The present invention relates to collapsible table systems which incorporate collapsible tabling.
Existing collapsible tables come in many forms. The most stable are those which comprise a base having sides which move towards each other to fold without detaching or folding legs. The sides are held out in the erect position by engagement with the table top. Two such prior tables are disclosed in U.S. Patent Specification No. 2,947,587 and DE-B-1,126,085. In both these designs, the table frame, when collapsed, is very bulky and the former has the additional disadvantages of being difficult to stack and a weakness in rigidity. While these difficulties are not significant for a single table, if the same principles were to be incorporated in a multi-table system the problems would become significant.
U.S. Patent Specification No. 4,112,855 describes a collapsible table with four pairs of iegs, the legs of each pair being joined together by a connector to form a rigid side and the four sides being hinged together to form a collapsible parallelogram. A single piece of tubing is used to form one side (two legs and a connector) which means that there is a curved portion at the corners. This firstly does not support the table top throughout the length of the frame leading to a weakness in rigidity of the table so that the design is not suitable for longer tables or workbenches. Secondly the design is not adaptable to a system of interconnected tables.
Collapsible tabling has been used to construct adjustable format table systems but these usually involve peripheral equipment, such as a spanner, as in French Patent Specification No. 2,238,451.
It is the object of the invention to provide a collapsible table system which can be extended to form an adjustable format. It is a further object that the table system be simple to assemble and dismantle without tools and which can be stored in a minimum of space, while ensuring a complete rigidity when erected.
According to the present invention there is provided a table system comprising two collapsible base frames and one or more table tops, the or each table top including means for engaging the respective frame on which it is supported to hold the top in place, and each base frame comprising four pairs of legs, the legs of each pair being joined together by a respective connector to form a rigid side and the four sides being hinged together to form a collapsible parallelogram characterised in that the legs and the connectors are of rectangular cross-section and wherein the table system comprises a linking frame having no legs and rectangular section sides, two sides each comprising two link members which are adapted to form a mating engagement with the legs of one side of a respective base frame, whereby the linking frame is carried, in use, by the two base frames and the means whereby the or each table top engages a respective base frame includes battens adapted to contact the inside wall of the connectors on the base frame.
By using the tops of the legs to form a mating engagement with the link members of the linking frame an extra adaptability and simplicity is obtained. With no extra parts the linking frame can be connected to any side of the base frame enabling many different multi-table systems to be envisaged. Where more than one table top is used, the present system enables the tops to be fitted so that their ends abut with no gap between sections and with support throughout the length of the table top.
One embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-
The table illustrated in the drawings comprises a flat surface table top 11 and a collapsible base frame 12. The frame 12 is a parallelogram of four sides 13 hinged internally at the corners so that the frame can be folded for storage or transportation, or made rectangular for use. Each side 13 comprises two legs 14 and at least one rigid connector or cross member 15 which can be welded or otherwise joined to the legs 14. Additional legs 14 or cross members like the connector 15 or other strengthening bars can be provided. Means can also be provided for supporting lower shelves. The sides are hinged together by hinges 16, which may be a single piano hinge for each corner, or a pair of separate hinges at each corner.
In the illustrated embodiment, the table top 11 has at least one batten 17 on each side, positioned so as to contact the connector 15 from the inside to hold the frame 12 square with respect to the table top. Other contacting means could be used, such as a continuous lip on each side. In one embodiment the table frame is held square by lugs at the corners which engage inside the frame. Once the table top has been located in position it may be held there, for example by pivot clips 18 which lie along the batten or lip 17 when the top 11 is being fitted and pivot to clip under the connector 15 for securing the top 11.
The table top can be made out of wood, plastics material, melamine or glass, and the frame can be metal, wood or plastics material or any combination of these. The top can be any suitable shape.
The base frame 12 collapses laterally by moving two sides towards each other, once the top has been removed, as illustrated in Figure 2. The folded frame can be easily stored and transported and involves no wasted space.
To assemble the table, the frame is first made rectangular and the top is then dropped into the frame from above and the battens 17 engage inside the connector 15.
Where there are pivot clips 18, these are then rotated under the connector. A table thus erected is not liable to be collapsed accidentally, only by the removal of the top.
To create a table system two base frames 12 are connected together by a linking frame 20. The frame 20 comprises rectangular section sides 21, two of which carry link members in the form of lugs 19. The lugs 19 of each side of the frame 20 engage in seatings 22 at the top of the legs 14 of one side of a respective base frame 12. The side of the frame 20 abuts the legs 14 of the base frame 12. Each linking frame 20 will connect one side of one base frame 12 to one side of an adjacent base frame. Although the shape of the base frame is not material, small square base frames are most practical. A number of frames can be used with linking frames 20 to provide tables of different shapes and sizes. The table top for the construction can either be in a single piece or in two or more pieces. In either case means must be provided for holding the base frames 12 square. The table top or tops extend across the frames 12 and the linking frame or frames 20 with no gap between tops. It will be appreciated that with enough frames and linking pieces different format table systems can be built from the same equipment, thus providing a versatility not previously available.