US3777674A - Foldable articles - Google Patents

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Publication number
US3777674A
US3777674A US00247768A US3777674DA US3777674A US 3777674 A US3777674 A US 3777674A US 00247768 A US00247768 A US 00247768A US 3777674D A US3777674D A US 3777674DA US 3777674 A US3777674 A US 3777674A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
leg
halves
article
foldable article
members
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
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US00247768A
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English (en)
Inventor
R Parsons
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Entryown Patents Ltd
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Entryown Patents Ltd
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Entryown Patents Ltd filed Critical Entryown Patents Ltd
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3777674A publication Critical patent/US3777674A/en
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B3/00—Folding or stowable tables
    • A47B3/08—Folding or stowable tables with legs pivoted to top or underframe
    • A47B3/083—Folding or stowable tables with legs pivoted to top or underframe with foldable top leaves
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B25/00—Card tables; Tables for other games
    • A47B25/003—Card tables; Tables for other games for table tennis
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B25/00—Card tables; Tables for other games
    • A47B25/003—Card tables; Tables for other games for table tennis
    • A47B2025/006—Card tables; Tables for other games for table tennis with retractable wheels

Definitions

  • a foldable article having a generally planar surface for example a table-tennis or other table, comprises two halves which are pivotable with respect to one another so as to fold up into a position in which the halves lie against one another.
  • a respective beam is provided below each half, and the beams are pivotally connected to one another such that pivotal movement of one half constrains the other half to move to an equal extent in an opposite sense.
  • the pivot point of the halves and that of the beams are rigidly connected.
  • Each half is supported by a respective leg which is pivotally connected to its half and to a beam.
  • the pivot points of the halves, the beams, the legs with the beams and the legs with the halves define a respective parallelogram below each half. On folding up the article, the legs of each half move towards one another over a supporting surface.
  • This invention relates to foldable articles, for example a piece of furniturein which a structure having a generally planar surface is supported on legs.
  • the piece of furniture may be a table-tennis or other table or a bed.
  • the present invention provides a foldable article comprising a structure formed in two halves, means coupling the halves together in such a way that they can be folded from an open position to a closed-position in which the two halves lie against one another, an elongate member spaced from each half, means coupling the ends of the two elongate members together, a rigid coupling member on which the means coupling the two halves and the means coupling the two elongate members are pivotally mounted, two leg members each pivotally connected at one end to a respective half and intermediate its ends to a respective elongate member and spaced from the rigid coupling member, the lines joining the pivot points of a leg-member to a half and to a respective elongate member and the pivot points of the couplings of the half and the elongate member in the rigid coupling member forming a parallelogram, the pivotal axes of said pivot points being parallel, the leg members serving to support or assist in supporting the article and each optionally carrying at its lower end a wheel, castor
  • Each side of the structure may be supported by an arrangement of two elongate members, a rigid coupling member and two leg members.
  • Two additional leg members may be provided, each pivotally connected at one end to a respective half and intermediate its ends to a respective elongate member, the lines joining the pivot points of a leg member and an additional leg member to a respective half and to a respective elongate member defining a parallelogram.
  • the leg members may be formed with crutch or other feet, in which case any wheels or like mechanisms may be retractable.
  • the additional leg members need not have wheels.
  • the means coupling the halves of the structure and- /or the elongate members may be meshing gearwheels or any of the means disclosed in British Patent Specification No. 903,1 16. If only one of these coupling means is effective to constrain movement of the structure as specified hereinbefore, another coupling means may be a pivot.
  • Means may be provided for locking the structure in fully open or fully folded position, for example a strut.
  • the structure may be so weighted as to be stable in these positions.
  • the folded position may be safeguarded by a latch or safety chain connecting the or each pair of elongate members.
  • the open position may be made more rigid by a strut, for example positioned diagonally or approximately diagonally with respect to the parallelogram, or by a latch connecting the coupling means or elongate members.
  • a strut may for instance connect two leg members.
  • Stability against rocking may be enhanced by arranging that top ends of the leg members butt up to the underside of the halves, or to beams or blocks provided on the underside of the halves, and/or by the ends of the elongate members butting against one another.
  • FIG. 1 is a side view of part ofa foldable table-tennis table in an open position for play
  • FIG. 2 is a side view on a smaller scale of the tabletennis table shown in FIG. 1 in a partly folded position;
  • FIG. 3 is a side view of the table-tennis table shown in FIG. 2 in a fully folded position, but with elongate members removed for the sake of clarity;
  • FIG. 4 is a side view of part of the table shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 on a smaller scale, showing a supporting strut in position;
  • FIG. 5 is a side view of another table in an open position
  • FIG. 6 is an end view of the table shown in FIG. 5, again in open position.
  • FIG. 7 is a side view of the table shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 when in fully folded position.
  • a table-tennis table comprises a top 1 formed in two halves pivotally connected by a pivot 8 and having a playing surface 2.
  • top 1 is supported on each side by a first pair of legs 3, a second pair of legs 4, and a pair of beams 5, the ends of which butt up against one another when the table is in fully open position.
  • Each leg 3 is pivotally connected to an end of a beam 5 by means of a pivot 6, and to a half of the top 1 by means of a pivot 7.
  • Each leg 4 is pivotally connected to a beam 5 by means of a pivot 9, and to a half of the top 1 by means of a pivot 10. Lines joining the pivots 6, 7, l0 and 9 form a parallelogram.
  • a gearwheel 12 is mounted on a generally triangular endpiece of end beam 5, the endpieces being at the ends of the beams remote from the pivots 6.
  • the gearwheels are journalled between two plates 13, and are so located that they mesh with each other. Lines joining the pivots 8, l0 and 9 and the centre of that gearwheel 12 which is nearer the pivot 9 form a parallelogram.
  • the plates 13 are connected to the pivot 8 of the halves of the table through a rigid hollow stock 1 l, which also serves as a support for a table-tennis net.
  • the stock 11 and plates 13 together constitute a rigid coupling member on which the pivot 8 and the gearwheels 12 are mounted.
  • a clamping screw 14 is provided for clamping the net in position.
  • each leg 3 is provided with a cup of resilient material which serves to protect a floor or other supporting surface on which the table stands, and to prevent slipping.
  • the lower end of each leg 4 is provided with a foot 16, which supports a wheel 17.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a position in which the table is supported on the wheels 17 and the legs 3 are in mid-air.
  • MOvement of the halves of the table top about the pivot 8 is continued until the two halves lie against one another, as shown in FIG. 3.
  • the distance between the pivots 9 and the ends of the legs 4 including the wheels is such that when the table is fully folded, the ends of the beams 5 do not impede movement of the structure on the wheels 17.
  • Means are provided for locking the structure in fully open or fully folded position, for example a diagonal or other strut, or a latch or safety chain connecting each pair of elongate members.
  • FIG. 4 An approximately diagonal strut 18 is shown in FIG. 4.
  • the strut 18 is pivotally mounted at one end on the pivot 9, which is a pivot point for the leg 4 and elongate member 5.
  • the strut is formed with a slot into which a pin 19 on the leg 3 can fit.
  • the strut is lowered until the slot fits over the pin 19.
  • the strut is simply lifted so that the pin no longer engages the slot.
  • the tops of the legs 3 and 4 may be arranged to butt up to the underside of the halves of the table, or to the underside of beams or blocks provided on the underside of the halves, to enhance stability against rocking.
  • the ends of the beams 5 may be arranged to butt against one another.
  • the table comprises a top 1' formed in two halves pivotally connected by a pivot 8 to be described subsequently. Each half of the top is supported by a pair of legs 20 and a beam 5.
  • crossbar 29 is attached, e.g. by welding to the bottom of the legs of each pair, and carries castors 30 at its ends. The ends of the beams 5' butt up against one another when the table is in fully open position.
  • Each beam 5' is journalled between a pair of legs 20 by a pivot 22.
  • Each leg 20 isjoined, e.g. by welding to crossbar 33 which is pivotally connected to a beam 28 on the underside of a half of the top 1' by means of a pivot formed by a hinge 10'.
  • the beams 5 are coupled through meshing gearwheels 12' in the same manner as described with reference to the beams, 5 and gearwheels 12 in connection with FIGS. 1 to 3.
  • the gearwheels 12' are journalled between two plates 13' mounted at one end of a stock 11', which at its upper end supports a plate 23, which extends between the halves of the top I
  • the pivot 8 is mounted on the plate 23, and comprises two hinges, one mounted on each side of the plate.
  • the halves of the top are each hinged to the plate rather than directly hinged to one another.
  • the two hinges and the top of the plate occupy the space between the halves of the top and form a flush surface with the halves.
  • a strut extends from the pivot 22 to a short crosspiece 31 mounted on the stock 11.
  • the strut is hinged to the cross-piece at 25.
  • the strut comprises two portions 24 and 27 which are pivotally connected by a pivot 26. As the table is moved into fully open position, the strut snaps into a linear configuration and secures the table in fully open position.
  • a flat extension 32 is provided on the portion 24 to prevent movement beyond the linear configuration.
  • the present table When fully folded the present table is compact and can be easily transported on its wheels or castors and stored. Moreover, the uppermost surface of the table is not exposed, and so is unlikely to be damaged while the table is being moved or stored. This is clearly important in the case of the table-tennis table.
  • the legs 20 of each pair are spaced further apart and are joined by a crossbar at the level of the beamS' so that the legs and the crossbar form an H.
  • the beam 5' is pivoted to the crossbar at its midpoint.
  • a diagonal strut which is not pivoted between its ends may be employed, the strut being hinged at one end to the lower surface of a half of the table and being arranged to drop into locking engagement wit the crossbar as the table reaches its fully open position.
  • the castors in this embodiment are at the bottom of the legs, and no beam 29 is provided.
  • a foldable article comprising a structure formed in two halves with each half having a top surface, means hinging the halves together in such a way that they can be folded from an open position to a closed position in which the respective top surfaces of two halves lie against and face one another, an elongate member spaced from each half, means coupling the ends of the two elongate members together, a rigid coupling member on which the means hinging the two halves and the means coupling the two elongate members are pivotally mounted, two leg members each pivotally connected at one end to a respective half and intermediate its ends to a respective elongate member and spaced from the rigid coupling member,- the lines joining the pivot points of a leg member to a half and to a respective elongate member and the pivot points of the hinging means and coupling means'of the half and the elongate member respectively in the rigid coupling member forming a parallelogram, the pivotal axes of said pivot points being parallel, the leg members serving as means for supporting the article and each carrying
  • each side of the structure is supported by an arrangement of two of said elongate members, said rigid coupling member and two of said leg members.
  • a foldable article as claimed in claim 1 wherein two additional leg members are provided for the structure, each additional leg member being pivotally connected at one end to a respective half and intermediate its ends to a respective elongate member, the lines joining the pivot points ofa leg member and an additional leg member to a respective half and to a respective elongate member defining a parallelogram.
  • said locking means comprises a strut, which, when the structure is fully open, is diagonal or is approximately diagonal to said parallelogram formed by the lines joining the pivot points of a leg member to a half and to a respective elongate member and the pivot points of the hinging means and coupling means of a half and an elongate member respectively in the rigid coupling member.

Landscapes

  • Legs For Furniture In General (AREA)
  • Tables And Desks Characterized By Structural Shape (AREA)
  • Invalid Beds And Related Equipment (AREA)
US00247768A 1971-05-17 1972-04-26 Foldable articles Expired - Lifetime US3777674A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1535771 1971-05-17

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3777674A true US3777674A (en) 1973-12-11

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ID=10057735

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00247768A Expired - Lifetime US3777674A (en) 1971-05-17 1972-04-26 Foldable articles

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Country Link
US (1) US3777674A (enExample)
DE (1) DE2222056A1 (enExample)
FR (1) FR2138048B1 (enExample)
GB (1) GB1332857A (enExample)

Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3240772A1 (de) * 1981-11-04 1983-08-04 Eduard 8591 Pullenreuth Haider Vorrichtung zum schwenken der plattenhaelften von tischtennis-tischen
US4700987A (en) * 1986-12-31 1987-10-20 Stanko Sraka Folding table mechanism
US4762321A (en) * 1986-11-25 1988-08-09 Chang Yong Hong Foldaway table tennis support structure
US4779542A (en) * 1987-07-31 1988-10-25 Stageright Corporation Fold and roll staging
US5020799A (en) * 1988-08-09 1991-06-04 Chang Yong Hong Folding billiard table
US5733211A (en) * 1997-02-24 1998-03-31 Dupre; Ronald Coin-operated table tennis table
US5769744A (en) * 1996-02-02 1998-06-23 Lifetime Products, Inc. Table tennis net mounting assembly
WO1999002220A3 (en) * 1997-07-10 1999-04-01 Lifetime Prod Inc Folding table tennis table, assembly and method
US7156763B1 (en) * 2005-09-09 2007-01-02 Grace Liao Ping pong table with folding protection mechanism
US20070202971A1 (en) * 2006-02-21 2007-08-30 Guillaume Vallon Table-tennis table
US20090191987A1 (en) * 2008-01-07 2009-07-30 Edison Nation, Llc Modular table tennis game
US8444511B2 (en) * 2011-10-21 2013-05-21 Samuel Chen Table tennis safety lock
US8491424B2 (en) * 2011-12-26 2013-07-23 Leao Wang Folding assembly of table tennis table
US9011246B1 (en) 2013-11-18 2015-04-21 Scott Kier Systems and methods for immersive backgrounds
US9474368B2 (en) * 2014-09-06 2016-10-25 Zenithen USA, LLC Foldable shelf
US9711061B2 (en) * 2015-09-08 2017-07-18 Youngsub Chun Multi-purpose exercise apparatus for improving sports coordination
US9747307B2 (en) 2013-11-18 2017-08-29 Scott Kier Systems and methods for immersive backgrounds
US10603559B1 (en) 2018-05-24 2020-03-31 Indian Industries, Inc. Collapsible arcade game
US12310336B2 (en) * 2023-02-01 2025-05-27 Kind Pet Products Co., Ltd Outdoor folding dining table for pets

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2658054B3 (fr) * 1990-02-12 1992-05-15 Audibert Jacques Structure mobiliere pliante.
FR2650739B1 (fr) * 1989-08-10 1991-11-15 Audibert Jacques Table-brouette
US5381570A (en) * 1993-09-22 1995-01-17 Top Fortune Ltd. Collapsible baby playing bed
DE19853328A1 (de) 1998-11-19 2000-05-31 Sponeta Gmbh Gestell für klappbare Tischtennistischhälfte
DE102011075638A1 (de) * 2011-05-11 2012-11-15 Sedus Stoll Ag Tisch
DE202018003807U1 (de) * 2018-08-17 2018-08-31 Erwin Deutsch Portabler und klappbarer Pokertisch
FR3114015B1 (fr) 2020-09-17 2023-11-17 Decathlon Sa Installation pour la pratique du tennis de table

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1442019A (en) * 1922-05-25 1923-01-09 Walter L Whitesides Table
US2764460A (en) * 1954-04-19 1956-09-25 Reynold R Erickson Folding sectional table
US2879120A (en) * 1958-07-21 1959-03-24 Howe Folding Furniture Inc Long two part folding table
US3159114A (en) * 1963-02-15 1964-12-01 Midwest Folding Products Mfg C Mechanism for controlling movements of multiple section tables
US3190649A (en) * 1962-02-01 1965-06-22 Midwest Folding Products Mfg C Foldable game table
US3351029A (en) * 1965-11-22 1967-11-07 Sico Inc Folding stage construction
US3656439A (en) * 1969-10-09 1972-04-18 Bremshey & Co Tilting table

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1442019A (en) * 1922-05-25 1923-01-09 Walter L Whitesides Table
US2764460A (en) * 1954-04-19 1956-09-25 Reynold R Erickson Folding sectional table
US2879120A (en) * 1958-07-21 1959-03-24 Howe Folding Furniture Inc Long two part folding table
US3190649A (en) * 1962-02-01 1965-06-22 Midwest Folding Products Mfg C Foldable game table
US3159114A (en) * 1963-02-15 1964-12-01 Midwest Folding Products Mfg C Mechanism for controlling movements of multiple section tables
US3351029A (en) * 1965-11-22 1967-11-07 Sico Inc Folding stage construction
US3656439A (en) * 1969-10-09 1972-04-18 Bremshey & Co Tilting table

Cited By (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3240772A1 (de) * 1981-11-04 1983-08-04 Eduard 8591 Pullenreuth Haider Vorrichtung zum schwenken der plattenhaelften von tischtennis-tischen
US4762321A (en) * 1986-11-25 1988-08-09 Chang Yong Hong Foldaway table tennis support structure
US4700987A (en) * 1986-12-31 1987-10-20 Stanko Sraka Folding table mechanism
US4779542A (en) * 1987-07-31 1988-10-25 Stageright Corporation Fold and roll staging
US5020799A (en) * 1988-08-09 1991-06-04 Chang Yong Hong Folding billiard table
US5769744A (en) * 1996-02-02 1998-06-23 Lifetime Products, Inc. Table tennis net mounting assembly
US5733211A (en) * 1997-02-24 1998-03-31 Dupre; Ronald Coin-operated table tennis table
WO1999002220A3 (en) * 1997-07-10 1999-04-01 Lifetime Prod Inc Folding table tennis table, assembly and method
US7156763B1 (en) * 2005-09-09 2007-01-02 Grace Liao Ping pong table with folding protection mechanism
US7597636B2 (en) * 2006-02-21 2009-10-06 Decathlon Table-tennis table
US20070202971A1 (en) * 2006-02-21 2007-08-30 Guillaume Vallon Table-tennis table
US20090191987A1 (en) * 2008-01-07 2009-07-30 Edison Nation, Llc Modular table tennis game
US7841958B2 (en) * 2008-01-07 2010-11-30 Edison Nation, Llc Modular table tennis game
US20110059817A1 (en) * 2008-01-07 2011-03-10 Fleming Matthew D Modular table tennis game
US8444511B2 (en) * 2011-10-21 2013-05-21 Samuel Chen Table tennis safety lock
US8491424B2 (en) * 2011-12-26 2013-07-23 Leao Wang Folding assembly of table tennis table
US9011246B1 (en) 2013-11-18 2015-04-21 Scott Kier Systems and methods for immersive backgrounds
US9747307B2 (en) 2013-11-18 2017-08-29 Scott Kier Systems and methods for immersive backgrounds
US9474368B2 (en) * 2014-09-06 2016-10-25 Zenithen USA, LLC Foldable shelf
US9711061B2 (en) * 2015-09-08 2017-07-18 Youngsub Chun Multi-purpose exercise apparatus for improving sports coordination
US10603559B1 (en) 2018-05-24 2020-03-31 Indian Industries, Inc. Collapsible arcade game
US12310336B2 (en) * 2023-02-01 2025-05-27 Kind Pet Products Co., Ltd Outdoor folding dining table for pets

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2138048B1 (enExample) 1973-07-13
GB1332857A (en) 1973-10-10
DE2222056A1 (de) 1972-11-30
FR2138048A1 (enExample) 1972-12-29

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