This application claims priority to Chinese Application Nos. 201520907756.4 and 201520907759.8, both filed Nov. 16, 2015, the disclosure of each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The present invention relates to a foldable table, and more particularly, to a foldable table with a round tabletop when the table is in being used, and a compact, stacked configuration when the table is folded for storage.
Currently common desks and tables used in everyday life are one-piece or assembled from many parts. However, one piece desks and tables that do not require assembly take up significant storage space and are difficult to transport. Assembling the parts for desks or tables at one's home or business premise can be complex and time-consuming, and it is usually very difficult to disassemble these structures once assembled.
There are certain foldable tables on the market. One type of such foldable tables include a tabletop and legs that are rotatable relative to the tabletop. When a user wants to use the table, he/she turns the table legs and lay the tabletop in the horizontal direction. When the user finishes using the table, he/she rotates and folds the table legs. In the folded configuration, the tabletop and the table legs are substantially parallel. This type of foldable table is convenient, but still has some drawbacks. For example, the tabletop has a large surface which requires a large tablecloth to keep it clean. Sometimes for the purpose of increasing usable surface of the tabletop, four pieces of foldable extensions are included on the side edges of the tabletop. This would increase the cost and weight of the table.
The present inventor previously invented a foldable table to resolve the above problems. The table includes a round tabletop consisting of three even-sized sectors which can be folded into a stacked configuration. However, in the folded configuration, the legs of the table are exposed and can be easily damaged in handling. Also, the table is still quite bulky when folded.
Thus, there is a need for improved designs of a foldable table which can be folded into smaller and more compact configuration.
In one aspect of the present invention, a foldable table having a deployment condition and a folded condition is provided. The table includes a tabletop having an upper side and an underside. The tabletop consists of three equal-sized sectors, each sector including two side edges and a periphery, and a groove along the periphery of the sector on the underside. The first sector and the second sector are rotatably connected at the two adjacent edges between the first sector and the second sector. The second sector and the third sector are rotatably connected at the two adjacent edges between the second sector and the third sector. The three sectors form a round flat tabletop surface when the table is in the deployment condition, and form a stacked configuration when the table is in the folded condition. The table further includes a leg support for each of the sectors. Each leg support includes an outer leg component having an upper end hingedly joined with a respective sector at the groove of the sector. The outer leg component includes an upper arcuate portion which is dimensioned and shaped to be accommodated at least partially into the groove when the table is in the folded condition.
In some embodiments, the first sector and the second sector are rotatable in a first direction, the second sector and the third sector are rotatable in a second, opposite direction, such that when the table is in the folded condition, the second sector is stacked between the first sector and the third sector.
In some embodiments, the foldable table further includes a curved bar shaped and dimensioned to be inserted into and spanning the grooves of two adjacent sectors when the table is in the deployment condition.
In some embodiments, the foldable table further includes a latch mechanism, the latch mechanism being configured to couple adjacent edges between two sectors when the table is in the deployment condition.
In some embodiments, each of the leg supports further comprises an inner leg component, the inner leg component and the outer leg component of each leg support being linked by at least one connecting member.
In some embodiments, the inner leg component and the outer leg component of each leg support are substantially in a same plane, wherein each outer leg component further comprises a lower portion which splays downward.
In some embodiments, the foldable table further includes a reinforcing brace having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to a bracket engaged with an inner leg component of a leg support of a sector, and the second end connected to an edge of the sector.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a foldable table of an alternative design. The foldable table has a deployment condition and a folded condition. It includes a tabletop consisting of three equal-sized sectors. Each sector has an upper side and an underside, and includes two side edges. The first sector and the second sector are rotatably connected at the two adjacent side edges between the first sector and the second sector. The second sector and the third sector are rotatably connected at the two adjacent edges between the second sector and the third sector, whereby the three sectors form a round flat tabletop surface when the table is in the deployment condition, and form a stacked configuration when the table is in the folded condition. The table further includes three leg supports, each associated with one of the three sectors, respectively. Each leg support takes a generally planar profile and can include a shoulder portion having a top edge hingedly connected to the underside of the associated sector to allow rotation of the sector about the top edge. At least one leg support has a depressed area configured to accommodate a portion of the associated sector when the table is in the folded condition.
In some embodiments of the foldable table of this alternative design, the depressed area includes a slanted step configured to engage a side edge of the associated sector when the table is in the folded condition.
In some embodiments of the foldable table of this alternative design, the first sector and the second sector are rotatable in a first direction, the second sector and the third sector are rotatably in a second, opposite direction, such that when the table is in the folded condition, the second sector is stacked between the first sector and the third sector.
In some embodiments of the foldable table of this alternative design, the leg support for the first sector is hingedly connected to the leg support for the second sector, the leg support for the second sector is hingedly connected to the leg support for the third sector, and wherein when the table is in the folded condition, the leg support for the second sector is stacked between the leg support for the first sector and the leg support for the third sector.
Generally, the present disclosure provides a foldable table. The table has a deployment (or expanded) condition when it is being used for its intended purpose. When not in use, the table can be folded into a storage (or folded) condition. In the folded condition, the table takes a very compact form and multiple tables can be easily stacked together.
Further, each sector includes a groove along the periphery of the sector on the underside. For example, and as shown in
The first sector 110 and the second sector 120 are rotatably connected at two adjacent edges 112. and 121 between the first sector and the second sector. The second sector 120 and the third sector 130 are rotatably connected at two adjacent edges 122 and 131 between the second sector and the third sector. The edges 132 and 121 are not connected and referred also as the free side edges. The three sectors 110, 120, 130 together form a round flat tabletop surface when the table is in the deployment condition (as shown in
The sectors 110, 120, 130 of table 10 each also has a leg support 140, 150, 160, respectively. Each of the leg supports includes an outer leg component and an inner leg component, with the outer leg component hingedly joined with a respective sector at the groove of the sector, and includes an upper arcuate portion which is dimensioned and shaped to be accommodated at least partially into the groove when the table is in the folded condition. The outer leg components and the inner leg components can be made of a metal, such as stainless steel, cast iron, etc., or other materials as desired. Using leg support 160 as an example, and referring to
As shown in
Also as illustrated in
In some embodiments, each of the leg supports includes one or more connecting members linking the inner leg component and outer leg component thereof. As illustrated in
Also as shown in
Table 10 can further include a latch mechanism to couple adjacent edges of two sectors along their respective periphery. For example, and as shown in
The latch mechanism discussed above can be used to lock the two free edges 111 and 132 (which are not connected) to prevent the relative movement of the first sector 110 and the third sector 130 when the table is in the deployment condition. Alternatively, it can also be used to couple and lock the first sector with the second sector, or couple and lock the second sector with the third sector.
As shown in
In another aspect, the present invention provides an alternative design of a foldable table, which are generally illustrated in connection with
This second design of the foldable table includes a leg support 240, 250, 260 for each of the tabletop sectors 210, 220, 230, respectively. Each leg support 240, 250, 260 takes a generally planar profile. As illustrated in
As shown in
The leg supports 240, 250, 260 can be hingedly joined for the stability of ease of handling of the table 20. Referring to
The tabletop as well as the leg supports for table 20 can be made from wood or plastic, or other material as needed or desired. For ease of handling, the foot portion of each leg support can include a wheel.
The description herein merely illustrates the principles of the disclosed subject matter. Various modifications and alterations to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. Further, it should be noted that the language used herein has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes. Accordingly, the disclosure herein is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the disclosed subject matter.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2015 2 0907756 U | Nov 2015 | CN | national |
2015 2 0907759 U | Nov 2015 | CN | national |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20170135465 A1 | May 2017 | US |