Nesting table with controlled pivoting movement

• US 7,066,098 B2
• Filed: 05/14/2004
• Issued: 06/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc. (HNI Corporation)
• Original Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc. (HNI Corporation)
• Inventors: Nichols, Timothy J., Ogden, Olson R., Blasen, Steven T., Dutton, Andrew D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V.
• Application Number:
  US10/846,294
• Publication Number:
  US 20050252426A1
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• Field of Search: 108/115, 108/64, 108/169, 108/91, 108/92, 108/99, 108/1, 108/7, 108/132, 108/133, 248/188.6, 248/434, 248/166, 248/439, 248/740
• US Class Current: 108/115
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 3/08 with legs pivoted to top or underframe
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 7/02 Stackable tables; Nesting tables

Abstract

A nesting table comprises a frame, a table top that rotates between a use configuration and a storage configuration, and a control that controls the rate of rotation from the use configuration to the storage configuration but does not affect the rate of rotation of the table top from the storage configuration to the use configuration. An impact protection device can be mounted on the frame to protect an adjacent table when two or more tables are nested in storage configuration. The nesting table also can be provided with a modesty screen that is mounted such that it does not interfere with the rotation of the table top in either direction. The table further can be provided with a latch including a hook, and a hook cover to further protect adjacent tables in nested configuration.

Claims

1. A nesting table comprising:

a frame,

a table top pivotably mounted to said frame, said table top being able to pivot between a use configuration that is horizontal relative to the frame and a storage configuration that is vertical relative to the frame, and

a control means that controls the rate of pivoting of the table top from the use configuration to the storage configuration but does not affect the rate of the rotation of the table top from the storage configuration to the use configuration.

2. The nesting table of claim 1 wherein said control means is mounted to said frame.

3. The nesting table of claim 1 wherein said frame comprises

a horizontal support member, and

at least two vertical support members, each vertical support member having a first foot and a second foot.

4. The nesting table of claim 3 wherein each said second foot is on an angled extension member extending from said vertical support member, such that when said table is in the storage configuration, one said frame can nest with another said frame.

5. The nesting table of claim 1 wherein said control means is selected from the group consisting of a spring, a piston, and a damper.

6. The nesting table of claim 5 wherein said control means is a surface effect damper.

7. The nesting table of claim 1 further comprising a latch means for releasably securing said table top in said use configuration.

8. The nesting table of claim 7 wherein said latch means comprises a latch assembly and a hook assembly, said latch assembly releasably engaging said hook assembly to prevent unwanted rotation of said table top from said use configuration to said storage configuration.

9. In a nesting table comprising a frame and a table top pivotably mounted to said frame, said table top being pivotable between a use configuration that is horizontal relative to said frame and a storage configuration that is vertical with respect to said frame, the improvement comprising a means for controlling the rate of pivoting of the table top from the use configuration to the storage configuration but not affecting the rate of the rotation of the table top from the storage configuration to the use configuration.

10. The nesting table of claim 9 wherein said means for controlling the rate of pivoting of the table top comprises a damper.

11. The nesting table of claim 10 wherein said damper is a surface effect damper.

12. A nesting table comprising

a frame,

a table top pivotably mounted to said frame, said table top being able to pivot between a use configuration that is horizontal relative to said frame and a storage configuration that is vertical relative to said frame, and

a control means that controls the rate of pivoting of the table top from the use configuration to the storage configuration,

said nesting table further comprising a latch means for releasably securing said table top in said use configuration, said latch means comprising a latch assembly and a hook assembly, said latch assembly releasably engaging said hook assembly to prevent unwanted rotation of said table top from said use configuration to said storage configuration,

said nesting table further comprising a cover for said hook, which cover allows said latch assembly to engage said hook assembly, while protecting adjacent tables in storage configuration from damage by inadvertent contact with said hook assembly.

13. A nesting table comprising

a frame, said frame comprising at least one vertical support member,

a table top pivotably mounted to said frame, said table top being able to pivot between a use configuration that is horizontal relative to the frame and a storage configuration that is vertical relative to the frame, and

a control means that controls the rate of pivoting of the table top from the use configuration to the storage configuration,

wherein at least a portion of said vertical support member is of tubular construction, said table further comprising an impact protection means adapted to fit within an open end of said tubular construction, such that said impact protection means prevents damage to an adjacent table that comes into inadvertent contact with said open tubular end.

14. The nesting table of claim 13 wherein said impact protection means comprises a stopper portion that fits within said open tubular construction and a shield portion that overlays at least a portion of the edge of said open tubular construction.

15. A nesting table comprising

a frame comprising a vertical support member, and

a table top pivotably mounted to said frame, said table top being able to pivot between a use configuration that is horizontal relative to the frame and a storage configuration that is vertical relative to the frame, and a panel mounted to said vertical support member for the modesty of the user, such that said panel does not interfere with the pivoting motion of said table top between the use configuration and the storage configuration, and

a control means that controls the rate of the rotation of the table top from the use configuration to the storage configuration but does not affect the rate of the rotation of the table top from the storage configuration to the use configuration.

16. The nesting table of claim 15 wherein said control means is a surface effect damper.