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(11) | EP 2 087 812 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Table |
| (57) A table (1) comprises a frame (3), a table top surface (2) and a folding leg mechanism
(4). The frame includes a perimeter portion (6) that defines the outside edges of
the table, the perimeter portion comprising a plurality of elongate sections (70,
71) joined together by at least one connecting means (50). The connecting means (50)
includes a first connecting member (51) adapted to engage a complementary part on
one of the elongate sections and a second connecting member (52) adapted to engage
a complementary part on one of the other elongate sections. The connecting means (50)
also includes a mounting means (53, 54) to connect at least part of the folding leg
mechanism (4) to the frame (3).
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[0001] This invention relates to a table and, in particular, it relates to a folding table having a frame of elongate sections connected by connecting means.
[0002] Folding tables are known that comprise a frame having legs that are hinged therefrom and a table top surface secured to one side. The folding legs are adapted to be received within the frame when the table is not in use, and then folded out to support the frame and table top surface when in use. The frame typically comprises a plurality of hollow sections of box-section that are welded together. The sections are of elongate aluminium alloy to keep the weight of the table low. The mechanism for the folding legs is then secured to the frame by rotatable connections to enable it to fold. Caps of plastic material are then added to the corners of the metal frame to protect the table from damage when being transported. This is particularly important as the folding table described is required to be highly portable and will therefore be moved often and as such the risk of damage is high. However, it will be appreciated that the manufacturing process is somewhat complex, and therefore expensive.
[0003] According to the present invention we provide a table comprising a frame, a table top surface and a folding leg mechanism, wherein the frame includes a perimeter portion that defines the outside edges of the table, the perimeter portion comprising a plurality of elongate sections joined together by at least one connecting means, the connecting means including a first connecting member adapted to engage a complementary part on one of the elongate sections and a second connecting member adapted to engage a complementary part on one of the other elongate sections, the connecting means also including mounting means to connect at least part of the folding leg mechanism to the frame.
[0004] Thus, the perimeter portion, which defines the outer edge of the table adjacent the table top surface edge, is assembled using the first and second connecting members on the connecting means and the complementary parts on the elongate sections, rather than by welding. This is advantageous as the use of the connecting means ensures that manufacture is easy. The connecting means provides the connection between the elongate sections as well as providing a mounting point for the folding leg mechanism.
[0005] Preferably, the first and second connecting members are adapted to project from a body of the connecting means, and the complementary parts comprise a bore in each elongate section that receives the respective connecting member. This is advantageous as the connecting means and the elongate sections need only be slotted together. Further, if the elongate section is hollow this can form the part complementary to the connecting member.
[0006] Preferably the mounting means comprises a bore into which a bolt or rivet can be secured to attach the folding leg mechanism to the connecting means. This is advantageous as the connecting means provides multiple functions in that it connects the elongate sections together and provides a mounting point to connect the folding leg mechanism. Preferably the mounting means comprises two bores through the connecting means. Preferably the two bores are positioned such that one of the bores can be used to mount the folding leg mechanism when the connecting means is in a first orientation and the other bore is used when the connecting means is in a second orientation.
[0007] Preferably the frame comprises four elongate perimeter sections and four connecting means. Preferably, the first connecting member projects at a right angle to the second connecting member. Preferably the mounting means comprises a first bore and a second bore, the first bore being located adjacent the first connecting member and the second bore being located adjacent the second connecting member, the first and second bores extending through the connecting means at right angles to each other.
[0009] Preferably, the elongate sections are hollow and have straight cut ends. Preferably, the elongate sections are of extruded or seam welded tube aluminium alloy.
[0010] According to a second aspect of the invention, we provide a connecting means for joining a plurality of elongate sections to form a frame of a folding table, the connecting means comprising a first connecting member adapted to engage a complementary part of a first elongate section and a second connecting member adapted to engage a complementary part of a second elongate section, the connecting means also including mounting means to connect at least part of a folding leg mechanism to the frame.
[0011] There now follows by way of example only a detailed description of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a known folding table;
Figure 2 shows a corner of the frame of the folding table shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 shows an isometric view of a connecting means of the table of the invention;
Figure 4 shows a sectional plan view of the connecting means shown in Figure 3;
Figure 5 shows a side view of the connecting means shown in Figure 3;
Figure 6 shows a plan view of the underside of a folding table in which the connecting means of Figure 3 is engaged in a folded position; and
Figure 7 shows a side view of the table of Figure 6 in an in-use position.
[0012] Folding tables are used for banqueting and conferences at venues in which the rooms have multiple uses. Therefore, a folding table can be quickly and easily erected when table space is needed and then folded away and stored when more floor space is required. Accordingly a folding table has to be robust, lightweight and easy to operate so that it can be moved easily and arranged as necessary.
[0013] A known folding table 1 is shown in Figure 1 and comprises a table top surface 2, a frame 3 and a folding leg mechanism 4. The table top surface 2 is adapted to be secured to a top side 5 of the frame. The leg mechanism 4 is adapted to connect to and depend from the frame 3. The frame 3 comprises a plurality of elongate sections of box-section that are welded together. In general, the frame 3 comprises a perimeter portion 6 and a reinforcement portion 7.
[0014] The perimeter portion 6 is made up of four elongate perimeter sections 8, 9, 10, 11 of seam welded tube aluminium alloy. The shorter sections 9 and 11 have straight cut ends while the longer sections 8 and 10 have mitred ends. The perimeter sections 8, 9, 10, 11 abut each other at their ends and are secured together by corner securing means. The frame 3 includes four corner securing means 17, 18, 19, 20 of square box section that are welded to the perimeter portion 6 at the inwardly facing junction between the elongate perimeter sections 8, 9, 10, 11. The corner securing means 17, 18, 19, 20 secure the ends of the elongate perimeter sections 8, 9, 10, 11 together to define the table edges. The reinforcement portion 7 comprises five elongate reinforcement sections 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 that traverse the area defined by the perimeter portion 6. Elongate section 12 is welded between the perimeter sections 8 and 10. Elongate sections 13 and 14 are welded between perimeter section 9 and reinforcement section 12. Elongate sections 15 and 16 are welded between perimeter section 11 and reinforcement section 12. This provides a rigid frame for the table top surface 2 to be secured to by adhesive. Further, the use of the reinforcement sections 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 allows the table top surface 2 to be made of a thin, and therefore lightweight, laminate material that is well supported by frame 3.
[0015] The leg mechanism 4 comprises two folding leg pairs 23, 23' and 24, 24' of substantially identical construction attached to either side of the frame 3. Each leg is adapted to be hinged at its free end 27, 28, 29, 30. Each leg pair 23, 23' and 24, 24' also includes a folding leg support 31, 32.
[0016] The corner securing means 17, 18, 19, 20 provide a securing point for part of the folding leg mechanism 4. The corner securing means 17 is shown in more detail in Figure 2 with the leg mechanism 4 connected thereto. In particular, the free end 27 of leg 23' is rotatably connected to the corner securing means 17 by a rivet 33. Further, the folding leg support 31 comprises a first part 34 rotatably connected to a second part 35, and a release bar 36. The first part 34 is rotatably connected to the elongate section 8, the second part 35 is rotatably connected to the leg 23' and the release bar 36 is welded to the first part 34.
[0017] Each of the corners of the perimeter portion 6 includes a protection cap 37, which includes a tongue (not shown) that engages the mitred end of the elongate sections 8 and 10. In Figure 2 the cap 37 is shown spaced from the corner.
[0018] The table of the invention is substantially similar to the table of Figures 1 and 2 described above, but instead of the perimeter sections 8, 9, 10, 11 being welded together by corner securing means 17, 18, 19, 20, a connecting means 50 is employed to join the elongate perimeter sections 8, 9, 10, 11. The connecting means 50 is typically of nylon and therefore the use of protection caps 37 is not required as the connecting means will provide a degree of impact resistance.
[0019] The connecting means 50 is shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5. The connecting means 50 comprises a body 55, two connecting members 51 and 52 and two mounting means 53 and 54. The body 55 is hollow, and of substantially square cross section having a closed end 56 and an open end 57 (only visible in Figure 4). The body 55 thus comprises four side walls 62, 63, 64, 65 and a top wall formed by the closed end 56. The first connecting member 51 and the second connecting member 52 project from the body 55 at right angles to each other. The first and second connecting members 51, 52 are substantially of U-shaped cross-section. The mounting means 53 and 54 comprise apertures in the body 55. The apertures 53, 54 each include tubular wall extensions 60, 61 that extend beyond the thickness of the walls of the body 55. The tubular wall extensions 60 and 61 extend both outwardly and into the interior of the body 55.
[0020] The first connecting member 51 extends from the face of side wall 62 adjacent to but spaced a predetermined distance from its edge with side wall 65 and top wall 56. The second connecting member 52 extends from the face of side wall 63 adjacent to but spaced a predetermined distance from its edge with side wall 64 and top wall 56.
[0021] Figures 6 and 7 show an embodiment of a table and connecting means 50 of the invention. The same reference numerals have been used for features that are common to the table shown in Figures 1 and 2. The table 69 comprises a table top surface 2, a frame 3 and a folding leg mechanism 4 but the frame 3 is modified. In particular, the perimeter portion 6 of the frame 3 is modified.
[0022] The table 69 includes a perimeter portion 6 comprising four lengths of hollow elongate sections. Only two of the elongate sections 70 and 71 are shown in Figure 6. The elongate sections 70 and 71 have bores 72 and 73 respectively therethrough and their ends are straight cut. The connecting members 51 and 52 form the first and second joining parts and the bores 72 and 73 form the parts that are complementary to the first and second joining parts. The bores 72 and 73 are thus adapted to receive the connecting members 51 and 52 and form an interference fit therewith. The connecting members 51 and 52 are further secured within the respective bores 72 and 73 by fixing means such as pop-rivets 74 and 75. Thus, the perimeter portion 6 is formed by slotting the elongate sections 70 and 71 (the other two perimeter sections are not shown) over the connecting members 51 and 52 until they abut the body 55 and then pop-riveting through each perimeter section 70, 71 at each end into the respective connecting member 51, 52. The perimeter portion 6 therefore comprises four elongate sections and four connecting means. When the elongate sections 70 and 71 are connected to the connecting member they are flush with the body 55 as the predetermined distance is equal to the wall thickness of the elongate sections.
[0023] The connecting means 50 also provides a mounting point for the folding leg mechanism 4. In particular, the free end 27 of leg 23' is rotatably attached to the mounting means 53 by a connecting rivet 76. The connecting rivet 76 passes through apertures 77 formed in the free end as well as bore 53 and is secured on one side by a head 78 of the rivet 76 and on the other by a securing ring 80. The rivet 76 is of soft iron and the ring 80 is a star lock washer. The apertures 77 are lined with bushes 81. The remainder of the folding leg mechanism 4 is secured to the perimeter section 70 by a mounting plate 82 and to a further point on the leg 23'.
[0024] As each connecting means 50 includes two mounting means 53 and 54 it will be appreciated that the connecting means 50 can be used for all corners of the perimeter portion 6. The orientation of the connecting member 50 is therefore inconsequential as there will be a mounting means 53 or 54 in an appropriate position for attaching the folding leg mechanism 4.
[0025] Figure 7 shows a side view of the table 69 having the table top surface 2 secured to the frame 3. The surface 2 is secured to the top side 5 of the frame 3 by adhesive. The surface 2 is sized such that it extends over the majority of the top surface 5 of the perimeter portion 6 and the top wall 56 of each connecting means 50. This is advantageous as the table top surface 2 will further secure the elongate sections 70, 71 and connecting means 50 together. Figure 7 also shows the folding leg mechanism 4 in its in use configuration. In the in-use configuration, the first part 34 and second part 35 are extended by a spring 79, which holds the leg 23' in the upright position shown. The table is moved to its storage configuration by application of a force to the release bar 36, which rotates the first and second parts relative to one another enabling the leg 23' to fold upwards. When the leg 23' is parallel to the frame, in its storage configuration, it is held by magnets (not shown).
[0026] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the connecting means may not be of square cross section such that the connecting members project at right angle to each other. Instead, the connecting members may extend at a different angle to suit the shape of the table. For example, for a hexagonal table the connecting members will extend at 60° to each other. Further, the mounting means 53 and 54 may be positioned differently on the connecting means to allow the mounting of the folding leg mechanism as necessary.
1. A table comprising a frame (3), a table top surface (2) and a folding leg mechanism
(4), the frame including a perimeter portion (6) that defines the outside edges of
the table, the perimeter portion (6) comprising a plurality of elongate sections (70,
71) joined together by at least one connecting means (50), characterised in that the connecting means includes a first connecting member (51) adapted to engage a
complementary part on one of the elongate sections and a second connecting member
(52) adapted to engage a complementary part on one of the other elongate sections,
the connecting means also including mounting means (53, 54) to connect at least part
of the folding leg mechanism (4) to the frame (3).
2. A table according to claim 1, in which the first and second connecting members (51,
52) are adapted to project from a body (55) of the connecting means (50), and the
complementary parts comprise a bore (72, 73) in each elongate section (70, 71) that
receives the respective connecting member (51, 52).
3. A table according to claim 2, in which each elongate section (70, 71) is hollow and
forms the part complementary to the respective connecting member (51, 52).
4. A table according to any preceding claim, in which the mounting means (53, 54) comprises
a bore into which a bolt or rivet can be secured to attach the folding leg mechanism
to the connecting means.
5. A table according to any preceding claim, in which the mounting means comprises two
bores (53, 54) extending through the connecting means (50).
6. A table according to claim 5, in which the two bores are positioned such that one
of the bores (53) can be used to mount the folding leg mechanism (4) when the connecting
means is in a first orientation and the other bore (54) is used when the connecting
means is in a second orientation.
7. A table according to any preceding claim, in which the frame comprises four elongate
perimeter sections and four connecting means (50).
8. A table according to any preceding claim, in which the first connecting member (51)
projects at a right angle to the second connecting member (52).
9. A table according to any of claims 5 to 8, in which a first bore (53) is located adjacent
the first connecting member (51) and a second bore (54) is located adjacent the second
connecting member (52), the first and second bores extending through the connecting
means (50) at right angles to each other.
10. A table according to any preceding claim, in which the elongate sections (70, 71)
are hollow and have straight cut ends.
11. A connecting means (50) for joining a plurality of elongate sections (70, 71) to form
a frame (3) of a folding table, characterised in that the connecting means (50) comprises a first connecting member (51) adapted to engage
a complementary part of a first elongate section (70) and a second connecting member
(52) adapted to engage a complementary part of a second elongate section (71), the
connecting means (50) also including mounting means (53, 54) to connect at least part
of a folding leg mechanism (4) to the frame.