Patent Publication Number: US-9414670-B2

Title: Collapsible table having interlocking assembly

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to collapsible tables and, more particularly, to wall-mounted tables having interlocking assembly. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Space is often a constraint when it comes to setting up a work area. It is beneficial to have a work table that can be stowed when not in use. Various collapsible work tables are known in the art; however, there remains a need for an improved collapsible work table that is easier to operate, is more compact when stowed, and has improved safety features to prevent inadvertent collapsing of the work surface when deploying or stowing the work table. 
     Many of the collapsible work tables require the user to get down under the table and manually lock, or unlock, the support arms in order to deploy or collapse the work table. The main safety issues with other collapsible work tables come into play when the user is collapsing the work table to the stowed position. If the user has to reach down and unlock the support arms, there is a risk of the user getting his hand or finger pinched in the support arm. Other risks are associated with the weight of the work table causing the arms to collapse as soon as the user unlocks the support arms. Even if the collapsible work table was arranged to collapse the table when the user manipulated the table in a certain way (i.e., lift the table), there would be substantial risk of inadvertent releasing of the support arms. This could lead to user injury or damage to equipment resting on the work table. 
     Other variations of collapsible work tables are attached to a wall support, which prevents the table from being stowed parallel to the wall, or requires the user to manually detach the table from the wall when collapsing the table into the stowed position. The nature of the support arms in these scenarios prevent the table from being stowed completely parallel with the wall. Problems arise when the table is angled downward, yet not parallel with the wall. Items can be snagged on the side of the table, or users could easily hit the edge of the table with their foot or shin and hurt themselves. 
     Therefore, there remains a considerable need for a collapsible work table that can easily, and safely, be stowed away or deployed by a user in such a way as to minimize its profile when in storage and prevent inadvertent release of the support arms when deployed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly, and in general terms, the present invention is directed towards a collapsible table having a hinged interlocking assembly comprising support arms coupled to a table platform. The support arms are capable of guiding the platform from a stowed position, to a deployed position, and vice versa, in such a way as to minimize its profile when in storage and prevent inadvertent release of the support arms when deployed. 
     More specifically, in an exemplary embodiment, the collapsible table has a platform having a proximal end and a distal end, mounted to a wall support structure for rotation between a deployed position and a stowed position. The table further has a hinged support arm comprised of a first segment, having a top end and a bottom end, and a second segment having a top end and a bottom end. The first and second segments are pivotally coupled via a hinge assembly disposed in an intermediate region of the hinged support arm. The top end of the first segment is attached to the underside of the platform at a distance spaced from the proximal end of the platform. The bottom end of the second segment is coupled to the wall structure below the platform, and the top end of the second segment is coupled to the bottom end of the first segment. 
     In a detailed aspect of an exemplary embodiment, the hinge assembly pivotably couples the first segment and the second segment together via a hinge axis pin. The hinge axis pin is integrated with the second segment at the top end of the second segment, and retains the first segment to the second segment via a guide groove disposed at the bottom end of the first segment. The guide groove confines the hinge axis pin within a prescribed path using a guide member and a stopper groove. 
     In another detailed aspect of an exemplary embodiment, a first pliant member and a second pliant member are disposed within the guide groove and act to restrict certain directional movement of the hinge axis pin as it travels through the guide groove, as the platform is moved between the stowed and deployed positions. 
     In another detailed aspect of an exemplary embodiment, the first pliant member is anchored within the guide groove wall, and it extends across the guide groove to the opposite wall, with the intermediary portion of the first pliant member abutting the head of the guide member. The second pliant member is anchored within the guide groove wall and positioned to prevent the hinge axis pin from retracing its path if the hinge axis pin is inadvertently dislodged from the stopper groove after the platform has been deployed. The second pliant member is disposed proximate to the stopper groove and extends, at an angle, towards the base of the head of the guide member. 
     For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages achieved over the prior art, certain advantages of the invention have been described herein. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. 
     All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the invention herein disclosed. These and other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular preferred embodiment disclosed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1A  is a rear perspective view of a wall mounted, collapsible table assembly in accordance with the present invention, depicting a table platform in a deployed position. 
         FIG. 1B  is a front perspective view of a wall mounted, collapsible table assembly in accordance with the present invention, depicting a table platform in a deployed position. 
         FIG. 1C  is a rear, underneath, perspective view of a wall mounted, collapsible table assembly in accordance with the present invention, depicting a table platform in a deployed position. 
         FIGS. 2A &amp; 2B  depict the position of the support arms when the collapsible table assembly is in the stowed position, and when it is in transition between stowed and deployed, respectively. 
         FIGS. 3A &amp; 3B  depict the guide groove and the hinge axis pin, respectively, in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a planar view of the guide groove and pliant members, in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIGS. 5A-B  are an illustration of the path taken by the hinge axis pin through the guide groove as the table is transitioned between stowed and deployed, in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIGS. 6A-B  depict the collapsible table assembly in the stowed position, in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings, and particularly  FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C , there is shown a wall-mounted table assembly  10  in the deployed position. The table assembly  10  includes a table platform  12  having a proximal end  14  and a distal end  16 . The table platform  12  is supported by a wall support  18  at the proximal end  14  and by hinged support arms  20 ,  22  at the distal end  16 . The hinged support arms  20 ,  22  are coupled to a platform support beam  36 , which is secured to the underside of the table platform  12 , and coupled to the wall support  18 . The proximal end  37  of the platform support beam  36  is attached to the top end  19  of the wall support  18  by a hinge  21 . The wall support  18  mounts the table platform  12  to the wall  11 . The bottom portion of the wall support  18  is coupled to the hinged support arms  20 ,  22  by a hinge  26 . A hinge assembly  24  is located at an intermediary position between the hinged support arms  20 ,  22 . The hinged support arms  20 ,  22  are capable of guiding the table platform  12  from a stowed position, to a deployed position, and vice versa, in such a way as to minimize its profile when in storage and prevent inadvertent release of the support arms  20 ,  22  when deployed. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 1A-C , the hinged support arms  20 ,  22  each have a first segment  30  and a second segment  32 . The top end  34  of the first segment  30  is hingedly coupled to the platform support beam  36 , spaced apart from the proximate end  14  of the table platform  12 . The bottom end  38  of the second segment  32  is hingedly coupled to the lower end  40  of the wall support  18 . The bottom end  42  of the first segment  30  and the top end  44  of the second segment  32  are pivotably coupled by the hinge assembly  24 , which is disposed at an intermediate location. 
     In the exemplary embodiment, when the table platform  12  is in the deployed position, the table platform  12  is perpendicular to the wall  11  and the hinged support arms  20 ,  22  extend from the wall support  18  to the platform support beam  36 , with the first segment  30  and the second segment  32  aligned. In other embodiments, the table platform  12  can be deployed at varying degrees relative to the wall  11 . In the exemplary embodiment, the first  30  and the second  32  segments are aligned parallel to each other with a reference angle of zero degrees. In other embodiments, the reference angle can vary without departing from the invention. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 2A-B , the first segment  30  and the second segment  32  are tubular, having U-shaped cross-sections. The second segment  32  is slightly smaller than the first segment  30 , such that the second segment  32  fits within the first segment  30 . This allows the support arms  20 ,  22  and the table platform  12  to be folded against the wall  11  when in the stowed position. 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 3A-B , the hinge assembly  24  pivotably couples the first and second segments  30 ,  32  via a hinge axis pin  50  that is interconnected with a guide groove  52 . The hinge axis pin  50  is integral with the top end  44  of the second segment  32 , and extends outwards on each side to engage with the guide groove  52  defined within the sides at the bottom end  42  of the first segment  30 . 
     With further reference to  FIGS. 3A-B , the first segment  30  has a snap member  80  disposed at the bottom end  42 . The snap member  80  is defined by a rectangular cutout from the bottom end wall  42 . The second segment  32  has a snap connector  82  disposed near its top end  44 . The snap connector  82  is defined by a rectangular cutout in the central portion of the top end  44 , with a flanged-lip  84  that extends from the second segment  32  at an angle. The snap member  80  engages with the snap connector  82  when the table platform  12  is in the deployed position, with the flanged lip  84  of the snap connector  82  engaged with the cutout of the snap member  80  of the first segment  30 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 4 , the guide groove  52  is generally oval in shape, except where the stopper groove  54  is located. The guide groove  52  is defined by a recessed portion on each side of the first segment&#39;s  30  opposite walls. The central area of the recession has a raised guide member  56 , which defines a path through which the hinge axis pin  50  may traverse. The raised guide member has a head portion  62  and a foot portion  64 . The path consists of an upper hallway  58  and a lower hallway  60 . The guide groove  52  is designed to receive the extended portion of the hinge axis pin  50 , and allow the hinge axis pin  50  to traverse through the path defined by the guide groove  52  and the guide member  56 . 
     Referring further to  FIG. 4 , two separate pliant members  70 ,  72  are shown disposed within the guide groove  52  to restrict certain directional travel by the hinge axis pin  50 . The first pliant member  70  is anchored within the guide groove wall  74 , extending across the guide groove  52  in a manner sufficient to allow the hinge axis pin  50  to travel in only one direction through the guide groove  52 . The intermediate portion  71  of the first pliant member  70  abuts the head portion  62  of the guide member  56  within the guide groove  52 . The second pliant member  72  is anchored within the guide groove wall  76 , proximate to the stopper groove  54 . The second pliant member  72  extends toward the guide member  56  at an angle and length sufficient to allow access when the hinge axis pin  50  is traveling one direction past the second pliant member  72 , but prevent access when traveling the other direction. The second pliant member  72  is positioned to prevent inadvertent disengagement of the hinged support arm  20  or  22  when the table platform  12  is in the deployed position. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5A-B , but with continued reference to  FIG. 4, 5A  shows the table platform  12  in a semi-collapsed state, and  5 B depicts the location of the hinge axis pin  50  within the guide groove  52  as the table platform  12  is moved between its deployed and stowed position. In the deployed position, the first segment  30  is supported by the stopper groove  54  resting on the hinge axis pin  50 . Additionally, the snap connector  82  and the snap member  80  are engaged to prevent the inadvertent buckling of the hinged support arm  20  or  22 . When the hinge axis pin  50  is at the stopper groove  54  position within the guide groove  52 , the second pliant member  72  and the head portion  62  of the guide member  56  prevent the hinge axis pin  50  from traversing to the bottom end  90  of the guide groove  54 . This prevents the table platform  12  from collapsing if the hinge axis pin  50  is inadvertently dislodged from the stopper groove  54 . The second pliant member  72  is important because if the hinge axis pin  50  is inadvertently dislodged, gravity will cause the hinge axis pin  50  to travel toward the bottom end  90  of the guide groove  54 , which would essentially release the hinged support arms  20 ,  22 , causing the table platform to collapse. While the second pliant member  72  prevents the hinge axis pin  50  from traveling this particular direction, the second pliant member  72  allows the hinge axis pin  50  to pass through when its direction of movement is towards the head portion  62  of the guide member  56  and the stopper groove  54 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 4 , but particular reference to  FIGS. 5A-B , the path of the hinge axis pin  50  is depicted with reference to its position when the wall mounted table assembly  10  is transitioned between the deployed state and the stowed state. When converting the table platform  12  from its deployed position to the stowed position, the user lifts up on the distal end  16  of the table platform  12 . At position  110 , the hinge axis pin  50  travels from the stopper groove  54  toward the first pliant member  70 , around the outside of the head portion  62  of the guide member  56  at position  112 . The first pliant member  70  will bend once a certain force threshold is met in order to allow the hinge axis pin  50  to traverse around the head portion  62  of the guide member  56  and into the upper hallway  58  the guide groove  52  at position  114 . The first pliant member  70  prevents inadvertent release of the platform from the deployed position by requiring a certain amount of force to be applied when the user lifts up on the platform. This threshold is met when the first  30  and second  32  segments have substantially folded upon each other, and the table platform  12  is nearly parallel to the wall. When this occurs, the first pliant member  70  bends to allow the hinge axis pin  50  to traverse around the head portion  62  of the guide member  56  and through the upper hallway  58  of the guide groove  52 . By allowing the hinge axis pin  50  to change locations, the second segment  32  becomes completely flush within the first segment  11 . 
     Upon reaching the first pliant member  70 , the first segment  30  and the second segment  32  pivot from their parallel support position, disengaging the snap connector  82  and snap member  80 , and bending at the hinge axis pin  50  inward towards the proximate end  14  of the table platform  12 . As the table platform  12  is lowered from being perpendicular to the wall  11 , to being parallel with the wall  11 , the hollow portion of the first segment  30  receives the second segment  32  as both segments  30 ,  32  pivot about the hinge axis pin  50 , at position  114  and come to rest at roughly one-hundred and eighty degrees relative to the original zero degree relationship, at position  116 . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 5A-B , when moving the platform from the stowed position to the deployed position, the user just lifts the table platform  12  from the distal end  16 . While the user is lifting the table platform  12 , the first segment  30  and the second segment  32  pivot about the hinge axis pin  50 . The hinge axis pin  50  travels from the bottom end  90  of the guide groove  52 , at position  116 , along the lower hallway  60  until it reaches the second pliant member  72 , at position  118 . Upon reaching the second pliant member  72 , when sufficient force is applied, the second pliant member  72  will bend to allow the hinge axis pin  50  to pass through into the stopper groove  54  area, at position  120 . The head portion  62  of the guide member  56  ensures that the hinge axis pin  50  returns to the stopper groove  54  after traversing through the second pliant member  72 . Once the first segment  30  and the second segment  32  are parallel to each other, the hinge axis pin  50  is guided to the stopper groove  54 , at position  110 , and the snap member  80  and snap connector  82  engage. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , and continued reference to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , when the table platform  12  is in the stowed position (parallel to the wall), the second segment  32  is fully encased within the first segment  30 . The bottom end  42  of the first segment  30 , the top end  44  of the second segment  32 , and the hinge axis pin  50  come to rest proximate to the proximal end  14  of the table platform  12 . The hinge axis pin  50  is engaged at the bottom end  90  of the guide groove  52 , at position  116  and supports the weight of the table platform  12  that is transferred through the hinged support arm  50  in the stowed position. The wall support  18  absorbs this force at its lower end  40  via the hinge connector  21 , and the platform support beam  36  holds the weight of the table platform  12  and transfers it to the wall  11  through the hinge connector  17  at the top end  34  of the first segment  30 , through the hinge axis pin  50  engaged with the top end  92  of the guide groove  52 , through the bottom end  38  of the second segment  32  which transfers the force to the wall support  18 . 
     It should be appreciated from the foregoing that the present invention provides a collapsible table having a hinged interlocking assembly comprising support arms coupled to a table platform. The support arms are capable of guiding the platform from a stowed position, to a deployed position, and vice versa, in such a way as to minimize its profile when in storage and prevent inadvertent release of the support arms when deployed. 
     The present invention has been described above in terms of presently preferred embodiments so that an understanding of the present invention can be conveyed. However, there are other embodiments not specifically described herein for which the present invention is applicable. Therefore, the present invention should not to be seen as limited to the forms shown, which is to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.