Abstract:
This invention relates to a folding table, portable, in particular a massage table, comprising a plate ( 1 ) made up of at least four elements ( 1   a,    1   b,    1   c,    1   d ) mounted on rigid articulated frames ( 2   a ), means for locking the table in the open position, said plate having legs ( 3 ) comprising at least two parts ( 3   a,    3   b ) articulated together, the first parts ( 3   a ) being articulated to the end elements ( 1   a,    1   d ), braces, comprising two arms ( 7, 8 ) articulated together, are articulated to the end elements ( 1   a,    1   d ), locking means ( 9, 10 ) are used between the arms ( 7, 8 ) and/or the legs ( 3 ). There are cables (C 1 ) for connecting the articulations ( 31 ) of said arms ( 7, 8 ) above (b 1 ) the articulations (b) of the legs ( 3 ) to the end elements ( 1   a,    1   d ), and means for locking the articulation ( 6 ) between the parts ( 3   a ) and ( 3   b ) of the legs to keep the legs erect and to make the whole rigid, the whole being designed in such a way that the articulated legs and arms of each half of the table, once folded, fold into the frames ( 2   a ).

Description:
[0001]    This invention relates to a folding table, portable, in particular a massage table. 
       TECHNICAL OVERVIEW 
       [0002]    Folding tables are known in which the plate is made of two elements folding over each other and with retractable legs (U.S. 2006/260516). We also know of folding tables in which the plate is comprising one element with retractable legs folding in two parts but requiring time and many manipulations to set up, not allowing a construction sufficiently strong and light, for example, for a portable massage table. Finally we know of folding tables whose plate comprises more than two elements (WO 2007/065919), but their general structure does not allow to make a portable massage tables, light, robust and manageable. In the particular field of portable massage tables, so far, one knows of folding tables with two halves which, when folded, have a large volume, making them bulky and difficult to transport. None of these tables were until now sufficiently compact, robust, lightweight and easy to use. 
         [0003]    This invention proposes a folding table, which is at the same time easy to use, compact, lightweight and very robust. 
         [0004]    To this end, the folding table according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises an elongated plate consisting of at least four elements mounted on rigid frames articulated together perpendicularly to the long side of the plate, means for locking the table in the open position, said plate being connected with legs, each leg being formed of at least two parts articulated together, the first parts being mounted with articulations on a part fixed to the end elements, the length of each part being less than the length of said plate elements; braces, comprising two arms articulated together by a hinge, are articulated to the second part of each leg at each inner end of the end parts of the plate, locking means are used between the braces of each end element and/or the legs of each end element to prevent lateral movement of the table; there are tension cables, linking articulations between the arms of the braces to the point situated above the articulation of the legs on the parts attached to the frame of the end elements, and means for locking the articulation between the parts of the legs to hold the legs in the open position and to make the whole rigid, the whole being designed in such a way that the legs and the articulated arms of each half of the table, once folded, fold into the frames of the adjacent elements, and that all the elements when folded, are superimposed. 
         [0005]    Thus we obtain a table whose size when folded is reduced, for example for a massage table, whose installation is quick and easy, and also ensures high strength and stability, supporting high workloads with a very light construction. 
         [0006]    According to one embodiment, the table is characterized in that it comprises an elongated plate made of at least four elements mounted on rigid frames articulated together perpendicularly to the long sides of the plate means for locking the table in the open position, said plate having legs, each leg being made of at least two parts articulated together, the first parts being articulated on a part attached to the end elements, the length of each part being less than the length of said elements of the plate, bracing, comprising two arms articulated together are articulated to the second section of each leg and to each inner end of the end elements of the plate, locking means are used between the braces of each end element and/or the legs of each end element to prevent lateral movement of the table, and there are tension cables connecting the articulations between the arms of the braces to the point located above the articulations of the legs on the parts attached to the frame of the end elements and tension cables connecting the legs, at a point above the articulation between the leg to the arm, to the articulations of the bracing with the inner ends of the end parts of the plate to hold the legs in the open position and make the whole rigid, the whole being designed in such a way that the legs and the articulated braces of each half of the table, once folded, fold into the frames of the adjacent elements and that all the elements, once folded, are superimposed. 
         [0007]    According to one embodiment, the table is characterized in that in the folded position, the walls of the frames ( 2   a ) covers at least approximately completely the said parts of the legs and said folded braces. 
         [0008]    According to one embodiment, the table is characterized in that each leg comprises a third part sliding on the second part and there are means to fix the two parts together in a desired position for adjusting the height of the table. 
         [0009]    According to one embodiment, the table is characterized in that the two end elements of the plate are of a smaller width than the central elements of the plate in a way that in the folded state the lateral parts of the end elements of the plate are covered at least approximately by the parts of the frames of the central elements of the plate. 
         [0010]    According to one embodiment, the table is characterized in that supporting means of the central elements comprise surface elements on the adjacent parts of the frames between the end elements and the central elements such that the vertical pressure exerted on the central elements is transmitted to the end elements and there are similar supporting means between the central elements. 
         [0011]    According to one embodiment, the table is characterized in that the side parts of the frames of the central elements of the plate are articulated at a point and form, in the open state of the table, a rigid assembly maintaining the central elements of the plate aligned with each other when applying a force F 1  on the table. 
         [0012]    According to one embodiment, the table is characterized in that means for locking the table in the open position comprise tension cables fixed on one side to the articulations between the two articulated arms of the braces and on the other side to the articulation of the braces with the end elements of the opposite side of the table, or tension cables respectively fixed between the articulations of the braces of the end elements and between the articulations between the two articulated arms of the braces of the end elements, said cables being fixed together by a part. 
         [0013]    According to one embodiment, the table is characterized in that means for locking the table in the open position comprise tension cables attached between the articulations located between the two articulated arms of the braces and a point of the adjacent elements respectively. 
         [0014]    According to one embodiment, the table is characterized in that means for locking the table in the open position comprise tension cables fixed firstly to the articulations between the two articulated arms of the braces with the end elements of the opposite side of the table and fixed together to their intersection by a part, the part passing through an orifice of a central part fixed and articulated to a part attached to the adjacent parts of the central elements, or tension cables respectively fixed between the articulations of the braces with the end elements and between the articulations located between the two articulated arms of the braces of the end elements, said cables being fixed together by a part, the part passing through the orifice of the central part. 
         [0015]    According to one embodiment, the table is characterized in that means for locking the table in the open position comprise tension cables fixed on one side to the articulations between the two articulated arms of the braces and on the other side to the articulations of the braces with the end elements of the opposite side of the table, the cables passing through an orifice of a central part fixed and articulated to a part attached to the adjacent parts of the central elements, or tension cables fixed respectively between the articulations of the braces with the end elements and between the articulations between the two articulated arms of the braces of the end elements, said cables being secured together by a part, the part passing through the orifice of the central part and a cable fixed between the articulations of the braces with the end elements and passing through an orifice situated on the central part. 
         [0016]    According to one embodiment, the table is characterized in that the attachment point of the tension cables and to the articulations of the braces to the end elements is removed to the point located above the articulations of the legs on a part of the frames of the end elements said cables passing through a fixed point of the articulation of the braces with the end elements. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION 
         [0017]    The invention will now be described in detail with the following description that refer to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is an elevation view of one embodiment of the table in the unfolded state. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  shows a view of the table in an intermediate folding state. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a bottom view of an end element of the plate with the legs folded inside. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  shows the folding step in which the two end elements are folded over the median elements. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is an elevation view of the table when closed. 
           [0023]      FIG. 1   b  is an elevation view of the table according to a first embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is an elevation view of the table in the unfolded position of a second embodiment. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is an elevation view of the table shown in the intermediate position of folding according to the second embodiment. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is an elevation view of the table in the unfolded position in a third embodiment. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is an elevation view of the table shown in the intermediate position of folding according to the third embodiment. 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  shows the stage of folding according to the second and third alternative embodiments in which the two end elements are folded over the median elements. 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is an elevation view of the table closed according to the second and the third embodiments. 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  shows a detail of the table illustrating one way to secure the four elements of the plate between them. 
       
    
    
       [0031]    According to the first embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 5 , the massage table consists of a rectangular plate  1  made of four elements approximately of the same length,  1   a,    1   b,    1   c,    1   d,  the four elements being articulated to each other with articulations  14 ,  20   c,  the axis of which is perpendicular to the long side of the plate  1 . 
         [0032]    Each element consists of a rigid frame  2   a,  covered by a plate  2   b,  its self covered with foam  2   c  and upholstered. The two central elements  1   b,    1   c  can be substantially wider than the end elements  1   a,    1   d.  The parts  20   a,    20   b  of the frames of the elements  1   b,    1   c  are wider than the other parts of the frame so that the elements  1   a,    1   d  can fold inside the elements  1   b,  respectively  1   c,  without projecting beyond these frames at these places ( FIG. 4 ), they allow to maintain the central elements  1   b,    1   c  aligned, these elements are substantially wider than the end elements  1   a,    1   d  as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  5  and  11  in order to fold the table. 
         [0033]    Adjacent parts of the frames  2   a  of the central elements  1   b,    1   c  can be wider in order to increase the resistance of the centre of the table. In this case the central elements  1   b,    1   c  are slightly longer than the end elements  1   a,    1   d  in order to fold the table. 
         [0034]    At the four corners of the plate  1  are mounted the legs  3  each consisting of three parts. The first part  3   a  is articulated at the point b by an articulation on a part B fixed to the free end  2   a  of the frames of the end elements  1   a,    1   d.  This first part  3   a  is extended by a second part  3   b.  This second part, connected to the first by an articulation  6  articulated at  6   c  has longitudinal ribs. The third lower part  3   c  of the leg has ribs corresponding to the ribs of the second part  3   b  and can slide thereon without lateral play, making it possible to adjust the height of the table. There are a series of holes  3   x  evenly distributed over the third part  3   c  which can coincide with a single opening of the second part  3   b,  fixation between the two parts can be made, for example, with a screw  30  passing through the two holes and a wing-nut, or similar, tightening the whole. 
         [0035]    Alternatively, if one renounces to the height adjustment, legs can comprise only two parts articulated together. 
         [0036]    On each side of the table there are two articulated braces, each one comprising several articulated arms, in the example shown there are two arms  7 ,  8  articulated in  30 ,  31 ,  32  connecting the inner part  2   a  in  32  of the end element  1   a,  respectively  1   d  to the second part  3   b  of the corresponding leg  3 . There is also a mean, such as a part  9  connecting the articulated arms  7  and a part  10  connecting the articulated arms  8  associated with the element  1   a,  respectively  1   d,  making the whole rigid and preventing lateral movement of the table in its open position. 
         [0037]    The stability of the table in the open position is ensured by a system of cables C 1 , C 2 , C 3 , exerting reverse tensions to the load distributed on the table on the different parts of the structure. A cable C 1  is attached between the point b 1  located above the leg  3  on a part B fixed to the frame  2   a,  and the articulation  31  between the articulated arms  7  and  8  of the braces. A cable C 3  connects this same articulation  31  to the articulation  32  of the opposite end element. Finally, to lock the articulation between the two parts  3   a,    3   b  of the legs  3  a cable C 2  connects the leg  3  at a point situated above the point  30  of articulation of the leg  3  to the brace  7 ,  8 , to the articulation  32  of the same end element  1   a,  respectively  1   d.  The cable C 2  can be replaced by a hinge or self-locking hinge or a system to maintain aligned the two parts  3   a,    3   b  of the legs  3 . To improve the locking in the open position of the articulation  6  the cable C 2  can be attached to a point  6   b  of the first part  3   a  of the leg  3  and slide on a part  6   a  of the second part  6   b  of the foot  3 , and so exert a force F 2  on the articulation  6 . The elements  6   a  and  6   b  being offset from the articulation point  6   c  of the articulation  6  the force F 2  will have the effect of holding the elements  3   a  and  3   b  aligned. 
         [0038]    The same cable system is planned for the other legs. The lengths of these cables are adjusted so that they are tensioned in the open position of the table. 
         [0039]    The end elements  1   a,    1   d  of the plate  1  are kept aligned to their adjacent elements  1   b,    1   c  by the two sets of triangulation made by the cables C 1  and C 3 : b 1 ,  31 ,  32  on one hand and  32 ,  31 ,  32  on the other hand. The two central elements  1   b,    1   c  of the plate  1  are kept aligned together by the parts  20   a  and  20   b  of their frames, articulated in  20   c.  The same device is provided for the opposite sides of the frames ( FIG. 1 ). Thus the weight of the patient on the table will result to tension the cables C 3  and C 1  which will exert a force opposite to the weight on the arm  8 , involving triangulation b 1 ,  31 ,  32 ,  32 ,  31 ,  32 . 
         [0040]    In the open position of the table, to stabilize the position of the legs, it suffices to exert a pressure on the articulation  31  in the direction of the arrow F 3 , the braces  7  and  8  forming between them an obtuse angle. This pressure in  31  will cause tension to the cables C 1  and C 2  by the triangular forces and thus maintain aligned the elements  3   a  and  3   b  of the legs  3  perpendicular to the plate to make the whole rigid. To close the table, a pressure is exerted on the articulation  31  in the opposite direction of the arrow F 3 , which will release the cable tension C 1  and C 2 . Once the cables are not under tension anymore, the articulated braces  7  and  8  can be folded in the frame of the element  1   a,  respectively  1   d,  as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Once the legs are retracted into the elements  1   a  and  1   d,  the elements  1   a,  respectively  1   c  can rotate a 180° on the articulations  14 . Then the two pairs of elements rotate 90° on the articulation  20   c  ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ). In this position the four elements  1   a,    1   b,    1   c  and  1   d  are superimposed on each other and the side walls of the frames  2   a  cover at least approximately completely the legs and braces folded, forming a compact structure not too bulky. 
         [0041]    Since the end elements  1   a  and  1   d  are bearing the central elements  1   b  and  1   c,  in order to relieve the pressure on the articulation  14 , there are additional blocking means Z, for example mortise or tenon, to secure in the open position the central elements  1   b,    1   c,  with bearing end elements  1   a,    1   d,  as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . The same locking means may also be used between the central elements  1   b,    1   c  for rigidifying the central part of the table and also to allow the second and third embodiments. 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , parts  2   a  of the frames, at both ends of the table, may be wider on a portion of their length and have orifices  13  allowing for example the use of a face cradle. 
         [0043]    A part S with a handle P can be fixed between the adjacent parts of the frames  1   b  and  1   c  ( FIG. 5 ). 
         [0044]    According to a first alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 1   b  a cable C 3  replacing the cable C 30  can be attached between the articulation  31  of the arms of the braces and a point  40  of the Central elements  1   b,    1   c.    
         [0045]    According to a second embodiment ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ) the cables C 4  and C 5  can replace the cables C 3 , the four elements ( 1   a,    1   b,    1   c,    1   d ) are all of the same width or approximately the same width and the parts  20   a  and  20   b  of the central elements are eliminated. Elements  0  of adjacent parts of the central elements  1   b,    1   c  make the frames broader in some places and are connected by hinges  14  in order to replace the articulation  20   c.  Parts M are fixed in N and articulated in n 1  on the adjacent inner parts of the central frames  1   b,    1   c  and fold into the table, in the open position of the table part M can pivot on its frame to reach the centre of the table at the junction of the cables C 4  and C 5  or remain upright, which implicates to slightly remove the junction point of the cables C 4  and C 5 . The cable C 4  is attached to the articulation  32  of the end elements  1   a  to  1   d,  the cable C 5  is attached to the articulation  31  of the end elements  1   a  to  1   d,  these two cables pass through the orifice m 1  in parts M, they are fastened together by a part X 1 , there are means for locking the part M so that it can not go beyond the point X 1  when it unfolds: for example, the part X 1  is equipped with a larger part that can not pass through the orifice m 1 , or the orifice m 1  is smaller at one of its ends in order that the part X 1 , used to fixe the cables C 5  and C 4 , can not cross it entirely. So the central elements  1   b  and  1   c  of the frame are kept aligned by the cable C 4  exerting a force on the part M, vertical and opposite to the load located on the table and the end elements  1   a,    1   d  are kept aligned by the cables C 5  and C 1  exerting a pressure on the brace  8  vertical and opposite to the charge located on the table. As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the cables C 4  and C 5  can slide in m 1  to let the part M fold into the table. There are also locking means Z in order to distribute the vertical load on the central adjacent elements  1   a,    1   c.  If the cables C 3  are not replaced by the cables C 4  and C 5 , they are fixed at their intersection, or near their intersection, by a part X 1  passing through the orifice ml and will have the same function as the cables C 4  and C 5 , C 4  or C 3  cables can be fixed to the top of the legs at points b 1  and pass through a loop or a similar item attached to the articulation points  32  of the elements  1   a  and  1   d.    
         [0046]    In a third alternative embodiment ( FIG. 8 ) cables C 3  are kept, they pass through an orifice m 1  of the part M that can be longer and have a second orifice m 2 . A cable C 6  attached to the articulation  32  of the elements  1   a  to  1   d  passes through the point m 1 , or to relieve the cable, through the point m 2 . C 6  cable can also be attached in b 1  and pass through the articulation  32  or a part attached to the articulation  32 . Cable C 6  has the effect of maintaining the central elements  1   b  and  1   c  aligned. If the part M is fixed to the element  1   c,  the cable C 3 , attached to the articulation  31  of the bracing of the element  1   a,  may be fixed in m 1 , if the part M is fixed to the element  1   b  the cable C 3  attached to the articulation  31  of the element  1   d  will be fixed in m 1 , this in order to unfold automatically the part M if it folds in the longitudinal direction of the table, and to fix it when unfolding the table, there is also the same locking means Z between the central elements  1   b,    1   c  and also the same articulation system as in the second embodiment attached to the elements O of the adjacent parts of the central frames. In order to fold the part M in its frame, the cables C 3  remained free and C 6  slide through the openings m 1  and m 2  ( FIG. 9 ). The cables C 3  can be replaced by the cables C 4  and C 5  arranged in the same way as in the second embodiment, the cables C 4  can also be attached to the top of the legs at the points b 1  and go through a loop or similar part set at the articulations  32  of the elements  1   a  and  1   d.