests on the ground, it offers 2 horizontal faces (the upper one and the lower one) and another 4 vertical ones (the 4 lateral ones).

Proposing that the upper and horizontal part of the cube, is the central area of the table to be designed in its folded position, this cube can also accommodate in each of its 4 vertical sides, double squares equal to that of the horizontal upper face thereof, that serve to achieve the perimeter extension of said central horizontal surface by its perimeter, provided that we add the corresponding mechanisms capable of deploying them.

To do this, a structural central frame must be constructed that spatially defines the edges of the cube so that on this structure we have in addition to the fixed top board, another 8 side panels arranged two to two, on each of the 4 faces, and we will only have to add the corresponding hinges that achieve the unfolding (and bending) of said panels to each other, and complement it with the support mechanisms or struts that stiffen each other, the panels in the new position once unfolded (and also folded), achieving with everything This creates a large square table, consisting of a single horizontal plane, 9 closed table.

In order that said table can acquire different levels or heights to satisfy diverse uses, the legs of the structure of the central frame are designed as if they were the edges of 2 semi-hubs facing each other, allowing the legs facing each other to be accommodated inside each other, achieving with this the vertical telescopic joint movement of the edges of both semi-hubs.

In order for the different raised heights to remain unchanged during use, perforations are housed in the telescopic legs to accommodate the corresponding fixing pins at the various levels.

In order to easily manipulate the weight corresponding to this table, which varies from a small to a large size, its frame has wheels under its corners that facilitate its movement. To this are also added in the lower part of the frame, extendable horizontal legs, in order to increase the support base of the table once deployed and which are retracted telescopically when kept closed.

To achieve a set of tables and chairs grouped in the same cube of the table above, 4 chairs have been designed that are housed under said table, inside a smaller cube, and that are removed and opened when the table is deployed.

Thus, each chair consists of 2 square boards of smaller dimensions than those of the table, which are articulated with a hinge to form the base and back of the seat. These boards are fastened with fasteners to a single off-center part which is telescopic so that with its corresponding perforations and pins, it can acquire different heights.

In order that the back of the chair does not lose the desired angle with respect to the base of the seat, between them a piece of triangular section is arranged externally that strengthens them in said position.

On the contrary, it is possible to close the backrest on the seat, becoming a stool of different heights.

The reason that the legs are off-center has been done in order to accommodate the 4 chairs facing each other by their base, generating the smaller cube that will be housed inside the table, preventing the legs from getting in the way. each.

To prevent the square base of the chairs from disturbing the process of assembling the chair cube, it runs along the stem of its corresponding leg, until it is accommodated next to the base of the seat.

Thus, the set of the 4 chanted chairs (or vertical), with their support bases telescopically closed, can constitute the faces of the smaller cube under the table that is surrounded by a bucket of edges that holds them by their perimeter.

In order that the cube of the chairs remain embedded within the table in their transport or storage, a grid has been arranged in the lower base of the table frame, where to support the perimeter cube of the chairs stored inside. Description of the drawings

Figure 1.- Shows a volumetric perspective of the base cube that will constitute the board of the designed table.

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Figure 2.- Shows a perspective starting the first phase of the deployment of the base cube of the tabletop of Figure 1.

Figure 3.- Shows a perspective starting the second phase of the deployment of the base cube of the tabletop of Figure 1.

Figure 4.- Shows the table board of Figure 1 fully deployed, after following the steps shown in Figures 2 and 3.

Figure 5.- Shows an exploded perspective of the tabletop of Figure 4.

Figure 5A.- Shows a detail of the hinge between two of the square boards.

Figure 5B.-Shows a detail of the leveling mechanism between two pairs of consecutive boards.

Figure 6.- Shows the upper cubic half-structure of the table legs, with their corresponding complementary systems.

Figure 7.- Shows the lower cubic half-structure of the table legs, with their corresponding complementary systems.

Figure 8.- Shows in an exploded perspective, in the upper part the open boards resting on the upper cubic semi-structure of the legs with their complements, which in turn rests on the lower cubic half-structure of the legs and their corresponding complements. .

Figure 9.- Shows the telescopic table designed fully open at its maximum height (H).

Figure 9A.-Shows the telescopic table designed fully open at its minimum height (h).

Figure 10.- Shows the cube in which the folded table becomes, on the corresponding structure of its legs.

Figure 11.- It shows the development in exploded perspective of one of the 4 chairs.

Figure 12.- Shows the perspective of the chair of the previous figure in an elevated position with its backrest open.

Figure 12A.-Shows the perspective of the previous figure, in the process of folding its backrest.

Figure 12B.-Shows the previous figure, once the backrest is folded down, turning the chair into a stool.

Figure 13.- Shows the stool of Figure 12A at its maximum height (H).

Figure 13A.-Shows the stool of the previous figure, lowering its height.

Figure 13B.-Shows the stool of Figure 12B at its minimum height (h).

Figure 14.- Shows the previous figure with its fundamental components, before being collected for storage.

Figure 14A.-Shows the process of collecting the base of the chair and / or stool.

Figure 14B.-Shows the stool or chair once collected.

Figure 15.- Shows in perspective, the cube of edges where to accommodate the chairs.

Figure 15A.-Shows in perspective, the process of assembling the 4 chairs inside its edge cube.

Figure 15B.-Shows in perspective, the bucket of edges of the chairs with them stored inside.

Figure 16.- In a vertically displaced perspective, it shows the cube of the table that is generated with its 9 square boards, which rests on its telescopic cubic structure that houses inside a cube that stores its 4 collected chairs.

Figure 17.- Shows in a perspective, the table opened in its highest position “H”, with the edge cube that stores the 4 chairs, taking out of it a chair mounted with its raised backrest. Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

The preferred embodiment of the invention starts from the geometric development of the faces of a cube in space, transforming the spatial volume into a flat surface.

As shown in Figure 1 (momentarily leaving its structure aside), with 4 boards

or square panels (1) (2) (3) (4), fixed to another (9), a cube can be organized in space. Now, said initial cube hardly varies in volume if it is slightly enlarged with the double square panels

(5)

(6) (7) (8) superimposed on each of the vertical sides.

To allow the deployment of the table, the corresponding hinges (10) are arranged between the upper horizontal panel (9) and the double vertical panels

(5)

(6) (7) (8), as shown in the perspective of Figure 2, where the first phase of the deployment of the cube starts from the center board of the table. The folding and unfolding mechanism of the boards that achieve their extension can be made with hinges, bolts or movable joints, which can be fixed by surface, head or edge.

To continue opening the table between the panels (1) and (5), (2) and (6), (3) and (7), (4) and (8) hinges (10) are also provided, which shown in the second phase of the deployment of Figure 3, starting from the initial cube.

In Figure 4, the final result of the two deployment phases practiced correlatively shown in Figures 2 and 3 can be seen, where at the end it is achieved that all the squares remain in the same plane

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) that constitute the surface of the tabletop, once fully deployed.

The image in Figure 5 shows an exploded perspective of the tabletop, with its 9 squares, where the corresponding hinges (10) can be seen separately between the square panels that articulate it.

In the rotation between any two of said squares (5) and (9), Figure 5A is detailed, where the placement of the hinge (10) bolted to the edge of 2 of the consecutive squares articulated with each other is observed.

So that the pairs of squares deployed two by two (1) and (5), (2) and (6), (3) and (7), (4) and (8) accommodate at the same level of their corresponding adjacent pairs between pairs of consecutive boards, and can maintain it during the use of the table, it is required to have the sliding support guides (11) (sliding or rotating elements) located below the squares (1) and (6) , (2) and (7), (3) and (8),

(4) and (5), which can be seen as a whole in the exploded perspective of Figure 5 and described expanded in detail in Figure 5B, between squares (4) and (5).

All of the above, requires a firm support structure that really constitutes what is traditionally called "table legs", which can be a traditional structure. However, as the table that has been devised pretends to have several

5 EN 2378696A1 6

height levels between one minimum and one maximum, and part of a prismatic geometry, a telescopic structure has been developed in two parts (one enters inside the other) that is constituted by the upper cubic semi-structure (13) of the table that is shown in Figure 6, which fits the corresponding lower cubic half-structure (16) of the table shown in Figure 7.

It can also be seen in the same figures that, so that the set of the two upper and lower parts of the telescopic table structure can be connected to each other in different positions, the appropriate perforations have been arranged in the vertical legs of both semi-structures. (14) where to thread the corresponding fixing pins (15) to the desired height.

So that the board set obtained with the 9 squares can be anchored and folded to the upper semi-structure, it requires 8 folding javelcones

(12) (two on each vertical face of the cube) shown in Figure 6, in its different positions, open (12), semi-open (12 ’) and closed (12”).

Equivalently and to facilitate the mobility of the closed (or open) table and improve stability once opened, in Figure 7 it is possible to appreciate the incorporation of complementary elements such as 4 wheels (19) arranged under the uprights of the legs , as well as 4 horizontal extension guides of the support base (17), with their corresponding adjustable leveling plugs on the ground (18).

Note also in Figure 7, which centered on the base of the lower semi-structure (16), a grid (20) is incorporated, which, as will be seen later in Figure 16, fulfills the function of supporting the smaller edge cube it welcomes. the set of chairs, which said table is able to store inside.

In Figure 8, the set of the articulated described from below to above is shown, in a triple vertical exploded view, where the lower half-table structure (16) with its wheels (19) and horizontal extensions (17) is observed below, in the center the folding jabalcones

(12) fully open at the level of the upper semi-structure (13), prepared to jointly support the 9 squares that constitute the large open tabletop, with their corresponding hinges (10).

In order to have the possibility that the designed table can be used at different levels, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, perforations (14) have been made in the legs of both upper and lower semi-structures, where it can accommodate the fixing pins (15) at the different heights that the table offers.

The variation of levels set forth above, can be clearly seen by comparing the perspective of Figure 9, where the table is fully open on the double telescopic structure in a maximum height position (H) (both telescopic substructures being stretched to their maximum length), in contrast with the perspective shown in Figure 9A, with the same table fully open but this time in a position of minimum height (h) (both telescopic substructures being fitted in their minimum length).

To complete the graphic description of the table, in figure 10 it can be seen in its fully closed or storage position, seeing the perspective of the cube constituted by the upper square (9) and the 4 folded squares of the board (8)

(7) (6) (5), together with the other 4 double-folded squares on the previous ones (4) (3) (2) (1), and all this articulated with their corresponding mechanisms: hinges (10), sliding guides support (11), folding javelcones (12). The assembly rests on the telescopic structure constituted by the upper half-structure (13) that runs on the lower half-structure (16), and all this rests on the wheels (19) allowing to establish the stability of the open table with the horizontal extensible guides ( 17) that are shown retracted with its adjustable leveling pad (18).

Next, we will describe the part of the invention related to the chairs inside the invented table. As can be seen in Figure 11, which shows the development in exploded perspective of one of the 4 chairs.

The base of one of the chairs next to the floor, is formed by the square plate (29) on which in an off-center there is a bushing that has a perforation (14) where a pin (15) is housed which in turn would enter the central area of the telescopic leg

(28)

with its perforations (14) and pins (15), and whose upper part of the leg (25) is attached to a square plate, which has at least 4 perforations to house the hardware (26) with the nuts (27) to hold on it the square of the seat (21) with its possible finishing treatment (22), which in turn, and through the hinge (23) would join the backrest (21 '), thanks to the incorporation of a triangular piece at an angle (24) that acts as a retainer and allows it to be fixed in that position.

The anterior exploded assembly, de fi nitely constitutes the chair mounted in an elevated position as shown in Figure 12, by adding the lengths of the telescopic leg in its central section (28) and above

(25)

and with its open backrest, which as can be seen in comparison to Figure 12A, its backrest (21 ') can be folded down to the horizontal position on the seat (22), and by removing the piece (24) that maintains the angle of the backrest , once it is dejected, it becomes the perspective shown in Figure 12B, which constitutes a stool.

If we contrast the following 3 figures, it can be seen as the chair-stool shown in Figure 13, by adding the lengths of the telescopic leg in its central section (28) and upper (25), it is raised to its maximum height “H” , while on the contrary, in Figure 13A, it is shown that by simply releasing the pin (15), its height can decrease to that shown in Figure 13B, where the telescopic chair-stool shows the minimum height "h".

If we now contrast the next 3 fi gures, 14, 14A and 14B, where the chair-stool folding process is continued, now applying it to the telescopic base itself (29) as shown in Figure 14, achieved simply by removing the pin (15), the base can run through the stem or leg (28) so that it can be placed next to the closed boards (21) and (21 '), as shown in Figure 14B.

Observing the figures 15, 15A and 15B, we will verify that once the 4 chair-stools have been retracted to their minimum volume, and placing them with their boards upright, as expressed in Figure 15A, they can accommodate the cube by edges (31) shown in Figure 15, in this case having an upper cover (30), giving as

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The final result was the assembly of the 4 chairs inside their own storage cube, as shown in Figure 15B, although 6 chair-stools could be placed, one on each side of the cube.

In order to be able to have a joint vision of the two fundamental parts of this patent, it is shown below in Figure 16, a vertically displaced perspective, of the table cube that is generated with its 9 square boards, which at its Once it rests on its telescopic cubic structure, which houses inside a bucket of edges that stores the 4 chairs once collected.

To conclude and as a summary to have a view of the whole of the Patent, in figure 17 it is shown in perspective, the table opened in its elevated position, together with the edge cube that stores the 4 chairs, having taken out of it and assembled one of them only.

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Claims (11)

one.

Expandable cubic table and storable chairs, characterized in that the closed table constitutes a cube with a fixed upper part, around which 8 more squares are deployed, which are doubly folded on the 4 vertical faces of the cube, which once opened the table, constitutes a surface 9 times larger and that under the same (or separately) can be stored another smaller cube, which strengthens a set of chairs-stools also square.

2.

Expandable cubic table and storable chairs, according to claim 1, whose table is characterized in that the folding and unfolding mechanism of the boards that achieve their expansion, is carried out by hinges, bolts or mobile joints, which can be fixed by surface, by testa or by singing

3.

Expandable cubic table and storable chairs, according to previous claims, whose table is characterized in that the mechanism of anchoring the boards once opened, consists of sliding or rotating elements arranged between boards and adjacent ones.

Four.

Expandable cubic table and storable chairs, according to previous claims, characterized in that the cubic structure of the table is telescopic, this being subdivided into two parts, such that legs enter inside the others vertically, having different perforations to fit each other to various heights by means of fixing pins.

5.

Expandable cubic table and storable chairs, according to previous claims, whose table is characterized in that the element that strengthens the main boards on its cubic structure, is made by folding javelcones.

6.

Expandable cubic table and storable chairs, according to previous claims, whose table is ca

It is characterized by having wheels under its main structure to facilitate its mobility, as well as having horizontally elongated telescopic legs, with their corresponding level adjustment nuts, for when the table is extended.

7.

Expandable cubic table and storable chairs, according to previous claims, whose chair-stools are characterized by being stored by entering each of the 6 faces of a cube smaller than that of the table, thanks to being the 6 legs of the chairs out of their central axis and also collect the base of them to their seat, so that when stored they do not interfere with the different legs and bases, once turned together.

8.

Expandable cubic table and storable chairs, according to previous claims, whose chair-stools are characterized by having an offset telescopic leg to be able to lengthen at different heights by means of the corresponding perforations and pins to accommodate the use at different levels of the telescopic table.

9.

Expandable cubic table and storable chairs, according to previous claims, whose chair-stools are characterized by having a square support base and a square seat, which in turn can be unfolded to go from being a stool, to a chair with backrest, thanks to the incorporation of the corresponding hinge and of an angled retainer that confers the appropriate angle.

10.

Expandable cubic table and storable chairs, according to previous claims, whose chair-stools are characterized in that the square plate of its base is perforated in the center of the bushing where the off-center telescopic leg is fixed, to be able to slide along the telescopic leg, until joining the telescopic leg. own seat to be collected in a bucket built by edges, which can be housed inside the table structure or separately in another place.

SPANISH OFFICE OF THE PATENTS AND BRAND Application no .: 200901691 SPAIN Date of submission of the application: 30.07.2009 Priority Date: REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE 51 Int. Cl.: A47B3 / 14 (2006.01) A47C4 / 04 (2006.01) RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

Category

56 Documents cited Claims Affected

Y

US 4282817 A (GUTTERMAN GARY) 11.08.1981, the whole document. 1-10

Y

US 3430588 A (HEYER PAUL O) 04.03.1969, the whole document. 1-10

TO

EP 1733645 A1 (HETTICH PAUL GMBH & CO KG) 20.12.2006, summary [WPI] retrieved from the EPOQUE DB; figures. 1-6

TO

US 3205839 A (POUL NORREKLIT) 14.09.1965, description; figures. one

TO

WO 2006109178 A1 (PROJECTS AND DEVELOPMENTS LLC et al.) 19.10.2006, summary; figures. 1.7

TO

US 2110068 A (JOHN KOWALSKI) 01.03.1938, figures 1.3. one

TO

US 6068331 A (BARNES PAUL GREGORY) 30.05.2000, figures. 7

TO

NL 7511658 A (HANS HELMUT ESSER) 13.04.1976, figures. 7

Category of the documents cited X: of particular relevance Y: of particular relevance combined with other / s of the same category A: reflects the state of the art O: refers to unwritten disclosure P: published between the priority date and the date of priority submission of the application E: previous document, but published after the date of submission of the application

This report has been prepared • for all claims • for claims no:

Date of realization of the report 29.03.2012

Examiner S. Mayor Villar Page 1/5

REPORT OF THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE Application number: 200901691 Minimum documentation sought (classification system followed by classification symbols) A47B, A47C Electronic databases consulted during the search (database name and, if possible, terms of search used) INVENES, EPODOC, WPI State of the Art Report Page 2/5  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 200901691 Date of Written Opinion: 29.03.2012 Statement

Novelty (Art. 6.1 LP 11/1986)

Claims Claims 1-10 IF NOT

Inventive activity (Art. 8.1 LP11 / 1986)

Claims Claims 1-10 IF NOT

The application is considered to comply with the industrial application requirement. This requirement was evaluated during the formal and technical examination phase of the application (Article 31.2 Law 11/1986).  Opinion Base.- This opinion has been made on the basis of the patent application as published. State of the Art Report Page 3/5  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 200901691 1. Documents considered.- The documents belonging to the state of the art taken into consideration for the realization of this opinion are listed below.

Document

Publication or Identification Number publication date

D01

US 4282817 A (GUTTERMAN GARY) 11.08.1981

D02

US 3430588 A (HEYER PAUL O) 04.03.1969

D03

EP 1733645 A1 (HETTICH PAUL GMBH & CO KG) 20.12.2006

D04

US 3205839 A (POUL NORREKLIT) 14.09.1965

D05

WO 2006109178 A1 (PROJECTS AND DEVELOPMENTS LLC et al.) 19.10.2006

D06

US 2110068 A (JOHN KOWALSKI) 01.03.1938

D07

US 6068331 A (BARNES PAUL GREGORY) 30.05.2000

D08

NL 7511658 A (HANS HELMUT ESSER) 13.04.1976

2. Statement motivated according to articles 29.6 and 29.7 of the Regulations for the execution of Law 11/1986, of March 20, on Patents on novelty and inventive activity; quotes and explanations in support of this statement The object of the invention (independent claim 1) relates to an expandable cubic table and storable chairs, the table constituting a bucket with the fixed top part when it is in the closed position. Around the fixed top part 8 more squares are deployed, doubly folded on the 4 vertical faces of the cube. In addition, a smaller cube can be stored either separately or under the table, which consolidates a set of square chair-stools. Document D01 can be considered the state of the art closest to the technical object set forth in claim one. This document discloses an expandable cubic table, which has the following characteristics (see figures):

•

The table in closed situation constitutes a cube with a fixed upper part (12).

•

Around the top 8 more squares are deployed (22,24).

•

The squares are doubly folded on the 4 vertical faces of the cube.

•

The table once opened constitutes a surface 9 times larger.

The only difference between document D01 and the characteristics set forth in the first claim of the application is that D01 does not include the existence of a smaller cube to be stored, consisting of a set of square chair stools. However, this feature has already been disclosed in document D02, which shows a cube formed by a set of square stools that are introduced into the faces of the cube. It is considered that one skilled in the art would attempt to combine this characteristic of document D02 with document D01 of the closest prior art to obtain the characteristics of the first claim and have a reasonable expectation of success. Therefore the object of the first claim would lack inventive activity (art. 8.1 Law 11/86 of Patents). In addition, the expandable table of document D01 has the following characteristics:

•

The mechanism of folding and unfolding of boards is done by hinges.

•

The boards are secured together by sliding elements between adjacent boards (28).

•

The cubic structure of the table is telescopic (see fig. 6).

•

The boards are secured to the cubic structure through folding soaps (34).

The features set forth in claims 2-5 therefore would not imply inventive activity according to the prior art. The features set forth in claim 6 (wheels under the main hub structure and horizontally elongated telescopic legs) are considered normal design options that are considered within the scope of the usual practice followed by the person skilled in the art. Claims 7-10 collect characteristics related to the structure of the smaller cube that houses the 6 stools mentioned. Document D02 includes the following features:

•

Stools can be stored by entering each of the 6 faces of the cube.

•

The legs of the chairs are offset from their central axis.

•

The stools are stored so that the legs do not interfere with each other.

State of the Art Report Page 4/5  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 200901691 The remaining features of claims 7-10 (folding backrest, chair base that is picked up to the seat, telescopic legs) can again be considered normal design options that are considered within the scope of usual practice followed by the expert in The matter. Therefore, the set of features of claims 1-10 would lack inventive activity according to the state of the art mentioned above (art. 8.1 Law 11/86 of Patents). The rest of the documents cited (D03 to D08) reflect examples of folding tables and / or stools close to the invention, forming part of the most relevant state of the art close to the application. State of the Art Report Page 5/5