GB2182846A - Extensible table - Google Patents

Abstract

A table has extension leaves 26 secured to opposite edges of the table top by hinges 30. The hinges include a first hinge member 84 which is secured to the leaf and a second hinge member 90 which is connected to the table top and is slidable in a channel 104 relative to the table top. The first and second hinge members are pivotally connected to one another by a pivot pin 96 carried by the slidable second hinge member and received within an elongated slot 88 of the first hinge member. A rigid stop 100 is secured to the second hinge member and spaced away from the pivot pin 96 a distance such that the stop prevents pivotable movement of the leaf when the latter is vertical and the pivot pin 96 abuts the end 89 of the slot 88. The second hinge members 90 of hinges on opposite sides of the table may be connected by a spring (110, figure 4). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Extensible table BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION I. Field of the invention This invention pertains to tables having folding leaves and in particularto an improved hinge mechanism for pivotally connecting the leaves to a table top.

II. Description ofthepriorart In the prior art, tables having folding leaves are well known. Common use of such tables is in the hotel industry which uses tables having leaves which assume one oftwo or three positions. The leaves may be horizontal and flush with thetabletopfor serving or the leaves may be pivoted to either a down position or an up position fortransportthrough hotel hallways or for storage ofthe table. Tables with leaves which pivot to a vertical position above the table top are desirable in that during transport ofthe table through hotel hallways, the table leaves actto contain transported dishes, utensils and food on the table top.In addition to having pivotable leaves, such tables are commonly provided with a table top which pivots on a support between a flat horizontal position and a 90 degree displaced vertical position. Such tilting on a support is desirable for storage ofthe tablewhen notin use. An exampleofsuch a priorart table is shown in commonly assigned U.S. patent 4,446,796 to Wilson etal. dated May 1984.

While a table such as described in the aforementioned U.S. patent has proven very useful in the industry, it has been discoveredthatsuch tables may be subject to certain disadvantages under some circumstances. As disclosed in the aforementioned patent, the table leaves are connected to thetabletop by a plurality of hinges which include a stationary pivot member which is securedtothetableand a slide memberwhich is secured to the leaf. The slide member is slidably movable relative to the pivot member but the two members are urged together by means of an interconnecting spring.When the table leaves are to be moved from a position flush with the table top, the leaf must be pulled away from the table top a predetermined stroke and either pivoted to a down position our a leaf up position. In either event, when the leafis pulled awayfrom thetabletop,the hinges are exposed. This can resu It i n undesirable consequences in that during use, such table tops are provided with tablecloths which are commonly white. When the leaves are pulled apart to expose the hinges,thetablecloth can migrate into the hinge area and become soiled. Also, the tablecloth can become pinched when the table leaf is returned to the horizontal position. Another problem associated with such prior art table tops is that when the table is to be moved from the leaf up position to a flush position, the leaf must be moved againstthe urging ofthe spring.This can resultincumbersome operation ofthe table when attempting to move the leaves to a position flush with the table top.

Commonlythis action takes placeinahotel'sguest room when the room service table is being set up in the presence of the hotel guests. At such time, it is very desirable from the standpoint of the hotel to have the operation of the table top be as smooth and graceful as possible to avoid discomforting the hotel guest in any manner. A still further problem ofthe prior art apparatus is that when the table leaf is moved to the down position, the table leaf extends substantiallyfarfromthetabletopwhich requires additional spacefortransport or storage ofthetable.

Summary ofthe invention According to a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention there is provided a table comprising a support and a table top connected to the support. A leaf is provided for the table top with a hingeforconnecting the Ieaftothetopfor movement ofthe leaf from a first position aligned with the top to a second position with the leaf generally normal to the table top. The hinge includes a first memberwhich is secured to the leaf and a second member connected to the table top. The first and second members are pivotally connected and the second hinge member is slidably connected to thetabletop.

More specifically, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a pair of table leaves are pivotally connected to opposing edges of a table top by a plurality of hinges. The hinges include a first hinge member connected to the leaf and a second hinge member slida bly connected to thetabletop. Opposing sliding hinge members on the tabletop are slidably received in a channel and connected to one another by a spring. A sliding hinge member and an associated first hinge member are connected by a pivot pin received within an elongated slot ofthe first hinge member. A stop is provided secured to the second hinge member adjacent the pivot pin and spaced therefrom a distance to permit pivoting of the leafwhen thefirst hinge member is positioned with a first end ofthe slot adjacent the pin.The stop prevents pivotal motion when the first hinge member is positioned with a second end ofthe slot adjacent pin.

Briefdescription ofthe drawing Figure lisa view in perspective of a room service table incorporating the present invention; Figure 2 is a view in elevation of a room service table incorporating the invention with its top tilted to a storage position; Figure 3 is a view taken in elevation of a room service table incorporating the invention with the table top tilted to a use position; Figure 4 is a side elevation view of an end of a table with the top in a use position and with table leaves in vertical positions above the top; Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a hinge mechanism; Figure 6is a perspective view of a channel with latch member protruding through the channel; Figure 7 is a perspective view of pivot and lock mechanisms forthe table shelves;; and Figures 8through 10 are side elevation views showing in sequence the movement of a Ieaffroma vertical position above the table top to a vertical position beneath the table top.

Description of fhe preferred embodiment Referring to the drawings, a table 20 is shown comprising a support 22 and a table top 24 pivotally secured to the support 22 as will be more fully described. A pair of extension leaves 26 and 26' are secured to opposite edges 28 and 28' by hinges 30, 30a, 30' and 30a'.

Support22includes a pairofspaced apart parallel longitudinal base members 32 and 32' which are provided with casters 34, 34a, 34' and 34a' which place the base members 32 and 32' in a common horizontal plane above a horizontal surface 36. The support22furtherincludes a pairofvertical posts 38 and 38' secu red to and extending perpendicularly upwardly away from base members 32 and 32', respectively. Posts 38,38' are interconnected by horizontal cross member 40.

A bottom surface 24a oftable top 24 is provided with a pair of spaced apart parallel channels 42 and 42' adjacent and parallel to edges 28 and 28', respectively. The channels 42 and 42' are spaced apart a distance greaterthan a spacing of posts 38 and 38'.As shown in Figures4and5,channels42 and 42' are identical and a description of channel 42 (as shown in Figures 4 and 6) will suffice as a description of channel 42'. Channel 42 comprises an extrusion having a U-shaped channel portion 44. A vertical spacer position 46 connects channel portion 44to a horizontal mounting flange 48 which is secured to the bottom surface 24a by any suitable fashion such as by a plurality of screws. Channels 42 and 42' are secured to bottom surface 24a with their respective channel portions 44 and 44' facing one another.

Shown in Figures 1,2 and 5, a rod 52 is secured to the top ofthe posts 38 and 38'. The rod 52 is sized such that its free ends 54and 54' extend beyond posts 38 and 38' and into channel portions 44 and 44', all respectively. The free ends 54 and 54' are each provided with plastic slides 56 and 56' which are sized to be slidably received within channel portions 44 and 44', again all respectively. A pair of support arms 58 and 58' are pivotally connected to channels 42 and 42' at60 and 60' and also pivotallyconnected to posts 38 and 38' at 62 and 62'.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, a latch 64 is secured to channel 42. The latch includes a latching surface 66 which is generally abutting an outersurfaceof channel 42. An outwardly projecting segment66a connects the latch surface 66 with a handle portion 68 which is spaced away from the channel outer surface. The latch 64 is pivotally connected to channel 42 by a bolt 67 passing through channel 42 andwhich receives a spring 69 surrounding bolt67 between channel 42 and retaining nut 65. A portion of channel portion 44 opposing latching surface 66 is broken away to provide opening 70 extending through channel portion 44.The opening 70 is positioned on channel portion 44 such that the opening 70 will permit communication through the channel 42 and expose plastic slide 56 when the table is pivoted to the horizontal position as shown in Figure 5. The latch surface 66 is provided with a latching element72which is sized to passthrough hole 70 and engage a latching edge 74 of plastic slide 56. When handle portion 66 is engaged and urged toward channel 42, the handle pivots at the bolt 67 with the latching element72 sliding outoflatching engagementwith latching edge74.When disengaged, the tabletop 20 can be tilted to a vertical storage position.

Extension leaves 26 and 26' are attached by hinges 30, 30a, 30' and 30a', each of which are identical and the description of hinge 30 will suffice as a description of the others. Like parts of each ofthe hinges are numbered identically exceptforthe addition ofthe letter "a" oran apostrophe to identify association with a particular hinge. Shown best in Figure 5 and Figures 8-10, hinge 30 (or hinge 30' in Figures 8through 10) includes a first hinge member 80 having a mounting plate 82 to be secured to a bottom surface of a leaf. Atongue 84 extends perpen-dicularly away from the mounting plate 82 and extends longitudinally beyond the plate 82 to a rounded free end 86. An elongated slot 88 is provided extending through tongue 84 and having a longitudinal direction parallel with mounting plate 82.Afirst end 87 ofthe slot 88 which is spaced the furthestdistancefrom mounting plate 82 is provided coincident with a center point of a circle which includesthe contouraround free end 86.

Asecond hinge member 90 for connection to the bottom surface 24a of the table top 24 (as will be described) is provided. Second hinge member 90 is an elongated rectangular rod sized to be slidably received within a channel having dimensions such asthat of channel portion 44'. The second member 90 has a pivot end 92 having a hole formed therethrough for receiving a pivot pin 96 having an axis generally parallel to the edge 28 ofthetabletop and perpendicularto thetongue 84 offirst hinge member80.The pin 96 extends through the holeand elongated slot 88 pivotallyjoining the first hinge member80 and second hinge member 90. The pin is secured in place by a nut and washer 98. A stop comprising a steel bar 100 is secured to the second hinge member 90 on a side of pivot pin 96 opposite the pivot end 92. The stop is aligned on second member 90 to have a vertical stop surface 102 when the second hinge member 90 is secured to the table top as will be described. The stop surface is spaced from pivot pin 96 a distance only slightly greater than a radius of the rounded free end 86 offirst hinge member 80. The distance from the pivot pin 96 tothe stop surface 102 is less than a radial distance from the second end 89 of elongated slot 88 to an end 85 of the tongue 84.

A pair of spaced apart parallel channels 104 and 104' are provided extending generally perpendicular to edges 28 and 28'. The channels 104 and 104' extend almost the entire length of the bottom surface oftabletop 24. The hinges are aligned on the leaves 26 and 26' such that hinges 30 and 30a are provided with their first hinge mem bers 80 a nd 80a secured to leaf26. Similarly, hinges 30' and 30a' are mounted with their respective first hinge members 80' and 80a' secured to extension leaf 26'. The hinges are secured to their respective leaves such that second hinge member90 opposes and is alignedwith second hinge member 90'. Likewise, second hinge member 90a is opposed and aligned with second hinge member90a'.

The channels 104 and 104' are identical in construction with channel 42 and each providefora channel portion 106 and 106' respectively. The second hinge members 90, 90a, 90' and 90a' are sized to be slidably received within the channel portions of channels 104and 104' such thatsecond hinge members 90 and 90' are slideably received in opposite ends of channel portion 106 of channel 104.

Likewise, second hinge members 90a and 90a' are slidably received at opposite ends of channel portion 106' of channel 104'. Opposing ends ofthe second hinge members 90, 90a, 90' and 90a' are provided with posts 108, 1 08a, 108' and 108a', respectively.

Springs 110 and 110' are provided connecting posts 108 and 108' and posts 108a and 108a', respectively, urging their attached second hinge members toward one another.

As shown best in Figure 9, channel portions 106 and 106' are spaced awa from the bottom surface of thetabletopthe same distance as the elongated slot 88 ofthe first hinge member80 is spaced from the bottom of the extension leaves such that when the leaves are in the horizontal position flush with the table top, opposing edges of the table top and leaves are aligned and abutting. Also, it will be noted from the figures that the opposing edges of the table tops and the leaves are rounded at the upper surface of the leaves and table and beveled inwardly.

Best shown in Figure 2, a pair of leaf supports 112 and 112' are provided for supporting each of leaves 26 and 26', respectively, in a position with the extension leaves aligned with the table top 24. The leaf supports are identical and a description of leaf support 112 will suffice as a description of leaf support 112'.

Leaf support 112 includes a channel member 114 which is an extrusion identical in cross section with channel 42. The channel 114 is aligned with its channel portion extending generally transverse to the opposing edges of the leaf 26 and thetabletop.

The leaf support 112 includes a rod 118 sized to be slidably received within the channel 114and extending through an opening 120 formed through channel 42. Afree end ofthe support rod 118 is provided with a handle 122 which is inwardly turned from support rod 118 at a suitable angle therewith approximately 90 degrees, or any othersuitable angle. The support rod 118 is slidablewithin channel 114 between a first position with the handle 122 beneath the table top 24to permit free pivotal movement of the leaf 26. The support rod 118 is extensible to a second position with the handle 122 disposed beneath the leaf 26.Accurate extendible positioning ofthe support rod 118 is provided by a stop 124 secured to an inner end of the support rod 1 18which abuts the channel 1 14when the support rod 118 has been extracted a desired full stroke. In the fully extended position, the handle 122 is aligned opposing a spacer 126 secured to a bottom surface of the leaf 26. The spacer has a surface opposing the handle 122 spaced from the leaf 26 a distance sufficientforthe spacerto supportthe leaf on the handle 122 with the leaf 26 flush with the table top 24.

Aspacer 126 is provided with a sloping surface 128 opposing the channel 42. Each of leaves 26 and 26' is provided with an operatorengagable handle 130 and 130' secured on an undersurfacethereofcentrally located on an outer edge of the bottoms of extension leaves 26 and 26', respectively.

The support 22 is provided with a pair of shelves 140 and 140' disposed on opposite sides of posts 38 and 38'. Shown best in Figures 1 and 7, the shelves 140 and 140' are identical and a description of one will suffice as a description of the other. Shelf 140 includes a pair of parallel spaced apartsidewallsw 142 and 144which are pivotally secured to base members 32 and 32' by pivot pins 146 and 148. As shown, pivot pins 146 and 148 are received within elongated slots 150 and 152 of sidewalis 142 and 144, respectively.The pins 146 and 148 are spaced from vertical posts 38 and 38' a distance sufficient such that the side walls 142 and 144arefreely pivotable about pins 146 and 148 when the pins engagefirst ends 151 and 153 of elongated slots 150 and 152. When the pivot pins 146 and 148 engagethe second ends 155 and 157 ofthe elongated slots 150 and 152, the sidewalls 142 and 144abutvertical posts 38 and 38' thereby preventing pivotal movement ofthe side walls. The side walls are connected bya cross member 149and asecond cross member 158 having a recess 160 centrally located on cross member 158. Horizontal flanges 162 of the casters provide supportforthe sidewalls 142 and 144when the shells are rotated tothedown position.

Operation The benefits ofthe present invention will become apparent by reason of an explanation ofthe operation of the apparatus of the preferred embodiment.

When the table is in its position to be used in a hotel room, the table leaves 26 and 26' carefully extended and flush with the table top 24. Shelves 140 and 140' may be tilted to either an up or down position as preferred and as indicated by the arrows of Figure 3. When rotating the shelves from an up position to a down position, the cross member 158 is engaged and lifted until the pivot pins 146 engage the first ends 151 and 153 of the slots 150 and 152 at which point the shelves may be pivoted to the down position with the side walls 142 engaging flanges 162. It should be pointed outthat in transport ofthe table, the shelves may remain in the down position with the recess 160 providing adequate clearance for the angles and feet of an operator pushing the table through a hallway.

When the table is in a position to be used in a room, the leaves are flush with the table top and the tongue 84 ofthe first hinge member 80 extends in a horizontal plane generally coincident with the second hinge member 90. In this position, the spring 120 urges opposing hinge members 90togetherwith pivot pins 96 disposed beneath the table top 24.

Opposing rounded edges ofthe table top and the leaves abut one another. The handle portion 122 of support rod 118 engages spacer 126 maintaining the leaves in proper alignmentwith the table top. Also, the table top is tilted to its horizontal position with latching element 72 of latch 64 engaging the latching edge 74 of the plastic slide 56 in locking engagement.

Figure 9 shows hinge 30a' when the leaf 26' is in an extended position flush with thetabletop 24.

From the position described above, the leaves may be moved to either an up position or a down position. To move the leaf 26' to a down position, for example as shown in Figure 10, an operator engages the handle 130' ofthe leafwith one hand and with another hand engages the handle 122' ofthe support 112' pushing the support rod 118' to a position with the handle 122' beneath the table top 24. Gravity causes the now unsupported leaf 26' to pivot about pins 96' and 96a' with the leaf 26' moving to a position generally vertical with its edge disposed beneaththe edge28' ofthetabletop sincethe pivot point is beneath the table top. In such positions, the sliding hinge members 90' and 90a' are fully received within channels 104 and 104' such that the stops 100' and 100a' abut outer surfaces of the channels.

When the leaf is to be moved to a position with the leaf generally vertical and above the table top (as shown in Figure 8wherethe leaf 26' is approaching vertical),the operator engages the leaf handle 130' and pivots the leaf about pivot pins 96' and 96a'. As the leaf 26' approaches a generally horizontal position, the leaf edge abuts the opposing rounded edge 28' of the table top and continues to pivotwith opposing rounded edges rolling over one another. In this manner, the leaf and table top edges become part ofthe hinge mechanism.As the table leaf 26' continues to move to a generallyvertical position, the leaf26 pivots at the opposing edges with the tongues 84' and 84a' drawing the sliding hinge members 90' and 90a' outwardly from channels 104 and 104'. The sliding movement of the hinge members 90' and 90a' is accommodated by the springs 110 and 110'. When the leaf is vertical,the sliding members 90' and 90a' are in theirfully extended position and the elongated slots 88' and 88a' of the tongues 84' and 84a' are vertical. Figure 5 shows hinge 30 in fully vertical position above table top 24.At this point as shown in Figure 5, the tongues and leaf drop vertically until the pins 96 and 96a abut the second ends 89 ofthe slots 88 with the edge of the leaf 26 now disposed lowerthantheopposing edge 29 of the table top 24. In this position, the stops 100 and 1 00a engage the tongues preventing further pivotable movement ofthe hinge members. To move the leaf 26 backto a horizontal position,the operator engages the leaf handle 130 and lifts the entire leaf 26 until the tongues have moved such that the first ends of the slots 88 and 88a engage the pins 96 and 96a at which point the spacing between the pivot pins and the stops 100 and 1 00a is sufficientto permitthe rounded ends of the tongues to pivot.As the operator pivots the leaf back toward the horizontal position, opposing edges ofthe leafand the table roll against one another and the sliding members 90 and 90a 90 of the hinges are urged back into the channels 104 and 104' bythe springs 110 and 110'.

If it is desired to tilt the table top from the horizontal position to a generally vertical position, an operator engages the handle portion 68 ofthe latch 64 and urges the handle portion 68 towards the channel 42. Due to the pivot attachment of the latch, the latching element 72 is urged out of hole 70 whereby channel portion 44 and plastic slide 56 are freelyslidable relativetooneanother.

It can be seen the present invention provides numerous advantages overthe prior art. First, to move the leaves from a vertical position above the table to a position flush with the table, an operator need only lift against the weight ofthe table top and need not lift against the additional force imposed by a spring as was required in the prior art apparatus.

The construction of the table of the present invention permits relatively easy and smooth operation ofthe extensible leaves in a guest room to permit a graceful and non-disruptive set-up of a room service table. Furthermore, since the leaves move from the vertical position above the table top to a flush horizontal position with opposing edges of the table top and leaves providing the pivot pointforthe pivotal action, the hinge mechanisms are not exposed during this operation which avoids the possibility of soiling ofthetablecloth as well as avoiding the need for exposing the unsightly hinge apparatustohotel room gests.Also, when pivoted to the down position,the leaves are more compactthan in the prior art which facilitates movement through narrow high traffic hotel hallways and also reduces space requirements during storage of the table.

Finally, the apparatus is economically constructed since all channel members may be cutfromthesame extrusions.

For the foregoing, it can be seen how the present invention provides advantages not heretofore enjoyed by the prior art. While the foregoing invention has been described by means of a preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated thatthe invention is not intended to be limited bythe specifics of the preferred embodiment and shall include such modifications and equivalents as will appearto those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the scope ofthe present invention is intended to be limited only by the scope ofthe claims as are appended hereto.

Claims (7)

1. Atablecomprising: asupport; a table top; means for connecting said top to said support; a leaf for said table top; hinge means for hinging said leaf two said top for movement of said leaf from a first position aligned with said top to a second position including a first hinge member secured to said leaf and a second hinge member connected to said table top; pivot means for pivotally connecting said first and second hinge member; means for slidably connecting said second hingemembertosaidtabletop; and means for locking said leaf in said second position.

2. Atable according to claim 1 wherein said table top and said leafpresentopposing edges connected by said hinge means with said edges having opposing surfaces engaged in rolling contact as said leaf is moved from said first position to said second position.

3. Atable according to claims 1 or2 wherein said meansfor locking said leaf in said second position includes a stop secured to said second member on a side of said pivot means awayfrom said first member; said pivot means including a pin carried by said second member; a tongue carried by said fi rst member having an elongated slot extending from a first end to a second end with a tongue spaced from said stop a distance sufficientto pivot when said pin engages saidfirstend of said slot and less than a distance sufficientto pivotwhen said pin engages said second end of said slot.

4. Atable according to claim 3wherein said table is provided with two leaves on opposite sides of said table top and hinged to said tabletopwith hinge means having second members slidably connected to said tabletop; second members ofthefirst leaf aligned with second members of a second leaf in a plane coincident with sliding movement of said second members and spring means connecting said opposing sliding members.

5. Atablecomprising: a support; a table top; first and second extension leaves for opposing sidesofsaidtabletop; hinge means for pivotally connecting each of said first and second leaves to said tabletop with edges of said leaves engaging opposing edges of said table top in rolling engagement; said hinge means including a first sliding member and second sliding memberwith means slidably connecting said memberstosaidtabletopbelowa bottom surface thereofto slide in a line generally normal to said edges; each of said sliding members carrying pivot pins having axes generally parallel to said edges; stationary hinge members secured to said leaves having tongues with elongated slots received on said pins for pivotal movement of said pin within said slots; said slots having longitudinal dimensions generally parallel with an uppersurfaceofsaid leaves and extending from a first end to a second end; rigid stop means secured to said sliding members on a side of pins away from said tongues and spaced from said pins a distance greaterthan a distance from said first end of said slots to a free end of said tongue and a distance less than a distance from a second end of said slots to said free end of said tongues.

6. Atable according to claim 5 comprising means for pivotally mounting said table top on said support comprising horizontal spaced-apart stationary slide elements supported by said support; a pair of channel members defining channels to receive said slide elements; said channels supported on said table and generally normal to said axis; latch means for locking said table in a horizontal position comprising a latch having a latching element aligned to engage one of said slide members in locking engagement when said table is in said horizontal position and a handle member connected to said latch memberto urge said latch member out of locking engagement.

7. Atable substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.