Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
COMPACT CAMPING TABLE
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/666,805, filed
May 04, 2018.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field Of The Invention
In general, the present invention relates to
portable tables that have collapsible frames. More
particularly, the present invention relates to the
structural elements of the tables that enable the
frames to fold and deploy.
2. Prior Art Description
When an individual goes camping, tailgates at a
sporting event, or otherwise spends time in the
outdoors and away from home, it is commonplace for
that individual to carry some basic equipment for
comfort. For example, many people bring a portable
chair so that they can sit in comfort. In addition to
a chair, a highly useful item to bring camping or to a
tailgate is a table. In this manner, food and other
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items can be placed on the table for comfort and
convenience. The problem is that tables, even folding
tables, can be very bulky and difficult to transport.
Most folding tables only have folding legs. The
tabletop of the table remains the same size both when
the table is folded and when the table is open. As
such, the table remains difficult to carry and to
transport in a vehicle.
In the prior art, there are a wide variety of
portable tables. Some tables have tabletops that fold
in half or in thirds, but the tabletops remain
connected to the support framework. Such prior art
tables are exemplified by U.S. Patent No. 2,549,242 to
Ross. However, a half-fold table and a tri-fold table
are nearly as bulky and difficult to transport as are
full tables. Recognizing the need for tables that can
be more readily carried, some collapsible table
designs have been created that have fabric tabletops
and collapsible frames. Although such tables can
collapse into compact sizes, the use of fabric as a
tabletop surface is undesirable. Fabric tabletops sag
when weighted and can easily shift during windy
conditions. This can cause objects on the table, to
tip or fall off the table.
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In the prior art, attempts have been made to make
collapsible tables with segmented tabletops. In this
manner, a rigid tabletop can be provided that still
has the ability to be folded into a compact shape.
Such prior art tables are exemplified by U.S. Patent
No. 1,553,036 to Foss. A problem associated with such
prior art tables is that the segmented tabletops are
placed over narrow bases. The edges of the tabletop
are therefore cantilevered. This can cause the
tabletop to tip if a weighted object is placed near
the edge of the tabletop. Additionally, the support
structure used with the segmented tabletop remains
large and bulky. As a result, the tabletop can be
collapsed, but the overall portable table remains
large and bulky.
A need therefore exists in the prior art for a
portable table that has a rigid tabletop surface, yet
the entire table assembly can be collapsed into a
convenient size. A need also exists for a portable
table with a segmented tabletop that does not overhang
its supports, therein creating a tipping hazard. These
needs are met by the present invention as described
and claimed below.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a portable table that
presents a hard support surface when opened, yet can
be folded into a very compact configuration. The
portable table utilizes a collapsible support
framework. The support framework has legs that are
interconnected by scissor linkages. This enables the
legs to be condensed together when the portable table
is disassembled. Each of the legs in the support
framework has a top end and a bracket that is affixed
to the top end.
Guide rails are provided that can be selectively
attached to, or detached from, the support framework.
The guide rails contain connectors that selectively
engage the brackets on the legs of the support
framework. Each of the guide rails has a top surface
and a ledge that is disposed a first depth below the
top surface. When the guide rails are attached to the
support framework, the support framework retains the
guide rails in a parallel orientation.
A segmented tabletop is provided that extends
between the guide rails when the guide rails are in
their parallel orientation. The segmented tabletop
rests on the ledges of the guide rails, wherein the
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segmented tabletop is the same thickness as the depth
of the ledges. This provides the portable table with a
flat top surface having no cantilevered areas. The
result is a strong and sturdy table that can be easily
and rapidly disassembled.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the present
invention, reference is made to the following
description of exemplary embodiments thereof,
considered in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a table assembly
in its open configuration;
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the embodiment of
Fig. I;
FIG. 3 is a fragmented cross-sectional view of
the top of the table assembly in its open
configuration;
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FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the table
assembly disassembled and in a folded configuration;
and
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an alternate
embodiment of a table assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention portable table assembly can
be configured in many ways and can be adapted for use
in many applications. For example, the portable table
assembly can be made to a variety of lengths, widths
and heights, depending upon market needs. Although the
table assembly can be altered in shape to fit various
applications, only two exemplary embodiments are
illustrated and described. The exemplary embodiments
are selected in order to set forth some of the best
modes contemplated for the invention. The illustrated
embodiments, however, are merely exemplary and should
not be considered limitations when interpreting the
scope of the appended claims.
Referring in conjunction to Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig.
3 and Fig. 4, a portable table assembly 10 is shown.
The portable table assembly 10 consists of a
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collapsible support framework 12, guide rails 14 and a
segmented tabletop 16. The collapsible support
framework 12, the guide rails 14, and the segmented
tabletop 16 can be selectively assembled to form the
table assembly 10 and can be disassembled for compact
storage.
The support framework 12 itself is collapsible
and can be selectively configured between an open
configuration and a collapsed configuration. The
support framework 12 has four legs 18. Each of the
legs 18 can have a set length between a top first end
and a bottom second end 22. Alternatively, the legs
18 can have a telescoping construction that enables
the length between the top first end 20 and the bottom
15 second end 22 to be selectively adjusted by manual
manipulation.
The top first end 20 of each of the legs 18
terminates with a top bracket 24. The top brackets 24
are fixed in place on the legs 18. Each of the legs 18
20 is also provided with a slide bracket 26. The slide
brackets 26 are able to reciprocally move along the
length of the legs 18 in some range between the top
first end 20 and the bottom second end 22 of the legs
18. Locking holes 28 are formed in each of the legs 18
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proximate the top bracket 24. Locking pull pins 30 are
integrated into the slide brackets 26. The pull pins
30 selectively engage the locking holes 28 in the legs
18 as the slide brackets 26 move over the locking
holes 28 in the legs 18. The locking holes 28 are
positioned so that the locking pull pins 30 lock in
place on the legs 18 when the slide brackets 26 are at
their highest points in their range of movement. That
is, when the slide brackets 26 are closest to the top
brackets 24 on each of the legs 18.
The top brackets 24 and the slide brackets 26 on
adjacent legs 18 are joined together by scissor
linkages 32. When the slide brackets 26 are moved down
the legs 18 and away from the top brackets 24, the
scissor linkages 32 retract the legs 18 and move the
support framework 12 into a collapsed configuration
(Fig. 4). Conversely, when the slide brackets 26 are
moved toward the top brackets 24, the legs 18 spread
the support framework 12 into a fully open
configuration (Fig. 1). Once at the fully open
configuration, the locking pull pins 30 on the slide
brackets 26 engage the locking holes 28 on the legs 18
and the support framework 12 becomes locked in its
open configuration.
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Two guide rails 14 are provided. The guide rails
14 are straight between a first end 34 and an opposite
second end 36. Both the first end 34 and the second
end 36 of each guide rail 14 terminate with a
connector 38. The connector 38 is configured to
mechanically interconnect with the top brackets 24 of
the legs 18. When the support framework 12 is in its
fully open configuration, the connectors 38 at the
first ends 34 and second ends 36 of the guide rails 14
are capable of engaging two of the top brackets 24.
This is because the length of the guide rails 14
equals the distance between adjacent legs 18 on the
support framework 12, when the support framework 12 is
in its fully open configuration.
When both of the guide rails 14 are attached to
the support framework 12, the guide rails 14 are
parallel. Additionally, each of the guide rails 14 has
a top surface 40 that is horizontal on the table
assembly 10. A ledge 42 is formed below the top
surface 40 that runs the length of each guide rail 14.
The ledges 42 of the two guide rails 14 face each
other when the guide rails 14 are attached to the
support framework 12. The ledges 42 are uniformly
spaced apart by a distance Dl. The ledges 42 also
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contain protrusions, reliefs or some other
interlocking structure 44 that can be selectively
engaged by the segmented tabletop 16.
The segmented tabletop 16 is comprised of a
plurality of flat slats 46 that are arranged in
parallel. Each of the slats is rigid and is preferably
made of a molded plastic or composite material. The
slats 46 are connected using fabric or hinges. Living
hinges can be used if the slats 46 are molded from
plastic. This configuration makes the segmented
tabletop 16 foldable in between the slats 46. The
ability of the segmented tabletop 16 to fold in
between the slats 46 enables the various slats 46 to
be manipulated between two configurations. In a first
configuration, the slats 46 can be stacked atop one
another for storage. This configuration is shown in
Fig. 4. In a second configuration, the slats 46 can be
arranged in a common plane to form a flat surface,
which serves as a tabletop. This configuration is
shown in Fig. 1. Each of the slats 46 has the same
length. That length is equal to the distance D1
between the ledges 42 on the guide rails 14.
Furthermore, the thickness of the slats 46 is equal to
the depth of the ledges 42. This enables the slats 46
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of the segmented tabletop 16 to lay in the same flat
plane as the top surfaces 40 of the guide rails 14.
This provides the table assembly with a single flat
top surface, where none of the segmented tabletop is
cantilevered over some edge of support framework 12.
The slats 46 have opposing ends 48. The ends 48
of at least some of the slats 46 contain some
engagement feature 50 that engages the interlocking
structures 44 on the ledges 42 of the guide rails 14.
For example, the slats 46 may contain detents that
engage recesses in the guide rails 14. Alternatively,
the slats 46 and the guide rails 14 may have grooved
elements that mechanically interlock. Magnetic
connections can also be used. The interlocking of the
segmented tabletop 16 with the guide rails 14 is
preferred to prevent the segmented tabletop 16 from
falling out of the guide rails 14 if the table
assembly 10 is carried askew or accidentally knocked
over.
To collapse the table assembly 10, the segmented
tabletop 16 is removed from the guide rails 14. The
segmented tabletop 16 can then be folded in a
concertinaed fashion. The guide rails 14 are then
disconnected from the support framework 12. This
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leaves the support framework 12 in its open
configuration. The locking pull pins 30 on the slide
brackets 26 are pulled to release the slide brackets
26. Once the slide brackets 26 are released, the legs
18 on the support framework 12 can be moved together,
therein collapsing the support framework 12. The
folded segmented tabletop 16, the guide rails 14 and
the collapsed support framework 12 can then be stored
in a narrow carry bag.
The dimensions of the table assembly 10 shown in
Fig. 1 through Fig. 4 can be changed as a matter of
design choice. Larger table assemblies may require
more complex support frames in order to bear the
weight that may be rested on a larger table assembly.
Referring to Fig. 5, such a large table assembly 60 is
shown. In Fig. 5, the table assembly 60 has a larger,
more complex support framework 62. The support
framework 62 has six legs 64. The top end of each of
the legs 64 terminates with a top bracket 66. The top
brackets 66 are fixed in place. Each of the legs 64 is
also provided with a slide bracket 68. The slide
brackets 68 are able to reciprocally move along the
length of the legs 64. The slide brackets 68 can lock
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into place in the same manner as was described for the
first embodiment.
The top brackets 66 and the slide brackets 68 on
adjacent legs 64 are joined together by scissor
linkages 70. When the slide brackets 68 are moved down
the legs 64 and away from the top brackets 66, the
scissor linkages 70 retract the legs 64 and move the
support framework 12 into a collapsed configuration.
Conversely, when the slide brackets 68 are moved
toward the top brackets 66, the legs 64 spread the
support framework 62 into a fully open configuration.
Once at the fully open configuration, the slide
brackets 68 lock in place on the legs 64.
At least two guide rails 72 are provided.
Depending upon the length of the table assembly 60,
two or more sets of guide rails 72 may be used to
create the length needed. The guide rails 72 are
positioned into two parallel rows. Each guide rail 72
terminates with a connector 74. The connector 74 is
configured to mechanically interconnect with the top
brackets 66 of the legs 64. When the support framework
62 is in its fully open configuration, the connectors
74 on the guide rails 72 can engage the top brackets
66 on the legs 64.
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A larger segmented tabletop 76 is provided. The
tabletop 76 can be one piece or two pieces, depending
upon the length of the table assembly 60. The tabletop
76 is made from interconnected slats 78. Each of the
slats 78 has the same length. That length is equal to
the distance between the guide rails 72. Furthermore,
the thickness of the slats 78 is equal to the depth of
ledges 80 on the guide rails 72. This enables the
slats 78 of the segmented tabletop 76 to be arranged
in a flat plane with and between the two guide rails
72.
It will be understood that the embodiments of
the present invention that are illustrated and
described are merely exemplary and that a person
skilled in the art can make many variations to those
embodiments. All such embodiments are intended to be
included within the scope of the present invention as
defined by the appended claims.
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