Patent Application
20050115476
The present invention relates generally to collapsible tables. More particularly, the present invention relates to a collapsible table with shelves that is particularly suitable for use in trade shows or the like.
At tradeshows, vendors and salespersons often use collapsible tables to display their products and services. The vendors sometimes bring their own collapsible large banquet-style tables with them if they are traveling by ground and with a vehicle large enough to transport the tables. Alternatively, such tables are often available to vendors by renting them from the facility at which tradeshow is being held. However, the rental tables are usually expensive to rent. In addition to paying for the tables, the vendors are often also charged for the time and labor that it takes workers to set up and tear down the tables. When the rental tables are not banquet-type tables but rather complex tables requiring some level of assembly, the vendors are usually charged for the time and labor that it takes workers to assemble the tables. Moreover, the rental tables are usually very generic looking and provide no visual impact to tradeshow attendees.
Conventional collapsible banquet-style tables that are commonly used at tradeshows can be seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,550,404, 6,530,331, 6,431,092, and 6,112,674. The banquet-style tables generally have a large horizontal tabletop and legs that fold up and underneath the table surface. The tables are usually very big and heavy and therefore the portability of such tables is severely limited by the large size of the tabletop. Moreover, the banquet-style tables do not have any storage or shelf space nor do they include any customizable skirts or banners. A vendor can tape or clip on a personalized banner, although if the vendor is renting the table, the owner of the venue may not allow such use of the tables.
A collapsible display table that addresses some of the above-listed problems is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,127. U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,127 is directed to a collapsible display table with a truss framework that supports a folding tabletop and a shelf. However, other than the shelf, the table according to the '127 patent does not provide a user with very much storage space. In addition, other than the shroud shown in
Because the general problems discussed above have not been addressed, there is a current need for a cost-efficient collapsible table that takes up minimal space and can be easily transportable in the collapsed state. The collapsible table would preferably have no separate discrete parts and would be entirely self-contained. The table further would preferably include a detachable skirt that covers the legs and shelves of the table and give the user the ability to customize the appearance of the table. In addition, all of these goals must be achieved while at the same time the table must facilitate quick and easy setup and teardown of the collapsible table.
The collapsible item of furniture according to the present invention provides a vendor with a lightweight table that is easy to set up to an erected state and to collapse to a collapsed state and meets the needs described above.
In preferred embodiments the principal components of the item of furniture are configured as a table are interconnected and self-contained; the principle components remain part of the assembly in the collapsed state. The table preferably includes the principle components of a tabletop, at least one shelf and a plurality of folding legs. The legs are attached to the tabletop and are foldable between an extended and erected position and a folded and transport position or a collapsed state. The one or more shelves are slidably positioned on the legs and have a nested position adjacent to the underside of the tabletop and a use position. In the use position the shelf locks the extended legs in place. A hinge or pivot point on the legs is positioned displaced down the legs from the lower surface of the tabletop a distance approximately the thickness of the shelf or shelves to define a suitable nesting region for the shelves intermediate the folded legs and the underside of the tabletop.
A drawer may be attached to the underside of the tabletop or shelves, providing the vendor with multiple places to store samples, brochures, and other materials during the tradeshows. In preferred embodiments, the tabletop, the shelves, and the drawer may be molded of plastics, for example by blow molding.
A feature and advantage of the table is that it is easy to erect and to collapse to the transport configuration by one person.
A feature and advantage of the preferred embodiments of the invention is that the blow or rotationally molded tabletop and shelves provide a lightweight and structurally strong and robust piece of furniture.
A feature and advantage of the invention is that a common mold may be used for different shelves. For example the two shelves below the table top in a preferred embodiment may be identical although one uses circumferential stops on the legs to secure it in place and the other uses the horizontal cross member to secure it in place in the erected state.
A feature and advantage of the preferred embodiment is that the table is inexpensive to manufacture with lower cost materials and minimal labor.
A feature and advantage of the invention is that means are provided for accessories such as a post to support video screens or signage.
By bringing a table according to the present invention, a vendor no longer needs to rent tables at the venue of the tradeshow. Because of its weight and small size in the collapsed state, the table can easily be transported in the back seat or trunk of a car and can even be brought along on an airplane trip. Without the necessity of having to rent a table, the collapsible table according to the present invention is very economical and saves a vendor many rental costs normally associated with attending a tradeshow. In addition, a vendor can use a customizable skirt on the collapsible table that has a visual impact on the tradeshow attendees.
The invention herein is depicted as a table but it is recognized that other configurations such as collapsible podiums or stack of shelves may also suitably incorporate the invention herein.
a is a rear elevation view of a collapsible table according to an embodiment of the present invention;
b is a front elevation view of a collapsible table according to an embodiment of the present invention depicting the first shelf at an alternate position on the legs;
a is a top front perspective view of a collapsible table according to the present invention depicting the table with a customizable skirt;
b is a top front perspective view of a collapsible table according to the present invention depicting the table with a customizable skirt;
Referring to
Referring to
As best illustrated in
The skirt flange 46 as can be seen in
Referring to
Referring to
Still referring to
The tabletop 12 is preferably manufactured by blow-molded thermoplastic such as polyethylene. However, it is contemplated that the tabletop 12 be manufactured using injection molding, rotational molding, or other methods of thermoplastic forming. In other embodiments of the present invention, the tabletop 12 and shelves could be constructed of materials such as wood, wood products, metal, or other materials.
Referring to
The drawer 48 is slidably engageable with the tabletop 12. The left flange 98 slidably engages with the left hanger 50 and left slide 72 and the right flange 100 slidably engages with the right hanger 52 and right slide 74. As the drawer 48 slides from the tabletop front side 32 towards the tabletop rear side 36, the left flange 98 slidably engages with the left slide 72 and the right flange 100 slidably engages with the right slide 74. The drawer 48 preferably slides completely into the tabletop 12 until the drawer rear edge 82 comes into contact with the at least one drawer stop 70. When the drawer 48 is completely into the tabletop 12, as seen in
The drawer 48 is preferably blow molded thermoplastic. However, the drawer 48 could alternatively be manufactured using injection molding, rotational molding, or other methods of thermoplastic forming. In other embodiments of the present invention, the drawer 48 could be constructed of materials such as wood, metal or wood products.
Referring to
The hinge portion 114 can be seen in
The top portion 108 of each leg is preferably shorter than the bottom portion 110. The overall length of the first leg 18, the second leg 20, the third leg 22, and the fourth leg 24 are preferably equal. The top portions 108 of the first leg 18 and the second leg 20 are preferably equal in length and preferably slightly shorter than the top portions 108 of the third leg 22 and the fourth leg 24. The bottom portions 110 of the third leg 22 and the fourth leg 24 are preferably equal in length and slightly shorter than the bottom portions 110 of the first leg 18 and the second leg 20. The first leg 18, second leg 20, third leg 22, and fourth leg 24 each include a stop portion 112 located proximate the bottom hinge ends 122. The stop portion 112 is preferably comprised of a first half 129 and a second half 130 and the stop portions 112 are generally connected to the legs with a bolt or screw.
The first leg 18, second leg 20, third leg 22, and fourth leg 24 are preferably constructed of steel tubing and can be attached to the hinge portion by inserting the top or bottom hinge portion inside the tubing and deforming the tubing at the divots, but can be constructed of other metals, thermoplastics, wood, composite, or other suitable materials.
The first leg 18 is preferably rigidly connected to the second leg 20 with a first support bar 132. The third leg 22 is preferably rigidly connected to the fourth leg 24 with a second support bar 134. The first support bar 132 and the second support bar 134 are preferably constructed of tubular steel but could be constructed of other metals, thermoplastics, wood, or other suitable materials. The legs can be connected to the support bars using a number of different methods, including but not limited to weldaments, screws, bolts, clamps or other connecting means.
The first leg 18 is rigidly connected to the fourth leg 24 with a first connection member 136. The second leg 20 is rigidly connected to the third leg 22 with a second connection member 138. The first connection member 136 and second connection member 138 are preferably constructed of stamped steel but could be constructed of aluminum, thermoplastic, wood, or wood products. The first leg 18 could also be hingedly attached to the fourth leg 24 with the first connection member 136 and the second leg 20 could be hingedly attached to the third leg 22 with the second connection member 138.
The first connection member 136 and the second connection member 138 are rigidly connected to the tabletop 12. The first connection member 136 slidably engages with the first channel 60 and the second connection member 138 slidably engages with the second channel 62. The first connection member 136 and second connection member 138 are then preferably rigidly connected to the channels with screws or bolts.
Referring to the figures, particularly
The shelf bottom surface 142 includes a first support bar cutout 162 and a second support bar cutout 164. The first support bar cutout 162 preferably spans the distance between the first leg aperture 152 and the second leg aperture 154 and is substantially the same size as the first support bar 132. The second support bar cutout 164 spans the distance between the third leg aperture 156 and the fourth leg aperture 158 and is substantially the same size as the second support bar 134. The first support bar cutout 162 and a second support bar cutout 164 preferably include a plurality of cutout touch-offs 166 providing the cutouts with added stability. The cutout touch-offs 166 project upwardly from the cutouts to the shelf top surface 140 and are preferably rigidly melted or welded to the shelf top surface 140. However, it is also contemplated that the cutout touch-offs 166 come into contact with the shelf top surface 140 without melting or welding to the shelf top surface 140.
The shelf bottom surface 142 further preferably includes at least one strengthening recess 168. The at least one strengthening recess 168 preferably spans a distance slightly less than the distance between the first support bar cutout 162 and the second support bar cutout 164. The at least one strengthening recess 168 projects upwardly from the shelf bottom surface 142 and are preferably rigidly melted or welded to the shelf top surface 140. However, it is also contemplated that the at least one strengthening recess 168 comes into contact with the shelf top surface 140 without melting or welding to the shelf top surface 140.
The shelf bottom surface 142 further includes a plurality of shelf touch-offs 170 preferably located around the perimeter of the shelf 14. The shelf touch-offs 170 are generally formed in the shelf 14 during the manufacturing process and add further stability and support to the shelf 14. The shelf touch-offs 170 project upwardly from the shelf bottom surface 142 towards the shelf top surface 140 and are preferably rigidly melted or welded to the shelf top surface 140. However, it is also contemplated that the shelf touch-offs 170 come into contact with the shelf top surface 140 without melting or welding to the shelf top surface 140.
The secondary shelf 16 has substantially the same structure as the shelf 14. The secondary shelf 16 includes a first leg aperture 152, a second leg aperture 154, a third leg aperture 156, a fourth leg aperture 158, and a shelf orifice 160. The leg apertures on the secondary shelf are larger than the stop portions 112. The bottom surface 142 on the secondary shelf 16 also includes a first support bar cutout 162, a second support bar cutout 164, at least one strengthening recess 168, and a plurality of shelf touch-offs 170. Because the shelf 14 and the secondary shelf 16 include substantially the same features, the shelf 14 and the secondary shelf 16 can be interchangeable.
The shelf 14 and secondary shelf 16 are preferably blow molded thermoplastic, such as polyethylene. However, the shelf 14 and secondary shelf 16 could alternatively be manufactured using injection molding, rotational molding, or other methods of thermoplastic forming. In one embodiment of the present invention the shelf 14 and secondary shelf 16 could be constructed of materials such as metal, wood, or wood products.
The customizable skirt 26 is depicted in
To initially assemble the collapsible table 10, the secondary shelf 16 is placed onto the legs. At this point, the stop portions 112 are not yet connected to the legs. Also, at this point, the first leg 18 is not connected to the fourth leg 24 with the first brace member 136 and the second leg 20 is not connected to the third leg 22 with the second brace member 138. The first leg 18 slides into the first leg aperture 152 of the secondary shelf 16. The second leg 20 slides into the second leg aperture 154 of the secondary shelf 16. The third leg 22 slides into the third leg aperture 156 of the secondary shelf 16. The fourth leg 24 slides into the fourth leg aperture 158 of the secondary shelf 16. The secondary shelf 16 slides down the legs over the top portions 108 and the bottom portions 110 until the secondary shelf 16 lands onto the first support bar 132 and the second support bar 134. When the secondary shelf 16 is resting on the support bars, the first support bar 132 slidably fits into the first support bar cutout 162 of the secondary shelf 16 and the second support bar 134 slidably fits into the second support bar cutout 164 of the secondary shelf 16. Preferably the support bars are substantially the same size as the support bar cutouts and the support bars and support bar cutouts frictionally fit together.
After the secondary shelf 16 has been placed onto the legs and the secondary shelf 16 is resting on the support bars, the first half 128 and second half 130 of the stop portions 112 are connected to the legs. The stop portions 112 are preferably constructed of injection-molded thermoplastic and are connected to the legs with screws. The stop portions 112 could also be connected to the legs using a number of different methods, including but not limited to screws, bolts, rivets, or other suitable connecting means. As can be seen in
Next, the shelf 14 is placed onto the legs. The first leg 18 slides into the first leg aperture 152 of the shelf 14. The second leg 20 slides into the second leg aperture 154 of the shelf 14. The third leg 22 slides into the third leg aperture 156 of the shelf 14. The fourth leg 24 slides into the fourth leg aperture 158 of the shelf 14. The shelf 14 slides down the legs until the shelf 14 lands onto the stop portions 112. Because the shelf apertures are slightly smaller in size than the stop portions 112, the stop portions 112 hold the shelf 14 vertically in position.
The first leg 18 and the fourth leg 24 are then rigidly connected with the first brace member 136. The first brace member 136 is preferably connected to the first leg 18 and the fourth leg 24 using weldaments. The second leg 20 and the third leg 22 are rigidly connected with the second brace member 138. The second brace member 138 is preferably connected to the second leg 20 and the third leg 22 using weldaments. Finally, the legs and brace members are rigidly connected to the tabletop. The first brace member 136 is connected to the first channel 60 using bolts or screws. The second brace member 138 is rigidly connected to the second channel 62 using bolts or screws.
Once the collapsible table 10 is assembled, it can be used in an upright use position for using the collapsible table 10 or collapsed into a nested position for easy storage or transport. To collapse the table 10 into the nested position, the skirt 26 is removed from the skirt flange 46. Next, the table 10 is arranged so that the working surface 30 is facing downward or on the ground. The shelf 14, with the aid of gravity and the user, will fall downward and pass slide over the leg top portions 108 so that the top surface 140 of the shelf 14 lies adjacent to the tabletop underside 40. As the shelf 14 falls downward, it remains substantially parallel to the tabletop 12.
Next, the secondary shelf 16, with the aid of gravity and the user, will fall so that the top surface 140 of the secondary shelf 16 slides over the legs bottom portions 110, the stop portions 112, the top portions 108, and the top surface 140 of the secondary shelf 16 will come into contact with the bottom surface 142 of the shelf 14. As the secondary shelf 16 falls downward, it remains substantially parallel to the tabletop 12.
After that, the two legs with the shorter top portions 108, the first leg 18 and second leg 20 as depicted in the figures, are folded from the extended portion to a folded position such that the top portion 108 is substantially perpendicular to the bottom portion 110. The legs will hold the shelf 14 and secondary shelf 16 into a nested position. Finally, the two legs with longer top portions 108, the third leg 22 and the fourth leg 24 as depicted in the figures, are folded from the extended position to a folded position such that the top portion 108 is substantially perpendicular to the bottom portion 110. The third leg 22 and fourth leg 24 being folded from an extended position to a folded position can be seen in
To reverse the procedure and set the collapsible table 10 up into its use position, the third leg 22 and the fourth leg 24 are unfolded from a folded position to an extended position. Then the first leg 18 and second leg 20 are unfolded from their folded position to an extended position. The table 10 is then flipped over so that the feet 120 on the first leg 18, second leg 20, third leg 22, and fourth leg 24 are on the ground.
The secondary shelf 16 will slide down the legs over the top portions 108 and the bottom portions 110 until the secondary shelf 16 lands onto the first support bar 132 and the second support bar 134. When the secondary shelf 16 is resting on the first support bar 132 and second support bar 134, the first support bar 132 slidably fits into the first support bar cutout 162 of the secondary shelf 16 and the second support bar 134 slidably fits into the second support bar cutout 164 of the secondary shelf 16. Because the support bars are substantially the same size as the support bar cutouts, the support bars and support bars frictionally fit together.
Next, the shelf 14 slides down the legs over the top portions 108 until the shelf 14 lands onto the stop portions 112. Because the leg apertures on the shelf 14 are slightly smaller in size than the stop portions 112, the shelf is wedged onto the stop portions 112 and the stop portions 112 preclude the shelf 14 past the stop portions 112. When in the use position, the shelf 14 and the secondary shelf 16 provide the table with stability and lock the foldable legs into place. Finally, the customizable skirt 26 may be attached to the skirt flange 46 with Velcro®.
Although the table 10 according to the present invention is depicted and described comprising four legs, it is contemplated that the table could be constructed with as few as two legs. For example, the table could be constructed of two, three, five, or any other number of legs and still embody the inventive features of the present invention.
Referring to
Referring to
Another embodiment of the present invention is a collapsible shelf system. A collapsible shelf system preferably comprises substantially the same structure and components of the collapsible table 10. However, the collapsible shelf system preferrably comprises at least three shelves. In addition, the dimensions of the shelf system would preferably be selected so that the collapsible shelf system could be used as a shelf. In a collapsed configuration, the at least three shelves of the collapsible shelf system would preferably rest against a shelf top that is similar to the tabletop 12 of the collapsible table 10. When the collapsible shelf system is in a use position, the at least three shelves would slide down the legs of the shelf system and rest upon a plurality of stop portions included on the legs. In certain embodiments the legs could have holes extending there through to permit adjustability and additional shelves by insertion of stop portions configured as simple as removable pins.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a collapsible podium. A collapsible podium preferably comprises substantially the same structure and components of the collapsible table 10. However, the dimensions of the podium would preferably be selected so that the collapsible podium could be used as a podium when in a use position and collapsed into a collapsed configuration when not in use.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof; and it is, therefore, desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.
This application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 61/525,704 filed on Nov. 28, 2003, the same being incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60525704 | Nov 2003 | US |
