TABLE TOP AND SKIRT WITH FOLDABLE LEGS

Abstract

A foldable table and table legs comprises a tabletop comprising a plurality of tabletop sections each of which are interconnected by a hinge mechanism allowing the tabletop fold into a small, compact package. Detachable and foldable legs are configured for coupling to a table skirt comprising four segments which fold down from a storage pocket on the underside of the tabletop. The foldable legs interconnect with the table skirt once it is folded down from its storage position. The tabletop and foldable legs may all be folded into a compact, portable and packable configuration.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to outdoor equipment, outdoor furniture, outdoor camping equipment and parts and fittings therefore, and more particularly, relates to a collapsible/foldable table including a unique foldable tabletop and foldable legs as well as a method for attaching the foldable legs to a table skirt. Also included are foldable hinges useful for foldably connecting together various items and objects.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

A large portion of the population enjoy camping and other outdoor activities. When engaged in these activities, however, many people enjoy some of the comforts of home. This includes a table or other surface which can be used to prepare food, serve food or place various objects including Cook stoves and the like for use during outdoor activities.

Although individuals engaged in the activities enjoy such comforts of home, weight, space and collapsibility is still an important feature. If the table is not able to be folded and stored in a small area and if it is too heavy, its usefulness will be lost to campers and outdoor enthusiasts. Accordingly, what is needed is a highly collapsible/foldable lightweight table which can be folded for purposes of packing it to the outdoor area but which can be folded to form a multipurpose, useful table.

SUMMARY

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable table according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the table;

FIG. 3 is a top exploded view of the table showing the symmetrical hinges connecting each of the pieces;

FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate how the table folds;

FIG. 5 illustrates the foldable skirt used on the table and Howard stores in a pocket on the underside of the table;

FIG. 6 shows a top view of the tabletop illustrating the different champ for on the corners of the table;

FIG. 7 shows the corners of the table and how the chamfered corners form and allow for access to a finger cut out for carrying purposes;

FIGS. 8 and 9 show the construction and installation of the table section hinges;

FIGS. 10 through 12 show an alternative T-link useful in a table or other outdoor equipment according to the present invention;

FIGS. 13 through 16 illustrate the operation of a T-link hinge according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 17 through 19 are more detailed close-up and cross-sectional views of the T link hinge according to the invention;

FIG. 20 is an exploded view of a T link hinge and mounting area according to one feature of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is an exploded view of the T link hinge according to the present invention;

FIG. 33 is a side view of the folding table of FIG. 1 illustrating the interconnection between the foldable legs and the table skirt;

FIG. 34 is a side view illustrating the method of interconnecting the foldable leg with the table skirt according to one feature of the present invention;

FIGS. 35 and 36 illustrate the method of folding the foldable table legs according to one feature of the present invention;

FIG. 37 is a more detailed view of the top portion of the foldable leg according to one feature of the present invention;

FIGS. 38-40 our detailed views indicating the foldable leg according to one feature of the present invention;

FIGS. 41 and 42 illustrate the table skirt with which the foldable legs according to the present invention interconnect; and

FIGS. 43-45 illustrate the interconnection between the foldable table leg and the foldable table skirt according to one feature of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a foldable table 5 according to one aspect of the present invention. This feature of the invention includes a foldable tabletop 10, FIG. 2 comprising a number of segments or portions 12a-12f FIG. 3, each of which are connected together by a hinge 14a-14e. Every part is symmetrical which allows the table to fold unto itself, origami style, as illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4D. The tabletop 10 is preferably made of a lightweight material such as bamboo, plastic, a composite material or the like which aids in making the

An additional feature of the invention is the inclusion of a pocket 112, FIG. 5 in the tabletop 10 into which a foldable table skirt 114 folds when not in use thus allowing the table top 10 and skirt 114 to be completely folded as shown in FIG. 4D.

As shown in greater detail in FIGS. 6 and 7, the corners of the tabletop have a different chamfer as shown in FIG. 6. The corners 116 and 118, having the smaller cut or chamfer 117, 119, provide for the inclusion of a finger cut out region 120 on the other side of the table as shown in FIG. 7. This provides a carrying location for the table.

Each of the sections 12 of the tabletop 10 are coupled together by means of a hinge mechanism 14. In one embodiment, the hinge mechanism 14 may be and elongated piano type hinge or elongated live hinge or gear hinge. An example of such an exemplary hinge mechanism is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

Alternatively, a T-link style hinge 122 as shown in FIGS. 10 through 12 may be utilized for the tabletop. In addition, the T-link hinge may be used for other applications as well and is useful in its own right.

As shown in FIGS. 13-16, an exemplary T-link hinge 122 provides a flush mounted hinge between two adjoining members 124, 126 which allows 2 adjoining tabletop members 14 to fold directly onto themselves as shown in FIG. 16. This is provided utilizing a flush mounted top hinge member or region FIGS. 17 and 19 and a flush bottom hinge region FIGS. 18 and 19.

In one embodiment, the T-link hinge includes first and second panel mount portions 132, 134, FIG. 20 coupled together by a link portion 136. The first and second panel mount portions 132, 134 fit into grooves 138 cut into the portions to be held together (for example the table top portions). A plurality of screws 140 serve to keep the first and second panel mount portions 132, 134 coupled together by the link portion 136 securely fastened to the two adjoining members 124, 126. This is further illustrated in FIG. 21. As stated earlier, the T-link hinge according to one feature of the invention may be utilized along with the foldable table of the present invention or with any other product that requires a foldable hinge having a flush top and bottom surface.

Another feature of the foldable table according to the present invention includes, in yet another embodiment, foldable legs 158, FIG. 38 designed to interconnect with the table skirt. The foldable legs 158 fold lengthwise by virtue of and along fold line 160 as shown in FIGS. 35 and 36, as well as width wise along fold line 162 (not shown folded). The top portion of the leg 159 includes first and second slots 164 which are designed interconnect with the downward folding skirt 151FIG. 43 of a table 10. The skirt 151 and leg 158 interconnect to create a strong stable table support.

A foldable piece 166, FIG. 37, includes a live hinge 167 which allows the foldable piece 166 to fold back against the leg portion 169 and against the corner 171 formed by the table skirt as shown in FIG. 34. The opening 168, FIG. 39, allows the user to push against the foldable portion 166 to release the foldable leg from interconnection with the table skirt. The foldable legs and table skirt are typically made of a plastic type material and may include one or more snaps or protrusions as shown in FIG. 37 which helps keep the legs in place in position against the table corner 171 and the table skirt. See FIG. 45 for example. In another embodiment, one or more of the foldable legs and/or table skirt may be made of a reinforced cardboard material, a composite material, metal, wood or any other suitable material.

The table skirt is hinged to the table top using a number of finger hinges, a live hinge or other similar hinge technology which allows it to drop downward from its storage location inside a cut out region 112 in the bottom of the table surface. The foldable legs may be used not only with the foldable table as described herein but in order to support any type of device having a vertical corner portion with which the foldable legs can removably interconnect.

Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the following claims.

Claims

1. A foldable tabletop and tabletop supporting legs comprising: a tabletop comprising a plurality of segments, each of said plurality of segments coupled to an adjacent two of said plurality of segments by a hinge mechanism, said hinge mechanism configured for allowing one or more of said plurality of segments to fold along said hinge mechanism onto an adjacent one of said plurality of segments, said tabletop including a top surface and a bottom surface;a tabletop skirt, said tabletop skirt comprising 4 tabletop skirt sections, said 4 tabletop skirt sections configured for folding downward from a storage position in a recess located in said bottom surface of said tabletop; said 4 tabletop skirt sections forming 4 tabletop skirt corners when in said folded downward position; and4 table legs, each of said 4 table legs including a vertical fold mechanism and a horizontal fold mechanism, said horizontal fold mechanism configured for allowing said 4 table legs to fold in a horizontal direction reducing a non-folded length of each of said 4 table legs, and said vertical fold mechanism configured for allowing said 4 table legs to fold in a vertical direction reducing a non-folded width of said table legs.