BACKGROUND
The present disclosure relates to a table, and in particular, to a foldable table. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a foldable bistro table that has a table top support and a table top.
SUMMARY
A foldable bistro table may comprise a table top and a table top support. The table top may be coupled to the table top support. The table top support may be configured to support the table top above the floor.
In some embodiments, the table top may be configured to change from a use mode in which the table top has a first area when viewed downwardly along a central axis of the foldable table to a storage mode in which the table top has a second, reduced, area when viewed downwardly along the central axis of the foldable table. By having the second area taken up by the table top in the storage mode be less than the first area taken up by the table top in the use mode, a user can store the foldable bistro table in a small space.
In some embodiments, the table top support may include a central support post defining the central axis, a fixed leg unit coupled to the central support post and a stowable leg unit pivotably coupled to the central support post. The stowable leg unit may be configured to pivot about the central axis from an expanded mode in which the stowable leg unit is substantially perpendicular to the fixed leg unit when viewed downwardly along the central axis of the table to a folded mode in which the stowable leg unit is substantially parallel to the fixed leg unit when viewed downwardly along the central axis of the table.
In some embodiments, the foldable bistro table may be configured to change from an expanded-use configuration in which the stowable leg unit is in the expanded mode and the table top is in the use mode to a folded-storage configuration in which the stowable leg unit is in the folded mode and the table top is in the storage mode. The folded-storage configuration may establish a reduced footprint of the foldable bistro table so that a user may store the foldable bistro table.
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 DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable bistro table that includes a table top support and a table top that is coupled to the table top support such that the table top is spaced apart from a floor, the foldable bistro table being changeable between an expanded-use configuration in which a user may place objects on the table top as suggested in FIG. 3 and a folded-storage configuration as suggested in FIG. 5 in which a user may store the foldable bistro table with a reduced footprint;
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the foldable bistro table of FIG. 1 showing that the table top support includes a central support post that defines a central axis of the foldable bistro table, a fixed leg unit that is coupled to the central support post and has a left leg assembly and a right leg assembly, and a stowable leg unit that is pivotable relative to the central support post about the central axis and has a front rotatable leg assembly and a back rotatable leg assembly; and further showing that the table top includes a central panel having a central panel body and left and right brackets coupled to the central panel body, and a front panel and a back panel that are coupled to the left and right brackets to move each of the front panel and the back panel relative to the central panel body from a use position shown in FIGS. 3-4 and a folded position shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the foldable bistro table of FIG. 1 in the expanded-use configuration showing the table top support with the front rotatable leg assembly and the back rotatable leg assembly in an expanded position in which the front leg and the back leg are generally perpendicular to the left leg assembly and the right leg assembly; and further showing the table top with the front panel and the back panel in the use position in which the front panel and the back panel are generally parallel to the floor;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the foldable bistro table of FIG. 3 showing the table top support with the front rotatable leg assembly and the back rotatable leg assembly pivoted about the central axis from the expanded position to a folded position in which the front leg and the back leg are generally parallel to the left leg assembly and the right leg assembly when viewed downwardly along the central axis; and further showing the table top with the front panel and the back panel in the use position;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the foldable bistro table of FIG. 4 in the folded-storage configuration showing the table top support with the front rotatable leg assembly and the back rotatable leg assembly in the folded position; and further showing the table top with the front panel and the back panel moved from the use position to the storage position in which the front panel and the back panel are generally parallel to the left leg assembly and the right leg assembly when viewed downwardly along the central axis;
FIG. 6 is a bottom section view taken along line 6-6 of the foldable bistro table of FIG. 3 in which the foldable bistro table is in the expanded-use configuration showing that a right leg of the right leg assembly is offset from the center line of the central panel body such that the right leg cooperates with a front edge of the central panel body to define a front-leg receiving gap therebetween and that a left leg of the left leg assembly is offset from the center line of the central panel body such that the left leg cooperates with a back edge of the central panel body to define a back-leg receiving gap therebetween;
FIG. 7 is a bottom section view taken along line 7-7 of the foldable bistro table of FIG. 4 in which the front rotatable leg assembly and the back rotatable leg assembly are pivoted about the central axis from the expanded position to the folded position such that a front leg of the back rotatable leg assembly is arranged in the front-leg receiving gap and a back leg of the back rotatable leg assembly is arranged in the back-leg receiving gap; and further showing that an upper end of the right leg and an upper end of the left leg are a first radial distance from the central axis and an upper end of the back leg and an upper end of the front leg are a second radial distance from the central axis that is less than the first radial distance;
FIG. 8 is a bottom section view taken along line 8-8 of the foldable bistro table of FIG. 5 in which the foldable bistro table is in the folded-storage configuration showing that the back panel and the front panel are moved from the use position to the storage position;
FIG. 9 is a detailed perspective view of the central support post, left- and right-leg fixed mounts of the fixed leg unit, and front- and back-leg rotatable mounts of the stowable leg unit of FIG. 2 showing that the left-leg fixed mount and the right-leg fixed mount are each coupled to the central support post with a fastener and that the front-leg rotatable mount and the back-leg rotatable mount are arranged axially between the right- and left-leg fixed mounts relative to the central axis;
FIG. 10 is a section view taken along line 10-10 of the central support post, the left- and right-leg fixed mounts, and the front- and back-leg rotatable mounts of FIG. 9 showing that the central support post includes a central support body, an upper cap, and a lower cap; and further showing that the right-leg rotatable mount, the left-leg rotatable mount, the front-leg rotatable mount, and the back-leg rotatable mount are arranged circumferentially around the central support body relative to the central axis;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the foldable bistro table of FIG. 1 in a partial-use configuration in which a user may place the foldable bistro table against a wall while being able to place objects on a portion of the table top, showing the table top support with the back leg assembly pivoted about the central axis from the expanded position to the folded position and the front leg assembly remaining in the expanded position; and further showing the table top with the back panel moved from the use position to the storage position and the front panel remaining in the use position;
FIG. 12 is a bottom section view taking along line 12-12 of the foldable bistro table of FIG. 11 in which the foldable bistro table is in the partial-use configuration;
FIG. 13 is a section view taken along line 13-13 of the foldable bistro table of FIG. 3 showing the table top with both the front panel and the back panel in the use position; and further showing that the right bracket defines a front axis between the central panel body and the front panel and a back axis between the central panel body and the back panel;
FIG. 14 is a section view taken along line 14-14 of the foldable bistro table of FIG. 5 showing the table top with both the front panel and the back panel pivoted about the front and back axes from the use position to the storage position;
FIG. 15 is a partial section view taken along line 15-15 of the foldable bistro table of FIG. 6 showing that the back panel includes a back panel body and a back-leg receiver coupled to the back panel body; and further showing that the back leg includes a spring lock arranged within the upper end of the back leg and extending through a button aperture formed in the upper end of the back leg to selectively lock the back leg in the back-leg receiver via a button-receiving aperture formed in the back-leg receiver;
FIG. 16 is a partial section view of the foldable bistro table of FIG. 15 showing the spring lock compressed into the back leg such that upper end of the back leg is movable from the back leg receiver;
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a foldable bistro table in which the foldable bistro table is in an expanded-use configuration;
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the foldable bistro table of FIG. 17;
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the foldable bistro table of FIG. 17 in which the foldable bistro table is in a folded-storage configuration;
FIG. 20 is a bottom section view taken along line 20-20 of the foldable bistro table of FIG. 17 in which the foldable bistro table is in the expanded-use configuration;
FIG. 21 is a bottom section view taken along line 21-21 of the foldable bistro table of FIG. 18;
FIG. 22 is a bottom section view taken along line 22-22 of the foldable bistro table of FIG. 19 in which the foldable bistro table is in the folded-storage configuration;
FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a central support post, a fixed mount, and a rotatable mount of the foldable bistro table of FIG. 17; and
FIG. 24 is a section view taken along line 24-24 of the central support post, the fixed mount, and the rotatable mount of FIG. 23.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to a number of illustrative embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same.
A foldable bistro table 10 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 1-16. The foldable bistro table 10 includes means for changing the table between an expanded-use configuration as shown in FIG. 3 in which a user may place objects on a table top 14 of the table 10 and a folded-storage configuration as shown in FIG. 5 in which a user may store the table 10 with a reduced footprint. A foldable bistro table 210 in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 17-24.
The foldable bistro table 10 includes a table top support 12 and the table top 14 coupled to the table top support 12 as shown in FIG. 1. The table top support 12 is supported on a floor 11 and the table top 14 is spaced apart from the floor 11 via the table top support 12. The foldable bistro table 10 is changeable between the expanded-use configuration as shown in FIG. 3 and the folded-storage configuration as shown in FIG. 5. In addition, the foldable bistro table 10 is changeable to a partial-use configuration as shown in FIG. 11. In the partial-use configuration, a user may place the foldable bistro table 10 against a wall while being able to place objects on a portion of the table top 14.
The table top support 12 includes a central support post 16, a fixed leg unit 18, and a stowable leg unit 20 as shown in FIG. 2. The central support post 16 defines a central axis 13 of the foldable bistro table 10. The fixed leg unit 18 is coupled to the central support post 16 such that the fixed leg unit 18 is fixed, or not rotatable, relative to the central axis 13. The stowable leg unit 20 is pivotable relative to the central support post 16 about the central axis 13.
The central support post 16 includes a central support body 22, an upper cap 24, and a lower cap 26 as shown in FIGS. 2, 9, and 10. The central support body 22 provides mount locations for the leg units 18, 20. The upper cap 24 and the lower cap 26 seal openings 32, 34 formed in the central support body 22 as well as a circumferential gap 60 defined between the central support body 22 and portions of the leg units 18, 20 as described in further detail below. The upper cap 24 is spaced apart from the table top 14 relative to the central axis 13.
The central support body 22 extends circumferentially around the central axis 13 as shown in FIGS. 2, 9, and 10. The central support body 22 includes an inner surface 28 facing the central axis 13 and an outer surface 30 facing the leg units 18, 20. The central support body 22 extends between an upper end 22U which is formed to define an upper opening 32 and a lower end 22L which is formed to define a lower opening 34. The central support body 22 is also formed to define two fastener-receiving apertures 36A, 36B which open into and extend between the outer surface 30 and the inner surface 28 and are spaced apart axially between the upper opening 32 and the lower opening 34 as shown in FIG. 2.
The fixed leg unit 18 includes a left leg assembly 46 and a right leg assembly 48 as shown in FIG. 2. The left leg assembly 46 supports a left side 124 of the table top 14 while the right leg assembly 48 supports a right side 126 of the table top 14. The left leg assembly 46 and the right leg assembly 48 are fixed relative to the central axis 13.
The left leg assembly 46 includes a left leg 50, a left-leg fixed mount 52, and a left-mount fastener 54 as shown in FIG. 2. The left leg 50 extends between the floor 11 and the table top 14 to support the left side 124 of the table top 14. The left-leg fixed mount 52 is coupled to the left leg 50. The left-mount fastener 54 couples the left-leg fixed mount 52 to the central support body 22.
The left leg 50 includes an upper segment 50U, a lower segment 50L, and a mount segment 50M as shown in FIG. 2. The upper segment 50U is coupled to the table top 14. In some embodiments, the upper segment 50U may be welded to the table top 14. The lower segment 50L engages the floor 11 to support the table top 14. The mount segment 50M extends between and interconnects the upper segment 50U and the lower segment 50L.
The left leg 50 has a generally concave shape that is defined by the upper segment 50U, the mount segment 50M and the lower segment 50L as shown in FIG. 2. The upper segment 50U is defined between an upper end 100U of the left leg 50 and a first curve 102A of the left leg 50 located radially inward from the upper end 100U relative to the central axis 13. As such, the upper segment 50U extends substantially perpendicular away from the central axis 13 when viewed downwardly along the central axis 13.
The mount segment 50M is defined between the first curve 102A and a second curve 102B of the left leg 50 that is radially inward from the first curve 102A as shown in FIG. 2. Between the first curve 102A and the second curve 102B, the mount segment 50M extends axially downward relative to the central axis 13. The mount segment 50M also extends radially inward from the first curve 102A to the upper end 22U of the central support body 22. The mount segment 50M extends only axially downward between the upper end 22U and the lower end 22L of the central support body 22 and is generally in confronting relation with mounts arranged on the central support body 22. As such, the left-leg fixed mount 52 is coupled to the mount segment 50M. The mount segment 50M extends radially outward from the lower end 22L of the central support body 22 to the second curve 102B. The first curve 102A and the second curve 102B open towards each other such that the mount segment 50M opens radially outward relative to the central axis 13.
The lower segment 50L is defined between the second curve 102B and a lower end 100L of the left leg 50 located radially outward from the second curve 102B relative to the central axis 13 as shown in FIG. 2. The lower segment 50L extends radially outward and axially downward from the second curve 102B at about 45° relative to the central axis 13 until the lower segment 50L is radially aligned with the upper end 100U of the left leg 50. When the lower segment 50L is radially aligned with the upper end 100U, the lower segment 50L extends substantially parallel to the central axis 13 to the lower end 100L. Furthermore, the lower end 100L is aligned radially with the upper end 100U.
The left-leg fixed mount 52 extends circumferentially around the central axis 13 as shown in FIGS. 2, 9, and 10. The left-leg fixed mount 52 includes an inner surface 56 facing the central axis 13 and an outer surface 58 opposite the inner surface 56. The left-leg fixed mount 52 is arranged circumferentially around the outer surface 30 of the central support body 22 such that a circumferential gap 60 is defined between the outer surface 30 of the central support body 22 and the inner surface 56 of the left-leg fixed mount 52. The left-leg fixed mount 52 also has an axial height 52H that is no more than about one-quarter of an axial height 22H of the central support body 22.
The left-leg fixed mount 52 is formed to include a fastener-receiving aperture 62 which opens into and extends between the outer surface 58 and the inner surface 56 as shown in FIGS. 2, 9, and 10. The fastener-receiving aperture 62 aligns axially and circumferentially with the fastener-receiving aperture 36A of the central support body 22 so that the left-mount fastener 54 is received in both apertures 62, 36A to fix the left-leg fixed mount 52 to the central support body 22. In other embodiments, the left-leg fixed mount 52 may be welded to the central support body 22 or secured to the central support body 22 by other means known in the art.
Similarly, the right leg assembly 48 includes a right leg 64, a right-leg fixed mount 66, and a right-mount fastener 68 as shown in FIG. 2. The right leg 64 extends between the floor 11 and the table top 14 to support the right side 126 of the table top 14. The right-leg fixed mount 66 is coupled to the right leg 64. The right-mount fastener 68 couples the right-leg fixed mount 66 to the central support body 22.
The right leg 64 includes an upper segment 64U, a lower segment 64L, and a mount segment 64M as shown in FIG. 2. The upper segment 64U is coupled to the table top 14. In some embodiments, the upper segment 64U may be welded to the table top 14. The lower segment 64L engages the floor 11 to support the table top 14. The mount segment 64M extends between and interconnects the upper segment 64U and the lower segment 64L.
The right leg 64 has a generally concave shape that is defined by the upper segment 64U, the mount segment 64M and the lower segment 64L as shown in FIG. 2. The upper segment 64U is defined between an upper end 104U of the right leg 64 and a first curve 106A of the right leg 64 located radially inward from the upper end 104U relative to the central axis 13. As such, the upper segment 64U extends substantially perpendicular away from the central axis 13 when viewed downwardly along the central axis 13.
The mount segment 64M is defined between the first curve 106A and a second curve 106B of the right leg 64 that is radially inward from the first curve 106A as shown in FIG. 2. Between the first curve 106A and the second curve 106B, the mount segment 64M extends axially downward relative to the central axis 13. The mount segment 64M also extends radially inward from the first curve 106A to the upper end 22U of the central support body 22. The mount segment 64M extends only axially downward between the upper end 22U and the lower end 22L of the central support body 22 and is generally in confronting relation with mounts arranged on the central support body 22. As such, the right-leg fixed mount 66 is coupled to the mount segment 64M. The mount segment 64M extends radially outward from the lower end 22L of the central support body 22 to the second curve 106B. The first curve 106A and the second curve 106B open towards each other such that the mount segment 64M opens radially outward relative to the central axis 13.
The lower segment 64L is defined between the second curve 106B and a lower end 104L of the right leg 64 located radially outward from the second curve 106B relative to the central axis 13 as shown in FIG. 2. The lower segment 64L extends radially outward and axially downward from the second curve 106B at about 45° relative to the central axis 13 until the lower segment 64L is radially aligned with the upper end 104U of the right leg 64. When the lower segment 64L is radially aligned with the upper end 104U, the lower segment 64L extends substantially parallel to the central axis 13 to the lower end 104L. Furthermore, the lower end 104L is aligned radially with the upper end 104U.
The right-leg fixed mount 66 extends circumferentially around the central axis 13 as shown in FIGS. 2, 9, and 10. The right-leg fixed mount 66 includes an inner surface 70 facing the central axis 13 and an outer surface 72 opposite the inner surface 70. The right-leg fixed mount 66 is arranged circumferentially around the outer surface 30 of the central support body 22 such that a circumferential gap 60 is defined between the outer surface 30 of the central support body and the inner surface 70 of the right-leg fixed mount 66. The outer surface 72 of the right-leg fixed mount 66 is aligned radially with the outer surface 42S of the outer sealing segment 42. The right-leg fixed mount 66 also has an axial height 66H that is no more than about one-quarter of the axial height 22H of the central support body 22.
The right-leg fixed mount 66 is formed to include a fastener-receiving aperture 74 which opens into and extends between the outer surface 72 and the inner surface 70 as shown in FIGS. 2, 9, and 10. The fastener-receiving aperture 74 aligns axially and circumferentially with the fastener-receiving aperture 36B of the central support body 22 so that the right-mount fastener 68 is received in both apertures 74, 36B to fix the right-leg fixed mount 66 to the central support body 22. In other embodiments, the right-leg fixed mount 66 may be welded to the central support body 22 or secured to the central support body 22 by other means known in the art.
The stowable leg unit 20 includes a back leg assembly 76 and a front leg assembly 78 as shown in FIG. 2. The back leg assembly 76 is movable between an expanded position shown in FIG. 3 in which the back leg assembly 76 supports a back side 128 of the table top 14 and a folded position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 as described in further detail below. Similarly, the front leg assembly 78 is movable between an expanded position shown in FIG. 3 in which the front leg assembly 78 supports a front side 130 of the table top 14 and a folded position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 as described in further detail below. Accordingly, the back leg assembly 76 and the front leg assembly 78 are rotatable relative to the central axis 13.
The stowable leg unit 20 is changeable between an expanded mode, a partial-use mode, and a folded mode. In the expanded mode, shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, both the back leg assembly 76 and the front leg assembly 78 are in the expanded position. In the partial-use mode, shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, one of the back leg assembly 76 and the front leg assembly 78 is in the expanded position while the other of the back leg assembly 76 and front leg assembly 78 is in the folded position. In the folded mode, shown in FIGS. 4-5 and 7-8, both the back leg assembly 76 and the front leg assembly 78 are in the folded position.
The back leg assembly 76 includes a back leg 80 and a back-leg rotatable mount 82 as shown in FIG. 2. The back leg 80 extends between the floor 11 and the table top 14 to support the back side 128 of the table top 14 when the back leg assembly 76 is in the expanded position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. The back-leg rotatable mount 82 is coupled to the back leg 80 for movement therewith.
The back leg 80 includes an upper segment 80U, a lower segment 80L, and a mount segment 80M as shown in FIG. 2. In the expanded position, the upper segment 80U is generally perpendicular to the upper segment 50U of the left leg 50 as shown in FIG. 6. In the folded position, the upper segment 80U is generally parallel to the upper segment 50U of the left leg 50 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The lower segment 80L engages the floor 11 to support the table top 14 when the back leg assembly 76 is in both the expanded position and the folded position. The mount segment 80M extends between and interconnects the upper segment 80U and the lower segment 80L.
The back leg 80 has a generally concave shape that is defined by the upper segment 80U, the mount segment 80M and the lower segment 80L as shown in FIG. 2. The upper segment 80U is defined between an upper end 108U of the back leg 80 and a first curve 110A of the back leg 80 located radially inward from the upper end 108U relative to the central axis 13. As such, the upper segment 80U extends substantially perpendicular away from the central axis 13 when viewed downwardly along the central axis 13.
The mount segment 80M is defined between the first curve 110A and a second curve 110B of the back leg 80 that is radially inward from the first curve 110A as shown in FIG. 2. Between the first curve 110A and the second curve 110B, the mount segment 80M extends axially downward relative to the central axis 13. The mount segment 80M also extends radially inward from the first curve 110A to the upper end 22U of the central support body 22. The mount segment 80M extends only axially downward between the upper end 22U and the lower end 22L of the central support body 22 and is generally in confronting relation with mounts arranged on the central support body 22. As such, the back-leg rotatable mount 82 is coupled to the mount segment 80M. The mount segment 80M extends radially outward from the lower end 22L of the central support body 22 to the second curve 110B. The first curve 110A and the second curve 110B open towards each other such that the mount segment 80M opens radially outward relative to the central axis 13.
The lower segment 80L is defined between the second curve 110B and a lower end 108L of the back leg 80 located radially outward from the second curve 110B relative to the central axis 13 as shown in FIG. 2. The lower segment 80L extends radially outward and axially downward from the second curve 110B at about 45° relative to the central axis 13 until the lower segment 80L is radially outward from the upper end 108U of the back leg 80. When the lower segment 80L is radially outward from the upper end 108U, the lower segment 80L extends substantially parallel to the central axis 13 to the lower end 108L. Furthermore, the lower end 108L is located radially outward from the upper end 108U.
The back-leg rotatable mount 82 extends circumferentially around the central axis 13 as shown in FIGS. 2, 9, and 10. The back-leg rotatable mount 82 includes an inner surface 86 facing the central axis 13 and an outer surface 88 opposite the inner surface 56. The back-leg rotatable mount 82 is arranged circumferentially around the outer surface 30 of the central support body 22 such that a circumferential gap 60 is defined between the outer surface 30 of the central support body and the inner surface 86 of the back-leg rotatable mount 82. The outer surface 88 of the back-leg rotatable mount 82 is aligned radially with the outer surface 38S of the outer sealing segment 38. The back-leg rotatable mount 82 also has an axial height 82H that is less than about one-quarter of an axial height 22H of the central support body 22. The back-leg rotatable mount 82 is arranged axially between the left-leg fixed mount 52 and the right-leg fixed mount 66 to block axial movement of the back-leg rotatable mount 82. Accordingly, the back-leg rotatable mount 82 is configured to be rotated circumferentially about the central axis 13 to move the back leg assembly 76 between the expanded position and the folded position.
Similarly, the front leg assembly 78 includes a front leg 90 and a front-leg rotatable mount 92 as shown in FIG. 2. The front leg 90 extends between the floor 11 and the table top 14 to support the front side 130 of the table top 14 when the front leg assembly 78 is in the expanded position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. The front-leg rotatable mount 92 is coupled to the front leg 90 for movement therewith.
The front leg 90 includes an upper segment 90U, a lower segment 90L, and a mount segment 90M as shown in FIG. 2. In the expanded position, the upper segment 90U is generally perpendicular to the upper segment 64U of the right leg 64 as shown in FIG. 6. In the folded position, the upper segment 90U is generally parallel to the upper segment 64U of the right leg 64 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The lower segment 90L engages the floor 11 to support the table top 14 when the front leg assembly 78 is in both the expanded position and the folded position. The mount segment 90M extends between and interconnects the upper segment 90U and the lower segment 90L.
The front leg 90 has a generally concave shape that is defined by the upper segment 90U, the mount segment 90M and the lower segment 90L as shown in FIG. 2. The upper segment 90U is defined between an upper end 112U of the front leg 90 and a first curve 114A of the front leg 90 located radially inward from the upper end 112U relative to the central axis 13. As such, the upper segment 90U extends substantially perpendicular away from the central axis 13 when viewed downwardly along the central axis 13.
The mount segment 90M is defined between the first curve 114A and a second curve 114B of the front leg 90 that is radially inward from the first curve 114A as shown in FIG. 2. Between the first curve 114A and the second curve 114B, the mount segment 90M extends axially downward relative to the central axis 13. The mount segment 90M also extends radially inward from the first curve 114A to the upper end 22U of the central support body 22. The mount segment 90M extends only axially downward between the upper end 22U and the lower end 22L of the central support body 22 and is generally in confronting relation with mounts arranged on the central support body 22. As such, the front-leg rotatable mount 82 is coupled to the mount segment 90M. The mount segment 90M extends radially outward from the lower end 22L of the central support body 22 to the second curve 114B. The first curve 114A and the second curve 114B open towards each other such that the mount segment 90M opens radially outward relative to the central axis 13.
The lower segment 90L is defined between the second curve 114B and a lower end 112L of the front leg 90 located radially outward from the second curve 114B relative to the central axis 13 as shown in FIG. 2. The lower segment 90L extends radially outward and axially downward from the second curve 114B at about 45° relative to the central axis 13 until the lower segment 90L is radially outward from the upper end 112U of the front leg 90. When the lower segment 90L is radially outward from the upper end 112U, the lower segment 90L extends substantially parallel to the central axis 13 to the lower end 112L. Furthermore, the lower end 112L is located radially outward from the upper end 112U.
The front-leg rotatable mount 92 extends circumferentially around the central axis 13 as shown in FIGS. 2, 9, and 10. The front-leg rotatable mount 92 includes an inner surface 96 facing the central axis 13 and an outer surface 98 opposite the inner surface 96. The front-leg rotatable mount 92 is arranged circumferentially around the outer surface 30 of the central support body 22 such that a circumferential gap 60 is defined between the outer surface 30 of the central support body and the inner surface 96 of the front-leg rotatable mount 92. The outer surface 98 of the front-leg rotatable mount 92 is aligned radially with the outer surface 42S of the outer sealing segment 42. The front-leg rotatable mount 92 also has an axial height 92H that is less than about one-quarter of an axial height 22H of the central support body 22. The front-leg rotatable mount 92 is arranged axially between the left-leg fixed mount 52 and the right-leg fixed mount 66 to block axial movement of the front-leg rotatable mount 92. Accordingly, the front-leg rotatable mount 92 is configured to be rotated circumferentially about the central axis 13 to move the front leg assembly 78 between the expanded position and the folded position.
Turning back to the central support post 16, the upper cap 24 includes an outer sealing segment 38 and an inner sealing segment 40 coupled to the outer sealing segment 38 as shown in FIG. 10. The outer sealing segment 38 is located axially above the upper end 22U of the central support body 22. The outer surface 38S of the outer sealing segment 38 is located radially outward from the outer surface 30 of the central support body 22. A lower surface 38L of the outer sealing segment 38 engages the upper end 22U of the central support body 22 and the left-leg fixed mount 52. The inner sealing segment 40 extends axially downward from the outer sealing segment 38 and through the upper opening 32. An outer surface 40S of the inner sealing segment 40 engages the inner surface 28 of the central support body 22. The outer surface 58 of the left-leg fixed mount 52 and the outer surface 88 of the back-leg rotatable mount 82 are aligned radially with the outer surface 38S of the outer sealing segment 38.
Similarly, the lower cap 26 includes an outer sealing segment 42 and an inner sealing segment 44 coupled to the outer sealing segment 42 as shown in FIG. 10. The outer sealing segment 42 is located axially below the lower end 22L of the central support body 22. The outer surface 42S of the outer sealing segment 42 is located radially outward from the outer surface 30 of the central support body 22. The outer surface 42S of the outer sealing segment 42 also aligns radially with the outer surface 38S of the outer sealing segment 38. An upper surface 42U of the outer sealing segment 42 engages the lower end 22L of the central support body 22 and right-leg fixed mount 66. The inner sealing segment 44 extends axially upward from the outer sealing segment 42 and through the lower opening 34. An outer surface 44S of the inner sealing segment 40 engages the inner surface 28 of the central support body 22. The outer surface 72 of the right-leg fixed mount 66 and the outer surface 98 of the front-leg rotatable mount 92 are aligned radially with the outer surface 42S of the outer sealing segment 42.
The central support post 16 further includes one or more gaskets 116 arranged around the outer surface 30 of the central support body 30 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The one or more gaskets 116 block axial movement of the rotatable mounts 82, 92 relative to the central axis 13. The one or more gaskets 116 also provide an axial gap 116G between different mounts to allow rotation of the rotatable mounts 82, 92 about the central axis 13. In the illustrative embodiment, a gasket 116 is located axially between the left-leg fixed mount 52 and the back-leg rotatable mount 82, another gasket 116 is located axially between the back-leg rotatable mount 82 and the front-leg rotatable mount 92, and yet another gasket 116 is located axially between the front-leg rotatable mount 92 and the right-leg fixed mount 66.
Referring back to FIGS. 6-8, each of the left leg assembly 46 and the right leg assembly 48 are fixed relative to the central axis 13. The upper ends 100U, 104U of the left and right legs 50, 64 are a first radial distance R1 from the central axis 13. The mount segment 50M of the left leg 50 is “offset” from the mount segment 64M of the right leg 64. In other words, the mount segments 50M, 64M are arranged relative to the central axis such that the upper segment 50U of the left leg 50 is parallel to but not collinear with the upper segment 64U of the right leg 64.
The back leg assembly 76 and the front leg assembly 78 are each changeable between an expanded position, shown in FIG. 6 and a folded position, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Because each of the back leg assembly 76 and the front leg assembly 78 have a respective rotatable mount 82, 92, the back leg assembly 76 and the front leg assembly 78 can move together as suggested in FIGS. 3-8 or independently of one another as suggested in FIGS. 11 and 12. The upper ends 108U, 112U of the back and front legs 80, 90 are a second radial distance R2 from the central axis 13 that is less than the first radial distance R1.
The mount segment 80M of the back leg 80 is “offset” from the mount segment 90M of the front leg 90 as shown in FIGS. 5-8. In other words, when the back leg assembly 76 and the front leg assembly 78 are both in the expanded position or both in the folded position, the upper segment 80U of the back leg 80 is parallel to but not collinear with the upper segment 90U of the front leg 90. The mount segments 80M, 90M of the back and front legs 80, 90 engage a mount segment 50M, 64M of the left and right legs 50, 64 in both the expanded position and the folded position.
When the back leg assembly 76 is in the expanded position, shown in FIG. 6, the mount segment 80M of the back leg 80 engages the mount segment 64M of the right leg 64 such that the upper segment 80U of the back leg 80 is substantially perpendicular to the upper segment 64U of the right leg 64. To change the back leg assembly 76 from the expanded position to the folded position, the back-leg rotatable mount 82 is rotated about the central axis 13 to move the back leg 80. In the folded position, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the mount segment 80M of the back leg 80 engages the mount segment 50M of the left leg 50 such that the upper segment 80U of the back leg 80 is substantially parallel to the upper segment 50U of the left leg 50. In other words, the back leg 80 extends along and adjacent to the left leg 50. The upper segment 80U of the back leg 80 is also substantially collinear with the upper segment 64U of the right leg 64. In the illustrative embodiment, the upper end 108U of the back leg 80 is at a back end 128 of the table top 14 when the back leg assembly 76 is in the expanded position and is at the left side 124 of the table top 14 when the back leg assembly 76 is in the folded position.
When the front leg assembly 78 is in the expanded position, shown in FIG. 6, the mount segment 90M of the front leg 90 engages the mount segment 50M of the left leg 50 such that the upper segment 90U of the front leg 90 is substantially perpendicular to the upper segment 50U of the left leg 50. To change the front leg assembly 78 from the expanded position to the folded position, the front-leg rotatable mount 92 is rotated about the central axis 13 to move the front leg 90. In the folded position, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the mount segment 90M of the front leg 90 engages the mount segment 64M of the right leg 64 such that the upper segment 90U of the front leg 90 is substantially parallel to the upper segment 64U of the right leg 64. In other words, the front leg 90 extends along and adjacent to the right leg 64. The upper segment 90U of the front leg 90 is also substantially collinear with the upper segment 50U of the left leg 50. In the illustrative embodiment, the upper end 112U of the front leg 90 is at a front end 130 of the table top 14 when the front leg assembly 78 is in the expanded position and is at the right side 126 of the table top 14 when the front leg assembly 78 is in the folded position.
The table top 14 includes a central panel 118, a back panel 120, and a front panel 122 as shown in FIG. 2. The central panel 118 extends between a left side 124 and a right side 126 of the table top 14. The back panel 120 is coupled to the central panel 118 and extends to a back end 128 of the table top 14. Similarly, the front panel 122 is coupled to the central panel 118 and extends to a front end 130 of the table top 14. In the illustrative embodiment, the table top 14 is circular. However, in other embodiments that table top 14 may be square, rectangular, triangular, oblong, or any other shape.
The central panel 118 includes a central panel body 132, a left bracket 134, and a right bracket 136 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6-8. The central panel body 132 extends between the left side 124 and the right side 126 of the table top 14. The central panel body 132 is formed to define a center line 132C, a back edge 132B facing the back panel 120 and a front edge 132F facing the front panel 122. The left bracket 134 is coupled to the central panel body 132 at the left side 124 of the table top 14 and is also coupled to the back and front panels 120, 122. The right bracket 136 is coupled to the central panel body 132 at the right side 126 of the table top 14 and is also coupled to the back and front panels 120, 122.
Referring to FIGS. 6-8, the upper segment 50U of the left leg 50 is positioned between the center line 132C and the front edge 132F of the central panel body 132. The upper segment 50U of the left leg 50 cooperates with the back edge 132B of the central panel body 132 to define a back-leg receiving gap 138 therebetween. When the back leg assembly 76 is in the folded position, the upper segment 80U of the back leg 80 is arranged in the back-leg receiving gap 138. Similarly, the upper segment 64U of the right leg 64 is positioned between the center line 132C and the back edge 132B of the central panel body 132. The upper segment 64U of the right leg 64 cooperates with the front edge 132F of the central panel body 132 to define a front-leg receiving gap 140 therebetween. When the front leg assembly 78 is in the folded position, the upper segment 90U of the front leg 90 is arranged in the front-leg receiving gap 140. As such, when the front leg assembly 78 and the back leg assembly 76 are both in the folded position, the front leg 90, the back leg 80, the left leg 50, and the right leg 64 are all within the footprint of the central panel body 132 to minimize the footprint of the foldable bistro table 10 when the foldable bistro table 10 is in the folded-storage configuration.
The left bracket 134 and the right bracket 136 cooperate to define a back-panel pivot axis 142 and a front-panel pivot axis 144 as shown in FIGS. 2-5. The back-panel pivot axis 142 and the front-panel pivot axis 144 are substantially perpendicular to the central axis 13.
FIGS. 13 and 14 show the right bracket 136, however a person having ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the left bracket 134 mirrors the right bracket 136. Accordingly, the following description of the right bracket 136 applies to the left bracket 134 as well. The right bracket 136 includes a central-body segment 136C coupled to the central panel body 132, a back-panel segment 136B coupled to the back panel 120 and the central-body segment 136C, and a front-panel segment 136F coupled to the front panel 120 and the central-body segment 136C. The back-panel segment 136B and the central-body segment 136C cooperate to define the back-panel pivot axis 142. Similarly, the front-panel segment 136F and the central-body segment 136C cooperate to define the front-panel pivot axis 144. The central-panel segment 136C is also formed to define a fixed-leg receiving aperture 136A configured to receive the upper segment 64U of the right leg 64 to couple the right leg 64 to the table top 14. The fixed-leg receiving aperture 136A of the right bracket 136 is arranged between the center line 132C and the back edge 132B of the central panel body 132. Meanwhile, the fixed-leg receiving aperture (not shown) of the left bracket 134 is arranged between the center line 132C and the front edge 132F of the central panel body 132 to receive the upper segment 50U of the left leg 50 to couple the left leg 50 to the table top 14.
The back panel 120 includes a back panel body 146 and a back-leg receiver 148 as shown in FIG. 2. The back panel body 146 is coupled to the left and right brackets 134, 136 to selectively rotate about the back-panel pivot axis 142. The back panel body 146 extends between the back edge 132B of the central panel body 132 and the back end 128 of the table top. The back-leg receiver 148 is coupled to the back panel body 146 at the back end 128 of the table top 14 and is configured to selectively engage the upper segment 80U of the back leg 80 when the back leg assembly 76 is in the expanded position.
The back panel 120 is changeable between a use position, shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and a storage position, shown in FIG. 8. In the use position, the back panel 120 is substantially parallel to the floor 11 and substantially perpendicular to the central axis 13. In the storage position, the back panel 120 is substantially parallel to the central axis 13. The back panel 120 rotates about the back-panel pivot axis 142 to change between the use position and the storage position.
As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the back-leg receiver 148 includes an upper wall 150 coupled to the back panel body 120, a lower wall 152 opposite the upper wall 150, and a leg-blocking wall 154 coupled to and interconnecting the upper wall 150 and the lower wall 152. The upper wall 150 and the lower wall 152 cooperate to define a left-side edge 156 and the upper wall 150, the lower wall 152, and the leg-blocking wall 154 cooperate to define a leg-receiving space 158 opening into the left-side edge 156 towards the leg-receiving space 158. The lower wall 152 is formed to include button-receiving aperture 152A opening towards the floor 11 and a clip ramp 152R that extends downwardly from the left-side edge 156 towards the floor.
The upper segment 80U is formed to include a button-leg aperture 80A as shown in FIGS. 2, 15, and 16. The back leg assembly 76 further includes a button clip 160 arranged in the upper segment 80U of the back leg 80. The button clip 160 includes a clip body 162 and a button 164 coupled to the clip body 162. When the back leg assembly 76 is in the expanded position, the upper segment 80U is arranged in the leg-receiving space 158 and the button 164 extends downwardly through the button-leg aperture 80A and the button-receiving aperture 152A. To move the back leg assembly 76 from the expanded position to the folded position, a user presses the button 164 upward and into the upper segment 80U of the back leg 80 and pulls the back leg 80 away from the back-leg receiver 148 and rotates the back leg 80 towards the back-leg receiving gap 138. To move the back leg assembly 76 from the folded positon to the expanded position, a user pulls the back leg 80 away from the back-leg receiving gap 138 and rotates the back leg 80 towards the back leg-receiver 148. As the upper segment 80U of the back leg 80 approaches the back-leg receiver 148, the clip ramp 152R pushes the button 164 into the button-leg aperture 80A such that when the button 164 is arranged over the button-receiving aperture 152A, the button 164 extends through the button-leg aperture 80A and into the button-receiving aperture 152A to lock the back leg assembly 76 into the expanded position.
The front panel 122 includes a front panel body 166 and a front-leg receiver 168 as shown in FIG. 2. The front panel body 166 is coupled to the left and right brackets 134, 136 to selectively rotate about the front-panel pivot axis 144. The front panel body 166 extends between the front edge 132F of the central panel body 132 and the front end 130 of the table top. The front-leg receiver 168 is coupled to the front panel body 166 at the front end 130 of the table top 14 and is configured to selectively engage the upper segment 90U of the front leg 90 when the front-leg assembly 78 is in the expanded position.
The front panel 122 is changeable between a use position, shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and a storage position, shown in FIG. 8. In the use position, the front panel 122 is substantially parallel to the floor 11 and substantially perpendicular to the central axis 13. In the storage position, the front panel 122 is substantially parallel to the central axis 13. The front panel 122 rotates about the front-panel pivot axis 144 to change between the use position and the storage position. In the use position, the front panel 124 is supported by the front leg assembly 78.
The table top 14 is changeable between a use mode, a partial-use mode, and a storage mode. In the use mode, shown in FIGS. 3-4 and 6-7, both the back panel 120 and the front panel 122 are in the use position. In the partial-use mode, shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, one of the back panel 120 and the front panel 122 is in the use position while the other of the back panel 120 and the front panel 122 is in the storage position. In the storage mode, shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, both the back panel 120 and the front panel 122 are in the storage position.
The central panel 118, the back panel 120, and the back panel 122 each have an upper surface 118S, 120S, 122S facing away from the floor 11 as shown in FIGS. 3-5. In the use mode, the table top 14 has a first area A1 that is defined by the surface area of the table top 14 when viewing the table top 14 axially downward towards the floor 11 as shown in FIG. 3. In the illustrative embodiment, the first area A1 is defined primarily by the combined surface area of the upper surfaces 118S, 120S, 122S.
In the storage mode, the table top 14 has a second area A2 that is defined by the surface area of the table top 14 when viewing the table top 14 axially downward towards the floor 11 as shown in FIG. 5. The second area A2 is less than the first area A1. In the illustrative embodiment, the second area A2 is defined primarily by the surface area of the upper surface 118S of the central panel 118. In other embodiments, the second area A2 may be at or near zero where the entire table top 14 is folded to be substantially parallel to the central axis 13.
In the partial-use mode, the table top 14 has a third area A3 that is defined by the surface area of the table top 14 when viewing the table top 14 axially downward towards the floor 11 as shown in FIG. 11. The third area A3 is less than the first area A1 and greater than the second area A2. In the illustrative embodiment, the third area A3 is defined primarily by the combined surface area of the upper surface 118S of the central panel 118 and one of the upper surface 120S of the back panel 120 and the upper surface 122S of the front panel 122.
When both the front panel 122 and the back panel 120 are in the storage position, the panels 120, 122 are substantially parallel to the left leg assembly 46 and the right leg assembly 48 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8. In the storage position, the front panel 122 is in confronting relation to the left leg 50 and the front leg 90 while the back panel 122 is in confronting relation to the right leg 64 and the back leg 80. As such, the footprint of the foldable bistro table 10 is minimized when the foldable bistro table 10 is in the folded-storage configuration.
FIGS. 15 and 16 show the back-leg receiver 148, however a person having ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the front-leg receiver 168 mirrors the back-leg receiver 148. Accordingly, the description of the back-leg receiver 148 above applies to the front-leg receiver 168 as well.
The upper segment 90U is formed to include a button-leg aperture 90A as shown in FIGS. 2, 7 and 8. The front leg assembly 78 further includes a button clip 160 arranged in the upper segment 90U of the front leg 90. The button clip 160 is the same button clip 160 arranged in the upper segment 80U of the front leg 80. A person having ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the front leg assembly 78 in the expanded position and moving from the expanded position to the folded position or moving from the folded position to the expanded position as it relates to the button clip 160 and the front-leg receiver 168 mirrors the description of the back leg assembly 76 above.
When the foldable bistro table 10 is in the expanded-use configuration, the back leg assembly 76 and the front leg assembly 78 are in the expanded position and the back panel 120 and the front panel 122 are in the use position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. To change the foldable bistro table 10 from the expanded-use configuration to the folded-storage configuration, the back leg assembly 76 and the front leg assembly 78 are rotated about the central axis 13 as suggested in FIGS. 4 and 7 and the back panel 120 and the front panel 122 are rotated about the back-panel axis 142 and the front-panel axis 144, respectively, as suggested in FIGS. 5 and 8.
The foldable bistro table 10 is also changeable to a partial-use configuration in which one of the back leg assembly 76 and the front leg assembly 78 is in the expanded positon and the other of the back leg assembly 76 and the front leg assembly 78 is in the folded position as suggested in FIGS. 11 and 12. As such, one of the back panel 120 and the front panel 122 is in the use position and the other of the back panel 120 and the front panel 122 is in the storage position.
Another embodiment of a foldable bistro table 210 is shown in FIGS. 17-24. The foldable bistro table 210 is similar to the foldable bistro table 10 shown in FIGS. 1-16 and described herein. Accordingly, similar reference numbers in the 200 series indicate features that are common between the foldable bistro table 210 and the foldable bistro table 10. The description of the foldable bistro table 10 is incorporated by reference to apply to the foldable bistro table 210, except in instances when they conflict with the specific descriptions and the drawings of the foldable bistro table 210. Specifically, the back leg 280 and the front leg 290 must be rotated together rather than independently.
The fixed leg unit 218 includes a left leg 250, a right leg 264 and a fixed mount 2170 coupled to the mount segments 250M, 264M of the left and right legs 250, 264 as shown in FIG. 17. The fixed mount 2170 extends circumferentially around the central axis 213 and around the outer surface 230 of the central support body 222. The fixed leg unit 218 is fixed relative to the central axis 213 via the upper segment 250U, 264M of the left and right legs 250, 264 being coupled to the table top 214.
The stowable leg unit 220 includes a back leg 280, a front leg 290, and a rotatable mount 2172 coupled to the mount segments 280M, 290M of the back and front legs 280, 290 as shown in FIG. 17. The rotatable mount 2172 extends circumferentially around the central axis 213 and around the outer surface 230 of the central support body 222. Because both the back leg 280 and the front leg 290 are coupled to the rotatable mount 2172, the back leg 280 and the front leg 290 must move together between the expanded mode and the folded mode.
While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the foregoing drawings and description, the same is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come with the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected.
Patent Application
20250031840
