U.S. patent application number 10/374563 was filed with the patent office on 2003-12-04 for folding utility table.
Invention is credited to Reinsch, John Edward, Veal, Mike J..
Application Number | 20030221595 10/374563 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29586692 |
Filed Date | 2003-12-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030221595 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Reinsch, John Edward ; et
al. |
December 4, 2003 |
Folding utility table
Abstract
A foldable and stackable utility table having a blow molded
table top and two leg assemblies. The table top includes four
corners which are offset downwardly to allow self centering and
locking table stacking. The offset includes corner depressions in
the upper surface of the table top and complimentary protrusions
extending from the underside of the table top to allow nesting. The
table includes two side rails attached to the sides of the table
top and lateral tubes supported by the side rails for strengthening
the table. The leg assemblies are also mounted to the side
rails.
Inventors: |
Reinsch, John Edward;
(Florence, AL) ; Veal, Mike J.; (Wapello,
IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RONALD A. SANDLER
JONES DAY
77 WEST WACKER DRIVE
CHICAGO
IL
60601-1692
US
|
Family ID: |
29586692 |
Appl. No.: |
10/374563 |
Filed: |
February 25, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60359740 |
Feb 26, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
108/91 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 3/0912
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/91 |
International
Class: |
A47B 007/00 |
Claims
1. A foldable and stackable utility table comprising: a table top;
and a leg assembly mounted to said table top and movable between a
folded closed position and an extended open position; said table
top having a generally planar upper surface, an underside, a side
wall and four corner portions, each of said corner portions being
offset in a consistent manner to allow folded tables to be self
locating and centered when stacked, one upon another.
2. The table as claimed in claim 1 wherein: at said corner
portions, said upper surface and said underside are lower
elevationally than adjacent portions of said table top.
3. The table as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said table top includes
a groove in said upper surface and a projection in said
underside.
4. The table as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said upper surface of
said table top is depressed at said four corners for forming
recesses to receive complimentary protrusions from the underside of
an adjacent table top.
5. The table as claimed in claim 4 wherein: said underside of said
table top includes a protrusion at each of said four corners for
stacking purposes.
6. The table as claimed in claim 5 wherein: said upper surface at
said four corners and said protrusions are displaced an equal
amount from said upper surface.
7. The table as claimed in claim 5 wherein: said table top includes
a groove in said upper surface and a projection in said underside.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The inventor of the present application claims benefit of an
earlier filing date of Provisional Application No. 60/359,740,
filed Feb. 26, 2002, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119(e).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
STATEMENT RE FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates generally to a utility table,
and more particularly, to a portable, foldable utility table with
at least two table support crossbar tubes.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
[0004] Folding utility tables are commonly used by many groups,
including convention halls, churches, hotels, schools, private
individuals and any other group that has a need for temporary and
portable table space. A folding table must contain a folding
support mechanism that allows the legs to be opened and closed
quickly and easily. Portable folding utility tables allow a group
or organization to maximize the efficiency and utility of a
particular space.
[0005] Numerous types of folding tables are known in the prior art,
including portable tables having folding legs that include locking
means for holding the legs in an open position. U.S. Pat. No.
6,112,674 discloses a portable a folding utility table with a
center support assembly. U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,623 discloses a
foldable picnic table with telescoping pedestals. U.S. Pat. No.
5,678,491 discloses a foldable round table with a plastic table
top. U.S. Pat. No. 3,777,675 discloses a folding table leg brace
construction. U.S. Pat. No. 3,083,066 discloses a folding
table.
[0006] One problem in the folding table art is the difficulty of
making a sturdy table that is not too heavy to lift and transport.
Many foldable utility tables are made from heavy materials and
contain numerous unwieldy braces which make the tables strong yet
very difficult to carry. Other foldable tables are light and easy
to move, but lack strength. A well-designed folding utility table
that is light and easy to carry, yet strong and sturdy when being
used would be an advancement in the art.
[0007] Another problem in the folding table art is the difficulty
of designing a foldable table to be easily stored and stacked. Some
tables sacrifice aesthetics to make a table that can be easily
stored in small places. An easily stackable folding table would be
an advancement in the art. A table which contained handles to hold
while carrying the table would be an advancement in the art. A
table that contained these features and also exhibited pleasing
aesthetics would be an advancement in the art.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is directed to a novel portable
folding utility table having more than one table support crossbar
tube. The table includes a table top supported by a double leg
assembly understructure. In one presently preferred embodiment, the
table top may include a raised lip at the upper outer periphery
that prevents spills on the table top from leaking over the edge.
In another presently preferred embodiment, the table top may
include stacking mechanisms which allow for easy stacking of the
utility tables upon one another. In another presently preferred
embodiment, the table top may include hand-holds located along the
inner perimeter of the table top for easy transport of the
table.
[0009] The strong, light, easily stackable and easily transportable
folding utility table disclosed here achieves advancements over the
prior art by way of its unique design. The underside of the table
top contains more than one table support crossbar tube. Tables with
multiple cross members possess greater strength than tables
containing only one cross member, yet the added cross members do
not noticeably increase the weight of the utility table. The table
support crossbar tubes come into contact with the underside of the
table top by way of trapping depressions and support ramps that are
part of the underside of the table top. The depressions and ramps
strengthen the table by preventing slippage of the cross members
and helping distribute force to the side rails located around the
perimeter of the table top. The multiple table support crossbar
tubes and the depressions and support ramps increase the strength
of the table without appreciably increasing the overall weight of
the table.
[0010] Also, the table contains stacking mechanisms that aid in the
stacking and storing of the foldable utility table. The stacking
mechanisms provide a nesting scheme which prevent the tables from
slipping or falling when stacked. When blow-molded plastic is used
to make the table top, the stacking mechanisms are easily created
and especially effective. The use of blow molded plastic also
increases the strength of the table without noticeably increasing
its weight. These features found in the unique design of this
invention create the advantages over the prior art.
[0011] These and other advantages of the present invention will
become more fully apparent by examination of the following
description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0012] To better understand the invention, a more particular
description of the invention will be rendered by reference to the
appended drawings. These drawings only provide information
concerning typical embodiments of the invention and are not to be
considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described
and explained with additional specificity and detail through the
use of the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
foldable utility table of the present invention with the leg
assemblies in the open position.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
foldable utility table of the present invention inverted with the
leg assemblies in the open position.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
foldable utility table of the present invention inverted with one
leg assembly in the open position and one leg assembly in the
closed position.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a plan side view of one embodiment of the foldable
utility table of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a plan end view of one embodiment of the foldable
utility table of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective view of the underside of
the table top in the area of the table support crossbar tube.
[0019] FIGS. 7a-7g show different embodiments of the stacking
mechanism.
[0020] FIGS. 8-8a are detailed drawings of the side rail with
corresponding hand-holds.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a detailed perspective view of the leg-catch.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0022] Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are
referred to by like numerals throughout. With particular reference
to FIG. 1, a foldable utility table according to the present
invention is generally designated at 10.
[0023] The foldable utility table 10 includes a table top 12
supported with a double leg assembly understructure 14. The table
top forms a planar upper surface 16. The table top 12 can be made
from metal, wood, plastic or other material. The table top 12
preferably has a contemporary and attractive appearance and is
preferably blow-molded out of plastic. The table top 12 has an
upper outer periphery 18 which extends around the entire table top
12. In a preferred embodiment the upper outer periphery 18 is
provided by a raised lip 19 above the surface of the planar upper
surface 16 configured such that things spilled on the planar upper
surface 16 will not drip off of the table top 12. A raised lip at
the upper outer periphery 18 also potentially aids in the stacking
of two foldable utility tables 10 in another preferred embodiment.
The double leg assembly understructure 14 is made up of various
components.
[0024] With reference now to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, one component of
the double leg assembly understructure 14 is the pivoting leg
subassembly 20. The folding utility table 10 contains two pivoting
leg subassemblies 20. Each pivoting leg subassembly contains two
legs 22 and can be connected by a lower leg cross member 24. Note
the different style of the pivoting leg subassemblies 20 shown in
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The present invention is not limited to any
particular style of leg subassembly 20. The top of the legs are
mounted in an upper leg cross member 26.
[0025] The underside of the table top 12 contains a lower outer
periphery 28 which extends around the entire table top 12 and is
below the upper outer periphery 18.
[0026] In one preferred embodiment the lower outer periphery 28 can
contain ridges or grooves which aid in the stacking of two folding
utility tables 10. The lower outer periphery 28 is reinforced by
side rails 30. The side rails 30 may extend along the sides of the
table top 12 that are perpendicular to the upper leg cross member
26, and may extend along the sides of the table top 12 that are
parallel to the upper leg cross member 26. The side rails 30 are
located in side mounting pockets 31 which are located on the
underside of the table top 12 between the upper outer periphery 18
and the lower outer periphery 28. The side mounting pockets 31 are
depressions in the underside of the table top 12 which locate the
side rails 30. The side mounting pockets 31 also provide mechanical
fastener contact points to lock the side rails 30 to the table top
12. The ends of the upper leg cross member 26 are mounted and
supported through holes in the side rails 30 located at the upper
cross leg member/side rail interface 32.
[0027] With reference now to FIG. 8, the side rails 30 can also can
contain hand-holds 33 to assist in transporting the table. The
hand-holds 33 can have a variety of designs. One preferred design
appears in FIG. 8a.
[0028] Each leg 22 is attached to a `Z` bracket 34. One end of each
`Z` bracket 34 is attached to a leg 22 at a pivoting attachment
point 36. The other end of the `Z` bracket 34 is attached to a
center brace 38 at a second pivoting attachment point 36. Both `Z`
brackets 34 attached to one pivoting leg subassembly 20 attach to
the same center brace 38. The double leg assembly understructure 14
is held in the open position (when the legs 22 are approximately
perpendicular to the table top 12) by way of a sliding lock ring 40
that covers the `Z` brackets 34 and the center brace 38 at the
pivot attachment point 36 on the center brace 38. The sliding lock
ring 40 prevents the legs 22 from closing (becoming
non-perpendicular to the table top 12) during normal use.
[0029] The end of the center brace 38 that is not attached to the
`Z` brackets 38 is attached to a table support crossbar tube 42.
The ends of the table support crossbar tube 42 are mounted and
supported through holes in the side rails 30 located at the table
support crossbar tube/side rail interface 44. Each folding utility
table 10 contains greater than one table support crossbar tube 42.
Each double leg assembly understructure 14 is attached to its own
individual table support crossbar tube 42. Each table support
crossbar tube 42 is located approximately 1/3 the distance from the
end of the longitudinal side rails 30. The exact location of the
table support crossbar tube 42 is determined by the total length of
the `Z` brackets 34 and the center brackets 38 when the legs 22 are
in the open position (being approximately perpendicular to the
table top 12). A table support crossbar tube 42 is not located at
the center point of the table top 12, nor do both center braces 38
attach to the same table support crossbar tube 42.
[0030] The underside of the table top 12 also contains cross member
trapping depressions 46 which entrap the table support crossbar
tubes 42. The purpose of the cross member trapping depression 46 is
to capture the table support crossbar tube 42 on a minimum of three
surfaces and assist in the reduction of bending or flexing of the
table support crossbar tubes 42. Because the table support crossbar
tubes 42 provide an anchor point for the center brace 38 which in
turn allow the pivoting leg subassemblies 20 to be held in the open
and locked position, the table support crossbar tubes 42 are
subjected to force. The table support crossbar tubes 42 are
subjected to additional force when the table top 12 is subjected to
top loading forces. The table support crossbar tubes 42 help spread
top loading forces to the side rails 30 and assists the table top
12 in spreading concentrated load forces throughout the total
planar upper surface 16. The table support crossbar tubes 42 along
with the side mounting pockets 31 also cause the side rails 30 to
avoid torsional rotation when a load is on the table top.
[0031] The force absorbed by the table support crossbar tubes 42 is
dispersed throughout the entire folding utility table 10 via the
positive contact between the table support crossbar tubes 42 and
the table top 12 at the cross member trapping depressions 46 and
via the positive contact between the side rails 30 and the table
top at the side mounting pockets 31 at the mechanical fastener
contact points. The cross member trapping depressions 46 provide
opposing surface contact when force is transferred in the direction
of the cross member trapping depressions 46 from the pivoting leg
subassemblies 20 to the table support crossbar tube 42. Preferably,
the cross member trapping depressions 46 possess minimum clearance
between the depression sidewalls and the table support crossbar
tube 42 surface to provide maximum surface contact.
[0032] The underside of the table top 12 also contains support
ramps 48 which extend outward from the table top 12 underside. The
support ramps 48 are located along the cross member trapping
depressions 46 and have surface contact with the table support
crossbar tubes 42. The support ramps 48 act as a locator device for
the table support crossbar tube 42 to be held into place on the
underside of the table top 12. In one embodiment, two support ramps
48 are located facing each other on opposite sides of the cross
member trapping depressions 46 and provide a snap fit for the table
support crossbar tubes 42 into the underside of the table top 12.
This embodiment can be seen in FIG. 6. The support ramps 48 also
add reinforcement by adding positive resistance between the table
top 12 and the table support crossbar tubes 32 when top loading or
pullout forces are applied to the folding utility table 10.
[0033] The underside of the table top 12 also contains leg-catches
49 which extend outward from the table top 12 underside. The
leg-catches 49 are located so they make contact with the leg 22
when the leg 22 is in the closed position. The leg-catches 49
prevent the leg 22 from inadvertently moving into the open position
from the closed position. In one preferred embodiment, depicted in
FIG. 9, the leg-catch 49 has a lip on the upper portion which aids
in holding the leg 22 in the closed position.
[0034] In a preferred embodiment the folding utility table 10
contains stacking means 50. The stacking means 50 are located on
the corners of the table top 12 and can be used alone or in
conjunction with the upper outer periphery 18 and the lower outer
periphery 28 to aid in the stacking of more than one folding
utility table 10. The stacking means 50 act as self-locating and
guidance devices when multiple tables are stacked. The stacking
means 50 help center one table over the next and assist in the
prevention of tables sliding off or tipping over when in a stack of
two or more tables.
[0035] FIGS. 7a-7g depict various embodiments of the stacking means
50. Generally the stacking means 50 follow a male/female nesting
scheme with one side of the stacking means 50 containing a nesting
indention 52 and the other side of the stacking means 50 containing
a nesting appendage 54. FIGS. 7a and 7f displays the male/female
nesting scheme. In this embodiment, the nesting indentation 52 is
located on the upper side of the table top 12, and the nesting
appendage 54 is located on the underside of the table top 12. The
two nesting features engage each other at the four corners of the
table top 12 when two tables are stacked.
[0036] FIGS. 7b and 7g displays how the stacking means 50 can be
extended beyond the corners of the table top 12 and extended into
the upper outer periphery 18 and the lower outer periphery 28. In
this embodiment, the nesting indentation 52 extends around the
entire upper outer periphery 18 of the table top 12 in the form of
a groove. The nesting appendage 54 extends around the entire lower
outer periphery 28 in the form of a ridge. The two nesting features
engage each other around the entire perimeter of the table when the
tables are stacked.
[0037] FIG. 7c and FIG. 7d show another variation of the stacking
means 50 nesting scheme. In this embodiment, the nesting features
are in the shape of the letter `L`. The two nesting features engage
each other in this `L` shape when the tables are stacked. FIG. 7e
displays generally how multiple folding utility tables 10 can be
stacked using the stacking means 50.
[0038] The stacking means 50 is not limited to having the nesting
appendage 54 on the underside of the table top 12. The raised lip
19 present in one preferred embodiment of the invention can exist
both to prevent spill leakage and to act as a nesting appendage 54
in a stacking means 50 nesting scheme. The stacking means 50 is not
limited to the area inside the edges of the table top 12. The
stacking means 50 can protrude beyond the perimeter of the table
top 12 as seen in FIG. 1. Or the stacking means 50 can be flush
with the perimeter of the table top 12 as seen in FIG. 7a, or be
recessed inside the perimeter of the table top 12. The stacking
means 50 are not limited to being on the same plane as the planar
upper surface 16, and can extend either below the surface as seen
in FIG. 1, or above the surface.
[0039] As noted earlier, the table top 12 is preferably blow-molded
out of plastic. Blow-molding the table top 12 out of plastic
provides several advantages. The material provides strength without
a large increase in weight. Also, the upper lip 19, support ramps
48, and stacking means 50 can be an integral and continuous part of
the table top 12, which increases the strength and aesthetics of
the folding utility table 10. Attaching these parts separately to
the table top 12 decreases the strength of the table. Also the
cross member trapping depressions 46 and the side mounting pockets
31 are easily created using the blow-molded process.
[0040] While the invention described above constitutes a presently
preferred embodiment, the invention can take many other forms and
may be modified. Accordingly, it should be understood that the
foregoing description is to be considered exemplary rather than
limiting.
* * * * *