US3630156A

US3630156A - Collapsible table

Info

Publication number: US3630156A
Application number: US10466A
Authority: US
Inventors: William N Woodruff
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-02-11
Filing date: 1970-02-11
Publication date: 1971-12-28
Anticipated expiration: 1988-12-28

Abstract

A collapsible table is described utilizing a continuous sheet of flexible material for a top and having a plurality of slats secured therebeneath. The slats in combination with the flexible top permit the top to be folded with the slats on the outside for convenient storage. A pair of end bars are positioned at each end of the top and include locking bars. Sideplates having legs pivotally secured thereto are placed in abutting relationship to the abutting surfaces the legs are positioned so that when they are pivoted to their unfolded position, they contact the locking surfaces, thereby securing the sideplates and end bars to provide a sturdy table configuration.

Description

United States Patent [72] inventor William N. Woodrufi 8022 North 10th Ave., Phoenix, Ariz. 85021 [21] Appl. No. 10,466 [22] Filed Feb. 11, 1970 [45] Patented Dec. 28, 1971 [54] COLLAPSIBLE TABLE 7 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 108/34, 108/112, 108/129, 108/157 [51] 1nt.Cl A471) 3/04 [50] Field o1Search.. 108/67, 112,125,153, 38, 34, 33,127,129,132,l57,156; 5/1 14, 1 12; 248/188; 297/17 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 740,846 10/1903 Giddings 108/157 1,303,487 5/1919 McCune 5/114 1,476,279 12/1923 Basford 5/112 1,572,282 2/1926 Grignon 108/112 1,877,654 9/1932 Flink 108/129 Primary Examiner-Francis K. Zugel Attorney-Drummonds, Cahill & Phillips ABSTRACT: A collapsible table is described utilizing a continuous sheet of flexible material for a top and having a plurality of slats secured therebeneath. The slats in combination with the flexible top permit the top to be folded with the slats on the outside for convenient storage. A pair of end bars are positioned at each end of the top and include locking bars. Sideplates having legs pivotally secured thereto are placed in abutting relationship to the abutting surfaces the legs are positioned so that when they are pivoted to their unfolded position, they contact the locking surfaces, thereby securing the sideplates and end bars to provide a sturdy table configuration.

PATENTEDUEB28I97I 3,630,155

SHEET 1 0F 3 INVENTOR.

WILLIAM N. WOODRUFF ATTORNEYS PATENTED UEC28 197i SHEET 2 [IF 3 INVENTOR. WILLIAM N. WOODRUFF ATTORNEYS PATENTED [E628 I97! SHEET 3 BF 3 INVENTOR.

WILLIAM N. WOODRU FF COLLAPSIBLE TABLE The present invention pertains to folding tables, and more particularly, to a collapsible table that may be conveniently disassembled for storage in a minimum of space.

The prior art is replete with designs of collapsible tables that may be collapsed" for storage. The use of such equipment frequently dictates the requirement of sturdy tables that, while nevertheless occupying a minimum of space in their collapsed state, must nevertheless provide a rigid top surface when in use. Prior art designs have included such features as rolled tops utilizing a flexible material and breakdown construction. These prior art designs have universally failed in either of two requirements, viz, rugged, sturdy configuration when unfolded, including a firm, unyielding top, and minimal space requirements when collapsed or folded.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a collapsible table that may be stored in a minimum space when in a folded position.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a collapsible table that is extremely sturdy and rugged while nevertheless being readily collapsible.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a collapsible table that may readily be assembled and disassembled without the use of tools.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the description thereof proceeds.

The present invention may be described by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which;

FIG. I is a perspective view of a table of the present invention in its collapsed form.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the table of the present invention in its unfolded condition, ready for use.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the table of FIG. 2, taken along line 3-3.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of FIG. 3, taken along line 4-4.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the table of the present invention,- showing the details of an end of the sideplate.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view, partly in section, of a portion of the table of the present invention, showing the details of an end of an end bar.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of FIG. 2, taken along line 77.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view, in section, of the tabletop of FIG. 1 in its partially unfolded condition, illustrating the method of erection of the table of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of FIG. 3 and is identical to FIG. 4 except showing the elements slightly displaced as they would be during erection.

Referring to FIG. I, the collapsed table shown therein will obviously be placed in a suitable container for transport. The table in its collapsed forrn comprises a folded top 10 which has been folded about

end bars

12 and 12a. Sideplates l3 and 14 together with transverse braces l5, l6, and 17 may conveniently be arranged in a rectangular column having approximately twice the cross-sectional area of the folded top 10 and

end bars

12 and 12a as shown in FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIGS. 27, the top 10 comprises a sheet of flexible top material 11 having a predetermined length and width. A plurality of slats 20 are secured to the bottom surface of the material 11 and are arranged in parallel contiguous to each other to permit the top 10 to be folded as shown in FIG. 1 with the slats on the outside. The flexible top material 11 is passed over a rounded shoulder 22 of the end bar 12 and secured to the end bar through the expediency of a stringer 25 fastened to the end bar 12 and clamping the top material 11 in a channel 26 provided therefor. A similar arrangement is provided at the end bar 12a at the opposite end of the continuous sheet of flexible top material 11.

The end bars each include an abutting surface such as that shown at 30 in FIG. 6, the purpose of which will become apparent as the description herein proceeds. Each end bar also The sideplates l3 and 14, as with the

end bars

12 and 12a, 7 are identical. Sideplate 13 supports

legs

40 and 41 pivotallysecured thereto, while side plate 14 supports

legs

42 and 43 pivotally secured thereto. Each leg is pivoted about a shaft such as a bolt 52 shown in FIG. 5 and is spaced from the corresponding sideplate by a spacer, such as 53. When the

pins

37 and 38 are inserted in the

holes

35 and 36, the abutting surface 30 on the end bar 12 contacts a corresponding abutting surface 54 on the sideplate 13. The leg 42 may then be pivoted in the direction of the arrow 56, causing the leg to slide into contact with the locking surface 32. Each comer of the table thus comprises mating abutting surfaces of the corresponding end bar and sideplate. As each leg is pivoted downwardly to its unfolded position, it slides over a corresponding locking surface, thereby locking the sideplate firmly into position. The unfolded and locked position may be seen in FIG. 7. The leg 41 is in its unfolded position and has been pivoted about bolt 60 in the direction indicated by the arrow 61. Since the leg 41 was spaced from the end plate l3 by a spacer 63, it slides into locking position against locking surface 64 of locking bar 65 to lock the sideplate 13 to the end bar 120. The leg 41 may be locked in its unfolded position by a diagonal brace 68 having a follower 69 slidably secured in a channel 70 and locked into the position shown in FIG. 7 by a spring-loaded latch 72. A second diagonal brace 73 is pivotally secured to the end bar 12a and is releasably secured at its opposite end to leg 41.

The sideplates l3 and I4 include

channels

75 and 76 respectively to receive the sides of the flexible top and the ends of the slats 20. The

end bars

12 and 12a each include

suitable supports

80 and 81 for receiving

transverse braces

15 and 16;

flat leaf springs

82 and 83 may be used to lock the

braces

15 and 16 in place. A larger and centrally positioned transverse brace 17 is secured between

end bars

12 and 12a by providing a pair of

rails

89 and 90 between which extends a pin 91. A second pin 92 is positioned above the pin 91 and guides the brace 17 by engaging a slot 94 provided therein. A spring-loaded pivoted latch is mounted in a slot 96 in the brace 17 and engages the pin 91 to lock the transverse brace 17 in position.

Identical rails

89 and 90, as well as

pins

91 and 92, are provided on the

end bars

12 and 12a; an identical latch 95 is provided at each end of the transverse support bar 17.

The assembly of the table of the present invention may now be described. The collapsed table, such as that shown in FIG. I, is assembled by first unfolding the top 10 as shown in FIG. 8. As mentioned previously, the slats 20 have been secured to the material 11 so as to be on the exterior of the material when the top 10 is in its folded position. The slats 20 are arranged in parallel and contiguous to each other and it may be noted by reference to FIGS. 1, 4, 7, and 8 that the width of the succeeding slats varies to enable the top to be folded to provide a rectangular cross section such as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8. The middle slat 20a is sufficiently wide to span the width of the remaining slats folded about end bars 12 and 12a.

As the top is unfolded and the end bars 12 and 12a fold down into their uncollapsed position, the brace 17 is positioned with the slot 94 therein generally aligned with the pin 92 (see FIG. 9). As the end bar is rotated into its final uncollapsed position, the pin 92 slides into the slot 94 while the latch 95 snaps over the pin 91, thus locking the end bars in position with the flexible top material ll under tension. The sideplates l3 and 14 are then positioned on opposite sides of the unfolded top with the

channels

75 and 76 engaging and supporting the edges of the unfolded top. As a sideplate is placed in position, the legs pivoted thereto are pivoted into their extended position, thus sliding into locking position and locking the sideplate to the end bar. To add a final modicum of rigidity to the top in its unfolded position, braces and 16 may be slipped into place by positioning them between the end bars 12 and 12a beneath the top 10 and sliding them into position until the

leaf springs

82 and 83 "snap" into position and lock the braces in place.

Collapsing the erected table is accomplished by removing the

plates

13 and 14 by pivoting the legs, the top is then folded by depressing the latches 95 and pivoting an end bar 12 or 12av away from the transverse brace 17. The braces l5, l6, and 17 then simply fall away, permitting the top to be folded.

The sideplates l3 and 14 are therefore readily removable and are automatically unlocked when the legs 40-43 are moved to their folded position. The automatic unlocking occurs as each leg pivots about its corresponding pivot and slides out of contact with the locking surface of the corresponding locking bar. When assembled, the table presents a continuous flat top of flexible material which has been rendered flat and rigid through the expediency of the adjacent slats therebeneath and the transverse braces. Unusual stiffness is afiorded by the

channels

75 and 76 since the channels grasp the edge of the slats; the resulting assembled table provides a top so firm and free of discontinuities or sagging that it is difficult to recognize that the top is collapsible.

Iclaim:

l. A collapsible table comprising:

a. a continuous sheet of flexible top material having a predetermined length and width, and having two ends, two sides and a top and bottom surface,

b. a plurality of slats secured to the bottom surface of said top material parallel to the width thereof, said slats arranged in parallel contiguous to each other and having varying widths to permit said top material to be folded with said slats on the outside to form a column having a rectangular cross section;

c. a first and a second end bar, each secured to a different end of said flexible top along the width thereof, each end bar including:

1. an abutment surface at each end of said end bar, 2. a pair of locking bars, each adjacent an abutment surface and each having a locking surface parallel to and displaced inwardly of said end from said abutment surface, said locking surface facing away from the end of said end bar,

d. a first and a second sideplate releasably mounted along the sides of said flexible top, each plate including:

I. an abutment surface at each end of said sideplate, each for abutting the abutment surface on one end of each of said end bars,

2. a pair of table legs pivotally secured thereto, said legs pivotable in a plane parallel to said locking surface and having a folded and an unfolded position,

3. each of said table legs positioned to pivot into contact with said locking surface when pivoted from the folded to the unfolded position.

2. The combination set forth in claim I, wherein said sideplates include a channel extending therealong to receive and support the sides of said flexible top.

3. The combination set forth in claim 1, wherein said sideplates include a channel extending therealong to receive and support the sides of said flexible top, and wherein said channel also receives and supports ends of said slats.

4. The combination set forth in claim 1, including first registration means secured to said end bars and second registration means secured to said sideplates, said first and second registration means coming into contact when the abutment surfaces of said end bars and sideplates abut each other for establishing and maintaining alignment of said end bars and sideplates.

5. The combination set forth in claim 1, including locking means for locking said legs in the unfolded position.

6. The combination set forth in claim 1, including a transverse brace removably extending from one end bar to another and positioned transversely of said slats in contact therewlth,

said brace being of a length to force said end bars apart when in place and thus apply tension to said flexible material.

7. The combination set forth in claim 4, wherein said first and second registration means comprise pins extending from said sideplates and receiving holes in said end bars.

Claims

1. A collapsible table comprising: a. a continuous sheet of flexible top material having a predetermined length and width, and having two ends, two sides and a top and bottom surface, b. a plurality of slats secured to the bottom surface of said top material parallel to the width thereof, said slats arranged in parallel contiguous to each other and having varying widths to permit said top material to be fOlded with said slats on the outside to form a column having a rectangular cross section; c. a first and a second end bar, each secured to a different end of said flexible top along the width thereof, each end bar including: 1. an abutment surface at each end of said end bar, 2. a pair of locking bars, each adjacent an abutment surface and each having a locking surface parallel to and displaced inwardly of said end from said abutment surface, said locking surface facing away from the end of said end bar, d. a first and a second sideplate releasably mounted along the sides of said flexible top, each plate including: 1. an abutment surface at each end of said sideplate, each for abutting the abutment surface on one end of each of said end bars, 2. a pair of table legs pivotally secured thereto, said legs pivotable in a plane parallel to said locking surface and having a folded and an unfolded position, 3. each of said table legs positioned to pivot into contact with said locking surface when pivoted from the folded to the unfolded position.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1, wherein said sideplates include a channel extending therealong to receive and support the sides of said flexible top.

2. a pair of locking bars, each adjacent an abutment surface and each having a locking surface parallel to and displaced inwardly of said end from said abutment surface, said locking surface facing away from the end of said end bar, d. a first and a second sideplate releasably mounted along the sides of said flexible top, each plate including:

6. The combination set forth in claim 1, including a transverse brace removably extending from one end bar to another and positioned transversely of said slats in contact therewith, said brace being of a length to force said end bars apart when in place and thus apply tension to said flexible material.