Abstract:
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.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to previously filed U.S. application Ser. No. 12/481,524, entitled “Tilting Tabletop Mechanism”, which was filed on Jun. 9, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to the field of tables and in particular to tables having a tiltable tabletop. 
         [0003]    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. 
         [0004]    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. 
         [0005]    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 
       [0006]    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. 
         [0007]    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. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0008]    The foregoing aspects and other features of the present disclosure are explained in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying figures. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a tabletop tilting mechanism shown in a vertical position; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the tabletop tilting mechanism of  FIG. 1  shown in a horizontal position; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the tabletop titling mechanism of  FIG. 1  shown in an intermediary position; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a bracket assembly of the tabletop tilting mechanism of  FIG. 1  showing the pivot members and biasing springs; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the bracket assembly of the tabletop tilting mechanism of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of the bracket assembly of the tabletop tilting mechanism of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is top plan view of the bracket assembly of the tabletop tilting mechanism of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a side elevational view of a pivot member of the tabletop tilting mechanism of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of a portion of a coupling member of the tabletop tilting mechanism of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    One embodiment of a tiltable table  100  having a tilting tabletop mechanism  104  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 . The tabletop mechanism  104  secures 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 frame  108 , and the other of the first and second components may be provided as a tabletop  112 . The tabletop mechanism  104  includes a bracket member  116 , a first and second lock element, and an actuator  188 . The bracket  116  supports, among other components, the first and second lock element. The first lock element may secure the tabletop  112  in a horizontal working position, referred to as a horizontal position. Whereas, the second lock element may secure the tabletop  112  in a vertical storage position, referred to as a vertical position. The actuator  188  disengages the lock elements to permit the tabletop  112  to be pivoted between the horizontal and vertical positions. Below each component of a tiltable table  100  having a tabletop mechanism  104  is described in detail. 
         [0019]    The tabletop  112  is pivotally coupled to the support frame  108  at pivot point  120  for movement between the horizontal and vertical positions. The tabletop  112  may be of any known construction. Furthermore, the tabletop  112  may define more than one planar surface. For instance, the tabletop  112  may include a working portion and a skirt portion (not illustrated). The working portion may define a generally horizontal plane when the tabletop mechanism  104  is 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 tabletop  112  is pivoted between the horizontal and vertical positions, both portions of the tabletop  112  are pivoted. 
         [0020]    The support frame  108  of the tabletop mechanism  104  rigidly supports the tabletop  112  in both the horizontal and vertical positions. Additionally, the support frame  108  remains stable as the tabletop  112  is transitioned between the horizontal and vertical positions. The support frame  108 , and each other component of the tabletop mechanism  104 , 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 frame  108  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 . In particular, the illustrated portion is a component of the support frame  108  that is generally parallel to the floor. Table legs (not illustrated) may be coupled to the illustrated support frame  108  component to support the tabletop  112  as is known in the art. 
         [0021]    As mentioned above, the tabletop mechanism  104  permits the tabletop  112  to be secured in two positions relative the support frame  108 . Often, one position secures the tabletop  112  in a generally horizontal orientation and the other position secures the tabletop  112  in a generally vertical orientation. In other embodiments, however, the mechanism  104  may secure the tabletop  112  in an inclined position and a vertical position. For instance, in the inclined position the mechanism  104  may secure the tabletop  112  at 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 mechanism  104  is described herein as securing a tabletop  112  in a horizontal and a vertical position; although, it is understood that the mechanism  104  may secure the tabletop  112  in two positions of an angular orientation. It is noted that the tabletop mechanism  104  is shown secured to the bottom surface of the tabletop  112  in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
         [0022]    The bracket  116  may be connected to the tabletop  112  as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . However, in other embodiments the bracket  116  may be connected to the support frame  108 . The bracket  116  includes a pair of flanges  124  and a base region  128 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The flanges  124  may extend from the base region  128  at an angle approximately perpendicular to the base region  128 . At least a portion of the first and second lock elements are coupled to the bracket  116 . A top view of the bracket  116  is shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0023]    The first lock element, referred to as the hook lock  132  is shown in the disengaged position in  FIG. 1  and in the engaged position in  FIGS. 2 and 6 . As illustrated, the hook lock  132  secures the tabletop  112  in the horizontal position; however, in other embodiments the hook lock  132  may secure the tabletop  112  in the vertical position. The hook lock  132  includes a pair of pivot members  136 ,          a first member referred to as a shaft  140 , and two biasing springs  144 . The pivot members  136  are pivotally coupled to an inside surface of a respective flange  124  through opening  138 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . The pivot members  136  are configured to pivot between an engaged and a disengaged position. The biasing springs  144  are coupled to the pivot members  136  to bias the pivot members  136  toward the engaged position, as shown in  FIG. 4 . The shaft  140  is rigidly coupled to the support frame  108  a fixed distance from the support frame  108 . Although the illustrated shaft  140  extends across the width of the bracket  116 , other embodiments of the shaft  140  may include two distinct shaft sections, with each shaft section being separately coupled to the support frame  108 . The hook lock  132 , as illustrated, is configured to engage either embodiment of the shaft  140  when the tabletop  112  is in the horizontal position. 
         [0024]    As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , each pivot member  136  includes a hook  148 , an upper surface  216 , and a contact surface  152 . The hook  148  is the portion of the pivot member  136  that surrounds the shaft  140  to secure the shaft  140  to bracket  116 , thereby securing the tabletop  112  in the horizontal position. Each hook  148  defines a gap as represented by length  156  of  FIG. 8 . Length  156  is greater than a width of the portion of the shaft  140  surrounded by the hook  148  to permit the shaft  140  to become fully seated in the hook  148 . The shaft  140  contacts the upper surface  216  of the pivot members  136  as the tabletop  112  enters the horizontal position. In particular, when the shaft  140  contacts the upper surfaces  216 , the pivot members  136  are pivoted toward the disengaged position against the biasing force of the biasing springs  144 , until the shaft  140  contacts the bracket  116 , at which point the biasing springs  144  snap the pivot members  136  back to the engaged position to secure the shaft  140  to the bracket  116 . The contact surface  152  of the pivot members  136  refers to a region of the pivot member  136  opposite the hook  148 . The contact surface  152  disengages the second lock element as explained below. 
         [0025]    The second lock element, referred to as the loop lock  160 , is shown in the engaged position in  FIG. 1  and in the disengaged position in  FIG. 2 . As illustrated, the loop lock  160  secures the tabletop  112  in the vertical position; however, in other embodiments the loop lock  160  may secure the tabletop  112  in the horizontal position. The loop lock  160  includes a pair of notches  164 , a second member referred to as a loop  168 , and a biasing spring  172 . The notches  164  are formed in the flanges  124  at the end of an inclined surface  176 . The loop  168  is pivotally coupled to the support frame  108 . Although referred to as a “loop”, the loop  168  need not be a closed element; instead, the loop  168  may be a pair of elements pivotally connected to the support frame  108  and capable of engaging the notches  164 . The notches  164  have a width represented by length  180  in  FIG. 6 , which is greater than a width of the portion of the loop  168  configured to be engaged by the notch  164 . Additionally, the notches  164  may have a curved bottom region  184  that approximately matches the curvature of the portion of the loop  168  configured to be engaged by the notch  164 . The loop lock  160  maintains the tabletop  112  in a vertical position by securing a portion of the loop  168  within the notches  164 . Specifically, in the vertical position the notches  164  partially surround the loop  168 ; thereby coupling the loop  168  to the bracket  116  and also preventing the loop  168  from exiting the notches  164  until the actuator  188  disengages the loop lock  160 . 
         [0026]    The tabletop mechanism  104  includes an actuator  188  to disengage the currently engaged lock element  132 ,  160 , thereby enabling the tabletop  112  to be transitioned between the horizontal and vertical positions. The actuator  188  is movable between an engaged and a disengaged position. The actuator  188  includes a handle  192 , a coupling plate  196 , and a coupling rod  200 . The handle  192  is connected to the coupling plate  196  and the coupling plate  196  is connected to the coupling rod  200 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the handle  192  and the coupling plate  196  are connected to the bottom surface of the tabletop  112 . In other embodiments the handle  192  and coupling plate  196  may be connected to the support frame  108 . As explained below, motion of the actuator  188  pivots the pivot members  136 , causing one of the lock elements  132 ,  160  to become disengaged. 
         [0027]    The handle  192  is slidingly connected to the bottom surface of the tabletop  112 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , fastening members  208  connect the handle  192  to the tabletop  112  through numerous elongated slots  204 . The handle  192  may be slid between an engaged and a disengaged position by moving handle  192  axially a distance equal to the length of the slots  204 . 
         [0028]    The coupling plate  196  is illustrated in a pre-formed stage in  FIG. 9 . Once formed, fastening members  208  connect the coupling plate  196  to the tabletop  112  through numerous elongated slots  204 . As the handle  192  is slid along the tabletop  112 , the coupling plate  196  slides an equal axial distance. 
         [0029]    The coupling rod  200  transfers the axial motion of the handle  192  and coupling plate  196  to the pivot members  136 . The coupling rod  200  is pivotally coupled to the coupling plate  196  and opening  214  of the pivot members  136 . A force may be exerted upon the handle  192  that causes the coupling rod  200  to pivot the pivot members  136  to the disengaged position. When the force upon the handle  192  is removed, the biasing members  144  pivot the pivot members  136  and the handle  192  back to the engaged position. 
         [0030]    In operation, the tabletop mechanism  104  secures a tabletop  112  in either a horizontal or a vertical position. To secure the tabletop  112  in the vertical position of  FIG. 1  from the horizontal position of  FIG. 2 , a user may slide the actuator  188  to the disengaged position to pivot the pivot members  136  to the disengaged position. When the pivot members  136  enter the disengaged position the hooks  148  no longer couple the shaft  140  to the bracket  116 , permitting the tabletop  112  to be pivoted about pivot point  120  to the vertical position. During the transition of the tabletop  112  between the vertical and horizontal positions neither the hook lock  132  nor the loop lock  160  are engaged. 
         [0031]    Once the tabletop  112  is pivoted to the vertical position the loop lock  160  becomes engaged to secure the tabletop  112  in the vertical position. Specifically, as the tabletop  112  is pivoted toward the vertical position the loop  168  slides along the inclined surfaces  176  toward the notches  164 . When the tabletop  112  reaches the vertical position, biasing spring  172  pulls the loop  168  into the notches  164  to secure the tabletop  112  in the vertical position. In the vertical position, the tiltable table  100  may be moved and stored without the tabletop  112  pivoting relative to the support frame  108 . 
         [0032]    To secure the tabletop  112  in the horizontal position of  FIG. 2  from the vertical position of  FIG. 1  the handle  192  of the actuator  188  should be moved to the disengaged position, which pivots the pivot members  136  to the disengaged position. The pivotal motion of the pivot members  136  forces the contact surfaces  152  into contact with the loop  168 , thereby lifting the loop  168  from the notches  164 . In particular, the contact surfaces  152  gradually fill the notches  164  until the contact surfaces  152  reach a maximum height as shown by line  220  of  FIG. 6 . Once the loop  168  has been lifted from the notches  164 , the tabletop  112  may be pivoted to the horizontal position. When the actuator  188  is released the biasing members  144  pivot the pivot members  136  back to the engaged position. As the tabletop  112  approaches the horizontal position the shaft  140  abuts the upper surface  216  of the pivot members  136  causing the pivot members  136  to pivot slightly in the direction of the disengaged position. Further tilting of the tabletop  112  toward the horizontal position causes the shaft  140  to contact the bracket  116  and become seated in the hooks  148 , thereby enabling the biasing springs  144  to pivot the pivot members  136  back to the engaged position and secure the tabletop  112  in the horizontal position.