Tilting tabletop mechanism

An article of furniture has been developed having a tilting tabletop mechanism, which securely maintains a tabletop in either a generally horizontal or generally vertical position while permitting a user to tilt the tabletop easily. The article of furniture includes a first component, a second component, a first member, a second member, a first lock element, and a second lock element. The second component is pivotally coupled to the first component. The first and second members are connectable to a first secured component. The first secured component is one of the first and second components. The first lock element is mounted to engage the first member when the first component is in a first position relative to the second component. The second lock element is mounted to engage the second member when the first component is in a second position relative to the second component.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to the field of tables and in particular to tables having a tiltable tabletop.

Traditional tables include a tabletop that is fixed to a support frame. When a traditional table is oriented in an upright position, the tabletop provides an area for performing various tasks, as is known in the art. In order to store a traditional table in the upright position, a floor space is needed that is approximately equal to the surface area of the tabletop. To store a traditional table in a smaller floor space, some tables can be lifted and rotated to a lateral position in which a side edge of the tabletop is placed on the floor. In this lateral position, storage of the table may require less floor space as compared to the upright position; however, it can be difficult for some users to lift and rotate a traditional table. Furthermore, the support frame of a traditional table may undesirably protrude from the tabletop in an inconvenient manner. To address this problem, the support frame of some traditional tables may be disassembled from the tabletop. Even though storing a disassembled traditional table may require less floor space than storing a traditional table oriented in the upright or lateral positions, the disassembly process is often overly time consuming and cumbersome. Additionally, before the table can be used again, it must be reassembled. Therefore, while traditional tables work well for most users, some users may prefer a table that can be stored in a relatively compact configuration, but that can also be easily and quickly returned to a usable configuration.

To meet this need, a table referred to as a “tiltable table” has been developed. Tiltable tables include a tabletop that is pivotally coupled to a ground engaging support frame. In particular, the tabletop is often pivotable between a generally horizontal position and a generally vertical position. In the horizontal position, tiltable tables function like traditional tables. In the vertical position, however, tiltable tables can be more easily stored than traditional tables. Specifically, when the tabletop of a tiltable table is pivoted to the vertical position, the tiltable table utilizes a floor space approximately equal to the floor space utilized by the support frame, which is generally much less than the floor space required to store a traditional table oriented in the upright position. When use of the tiltable table is again desired, the tabletop can be pivoted to the horizontal position. Accordingly, tiltable tables provide users with a table that utilizes less floor space in storage than a traditional table, and is easily reconfigured to function as a traditional table.

Known tiltable tables suffer from several deficiencies, the most blatant of which being a lack of stability. Specifically, known tiltable table mechanisms often inadequately secure the tabletop in the horizontal position. Additionally, the tilting mechanism of known tiltable tables may be complicated to operate. For instance, in order to tilt a tabletop between the horizontal and vertical positions a user may have to move multiple levers and releases in a complicated sequence before the tabletop may be tilted. Therefore, further developments in the area of tiltable tables are desirable.

SUMMARY

An article of furniture has been developed having a tilting tabletop mechanism, which securely maintains a tabletop in either a generally horizontal or generally vertical position while permitting a user to tilt the tabletop easily. The article of furniture includes a first component, a second component, a first member, a second member, a first lock element, and a second lock element. The second component is pivotally coupled to the first component. The first member is connectable to a first secured component. The first secured component is one of the first and second components. The second member is also connectable to the first secured component. The first lock element is mounted to engage the first member when the first component is in a first position relative to the second component. The second lock element is mounted to engage the second member when the first component is in a second position relative to the second component.

A mechanism has also been developed for positioning a component of an article of furniture. The mechanism includes a first member, a second member, a first lock element, and a second lock element. The first member is connected to a first component and is connectable to a second component. The second member is connected to the first component and is connectable to the second component. The first lock element is connected to the second component and is mounted to engage the first member when the second component is in a first position relative to the first component. The second lock element is connected to the second component and is mounted to engage the second member when the second component is in a second position relative to the first component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One embodiment of a tiltable table100having a tilting tabletop mechanism104is illustrated inFIGS. 1-3. The tabletop mechanism104secures one of a first and second components in one of two positions relative the other of the first and second components. One of the first and second components may be provided as a support frame108, and the other of the first and second components may be provided as a tabletop112. The tabletop mechanism104includes a bracket member116, a first and second lock element, and an actuator188. The bracket116supports, among other components, the first and second lock element. The first lock element may secure the tabletop112in a horizontal working position, referred to as a horizontal position. Whereas, the second lock element may secure the tabletop112in a vertical storage position, referred to as a vertical position. The actuator188disengages the lock elements to permit the tabletop112to be pivoted between the horizontal and vertical positions. Below each component of a tiltable table100having a tabletop mechanism104is described in detail.

The tabletop112is pivotally coupled to the support frame108at pivot point120for movement between the horizontal and vertical positions. The tabletop112may be of any known construction. Furthermore, the tabletop112may define more than one planar surface. For instance, the tabletop112may include a working portion and a skirt portion (not illustrated). The working portion may define a generally horizontal plane when the tabletop mechanism104is in the horizontal position. The skirt portion, however, may be coupled to an edge of the working portion to define a plane that is approximately perpendicular to the horizontal plane defined by the working portion. When the tabletop112is pivoted between the horizontal and vertical positions, both portions of the tabletop112are pivoted.

The support frame108of the tabletop mechanism104rigidly supports the tabletop112in both the horizontal and vertical positions. Additionally, the support frame108remains stable as the tabletop112is transitioned between the horizontal and vertical positions. The support frame108, and each other component of the tabletop mechanism104, may be constructed from rigid materials including, but not limited to, plastic, steel, and other metals. It is noted that only a portion of the support frame108is illustrated inFIGS. 1-3. In particular, the illustrated portion is a component of the support frame108that is generally parallel to the floor. Table legs (not illustrated) may be coupled to the illustrated support frame108component to support the tabletop112as is known in the art.

As mentioned above, the tabletop mechanism104permits the tabletop112to be secured in two positions relative the support frame108. Often, one position secures the tabletop112in a generally horizontal orientation and the other position secures the tabletop112in a generally vertical orientation. In other embodiments, however, the mechanism104may secure the tabletop112in an inclined position and a vertical position. For instance, in the inclined position the mechanism104may secure the tabletop112at an approximately forty-five degree angle relative a plane parallel to the floor, as is commonly done with drafting tables and the like. For simplicity, the mechanism104is described herein as securing a tabletop112in a horizontal and a vertical position; although, it is understood that the mechanism104may secure the tabletop112in two positions of an angular orientation. It is noted that the tabletop mechanism104is shown secured to the bottom surface of the tabletop112inFIGS. 1-3.

The bracket116may be connected to the tabletop112as shown inFIGS. 1-3. However, in other embodiments the bracket116may be connected to the support frame108. The bracket116includes a pair of flanges124and a base region128, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. The flanges124may extend from the base region128at an angle approximately perpendicular to the base region128. At least a portion of the first and second lock elements are coupled to the bracket116. A top view of the bracket116is shown inFIG. 7.

The first lock element, referred to as the hook lock132is shown in the disengaged position inFIG. 1and in the engaged position inFIGS. 2 and 6. As illustrated, the hook lock132secures the tabletop112in the horizontal position; however, in other embodiments the hook lock132may secure the tabletop112in the vertical position. The hook lock132includes a pair of pivot members136, a first member referred to as a shaft140, and two biasing springs144. The pivot members136are pivotally coupled to an inside surface of a respective flange124through opening138, as shown inFIG. 8. The pivot members136are configured to pivot between an engaged and a disengaged position. The biasing springs144are coupled to the pivot members136to bias the pivot members136toward the engaged position, as shown inFIG. 4. The shaft140is rigidly coupled to the support frame108a fixed distance from the support frame108. Although the illustrated shaft140extends across the width of the bracket116, other embodiments of the shaft140may include two distinct shaft sections, with each shaft section being separately coupled to the support frame108. The hook lock132, as illustrated, is configured to engage either embodiment of the shaft140when the tabletop112is in the horizontal position.

As illustrated inFIG. 8, each pivot member136includes a hook148, an upper surface216, and a contact surface152. The hook148is the portion of the pivot member136that surrounds the shaft140to secure the shaft140to bracket116, thereby securing the tabletop112in the horizontal position. Each hook148defines a gap as represented by length156ofFIG. 8. Length156is greater than a width of the portion of the shaft140surrounded by the hook148to permit the shaft140to become fully seated in the hook148. The shaft140contacts the upper surface216of the pivot members136as the tabletop112enters the horizontal position. In particular, when the shaft140contacts the upper surfaces216, the pivot members136are pivoted toward the disengaged position against the biasing force of the biasing springs144, until the shaft140contacts the bracket116, at which point the biasing springs144snap the pivot members136back to the engaged position to secure the shaft140to the bracket116. The contact surface152of the pivot members136refers to a region of the pivot member136opposite the hook148. The contact surface152disengages the second lock element as explained below.

The second lock element, referred to as the loop lock160, is shown in the engaged position inFIG. 1and in the disengaged position inFIG. 2. As illustrated, the loop lock160secures the tabletop112in the vertical position; however, in other embodiments the loop lock160may secure the tabletop112in the horizontal position. The loop lock160includes a pair of notches164, a second member referred to as a loop168, and a biasing spring172. The notches164are formed in the flanges124at the end of an inclined surface176. The loop168is pivotally coupled to the support frame108. Although referred to as a “loop”, the loop168need not be a closed element; instead, the loop168may be a pair of elements pivotally connected to the support frame108and capable of engaging the notches164. The notches164have a width represented by length180inFIG. 6, which is greater than a width of the portion of the loop168configured to be engaged by the notch164. Additionally, the notches164may have a curved bottom region184that approximately matches the curvature of the portion of the loop168configured to be engaged by the notch164. The loop lock160maintains the tabletop112in a vertical position by securing a portion of the loop168within the notches164. Specifically, in the vertical position the notches164partially surround the loop168; thereby coupling the loop168to the bracket116and also preventing the loop168from exiting the notches164until the actuator188disengages the loop lock160.

The tabletop mechanism104includes an actuator188to disengage the currently engaged lock element132,160, thereby enabling the tabletop112to be transitioned between the horizontal and vertical positions. The actuator188is movable between an engaged and a disengaged position. The actuator188includes a handle192, a coupling plate196, and a coupling rod200. The handle192is connected to the coupling plate196and the coupling plate196is connected to the coupling rod200. As shown inFIGS. 1-3, the handle192and the coupling plate196are connected to the bottom surface of the tabletop112. In other embodiments the handle192and coupling plate196may be connected to the support frame108. As explained below, motion of the actuator188pivots the pivot members136, causing one of the lock elements132,160to become disengaged.

The handle192is slidingly connected to the bottom surface of the tabletop112. As shown inFIGS. 1-3, fastening members208connect the handle192to the tabletop112through numerous elongated slots204. The handle192may be slid between an engaged and a disengaged position by moving handle192axially a distance equal to the length of the slots204.

The coupling plate196is illustrated in a pre-formed stage inFIG. 9. Once formed, fastening members208connect the coupling plate196to the tabletop112through numerous elongated slots204. As the handle192is slid along the tabletop112, the coupling plate196slides an equal axial distance.

The coupling rod200transfers the axial motion of the handle192and coupling plate196to the pivot members136. The coupling rod200is pivotally coupled to the coupling plate196and opening214of the pivot members136. A force may be exerted upon the handle192that causes the coupling rod200to pivot the pivot members136to the disengaged position. When the force upon the handle192is removed, the biasing members144pivot the pivot members136and the handle192back to the engaged position.

In operation, the tabletop mechanism104secures a tabletop112in either a horizontal or a vertical position. To secure the tabletop112in the vertical position ofFIG. 1from the horizontal position ofFIG. 2, a user may slide the actuator188to the disengaged position to pivot the pivot members136to the disengaged position. When the pivot members136enter the disengaged position the hooks148no longer couple the shaft140to the bracket116, permitting the tabletop112to be pivoted about pivot point120to the vertical position. During the transition of the tabletop112between the vertical and horizontal positions neither the hook lock132nor the loop lock160are engaged.

Once the tabletop112is pivoted to the vertical position the loop lock160becomes engaged to secure the tabletop112in the vertical position. Specifically, as the tabletop112is pivoted toward the vertical position the loop168slides along the inclined surfaces176toward the notches164. When the tabletop112reaches the vertical position, biasing spring172pulls the loop168into the notches164to secure the tabletop112in the vertical position. In the vertical position, the tiltable table100may be moved and stored without the tabletop112pivoting relative to the support frame108.

To secure the tabletop112in the horizontal position ofFIG. 2from the vertical position ofFIG. 1the handle192of the actuator188should be moved to the disengaged position, which pivots the pivot members136to the disengaged position. The pivotal motion of the pivot members136forces the contact surfaces152into contact with the loop168, thereby lifting the loop168from the notches164. In particular, the contact surfaces152gradually fill the notches164until the contact surfaces152reach a maximum height as shown by line220ofFIG. 6. Once the loop168has been lifted from the notches164, the tabletop112may be pivoted to the horizontal position. When the actuator188is released the biasing members144pivot the pivot members136back to the engaged position. As the tabletop112approaches the horizontal position the shaft140abuts the upper surface216of the pivot members136causing the pivot members136to pivot slightly in the direction of the disengaged position. Further tilting of the tabletop112toward the horizontal position causes the shaft140to contact the bracket116and become seated in the hooks148, thereby enabling the biasing springs144to pivot the pivot members136back to the engaged position and secure the tabletop112in the horizontal position.