U.S. patent application number 13/962215 was filed with the patent office on 2015-02-12 for expandable and collapsible table with nesting leaves.
The applicant listed for this patent is David Hutchison. Invention is credited to David Hutchison.
Application Number | 20150040802 13/962215 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52447478 |
Filed Date | 2015-02-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150040802 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hutchison; David |
February 12, 2015 |
EXPANDABLE AND COLLAPSIBLE TABLE WITH NESTING LEAVES
Abstract
There is disclosed an expandable and collapsible table. In an
embodiment, the expandable and collapsible table comprises a table
frame including a center section having opposite outer edges, and a
plurality of lateral supports hinged to the opposite outer edges of
the center section of the table frame and at one or more center
points along the length of each lateral support. The plurality of
lateral supports are configured to allow the center section of the
table frame to be expanded and collapsed in unison in substantially
the same horizontal plane, to allow the table frame to be easily
manipulated. The table legs can be mounted on locking wheels to
allow the table to be easily manipulated for expansion and
collapse. A plurality of leaves can be nested into one or more
stacks to form a table top, or to be stored in a storage space
underneath the table top.
Inventors: |
Hutchison; David; (Waterloo,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hutchison; David |
Waterloo |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
52447478 |
Appl. No.: |
13/962215 |
Filed: |
August 8, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/50.11 ;
248/188.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 13/088 20130101;
A47B 1/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/50.11 ;
248/188.6 |
International
Class: |
A47B 1/08 20060101
A47B001/08; A47B 13/04 20060101 A47B013/04; A47B 13/06 20060101
A47B013/06; A47B 13/08 20060101 A47B013/08; A47B 1/02 20060101
A47B001/02 |
Claims
1. An expandable and collapsible table, comprising: a table frame
including a center section having opposite outer edges; and a
plurality of lateral supports hinged to the opposite outer edges of
the center section of the table frame and at one or more center
points along the length of each lateral support; whereby the
plurality of lateral supports are configured to allow the center
section of the table frame to be expanded and collapsed.
2. The expandable and collapsible table of claim 1, wherein each
lateral support is hinged to the opposite outer edges, and at one
or more points along a length of each lateral support, whereby the
plurality of lateral supports are expandable and collapsible in
unison in substantially the same horizontal plane.
3. The expandable and collapsible table of claim 2, wherein the
plurality of lateral supports are collapsible into a substantially
V-shape such that at least one hinged lateral support is
collapsible inside another hinged lateral support within the same
horizontal plane.
4. The expandable and collapsible table of claim 3, wherein the
table further comprises telescoping ends on either side of the
center section of the table frame, each telescoping end including
at least one hinged lateral support forming an edge of the table
frame and configured to expand the table longitudinally.
5. The expandable and collapsible table of claim 1, wherein the
table further comprises legs supporting the frame, each leg mounted
on a wheel to allow the table frame to be expanded and
collapsed.
6. The expandable and collapsible table of claim 5, wherein the
legs are mounted to the telescoping ends such that the legs remain
at outer corners of the table frame in any expansion state, thereby
maintaining structural stability of the table frame between
different expansion states.
7. The expandable and collapsible table of claim 6, wherein the
wheel includes a locking mechanism to prevent the table from
moving.
8. The expandable and collapsible table of claim 1, wherein the
table frame further comprises a top surface including tabs or slots
adapted to receive a plurality of table leaves.
9. The expandable and collapsible table of claim 8, wherein the
labs or slots are further adapted to receive edges of a plurality
of adjacent leaves.
10. The expandable and collapsible table of claim 9, wherein the
tabs or slots extent above the table frame at substantially the
same height such that the plurality of adjacent leaves covering the
table frame are substantially flat.
11. The expandable and collapsible table of claim 9, wherein the
tabs or slots include movable locking pins to temporarily lock down
one or more leaves thereon.
12. The expandable and collapsible table of claim 8, wherein the
table leaves are shaped and sized to be incrementally larger or
incrementally smaller than one another such that the table leaves
are nestable within one or more stacks.
13. The expandable and collapsible table of claim 12, wherein at
least some of the table leaves are nestable within one stack to
form a table top when the table is in a completely collapsed
state.
14. The expandable and collapsible table of claim 8, wherein the
table frame further comprises a lifting mechanism mounted to one
side of the center section of the table frame, the lifting
mechanism configured to lift a stack of nested leaves off the top
surface of the table.
15. The expandable and collapsible table of claim 14, wherein the
table frame further comprises a storage space underneath the table
top to store one or more additional stacks of table leaves.
16. The expandable and collapsible table of claim 8, wherein
alternative table leaves are provided for use when the table is in
different expansion states.
17. The expandable and collapsible table of claim 16, wherein the
table leaves are one of steel, aluminum, wood, plastic and carbon
fiber.
18. The expandable and collapsible table of claim 1, wherein the
table frame is one of steel, aluminum, wood, plastic and carbon
fiber.
19. The expandable and collapsible table of claim 5, wherein the
table legs are one or more of steel, aluminum, wood, plastic and
carbon fiber.
20. A table frame for an expandable and collapsible table,
comprising: a center section having opposite outer edges; and a
plurality of lateral supports hinged to the opposite outer edges of
the center section and at one or more center points along the
length of each lateral support, whereby the plurality of lateral
supports are expandable and collapsible in unison in substantially
the same horizontal plane to allow the center section of the table
frame to be expanded and collapsed laterally.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to expandable and
collapsible tables.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Various expandable and collapsible table designs have been
proposed in the past in order to provide an expandable table to
accommodate additional seats around the table when required, and to
reduce the table footprint by collapsing the table when the
additional seats are not required.
[0003] For example, a conventional expandable dining table may be
expanded by pulling apart two halves of the table top supported on
slides, and inserting one or more leaves therebetween to bridge the
gap between the two halves of the expanded table surface to
accommodate additional people at the dining table. However, even
when not expanded, a conventional dining table still takes up a
significant amount of space, and normally requires a formal dining
room or a designated dining area to provide sufficient room for the
table. As well, the extension leaves must usually be stored
separately when not in use, and brought out of storage when needed
for the expanded table.
[0004] Various other types of expandable and collapsible table
designs have been proposed. As an example, DE 9216847 (Thomas)
discloses an expandable and collapsible table with a scissor
lattice-like support structure which can be expanded and collapsed
to provide support for a table top. However, the scissor
lattice-like support structure does not provide any edge support.
Instead, Thomas relies on a one-piece table top to have sufficient
structural strength to provide the necessary structural support,
including edge support in the open spaces between points of contact
between the scissor lattice-like supports and the table top.
Furthermore, the scissor lattice-like support structure must be
braced in some way to the table top in order to keep the table in
an expanded position.
[0005] Other expandable table designs may be expandable in more
than one dimension. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 745,116 (Peterson)
discloses a table that extends in two directions using a set of
extendable slides. A plurality of leaves may be positioned over the
extendable slides to form a larger table surface area. However,
Peterson does not deal with how and where to store the additional
leaves, and the operation required to expand the table in two
directions, while at the same lima making all of the leaves fit
properly, may be cumbersome.
[0006] As yet another example, WO 2004/044043 (Young) discloses a
table with quarter sections that are extendable along telescoping
elongate members connected at a junction, and which accommodates
leaves to cover any space created between the table sections when
extended. However, Young also does not deal with the issue of how
to store the additional leaves, and the operation to extend the
table to insert the leaves may not be easy to perform.
[0007] U.S. application Ser. No. 11/357,435, published as US
2007/0204772 (Evans) discloses a storage table system and method
which allows hinged sections of the table top to be folded onto
other portions of the table, and be rotated over a supporting
frame. While Evans allows sections of the table top to be folded
onto itself, the number of steps required to fold or unfold the
table top and expand or collapse the support can be unwieldy if the
steps are not followed properly.
[0008] Therefore, what is needed is an improved
expandable/collapsible table that overcomes at least some of the
limitations identified above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present disclosure relates generally to an expandable
and collapsible table configured to provide ease of use when
transformed between one or more expanded states and a completely
collapsed state. By using a novel, hinged expansion mechanism, the
table maintains structural stability as it transitions between all
different states. By providing table legs that are supported on
wheels, one person can easily manipulate the table between one or
more expanded states and its collapsed state.
[0010] The expandable and collapsible table of the present
invention is particularly well suited to small living areas such as
apartments, condominiums and smaller townhomes, where living space
is at a premium and furniture with a small footprint is highly
desirable.
[0011] Thus, in an aspect, there is provided an expandable and
collapsible table, comprising: a table frame including a center
section having opposite outer edges; and a plurality of lateral
supports hinged to the opposite outer edges of the center section
of the table frame and at one or more center points along the
length of each lateral support; whereby the plurality of lateral
supports are configured to allow the center section of the table
frame to be expanded and collapsed.
[0012] In an embodiment, each lateral support is hinged to the
opposite outer edges, and at one or more points along a length of
each lateral support, whereby the plurality of lateral supports are
expandable and collapsible in unison in substantially the same
horizontal plane.
[0013] In another embodiment, the plurality of lateral supports are
collapsible into a substantially V-shape such that at least one
hinged lateral support is collapsible inside another hinged lateral
support within the same horizontal plane.
[0014] In another embodiment, the table further comprises
telescoping ends on either side of the center section of the table
frame, each telescoping end including at least one hinged lateral
support forming an edge of the table frame and configured to expand
the table longitudinally.
[0015] In another embodiment, the table further comprises legs
supporting the frame, each leg mounted on a wheel to allow the
table frame to be expanded and collapsed.
[0016] In another embodiment, the legs are mounted to the
telescoping ends such that the legs remain at outer corners of the
table frame in any expansion state, thereby maintaining structural
stability of the table frame between different expansion
states.
[0017] In another embodiment, the wheel includes a locking
mechanism to prevent the table from moving.
[0018] In another aspect, there is provided a table frame for an
expandable and collapsible table, comprising: a center section
having opposite outer edges; and a plurality of lateral supports
hinged to the opposite outer edges of the center section and at one
or more center points along the length of each lateral support,
whereby the plurality of lateral supports are expandable and
collapsible in unison in substantially the same horizontal plane to
allow the center section of the table frame to be expanded and
collapsed laterally.
[0019] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description and
accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the
detailed description and specific examples are given by way of
illustration and not limitation. Many modifications and changes
within the scope of the present invention may be made without
departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all
such modifications.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 shows an illustrative perspective view of the table
in a completely collapsed state.
[0021] FIG. 2 shows an illustrative perspective view of the table
of FIG. 1 in a completed expanded state.
[0022] FIGS. 3A to 3D show illustrative top views of a table frame
in a completely collapsed state, a completely expanded state, and
some intermediate states.
[0023] FIG. 4 shows an illustrative detailed perspective view of
the table frame within hinged lateral supports shown in a partially
expanded state.
[0024] FIG. 5 shows an illustrative perspective view of the table
frame in a fully expanded state.
[0025] FIGS. 6A AND 6B show a detailed view of a plurality of
loaves nested into one or more stacks.
[0026] FIGS. 7A and 7B show illustrative embodiments of Sifting
mechanisms to lift a stack of nested leaves off the top of the
table frame.
[0027] FIG. 8 shows an illustrative perspective view of a locking
mechanism in accordance with an embodiment for locking edges of
leaves to the table frame.
[0028] FIGS. 9A-9D show illustrative views of leaves being
positioned in various alternative configurations.
[0029] In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are
illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood
that the description and drawings are only for the purpose of
illustration and as an aid to understanding, and are not intended
as a definition of the limits of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] As noted above, the present disclosure relates generally to
an expandable and collapsible table. Advantageously, by using a
novel expansion mechanism comprising a plurality of hinged lateral
supports, the table maintains structural stability as it
transitions between all different states.
[0031] In an embodiment, by providing table legs that are supported
on wheels, one person can easily manipulate the table between one
or more expanded states and its collapsed state.
[0032] In an illustrative embodiment, the table can be expanded to
increase its table top surface area to approximately six times the
table surface area when the table is in a completely collapsed
state. This is achieved by designing the table to be expandable and
collapsible laterally and longitudinally. In a longitudinal
direction, the table may be expanded only partially, if the full
length of the expanded table is not required. In one or more
partially expanded states, or in a fully expanded state, the table
frame supports a plurality of leaves which can cover the entire
surface of the table frame.
[0033] In other embodiments, the table can be expanded greater than
six times the original surface area by providing hinged lateral
supports with longer arms to expand the table frame further
laterally, and one or more telescoping sections on each end which
can expand the table frame further longitudinally.
[0034] In an embodiment, the plurality of leaves are nestable,
wherein the leaves are sized to be incrementally larger than (or
incrementally smaller than) the next leaf such that they can be
stacked together to form one or more stacks of nested leaves. If
all of the leaves are incrementally sized to be nestable in a
single stack, the nested leaves can be stacked to form a single
table top surface.
[0035] An illustrative example of a table will now be described in
more detail with reference to the figures.
[0036] FIG. 1 shows an illustrative view of the table 100 in a
completely collapsed state. As shown, the table 100 includes a leg
110 at each corner, and each leg 110 is preferably mounted on a
wheel 120. The wheels 120 may be, for example, locking caster
wheels that can swivel in any direction. As will be described in
more detail below, the wheels 120 allow the table legs 110 to be
easily manoeuvred relative to each other while expanding or
collapsing the table 100. Once the table 100 is in a desired state
of expansion, the wheels 120 can be locked to prevent the table 100
from moving.
[0037] Still referring to FIG. 1, the table top 150 may be
comprised of a stack of nested leaves, the top leaf shown as 160A,
which cover the top of the table 100 in its completely collapsed
state. As will be explained in more detail below, the nested leaves
can be individually laid out to cover the surface of the table 100
in one or more expanded states.
[0038] Now referring to FIG. 2, shown is an illustrative view of
the table 100 of FIG. 1 in a fully expanded state, with a plurality
of leaves 160A-160C, 162A-162C, 164A-164C fully laid out to cover
the expanded surface of table 100. In an embodiment, each of the
plurality of leaves 160A-160C, are configured to be incrementally
larger (or smaller) than the next adjacent leaf, such that the
leaves 160A-160C can be nested together in one stack. Similarly,
leaves 162A-162C are configured to be nestable into a stack, and
leaves 162A-162C are also configured to be nestable into a stack.
If appropriately steeds the stacks formed from leaves 162A-162C,
and from leaves 164A-164C, may also be stacked together with the
stack formed from leaves 162A-162C.
[0039] Now referring to FIGS. 3A-3D, shown are top views of a table
frame 200 in various stages of expansion. As shown, the table frame
200 is expandable in a first direction by a plurality of hinged
lateral supports 210, 212 as shown in FIG. 3A, each comprising at
least two sections 210a, 210b, 212a, 212b.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 3A, hinged lateral supports 210, 212 are
configured such that they form a substantially V-shape when
collapsed, and are expandable and collapsible in unison in
substantially the same horizontal plane. More particularly, in an
embodiment, hinged lateral support 212 is collapsible inside hinged
lateral support 210 within the same horizontal plane when the table
frame 200 is fully collapsed.
[0041] In an embodiment, the hinged lateral supports 210, 212 are
hinged at a plurality of locations as shown in FIG. 3B, including
one or more hinges 230 at or near a center point of each lateral
support 210, 212, and a hinge 230 near each end of the hinged
lateral supports 210, 212 near opposite outer edges 240 of a center
section 250 of the table frame 200. Each hinged lateral support
210, 212 is thus configured to extend fully info a substantially
straight line, as shown in FIG. 3B, or to collapse substantially
into a horizontally folded shape as shown in FIG. 3A, when the
table frame 200 is collapsed.
[0042] With reference to FIGS. 3B-3D, the table frame 200 further
includes two telescoping ends 260 slideably fitted within center
section 250, for example by a nylon sleeve 255 (see FIG. 7B)
provided between the center section 250 and the telescoping ends
260. As shown, both telescoping ends 260 are shown fully extended
in a longitudinal direction as shown in FIG. 3B, fully collapsed as
shown in FIG. 3C, or partially extended on one side as shown in
FIG. 3D. As will be appreciated, the table frame 200 provides a
number of different configurations in which the table may be used
in different states of expansion suitable for a particular use.
[0043] In certain configurations, such as shown in FIG. 3C,
alternate leaves 166A-166C, 168A-168C may be used to cover end
sections of the table 100 when the telescoping ends 260 are fully
retracted, as otherwise a part of the table frame 200 would remain
uncovered near their ends. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3D, if
only one telescoping end 260 is extended, alternative leaves
166A-166C can be placed on the retracted side, and leaves 164A-164C
can be used to cover the extended side.
[0044] In an embodiment, a telescoping end 260 may include a
plurality of telescoping sections, such that each telescoping end
260 can be extended even further than shown in FIGS. 3A-3D.
However, the number of telescoping sections should be limited in
order to maintain structural integrity of the table frame when
fully extended.
[0045] Still referring to FIGS. 3A-3D, the table frame 200 may be
made from any suitable structural material including but not
limited to steel, aluminum, wood, plastics, and carbon fiber.
Specific parts of the frame 200 may also be made from wood or wood
veneer for decorative purposes.
[0046] Now referring to FIG. 4, shown is an illustrative detailed
perspective view of the table frame 200 within hinged lateral
supports 210, 212 shown in a partially expanded state. This
detailed view shows how the hinged lateral supports 210, 212
maintain a gap between them throughout their range of motion, until
they are fully extended. The hinges 230 can be configured to
provide minimal rotational resistance, such that the hinged lateral
supports 210, 212 allow a user to easily extend the table frame 200
laterally by pulling the two sides of the table frame 200 apart
from one end. Having all four legs 110 mounted on swivelling caster
wheels 120 also facilitates easy operation in expanding and
collapsing the table frame 200 laterally and longitudinally.
Furthermore, legs 110 are mounted to each corner of the telescoping
ends 260 and are configured such that they will maintain their
position at outer corners of the table frame 200 regardless of the
expansion state of the table 100. Thus, the structural stability of
the table 100 is always maintained in any state of expansion or
collapse of the table 100.
[0047] Still referring to FIG. 4, hinged lateral supports 210, 212
include a number of vertically extending tabs 270 or slots 280
which are appropriately positioned to receive the edges of the
leaves 160A-160C, 162A-162C, 164A-164C when placed on top of the
table frame 200. Each vertically extending tab 270 can provide
support for one edge of a leaf, whereas each vertically extending
slot 280 can accommodate two edges of adjacently positioned leaves.
The height of these vertically extending tabs 270 or slots 280 is
substantially the same, such that leaves 160A-160C, 162A-162C,
164A-164C placed on top of the vertically extending tabs 270 or
slots 280 will form a substantially flat table top surface. A
lifting mechanism 300 is shown mounted to one side of the center
section 250 of the table frame. This feature will be explained in
more detail further below.
[0048] Now referring to FIG. 5, shown is a perspective view of the
table frame 200 in a fully expanded state, including telescoping
ends 260 which have been fully extended longitudinally. With each
of the hinged lateral supports 210, 212 fully extended laterally in
a substantially straight line, and the telescoping ends 260 fully
extended longitudinally, the vertically extending tabs 270 or slots
280 are aligned both laterally and longitudinally to accept the
leaves 160A-160C, 162A-162C, 164A-164C in position, substantially
as shown earlier in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3B.
[0049] Now referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, shown are top and side
views, respectively, of leaves 160A-160C, 162A-162C, 164A-164C
nested into a plurality of stacks. As shown, in each stack, the
leaves 160A-160C, 162A-162C, 164A-164C are sized to be
incrementally larger (or smaller) than other leaves in the stack to
nest in the manner as illustrated. In an embodiment, the leaves
160A-160C, 162A-162C, 164A-164C are preferably made of a light
material which still provides structural strength. For example, the
leaves 160A-160C, 162A-162C, 164A-164C may be made of an aluminum
alloy which allows the leaves 160A-160C, 162A-162C, 164A-164C to be
easily handled and lifted even when nested together in one stack.
However, this is not meant to be limiting, and the leaves
160A-160C, 162A-162C, 164A-164C may be made of any suitable rigid
material including, but not limited to, steel, aluminum, wood,
plastics and carbon fiber.
[0050] Now referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, shown are illustrative
embodiments of lifting mechanisms 300A, 300B which are configured
to lift leaves 160A-160C from the top of table 100. For example, as
shown in FIG. 7A, lifting mechanism 300A is mounted to one side of
a center section 200 of the table frame 200. Lifting mechanism 300A
may include perpendicular supports 310 at a free end to balance a
stack of nested leaves 160A-160C being lifted off the table frame
200. On the other end, lifting mechanism 300A may be mounted via a
hinge 320 configured to lift the lifting mechanism 300A upwardly
when handle 330 is operated and pulled downwardly. It will be
understood that this lining mechanism 300A is illustrative, and
that other configurations for lifting the leaves 160A-160C off the
table are possible. As another example, as shown in FIG. 7B, an
alternative lifting mechanism 300B is shown in which, a handle 330
is attached to a cam 340 which raises lifting mechanism 300B along
a trajectory defined by slots 350, 360, which raises lifting
mechanism 300B such that both sides of leaves 160A-160C are lifted
at the same time. This allows the near side of leaves 160A-160C to
avoid getting caught on the edge of the table frame 200. Also shown
in FIG. 7B are cross-sectional views of center section 250,
telescoping end 260, and a nylon sleeve 255 provided
therebetween.
[0051] Now referring to FIG. 8, shown is an illustrative
perspective view of a locking mechanism 800 in accordance with an
illustrative embodiment for locking edges of up to four adjacent
leaves 160A-160C, 162A-162C, 164A-164C to the table frame 200. As
shown, locking mechanism 800 includes a pair of brackets 810a, 810b
and a horizontally oriented "H" frame 820 mounted to a top surface
of table from 200 (e.g. to a top surface of hinged lateral supports
210 replacing a pair of vertically extending slots 280 shown in
FIG. 5, for example). Each bracket 810a, 810b may include
vertically extending tabs with slots 812a, 812b configured to
slidably receive a cylindrical pin 830.
[0052] Still referring to FIG. 8, shown are cooperating edges
leaves 160A and 164A. Each of the leaves 160C and 164A include
semi-circular notches 832 for mating to a cylindrical pin 830. In
this illustrative embodiment, leaf 164A further includes a
rectangular notch 836 which accommodates a bridge portion 822 of
the "H" frame 820 and leaves a protrusion 834 sitting atop of the
bridge portion 822 of the "H" frame 820. In operation, the sliding
cylindrical pin 830 acts to lock the two leaves 160A, 164A in
position, and may further receive to more adjacent leaves 160B,
164B into the same locking mechanism.
[0053] Now referring to FIGS. 9A-9D, shown are illustrative
perspective views of the leaves 160A-160C, 162A-162C, 164A-164C
being positioned in various locations atop the table frame 200. As
each leaf 160A-160C, 162A-162C, 164A-164C is independently
positionable, the leaves 160A-160C, 162A-162C, 164A-164C can be
positioned to cover the table top in various, alternative
configurations.
[0054] Thus, in an aspect, there is provided an expandable and
collapsible table, comprising: a table frame including a center
section having opposite outer edges; and a plurality of lateral
supports hinged to the opposite outer edges of the center section
of the table frame and at one or more center points along the
length of each lateral support; whereby the plurality of lateral
supports are configured to allow the center section of the table
frame to be expanded and collapsed.
[0055] In an embodiment, each lateral support is hinged to the
opposite outer edges, and at one or more points along a length of
each lateral support, whereby the plurality of lateral supports are
expandable and collapsible in unison in substantially the same
horizontal plane.
[0056] In another embodiment, the plurality of lateral supports are
collapsible into a substantially V-shape such that at least one
hinged lateral support is collapsible inside another hinged lateral
support within the same horizontal plane.
[0057] In another embodiment, the table further comprises
telescoping ends on either side of the center section of the table
frame, each telescoping end including at least one hinged lateral
support forming an edge of the table frame and configured to expand
the table longitudinally.
[0058] In another embodiment, the table further comprises legs
supporting the frame, each leg mounted on a wheel to allow the
table frame to be expanded and collapsed.
[0059] In another embodiment, the legs are mounted to the
telescoping ends such that the legs remain at outer comers of the
table frame in any expansion state, thereby maintaining structural
stability of the table frame between different expansion
states.
[0060] In another embodiment the wheel includes a locking mechanism
to prevent the table from moving.
[0061] In another embodiment, the table frame further comprises a
top surface including tabs or slots adapted to receive a plurality
of table leaves.
[0062] In another embodiment, the tabs or slots are further adapted
to receive edges of a plurality of adjacent leaves.
[0063] In another embodiment, the tabs or slots extent above the
table frame at substantially the same height such that the
plurality of adjacent leaves covering the table frame are
substantially flat.
[0064] In another embodiment, the tabs or slots include movable
locking pins to temporarily lock down one of more leaves
thereon.
[0065] In another embodiment the table leaves are shaped and sized
to be incrementally larger or incrementally smaller than one
another such that the table leaves are nestable within one or more
stacks.
[0066] In another embodiment, at least some of the table leaves are
nestable within one stack to form a table top when the table is in
a completely collapsed state.
[0067] In another embodiment, the table frame further comprises a
lifting mechanism mounted to one side of the center section of the
table frame, the lifting mechanism configured to lift a stack of
nested leaves off the top surface of the table.
[0068] In another embodiment, the table frame further comprises a
storage space underneath the table top to store one or more
additional stacks of table leaves.
[0069] In another embodiment, alternative table leaves are provided
for use when the table is in different expansion states.
[0070] In another embodiment, the table leaves are one of steel,
aluminum, wood, plastic and carbon fiber.
[0071] In another embodiment, the table frame is one of steel,
aluminum, wood, plastic and carbon fiber.
[0072] In another embodiment, the table legs are one or more of
steel, aluminum, wood, plastic, carbon fiber.
[0073] In another aspect, there is provided a table frame for an
expandable and collapsible table, comprising: a center section
having opposite outer edges; and a plurality of lateral supports
hinged to the opposite outer edges of the center section and at one
or more center points along the length of each lateral support,
whereby the plurality of lateral supports are expandable and
collapsible in unison in substantially the same horizontal plane to
allow the center section of the table frame to be expanded and
collapsed laterally.
[0074] While various embodiments and illustrative examples have
been described above, it will be appreciated that these embodiments
and illustrative examples are not limiting, and the scope of the
invention is defined by the following claims.
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