Collapsible massage table

• US 5,913,271 A
• Filed: 10/14/1997
• Issued: 06/22/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Earthlite Massage Tables, Inc.
• Original Assignee: John T. Lloyd
• Inventors: Lloyd, John T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Anderson, Gerald A.
• Application Number:
  US08/950,008
• Time in Patent Office: 616 Days
• Field of Search: 108/128, 108/36, 108/132, 108/38
• US Class Current: 108/132
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0064 Table leg assembly held in folded position by tension means
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2220/09 Furniture held together by tension cables
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 3/087 with struts supporting the legs
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 13/105 Portable, foldable or collapsible tables, e.g. for surgery or treatment portable, foldable or collapsible chairs for surgery or dental treatment A61G15/002

Abstract

A collapsible massage table has two sides, each side being supported by a support structure including two legs. Various cable lines are used to stabilize the legs when the table is open and upright. The cables also function to automate or semi-automate leg, brace and truss extension and/or folding during opening and collapsing processes.

Claims

1. A collapsible table comprising

a table top including table pieces hingably attached to each other so that when the table is erect the table pieces are substantially co-planar and when the table is collapsed the table portions fold substantially together,

wherein the table top has opposing ends, a medial region and four corners, each corner being supported by a diagonal leg when the table is erect, each leg being connected to the table via a pivotal link that rotates toward the medial region of the table top when the table is set up, and away from the medial region of the table top when the table is collapsed, and

a cable circuit running between the opposing ends of the table top to secure each leg in a diagonal substantially upright position when the table is erect without any rigid support member running from the leg toward the medial region of the table tap.

2. The table of claim 1 further comprising

a truss member extending below the medial region of the table top and impinging on the cable circuit when the table is erect.

3. The table of claim 1 further comprising a pulley secured under each corner of the table top, wherein the cable circuit is free to translate around the pulleys when the table is moved between open and collapsed positions.

4. The table of claim 1, wherein each link permits an end of one of the legs to move away from the medial region of the table top when the table is collapsed.