SE1651506A1 - A collapsible table stand, and a table including such a table stand - Google Patents

Abstract

A collapsible table stand (1) has a supporting body (10) which comprises first and second sidewing brackets (12, 12’) and an elongated main support structure (11) extending in a longitudinal direction (L) between the first and second sidewing brackets (12, 12’). First and second stands (20, 20’) are pivotally attached to the supporting body (10) at or near its respective ends in order to allow the first stand (20) and the second stand (20’) to extend or collapse relative to the supporting body (10). The elongated main support structure (11) of the supporting body (10) is provided with hooks (37, 38, 37’, 38’) at its ends, each hook (37) forming a slot (37a) for receiving a releasable fastening member (50, 51, 50’, 51'). The releasable fastening member (50, 51, 50’, 51') serves to anchor the first or second sidewing bracket (12, 12’) to the elongated main support structure (11) as well as to anchor the first or second stand (20, 20’) in an extended position relative to the supporting body (10).

Description

Pl30460005 A COLLAPSIBLE TABLE STAND, AND A TABLE COMPRISING SUCH ATABLE STAND Technical Field The present invention generally relates to the field of collapsible table stands.More specifically, the present invention relates to a collapsible table stand whichcomprises a supporting body comprising first and second sidewing brackets and anelongated main support structure extending in a longitudinal direction between the firstand second sidewing brackets, and frrst and second stands being pivotally attached tothe supporting body at or near its respective ends in order to allow the first stand and thesecond stand to extend or collapse relative to the supporting body.

The present invention also relates to a table comprising such a table stand.

Background EP-2 926 688-Al discloses a collapsible table stand according to the above.The table stand in EP-2 926 688-Al has a supporting body formed by first and secondsidewing brackets and an elongated main support structure, referred to as a lateralbracket, which extends in a longitudinal direction between the first and second sidewingbrackets. The collapsible table stand in EP-2 926 688-Al is power-driven. Thus, thefirst stand comprises a first driving unit and one or more first telescopic leg sectionsdriven by the first driving unit to move axially relative to each other, whereas thesecond stand comprises a second driving unit and one or more second telescopic legsections driven by the second driving unit to move axially relative to each other The elongated main support structure (lateral bracket) in EP-2 926 688-Alcomprises two rectangular columns which are spaced apart from each other andconnected in parallel. An empty space in the form of a receiving slot is formed betweenthe two rectangular columns, and a controller for the first and second driving units forthe first and second stands is placed in the receiving slot.

Hence, wirings between the controller and the first and second driving unitsmight be visible to an observer at least from below. In case of a wiring slack, the wiringmight also be visible to an observer from the side, and the wiring might be subjected toa risk of getting pulled or otherwise interfered with by a user°s bodyparts or by foreignobjects stored under the table stand.

The first and second sidewing brackets in EP-2 926 688-Al have U-shapedprofile members which are inserted into respective rectangular insertion ho les formed at the open ends of the two rectangular columns. No less than eight (8) screws (four at Pl30460005 each end of the supporting body) are required to anchor the first and second sidewingbrackets to the rectangular columns. Four (4) additional and separate screws (two neareach end of the supporting body) are required to pivotally anchor the first and secondstands to the two rectangular columns. In addition to this, another four (4) separatescrews (two at each end of the supporting body) are required to anchor the first andsecond sidewing brackets to the first and second stands.

Hence, the design in EP-2 926 688-A1 involves a large number of parts (e. g.screws and rectangular co lumns) and amount of base material, and requires manymanual steps for assembling the table stand (e.g. mounting the rectangular columns andthe sidewing brackets, and tightening the many screws).

Moreover, the design in EP-2 926 688-A1 is believed to be somewhatinefficient when it comes to making length-adjustments of the supporting body in thelongitudinal direction.

Additionally, the design in EP-2 926 688-A1 is believed to be somewhatinefficient when it comes to collapsing the first stand and the second stand relative tothe supporting body. This is an operation that might be required for instance when thetable stand is to be moved from one location to another, or is to be put away for storage.

Accordingly, the present inventors have realized that table stands of the priorart, for instance as referred to above, can be improved by addressing one or more of the problems or drawbacks mentioned above.

Summary It is an object of the invention to offer improvements in the technical field ofcollapsible table stands, being power-driven or not power-driven.

One aspect of the present invention is a collapsible table stand, whichcomprises: a supporting body comprising first and second sidewing brackets and anelongated main support structure extending in a longitudinal direction between the firstand second sidewing brackets, and first and second stands being pivotally attached tothe supporting body at or near its respective ends in order to allow the first stand and thesecond stand to extend or collapse relative to the supporting body. The elongated mainsupport structure of the supporting body is provided with hooks at its ends, each hookforming a slot for receiving a releasable fastening member. The releasable fasteningmember serves to anchor the first or second sidewing bracket to the elongated mainsupport structure as well as to anchor the first or second stand in an extended position relative to the supporting body.

P130460005 A table stand according to this aspect of the present invention so lves or at leastmitigates one or more of the problems or drawbacks identified in the backgroundsection above.

Another aspect of the present invention is a table which comprises a table standaccording to the abovementioned aspect of the present invention, and a table topmounted on top of the table stand.

Embodiments of the invention are defined by the appended dependent claimsand are further explained in the detailed description section as well as on the drawings.

It should be emphasized that the terrn “comprises/comprising” when used inthis specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, orcomponents, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more otherfeatures, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof All terms used in the claims areto be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unlessexplicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a/an/the [element, device,component, means, step, etc]" are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least oneinstance of the element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly statedotherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.

Brief Description of the Drawings Objects, features and advantages of embodiments of the invention will appearfrom the following detailed description, reference being made to the accompanyingdrawings.

Fig 1 is an isometric view of a table comprising a table top and a table standaccording to one embodiment.

Figs 2 and 3 are isometric views of the table stand in Fig 1, with the table topremoved.

Fig 4 is an isometric view of the table stand in Figs 1-3 with first and secondsstands in a collapsed position relative to a supporting body.

Fig 5 is an isometric view of a portion of the table stand in Figs 1-4, illustratingthe mounting of a sidewing bracket at one end of the supporting body.

Fig 6 is an isometric view of another portion of the table stand in Figs 1-4,illustrating another sidewing bracket being mounted at another end of the supportingbody.

P130460005 Fig 7 is an isometric View of an elongated main support structure being part ofthe supporting body of the table stand in Figs 1-6.

Fig 8 is an exploded View shoWing the parts of the elongated main supportstructure in Fig 7.

Figs 9 and 10 are side and top views, respectively, of an elongated centralbeam being one of the parts of the elongated main support structure in Figs 7 and 8.

Figs 11 and 12 are side and top views, respectively, of an elongated first lateralbeam being another one of the parts of the elongated main support structure in Figs 7and 8.

Figs 13 and 14 are side and bottom Views, respectively, of guide means in theform of a guide rail for guiding the central beam of the elongated main support structureaccording to a first embodiment, the guide rail being part of a limiter arrangement forpreVenting the proximal ends of the first and second lateral beams of the elongated mainsupport structure from being displaced more than a threshold distance from each other.

Figs 15 and 16 are side and top Views, respectively, of the first stand beingpiVotally attached to the elongated first lateral beam, With the first stand in a collapsedposition relative to the elongated first lateral beam.

Figs 17 and 18 are side and top Views, respectively, of the first stand beingpiVotally attached to the elongated first lateral beam, With the first stand in an extendedposition relative to the elongated first lateral beam.

Fig 19 is an isometric View of a sidewing bracket according to oneembodiment.

Figs 20, 24, 25, 26 and 27 are exploded, isometric, top, side and front views,respectively, of a guide means in the form of an insert element for guiding the centralbeam of the elongated main support structure according to a second embodiment, theinsert elements being part of a limiter arrangement for preVenting the proximal ends ofthe first and second lateral beams of the elongated main support structure from beingdisplaced more than a threshold distance from each other.

Figs 21-23 are exploded, side and top Views, respectively, illustrating how apair of insert elements according to the second embodiment are mounted in theelongated main support structure.

Fig 28 illustrates the function of one of the insert elements as part of the limiterarrangement in a first state Which alloWs length adjustment of the elongated main support structure of the supporting body.

P130460005 Fig 29 illustrates the function of one of the insert elements as part of the limiterarrangement in a second state which prevents further length extension of the elongatedmain support structure of the supporting body.

Figs 30 and 31 are sectional and enlarged detailed views of releasable securingmeans of the insert element, the securing means comprising a number of screws or boltsand accompanying beveled nuts and additionally serving to allow releasing and locking,respectively, of the central beam with respect to the first or second lateral beam of the elongated main support structure.

Detailed Description Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in many differentforms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein;rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.The terrnino lo gy used in the detailed description of the particular embodimentsillustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting of the invention.In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

Figs 1-3 illustrate a table 3 comprising a collapsible table stand 1 and a tabletop 2 according to one embodiment. The table 3 may, for instance and withoutlimitation, be an office desktop. The table top 2 may be made of a suitable material suchas wood, plastic or a composite material, and is mounted on top of a supporting body 10which has an elongated main support structure 11 and extends in a longitudinaldirection L. First and second sidewing brackets 12, 12” are attached to the ends of theelongated main support structure 11. The first and second sidewing brackets 12, 12” arepreferably made of metal such as, for instance, steel.

The collapsible table stand 1 comprises first and second stands 20, 20” whichare preferably made of metal such as, for instance, steel. The first and second stands 20,20” are pivotally attached to the supporting body 10 at or near its respective ends inorder to allow the first stand 20 and the second stand 20” to extend or collapse relativeto the supporting body 10. Fig 4 is an isometric view of the table stand 1 with the firstand seconds stands 20, 20” in a collapsed position relative to the elongated main supportstructure 11 of the supporting body 10. The sidewing brackets 12, 12” of the supporting body 10 are not seen in Fig 4 by may in fact remain attached to the elongated main P130460005 support structure 11 even when it is collapsed. This is an improvement over the priorart.

The elongated main support structure 11 of the supporting body 10 is providedwith hooks 37, 38, 37”, 38” at its ends. Each hook 37 forms a slot 37a for receiving areleasable fastening member 50, 51, 50”, 51 ”. The releasable fastening member 50, 51,50”, 51” serves to anchor the first or second sidewing bracket to the elongated mainsupport structure as well as to anchor the first or second stand in an extended positionrelative to the supporting body.

As seen in Fig 19, each of the first and second sidewing brackets 12, 12” isformed by first and second elongated fixation members 13, 13 ” extending at an anglefrom an elongated base member 18. The first and second fixation members 13, 13 ” areadapted for fastening of the table top 2 to the table stand 1.

More specifically, in the disclosed embodiment, each of the first and secondfixation members 13, 13” of the first and second sidewing brackets 12, 12” has a plateportion 14 adapted for fastening of the table top 2. To this end, the plate portion 14 hasopenings 17 through which fastening elements such as screws or bolts may be insertedand anchored to the underside of the table top 2.

Moreover, in the disclosed embodiment, each of the first and second fixationmembers 13, 13” of the first and second sidewing brackets 12, 12” also has a mountingportion adapted for mounting of the first or second sidewing bracket 12, 12” to theelongated main support structure 11 as well as to the first or second stand 20, 20”, asindicated by an arrow in Fig 5.

The mounting portion 15 has a slot 16 for receiving the aforementionedreleasable fastening member 50, 51, 50”, 51 ”, preferably a screw or bolt, which serves toanchor the first or second sidewing bracket 12, 12” to the elongated main supportstructure 11 as well as to anchor the first or second stand 20, 20” in an extended positionrelative to the supporting body 10. Hence, the design is efficient since it requires fewercomponents, and/or less base material, compared to the prior art.

More specifically, in the disclosed embodiment, the releasable fasteningmember 50, 51, 50”, 51 ” is a screw or altematively a bolt, and the collapsible table stand1 comprises at least four such screws provided as follows. A first screw/bolt 50 and asecond screw/bolt 51 are provided for anchoring the first stand 20 to one end of theelongated main support structure 11 in the extended position of the first stand 20relative to the supporting body 10 and for anchoring the first sidewing bracket 12 to saidone end of the elongated main support structure 11. A third screw/bolt 50” and a fourth P130460005 screw/bolt 51” are provided for anchoring the second stand 20” to another end of theelongated main support structure ll in the extended position of the second stand 20”relative to the supporting body 10 and for anchoring the second sidewing bracket 12” tosaid another end of the elongated main support structure 11.

In the disclosed embodiment, the slot 16 in the mounting portion 15 has anouter mouth 16a for receiving a base part 50a of the releasable fastening member 50when attaching the first or second sidewing bracket 12, 12” to the elongated mainsupport structure ll.

The slot 16 in the mounting portion 15 also has an inner opening 16b forengaging a head part 50b of the releasable fastening member 50. The inner opening 16bis preferably countersunk and facilitates the first or second sidewing bracket 12, 12” toremain attached to the elongated main support structure ll also when the first or secondstand 20, 20” is moved from the extended position towards a collapsed position relativeto the supporting body 10. This is a beneficial feature and an advantage over the priorart.

In the disclosed embodiment, the collapsible table stand 1 is power-driven toallow assisted adjustment of the vertical height of the table top 2 over the ground level.To this end, the first stand 20 comprises a first driving unit 21 and one or more firsttelescopic leg sections 22 driven by the first driving unit 21 to move axially relative toeach other and to a fixed leg section 22a (being the outerrnost leg section in thedisclosed embodiment). Correspondingly, the second stand 20” comprises a seconddriving unit 21” and one or more second telescopic leg sections 22” driven by the seconddriving unit 21 ” to move axially relative to each other and to a fixed leg section 22a”(being the outerrnost leg section in the disclo sed embodiment). A controller 4 isprovided for controlling synchronous actuation of the first and second driving units 21,21 ”. The controller 4 is connected by first wiring 5 to the first driving unit 21 and isconnected by second wiring 5” to the second driving unit 21 ”.

As can be seen in the drawings, each of the first and second stands 20, 20” ofthe disclosed has the general shape of an inverted L, wherein the first and the seconddriving unit 21, 21 ”, respectively, is contained at the foot portion of the inverted L (i.e.at the upper part of the stand 20, 20”, towards the table top 2). At the end of the legportion of the inverted L (i.e. at the lowerrnost part of the stand 20, 20”, towards thefloor or ground), base plate members 24, 24” are provided to allow the table 3 to standstable on the floor or ground. The base plate members 24, 24” are preferably made of metal such as, for instance, steel. They may have feet 24a, 24a” on the underside thereof Pl30460005 and may be connected to a lowerrnost one of the telescopic leg sections 22, 22”. In thedisclosed embodiment, the lowerrnost telescopic leg section is the axially innerrnostone; however in other embodiments the order may be the opposite. There is noparticular limitation in the number of telescopic leg sections 22, 22”; for instance theremay be only one such telescopic leg section 22, 22” being axially movable with respectto the fixed leg section 22a, 22a”. In yet other embodiments, the table stand l may havemeans for manual adjustment of the vertical height and/or may not have any telescopicleg sections at all.

In the disclo sed embodiment, the elongated main support structure ll of thesupporting body l0 comprises three primary parts: an elongated central beam 40, anelongated first lateral beam 30 and an elongated second lateral beam 30”. All of theseparts are preferably made of metal such as, for instance, steel.

As is seen particularly in Figs 7-l0, the elongated central beam 40 is formed bya bottom surface 4l and first and second side walls 42, 42” extending perpendicularlyfrom the bottom surface. The central beam 40 has a generally U-shaped cross-section.The bottom surface 4l is essentially solid, i.e. solid across its entire surface, except thatan opening 46 for the wirings 5, 5 ” and/or other minor openings for mounting orventilation purposes may optionally be made in the bottom surface 4l.

As is seen particularly in Figs 7-8 and ll-l2, the elongated first lateral beam30 is formed by first and second side walls 32, 33 and a bottom surface 3l extendingperpendicularly between the first and second side walls along a proximal portion 34 ofthe first lateral beam 30. The first lateral beam 30 has a generally U-shaped cross-section at the proximal portion 34, and a proximal end 36 of the proximal portion 34 ofthe first lateral beam 30 is open for slidably receiving the central beam 40 from a firstend 4la thereof. A distal portion 35 of the first lateral beam 30 is connected to the firststand 20, as can be seen for instance in Fig 3 and as will be discussed in more detaillater.

As is also seen particularly in Figs 7-8 and ll-l2, the elongated second lateralbeam 30” is formed by first and second side walls 32”, 33” and a bottom surface 3 l”extending perpendicularly between the first and second side walls along a proximalportion 34” of the second lateral beam. The second lateral beam has a generally U-shaped cross-section at the proximal portion 34”, and a proximal end 36” of theproximal portion 34” of the second lateral beam 30” is open for slidably receiving the central beam 40 from a second end 4la” thereof. A distal portion 35” of the second Pl30460005 lateral beam 30” is connected to the second stand 20”, as, again, can be seen for instancein Fig 3 and will be discussed in more detail later.

Each of the first and second side walls 32, 33, 32”, 33” of the first and secondlateral beams 30, 30” may have an angled top portion 39 with a flat surface and one ormore openings 39a for mounting members, preferably screws or bolts, to fasten thetable top 2 to the table stand l. This is best seen in Fig l2. The provision of the angledtop portion 39 does not change the fact that the elongated first and second lateral beams30, 30” have a generally U-shaped cross-section.

The first and second side walls 32, 33, 32”, 33” and the bottom surfaces 3l, 3 l”are essentially solid, i.e. solid across their entire surfaces, except possibly for certainminor openings e. g. for mounting or ventilation purposes.

As can be seen understood from the drawings, particularly from Fig 2,respective channels are formed by the first lateral beam 30 and the central beam 40, andby the second lateral beam 30” and the central beam 40, respectively. The first andsecond wirings 5, 5 ” may advantageously run in these channels. Hence, the first andsecond wirings 5, 5” will be concealed from an extemal observer by the side walls 32,33, 32”, 33” as well as the bottom surfaces 3l, 3 l ”, 41 of the first and second lateralbeams 30, 30” and the central beam 40. This is an improvement over the prior art.

As can be seen best in Figs 2, 3, 6 and also in Figs l5, 16, l7, in the extendedposition of the first stand 20 relative to the supporting body l0, the first driving unit 2lis received between the first and second side walls 32, 33 of the first lateral beam 30 atthe distal portion 35 thereof Likewise, in the extended position of the second stand 20”relative to the supporting body l0, the second driving unit 2l” is received between thefirst and second side walls 32”, 33” of the second lateral beam 30” at the distal portion35” thereof Each of the first and second driving units 2l, 2l ” comprises a housing and anelectric motor contained therein. The housing comprises openings for receivingreleasable anchoring members 52, 53, 52”, preferably screws or bolts, to pivotallyanchor the first and second stands 20, 20” to the first and second side walls 32, 33 of thefirst and second lateral beams 30, 30”. In the disclosed embodiment, the housing alsoincludes a transmission (speed reduction mechanism) between the electric motor and aleading end of an outgoing shaft, such as a screw shaft. The shaft protrudes through anopening in the housing and actuates the telescopic leg sections 22. However, electric driving units for power-driven table stands with telescopic leg sections are available in P130460005 the market, and the skilled person will readily be able to find or design alternativeimplementations of the driving units 21, 21 ” using common general knowledge.

In the disclo sed embodiments, the elongated main support structure 11 of thesupporting body 10 fiarther comprises guide means 50, 60 for guiding the central beam40 to be slidably supported on the bottom surfaces 31, 31” of the first and second lateralbeams 30, 30”. This allows for a convenient adjustment of the length of the supportingbody 10 in the longitudinal direction L by displacing the first lateral beam 30 and/orsecond lateral beam 30” with respect to the central beam 40 in said longitudinaldirection L. In this way, the table stand 1 may be adapted for use with table tops ofdifferent sizes.

In a first embodiment, the guide means 50 for guiding the central beam 40comprises a plurality of guide rails 52, preferably made of plastic. One such guide rail52 is shown in detail in Figs 13 and 14. Through openings 56 and 39b, the guide rails 52are mounted by screws 59 or bolts on respective insides of the side walls 32, 33, 32”,33” of the first and second lateral beams 30, 30”. The guide rails 52 are mounted parallelto the respective bottom surfaces 31, 31” of the first and second lateral beams 30, 30”and at a distance between a lower lateral edge 54a of a respective one of the guide rails52 and a respective bottom surface 31, 31” of the first or second lateral beam 30, 30”.This distance is preferably slightly larger than a height of the first and second side walls42, 42” of the central beam 40 from its bottom surface 41.

In the disclosed embodiment, for a shortest possible or feasible length of thelength-adjustable supporting body 10, the proximal ends 36, 36” of the first and secondlateral beams 30, 30” are brought in contact with or at least immediately close to eachother. For a longer length than the shortest length of the length-adjustable supportingbody 10, the proximal ends 36, 36” of the first and second lateral beams 30, 30” areconsequently at a distance from each other, the distance being bridged by the centralbeam 40.

Advantageously, the table stand 1 further comprises a limiter arrangement forpreventing the proximal ends 36, 36” of the first and second lateral beams 30, 30” frombeing displaced more than a threshold distance from each other.

In the first embodiment of the guide means 50, the limiter arrangement isimplemented as follows. Each of the guide rails 52 comprises a tab 58 protruding fromthe lower lateral edge 54a of the guide rail 52; see in particular Figs 13 and 14. At eachend of each first or second side wall 42, 42” of the central beam 40, an end stop portion 43 comprises a recess 44 and an abutment 45; see in particular Fig 9. The recess 44 is P130460005 ll dimensioned to Capture the tab 58 of the guide rail 52 when the proximal ends 36, 36” ofthe first and second lateral beams 30, 30” are displaced by said threshold distance fromeach other. Hence, if during length-adjustrnent or assembly of the supporting body 10the proximal ends 36, 36” of the first and second lateral beams 30, 30” are moved too farfrom each other in the longitudinal direction L (i.e. the distance between them reachesthe threshold distance), the limiter arrangement will prevent further movement of theproximal ends 36, 36” of the first and second lateral beams 30, 30” away from eachother.

A second embodiment of the guide means 60 for guiding the central beam 40 isillustrated in Figs 20-31. In this embodiment, the guide means 60 comprises a pair ofinsert elements 61, 61 °, preferably made of plastic. Just as in the first embodiment, theinsert elements 61, 61 ° are part of a limiter arrangement for preventing the proximalends 36, 36” of the first and second lateral beams 30, 30” of the elongated main supportstructure 11 from being displaced more than a threshold distance from each other. Inaddition, the insert elements 61, 61” in the second embodiment of the guide means 60serve to provide improved stability for the support body 10 by allowing the centralbeam 40 to be released and locked, respectively, with respect to the first or secondlateral beam 30, 30”. This is done by means of releasable securing means 63, 64, as willbe described in more detail below.

As seen in Figs 21-23, the first insert element 61 is mounted inside the firstlateral beam 30, whereas the second insert element 61” is mounted inside the secondlateral beam 30”. Each insert element 61, 61 ° is attached to the inside surfaces (inwardlyfacing surfaces) of the first and second side walls 32, 33 and 32°, 33” of the first andsecond lateral beams 30, 30°, respectively, by means of fasteners (such as screws, bolts,rivets, plugs, etc) through openings in the first and second side walls 32, 33 and 32°,33°, as seen in Figs 21 and 22. The fasteners are anchored to the insert element 61 atcorresponding positions 6lc, as seen in Fig 20. A lowerrnost portion 61d of each insertelement 61, 61 ° is parallel to the respective bottom surfaces 31, 31” of the first andsecond lateral beams 30, 30” and is provided at a distance to the respective bottomsurface 31, 31” of the first or second lateral beam 30, 30”. The distance is slightly largerthan a height of the first and second side walls 42, 42” of the central beam 40 from itsbottom surface 41.

The releasable securing means 63, 64 comprises, for each insert element 61 and61 °, respectively, a first and a second screw or bolt 64 and a first and a second beveled nut 63. The screws or bolts 64 are inserted through openings 61a and 61b in the side P130460005 12 walls 32, 33, 32°, 33” of the first and second lateral beams 30, 30”. The nuts 63 arereceived in recesses 62 at each side of the insert element 61 and 61 °, respectively. Whenthe screw or bolt 64 is released (loosened, untightened), as seen in Fig 30, a user maydisplace the first lateral beam 30 and/or the second lateral beam 30” with respect to thecentral beam 40 in the longitudinal direction L, and thereby adjust the length of thesupport body 10. This is illustrated in Fig 28.

When a desired displacement has been achieved, the user may tighten thescrew or bolt 64, as seen in Fig 31. As a result, a locking member 61e of insert element61 will be forced by the beveled nut 64 into engagement with the sidewall 42 of thecentral beam 40. In tum, the sidewall 42 will engage with the sidewall 32 of the lateralbeam 30, wherein the central beam 40 will be locked in position with respect to the firstor second lateral beam 30, 30”. This will also provide improved stability for the supportbody 10.

Reference is now made to Figs 28 and 29 which illustrate how the user maydisplace the first lateral beam 30 and/or the second lateral beam 30” with respect to thecentral beam 40 in the longitudinal direction L, and thereby adjust the length of thesupport body 10, in retracting and extending directions as indicated by the arrows in thedrawings. During this operation, the aforementioned limiter arrangement prevents theproximal ends 36, 36” of the first and second lateral beams 30, 30” of the elongatedmain support structure 11 from being displaced more than a threshold distance fromeach other (the second lateral beam 30” being shown in Figs 28 and 29). To this end, theinsert element 61 has a tab 68 which protrudes towards and is biased against the bottomsurface 41 of the central beam 40. The bottom surface 41 has a first opening 69a inwhich the tab 68 may be captured if the displacement reaches the threshold distance.

In the situation shown in Fig 28, the displacement has not reached the thresholddistance, and the tab 68 has not been captured by the first opening 69a. On the otherhand, in the situation shown in Fig 29, the displacement has indeed reached thethreshold distance, and the tab 68 is captured by the first opening 69a. By the bias of thetab 68, it will also be captured in a second opening 69b in the bottom surface 31” (31) ofthe second (first) lateral beam 30” (30), and accordingly lock the position of the centralbeam 40 with respect to the second (first) lateral beam 30” (30). Hence, the first andsecond openings 69a, 69b are adapted capture the tab 68 of the insert element 61, 61”when the proximal ends 36, 36” of the first and second lateral beams 30, 30” are displaced by said threshold distance from each other.

P130460005 13 The sidewing brackets 12, 12” of the disclosed embodiment will now bereferred to again with particular reference to Fig 19 which illustrates the first sidewingbracket 12 in more detail. The second sidewing bracket 12” is a mirrored copy of thefirst sidewing bracket 12.

It is recalled that the aforementioned first and second sidewing brackets 12, 12”are attached to the ends of the elongated main support structure 11, or more specificallyto the distal portions 35, 35” of the first and second lateral beams 30, 30”, respectively,in the disclosed embodiment. Each of the first and second sidewing brackets 12, 12” isformed by the aforementioned first and second elongated fixation members 13, 13 ”extending at an angle from the elongated base member 18. As previously explained, thefirst and second fixation members 13, 13 ” are adapted for fastening of the table top 2 tothe table stand 1.

More specifically, in the disclosed embodiment and as previously mentioned,each of the first and second fixation members 13, 13” of the first and second sidewingbrackets 12, 12” has the plate portion 14 which is adapted for fastening of the table top2. To this end, the plate portion 14 has openings 17 through which the aforementionedfastening elements such as screws or bolts may be inserted and anchored to theunderside of the table top 2.

Moreover, in the disclosed embodiment and as previously mentioned, each ofthe first and second fixation members 13, 13” of the first and second sidewing brackets12, 12” also has the mounting portion 15 adapted for mounting of the first or secondsidewing bracket 12, 12” to the distal portion 35, 35” of the first or second lateral beam30, 30” as well as to the first or second stand 20, 20”, as indicated by the arrow in Fig 5.

The mounting portion 15 has the aforementioned slot 16 for receiving theaforementioned releasable fastening member 50, 51, 50”, 51 ”, preferably a screw or bolt,which serves to anchor the first or second sidewing bracket 12, 12” to the elongatedmain support structure 11 as well as to anchor the first or second stand 20, 20” in theextended position relative to the supporting body 10. It is recalled that the design isefficient since it requires fewer components, and/or less base material, compared to theprior art.

In the disclo sed embodiment and as previously mentioned, the slot 16 in themounting portion 15 has the outer mouth 16a for receiving the base part 50a of thereleasable fastening member 50 when attaching the first or second sidewing bracket 12, 12” to the elongated main support structure 11.

P130460005 14 The slot 16 in the mounting portion 15 also has the inner opening 16b forengaging the head part 50b of the releasable fastening member 50. It is recalled that theinner opening 16b is preferably countersunk, thereby facilitating for the first or secondsideWing bracket 12, 12” to remain attached to the elongated main support structure 11also When the first or second stand 20, 20” is moved from the extended position towardsthe collapsed position relative to the supporting body 10. It is recalled that this is abeneficial feature and an advantage over the prior art.

Each of the first and second side Walls 32, 33, 32”, 33” of each of the first andsecond lateral beams 30, 30” has the aforementioned hooks 37, 38, 37”, 38” at the end ofthe distal portion 35, 35” of the first and second lateral beams 30, 30”, respectively. Thiscan best be seen in Figs 7, 8, 11 and 15-18.

Together With the releasable fastening member 50, 51, 50”, 51 ”, each hook 37,38, 37”, 38” serves to anchor the first or second stand 20, 20” in the extended positionrelative to the supporting body 10, as previously explained.

Hence, a very efficient procedure for collapsing the table stand 1 is madepossible thanks to the inventive design. The user merely has to release (untighten) thereleasable fastening members 50, 51, 50”, 51” in order to collapse the table stand 1.There is no need to remove the releasable fastening members 50, 51, 50”, 51” from thetable stand 1, it suffices to release them. Also, there is no need to remove the sideWingbrackets 12, 12” from the table stand 1; they may remain attached to the elongated mainsupport structure 11 as explained above.

The invention has been described above in detail With reference toembodiments thereof. HoWever, as is readily understood by those skilled in the art,other embodiments are equally possible Within the scope of the present invention, asdefined by the appended claims. For instance, even though the disclosed embodiment atable stand for a single, typically rectangular table top (i.e., the table stand has twostands), other embodiments are possible Where such as a table stand is additionallyprovided With a third stand and an additional part of the supporting body extending forinstance perpendicularly from the elongated main support structure to the third stand.Such a table stand may beneficially support a table top having another shape than rectangular, such as for instance an L shape.

Claims (14)

1. A collapsible table stand (1), comprising: a supporting body (10) comprising first and second sidewing brackets (12, 12°)and an elongated main support structure (11) extending in a longitudinal direction (L)between the first and second sidewing brackets (12, 12°); and first and second stands (20, 20°) being pivotally attached to the supportingbody (10) at or near its respective ends in order to allow the first stand (20) and thesecond stand (20°) to extend or collapse relative to the supporting body (10), characterized in that the elongated main support structure (11) of the supporting body (10) isprovided with hooks (37, 38, 37°, 38°) at its ends, each hook (37) forming a slot (37a)for receiving a releasable fastening member (50, 51, 50”, 51 °), wherein the releasable fastening member (50, 51, 50”, 51 ”) serves to anchor thefirst or second sidewing bracket (12, 12”) to the elongated main support structure (11) aswell as to anchor the first or second stand (20, 20”) in an extended position relative tothe supporting body (10).

2. The table stand (1) as defined in claim 1, wherein the releasable fasteningmember (50, 51, 50°, 51 ”) is a screw or a bolt, and wherein the collapsible table stand(1) comprises at least four such screws provided as follows: a first screw/bolt (5 0) and a second screw/bolt (51) provided for anchoring thefirst stand (20) to one end of the elongated main support structure (11) in the extendedposition of the first stand (20) relative to the supporting body (10) and for anchoring thefirst sidewing bracket (12) to said one end of the elongated main support structure (11);and a third screw/bo lt (50°) and a fourth screw/bolt (51 ”) provided for anchoringthe second stand (20°) to another end of the elongated main support structure (11) in theextended position of the second stand (20°) relative to the supporting body (10) and foranchoring the second sidewing bracket (12°) to said another end of the elongated mainsupport structure (11).

3. The table stand (1) as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the first andsecond sidewing brackets (12, 12°) is formed by first and second elongated fixation members (13, 13°) extending at an angle from an elongated base member (18), the first P130460005 16 and second fixation member (13, 13 °) being adapted for fastening of a table top (2) tothe table stand (1).

4. The table stand (1) as defined in claim 3, Wherein each of the first andsecond fixation members (13, 13°) of the first and second sidewing brackets (12, 12°)has: a plate portion (14) adapted for fastening of the table top (2); and a mounting portion (15) adapted for mounting of the first or second sidewingbracket (12, 12”) to an end of the elongated main support structure (11) as Well as to thefirst or second stand (20, 20°).

5. The table stand (1) as defined in claim 4, Wherein the mounting portion (15)has a slot (16) for receiving the releasable fastening member (50, 51, 50°, 51 °).

6. The table stand (1) as defined in claim 5, Wherein the slot (16) in themounting portion (15) has: an outer mouth (16a) for receiving a base part (50a) of the releasable fasteningmember (5 0) When attaching the first or second sidewing bracket (12, 12°) to theelongated main support structure (11); and an inner opening (16b) for engaging a head part (50b) of the releasablefastening member (5 0), the inner opening (16b) facilitating the first or second sidewingbracket (12, 12°) to remain attached to the elongated main support structure (11) alsoWhen the first or second stand (20, 20”) is moved from the extended position towards a collapsed position relative to the supporting body (10).

7. The table stand (1) as defined in any of preceding claim, Wherein theelongated main support structure (11) of the supporting body (10) comprises: an elongated central beam (40) formed by a bottom surface(41) and first andsecond side Walls (42, 42°) extending perpendicularly from the bottom surface, thecentral beam having a generally U-shaped cross-section, an elongated first lateral beam (30) formed by first and second side Walls (32,33) and a bottom surface (31) extending perpendicularly between the first and secondside Walls along a proximal portion (34) of the first lateral beam, the first lateral beamhaving a generally U-shaped cross-section at said proximal portion, a proximal end (3 6) of said proximal portion (34) of the first lateral beam (30) being open for slidably P130460005 17 receiving the central beam (40) from a first end (41a) thereof, a distal portion (35) of thefirst lateral beam (30) being connected to the first stand (20); and an elongated second lateral beam (30°) formed by first and second side Walls(32”, 33 ”) and a bottom surface (31 °) extending perpendicularly between the first andsecond side Walls along a proximal portion (34°) of the second lateral beam, the secondlateral beam having a generally U-shaped cross-section at said proximal portion, aproximal end (36°) of said proximal portion (34°) of the second lateral beam (30°) beingopen for slidably receiving the central beam (40) from a second end (41a°) thereof, adistal portion (35°) of the second lateral beam (30°) being connected to the second stand(20°); and guide means (50; 60) for guiding the central beam (40) to be slidably supportedon the bottom surfaces (31, 31 °) of the first and second lateral beams (30, 30°), Wherein the supporting body (10) is length-adjustable in the longitudinaldirection (L) by displacing the first lateral beam (30) and/or second lateral beam (30”) With respect to the central beam (40) in said longitudinal direction.

8. The table stand (1) as defined in claim 7, Wherein first and second hooks (37,38) are provided at the ends of the first and second side Walls (32, 33) of the first lateralbeam (30) at the distal portion (35) thereof, and third and fourth hooks (37°, 38°) areprovided at the ends of the first and second side Walls (32”, 33°) of the second lateralbeam (30°) at the distal portion (35°) thereof

9. The table stand (1) as defined in any of the preceding claims, Wherein eachof the first and second side Walls (32, 33, 32°, 33°) of the first and second lateral beams(30, 30” has an angled top portion (39) With a flat surface and one or more openings(3 9a) for mounting members, preferably screWs or bolts, to fasten the or a table top (2)to the table stand (1).

10. The table stand (1) as defined in any of preceding claim, Wherein the first stand (20) comprises a first driving unit (21) and one or morefirst telescopic leg sections (22) driven by the first driving unit (21) to move axiallyrelative to each other; and Wherein the second stand (20°) comprises a second driving unit (21 ”) and oneor more second telescopic leg sections (22°) driven by the second driving unit (21°) to move axially relative to each other. P130460005 18

11. The table stand (1) as defined in claini 10, Wherein each of the first andsecond stands (20, 20°) has the general shape of an inverted L, the first and the seconddriving unit (21, 21 ”), respectively, being contained at the foot portion of the inverted L.

12. The table stand (1) as defined in claini 11 and any of clainis 7 or 8,Wherein: in the extended position of the first stand (20) relative to the supporting body(10), the first driving unit (21) is received between the first and second side Walls (32,33) of the first lateral beani (30) at the distal portion (35) thereof; and in the extended position of the second stand (20°) relative to the supportingbody (10), the second driving unit (21 °) is received between the first and second sideWalls (32”, 33°) of the second lateralbean1(30°) at the distal portion (35”) thereof

13. The table stand (1) as defined in claini 12, Wherein each of the first andsecond driving units (21, 21 °) coniprises a housing and an electric niotor containedtherein, the housing coniprising openings for receiving releasable anchoring members(52, 53, 52°), preferably screWs or bolts, to pivotally anchor the first and second stands(20, 20°) to the first and second side Walls (32, 33) of the first and second lateral beanis(30, 30°).

14. A table (3), coniprising:a table stand (1) as defined in any of the preceding clainis; anda table top (2) niounted on top of the table stand (1).