Attachment table

Abstract

An attachment table that is space-saving, allows easy operation and effectively provides additional scope for application, comprised of a folding structure and a support structure; the former including two tops foldable to each other, a pivot being respectively provided at both ends on one side top to stride over a rod; and the latter being provided at an free end of another top and being retractable to allow the tops take advantage of the adjustable support structure to rest on the rod on the other side when both tops being outwardly extended.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] (a) Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention is related to an attachment table that is space saving, allows easy operation and effectively provides additional scope for application.

[0003] (b) Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Whereas, an attachment table generally available in the market is attached to a sick bed, a chair or the back of a seat in an airplane, however, it is fixed for dedicated purpose and is usually not so convenient to operate. For example, as taught in the gazette, a utility patent titled "Bed Attachment Desk" (Publication No. 421025), it relates to a detachable attachment table and is found with some problems in its use. Since it is not foldable, it needs a proper place for storage when not in use; and it is quite inconvenient in a ward usually with very limited space. A proper place outside the ward is required for its storage. Furthermore, while in use, the patient alone usually is not capable of moving the attachment table; and the attendant has to place the attachment table in position before the mealtime. The attachment table also prevents a secured positioning and is vulnerable to sliding out of place, creating a problem for the patient having a meal in the bed.

[0005] Even though the attachment table is designed as an integrated part of board and has two mobile boards on both sides to stride over and erect on both hand rests of the bed, the design is basically a retractable one and prevents the patient to fetch for use all by himself. In addition, the mobile board is adjusted at its both sides to prevent easy alignment with both hand rests and easy assembly.

[0006] To sum up, the prior art is found with drawbacks of taking too much space, difficulties in operation and limited range of application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The primary purpose of the present invention is to provide an attachment table that can be used in various occasions to significantly increase its application range by allowing free choice of the object to be attached to and having a retractable supporting structure.

[0008] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an attachment table that allows perfect locking of all tops when folded and the supporting structure will be secured in place, and has both side supports to increase loading capacity for effectively improving stability of the attachment table.

[0009] Another purpose yet of the present invention is provide an attachment table that is space-saving when not used by allowing direct storage to a side rod without the need to search for another space.

[0010] Another purpose yet of the present invention is provide an attachment table that can be directly extended from one side of the rod whenever required by the user without the problem of displacement, thus to effectively improve its use convenience.

[0011] The foregoing object and summary provide only a brief introduction to the present invention. To fully appreciate these and other objects of the present invention as well as the invention itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the following detailed description of the invention and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the specification and drawings identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar parts.

[0012] Many other advantages, and features of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is a blowout view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing extension of tops of a foldable structure of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing operation of the supporting structure of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing operation of the folding structure with tops extended.

[0017] FIG. 4A is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] The following descriptions are of exemplary embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the present invention of an attachment table is essentially comprised of a folding structure 10 and a supporting structure 40. The folding structure 10 includes a first top 20 and a second top 30 with both foldable to each other. The supporting structure 40 is provided with a retractable supporting board 41.

[0020] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a pivoting rod 21 each protruding from both sides at one end of the first top 20 of the folding structure 10 is respectively pivoted to a hole 26 in a corresponding holder 25. A recess is 27 provided at the bottom of the holder 25 to stride over a rod member, and the size of the recess 27 varies by compromising that of the holder 25 depending on the application selected. A clamp bolt 28 is provided to the holder 25 at where in relation to the recess 27 to secure the holder 25 to the rod member.

[0021] A locking structure is provided at the upper edge of the inner side at where the first top 20 and the second top 30 are folded to each other. The locking structure allows both of the first and the second tops 20, 30 to lock to each other. A protruded latch 22 is provided on the first top 20 and a magnetic member 23 is fixed at where below the latch 22. Another magnetic member 32 in relation to the magnetic member 23 is fixed on the second top so that both tops 20, 30 are attached to each other when folded. Another magnetic member 30 yet is provided at the top of the second top 30 to hold the supporting board 41 of the supporting structure 40 in position. Two pivoting members 35 are each provided on the second top 30 at where in relation to both sides of the corresponding end of the first top 20. Both of the pivoting members 35 are respectively locked with a pivoting plate 36 on both sides of the first and the second tops 20, 30, and a pivot 37 is pivoted between two relative pivoting plates 36. Accordingly, the spacing at the joint when both of the first and the second tops 20, 30 are extended to each other is minimized.

[0022] Two recessed gradations 31 are respectively formed at both sides of the second top 30 to be used to assemble the supporting structure 40. A slide 42 is each provided inside the gradation 31 on both sides of the second top 30. A sleeve 43 to protect the slide 42 is each provided on both sides of the second top 30. The supporting board 41 strides over the free end of the slide 42 on both sides for the supporting board 41 to become retractable. A channel 44 is provided at the edge of the supporting board 41 to pull the supporting board by the user.

[0023] A latching member 45 is locked at the locking structure of the first top 20. A latching groove 46 in relation to the protruded latch 22 is provided to the latching member 45. A magnetic member 47 in relation to the magnetic member 33 at the second top 20 is separately provided on the bottom edge of the supporting board 41 to secure the supporting structure 40 in position when the attachment table is folded.

[0024] In practice, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 4A, the present invention can be applied to any object with its both sides provided with rod members, e.g. a sick bed, or a chair. The holder 25 in a size compromising that of the rod members is first selected. The first top 20 of the folding structure 10 is pivoted to the holder 25 with the holder striding over the rod member on one side by taking advantage of its recess 27, and is locked with the clamp bolt 28. The user then pulls downward the second top 30 and flaps both of the first and the second tops 20, 30 to their opposite sides. The supporting board 41 of the supporting structure 40 is pulled out to stride over the rod member on the other side, and is secured in position by means of the latching groove 46 in the latching member 45 provided on the supporting board 41. On the contrary, if the attachment table is not required, the supporting board 41 is retracted to be locked to the second top 30, and then the second top 30 is folded to rest on the first top 20 while the locking structure is sued to lock up both of the first and the second tops 20, 30 and the supporting board 41. Finally, the retracted tops 20, 30 and the supporting board 41 are flapped over on the side of the rod member.

[0025] It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above.

[0026] While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. An attachment table essentially comprised of a folding structure and a supporting structure; wherein, the folding structure including a first and a second tops allowing to be folded to each other; and a retractable supporting board being provided to a free end of the folding structure; a holder being each pivoted to both sides of one end of the first top; a recess being provided to the holder to stride over a rod member; a pivoting member being each provided on both sides of the edge of the second top at where in relation to that of the first top; a slide to the supporting structure being each provided on both sides of the second top with the supporting board to stride over the free end of the slide respectively provided on both sides of the second top 30.

2. An attachment table as claimed in claim 1, wherein, a pivoting rod is respectively extending from both sides of the first top to be inserted into a pivoting hole provided in the holder for the first top to be pivoted to the holder.

3. An attachment table as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the size of the recess at the bottom of the holder varies to compromise the holder selected.

4. An attachment table as claimed in claim 1, wherein, a clamp bolt is respectively locked in the holder at where corresponding to the recess of the holder to secure the holder to the rod member.

5. An attachment table as claimed in claim 1, wherein, a locking structure is provided at the upper edge of the inner side at where both of the first and the second tops are folded to each other; wherein, a protruded latching member being locked to the first top; a magnetic member being fixed at where below the protruded latching member; another magnetic member being fixed to the second top to match that on the first top; another latching member being provided on the supporting board to match the protruded latching member on the first top; and a latching groove being provided in the latching member on the supporting board to allow the first top, the second top and the supporting board to firmly rest on one another when folded.

6. An attachment table as claimed in claim 1, wherein, a magnetic member is provided at the top edge of the second top and a corresponding magnetic member is provided at the bottom edge of the supporting board to secure the supporting board of the supporting structure in position.

7. An attachment table as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the pivoting member is provided with a pivoting plate each being locked to both sides of the first and the second tops, and a pivot is pivoted at where between two relative pivoting plates.

8. An attachment table as claimed in claim 1, wherein, a recessed gradation is each provided on both sides of the second top to be used for the assembly of the supporting structure.

9. An attachment table as claimed in claim 1, wherein, a sleeve is provided each on both sides of the second top to protect the corresponding slide.

10. An attachment table as claimed in claim 1, wherein, a recessed groove being formed at the edge on one end of the supporting board for the user to pull the supporting board.