WO2013187841A1

WO2013187841A1 - Foldable table

Info

Publication number: WO2013187841A1
Application number: PCT/SE2013/050690
Authority: WO
Inventors: Göran Rosén
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-06-14
Filing date: 2013-06-13
Publication date: 2013-12-19
Anticipated expiration: 2014-12-14
Also published as: SE1250992A1; SE536602C2

Description

FOLDABLE TABLE The present invention relates to a fold- able table with ends and end supports, which are supported pivotably mounted on the underside of the tabletop of the table .

A foldable table of the kind mentioned is known according to inter alia FR 496 172.

Thereby, a part is also provided, which is pivotably mounted on the underside of the tabletop of the table. The function of said part is to keep the pivotably mounted legs of the table in folded out positions. No special stiffening function and effect as far as said pivotably mounted part is concerned is indicated in said patent publication, but only the locking.

As far as foldable tables are concerned, where pivotable separate ends and end supports are provided under a tabletop and one wishes to use a light material especially in the tabletop, there are problems that the tabletop might be bent down if it is loaded too much and there is a risk that the tabletop is bent down and in the worst case cracked in the middle.

The main object of the present invention is, therefore, in the first place to solve among other things said problems in a safe and efficient way and with simple and well functioning means.

Said object is reached by means of a table according to the present invention, which is mainly characterized in that between the bearings of said ends and end supports a stiffening flap is pivotably mounted closely along the underside of the tabletop through a bearing, that the stiffening flap in folded down stiffening position is mounted to abut closely along folded out end supports with one of its broadsides, that said

stiffening flap exhibits a length, which permits it to be clear from said end supports when these are in folded storage position folded closely to the associated end, and that said stiffening flap, end supports and ends are mounted so that it by folding them up is possible to pack them into a compact disc-shaped package.

The invention is described below as a preferred embodiment, whereby it is referred to the accompanying drawings, in which

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a table according to the invention seen obliguely from above and in folded out position,

Fig. 2 illustrates the table in folded position obliquely from the side,

Fig. 3 illustrates the table with turned up ends,

Fig. 4 illustrates the table with fully folded out ends, supports and stiffening flap,

Fig. 5 illustrates the folded out table from one of its long sides,

Fig. 6 illustrates the folded out table obliquely from below, and

Fig. 7 illustrates the table straight from below .

A foldable table 1, which is provided with ends 3, 4 and end supports 5, 6, which are supported pivotably mounted on the underside 2A of the tabletop 2 of the table, has according to the present invention a stiffening flap 7 pivotably mounted through bearing 12 on the tabletop 2 between the bearings 8, 9; 10, 11 of said ends 3, 4 and end supports 5, 6, closely along the underside 2A of said tabletop 2. Further, said stiffening flap 7 exhibits a length L, which permits the stiffening flap 7 to be clear from said end supports 5, 6 when the stiffen- ing flap 7 and the end supports 5, 6 are in folded storage position I closely to the associated end 3, 4. Said stiffening flap 7, end supports 5, 6 and ends 3, 4 are mounted so that they after folding can be packed into a compact disc-shaped package 13, as is illustrated in Fig. 2.

Said stiffening flap 7 is mounted so that it in folded down stiffening position is mounted to abut closely along folded out end supports 5, 6 with one of its broadsides 7A and closely along the underside 2A of the tabletop 2 with one of its end support faces 7B. This end support face 7B is so arranged that it abuts closely against the underside 2A of the tabletop 2 when the surface 2B of the tabletop 2 is loaded from above 14.

The stiffening flap 7 is formed by a discshaped beam, which exhibits a thickness T, which is at least the same as the thickness C of the tabletop 2, and a width B, which is between 0,1 and 0,2 meter.

In order to make the table easy to handle and cheap to manufacture, the entire table 1 preferably consists of MDF or any other suitable and just as light material.

The stiffening flap 7 and the end supports 5, 6 are mounted to be folded in opposite directions 14; 15, 16 from each other, and suitably a releasable connection is provided between the stiffening flap 7 and the respective end supports 5, 6, for example in the form of a stop designed as a pin, which co-operates with the

stiffening flap 7 as well as the respective end supports The nature and the function of the table should have been clear from the above description and the illustrations of the drawings. In order to lock ends 3, 4 and end supports 5, 6 in folded out position II there are locking stops 17, by means of which the end supports 5, 6 block the ends 5, 6 via bearings 10, 11, preferably of the piano hinges type.

Folding of the table is effected in correct order through folding in the end supports 5, 6, the stiffening flap 7 and the ends 3, 4 from the position illustrated in Fig. 6 into a flat package 13, which is shown in Fig . 2.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Modifications are possible, especially as far as the nature of the different parts is concerned, or by using equivalent technique, without departing from the scope of the invention as it is defined in the patent claims .

Claims

5 1 7 -07- 2013 PATENT CLAIMS

1. Foldable table (1) with ends (3, 4) and end supports (5, 6), which are supported pivotably mounted on the underside (2A) of the tabletop (2) of the table characterized in that between the bearings (8-11) of said ends (3, 4) and end supports (5, 6) a stiffening flap (7) is pivotably mounted closely along the underside (2A) of the tabletop (2) through a bearing (12), that the stiffen- ing flap (7) in folded down stiffening position is mounted to abut closely along folded out end supports (5, 6) with one of its broadsides (7A), that said stiffening flap (7) exhibits a length (L) , which permits it to be clear from said end supports (5, 6) when these are in folded storage position (I) folded in closely to the associated end

(3, 4), and that said stiffening flap (7), end supports (5, 6) and ends (3, 4) are mounted so that it by folding them up is possible to pack them into a compact discshaped package (13).

2. Table (1) according to Claim 1,

characterized in that the stiffening flap (7) is mounted so that it in folded down stiffening position abuts closely along the underside (2A) of the tabletop (2) with one of its end edge support faces (7B) .

3. Table (1) according to Claim 2,

characterized in that said end edge support face (7B) is arranged to abut closely against the underside (2A) of the tabletop (2) when the surface (2B) of the tabletop is loaded .

4. Table (1) according to anyone of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the stiffening flap (7) is formed by a disc-shaped beam.

5. Table (1) according to Claim 4,

characterized in that the stiffening flap (7) exhibits a thickness (T) , which is at least the same as the thickness (C) of the tabletop (2) .

6. Table (1) according to anyone of the

Claims 4-5, characterized in that the stiffening flap exhibits a width (B) of between 0,1 and 0,2 meter.

7. Table (1) according to anyone of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the entire table consist of MDF or any other similar light material.

8. Table (1) according to anyone of the

Claims 1-7, characterized in that the stiffening flap (7) and the end supports (5, 6) are mounted to be folded in opposite directions (14; 15; 16) from each other.

9. Table (1) according to anyone of the

Claims 1-8, characterized in that a releasable connection is provided between the stiffening flap (7) and the respective end supports (5, 6), for example in the form of a stop designed as a pin.