Collapsible transaction table

To provide a usable workspace for use at tradeshows, conventions and similar events, a collapsible transaction table is uniquely designed to provide transportability and flexibility regarding its setup. In its collapsed condition, the transaction table itself is contained and thereby easily transportable. In its expanded condition, components are provided to provide a usable transaction table which preferably sits at a countertop height but with which also may be modified to further extend into a countertop configuration. To achieve the counter top configuration, a pair of transaction tables are coupled with one another utilizing specifically configured bridging elements to thus create a stable and usable countertop. The transaction tables themselves include a collapsible base unit and tabletop elements which are removably attachable to the base units in an interlocking manner to provide additional stability.

BACKGROUND

Tradeshows and exhibitions and the furnishings used by exhibitors at those events, such as displays, tables, counters, chairs, etc. are typically easily transported, easily erected, easily collapsed, and are relatively lightweight.

The space available to an exhibitor may vary from event to event, thus it is generally desirable to have furnishings that are configurable to varying lengths. In addition, it is generally desirable to have furnishings that are esthetically pleasing and which provide surfaces on which to display logos and images of the exhibitor's products or services. Further, it is typically desirable to provide concealed storage areas within the display area in which the exhibitor can keep extra marketing materials and other supplies out of sight of visitors. In addition, it is generally desirable to provide tradeshow furnishings which are adaptable to support accessories or appurtenances for the display of products and promotional materials.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views,FIGS. 1 and 2are front and rear perspective views, respectively, of an embodiment of a collapsible transaction table designated generally by reference numeral10shown in the fully erected display configuration.FIG. 6is a front perspective view of the transaction table10ofFIG. 1shown in the fully collapsed transport configuration.

When fully erected, the transaction table10is stable and provides a tabletop surface preferably at a standard countertop height or elevation. When fully collapsed, the transaction table10is compact and easily transportable. The transaction table10is preferably adaptable to a counter configuration as illustrated inFIGS. 3-4, by providing bridging members for connecting adjacent transaction tables to produce a continuous countertop surface of a desired length. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that the transaction table10is particularly suited for use in tradeshows and exhibitions due to its quick and easy setup and takedown (described later) while also providing a stable top surface, storage capacity, configuration flexibility and a clean aesthetically pleasing appearance—all in a lightweight, transportable construction.

The transaction table10preferably comprises a collapsible base unit11and a removable tabletop20. The collapsible base unit11preferably comprises left and right endwalls12,14preferably of sufficient length or height such that with the tabletop20is mounted thereon, the elevation of the tabletop20is at a typical countertop height. The base unit11also preferably comprises a removable front panel16and a removable rear panel18. The front and rear panels16,18are preferably flexible panels made of fabric or other suitable material and are sized such that when the panels are attached to the base unit11(discussed later), the panels are maintained taut and substantially wrinkle free so as to provide a clean, professional appearance.

The tabletop20preferably comprises two tabletop members22,24removably but rigidly mountable to the upper ends of the endwalls12,14(discussed later). The tabletop members22,24along with other components (discussed later) are preferably stowable within the base unit11when in the fully collapsed transport configuration (also discussed later).

Referring now toFIGS. 3 and 4, two adjacent transaction tables10are shown connected with tabletop bridging members36,38and a front bridging panel40to provide an elongated counter30. It should be appreciated that multiple transaction tables10and multiple tabletop bridging members36,38and front bridging panel40may be arranged to provide a counter30of any desired length. The tabletop bridging members36,38and the front bridging panel40are also preferably stowable within the base unit11when in the fully collapsed transport configuration (also discussed later).

FIG. 5is an exploded perspective view of the transaction table10ofFIG. 1illustrating the preferred components comprising the base unit11and the tabletop20. It should be appreciated that although certain components are shown exploded inFIG. 5for purposes of describing the preferred construction of such components, these components are shown assembled in the other drawing figures as they would preferably appear to a user of the transaction table10. For example, the left and right endwalls12,14of the base unit11are preferably constructed of identical injection-molded thermoplastic wall shells52,62to which are attached intermediate face panels54,64. Optional interchangeable graphic panels56,66may also be provided to cover the face panels54,56if a different appearance is desired. Magnets70are preferably received within rod receptacles72(FIGS. 16,22) for magnetically securing the panel rods28,29of the front and rear panels16,18to the endwalls12,14(discussed later). Similar, to the endwalls12,14, the tabletop members22,24are preferably constructed of injection-molded thermoplastic top shells72,82to which are attached top panels74,84. The top shells are preferably identical except that one of the shells preferably includes a tongue that is receivable within mating grooves of the other top shell (discussed later). The wall shells52,62and the top shells72,82preferably include internal ribbing typical of injection molding practices to reduce material while providing structural rigidity. The top panels74,84and intermediate side panels54,64may be a wood laminate or other desired panel material to provide the desired aesthetic appearance. It should also be appreciated that although injection molding is preferred for constructing the endwalls12,14and tabletop members22,24, these components may be made of any suitable material and fabricated in any suitable manner.

As previously described, the front panel16(the rear panel18is shown rolled up inFIG. 5) preferably comprises a flexible panel26. Upper and lower rods28,29extend through upper and lower sleeves30,31, respectively.

Continuing to refer toFIG. 5, the collapsible body unit11preferably includes upper and lower folding horizontal shelves110,120and a folding vertical panel140. It should be appreciated that the vertical folding panel140provides lateral support and rigidity to the body11when in the fully extended position. As discussed in greater detail later when the steps of erecting and collapsing the base unit or described, each of the folding horizontal shelves110,120and folding vertical panel140include a middle hinge112,122,142and each of the horizontal shelves110,120and the vertical panel140is hingedly attached to the left and right endwalls12,14by horizontal and vertical rods126,146retained within the endwalls. The ends of the shelves110,120pivot about the horizontal rods126as the shelves fold and unfold along their middle hinges112,122. Similarly, the ends of the vertical panel140pivot about the vertical rods146as the panel folds and unfolds along its middle hinge142as the base unit moves from the fully extended configuration (FIG. 9) to the fully collapsed transport configuration (FIG. 6). A coupling rod130is connects the upper and lower horizontal folding shelves110,120so that the shelves preferably move in unison to create a more efficient folding and unfolding action when the body unit11is being collapsed and expanded.

Referring toFIGS. 6-16, the preferred steps of erecting the base unit11from the fully collapsed position (FIG. 6) to the fully extended position (FIGS. 8 and 9) and the attachment of the panel members16,18(FIGS. 15-16) are hereinafter described. Referring toFIG. 6, the endwalls12,14are preferably snap-fit together by matingly aligned pegs and sockets210,212(best illustrated inFIG. 20) preferably disposed near the four corners of the endwalls12,14(only the upper corners are illustrated inFIG. 20). Thus, to expand the base unit11, the user is preferably required to exert sufficient force to pry the endwalls apart to overcome the mechanical and/or frictional fit between the pegs210and sockets212. Alternatively, or in addition to using a snap-fit connection, other connection methods may be utilized, including for example, providing magnets in the peg and socket areas210,212or providing exterior clasps, buckles or straps or any other suitable means for removably securing the endwalls for transport.

Once the endwalls are disengaged, the endwalls are free to move outwardly as shown inFIGS. 7 and 8. As the endwalls are pushed or pulled outwardly, the upper and lower shelves110,120simultaneously unfold due to the coupling rod130connecting the edges of those shelves as best illustrated in the enlarged details ofFIGS. 10 and 14. Similarly, the outward movement of the endwalls causes the vertical panel140to unfold. The enlarged detail ofFIG. 12illustrates the preferred hinge attachment of the horizontal folding shelves110,120. The ends of the horizontal rod126are retained within horizontal rod supports127in the interior shell walls52,62of each end member12,14. The ends of the shelves110,120are pivotally disposed over the horizontal rods126by hooks111,121. Similarly, the ends of the vertical rod146are retained within a vertical rod supports144in the interior shell walls52,62of each end member12,14. The projecting ends of the vertical rods146are received within slotted sockets147at the upper and lower edges of the vertical panel140.FIG. 13is an enlarged view of the coupling rod lock148which preferably frictionally receives the coupling rod130when the base unit11is in the fully extended position, to thereby removably lock the vertical panel140to the coupling rod130to preventing the vertical panel140from inadvertently folding and destabilizing the fully expanded base unit11.

Referring toFIG. 9, with the base unit11in the fully extended position, the top bridging members36,38can be removed (if desired for the counter configuration as shown inFIGS. 3-4) from the recesses86(seeFIGS. 5 and 17) that are preferably formed in the respective sides of the opposing wall shells52,62. Additionally the tabletop members22,24can be removed from the recesses88(seeFIGS. 5 and 17) that are also preferably formed in the respective sides of the opposing wall shells52,62. Furthermore the rolled up front and rear panels16,18and the rolled up bridging panel40may be removed from the recesses90,91(seeFIGS. 5 and 20) that are preferably formed in the respective sides of the opposing wall shells52,62.

FIGS. 15 and 16illustrates the body unit11in the fully expanded position with the front panel16attached to the forward or front edge of the endwalls12,14. As best illustrated inFIG. 16which is an enlarged detail of the area circled inFIG. 15, the ends of the upper rod28extend through upper sleeve30on the flexible panel26. The rod28is preferably steel or other magnetically attractive material. The ends of the rod28are received within notches94formed in the front edge of the endwall14. A similar notch is formed in the front edge of the opposing endwall12. The same or similar rod retention construction is preferably provided to secure the lower rod29to the front edge of the end walls12,14. With the rods28,29secured as described, the panels are maintained taut and substantially wrinkle free so as to provide a clean, professional appearance.

FIGS. 21 and 22illustrates the attachment of the rear panel18to the rearward or back edge of the endwalls12,14. The same or similar rod retention construction is used for the rear panel18as for the front panel16. Note, however, as illustrated inFIGS. 21 and 22, the rear panel18preferably includes an upper and lower zipper220,222to permit access to the interior storage area and shelves110,120without removing the rods98,99from the notches96formed in the back edge of the endwalls12,14.

Referring toFIGS. 17-20the preferred method of attaching the tabletop20to the base unit11is hereinafter described.FIG. 17is a rear perspective view of the body unit11showing the front tabletop member24attached thereto. As will be discussed in further detail below, each endwall12,14includes a number of attachment features on a top end thereof which are designed to rigidly yet removably secure the tabletop members22,24to the base unit11. Referring toFIG. 18, left endwall12preferably includes a central attachment upright160. The central attachment upright160preferably includes a central cylindrical portion162extending in a substantially upright orientation from the top end of left endwall12. Extending from opposite sides of central cylindrical portion162are a first extension164and a second extension166. Each of the tabletop members22,24include mating recesses170along their abutting ends to receive the opposite sides of the central attachment upright160.

FIG. 19is a bottom view of tabletop members22,24, which are preferably identical except that one of the tabletop members includes an edge with projecting tongues208(best illustrated inFIG. 18) which are receivable within mating grooves (not shown) in the abutting end of the other tabletop member. The recesses170configured to receive the central attachment upright160are provided in the abutting end of the left and right endwalls12and14. In addition, the tabletop members22,24include a pair of slots172, configured to receive top projections180,182(seeFIGS. 15 and 21) on the top ends of the endwalls12,14.

FIG. 20is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the tabletop20and base unit11as viewed along lines20-20ofFIG. 1. The front top projections182and a rear top projections180are both illustrated in cross-section. The bottom surface slots172receive in the front and rear tabletop members22,24receive the front and rear top projections180,182, respectively. The inward facing edge of the slots172preferably include a resilient displaceable detent174that engages inwardly facing ridges196on the top projections180,182thereby providing a secure snap-fit connection.

As generally discussed above with reference toFIGS. 3 and 4, a counter30can be created utilizing multiple transaction tables10. Rather than simply stacking transaction tables10end-to-end, which would leave gaps between adjacent body units11due to the wider tabletops20, it is preferably to provide top bridging members36,38and a panel bridging member40. Referring toFIGS. 23-24, bridging panel40preferably includes a flexible panel240having upper and lower sleeves242,243to receive upper and lower rods246,248. The ends of the rods246,248are preferably received within apertures230(FIG. 24) in the face of endwalls12,14. So that the transaction tables10do not have to be moved apart to insert the rods246,248into the aligned apertures of adjacent transaction tables, one end of each rod246,248preferably includes a spring loaded steel pin. Thus, to install the bridging panel40, the end of the rod246,248with the spring loaded steel pin is preferably inserted into one of the apertures230which preferably has a magnet70disposed therein. Force is exerted on the rod to compress the spring-loaded pin to reduce the length of the rod. With the other end of the rod aligned with the opposing aperture230in the adjacent transaction table, the compression force exerted on the rod is released permitting the spring biased pin to extend the rod to into the opposing aperture thereby spanning the gap between adjacent transaction tables. The same operation is preferably performed to secure the lower rod248between adjacent transaction tables.

Referring toFIGS. 25-28, the completion of counter30is accomplished by placing the front and rear top bridging members36,38between adjacent tabletops20. As best illustrated inFIG. 26opposing ends of each tabletop20are preferably configured with an outwardly extending and upwardly projecting lip250. The opposing ends of the top bridging members36,38are preferably configured with a mating outwardly extending and downwardly extending hook260which receives the lip250. The elevations of the lip and hook are configured such that the top surface of the top bridging members are substantially planar with the top surface of the adjacent tabletops20. Also as best illustrated inFIG. 26, the mating edges of the top bridging members36,38preferably include mating tongue and groove connections for added structural rigidity. As shown inFIG. 26, the rear bridging member36includes tongues262which would be received by aligned grooves (not shown) in the mating front bridging member38.

As illustrated inFIGS. 27 and 28, to secure the top bridging members36,38to adjacent tabletops20to prevent them from inadvertently becoming dislodged and falling, the underside of the top bridging members36,38preferably include rotatable locking tabs270(FIG. 28), that, when rotated, project beyond the edge of the bridging members36,38to engage the underside of the adjacent tabletop20thereby locking the top bridging members36,38in place.

The discussion above, and related figures, has described how counter30is formed by the addition of bridging members36,38. In the embodiments shown, counter30has been illustrated as an elongated straight counter, with bridging members36,38each being substantially rectangular. It is contemplated that a curved or angled counter could similarity be configured by utilizing bridging members that have angled, curved or wedged shapes of different types. For example, a triangular bridging members could be used to cause two adjacent work tables to be coupled together forming an angled counter. Many different angled or curved configurations are contemplated, depending upon the particular needs for the counter.

Continuing to refer toFIG. 28, as an additional feature, the underside of the tabletop20and the top bridging members36,38may include an LED light strip300to light the front panels16and bridging panels40if desired and/or to provide lighting on the backside of the transaction tables10/counter30for illuminating the storage area. A compartment302is preferably formed in the underside of the bridging members36,38for receiving a transformer (not shown) for the LED strip, or possibly a battery pack and switch (not shown), for powering the lighting strip300. Electrical wires (not shown) extending from the compartment302may be routed through slots304in the ribbing of the members36,38. Similar lighting strips, compartments and ribbing slots may be provided in the underside of the tabletop members22,24.

Referring again toFIGS. 1,5and18, the tabletop20may include apertures400for receiving posts402and display racks404or other appurtenances for displaying promotional items and/or for routing electrical cables or the like between the surface of the tabletop and the storage area and shelves110,120below.

The foregoing description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment of the apparatus, and the general principles and features of the system and methods described herein will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Thus, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments of the apparatus, system and methods described above and illustrated in the drawing figures, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the spirit and scope of the appended claims.