GB2272833A - Folding table - Google Patents

Abstract

A folding table has a table top 10 with an apron rail 50 extending around its underside, the apron rail comprising a plurality of first members upon which one or more of the table legs are mounted, and an equal number of second members, wherein the apron rail is formed from alternate first and second members connected by releasable catch means, and the first and second members are hingedly mounted on the underside of the table top. The catch means is keyed so as to draw the apron rail tight together when engaged. A security device is included, operated by gravity, which prevents the catch means being disengaged when the table is standing upright on its legs. <IMAGE>

Description

Foldina Table The present invention relates to tables, and in particular to folding tables.

Known folding tables employ diagonal braces or cross members to hold the legs steady when the table is unfolded for use. These reduce the usable seating space around the table and can look ungainly. In addition, such tables can readily be identified as a folding table.

The present invention seeks to produce a folding table that does not require diagonal braces or cross members to support it and which can not readily be distinguished from a permanently rigid table.

Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention provides a folding table comprising a table top having an apron rail extending around its underside, the apron rail comprising a plurality of first members upon which one or more of the table legs are mounted, and an equal number of second members, wherein the apron rail is formed from alternate first and second members connected by releasable catch means, and the first and second members are hingedly mounted on the underside of the table top.

In a preferred arrangement, either the first or second members fold flat inwards against the underside of the table top and the second or first members respectively are mounted on a spacer of equal thickness to the member that fold flat against the table top.

Preferably, the table is rectangular with two first members and two second members. The first members may comprise legs extending to the table top separated by a cross member.

Preferably, the catch means comprises a female member mounted on one member, a male member mounted on an adjacent member, and a releasable catch, wherein the female and male members can be releasably engaged to cause the first and second members to form the apron rail.

Preferably, the female member comprises a slot member and the male member comprises a key member. The releasable catch may comprise a sprung plunger mounted on one member that engages a groove on an adjacent member. The groove may have chamfered sides.

Preferably, the table comprises means to prevent the legs being moved when it is in the upright position.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a catch member containing a slidable bolt member and a gravity operated catch to stop the bolt moving when in one orientation but not when in another.

In a preferred arrangement, the catch is a pin member that is freely movable in a bore that meets the bolt member, wherein when the bore is inclined from the horizontal. By tilting the catch member, the pin member slides along the bore to engage the bolt member and prevents it moving relative to the catch member.

In order that the invention and its various other features may be understood more easily, embodiments thereof will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, wherein: Figs 1 to 3 are perspective drawings showing the stages in folding the table; Fig.4 is a perspective view of a corner of the underside of the table; Fig.5 is a front view of a first element of the catch mechanism: Fig.6 is a rear view of the element shown in Fig.5: Fig.7 is a view in direction 7 in Fig.6; Fig.8 is a front view of a second element of the catch mechanism; Fig.9 is a rear view of the element shown in Fig.8; Fig.10 is a view in direction 10 in Fig.8.

Fig.ll is a view in direction 11 in Fig.8; Fig.12 is an underneath plan view of a second embodiment of the invention in a folded position; and Fig.l3 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative first element of the catch mechanism.

The table comprises a table top 10, two end members 20 and two side members 30. The end members are mounted on spacers 40. Each end member comprises two legs 21 and a cross strut 22. The cross struts and the side members form an apron rail 50. There are catches 60 at each corner of the apron rail to lock the table legs in the position shown in Fig.l.

The side members 30 are connected to the table top 10 by hinges along their inner edges. The end members 20 are connected to the spacers 40 by hinges along their inner edges (hinges not shown in Figures). The cross struts 22 are slightly narrower than the tops of the legs 21. The side members and spacers are made from material of the same thickness.

Fig.4 shows one catch. The catch comprises a slotted member 65 mounted on an end member 20 and a key member 75 recessed into a side member 30. The slotted member is mounted in a recess in the table leg 21 and is flush with its surface. The key member is flush mounted in a recess in the inner edge of the side member 30.

Figs. 5,6 and 7 show the key member 75. The key member has an L shaped body with counter sunk holes 76 through it for screwing it to the side member 30. The upper part of the member has a bore through it containing a sprung member 77 (not shown in Fig.4). A pin 78 extends through a slot 79 in the member and screws into the sprung member 77. The end of the sprung member has two inclined faces 80. The sprung member is biased by a helical spring 80 and held in the bore by the pin 78. The pin is movable in the slot 79. Mounted at the side of the key member 75 is a projecting tongue member 81 mounted on a web 82. One face 83 of the tongue member is inclined Figs. 8,9,10 and 11 show the slotted member 65. The member comprises a body containing two countersunk screw holes 66.The rear side of the member (Fig.9) contains an arch shaped recess 67 one side 72 of which is chamfered (Fig.11). A slot 68 extends into the recess. The front side of the member (Fig.8) has a shaped end 69. This end comprises a substantially vee shaped recess 70 and a chamfered face 71.

Fig.1 shows the inverted table in its unfolded position. The key members 75 are engaged with the slotted members 65 at each corner. The tongue members 81 fit into the arch shaped recesses 67, with the webs 82 in slots 68. The sprung members are biased so that they push into the vee shaped recesses 70. The end of each sprung member rests on one side of a recess 70. The chamfered side 72 of the arch shaped recess and the chamfered face 83 of the tongue member 81 ensure a tight fit between the key members and the slotted members.

Figs. 2 and 3 show the table being folded. The side members 30 are folded inwards by giving them a sharp tap with the hand. This pushes the sprung member 77 out of the vee shaped recess 70 and the tongue member 84 out of the arch shaped recess 67. The side members fold flat against the table top 10. The end members 20 then fold inwards until the sides of the cross struts 22 lie on the sides of the folded side members 30.

Unfolding the table is the reverse of folding it. When the key members 75 and the slotted members 65 are pushed together the end of the sprung member 77 rides up the chamfered surface 71 and into the vee shaped recess 70. The chamfered faces 80 of the sprung member 77 reduce frictional contact between the end of the member and the chamfered surface 71.

A further embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig.12. The legs on each end member are joined by a further cross strut 90. Two rotating blocks 91, are screwed to the underside of the table. The ends of the blocks are shaped, so that when the blocks are in the position shown the further cross struts are held adjacent to the underside of the table. This allows the folded table to be easily carried.

A principle advantage of both embodiments of the table is that the legs are braced by the side members 30.

This eliminates the need for any diagonal braces extending down from the table top to the legs which reduce usable seating space and detract from the appearance of the table. The new table is indistinguishable from fixed tables except on close inspection.

Another advantage is that the side and end members 30,20 fold flat against the table top 10. This means that a number of the tables can be compactly and easily stacked together.

The catches 60 are robust and secure. The chamfered tongue member 81 and arch shaped recess 67 correct for tolerance in the catch mechanism and in the table itself. This is particularly advantageous as it corrects for wear in the table components.

A number of modifications can be made to the embodiments described. The number, position and shape of the legs can be varied. Extra legs can be mounted on the side members 30 and the cross struts 22.

The configuration of the table can be varied. For instance a round table can have a hexagonal apron rail comprising three first members and three second members. The bottom of the legs can be turned.

The side portions can hinge outwards. This eliminates the need for the spacers 40. The end members 20 can be mounted directly on the underside of the table top 10.

The thickness of the cross struts 22 can be varied.

The side members 30 and spacers 40 can be different thicknesses.

Fig.13 shows a further type of key member. Web 182 is extended to meet the part 100 of the key member containing the sprung member 177. A bore 101 extends through the web to meet the bore 102 in the part 100 of the member. The sprung member has a cut out portion 103. A pin 104 can slide freely in the bore 101.

In use, the key member is attached to a side member 30 of the table, so that when the table is standing upright the bore 101 is vertical and above the part 100. In this position the pin 104 drops under gravity and engages the cut out portion 103 on the sprung member 177. This limits the movement of the sprung member and prevents the catch being released. This prevents the table folding in use, either accidentally or as a result of a practical joke.

However, once the table is inverted as shown in Fig.1, the pin 104 drops to the other end of the bore 101 and out of engagement with the sprung member 177.

The basic catch design can also be varied. The sprung member 77 can be incorporated in the slotted member.

Alternatively, the sprung member can be incorporated in the tongue member 81. The sprung member may engage a bore and be released using a manually operated catch.

The end of the sprung member 77 can be rounded.

Claims (15)

1. A folding table comprising a table top having an apron rail extending around its underside, the apron rail comprising a plurality of first members upon which one or more of the table legs are mounted, and an equal number of second members, wherein the apron rail is formed from alternate first and second members connected by releasable catch means, and the first and second members are hingedly mounted on the underside of the table top.

2. A folding table as claimed in claim 1, wherein either the first or second members fold flat inwards against the underside of the table top and the second or first members respectively are mounted on a spacer of equal thickness to the member that folds flat against the table top.

3. A folding table as claimed in claim 1 wherein both the first and the second members are hinged directly on the underside of the table top, and either the first or the second members fold flat outwards against said underside.

4. A folding table as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the table is rectangular with two first members and two second members.

5. A folding table as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each first member has a table leg mounted rigidly at each end.

6. A folding table as claimed in claim 5 wherein said releasable catch means links directly between said table legs and the second members.

7. A folding table as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the catch means comprises a female member mounted on one member, a male member mounted on an adjacent member, and a releasable catch, wherein the female and male members can be releasably engaged to cause the first and second members to form the apron rail.

8. A folding table as claimed in claim 7 wherein the female member comprises a slot member and the male member comprises a key member whereby on engagement the first and second members are drawn more tightly together by a taper on the key and/or the slot.

9. A folding table as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said catch means includes a bolt which can retain the catch in its engaged condition.

10. A folding table as claimed in any preceding claim comprising security means which operate to make the catch means non-releasable when the table is standing upright on its legs.

11. A folding table as claimed in claim 10 wherein said security means operates by gravity.

12. A folding table as claimed in claim 11 when appendant to claim 9 wherein the security means comprises a pin which moved under gravity to engage the bolt when the catch in engaged.

13. A catch member containing a slidable bolt member and a gravity operated catch to stop the bolt moving when in one orientation but not when in another.

14. A folding table substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. A catch member substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.