Abstract:
A multi-use table has a central table flanked by extension wings which are independently positionable in vertical upward, horizontal and vertical downward orientations. A locking device is provided in association with each wing, and may consist of a right-angle arm mounted to a lower surface of the central table for sliding and rotational motion. A distal end of the arm engages the wing for locking purposes. In a preferred embodiment the distal end of the arm is retained in a pocket in the wing between upper and lower wing surfaces.

Description:
The present invention relates to a new and improved table device and particularly to a table which is convertible between a plurality of configurations. The table may be of particular value as a display apparatus for retail sales establishments. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Both retailers, distributors and manufacturers have numerous and variable needs for work tables, storage bins, display devices and the like. A retailer, for example, may wish to display product in a stacked arrangement on a flat, tabletop surface, or to have a work surface upon which labeling, wrapping or other procedures can be performed. A retailer may also require bins for sorting and displaying goods. Alternatively, there may also be a need for a display surface or shelf with depending side walls to allow promotional material to be affixed thereto. 
     In a similar manner, a distributor or manufacturer may require flat work areas for unit product assembly, packaging or the like, as well as bins for the storage of components or products. Further, such work surface, bin units can be more effectively utilized when the unit is movable. Further, efficiency of utilization of such bin, display and work surface can be enhanced when a given unit can be converted from one use to another. 
     Accordingly, it is a purpose of the present invention to provide a table which may be converted from a flat working surface to a bin with one or more upstanding sides or to a table with depending mounting walls. 
     A further purpose of the present invention is to provide a table of the aforementioned character which may be easily and efficiently converted from one configuration to another. 
     Yet a further purpose of the present invention is to provide such a table and structure which may be moved and repositioned as required, and which can interfit and align with other units to provide an increased size work table or structure. 
     Still another purpose of the present invention is to provide a table having multiple extension wings which can be individually oriented and maintained in a chosen position. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the foregoing and other objects and purposes, a table in accordance with the present invention comprises a main planar, horizontal work surface mounted to a pedestal-like base. The base may include a lower wheel assembly to allow the table to be moved and repositioned as desired. The main table work surface is bounded by a plurality of edges, along each of which is mounted a pivotable extension wing. Each extension wing is pivotable between raised and lowered vertical positions and a horizontal position. Locking means are associated with the extension wings and allow each of the extension wings to be individually selectively maintained in a chosen orientation. In a preferred embodiment, the locking means are internal to the extension wing, whereby a pair of flat planar opposed surfaces are provided on the faces of the extension wings. Because each of the extension wings is individually adjustable between a plurality of positions, the table is capable of assuming a variety of configurations, providing substantial flexibility in use. In a flat orientation, each of the extension wings may be maintained in the upwardly vertical orientation, forming a bin-like construction. In a second orientation, one or more of the extension wings are horizontal, increasing the flat surface area of the main work surface, with the remaining extension wings positioned either upwardly or downwardly vertical. In a third orientation, all of the extension wings may be in a downwardly vertical position, providing depending faces upon which rocks may be mounted and displayed or other material mounted. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A fuller understanding of the present invention and the features and benefits thereof will be achieved upon review of the following detailed, but nonetheless illustrative embodiment thereof, when reviewed in association with the annexed drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a table of the invention, depicting the extension wings in the upwardly-vertical orientation in solid view and in the horizontal orientation in phantom; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevation view thereof; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the main horizontal work surface and an extension wing pivotally mounted thereto in the upwards vertical position; 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a portion of the main horizontal work surface and extension wing in the upwards vertical position; 
     FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the position of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is another sectional view of the portion of FIG. 4 further depicting the locking mechanism rotated to free the extension wing; 
     FIG. 7 is a view taken along line  7 — 7  of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 is yet another sectional view of the portion of FIG. 4 depicting the extension wing reoriented and locked in a horizontal position; 
     FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line  9 — 9  of FIG. 8; and 
     FIG. 10 is yet another sectional view of the portion of FIG. 4 depicting the extension wing locked in the depending vertical position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With initial reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the multiple-use table  10  of the present invention comprises a tabletop assembly  12  supported by a pedestal  14  upon a base  16 . Base  16  may be of conventional construction, including a plurality of casters or wheels  18  to provide mobility for the table. Pedestal  14  may be also of conventional construction, with a pair of opposed side panels  20  joined by reinforcement rods  22 . Diagonally-extending wires or rods  24  further brace and support the table top on the pedestal. 
     The table top assembly  12  may comprise a main, preferably rectangular or square central table portion  26  and four rectangular extension wings  28  pivotably joined to the edges of the main table portion. As seen in FIG. 3, the main table portion may be formed from sheet steel or aluminum, with a main table surface-forming portion  30 , with depending side wall  32  having inwardly-directed lower lip  34 . The main table surface portion may be perforated to allow mounting of fixtures, jigs and the like thereon. In FIG. 1 the extension wings are shown extending downward from the main table portion in solid view and extending horizontally outwardly therefrom in phantom. As shown in FIG. 2, each of the extension wings  28  is individually pivotable between upward vertical, horizontal, and downward vertical positions, and is individually maintainable in a chosen one of such positions. 
     Each of the extension wings  28  is maintained in position by a manually-operable sliding locking mechanism  36  which can engage the extension wing and allows the extension wing to be positioned and maintained as desired. As may be seen in FIG. 3, each locking mechanism  36  is in the form of an angled shaft  38 , the distal portion  40  of which being at a right angle to the main portion  42 . The main shaft portion is supported by a pair of journal blocks  44  mounted to the bottom of main table surface forming portion  30 . The journal blocks permit the locking mechanism to both rotate about the main axis of the main portion  42  and slide parallel to its axis. An operating handle  50  extends from the main shaft portion. 
     Each of the extension wings  28  is preferably of a layered construction, whereby the top and bottom surfaces forming sections  46 ,  48  of the extension wing are spaced by spacer blocks  52 . In particularly preferred embodiments, the two surface-forming sections are formed from a single U-shaped sheet of material, such as perforated steel or aluminum. The internal edge of the extension wing, abutting the central table portion  26 , is formed by the ends of the bent sheet, and may be partially open in the region between a pair of spacer blocks. The open portion provides an access opening for the distal portion  40  of the locking mechanism  36  and the adjacent portion of the main shaft  42 , which extend within and between the spaced extension wing surfaces. The distal portion  40  of the locking mechanism may be provided with an increased diameter sleeve or collar, such as of rubber or plastic, to provide a closer tolerance fit between the opposed extension wing surfaces to minimize rattle or shake and to minimize friction as the locking mechanism, is operated. 
     Each of the extension wings  28  is pivotally mounted to an edge of the main table by a pair of hinge assemblies. Each hinge assembly comprises a pair of hinge brackets  54  which may be mounted to the spacer blocks  52  at the internal edge of the extension wing and extend outwardly therefrom. The main table portion  26  is provided with two pairs of corresponding hinge brackets  56 , mounted to the side walls  32  and located to be adjacent the brackets  54  on the extension wing. Hinge rods  58  are mounted in aligned bores in the hinge brackets and complete the hinge assemblies. 
     FIGS. 4-10 illustrate in sequence the repositioning of one of the extension wings  28  from an upward vertical position to a horizontal position and subsequently to a downward vertical position. The movement and positioning of locking mechanism  36  allows the wing to be released from a chosen position, pivoted to an alternative position, and then retained in the new alternative position. 
     Referring first to FIGS. 4 and 5, extension wing  28  is shown in the upward vertical position extending above the main table portion  26 . Locking mechanism  36  is in a first, retracted position, its distal end portion  40  extending upwardly vertical between the spaced top and bottom surface-forming portions  46 ,  48  of the extension wing, whereby the wing is retained in a vertical position. The distal end, captured between the spaced portions  46 ,  48 , prevents the wing from pivoting counter-clockwise in the Figure from the vertical position. To insure that the locking mechanism, and particularly the distal end thereof, does not inadvertently rotate into a horizontal orientation, thus freeing the extension wing, the locking mechanism is positioned such that its distal portion  40  assumes an angle of slightly beyond the vertical, as shown in FIG.  3 . In such a position the force of gravity tends to rotate the distal portion clockwise in the Figure, while the ball head  60  of operating handle  50  is in contact with the lower surface of the table top, preventing such further rotation and maintaining the locking mechanism, and thus the extension wing, in the vertical position. 
     As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when it is desired to lower the extension wing, the locking mechanism  36  is rotated about its main axis in the journal blocks  44  by a counter-clockwise pivoting motion in FIG. 3, such that the distal portion  40  is in a horizontal position as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. In such a position, the distal portion is clear of the extension wing  28 , and is aligned with the axis of the huge rods  46 . The extension wing is now free to pivot downwardly about the hinge axis. As seen in FIG. 6, handle  50  is rotated downwardly, away from the lower surface of the main table, and the extension wing is then rotated counterclockwise. 
     FIGS. 8 and 9 depict the extension wing rotated into the horizontal position, serving as a flat extension to the main table surface  30 . The extension wing is pivoted to the horizontal, and manually held in that position while the locking mechanism  36  is slid longitudinally outwardly along its main axis on the journal blocks  48  as shown by the arrow in FIG.  8 . The distal portion  40  of the locking mechanism is horizontal such that it can slide deeply into the space or pocket between the top and bottom surface-forming portions  46 ,  48  of the extension wing. With the locking mechanism in such a second, extended position, the wing is supported and maintained in the horizontal position by the right angle structure of the locking mechanism. 
     When positioning of a wing into a depending vertical orientation, as depicted in FIG. 10, the locking mechanism  36  is retracted from the second, extended position (if the wing is in the horizontal orientation) or rotated (if the wing is in the upward vertical orientation) to the retracted position in which the distal portion  40  is free of the extension wing and aligned with the hinge axis, as seen in FIGS. 6 or  7 . The extension wing is then again free to pivot about its hinges to the downward, vertical position. Once in that orientation, the locking mechanism is again rotated such that the distal end  40  thereof pivots downwardly into the extension wing pocket, as seen in FIG. 10, retaining the extension wing in position. When it is desired to unlock the wing for subsequent repositioning, the locking mechanism is again operated to pivot the distal end upward and free of the pocket, aligned with the hinge axis allowing the extension wing to be pivoted as required to an alternative position. The locking mechanism once again is repositioned for engagement with the wing.