BANQUET TABLE

Abstract

A foldable table includes a table top and two leg units. Each leg unit is movable relative to the table top during folding and unfolding of the foldable table.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a table, and particularly to a tabletop support unit. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a banquet table having a tabletop support unit including foldable leg units.

SUMMARY

A foldable table in accordance with the present disclosure includes a table top and movable first and second table-top elevators. The table-top elevators are moved relative to the table top from collapsed storage positions to expanded use positions when the table is unfolded to support the table top in an elevated position above a floor underlying the table top.

In illustrative embodiments, the first table-top elevator includes a first pair of table legs and is mounted on the underside of the table top for pivotable movement about a first elevator pivot axis between a collapsed storage position alongside the underside of the table top and an expanded use position oriented to lie at an acute angle to the underside of the table top. The second table-top elevator includes a second pair of table legs and is mounted on the movable first table top elevator for pivotable movement about a second elevator pivot axis between a collapsed storage position alongside the underside of the table top and an expanded use position oriented to lie at an acute angle to the underside of the table top.

In illustrative embodiments, the movable first table-top elevator includes a rotatable pivot rod arranged to extend along the first elevator pivot axis, a first leg coupled to a first end of the rotatable pivot rod, and a second leg coupled to an opposite second end of the rotatable pivot rod and arranged to lie in laterally spaced-apart relation to the companion first leg during pivotable movement of the movable first table-top elevator about the first elevator pivot axis. The movable first table-top elevator also includes a rigidifying cross-member strut arranged to interconnect distal portions of the first and second legs and lie in spaced-apart parallel relation to the rotatable pivot rod.

In illustrative embodiments, the movable second table-top elevator is free to pivot relative to the movable first table-top elevator about the movable second elevator pivot axis and to move relative to the table top while the movable first table-top elevator is being pivoted about the movable first elevator pivot axis during operator-controlled movement of the movable first and second table-top elevators relative to the table top between their expanded use positions and their collapsed storage positions. During unfolding and folding of the table, the movable first table-top elevator pivots relative to the table top about the first elevator pivot axis and the movable second table-top elevator pivots relative to the movable first table-top elevator about the second elevator pivot axis. The first and second elevator pivot axes are oriented to remain in substantially parallel relation to one another during unfolding and folding of the table.

In illustrative embodiments, the table also includes a releasable elevator retainer that is coupled to the underside of the table top and arranged to engage the second table-top elevator when the table is unfolded so that the first and second table-top elevators are retained in their expanded use positions under the table top. The releasable elevator retainer is configured to provide means for releasably retaining the movable second table-top elevator in its expanded use position to cause the movable first table-top elevator to remain in its expanded use position so that the legs of the first and second table-top elevators remain in stationary positions at acute angles to the underside of the table top when the table is unfolded and readied to be used.

In illustrative embodiments, the movable second table-top elevator includes a free-motion anchor rod arranged to lie in substantially parallel relation to the rotatable pivot rod of the first table-top elevator, a first leg coupled to a first end of the free-motion anchor rod, and a second leg coupled to an opposite second end of the free-motion anchor rod and arranged to lie in laterally spaced-apart parallel relation to the companion first leg during pivotable movement of the second table-top elevator about the second elevator pivot axis. The second table-top elevator also includes a rigidifying cross-member strut arranged to interconnect distal portions of the companion first and second legs and lie in spaced-apart parallel relation to the free-motion anchor rod.

In illustrative embodiments, the releasable elevator retainer that is mounted on the underside of the table top clamps onto or otherwise engages a portion of the free-motion anchor rod of the second table-top elevator when both of the first and second table-top elevators are moved to assume their expanded use positions and the table is unfolded. The releasable elevator retainer includes a rod-motion blocker that is located in a stationary position on the underside of the table top and arranged to engage and stop movement of the free-motion anchor rod relative to the table top as the second table-top elevator is being moved relative to the table top to its expanded use position during unfolding of the table. The releasable elevator retainer also includes a spring-loaded anchor-rod lock pawl mounted on the underside of the table top for movement between a rod-retaining position and a rod-releasing position.

In use, in illustrative embodiments, the free-motion anchor rod is moved to engage the anchor-rod lock pawl as soon as the first and second table-top elevators arrive at their expanded use positions on the underside of table top. Then the spring-loaded anchor-rod lock pawl is moved automatically to mate with a portion of the free-motion anchor rod and assume the rod-retaining position to retain the second table-top elevator (and thus also the first table-top elevator) in the expanded use position on the underside of the table top.

Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a foldable table including a table top supported in an elevated position above an underlying floor by first and second table-top elevators that each have two legs and have been moved by a user to assume expanded use positions during unfolding of the table;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view during unfolding of the table of the foldable table of FIG. 1 showing that the first table-top elevator has a rotatable pivot rod mounted on the underside of the table top to rotate about a first elevator pivot axis and the second table-top elevator is mounted on first and second legs included in the first table-top elevator for pivotable movement relative to the first table-top elevator about a second elevator pivot axis and showing that a free-motion anchor rod included in the second table-top elevator engages a releasable elevator retainer included in the table and mounted on the underside of the table top to retain the first and second table-top elevators in their expanded use positions when the table is unfolded;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 (but from a different orientation) during an initial stage of a table-folding process showing partial controlled collapse of the first and second table-top elevators after a user has actuated the releasable elevator retainer to free the free-motion anchor rod of the second table-top elevator to be moved relative to the table top so that the table may be folded;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the final stage of the table-folding process in which the first and second table-top elevators have been moved by the user to assume their collapsed storage positions during the table folding process;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing mating engagement of the releasable elevator retainer with a center portion of the free-motion anchor rod of the second table-top elevator when the first and second table-top elevators occupy their expanded use positions and the table is unfolded as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIGS. 7-10 show a table-unfolding sequence in which the table is unfolded by moving the first and second table-top elevators relative to the table top from the collapsed storage positions shown in FIG. 7 to be the expanded use positions shown in FIG. 10; and

FIGS. 11-15 show an anchor rod retaining sequence in which the free-motion anchor rod of the second table-top elevator is engaged by the releasable elevator retainer mounted on the underside of the table top to retain the first and second table-top elevators in their expanded use positions to provide a rigid base under the table top when the table is unfolded as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A foldable table 10 in accordance with the present disclosure can be unfolded for use as shown in FIG. 1 or folded for storage in an illustrative sequence shown in FIGS. 2-4. Table 10 includes a table-top 12, a first table-top elevator 14, and a second table-top elevator 16 as shown, for example, in FIGS. 1 and 2. To unfold table 10 for use, the second table-stop elevator 16 can be unlocked by operating a releasable elevator retainer 18 also included in foldable table 10 and then moved by a user relative to table top 12 in accordance with the present disclosure to cause first table-top elevator 14 to pivot about a first elevator pivot axis 14A and move along with second table-top elevator 14 in an illustrative sequence shown in FIGS. 7-10 to their expanded use positions under table top 12 as shown I FIGS. 1 and 2.

First table-top elevator 14 comprises a pivot rod 140, a first leg 141 coupled to one end of a pivot rod 140, a second leg 142 coupled to an opposite end of a pivot rod 140 and arranged to lie in spaced-apart parallel relation to first leg 142 in illustrative embodiments and a cross-member strut 143 arranged to extend between and interconnect lower portions of first and second legs 141, 142 as shown, for example, in FIGS. 2-4. Pivot rod 140 is mounted on the underside 120 of table top 12 for rotation about first elevator pivot axis 14A so that first table-top elevator 14 can be pivoted about first elevator pivot axis 14A by a user from an expanded use position shown in FIG. 2 to a collapsed storage position shown in FIG. 4 during folding of table 10.

Second table-top elevator 16 comprises a free-motion anchor rod 160, a first leg 161 coupled to one end of free-motion anchor rod 160, and a second leg 162 coupled to an opposite end of free-motion anchor rod 160 and arranged to lie in spaced-apart parallel relation to first leg 161 in illustrative embodiments, and a cross-member strut 163 arranged to extend between and interconnect lower portions of first and second legs 161, 162 as shown, for example, in FIGS. 2-4. First leg 161 of elevator 16 is pivotably mounted on first leg 141 of elevator 14 for pivotable movement about a second elevator pivot axis 16A as suggested in FIGS. 2-4. Similarly, second leg 161 of elevator 16 is pivotably mounted on second leg 141 of elevator 14 for pivotable movement about second elevator pivot axis 16A as also suggested in FIGS. 2-4. Accordingly, free-motion anchor rod 140 is free to move relative to table top 12 during pivoting movement of first table-top elevator 14 about first elevator pivot axis 14A relative to table top 12 and simultaneous pivoting movement of second table-top elevator 16 about second elevator pivot axis 16A relative to first table-top elevator 14 as suggested in FIGS. 2-4.

Table-top elevators 14, 16 are moved relative to table top 12 from collapsed storage positions shown in FIG. 4 to expanded use positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 when the table 10 is unfolded to support the table top 12 in an elevated position above a floor underlying the table top 12.

First table-top elevator 14 includes a first pair of table legs 141, 142 and is mounted on the underside of table top 12 for pivotable movement about a first elevator pivot axis 14A between a collapsed storage position alongside the underside of table top 12 as shown in FIG. 4 and an expanded use position oriented to lie at an acute angle to the underside of table top 12 as shown in FIG. 2. Second table-top elevator 16 includes a second pair of table legs 161, 162 and is mounted on the movable first table top elevator 14 for pivotable movement about a second elevator pivot axis 16A between a collapsed storage position alongside the underside of table top 12 as shown in FIG. 4 and an expanded use position oriented to lie at an acute angle to the underside of table top 12 as shown in FIG. 2.

The movable first table-top elevator 14 includes a rotatable pivot rod 140 arranged to extend along the first elevator pivot axis 14A, a first leg 141 coupled to a first end of the rotatable pivot rod 140, and a second leg 142 coupled to an opposite second end of the rotatable pivot rod 140 and arranged to lie in laterally spaced-apart relation to the companion first leg 141 during pivotable movement of the movable first table-top elevator 14 about the first elevator pivot axis 14A as suggested in FIGS. 2-4. The movable first table-top elevator 14 also includes a rigidifying cross-member strut 143 arranged to interconnect distal portions of the first and second legs 141, 142 and lie in spaced-apart parallel relation to the rotatable pivot rod 140.

The movable second table-top elevator 16 is free to pivot relative to the movable first table-top elevator 14 about the movable second elevator pivot axis 16A and to move relative to table top 12 while the movable first table-top elevator 14 is being pivoted about the movable first elevator pivot axis 14A during operator-controlled movement of the movable first and second table-top elevators 14, 16 relative to table top 12 between their expanded use positions and their collapsed storage positions as suggested in FIGS. 2-4. During unfolding and folding of table 10, the movable first table-top elevator 14 pivots relative to table top 12 about the first elevator pivot axis 14A and the movable second table-top elevator 16 pivots relative to the movable first table-top elevator 14 about the second elevator pivot axis 16A. The first and second elevator pivot axes 14A, 16A are oriented to remain in substantially parallel relation to one another during unfolding and folding of table 10 as suggested in FIGS. 2-4.

Table 10 also includes a releasable elevator retainer 18 that is coupled to the underside of table top 12 and arranged to engage the second table-top elevator 16 when table 10 is unfolded so that the first and second table-top elevators 14, 16 are retained in their expanded use positions under table top 12. The releasable elevator retainer 18 is configured to provide means for releasably retaining the movable second table-top elevator 16 in its expanded use position to cause the movable first table-top elevator 14 to remain in its expanded use position so that the legs 141, 142 and 161, 162 of the first and second table-top elevators 14, 16 remain in stationary positions at acute angles to the underside of table top 12 when table 10 is unfolded and readied to be used as suggested in FIG. 2.

The movable second table-top elevator 16 includes a free-motion anchor rod 160 arranged to lie in substantially parallel relation to the rotatable pivot rod 140 of the first table-top elevator 14, a first leg 161 coupled to a first end of the free-motion anchor rod 160, and a second leg 162 coupled to an opposite second end of the free-motion anchor rod 160 and arranged to lie in laterally spaced-apart parallel relation to the companion first leg 161 during pivotable movement of the second table-top elevator 16 about the second elevator pivot axis 16A as suggested in FIGS. 2-4. The second table-top elevator 16 also includes a rigidifying cross-member strut 163 arranged to interconnect distal portions of the companion first and second legs 161, 162 and lie in spaced-apart parallel relation to the free-motion anchor rod 160.

The releasable elevator retainer 18 that is mounted on the underside of table top 12 clamps onto or otherwise engages a portion of the free-motion anchor rod 160 of the second table-top elevator 16 when both of the first and second table-top elevators 14, 16 are moved to assume their expanded use positions and table 10 is unfolded. The releasable elevator retainer 18 includes a rod-motion blocker 181 that is located in a stationary position on the underside of table top 10 and arranged to engage and stop movement of the free-motion anchor rod 160 relative to table top 12 as the second table-top elevator 16 is being moved relative to table top 12 to its expanded use position during unfolding of table 10. The releasable elevator retainer 18 also includes a spring-loaded anchor-rod lock pawl 182 mounted on the underside of table top 10 for movement between a rod-retaining position shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 15 and a rod-releasing position shown in FIG. 14.

In use, in illustrative embodiments, the free-motion anchor rod 160 of second table-top elevator 16 is moved to engage the anchor-rod lock pawl 182 as soon as the first and second table-top elevators 14, 16 arrive at their expanded use positions on the underside of table top 12 as suggested in FIG. 13. Then the spring-loaded anchor-rod lock pawl 182 is moved automatically as suggested in FIGS. 14 and 15 to mate with a portion of the free-motion anchor rod 160 and assume the rod-retaining position to retain the second table-top elevator 16 (and thus also the first table-top elevator 14) in the expanded use position on the underside of the table top 12 as shown in FIGS. 2, 5, 6, and 15. As suggested in FIGS. 2 and 5, three laterally spaced-apart rod-stops 191, 192, 193 are mounted on the underside of table top 12 and arranged to engage and block further motion of the free-motion anchor rod 160 relative to table top 12 as second table-top elevator 16 arrives at its expanded use position. Rod stop 192 is associated and aligned with anchor-rod lock pawl 182 as shown, for example, in FIG. 5.

Claims

1. A foldable table comprising a table top,a movable first table-top elevator including a first pair of table legs mounted on an underside of the table top for pivotable movement about a first elevator pivot axis between a collapsed storage position alongside the underside of the table top and an expanded use position oriented to lie at an acute angle to the underside of the table top, anda movable second table-top elevator including a second pair of table legs mounted on the first pair of table legs for pivotable movement about a second elevator pivot axis between a collapsed storage position alongside the underside of the table top and an expanded use position oriented to lie at an acute angle relative to the undersides of the table top, wherein the second elevator pivot axis is oriented to remain in spaced-apart parallel relation to the first elevator pivot axis during pivotable movement of the second pair of table legs about the second elevator axis.

2. The foldable table of claim 1, wherein the second pair of table legs is arranged to lie in a leg-receiving space provided between the table legs included in the first pair of table legs when the first and second pairs of table legs are arranged to lie in the collapsed storage positions alongside the underside of the table top.

3. The foldable table of claim 2, wherein the movable first table-top elevator further includes a rotatable pivot rod arranged to extend along the first elevator pivot axis, the first pair of table legs includes a first leg coupled to a first end of the rotatable pivot rod and a second leg coupled to an opposite second end of the rotatable pivot rod and arranged to lie in laterally spaced-apart relation to the first leg to define the leg-receiving space therebetween, and the movable second table-top elevator further includes a free-motion anchor rod that is arranged to lie in spaced-apart to the second elevator pivot axis and oriented to lie alongside the underside of the table top and in side-by-side relation to the rotatable pivot rod inside the leg-receiving space when the movable first and second table-top elevators occupy their collapsed storage positions and to lie in laterally spaced apart relation to the pivotable pivot rod outside the leg-receiving space when the movable first and second table-top elevators occupy their expanded use positions.

4. The foldable table of claim 3, further comprising a releasable elevator retainer mounted on the underside of the table top and configured to mate with the free-motion anchor rod of the movable second table-top elevator to retain the movable first and second table-top elevators in their expanded use positions upon arrival of the movable second table-top elevator at its expanded use position.

5. The foldable table of claim 4, whenever the second pair of legs include a first leg coupled to a first end of the free-motion anchor rod and a second leg coupled to an opposite second end of the free-motion anchor bar and the releasable elevator retainer is arranged to lie in a space provided between the first and second legs of the second pair of legs when the movable first and second table-top elevators occupy their collapsed storage positions.

6. The foldable table of claim 3, wherein the second pair of legs include a first leg coupled to a first end of the free-motion anchor rod and a second leg coupled to an opposite second end of the free-motion anchor rod and arranged to lie in laterally spaced-apart relation to the first leg of the second pair of legs, the first leg of the second pair of legs is pivotably mounted on the first leg of the first pair of legs for pivotable movement about the second elevator pivot axis, and the second leg of the second pair of legs is pivotably mounted on the second leg of the second pair of legs for pivotable movement about the second elevator pivot axis.

7. The foldable table of claim 6, wherein the first legs of the first and second pairs of legs are arranged to lie in side-by-side relation along the underside of the table top when the first and second table-top elevators occupy their collapsed storage positions and in crossed relation to one another to establish an X-shaped pattern of the first legs of the first and second pairs of legs when the movable first and second table-top elevators occupy their expanded use positions.

8. The foldable table of claim 7, wherein the movable first table-top elevator further includes a rigidifying cross-member strut coupled to distal ends of the first legs to extend between the first legs and lie in spaced apart relation to the rotatable pivot rod to locate the second elevator pivot axis therebetween.

9. The foldable table of claim 1, wherein the movable second table-top elevator is free to pivot relative to the movable first table-top elevator about the second elevator pivot axis and to move relative to the table top while the movable first table-top elevator pivots about the first elevator pivot axis during operator-controlled movement of the movable first and second table-top elevators relative to the table top between their expanded use and collapsed storage positions and wherein the first and second pivot elevator axes are oriented to remain in substantially parallel relation to one another during folding and unfolding of the foldable table.

10. The foldable table of claim 9, further comprising a releasable elevator retainer that is coupled to the underside of the table top and arranged to engage the movable second table-top elevator when the table is unfolded so that the movable first and second table-top elevators are retained in their expanded use positions under the table top.

11. The foldable table of claim 1, further comprising releasable elevator retainer means for releasably retaining the movable second table-top elevator in its expanded use position after the movable first table-top elevator pivots relative to the table top about the first elevator pivot axis and the movable second table-top elevator pivots relative to the movable first table-top elevator about the second elevator pivot axis to cause the first table-top elevator to remain in its expanded use position so that companion legs in each of the movable first and second table-top elevators remain in stationary positions at acute angles to the underside of the table top when the table is unfolded and readied to be used.

12. The foldable table of claim 11, wherein the movable second table-top elevator includes a free-motion anchor rod that is arranged to lie and remain in substantially parallel relation to the first elevator pivot axis during movement of the movable second table-top elevator between the collapsed storage position and the expanded use position and the free-motion anchor rod is arranged to be gripped by the releasable elevator retainer means upon arrival of the movable second table-top elevator at the expanded use position.

13. The foldable table of claim 12, wherein the second table-top elevator further includes a first leg pivotably coupled to the movable first table-top elevator and coupled to a first end of the free-motion anchor rod and a second leg pivotably coupled to the movable first table-top elevator and arranged to lie in laterally spaced-apart relation to the first leg during pivotable movement of the movable second table-top elevator about the second elevator pivot axis.

14. The foldable table of claim 13, wherein the movable second table-top elevator further includes a rigidifying cross-member strut arranged to lie in spaced-apart parallel relation to the free-motion anchor rod and to interconnect distal portions of the first and second legs and cooperate with the first and second legs and the free-motion anchor rod to form a rectangular frame and the rigidifying cross-member strut is arranged to lie in and remain in laterally spaced-apart parallel relation to the first elevator pivot axis during folding and unfolding of the table.

15. The foldable table of claim 13, wherein the movable first table-top elevator includes a rotatable pivot rod mounted for pivotable movement about the first elevator pivot axis on the underside of the table top, a first leg coupled to a first end of the rotatable pivot rod and pivotably coupled to the first leg of the movable table-top elevator, and a second leg coupled to an opposite second end of the rotatable pivot rod and pivotably coupled to the second leg of the movable second table-top elevator.

16. The foldable table of claim 15, wherein the rotatable pivot rod and the free-motion anchor rod are arranged to remain in parallel relation to one another during movement of the movable first and second table top elevators between the collapsed storage positions and the expanded use positions.

17. The foldable table of claim 12, wherein the releasable elevator retainer means includes a rod-motion blocker that is located in a stationary position on the underside of the table top and arranged to engage and stop motion of the free-motion anchor rod relative to the table top as the movable second table-top elevator is being moved relative to the table top to its expanded use position during unfolding of the table and a spring-loaded anchor-rod lock pawl mounted on the underside of the table top for movement between a rod-retaining position and a rod-releasing position.

18. The foldable table of claim 17, wherein the spring-loaded anchor-rod lock pawl is configured to provide means for automatically mating with a portion of the free-motion anchor rod and assuming the rod-retaining position to retain the movable second-table-top elevator and thus the movable first table-top elevator in its expanded use position on the underside of the table top.