US20140031149A1

US20140031149A1 - Assembly Structure Of Table Top Of Ping-Pong Table

Info

Publication number: US20140031149A1
Application number: US13/559,005
Authority: US
Inventors: Grace Liao
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-07-26
Filing date: 2012-07-26
Publication date: 2014-01-30

Abstract

An assembly structure for ping-pong table top is provided, including a first table plate, a second table plate, at least a fixing unit and at least a support unit. The fixing unit includes a first matching element, a second matching element and a coupling element. The first and second matching elements are fastened respectively to bottom of the first and second table plates. When coupling element coupled to the first and second matching elements, two table plates cannot be separated. The support unit includes a fixing element and a collaborating element. The collaborating element has an arch-door shape so that bottom of collaborating element can match fixing element. When assembled, an axis receiving hole is formed between fixing element and collaborating element so that fixing unit can splice two table plates together. Table legs are assembled to support unit. As such, the user can easily assemble the ping-pong table.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a ping-pong table, and more specifically to a structure for fixing table top to facilitate subsequent assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A standard ping-pong table is 2.74 ml in length, 1.525 m in width and 76 cm in height. Table top of a ping-pong table is usually made of high density fiber plate or similar processed wood and coated with a layer of dedicated low-friction paint. For easy transportation, the manufacturer do not usually ship the table top in the form of a 2.74 m ×1.525 m, instead, the table top is often assembled by two or four plates. The buyer must assemble the two or four table plates, along with other accessories, into a ping-pong table.
Take the four-plate structure as an example. Two table plates are first aligned and fixed together. Then, table legs are assembled under the assembled table plated to form a 1.37 m×1.525 ml “half-table”. Finally, two half tables are lined up together with a net disposed between two half-tables to form a finished ping-pong table. To assembly, different screws are required to fix different accessories to the table plates. For instance, with a plurality of fixing blocks and a plurality of support frames as accessories, fixing blocks are fixed to two adjacent table plates by screws so that two adjacent table plates are fixed together by fixing blocks. Support frames are fixed to the under surface of table plate, and a plurality of support frames can be coupled to a reverse U-shaped table leg to accomplish assembling table leg. However, assembly using screws for fixing has the following shortcomings:
1. The user must possess good skill when applying the screws to wood table plate; otherwise, the screw can be easily skewed and makes cracks in the wood.
2. Two adjacent table plates usually require tens of screws with several fixing blocks for fastening. If some of the screws are skewed or unevenly applied, the two table plates will not be perfectly matched and the flatness of the table is affected.
3. The assembly process is time-consuming and tedious because the process usually requires 20-50 screws. Although electrical screw drivers can be used, the user must possess good skill to operate electrical screw driver.
4. The skill level of the user with the assembly tool is unpredictable. If insufficient, the table might be damaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a structure for fixing ping-pong table top. The main feature of the present invention is to dispose a plurality of elements on bottom surface of table plate. The engagement between elements is mostly by coupling to reduce the necessity for screws, reduce the assembly time and simplify the assembly to ensure each constructing element is at the designated locations after assembly to obtain high quality ping-pong table.
To achieve the aforementioned object, the present invention includes a first table plate, a second table plate, at least a fixing unit and at least a support unit. The fixing unit includes a first matching element, a second matching element and a coupling element. The first matching element and the second matching element are fastened respectively to bottom surfaces of the first table plate and the second table plate. When the two table plates are aligned side-by-side together, the first matching element and the second matching element are also aligned side-by-side together. When the coupling element is coupled to the first matching element and the second matching element, the first matching element and the second matching element cannot be disengaged from the coupling element in the direction perpendicular to the plane where the first table plate and the second table plate are aligned together. The support unit includes at least a fixing element and a collaborating element. The fixing element at least fixes a bottom surface of one of the two table plates. The collaborating element has an arch door shape so that the bottom of the collaborating element can match the fixing element. When assembled, the collaborating element cannot be disengaged from the fixing element in the direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of table plate. An axis receiving hole is formed between the fixing element and the collaborating element.
The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood from a careful reading of a detailed description provided herein below with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can be understood in more detail by reading the subsequent detailed description in conjunction with the examples and references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a dissected view of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a schematic view of another structure of the table plate of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of the clamping plate of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 is a first schematic view of the assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a second schematic view of the assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a third schematic view of the assembly of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of present invention after assembled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of the present invention. The present invention includes a first table plate 1 and a second table plate 2, aligned side-by-side together, at least a fixing unit 3 and at least a support unit 4, disposed on surface of the two table plates. Fixing unit 3 and support unit 4 are actually disposed on bottom surface of two table plates. For easy viewing, the two table plates are flipped upside down to observe the structure of fixing unit 3 and support unit 4. First table plate 1 and second table plate 2 ate plates for ping-pong table top. After aligned side-by-side, the two table plates form an area sufficient for table top. The table top can be half of the standard ping-pong table. Fixing unit 3 is for fastening first table plate 1 and second table plate 2 in an aligned side-by-side manner to keep first table plate 1 and second table plate 2 from separating. Support unit 4 is fixed on surface of first table plate 1 and second table plate 2 for receiving and supporting a table leg of an upside-down U shape to fix the table leg to the table plate. In this manner, the difficulty of assembling first table plate 1 and second table plate 2 is reduced, as well as the assembly time required.
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a schematic view and a dissected view of the present invention respectively. Fixing unit 3 includes a first matching element 31, a second matching element 32 and a coupling element 33. First matching element 31 and second matching element 32 are fastened to surfaces of first table plate 1 and second table plate 2 respectively. Top of first matching element 31, i.e., the end away from spliced surface of first table plate 1 includes a first latch 311, and top of second matching element 32 away from spliced surface of second table plate 2 includes a second latch 321. First latch 311 and second latch 321 have matching shape, and when first matching element 31 and second matching element 32 are aligned side-by-side, first latch 311 and second latch 321 are also aligned side-by-side to form a body having a T-shaped cross-section. Coupling element 33 includes a latch slot 331. Cross-section of latch slot 331 is also T-shaped. When the body formed by first latch 311 and second latch 321 slides into latch slot 331 of coupling element 33, first matching element 31 and second matching element 32 can no longer be disengaged from coupling element 33 along the direction perpendicular to the spliced surface of first table plate 1 and second table plate 2.
In addition, side walls of first matching element 31 and second matching element, which facing each other, include first fit wall 312 and second fit wall 322 respectively. First fit wall 312 and second fit wall 322 are non-planar and have matching shape. In the present embodiment, first fit wall 312 includes a plurality of slant surfaces in vertical orientation, a plurality of concave surfaces, and a plurality of convex surfaces.
Second fit wall 322 must have a matching shape with first fit wall 312, i.e., includes a plurality of slant surfaces in vertical orientation, a plurality of convex surfaces, and a plurality of concave surfaces for a tight fit. When first matching element 31 uses first fit wall 312 to fit tightly with second fit wall 322 of second matching element 32, first matching element 31 and second matching element 32 cannot move separately along the direction of spliced surface of first table plate 1 and second table plate 2.
Support unit 4 includes at least a fixing element 41 and a collaborating element 42. Fixing element 41 is fastened to a surface of at least one of first table plate 1 or second table plate 2. Fixing element is disposed with at least two parallel latch racks 411. Collaborating element 42 has a shape of an arch door, with bottom forming at least two concave latch slots 421. When latch racks 411 slide into latch slots 421, collaborating element 42 cannot be disengaged from fixing element 41 along a direction perpendicular to surface of table plate. Also, an axis-receiving hole is formed between collaborating element 42 and fixing element 42.
In the present embodiment, center surface of fixing element 41 forms an arc surface 412, located between two latch racks 411. Inner wall of arch door shape of collaborating element 42 is also an arc surface. When collaborating element 42 is assembled to fixing element 41, arc surface 412 and inner wall 422 form a space to receive an axis for rotation.
Furthermore, vertical cross-section of latch rack 411 has a convex T-shape. Vertical cross-section of latch slot 421 has a concave T shape. In this manner, latch slot 421 of collaborating element 42 can only be assembled to latch rack 411 of fixing element 41 in a direction parallel to the surface of table plate.
In the present embodiment, a fixing element 41 is in general used with a collaborating element 42. However, two small fixing elements 41A can also be used with a collaborating element 42. Small fixing element 41A is about half the size of fixing element 41, also with latch racks 411 and arc surface 412. When assembled, two fixing elements 41A are fixed to surfaces of first table plate 1 and second table plate 2 respectively. When collaborating element 42 is assembled with two small fixing elements 41A, an axis-receiving hole 43 is also formed. The present invention also achieves another object. When fixing unit 3 and support unit 4 are assembled, because collaborating element 42 and coupling element 22 are respectively assembled in mutual perpendicular directions, first table plate 1 and second table plate 2 are restricted in every direction to further ensure that first table plate 1 and second table plate 2 will stay engaged.
For further convenience of assembly, as shown in FIG. 3A, the present invention further includes a plurality of clamping plates 5, located on surfaces of first table plate 1 and second table plate 2 close to edge. FIG. 3A shows only second table plate 2. As shown in FIG. 3B, clamping plate 5 is facing table edge and forms a gap 51 with surface of table plate. Gap 51 is for tight clamping on edge trim 6 and corner trim 7. Edge trim 6 is an L shape formed by an edge horizontal plate 61 and an edge side plate 62. Gap 51 is slightly smaller than the thickness of edge horizontal plate 61. When assembled, edge horizontal plate 61 is inserted into gap 51 to be tightly clamped by clamping plate 5. Edge side plate 62 is aligned side-by-side with side wall of second table plate 2. Corner trim 7 includes two corner side plates 71, 72 and a corner horizontal plate 73. Corner side plates 71, 72 are perpendicular to each other, with the sides in the same direction connected to side horizontal plate 73 to form a three-dimensional triangle. When assembled, corner horizontal plate 73 is inserted into gap 51 of clamping plate 5 at the corner of table plate. Corner side plates 71, 72 are arranged on the side walls of the table plate in different directions.
When applying the present invention to assembling a ping-pong table, the advantages of convenience and ease can be shown. The following describes the assembling process. As shown in FIG. 4, before shipment, a plurality of first matching elements 31, a plurality of second matching elements 32, a plurality of fixing elements 41, 41A, a plurality of clamping plates 5 are all fixed to appropriate locations on first table plate 1 and second table plate 2. In this manner, the manufacturer can easily confirm the locations and sturdiness of each of the elements. The majority of subsequent assembly does not require tools for execution. As shown, the first step is to place first table plate 1 and second table plate 2 tightly against each other in an aligned and side-by-side manner so that first matching element 31 and second matching element 32 are also tightly against each other in an aligned and side-by-side manner. Then, coupling element 33 is pushed in a specific direction to couple first matching element 31 and second matching element 32 to accomplish assembly of fixing unit 3. At this point, first table plate 1 and second table plate 2 are fastened to each other. Because first matching element 31 and second matching element 32 are already fixed to first table plate 1 and second table plate 2 by the manufacturer before shipment, the two table plates can be ensured to maintain on the same plane when spliced horizontally.
As shown in FIG. 5, the next step is to assemble U-shaped table legs 8A, 8B. Table legs 8A, 8B are similar in structure, but different in width. The present invention uses table leg 8A as an example for description. Table leg 8A has a U shape, including a rotation axis 82 and two leg elements 81. When assembling, rotation axis 82 is placed on fixing elements 41, 41A of a plurality of, and then a plurality of collaborating elements are spliced to fixing elements 41, 41A to accomplish assembling table legs 8A, 8B to first table plate 1 and second table plate 2.
FIG. 6 shows the schematic view of assembling edge trim 6 and corner trim 7. Edge horizontal plate 61 of edge trim 6 is inserted into respective gap 51 of clamping plate 5 to accomplish fixing edge trim 6 to edges of first table plate 1 and second table plate 2. Corner horizontal plates 73 of two corner trims 7 are inserted into respective gap 51 of clamping plate 5 to accomplish fixing corner trims 7 to corners of first table plate 1 and second table plate 2. As such, one side of the ping-pong table assembly is accomplished. As shown in FIG. 7, two sides of ping-pong table can aligned side-by-side and assembled to form a complete ping-pong table.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details described thereof. Various substitutions and modifications have been suggested in the foregoing description, and others will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, all such substitutions and modifications are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An assembly structure for fixing ping-pong table top to facilitate subsequent assembly, comprising:

a first table plate, a second table plate, at least a fixing unit disposed on bottom surface of said first table plate and second table plate, and at least a support unit disposed on bottom surface of said first table plate and second table plate;

wherein said fixing unit further comprising a first matching element, a second matching element and a coupling element; said first matching element and said second matching element being fastened respectively to bottom surfaces of said first table plate and said second table plate; when said two table plates being aligned side-by-side together, said first matching element and said second matching element being also aligned side-by-side together; when said coupling element being coupled to said first matching element and said second matching element, said first matching element and said second matching element unable to be disengaged from said coupling element in the direction perpendicular to a plane where said first table plate and said second table plate being aligned together; said support unit comprising at least a fixing element and a collaborating element. The fixing element at least fixes a bottom surface of one of the two table plates; said collaborating element having an arch door shape so that bottom of said collaborating element able to match said fixing element; when assembled, said collaborating element unable to be disengaged from said fixing element in the direction perpendicular to said bottom surface of table plate; an axis receiving hole being formed between said fixing element and said collaborating element.

2. The assembly structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first matching element comprises a first latch and said second matching element comprises a second latch; when said first matching element and said second matching element are aligned side-by-side, said first latch and second latch are also aligned side-by-side; said coupling element comprises a latch slot; when said first latch and said second latch slide simultaneously into said latch slot, said first matching element and said second matching element can no longer be disengaged from said coupling element along a direction perpendicular to surface of said first table plate and said second table plate where said first table plate and said second table plate are spliced side-by-side together.

3. The assembly structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein when said first latch and said second latch are also aligned side-by-side, said first latch and said second latch form a body having a T-shaped cross-section, cross-section of said latch slot is also T-shaped.

4. The assembly structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein side walls of said first matching element and said second matching element, which facing each other, comprise a first fit wall and a second fit wall respectively; said first fit wall and said second fit wall are non-planar and have matching shape; when said first matching element uses said first fit wall to fit tightly with said second fit wall of said second matching element, said first matching element and said second matching element cannot move separately along the direction of surface of said first table plate and said second table plate where said first table plate and said second table plate are spliced side-by-side together.

5. The assembly structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein said first fit wall and said second fit wall comprises at least one of the following: a plurality of slant surfaces in vertical orientation, a plurality of concave surfaces, and a plurality of convex surfaces.

6. The assembly structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fixing element is disposed with at least two parallel latch racks, said collaborating element has a shape of an arch door, with bottom forming at least two concave latch slots; when said latch racks slide into said latch slots, said coupled collaborating element cannot be disengaged from said fixing element along a direction perpendicular to surface of table plate.

7. The assembly structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein vertical cross-section of said latch rack has a convex T-shape and vertical cross-section of said latch slot has a concave T shape so that said latch slot of said collaborating element can only be assembled to said latch rack of said fixing element in a direction parallel to the surface of table plate.

8. The assembly structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein center surface of said fixing element forms an arc surface, located between two said latch racks; inner wall of arch door shape of said collaborating element is also an arc surface; when said collaborating element is assembled to said fixing element, said arc surface of said fixing element and said inner wall of said collaborating element form a space to receive an axis for rotation.

9. The assembly structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein when said support unit comprises two fixing elements and a collaborating element, two said fixing elements are fixed to surfaces of said first table plate and said second table plate respectively, when said collaborating element is spliced with said two fixing elements, an axis receiving hole is formed.

10. The assembly structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first table plate and said second table plate are disposed with a plurality of clamping plates on bottom surface near edge, said clamping plate forms a gap with surface of table plate in direction towards table plate edge.

11. The assembly structure as claimed in claim 10, wherein said first table plate and said second table plate are disposed with a plurality of edge trims on bottom surface, said edge trim is an L shape formed by an edge horizontal plate and an edge side plate; when assembled, said edge horizontal plate is inserted into said gap of said clamping plate to be tightly clamped by said clamping plate; said edge side plate is aligned side-by-side with side wall of two table plates.

12. The assembly structure as claimed in claim 10, wherein said first table plate and said second table plate are disposed with at least a corner trim, said corner trim comprises two corner side plates and a corner horizontal plate; said corner side plates are perpendicular to each other, with the sides in the same direction connected to said side horizontal plate to form a three-dimensional triangle; when assembled, said corner horizontal plate is inserted into said gap of said clamping plate at the corner of table plate; said corner side plates are arranged on the side walls of said table plate in different directions.