Horizontally supported planar surfaces – With structural installation
Patent
1991-02-13
1991-12-03
Aschenbrenner, Peter A.
Horizontally supported planar surfaces
With structural installation
108 33, 108115, A47B 2300
Patent
active
050691422
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a collapsible table comprising a table top, a base member and a number of supporting legs which at one end are pivotally connected to the able top and at the other end are pivotally connected to the base member.
A table of the above-mentioned type is known from U.S. Pat. No. 2,565,187. The patent specification shows a card table wherein the legs are in the form of an articulated, collapsible supporting structure which is hinged to a bottom member and a table top, respectively. The supporting structure is to give a sturdy support in extended condition, a special means being provided for locking and reinforcing the supporting structure in this condition, and simultaneously allowing easy folding and storage in a small space. However, the table is intended to stand freely on the supporting floor surface.
It is an object of the invention to provide a collapsible table which is particularly suitable for installation and use in camping cars, caravans, pleasure boats, commercial boats, railway carriages, driver's cabs of transport lorries, buses, etc., wherein the table can be folded to a position wherein the table top is flush with a floor surface at the place of use of the table, and wherein the table is fixed to the ground and stands stably in erected position of use.
The above-mentioned object is achieved with a table of the introductorily stated type which, according to the invention, is characterized in that the base member is an upwards open, essentially box-like member which is arranged for assembly in a corresponding opening in the floor at the place of use of the table, and that the lower ends of the legs are mounted at a bottom portion of the base member, the base member having side walls of such a height that the table top in the folded position of the table rests on the underlying legs with its upper surface flush with the level of the floor surface around the floor opening.
An advantageous embodiment of the table according to the invention is characterized in that the lower ends of the legs are mounted by means of transversely extending shafts and are connected to the shafts through transverse or lateral parts, and that supporting members are provided in connection with the shafts, which members are arranged to support a plate-shaped floor element for covering of said floor opening, so that the floor element in the folded position of the table is located between the legs and the supporting members, and in the erected position of the table by means of the supporting members is raised to said floor surface level. In that the top of the table in the folded position is flush with and thus forms a part of the floor surface, there is obtained a greater usable floor surface and that the table is removed and does not cause any disturbance when it is not in use. By means of said floor element there is further achieved that the recess in the floor is covered and concealed also when the table is in erected service position, something which, in addition to being aesthetically advantageous, also has practical advantages, i.a. in that loose objects can not fall into the recess, that one can not step into the recess, etc.
Further, it is advantageous that the side walls of the base member at its upper edge are arranged to form a sealing connection with the side edges of the table top when the table is in folded position. By means of such a sealing one achieves that the table top in folded condition of the table can be flushed with water, without this flowing into the floor opening. This may be a requirement, for example in use on board a boat. In addition, dirt is prevented from penetrating into the opening.
The table top preferably consists of a centre member and side flaps hinged thereto, which flaps can be turned in over the centre member and are designed such that the table top in folded condition can be lowered into the box-shaped base member and form said sealing connection. When the floor at the place of use is covered by a carpet or the like, a covering of the same type may b
REFERENCES:
patent: 736886 (1903-08-01), Smith
patent: 928726 (1909-07-01), Witthaus
patent: 2388192 (1945-10-01), Stechbart
patent: 2719066 (1955-09-01), Budzinski
patent: 3000683 (1961-09-01), MacNeary
patent: 3105488 (1963-10-01), Patrie
patent: 3203373 (1965-08-01), King
LandOfFree
Collapsible table does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Collapsible table, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Collapsible table will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1691548