U.S. patent application number 10/248648 was filed with the patent office on 2003-10-09 for stowable surface.
This patent application is currently assigned to BOMBARDIER, INC.. Invention is credited to Beaudoin, Laurent, Parent, Bernard.
Application Number | 20030188672 10/248648 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28678034 |
Filed Date | 2003-10-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030188672 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Parent, Bernard ; et
al. |
October 9, 2003 |
STOWABLE SURFACE
Abstract
A stowable surface including an extending surface support
assembly, for use as a table, bed, seat, stand, or other purpose
requiring a substantially horizontal surface which folds away. The
surface support assembly pivots between a deployed position and a
stowed position, the surface support assembly assuming an extended
position when deployed and a retracted position when stowed. A
locking element is engaged to prevent extension of the surface
support assembly when the surface support assembly is stowed. The
locking element is moved into a disengaged position to permit
extension of the surface support assembly as the surface support
assembly pivots during deployment.
Inventors: |
Parent, Bernard; (Laval,
CA) ; Beaudoin, Laurent; (Montreal, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOWREY SIMON ARNOLD & WHITE
CITYPOINT
ONE ROPEMAKER STREET
LONDON
EC2Y 9HS
GB
|
Assignee: |
BOMBARDIER, INC.
Montreal
CA
|
Family ID: |
28678034 |
Appl. No.: |
10/248648 |
Filed: |
February 4, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60353720 |
Feb 5, 2002 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/134 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 5/006 20130101;
B64D 11/0638 20141201 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/134 |
International
Class: |
A47B 003/00 |
Claims
1. A stowable surface comprising: an extending surface support
assembly, the surface support assembly pivoting between a deployed
position and a stowed position, the surface support assembly
assuming an extended position when deployed and a retracted
position when stowed; and a first locking element for preventing
extension of the surface support assembly, wherein the first
locking element is engaged to prevent extension of the surface
support assembly when the surface support assembly is stowed, the
first locking element movable into a disengaged position to permit
extension of the surface support assembly as the surface support
assembly pivots during deployment.
2. The stowable surface of claim 1, further comprising a support
member connected to the surface support assembly, the support
member moving the first locking element into the disengaged
position during deployment of the surface support assembly.
3. The stowable surface of claim 1, further comprising a first
member connected to the surface support assembly and the first
locking element, wherein an angle between the first member and the
surface support assembly increases as the surface support assembly
pivots during deployment, the first locking element being
disengaged by the relative movement of the first member and the
surface support assembly during deployment of the surface support
assembly.
4. The stowable surface of claim 3, wherein the first member
comprises a support member at least partly supporting the surface
support assembly when in a deployed position.
5. The stowable surface of claim 1, further comprising a housing
assembly, the surface support assembly pivoting to slide into the
housing assembly to assume the stowed postion.
6. The stowable surface of claim 1, further comprising an extending
support member connected to the surface support assembly, the
support member assuming an extended position when the surface
support assembly is deployed and a retracted position when the
surface support assembly is stowed.
7. The stowable surface of claim 6, further comprising a second
locking element for preventing retraction of the support member
during stowing of the surface support assembly.
8. The stowable surface of claim 7, wherein the support member
pivots as the surface support assembly is stowed, the second
locking element being disengaged as a result of the pivoting
movement of the support member to permit retraction of the support
member.
9. The stowable surface of claim 7, wherein the second locking
element is disengaged to permit retraction of the support member
when the surface support assembly pivots into a substantially
vertical position.
10. The stowable surface of claim 1, further comprising a third
locking element for preventing extension or retraction of at least
a portion of the surface support assembly, the third locking
element being disengaged manually.
11. The stowable surface of claim 1, wherein the stowable surface
is deployable by exerting a force at only one point.
12. The stowable surface of claim 1, wherein the stowable surface
is stowable by exerting a force at only one point.
13. The stowable surface of claim 1, wherein the stowable surface
is deployable and stowable by exerting a force at only one
point.
14. The stowable surface of claim 1, wherein all parts of the
stowable surface are attached together and deploy together.
15. The stowable surface of claim 1, wherein the stowable surface
comprises a table, the table further comprising at least one
leaf.
16. A stowable table comprising: a surface support assembly, the
surface support assembly pivoting between a deployed position and a
stowed position; an extending support member connected to the
surface support assembly, the support member assuming an extended
position when the surface support assembly is deployed and a
retracted position when the surface support assembly is stowed; and
a support member locking element disposed in a portion of the
extending support member for preventing retraction of the support
member during stowing of the surface support assembly, wherein the
support member locking element is engaged to prevent retraction of
the support member when the surface support assembly is deployed,
the support member locking element movable into a disengaged
position to permit retraction of the support member as the surface
support assembly pivots during stowing.
17. The stowable surface of claim 16, wherein the support member
pivots as the surface support assembly is stowed, the support
member locking element being disengaged as a result of the pivoting
movement of the support member to permit retraction of the support
member.
18. The stowable surface of claim 16, wherein the support member
locking element is disengaged to permit retraction of the support
member when the surface support assembly pivots into a
substantially vertical position.
19. The stowable surface of claim 16, wherein the stowable surface
is deployable and stowable by exerting a force at only one
point.
20. The stowable surface of claim 16, wherein all parts of the
stowable surface are attached together and deploy together.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. provisional
application No. 60/353,720 filed on Feb. 5, 2002, the contents of
which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates generally to a stowable surface and
more particularly to a stowable table suitable for aircraft,
trains, boats or other applications where space is limited.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In many situations where space is limited, such as an
aircraft cabin, tables are often designed to be stowed away when
not in use to maximize usable space. The design of a stowable table
is complicated by the need to have the table stow in a position
that does not cause an obstruction within the cabin while still
being adequately supported when deployed for use. This problem
becomes more acute when the table is large and is required to
extend a long way from its stowed position, and particularly when
the table must be folded or collapsed into a small space for
stowing.
[0006] These considerations have resulted in table designs which
include support pieces that must be moved into position prior to
deploying the table or during deployment of the table. Such designs
typically require several actions by the user in order to properly
deploy the table and a corresponding number of actions to stow the
table. This results in a lengthy procedure to deploy and stow the
table as each action is performed sequentially, or requires the
user to use both hands. Furthermore, where actions must be
performed in a certain order or separate pieces must be assembled
or positioned prior to deployment or stowing of the table, users
unfamiliar with the operation of the table (such as passengers
riding in the aircraft) will often have difficulty correctly with
the table.
[0007] This problem occurs in many other situations where space is
limited, such as on trains, boats, recreational vehicles, small
rooms, etc. and not only with tables, but also beds, seats, work
surfaces and other objects with horizontal surfaces that occupy a
lot of space.
[0008] Thus, there is a particular need for a table that can be
stowed, where the table can be withdrawn from the stowed position
and substantially deployed in one motion by the user using one
hand. There is also a need for a table comprising a single unit,
with substantially all parts of the table being attached and
deploying together.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0009] The present invention addresses these problems by providing
a stowable surface including an extending surface support assembly
which pivots between a deployed position and a stowed position, the
surface support assembly assuming an extended position when
deployed and a retracted position when stowed. A first locking
element for preventing extension of the surface support assembly in
included, where the first locking element is engaged to prevent
extension of the surface support assembly when the table top
assembly is stowed, the first locking element being movable into a
disengaged position to permit extension of the surface support
assembly as the surface support assembly pivots during
deployment.
[0010] Another aspect of the invention comprises a stowable surface
including a surface support assembly which pivots between a
deployed position and a stowed position, and an extending support
member connected to the table top assembly, the support member
assuming an extended position when the surface support assembly is
deployed and a retracted position when the surface support assembly
is stowed. A support member locking element is disposed in a
portion of the extending support member for preventing retraction
of the support member during stowing of the surface support
assembly, where the support member locking element is engaged to
prevent retraction of the support member when the surface support
assembly is deployed, the support member locking element movable
into a disengaged position to permit retraction of the support
member as the surface support assembly pivots during stowing.
[0011] The stowable surface is preferably deployable by exerting a
force at only one point, and is preferably also stowable by
exerting a force at only one point. Preferably all parts of the
stowable surface are attached together and deploy together.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] The features and advantages of the invention will be
appreciated upon reference to the following drawings, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is side view of a stowable table;
[0014] FIG. 2 is bottom plan view of the stowable table of FIG.
1;
[0015] FIG. 3 is end view of the stowable table of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a detail view of a locking pin assembly for the
stowable table of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a detail view of a portion of a support leg for
the stowable table of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a detail view of a striker assembly for the
stowable table of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 7 is side view of a second embodiment of a stowable
table;
[0020] FIG. 8 is bottom plan view of the stowable table of FIG. 7;
and
[0021] FIG. 9 is a detail view of a latch assembly for the stowable
table of FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] The following is a description of certain embodiments of the
invention, given by way of example only and with reference to the
drawings. The embodiments shown are stowable tables, although one
of skill in the art will recognize that the structures and
techniques described are equally applicable to other stowable
surfaces such as beds, seats, work surfaces etc. Referring now to
FIG. 1, a side view of a stowable table is shown in the deployed
position. The "inboard" side of the table is shown on the left side
of FIG. 1 and the "outboard" side of the table is shown on the
right side of FIG. 1. For example, when the table is used in a
typical installation in an aircraft where the table stows in a wall
cavity, the inboard side of the table will be towards the center of
the aircraft body while the outboard side will be towards the
exterior wall of the aircraft.
[0023] The table comprises a table top assembly 12 comprising a
inboard leaf 13 and outboard leaf 14, outboard tracks 69 and 70,
and outboard leaf support assembly 50. Outboard leaf support
assembly 50 slides on outboard tracks 69 and 70 mounted on the
underside of table top assembly 12, and includes a handle 77 at its
inboard end. Table top assembly 12 folds so that inboard leaf 13
folds on top of outboard leaf 14 aided by hinge 15 (shown in FIG.
2).
[0024] The inboard side of the table top assembly is attached to a
telescoping cantilever support member comprising upper leg assembly
45 and lower leg assembly 40. Upper leg assembly 45 is rotatably
attached to outboard leaf support assembly 50 at one end and lower
leg assembly 40 is rotatably attached to housing assembly 166 or
directly to a wall structure at the other end. A locking pin
assembly 57 is located near the connection between upper leg
assembly 45 and outboard leaf support assembly 50, and a striker
pin assembly 35 is located in the overlapping portion of upper leg
assembly 45 and lower leg assembly 40.
[0025] Table top assembly 12 has a bracket attached to its
underside near its outboard end, the bracket rotatably attached to
a connecting member 20. Connecting member 20 includes guide pins 22
and 24 which run within sliding tracks 26 and 28 respectively in
housing assembly 166 for stowing the table. Housing assembly 166
may be mounted in a cavity in a wall (not shown). When stowed, the
table top is folded and positioned vertically completely within the
housing, as indicated by the dashed outline 32 in FIG. 1. A hinged
or sliding cover (not shown) may be provided to cover the top
opening of the housing 166 or wall cavity when the table is stowed
or deployed.
[0026] FIG. 2 shows a bottom plan view of a portion of the table
top assembly 12, showing the arrangement of inboard track 70 and
outboard leaf support assembly 50. FIG. 3 is end view of the
stowable table of FIG. 1 in the deployed position looking from the
outboard side.
[0027] FIG. 4 shows details of the locking pin assembly 57. A link
125 is connected at one end via pin 199 to the upper end of upper
leg assembly 45 near its connection to outboard leaf support
assembly 50. The other end of link 125 is connected via pin 198 to
shaft 123. Shaft 123 moves within a cavity alongside bushing 131.
When the table is stowed, and during the initial part of the
deployment and the last part of the stowing of the table, the shaft
123 is pushed into the cavity alongside bushing 131 and engages
into a hole in block 133 located on the underside of table top
assembly 12. This prevents outboard leaf support assembly 50 from
extending prematurely during deployment of the table, and from
retracting prematurely during stowing of the table.
[0028] FIG. 5 shows striker assembly 35 located at the overlap of
upper leg assembly 45 and lower leg assembly 40, and FIG. 6 shows
details of striker assembly 35. Striker assembly 35 comprises
striker 97 rotatably mounted on pin 201 to striker base 95. Spring
174 is stretched between striker 97 and pin 197, urging striker 97
into a position protruding from the striker base 95. A cutout
portion is made in the surface of lower leg assembly 40. This
cutout portion is positioned near the top end of the lower leg
assembly 40 in the portion which overlaps with upper leg assembly
45. When in the protruding position, striker 97 is moved into the
cutout portion of lower leg assembly 40. In this position, striker
97 prevents upper leg assembly 45 and lower leg assembly 40 from
telescoping into a collapsed position.
[0029] To deploy the table, the user stands facing the wall and
pulls the handle 77 up, lifting the folded table out of the housing
166 into a substantially vertical position. At this point, upper
leg assembly 45 is also substantially vertical and the gap between
upper leg assembly 45 and outboard leaf support assembly 50 is
relatively small, causing link 125 to press against shaft 123 so
that shaft 123 is held engaged into the hole in block 133. This
prevents outboard leaf support assembly 50 from sliding on outboard
tracks 69 and 70 and extending prematurely during deployment of the
table.
[0030] As the folded table is withdrawn from the wall cavity, the
user pulls the handle 77 in an inboard direction away from the
housing 166 and the folded table top assembly 12 begins to assume a
partly horizontal attitude as the table rotates on the hinged
bracket mounted on the underside of the table top assembly 12. As
the table becomes more horizontal, the gap between the upper leg
assembly 45 and outboard leaf support assembly 50 increases,
causing link 125 to pull against shaft 123 so that shaft 123
becomes disengaged from the hole in block 133. This now permits
outboard leaf support assembly 50 to slide on outboard tracks 69
and 70 and extend as the folded table assumes a horizontal
position.
[0031] As the folded table is withdrawn from the wall cavity, the
telescoping support member comprising upper leg assembly 45 and
lower leg assembly 40 extends. When the telescoping support member
is sufficiently extended, the cutout portion in the lower leg
assembly 40 aligns with the striker assembly 35 to permit the
striker 97 to assume a protruding position due to the action of
spring 174. In this position, striker 97 prevents upper leg
assembly 45 and lower leg assembly 40 from sliding with respect to
each other, preventing the telescoping support member (comprising
upper leg assembly 45 and lower lag assembly 40) from collapsing.
Thus, the striker assembly 35 acts as a locking mechanism to lock
the telescoping support member into an extended position and
prevent it from retracting during deployment of the table.
[0032] Once the table has assumed a horizontal position, the user
unfolds the inboard leaf 13 of the table top assembly 12 so that it
rests on the extended outboard leaf support assembly 50.
[0033] To stow the table, the reverse process is performed. The
user first folds the inboard leaf 13 of the table top assembly 12
onto the outboard leaf 14. The user then pushes handle 77 in the
outboard direction and pushes the folded table towards the housing
166. The outboard leaf support assembly 50 begins to slide on
outboard tracks 69 and 70, retracting under the folded table top
assembly 12.
[0034] The folded table rotates into a partly vertical position on
the hinged bracket mounted on the underside of the table top
assembly 12. As the table becomes more vertical, the gap between
the upper leg assembly 45 and outboard leaf support assembly 50
decreases, causing link 125 to push against shaft 123 so that shaft
123 engages with the hole in block 133. The striker 97 remains in
the protruding position, preventing the telescoping support member
from collapsing and thus preventing the folded table from
prematurely dropping into the housing assembly 166.
[0035] When the folded table is in a substantially vertical
position, the telescoping support member is also substantially
vertical and the striker 97 now engages the surface of the housing
assembly 166 or wall, or a plate mounted on the housing or wall for
this purpose. Striker 97 is pushed back into the striker base so
that the telescoping support member can collapse. This permits the
folded table, now in a substantially vertical position, to slide
down into the housing 166 (or wall cavity) to assume the stowed
position.
[0036] A second embodiment of the stowable table is shown in FIGS.
7 and 8. FIG. 7 shows a side view of the table in the deployed
position. This embodiment operates similarly to the embodiment of
FIG. 1, but the folding table top assembly 11 comprises three leafs
16, 17, 18 instead of two (i.e. the table top folds in three
instead of folding in two). Leaf 17 folds on top of leaf 18, and
leaf 16 folds on top of leaf 17 in a "Z" arrangement when stowed.
There are also two leaf support assemblies under the table top
assembly 11; outboard leaf support assembly 49 and an inboard leaf
support assembly 47. Outboard leaf support assembly 49 slides on
outboard tracks 69 and 70, and inboard leaf support assembly 47
slides on inboard tracks 72 and 73, mounted on the underside of
table top assembly 11. FIG. 8 shows a bottom plan view of the table
top assembly 11, showing the arrangement of outboard tracks 69 and
70, inboard tracks 72 and 73, inboard leaf support assembly 49, and
outboard leaf support assembly 47.
[0037] The three leaf embodiment includes locking pin assembly 57
and striker assembly 35 as described for the two leaf embodiment
above. In addition, a latch assembly 33 and latch handle 37 are
included mounted on each side of the underside of table top
assembly 11. FIG. 9 shows details of the latch assembly 33.
[0038] Latch assembly 33 is attached to the bottom of leaf 17 and
comprises latch 99 rotatably mounted on pin 200 to latch channel
101. Latch 99 includes a heel portion 99a and cutout portion 99b.
Spring 173 is stretched between latch 99 and pin 196, urging latch
99 into an upright position protruding from the latch channel 101
with heel portion 99a pressed against the base of latch channel
101. Latch assembly 33 is mounted so that the cutout portion 99b of
latch 99 engages with outboard leaf support assembly 49 to prevent
leaf 17 from lifting away from outboard leaf support assembly 49.
Because leaf 16 is connected by hinges to leaf 17, this prevents
leaf 16 from tilting and keeps the table top in place if pressure
is applied on the top surface at the inboard edge of leaf 16 (for
example as a result on someone leaning on the inboard edge of the
table top).
[0039] A cable 178 is connected to latch 99 at one end and to latch
handle 37 at the other end. When latch handle 37 is pulled outwards
from the table top assembly 11, latch 99 is moved in opposition to
spring 173 so that latch portion 99b disengages from outboard leaf
support assembly 49 to permit leaf 17 to be folded on top of leaf
18 during stowing of the table.
[0040] Thus, two embodiments of a stowable surface have been
described. The tables described are stowable in a housing or wall
cavity and are preferably withdrawn from the stowage cavity and
substantially deployed in one motion by the user, requiring only
the table top to be unfolded and optionally a cover to be replaced
over the top opening of the wall cavity. The tables preferably
comprise a single unit, with all parts of the tables being attached
and deploying together (with the exception of unfolding the table
leafs). The stowing and deployment of the tables may be
accomplished using only one hand and applying force at only one
point in one continuous motion.
[0041] One of skill in the art will recognize that the embodiments
described are susceptible to various modifications and alternative
forms. For example, the table top assembly could comprise two,
three, or more leafs that are hinged together, that slide with
respect to each other, or that are stowed in separate pieces and
are placed together when the table is deployed. Alternatively, the
table top assembly could comprise a single piece. The telescoping
support member could be designed to hinge or bend instead of
telescope, or to extend and compress in some other manner.
[0042] The locking pin assembly could utilize a latch, catch, bolt,
friction element, or other suitable element in place of the locking
pin to prevent premature extension or retraction of the table top
assembly during deployment or stowing. The striker assembly could
utilize a latch, catch, bolt, pin, friction element, or other
suitable element in place of the striker to prevent collapsing of
the support member. Similarly, the latching assembly could utilize
a catch, bolt, pin, friction element, or other suitable element in
place of the latch to prevent extension or retraction of the leaf
support assembly. The springs used in striker assembly and latching
assembly could be omitted and a leaf spring, rubber element, or
other suitable element used instead, or the striker or latch could
be arranged to move under the force of gravity.
[0043] The folding table could be stowed in a housing, directly in
a wall cavity, against a wall, or into a vertical position away
from a wall. The folding table could include the locking pin
arrangement to prevent the leaf support assembly from extending
prematurely during deployment of the table but not the striker
assembly to prevent the folded table from prematurely dropping into
the wall cavity during stowing of the table. Vice versa, the
folding table could include the striker assembly but not the
locking pin arrangement.
[0044] The structure disclosed could be employed as a stowable
table, or could be used for any other purpose requiring a
substantially horizontal surface which folds away, such as a bed,
seat, stand, control panel, or work surface. The structure could be
used where a stowable horizontal surface or object is required, or
where the surface or object is only partly horizontal.
[0045] The table could be designed for manual use or could be
designed to be deployed and/or stowed using electrical, hydraulic,
pneumatic, or spring loaded mechanisms. The table could be designed
for use in aircraft, trains, buses, or any situation in which it
would be beneficial to be able to stow the table.
[0046] Many modifications in addition to those described above may
be made to the structures and techniques described herein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly,
although specific embodiments have been described, these are
examples only and are not limiting upon the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *