Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6729243
-
Patent Number
6,729,243
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, April 16, 200222 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, May 4, 200420 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C.
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 108 83
- 108 84
- 108 85
- 108 86
- 108 89
- 108 65
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
An extendable table having a stowable leaf member. The table includes a first table section having a first table surface and a second table section having a second table surface. The second table section is movably coupled to the first table section in a coplanar relationship. A leaf member is further provided and is selectively positionable in an operable position between the first table surface and the second table surface and a stowed position below the table surface. A pivoting assembly couples the leaf member to the first and second table sections and permits the leaf member to rotate about a generally vertical axis and a generally horizontal axis between an operable position and a stowed position. When in this stowed position, the leaf member is generally nestled along the underside of the extendable table out of sight of a guest.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to extendable tables and, more particularly, relates to an extendable table having a self-storing leaf that can be rotated about two axis and stowed along the underside of the table surface.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As is well known, tables are often provided in a multipiece configuration having two separate, normally coplanar, abutting panels supported by a plurality of legs. These tables frequently have center segments or leaves they can be added or removed when it is desired to increase or decrease the overall size of the tabletop. To this end, a guide mechanism is provided that enables panels to slide apart to form a gap therebetween, which can be filled by one or more table leaves. The table leaf is typically supported between the two panels via support surfaces and associated dowel pins. When it is desired to decrease the size of the tabletop, the two end panels are pulled apart and one or more table leaves are removed. The end panels that form the tabletop are then pushed together to form a smaller tabletop. When it is desired to increase the size of the tabletop, the two end panels are pulled apart again, one or more table leaves are placed between the end panels, and the end panels are pushed back together to form a larger tabletop.
Such prior art extendable tables often suffer from a number of disadvantages. For example, it is typically necessary to store the removed table leaves when not in use. However, this may prove to be difficult in buildings having limited storage space. Moreover, these leaves are often heavy, thereby requiring two people for insertion into or removal from the table. Still further, the handling of the leaves may cause the leaves to be dinged or otherwise marred.
Accordingly, there exists a need in the relevant art to provide an extendable table assembly that is capable of eliminating or at least minimizing the need to lift the full weight of the table leaf. Furthermore, there exists a need in the relevant art to provide an extendable table assembly that includes a table leaf that is easily stowed within the table assembly. Still further, there exists a need in the relevant art to provide an extendable table assembly having at least one table leaf that is capable of being rotated into a stowed position below the tabletop while remaining out of sight from any guests.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the teachings of the present invention, an extendable table including a stowable leaf member is provided having an advantageous construction. The table includes a first table section having a first table surface and a second table section having a second table surface. The second table section is movably coupled to the first table section in a coplanar relationship. A leaf member is further provided and is selectively positionable in an operable position between the first table surface and the second table surface and a stowed position below the table surface. A pivoting assembly couples the leaf member to the first and second table sections and permits the leaf member to rotate about a generally horizontal axis and a generally vertical axis between an operable position and a stowed position. When in this stowed position, the leaf member is generally nestled along the underside of the extendable table surfaces out of sight of a guest.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1
is a side view of an expandable table assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention having a pivotable leaf assembly in a stowed position;
FIG. 2
is a side view of the expandable table assembly of
FIG. 1
with the pivotable leaf assembly in an intermediate position;
FIG. 3
is a partial perspective view of the pivotable leaf assembly of
FIG. 1
in an inverted position;
FIG. 4
is a top view of the expandable table assembly of
FIG. 1
with the pivotable leaf assembly in an inverted and pivoted position;
FIG. 5
is a bottom perspective view of an expandable table assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention having a pivotable leaf in an operational position;
FIG. 6
is an end view of a support rod of the expandable table assembly of
FIG. 5
; and
FIG. 7
is a plan view of a swivel bracket and associated cam stops.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.
Referring now to
FIGS. 1-4
, an expandable table assembly, generally indicated by reference numeral
10
, is provided in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. Expandable table assembly
10
generally includes a first tabletop panel section
12
, a second tabletop panel section
14
, a pivotable leaf assembly
16
, and a guide mechanism
18
.
First tabletop panel section
12
includes a first table panel
20
defining a generally planar tabletop surface, which is mounted to at least one of a plurality of table legs
22
in a conventional manner. It should be appreciated that the specific table illustrated in the attached figures is only exemplary in nature and, thus, should not be interpreted as limiting the present invention. By way of non-limiting example, expandable table assembly
10
may be a pedestal table. First tabletop panel section
12
further includes a decorative skirt
24
coupled along an underside
26
of first table panel
20
generally orthogonal to first table panel
20
. Decorative skirt
24
is preferably disposed along the three outboard sides of first tabletop panel section
12
.
Second tabletop panel section
14
includes a second table panel
28
defining a generally planar tabletop surface, which is mounted to at least one of the plurality of table legs
22
in a conventional manner. Second table panel
28
is generally coplanar to first table panel
20
. Second tabletop panel section
14
further includes decorative skirt
24
coupled along an underside
30
of second table panel
28
generally orthogonal to second table panel
28
. Decorative skirt
24
is preferably disposed along the three outboard sides of second tabletop panel section
14
.
As best seen in
FIG. 3
, guide mechanism
18
generally includes a pair of telescoping members
32
each having a first member
34
and a second member
36
slidably coupled with first member
34
. First members
34
of the pair of telescoping members
32
are fixedly coupled to underside
26
of first table panel
20
using conventional fasteners. Similarly, second members
36
of the pair of telescoping members
32
are fixedly coupled to underside
30
of second table panel
28
using conventional fasteners. Guide mechanism
18
serves to maintain proper alignment of first tabletop panel section
12
and second tabletop panel section
14
while expanding and retracting table assembly
10
. However, it should be noted that the pair of telescoping members
32
should only be disposed on one longitudinal half of expandable table assembly
10
to permit the proper pivoting operation of pivotable leaf assembly
16
. However, it should be appreciated that guide mechanism
18
could be any conventional telescoping system, such as that illustrated in connection with the second embodiment of the present invention.
As best seen in
FIGS. 2-4
, pivotable leaf assembly
16
generally includes a leaf panel
38
, a pair of foldable skirt members
40
, and a pivoting mechanism
42
. The foldable skirt members
40
are each pivotably coupled to an underside
44
of leaf panel
38
via a hinge member
45
. Hinge member
45
may be of any conventional design, such as a piano hinge and the like. Foldable skirt members
40
are positionable between a downwardly extending position and a folded position.
Pivoting mechanism
42
generally includes a support rod
46
slidably and rotatably coupled along underside
26
of first table panel
20
and underside
30
of second table panel
28
. However, at the outset, is important to note that pivoting mechanism
42
may have any one of a number of varying configurations. However, according to the present embodiment, support rod
46
is disposed along the longitudinal axis A—A (
FIG. 4
) of expandable table assembly
10
. Pivoting mechanism
42
further includes a sleeve member
48
extending around support rod
46
. Sleeve member
48
may be configured such that it permits free pivotable movement about the axis of support rod
46
or is fixed to support rod
46
and rotates together therewith. Each of these options are equally desireable.
A swivel
50
is coupled between sleeve member
48
and underside
44
of leaf panel
38
. More particularly, swivel
50
includes a first member
52
that is fixedly coupled to sleeve member
48
, such as by welding, and a second member
54
that is fixedly coupled to underside
44
of leaf panel
38
via a plurality of fasteners (not shown). First member
52
is pivotably coupled to second member
54
to permit relative rotation therebetween about an axis B—B. Preferably, a plurality of bearing members (not shown) are disposed in a raceway between first member
52
and second member
54
to provide a smooth pivoting operation.
Pivotable leaf assembly
16
further includes a first pivot stop
56
coupled to underside
44
of leaf panel
38
. First pivot stop
56
prevents pivotable movement of leaf panel
38
about axis B—B past a cross-table position (FIG.
3
). Similarly, pivotable leaf assembly
16
further includes a second pivot stop
58
coupled to underside
44
of leaf panel
38
. Second pivot stop
58
prevents pivotable movement of leaf panel
38
about axis B—B past a stowed position (FIG.
4
). In other words, first pivot stop
56
generally provides a user with tactile feedback so as to permit the proper positioning of pivotable leaf assembly
16
within a gap formed between first tabletop panel section
12
and second tabletop panel section
14
(cross-table position). Likewise, second pivot stop
58
generally provides a user with tactile feedback to permit the proper positioning of pivotable leaf assembly
16
for stowage below first table panel
20
and second table panel
28
(stowed position). According to the present embodiment, first pivot stop
56
and second pivot stop
58
are preferably made of wood and fastened to leaf panel
38
using conventional fasteners. However, it is anticipated that first and second pivot stops
56
and
58
may be incorporated directly into the structure of pivoting mechanism
42
, such as through a pin and cam assembly.
Pivotable leaf assembly
16
still further includes a pair of optional support braces
60
mounted on underside
44
of leaf panel
38
. Support braces
60
are adapted to provide additional structural reinforcement to leaf panel
38
and further minimize warpage, which may occur when using natural materials such as wood. However, it should be appreciated that support braces
60
, while being preferred, are optional and thus can be eliminated.
Furthermore, pivotable leaf assembly
16
includes a plurality of locking members
62
that are adapted to engage respective locking members (not shown) disposed along underside
26
of first tabletop panel section
12
and underside
30
of second tabletop panel section
14
. The plurality of locking members
62
minimizes inadvertent separation of first tabletop panel section
12
and second tabletop panel section
14
.
Lastly, it should be appreciated that pivotable leaf assembly
16
further includes a plurality of dowel pins
64
disposed along a side thereof. The plurality of dowel pins
64
is intended to engage a plurality of corresponding bores
66
formed in second table panel
28
to aid in the rigidity and alignment of expandable table assembly
10
. Similarly, first table panel
20
further includes a plurality of dowel pins
68
disposed along a side thereof. The plurality of dowel pins
68
is intended to engage a plurality of corresponding bores
70
formed in leaf panel
38
when the table is in an expanded position or, alternatively, to engage the plurality of bores
66
formed in second table panel
28
when the table is in a retracted position.
The operation of expandable table assembly
10
will now be described in detail. Specifically, in order to convert expandable table assembly
10
from an expanded position (large tabletop surface) to a retracted position (small tabletop surface), first tabletop panel section
12
and second tabletop panel section
14
are pulled apart such that the plurality of dowel pins
64
and
68
become disengaged from the corresponding bores
66
and
70
, respectively, thereby freeing pivotable leaf assembly
16
from first tabletop panel section
12
and second tabletop panel section
14
for rotation about an axis C—C extending through support rod
46
. As best seen in
FIGS. 2 and 3
, pivotable leaf assembly
16
is then pivoted about axis C—C approximately 180 degrees until underside
44
of leaf panel
38
faces upward (i.e. inverted cross-table position). Foldable skirt members
40
are then pivoted into a down position about hinge member
45
(as illustrated by skirt member
40
a
of FIG.
3
). In this position, foldable skirt members
40
are nestled against leaf panel
38
to minimize the drop height (the distance between leaf panel
38
and underside
26
and
30
of first table panel
20
and second table panel
28
, respectively) necessary for stowage. By minimizing the drop height of pivotable leaf assembly
16
, pivotable leaf assembly
16
may be stowed closely to first table panel
20
and second table panel
28
to minimize the likelihood of pivotable leaf assembly
16
being viewable from the side when in the stowed position or interfering with the legs of users of the table when they are seated up to it. This will be further discussed below.
Once pivotable leaf assembly
16
is in the inverted cross-table position (
FIG. 3
) and foldable skirt members
40
are pivoted into a down position, pivotable leaf assembly
16
is then pivoted approximately 90 degrees about axis B—B via swivel
50
until the longitudinal axis of leaf panel
38
is generally parallel to support rod
46
and second pivot stop
58
generally contacts sleeve member
48
of pivoting mechanism
42
(FIG.
4
). First tabletop panel section
12
and second tabletop panel section
14
are then pushed together until the plurality of dowel pins
68
of first tabletop panel section
12
are received within the corresponding bores
66
of second tabletop panel section
14
. In order to convert expandable table assembly from a retracted position to an expanded position, the above operation is reversed.
With particular reference to
FIGS. 5-7
, an expandable table assembly, generally indicated by reference numeral
10
′, is provided in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. Expandable table assembly
10
′ is similar to expandable table assembly
10
and, thus, like reference numerals are to be regarded as like or corresponding members among the several views. In the interest of brevity, those like or corresponding members will not be discussed in detail in reference to the present embodiment.
With particular reference to
FIG. 5
, expandable table assembly
10
′ generally includes a pivotable leaf assembly
16
′ having leaf panel
38
and a pivoting mechanism
42
′. As should be appreciated in the present embodiment, the pair of foldable skirt members
40
of the first embodiment had been removed. However, it should be understood that the pair of foldable skirt members
40
may also be included in the present embodiment if desired.
Pivoting mechanism
42
′ generally includes a support rod
46
′ slidably and rotatably coupled between underside
26
of first table panel
20
and underside
30
of second table panel
28
via a plurality of generally U-shaped support brackets
80
. According to the present embodiment, support rod
46
′ is disposed along the longitudinal axis A—A of expandable table assembly
10
′ and is retained by the plurality of generally U-shaped support brackets
80
upon opposing ends thereof. Support brackets
80
are adapted to support the weight of pivotable leaf assembly
16
′. However, it should be readily appreciated that the specific number of rectangular support brackets
80
required depends upon the materials used in both support rod
46
′ and leaf panel
38
and the associated likelihood of bending and/or warping.
Still referring to
FIG. 5
, pivoting mechanism
42
′ further includes a pair of tether straps
82
surrounding opposing ends of support rod
46
′. The pair of tether straps
82
are wrapped around support rod
46
′ and fastened to underside
26
of first table panel
20
and underside
30
of second table panel
28
via conventional fasteners. The pair of tether straps
82
are made of a friction imparting material, such as nylon webbing, leather, or any other material that is capable of frictionally engaging support rod
46
′ to minimize the free rotation of leaf panel
38
and support rod
46
′. It should be appreciated that the plurality of support brackets
80
and the pair of tether straps
82
may be combined into a single member to minimize the number of parts required, such as a support bracket that is appropriately sized to create a friction fit between the brackets and support rod.
Still referring to
FIGS. 5 and 6
, support rod
46
′ further includes a pair of dowel members
83
extending orthogonally through opposing ends thereof to prevent the inadvertent disengagement of support rod
46
′ from the plurality of support brackets
80
. That is, as first tabletop panel section
12
and second tabletop panel section
14
are pulled apart, the pair of dowel members
83
are adapted to prevent excessive separation of first tabletop panel section
12
and second tabletop panel section
14
, thereby eliminating the possibility of support rod
46
′ being pulled out of any one of the plurality of support brackets
80
.
Swivel
50
serves to permit relative, generally horizontal, swivel motion between leaf panel
38
and support rod
46
′ about axis B—B. More particularly, swivel
50
includes first member
52
that is fixedly coupled to a swivel bracket
84
. Swivel bracket
84
is in turn fixedly coupled to support rod
46
′ via a plurality of fasteners
86
. Additionally, swivel
50
further includes second member
54
that is fixedly coupled to underside
44
of leaf panel
38
via a plurality of fasteners (not shown). First member
52
is pivotably coupled to second member
54
to permit relative rotation therebetween about axis B—B. Preferably, a plurality of bearing members (not shown) are disposed in a raceway between first member
52
and second member
54
to provide a smooth pivoting operation.
As best seen in
FIG. 7
, swivel bracket
84
further include a first cam stop
88
and a second cam stop
90
formed thereon. First cam stop
88
and second cam stop
90
are adapted to function in concert with a stop member
92
extending from underside
44
of leaf panel
38
. Stop member
92
engages first cam stop
88
or second cam stop
90
to prevent excessive rotational movement of leaf panel
38
about axis B—B. More particularly, stop member
92
is adaped to engage first cam stop
88
(
FIG. 7
) when leaf panel
38
is in either the operational cross-table position (
FIG. 5
) or the inverted cross-table position (FIG.
3
). Similarly, stop member
92
is adapted to engage second cam stop
90
when leaf panel
38
is in the stowed position (FIG.
4
). First cam stop
88
and second cam stop
90
are positioned so as to permit generally 90 degrees of rotation about axis B—B.
Operation of expandable table assembly
10
′ is similar to that described in connection with expandable table assembly
10
. However, in order to convert expandable table assembly
10
′ from an expanded position (large tabletop surface) to a retracted position (small tabletop surface), first tabletop panel section
12
and second tabletop panel section
14
are pulled apart such that the plurality of dowel pins
64
and
68
become disengaged from the corresponding bores
66
and
70
, respectively, thereby freeing pivotable leaf assembly
16
′ from first tabletop panel section
12
and second tabletop panel section
14
for rotation about axis C—C. Pivotable leaf assembly
16
′ is then pivoted about axic C—C approximately 180 degrees until underside
44
of leaf panel
38
faces upward (i.e. inverted cross-table position). As best seen in
FIG. 6
, support rod
46
′ includes a generally flattened section
94
formed on a side thereof that is adapted to rest on a corresponding flat section
96
formed on support brackets
80
. This arrangement generally prevents support rod
46
′ and, thus, leaf panel
38
, from rotating out of the inverted position, thereby remaining generally horizontal under the tabletop during stowage. This is particularly useful to minimize the possibility of pivotable leaf assembly
16
′ being viewed from the side by a guest.
Once pivotable leaf assembly
16
′ has been pivoted about axis C—C and is in the inverted cross-table position, pivotable leaf assembly
16
′ is then pivoted approximately 90 degrees about axis B—B via swivel
50
until the longitudinal axis of leaf panel
38
is generally parallel to support rod
46
and stop member
92
contacts second cam stop
90
. First tabletop panel section
12
and second tabletop panel section
14
are then pushed together until the plurality of dowel pins
68
of first tabletop panel section
12
are received within the corresponding bores
66
of second tabletop panel section
14
. In order to convert expandable table assembly from a retracted position to an expanded position, the above operation is reversed.
It should be appreciated that the expandable table assembly of the present invention provides a number of advantages over prior art expandable table designs. For example, as a result of the foldable skirt members
40
being positionable in a nestled position, the pivotable leaf assembly
16
is stowed at a drop height distance below first table panel
20
and second table panel
28
that is less than the height of each foldable skirt member
40
. This is particularly useful in that it improves the aesthetic quality of the expandable table assembly and further provides improved spacing between a user's knees and the pivotable leaf assembly. Furthermore, the expandable table assembly of the present invention further eliminates the need to lift and remove an otherwise heavy and/or awkward tabletop leaf as is required in many prior art designs.
The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
- 1. An extendable table comprising:a first table section having a first table surface; a second table section having a second table surface, said second table section being movably coupled to said first table section such that said second table surface and said first table surface are generally coplanar, said first table section and said second table section being positionable in an extended position where said first table surface is spaced apart from said second table surface and a retracted position where said first table surface abuts said second table surface; a leaf member selectively positionable in an operable position between said first table surface and said second table surface and a stowed position below said first table surface and said second table surface; and a pivoting assembly coupling said leaf member to said first table section and said second table section, said pivoting assembly being operable to permit said leaf member to rotate about a generally vertical axis and a generally horizontal axis between said operable position and said stowed position, said pivoting assembly having a support rod extending longitudinally between said first table section and said second table section, said support rod defining said generally horizontal axis, said pivoting assembly further having a pivot mechanism coupled between said support rod and said leaf member, said pivot mechanism operable to permit said leaf member to pivot about said generally horizontal axis into an inverted position, said pivot mechanism further operable to permit said leaf member to pivot about said generally vertical axis into said stowed position, wherein said leaf member is generally hidden from view from a user when in said stowed position.
- 2. The expandable table according to claim 1 wherein said pivot mechanism comprises:a sleeve slidably disposed about said support rod to permit rotation about said generally horizontal axis; and a swivel coupled between said sleeve and said leaf member to permit rotation about said generally vertical axis.
- 3. The expandable table according to claim 1 wherein said pivot mechanism comprises:a swivel bracket coupled to said support rod; and a swivel coupled between said swivel bracket and said leaf member to permit rotation about said generally vertical axis, wherein said support rod is rotatable about said horizontal axis.
- 4. The expandable table according to claim 3, further comprising:a stop member extending from said leaf member; and at least one cam stop formed in said swivel bracket, said at least one cam stop engagable with said stop member to prevent further rotation of said leaf member about said generally vertical axis.
- 5. The expandable table according to claim 1, further comprising:a plurality of support brackets coupled separately to said first table section and said second table section, each of said plurality of support brackets having a generally flat section; and a flat surface formed on said support rod, said flat surface positionable against said generally flat section of each of said plurality of support brackets to generally inhibit rotation of said leaf member.
- 6. The expandable table according to claim 5, further comprising:at least one dowel member extend orthogonally through an end of said support rod, said at least one dowel member engagable with at least one of said plurality of support brackets to prevent the inadvertent disengagement of said support rod from said plurality of support brackets.
- 7. The expandable table according to claim 1, further comprising:a pair of stop members coupled to said leaf member, said pair of stop members being operable to limit rotation of said leaf member about said generally vertical axis.
- 8. An extendable table comprising:a first table section having a first table surface; a second table section having a second table surface, said second table section being movably coupled to said first table section such that said second table surface and said first table surface are generally coplanar, said first table section and said second table section being positionable in an extended position where said first table surface is spaced apart from said second table surface and a retracted position where said first table surface abuts said second table surface; a leaf member selectively positionable in an operable position between said first table surface and said second table surface and a stowed position below said first table surface and said second table surface; at least one skirt member hingedly coupled to said leaf member, said at least one skirt member being positionable in an operable vertical position and a stowed horizontal position to minimize a drop height required between said leaf member and said first table surface and said second table surface; and a pivoting assembly coupling said leaf member to said first table section and said second table section, said pivoting assembly being operable to permit said leaf member to rotate about a generally vertical axis and a generally horizontal axis between said operable position and said stowed position, said pivoting assembly having a support rod extending longitudinally between said first table section and said second table section, said support rod defining said generally horizontal axis, said pivoting assembly further having a pivot mechanism coupled between said support rod and said leaf member, said pivot mechanism operable to permit said leaf member to pivot about said generally horizontal axis into an inverted position, said pivot mechanism further operable to permit said leaf member to pivot about said generally vertical axis into said stowed position.
- 9. The expandable table according to claim 8 wherein said pivot mechanism comprises:a sleeve slidably disposed about said support rod to permit rotation only about said generally horizontal axis; and a swivel coupled between said sleeve and said leaf member to permit rotation only about said generally vertical axis.
- 10. The expandable table according to claim 8 wherein said pivot mechanism comprises:a swivel bracket coupled to said support rod; and a swivel coupled between said swivel bracket and said leaf member to permit rotation about said generally vertical axis, wherein said support rod is rotatable about said horizontal axis.
- 11. The expandable table according to claim 10, further comprising:a stop member extending from said leaf member; and at least one cam stop formed in said swivel bracket, said at least one cam stop engagable with said stop member to prevent further rotation of said leaf member about said generally vertical axis.
- 12. The expandable table according to claim 8, further comprising:a plurality of support brackets coupled separately to said first table section and said second table section, each of said plurality of support brackets having a generally flat section; and a flat surface formed on said support rod, said flat surface positionable against said generally flat section of each of said plurality of support brackets to generally inhibit rotation of said leaf member.
- 13. The expandable table according to claim 8, further comprising:at least one dowel member extend orthogonally through an end of said support rod, said at least one dowel member engagable with at least one of said plurality of support brackets to prevent the inadvertent disengagement of said support rod from said plurality of support brackets.
- 14. The expandable table according to claim 8, further comprising:a pair of stop members coupled to said leaf member, said pair of stop members being operable to limit rotation of said leaf member about said generally vertical axis.
- 15. An extendable table comprising:a first table section having a first table surface; a second table section having a second table surface, said second table section being movably coupled to said first table section such that said second table surface and said first table surface are generally coplanar, said first table section and said second table section being positionable in an extended position where said first table surface is spaced apart from said second table surface and a retracted position where said first table surface abuts said second table surface; a leaf member selectively positionable in an operable position between said first table surface and said second table surface and a stowed position below said first table surface and said second table surface; a support rod extending longitudinally between said first table section and said second table section, said support rod defining a generally horizontal axis; a sleeve slidably disposed about said support rod to permit rotation only about said generally horizontal axis, said sleeve operable to permit said leaf member to pivot about said generally horizontal axis into an inverted position; and a swivel coupled between said sleeve and said leaf member to permit rotation only about said generally vertical axis, said swivel operable to permit said leaf member to pivot about a generally vertical axis into a stowed position.
- 16. The expandable table according to claim 15, further comprising:at least one skirt member hingedly coupled to said leaf member, said at least one skirt member being positionable in an operable vertical position and a stowed horizontal position to minimize a drop height required between said leaf member and said first table surface and said second table surface.
- 17. The expandable table according to claim 15, further comprising:a first pair of stop members coupled to said leaf member, said first pair of stop members being operable to limit rotation of said leaf member about said generally vertical axis.
- 18. The expandable table according to claim 17, further comprising:a second pair of stop members coupled to said leaf member, said second pair of stop members being operable to limit rotation of said leaf member about said generally horizontal axis.
- 19. The expandable table according to claim 15 wherein said pivot mechanism comprises:a swivel bracket coupled between said swivel and said support rod; a stop member extending from said leaf member; and at least one cam stop formed in said swivel bracket, said at least one cam stop engagable with said stop member to prevent further rotation of said leaf member about said generally vertical axis.
- 20. The expandable table according to claim 15, further comprising:a plurality of support brackets coupled separately to said first table section and said second table section, each of said plurality of support brackets having a generally flat section; and a flat surface formed on said support rod, said flat surface positionable against said generally flat section of each of said plurality of support brackets to generally inhibit rotation of said leaf member.
US Referenced Citations (8)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
505806 |
Sep 1954 |
CA |