WO2013015807A1

WO2013015807A1 - Table

Info

Publication number: WO2013015807A1
Application number: PCT/US2011/045560
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher George HUNDT
Original assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, Llc
Priority date: 2011-07-27
Filing date: 2011-07-27
Publication date: 2013-01-31

Abstract

A table is disclosed. The assembly includes a storage unit having an interior space and a bracket secured within the interior space. A rod movable laterally and rotationally is mounted on the bracket. A planar surface is attached to the rod, and is movable with the rod between a set-up use position and a downward, storage position. A fastener or securing device is used to alternatively release the rod for movement and lock the rod in a desired position.

Description

TABLE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present assembly relates to a combination dinette table and work area for use in limited space environments. Particularly, the assembly relates to a combination dinette table and work surface that is readily stored in limited space areas such as recreational vehicles and small homes.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Living space is often a premium in many recreational vehicles (RV's) and small apartments. However, by necessity most RV's and apartments dedicate an area for a dinette table and possible work surface. Although many very large RV's have a built-in dining area, those 34-feet in length need every inch of available space for living. Since a large percentage of all RV's fit into this size category, it would appear that a market exists for a product that addresses this space issue.

[0003] It would be desirable to fill this limited space with a piece of furniture, such as a table surface, to serve as both a conventional dining table and a general-purpose work area, yet when not in use, the table can be easily stored with minimal operation and spacing requirements. Therefore, a need exists for a surface that can serve as a conventional dining table and work area, which can easily be stored in limited space when not in use. The present assembly substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, meeting these requirements.

SUMMARY

[0004] There is disclosed herein a dining and work surface assembly, which avoids the disadvantages of prior devices, systems and methods while affording additional structural and operating advantages.

[0005] Generally speaking, a stow-away dining and work surface assembly comprising a planar surface attached to a movable rod, is disclosed. The planar surface functions as a table or work surface and is ideal for use and storage in limited spaces.

[0006] In an embodiment, a stowable dining and work surface assembly comprises a storage unit or compartment having an interior space, a bracket secured within the interior space, a moveable rod mounted on the bracket, a planar surface attached to the movable rod, and a fastener to alternatively release the rod for movement and lock the rod in a desired position.

[0007] In another embodiment, the planar surface is movable with the rod in a lateral direction outward from the storage area for use, and inward to the storage area for storage. Additionally, the planar surface is rotatable with the rod between a planar use position and a downward storage position.

[0008] In yet another embodiment, the securing device includes a pin moveable between an upward release position and a downward locked position, wherein when the pin is in the upward position, the rod and planar surface are moveable laterally between a use position and a storage position.

[0009] In another embodiment, a stow-away table comprises a securing bracket having two opposed side sections, each side section including an opening, wherein the openings are in alignment with one another, a moveable rod slidably mounted within the openings of the bracket, a planar surface having an upper side and a bottom side, wherein the upper side is a work or eating surface and the bottom side is secured to the movable rod, and a pin to alternatively release the rod for movement or lock the rod in a desired position.

[0010] These and other aspects of the present assembly may be understood more readily from the following description and the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present stowable dining and work surface assembly;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the stowable dining and work surface assembly in a set-up position;

[0013] FIG. 3 is a top view of the stowable dining and work surface assembly in a set-up position;

[0014] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the stowable dining and work surface assembly in a stored position;

[0015] FIG. 5 is a side view of the stowable dining and work surface assembly in a stored position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, there is shown a stowable dining and work surface assembly, generally designated by the numeral 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the present assembly 10 can be used in a small space, such as the interior of an RV (not shown) or a small apartment or home (not shown), or practically any place with limited space for dining and work space.

[0017] In these small spaces, the assembly would be stored when not in use in a storage unit or compartment 12. The storage unit 12 would have a suitable interior space 14, having a specific length and width to accommodate storage of the assembly when not in use. The storage unit 12 may be formed within another piece of furniture, for example forming a back of a couch, or as a side wall structure found within the RV or living space. Alternatively, the storage unit 12 may be a free-standing or separate unit.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 2-5, a bracket 16 is secured using standard securing means, within the interior space 14 of the storage unit 12 (FIG. 1). Specifically, the bracket 16 may be bolted onto an interior wall 14a of the storage unit. The bracket 16 may have any useable shape, and is constructed from a durable material. In the present assembly 10, the bracket 16 has a U-shape, with two opposed side sections 16a, 16b, wherein each side section is joined to a center section 16c. The center section 16c is typically used as the securing or attachment point to secure the bracket within the interior space, using any known securing means, such as bolts or screws.

[0019] Each side section 16a, 16b includes an opening 18, which may be located anywhere on the section, i.e., centered, or closer to one side or another, with the caveat that the openings are aligned with one another for receiving a movable rod 20. To improve mobility of the rod 20, either laterally or rotationally, each opening 18 may constructed from or lined with a material for ease of movement, such as a plastic or nylon, which provides slip to the rod.

[0020] The moveable rod 20 is mounted on the bracket 16, and specifically received within the openings 18 on each side section 16a, 16b of the bracket. The rod 20 may be constructed from any durable, lightweight material, including steel, aluminum, or plastic. In the present assembly 10, the rod 20 is movable laterally between a first stored position within the interior space 14 of the storage compartment 12, and a second use position outside of the stored position (FIG. 1). In addition, the rod 20 is rotatable in a 360° direction, rotating the planar surface 22 between a storage position and a use position. [0021] FIGS. 2 and 4 illustrate the planar surface 22 attached to the movable rod 20. The planar surface 22 has a top side 22a (FIG. 3 and 5) and a bottom side 22b. The top side 22a of the surface 22 can be used as a dining surface or a work surface when the assembly is in the use position. The bottom side 22b includes at least one mounting plate 23, which is used to secure the moveable rod 22 to the surface 22 (FIGS. 2 and 4). Specifically, attachment of the planar surface 22 to the rod 20 permits movement of the surface laterally between a stored position within the storage compartment 12 (FIGS. 4 and 5), and an outward use position, as well as rotated between an upward facing use position and a downward facing storage position (FIGS. 1-3). It should be understood that the surface 22 can be constructed from any suitable material, to match a specific decor or requirements, and be any suitable length or width, again to match the specific requirements of the area in which the table will be used and stored.

[0022] When the planar surface is laterally moved and rotated through use of the rod 20 into either a storage position or a use position, the surface 22 and rod are locked into place. To accomplish this, the present assembly 10 includes a securing device or fastener 24. The fastener 24 may include any form of moveable locking and releasing device. Depending on design requirements, it is conceivable there could be a plurality of fasteners.

[0023] In the present assembly, the fastener 24 is in the form of a pin 26 to alternatively release the rod 20 for movement and lock the rod in a desired position. The pin 26 includes a top handle 28, and a guide 30 with a stop 32 for engaging the pin and maintaining it in its upright position. When the assembly is in a stored position, the pin 26 engages the rod 20 through insertion of the pin into an aperture 34 in the rod 20. From a secured, stored position, in order to release the assembly for movement of the rod 20 and corresponding surface, the user simply lifts the pin 26 by the handle 28, releasing the pin from the aperture 34. The rod 20 and surface 22 can then be slide outward from the storage compartment 12. The rod 20 and surface 22 are then rotated 90° to a set-up position, where the top side 22a of the surface 22 faces upward. The pin 26 is then pushed downward into a second aperture 36, securing the rod and surface in the use position.

[0024] The present stowable dining and work surface assembly provides for storing and using a table in an area with restricted space. The assembly provides a built-in storage unit having a mounting bracket secured therein. The mounting bracket is designed to receive a rod, which is moveable between a storage position within the storage unit, to a use position, where the rod slides laterally out from the storage unit to a designated use area. Attached to the rod through a mounting plate, is a surface, which when set-up can be used as a dining or work table. In order to position the surface into the upright use position, the rod is rotated at least 90°, which turns the surface into a parallel, planar position with a floor. Alternatively, when it is time to store the table, the rod turns the surface downward 90° into position perpendicular with the floor, such that the rod and surface can be slide into the interior of the storage unit. A fastener is provided, which when pushed downward, engages at least one aperture within the rod. In this position, the fastener secures the rod and table surface in the stored position or use position. Similarly, when the fastener is lifted upward by the user, releasing it from the aperture, the rod is moveable both pivotally and laterally, to either the storage position or the use position. The present assembly provides a cost-efficient and effective means for providing a stowable table for use in restricted spaces, such as a small living space, camper or RV.

PARTS LIST - stowable dining and work surface assembly - storage unit or storage compartment

- interior space of storage unit

a - interior wall of storage unit

- bracket

a, 16b - opposed side sections of bracketc - center section of bracket

- opening within each side section of the bracket - movable rod

- planar surface

a - top side of planar surface

b - bottom side of planar surface

- mounting plate

- securing device or fastener

Parts of fastener:

26 - pin

28 - top handle

30 - guide

32 - stop

, 36 - first and second apertures

Claims

1. A table comprising:

a storage unit having an interior space;

a bracket secured within the interior space;

a moveable rod mounted on the bracket;

a planar surface attached to the movable rod; and,

a fastener to alternatively release the rod for movement and secure the rod in a position.

2. The table of claim 1, wherein the storage compartment is a built-in wall having an opening for receiving the moveable rod and planar surface within the interior space.

3. The table of claim 1, wherein the bracket further comprises a U-shape having two opposed side sections each side section connected to a center section.

4. The table of claim 3, wherein each of the two opposed side sections includes an opening, each opening aligned with one another for slidable engagement with the rod.

5. The table of claim 1, wherein the rod is moveable in a lateral direction.

6. The table of claim 1 , wherein the rod is rotatable between 0 and at least a 90 degree direction.

7. The table of claim 1, wherein the planar surface includes a top side and a bottom side.

8. The table of claim 7, wherein a top side is a dining surface.

9. The table of claim 7, wherein the top side is a work surface.

10. The table of claim 7, wherein the bottom side of the planar surface includes a mounting plate for attachment of the planar surface to the rod.

11. The table of claim 1 , wherein the planar surface is movable with the rod in a lateral direction outward from the storage unit for use, and inward within the storage unit for storage.

12. The table of claim 6, wherein the planar surface is rotatable with the rod between an upright use position and a downward storage position.

13. The table of claim 1, wherein the fastener includes a pin moveable between an upward release position and a downward locked position.

14. The table of claim 13, wherein when the pin is in the upward position, the rod and planar surface are moveable laterally and rotationally between a use position and a storage position.

15. The table of claim 13, wherein when the pin is in the downward position, it engages one of a plurality of apertures in the rod, locking the rod and planar surface between one of a use position and a storage position.

16. A table comprising:

a securing bracket having two opposed side sections and a center section, each side section including an opening, wherein each opening is in alignment with one another;

a rod mounted within the openings on the bracket, the rod being moveable between a use position and a storage position;

a planar surface having a top side and a bottom side, wherein the top side is a work or eating surface and the bottom side is secured to the rod; and,

a pin to alternatively release the rod for movement or lock the rod in the desired position.

17. The table of claim 16, wherein the rod and planar surface are movable in a lateral direction between the use position and the storage position.

18. The table of claim 16, wherein the rod and planar surface are rotatable to the use position wherein the top side of the surface turns upward, and the storage position, wherein the top side of the surface turns at least 90 degrees from the use position.

19. The table of claim 16, wherein the rod further includes at least one aperture for engagement with the pin thereby locking the rod and corresponding planar surface between the use position and the storage position.

20. A table comprising: a storage unit having an interior;

a securing bracket having two opposed side sections and a center section, each side section including an opening, wherein each opening is in alignment with one another and the bracket is secured within the interior of the storage unit;

a rod mounted within the openings on the bracket, the rod being moveable between a first position and a second position;

a pin to alternatively release the rod for movement or lock the rod in the position.