WO2018093324A1

WO2018093324A1 - A collapsible table stand, and a table comprising such a table stand

Info

Publication number: WO2018093324A1
Application number: PCT/SE2017/051138
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marcus GUSTAVSSON; Peter JAHNSÉN; Stefan Johansson
Original assignee: Polstiernan Industri AB
Priority date: 2016-11-17
Filing date: 2017-11-16
Publication date: 2018-05-24
Also published as: EP3541241B1; EP3541241A4; SE1651506A1; SE540130C2; EP3541241A1

Abstract

A collapsible table stand (1) has a supporting body (10) which comprises first and second sidewing brackets (12, 12') and an elongated main support structure (11) extending in a longitudinal direction (L) between the first and second sidewing brackets (12, 12'). First and second stands (20, 20') are pivotally attached to the supporting body (10) at or near its respective ends in order to allow the first stand (20) and the second stand (20') to extend or collapse relative to the supporting body (10). The elongated main support structure (11) of the supporting body (10) is provided with hooks (37, 38, 37', 38') at its ends, each hook (37) forming a slot (37a) for receiving a releasable fastening member (50, 51, 50', 51'). The releasable fastening member (50, 51, 50', 51') serves to anchor the first or second sidewing bracket (12, 12') to the elongated main support structure (11) as well as to anchor the first or second stand (20, 20') in an extended position relative to the supporting body (10). The table stand (1) may be comprised in a table (3) which furthermore has a table top (2) mounted on top of the table stand.

Description

A COLLAPSIBLE TABLE STAND, AND A TABLE COMPRISING SUCH A

TABLE STAND

Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to the field of collapsible table stands.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a collapsible table stand which comprises a supporting body comprising first and second sidewing brackets and an elongated main support structure extending in a longitudinal direction between the first and second sidewing brackets, and first and second stands being pivotally attached to the supporting body at or near its respective ends in order to allow the first stand and the second stand to extend or collapse relative to the supporting body.

The present invention also relates to a table comprising such a table stand.

Background

EP-2 926 688-A1 discloses a collapsible table stand according to the above.

The table stand in EP-2 926 688-A1 has a supporting body formed by first and second sidewing brackets and an elongated main support structure, referred to as a lateral bracket, which extends in a longitudinal direction between the first and second sidewing brackets. The collapsible table stand in EP-2 926 688-A1 is power-driven. Thus, the first stand comprises a first driving unit and one or more first telescopic leg sections driven by the first driving unit to move axially relative to each other, whereas the second stand comprises a second driving unit and one or more second telescopic leg sections driven by the second driving unit to move axially relative to each other

The elongated main support structure (lateral bracket) in EP-2 926 688-A1 comprises two rectangular columns which are spaced apart from each other and connected in parallel. An empty space in the form of a receiving slot is formed between the two rectangular columns, and a controller for the first and second driving units for the first and second stands is placed in the receiving slot.

Hence, wirings between the controller and the first and second driving units might be visible to an observer at least from below. In case of a wiring slack, the wiring might also be visible to an observer from the side, and the wiring might be subjected to a risk of getting pulled or otherwise interfered with by a user's bodyparts or by foreign objects stored under the table stand.

The first and second sidewing brackets in EP-2 926 688-A1 have U-shaped profile members which are inserted into respective rectangular insertion holes formed at the open ends of the two rectangular columns. No less than eight (8) screws (four at each end of the supporting body) are required to anchor the first and second sidewing brackets to the rectangular columns. Four (4) additional and separate screws (two near each end of the supporting body) are required to pivotally anchor the first and second stands to the two rectangular columns. In addition to this, another four (4) separate screws (two at each end of the supporting body) are required to anchor the first and second sidewing brackets to the first and second stands.

Hence, the design in EP-2 926 688-A1 involves a large number of parts (e.g. screws and rectangular columns) and amount of base material, and requires many manual steps for assembling the table stand (e.g. mounting the rectangular columns and the sidewing brackets, and tightening the many screws).

Moreover, the design in EP-2 926 688-A1 is believed to be somewhat inefficient when it comes to making length-adjustments of the supporting body in the longitudinal direction.

Additionally, the design in EP-2 926 688-A1 is believed to be somewhat inefficient when it comes to collapsing the first stand and the second stand relative to the supporting body. This is an operation that might be required for instance when the table stand is to be moved from one location to another, or is to be put away for storage.

Accordingly, the present inventors have realized that table stands of the prior art, for instance as referred to above, can be improved by addressing one or more of the problems or drawbacks mentioned above.

Summary

It is an object of the invention to offer improvements in the technical field of collapsible table stands, being power-driven or not power-driven.

One aspect of the present invention is a collapsible table stand, which comprises: a supporting body comprising first and second sidewing brackets and an elongated main support structure extending in a longitudinal direction between the first and second sidewing brackets, and first and second stands being pivotally attached to the supporting body at or near its respective ends in order to allow the first stand and the second stand to extend or collapse relative to the supporting body. The elongated main support structure of the supporting body is provided with hooks at its ends, each hook forming a slot for receiving a releasable fastening member. The releasable fastening member serves to anchor the first or second sidewing bracket to the elongated main support structure as well as to anchor the first or second stand in an extended position relative to the supporting body. A table stand according to this aspect of the present invention solves or at least mitigates one or more of the problems or drawbacks identified in the background section above.

Another aspect of the present invention is a table which comprises a table stand according to the abovementioned aspect of the present invention, and a table top mounted on top of the table stand.

Embodiments of the invention are defined by the appended dependent claims and are further explained in the detailed description section as well as on the drawings.

It should be emphasized that the term "comprises/comprising" when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, or components, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof. All terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc]" are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated. Brief Description of the Drawings

Objects, features and advantages of embodiments of the invention will appear from the following detailed description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings.

Fig 1 is an isometric view of a table comprising a table top and a table stand according to one embodiment.

Figs 2 and 3 are isometric views of the table stand in Fig 1, with the table top removed.

Fig 4 is an isometric view of the table stand in Figs 1-3 with first and seconds stands in a collapsed position relative to a supporting body.

Fig 5 is an isometric view of a portion of the table stand in Figs 1-4, illustrating the mounting of a sidewing bracket at one end of the supporting body.

Fig 6 is an isometric view of another portion of the table stand in Figs 1-4, illustrating another sidewing bracket being mounted at another end of the supporting body. Fig 7 is an isometric view of an elongated main support structure being part of the supporting body of the table stand in Figs 1-6.

Fig 8 is an exploded view showing the parts of the elongated main support structure in Fig 7.

Figs 9 and 10 are side and top views, respectively, of an elongated central beam being one of the parts of the elongated main support structure in Figs 7 and 8.

Figs 11 and 12 are side and top views, respectively, of an elongated first lateral beam being another one of the parts of the elongated main support structure in Figs 7 and 8.

Figs 13 and 14 are side and bottom views, respectively, of guide means in the form of a guide rail for guiding the central beam of the elongated main support structure according to a first embodiment, the guide rail being part of a limiter arrangement for preventing the proximal ends of the first and second lateral beams of the elongated main support structure from being displaced more than a threshold distance from each other.

Figs 15 and 16 are side and top views, respectively, of the first stand being pivotally attached to the elongated first lateral beam, with the first stand in a collapsed position relative to the elongated first lateral beam.

Figs 17 and 18 are side and top views, respectively, of the first stand being pivotally attached to the elongated first lateral beam, with the first stand in an extended position relative to the elongated first lateral beam.

Fig 19 is an isometric view of a sidewing bracket according to one

embodiment.

Figs 20, 24, 25, 26 and 27 are exploded, isometric, top, side and front views, respectively, of a guide means in the form of an insert element for guiding the central beam of the elongated main support structure according to a second embodiment, the insert elements being part of a limiter arrangement for preventing the proximal ends of the first and second lateral beams of the elongated main support structure from being displaced more than a threshold distance from each other.

Figs 21-23 are exploded, side and top views, respectively, illustrating how a pair of insert elements according to the second embodiment are mounted in the elongated main support structure.

Fig 28 illustrates the function of one of the insert elements as part of the limiter arrangement in a first state which allows length adjustment of the elongated main support structure of the supporting body. Fig 29 illustrates the function of one of the insert elements as part of the limiter arrangement in a second state which prevents further length extension of the elongated main support structure of the supporting body.

Figs 30 and 31 are sectional and enlarged detailed views of releasable securing means of the insert element, the securing means comprising a number of screws or bolts and accompanying beveled nuts and additionally serving to allow releasing and locking, respectively, of the central beam with respect to the first or second lateral beam of the elongated main support structure. Detailed Description

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein;

rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The terminology used in the detailed description of the particular embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting of the invention. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

Figs 1-3 illustrate a table 3 comprising a collapsible table stand 1 and a table top 2 according to one embodiment. The table 3 may, for instance and without limitation, be an office desktop. The table top 2 may be made of a suitable material such as wood, plastic or a composite material, and is mounted on top of a supporting body 10 which has an elongated main support structure 11 and extends in a longitudinal direction L. First and second sidewing brackets 12, 12' are attached to the ends of the elongated main support structure 11. The first and second sidewing brackets 12, 12' are preferably made of metal such as, for instance, steel.

The collapsible table stand 1 comprises first and second stands 20, 20' which are preferably made of metal such as, for instance, steel. The first and second stands 20, 20' are pivotally attached to the supporting body 10 at or near its respective ends in order to allow the first stand 20 and the second stand 20' to extend or collapse relative to the supporting body 10. Fig 4 is an isometric view of the table stand 1 with the first and seconds stands 20, 20' in a collapsed position relative to the elongated main support structure 11 of the supporting body 10. The sidewing brackets 12, 12' of the supporting body 10 are not seen in Fig 4 by may in fact remain attached to the elongated main support structure 11 even when it is collapsed. This is an improvement over the prior art.

The elongated main support structure 11 of the supporting body 10 is provided with hooks 37, 38, 37', 38' at its ends. Each hook 37 forms a slot 37a for receiving a releasable fastening member 50, 51, 50', 5 . The releasable fastening member 50, 51, 50', 5 serves to anchor the first or second sidewing bracket to the elongated main support structure as well as to anchor the first or second stand in an extended position relative to the supporting body.

As seen in Fig 19, each of the first and second sidewing brackets 12, 12' is formed by first and second elongated fixation members 13, 13' extending at an angle from an elongated base member 18. The first and second fixation members 13, 13' are adapted for fastening of the table top 2 to the table stand 1.

More specifically, in the disclosed embodiment, each of the first and second fixation members 13, 13' of the first and second sidewing brackets 12, 12' has a plate portion 14 adapted for fastening of the table top 2. To this end, the plate portion 14 has openings 17 through which fastening elements such as screws or bolts may be inserted and anchored to the underside of the table top 2.

Moreover, in the disclosed embodiment, each of the first and second fixation members 13, 13' of the first and second sidewing brackets 12, 12' also has a mounting portion adapted for mounting of the first or second sidewing bracket 12, 12' to the elongated main support structure 11 as well as to the first or second stand 20, 20', as indicated by an arrow in Fig 5.

The mounting portion 15 has a slot 16 for receiving the aforementioned releasable fastening member 50, 51, 50', 5 , preferably a screw or bolt, which serves to anchor the first or second sidewing bracket 12, 12' to the elongated main support structure 11 as well as to anchor the first or second stand 20, 20' in an extended position relative to the supporting body 10. Hence, the design is efficient since it requires fewer components, and/or less base material, compared to the prior art.

More specifically, in the disclosed embodiment, the releasable fastening member 50, 51, 50', 5 is a screw or alternatively a bolt, and the collapsible table stand 1 comprises at least four such screws provided as follows. A first screw/bolt 50 and a second screw/bolt 51 are provided for anchoring the first stand 20 to one end of the elongated main support structure 11 in the extended position of the first stand 20 relative to the supporting body 10 and for anchoring the first sidewing bracket 12 to said one end of the elongated main support structure 11. A third screw/bolt 50' and a fourth screw/bolt 5 are provided for anchoring the second stand 20' to another end of the elongated main support structure 11 in the extended position of the second stand 20' relative to the supporting body 10 and for anchoring the second sidewing bracket 12' to said another end of the elongated main support structure 11.

In the disclosed embodiment, the slot 16 in the mounting portion 15 has an outer mouth 16a for receiving a base part 50a of the releasable fastening member 50 when attaching the first or second sidewing bracket 12, 12' to the elongated main support structure 11.

The slot 16 in the mounting portion 15 also has an inner opening 16b for engaging a head part 50b of the releasable fastening member 50. The inner opening 16b is preferably countersunk and facilitates the first or second sidewing bracket 12, 12' to remain attached to the elongated main support structure 11 also when the first or second stand 20, 20' is moved from the extended position towards a collapsed position relative to the supporting body 10. This is a beneficial feature and an advantage over the prior art.

In the disclosed embodiment, the collapsible table stand 1 is power-driven to allow assisted adjustment of the vertical height of the table top 2 over the ground level. To this end, the first stand 20 comprises a first driving unit 21 and one or more first telescopic leg sections 22 driven by the first driving unit 21 to move axially relative to each other and to a fixed leg section 22a (being the outermost leg section in the disclosed embodiment). Correspondingly, the second stand 20' comprises a second driving unit 21 ' and one or more second telescopic leg sections 22' driven by the second driving unit 21 ' to move axially relative to each other and to a fixed leg section 22a' (being the outermost leg section in the disclosed embodiment). A controller 4 is provided for controlling synchronous actuation of the first and second driving units 21, 21 '. The controller 4 is connected by first wiring 5 to the first driving unit 21 and is connected by second wiring 5' to the second driving unit 21 ' .

As can be seen in the drawings, each of the first and second stands 20, 20' of the disclosed has the general shape of an inverted L, wherein the first and the second driving unit 21, 21 ', respectively, is contained at the foot portion of the inverted L (i.e. at the upper part of the stand 20, 20', towards the table top 2). At the end of the leg portion of the inverted L (i.e. at the lowermost part of the stand 20, 20', towards the floor or ground), base plate members 24, 24' are provided to allow the table 3 to stand stable on the floor or ground. The base plate members 24, 24' are preferably made of metal such as, for instance, steel. They may have feet 24a, 24a' on the underside thereof and may be connected to a lowermost one of the telescopic leg sections 22, 22' . In the disclosed embodiment, the lowermost telescopic leg section is the axially innermost one; however in other embodiments the order may be the opposite. There is no particular limitation in the number of telescopic leg sections 22, 22'; for instance there may be only one such telescopic leg section 22, 22' being axially movable with respect to the fixed leg section 22a, 22a'. In yet other embodiments, the table stand 1 may have means for manual adjustment of the vertical height and/or may not have any telescopic leg sections at all.

In the disclosed embodiment, the elongated main support structure 11 of the supporting body 10 comprises three primary parts: an elongated central beam 40, an elongated first lateral beam 30 and an elongated second lateral beam 30'. All of these parts are preferably made of metal such as, for instance, steel.

As is seen particularly in Figs 7-10, the elongated central beam 40 is formed by a bottom surface 41 and first and second side walls 42, 42' extending perpendicularly from the bottom surface. The central beam 40 has a generally U-shaped cross-section. The bottom surface 41 is essentially solid, i.e. solid across its entire surface, except that an opening 46 for the wirings 5, 5' and/or other minor openings for mounting or ventilation purposes may optionally be made in the bottom surface 41.

As is seen particularly in Figs 7-8 and 11-12, the elongated first lateral beam 30 is formed by first and second side walls 32, 33 and a bottom surface 31 extending perpendicularly between the first and second side walls along a proximal portion 34 of the first lateral beam 30. The first lateral beam 30 has a generally U-shaped cross- section at the proximal portion 34, and a proximal end 36 of the proximal portion 34 of the first lateral beam 30 is open for slidably receiving the central beam 40 from a first end 41a thereof. A distal portion 35 of the first lateral beam 30 is connected to the first stand 20, as can be seen for instance in Fig 3 and as will be discussed in more detail later.

As is also seen particularly in Figs 7-8 and 11-12, the elongated second lateral beam 30' is formed by first and second side walls 32', 33' and a bottom surface 3 extending perpendicularly between the first and second side walls along a proximal portion 34' of the second lateral beam. The second lateral beam has a generally U- shaped cross-section at the proximal portion 34', and a proximal end 36' of the proximal portion 34' of the second lateral beam 30' is open for slidably receiving the central beam 40 from a second end 41a' thereof. A distal portion 35' of the second lateral beam 30' is connected to the second stand 20', as, again, can be seen for instance in Fig 3 and will be discussed in more detail later.

Each of the first and second side walls 32, 33, 32', 33' of the first and second lateral beams 30, 30' may have an angled top portion 39 with a flat surface and one or more openings 39a for mounting members, preferably screws or bolts, to fasten the table top 2 to the table stand 1. This is best seen in Fig 12. The provision of the angled top portion 39 does not change the fact that the elongated first and second lateral beams 30, 30' have a generally U-shaped cross-section.

The first and second side walls 32, 33, 32', 33' and the bottom surfaces 31, 31 ' are essentially solid, i.e. solid across their entire surfaces, except possibly for certain minor openings e.g. for mounting or ventilation purposes.

As can be seen understood from the drawings, particularly from Fig 2, respective channels are formed by the first lateral beam 30 and the central beam 40, and by the second lateral beam 30' and the central beam 40, respectively. The first and second wirings 5, 5' may advantageously run in these channels. Hence, the first and second wirings 5, 5' will be concealed from an external observer by the side walls 32, 33, 32', 33' as well as the bottom surfaces 31, 3 , 41 of the first and second lateral beams 30, 30' and the central beam 40. This is an improvement over the prior art.

As can be seen best in Figs 2, 3, 6 and also in Figs 15, 16, 17, in the extended position of the first stand 20 relative to the supporting body 10, the first driving unit 21 is received between the first and second side walls 32, 33 of the first lateral beam 30 at the distal portion 35 thereof. Likewise, in the extended position of the second stand 20' relative to the supporting body 10, the second driving unit 21 ' is received between the first and second side walls 32', 33' of the second lateral beam 30' at the distal portion 35' thereof.

Each of the first and second driving units 21, 21 ' comprises a housing and an electric motor contained therein. The housing comprises openings for receiving releasable anchoring members 52, 53, 52', preferably screws or bolts, to pivotally anchor the first and second stands 20, 20' to the first and second side walls 32, 33 of the first and second lateral beams 30, 30' . In the disclosed embodiment, the housing also includes a transmission (speed reduction mechanism) between the electric motor and a leading end of an outgoing shaft, such as a screw shaft. The shaft protrudes through an opening in the housing and actuates the telescopic leg sections 22. However, electric driving units for power-driven table stands with telescopic leg sections are available in the market, and the skilled person will readily be able to find or design alternative implementations of the driving units 21, 21 ' using common general knowledge.

In the disclosed embodiments, the elongated main support structure 11 of the supporting body 10 further comprises guide means 70, 60 for guiding the central beam 40 to be slidably supported on the bottom surfaces 31, 31 ' of the first and second lateral beams 30, 30' . This allows for a convenient adjustment of the length of the supporting body 10 in the longitudinal direction L by displacing the first lateral beam 30 and/or second lateral beam 30' with respect to the central beam 40 in said longitudinal direction L. In this way, the table stand 1 may be adapted for use with table tops of different sizes.

In a first embodiment, the guide means 70 for guiding the central beam 40 comprises a plurality of guide rails 72, preferably made of plastic. One such guide rail 72 is shown in detail in Figs 13 and 14. Through openings 76 and 39b, the guide rails 72 are mounted by screws 79 or bolts on respective insides of the side walls 32, 33, 32', 33' of the first and second lateral beams 30, 30' . The guide rails 72 are mounted parallel to the respective bottom surfaces 31, 3 of the first and second lateral beams 30, 30' and at a distance between a lower lateral edge 74a of a respective one of the guide rails 72 and a respective bottom surface 31, 3 of the first or second lateral beam 30, 30'. This distance is preferably slightly larger than a height of the first and second side walls 42, 42' of the central beam 40 from its bottom surface 41.

In the disclosed embodiment, for a shortest possible or feasible length of the length-adjustable supporting body 10, the proximal ends 36, 36' of the first and second lateral beams 30, 30' are brought in contact with or at least immediately close to each other. For a longer length than the shortest length of the length-adjustable supporting body 10, the proximal ends 36, 36' of the first and second lateral beams 30, 30' are consequently at a distance from each other, the distance being bridged by the central beam 40.

Advantageously, the table stand 1 further comprises a limiter arrangement for preventing the proximal ends 36, 36' of the first and second lateral beams 30, 30' from being displaced more than a threshold distance from each other.

In the first embodiment of the guide means 70, the limiter arrangement is implemented as follows. Each of the guide rails 72 comprises a tab 78 protruding from the lower lateral edge 74a of the guide rail 72; see in particular Figs 13 and 14. At each end of each first or second side wall 42, 42' of the central beam 40, an end stop portion 43 comprises a recess 44 and an abutment 45; see in particular Fig 9. The recess 44 is dimensioned to capture the tab 78 of the guide rail 72 when the proximal ends 36, 36' of the first and second lateral beams 30, 30' are displaced by said threshold distance from each other. Hence, if during length-adjustment or assembly of the supporting body 10 the proximal ends 36, 36' of the first and second lateral beams 30, 30' are moved too far from each other in the longitudinal direction L (i.e. the distance between them reaches the threshold distance), the limiter arrangement will prevent further movement of the proximal ends 36, 36' of the first and second lateral beams 30, 30' away from each other.

A second embodiment of the guide means 60 for guiding the central beam 40 is illustrated in Figs 20-31. In this embodiment, the guide means 60 comprises a pair of insert elements 61, 61 ', preferably made of plastic. Just as in the first embodiment, the insert elements 61, 61 ' are part of a limiter arrangement for preventing the proximal ends 36, 36' of the first and second lateral beams 30, 30' of the elongated main support structure 11 from being displaced more than a threshold distance from each other. In addition, the insert elements 61, 61 ' in the second embodiment of the guide means 60 serve to provide improved stability for the support body 10 by allowing the central beam 40 to be released and locked, respectively, with respect to the first or second lateral beam 30, 30'. This is done by means of releasable securing means 63, 64, as will be described in more detail below.

As seen in Figs 21-23, the first insert element 61 is mounted inside the first lateral beam 30, whereas the second insert element 61 ' is mounted inside the second lateral beam 30'. Each insert element 61, 6 is attached to the inside surfaces (inwardly facing surfaces) of the first and second side walls 32, 33 and 32', 33' of the first and second lateral beams 30, 30', respectively, by means of fasteners (such as screws, bolts, rivets, plugs, etc) through openings in the first and second side walls 32, 33 and 32', 33', as seen in Figs 21 and 22. The fasteners are anchored to the insert element 61 at corresponding positions 61c, as seen in Fig 20. A lowermost portion 61d of each insert element 61, 61 ' is parallel to the respective bottom surfaces 31, 3 of the first and second lateral beams 30, 30' and is provided at a distance to the respective bottom surface 31, 31 ' of the first or second lateral beam 30, 30' . The distance is slightly larger than a height of the first and second side walls 42, 42' of the central beam 40 from its bottom surface 41.

The releasable securing means 63, 64 comprises, for each insert element 61 and 61 ', respectively, a first and a second screw or bolt 64 and a first and a second beveled nut 63. The screws or bolts 64 are inserted through openings 61a and 61b in the side walls 32, 33, 32', 33' of the first and second lateral beams 30, 30'. The nuts 63 are received in recesses 62 at each side of the insert element 61 and 61 ', respectively. When the screw or bolt 64 is released (loosened, untightened), as seen in Fig 30, a user may displace the first lateral beam 30 and/or the second lateral beam 30' with respect to the central beam 40 in the longitudinal direction L, and thereby adjust the length of the support body 10. This is illustrated in Fig 28.

When a desired displacement has been achieved, the user may tighten the screw or bolt 64, as seen in Fig 31. As a result, a locking member 61e of insert element 61 will be forced by the beveled nut 64 into engagement with the sidewall 42 of the central beam 40. In turn, the sidewall 42 will engage with the sidewall 32 of the lateral beam 30, wherein the central beam 40 will be locked in position with respect to the first or second lateral beam 30, 30' . This will also provide improved stability for the support body 10.

Reference is now made to Figs 28 and 29 which illustrate how the user may displace the first lateral beam 30 and/or the second lateral beam 30' with respect to the central beam 40 in the longitudinal direction L, and thereby adjust the length of the support body 10, in retracting and extending directions as indicated by the arrows in the drawings. During this operation, the aforementioned limiter arrangement prevents the proximal ends 36, 36' of the first and second lateral beams 30, 30' of the elongated main support structure 11 from being displaced more than a threshold distance from each other (the second lateral beam 30' being shown in Figs 28 and 29). To this end, the insert element 61 has a tab 68 which protrudes towards and is biased against the bottom surface 41 of the central beam 40. The bottom surface 41 has a first opening 69a in which the tab 68 may be captured if the displacement reaches the threshold distance.

In the situation shown in Fig 28, the displacement has not reached the threshold distance, and the tab 68 has not been captured by the first opening 69a. On the other hand, in the situation shown in Fig 29, the displacement has indeed reached the threshold distance, and the tab 68 is captured by the first opening 69a. By the bias of the tab 68, it will also be captured in a second opening 69b in the bottom surface 31 ' (31) of the second (first) lateral beam 30' (30), and accordingly lock the position of the central beam 40 with respect to the second (first) lateral beam 30' (30). Hence, the first and second openings 69a, 69b are adapted capture the tab 68 of the insert element 61, 61 ' when the proximal ends 36, 36' of the first and second lateral beams 30, 30' are displaced by said threshold distance from each other. The sidewing brackets 12, 12' of the disclosed embodiment will now be referred to again with particular reference to Fig 19 which illustrates the first sidewing bracket 12 in more detail. The second sidewing bracket 12' is a mirrored copy of the first sidewing bracket 12.

It is recalled that the aforementioned first and second sidewing brackets 12, 12' are attached to the ends of the elongated main support structure 11, or more specifically to the distal portions 35, 35' of the first and second lateral beams 30, 30', respectively, in the disclosed embodiment. Each of the first and second sidewing brackets 12, 12' is formed by the aforementioned first and second elongated fixation members 13, 13' extending at an angle from the elongated base member 18. As previously explained, the first and second fixation members 13, 13' are adapted for fastening of the table top 2 to the table stand 1.

More specifically, in the disclosed embodiment and as previously mentioned, each of the first and second fixation members 13, 13' of the first and second sidewing brackets 12, 12' has the plate portion 14 which is adapted for fastening of the table top 2. To this end, the plate portion 14 has openings 17 through which the aforementioned fastening elements such as screws or bolts may be inserted and anchored to the underside of the table top 2.

Moreover, in the disclosed embodiment and as previously mentioned, each of the first and second fixation members 13, 13' of the first and second sidewing brackets 12, 12' also has the mounting portion 15 adapted for mounting of the first or second sidewing bracket 12, 12' to the distal portion 35, 35' of the first or second lateral beam 30, 30' as well as to the first or second stand 20, 20', as indicated by the arrow in Fig 5.

The mounting portion 15 has the aforementioned slot 16 for receiving the aforementioned releasable fastening member 50, 51, 50', 5 , preferably a screw or bolt, which serves to anchor the first or second sidewing bracket 12, 12' to the elongated main support structure 11 as well as to anchor the first or second stand 20, 20' in the extended position relative to the supporting body 10. It is recalled that the design is efficient since it requires fewer components, and/or less base material, compared to the prior art.

In the disclosed embodiment and as previously mentioned, the slot 16 in the mounting portion 15 has the outer mouth 16a for receiving the base part 50a of the releasable fastening member 50 when attaching the first or second sidewing bracket 12, 12' to the elongated main support structure 11. The slot 16 in the mounting portion 15 also has the inner opening 16b for engaging the head part 50b of the releasable fastening member 50. It is recalled that the inner opening 16b is preferably countersunk, thereby facilitating for the first or second sidewing bracket 12, 12' to remain attached to the elongated main support structure 11 also when the first or second stand 20, 20' is moved from the extended position towards the collapsed position relative to the supporting body 10. It is recalled that this is a beneficial feature and an advantage over the prior art.

Each of the first and second side walls 32, 33, 32', 33' of each of the first and second lateral beams 30, 30' has the aforementioned hooks 37, 38, 37', 38' at the end of the distal portion 35, 35' of the first and second lateral beams 30, 30', respectively. This can best be seen in Figs 7, 8, 11 and 15-18.

Together with the releasable fastening member 50, 51, 50', 5 , each hook 37, 38, 37', 38' serves to anchor the first or second stand 20, 20' in the extended position relative to the supporting body 10, as previously explained.

Hence, a very efficient procedure for collapsing the table stand 1 is made possible thanks to the inventive design. The user merely has to release (untighten) the releasable fastening members 50, 51, 50', 5 in order to collapse the table stand 1. There is no need to remove the releasable fastening members 50, 51, 50', 5 from the table stand 1, it suffices to release them. Also, there is no need to remove the sidewing brackets 12, 12' from the table stand 1; they may remain attached to the elongated main support structure 11 as explained above.

The invention has been described above in detail with reference to

embodiments thereof. However, as is readily understood by those skilled in the art, other embodiments are equally possible within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims. For instance, even though the disclosed embodiment a table stand for a single, typically rectangular table top (i.e., the table stand has two stands), other embodiments are possible where such as a table stand is additionally provided with a third stand and an additional part of the supporting body extending for instance perpendicularly from the elongated main support structure to the third stand. Such a table stand may beneficially support a table top having another shape than rectangular, such as for instance an L shape.

Claims

1. A collapsible table stand (1), comprising:

a supporting body (10) comprising first and second sidewing brackets (12, 12') and an elongated main support structure (11) extending in a longitudinal direction (L) between the first and second sidewing brackets (12, 12'); and

first and second stands (20, 20') being pivotally attached to the supporting body (10) at or near its respective ends in order to allow the first stand (20) and the second stand (20') to extend or collapse relative to the supporting body (10),

characterized in that

the elongated main support structure (11) of the supporting body (10) is provided with hooks (37, 38, 37', 38') at its ends, each hook (37) forming a slot (37a) for receiving a releasable fastening member (50, 51, 50', 5 ),

wherein the releasable fastening member (50, 51, 50', 5 ) serves to anchor the first or second sidewing bracket (12, 12') to the elongated main support structure (11) as well as to anchor the first or second stand (20, 20') in an extended position relative to the supporting body (10).

2. The table stand (1) as defined in claim 1, wherein the releasable fastening member (50, 51, 50', 51 ') is a screw or a bolt, and wherein the collapsible table stand

(1) comprises at least four such screws provided as follows:

a first screw/bolt (50) and a second screw/bolt (51) provided for anchoring the first stand (20) to one end of the elongated main support structure (11) in the extended position of the first stand (20) relative to the supporting body (10) and for anchoring the first sidewing bracket (12) to said one end of the elongated main support structure (11); and

a third screw/bolt (50') and a fourth screw/bolt (5 ) provided for anchoring the second stand (20') to another end of the elongated main support structure (11) in the extended position of the second stand (20') relative to the supporting body (10) and for anchoring the second sidewing bracket (12') to said another end of the elongated main support structure (11).

3. The table stand (1) as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the first and second sidewing brackets (12, 12') is formed by first and second elongated fixation members (13, 13') extending at an angle from an elongated base member (18), the first and second fixation member (13, 13') being adapted for fastening of a table top (2) to the table stand (1).

4. The table stand (1) as defined in claim 3, wherein each of the first and second fixation members (13, 13') of the first and second sidewing brackets (12, 12') has:

a plate portion (14) adapted for fastening of the table top (2); and

a mounting portion (15) adapted for mounting of the first or second sidewing bracket (12, 12') to an end of the elongated main support structure (11) as well as to the first or second stand (20, 20').

5. The table stand (1) as defined in claim 4, wherein the mounting portion (15) has a slot (16) for receiving the releasable fastening member (50, 51, 50', 5 ).

6. The table stand (1) as defined in claim 5, wherein the slot (16) in the mounting portion (15) has:

an outer mouth (16a) for receiving a base part (50a) of the releasable fastening member (50) when attaching the first or second sidewing bracket (12, 12') to the elongated main support structure (11); and

an inner opening (16b) for engaging a head part (50b) of the releasable fastening member (50), the inner opening (16b) facilitating the first or second sidewing bracket (12, 12') to remain attached to the elongated main support structure (11) also when the first or second stand (20, 20') is moved from the extended position towards a collapsed position relative to the supporting body (10).

7. The table stand (1) as defined in any of preceding claim, wherein the elongated main support structure (11) of the supporting body (10) comprises:

an elongated central beam (40) formed by a bottom surface(41) and first and second side walls (42, 42') extending perpendicularly from the bottom surface, the central beam having a generally U-shaped cross-section,

an elongated first lateral beam (30) formed by first and second side walls (32, 33) and a bottom surface (31) extending perpendicularly between the first and second side walls along a proximal portion (34) of the first lateral beam, the first lateral beam having a generally U-shaped cross-section at said proximal portion, a proximal end (36) of said proximal portion (34) of the first lateral beam (30) being open for slidably receiving the central beam (40) from a first end (41a) thereof, a distal portion (35) of the first lateral beam (30) being connected to the first stand (20); and

an elongated second lateral beam (30') formed by first and second side walls (32', 33') and a bottom surface (3 ) extending perpendicularly between the first and second side walls along a proximal portion (34') of the second lateral beam, the second lateral beam having a generally U-shaped cross-section at said proximal portion, a proximal end (36') of said proximal portion (34') of the second lateral beam (30') being open for slidably receiving the central beam (40) from a second end (41a') thereof, a distal portion (35') of the second lateral beam (30') being connected to the second stand (20'); and

guide means (70; 60) for guiding the central beam (40) to be slidably supported on the bottom surfaces (31, 3 ) of the first and second lateral beams (30, 30'),

wherein the supporting body (10) is length-adjustable in the longitudinal direction (L) by displacing the first lateral beam (30) and/or second lateral beam (30') with respect to the central beam (40) in said longitudinal direction.

8. The table stand (1) as defined in claim 7, wherein first and second hooks (37, 38) are provided at the ends of the first and second side walls (32, 33) of the first lateral beam (30) at the distal portion (35) thereof, and third and fourth hooks (37', 38') are provided at the ends of the first and second side walls (32', 33') of the second lateral beam (30') at the distal portion (35') thereof.

9. The table stand (1) as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the first and second side walls (32, 33, 32', 33') of the first and second lateral beams (30, 30') has an angled top portion (39) with a flat surface and one or more openings (39a) for mounting members, preferably screws or bolts, to fasten the or a table top (2) to the table stand (1).

10. The table stand (1) as defined in any of preceding claim,

wherein the first stand (20) comprises a first driving unit (21) and one or more first telescopic leg sections (22) driven by the first driving unit (21) to move axially relative to each other; and

wherein the second stand (20') comprises a second driving unit (21 ') and one or more second telescopic leg sections (22') driven by the second driving unit (21 ') to move axially relative to each other.

11. The table stand (1) as defined in claim 10, wherein each of the first and second stands (20, 20') has the general shape of an inverted L, the first and the second driving unit (21, 2 ), respectively, being contained at the foot portion of the inverted L.

12. The table stand (1) as defined in claim 11 and any of claims 7 or 8, wherein:

in the extended position of the first stand (20) relative to the supporting body (10), the first driving unit (21) is received between the first and second side walls (32, 33) of the first lateral beam (30) at the distal portion (35) thereof; and

in the extended position of the second stand (20') relative to the supporting body (10), the second driving unit (21 ') is received between the first and second side walls (32', 33') of the second lateral beam (30') at the distal portion (35') thereof.

13. The table stand (1) as defined in claim 12, wherein each of the first and second driving units (21, 21 ') comprises a housing and an electric motor contained therein, the housing comprising openings for receiving releasable anchoring members (52, 53, 52'), preferably screws or bolts, to pivotally anchor the first and second stands (20, 20') to the first and second side walls (32, 33) of the first and second lateral beams (30, 30').

14. A table (3), comprising:

a table stand (1) as defined in any of the preceding claims; and

a table top (2) mounted on top of the table stand (1).