Horizontally supported planar surfaces – With housing – Formed by collapsible surface
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-08
2004-03-16
Chen, Jose V. (Department: 3637)
Horizontally supported planar surfaces
With housing
Formed by collapsible surface
C108S169000, C108S115000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06705234
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an improved folding table of the type having three adjacent and successive hinged sections that in a table assembled configuration form a flat rigidified working platform which is supported by tensioned cable members.
BACKGROUND
Foldable tables and beds adapted for supporting a prone man are known. Such tables have use for massage and medical purposes and such beds (or cots) have use as transient rest platforms. Such structures have a platform means comprised of two or three sections that are interconnected together by hinges. Previously, cable or chain arrangements, sometimes in combination with spar arrangements, have sometimes been used to provide assembled platform section support; see, for example: Pile 3,359,576; Everett et al. 4,833,998; Romein 4,943,041; O'Brien 4,927,128 and Creasy 1,434,100.
These prior art folding table and bed structures all suffer from various common disadvantages. For one thing, the folded configuration of such a table is typically bulky, cumbersome to move or transport, and subject to damage or loss of components. For instance, in a folding table having a two-section platform that is long enough to support a prone man, each section is at least three feet in length when folded, and the folded table typically has exposed or even protruding components. For another thing, such a folding table is also relatively time consuming and laborious to assemble and disassemble, such a procedure commonly requiring tools, physical strength and perhaps more than one person.
Folding tables incorporating two-sections in the platform characteristically cannot be simply converted into tables incorporating three sections in the platform. The desirable objectives of reducing folded table bulk and weight, and of increasing portability and transportability, are not easily achieved in a folding table three-section platform structure. A folding table having three sections in its platform presents a whole group of different component and structural problems which are not present in a two-section table.
A folding table is needed that has a three-section folding platform which is supportable perhaps one meter above ground level and which has a length and strength when assembled sufficient for supporting a prone person of at least about two meters in height and at least 80 kilograms in weight. That table needs to be compact, self-contained and light in weight when folded. Such a table would be desirable for many use situations, particularly in massage and medical treatment, but such a table should additionally have when folded its moving components at least partially concealed or enclosed by the folded sections themselves, and the folded table should be easily transported by one person. Also, such a table should be easily assembled and disassembled by one person, and, when assembled, should be substantially rigid. Further, such a table should be of durable construction, and adapted for undergoing an indefinitely large number of conversions from a full storage configuration to a fully assembled configuration. Such a table should preferably be capable of minor adjustments under field conditions to meet different realistic operational situations. So far as now known, such a folding table that meets such criteria has not heretofore been achieved.
The present invention not only achieves a three-section folding table having such criteria, but also provides such table with additional features and advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a new and very useful folding table that incorporates a hinged, three-sectioned working platform in combination with two pairs of supporting legs for supporting the platform in its erected configuration. Each leg pair has a rigidifying leg pair cross brace. The table incorporates a plurality of tensionable cable members both for supporting the platform in its erected configuration and for bracing the legs in their respective erected configurations, and also a pair of erected platform-to-cable load transfer bars.
This invention also related to new and improved structures for the platform sections of multi-sectioned table platforms and the like.
The invention further relates to laterally extendable hinge structures that are useful for interconnecting together adjacent folding platform sections and the like.
The platform sections in the invention table are hinged together so as to be successive and contiguous whereby a middle section is joined on each opposite side thereof to a side of a different one end section. When the table is assembled and erected from a folded configuration, the platform is substantially flat. The platform can have various perimeter configurations, depending upon section sizes, but a present preference is for the platform to have when unfolded and erected a quadrilateral, more preferably a rectangular quadrilateral, perimeter that is sized for the support of a prone man, for example, a man having the size and weight values above-indicated. The two opposite end sections are preferably beveled (that is, rounded) along the perimeter of each of their respective exposed outside two corners. Preferably, the sections are hinged together so as to permit the opposite end sections to be each folded inwardly relative to the middle section and away from the erected platform surface through approximately 180° with one section when folded overlying the next adjacent section.
Preferably, the three platform sections have similar but somewhat different individual measurements. Breadth measurements of the respective sections, for example, may be varied for specific purposes in a given table embodiment. Thus, when the inventive table is folded, the three folded platform sections have adjacent faces and the section edges along at least one platform side coact to provide a single, generally flat face that may be placed on a floor surface in the same general manner as a briefcase bottom. Preferably handle carrying means are associated with a top face of the folded platform sections, the top face being opposite the floor-engaging face.
Each of the opposite end sections is connected to the center section by hinge means. Conventional hinge structures may be used. However, the hinge means employed between the center section and one end section is preferably adapted to provide a pivot region that is effectively spaced below the bottom of platform so as to achieve a separation of these sections in the folded platform configuration. In an illustrative but presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, a second one of the two opposite end sections is so connected by hinge means to the center section that the second end section is adapted to overlie the first end section in parallel, adjacent relationship after each of the first and the second end sections have been folded through 180° so to rest adjacent to back side of the middle section in overlying relationship.
The presently preferred table structure preferably provides this section separation when in the folded configuration with no hinge elements extending below about the bottom edge of the platform surface when the platform is in the unfolded position. This preferred structure enables the inventive table platform to be used, if desired, as a mat on a flat surface with the sections unfolded, but with the legs and support structures remaining folded beneath and preferably within the bodies of the panel sections.
A first end section can utilize a conventional type of first hinge structure for foldable connection to the center section. The second end section can employ various second hinge structures, but such a second hinge structure should be laterally extendable. Thus, such a preferred second hinge structure incorporates a hinge, leaf member pair wherein one respective end portion of each leaf member is engaged with the other by, interdigitated knuckle members and wherein each hinge leaf member is laterally extendable relative to, and when extended is spaced from, the other. Preferably, this second hinge structure for
Kumarich David
Miller Kurt
Chen José V.
Olson & Hierl Ltd.
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