U.S. patent application number 11/194387 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-24 for collapsible table with foldable end shelves.
Invention is credited to Chung, Donna.
Application Number | 20050258723 11/194387 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35374533 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050258723 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chung, Donna |
November 24, 2005 |
Collapsible table with foldable end shelves
Abstract
A table suited for shipment in a compact collapsed condition has
a top, a back hinged from the rear edge of the top, and opposing
side panels hinged from the back. The tables can be erected by a
consumer at the point of use, without the use of tools. In one
embodiment, particularly useful for supporting a computer, one of
the side panels has two shelves which pivot from parallelism with
the side panel when the table is in collapsed state, to horizontal
positions when the table is used. The upper shelf pivots upwardly,
to support a printer of the like. The lower shelf pivots
downwardly, either outwardly, or inwardly relative to the end of
the table, to support a computer tower.
Inventors: |
Chung, Donna; (Bangkok,
TH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHARLES G. NESSLER
P.O. BOX H
CHESTER
CT
06412
US
|
Family ID: |
35374533 |
Appl. No.: |
11/194387 |
Filed: |
August 1, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11194387 |
Aug 1, 2005 |
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10607104 |
Jun 25, 2003 |
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6948786 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
312/258 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 3/00 20130101; A47B
2003/0806 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/258 |
International
Class: |
A47B 043/00; A47B
047/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A table, adapted for shipment or storage in a collapsed state
and for use in an erected state, comprising: a top having a front
edge, a rear edge, an upper surface and an undersurface; a back,
lying along a plane and connected to the top by hinges in proximity
to the rear edge thereof; wherein, when the top is horizontal, the
back folds downwardly from the undersurface of the top and becomes
perpendicular thereto; opposing left and right side panels, each
panel having an upper end and a lower end; each panel lying along a
plane, each panel connected by hinges to the back; and each panel
folding outwardly from the back, by moving from a collapsed
position parallel to the back to an erected position approximately
perpendicular to back; wherein, the back and the two side panels,
when the table is in erected position, support the top on a floor
surface so the side panels are vertical and the top is
approximately horizontal; at least one of said side panels having a
first shelf; the shelf pivoting upwardly from the side panel when
vertical, by moving from a collapsed position where the shelf is
parallel to the plane of the side panel to an erected position
where the shelf is approximately perpendicular to the plane of the
side panel; and, means for holding the first shelf in said erected
and approximately perpendicular position.
2. The table of claim 1 wherein said at least one side panel is
comprised of two spaced apart legs, one of which is connected by
said hinges to the back; and, wherein the first shelf in collapsed
position fits within the space between said two legs.
3. The table of claim 1 wherein said means for holding the shelf in
approximately perpendicular position comprises a support pivotably
attached to the panel, wherein the support pivots from a collapsed
position parallel to the plane of the side panel to an erected
position where the support contacts the underside of said shelf;
the support and shelf lying parallel to each other when the table
is in collapsed state.
4. The table of claim 3 wherein said at least one side panel is
comprised of two spaced apart legs; wherein the first shelf and
support fit within the spacing of the legs when the table is in
collapsed state.
5. The table of claim 3 wherein the support and shelf are both
pivotable upwardly from the side panel when the side panel is
vertical.
6. The table of claim 3, further comprising: a second shelf,
pivotably attached the side panel, wherein the shelf pivots
downwardly from the side panel, by moving from a collapsed position
parallel to the plane of the side panel when vertical, to an
erected position approximately perpendicular to the plane of the
side panel; and, means for supporting the second shelf in said
perpendicular position; wherein, the elevation of the second shelf
on the side panel is lower than the elevation of the first
shelf.
7. The table of claim 6 wherein said at least one side panel is
comprised of two spaced apart legs; wherein the first shelf, the
support for the first shelf, and the second shelf fit within the
space between the legs when the table is in collapsed state.
8. The table of claim 6 wherein the second shelf is pivotable from
the side panel in opposing directions, to fold downwardly so the
shelf projects alternatively inwardly or outwardly from the side
panel, when the table is in its erected position.
9. The table of claim 8, wherein the means for supporting the
second shelf comprises a plate perpendicularly attached to the end
of the shelf which is away from the point of pivoting, the plate
adapted from contacting the surface upon which the table sets.
10. The table of claim 8, wherein the means for supporting the
second shelf comprises a tensile load bearing member running from
the side panel at a point which is higher in elevation than the
elevation of the second shelf in its downwardly folded
position.
11. The table of claim 6 wherein the summation of lengths of the
first and second shelf is less than the total length of the side
panel; and wherein the first and second shelf lie in the same plane
when the table is in collapsed state.
12. A table, adapted for shipment in collapsed form and for use in
erected form while setting on a floor surface, comprising: a back,
lying along a plane and connected to the top by hinges in proximity
to the rear edge thereof; wherein, when the top is horizontal, the
back folds downwardly from the undersurface of the top and becomes
perpendicular thereto; opposing left and right side panels, each
panel having an upper end and a lower end; each panel lying along a
plane, each panel connected by hinges to the back; and each panel
folding outwardly from the back, by moving from a collapsed
position where the panel is parallel to the back to an erected
position where the panel becomes perpendicular to back; wherein,
the back and the two side panels, when the table is in erected
position, support the top on a floor surface so the side panels are
vertical and the top is approximately horizontal; at least one of
said side panels having a pivotably attached first shelf and a
pivotably attached second shelf; the shelves pivotable downwardly
from the side panel, by moving from a collapsed position parallel
to the plane of the side panel to an erected position approximately
perpendicular to the plane of the side panel; wherein the first
shelf is pivotable from a point which is higher in elevation than
the corresponding point of the second shelf; means for holding the
first shelf in said approximately perpendicular position, attached
to the side panel; and, means for holding the second shelf in said
approximately perpendicular position, resting on said floor
surface;
13. The table of claim 12, wherein second shelf is alternately
pivotable, so when in said approximately perpendicular position, it
selectively projects outwardly from the side panel or inwardly
toward the space under the top.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation in part of patent
application Ser. No. 10/607,104, filed Jun. 25, 2003. This
application claims benefit of provisional patent application Ser.
No. 60/441,393, filed Jan. 21, 2003.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to furniture, such as
particular tables, which is shipped in compact form and erected or
assembled by the consumer.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Since articles of furniture tend to be bulky and costly to
ship, it is common to design and fabricate such items in knock down
form. That is, the furniture is designed so that it is made up of
sub-components, which when packed together, fit into a relatively
compact shipping container. The consumer assembles the furniture at
the point of use. And, preferably, the furniture is capable of
being knocked down again for storage.
[0004] Numerous different designs and assembly concepts are known
in the prior art. However, differences in execution of the design
and manufacture can make a substantial difference to the consumer.
Among the criteria that characterize a good piece of furniture are
the following. The article must have a desired and pleasing
esthetic appearance when assembled. The article must function for
the desired purpose; typically, it must be strong and durable. The
parts should fit together easily, and assembly should involve a
minimum of tools and skill. Manufacturing should not demand extreme
precision and cost should be low. The unassembled subcomponents
should be sturdy and not prone to damage during rough shipment and
handling. The carton into which the knock down table components are
placed for shipment should be as compact as possible.
[0005] It is not easy to meet all the foregoing criteria.
Furthermore, certain pieces of furniture have specialized
requirements. For example, in tables used for computers, it is
desirable to have a flat work surface, to hold the computer system
components, particularly the monitor; and, to have at least one
under-desk drawer, for holding a keyboard. That drawer ought to be
closeable, to conceal the keyboard, when it is not in use. It is
also desirable to provide at least one shelf for holding computer
system components or related accessories, such as a printer or the
tower which contains the processor. Sometimes the aforementioned
parts of the computer system are heavy, and thus the table needs to
be strong when assembled. Thus, while there has been a great
variety of knockdown furniture in commerce, it has always been
difficult to combine ease of assembly with strength and low
cost.
SUMMARY
[0006] An object of the invention is to provide a table, preferably
made of wood, which can be shipped in compact form, and then set up
by a consumer with no tools, or minimal use of tools. An additional
object is to meet the criteria which are mentioned in the
Background; especially to provide a strong furniture article
capable of bearing significant loads which can be shipped in a
compact flat carton, and which after being erected and used, can be
readily taken down again and made compact for storage. A further
object is to provide a computer table, which meets the other
objects, with shelves which can be extended from the side of the
table for supporting computer components.
[0007] In accord with the invention, a table has a top, a back
hinged from the top, and opposing side panels hinged from the back;
and, thus the parts are compound foldable by virtue of the hinging.
For compact shipment, the side panels fold inwardly onto the back,
and the back then folds onto the underside of the top.
[0008] Thus the side panels are sandwiched between the top and back
in the collapsed state. When the compound-hinged table of the
invention is erected, the back is lifted up from the top as the top
lies upside down on the floor. The end panels are rotated outwardly
from the back, toward stops/stiffeners attached to the underside of
the top. Means, such as a folding shelf or a stretcher or stops or
the like, hold the panels in their erected position so they are
perpendicular to the back, and so the panels support the front edge
of the table top when it is turned upright for use.
[0009] Preferably, when the top of the table is wide, there is a
stiffener running transverse to the length of the top, on the
underside of the top. And, when the side panels are folded inwardly
onto the back, the stiffener lies in a gap between the opposing
free-swinging ends of the side panels.
[0010] In further accord with the invention, a table suitable for
use with a computer system has at least one side panel which
comprises one or more shelves, preferably both an upper shelf and a
lower shelf. When the table is erected, the shelves pivot from
parallelism with the side panel to a horizontal position. The upper
shelf folds upwardly from its collapsed state position and is held
in its use position by a support which also pivots upwardly from
the side panel. In a preferred embodiment, the lower shelf pivots
downwardly, either inwardly or outwardly from the side panel,
according to what the user desires. In the collapsed state,
suitable for shipment or storage, the shelves and the shelf support
all lie parallel to the plane of the side panel; thus, the side
panel is able to hinge into parallelism with the back of the table
as described above. Optional drawers may be provided, for example
for a keyboard.
[0011] A consumer can erect a table which is made in accord with
the preferred embodiments of the invention quickly and easily
without needing any tools. The table has very good strength and
functionality. Yet, the table is economical to manufacture; and,
fits in a compact package for shipment. The table does not demand
that the consumer have patience and use tools, as is generally the
case with prior art knock down furniture articles.
[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of
the invention will become more apparent from the following
description of preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a front view of a table particularly suited for
use with a computer system.
[0014] FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the right side of the table
shown in FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of the inverted table
of FIG. 1, largely as a stick figure. How hinged parts swing for
assembly is shown.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a view like FIG. 3, showing how the parts of the
main assembly comprising the back, top and two side panels are
hinged and how they fold together for shipment or storage, as a
flat assembly.
[0017] FIG. 5 is an end view of the top of the middle panel, from
the rear side of a partially-cut-away and inverted top, to show one
the wedge fastening means.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a partial view of the wedge and pocket fastener
means, shown in FIG. 5, while looking down at the top of the middle
panel.
[0019] FIG. 7 is an elevation cross section view through the bottom
rail of the right side panel, looking from the rear of the table,
showing how the edge of the hinged shelf engages and is fastened to
the stretcher.
[0020] FIG. 8 is an elevation view showing the inside surface of
the lower stretcher of the left side panel, and how it is engaged
by the end of the mid-point stretcher.
[0021] FIG. 9 is an end view of a table having a right side panel
with two shelves which can be folded into place, for supporting
computer devices.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a partial front view of a table having the panel
shown in FIG. 9, showing the motion of the two shelves, as they
move from collapsed position to use position.
[0023] FIG. 11 is a partial quasi-isometric view of a portion of
the table shown in FIG. 9, showing alternative movement of the
bottom shelf.
[0024] FIG. 12 is a view like FIG. 11, and shows an alternate
embodiment side panel which has an upper shelf support which swings
outwardly in the horizontal plane.
[0025] FIG. 13 is a partial front view similar to FIG. 10, showing
a lower shelf which has a chain or cable support.
DESCRIPTION
[0026] Parts of the present invention are described in provisional
patent application Ser. No. 60/441,393 and co-pending application
Ser. No. 10/607,104, filed Jun. 25, 2003. The disclosures thereof
are hereby incorporated by reference. The various embodiments of
the invention described below are preferably made of finished wood,
with metal hinges. Other materials of construction may be used.
[0027] A table 20, having features which make it particularly
suited for users of computers, is first described. The another
table 20A, having side panels with fold-out shelves is described.
Other products may employ the same essential features as in the
tables. See the parent application.
[0028] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show table 20 in front and right side
elevations, respectively. FIG. 3 shows table 20 lying inverted,
with its top down, as does FIG. 4. FIGS. 3 and 4 are largely stick
figures. That is, most of the different wooden parts are shown as
sticks or lines of only length dimension.
[0029] FIG. 3 shows different sub-assemblies and components, and
how they are assembled to form the table. It shows how, when the
side panels 24L and 24R are folded in onto the back, the top and
back fold together by means of hinges, to form a flat folded
sub-assembly, with the side panels sandwiched in the space between
the top and the back.
[0030] For clarity of illustration some of the details shown in one
Figure may not be shown in a corresponding Figure. FIG. 3 to 8 show
how various components are detachably fastened together. Hinges,
designated by the letter H, connect several of the components. The
parts, which are hinged, are preferably connected by the hinges at
the factory, prior to placement of the resultant sub-assembly in
the shipping container. A feature of the invention is that it
permits the user to erect and collapse a piece of furniture without
having to work with bolts or screws (other than for any drawer
pulls). In the generality of the invention, some bolts and screws
may be used, as all the good features do not have to be used.
[0031] Referring now primarily to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the
assembled table 20 is comprised of top 22, back 50 which runs
left-right, and three leg assemblies, namely left side panel 24L,
right side panel 24R, and middle panel 26, each running front-back.
The middle panel 26 is offset to the right of the centerline in the
preferred embodiment, it being understood that location can be
varied within the scope of the invention.
[0032] As illustrated in FIG. 2 for the right panel, each panel has
four slats running vertically between upper stretcher 40 and lower
stretcher 33. The slats provide both structural strength and
decorative appearance. Other strengthening and decorative means may
be used. Each panel has legs which extend beyond the lower
stretcher.
[0033] The back 50 has legs 53 which run parallel, in mating
fashion, to the rear legs 51 of the side panels, where those panels
are hinged connected to the back. Stretcher 30 which runs the full
width of the back, between its two opposing end legs. The back is
connected to the top by four hinges H5, so the back can fold onto
the underside of the top.
[0034] The middle panel 26, to which is attached a hinged shelf 28,
is a separate element. It slides into position, and is attached to
the top by means of wedge fasteners, as described further below.
When the middle panel is in position, centerline stretcher 32 runs
between the center point of the lower end of the middle panel and a
like place at the left side panel. Shelf 28 runs between the middle
panel and the right leg panel. Shelf 28 is connected to middle
panel 26 by hinge set H2, so it folds into position, to contact the
right side panel 24R, as indicated by arrows in the various
Figures.
[0035] Left drawer 34 and right drawer 36 are positioned underneath
the table top 22. The drawers, shown upside down in FIG. 3, are
constructed similarly. Each moves in and out by means of common
metal track and roller glide assemblies 40, which are attached to
the sides of the drawers and the adjacent panel part. As
illustrated by FIG. 3, typical drawer 36 has no sides. Front panel
46 pivots down to a flat position by means of hinges H4, when the
face 46 of the drawer is opened by pull 38L, making it suited to
hold a computer keyboard. When the drawer is closed, the face is
held in the vertical closed position by magnetic latch 58. Drawer
34 is constructed similarly to drawer 36.
[0036] Hinges H5 connect the top to the back 50 in proximity to the
rear edge. See FIG. 4. The left and right panels are hinged from
the back 50 by hinge sets H1 and H3. FIG. 4 shows by means of
arrows, how the four hinged components, the top, back, and two side
panels, fold together, to form a flat assembly for shipment.
Stiffener 56 is glued and or screwed, to run front-to-back along
the nominal centerline of the underside of the top, to provide
strength to the top. Note how, when the side panels 24L and 24R
fold in on the back panel, there is a gap 60 between their ends.
Thus, when the back panels then fold down onto the underside of the
top, the gap provides a space for the stiffener 56, so the back
panel, with the folded side panels, is folded to lie flat on the
underside of the top. See FIG. 4. To allow space 61 for the folded
down side panels, as shown in the partial cross section of FIG. 12,
hinges H5 attach to the back 50 by means spacer blocks 59 fastened
to the horizontally running top rail 52 of the back.
[0037] FIG. 3, with reference to FIG. 4, shows how the table is
assembled. The reverse of the folding together procedure, which was
just described, is followed. When back 50 is put in the vertical
position, relative to the horizontal upside down top 22, the side
panels 24 rotate into position as indicated by arrows, and their
upper ends support the front edge of the top and prevent downward
hinge motion of the top. The outward motion of the side panels is
limited by stops 80, 82, attached to the underside of the table top
22. The middle panel 26 then slips into position by sliding
rearward, as indicated by arrow in FIG. 5. FIGS. 5 and 6 detail how
the middle panel is attached to the top as it slides rearwardly,
into position. The attachment means comprises two spaced apart
plastic wedges 70, fastened to the underside of the top. The wedges
are used elsewhere as well, and the use with the middle panel will
be instructive of how they work in general. Wedge 70 has a hole 74,
so it can be attached to a surface, in this case the underside of
the table top, by a screw at the factory. Wedge 70 has compound
angles, to engage similar angles in the pocket 73 of plastic insert
72, which is captured in the wood of the mating part, in this case,
the top edge of the middle panel 26. The engagement of the wedge
and pocket prevents further motion in the direction of the pocket
bottom, in this case, rearward. And the engagement resists parting
of the mated component surfaces, in this case downward motion of
the middle panel. A slight interference fit of the resilient
plastic members causes a positive engagement, or latching action,
so that, force is required to slide the panel in the forward
direction, as if to remove it from the table top.
[0038] After the middle panel has been slid into place, the shelf
28 is folded down. See FIG. 3 and FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a rear cross
section view of lower part of the right side panel. It shows that
the outer end of shelf 28 has two spaced apart pocket inserts 72B,
which engage wedges 70B mounted on the lower stretcher of right
panel 24R. Thus, the lower ends of the right panel and the middle
panel are connected and mutually supported. Inward rotation of the
right panel is prevented.
[0039] Centerline stretcher 32 is then put in place, to connect the
spaced apart bottom stretchers of the left side panel and middle
panel. The arrows in FIG. 3 show the motion for installation. The
stretcher runs parallel to the hinge line of the top and back. FIG.
8 details how left panel stretcher 35 connects to centerline
stretcher 32. The connection of stretcher 32 to the center panel is
similar. Wedge 70A and dowel pin 76 project from the surface of
stretcher 32. The end of the stretcher 32, shown in phantom, has a
plastic pocket, to receive the wedge, and it has a slot 81, to
receive the dowel pin. The wedge provides the positive engagement
vertically and lengthwise, while the dowel prevents rotation and
resists downward force, as might be applied by a table user's feet
resting on the stretcher 32. Stretcher 32 prevents inward rotation
of the left side panel. The engagement of shelf 28 prevents
rotational motion of the right side panel. Thus, the combination of
shelf 28 and stretcher 32 comprise means for preventing the side
panels from folding inwardly, and for tying together all the
panels, when the table is assembled for use. When the table turned
over to its use position, the drawers may be inserted in place, and
the table will be ready for use.
[0040] In use, downward extending legs of the table support the
load. Table 20 has 8 legs in contact with the floor, namely, two
legs at each side panel, two for the middle panel and two for the
back panel. Since the rear legs of the back panel are closely
adjacent to the rear legs of the side panel, as shown in FIG. 2,
the assembled table presents as having 6 legs. Legs, as the term is
used herein, refer to the upwardly running structural members. In
other embodiments, the legs may only extend to the lower stretcher,
which may act as the base of the article. In still other
embodiments, only some legs may extend to the floor. For instance,
the legs 53 of the back may extend downwardly to the floor, while
the mating rear legs 51 of the side panel may not extend so far, or
vice versa.
[0041] Front to back "parallelogramming" of the three panels is
prevented by the glued construction of the parts, including the
slats. The factory-made rigidity of the glued back parts, including
the top and bottom stretchers, in combination with the fold down
shelf 28 and centerline stretcher provide good resistance to
left-right motion of the table. Other bracing for strength may be
added, within the scope of the invention. Conversely, if less
strength is required, some of the bracing, slats, etc, which have
been described may be eliminated. (For simplicity of illustration,
such kinds of features are omitted from FIG. 9-11, but they will be
understood to be optionally present.)
[0042] The table is easy to assemble for a user and requires no
tools, except perhaps to install the knobs for the drawer fronts.
The table components all fold flat and stow compactly in a shipping
carton. There are no bolts or other fittings, so the possibility of
such parts being insufficient in number is eliminated.
[0043] While the absence of bolts or screws is a feature, in other
embodiments of the invention, conventional bolt or screw fasteners
may be used, in substitution of the convenient wedges and other
fasteners, which have been described or suggested. Still other
fasteners known in the art may be used, and use of glue for
permanent assembly may be contemplated.
[0044] Preferably, the hinges are common two-plate-with-pin hinges.
It will be understood that the term hinges encompasses other
configuration of connectors which enable the connected elements to
move in the same manner as common hinges.
[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the top is about 48 inches long
by 24 inches wide and about 31 inches from the floor. The middle
panel is about 16 inches from the right side panel. While the table
is described as a computer table, because that is its primary
intended use, the article may be employed for other purposes. The
drawers may be eliminated. Conversely, other features, such as
other drawers and more shelves may be added. For example, a table
may have two fold down shelves, one from each side of the middle
panel. And, a table may have more than one middle panel. In another
embodiment, less preferred, table 20 may comprise left and right
side panels which hinge outwardly from the back when the table is
in assembled condition, as illustrated by FIG. 13. When folded
together, the back will underlie the side panels.
[0046] FIG. 9-11 show different views of table 20A, which shares
many features of table 20. In FIG. 9-11, numbers with suffix
letters describe elements which correspond with those previously
described. As shown in the Figures, table 20A has two opposing side
panels, a top and a back; more particularly top 22A, a back 50A and
right side panel 24RR. The left side panel is not shown. Back 50A
is hinged with respect to the top 22A, as described above for table
20. Unlike Table 20, table 20A has a right side panel which
provides projecting shelves on the exterior of the table. The left
side panel is not shown; it may be similar to that described for
table 20 above, or it may be in part or whole like the right panel
which is described below.
[0047] During erection, the side panels fold out from a collapsed
or shipment position, in which they are parallel to the back, as
previously described for panels 24R and 24L. Table 20A does not
have a center panel or stretcher holding the legs in place,
although such might be added. Stop 175, a rail running front-back
on the underside of top 22A, keeps side panel 24RR from swinging
beyond its desired erected position at a 90 degree angle to the
back. Second stop 179, a wood block having an integral pin which is
frictionally engaged with a hole on the underside of the top,
prevents the panel from swinging inwardly toward its collapsed
state position. Other means including friction between the
underside of the top and the panel may be used to hold the side
panel in place. For instance, a spring plunger and detent, or pin
or screw fastener, or a strut may be used. Optionally, there is a
pull out drawer 34A, shown in phantom only in FIG. 11. Drawer 34A
is like drawer 34 of table 20. It spans the full distance between
the opposing side panels. It is supported by opposing-side glide
assemblies, not shown, mounted on the side panels, as described for
table 20.
[0048] With particular reference to FIG. 9-11, right panel 24RR has
a combination of shelf features which can be used together
separately. The right side panel is comprised of rear leg 53A and
front leg 153. Struts 159 and 157 connect the legs 53A, 153. Right
side panel 24RR folds outwardly from collapsed state parallelism
with the back 50A by means of hinges H1, which connect the rear leg
53A to the back 50A. Panel 24RR preferably has two shelves which
cantilever outwardly from pivot points when the user of the table
desires their use. In collapsed condition, they lie parallel to the
plane of panel 24RR. When the table is put into erected state, and
mounted on a floor surface 18 so the top 22A is horizontal, shelves
155, 167 may be rotated about their horizontal plane pivot points,
so the shelves are put into horizontal positions for use. Upper
shelf 155 rotates upwardly through an about 90 degree angle about a
horizontal axis running between pivot pins 169, which are on the
insides of opposing side panel legs 153, 53A. In its basic
configuration, as shown, shelf 155 may support a printer or other
device at an elevation which is somewhat lower than the elevation
of top 22A. See the Figures. Lower shelf 167 folds downwardly
through an about 90 degree angle about a horizontal axis running
between pins 163, which are mounted on the insides of opposing legs
153, 53A. Shelf 167 can be pivoted so the free end of the shelf
lies either inside (under the top) or outside of the periphery of
the essential table, according to the desire of the user. Shelf 167
may be used support a computer tower or other device, at an
elevation just above floor level. Both shelves 155 and 167 are
illustrated as simple flat wood panels. For esthetic and weight
saving reasons, they may have a more open construction, such as
being comprised of slats and the like. Optionally, they may have
more complex structure, including structure adapted to fit or hold
things placed upon them.
[0049] When it is rotated into erected position, as indicated by
arrow B, upper shelf 155 is held in place by U-shape support 160.
Support 160 rotates upwardly from its collapsed position indicated
by phantom 160P, to its use- or working-position, as indicated by
arrow A. It pivots about a horizontal plane axis running between
pivot pins 171. FIG. 11 shows support 160 as it approaches its
final erected position. The outer end of support 160 engages stop
block 161, on the underside of shelf 155. See FIG. 10. The stop
block 161 preferably has a spring steel retaining clip 177, to help
keep the support in place. Support 160 is shown as a simple U-shape
structure for clarity of illustration. Support 160 may have other
structure and shape; for instance, cross members may connect the
opposing sides of the "U".
[0050] In its folded-in or collapsed position, indicated by phantom
160P, support 160 lies in a plane which is parallel to the plane of
the side panel, and in a plane which is offset from the plane of
the shelf 155 in its collapsed position. The front view of FIG. 10
shows how pins 171 of support 160 are offset to the left side
(i.e., toward the inside) of panel 24RR, while pins 169 of shelf
155 are offset to the right (i.e., toward the outside). That
relationship of pin locations enables support 160 and shelf 155 to
lie parallel to each other and parallel to the plane of the panel,
for compact shipment or storage Preferably, the length of support
160 is less than the length of the upper shelf 155, so they both
lie in parallel planes above the elevation of the cross piece 157
of the side panel. Other means may be used for supporting shelf 155
in its erected position. FIG. 12 shows support 185 which is a
bracket that swings outwardly in the horizontal plane, about hinge
186 on leg 153. A simple strut which is held in place frictionally
or by fasteners may alternately be used.
[0051] Referring again to FIG. 9-11, lower shelf 165 rotates about
pins 163, which are located near the bottoms of the legs 53A, 153
of the side panel. If use of shelf 165 is undesired, it may be kept
in its collapsed or stored position, shown by phantom 165P in FIG.
10. The shelf is held in collapsed position by a spring loaded ball
pin 173 at the end of the shelf, which engages a detent or pocket
on the underside of horizontal strut 157 of the side panel. Other
retaining means may be used, including pins, wedge fit, and
removable fasteners.
[0052] In FIG. 11 lower shelf 165 is shown in a folded-down or
erected position, so it projects outwardly from the side panel and
beyond the perpiphery of the essential table. Shelf 165 may
optionally be folded down so it projects inwardly, where it is
underneath the table top, as indicated by phantom 165PP. When
viewed from the front of table 20A, preferred shelf 165 has a
T-shape, because the shelf has a perpendicular plate 167 attached
to its outer end. The drawings show how plate 167 supports the
shelf on the floor 18 upon which the erected table sets during use,
and so the shelf is horizontal, regardless of whether the shelf is
folded inwardly or outwardly. Shelf 165 preferably has a length
which is chosen to fit the width of the base of a common computer
system tower. Thus, a benefit of the T-shape construction is that
user of table 20A may readily position the shelf and any computer
tower set on the shelf either outside of the table or underneath
the table; and, plate 167 will act as a fence, in inhibiting a
computer tower or other device from falling off the outer edge of
the shelf. In the generality of this aspect of the invention, the
lower shelf may be configured so it pivots only one way, e.g.,
toward the outside.
[0053] Shelf 165 may have alternate configurations and alternate
means for support. For instance, small round legs may substitute
for the end plate; or a wood or metal piece may hinge downwardly
from the free end of the shelf, to thus extend to the floor and act
like plate 167. In still another embodiment, shown in FIG. 13,
bottom shelf 165 may be held in working position by a tensile load
member, such as chain 187, or a cord, or a folding bracket. Support
chain 187 is connected to a leg of the side panel or to the lower
horizontal strut 157, at an elevation above the elevation of the
lower shelf when it is in its folded down position.
[0054] The lengths of the shelves 165, 155, which preferably lie
within the same plane as may be conceived from FIG. 10, are chosen
so that the sum of their lengths is less than the height of the
side panel. That enables the shelves to lie parallel and flat,
within the space between the legs of a collapsed table.
[0055] In the generality of the invention, when they are in their
erected or working positions, the top, side panels and shelves may
be only approximately horizontal or perpendicular, as applies. For
instance, the top of the table may be somewhat sloped from back to
front; and, the side panels may be somewhat angled relative to the
back. Such inexact horizontal or perpendicular positions will are
within the scope of the invention. A side panel may have both the
upper shelf and the lower shelf, or only one, in the invention.
Table 20A may have different overall dimensions from preferred
table 20. In a preferred embodiment of table 20A, the height of the
side panel is about 73 cm (29 inches); and, the width is about 35
cm (14 inches). Measured from pivot points, the cantilever length
of the upper shelf is about 24 cm (13 inches); the cantilever
length of the lower shelf is about 23 cm (9 inches); and the length
of the support is about 26 cm (10 inch).
[0056] Although this invention has been shown and described with
respect to one or more preferred embodiments, and by examples,
those should not be considered as limiting the claims, since it
will be understood by those skilled in this art that various
changes in form and detail thereof may be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.
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