Rollable and foldable table for automobile trunk

Abstract

Disclosed is a table assembly for the trunk of an automobile. The assembly has a spring urged, rollable top adapted to be swung outwardly of the trunk to a use or extended position between a pair of supports which maintain the top in its outwardly extended position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a knock-down table assembly with a rollable top which is intended for use with the trunk of an automobile.

Many folding tables for use with automobiles are known but these tend to have complicated and expensive structures. Moreover, they take up too much storage space in the trunk to be practical.

2. Prior Art

The art to which this invention relates already is aware of U.S. Pat. Nos: 3,709,159; 2,451,275; 2,545,269; and 2,772,041. Whatever the merits of the table structures disclosed in these patents, they appear to be of a complexity and cost beyond the value of the practical advantages they seek to confer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The principal object of this invention is to provide a device or article of this character which combines simplicity, strength and durability in a high degree, together with inexpensiveness of construction.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the following claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, in which is shown one of the various possible illustrative embodiments of this invention, wherein like reference character identify the same or like parts:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the rear end of an automobile shown partly broken away and in section with a table according to the invention shown in extended position in broken lines and in retracted position in solid lines;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the same showing the table in folded position within the trunk;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the table in use;

FIG. 4 is the same as FIG. 1 for another version of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a detail cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 4 taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 4 with respect to the removable bracket and holder therefor.

With reference to the drawing, there is shown and illustrated a table for the trunk of an auto constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention and designated generally by reference character 10.

FIG. 1 shows an automobile 12 with a trunk 14 in its rear portion.

The table of the invention operates on substantially the same principle as the curtain doors used in industrial buildings. The table top 16 has one end fixed to a bar member 18 and functions somewhat like a window shade with a spring means housed in a casing 20 fixed inside the trunk 14.

Casing 20 is substantially rectangular with an open top. Fitting within casing 20 with its ends journalled to the sides of the casing is a spring loaded reel 22 having a central rod on which is keyed gear 24 and ratchet pawls 26. A rewind lever 28 passing through the back of the casing serves to rewind the spring (not shown) when the same runs down. The table top 16 suitably consisting of thin light metal or alloy or plastic has one end fixed by nails or otherwise to reel 22 in the manner of a window shade. Its outer end is secured to bar member 18 by the same or other means. The width of top 16 is substantially equal to that of member 18 and of the reel 22.

Pivoted to the ends of bar member 18 are telescoping channel L-shaped members 30 and 32 which are arranged facing each other to form a support and carry clamps 34 which fit over the edge 36 of the trunk. Also pivoted to bar 18 are legs 38 and 40 with telescoping portions height adjustable by set screws 42 and having tips. Legs 38 and 40 lock outwardly at right angle with respect to channel members 30 and 32 when these are moved upwardly as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 to support top 16 within the facing Ls thereof.

To fold the table back into the trunk, the clamp 34 is removed and the sections of the channel members are retracted. The top is allowed to return into casing 20. Next, the legs and the channel members are folded over as shown in FIG. 2, on both sides of the rolled top which is now in the casing.

The width of table top 16 conveniently can be made larger than that of the spare tire (not shown) so that the tire can be placed behind casing 20 between the folded elements.

FIG. 4 shows another version of the invention. Here the outer end of table top 16 has a hook member 42 which fits over the outer ends of two removable shelf-like brackets 44 (only one shown). The brackets have the form of a right triangle and may be of metal or other rigid material for supporting top 16. Brackets 44 have a vertical tip 46 which fits removably in bracket holders 48 which are secured to the front of casing 20, as shown in FIG. 5. The brackets when removed from the table fit in the trunk.

The table of the invention can be installed in all vehicles including station wagons and the like. Similarly, the table can be installed in the front trunk of vehicles equipped with rear engines.

The invention thus provides a table assembly and compact casing for the reception thereof and a substantially rigid table top structure when extended outwardly for use.

The operation and use of the invention hereinabove described will be evident to those skilled in the art to which it relates from a consideration of the foregoing.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

Having thus described my invention I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A folding and rollable table assembly for automobile vehicles, comprising a retractable table top displaceable between a rolled up storage position and an outwardly extended use position; means secured to one end of said top for urging said top to said rolled up position; and support means fastened to the other end of said top and to said vehicle for temporarily maintaining said top in said outwardly extended position and for supporting same while in use, said support means including a pair of channel members and a pair of legs; said legs being pivoted at one end thereof to said top; said channel members including telescoped portions and clamp means at one end thereof for fastening to said vehicle.

2. The assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said channel members are L-shaped and mounted facing each other to form a support for said top.

3. The assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said legs are height-adjustable and include retractable portions and a set screw for clamping same.