EP4306004A1 - Table repliable en deux dotée d'entretoise transversale plane - Google Patents

Table repliable en deux dotée d'entretoise transversale plane Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4306004A1
EP4306004A1 EP22184811.2A EP22184811A EP4306004A1 EP 4306004 A1 EP4306004 A1 EP 4306004A1 EP 22184811 A EP22184811 A EP 22184811A EP 4306004 A1 EP4306004 A1 EP 4306004A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tabletop
opposing
cross brace
fold
hinge
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP22184811.2A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Chen-Kang Lin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Dongguan Shichang Metals Factory Ltd
Original Assignee
Dongguan Shichang Metals Factory Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Dongguan Shichang Metals Factory Ltd filed Critical Dongguan Shichang Metals Factory Ltd
Priority to EP22184811.2A priority Critical patent/EP4306004A1/fr
Publication of EP4306004A1 publication Critical patent/EP4306004A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B3/00—Folding or stowable tables
    • A47B3/08—Folding or stowable tables with legs pivoted to top or underframe
    • A47B3/083—Folding or stowable tables with legs pivoted to top or underframe with foldable top leaves
    • A47B3/087—Folding or stowable tables with legs pivoted to top or underframe with foldable top leaves with struts supporting the legs
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B3/00—Folding or stowable tables
    • A47B3/08—Folding or stowable tables with legs pivoted to top or underframe
    • A47B3/083—Folding or stowable tables with legs pivoted to top or underframe with foldable top leaves
    • A47B2003/0835—Folding or stowable tables with legs pivoted to top or underframe with foldable top leaves being superimposed, hinged and foldable

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the field of furniture. More particularly, this invention relates to a table having a fold-in-half tabletop, collapsible legs, and a planar cross brace for supporting a central region of the tabletop.
  • fold-in-half tabletops comprise two tabletop halves that are formed of plastic by blow molding or injection molding, or that are formed from honeycomb board, medium-density fiberboard (MDF) or other materials.
  • MDF medium-density fiberboard
  • the inner edges of the tabletop halves come together in the center of the tabletop.
  • the inner edges of the tabletop halves have interlocking and overlapping features that are integrally formed as parts of the molded tabletop halves.
  • a collapsible table that has a tabletop, siderails, leg assemblies, hinge assemblies, central support braces, a tubular cross brace, and a planar cross brace.
  • the table includes a first tabletop portion having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first inner edge, and a first outer edge that is parallel to the first inner edge.
  • the table includes a second tabletop portion having a top surface, a bottom surface, a second inner edge, and a second outer edge that is parallel to the second inner edge.
  • the first and second inner edges are adjacent each other when the table is in the use position, and separated from each other when the table is in the storage position.
  • the side rails include a pair of opposing first side rails attached to the bottom surface of the first tabletop portion between the first inner edge and the first outer edge, and a pair of opposing second side rails attached to the bottom surface of the second tabletop portion between the second inner edge and the second outer edge.
  • the table includes a first leg assembly that is pivotally connected to the bottom surface of the first tabletop portion between the first side rails, and a second leg assembly that is pivotally connected to the bottom surface of the second tabletop portion between the second side rails. Both leg assemblies extend downward from the respective tabletop portions when the table is in the use position, and are disposed adjacent the respective tabletop portions when the table is in the storage position.
  • the hinge assemblies comprise a pair of opposing hinge assemblies disposed on a hinge axis that is parallel to the second inner edge of the second tabletop portion.
  • Each hinge assembly connects one of the first side rails to one of the second side rails, so that the first and second tabletop portions are operable to pivot with respect to each other about the hinge axis.
  • the tubular cross brace is disposed on the hinge axis between the pair of hinge assemblies and is secured to the bottom surface of the second tabletop portion.
  • the planar cross brace is secured to the bottom surface of the first tabletop portion, adjacent and parallel to its first inner edge.
  • the first central support brace has a first end that is pivotally attached to the first leg assembly and a second end pivotally attached to the tubular cross brace.
  • the second central support brace has a first end pivotally attached to the second leg assembly and a second end pivotally attached to the tubular cross brace.
  • the tubular cross brace includes opposing ends that are secured to the opposing hinge assemblies.
  • each hinge assembly includes first and second hinge portions that are rotationally attached to each other.
  • the first hinge portion of each hinge assembly is attached to one of the first side rails and the second hinge portion of each hinge assembly is attached to one of the second side rails.
  • the planar cross brace includes a pair of opposing tabs disposed at its opposing ends. Each tab extends from the planar cross brace in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the first tabletop portion, wherein each tab is secured to a corresponding one of the first hinge portions. In some embodiments, each tab is welded to the corresponding one of the first hinge portions.
  • the planar cross brace includes a pair of opposing ribs disposed along outer edges of a central channel portion of the planar cross brace.
  • the ribs are disposed in parallel to the first inner edge of the first tabletop portion and extend from the planar cross brace in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the first tabletop portion to form a U-shaped cross section within the central channel portion of the planar cross brace.
  • the planar cross brace includes multiple apertures disposed within the central channel portion through which fasteners pass to secure the planar cross brace to the bottom surface of the first tabletop portion.
  • the tubular cross brace includes multiple apertures through which fasteners pass to secure the tubular cross brace to the bottom surface of the second tabletop portion.
  • the planar cross brace includes an elongate rectangular planar portion having elongate opposing side edges and narrow opposing end edges that are perpendicular to the side edges.
  • the planar cross brace includes a pair of opposing tabs extending from each of the opposing end edges in a direction perpendicular to the rectangular planar portion.
  • a pair of opposing ribs are disposed along the opposing side edges in a central region of the rectangular planar portion. The ribs are parallel to the opposing side edges and extend from the rectangular planar portion in a direction perpendicular to the rectangular planar portion, thereby forming a central channel having a U-shaped cross section.
  • the rectangular planar portion includes multiple pairs of opposing arcuate cutouts, each pair disposed adjacent a corresponding one of the tabs at each of the opposing end edges.
  • the cutouts accommodate opposing legs of the first leg assembly, thereby allowing the first leg assembly to lay flat against the bottom surface of the first tabletop portion when the first leg assembly is in the collapsed position.
  • the first and second tabletop portions are formed from blow-molded plastic.
  • first and second inner edges of the first and second tabletop portions are linear and parallel to the hinge axis.
  • first leg assembly is pivotally connected to the first side rails and the second leg assembly is pivotally connected to the second side rails.
  • the planar cross brace is disposed between the first inner edge and the first outer edge of the first tabletop portion, and the tubular cross brace is disposed between the second inner edge and the second outer edge of the second tabletop portion.
  • inventions described herein are directed to a cross brace for stiffening a tabletop of a fold-in-half collapsible table.
  • the cross brace includes an elongate rectangular planar portion having elongate opposing side edges and narrow opposing end edges that are perpendicular to the side edges.
  • a pair of opposing tabs extend from the opposing end edges in a direction perpendicular to the rectangular planar portion.
  • a pair of opposing ribs extend from the opposing side edges in a direction perpendicular to the rectangular planar portion, thereby forming an elongate channel having a U-shaped cross section.
  • multiple apertures are disposed in the rectangular planar portion of the cross brace.
  • the apertures are operable to receive fasteners for securing the cross brace to the tabletop.
  • the cross brace also includes multiple pairs of opposing arcuate cutouts. Each pair of cutouts are disposed adjacent a corresponding one of the tabs.
  • a fold-in-half collapsible table having a use position and a storage position comprising: a tabletop that includes: a first tabletop portion having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first inner edge, and a first outer edge that is parallel to the first inner edge; and a second tabletop portion having a top surface, a bottom surface, a second inner edge, and a second outer edge that is parallel to the second inner edge, wherein the first and second inner edges are adjacent each other when the table is in the use position, and separated from each other when the table is in the storage position; a pair of opposing first side rails attached to the bottom surface of the first tabletop portion between the first inner edge and the first outer edge; a pair of opposing second side rails attached to the bottom surface of the second tabletop portion between the second inner edge
  • a fold-in-half table 10 has a tabletop 12 comprising first and second tabletop portions 12a and 12b.
  • the tabletop 12 is supported by first and second leg assemblies 16 and 14 that extend downward from the tabletop 12.
  • the first leg assembly 16 includes legs 24a and 24b, and a first cross member 28 to which the upper ends of the legs 24a-24b are attached.
  • the first cross member 28 is pivotally attached at one end to a first side rail 30a and at the other end to an opposing first side rail 32a.
  • the second leg assembly 14 includes legs 22a and 22b, and a second cross member 26 to which the upper ends of the legs 22a-22b are attached.
  • the second cross member 26 is pivotally attached at one end to a second side rail 30b and at the other end to an opposing second side rail 32b.
  • the first leg assembly 16 includes articulated braces 20a and 20b that are pivotally connected to the legs 24a and 24b, respectively, and to a first end of a central support brace 40a to maintain the first leg assembly 16 in the use position.
  • the second leg assembly 14 includes articulated braces 18a and 18b that are pivotally connected to the legs 22a and 22b, respectively, and to a first end of a central support brace 40b to maintain the second leg assembly 14 in the use position. Second ends of the central support braces 40a-40b are pivotally connected to a tubular cross brace 38 that spans the width of the second tabletop portion 12b.
  • the first side rails 30a-32a and the second side rails 30b-32b are preferably attached to the first tabletop portion 12a and the second tabletop portion 12b, respectively, using screws or other fasteners.
  • the first side rail 30a is pivotally connected to the second side rail 30b by a hinge assembly 36.
  • the hinge assembly 36 includes a first hinge portion 36a that is secured to the first side rail 30a, and a second hinge portion 36b that is secured to the second side rail 30b.
  • the first side rail 32a is pivotally connected to the second side rail 32b by a hinge assembly 34.
  • the hinge assembly 34 includes a first hinge portion 34a that is secured to the first side rail 32a, and a second hinge portion 34b that is secured to the second side rail 32b.
  • first hinge portion 34a that is secured to the first side rail 32a
  • second hinge portion 34b that is secured to the second side rail 32b.
  • the tubular cross brace 38 is centered on the hinge axis 44 formed by the hinge assemblies 34-36, with one of its ends attached to the hinge assembly 34 and its other end is attached to the hinge assembly 36.
  • the cross brace 38 is a cylindrical tube having a circular cross section.
  • the ends of the tubular cross brace 38 are attached to the hinge assemblies 34 and 36 by weld joints.
  • the tubular cross brace 38 preferably includes apertures through which fasteners pass to attach the tubular cross brace 38 to molded supports 50 extending from the bottom surface of the second tabletop portion 12b.
  • an elongate planar cross brace 39 is attached to the bottom surface of the first tabletop portion 12a to provide lateral support.
  • the brace 39 stiffens the inner edge 42a of the first tabletop portion 12a independently of any connection to the inner edge 42b of the second tabletop portion 12b. This eliminates any need for interlocking features such as those required by prior art tables ( FIG. 11 ).
  • a preferred embodiment of the cross brace 39 comprises a rectangular planar portion 60 having tabs 54 at each of its ends that are perpendicular to the planar portion 60.
  • a central region of the brace 39 includes ribs 56 along its outside edges that are also perpendicular to the rectangular planar portion 60. Pairs of arcuate cutouts 52 are provided in the ribs 56 near the tabs 54 at each end of the cross brace 39. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7 , the cutouts 52 accommodate the lower ends of the legs 24a-24b, thereby allowing the legs 24a-24b to lay flat against the bottom surface of the tabletop portion 12a when the leg assembly 16 is in the collapsed position.
  • the ribs 56 and the planar portion 60 form a channel 64 having a U-shaped cross section that provides greater rigidity to the cross brace 39.
  • a pair of apertures 58 are provided through which fasteners may pass to secure the brace 39 to the bottom surface of the first tabletop portion 12a.
  • the brace 39 is preferably formed from one piece of steel, with the tabs 54 and ribs 56 integrally formed by bending.
  • the brace 39 has a width W and a length L1. Its central region has a length L2.
  • the tabs 54 have a height H1 and the ribs have a height H2. All of the components of the brace 39 preferably have the same thickness T.
  • the apertures 58 are spaced apart by a distance D and each has a radius R.
  • W is 20 mm
  • L1 is 683.4 mm
  • L2 is 495 mm
  • H1 is 18 mm
  • H2 is 10 mm
  • D is 220 mm
  • T 2.3 mm
  • R is 6.5 mm.
  • W is 20 mm
  • L1 is 643.5 mm
  • L2 is 483.5 mm
  • H1 is 18 mm
  • H2 is 10 mm
  • D is 250 mm
  • T is 2.3 mm
  • R is 6.5 mm.
  • the tab 54 at one end of the brace 39 is secured to the first hinge portion 34a, and the tab 54 at the other end of the brace 39 is secured to the first hinge portion 36a.
  • the tabs 54 are attached to the hinge portions 34a-36a by welding. In alternative embodiments, the attachment is made using fasteners, such as screws or rivets.
  • the tabletop portions are formed from blow-molded plastic, and the side rails, leg assemblies, central support braces, tubular cross brace, planar cross brace, and hinge assemblies are formed from steel.
  • the metal components may be formed from other materials, such as aluminum extrusion which may have greater thickness than components formed from steel.
  • planar cross brace with a U-shaped channel to stiffen the inner edge of the tabletop portion 12a has several advantages over the use of a tubular cross brace, including:

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  • Tables And Desks Characterized By Structural Shape (AREA)
EP22184811.2A 2022-07-13 2022-07-13 Table repliable en deux dotée d'entretoise transversale plane Pending EP4306004A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP22184811.2A EP4306004A1 (fr) 2022-07-13 2022-07-13 Table repliable en deux dotée d'entretoise transversale plane

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP22184811.2A EP4306004A1 (fr) 2022-07-13 2022-07-13 Table repliable en deux dotée d'entretoise transversale plane

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4306004A1 true EP4306004A1 (fr) 2024-01-17

Family

ID=82594985

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP22184811.2A Pending EP4306004A1 (fr) 2022-07-13 2022-07-13 Table repliable en deux dotée d'entretoise transversale plane

Country Status (1)

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EP (1) EP4306004A1 (fr)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7096799B2 (en) 2002-04-09 2006-08-29 Lifetime Products, Inc. Portable folding table
US20120024203A1 (en) * 2010-08-02 2012-02-02 Lifetime Products, Inc. Folding table
US20130025509A1 (en) * 2011-07-29 2013-01-31 Lifetime Products, Inc. Folding table with locking mechanism

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7096799B2 (en) 2002-04-09 2006-08-29 Lifetime Products, Inc. Portable folding table
US20120024203A1 (en) * 2010-08-02 2012-02-02 Lifetime Products, Inc. Folding table
US20130025509A1 (en) * 2011-07-29 2013-01-31 Lifetime Products, Inc. Folding table with locking mechanism

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Owner name: DONGGUAN SHICHANG METALS FACTORY LTD.