Horizontally supported planar surfaces – Folding
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-16
2001-11-13
Chen, Jose V. (Department: 3636)
Horizontally supported planar surfaces
Folding
C108S128000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06314892
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to foldable tables and more particularly to a folding table structure which, when unfolded, provides a horizontal or inclined table top surface.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Tables that have foldable legs are well known. Typically they comprise four legs each of which is foldable in the sense that it is movable between a first stored position and a second extended position. Such prior known tables also have means for locking the legs in their extended position.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of this invention is to provide a table that can be easily folded and unfolded.
Another object is to provide a table which, when folded, has a very thin profile for ease of storage and shipping.
A further object is to provide a table support structure that is very simple and inexpensive to construct and can be adapted so that when it is unfolded, it provides a level or inclined table top.
Still another object is to provide a table support structure design that can be easily adapted for to provide a freestanding table unit or a table that is attached to a wall or other supporting structure.
Another important object is to provide a folding table which can be made lightweight and aesthetically pleasing using a variety of materials.
The foregoing objects are achieved by providing a table comprising a table top assembly, which may be of any shape or complexity dictated by its intended use, a one or two-piece support assembly for supporting the table on a floor or deck or attaching it to a vertical wall or other supporting structure, means for hinging together the table top assembly and the support assembly, two front leg assemblies pivotally attached to the support assembly whereby the two leg assemblies can be pivoted from a folded (i.e., stored) position to an extended position in which they support the table top assembly in a selected raised position, means for causing pivotal movement of the two leg assemblies from their folded to their extended positions, and means for causing pivotal movement of the two leg assemblies from their extended positions back to their folded positions. The front leg assemblies are arranged so as avoid contact with the ground when folded and are retained in the folded position by the weight of the table top assembly. The table parts are assembled in such a way that the table may be folded or unfolded in one relatively fast, relatively low effort motion. When the table top is lifted from vertical to horizontal position, the front leg assemblies automatically swing out until the leading edges of the front leg assemblies are approximately under the front edge of said tabletop assembly. The means for causing pivotal movement of the two leg assemblies from their extended positions back to their folded positions comprise cables that are attached to the two leg assemblies and extend through a hole (or other guide means) forming part of the support assembly. The ends of the cables are gathered together by a lightweight object that is bigger than the hole in the support assembly and serves as a handle. Other features are described or rendered obvious by the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4099469 (1978-07-01), Sahli
patent: 5205223 (1993-04-01), Ball et al.
patent: 5322022 (1994-06-01), Burkholder
patent: 5337657 (1994-08-01), Diffrient
patent: 5927214 (1999-07-01), Schwartz et al.
patent: 6082838 (2000-07-01), Bissu-Palombo
Chen José V.
Pandiscio & Pandiscio
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