This invention relates generally to folding, collapsible structures, and more particularly relates to a modular folding table having a truss framework, a folding table top and a folding utility shelf.
Folding card tables and heavy work tables having individual legs or pairs of legs that are pivotally connected to a table top to swing down from a concealed position to lock into a set up position are well known. The portability of such tables is generally limited by the size of the table top. The lighter card table style tables are generally not strong enough or stable enough to support modern video or computer types of displays that are currently used in traveling presentations. The heavier, folding work style tables are generally quite large and heavy, making them impractical for use as a portable display table in presentations, often requiring the use of a truck for transporting video or computer display equipment and appropriate display tables. A display table offering one or more utility shelves would also be useful for providing an efficient use of space for display equipment, but conventional tables providing one or more utility shelves have also generally not been collapsible and easily portable.
In order to provide such a collapsible display table that is expandable both horizontally as well as vertically, it would be desirable to provide a modular folding table with a collapsible truss framework that supports a folding table top and a folding utility shelf to offer a larger and more efficient use of table space, and having improved strength and stability, to support relatively large, heavy equipment and displays such as video display monitors, video or film display equipment, and the like. The present invention fulfills these needs.
Briefly and in general terms, the present invention provides for a modular folding table with a collapsible truss framework that supports a folding table top and a folding utility shelf, with the truss framework connected to a plurality of legs that can be connected horizontally or vertically to the legs of one or more similar modular folding tables, to provide desired table and shelf space with a structure that is foldable, strong and stable.
The present invention accordingly provides for a modular folding table, including a plurality of vertically disposed legs, each of the legs having an upper end and a lower end, and a truss framework connected to each of the legs. The truss framework includes a plurality of truss pairs of link members, each of the truss pairs including first and second link members having upper and lower ends. The first and second link members are pivotally connected together at a midpoint between the upper and lower ends, the first end of the first link member is pivotally connected to the upper end of one of the legs, and the second end of the first link member is slidably connected to an adjacent one of the legs. The first end of the second link member is similarly pivotally connected to the upper end of one of the legs, the second end of the first link member is slidably connected to an adjacent one of the legs, and the first and second link members are pivotally connected together in a scissors configuration so as to be extendable horizontally from a collapsed configuration to an extended configuration. Each of the first and second link members advantageously includes a table top support bracket mounted between the midpoint and the upper ends of the link members. A plurality of slider members are slidably mounted to each of the plurality of vertically disposed legs, respectively, and the second ends of the link members are connected to corresponding slider members, respectively, for slidably connecting adjacent second link members of adjacent sides to corresponding vertically disposed legs, respectively. A table top is removably disposed on the upper ends of the legs and rests on the table top support brackets of the truss pairs of link members in the extended configuration.
In one presently preferred aspect, the upper ends of the legs include a land for supporting the table top, and the upper ends of the legs include a recess for receiving a lower end of a leg of a second modular folding table for vertically stacking the second modular folding table on the modular folding table. In another presently preferred aspect, an upper leg connector bracket is provided for connecting one the recess of one of the legs of the modular folding table to an adjacent recess in an upper end of a leg of a second modular folding table for horizontally connecting the modular folding table and the second modular folding table together. A lower leg connector bracket may also be provided for connecting one of the legs of the modular folding table to an adjacent leg of a second modular folding table for horizontally connecting the modular folding table and the second modular folding table together. A latch may also be provided for latching at least one of the slider members in a fixed position on at least one of the legs.
In another presently preferred aspect, each of the legs further includes a telescoping foot extension, and the legs may include means for fixing the foot extension in a retracted position or in an extended position. The upper ends of the legs along at least one side of the modular folding table may also include a socket for receiving a table top support bar. A second modular folding table may also be provided, wherein the upper ends of the legs along at least one side of the second modular folding table include a land for supporting the second table top and a socket for receiving the table top support bar. In another presently preferred aspect, the table top includes a plurality of segments connected together by at least one hinge, so as to be foldable. In another presently preferred aspect, the table top comprises at least three segments connected together by at least two hinges each including a pair of flat plate portions connected to adjoining segments of the table top, the pair of flat plate portions being pivotally connected together by a pivot pin, and the at least two hinges having the flat plate portions connected to the pivot pin at positions at different distances from the flat plate portions so that the table top is foldable. In another presently preferred aspect, the table top includes a plurality of notches at corner locations corresponding to the plurality of legs when the legs and the truss framework are in the extended configuration.
In another presently preferred aspect, the modular folding table includes at least two shelf support arms each having first and second ends, and means for removably attaching the first and second ends between adjacent legs for supporting a lower shelf, which may be disposed on the at least two shelf support arms. In another presently preferred aspect, the lower shelf includes a plurality of segments hingedly connected together so as to be foldable. The lower shelf may, for example, include at least three segments connected together by at least two hinges, the at least two hinges each including a pair of flat plate portions connected to adjoining segments of the lower shelf, the pair of flat plate portions being pivotally connected together by a pivot pin, and the at least two hinges having the flat plate portions connected to the pivot pin at positions at different distances from the flat plate portions, so that the lower shelf is foldable. In another presently preferred aspect, the lower shelf includes a plurality of notches at corner locations corresponding to the plurality of legs when the legs and the truss framework are in the extended configuration.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the operation of the invention.
Referring to the drawings, which are provided for purposes of illustration and by way of example, the present invention provides for a modular folding table 20, including a plurality of legs 22, and a truss framework 24 connected to each of the legs, shown in a disassembled, collapsed configuration in
Each of the legs has an upper end 40 and a lower end 42, and the upper end of the first link member is pivotally connected to the upper end of one of the legs, and the lower end of the first link member is slidably connected to an adjacent one of the legs. Likewise, the upper end of the second link member is pivotally connected to the upper end of one of the legs, and the lower end of the first link member is slidably connected to an adjacent one of the legs.
With reference to
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Each of the legs has an upper end 140 and a lower end 142, and the upper end of the first link member is pivotally connected to the upper end of one of the legs, and the lower end of the first link member is slidably connected to an adjacent one of the legs. Likewise, the upper end of the second link member is pivotally connected to the upper end of one of the legs, and the lower end of the first link member is slidably connected to an adjacent one of the legs.
The upper ends of the legs include a pair of lands 144 for supporting the plurality of table tops. Each leg preferably includes a slider member 150 slidably mounted to the leg for slidably connecting the lower ends of the first and second link members to corresponding ones of the legs. In a presently preferred aspect, at least one of the legs includes latch means for latching at least one of the slider members in a fixed position on the leg. Each of the legs preferably includes a telescoping foot extension, and each of the legs preferably includes means, such as a spring loaded detent pin and corresponding latching hole in the leg, for example, for fixing the foot extension in a retracted position, and means, such as another spring loaded detent pin and corresponding latching hole in the leg, for fixing the foot extension in an extended position. The table top preferably includes a plurality of notches 182 at corner locations corresponding to the plurality of legs when the legs and the truss framework are in the extended configuration.
As is illustrated in
As described above, in another presently preferred aspect, the modular folding table may be provided with shelf support arms connected between a pair of legs, so that a lower shelf may thus be removably disposed on the shelf support arms. The lower shelf typically includes a plurality of segments hingedly connected together so as to be foldable, such as at least three segments connected together by at least two hinges, for example. The hinges of the shelf typically also each include a pair of flat plate portions connected to adjoining segments of the lower shelf, and the pair of flat plate portions are pivotally connected together by a pivot pin. Preferably the flat plate portions of at least one of the hinges are connected to the pivot pin by right angle members extending transversely from the flat portions, so that the lower shelf segments are foldable. In another preferred aspect, the lower shelf includes a plurality of notches at corner locations corresponding to the plurality of legs when the legs and the truss framework are in the extended configuration.
In a third preferred embodiment, in which like reference numbers denote like elements, as is illustrated in
Each of the legs has an upper end 240 and a lower end 242, and the upper end of the first link member is pivotally connected to the upper end of one of the legs, and the lower end of the first link member is slidably connected to an adjacent one of the legs. Likewise, the upper end of the second link member is pivotally connected to the upper end of one of the legs, and the lower end of the first link member is slidably connected to an adjacent one of the legs.
The upper ends of the legs include a pair of lands 244 for supporting the plurality of table tops. Each leg preferably includes a slider member 250 slidably mounted to the leg for slidably connecting the lower ends of the first and second link members to corresponding ones of the legs. As described above, in a presently preferred aspect, at least one of the legs includes latch means for latching at least one of the slider members in a fixed position on the leg. Each of the legs preferably includes a telescoping foot extension, and each of the legs preferably includes means, such as a spring loaded detent pin and corresponding latching hole in the leg, for example, for fixing the foot extension in a retracted position, and means, such as another spring loaded detent pin and corresponding latching hole in the leg, for fixing the foot extension in an extended position. The table top preferably includes a plurality of notches 282 at corner locations corresponding to the plurality of legs when the legs and the truss framework are in the extended configuration.
The upper ends 240 of the legs 222 along at least one side 262 of the modular folding table, and preferably along opposing sides, include a land 264 for supporting a table top, and a socket 266 for receiving a table top support bar 268 for supporting the table top, as is illustrated in
Referring to
It will be appreciated that the present invention accordingly provides for a modular folding table with one or more braces added to the truss framework for supporting a table top, with legs having upper portions with recesses for receiving the legs of one or more other modular tables, so that the modular folding table of the invention is stackable. The present invention also provides for a modular folding table with brackets allowing the addition of one or more leaves of a table top to expand the table without adding base frame sections. In addition, shelves can be fixed to the legs with brackets, and the modular folding table of the invention is connectable at the base of the legs by brackets that allow two or more tables to connect with a two plug cap.
It will be apparent from the foregoing that, while particular forms of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.
This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 14/175,778, filed on Feb. 7, 2014, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 13/773,943, filed on Feb. 22, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,671,852, issued on Mar. 18, 2014, which is a divisional of application Ser. No. 13/608,908, filed on Sep. 10, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,393,279, issued on Mar. 12, 2013, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 13/339,041, filed on Dec. 28, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,272,337, issued on Sep. 25, 2012, which is a divisional of application Ser. No. 12/395,450, filed on Feb. 27, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,096,246, issued on Jan. 17, 2012, which is a divisional of application Ser. No. 11/444,154, filed on May 31, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,503,266, issued on Mar. 17, 2009, incorporated by reference in their entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 14175778 | Feb 2014 | US |
Child | 14484808 | US | |
Parent | 13608908 | Sep 2012 | US |
Child | 13773943 | US | |
Parent | 12395450 | Feb 2009 | US |
Child | 13339041 | US | |
Parent | 11444154 | May 2006 | US |
Child | 12395450 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 13773943 | Feb 2013 | US |
Child | 14175778 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 13339041 | Dec 2011 | US |
Child | 13608908 | US |