U.S. patent application number 10/139738 was filed with the patent office on 2003-11-06 for collapsible table with interlocking legs.
Invention is credited to Bishop, John A..
Application Number | 20030205180 10/139738 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29269596 |
Filed Date | 2003-11-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030205180 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bishop, John A. |
November 6, 2003 |
Collapsible table with interlocking legs
Abstract
The present invention is a collapsible table that has the
benefit of the interlocking legs supporting each other
independently of the top, and of supporting the top itself. The
present invention table includes components generally referred to
as interlocking legs, but because one set extends to the floor and
the other set need not extend to the floor, they are more
specifically referred to as table support members and table brace
members. In the present invention table, there is a pair of table
support members, each table support member having a general frontal
view shape of an inverted "U". There is a substantially horizontal
top portion and two substantially vertical leg portions, the top
portion having two receiving slots at opposite ends from one
another. These two receiving slots face or open upwardly when the
table support members are upright for assembly, and these receiving
slots have a predetermined height, h, and a predetermined width,
w-1. The pair of table support members may have all flat surfaces
or have any geometric configurations desired, provided that, in
preferred embodiments, they are at least coincidental in the area
of the receiving slots with the table brace members (described
below) in the same physical areas for snug interlocking. Thus, the
vertical leg portions could be curvilinear in part or in whole,
round, oval, flat, hexagonal or any other cross-sectional
configuration or combination of configurations desired.
Inventors: |
Bishop, John A.; (Township
of Greenville, SC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KENNETH P. GLYNN, ESQ.
Glynn & Associates, P.C.
24 Mine Street
Flemington
NJ
08822
US
|
Family ID: |
29269596 |
Appl. No.: |
10/139738 |
Filed: |
May 6, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/158.12 ;
108/157.17 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 13/003 20130101;
A47B 3/06 20130101; A47B 3/12 20130101; A47B 2230/0088
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/158.12 ;
108/157.17 |
International
Class: |
A47B 013/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A collapsible table with interlocking legs, comprising: a) a
pair of table support members, each table support member having a
general frontal view shape of an inverted U, having a substantially
horizontal top portion and having two substantially vertical leg
portions, said top portion having two receiving slots at opposite
ends from one another and w-1; b) a pair of table brace members,
each table brace member having a general frontal view shape of an
inverted U, having a substantially horizontal top portion and
having two substantially vertical brace portions, each of said
portions having receiving slots with a height sufficient to create
a remaining height, h, equal to said height, h, of said receiving
slots of said pair of table support members, as measured between
the receiving slot and the top portion of said table brace members,
said pair of table brace members having a thickness, t-1, equal to
said width, w-1, of said receiving slots of said pair of table
support members, in an area around said receiving slots; c) a table
top adapted to rest atop said top portions of said table support
members and said table brace members.
2. The collapsible table of claim 1 wherein said tabletop has a
rectangular top view footprint.
3. The collapsible table of claim 1 wherein said pair of table
support members have all flat surfaces.
4. The collapsible table of claim 1 wherein said pair of table
support members have vertical leg portions which include at least
one curvilinear surface.
5. The collapsible table of claim 1 wherein said pair of table
support members and said pair of table brace members are made of
materials selected from the group consisting of wood, plastic,
metal and combinations thereof.
6. The collapsible table of claim 1 wherein said receiving slots of
said pair of table brace members have a predetermined width, w-2,
and said pair of table support members have a predetermined
thickness, t-2, equal to said pair of table brace members, in an
area around said receiving slots.
7. The collapsible table of claim 6 wherein said pair of table
support members have all flat surfaces.
8. The collapsible table of claim 6 wherein said pair of table
support members have vertical leg portions which include at least
one curvilinear surface.
9. The collapsible table of claim 6 wherein said pair of table
support members and said pair of table brace members are made of
materials selected from the group consisting of wood, plastic,
metal and combinations thereof.
10. A collapsible table with interlocking legs, comprising: a) a
pair of table support members, each table support member having a
general frontal view shape of an inverted U, having a substantially
horizontal top portion and having two substantially vertical leg
portions, said top portion having two receiving slots at opposite
ends from one another and having a predetermined height, h, and a
predetermined width, w--1; b) a pair of table brace members, each
table brace member having a general frontal view shape of an
inverted U, having a substantially horizontal top portion and
having two substantially vertical brace portions, each of said
portions having receiving slots with a height sufficient to create
a remaining height, h, equal to said height, h, of said receiving
slots of said pair of table support members, as measured between
the receiving slot and the top portion of said table brace members,
said pair of table brace members having a thickness, t-1, equal to
said width, w-1, of said receiving slots of said pair of table
support members, in an area around said receiving slots; c) a table
top having at least four outer edges and adapted to rest atop said
top portions of said table support members and said table brace
members, said tabletop having overhanging vertical members on each
of said at least four outer edges; wherein each of said table
support members has the same width, being w-3, and said table top
has a first inside overhang width of same said width, w-3.
11. The collapsible table of claim 10 wherein said tabletop has a
rectangular top view footprint.
12. The collapsible table of claim 10 wherein said overhanging
vertical members of said table top extend both upwardly and
downwardly and said table top is reversible.
13. The collapsible table of claim 10 wherein each of the said
table brace members has the same width, being w-4, and said table
top has a second inside width of said same width, w-4.
14. The collapsible table of claim 10 wherein said pair of table
support members have all flat surfaces.
15. The collapsible table of claim 10 wherein said pair of table
support members have vertical leg portions which include at least
one curvilinear surface.
16. The collapsible table of claim 10 wherein said pair of table
support members and said pair of table brace members are made of
materials selected from the group consisting of wood, plastic,
metal and combinations thereof.
17. The collapsible table of claim 10 wherein said receiving slots
of said pair of table brace members have a predetermined width,
w-2, and said pair of table support members have a predetermined
thickness, t-2, equal to said pair of table brace members, in an
area around said receiving slots.
18. The collapsible table of claim 17 wherein said pair of table
support members have all flat surfaces.
19. The collapsible table of claim 17 wherein said pair of table
support members have vertical leg portions which include at least
one curvilinear surface.
20. The collapsible table of claim 17 wherein said pair of table
support members and said pair of table brace members are made of
materials selected from the group consisting of wood, plastic,
metal and combinations thereof.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to tables, and more
specifically to tables which may be set up and taken down
(collapsible) repeatedly, without the need for screws, hardware or
tools. The present invention tables uniquely rely upon intersecting
members which simultaneously support each other and support a table
top placed thereon.
[0003] 2. Information Disclosure Statement
[0004] The following patents are exemplary of the state of the art
of collapsible tables having disparate components:
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,084,517 describes a collapsible portable
table including a tabletop and a pair of interlocking legs. The
table top, on its undersurface contains a leg receiving block which
interlockingly engages the legs. The legs have an opening
substantially in the center thereof which encases the receiving
block when the legs are stored flush against the undersurface of
the tabletop for carrying or for storage/Locking means are also
provided for retaining the legs either in the standing or in the
collapsed position.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,740,032 describes an improved bench table
embodying at least five distinguishable removable parts and
suitable for rapid, compact, and lightweight assembling and
disassembling is disclosed. A tabletop and at least two bench seats
have smooth upper surfaces and wholly non-apertured. The improved
bench table makes use of lightweight, but sturdy material to ensure
convenient and effective transportation when not in use and ready
for storage. By providing preferable plurality of ribbing means
incorporated thereto in the various removable parts of said bench
table, said parts are capable of withstanding concentrated stresses
exerted thereto when in use. Also, a strap member is provided for
passing therethrough slot portions of the upper portion of the leg
members to permit transport of the removable parts when stacked and
stored away. The bottom portions of the leg members are provided
with integral extending members therefrom for insertion into slot
portions of opposingly located leg members for locking thereto when
the removable parts are stacked and stored thereto.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,473 describes an article of collapsible
furniture that includes a top member and a base having multiple
panels, each of the panels being hingedly connected to at least one
other of the panels, and wherein the base has a collapsed storage
condition wherein the panels are folded atop one another, and the
base has an expanded load supporting condition wherein the panels
are unfolded to form, in horizontal cross-section, a central
load-supporting polygon, the polygon being a concave octagon. A
connection assembly includes a series of slotted tabs that engage
with a corresponding series of hooked slots to releasably lock the
top member in a load supporting position atop the base.
[0008] Notwithstanding the prior art, the present invention is
neither taught nor rendered obvious thereby.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention is a collapsible table with
interlocking legs that uniquely has the benefit of the interlocking
legs supporting each other independently of the top, and of
supporting the top itself. The present invention table includes
components generally referred to as interlocking legs, but because
one set extends to the floor and the other set need not extend to
the floor, they are more specifically referred to as table support
members and table brace members.
[0010] In the present invention table, there is a pair of table
support members, each table support member having a general frontal
view shape of an inverted "U". There is a substantially horizontal
top portion and two substantially vertical leg portions, the top
portion having two receiving slots at opposite ends from one
another. These two receiving slots face or open upwardly when the
table support members are upright for assembly, and these receiving
slots have a predetermined height, h, and a predetermined width,
w-1. The pair of table support members may have all flat surfaces
or have any geometric configurations desired, provided that, in
preferred embodiments, they are at least coincidental in the area
of the receiving slots with the table brace members (described
below) in the same physical areas for snug interlocking. Thus, the
vertical leg portions could be curvilinear in part or in whole,
round, oval, flat, hexagonal or any other cross-sectional
configuration or combination of configurations desired.
[0011] There is a pair of table brace members, each table brace
member having a general frontal view shape of an inverted "U", and
having a substantially horizontal top portion and two substantially
vertical brace portions. Each of the vertical brace portions have
receiving slots that open downwardly, with a height sufficient
above the slots to create a remaining height, h, equal to the
height, h, of the receiving slots of the pair of table support
members mentioned above. This height is the distance as measured
between the top of the brace member receiving slots and the top
portion of the table brace members. In other words, it is the solid
portion remaining above the slots for interconnection with the
slots of the support members. The pair of table brace members have
a thickness, t-1, equal to the width, w-1, of the receiving slots
of the pair of table support members, in an area around their
receiving slots, so that the table support interconnects (fits) and
does so tightly.
[0012] There is also a table top adapted to rest atop the top
portions of the table support members and the table brace members,
when they are interlocked. In some preferred embodiments, the
tabletop has a rectangular top view footprint, although it could
have some other shape and still either rest atop or nest atop the
interconnected support members and brace members.
[0013] The table support members and the pair of table brace
members may be made of materials selected from the group consisting
of wood, plastic, metal and combinations thereof. They could be
made of glass, composites and synthetics, or any combination of,
any appropriate materials of construction for tables.
[0014] In some preferred embodiments, the receiving slots of the
pair of table brace members have a predetermined width, w-2, and
the pair of table support members have a predetermined thickness,
t-2, equal to the pair of table brace members, in an area around
said receiving slots.
[0015] In some preferred embodiments, the table top is rectilinear,
either square or rectangular, and has four edges with an overhang
on each edge. These overhangs may be continuous, i.e., around the
entire periphery, or in predetermined areas only, i.e., adjacent to
the top portions of the support members and/or adjacent to the top
portions of the brace members. These overhangs may directly contact
the outer edges of the top portions of the support members and
brace members to inhibit lateral movement of the table top. In some
preferred embodiments, each of the table support members has the
same width, being w-3, and the table top has a first inside
overhang width of same said width, w-3). In other embodiments, the
pair of table brace members has the same width, being w-4, and
table top has a second inside width of said same width, w-4. In yet
other embodiments, both of the preceding two embodiments are
combined to create a most preferred embodiment.
[0016] In other preferred embodiments, the overhanging vertical
members of the table top extend both upwardly and downwardly and
the table top is reversible. The table top may also have functional
features, such as chess/checker board illustrations, Lego
construction block protrusions, road and field illustrations, etc.
When the top is reversible (invertible) diverse functional
illustrations may be included on opposite sides.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The present invention should be more fully understood when
the specification herein is taken in conjunction with the drawings
appended hereto wherein:
[0018] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a front and side view of a preferred
table support member of the present invention collapsible
table;
[0019] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a front and side view of a preferred
table brace member of the present invention collapsible table;
[0020] FIG. 5 shows a perspective blown-apart view of a present
invention collapsible table;
[0021] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an end view and a perspective view
of a pair of table brace members and a pair of table support
members to create a base for a table top of a present invention
collapsible table;
[0022] FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 illustrate a front view, a front cut view
and a bottom view of an assembled present invention collapsible
table;
[0023] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of an assembled present
invention collapsible table and FIG. 12 shows a disassembled
perspective view thereof; and,
[0024] FIGS. 13 and 14 show a present invention collapsible table
in use and stored, respectively.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0025] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a front and side view of a preferred
table support member used in pairs as components of the present
invention collapsible table. Referring to both FIGS. 1 and 2, table
support member shown generally as member 10, is in the shape of an
inverted U, and includes a substantially horizontal top portion 3,
with a top surface 9, and two substantially vertical leg portions 5
and 7. These leg portions are located at opposite ends of top
portion 3, but could be located somewhat inwardly from the ends and
still function as legs. There are two receiving slots 11 and 13 at
opposite ends, for receiving slotted ends of brace members,
discussed below. The receiving slots 11 and 13 have a predetermined
height of h, and a predetermined width of w-1, as shown in FIG. 1.
Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the member 10 has a total width of w-3,
as measured across the top, but shown in the Figure at the bottom
so as to avoid clarity problems on the Figure. As shown in FIG. 2,
an end 17 of member 10 has a thickness of t-1. Although end 17 is
shown as flat, it could be curvilinear or even of varied thickness
and/or shape, or both. The designated thickness t-1 is only
relevant to the area around the receiving slots so as to fit
properly and snuggly with the table brace members when they are
interconnected. This is illustrated below.
[0026] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a front and side view of a preferred
table brace member 20 of the present invention collapsible table,
dimensioned for interconnection with table support members such as
member 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2. Brace member 20 is in the general shape
of an inverted U and has a substantially horizontal top portion 23
with a flat top surface 29, and two substantially vertical brace
portions 25 and 27. These brace portions 25 and 27 have receiving
slots 31 and 33 as shown. These receiving slots 31 and 33 face
downwardly and have an area above them that has a predetermined
height h, which is equal to height h of the height of the receiving
slots 11 and 13 shown in FIG. 1. It is this area above the
receiving slots 31 and 33 that slide down into the support member
receiving slots 11 and 13 when these disparate members are
interconnected. By having the height h of FIG. 1 equal the height h
of FIG. 3, when the members are interconnected, the top surface 9
of member 10 and the top surface 29 of member 20 end up in the same
plane, creating an interlocked support and brace system for
receiving the underside of a table top to provide maximum strength
and support for it.
[0027] In FIG. 3, brace member 20 is shown to have a width of w-4,
and the receiving slots 31 and 33 are shown to have a width of w-2.
In FIG. 4, brace member 20 end 37 is shown as having a thickness of
t-2. Although end 27 is shown as flat, it could be curvilinear or
even of varied thickness and/or shape, or both. The designated
thickness t-2 is only relevant to the area around the receiving
slots so as to fit properly and snuggly with the table support
members when they are interconnected. This is also illustrated
below.
[0028] FIG. 5 shows a perspective blown-apart view of a present
invention collapsible table 100. This is shown in a disassembled,
but positioned for assembly, perspective view. It includes the
support member 10 from FIGS. 1 and 2, and an identical counterpart
support member 11, to make a pair, as well as the brace member 20
from FIGS. 3 and 4, and its identical counterpart brace member 21.
Other aspects of these components are numbered as in the previous
drawings, and need not be repeated. The table top 50 could be any
top that would rest atop the other members shown, but a most
preferred embodiment is shown here. Thus, top 50 includes a main
flat top section 51 and four overhangs 53, 55, 57, and 59. These
overhangs are also most preferred in that they extend upwardly and
downwardly and extend around the entire periphery. (The could be in
separate short sections adjacent the other member edges, and/or
extend only downwardly.) Since these overhangs do extend upwardly
and downwardly, the top 50 is reversible or invertible so that
either side of the main top portion 51 is exposed. This will
advantageously lend itself to diverse uses, such as having
different illustrations on each side, for, for function or
otherwise. There could be gameboards on one side and a top
view-scene of roads, fields and other distinctive countryside or
cityscape illustrations. There could be functional rather than play
illustrations, such as templates. There could be disparate
topographies, such as a chalkboard or whiteboard on one side, or
train tracks or construction block base protrusions for building,
or electronic patterns for connections to various electronic
learning lab components. As can now be seen, the possibilities are
endless.
[0029] The assemblage process is relatively straightforward for the
present invention tables, and disassembly is simply the reverse of
the assemblage process. The brace members are simply lowered and
pushed down onto the support members with the slots of the brace
members directly above the slots of the support members. For tight
fittings, which are preferable, some downward pressure is applied.
This is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 below. The table top is then
placed along the top surfaces of the other members, and in this
embodiment, is tightly nested so that the underside of the
overhangs fits tightly on the tops and upper outer edges of the
other members. As shown in FIG. 5, table top 50 has a long width
w-3 that is equal to the width w-3 of the support members and has a
second width w-4 equal to the width of the brace members. In other
words, the inside dimensions as measured form inside the overhangs
is equal to the outer dimensions of the top portions of the support
members and the brace members.
[0030] FIGS. 6 through 13 have components and portions thereof
identically numbered with those shown in the previous figures and,
to avoid redundancy, are not all repeated for each figure
below.
[0031] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an end view and a perspective view
of a pair of table brace members and a pair of table support
members to create a base for a table top of a present invention
collapsible table, when assembled as discussed above. FIG. 6 end
view shows support members 10 and 11 separate from one another with
each being interconnected at their respected slots with the slots
of brace member 20. FIG. 7 shows support members 10 and 11 with
brace members 20 and 21 completely interlocked and ready for
receiving a table top.
[0032] FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 illustrate a front view, a front cut
view, and a bottom view, respectively, of an assembled present
invention collapsible table 100. Here, top 50 has been tightly
nested onto the members shown in FIG. 7.
[0033] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of an assembled present
invention collapsible table 100 and FIG. 12 shows a disassembled,
stacked-for-storage perspective view thereof. FIG. 12 illustrates
an important aspect of the present invention table 100, namely, its
compactness for storage, travel, or packaging for shipment or
sale.
[0034] FIGS. 13 and 14 show a present invention collapsible table
100 in use and stored, respectively. Although the present invention
table may be of any desired size, the convenience low play table
shown in these figures is given a true sense of size relative to
the love seat 101. In FIG. 14, table 100 is collapsed and stacked
and tucked under the love seat 101 for storage. This protects the
table and offers more useful space for other purposes when table
100 is not in use.
[0035] Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the
present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. For
example, lock/unlock fixtures may be connected to the table top and
the support members and brace members so that they may be
removeably latched, locked, or otherwise secured together.
Alternatively, but less preferably, permanent connections may be
utilized, such as angle braces and screws, to permanently secure
the elements of the present invention table to one another. It is
therefore understood that within the scope of the appended claims,
the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically
described herein.
* * * * *