EXPANDABLE FOLDING TABLE ASSEMBLY WITH PANELS

Abstract

The present subject matter discloses an expandable folding table with a first panel, a second panel, and a movable insert panel. The first panel is supported by a first frame, and the second panel is supported by a second frame. The first frame is expandable and is attached to a sliding rail device, which includes a fixed frame connected with a pivot device and a movable frame slidably arranged on the fixed frame. When it is in use, the movable insert panel can be arranged between the first panel and the second panel to extend the expandable folding table. When it is collapsed, the movable insert panel can be hidden under the first panel. The expandable folding table is convenient as it is foldable and extendable. Furthermore, the first panel can always be supported by the movable frame to enhance its bearing strength.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of CN Patent Application No. CN202111319089.4, entitled “Panels of Expandable Folding Table,” filed Nov. 9, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present subject matter is in the field of furniture design and manufacture. More particularly, embodiments of the present subject matter relate to a structure of an expandable folding table with an extendable table top.

BACKGROUND

Nowadays, many tables foldable panels. For example, a typical folding table can comprise two connected panels that can be unfolded whe it is use. When the table is not in use, it can be folded to reduce the storage and transportation size. However, although the traditional folding table can be folded, the table top cannot be expanded. After being unfolded, the length of the table top can not be adjusted or extended according to the number of needed seats. An example of such a folding table structure is disclosed in Chinese Patent No. CN207428721U. In particular, it discloses a fixed-length table with two folding panels. The folding table can be folded, but the table top cannot be stretched. After unfolding, the length of the table top is fixed and cannot be extended, and it cannot be adjusted according to the number of items placed or the number of people seated. Therefore, there is a need for a table that is both foldable and expandable.

SUMMARY OF THE SUBJECT MATTER

The present subject matter can solve the technical problem as described herein by providing a folding table with an adjustable length in view of the present state of the art.

The technical solution adopted in the technical problem to be solved by the present subject matter is as follows: an expandable folding table that comprises a first panel supported by a first frame, a second panel configured to be coupled with the first panel, the second panel being supported by a second frame, wherein the first frame and the second frame are connected by a pivot device and can be folded around a pivot shaft of the pivoting device to achieve folding, and wherein the first frame is expandable and is attached to a sliding rail device, which includes a fixed frame connected with the pivot device and a movable frame slidably arranged on the fixed frame, wherein the first panel is connected to the movable frame through a fixed connection, and the first panel is configured to slide on the sliding rail device relative to the fixed frame, and wherein the fixed frame is attached to a movable panel that can be horizontally arranged between the first panel and the second panel to extend the expandable folding table when it is in use, or can be hidden under the first panel when it is collapsed.

According to some embodiments, the movable panel can be rotatably connected to a middle beam of the fixed frame, and the movable panel can be foldable with a first board and a second board that is connected to each other. Various mechanisms can be used to connect the first board and second board. For example, the connection can be through hinges or through a flexible integrated hinge structure with rotatable thinner plastic. This way, the movable panel, or the retractable insert panel, can be easily expanded or collapsed. When the movable panel is folded and stored under the first panel, an attachment device can be placed between the first board and the second board to prevent them from detachment. For example, the attachment device can be a magnet to attach the two boards to each other.

According to some embodiments, the fixed frame can be shaped like a square or a rectangle. The fixed frame can include a longitudinal front fixed beam and a longitudinal rear fixed beam, and a horizontal left fixed beam and a horizontal right fixed beam, wherein the longitudinal front fixed beam and the longitudinal rear fixed beam are respectively connected to the front and rear of the pivot device, wherein the horizontal right fixed beam is connected between the front and rear of the pivot device. Furthermore, the movable frame can include a longitudinal front movable beam and a longitudinal rear movable beam, and the longitudinal front movable beam and the longitudinal rear movable beam are slidably arranged on the longitudinal front fixed beam and the longitudinal rear fixed beam. The middle beam can be a longitudinal beam connected between the horizontal left fixed beam and the horizontal right fixed beam.

According to some embodiments, the sliding rail device further comprises the longitudinal front fixed beam and the longitudinal rear fixed beam, each being provided with fixed sliding rail grooves with rolling elements. The longitudinal front movable beam and the longitudinal rear movable beam are provided with movable sliding rail grooves configured to match with the rolling elements. Furthermore, a limiting structure for limiting the movable sliding rail grooves on the fixed sliding rail grooves can be provided. According to some embodiments, the limiting structure can include or more limiting blocks and limiting protrusions to prevent the first panel's unlimited movement.

According to some embodiments, the rolling elements can be one of a roller, a bearing, a roller, or a combination thereof.

According to some embodiments, the first panel, the second panel, and the movable insert panel can be blow molding panels. Furthermore, the movable insert panel has grooves to match with protrusions on the first and second panels when the movable panel is inserted between the two panels. For example, when the first panel and second panel are coupled directly, the lower side of the abutting surfaces of the two panels have interlocking grooves and protrusions to mate with each other. Meanwhile, the upper side of the abutting surfaces has a straight contact to ensure the coupled table top appears to be flat and smooth. When the movable panel is inserted between the two panels, the upper side of the abutting surface also has a straight contact, and the lower side can have interlocking grooves and protrusions or bumps. As such, the inserted movable panel can securely interlock with the first panel and the second panel without causing warping or uneven table top. It can further improve the structural stability of the coupled panels.

Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present subject matter include an expandable frame that comprises a movable frame and a fixed frame that enables a panel to be slidable along with the movable frame. Meanwhile, a turnable and movable panel is installed on the fixed frame. When the table needs to be extended, the movable panel can be horizontally inserted between the first panel and the second panel to extend the folding table. Furthermore, when the table does not need to be extended, the movable panel can be withdrawn and hidden under the main panel. Therefore, it will not affect the appearance and use of the folding table. The expandable folding table is convenient as it is foldable and extendable. Furthermore, the first panel can always be supported by the movable frame to provide bearing strength.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present subject matter is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present subject matter when the table top is not extended.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the first panel in FIG. 1 in an exploded view.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the disassembled first and second panels and the movable panel in the inverted view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present subject matter after the first panel is pulled out.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the inverted view of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the extended state of the table top after the movable panel in FIG. 4 is unfolded and inserted.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the inverted view of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the first and second panels and the movable panel in FIG. 6 after being disassembled.

FIG. 9 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the embodiment of the present subject matter in a folded state.

FIG. 10 is another three-dimensional schematic diagram of the embodiment of the present subject matter in a folded state.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of FIG. 10 after the first panel is disassembled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present subject matter pertains to improved approaches for a multi-function expandable folding table assembly. Embodiments of the present subject matter are discussed below with reference to FIGS. 1-11.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present subject matter. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present subject matter may be practiced without some of these specific details. In addition, the following description provides examples, and the accompanying drawings show various examples for the purposes of illustration. Moreover, these examples should not be construed in a limiting sense as they are merely intended to provide examples of embodiments of the subject matter rather than to provide an exhaustive list of all possible implementations. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the details of the disclosed features of various described embodiments.

The present subject matter will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments of the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1-8, the expandable folding table includes foldable table top 100, foldable table frame 200. Foldable table frame 200 includes a first frame 3a and a second frame 3b, wherein each of first frame 3a and second frame 3b is respectively connected to a first stand 2a and a second stand 3a, etc., in which:

According to some embodiments, the foldable table top 100 includes a first panel 1a, a second panel 1b and a movable panel 1c. The first panel la and the second panel 1b have the same shape, size, or substantially the same size (as shown in FIG. 8). However, it is not limited to the same size. According to specific needs, the first and second panels 1a and 1b can be adjusted. The movable panel 1c can be inserted between the first and second panels 1a, 1b to extend the length of the table top. There may be one or more movable panels 1c, and the present subject matter discloses one movable panel as an example.

In order to suit the outdoor use of the folding table, the first and second panels 1a, 1b, and the movable panel 1c are hollow blow-molded panels (the concave structure at the bottom of the panels is omitted in the figures). According to some embodiments, the opposite sides of the first and second panels 1a, 1b, that is, the lower parts of the butting surfaces to be butted against each other, are integrally formed with staggered grooves 14 and bumps or protrusions 13. Meanwhile, the upper side of the abutting surfaces has a straight contact to ensure the coupled table top appears to be flat and smooth, while the lower side is fitted and butted with the grooves 14 and the bumps 13 between each other.

Similarly, the left and right sides of the movable panel 1c are the butt surfaces that are respectively connected to the first and second panels, and the lower parts of the two sides are also integrally formed with staggered grooves 14 and bumps 13.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the folding table is open and extended, the movable panel 1c is connected to the first and second panels 1a, and 1b, the upper side parts of the butt surfaces are also flat butt joints, and the lower side parts are also fitted and butted with the grooves 14 and the bumps 13. The bumps 13 on the first and second panels 1a and 1b are fitted with the grooves 14 on the first and second panels 1a and 1b, and the grooves on the movable panel 1c are fitted with bumps 13 on the first and second panels 1a and 1b. The aforementioned features can not only improve the structural strength of the coupled panels, but also reduce the joints and ensure the flatness and aesthetics of the foldable table top 100.

As shown in FIG. 3, the movable panel 1c is a foldable panel, which comprises a first board 101 and a second board 102 that are connected together, and the connected parts can be folded in half. There can be many mechanisms to connect the two boards. For example, the material skin 103 shown in FIG. 3 can be used to connect the first board 101 and the second board 102, i.e., a plastic joint has thinner material than the two boards'. It can also be connected through hinges so that the movable panel 1c can be easily unfolded or folded. In order to prevent the folded first board 101 and the second board 102 from being detached, an attachment device can also be provided between the first board 101 and the second board 102. The device can use a simple magnetic device. That is, the first board 101 and the second board 102 are respectively equipped with strong magnets 104 that can be attracted to each other, so that the unconnected sides of the two boards can be firmly attracted together.

According to some embodiments, the movable panel 1c is hidden under the first panel la when the table top does not need to be lengthened and is rotatably connected to the middle beam 313 of the fixed frame 31. When the table top needs to be extended, after pulling the first panel 1a, the movable panel 1c can be rotated and inserted. After unfolding the first board 101 and the second board 102, they can be supported on the fixed frame 31, so that the movable panel 1c can be locked between the first panel 1a and the second panel 1b. This way, the extension of the table top is achieved, as shown in FIG. 4-FIG. 6. The front and rear sides of the movable panel 1c are also provided with downwardly extending flanges, which can cover the fixed frame 31.

According to some embodiments, foldable table frame 200 can mainly include a first frame 3a and a first stand 2a connected to the first panel 1a, and a second frame 3b and a second stand 3a connected to the second panel 1b. The first frame 3a and the second frame 3b are connected by the front and rear pivot devices 4a, 4b and can be folded around the pivot shaft 41 and linked with the first panel 1a and the second panel 1b to achieve folding. Among them, the first stand, the second stand, the second frame, and the front and rear pivoting devices can all adopt conventional structures and thus will not be repeated here. However, it should be noted that they can be modified with other well-known technologies except the embodiments as shown herein.

According to some embodiments, the first frame 3a of the present subject matter is a retractable frame, which includes a fixed frame 31 connected to the front and rear pivoting devices 4a, 4b and a movable frame 32 slidably arranged on the fixed frame. The movable panel 1c is mounted on the fixed frame and can be rotatably opened. The first panel 1a and the first stand 2a are fixedly connected to the movable frame 32 and linked with the movable frame 32. A slide rail device is provided between the movable frame 32 and the fixed frame 31, so that the first panel 1a can move back and forth on the fixed frame 31. When the table top is to be extended, only the first panel 1a needs to be pulled away from the second panel 1b, so that the movable panel 1c can be pulled out and connected to the second panel 1b horizontally. This way, the table top is in the extended state in which the first panel 1a, the movable panel 1c and the second panel 1b are spliced together, as shown in FIG. 6.

According to some embodiments, when the table does not need to be extended, the first panel 1a and the second panel 1b are butted, whereas the movable panel 1c is folded and stored under the first panel 1a. Furthermore, the movable insert panel 1c cannot be seen on the table top, as shown in FIGS. 1-3.

According to some embodiments, the fixed frame 31 is roughly in the shape of a square or a rectangle, which includes front and rear side beams 311a and 311b in the longitudinal direction (referring to the longitudinal direction of the table top), and left and right fixed beams 312a and 312b in the horizontal direction (referring to the width direction of the table top). The front and rear fixed beams 311a, 311b are respectively connected with the pivot seats of the front and rear pivoting devices 4a, 4b, and the right fixed beam 312b is connected between the front and rear pivoting devices 4a, 4b. In order to arrange the middle beam 313 of the movable panel 1c longitudinally, it is connected between the left fixed beam 312a and the right fixed beam 312b. A baffle plate is also extended on the fixed beam 312b for supporting and positioning the movable panel 1c. The front fixed beam 311a and the rear fixed beam 311b are both long strip-shaped plates with a “[”-shaped cross-section, with the grooves on them are set as fixed sliding rail grooves 3111. A plurality of rolling elements 314 is arranged at intervals in the fixed sliding rail groove 3111. According to some embodiments, the rolling elements 314 can be rollers, bearings, or rollers, etc., and are rotatably arranged in the length direction.

According to some embodiments, the shape of the movable frame 32 is substantially the same as that of the second frame 3b, and the main difference is that the longitudinal front movable beam 321a and the rear movable beam 321b are designed to be slidable structures matched with the fixed frame 31. Specifically, the front movable beam 321a and the rear movable beam 321b and the front and rear fixed beams 311a, 311b are matched with a long strip-shaped plate with a “]”-shaped cross section, with the groove on it set as a movable sliding rail groove 3211, which is slidably in contact with the outer circular rolling surface of the rolling element 314 in the fixed sliding rail groove 3111.

In addition, a limit structure is provided between the movable sliding rail groove 3211 and the fixed sliding rail groove 3111 to limit the displacement of the movable sliding rail groove 3211 on the fixed sliding rail groove 3111, which can limit the maximum pulling distance of the first panel 1a, to prevent infinite pullout. It can be realized by the following structure: a limiting block 3112 is protruded on the lower side of the left ends of the front and rear fixed beams 311a, 311b respectively, and correspondingly on the front and rear sides of the back of the first panel 1a are raised to form a limiting protrusion 16 that can collide with the limiting block 3112 . When the limiting protrusions 16 on the first panel 1a collide with the limiting blocks 3112 on the front and rear fixed beams 311a, 311b, the first panel la can no longer be pulled out, as shown in FIG. 5.

According to some embodiments, the first stand 2a is connected with the movable frame 32. When the first panel 1a slides back and forth, the movable frame 32 and the first stand 2a also move together. Therefore, the bottom of the first panel 1a is always supported by movable frame 32 and first tripod 2a to ensure its bearing strength.

In addition, the expandable folding table can further include wheel modules 8, bearing frame 6 and pulling rod 5, etc., which enable the folded table to function as a cart (as shown in FIG. 9). When the table is folded, the wheels 81 can be dissembled and stored in the cavity between the movable panel 1c and the frame without excessive vibration or shaking.

According to some embodiments, the limiting slots 15 are recessed on the bottoms of the first panel 1a and the second panel 1b, with the shape and size matching the wheels, as shown in FIG. 11. After the expandable folding table is folded, the size of the entire table is only that of one main panel, so the packaging volume can be greatly reduced. It can greatly reduce packaging and transportation costs and is also convenient for storage and carrying, as shown in FIG. 10.

It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of various embodiments of the present subject matter have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of various embodiments of the subject matter, this disclosure is illustrative only. In some cases, certain subassemblies are only described in detail with one such embodiment. Nevertheless, it is recognized and intended that such subassemblies may be used in other embodiments of the subject matter. Practitioners skilled in the art will recognize many modifications and variations. Changes may be made in detail, especially matters of structure and management of parts within the principles of the embodiments of the present subject matter to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Having disclosed exemplary embodiments and the best mode, modifications and variations may be made to the disclosed embodiments while remaining within the scope of the embodiments of the subject matter as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. An expandable folding table, comprising: a first panel supported by a first frame;a second panel configured to be coupled with the first panel, the second panel being supported by a second frame;wherein the first frame and the second frame are connected by a pivot device and can be folded around a pivot shaft of the pivot device to achieve folding; andwherein the first frame is expandable and is attached to a sliding rail device, which includes a fixed frame connected with the pivot device and a movable frame slidably arranged on the fixed frame,wherein the first panel is connected to the movable frame through a fixed connection, and the first panel is configured to slide on the sliding rail device relative to the fixed frame; andwherein a movable panel is attached to the fixed frame so that it can be horizontally arranged between the first panel and the second panel to extend the expandable folding table when it is in use, or can be hidden under the first panel when it is collapsed.

2. The expandable folding table of claim 1, wherein the movable panel is rotatably connected to a middle beam of the fixed frame, and the movable panel is foldable with a first board and a second board that is connected to each other.

3. The expandable folding table of claim 2, wherein the fixed frame includes a longitudinal front fixed beam and a longitudinal rear fixed beam, and a horizontal left fixed beam and a horizontal right fixed beam, wherein the longitudinal front fixed beam and the longitudinal rear fixed beam are respectively connected to the front and rear of the pivot device, wherein the horizontal right fixed beam is connected between the front and rear of the pivot device, wherein the movable frame includes a longitudinal front movable beam and a longitudinal rear movable beam, and the longitudinal front movable beam and the longitudinal rear movable beam are slidably arranged on the longitudinal front fixed beam and the longitudinal rear fixed beam, and wherein the middle beam is a longitudinal beam connected between the horizontal left fixed beam and the horizontal right fixed beam.

4. The expandable folding table of claim 3, wherein the sliding rail device further comprises: the longitudinal front fixed beam and the longitudinal rear fixed beam, each being provided with fixed sliding rail grooves with rolling elements;the longitudinal front movable beam and the longitudinal rear movable beam are provided with movable sliding rail grooves configured to match with the rolling elements; anda limiting structure for limiting the movable sliding rail grooves on the fixed sliding rail grooves.

5. The expandable folding table of claim 4, wherein the limiting structure includes one or more limiting blocks and limiting protrusions.

6. The expandable folding table of claim 4, wherein the rolling elements are one of a roller, or a bearing, or a roller.

7. The expandable folding table of claim 2, wherein the first board and the second board are either connected by hinges or by a flexible integrated structure.

8. The expandable folding table of claim 2, further comprising: an attachment device between the first board and the second board when the expandable folding table is folded.

9. The expandable folding table of claim 8, wherein the attachment device is a magnet that can attach the first board and the second board to each other.

10. The expandable folding table of claim 1, wherein the first panel, the second panel, and the movable panel are blow molding panels, wherein the movable panel has grooves to match with protrusions on the first and second panels when the movable panel is in use.

11. An expandable folding table, comprising: a first panel supported by a first frame;a second panel configured to be coupled with the first panel, the second panel being supported by a second frame;a movable panel coupled to the first frame so that it can be horizontally arranged between the first panel and the second panel to extend the expandable folding table when it is in use, or can be hidden under the first panel when it is collapsed; andwherein the first frame and the second frame are connected by a pivot device and can be folded around a pivot shaft of the pivot device to achieve folding.

12. The expandable folding table of claim 11, wherein the first frame is expandable and includes a fixed frame connected with a pivot device and a movable frame slidably arranged on the fixed frame.

13. The expandable folding table of claim 12, wherein the movable panel is rotatably connected to a middle beam of the fixed frame.

14. The expandable folding table of claim 12, wherein the first panel is connected to the movable frame through a fixed connection, and the first panel is configured to slide on a sliding rail device relative to the fixed frame.

15. The expandable folding table of claim 11, wherein the first panel, the second panel, and the movable panel are blow molding panels.

16. The expandable folding table of claim 11, wherein the movable panel has grooves to match with protrusions on the first and second panels when the movable panel is in use.

17. The expandable folding table of claim 11, wherein the movable panel is foldable with a first board and a second board that is connected to each other.

18. The expandable folding table of claim 17, wherein the first board and the second board of the movable panel are either connected by hinges or by a flexible integrated structure.

19. The expandable folding table of claim 17, further comprising: an attachment device between the first board and the second board when the expandable folding table is folded.

20. The expandable folding table of claim 19, wherein the attachment device is a magnet that can attach the first board and the second board to each other.