GB2354435A

GB2354435A - Lightweight folding table

Info

Publication number: GB2354435A
Application number: GB9922394A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Eric Wilfred Horton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-09-23
Filing date: 1999-09-23
Publication date: 2001-03-28
Anticipated expiration: 2019-09-23
Also published as: GB2354435B; GB9922394D0

Abstract

An extreme lightweight folding table comprising a thin laminate top bonded to a thin light metal under frame. The folding legs are hinged with side stay type locking system. All pivot points have wear resistant liner bushes. For storage the legs are held in the closed position by magnets. To open, the legs are pulled away from the magnets and the torsion springs will flip them open and hold them rigidly in the open position. The push bar will collapse the legs to fold up the table.

Description

2354435 LIGIIT VVTIGHT FOLDING TABLE This invention relates to a light

weight folding table.

Folding tables are well known and are widely used throughout the world. Most folding tables comprise of a wooden based substrate top with various types of legs hinged either directly onto the top or on to a topsupporting frame. Most folding tables are extremely heavy and although round tables can be rolled, rectangular and square ones must be lifted and carried.

This invention is to provide a super light weight folding table for ease of handling. It provides a light metal frame and legs welded and/or bonded together, with a laminate top bonded to the frame in such a way as to give a "wipe cleafi" surface. The folding legs would be spring loaded to lock them into the normal open state and would be magnetically held in position in the folded up state. All pivot points would be bushed with wear resistant liners for good rigidity and wear performance, A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to accompanying drawings in which - Fig 1 Shows a section through one of the top supporting side rails and illustrates the wipe clean feature and bonding of the top to the framework.

Fig 2 Shows an underneath view of one comer of the table, the spring loaded side stays and part of the push bar which is welded to one of the stay components.

Fig 3 Shows the positioning of the magnets and keeper pad for holding the legs in the folded position.

Referring to the drawings, the frame comprises a lightweight perimeter rectangular tube (3) or other section together with cross bracings on which the laminate (1) is bonded with a flexible adhesive tape (2). To open the table the legs (8) are pulled away from the underside of the table top (1) in order to free them from the pull of the magnet (9) and (10). The legs will then flip open under the tension of the springs (4) and will be held in the open position by forcing the stays (5) (7) into a straight line against the restriction imposed by the push bar (6). Pressure exerted on the push bar in an upward direction allows the legs to be manually folded.

Claims

I A lightweight folding table which comprises a light metal frame and folding legs which is bonded to a laminate top in such a way as to give a "Wipe clean" surface and where the folding legs would be spring loaded to lock them in the "open" position and magnetically held in position in the "folded up" position and where all pivot points would be bushed with wear resistant lines.
2 A super lightweight folding table as claimed in claim I wherein the legs are held in the "folded up" position by means of magnets attached to the legs and keeper pads bonded to the underside of the table top.
3 A super lightweight folding table as claimed in claim I and claim 2 wherein the legs are, held in the open position by the action of a torsion spring forcing the two side strut components into a straight line configuration against the push bar.
4 A super lightweight folding table as claimed in claim I claim 2 and claim 3 wherein all pivot points are protected by wear resistant liner bushes.
A super lightweight folding table as claimed in claim I claim 2 claim 3 and claim 4 wherein the laminate or other material top is bonded to the outer frame and cross bracings by a flexible double sided adhesive tape to give a "wipe clean" surface to the table.
6 A super lightweight folding table substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings (figures 1, 2 and 3).