Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FOLDING TABLE MECHANISM
This invention relates to table construction and more
particularly to a table mechanism which may be folded in one
motion so that the top, the seating and the legs assume a
generally vertical position for compact transportation and
storage. The top, seating and legs co-act for mutual support
when in use, during folding and in storage.
An object of the present invention is to provide a folding
table mechanism with a minimum of linkages and supports for ease
of use and manufacture while being durable.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a
; folding table mechanism which can be readily folded as a unit
into a plurality of vertical planes closely spaced from each
other and from a central frame to minimize the space required
for transportation and storage and for ease of carriage.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a
folding table mechanism which is self-supporting in both the
extended, (operative or in-use) position and in the folded
~storage) position without need for one or more latches to
retain the table extended for use or folded for transportation
or storage.
The invention thus consists of a folding table comprising a
riser frame, a table top support pivotally secured to said riser
frame about a first horizontal axls for pivotal movement between
a horizontal operative position and a folded storage position,
seat means pivotally secured to said riser rame about a second
axis, parallel to and below said first horizontal axis, for
pivotal movement of the seat means generally parallel to
movement of said table top support, leg means pivotally secured
to said riser frame about a third parallel axis ~optionally
co-axial with said first horizontal axis) for pivotal movement
of the leg means below said table top support between an
extended position, in which said leg means forms an acute angle
with the table top support and supports said table in operative
position, and a folded storage position, a generally vertical
table top brace means pivotally connected to said seat means at
a first end thereof to pivot about a fourth parallel axis in
spaced relation to said second axis and slidably received at the
second end thereof in said table top support for sliding
mo~ement in the plane of said table top support, and link means
pivotally connected to said frame at a first end thereof to
pivot about a fifth parallel axis intermediate said first axis
and said second axis and slidably received at the second end
thereof in said table top brace means for sliding movement
along a portion of the length of said table top brace means,
wherein said leg means is slidably received in said link means
for sliding along a portion o~ the length of said link means
between a first position, in which said leg means supports said
seat means in a generally horizontal position, and a second
position in which said leg means is in a folded storage
position.
The invention further consists in a folding table comprising
a central frame means, a pair of table top support means
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pivotally secured to opposing sides of said frame means about
transversely spaced first parallel horizontal axes for pivotal
movement between a horizontal flat operative position and a
folded storage position, a pair of seat means pivotally secured
to opposing sides of said ~rame means at second axes, parallel
to and below said first axes respectively, for pivotal movement
of the seat means generally parallel to movement of said pair of
table top support means, a pair o~ leg means pivotally secured
to opposing sides of said frame means about third parallel axes
(optionally co-axial with said respective first axes) for
pivotal movement of the leg means below said table top support
means between an extended position~in which said leg means forms
an acute angle with the respective table top support and
supports the table in operative position, and a folded storage
position, a pair of generally vertical table top brace means,
each pivotally connected to a respective one of said seat means
at the lower end thereof and each slidably and pivotally
connected to a respective one of said table top support means at
the upper end thereof, to pivot at the lower ends thereof about
fourth axes parallel to said first axes, the upper ends each
being slidably received in corresponding ones of said table top
support means for sliding movement in the plane of said table
top support means, and a pair of link means, each pivotally
connected to said frame at a first end thereof about fifth
parallel axes intermediate corresponding ones of said first axes
and said second axes and being pivotally connected to
corresponding ones of said table top brace means for sliding
movement along the length of said table top brace means, wherein
each of said leg means is slidably received in a respective said
link means for sliding along a portion of the length of said
link means between a first position in which said leg means
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supports said seat means in a generally horizontal position and
a second position in which said leg means is in a folded storage
position.
BRIEF LIST OF DRAWINGS
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Fig l is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the
invention shown in the fully extended or operative position.
Fig 2 is an elevation of a preferred embodiment of the invention
shown in a partially folded position.
Fig 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the
mechanism of the invention (minus table top paxts), shown in the
fully folded position ready for transportation or storage.
Fig 4 is an elevation of a preferred embodiment of the invention
shown in the fully extended position.
Fig 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the table mechanism
in the fully extended position.
Fig 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the table mechanism
in a partially folded position.
Fig 7 is a perspective view of a portion of another embodiment
of the invention.
2~ DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now in detail to the preferred embodiment of the
invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, Fig l shows
~, the folding table mechanism generally designated 28 in the
extended or operative position. Table mechanism 28 folds about
a central riser frame l from the extended position for use (fig
l) to the fully folded position shown in fig 3.
Frame 1 is generally ve~r~l~ al when the table 28 is in the
operative position. Table top supports 2 and 2a are pivotally
connected to frame 1 and parallel first horizontal axes 3 and 3a.
As may be seen from figures 1, 2, and 4, a two-part top 31 of any
suitable shape may be affixed to the upper side of top supports 2
and 2a. Seat portions 5 and 5a are pivotally connected to frame
1 about parallel second axes 6 and 6a for movement generally
parallel to corresponding ones of the table top supports 2 and 2a
respectively.
~ eg portions 8 and 8a are pivotally connected to frame
about third parallel horizontal axes 9 and 9a (fig 2 and 3) which
are shown as adjacent first axes 3 and 3a, but optionally may be
co-axial respectively therewith. Preferably axes 9 and 9a are
parallel with and intermediate first longitudinal axes 3 and 3a.
As shown in Fig 4, structural rigidity and interactive
folding are provided by a pair of table top brace means 11 and
lla and a pair of links 12 and 12a. Table top brace pair 11 and
lla are generally vertical and parallel to frame l; they are
connected between pivotal connections 13 and 13a, to pivot around
parallel fourth horizontal axes on leg portions 8 and 8a, and
sliding and pivotal connections 14 and 14a on table top supports
2 and 2a (Fig 2 and 4).
Detail of connection 14 is shown in Fig 6. A first brace 11
is ridgidly connected to cross-member 15 pereferably at about its
cente~ point. Cross-member 15 is slidably received in a pair of
channels 36 in table top support member 20 for pivotal movement
about cross-member 15 as axis and for sliding movement in
relation to the table top support.
Table top braces 11 and lla are provided with slots 16 and
16a intermediate their ends (fig 2).
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Each one of a pair of links 12 and 12a is pivotally
connected to frame 1 for pivotal movement about fourth parallel
horizontal axes 17 and 17a (fig 2) intermediate the first axes 3
and 3a and the second axes 6 and 6a respectively. As is more
clearly seen in fig 5, each of the links 12 consists of two
longitudinal portions 18 and a lateral end portion 19. Each
lateral end portion 19 is slidably and pivotally received in
one of slots 16 and 16a. Each of the longitudinal portions 18
includes a slot 21 along its length for slidably and pivotally
receiving a pin 22 (fig S & 6).
As can be seen in fig 3, the leg portions 8 and 8a comprise
base members 23, leg members 24 and lateral members 25. Each
lateral member 25 forms a part of third horizontal axes 9 and 9a
respectively.
lS As shown in fig 7, a stop member 26 may be provided
intermediate base member 23 and lateral member 25, to support
the seat means when in operative position. Seat portions 5 may
include a depending hook 29 which co-acts with a cross member 40
on each of leg portions 8 and 8a to prevent relative motion
between seat portions 5 and Sa and leg portions 8 and 8a when
the table mechanism is in its fully extended or operative
position. Optionally and preferably stop member 26 can be
replaced with pivotted pairs of rollers 27 as shown in the other
figures, the pairs pivotting on pivot pins 30 in leg members 24.
Although the preferred embodiment of the foldable table
mechanism has been described, it will be appreciated within the
scope of the invention that the angular relationships of the
various components of the table mechanism may be altered and
still provide an operative structure.
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Likewise it will be appreciated that the embodiment
described and illustrated in detail has a symetrical arrangement
of a duplicate set of parts that are mirror images of one
another, arranged so that in the operative position the table is
free standing and self supporting; however, as claimed the
invention includes a table that has only one set of parts as
detailed, provision being made in the riser frame to fasten the
frame to a supporting structure, for example a wall or fence,
against which the table can be folded or extended for use.
