Collapsible table

• US 5,322,022 A
• Filed: 12/30/1992
• Issued: 06/21/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mark W. Burkholder
• Original Assignee: Mark W. Burkholder
• Inventors: Burkholder, Mark W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V.
• Application Number:
  US07/998,620
• Time in Patent Office: 538 Days
• Field of Search: 108/48, 108/42, 108/38, 108/47, 108/123, 108/130, 108/131, 108/132
• US Class Current: 108/48
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 5/06 with legs for supporting the table on the floor tables combined with cabinets A47B83/045

Abstract

A collapsible table is provided with one side that is adapted for pivotal attachment to a wall and having two legs extending from the other side that can be readily folded under the table while the table is simultaneously lowered flush against the wall. A locking member is pivotally attached to the underside of the table top that spans between both legs and is rotatable from a first position where it locks both legs vertically underneath the table top, and a second position where the front legs are free to be folded against the underside of the table top. A collapsing line is attached to one front leg, through the midpoint on the locking member, and to the other leg such that when the midsection of the collapsing line is pulled, it pulls the front legs up underneath the table top which allows the table top to be simultaneously lowered to its collapsed position flush with the wall.

Claims

1. A collapsible table adapted for attachment to a wall, comprising:

(a) a table top of a generally planar configuration having an underside, a top surface, a fixed edge, and a free edge opposite the fixed edge having a first corner and a second corner, at least one hinge attached to said fixed edge such that the table top can be mounted to the wall at the at least one hinge so as to be rotatable between an erected position where the table top is extending perpendicular from the wall, and a collapsed position where the table top is hanging vertical from the at least one hinge;

(b) a first leg having a free end and a fixed end, the fixed end pivotally mounted to the underside of the table top proximate the first corner such that the first leg is rotatable between an extended position where the first leg extends vertically from the underside of the table top for supporting the table top in the erected position, and a folded position where the first leg is folded against the underside of the table top;

(c) a second leg having a free end and a fixed end, the fixed end pivotally mounted to the underside of the table top proximate the second corner such that the second leg is rotatable between an extended position where the second leg extends vertically from the underside of the table top for supporting the table top in the erected position, and a folded position where the second leg is folded against the underside of the table top;

(d) a longitudinal locking member pivotally attached along its top edge to the under side of the table top and spanning horizontally between the fixed ends of the first and second legs, the locking member being rotatable from a locking position where the locking member extends vertically from the underside of the table top and interlocks with the fixed ends of the first and second legs to lock the first and second legs in their extended positions, and an unlocked position where the locking member is flush with the underside of the table top and unlocked from the first and second legs such that the first and second legs are free to be moved to their folded positions, the locking member having at least one guide passage located generally at the middle of the locking member;

(e) a collapsing line passing through the at least one guide passage in the locking member and having a first end attached to a mid point along the first leg and a second end attached at a mid point along the second leg.

2. The collapsible table of claim 1 wherein the at least one guide passage is two holes in the locking member spaced apart such that the length of collapsing line spanning between the two holes when the first and second legs are in their extended positions allows the collapsing line to be readily grasped.

3. The collapsible table of claim 2 further comprising a handle attached to the collapsing line at its midsection, said collapsing line oriented through the two holes such that the handle is on the side of the locking member towards the free edge of the table top.

4. The collapsible table of claim 3 wherein the collapsing line is of such a length that when the table top is in its collapsed position, the handle can be placed behind the fixed edge of the table top.

5. The collapsible table of claim 4 wherein the fixed edge of the table top has two notches therein and spaced apart such that when the table top is in its collapsed position and the handle is placed behind the fixed edge, the collapsing line extending from each end of the handle can be readily placed in the notches.

6. The collapsible table of claim 4 wherein the first and second ends of the collapsing line are attached at generally the middle of the first and second legs, respectively.

7. The collapsible table of claim 1 further comprising support members to which the at least one hinge are attached, the support members adapted to be secured to the wall, the fixed edge of the table top being hinged to the support members such that the table top is partially supported on the support members.

8. The collapsible table of claim 1 further comprising a safety catch extending from the underside of the table top proximate the locking member and pivotable, only in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the locking member pivots, between a safety position where the safety catch extends alongside the locking member in its locked position so as to prevent inadvertent rotation of the locking member out of its locked position, and a free position where the safety catch is flush with the underside of the table top so as to allow the locking member to be rotated out of its locked position.

9. The collapsible table of claim 1 wherein the fixed ends of the first and second legs each have a shoulder towards the front edge of the table top, and the locking member extends from the underside along a line that is generally above the shoulders, the locking member having a top which is hinged to the underside and a bottom surface such that when the locking member is in the locked position, the bottom surface seats on the shoulders so as to prevent rotation of the first and second legs.

10. The collapsible table of claim 9 further comprising a block placed on each side of each notch on the back side of the locking member, the blocks sized such that they extend on each side of the first and second legs to contribute to the prevention of rotation of the first and second legs.

11. The collapsible table of claim 1 wherein the first and second legs are pivotally attached to the underside and of a weight such that the first and second legs will unfold away from the underside of the table top when the table top is rotated away from the wall and the collapsing line is unrestrained.