The present invention relates to a foldable table, and more particularly to a foldable table that is folded when not in use, thereby saving space of storage, package and transportation.
A conventional table is available for providing a support effect, thereby facilitating the user using the table. However, the conventional table has a fixed structure and cannot be folded when not in use, thereby increasing space of storage, and thereby causing inconvenience in storage, package and transportation.
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a foldable table that is supported rigidly and stably when being expanded and is folded when not in use, thereby enhancing the versatility of foldable table.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a foldable table, wherein the handle is pivoted outward to protrude from the two table boards, thereby facilitating the user carrying the foldable table.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide a foldable table that is folded when not in use, thereby saving space of storage, package and transportation.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a foldable table, comprising two table boards pivotally connected with each other, and two support units each foldably mounted on a respective one of the two table boards, wherein:
each of the two table boards has a bottom formed with a receiving space; and
each of the support units is mounted in the receiving space of a respective one of the two table boards and includes a support stand having an end pivotally mounted on a first end of the respective table board, and a support member pivotally mounted on a second end of the respective table board and pivotally connected with the support stand.
A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a collapsible table having a substantially square tabletop. The tabletop includes two tabletop halves. Each tabletop half has a substantially planar top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, an inner edge, and an opposing outer edge which is substantially parallel to the inner edge. A hinge assembly pivotally connects the two tabletop halves along their inner edges to enable the two tabletop halves to be folded together into a storage position. Attached to the bottom surface of the tabletop are legs that are collapsible to a position adjacent to the bottom surface of the tabletop.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a collapsible table having two tabletop halves, each half having a substantially planar top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, an inner edge, and an opposing outer edge which is substantially parallel to the inner edge. A hinge assembly pivotally connects the two tabletop halves along their inner edges so that the two tabletop halves can be folded together into a storage position. Attached to the bottom surface of the tabletop are four collapsible legs that are each operable to collapse independently of any of the other legs.
In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a collapsible table having two tabletop halves, each half having a substantially planar top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, an inner edge, and an opposing outer edge which is substantially parallel to the inner edge. A hinge assembly pivotally connects the two tabletop halves along their inner edges so that the two tabletop halves can be folded together into a storage position. Attached to the bottom surface of the tabletop are four collapsible legs. A first pair of the legs are operable to collapse to positions which are substantially parallel to the outer edges of the tabletop halves. A second pair of the legs are operable to collapse to positions which are substantially diagonal to the outer edges of the tabletop halves.
Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.
Further advantages of the invention are apparent by reference to the detailed description in conjunction with the figures, wherein elements are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein:
Referring to the drawings and initially to
The two table boards 1 are pivotally connected with each other by two pivot members 12. Each of the two table boards 1 has a bottom formed with a receiving space 11. The foldable table further comprises two juxtaposed reinforcement members 13 each secured on an edge of a respective one of the two table boards 1. The receiving space 11 of each of the two table boards 1 has two sides each provided with a support tube 14 secured on each of the two table boards 1 by a plurality of screws 15 as shown in
Each of the support units 4 is mounted in the receiving space 11 of a respective one of the two table boards 1 and includes a support stand 2 having an end pivotally mounted on a first end of the respective table board 1, and a support member 3 pivotally mounted on a second end of the respective table board 1 and pivotally connected with the support stand 2.
The support member 3 of each of the support units 4 includes a substantially T-shaped support bar 30 having a first end pivotally mounted on the second end of the respective table board 1, and a substantially V-shaped extension bar 31 having a first end pivotally mounted on a second end of the support bar 30 and a second end pivotally mounted on a mediate portion of the support stand 2.
The receiving space 11 of each of the two table boards 1 is formed with a plurality of receiving recesses 16 for receiving the support stand 2 and the support member 3 of each of the support units 4 when being folded.
As shown in
In practice, as shown in
As shown in
The hinge assembly 12 includes a latch member 54 disposed between the tabs 52c of the hinge member 52. As shown in
In the first position, the pawl pin 58 engages notches 50b in the tabs 50c of the hinge member 50, thereby preventing rotation of the hinge member 50 with respect to the hinge member 52. In the second position, the pawl pin 58 disengages the notches 50b, thereby allowing rotation of the hinge member 50 with respect to the hinge member 52.
As shown in
When a user applies pressure to the surface 54c of the latch member 54, the latch member 54 rotates in relation to the hinge pin 56. This rotational movement of the latch member 54 urges the pawl pin 58 to slide in the slots 52b toward the second position. This movement of the pawl pin 58 disengages the pawl pin 58 from the notches 50b in the tabs 50c of the hinge member 50, thereby allowing the hinge members 50 and 52 to rotate in relation to each other.
Thus, when the table boards 1 are unfolded into a coplanar position, the action of the spring 62, pawl pin 58 and notches 50b automatically locks the table boards 1 in the coplanar position. When a user applies pressure to the surface 54c of the latch member, the pawl pin 58 disengages from the notches so that the table boards 1 may be folded together.
As shown in
In preferred embodiments of the invention, the collapsible legs 65a-65b comprise two pairs of legs. The first pair of legs 65a collapse to positions which are substantially parallel to the outer edges 67 of the tabletop 63, and the second pair of legs 65b collapse to positions which are substantially diagonal to the outer edges 67 of the tabletop 63. The second pair of legs 65b collapse at diagonal angles so that the legs 65b do not interfere with the ability of the tabletop 63 to fold in half along the inner edges 71 of the two tabletop halves 64. Thus, the particular angle at which the second pair of legs 65b collapses can vary as long as the ends of the second pair of legs 65b do not extend beyond the inner edges 71 of either of the tabletop halves 64. In the square tabletop embodiment of
Referring to
The foregoing description of preferred embodiments for this invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.
This application claims priority as a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/383,776 filed on May 17, 2006, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/763,155 filed Jan. 21, 2004, now abandoned.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
1426962 | Corpstein | Aug 1922 | A |
2643926 | Pucci | Jun 1953 | A |
2707664 | Marsilius | May 1955 | A |
3368504 | Cohen | Feb 1968 | A |
5357872 | Wilmore | Oct 1994 | A |
6058853 | Pinch | May 2000 | A |
6520094 | Wen | Feb 2003 | B2 |
6659021 | Wen | Dec 2003 | B2 |
6823806 | Buono | Nov 2004 | B1 |
7418907 | Haimoff | Sep 2008 | B2 |
20020092445 | Glover et al. | Jul 2002 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20070272128 A1 | Nov 2007 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 11383776 | May 2006 | US |
Child | 11779422 | US | |
Parent | 10763155 | Jan 2004 | US |
Child | 11383776 | US |