Patent Publication Number: US-7707948-B2

Title: Foldable table

Description:
This application claims priority as a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/383,776 filed on May 17, 2006, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/763,155 filed Jan. 21, 2004, now abandoned. 

   FIELD 
   The present invention relates to a foldable table, and more particularly to a foldable table that is folded when not in use, thereby saving space of storage, package and transportation. 
   BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 
   A conventional table is available for providing a support effect, thereby facilitating the user using the table. However, the conventional table has a fixed structure and cannot be folded when not in use, thereby increasing space of storage, and thereby causing inconvenience in storage, package and transportation. 
   The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a foldable table that is supported rigidly and stably when being expanded and is folded when not in use, thereby enhancing the versatility of foldable table. 
   Another objective of the present invention is to provide a foldable table, wherein the handle is pivoted outward to protrude from the two table boards, thereby facilitating the user carrying the foldable table. 
   A further objective of the present invention is to provide a foldable table that is folded when not in use, thereby saving space of storage, package and transportation. 
   In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a foldable table, comprising two table boards pivotally connected with each other, and two support units each foldably mounted on a respective one of the two table boards, wherein: 
   each of the two table boards has a bottom formed with a receiving space; and 
   each of the support units is mounted in the receiving space of a respective one of the two table boards and includes a support stand having an end pivotally mounted on a first end of the respective table board, and a support member pivotally mounted on a second end of the respective table board and pivotally connected with the support stand. 
   A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a collapsible table having a substantially square tabletop. The tabletop includes two tabletop halves. Each tabletop half has a substantially planar top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, an inner edge, and an opposing outer edge which is substantially parallel to the inner edge. A hinge assembly pivotally connects the two tabletop halves along their inner edges to enable the two tabletop halves to be folded together into a storage position. Attached to the bottom surface of the tabletop are legs that are collapsible to a position adjacent to the bottom surface of the tabletop. 
   In another embodiment, the invention provides a collapsible table having two tabletop halves, each half having a substantially planar top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, an inner edge, and an opposing outer edge which is substantially parallel to the inner edge. A hinge assembly pivotally connects the two tabletop halves along their inner edges so that the two tabletop halves can be folded together into a storage position. Attached to the bottom surface of the tabletop are four collapsible legs that are each operable to collapse independently of any of the other legs. 
   In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a collapsible table having two tabletop halves, each half having a substantially planar top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, an inner edge, and an opposing outer edge which is substantially parallel to the inner edge. A hinge assembly pivotally connects the two tabletop halves along their inner edges so that the two tabletop halves can be folded together into a storage position. Attached to the bottom surface of the tabletop are four collapsible legs. A first pair of the legs are operable to collapse to positions which are substantially parallel to the outer edges of the tabletop halves. A second pair of the legs are operable to collapse to positions which are substantially diagonal to the outer edges of the tabletop halves. 
   Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further advantages of the invention are apparent by reference to the detailed description in conjunction with the figures, wherein elements are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a foldable table in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the foldable table as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a front plan view of the foldable table as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a side plan view of the foldable table as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a bottom plan folded view of the foldable table as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a plan cross-sectional view of the foldable table taken along line  6 - 6  as shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a partially enlarged view of the foldable table as shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a partially enlarged view of the foldable table as shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a partially enlarged view of the foldable table as shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective folded view of the foldable table in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 11  depicts a handle for carrying the foldable table according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the handle is in a stowed position; 
       FIG. 12  depicts a handle for carrying the foldable table according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the handle is in a use position; 
       FIG. 13  depicts a hinge mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a substantially square foldable table in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the table is in its folded position; 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a substantially square foldable table in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 16  is a bottom perspective view of a substantially square foldable table in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the collapsible legs are extended; 
       FIG. 17  is a bottom perspective view of a rectangular foldable table in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, wherein the collapsible legs are in a collapsed position; 
       FIG. 18  is a bottom perspective view of a rectangular foldable table in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, wherein the collapsible legs are in a collapsed position and the table is partially folded; and 
       FIG. 19  depicts an exploded view of a rectangular foldable table according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring to the drawings and initially to  FIGS. 1-8 , a foldable table  5  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises two table boards  1  pivotally connected with each other, and two support units  4  each foldably mounted on a respective one of the two table boards  1 . 
   The two table boards  1  are pivotally connected with each other by two pivot members  12 . Each of the two table boards  1  has a bottom formed with a receiving space  11 . The foldable table further comprises two juxtaposed reinforcement members  13  each secured on an edge of a respective one of the two table boards  1 . The receiving space  11  of each of the two table boards  1  has two sides each provided with a support tube  14  secured on each of the two table boards  1  by a plurality of screws  15  as shown in  FIGS. 6-8 . 
   Each of the support units  4  is mounted in the receiving space  11  of a respective one of the two table boards  1  and includes a support stand  2  having an end pivotally mounted on a first end of the respective table board  1 , and a support member  3  pivotally mounted on a second end of the respective table board  1  and pivotally connected with the support stand  2 . 
   The support member  3  of each of the support units  4  includes a substantially T-shaped support bar  30  having a first end pivotally mounted on the second end of the respective table board  1 , and a substantially V-shaped extension bar  31  having a first end pivotally mounted on a second end of the support bar  30  and a second end pivotally mounted on a mediate portion of the support stand  2 . 
   The receiving space  11  of each of the two table boards  1  is formed with a plurality of receiving recesses  16  for receiving the support stand  2  and the support member  3  of each of the support units  4  when being folded. 
   As shown in  FIG. 5 , the foldable table  5  further comprises a handle  17  pivotally mounted on either one of the two table boards  1 . 
   In practice, as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the support stand  2  of each of the support units  4  is pulled outward relative to the respective table board  1  to drive the support member  3  to extend outward, thereby fully stretching the support member  3 , so that the two table boards  1  are supported by the support units  4  rigidly and stably, thereby fully expanding the foldable table  5  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 5-10 , when the user wishes to fold the foldable table  5 , the support stand  2  of each of the support units  4  is pressed toward the respective table board  1  to drive the support member  3  to move and pivot inward, thereby folding the support member  3  and the support stand  2  into the receiving recesses  16  of the respective table board  1 , so that the two table boards  1  are pivoted relative to each other, thereby folding the foldable table  5  as shown in  FIG. 10 . At this time, the handle  17  is pivoted outward to protrude from the two table boards  1 , thereby facilitating the user carrying the foldable table  5 . 
     FIGS. 11 and 12  depict an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein the handle  17  comprises a flexible strap  44  having a central grip portion  42 . The grip portion  42  preferably includes a passage  43  through which the strap  44  passes. Each end of the strap  44  is attached to the support tube  14  using fasteners  48 , such as rivets or screws. The strap  44  is preferably constructed from a heavyweight woven nylon material, such as may be used in cargo straps. The grip portion  42  is preferably molded from a flexible plastic or high-density foam material. 
     FIG. 11  depicts the handle  17  disposed in a stowed position, wherein the grip portion  42  is releasably secured adjacent the bottom surface of the table top  1 . In the stowed position, the handle  17  is generally hidden from view and does not hang down where it may contact a leg of someone sitting at the table. In the preferred embodiment, ends of the retaining strap  46  are secured around the grip portion  42  using a closure mechanism, such as a hook-and-loop closure (Velcro™) or a snap closure. 
     FIG. 12  depicts the handle  17  disposed in a carrying position, wherein the strap  44  is extended outward from the support tube  14 . In this position, a user may easily hold the grip portion  42  for carrying the table  5  when the table  5  is in the folded position ( FIG. 10 ). 
     FIG. 13  provides an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of one of the two pivot members  12 , also referred to herein as hinge assemblies  12 . The hinge assembly  12  includes two hinge members  50  and  52  pivotally connected together by a hinge pin  56  which passes through apertures  50   a  and  52   a  in circular tabs  50   c  and  52   c  of the hinge members  50  and  52 . Preferably, the spacing between the tabs  50   c  is sufficient to accommodate insertion of the tabs  52   c  there between. 
   The hinge assembly  12  includes a latch member  54  disposed between the tabs  52   c  of the hinge member  52 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , the hinge pin  56  passes through apertures  54   a  in the latch member  54  so that the latch member is pivotally connected to the two hinge members  50  and  52 . On either side of the latch member  54  are arcuate slots  54   b  through which passes a pawl pin  58 . The pawl pin  58  also passes through slots  52   b  on either side of the hinge member  52 . The pawl pin  58  is operable to slide laterally in the slots  52   b  between a first position (to the inner end of the slots  52   b ) and a second position (to the outer end of the slots  52   b ). 
   In the first position, the pawl pin  58  engages notches  50   b  in the tabs  50   c  of the hinge member  50 , thereby preventing rotation of the hinge member  50  with respect to the hinge member  52 . In the second position, the pawl pin  58  disengages the notches  50   b , thereby allowing rotation of the hinge member  50  with respect to the hinge member  52 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 13 , a spring  62  is connected to the hinge member  52  by way of a spring pin  60 . The spring pin  60  passes through apertures  52   d  in the hinge member  52  and through a coil  62   c  formed in the spring  62 . The spring  62  has spring arms  62   a  extending from the coil  62   c  that engage indentions  58   a  in the pawl pin  58 . Due to tension in the coil  62   c , the spring arms  62   a  constantly press against the pawl pin  58 , thereby urging the pawl pin  58  toward the first position in the slots  52   b.    
   When a user applies pressure to the surface  54   c  of the latch member  54 , the latch member  54  rotates in relation to the hinge pin  56 . This rotational movement of the latch member  54  urges the pawl pin  58  to slide in the slots  52   b  toward the second position. This movement of the pawl pin  58  disengages the pawl pin  58  from the notches  50   b  in the tabs  50   c  of the hinge member  50 , thereby allowing the hinge members  50  and  52  to rotate in relation to each other. 
   Thus, when the table boards  1  are unfolded into a coplanar position, the action of the spring  62 , pawl pin  58  and notches  50   b  automatically locks the table boards  1  in the coplanar position. When a user applies pressure to the surface  54   c  of the latch member, the pawl pin  58  disengages from the notches so that the table boards  1  may be folded together. 
     FIGS. 14-16  depict an embodiment of the invention wherein the collapsible table  5  has a substantially square fold-in-half tabletop  63 , preferably formed from blow-molded plastic.  FIGS. 17-19  depict an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein the collapsible table  5  has a substantially rectangular fold-in-half tabletop  63 , also preferably formed from blow-molded plastic. in each embodiment, the tabletop  63  includes two tabletop halves  64 , with each half having a substantially planar top surface  66 , a bottom surface  68 , an inner edge  71 , and an opposing outer edge  67  which is substantially parallel to the inner edge  71 . As shown in  FIG. 19 , the two tabletop halves  64  are pivotally connected at their respective inner edges  71  by a hinge assembly  69 . The particular type of hinge assembly  69  is not critical to this collapsible table as long as it provides the means for the two tabletop halves  64  to be folded together into a storage position as depicted in  FIG. 14 . In a preferred embodiment, the hinge assembly  69  is similar to the hinge assembly  12  discussed above and depicted in  FIG. 13 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 16 , collapsible legs  65   a  and  65   b  are attached by way of collapsible bracket assemblies adjacent to the outer edges  67  of the bottom surface  68  of the two tabletop halves  64 . As shown in  FIG. 17 , the collapsible legs  65   a - 65   b  are operable to collapse to a position adjacent the bottom surface  68  of the tabletop  63 . In a preferred embodiment, each of the legs  65   a - 65   b  is collapsible independently of any of the other legs  65   a - 65   b . In a preferred embodiment, the bottom surface  68  of the tabletop  63  includes molded receiving channels  70  for receiving each of the legs  65   a - 65   b  in their respective collapsed positions. 
   In preferred embodiments of the invention, the collapsible legs  65   a - 65   b  comprise two pairs of legs. The first pair of legs  65   a  collapse to positions which are substantially parallel to the outer edges  67  of the tabletop  63 , and the second pair of legs  65   b  collapse to positions which are substantially diagonal to the outer edges  67  of the tabletop  63 . The second pair of legs  65   b  collapse at diagonal angles so that the legs  65   b  do not interfere with the ability of the tabletop  63  to fold in half along the inner edges  71  of the two tabletop halves  64 . Thus, the particular angle at which the second pair of legs  65   b  collapses can vary as long as the ends of the second pair of legs  65   b  do not extend beyond the inner edges  71  of either of the tabletop halves  64 . In the square tabletop embodiment of  FIGS. 14-16 , the diagonal collapsed position is at an angle of about 30° in relation to the outer edges  67  of the tabletop  63 . In the rectangular tabletop embodiment of  FIGS. 17-19 , the diagonal collapsed position is at an angle of about 45° in relation to the outer edges  67  of the tabletop  63 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 19 , the collapsible table  5  includes two continuous U-shaped support frames  74 . Each of the first and second continuous U-shaped support frames  74  includes a first side frame portion  76 , a second side frame portion  78 , and an outer frame portion  80 . The continuous U-shaped support frames  74  are attached to the bottom surfaces  68  of the two tabletop halves  64  such that the first side frame portions  76  are disposed adjacent the first side edges  73  of the tabletop halves  64 , the second side frame portions  78  are disposed adjacent the second side edges  75  of the tabletop halves  64 , and the outer frame portions  80  are disposed adjacent the outer edges  67  of the tabletop halves  64 . Preferably, the collapsible legs  65   a - 65   b  are attached to the continuous U-shaped support frames  74 . In a preferred embodiment, the bottom surface  68  of the tabletop halves  64  includes molded receiving channels  70  for receiving the continuous U-shaped support frames  74  and each of the legs  65   a - 65   b  in their respective collapsed positions. 
   The foregoing description of preferred embodiments for this invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.