US20150164217A1 - Folding table - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a folding table. The folding table includes a table top supported by a frame and connected to a base. The base includes two pedestal assemblies and two support beams connected between the pedestal assemblies. A portion of a latch assembly is connected to the table top and another portion of the latch assembly is connected to one of the pedestal assemblies. A gas cylinder assembly is connected to the table top and to one of the support beams. Methods of operating the folding table are also provided.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• The present application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/917,038 entitled “FOLDING TABLE,” filed on Dec. 17, 2013, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELD
• The present invention relates generally to folding tables, and more specifically to a folding table with a locking assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Folding tables are known in the art. Traditionally, folding tables are guided between a folded (e.g., stored) position and an unfolded (e.g., open) position by a linkage member positioned within a slot, the slot having a bend or angled portion that helps to prevent the folding table from accidentally folding. Further, traditional folding tables are secured in the stored position by a locking mechanism having a non-ergonomic lever hidden under the table top or have no locking mechanism at all. The lever is typically not comfortable to manipulate and deforms after repeated use. In addition, traditional folding tables have a base structure formed from light gauge tubing.
• While such folding tables according to the prior art provide a number of advantages, they nevertheless have certain limitations. For example, the bend in the guide slot requires the table to be lifted up to clear the bend in the slot, before the table can be moved to the folded position. This may require substantial lifting force if the table is heavy. Further, as the slot is hidden under the table top in the open position, it is awkward for the user to gauge when the table has been lifted enough to clear the bend in the slot. In another example, the release lever to unlock the table from the open position is difficult to reach, requiring the user to bend over to find the lever underneath the table top. Further, the release lever is not finger friendly and is difficult to manipulate. In another example, the round tubing used for the base structure is typically lightweight metal used to minimize cost. The present invention seeks to overcome certain of these limitations and other drawbacks of the prior art, and to provide new features not heretofore available. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the present invention is deferred to the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention is directed to a folding table. The folding table includes a base having first and second pedestal assemblies connected by first and second support beams, and a table top assembly having a table top and a frame, the frame having two or more support members. The folding table also includes first and second linkage assemblies, each having first and second link members. The folding table further includes a cylinder assembly having a gas cylinder, first and second attachment members, and first and second cylinder pivot assemblies. The folding table also includes a first latch assembly including a first portion attached to a bottom surface of the table top and a second portion attached to one of the first and second pedestal assemblies, the first portion including a handle, one or more handle mounts, a first lock member, a first spring and a stop.
• The present invention is also directed to a latch assembly for a folding table. The latch assembly includes a first portion attached to a surface of a table top, the first portion comprising a handle, one or more handle mounts, a first lock member, a first spring and a stop. The latch assembly also includes a second portion attached to a base, the second lock member comprising an engagement protrusion and an engagement slot.
• The present invention is also directed to a method of closing a folding table. The method includes pulling a handle connected to a bottom surface of a table top by a first spring in a direction away from a first lock member connected to the bottom surface of the table top, the pulling comprising a force that overcomes a biasing force of the first spring, wherein an activation bar of the handle engages with an engagement protrusion of a second lock member connected to a base, wherein the second lock member pivots away from the first lock member until an engagement member of the first lock member is clear of an engagement slot of the second lock member. The method also includes lifting, with a first force, an edge of the table top upward in a direction away from a base, wherein the first force is enough for the table top to a position for which a tipping point of a cylinder assembly is reached, wherein the cylinder assembly begins to exert a second lifting force on the table top. The method further includes continuing to lift the edge of the table top with a lesser amount of the first force and guiding the table top into a fully closed position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example only, not by way of limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a folding table in the open position.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the folding table ofFIG. 1 in the closed position.
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the folding table ofFIG. 2.
• FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the folding table ofFIG. 1 with the locking latch in the locked position.
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the folding table ofFIG. 1 with the locking latch in the locked position.
• FIG. 6A is a bottom view of a portion of the folding table ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 6B is a bottom view of another portion of the folding table ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the folding table ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the folding table ofFIG. 2.
• FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the folding table ofFIG. 8.
• FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of a portion of the folding table ofFIG. 8.
• FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a frame and portions of a linkage assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.
• Referring now to the figures, specifically toFIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a folding table100 generally comprising abase200, atable top assembly300,linkage assemblies400, acylinder assembly500 and alatch assembly600. Thebase200 is sized and shaped to support thetable top assembly300 and thebase200 is connected to thetable top assembly300 by thelinkage assemblies400. The folding table100 may be configured to be locked in the open or unfolded position (seeFIG. 1) and to be unlocked in the closed or folded position (seeFIG. 2). Here the folding table100 is shown as a rectangular table, though other configurations of folding tables are contemplated. For example, folding table100 may be a round table, a square table, an oval table and the like.
• In one or more embodiments, thebase200 includes first andsecond pedestal assemblies210,220 connected by first andsecond support beams230,240. The first and second pedestal assemblies210,220 each include two swivel mountedwheels250 for easy movement of the folding table100. Alternatively, the first andsecond pedestal assemblies210,220 may have movement members such as swivel mounted balls, glides and the like. The first and second pedestal assemblies210,220 and the first andsecond support beams230,240 are preferably formed of square tubing, though round tubing, triangular tubing, oval tubing and the like are also contemplated. The first and second pedestal assemblies210,220 and the first andsecond support beams230,240 are preferably powder coated steel or steel alloy metal, though stainless steel, aluminum, chrome plating and like metals and finishes are also contemplated.
• The first andsecond pedestal assemblies210,220 are configured to connect to a portion of thelinkage assemblies400. Thefirst pedestal assembly210 is further configured to connect with a portion of thelatch assembly600. Alternatively, thelatch assembly600 may be configured to connect with thesecond pedestal assembly220 instead of thefirst pedestal assembly210, or both first andsecond pedestal assemblies210,220 may each connect to alatch assembly600.
• As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, in one or more embodiments thetable top assembly300 includes atable top310 and aframe320. Theframe320 is sized and shaped to receive a portion of thelinkage assemblies400. Theframe320 is also configured to connect with and/or support a portion of thecylinder assembly500. Theframe320 may be secured to thetable top310 by fasteners (e.g., screws, rivets, bolts), adhesives and the like. Theframe320 includessupport members322 that are configured in a similar shape as thetable top310. Thesupport members322 may be individual components connected together. Alternatively, some or all of thesupport members322 may be integrally formed as a single component that is bent in appropriate locations to provide the desired shape, for example.Support members322 have a C-channel configuration with a first C-channel portion324 being attached to thetable top310.
• As shown inFIGS. 3 through 7, in one or more embodiments thelinkage assembly400 includes first andsecond link members410,420. Thefirst link member410 is pivotally connected to the first andsecond pedestal assemblies210,220 by afirst pivot assembly430. Thefirst link member410 is also pivotally connected to thesecond link member420 by asecond pivot assembly440. The first andsecond pivot assemblies430,440 may include an axle, a bolt, a screw and the like, as well as nuts, washers and the like (seeFIG. 6B). Here, afirst end412 of thefirst link member410 pivots in relation to the first orsecond pedestal assembly210,220 and asecond end414 of thefirst link member410 pivots in relation to thesecond link member420 as the table is folded or unfolded.
• Thesecond link member420 is connected to theframe320. Afirst end422 of thesecond link member420 is connected to thefirst link member410 and is positioned within the C-channel of asupport member322. Asecond end424 of thesecond link member420 is positioned within the C-channel of anothersupport member322. Thesecond link member420 may be secured to thetable top310 in addition to being secured to theframe320. Thesecond link member420 includes aguide slot416. Here theguide slot416 provides a straight channel without a bend and theguide slot416 is disposed at an angled orientation within abody418 of thesecond link member420. Thus, the axial length of theguide slot416 is not parallel to the axial length of thebody418.
• Aguide member450 is connected to thefirst pedestal assembly210 and is positioned within theguide slot416. Theguide member450 may include an axle, a bolt, a screw and the like, as well as nuts, washers and the like (seeFIG. 6A). Here, theguide member450 is configured to slideably move from end to end of theguide slot416 as the folding table100 is opened and closed. Theguide member450 is positioned at afirst end415 of theguide slot416 when the table is in the folded or closed position (seeFIG. 3). Theguide member450 is positioned at asecond end417 of theguide slot416 when the table is in the unfolded or open position (seeFIG. 7).
• As shown inFIGS. 3 through 5, in one or more embodiments afirst portion610 of thelatch assembly600 is mounted on or attached to the bottom of thetable top310 and asecond portion630 of thelatch assembly600 is mounted on or attached to thefirst pedestal assembly210. Thefirst portion610 includes ahandle612, handle mounts614, afirst lock member616, aspring618 and astop620. Here thehandle612 is an ergonomically shaped handle that is comfortable and easy for a user to grip. Also, thehandle612 is easy to find by feeling under thetable top310 when thehandle612 is in the retracted position, without having to bend down and visually see thehandle612 and without having thehandle612 stick out from the side of thetable top310. Thehandle612 is attached to thetable top310 by the handle mounts614. Thefirst lock member616 is also attached to thetable top310 and includes anengagement member615, which may be an axle, a bolt and the like.
• Thespring618 is attached at one end to anactivation bar613 of thehandle612 and at the other end to thetable top310 or thefirst lock member616, for example. The spring biases thehandle612 inwards towards the center of thetable top310. Thestop620 is attached to thetable top310 and prevents thehandle612 from being pulled past a particular point away from the center of thetable top310. In other words, thehandle612 is disposed at an inward position due to the biasing force of thespring618 until thehandle612 is pulled away from thetable top310 in an opposite direction from the biasing force of thespring618, thehandle612 being pulled with enough force to overcome the biasing force of thespring618. Thehandle612 slides outwards through the handle mounts614 until theactivation bar613 of thehandle612 engages thestop620, at which point thehandle612 is prevented from sliding outwards any further.
• Thesecond portion630 of thelatch assembly600 includes asecond lock member636 that is pivotally connected to thefirst pedestal assembly210 by athird pivot assembly640. Thethird pivot assembly640 may include an axle, a bolt, a screw and the like, as well as nuts, washers and the like (seeFIG. 3). Thesecond lock member636 includes anengagement protrusion632 and anengagement slot634. Theengagement protrusion632 is configured to be engaged by theactivation bar613 of thehandle612 and theengagement slot634 is configured to receive theengagement member615 of thefirst lock member616. Thesecond portion630 of thelatch assembly600 further includes aspring638 that biases thesecond lock member636 inwards towards theengagement member615 and against alock stop635.
• In operation, thehandle612 is pulled outward from the side of thetable top310, causing theactivation bar613 to engage with theengagement protrusion632 and pivot thesecond lock member636 outwards away from theengagement member615. Here, the force exerted by pulling thehandle612 outwards must overcome the biasing forces of bothspring618 andspring638. Thesecond lock member636 pivots outwards until thehandle612 is stopped by thestop620. At this point, theengagement member615 is clear of theengagement slot634 and thetable top310 may be lifted up and positioned into the folded position. Conversely, when theengagement member615 is still within at least a portion of theengagement slot634, theengagement member615 contacts the top portion of theengagement slot634 when thetable top310 is pulled upwards, thereby holding or locking thetable top310 in the unfolded position.
• As shown inFIGS. 8 through 10, in one or more embodiments thecylinder assembly500 includes agas cylinder510, afirst attachment member520 and asecond attachment member530. Thefirst attachment member520 connects thegas cylinder510 to thetable top310 via a firstcylinder pivot assembly540. Here, thefirst attachment member520 is a mountingplate522 with twoplate extensions524 that are configured to receive the firstcylinder pivot assembly540. Thesecond attachment member530 connects thegas cylinder510 to thesecond support beam240 of thebase200 via a secondcylinder pivot assembly550. Here, thesecond support beam240 includes twobeam extensions242 that are configured to receive the secondcylinder pivot assembly550. The first and secondcylinder pivot assemblies540,550 may include an axle, a bolt, a screw and the like, as well as nuts, washers and the like (seeFIG. 10).
• In operation, thecylinder assembly500 is biased towards opening up or extending axially, thereby forcing thefirst attachment member520 away from thesecond attachment member530. Thus, thecylinder assembly500 assists the user in lifting thetable top310 from the open (e.g., horizontal) position to the closed (e.g., vertical) position. This is especially helpful when thetable top310 is large and/or heavy. Thegas cylinder510 may be configured to provide a biasing force that is based on the weight of thetable top310 and the amount of lifting force desired to be required of the user. For example, thegas cylinder510 may be configured (e.g., sized, tuned, calibrated) to allow a user to lift thetable top310 with a single finger (e.g., minimal lifting force by the user). In the opening or unfolding process, thecylinder assembly500 assists the user in lowering thetable top310 into the open position. For example, the biasing force of thegas cylinder510 prevents thetable top310 from crashing down into the open position once the opening motion is started and allows thetable top310 to be lightly guided into the open position (e.g., minimal lifting force by the user).
• The first andsecond attachment members520.530 may be connected to thetable top310 and thesecond support beam240 in specific locations so that thecylinder assembly500 is particularly positioned to provide desired lifting characteristics. For example, the position of thefirst attachment member520 on the bottom surface of thetable top310 may be varied to change the vector angles of thegas cylinder510 through the range of positions between opening and closing the folding table100. These variations in vector angles may change the tipping point at which the cylinder begins to assist or increases assistance to the user's lifting or closing force. For example, a user may have to provide a specific lifting force for the first few inches of travel as the folding table100 begins moving from an unfolded position to a folded position. Once the folding table100 has been lifted the first few inches (e.g., the tipping point has been reached), thegas cylinder510 may provide sufficient lifting force to move the folding table100 the rest of the way into a folded position with only a slight or no lifting force required from the user. By changing the position of thecylinder assembly500, the tipping point may be changed to any desired position of the folding table100 (e.g., less than an inch, over a foot). Thecylinder assembly500 position may also be configured based on the size of thebeam extensions242, the position of thesecond support beam240 in relation to the first andsecond pedestal assemblies210,220, the length of thegas cylinder500, and the like.
• FIG. 11 illustrates another view of theframe320 and portions of thelink assembly400. Twosecond link members420 are connected to theframe320. Thefirst end422 of thesecond link member420 is connected to asupport member322 on one side of theframe320 and thesecond end424 is connected to asupport member322 on the opposite side of theframe320. Abody418 of thesecond link member420 includes theangled guide slot416.
• Several alternative examples have been described and illustrated herein. A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and the possible combinations and variations of the components. A person of ordinary skill in the art would further appreciate that any of the examples could be provided in any combination with the other examples disclosed herein. Additionally, the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and “fourth” as used herein are intended for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the embodiments in any way. Further, the term “plurality” as used herein indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number. Additionally, the word “including” as used herein is utilized in an open-ended manner.
• While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the best mode and/or other examples, it is understood that various modifications may be made therein and that the subject matter disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples, and that the teachings may be applied in numerous applications, only some of which have been described herein. It is intended by the following claims to claim any and all applications, modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the present teachings.

Claims (19)

What is claimed is:

1. A folding table comprising:

a base having first and second pedestal assemblies connected by first and second support beams;

a table top assembly having a table top and a frame, the frame having two or more support members;

first and second linkage assemblies, each having first and second link members;

a cylinder assembly having a gas cylinder, first and second attachment members, and first and second cylinder pivot assemblies; and

a first latch assembly comprising a first portion attached to a bottom surface of the table top and a second portion attached to one of the first and second pedestal assemblies, wherein the first portion comprises a handle, one or more handle mounts, a first lock member, a first spring and a stop.

2. The folding table ofclaim 1, wherein the first spring is connected to an activation bar on the handle and to one of the bottom surface of the table top and the first lock member, wherein the first spring is configured to bias the handle inwards towards the center of the table top.

3. The folding table ofclaim 1, wherein the second portion comprises a second lock member pivotally connected to one of the first and second pedestal assemblies by a third pivot assembly, and a second spring, wherein the second spring is configured to bias the second lock member pivotally about the third pivot assembly towards a lock stop.

4. The folding table ofclaim 3, wherein the second lock member comprises an engagement protrusion and an engagement slot, wherein the engagement protrusion is configured to be engaged by an activation bar of a handle on the first portion, and wherein the engagement slot is configured to receive an engagement member of a first lock member on the first portion.

5. The folding table ofclaim 1, wherein each second link member comprises a straight guide slot disposed at an angled orientation within a body of the second link member.

6. The folding table ofclaim 5, further comprising a guide member connected to one of the first and second pedestal assemblies and configured to be positioned within the guide slot, wherein the guide member is configured to slidably move within the guide slot when the table is moved towards an opened or closed position.

7. The folding table ofclaim 1, wherein for each of the first link members, the first link member is pivotally connected to one of the first and second pedestal assemblies by a first pivot assembly, and pivotally connected to one of the second link members by a second pivot assembly, wherein a first end of the first link member is configured to pivot in relation to the first or second pedestal assembly and a second end of the first link member is configured to pivot in relation to one of the second link members.

8. The folding table ofclaim 1, wherein for each of the second link members, a first end of the second link member is connected to one of the first link members and also to a first support member, and a second end of the second link member is connected to a second support member.

9. The folding table ofclaim 8, wherein the first and second support members comprise a C-channel and the first and second ends of the second link member are positioned within the C-channels of the first and second support members respectively.

10. The folding table ofclaim 1, wherein the first and second pedestal assemblies and first and second support beams are comprised of one of powder coated steel square tubing and powder coated steel alloy square tubing.

11. The folding table ofclaim 1, wherein the first attachment member and the first cylinder pivot assembly connect the gas cylinder to a bottom surface of the table top, and wherein the second attachment member and the second cylinder pivot assembly connect the gas cylinder to the second support beam, wherein attachment locations of the gas cylinder to the bottom surface of the table top and to the second support beam are configured to obtain a vector angle of the gas cylinder, wherein the vector angle determines a tipping point at which the gas cylinder begins to assist an opening or closing force exerted on the table top.

12. The folding table ofclaim 1, further comprising second latch assembly, wherein a first portion of the first latch assembly is attached to a bottom surface of the table top and a second portion of the first latch assembly is attached to the first pedestal assembly, and wherein a first portion of the second latch assembly is attached to a bottom surface of the table top and a second portion of the first latch assembly is attached to the second pedestal assembly.

13. A latch assembly for a folding table comprising:

a first portion attached to a surface of a table top, the first portion comprising a handle, one or more handle mounts, a first lock member, a first spring and a stop; and

a second portion attached to a base, the second lock member comprising an engagement protrusion and an engagement slot.

14. The latch assembly ofclaim 13, wherein the first spring is connected to an activation bar on the handle and to one of the surface of the table top and the first lock member, wherein the first spring is configured to bias the handle inwards towards the center of the table top.

15. The latch assembly ofclaim 13, wherein the second portion comprises a second lock member pivotally connected to the base by a third pivot assembly.

16. The latch assembly ofclaim 15, wherein the second portion comprises a second spring, wherein the second spring is configured to bias the second lock member pivotally about the third pivot assembly towards a lock stop.

17. The latch assembly ofclaim 13, wherein the engagement protrusion is configured to be engaged by an activation bar of the handle on the first portion., and wherein the engagement slot is configured to receive an engagement member of a first lock member on the first portion.

18. The latch assembly ofclaim 13, wherein the engagement slot is configured to receive an engagement member of the first lock member on the first portion.

19. A method of closing a folding table, the method comprising:

pulling a handle connected to a bottom surface of a table top by a first spring in a direction away from a first lock member connected to the bottom surface of the table top, the pulling comprising a force that overcomes a biasing force of the first spring, wherein an activation bar of the handle engages with an engagement protrusion of a second lock member connected to a base, wherein the second lock member pivots away from the first lock member until an engagement member of the first lock member is clear of an engagement slot of the second lock member;

lifting, with a first force, an edge of the table top upward in a direction away from the base, wherein the first force is enough for the table top to a position for which a tipping point of a cylinder assembly is reached, wherein the cylinder assembly begins to exert a second lifting force on the table top;

continuing to lift the edge of the table top with a lesser amount of the first force; and

guiding the table top into a fully closed position.

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