Abstract:
An extendable table having a stowable leaf member. The table includes a first table section having a first table surface and a second table section having a second table surface. The second table section is movably coupled to the first table section in a coplanar relationship. A leaf member is further provided and is selectively positionable in an operable position between the first table surface and the second table surface and a stowed position below the table surface. A pivoting assembly couples the leaf member to the first and second table sections and permits the leaf member to rotate about a generally vertical axis and a generally horizontal axis between an operable position and a stowed position. When in this stowed position, the leaf member is generally nestled along the underside of the extendable table out of sight of a guest.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention generally relates to extendable tables and, more particularly, relates to an extendable table having a self-storing leaf that can be rotated about two axis and stowed along the underside of the table surface.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    As is well known, tables are often provided in a multipiece configuration having two separate, normally coplanar, abutting panels supported by a plurality of legs. These tables frequently have center segments or leaves they can be added or removed when it is desired to increase or decrease the overall size of the tabletop. To this end, a guide mechanism is provided that enables panels to slide apart to form a gap therebetween, which can be filled by one or more table leaves. The table leaf is typically supported between the two panels via support surfaces and associated dowel pins. When it is desired to decrease the size of the tabletop, the two end panels are pulled apart and one or more table leaves are removed. The end panels that form the tabletop are then pushed together to form a smaller tabletop. When it is desired to increase the size of the tabletop, the two end panels are pulled apart again, one or more table leaves are placed between the end panels, and the end panels are pushed back together to form a larger tabletop.  
           [0003]    Such prior art extendable tables often suffer from a number of disadvantages. For example, it is typically necessary to store the removed table leaves when not in use. However, this may prove to be difficult in buildings having limited storage space. Moreover, these leaves are often heavy, thereby requiring two people for insertion into or removal from the table. Still further, the handling of the leaves may cause the leaves to be dinged or otherwise marred.  
           [0004]    Accordingly, there exists a need in the relevant art to provide an extendable table assembly that is capable of eliminating or at least minimizing the need to lift the full weight of the table leaf. Furthermore, there exists a need in the relevant art to provide an extendable table assembly that includes a table leaf that is easily stowed within the table assembly. Still further, there exists a need in the relevant art to provide an extendable table assembly having at least one table leaf that is capable of being rotated into a stowed position below the tabletop while remaining out of sight from any guests.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    According to the teachings of the present invention, an extendable table including a stowable leaf member is provided having an advantageous construction. The table includes a first table section having a first table surface and a second table section having a second table surface. The second table section is movably coupled to the first table section in a coplanar relationship. A leaf member is further provided and is selectively positionable in an operable position between the first table surface and the second table surface and a stowed position below the table surface. A pivoting assembly couples the leaf member to the first and second table sections and permits the leaf member to rotate about a generally horizontal axis and a generally vertical axis between an operable position and a stowed position. When in this stowed position, the leaf member is generally nestled along the underside of the extendable table surfaces out of sight of a guest.  
           [0006]    Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 is a side view of an expandable table assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention having a pivotable leaf assembly in a stowed position;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 is a side view of the expandable table assembly of FIG. 1 with the pivotable leaf assembly in an intermediate position;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the pivotable leaf assembly of FIG. 1 in an inverted position;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 4 is a top view of the expandable table assembly of FIG. 1 with the pivotable leaf assembly in an inverted and pivoted position;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of an expandable table assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention having a pivotable leaf in an operational position;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 6 is an end view of a support rod of the expandable table assembly of FIG. 5; and  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 7 is a plan view of a swivel bracket and associated cam stops. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0015]    The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.  
         [0016]    Referring now to FIGS.  1 - 4 , an expandable table assembly, generally indicated by reference numeral  10 , is provided in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. Expandable table assembly  10  generally includes a first tabletop panel section  12 , a second tabletop panel section  14 , a pivotable leaf assembly  16 , and a guide mechanism  18 .  
         [0017]    First tabletop panel section  12  includes a first table panel  20  defining a generally planar tabletop surface, which is mounted to at least one of a plurality of table legs  22  in a conventional manner. It should be appreciated that the specific table illustrated in the attached figures is only exemplary in nature and, thus, should not be interpreted as limiting the present invention. By way of non-limiting example, expandable table assembly  10  may be a pedestal table. First tabletop panel section  12  further includes a decorative skirt  24  coupled along an underside  26  of first table panel  20  generally orthogonal to first table panel  20 . Decorative skirt  24  is preferably disposed along the three outboard sides of first tabletop panel section  12 .  
         [0018]    Second tabletop panel section  14  includes a second table panel  28  defining a generally planar tabletop surface, which is mounted to at least one of the plurality of table legs  22  in a conventional manner. Second table panel  28  is generally coplanar to first table panel  20 . Second tabletop panel section  14  further includes decorative skirt  24  coupled along an underside  30  of second table panel  28  generally orthogonal to second table panel  28 . Decorative skirt  24  is preferably disposed along the three outboard sides of second tabletop panel section  14 .  
         [0019]    As best seen in FIG. 3, guide mechanism  18  generally includes a pair of telescoping members  32  each having a first member  34  and a second member  36  slidably coupled with first member  34 . First members  34  of the pair of telescoping members  32  are fixedly coupled to underside  26  of first table panel  20  using conventional fasteners. Similarly, second members  36  of the pair of telescoping members  32  are fixedly coupled to underside  30  of second table panel  28  using conventional fasteners. Guide mechanism  18  serves to maintain proper alignment of first tabletop panel section  12  and second tabletop panel section  14  while expanding and retracting table assembly  10 . However, it should be noted that the pair of telescoping members  32  should only be disposed on one longitudinal half of expandable table assembly  10  to permit the proper pivoting operation of pivotable leaf assembly  16 . However, it should be appreciated that guide mechanism  18  could be any conventional telescoping system, such as that illustrated in connection with the second embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0020]    As best seen in FIGS.  2 - 4 , pivotable leaf assembly  16  generally includes a leaf panel  38 , a pair of foldable skirt members  40 , and a pivoting mechanism  42 . The foldable skirt members  40  are each pivotably coupled to an underside  44  of leaf panel  38  via a hinge member  45 . Hinge member  45  may be of any conventional design, such as a piano hinge and the like. Foldable skirt members  40  are positionable between a downwardly extending position and a folded position.  
         [0021]    Pivoting mechanism  42  generally includes a support rod  46  slidably and rotatably coupled along underside  26  of first table panel  20  and underside  30  of second table panel  28 . However, at the outset, is important to note that pivoting mechanism  42  may have any one of a number of varying configurations. However, according to the present embodiment, support rod  46  is disposed along the longitudinal axis A-A (FIG. 4) of expandable table assembly  10 . Pivoting mechanism  42  further includes a sleeve member  48  extending around support rod  46 . Sleeve member  48  may be configured such that it permits free pivotable movement about the axis of support rod  46  or is fixed to support rod  46  and rotates together therewith. Each of these options are equally desireable.  
         [0022]    A swivel  50  is coupled between sleeve member  48  and underside  44  of leaf panel  38 . More particularly, swivel  50  includes a first member  52  that is fixedly coupled to sleeve member  48 , such as by welding, and a second member  54  that is fixedly coupled to underside  44  of leaf panel  38  via a plurality of fasteners (not shown). First member  52  is pivotably coupled to second member  54  to permit relative rotation therebetween about an axis B-B. Preferably, a plurality of bearing members (not shown) are disposed in a raceway between first member  52  and second member  54  to provide a smooth pivoting operation.  
         [0023]    Pivotable leaf assembly  16  further includes a first pivot stop  56  coupled to underside  44  of leaf panel  38 . First pivot stop  56  prevents pivotable movement of leaf panel  38  about axis B-B past a cross-table position (FIG. 3). Similarly, pivotable leaf assembly  16  further includes a second pivot stop  58  coupled to underside  44  of leaf panel  38 . Second pivot stop  58  prevents pivotable movement of leaf panel  38  about axis B-B past a stowed position (FIG. 4). In other words, first pivot stop  56  generally provides a user with tactile feedback so as to permit the proper positioning of pivotable leaf assembly  16  within a gap formed between first tabletop panel section  12  and second tabletop panel section  14  (cross-table position). Likewise, second pivot stop  58  generally provides a user with tactile feedback to permit the proper positioning of pivotable leaf assembly  16  for stowage below first table panel  20  and second table panel  28  (stowed position). According to the present embodiment, first pivot stop  56  and second pivot stop  58  are preferably made of wood and fastened to leaf panel  38  using conventional fasteners. However, it is anticipated that first and second pivot stops  56  and  58  may be incorporated directly into the structure of pivoting mechanism  42 , such as through a pin and cam assembly.  
         [0024]    Pivotable leaf assembly  16  still further includes a pair of optional support braces  60  mounted on underside  44  of leaf panel  38 . Support braces  60  are adapted to provide additional structural reinforcement to leaf panel  38  and further minimize warpage, which may occur when using natural materials such as wood. However, it should be appreciated that support braces  60 , while being preferred, are optional and thus can be eliminated.  
         [0025]    Furthermore, pivotable leaf assembly  16  includes a plurality of locking members  62  that are adapted to engage respective locking members (not shown) disposed along underside  26  of first tabletop panel section  12  and underside  30  of second tabletop panel section  14 . The plurality of locking members  62  minimizes inadvertent separation of first tabletop panel section  12  and second tabletop panel section  14 .  
         [0026]    Lastly, it should be appreciated that pivotable leaf assembly  16  further includes a plurality of dowel pins  64  disposed along a side thereof. The plurality of dowel pins  64  is intended to engage a plurality of corresponding bores  66  formed in second table panel  28  to aid in the rigidity and alignment of expandable table assembly  10 . Similarly, first table panel  20  further includes a plurality of dowel pins  68  disposed along a side thereof. The plurality of dowel pins  68  is intended to engage a plurality of corresponding bores  70  formed in leaf panel  38  when the table is in an expanded position or, alternatively, to engage the plurality of bores  66  formed in second table panel  28  when the table is in a retracted position.  
         [0027]    The operation of expandable table assembly  10  will now be described in detail. Specifically, in order to convert expandable table assembly  10  from an expanded position (large tabletop surface) to a retracted position (small tabletop surface), first tabletop panel section  12  and second tabletop panel section  14  are pulled apart such that the plurality of dowel pins  64  and  68  become disengaged from the corresponding bores  66  and  70 , respectively, thereby freeing pivotable leaf assembly  16  from first tabletop panel section  12  and second tabletop panel section  14  for rotation about an axis C-C extending through support rod  46 . As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, pivotable leaf assembly  16  is then pivoted about axis C-C approximately 180 degrees until underside  44  of leaf panel  38  faces upward (i.e. inverted cross-table position). Foldable skirt members  40  are then pivoted into a down position about hinge member  45  (as illustrated by skirt member  40   a  of FIG. 3). In this position, foldable skirt members  40  are nestled against leaf panel  38  to minimize the drop height (the distance between leaf panel  38  and underside  26  and  30  of first table panel  20  and second table panel  28 , respectively) necessary for stowage. By minimizing the drop height of pivotable leaf assembly  16 , pivotable leaf assembly  16  may be stowed closely to first table panel  20  and second table panel  28  to minimize the likelihood of pivotable leaf assembly  16  being viewable from the side when in the stowed position or interfering with the legs of users of the table when they are seated up to it. This will be further discussed below.  
         [0028]    Once pivotable leaf assembly  16  is in the inverted cross-table position (FIG. 3) and foldable skirt members  40  are pivoted into a down position, pivotable leaf assembly  16  is then pivoted approximately 90 degrees about axis B-B via swivel  50  until the longitudinal axis of leaf panel  38  is generally parallel to support rod  46  and second pivot stop  58  generally contacts sleeve member  48  of pivoting mechanism  42  (FIG. 4). First tabletop panel section  12  and second tabletop panel section  14  are then pushed together until the plurality of dowel pins  68  of first tabletop panel section  12  are received within the corresponding bores  66  of second tabletop panel section  14 . In order to convert expandable table assembly from a retracted position to an expanded position, the above operation is reversed.  
         [0029]    With particular reference to FIGS.  5 - 7 , an expandable table assembly, generally indicated by reference numeral  10 ′, is provided in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. Expandable table assembly  10 ′ is similar to expandable table assembly  10  and, thus, like reference numerals are to be regarded as like or corresponding members among the several views. In the interest of brevity, those like or corresponding members will not be discussed in detail in reference to the present embodiment.  
         [0030]    With particular reference to FIG. 5, expandable table assembly  10 ′ generally includes a pivotable leaf assembly  16 ′ having leaf panel  38  and a pivoting mechanism  42 ′. As should be appreciated in the present embodiment, the pair of foldable skirt members  40  of the first embodiment had been removed. However, it should be understood that the pair of foldable skirt members  40  may also be included in the present embodiment if desired.  
         [0031]    Pivoting mechanism  42 ′ generally includes a support rod  46 ′ slidably and rotatably coupled between underside  26  of first table panel  20  and underside  30  of second table panel  28  via a plurality of generally U-shaped support brackets  80 . According to the present embodiment, support rod  46 ′ is disposed along the longitudinal axis A-A of expandable table assembly  10 ′ and is retained by the plurality of generally U-shaped support brackets  80  upon opposing ends thereof. Support brackets  80  are adapted to support the weight of pivotable leaf assembly  16 ′. However, it should be readily appreciated that the specific number of rectangular support brackets  80  required depends upon the materials used in both support rod  46 ′ and leaf panel  38  and the associated likelihood of bending and/or warping.  
         [0032]    Still referring to FIG. 5, pivoting mechanism  42 ′ further includes a pair of tether straps  82  surrounding opposing ends of support rod  46 ′. The pair of tether straps  82  are wrapped around support rod  46 ′ and fastened to underside  26  of first table panel  20  and underside  30  of second table panel  28  via conventional fasteners. The pair of tether straps  82  are made of a friction imparting material, such as nylon webbing, leather, or any other material that is capable of frictionally engaging support rod  46 ′ to minimize the free rotation of leaf panel  38  and support rod  46 ′. It should be appreciated that the plurality of support brackets  80  and the pair of tether straps  82  may be combined into a single member to minimize the number of parts required, such as a support bracket that is appropriately sized to create a friction fit between the brackets and support rod.  
         [0033]    Still referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, support rod  46 ′ further includes a pair of dowel members  83  extending orthogonally through opposing ends thereof to prevent the inadvertent disengagement of support rod  46 ′ from the plurality of support brackets  80 . That is, as first tabletop panel section  12  and second tabletop panel section  14  are pulled apart, the pair of dowel members  83  are adapted to prevent excessive separation of first tabletop panel section  12  and second tabletop panel section  14 , thereby eliminating the possibility of support rod  46 ′ being pulled out of any one of the plurality of support brackets  80 .  
         [0034]    Swivel  50  serves to permit relative, generally horizontal, swivel motion between leaf panel  38  and support rod  46 ′ about axis B-B. More particularly, swivel  50  includes first member  52  that is fixedly coupled to a swivel bracket  84 . Swivel bracket  84  is in turn fixedly coupled to support rod  46 ′ via a plurality of fasteners  86 . Additionally, swivel  50  further includes second member  54  that is fixedly coupled to underside  44  of leaf panel  38  via a plurality of fasteners (not shown). First member  52  is pivotably coupled to second member  54  to permit relative rotation therebetween about axis B-B. Preferably, a plurality of bearing members (not shown) are disposed in a raceway between first member  52  and second member  54  to provide a smooth pivoting operation.  
         [0035]    As best seen in FIG. 7, swivel bracket  84  further include a first cam stop  88  and a second cam stop  90  formed thereon. First cam stop  88  and second cam stop  90  are adapted to function in concert with a stop member  92  extending from underside  44  of leaf panel  38 . Stop member  92  engages first cam stop  88  or second cam stop  90  to prevent excessive rotational movement of leaf panel  38  about axis B-B. More particularly, stop member  92  is adaped to engage first cam stop  88  (FIG. 7) when leaf panel  38  is in either the operational cross-table position (FIG. 5) or the inverted cross-table position (FIG. 3). Similarly, stop member  92  is adapted to engage second cam stop  90  when leaf panel  38  is in the stowed position (FIG. 4). First cam stop  88  and second cam stop  90  are positioned so as to permit generally 90 degrees of rotation about axis B-B.  
         [0036]    Operation of expandable table assembly  10 ′ is similar to that described in connection with expandable table assembly  10 . However, in order to convert expandable table assembly  10 ′ from an expanded position (large tabletop surface) to a retracted position (small tabletop surface), first tabletop panel section  12  and second tabletop panel section  14  are pulled apart such that the plurality of dowel pins  64  and  68  become disengaged from the corresponding bores  66  and  70 , respectively, thereby freeing pivotable leaf assembly  16 ′ from first tabletop panel section  12  and second tabletop panel section  14  for rotation about axis C-C. Pivotable leaf assembly  16 ′ is then pivoted about axic C-C approximately 180 degrees until underside  44  of leaf panel  38  faces upward (i.e. inverted cross-table position). As best seen in FIG. 6, support rod  46 ′ includes a generally flattened section  94  formed on a side thereof that is adapted to rest on a corresponding flat section  96  formed on support brackets  80 . This arrangement generally prevents support rod  46 ′ and, thus, leaf panel  38 , from rotating out of the inverted position, thereby remaining generally horizontal under the tabletop during stowage. This is particularly useful to minimize the possibility of pivotable leaf assembly  16 ′ being viewed from the side by a guest.  
         [0037]    Once pivotable leaf assembly  16 ′ has been pivoted about axis C-C and is in the inverted cross-table position, pivotable leaf assembly  16 ′ is then pivoted approximately 90 degrees about axis B-B via swivel  50  until the longitudinal axis of leaf panel  38  is generally parallel to support rod  46  and stop member  92  contacts second cam stop  90 . First tabletop panel section  12  and second tabletop panel section  14  are then pushed together until the plurality of dowel pins  68  of first tabletop panel section  12  are received within the corresponding bores  66  of second tabletop panel section  14 . In order to convert expandable table assembly from a retracted position to an expanded position, the above operation is reversed.  
         [0038]    It should be appreciated that the expandable table assembly of the present invention provides a number of advantages over prior art expandable table designs. For example, as a result of the foldable skirt members  40  being positionable in a nestled position, the pivotable leaf assembly  16  is stowed at a drop height distance below first table panel  20  and second table panel  28  that is less than the height of each foldable skirt member  40 . This is particularly useful in that it improves the aesthetic quality of the expandable table assembly and further provides improved spacing between a user&#39;s knees and the pivotable leaf assembly. Furthermore, the expandable table assembly of the present invention further eliminates the need to lift and remove an otherwise heavy and/or awkward tabletop leaf as is required in many prior art designs.  
         [0039]    The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.