Folding Table

Abstract

A self-supporting foldable table having front legs mounted for pivotal movement on a frame between a collapsed position folded parallel to the frame and an extended position in perpendicular relation to the frame. An extensible table-top supporting member is shown mounted on the frame for movement from a retracted position into selected elevated positions, and table-top is pivotally supported for swinging movement on the extensible member between an operative position and a folded position. The table-top in its folded position is in lapping parallel relation to the frame and front legs in their collapsed position to providing a compact portable package, the extensible member being adjustable for selective height and tilt adjustment of the table-top in its operative position.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to folding tables and particularly folding tables of the type having a table-top adapted to be adjustably secured at a selected height and attitude while also being readily collapsible into a flat compact package.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional tables are available providing height and tilt adjustment of the table-top. However, no conventional folding tables are known which provide a completely self-supporting table which is quick and easy to set up and which features a table-top that may be selectively positioned in a wide range of different operative positions and which is readily collapsible into a significantly compact unit without requiring the removal of any component parts of the table.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of this invention accordingly is to provide a new and improved folding table which is self-supporting and which features a wide range of adjustment of table-top height and attitude.

Another object of this invention is the provision of such a table which may be folded into a significantly compact flat package particularly suited for quick and easy portability as well as for unobtrusive storage.

Still another object of this invention is to provide such a table which is facile to manually set up and knock down without the use of any tools.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved folding table of the type described which is of sturdy rugged construction and which exhibits strength and rigid stability in an operative condition.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved folding table particularly suited for easy manipulation when in an erected operative condition for selected adjustment of the height and attitude of the table-top.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out in more detail hereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A compact self-supporting folding table having a frame, legs pivotally supported on the frame for swinging movement between a collapsed position in generally parallel relation to the frame and an extended position in generally perpendicular relation to the frame, an extensible table-top support mounted for movement between a retracted position relative to the frame and an extended position in raised relation to its retracted position, a releasable lock securing the extensible support in selected adjusted position, and a table-top pivotally mounted on the extensible support for swinging movement, about an axis perpendicular to the pivot axes of the legs, between an operative position and a folded position parallel to the frame and the legs in their collapsed position.

A better understanding of the objects, advantages, features, properties and relationships of the invention will be obtained from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings which set forth certain illustrative embodiments and are indicative of the way in which the principle of this invention is employed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a folding table embodying this invention with its top shown in broken lines;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partly broken away, showing the table of FIG. 1 in a folded condition;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the table of FIG. 1 in folded condition;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, partly broken away, showing another embodiment of a folding table incorporating this invention; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged isometric exploded view, partly broken away, showing parts of a locating device incorporated in the table of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings in detail, a table 10 incorporating one embodiment of this invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 wherein a table supporting structure is shown including a frame 12 having a pair of front legs 14, 16 interconnected to a pair of rear leg portions 18, 20 of the frame 12. The rear leg portions 18, 20 are upright tubular members in spaced apart parallel relation interconnected by horizontally extending cross braces 22, 24.

In accordance with one aspect of this invention, the legs 14, 16 are supported for swinging movement about axes extending parallel to the leg portions 18, 20 of the frame 12. In the specifically illustrated embodiment, the legs 14, 16 are interconnected by horizontally extending bars 26, 28 integrally formed with pivot members 30 and 32 supported between L-shaped brackets 34, 34 and 36, 36 respectively secured to leg portions 18 and 20 of the frame 12.

A compact flat package is effected upon folding the legs 14, 16 from extended position (FIG. 1) into collapsed position (FIGS. 2 and 3) by the provision of pivot member 32 for leg 16 being offset mounted in parallel spaced apart relation to its leg portion 20 a distance greater than that of pivot member 30 (corresponding approximately to the thickness of front leg 14). Leg 16 accordingly may be swung into collapsed position in lapping relation to leg 14 folded against frame 12 with both legs 14 and 16 nested in close-fitting parallel relation to the frame 12 (FIGS. 2 and 3). By virtue of the above described construction, the entire table supporting structure is a self-supporting pre-assembled unit quick and easy to erect into operative position and to collapse, if desired, into a compact folded package for moving or storage.

In accordance with another feature of this invention, a table-top 40 is supported for pivotal movement in offset relation to extension members or supports 42, 44 of the leg portions 18, 20 such that upon table 10 being knocked down from its operative position (FIG. 1) to folded position (FIGS. 2 and 3), table-top 40 will partially enclose the legs 14, 16 which are interposed and retained between the table-top 40 and the frame 12 in collapsed position. Smooth interference-free collapse of the table-top 40 into folded position is achieved by locating the pivot axis of the table-top 40 above both the frame 12 and the legs 14, 16.

To provide a table 10 with multiple uses for hobbyists and students as well as engineering drafting, art work, and a variety of studio and household applications, e.g., the height and attitude (or tilt) of the table-top 40 is selectively adjustable in accordance with still another aspect of this invention. More specifically, both leg portions 18 and 20 of the frame 12 are provided with the above mentioned extension supports 42, 44 shown for illustrative purposes as being coaxially received in telescoping relation to their respective tubular leg portions 18, 20, and individual extension supports 46, 48 are correspondingly mounted on legs 14, 16. As viewed in FIG. 1 a remote portion of the table-top 40 is hinged by suitable "L" shaped brackets 50, 50 respectively having hinge plates 52, 52 suitably secured by wood screws, for example, to the bottom surface of the table-top 40. Each bracket 50, 50 is provided with an offset leg 54, 54 extending from its plate 52, 52 for rotation about aligned substantially horizontally disposed axes provided by pivot pins 56 and 56 secured to extension supports 42, 44 of leg portions 18, 20. The above described structure spaces the bottom surface of the table-top 40 in offset relation to the hinge axes and permits the table-top 40 to be folded over the collapsed legs 14, 16 in an interference-free fashion as noted above upon collapsing the table 10 from its operative to folded position.

Suitable fastening means are provided for securing the extension supports 42, 44, 46, 48 of each of the individual leg members 14, 16, 18, 20 in a desired position for a selected height and tilt of the table-top 40 in its operative condition. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, hand operated adjustment screws such as at 60 are threadably secured to the individual legs and provide releasable locks for securing the extension supports whereby each individual extension support may be quickly and easily released for height adjustment and then locked in desired position to its respective leg by its adjustment screw 60.

Suitable locating devices such as the illustrated blocks 62, 62 secured to the bottom surface of the table-top 40 are provided for registration in suitably formed end portions of the extension supports 46 and 48 of the legs 14, 16 for locating and retaining them in their extended position. When desired, the adjustment screws 60 may be simply manually released to collapse the extension supports of each individual leg into telescoped retracted position; the table-top 40 may be raised off the extension members 46, 48; and their legs 14, 16 may then be folded into overlapping collapsed position and the table-top 40 swung into its folded position (FIG. 3).

A table 10 of the above described construction will be seen to permit ready adjustment of the board height and attitude and may even be moved into a horizontal position when the table supporting structure is in an operative erected condition. The locating blocks 62, 62 are of a predetermined length providing height adjustability of the leg members for maximum flexibility. In addition, no need whatsoever exists for any of the component parts of the table 10 to be removed either during erection or folding of the table. Moreover, the inclination of the table 10 may be reversed to provide use of the table 10 from either side whereupon the lower cross brace or rail 24 will serve not only to add to the rigidity of the table, but also as a foot rest if desired.

Turning now to that embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, like parts (corresponding to those parts described in the first embodiment of FIGS. 1-3) are identified by like numerals increased by 100. The frame 112 of the table supporting structure provides a pair of spaced parallel leg portions 118, 120 which will be understood to have suitable extension supports such as that illustrated at 144 providing a mounting base for L-shaped hinge brackets as at 150 secured in any conventional manner to the bottom surface of table-top 140. Hinge brackets 150 are secured at a selected position to adjust the inclination of the table-top 140, and for this purpose an adjustment screw 160 serves as a releasable lock and is received within the confines of a slotted arm 170 fixed to a end portion of the hinge bracket 150 for selectively adjusting the inclination of the table-top 140. Each of the leg portions 118, 120 of the frame 112 are also provided with an adjustment screw such as that illustrated at 160A for table-top height adjustment whereby extension supports as at 144 may be selectively secured at a desired elevated position relative to a retracted position (not shown) wherein the extension support 144 is telescoped within its leg portion such as at 120. Legs 114, 116 are directly connected to pivot members 130, 132. An interconnecting cross-rail 126, 128 provides a suitable brace between each pivot member 130, 132 and its leg 114, 116 whereby the underlying table supporting structure has a A frame configuration with the pivotable legs 114, 116 in extended position.

To secure table 110 in a stable operative position, as well as for retaining it in its collapsed folded position, the tubular pivot members 130, 132 each have a hollow unitary upper end closure 171 such as shown in FIG. 5, with an end wall 172 resiliently urged by a suitable spring 174, confined within its tubular pivot member 132, into engagement with inwardly turned lips at an upper end of the pivot member 132. A projection 175 is integrally formed on end wall 172 with a self-aligning locking portion 176 preferably of a generally square configuration, and an upper annular pivot portion 182 in concentric relation to the locking portion 176. The latter registers with a corresponding square opening 178 in the upper L-shaped pivot bracket 136 secured to the frame 112 and is preferably formed with upwardly tapered sides to accommodate manufacturing variations and tolerances and to ensure clearance within the opening 178. A knob 180 is provided with a threaded shank 184 to be secured to the annular pivot portion 182 with the pivot portion 182 coaxially received within the opening 178 of the L-shaped bracket 136.

By this construction the knob 180 may be depressed, urging end wall 172 downwardly against the bias of its spring 174 to dislodge the locking portion 176 from its conforming opening 178 in the pivot member bracket 136. The leg 116 is then free to be quickly and easily swung about pivot portion 182, e.g., from its extended position (FIG. 4) into a collapsed position against frame 112. Upon dislodging locking portion 176 from its opening 178, the knob 180 may be released and the leg 116 is automatically locked in its collapsed position in general parallel alignment with the frame 112 upon moving leg 116 through a 90.degree. angular displacement, for the spring 174 will automatically urge locking portion 176 into registration with opening 178 in the pivot member bracket 136 once leg 116 is moved into collapsed position. Thereafter, the leg 116 may again be returned into its illustrated extended position upon again depressing the knob 180 and swinging the leg 116 outwardly into perpendicular relation to the frame 112, and the spring 174 will snap locking portion 176 back into locking engagement with the pivot member bracket 136 to again secure the table supporting structure in a stable locked condition securely retained against any unintended collapse. The other leg 114 will be understood to have a similar releasable lock for positively securing it in collapsed and extended positions.

When it is desired to collapse table 110 of FIGS. 4 and 5, legs 114, 116 are simply moved into collapsed overlapping relation to one another parallel to frame 112; the adjustment screw 160A of the leg portions 118, 120 are released to permit the extension supports such as at 144 to move into telescoped retracted position; and adjustment screw 160 (captured within the slotted hinge arm 170) is released to permit rotation of table-top 140 into folded overlying relation to the legs 114, 116 which are collapsed on frame 112.

A table supporting structure of the above described construction will be seen to provide maximum flexibility for a variety of uses and applications in a compact collapsible package quick and easy to move and store, facile to set up and knock down without requiring removal whatsoever of any component parts during either erection or collapse of the table. In addition, the table in its erect condition provides a strong rigid support particularly suited for precise work such as engineering drafting, while yet featuring a wide range of adjustment for board height and tilt to effect complete drafting convenience. It should also be noted that a table embodying this invention is not only quick and easy to manufacture and assemble at low cost but is of a rugged construction suitable for dependable performance over a long period of time with minimal service requirements.

As will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, various modifications, adaptations and variations of the foregoing specific disclosure can be made without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. An adjustable table foldable into a compact package and comprising a frame having a pair of interconnected, spaced parallel leg portions contained in a common plane, first and second legs respectively supported on the leg portions of the frame for swinging movement about pivot axes extending generally parallel to the leg portions of the frame, each of the legs being supported for swinging movement between a collapsed position, wherein the legs are overlapped and folded in generally parallel relation to the frame, and a second position wherein the legs are in extended perpendicular relation to the frame, the pivot axes of the first and second legs being located in differentially offset relation to the common plane containing the leg portions of the frame, a table-top supporting extension mounted on each leg portion of the frame for movement between a retracted position and selected elevated positions in raised relation to its retracted position, and a table-top supported on the extensions for swinging movement between an operative position and a folded position, the table-top in its folded position being in parallel relation to the frame and at least in part overlying the legs in collapsed position with the legs interposed and retained between the table-top and the frame.

2. The table of claim 1 further including a manually operable lock for each table-top supporting extension to releasably secure it in a preselected position relative to its respective leg portion for adjusting the height and tilt of the table-top in its operative position.

3. The table of claim 1 wherein each extension comprises an extensible support mounted in coaxial telescoping relation to each leg portion of the frame for movement between retracted position and selected elevated positions, wherein the first and second legs each have an extensible support mounted in coaxial telescoping relation to the legs for movement between retracted position and selected elevated positions, and wherein an individual releasable lock is provided for releasably and independently locking each of the extensible supports in preselected position relative to its respective legs and leg portions.

4. The table of claim 1 wherein the legs and the leg portions of the frame provide a generally "A" frame table-top support structure on each side of the frame with the legs disposed in extended position.

5. The table of claim 1 further including a pair of hinge plates respectively supported for pivotal movement on the table-top supporting extensions of the leg portions of the frame and secured to the table-top for supporting it for swinging movement about a generally horizontally extending axis when the frame is in an upright position with the said table-top pivotal axis being located in offset relation to the table-top.

6. The table of claim 1 further including releasable locating devices positively retaining each leg in its extended position while permitting movement of the extensions to selected positions for height and tilt adjustment of the table-top in its operative position.