Patent Application
20190053641
The present inventive concepts relate to the field of furniture and, more particularly, to the field of tables, shelves, and similar structures having horizontal surfaces useful for supporting other objects.
In various situations and contexts, horizontal support surfaces can be desirable, if not necessary. This may be true, for example, in social settings and/or work settings were horizontal support surfaces, such as those provided by counters, tables, carts, shelves, and the like, can be limited. Furthermore, limitations on floor space can make it inconvenient, if not impossible, to add horizontal support surfaces beyond a certain point.
As one example, when hosting a party, horizontal support surfaces can be critical for presenting food, beverages, dishes, utensils, decorations, displays, and so on. Sometimes, even just a small amount of extra space to place items such as cups and plates can be extremely useful. When one needs to create more serving area, that usually requires taking up more floor space, e.g., for an extra table. This may not be desirable, or even feasible, in many situations.
Also, surface area needs can change throughout an event, which could require interruptions of the event to add and remove tables and/or shelves to accommodate changing needs. Furthermore, a table or shelf only covers a certain amount of area and most are rigid in their structure. While some dining tables have leaf inserts or pull-out leaves, these tend to be fixed in size. While they offer an ability to increase the surface area of the table, they do so in a defined, fixed-length manner. Additionally, such tables tend to be large, heavy, and impractical to move, making them only useful in place.
It would be beneficial to have a shelf, table, or other form of horizontal support surface that can take an initial configuration having a first surface area, but also be expandable to take a plurality of other sizes and horizontal surface areas to accommodate a variety of surface area needs. It would also be advantageous if such an apparatus were easily transportable, so that it could be moved and used in a variety of different social or work settings, e.g., backyard, picnic, job site, and so on. It would be further advantageous if the apparatus was foldable to at least some degree, e.g., folding legs, to reduce the overall profile of the apparatus for easy transport.
In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, provided is a table or shelf apparatus comprising a stationary section defining a support surface in a surface plane; and a roll-top section coupled to the stationary section and configured to extend the support surface within the surface plane along an extension axis. The roll-top section comprises a sliding mechanism configured to linearly translate with respect to the stationary section along the extension axis and a top surface responsive to the linear translation to roll in and out of the surface plane.
In various embodiments, the roll-top section comprises a plurality of slats.
In various embodiments, at least one slat is coupled to the stationary section and is disposed within the surface plane.
In various embodiments, the plurality of slats is coupled between the roll-top section and the stationary section.
In various embodiments, the plurality of slats transition from beneath the support surface to the surface plane as the sliding mechanism is linearly translated in an extension direction along the extension axis.
In various embodiments, the plurality of slats transition from the surface plane to beneath the support surface as the sliding mechanism is linearly translated opposite the extension direction along the extension axis.
In various embodiments, the slats from the plurality of slats beneath the support surface are maintained in a plane parallel to the surface plane.
In various embodiments, the apparatus further comprises one or more biasing element coupled between the stationary section and the roll-top section.
In various embodiments, the one more biasing element applies a force to the roll-top section opposite an extension direction.
In various embodiments, the one more biasing element is at least one spring coupled between the stationary section and the roll-top section.
In various embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a locking mechanism configured to secure the roll-top section in position relative to the stationary section.
In various embodiments, the locking mechanism comprises one or more stops and one or more locking pins configured to engage the one or more stops.
In various embodiments, the stationary section comprises the one or more stops; and the roll-top section comprises the one or more locking pins.
In various embodiments, the apparatus further comprises one or more legs coupled to the stationary section and one or more legs coupled to the roll-top section.
In accordance with another aspect of the inventive concepts, provided is a table or shelf apparatus, comprising a stationary section defining a support surface in a surface plane and a roll-top section coupled to the stationary section and configured to extend the support surface within the surface plane along an extension axis. The roll-top section comprises a sliding mechanism configured to linearly translate with respect to the stationary section along the extension axis and a top surface responsive to the linear translation of the sliding mechanism to roll in and out of the surface plane. The roll-top section comprises a plurality of slats including at least one slat coupled to the stationary section and disposed within the surface plane. And the plurality of slats transition from beneath the support surface to the surface plane as the sliding mechanism is linearly translated in an extension direction along the extension axis.
In various embodiments, the apparatus further comprises one or more biasing element coupled between the stationary section and the roll-top section. The one or more biasing element applies a force to the roll-top section opposite the extension direction. And the one or more biasing element is at least one spring coupled between the stationary section and the roll-top section.
In various embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a locking mechanism configured to secure the roll-top section in position relative to the stationary section, the locking mechanism comprising one or more stops and one or more locking pins configured to engage the one or more stops.
In various embodiments, the stationary section comprises the one or more stops and the roll-top section comprises the one or more locking pins.
In various embodiments, the apparatus further comprises one or more legs coupled to the stationary section and one or more legs coupled to the roll-top section.
In accordance with another aspect of the inventive concepts, provided is a table or shelf apparatus, comprising a stationary section defining a support surface in a surface plane and a roll-top section coupled to the stationary section and configured to extend the support surface within the surface plane along an extension axis. The roll-top section comprises a sliding mechanism configured to linearly translate with respect to the stationary section along the extension axis and a top surface responsive to the sliding mechanism to roll in and out of the surface plane. The apparatus further comprises one or more biasing element coupled between the stationary section and the roll-top section and a locking mechanism configured to secure the roll-top section in position relative to the stationary section.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, provided is a shelf and/or table apparatus as shown and described.
The present invention will become more apparent in view of the attached drawings and accompanying detailed description. The embodiments depicted therein are provided by way of example, not by way of limitation, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating aspects of the invention. In the drawings:
Various aspects of the inventive concepts will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some exemplary embodiments are shown. The present inventive concepts may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. are be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from another, but not to imply a required sequence of elements. For example, a first element can be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element can be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” or “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly on or connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements can be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” or “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.).
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like may be used to describe an element and/or feature's relationship to another element(s) and/or feature(s) as, for example, illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use and/or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” and/or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. The device may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized exemplary embodiments (and intermediate structures). As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, exemplary embodiments should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.
In accordance with aspects of the inventive concepts, there is provided an apparatus that has a horizontal surface that is adjustable in size (and surface area). The apparatus can have a fixed-size stationary section and an extendable section. The apparatus can be used to support any number of different types of social or work related items, such as cups, plates, food, tools, work pieces, and/or other items. In some embodiments, the apparatus could take the form of a standing desk where the extendable section provides an adjustable length desk top.
In the embodiment of
The roll-top section 20 has a first end opposite a second end, with left and right sides between. Similarly, the stationary section 30 has a first end opposite a second end, with left and rights sides between. In the embodiment of
In this embodiment, the roll-top section 20 has a top surface 22 that is flat, or substantially flat. In this embodiment, the top surface 22 is configured to roll out and in as the roll-top section 20 is extended and retracted back toward the stationary section 30 (toward the unextended state). The top surface 22 can be made of and/or comprise a plurality of rigid or semi-rigid pieces pliably coupled together to permit a rolling transition between the unextended state and the various extended states of the roll-top section 20, and back.
In this embodiment, the top surface 22 comprises a plurality of rigid or semi-rigid pieces in the form of slats, boards, segments, and/or pieces 23 (referred to as “slats” herein) pliably coupled together. The slats 23 may be coupled together by one or more pliable members or substrates comprising, as examples, one or more strings, straps, ropes, wires, cables, ribbons, belts, or the like. The slats 23 preferably, but not essentially, have a width that is the same or substantially similar to the width of the top surface 32 of the stationary section 30. In various embodiments, the slats 23 may take the form of elongate, rectangular pieces of rigid materials, such as wood, plastic, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), resin, metal, and the like, or semi-rigid materials, such as rubber, silicone and the like.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the apparatus 10 comprises a handle 60. The handle 60 is attached the roll-top section 20 at or near its second end, distal from the stationary section 30. Handle 60 is useful for pulling the roll-top section 20 away from the stationary section 30 to extend the roll-top section 20, and to push or pull the roll-top section 20 back to or toward the, stationary section 30. In this embodiment, the handle 60 takes the form of a U-shaped bar, where the upright sides or ends of the U-shaped bar attach to opposite sides of the roll-top section 20. Also in this embodiment, the two upright sides or ends of the U-shaped bar couple to the respective opposite sides by a bolt or pin shared by a corresponding leg coupled to the roll-top section 20. However, the handle 60 could take other forms and need not be coupled with the legs in other embodiments. The handle 60 could take other forms, such as a rope, strap, lever, or pull, as examples.
The stationary section 30 of apparatus 10 can include the frame 34 supporting the top surface 32, see
Referring to
As can be seen in
In the embodiment of
This embodiment, is the similar to
In this embodiment, there is at least one biasing element 80 connected between the roll-top section 20 and the stationary section 30. The biasing element 80 may be any form of mechanism, part, or component that can bias the roll-top section 20 toward the stationary section 30, such as a spring, a lever, an elastic band, a wire, or any other tensioning device known to one of ordinary skill in the art. In this embodiment, the biasing element takes to the form of at least one return spring 80.
A first end 81 of the return spring 80 is coupled to a hook 85 secured to a cross support 35 of the stationary frame 34. The hook 85 may be any securing device, such as a J hook, eye hook, or any other securing mechanism known to one skilled in the art. A second end 82 of the return spring 80 is coupled to a cross support 25 of the roll-top frame 24. The cross support 25 spans, and is secured to, the two side members 26a, 26b of the roll-top frame 24 in this embodiment. The return spring 80 can be coupled to the cross support 25 by any known means or mechanism. In this embodiment, cross support 25 includes a hole into which a hook at the second end 82 of the return spring 80 is disposed. The frame 24 of the roll-top section 20 slides within the frame 34 of the stationary section 30. As a result, the side members 26a, 26b of the frame 24 slide within the side members 36 of the frame 34, the frames 24, 34 collectively forming a sliding mechanism that allows the roll-top section 20 to slide with respect to the stationary section 30.
As is apparent from the views of
In some embodiments, the frame 34 can include side members 36A, 36B running lengthwise. In this embodiment, a plurality of stops 37A, 37B are provided at a bottom surface of stationary section 30, and the stops 37A, 37B can be formed in or on the side members 36A, 36B or attached to the side members 36A, 36B. The stops 37A, 37B, therefore, are distributed lengthwise in the direction of extension of the roll-top section 20, in this embodiment. As an example, the stops 37A, 37B can take the form of indents, openings, and/or depressions formed in or on the side members 36A, 36B or attached to the side members 36A, 36B.
Also at an underneath side of the roll-top section 20, the locking mechanism can include one or more locking pins 82A, 82B configured to engage the stops 37A, 37B. The locking pins 82A, 82B extend crosswise with respect to the direction of extension of the roll-top section 20, e.g., orthogonal to distribution of the stops 37A, 37B. In a first (locked) position, each of the locking pins 82A, 82B can be seated in or otherwise engage corresponding stops 37A, 37B, so that the roll-top section 20 cannot slide with respect to the stationary section 30. In a second (unlocked) position, each of the locking pins is disengaged from the stops 37A, 37B, so that the roll-top section 20 can slide with respect to the stationary section 30.
In this embodiment, the locking mechanism also includes a release lever 84 coupled to the underneath side or bottom surface of the roll-top section 20. The release lever 84 is coupled to the locking pins 82A, 82B by bars 83A, 83B. Each of the bars 83A, 83B includes a biasing element 85A, 85B, e.g., a spring. As an example, each bar can pass through a central axis of a respective spring 85A, 85B, as biasing elements. Each spring 85A, 85B is retained in a fixed position with respect to the underneath side of the roll-top section 20. For example, each spring 85A, 85B can be retained in a respective spring seat 86A, 86B. In this embodiment, rotation of lever 84 causes the locking pins 82A, 82B to either engage or disengage from respective stops 37A, 37B, through the linkage created by bars 86A, 86B and springs 85A, 85B.
The springs 85A, 85B can be used to bias the locking pins 82A, 82B outward to engage the stops 37A, 37B, such that when the lever 84 is released, the springs 85A, 85B push the locking pins outward toward the side members 36A, 36B. As a result, the lever 84 can be used to disengage the locking pins 82A, 82B from the stops 37A, 37B so the roll-top section 20 can be slid to extend or retract, where the biasing from the springs 85A, 85B causes the locking pins 82A, 82B to extend into the next set of stops 37A, 37B as the roll-top section 20 linearly translates.
In the embodiment of
While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the best mode and/or other preferred embodiments, it is understood that various modifications can be made therein and that the invention or inventions may be implemented in various forms and embodiments, and that they may be applied in numerous applications, only some of which have been described herein. It is intended by the following claims to claim that which is literally described and all equivalents thereto, including all modifications and variations that fall within the scope of each claim.
It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provide in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.
For example, it will be appreciated that all of the features set out in any of the claims (whether independent or dependent) can be combined in any given way.
