U.S. patent application number 10/309033 was filed with the patent office on 2004-06-10 for attachment table.
Invention is credited to Chen, Tung-I.
Application Number | 20040107881 10/309033 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32467828 |
Filed Date | 2004-06-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040107881 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chen, Tung-I |
June 10, 2004 |
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.
Inventors: |
Chen, Tung-I; (Taipei,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Tung-I Chen
PO Box 82-144
Taipei
TW
|
Family ID: |
32467828 |
Appl. No.: |
10/309033 |
Filed: |
December 4, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/90 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 5/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/090 |
International
Class: |
A47B 013/08 |
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.
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.
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