US20030205180A1

US20030205180A1 - Collapsible table with interlocking legs

Info

Publication number: US20030205180A1
Application number: US10/139,738
Authority: US
Inventors: John Bishop
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-05-06
Filing date: 2002-05-06
Publication date: 2003-11-06

Abstract

The present invention is a collapsible table that has the benefit of the interlocking legs supporting each other independently of the top, and of supporting the top itself. The present invention table includes components generally referred to as interlocking legs, but because one set extends to the floor and the other set need not extend to the floor, they are more specifically referred to as table support members and table brace members. In the present invention table, there is a pair of table support members, each table support member having a general frontal view shape of an inverted “U”. There is a substantially horizontal top portion and two substantially vertical leg portions, the top portion having two receiving slots at opposite ends from one another. These two receiving slots face or open upwardly when the table support members are upright for assembly, and these receiving slots have a predetermined height, h, and a predetermined width, w−1. The pair of table support members may have all flat surfaces or have any geometric configurations desired, provided that, in preferred embodiments, they are at least coincidental in the area of the receiving slots with the table brace members (described below) in the same physical areas for snug interlocking. Thus, the vertical leg portions could be curvilinear in part or in whole, round, oval, flat, hexagonal or any other cross-sectional configuration or combination of configurations desired.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to tables, and more specifically to tables which may be set up and taken down (collapsible) repeatedly, without the need for screws, hardware or tools. The present invention tables uniquely rely upon intersecting members which simultaneously support each other and support a table top placed thereon.

2. Information Disclosure Statement

The following patents are exemplary of the state of the art of collapsible tables having disparate components:

U.S. Pat. No. 4,084,517 describes a collapsible portable table including a tabletop and a pair of interlocking legs. The table top, on its undersurface contains a leg receiving block which interlockingly engages the legs. The legs have an opening substantially in the center thereof which encases the receiving block when the legs are stored flush against the undersurface of the tabletop for carrying or for storage/Locking means are also provided for retaining the legs either in the standing or in the collapsed position.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,740,032 describes an improved bench table embodying at least five distinguishable removable parts and suitable for rapid, compact, and lightweight assembling and disassembling is disclosed. A tabletop and at least two bench seats have smooth upper surfaces and wholly non-apertured. The improved bench table makes use of lightweight, but sturdy material to ensure convenient and effective transportation when not in use and ready for storage. By providing preferable plurality of ribbing means incorporated thereto in the various removable parts of said bench table, said parts are capable of withstanding concentrated stresses exerted thereto when in use. Also, a strap member is provided for passing therethrough slot portions of the upper portion of the leg members to permit transport of the removable parts when stacked and stored away. The bottom portions of the leg members are provided with integral extending members therefrom for insertion into slot portions of opposingly located leg members for locking thereto when the removable parts are stacked and stored thereto.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,473 describes an article of collapsible furniture that includes a top member and a base having multiple panels, each of the panels being hingedly connected to at least one other of the panels, and wherein the base has a collapsed storage condition wherein the panels are folded atop one another, and the base has an expanded load supporting condition wherein the panels are unfolded to form, in horizontal cross-section, a central load-supporting polygon, the polygon being a concave octagon. A connection assembly includes a series of slotted tabs that engage with a corresponding series of hooked slots to releasably lock the top member in a load supporting position atop the base.

Notwithstanding the prior art, the present invention is neither taught nor rendered obvious thereby.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a collapsible table with interlocking legs that uniquely has the benefit of the interlocking legs supporting each other independently of the top, and of supporting the top itself. The present invention table includes components generally referred to as interlocking legs, but because one set extends to the floor and the other set need not extend to the floor, they are more specifically referred to as table support members and table brace members.

In the present invention table, there is a pair of table support members, each table support member having a general frontal view shape of an inverted “U”. There is a substantially horizontal top portion and two substantially vertical leg portions, the top portion having two receiving slots at opposite ends from one another. These two receiving slots face or open upwardly when the table support members are upright for assembly, and these receiving slots have a predetermined height, h, and a predetermined width, w−1. The pair of table support members may have all flat surfaces or have any geometric configurations desired, provided that, in preferred embodiments, they are at least coincidental in the area of the receiving slots with the table brace members (described below) in the same physical areas for snug interlocking. Thus, the vertical leg portions could be curvilinear in part or in whole, round, oval, flat, hexagonal or any other cross-sectional configuration or combination of configurations desired.

There is a pair of table brace members, each table brace member having a general frontal view shape of an inverted “U”, and having a substantially horizontal top portion and two substantially vertical brace portions. Each of the vertical brace portions have receiving slots that open downwardly, with a height sufficient above the slots to create a remaining height, h, equal to the height, h, of the receiving slots of the pair of table support members mentioned above. This height is the distance as measured between the top of the brace member receiving slots and the top portion of the table brace members. In other words, it is the solid portion remaining above the slots for interconnection with the slots of the support members. The pair of table brace members have a thickness, t−1, equal to the width, w−1, of the receiving slots of the pair of table support members, in an area around their receiving slots, so that the table support interconnects (fits) and does so tightly.

There is also a table top adapted to rest atop the top portions of the table support members and the table brace members, when they are interlocked. In some preferred embodiments, the tabletop has a rectangular top view footprint, although it could have some other shape and still either rest atop or nest atop the interconnected support members and brace members.

The table support members and the pair of table brace members may be made of materials selected from the group consisting of wood, plastic, metal and combinations thereof. They could be made of glass, composites and synthetics, or any combination of, any appropriate materials of construction for tables.

In some preferred embodiments, the receiving slots of the pair of table brace members have a predetermined width, w−2, and the pair of table support members have a predetermined thickness, t−2, equal to the pair of table brace members, in an area around said receiving slots.

In some preferred embodiments, the table top is rectilinear, either square or rectangular, and has four edges with an overhang on each edge. These overhangs may be continuous, i.e., around the entire periphery, or in predetermined areas only, i.e., adjacent to the top portions of the support members and/or adjacent to the top portions of the brace members. These overhangs may directly contact the outer edges of the top portions of the support members and brace members to inhibit lateral movement of the table top. In some preferred embodiments, each of the table support members has the same width, being w−3, and the table top has a first inside overhang width of same said width, w−3). In other embodiments, the pair of table brace members has the same width, being w−4, and table top has a second inside width of said same width, w−4. In yet other embodiments, both of the preceding two embodiments are combined to create a most preferred embodiment.

In other preferred embodiments, the overhanging vertical members of the table top extend both upwardly and downwardly and the table top is reversible. The table top may also have functional features, such as chess/checker board illustrations, Lego construction block protrusions, road and field illustrations, etc. When the top is reversible (invertible) diverse functional illustrations may be included on opposite sides.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention should be more fully understood when the specification herein is taken in conjunction with the drawings appended hereto wherein: [0017]
FIGS. 1 and 2 show a front and side view of a preferred table support member of the present invention collapsible table; [0018]
FIGS. 3 and 4 show a front and side view of a preferred table brace member of the present invention collapsible table; [0019]
FIG. 5 shows a perspective blown-apart view of a present invention collapsible table; [0020]
FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an end view and a perspective view of a pair of table brace members and a pair of table support members to create a base for a table top of a present invention collapsible table; [0021]
FIGS. 8, 9, and [0022] 10 illustrate a front view, a front cut view and a bottom view of an assembled present invention collapsible table;
FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of an assembled present invention collapsible table and FIG. 12 shows a disassembled perspective view thereof; and, [0023]
FIGS. 13 and 14 show a present invention collapsible table in use and stored, respectively. [0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a front and side view of a preferred table support member used in pairs as components of the present invention collapsible table. Referring to both FIGS. 1 and 2, table support member shown generally as [0025] member 10, is in the shape of an inverted U, and includes a substantially horizontal top portion 3, with a top surface 9, and two substantially vertical leg portions 5 and 7. These leg portions are located at opposite ends of top portion 3, but could be located somewhat inwardly from the ends and still function as legs. There are two receiving slots 11 and 13 at opposite ends, for receiving slotted ends of brace members, discussed below. The receiving slots 11 and 13 have a predetermined height of h, and a predetermined width of w−1, as shown in FIG. 1. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the member 10 has a total width of w−3, as measured across the top, but shown in the Figure at the bottom so as to avoid clarity problems on the Figure. As shown in FIG. 2, an end 17 of member 10 has a thickness of t−1. Although end 17 is shown as flat, it could be curvilinear or even of varied thickness and/or shape, or both. The designated thickness t−1 is only relevant to the area around the receiving slots so as to fit properly and snuggly with the table brace members when they are interconnected. This is illustrated below.
FIGS. 3 and 4 show a front and side view of a preferred [0026] table brace member 20 of the present invention collapsible table, dimensioned for interconnection with table support members such as member 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2. Brace member 20 is in the general shape of an inverted U and has a substantially horizontal top portion 23 with a flat top surface 29, and two substantially vertical brace portions 25 and 27. These brace portions 25 and 27 have receiving slots 31 and 33 as shown. These receiving slots 31 and 33 face downwardly and have an area above them that has a predetermined height h, which is equal to height h of the height of the receiving slots 11 and 13 shown in FIG. 1. It is this area above the receiving slots 31 and 33 that slide down into the support member receiving slots 11 and 13 when these disparate members are interconnected. By having the height h of FIG. 1 equal the height h of FIG. 3, when the members are interconnected, the top surface 9 of member 10 and the top surface 29 of member 20 end up in the same plane, creating an interlocked support and brace system for receiving the underside of a table top to provide maximum strength and support for it.
In FIG. 3, [0027] brace member 20 is shown to have a width of w−4, and the receiving slots 31 and 33 are shown to have a width of w−2. In FIG. 4, brace member 20 end 37 is shown as having a thickness of t−2. Although end 27 is shown as flat, it could be curvilinear or even of varied thickness and/or shape, or both. The designated thickness t−2 is only relevant to the area around the receiving slots so as to fit properly and snuggly with the table support members when they are interconnected. This is also illustrated below.
FIG. 5 shows a perspective blown-apart view of a present invention collapsible table [0028] 100. This is shown in a disassembled, but positioned for assembly, perspective view. It includes the support member 10 from FIGS. 1 and 2, and an identical counterpart support member 11, to make a pair, as well as the brace member 20 from FIGS. 3 and 4, and its identical counterpart brace member 21. Other aspects of these components are numbered as in the previous drawings, and need not be repeated. The table top 50 could be any top that would rest atop the other members shown, but a most preferred embodiment is shown here. Thus, top 50 includes a main flat top section 51 and four overhangs 53, 55, 57, and 59. These overhangs are also most preferred in that they extend upwardly and downwardly and extend around the entire periphery. (The could be in separate short sections adjacent the other member edges, and/or extend only downwardly.) Since these overhangs do extend upwardly and downwardly, the top 50 is reversible or invertible so that either side of the main top portion 51 is exposed. This will advantageously lend itself to diverse uses, such as having different illustrations on each side, for, for function or otherwise. There could be gameboards on one side and a top view-scene of roads, fields and other distinctive countryside or cityscape illustrations. There could be functional rather than play illustrations, such as templates. There could be disparate topographies, such as a chalkboard or whiteboard on one side, or train tracks or construction block base protrusions for building, or electronic patterns for connections to various electronic learning lab components. As can now be seen, the possibilities are endless.
The assemblage process is relatively straightforward for the present invention tables, and disassembly is simply the reverse of the assemblage process. The brace members are simply lowered and pushed down onto the support members with the slots of the brace members directly above the slots of the support members. For tight fittings, which are preferable, some downward pressure is applied. This is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 below. The table top is then placed along the top surfaces of the other members, and in this embodiment, is tightly nested so that the underside of the overhangs fits tightly on the tops and upper outer edges of the other members. As shown in FIG. 5, [0029] table top 50 has a long width w−3 that is equal to the width w−3 of the support members and has a second width w−4 equal to the width of the brace members. In other words, the inside dimensions as measured form inside the overhangs is equal to the outer dimensions of the top portions of the support members and the brace members.
FIGS. 6 through 13 have components and portions thereof identically numbered with those shown in the previous figures and, to avoid redundancy, are not all repeated for each figure below. [0030]
FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an end view and a perspective view of a pair of table brace members and a pair of table support members to create a base for a table top of a present invention collapsible table, when assembled as discussed above. FIG. 6 end view shows [0031] support members 10 and 11 separate from one another with each being interconnected at their respected slots with the slots of brace member 20. FIG. 7 shows support members 10 and 11 with brace members 20 and 21 completely interlocked and ready for receiving a table top.
FIGS. 8, 9, and [0032] 10 illustrate a front view, a front cut view, and a bottom view, respectively, of an assembled present invention collapsible table 100. Here, top 50 has been tightly nested onto the members shown in FIG. 7.
FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of an assembled present invention collapsible table [0033] 100 and FIG. 12 shows a disassembled, stacked-for-storage perspective view thereof. FIG. 12 illustrates an important aspect of the present invention table 100, namely, its compactness for storage, travel, or packaging for shipment or sale.
FIGS. 13 and 14 show a present invention collapsible table [0034] 100 in use and stored, respectively. Although the present invention table may be of any desired size, the convenience low play table shown in these figures is given a true sense of size relative to the love seat 101. In FIG. 14, table 100 is collapsed and stacked and tucked under the love seat 101 for storage. This protects the table and offers more useful space for other purposes when table 100 is not in use.
Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, lock/unlock fixtures may be connected to the table top and the support members and brace members so that they may be removeably latched, locked, or otherwise secured together. Alternatively, but less preferably, permanent connections may be utilized, such as angle braces and screws, to permanently secure the elements of the present invention table to one another. It is therefore understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. [0035]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible table with interlocking legs, comprising:

a) a pair of table support members, each table support member having a general frontal view shape of an inverted U, having a substantially horizontal top portion and having two substantially vertical leg portions, said top portion having two receiving slots at opposite ends from one another and w−1;

b) a pair of table brace members, each table brace member having a general frontal view shape of an inverted U, having a substantially horizontal top portion and having two substantially vertical brace portions, each of said portions having receiving slots with a height sufficient to create a remaining height, h, equal to said height, h, of said receiving slots of said pair of table support members, as measured between the receiving slot and the top portion of said table brace members, said pair of table brace members having a thickness, t−1, equal to said width, w−1, of said receiving slots of said pair of table support members, in an area around said receiving slots;

c) a table top adapted to rest atop said top portions of said table support members and said table brace members.

2. The collapsible table of claim 1 wherein said tabletop has a rectangular top view footprint.

3. The collapsible table of claim 1 wherein said pair of table support members have all flat surfaces.

4. The collapsible table of claim 1 wherein said pair of table support members have vertical leg portions which include at least one curvilinear surface.

5. The collapsible table of claim 1 wherein said pair of table support members and said pair of table brace members are made of materials selected from the group consisting of wood, plastic, metal and combinations thereof.

6. The collapsible table of claim 1 wherein said receiving slots of said pair of table brace members have a predetermined width, w−2, and said pair of table support members have a predetermined thickness, t−2, equal to said pair of table brace members, in an area around said receiving slots.

7. The collapsible table of claim 6 wherein said pair of table support members have all flat surfaces.

8. The collapsible table of claim 6 wherein said pair of table support members have vertical leg portions which include at least one curvilinear surface.

9. The collapsible table of claim 6 wherein said pair of table support members and said pair of table brace members are made of materials selected from the group consisting of wood, plastic, metal and combinations thereof.

10. A collapsible table with interlocking legs, comprising:

a) a pair of table support members, each table support member having a general frontal view shape of an inverted U, having a substantially horizontal top portion and having two substantially vertical leg portions, said top portion having two receiving slots at opposite ends from one another and having a predetermined height, h, and a predetermined width, w−-1;

c) a table top having at least four outer edges and adapted to rest atop said top portions of said table support members and said table brace members, said tabletop having overhanging vertical members on each of said at least four outer edges;

wherein each of said table support members has the same width, being w−3, and said table top has a first inside overhang width of same said width, w−3.

11. The collapsible table of claim 10 wherein said tabletop has a rectangular top view footprint.

12. The collapsible table of claim 10 wherein said overhanging vertical members of said table top extend both upwardly and downwardly and said table top is reversible.

13. The collapsible table of claim 10 wherein each of the said table brace members has the same width, being w−4, and said table top has a second inside width of said same width, w−4.

14. The collapsible table of claim 10 wherein said pair of table support members have all flat surfaces.

15. The collapsible table of claim 10 wherein said pair of table support members have vertical leg portions which include at least one curvilinear surface.

16. The collapsible table of claim 10 wherein said pair of table support members and said pair of table brace members are made of materials selected from the group consisting of wood, plastic, metal and combinations thereof.

17. The collapsible table of claim 10 wherein said receiving slots of said pair of table brace members have a predetermined width, w−2, and said pair of table support members have a predetermined thickness, t−2, equal to said pair of table brace members, in an area around said receiving slots.

18. The collapsible table of claim 17 wherein said pair of table support members have all flat surfaces.

19. The collapsible table of claim 17 wherein said pair of table support members have vertical leg portions which include at least one curvilinear surface.

20. The collapsible table of claim 17 wherein said pair of table support members and said pair of table brace members are made of materials selected from the group consisting of wood, plastic, metal and combinations thereof.