GB2290955A

GB2290955A - Folding frame for flat top furniture

Info

Publication number: GB2290955A
Application number: GB9413383A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Bollen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-07-02
Filing date: 1994-07-02
Publication date: 1996-01-17
Anticipated expiration: 2014-07-02
Also published as: GB2290955B; GB9413383D0

Abstract

The legs of a table, desk or similar flat top furniture are pivotally connected on a vertical axis at their upper end to horizontal frame members which support the flat top (simply laid on or positively attached), whereby the top may be removed and the frame folded flat in parallelogram fashion. The hinge parts are held together, with an intervening PTFE washer, by a cap screw and locked by a grub screw (see Fig 4). <IMAGE>

Description

FOLDING FURNITURE SYSTEM Field This invention relates to articles of furniture which will fold into lesser volume and occupy lesser space with particular focus on tables, desks and other articles of interior utility.

Background of the invention There are two types of tables which fold or collapse, namely by vertical uplift of the legs of the table or by horizontal translation of the legs of the table whereby the diametrically opposed angles become approximated with resultant formation of a flat or easily portable and storable structure.

The first vertical uplift type of arrangement tends to result in a table which is less stable and awkward to disassemble into the folded position and the size of the table is constrained by the shortest dimension of the table when the vertical legs are uplifted unless these are offset with poor aesthetic result or repositioning of side panelling which is also aesthetically displeasing. The other type of table, namely where there is folding by horizontal translation is clearly more convenient but less easy to achieve; the only available model system is described by Fray B N in European Patent Application; publication number 0073640 and publication date 09.03.83.This invention teaches a method of folding which depends on a double leg arrangement at each corner of the table where each leg is connected by an inflexible inverted U-shaped welded structure and where each U-shape is attached to its adjacent U-shaped piece by unsightly butt hinges. The requirement for a double leg arrangement will increase the portable weight of the table frame for a given substance of manufacture with additionally creation of more trapping points for fingers on folding a table of this design.

Summary of present invention This invention describes a folding table wherein the frame comprises only four legs which can be of any shape but preferably are cylindrical for aesthetic reasons and for reasons of safety to avoid the sharp edges which can hurt or injure young children falling against table legs. The use of gluing rather than welding insures the absence of distortion of the table legs through small shifts in the perpendicular angulation which arises in welded systems, and finally there is a significant production advantage with reduced labour intensity in a system where the holding stock consists essentially of the hinge arrangement rather than a welded article which requires to have preset dimensions.This invention is operated by first removing the table top which can be of any shape and the frame folded laterally and inwards by approximating the two diametrically opposed corners wherein the structure now forms a more or less flat body allowing easy carrying or storage.

Description of embodiment of the invention A description of the invention for a household table will be described by example only.

The general structure of the tables is indicated in Figures and 2; Figure 1 shows three tables stacked after folding and assembled into one large table in Figure 2. It is clear that in the folded position it would be possible to store or stack many tables within a given space; in the example shown in Figure 1, three such tables could be accommodated within 1 linear foot of storage space.

The table top which can be of any shape and which can be either laid on the legs or an attachment mechanism incorporated into the structure. It would also be possible to have a glass table top to which this invention is particularly suited as the structure of the underlying hinge mechanisms would not be unaesthetic.

Modestly panels can be easily fitted by attachment to the horizontal table bars and provide pleasing aesthetic result in relation to the single rounded table legs.

The table legs are hinged to the horizontal bars of the table which can be of any length but are unlikely to be greater than 1800mum in length and for most purposes the leg length will be 658mm. The detailed functioning of this hinge arrangement is indicated in Figures 3 and 4. The two parts of the hinge are held together tightly by a cap screw with a PTFE washer between to provide a smooth movement in operation and the whole is locked together by the use of a grub screw. No tools are required by the end user. The erection of a series of tables is illustrated in Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 to provide one large table as in Figure 2, but they can be used individually to provide a single table as in Figure 11, or in any desired combination as for example in Figure 12.

Figure 13 illustrates some likely and easily achieved combinations.

Other embodiments of this invention include adaptation of the table legs and horizontal bars to allow use of a flush fitting top without overlap beyond of the frame.

In summary, this invention provides a stable article of furniture which can be easily folded, manufactured with optimal logistic efficiency and offers an aesthetically pleasing and safe article of furniture for both commercial and domestic use.

Claims

1. An article of furniture within a flat horizontal surface on which objects can be laid and said structure made into a lesser volume by folding of the frame of the structure laterally and inwards by approximating the two diametrically opposed corners wherein the structure will form a more or less flat surface. The folding is achieved through a hinge arrangement where the two parts of the hinge are held together by a cap screw with a PTFE washer between these two parts to provide a smooth movement in operation and the structure locked together by a grub screw.

2. The article of furniture according to claim 1 where this article is a table or desk.

3. An article of furniture according to claim 1 and 2 which has a glass top.

4. An article according to claims 1, 2 or 3 which has attachment of modesty panels to the horizontal table bars and legs.

5. An article of furniture as in 1 to 4 where the table legs and horizontal bars are adapted to allow use of a flush fitting top with a overlap of that top beyond the frame.