Abstract:
The sliding table system, apparatus and methods relate to a sliding table assembly for a recreational vehicle. In certain implementations, the table assembly has a supporting cabinet and a table frame which is capable of horizontally sliding relative to the cabinet by way of one or more slots. In certain implementations, the table assembly is equipped with a lock mechanism such that when the lock mechanism is engaged the table is fixed in place, and when the lock mechanism is released, the table can be moved in a direction toward the front or rear of the vehicle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims priority from U.S. application Ser. No. 14/210,855, filed Mar. 14, 2014 and entitled “Slideable Table for a Vehicle,” which claimed priority to U.S. Provisional Application 61/789,416, filed Mar. 15, 2013, and entitled “Slideable Table for a Vehicle,” both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The sliding table assembly relates to devices, systems and methods which represent improvements in recreational vehicles and the like. More particularly, the invention relates to the interior fixtures of a recreational vehicle, notably a movable table. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Recreational vehicles, such as motor homes, travel trailers and the like have interior spacing and dimensional constraints due to the nature of the size of the highways they traverse and the corresponding transportation regulations. Therefore, there are significant restrictions on the interior space, particularly as to the width of the vehicles. However, the users of these vehicles desire the most comfortable and usable space within the limited dimensions. These constraints thus place a premium on the efficiency and design flexibility of the interior décor of such vehicles. Amongst other design imperatives, versatile and compact interior furniture is highly valuable to the users of such vehicles. In particular, tables are a key piece a furniture and the center of many activities such as enjoying meals, playing games and the like. However tables can take up a great deal of the limited interior space of a recreational vehicle, and certain positions of a table may be ideal for some activities but not for others. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for slidable tables that can be easily repositioned, but that once positioned, are fixed and secure. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     As discussed herein, the sliding table system relates to a sliding table assembly for a recreational vehicle with a lock mechanism such that when the lock mechanism is released, the table can be moved in a direction toward the front or rear of the vehicle and when the lock is engaged, the table is fixed in place. 
     While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the sliding table system will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the sliding table system. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective cutaway view of the inside of a recreational vehicle showing an exemplary embodiment of the sliding table assembly. 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective cutaway view of an embodiment of the cabinet showing the cabinet face and slots in the cabinet face. 
         FIG. 2B  is a side view of an embodiment of the cabinet showing the cabinet face and slots in the cabinet face. 
         FIG. 3A  is a rear view of an embodiment of the cabinet depicting an embodiment of a striker latch plate. 
         FIG. 3B  is a close up drawing of a notch on the striker latch plate of  FIG. 3A , as shown by the circle at B. 
         FIG. 3C  is a top view of an embodiment of the cabinet. 
         FIG. 4A  is a side cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the table support frame. 
         FIG. 4B  is a front view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 4C  is a bottom view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 5A  is a side view of the table assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 5B  is a top view of the table according to the embodiment of  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 5C  is a close up view depicting the spring tensioned release catch of the embodiment of  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 6A  is an embodiment of the assembly showing the table. 
         FIG. 6B  is a bottom view of the table of the embodiment of  FIG. 5A   
         FIG. 6C  is cross sectional view of the table, support frame, and the table support frame brace of the embodiment of  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 6D  is a section view of the embodiment of  FIG. 6B . 
         FIG. 7A  shows a side view of one embodiment of the device showing the interface between the table support brace, the roller bearing tracks, and the slide frame. 
         FIG. 7B  shows a close up view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7A . 
         FIG. 8A  depicts a top-down view of one embodiment of the roller bearings and angle assemblies used at the top of the table support frame. 
         FIG. 8B  depicts a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 8A . 
         FIG. 9A  depicts a vertical view of one embodiment of the roller bearings and angle assemblies used at the bottom of the table support frame. 
         FIG. 9B  depicts a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 9A . 
         FIG. 9C  depicts an end view of the embodiment of  FIG. 9A . 
         FIG. 10A  depicts a top-down view of the striker latch plate, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 10B  shows a close up view of one end of the striker latch plate of the embodiment of  FIG. 10A . 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an exemplary implementation of the sliding table assembly showing the table, table support frame, brace, table slide frame and upper and lower roller bearing tracks. 
         FIG. 12  is a front view of a further embodiment of the sliding table assembly showing the table support frame, table, brace, and upper and lower roller bearing tracks, from the point of view of the cabinet face, looking toward the cabinet face. 
         FIG. 13  depicts a side view of a further embodiment of the sliding table assembly showing the table, table support, and the brace. 
         FIG. 14  is a top-down view of an exemplary embodiment of the table, table support frame, table support brace, upper roller bearing track and the table slide frame. 
         FIG. 15  is a cutaway perspective view of a further embodiment of the sliding table assembly showing the table support frame and the upper roller bearing assembly and its engagement with upper track of the table slide frame. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the sliding table assembly showing the table, table support frame, table slide frame, top track and bottom track, upper roller bearing assembly and lower roller bearing assembly and table support brace. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The various systems and devices disclosed herein relate to apparatus, systems and methods for use in recreational vehicles. More specifically, various embodiments relate to various apparatus, systems and methods for adjusting the position of certain components, namely a tabletop. 
     Exemplary embodiments of the apparatus, systems and methods comprise a sliding table system and slideable mounting apparatus for a recreational vehicle, which for brevity will be referred to as the “table system” or “table assembly.” Although the sliding table assembly or system has been described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the apparatus, systems and methods. 
     Referring now to the Figures with particularity,  FIG. 1  shows three-quarters perspective view of the interior of a recreational vehicle  12  featuring an exemplary embodiment of the sliding table system, shown generally at  10 . In this embodiment, the sliding table system  10  is mounted generally to an interior wall  14  of the recreational vehicle. Various exemplary embodiments comprise a cabinet housing  16  and adjustable table assembly  18 . As is shown in  FIG. 1 , the cabinet housing  16  comprises first  16 A and second  16 B ends, a front side  16 C and a back side  16 D, which is fixedly attached to the recreational vehicle  12 . As discussed elsewhere herein, in certain exemplary embodiments of the sliding table system, the cabinet housing  16  is operationally integrated with the adjustable table assembly  18 . In further embodiments, the cabinet housing further comprises cabinetry. In certain exemplary embodiments of the sliding table system, the adjustable table  18  is movable relative to the cabinet housing  16 , shown herein by the reference arrows A and B. In this embodiment, the movement of the adjustable table assembly  18  is substantially parallel to the floor  20  of the recreational vehicle  12 , though other embodiments are within the scope of the sliding table system. 
       FIGS. 2A-2B  depict an exemplary embodiment of a cabinet housing  16  used in various embodiments of the sliding table system  10 . The cabinet housing having first  16 A and second  16 B ends, a front side  16 C and a back side  16 D. In the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 2A-2B , the cabinet housing  16  further comprises a cabinet frame  17 , which generally comprises a frame face  17 A, a generally rectangular table slide frame  22 , mountings  24  for slide drawers (not shown), shelving  26 , and cabinet space  28 . Many other configurations of basic cabinet assemblies can also be included. A principle aspect of the cabinet frame face  17 A in these exemplary embodiments is a first substantially slotted opening, or first slot  30 , which is operationally connected to a table support frame (shown in  FIGS. 6A-6C ). In certain embodiments, such as the one depicted in  FIGS. 2A-2B , a second substantially slotted opening, or second slot  32 , is operationally coupled to the table support frame. 
       FIGS. 3A-3C  depict an exemplary embodiment of a cabinet housing  16  used in certain embodiments of the sliding table system. In various embodiments, the frame face  17 A has been removed to reveal a striker latch plate  33  (shown in greater detail in reference to  FIG. 10 ). In these embodiments, the striker latch plate  33  is disposed within and extends substantially the length of the cabinet housing  16  so as to extend from substantially the first end  16 A to the second end  16 B on the front side  16 C of the cabinet housing  16 . Accordingly, it is positioned generally below the first slot  30  (shown in  FIGS. 2A-B ). In certain embodiments the striker latch plate  33  has a plurality of notches  35  at substantially equal spacing along its length. The notches  35  are positioned to receive the latch pin from a spring tensioned release catch  66  mounted on the underside of the table support frame (best shown in  FIG. 5C ).  FIG. 3C  is a top view of the cabinet housing  16  of the embodiment of  FIG. 2A . 
       FIGS. 4A-4C  depict an exemplary embodiment of a table slide frame  22  used in certain embodiments of the sliding table system  10 . In this embodiment, the generally rectangular table slide frame  22  comprises an upper track  42  and a lower track  44 . Each of said tracks  42 ,  44  is operationally coupled to the table support frame (shown in  FIG. 5A  at  50 ) via a roller bearing assembly (as shown in  FIGS. 8A-B  and  10 A-B at  112 ) to allow movement of the table  18  relative to the cabinet housing  16  and accordingly the generally rectangular table slide frame  22 . The generally rectangular table slide frame  22  is positioned on the inside of the cabinet housing  16  such that the upper track  42  and lower track  44  are substantially parallel with the first slot  30  and the second slot  32  in the cabinet frame face  17 A (as shown in  FIG. 2B ), but are not visible from the interior of the recreational vehicle  12 . In  FIGS. 4A-4C , the table slide frame  22  further comprises a cabinet attachment member  22 A, which is fixedly attached to the cabinet  16 . 
       FIG. 4A  shows a side view of the generally rectangular table slide frame  22 , and the upper track  42  and the lower track  44  from section A-A of  FIG. 4B .  FIG. 4B  shows a front view of the generally rectangular table slide frame  22  and the upper track  42  and the lower track  44  can be seen.  FIG. 4C  depicts the cabinet attachment member  22 A coupled to the generally rectangular table slide frame  22 . 
       FIG. 5A  shows a side view of another exemplary embodiment of a table support frame  50 . In these embodiments, the table support frame  50  comprises a table frame assembly  52  fixedly attached to a table  18 . Said table support frame  50  further comprises a first roller bearing assembly engagement member  56  and a second roller bearing assembly engagement member  58 . The first roller bearing assembly engagement member  56  is positioned to operationally connect to a roller bearing assembly  112  through the cabinet face first slot (shown as reference number  30  in  FIG. 2 ) and said second roller bearing assembly engagement member  58  is positioned to connect operationally to a roller bearing assembly  112  through the cabinet face second slot ( 32  in  FIG. 2 ) such that both roller bearing assemblies  112  are operationally coupled with the table slide frame by way of the upper track  42  and lower track  44 , respectively. The table support frame  50  further comprises a brace  60  having a first end  62  and a second end  64 . The first end  62  is fixedly attached to the table frame assembly  52  and the brace  60  extends in a generally downward direction terminating with said second end  64  which is substantially parallel with the side of the table support frame closest to the cabinet  16 . Said second brace end is operationally coupled to the second roller bearing assembly engagement member  58 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5A-5C , in certain embodiments, the table support frame  50  further comprises a spring tensioned release catch  66 .  FIG. 5B  depicts a top view of the assembly, and  FIG. 5C  depicts a close-up of the region marked A. Certain embodiments further comprise a spring tensioned release catch handle  68 , which is operationally coupled to the spring tensioned release catch  66  by way of a spring tensioned release catch comprises a cable  70  which extends the length of the table support frame  50 , from the side closest to the cabinet housing  16  to the side furthest from the cabinet, as would be apparent to one of skill in the art. In certain embodiments, the cable  70  comprises a first end  72  and a second end  74  wherein said first end  72  is fixedly attached to a pull handle  68  and wherein said second end  74  is fixedly attached to spring release catch mechanism  66 . 
     As is shown in  FIG. 5C , in certain embodiments the release catch  66  further comprises a spring member  76 , said spring member  76  housed within a bracket member  78  further comprising a bracket latch  78 A and a table latch pin  80 . In certain embodiments, the release catch  66  has two states: an unlocked state and a locked state. In the locked state, the spring  76  exerts pressure on the table latch member  80  pushing said latch pin  80  into the notch  35  of the striker latch plate  33  (as best shown in  FIG. 3B ) and preventing the movement of the table  18 . In the unlocked state, the handle  68  is pulled and the spring member is compressed and the latch pin  80  is withdrawn from the notch  35  of the striker latch plate  33  allowing for movement of the table. When the handle  68  is released, the spring  76  extends and the latch pin  80  is coupled to a notch on the striker latch plate  33  and the table is returned to the locked state. 
       FIGS. 6A-6D  show further embodiments of the table support frame  50 .  FIG. 6A  shows a perspective view of the table top  90  and the table support frame  50 .  FIG. 6B  shows an underside view of the embodiment of  FIG. 6A , showing the details of the table support frame  50 , which in certain embodiments further comprises at least one truss, or support brace  60 .  FIG. 6B  also depicts the table support assembly and spring tensioned release catch  66 .  FIG. 6C  depicts the view from segment A in  FIG. 6A , showing the table top  90  and the table support frame  50  prior to fastening.  FIG. 6D  depicts the section view from section C-C in  FIG. 6B . 
       FIG. 7A-7B  show the interface between the table support brace  60 , a roller bearing track  44 , and the roller bearing assembly engagement member  58 , as described in reference to  FIGS. 4A-6D . 
       FIGS. 8A-8B  show diagrams of exemplary embodiments an upper roller bearing assembly  112 A of the roller bearings  110 . The upper roller bearing assembly  112 A comprises a horizontal plane  111 A and a vertical plane  111 B, with the roller bearings being mounted to the vertical plane  111 B. The upper roller bearing assembly  112 A is fixedly attached to the table support frame  50  and functionally integrated into the table slide frame  22  (substantially parallel with the table  18 , as shown in relation to  FIG. 1-2 ). In these implementations, the roller bearings  110  have been specifically designed and engineered to support the weight of the tabletop  18  as well as allow it to move within the table slide frame  22  and upper track  42 . In certain implementations, a plurality of roller bearings  110  are affixed to a roller bearing plate  114 . In certain embodiments a spacer such as a washer  116  is between the roller bearings and the roller bearing plate. In these embodiments, the roller bearings  110  engage with the slider plate inside the cabinet (not shown) and allow for movement of the table in a substantially horizontal direction, toward either the front or rear of the vehicle, as described elsewhere herein. 
       FIGS. 9A-9C  show various views of the roller bearings  110  and a lower roller bearing assembly  112 B. The lower roller bearing assembly  112 B comprises a horizontal plane  113 A and a vertical plane  113 B, with the roller bearings being mounted to the vertical plane  113 B used on the lower part of the table support frame (engaged by the bottom leg of the support brace  60 ), and operationally coupled with the table slide frame  22  and lower track  44  through the second slot  32  of the cabinet face frame  17  ( FIG. 2 ). In certain of these embodiments, a plurality of fasteners  118 A,  118 B, such as screws and nuts, are used in combination with optional washers  116  to affix the roller bearings  110  to the angle assembly  112 . 
       FIGS. 10A-10B  depict various embodiments of the striker latch plate  33 .  FIG. 10B  is a zoomed view of the detail in circle A of  FIG. 10A , showing one embodiment of the notch. 
       FIGS. 11-16  depict various exemplary implementations of the sliding table system  10  showing the table  18 , table support frame  50 , brace  60 , table slide frame  22  and upper roller bearing track  42  and lower roller bearing track  44  roller bearing tracks, and the operational integration of the table support frame  50  by way of the roller bearing assemblies  112 A,  11 . Various other configurations are possible. 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an exemplary implementation of the sliding table assembly showing the table  18 , table support frame  50 , table slide frame  22 , brace  60 , upper track  42  and lower track  44 . 
       FIG. 12  is a front view of a further embodiment of the sliding table assembly showing the table support frame  50 , table  18 , brace  60 , and upper track  42  and lower track  44 , from the point of view of the cabinet face, looking toward the cabinet face. 
       FIG. 13  depicts a side view of a further embodiment of the sliding table assembly showing the table  18 , table support frame  50 , and the brace  60 . 
       FIG. 14  is a top-down view of an exemplary embodiment of the table  18 , table support frame  50 , table support brace  60 , upper track  42 , cabinet attachment member  22 A and the table slide frame  22 . 
       FIG. 15  is a cutaway perspective view of a further embodiment of the sliding table assembly  10  showing the table support frame  50  and the upper roller bearing assembly  112 A and its engagement with upper track  42  of the table slide frame  22 . 
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the sliding table assembly  10  showing the table  18 , table support frame  50 , table slide frame  22 , top track  42  and bottom track  44 , upper roller bearing assembly  112 A and lower roller bearing assembly  112 B and cabinet attachment member  22 A. 
     Although the sliding table system has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.