GB2263230A - A support for a table - Google Patents

Abstract

A table support for tables with folding legs comprises a receiver member 8 attached to a table top for receiving a support member by means of a rod 7 passing through the support member and fixed at its ends to the receiver member. The support member has a semicircular cross section and two table legs tensioned by a spring clip 6 as a reinforcement against lateral forces. The support member is bolted to the receiver member in either the folded position or the position of use. A folding table made using this support is strong yet folds easily and compactly for storage and transport. <IMAGE>

Description

A SUPPORT FOR A TABLE DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a table support, and particularly for a table with folding legs.

Tables with folding legs are known, for example, picnic tables, tables commonly used by decorators for applying paste to wallpaper, and card tables. In these known examples, each leg pivots on simple lugs attached to the table top. These types of table are not suitable for heavy duty use, and need extra supporting struts even for light use.

Another known table is the so-called "gate-leg" table which is stronger and more durable but much less portable as the legs do not fold flat with the top.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a support for a table top comprising a receiver member adapted to be fixed to the table top, a support member comprising table legs and means for connection to the receiver member in a manner so as to be rotatable between a first folded position; and a second unfolded position, and means for fixedly securing the support member to the receiver member in each of the first or second positions.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a table comprising a table top with a substantially planar surface and support means comprising a receiver member fixed to the table top and a support member having elongate extensions for supporting the table top above the ground in use, and a rotary part with a cross-section comprising a semi-circle and a bore channel of circular crosssection for receiving a rod, wherein the rod is constrained at both its ends by the receiver member so that the support member can be moved between a first position in which it supports the table above ground and a second position in which the elongate extensions are parallel and in close proximity to the table top, and means for securing the support member to the receiver member in each of the first and second positions.

Preferably the receiver member is a hollow elongate box constructed of metal with means for fixing it to the table top, which comprise screws and tapped bores.

A table according to the invention has considerable advantages over known tables because it is strong, yet it can be folded easily and compactly for storage and transport.

This is especially useful in high-rise dwellings where a lift has limited space. It can be used for office and domestic applications and may be square, rectangular or circular amongst other shapes.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the underside of a table according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the table of Fig. 1, folded up.

Fig. 3 shows a support for the table of Figs. 1 and 2 in perspective and plan view.

Fig. 4 shows a fixing bracket for the support of Fig. 3.

Fig. 1 shows a table 1 consisting of a top 2 in the form of a rectangular, generally planar, piece of wood. The table top 2 may be made of other material, e.g., metal or firm plastic. Four legs 3, 4 are mounted in pairs on rotary support elements 10, 11. The legs 3 may alternatively be of circular cross-section and they may be made of wood or any other strong material. The foot of each leg 3 is covered by a rubber cover 5. A spring tension structure 6, made of metal, is attached to each rotary element 10, 11 between legs 3, 4 to strengthen the legs 3, 4 against lateral forces.

The rotary support elements 10, 11 are mounted on rods 7 which pass through channels or bores 16 and are fixed to receiver boxes 8 fixed to table top 2. As shown in Fig. 1 the legs 3 are fixed in an unfolded position at right angles to the table top 2 by screws or nuts and bolts 9.

Fig. 2 shows the table of Fig. 1 with the legs 3, 4 in folded mode, parallel to the table top 2. Nuts and bolts 9 have been removed from hole 12 and placed through holes 14 in receiver box 8 and holes 15 in the rotary element so as to fixedly secure the legs in this folded potion. Screws 17 fix receiver box 8 to table top 2. The diameter of the bolts 9 is chosen to be slightly smaller than that of the holes 12-15 so that shearing forces are reduced when misalignment occurs due to ageing or imperfection in manufacture.

The nuts and bolts 9 only provide horizontal clamping force between rotary support 10 and the side wall of receiver box.

Rods 7 are shown passing through bores 16 in rotary support members 10, 11 and fastened at their ends to receiver boxes 8. The structure for each pair of legs 3, 4 is the same but one pair is arranged to be laterally displaceable from the other pair to allow both pairs of legs to fold flat against the table top. In Fig. 2 this is done by making one of the receiver boxes 8 longer than the other, allowing rotary support member 10 to slide on rod 7 from position 23 which would be the normal position during use, to position 24 for storage.

In Fig. 3, the construction of the rotary support element 10 and legs 3 are shown in more detail. In particular, it is seen that the cross-section of the rotary support element 10 (and likewise of element 11) has a semicircular part of radius r, and a rectangular part of height r and width 2r. The circular channel or bore 16 runs through the rotary support 10 to receive a rod 7. Holes 13 and 15 are provided to secure the legs 3 in an unfolded or a folded position respectively, using buts and bolts 9. Holes 13 and 15 are perpendicular to each other but off centre.from channel 16.

Fig. 4 illustrates a receiver box 8 more clearly. It is of the form of a strong metal box, with two long side, walls 19, 20 and two end walls 21. The receiver box 8 is fastened to the table top 2 by screws (17, Fig. 2) through holes 18.

The side wall 19 is thicker than base wall 18 and has four holes 22. Rod 7 fits through holes 25 in each end wall 21.

It has a hexagonal head on one side and is threaded at the other to receive a nut 26. Rod 7 is a strong metal bar with a circular cross section.

Hence, in use, with the legs in an unfolded perpendicular position, bolts 9 pass through holes 12 in the receiver box 8 and holes 13 in the rotary support element and fix the legs so that the table can be used to hold heavy loads. When the table is to be folded for storage or transport, bolts 9 are removed from holes 12 and 13, the legs are folded and the bolts are reinserted in holes 14 in the receiver box 8 and holes 15 in the rotary support element, to secure the legs in a folded position.

Claims (12)

1. A support for a table top comprising: a receiver member adapted to be fixed to the table top; a support member comprising table legs and means for connection to the receiver member in a manner so as to be rotatable between a first folded position; and a second unfolded position; and means for fixedly securing the support member to the receiver member in each of the first or second positions.

2. A support for a table top according to claim 1, wherein the means for connection comprises a rod received in a bore channel in the support member and constrained at both ends by the receiver member.

3. A table comprising a table top with a substantially planar surface and support means comprising a receiver member fixed to the table top and a support member having elongate extensions for supporting the table top above the ground in use, and a rotary part with a cross-section comprising a semi-circle and a bore channel of circular crosssection for receiving a rod, wherein the rod is constrained at both its ends by the receiver member so that the support member can be moved between a first position in which it supports the table above ground and a second position in which the elongate extensions are parallel and in close proximity to the table top, and means for securing the support member to the receiver member in each of the first and second positions.

4. A support for a table top according to any preceding claim, wherein the receiver member is a hollow elongate box with two adjacent long sides open.

5. A support for a table top according to claim 4, wherein one unopen long side is thinner than the other unopen long side and has tapped bores for receiving screws for fixing it to the table top.

6. A support for a table top according to any preceding claim, wherein the support member has a cross section comprising a semi-circle.

7. A support for a table top according to any preceding claim, wherein the support member and the receiver member comprise aligned holes for fixedly securing the members in the first and second positions by means of buts and bolts.

8. A support for a table top according to any preceding claim, wherein the support member comprises two table legs and a spring tensioning member for strengthening the legs against lateral forces.

9. A support for a table top according to any preceding claim, comprising two support members, at least one of which is arranged to be laterally displaceable so that all the table legs can be folded adjacent the table top.

10. A support for a table top according to any preceding claim, wherein the table legs comprise rubber covers at their extremities.

11. A support for a table top substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A table substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.