US20130118388A1

US20130118388A1 - Foldable table with reinforcing unit

Info

Publication number: US20130118388A1
Application number: US13/373,483
Authority: US
Inventors: Shou Qiang Zhu
Original assignee: IP Power Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: IP Power Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2011-11-14
Filing date: 2011-11-14
Publication date: 2013-05-16

Abstract

A foldable table includes a tabletop made of U-PVC material with solid structure, a reinforcing unit and two leg frames. The reinforcing unit is provided at the bottom side of the tabletop for evenly distributing and supporting a downward loading force on the tabletop. The reinforcing unit further includes two longitudinal reinforcing members for increasing the rigidity of the tabletop. The two leg frames are foldably supported at the bottom side of the tabletop to fold between an unfolded position and a folded position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a table structure, and more particularly to a table which comprises an edge embracing and enforcing frame for evenly disturbing and supporting the downward loading force loaded on the tabletop of the foldable table.
2. Description of Related Arts
Foldable foldable tables are very popular since the tables are convenient to use. This kind of table can be easily to use for multiple purposes since the tables can be quickly folded and easily folded for carriage and storage and unfolded for use.
A conventional foldable table comprises a tabletop and a foldable supporting frame mounted underneath the tabletop for supporting the tabletop. Its tabletop is generally made of mood, synthetic wood or other rigid materials for loading the downward loading force applied on the tabletop. This kind of tabletop is rigid and durable to support the downward loading force. However, this kind of table comprising a wood tabletop is heavy, bulky and inconvenient for storage and transportation.
Another conventional design of foldable table is making use of tabletop made of lightweight materials such as plastic. Therefore, the overall weight of the foldable table will be substantially reduced by the plastic tabletop. However, such foldable table has several disadvantages. The tabletop may be cracked easily due to the downward loading force since the tabletop made of common plastic is crispy. The tabletop made of special engineering plastic is rigid and solid, but this kind of tabletop is high-priced. In addition, the foldable supporting frame is generally mounted underneath the tabletop for supporting the tabletop. However, this kind of foldable tabletop is cracked easily, the foldable supporting frame cannot integrally constructed with the foldable tabletop.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The invention is advantageous in that it provides a U-PVC tabletop with edge embracing and enforcing frame for a foldable table, wherein the edge embracing and enforcing frame is mounted at the peripheral edge of the U-PVC tabletop for forming an edge protector of the tabletop and for evenly distributing and supporting a downward loading force applied on the tabletop.
The invention is advantageous in that it provides a U-PVC tabletop with edge embracing and enforcing frame for a foldable table, wherein the edge embracing and enforcing frame is mounted at the peripheral edge of the U-PVC tabletop for enhancing the rigidity and stability of the tabletop.
Another advantage of the invention is to provide a U-PVC tabletop with edge embracing and enforcing frame for a foldable table, wherein the edge embracing and enforcing frame provides a receiving cavity to receive the folded leg frames.
Another advantage of the invention is to provide a U-PVC tabletop with edge embracing and enforcing frame for a foldable table, wherein the edge embracing and enforcing frame comprises a table retention frame, the leg frames can be coupled with table retention frame respectively.
Another advantage of the invention is to provide a U-PVC tabletop with edge embracing and enforcing frame for a foldable table, wherein the edge embracing and enforcing frame comprises a plurality of corner reinforcing members, the leg frames can be coupled with the corner reinforcing members respectively.
Another advantage of the invention is to provide a U-PVC tabletop with edge embracing and enforcing frame for a foldable table, wherein the tabletop with edge embracing and enforcing frame does involve complicated and expensive components and processes in order to minimize the manufacturing cost.
Additional advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, and may be realized by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particular point out in the appended claims.
According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects and advantages are attained by a foldable table, which comprises a U-PVC tabletop with edge embracing and enforcing frame and two leg frames.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the present invention comprises:
a tabletop made of U-PVC material with solid structure and has a top side, a bottom side and a peripheral edge defining two longitudinal edges and two transverse edges;
a reinforcing frame provided at the bottom side with respect to the peripheral edge for evenly distributing and supporting a downward loading force on the tabletop; and
two leg frames foldably and spacedly supported at the bottom side to fold between an unfolded position and a folded position, wherein each of the two leg frames comprises a folding leg and a folding frame, wherein the folding leg is pivotally coupled with the bottom side to pivotally fold between the unfolded position and the folded position, and the folding frame is pivotally extended from the bottom side to the folding leg so that the folding leg is pivotally and outwardly folded to downwardly extended from the bottom side at the unfolded position, and the folding leg is pivotally and inwardly folded to rest under the tabletop at the folded position.
Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.
These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a lateral view of a foldable table according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a foldable table according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a foldable table according to the first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the leg frames at the unfolded position.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a foldable table according to the first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the leg frames at the folded position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a foldable table according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a foldable table according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a lateral view of a foldable table according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a foldable table according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a foldable table according to the second embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the leg frames at the unfolded position.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a foldable table according to the second embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the leg frames at the folded position.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of a foldable table according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5 of the drawings, a foldable table according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the foldable table comprises a tabletop 10, a reinforcing unit 20 and two leg frames 30.
As shown in FIG. 1, the tabletop 10 is made of U-PVC material with solid structure, wherein the tabletop 10 has a top side 11, a bottom side 12 and a peripheral edge defining two transverse edges 13 and two longitudinal edges 14. Preferably, the tabletop 10 has a rectangular shape.
As shown in FIG. 2, the reinforcing unit 20 is provided at the bottom side 12 with respect to the peripheral edge of the bottom side 12 of the tabletop 10, wherein the reinforcing unit 20 comprises a reinforcing frame 21 for reinforcing the tabletop 10 and evenly distributing and supporting the downward loading force loaded on the tabletop 10, wherein the reinforcing frame 21 preferably has a rectangular shape to define two transverse reinforcing elements 211 and two longitudinal reinforcing elements 212. Accordingly, the two transverse reinforcing elements 211 and the two longitudinal reinforcing elements 212 are coupled end-to-end to form a rectangular shape with respect to the peripheral edge of the tabletop 10 of the foldable table respectively. In other words, the reinforcing unit 20 enhances the rigidity of the tabletop 10 to resist the torsion of the external force exerted on the tabletop 10.
The two leg frames 30 are foldably and spacedly supported at the bottom side 12 of the tabletop 10 to fold between an unfolded position and a folded position, and each of the two leg frames 30 comprises a folding leg 31 and a folding frame 32, wherein the folding leg 31 is pivotally coupled with the bottom side 12 of the tabletop 10 to pivotally fold between the unfolded position and the folded position, and the folding frame 32 is pivotally extended from the bottom side 12 of the tabletop 10 to the folding leg 31. Accordingly, at the unfolded position, the folding leg 31 is pivotally and outwardly folded to downwardly extend from the bottom side 12 of the tabletop 10 and at the folded position, the folding leg 31 is pivotally and inwardly folded to rest under the tabletop 10.
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, each of the two leg frames 30 comprises a folding leg 31 and a folding frame 32, wherein the folding leg 31 is pivotally coupled with two corresponding transverse reinforcing elements 211 of the reinforcing unit 20 to pivotally fold between the unfolded position and the folded position, and the folding frame 32 is pivotally extended from the bottom side 12 of the tabletop 10 to the folding leg 31. Accordingly, at the unfolded position, the folding leg 31 is pivotally and outwardly folded to downwardly extend from the bottom side 12 of the tabletop 10 and at the folded position, the folding leg 31 is pivotally and inwardly folded to rest under the tabletop 10.
As shown in FIG. 4, the reinforcing unit 20 further comprises two longitudinal reinforcing members 22 coupled with the bottom side 12 of the tabletop 10 respectively, wherein each of longitudinal reinforcing members 22 is extended from a longitudinal reinforcing element 211 to another opposite longitudinal reinforcing element 211 to retain the external shape of the reinforcing frame 21 of the reinforcing unit 20 and evenly distribute and support the downward loading force loaded on the tabletop 10. In other words, the reinforcing unit 20 with the longitudinal reinforcing members 22 increases the rigidity of the tabletop 10 to form a torsion resistance to resist the external force exerted at the top side 11 of the tabletop 10.
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, each of the two leg frames 30 of the foldable table comprises a folding leg 31 and a folding frame 32, wherein the folding leg 31 is pivotally coupled with the bottom side 12 of the tabletop 10 to pivotally fold between the unfolded position and the folded position, and the folding frame 32 is pivotally coupled at the corresponding longitudinal reinforcing member 22 and extended from the longitudinal reinforcing member 22 to the folding leg 31 to evenly distribute and support the downward loading force loaded on the tabletop 10. In other words, the folding frames 32 of the leg frames 30 are pivotally coupled at the longitudinal reinforcing members 22 respectively and the longitudinal reinforcing members 22 are coupled with the bottom side 12 of the tabletop 10 respectively so that the folding frames 32 are pivotally coupled with the bottom side 12 of the tabletop 10 to pivotally fold between the unfolded position and the folded position, and the folding frame 32 is pivotally extended from the bottom side 12 of the tabletop 10 to the folding leg 31. Accordingly, at the unfolded position, the folding legs 31 are pivotally and outwardly folded to downwardly extended from the bottom side 12 of the tabletop 10 and at the folded position, the folding legs 31 are pivotally and inwardly folded to rest under the tabletop 10.
As shown in FIG. 6, the reinforcing frame 21 of the reinforcing unit 20 is provided at the bottom side 12 of the tabletop 10 with respect to the peripheral edge of the bottom side 12 of the tabletop 10 to define a receiving cavity 200 under the bottom side of the tabletop 10 for receiving the leg frames at the folded position, and the longitudinal reinforcing members 22 are belts of structure so that the leg frames can be folded within the receiving cavity 200 at the folded position.
Referring to FIGS. 7 to 11 of the drawings, a foldable table according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the foldable table comprises a tabletop 10A, a reinforcing unit 20A and two leg frames 30A.
As shown in FIG. 7, the tabletop 10A is made of U-PVC material with solid structure, wherein the tabletop has a top side 11A, a bottom side 12A and a peripheral edge defining two transverse edges 13A and two longitudinal edges 14A. Preferably, the tabletop 10A has a rectangular shape.
As shown in FIG. 8, the reinforcing unit 20A comprises a reinforcing frame 21A for reinforcing the tabletop 10A and evenly distributing and supporting the downward loading force loaded on the tabletop 10A, wherein the reinforcing frame 21A is encirclingly provided at the peripheral edge of the bottom side 12A of the tabletop 10A to form a edge protector of the tabletop 10A to prevent any impact at the peripheral edge of the bottom side 12A. Preferably, the tabletop 10A has a rectangular shape so that the reinforcing frame 21A has a rectangular shape to define two transverse reinforcing elements 211A aligned along the transverse edges 13A of the tabletop and two longitudinal reinforcing elements 212A aligned along the longitudinal edges 14A of the tabletop 10A. And the two transverse reinforcing elements 211A and the two longitudinal reinforcing elements 212A are respectively coupled end-to-end to form a rectangular shape to encircle around the peripheral edge of the tabletop 10A of the foldable table. In other words, the reinforcing unit 20A increases the rigidity of the tabletop 10A to resist the torsion of the external force exerted on the tabletop 10A.
Alternatively, the reinforcing frame 21A can be manufactured with this method of integrated molding to define two transverse reinforcing elements 211A aligned along the transverse edges 13A of the tabletop and two longitudinal reinforcing elements 212A aligned along the longitudinal edges 14A of the tabletop 10A, wherein the transverse reinforcing elements 211A and reinforcing elements 212A are respectively coupled end-to-end to form a rectangular shape to encircle around the peripheral edge of the tabletop 10A.
As shown in FIG. 8, each of the transverse reinforcing elements 211A comprises a transverse edge surrounding member 2111A encirclingly mounted at the transverse edge 13A of the tabletop 10A for evenly distributing and supporting the downward loading force on the tabletop 10A, and a transverse table retention member 2112A integrally and downwardly extended from the transverse edge surrounding member 2111A below the bottom side 12A of the tabletop 10A; each of the longitudinal reinforcing elements 212A comprises a longitudinal edge surrounding member 2121A encirclingly mounted at the longitudinal edge 14A of the tabletop 10A for evenly distributing and supporting the downward loading force on the tabletop 10A, and a longitudinal table retention member 2122A integrally and downwardly extended from the longitudinal edge surrounding member 2121A below the bottom side 12A of the tabletop 10A, wherein the transverse edge surrounding member 2111A and the longitudinal edge surrounding member 2121A are coupled end-to-end to form a edge protector of the tabletop 10A to prevent any impact at the peripheral edge of the tabletop 10A, the longitudinal table retention members 2112A and the transverse table retention members 2122A are coupled end-to-end to define a receiving cavity 200A. In other words, the height of the receiving cavity 200A is defined by the longitudinal table retention members 2112A and the transverse table retention members 2122A.
As shown in FIG. 8, the two leg frames 30A are foldably and spacedly supported at the bottom side 12A of the tabletop 10A to fold between an unfolded position and a folded position, and each of the two leg frames 30A comprises a folding leg 31A and a folding frame 32A, wherein the folding leg 31A is pivotally coupled with the bottom side 12A of the tabletop 10A to pivotally fold between the unfolded position and the folded position, and the folding frame 32A is pivotally extended from the bottom side 12A of the tabletop 10A to the folding leg 31A. Accordingly, at the unfolded position, the folding leg 31A is pivotally and outwardly folded to downwardly extended from the bottom side 12A of the tabletop 10A and at the folded position, the folding leg 31A is pivotally and inwardly folded to rest under the tabletop 10A.
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9, the two leg frames 30A are foldably and spacedly supported at the bottom side 12A of the tabletop 10A to fold between an unfolded position and a folded position, and each of the two leg frames 30A comprises a folding leg 31A and a folding frame 32A, wherein the folding leg 31A is pivotally coupled with two corresponding transverse reinforcing elements 211A of the reinforcing unit 20A to pivotally fold between the unfolded position and the folded position, and the folding frame 32A is pivotally extended from the bottom side 12A of the tabletop 10A to the folding leg 31A. Accordingly, at the unfolded position, the folding leg 31A is pivotally and outwardly folded to downwardly extend from the bottom side 12A of the to tabletop 10A and at the folded position, the folding leg 31A is pivotally and inwardly folded to rest under the tabletop 10A.
As shown in FIG. 10, the reinforcing unit 20A further comprises two longitudinal reinforcing members 22A coupled with the bottom side 12A of the tabletop 10A respectively, wherein each of longitudinal reinforcing members 22A is extended from a transverse reinforcing element 211A to another opposite transverse reinforcing element 211A to retain the external shape of the reinforcing frame 21A of the reinforcing unit 20A and evenly distribute and support the downward loading force loaded on the tabletop 10A. In other words, the reinforcing unit 20A with the longitudinal reinforcing members 22A increases the rigidity of the tabletop 10A to form a torsion resistance to resist the external force exerted at the top side 11A of the tabletop 10A. Alternatively, the folding frames 32A are pivotally coupled at the longitudinal reinforcing members 22A respectively and extended from the longitudinal reinforcing members 22A to the folding legs 31A respectively to evenly distribute and support the downward loading force loaded on the tabletop 10A. In other words, the folding frames 32A are pivotally coupled at the longitudinal reinforcing members 22A respectively and the longitudinal reinforcing members 22A are coupled with the bottom side 12A of the tabletop 10A respectively so that the folding frames 32A are pivotally coupled with the bottom side 12A of the tabletop 10A to pivotally fold between the unfolded position and the folded position, and the folding frame 32A is pivotally extended from the bottom side 12A of the tabletop 10A to the folding leg 31A. Accordingly, at the unfolded position, the folding legs 31A are pivotally and outwardly folded to downwardly extend from the bottom side 12A of the tabletop 10A and at the folded position, the folding legs 31A are pivotally and inwardly folded to rest under the tabletop 10A.
As shown in FIG. 11, the reinforcing frame 21A of the reinforcing unit 20A is provided at the bottom side 12A of the tabletop 10A with respect to the peripheral edge of the bottom side 12A of the tabletop 10A to define a receiving cavity 200A under the bottom side of the tabletop 10A for receiving the leg frames at the folded position, and the longitudinal reinforcing member and the longitudinal reinforcing members 22A are belts of structure so that the leg frames can be folded within the receiving cavity 200A at the folded position.
One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting.
It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. It embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A foldable table comprising:

a tabletop, wherein said tabletop is made of U-PVC material with solid structure and has a top side, a bottom side and a peripheral edge defining two longitudinal edges and two transverse edges;

a reinforcing unit provided at said bottom side with respect to said peripheral edge for evenly distributing and supporting a downward loading force on said tabletop; and

two leg frames foldably and spacedly supported at said bottom side to fold between an unfolded position and a folded position, wherein each of said two leg frames comprises a folding leg and a folding frame, wherein said folding leg is pivotally coupled with said bottom side to pivotally fold between said unfolded position and said folded position, and said folding frame is pivotally extended from said bottom side to said folding leg so that said folding leg is pivotally and outwardly folded to downwardly extended from said bottom side at the unfolded position, and said folding leg is pivotally and inwardly folded to rest under said tabletop at said folded position.

2. The foldable table, as recited in claim 1, wherein said reinforcing unit comprises a reinforcing frame for reinforcing said tabletop, said reinforcing frame has a rectangular shape to define two longitudinal reinforcing elements and two transverse reinforcing elements, wherein said two longitudinal reinforcing elements and said two transverse reinforcing elements are coupled end-to-end to form a rectangular shape with respect to said peripheral edge of said tabletop respectively.

3. The foldable table, as recited in claim 1, wherein said reinforcing unit further comprises two longitudinal reinforcing members coupled with said bottom side of said tabletop respectively, wherein each of said longitudinal reinforcing members is extended from said longitudinal reinforcing element to another opposite said longitudinal reinforcing element to retain the external shape of said reinforcing frame of said reinforcing unit and evenly distribute and support said downward loading force loaded on said tabletop.

4. The foldable table, as recited in claim 2, wherein said reinforcing unit further comprises two longitudinal reinforcing members coupled with said bottom side of said tabletop respectively, wherein each of said longitudinal reinforcing members is extended from said longitudinal reinforcing element to another opposite said longitudinal reinforcing element to retain the external shape of said reinforcing frame of said reinforcing unit and evenly distribute and support said downward loading force loaded on said tabletop.

5. The foldable table, as recited in claim 1, wherein said folding leg is pivotally coupled with the two corresponding transverse reinforcing elements of said reinforcing unit to pivotally fold between said unfolded position and said folded position, and said folding frame is pivotally extended from said bottom side of said tabletop to said folding leg.

6. The foldable table, as recited in claim 2, wherein said folding leg is pivotally coupled with the two corresponding transverse reinforcing elements of said reinforcing unit to pivotally fold between said unfolded position and said folded position, and said folding frame is pivotally extended from said bottom side of said tabletop to said folding leg.

7. The foldable table, as recited in claim 3, wherein said folding leg is pivotally coupled with two corresponding transverse reinforcing elements of said reinforcing unit to pivotally fold between said unfolded position and said folded position, and said folding frame is pivotally extended from said bottom side of said tabletop to said folding leg.

8. The foldable table, as recited in claim 4, wherein said folding leg is pivotally coupled with two corresponding transverse reinforcing elements of said reinforcing unit to pivotally fold between said unfolded position and said folded position, and said folding frame is pivotally extended from said bottom side of said tabletop to said folding leg.

9. The foldable table, as recited in claim 3, wherein said folding frame is pivotally coupled at the corresponding longitudinal reinforcing member and extended from said longitudinal reinforcing member to said folding leg.

10. The foldable table, as recited in claim 7, wherein said folding frame is pivotally coupled at the corresponding longitudinal reinforcing member and extended from said longitudinal reinforcing member to said folding leg.

11. A foldable table comprising:

a reinforcing frame, wherein said reinforcing unit comprises a reinforcing frame encirclingly provided at said peripheral edge of said bottom side of said tabletop to form a edge protector of said tabletop; and

12. The foldable table, as recited in claim 11, wherein said reinforcing frame has a rectangular shape to define two transverse reinforcing elements aligned along said transverse edges of said tabletop and two longitudinal reinforcing elements aligned along said longitudinal edges of said tabletop, and said two transverse reinforcing elements and said two longitudinal reinforcing elements are respectively coupled end-to-end to form a rectangular shape to encircle around said peripheral edge of said tabletop.

13. The foldable table, as recited in claim 11, wherein said reinforcing unit further comprises two longitudinal reinforcing members coupled with said bottom side of said tabletop respectively, wherein each of said longitudinal reinforcing members is extended from said longitudinal reinforcing element to another opposite said longitudinal reinforcing element to retain the external shape of said reinforcing unit of said reinforcing unit and evenly distribute and support said downward loading force loaded on said tabletop.

14. The foldable table, as recited in claim 12, wherein said reinforcing unit further comprises two longitudinal reinforcing members coupled with said bottom side of said tabletop respectively, wherein each of said longitudinal reinforcing members is extended from said longitudinal reinforcing element to another opposite said longitudinal reinforcing element to retain the external shape of said reinforcing unit of said reinforcing unit and evenly distribute and support said downward loading force loaded on said tabletop.

15. The foldable table, as recited in claim 11, wherein said folding leg is pivotally coupled with the two corresponding transverse reinforcing elements of said reinforcing unit to pivotally fold between said unfolded position and said folded position, and said folding frame is pivotally extended from said bottom side of said tabletop to said folding leg.

16. The foldable table, as recited in claim 12, wherein said folding leg is pivotally coupled with the two corresponding transverse reinforcing elements of said reinforcing unit to pivotally fold between said unfolded position and said folded position, and said folding frame is pivotally extended from said bottom side of said tabletop to said folding leg.

17. The foldable table, as recited in claim 13, wherein said folding leg is pivotally coupled with the two corresponding transverse reinforcing elements of said reinforcing frame to pivotally fold between said unfolded position and said folded position, and said folding frame is pivotally extended from said bottom side of said tabletop to said folding leg.

18. The foldable table, as recited in claim 14, wherein said folding leg is pivotally coupled with the two corresponding transverse reinforcing elements of said reinforcing unit to pivotally fold between said unfolded position and said folded position, and said folding frame is pivotally extended from said bottom side of said tabletop to said folding leg.

19. The foldable table, as recited in claim 13, wherein said folding frame is pivotally coupled at the corresponding longitudinal reinforcing member and extended from said longitudinal reinforcing member to said folding leg.

20. The foldable table, as recited in claim 17, wherein said folding frame is pivotally coupled at the corresponding longitudinal reinforcing member and extended from said longitudinal reinforcing member to said folding leg.