This invention relates to an adjustable-height folding table that is adapted to be expanded to an unfolded configuration when it is to be used and collapsed to a compact folded configuration when it will not be used at which to be suitable for transport or storage. The folding table includes a set of height-adjusting legs that are rotatable from a vertically upstanding position pointing upwardly towards the top of the table such that the table has a relatively short height above the ground on which it stands to a vertically downward position pointing away from the table top such that the table now has a relatively tall height above the ground.
Tables are known which have a variety of applications for use inside and out of doors. In one case, where a table will be used out of doors, the users may be seated on the ground. By way of example, the table may be standing in sand at the beach. In another case, the users may be seated on chairs or benches around the table. In this case, the table may be standing on hard ground at a campsite or picnic grounds. In the first case, users of the table are seated relatively low to the sand and, in the other case, the users are seated relatively high off the ground. Because of the height differences at which the users will be seated, it is difficult to be able to use the same table at both the beach and at the picnic grounds. Consequently, users may have to have access to more than one table for use at the aforementioned two outdoor locations.
Tables are also known that are folded into a compact shape when they are not in use. Typically, the legs of the table fold under the table top. However, in many cases, such folded tables are still too large to be easily stored in a closet or transported in the trunk of an automobile. Moreover, conventional folded tables are not ideally sized to be carried in a bag or a sack that is strapped to the back of a user.
In general terms, an adjustable-height folding table is disclosed that is adapted to be expanded to an unfolded configuration when it is used and collapsed to a compact folded configuration during periods of non-use so as to be suitable for transport or storage. In its compact folded configuration, the table has a size that is ideal to be carried in a sack or bag that can be strapped to the back of a user.
The folding table has a (e.g., rectangular) flexible fabric table top with a plurality of cup holders hanging downwardly therefrom. Extending between each corner of the table and a flat footpad that is spaced downwardly from the table top are a pair of telescoping tubular inner and outer leg members. One end of a rotatable height adjusting leg is pivotally connected within a tapered channel that is affixed to and stands upwardly from each footpad. Therefore, a plurality of (e.g., four) height adjusting legs are located below the corners of the table and rotatable relative to the flat footpads to which respective ones of the channels are affixed. When it is desirable for the folding table to have a relatively tall height while standing on the ground such as at a picnic site or camp grounds, each of the height adjusting legs is rotated at its channel so as to lie below the flat footpad to which the channel is affixed and point downwardly away from the table top. In this case, the height adjusting legs lay on the ground on which the table is supported. When it is desirable for the folding table to have a relatively short height while standing in sand at the beach, each of the height adjusting legs is rotated at its channel so as to lie entirely above the flat footpad and point upwardly towards the table top. In this case, the footpads above which the height adjusting legs are rotated, lay on the sand on which the table is supported.
When the folding table has a tall height in its expanded unfolded configuration, a retractable leg locking pin extends from the inner leg member and outwardly through a hole in the outer leg member of one of the pairs of telescoping inner and outer leg members. In its outwardly extending position, the leg locking pin prevents the outer leg member from sliding over and along the telescoping inner leg member. The pairs of telescoping inner and outer leg members that lie below the corners of the folding table are coupled to one another by pairs of leg braces that are pivotally connected to each other and run diagonally across each side of the table. When it is desirable to collapse the folding table from its expanded unfolded configuration to its compact folded configuration, the leg locking pin is depressed inwardly of the outer leg member of the one pair of telescoping inner and outer leg members. Accordingly, the outer leg members of all of the telescoping pairs of leg members are now permitted to simultaneously slide upwardly and over their inner leg members. At the same time, applying a compressive pushing force to opposite sides of the folding table causes each of the pairs of pivotally connected leg braces at the sides of the table to rotate together, whereby to collapse the table inwardly of itself into its compact folded configuration.
A preferred embodiment for an adjustable-height folding table 1 is now disclosed while referring to the drawings. As will soon be described, the folding table 1 is adapted to be collapsed and expanded between an unfolded configuration when it is in use and a compact folded configuration when it is not in use. Moreover, the folding table 1 includes a set of adjustable corner supports that can be manipulated to change the elevation of the table depending upon the application of the table and the location at which the table is used. By way of example, the adjustable corner supports can be manipulated to have a tall height when the table 1 is used out of doors to stand on the ground at a camping or a picnic site. The adjustable corner supports can also be manipulated to have a short height when the table 1 stands on sand at the beach.
Referring initially in this regard to
A set of four cylindrical (e.g., mesh) cup holders 5 hang downwardly from locations adjacent the corners of the flexible table top 3. The cup holders 5 are configured to receive therewithin either cups, bottles or beverage containers (not shown). A pair of (e.g., nylon) straps 7 extend diagonally across the table top 3 between pairs of the cup holders 5. As best shown in
The corners of the flexible table top 3 are connected to respective coupling blocks 9 by means of button head fasteners 10. First ends of a set of (e.g., four) tubular outer leg members 12 are fixedly connected to respective ones of the coupling blocks 9. The tubular outer leg members 12 are hollow so as to telescopically receive within the opposite ends thereof the first ends of a corresponding set of tubular inner leg members 14. The set of outer leg members 12 are adapted to slide upwardly and downwardly over the set of inner leg members 14 when the table is collapsed and expanded. The opposite ends of the tubular inner leg members 14 are fixedly connected to respective coupling brackets 16 that are spaced below the coupling blocks 9 at the corners of the folding table 1. Each coupling bracket 16 is affixed to a flat footpad 18. When the corner supports of the folding table 1 have their aforementioned short height of
A retractable leg locking pin 20 is normally biased so as to extend from within a single one of the tubular inner leg members 14 and project through a hole outwardly from the particular tubular outer leg member 12 that surrounds the one inner leg member 14. With the folding table 1 in an unfolded configuration as shown in
Running diagonally across each side of the folding table 1 below the top 3 is a pair of tubular leg braces 24 and 26. The leg braces 24 and 26 cross one another at about their midpoints at which a pivot (e.g., a rivet) 28 is inserted therethrough. More particularly, each one of the pair of leg braces 24 and 26 at each side of the table 1 is pivotally connected at a lower end thereof to a respective coupling bracket 16 to which the inner leg member 14 of a pair of telescoping leg members 12 and 14 is also connected. The opposite upper end of each one of the pair of leg braces 24 and 26 is pivotally connected to a respective coupling block 9 that lies below the table top 3 to which the outer leg member 12 of an adjacent pair of telescoping leg members 12 and 14 is also connected. As will be explained when referring to
It may be appreciated that each one of the pairs of leg braces 24 and 26 at the sides of the folding table 1 is coupled to an adjacent pair of leg braces by means of the coupling blocks 9 and coupling brackets 16. By virtue of the foregoing, and as was previously described, all of the tubular outer leg members 12 will simultaneously slide upwardly over and along their telescopically received tubular inner leg members 14 when the leg locking pin 20 that projects from one of the outer leg members 12 is depressed in order to permit the folding table 1 to be collapsed from its expanded unfolded configuration of
As an important feature of the adjustable-height folding table 1, the aforementioned adjustable corner supports of the table include a plurality of (e.g., four) rotatable height adjusting legs 30 that are manipulated so that the table 1 will have either a short height or a tall height depending upon its location and use. Each height adjusting leg 30 is preferably located below one of the corners of the table 1. A corresponding plurality of (e.g., four) tapered channels 32 are fixedly connected to respective ones of the flat footpads 18 to which the tubular inner leg members 14 are connected. As is best shown in
One end of each rotatable height adjusting leg 30 is removably received within a respective upstanding channel 32. The height adjusting leg 30 makes a tight fit within its tapered channel 32 so as to be held in place by friction. A pivot (e.g., rivet) 34 extends through the channel 32 and the height adjusting leg 30 received therewithin such that the leg 30 is rotatable back and forth around pivot 34 into and out of its engagement with the channel 32. That is, a pulling force applied to the height adjusting leg 30 that is sufficient to break the frictional retention of the tight fitting leg 30 within the tapered channel 32 causes the leg 30 to rotate at pivot 34 out of its channel.
Referring in this regard to
Another important feature of the adjustable-height folding table 1 of this invention is described while referring to
Each wine glass holder 40 is attached to one of the tubular leg braces 24 that runs diagonally across one side of the folding table 1 by means of a mounting collar 44 that is fixedly connected to leg brace 24. A cylindrical lock and release barrel 46 that encloses a (e.g., coil) spring 47 (represented by the broken lines shown in
One end of a swivel arm 54 is connected to the rotatable swivel arm cylinder 48 so as to rotate therewith. A wine glass seat 56 of the wine glass holder 40 is attached to the opposite end of the swivel arm 54. The wine glass seat 56 has a center hole 58 extending therethrough. An entrance/exit slot 60 runs through the wine glass seat 56 to communicate with the center hole 58. The wine glass seat 56 and the center hole 58 thereof are configured to support the round bowl of a traditional wine glass (designated 42 in
The spring 47 that is housed within the lock and release barrel 46 is normally expanded so as to apply an outward pushing force to the neck 50 of the push-button 52 and thereby urge the neck 50 and the push-button 52 to move outwardly and away from the swivel arm cylinder 48. In this case, the rotatable swivel arm cylinder 48, the swivel arm 54 extending from cylinder 48, and the wine glass seat 56 attached to the swivel arm 54 are all locked in place so that the wine glass holder 40 and the wine glass 42 shown in
However, when the wine glass holder 40 is not being used or the folding table 1 will be collapsed to its folded configuration of
Turning now to
An additional feature of the variable-height folding table 1 is shown in
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Number | Date | Country |
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202018002470 | Jun 2018 | DE |
2094783 | Feb 1972 | FR |
2590461 | May 1987 | FR |
Entry |
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Translation of FR 2094783 (Year: 2020). |
Translation of FR 2590461 (Year: 2020). |
Translation of DE 202018002470 (Year: 2000). |