Extensible table

Abstract

The expandable table includes a base or base resting on a floor or other support surface, a frame supported by the base, and a table top. The table top includes a plurality of main table sections joined at a common center to form a small table and a plurality of expansion leaves that may be inserted between the main table sections as desired to create a table having a larger surface area. A pivot member connects the outer section of the extended leaf to the frame for rotation about a pivot axis between a deployed position and a stowed position, and a lift guide attached to an extended guide rail of the frame. A lift guide attached to the frame guides the inner section of the extension leaf between a stowed position and a deployed position along an inclined path as the outer section rotates about the pivot axis. In some embodiments, a removable stop prevents the main table section from sliding out of the end of the main rail. The stopper may be removed to allow for installation and / or replacement of the wedge segment.

Description

Expandable desk

[0001] Related Application This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 228316, filed July 31, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure generally relates to scalable desks, and more particularly to improvements in jupe-type scalable desks. Background Technology

[0003] A skirt table (also known as an extended round table) is a versatile piece of furniture that combines the elegance of a round table with the functionality of an expandable tabletop. The tabletop comprises multiple main table sections and multiple extended leaves. The main table sections connect at a common center to form smaller tables, while the extended leaves can be inserted between the main table sections as needed to create tables with larger surface areas. When the table is fully closed, the leaves are neatly stored beneath the tabletop, creating a smaller table surface. The main table sections separate when they are pulled radially outward to provide space for inserting the extended leaves, thus creating a larger table surface. Skirt tables can be used as compact dining tables for everyday use, but when extended, they provide ample space for larger gatherings or events. Examples of skirt tables are described in U.S. Patent No. 7,464,653 to Dodge and U.S. Patent No. 10,383,433 to Guglielmi. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure relates to improvements in an expandable skirt table. The expandable table includes a base or pedestal resting on a floor or other supporting surface, a frame supported by the base, and a tabletop. The tabletop includes multiple main table sections and multiple extension leaves, the main table sections being connected at a common center to form a smaller table, and the extension leaves being insertable as needed between the main table sections to create a table with a larger surface area. When the table is fully closed, the extension leaves are neatly stored below the table surface. The main table sections separate when they are pulled radially outward to provide space for inserting the extension leaves 60, thereby creating a larger table surface.

[0005] The expandable desk includes a frame comprising multiple main guide rails extending radially from the center of the frame and multiple extension guide rails branching from the main guide rails. The main table section is slidably mounted to a corresponding main guide rail for radial inward and outward movement along the main guide rail. Extension sections are slidably mounted to corresponding extension guide rail assemblies for movement between a storage (folded) position and a deployment (unfolded) position.

[0006] One aspect of this disclosure includes a deployment mechanism for facilitating the deployment of an extended blade from a storage position in a compact configuration to a deployment position in an extended configuration. For each extended blade, the deployment mechanism includes a pivot member and a lifting guide attached to an extension rail of a frame. The pivot member connects an outer section of the extended blade to the frame for rotation about a pivot axis between the deployment and storage positions. The lifting guide has a guide surface engaged by a follower on the extended blade to guide an inner section of the extended blade along an inclined path between the storage and deployment positions as the outer section rotates about the pivot axis.

[0007] In some embodiments, the guide surface of the lifting guide includes a peak at the middle of an end of the guide surface, a launching portion extending upward from a starting level to the peak of the guide surface, and a falling portion defining a termination level below the peak of the guide surface. During deployment of the extended blade, the follower starts at a starting level in the launching portion of the guide surface, travels upward along the launching portion of the guide surface, passes the peak of the guide surface, and stops in the falling portion of the guide surface.

[0008] Another aspect of this disclosure includes a removable stop to prevent the main table section from sliding out of the end of the main guide rail during use. The stop can be removed to allow for the installation and / or replacement of the main table section. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an expandable table in a closed or compact configuration.

[0010] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an expandable table in its open or expanded configuration.

[0011] Figures 3A to 3D illustrate the steps for expanding the expandable table.

[0012] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the frame used for the expandable table.

[0013] Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of the frame used for the expandable table.

[0014] Figure 5A is a cross-section of the main guide rail in the frame for the expandable table, showing the installed main table section.

[0015] Figure 5B is a cross-section of the extension rail in the frame for the expandable table, which shows the deployment mechanism for the extension leaf.

[0016] Figure 6 is a partial perspective view showing a table surface with two main table sections that are pulled radially outward.

[0017] Figures 7A and 7B are perspective views showing the deployment mechanism for the extended leaf section.

[0018] Figure 8 is a partial perspective view showing the removable stop for the main rail of the frame.

[0019] Figures 9A to 9E are cross-sectional views illustrating the steps for expanding an expandable table.

[0020] Figure 10 is an end view of the extended leaf in the folded structure, showing the hinge.

[0021] Figures 11A and 11B illustrate alternative embodiments of an expandable table with six main table sections.

[0022] Figures 12A and 12B illustrate alternative embodiments of an expandable table with four main table sections.

[0023] Figures 13A and 13B illustrate alternative embodiments of an expandable table with a square / rectangular construction. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Referring now to the accompanying drawings, Figures 1 and 2 illustrate an expandable table 10 according to an exemplary embodiment. The expandable table 10 includes a base or pedestal 12 resting on a floor or other supporting surface, a frame 20 supported by the base 12, and a tabletop 50. The tabletop 50 includes a plurality of main table sections 52 and a plurality of extension leaves 60. The main table sections 52 are connected at a common center to form a small table (as shown in Figure 1), and the plurality of extension leaves 60 can be inserted as needed between the main table sections 52 to create a table with a larger surface area (as shown in Figure 2). In the illustrated embodiment, the main table sections 52 are wedge-shaped or disc-shaped, such that the table surface is approximately circular. When the table 10 is fully closed, the extension leaves 60 are neatly stored below the table surface. The main table sections 52 separate when they are pulled radially outward to provide space for inserting the extension leaves 60, thereby creating a larger table surface.

[0025] Figures 3A to 3D illustrate how table 10 expands to form a large table surface. Figure 3A shows table 10 in a closed or compact configuration, providing a small table surface. To expand table 10, the user pulls the main table section 52 radially outward. When pulled radially outward, the wedge-shaped sections 52 separate to expose the extension leaf 60 beneath the table surface, as shown in Figure 3B. The extension leaf 60, visible in Figure 3B, is in a folded configuration. To deploy the extension leaf 60, the user unfolds and positions it. The process of unfolding and deploying the extension leaf 60 raises it into the plane of the table surface. Figure 3C shows the extension leaf 60 in the unfolded or deployed position. After the extension leaf 60 is deployed, the user pushes the main table section 52 and the extension leaf 60 radially inward, causing them to converge and form a large table surface, as shown in Figure 3D.

[0026] Figure 4 illustrates a frame 20 of an expandable desk 10 according to one embodiment. The frame 20 includes a plurality of main guide rails 22, a plurality of extension guide rails 22 branching from the main guide rails 22, and a skirt 40. The number of main guide rails 22 corresponds to the number of main desk sections 52. In the illustrative embodiment, there are six main desk sections and six main guide rails 22, although the number of main desk sections 52 is not significant. The main guide rails 22 extend outward from the center of the frame 20 to the skirt 40, which extends circumferentially around the frame 20 to form the outer perimeter of the frame 20. In each sector of the frame 20, two extension guide rails 30 extend parallel to each other from the corresponding main guide rail 22 to the skirt 40 to form an extension guide rail group. The extension guide rails 30 in the same extension guide rail group are parallel to and equidistant from the radial line dividing the sector (i.e., the wedge-shaped area defined by the two main guide rails and the skirt).

[0027] The main table section 52 can be slidably mounted to the corresponding main guide rail 22 so as to move radially inward and outward along the main guide rail 22. The extension leaf 60 can be slidably mounted to the corresponding extension guide rail assembly so as to move between a storage (folded) position and a deployment (unfolded) position.

[0028] The main guide rail 22 is extruded from aluminum or other lightweight material and includes a channel 24 (FIG. 5A) in its upper surface, which serves as a track for the main table section 52. A slider 58, attached to the underside of the main table section 52, travels back and forth in the channel 24. The channel 24 and the slider 58 are shaped such that the main table section 52 cannot be vertically removed from the channel 24. The channel 24 is open at its outer end to allow insertion and removal of the slider 58 attached to the main table section 52 through the open end.

[0029] In one embodiment, a removable stop 80 is inserted into the open end of each channel 24 to prevent the main table section 52 from sliding out of the main guide rail 22. Figure 8 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the removable stop 80. The stop 80 comprises a block made of metal, wood, plastic, or composite material. The stop 80 is shaped for insertion into the end of the channel 24 in the main guide rail 22. The stop 80 includes a through hole 82 engaged by a stop pin 84 disposed inside the main guide rail 22. A spring 86 biases the stop pin 84 to engage with the through hole 82 in the stop 80. The stop pin 84 includes an arm 88 extending outward through an opening 26 in the sidewall of the main guide rail 22. A user can remove the main table section 52 of the table 10 by pulling down on the arm 88 of the stop pin 84 to disengage the stop pin 84 from the stop 80 and remove the stop 80. Once the stop 80 is removed, the slider 58 attached to the underside of the main table section 52 can slide out of the open end of the channel 24.

[0030] The extension rail 30 comprises a rectangular tube extruded from aluminum or other lightweight materials (Figure 5B). Each extension rail 30 branches off from a corresponding main rail 22 and extends to the skirt 40, as seen in Figure 4. The extension rail 30 is preferably welded to the main rail 22, but other attachment methods, such as threaded fasteners, may also be used. Two extension rails 30 between the same pair of main rails 22 extend parallel to each other and form an extension rail assembly for the extension blade 60. A deployment mechanism 100, described in more detail below, including a sliding pivot 102, a lifting guide 110, and a follower 120, supports each extension blade 60 between the corresponding extension rail assemblies.

[0031] The skirt 40 includes six curved segments 42. Each curved segment 42 is attached to a corresponding main guide rail 22 at its opposite end. The curved segments 42 can be secured to the main guide rail 22 and the extension guide rail 30 by welding or threaded fasteners. In either case, the curved segments 42 are connected to the main guide rail 22 such that the open ends of the channels 24 in the main guide rail 22 are not blocked. The outer surface of the curved segments 42 can be covered with wood laminate or other materials that give the appearance of natural wood veneer.

[0032] As previously noted, the tabletop 50 includes a plurality of main table sections 52 and a plurality of extended folies 60. The main table sections 52 and extended folies 54 may be made of wood or a composite material having a natural wood appearance. In one embodiment, the components of the tabletop 50 are made of plywood. The components of the tabletop 50 may be shaped to form a perfect circle in either a closed or extended configuration.

[0033] Each main table section 52 has an outwardly curved edge 54 and a converging side 56, which form an approximately circular sector. A slider 58 is attached to the underside of each main table section 52. The slider 58 engages in a channel 24 in one of the main guide rails 22 and allows the main table section 52 to slide radially inward and outward along the main guide rail 22.

[0034] Each extension leaf 60 comprises two parts: an outer section 62 and an inner section 68. The outer section 62 and the inner section 68 of each extension leaf 60 are connected by a hinge 74, which allows the extension leaf 60 to be folded into a storage position. The outer section 62 includes a curved outer edge 64 and parallel sides 66, the curved outer edge 64 forming part of the outer periphery of the tabletop 50 in the extension configuration, and the parallel sides 66 abutting the sides of the main table section 52 in the extension configuration. The inner section 68 has two parallel sides 70 and two converging sides 72, which form an overall pencil shape with a pointed tip. The parallel sides 70 abut the converging sides 52 of the main table section 52 in the extension configuration, while the converging sides 72 abut the converging sides 72 of another extension leaf 60 in the extension configuration.

[0035] The extended blade 60 is mounted to a corresponding extension rail assembly via a deployment mechanism 100. In the disclosed embodiment, a separate deployment mechanism is provided for each extended blade 60. The deployment mechanism 100 for the extended blade 60 includes three main components: a sliding pivot 102, a lifting guide 110, and a follower 120. Each extended blade 60 uses two sliding pivots 102, two lifting guides 110, and two followers 120; that is, one of each type of component is used for each side of the extended blade 60. The sliding pivot 102 rotatably connects the extended blade 60 to the parallel extension rails 30 in the extension rail assembly, allowing the extended blade 60 to rotate between a storage position and a deployment position, as described below. When the extended blade 60 is being deployed, the lifting guides 110 and the followers 120 guide the tip of the extended blade into place.

[0036] The sliding pivot 102 comprises two main parts: a slotted bracket 104 with a guide groove 106 and a pivot pin 108. The slotted bracket 104 is mounted to the vertical surface of the extension guide 30 facing the extension blade 60. The pivot pin 108 is mounted to the underside of the outer section 62 of the extension blade 60 and extends outward from the parallel side 66 of the outer section 62. The axis of the pivot pin 108 is vertically offset from the plane of the extension blade 60. This offset causes the extension blade 60 to rise into the plane of the table surface when being deployed and to fall back below the plane of the table surface when returning to the storage position. The slotted bracket 104 includes an opening 107 that allows the pivot pin 108 to be inserted into and removed from the guide groove 106, thereby making the extension blade 30 removable. The guide groove 106 allows for a certain degree of radial movement of the extension blade 60 during deployment and return to the storage position.

[0037] The lifting guide 110 includes a guide arm 114 made of a flat metal plate and a mounting tab 112. The mounting tab 112 abuts the bottom surface of the extension rail 30 and provides a means for attaching the lifting guide 110 to the extension rail 30. In one embodiment, a threaded fastener secures the lifting guide 110 to the bottom surface of the extension rail 30. The threaded fastener passes through an opening (not shown) in the mounting tab 112 and screws into a mounting hole (not shown) in the bottom of the extension rail. The guide arm 114 lies flat against the vertical surface of the extension rail 30 and includes an upper surface with a complex bend. The upper surface functions as a guide surface 116 for the follower 120, as described below. The complex bend includes three parts. The first part, referred to herein as the lifting portion, includes an upwardly curved concave curve. The second part, referred herein as the central portion, includes a convex curve defining a peak along the guide surface. The third part, referred to herein as the falling section, includes a concave curve that curves slightly downward and then flattens to form a falling area for the follower 120 in the deployment position.

[0038] The follower 120 includes a bearing 122 (Figures 7A and 7B) which is mounted to the underside of the inner section 68 of the extension vane 60. When the extension vane 60 is being deployed or returned to storage, the bearing 122 travels along the guide surface 116 of the guide arm 114. In the storage position, the follower 120 rests on the upper surface 118 of a mounting tab 112 protruding from the extension guide rail 30. The upper surface 118 of the mounting tab 112 functions as a resting stop for the bearing 122 in the storage position. During deployment, the bearing 122 travels upward along a raised portion of the guide surface 116 and moves toward a falling region. The bearing 122 travels past a peak in the central portion of the guide surface 116 and stops in the falling region, as shown in Figure 7A. During the return of the extension vane 60, the follower 120 moves from the falling region back to the raised portion of the guide surface 116.

[0039] Figures 9A to 9D illustrate how the deployment mechanism works. Figure 9A shows the extended leaf 60 in its storage position below the table surface. In this configuration, the outer section 62 of the extended leaf 60 is flipped and folded over the top of the inner section 68. The pivot pin 108 is positioned toward the outer end of the guide slot 106 in the slotted bracket 104. The bearing 122 of the follower 120 rests on the upper surface 118 of the mounting tab 112. Figure 9B shows the main table section 52 of the extended leaf 60 sliding radially outward to expose it. Figures 9C and 9D show the extended leaf 60 being deployed. As the outer section 62 is being deployed, the inner section 68 is pushed forward, and the bearing 122 of the follower 120 begins to travel upward along the raised portion of the guide surface. Once the extended blade 60 is deployed, it is pushed inward, causing the follower 120 to pass over the peak in the central portion of the guide surface 116 and stop in the drop region, as shown in FIG9E. In the extended configuration, the pivot pin 108 is located near the inner end of the guide channel 106 in the slotted bracket 104. The shape of the guide arm 114 helps to hold the extended blade 30 in place.

[0040] In some embodiments, the side edges 56, 66, and 70 of the main table section 52 and the extension leaf 60 include embedded magnets 90 to hold the table sections together. The edge 56 of the main table section 52 may include a first set of magnets 90 and a second set of magnets 90, the first set of magnets 90 engaging with magnets 90 on an adjacent main table section 52 in a compact configuration, and the second set of magnets 90 engaging with magnets 90 on an adjacent extension leaf 60 in an extended configuration. The edges 66 and 70 of the extension leaf 60 include a single set of magnets 90 to engage with magnets 90 on the main table section 52.

[0041] In some embodiments, the side edges 56, 66, and 70 of the main table section 52 and the extension leaf 60 include a series of slots 92, 96. The slots 92 in the side edge 56 of the main table section 52 are engaged by posts 94 extending from the side edges 66, 70 of the extension leaf 60. The slots 96 in the side edges 66, 70 of the extension leaf 60 are engaged by posts 98 extending from the side edge 56 of the main table section 52. The engagement of the posts 94, 98 with the slots 92, 96 prevents the extension leaf 60 from rising upwards during use.

[0042] The exemplary table illustrated in the figures embodies a circular design, wherein the table surface comprises a perfect circle in an open or extended configuration (Figure 3D) and an irregular circle in a closed or compact configuration (Figure 3A). However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the table can embody a variety of shapes and variations. Figures 11A and 11B illustrate alternative embodiments, wherein the table surface comprises a perfect circle in a closed or compact configuration (Figure 11A) and an irregular circle in an open or extended configuration (Figure 11B).

[0043] Figures 12A and 12B show another circular design in which the table includes four main table sections 52 instead of six. Other designs may include more than six main table sections 52 or fewer than four main table sections 52.

[0044] The table geometry can be based on shapes other than circles. For example, the table can be elliptical, oval, square, rectangular, hexagonal, or octagonal. Figures 13A and 13B illustrate designs that are square in closed or compact constructions and rectangular in open or extended constructions. These examples are intended to illustrate some of the possibilities and are not limiting.

[0045] Of course, this disclosure may be practiced in ways other than those specifically set forth herein without departing from its essential characteristics. The present embodiments are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive in all respects, and all changes within the meaning and scope of the appended claims are intended to be included therein.

Claims

1. A method comprising: A frame including a skirt, a plurality of main guide rails extending radially between the center of the frame and the skirt, and a plurality of extended guide rails extending between the respective main guide rails and the skirt; a plurality of main table sections centrally connected in a compact configuration to form a small table surface, the main table sections being slidably mounted to the respective main guide rails of the frame so as to separate when the main table sections slide radially outward from the center; and a plurality of extension leaves configured for insertion between the main table sections in an extended configuration, each extension leaf including an outer section and an inner section hingedly connected to the outer section for folding in a storage position and unfolding in a deployment position. A deployment mechanism for facilitating the deployment of the extended leaf from a storage position in the compact configuration to a deployment position in the extended configuration, the deployment mechanism comprising, for each extended leaf: a pivot member connecting the outer section of the extended leaf to the frame for rotation about a pivot axis between the deployment position and the storage position; and a lifting guide attached to an extension rail of the frame and having a guide surface engaged by a follower on the extended leaf for guiding the inner section of the extended leaf along an inclined path between the storage position and the deployment position as the outer section rotates about the pivot axis.

2. The expandable desk according to claim 1, wherein, The axis of the pivot component is vertically offset from the plane of the outer section, such that the extended leaf rotates into the plane of the table surface in the deployment position and descends below the plane of the table surface in the storage position.

3. The expandable desk according to claim 2, wherein, The outer and inner sections of the extended leaf are folded in the storage position.

4. The expandable desk according to claim 3, wherein, The deployment mechanism further includes a slotted bracket fixed to the frame to receive the pivot component, allowing the extended leaf to move radially inward and outward.

5. The expandable desk according to claim 1, wherein, The guide surface includes a peak at the middle of the end of the guide surface, a raised portion of the peak extending upward from the starting level to the guide surface, and a lower portion defining a termination level below the peak of the guide surface.

6. The expandable desk according to claim 5, wherein, During the deployment of the extended leaf, the follower begins at the starting level, travels upward along the raised portion of the guide surface, passes the peak of the guide surface, and stops in the falling portion of the guide surface.

7. The expandable desk according to claim 1, wherein, The side edges of the wedge-shaped segment include at least one magnet, which engages with a magnet in the side edges of an adjacent main segment in the compact configuration, and with a magnet in the side edges of an adjacent expandable leaf in the extended configuration.

8. The expandable desk according to claim 1, wherein, The side edge of the main table section includes at least one groove configured to receive a column extending from the side edge of an adjacent main section in the compact configuration, and a column extending from the side edge of an adjacent expandable leaf in the extended configuration.

9. The expandable desk according to claim 1, wherein, The side edge of the extended leaf includes at least one groove configured to receive a column extending from the side edge of an adjacent main segment in the extended configuration.

10. The expandable desk according to claim 1, wherein, The main table section includes a slider that is slidably received in an end-open channel in the main guide rail.

11. The expandable desk of claim 10, further comprising a removable stop capable of being inserted into an open end of the main guide rail to prevent the main desk section from sliding out of the main guide rail when the removable stop is installed, and to allow the main desk section to be removed when the removable stop is removed.

12. An expandable desk, comprising: A frame comprising a plurality of main guide rails extending radially between a center of the frame and an outer periphery of the frame, each main guide rail including a channel open at an outer end of the main guide rail; a plurality of main table sections connected at a common center in a compact construction to form a small table surface, the main table sections being slidably mounted in the channels of the main guide rails such that they separate when the main table sections slide radially outward from the center and converge when the main table sections slide radially inward; Multiple extension leaves configured to be inserted between the main table sections in an extension configuration, each extension leaf including: an outer section connected to the frame so as to slide radially inward and outward and rotate about a sliding pivot axis as the extension leaf moves between a storage position and a deployment position; An inner section, which is coplanar with the outer section in the deployment position and hingedly connected to the outer section so as to fold back toward the outer section in the storage position, the inner section includes a follower that slides along a cam surface on the frame to guide the inner section of the extension leaf along an inclined path from the storage position to the deployment position when the outer section of the extension leaf rotates from the storage position to the deployment position; a removable stop that can be inserted into an open end of the main guide rail to prevent the main table section from sliding out of the main guide rail when the removable stop is installed, and to allow the main table section to be removed when the removable stop is removed.

13. The expandable desk of claim 12, wherein, The axis of the pivot component is vertically offset from the plane of the outer section, such that the extended leaf rotates into the plane of the table surface in the deployment position and descends below the plane of the table surface in the storage position.

14. The expandable desk of claim 13, wherein, The outer and inner sections of the extended leaf are folded in the storage position.

15. The expandable desk of claim 14, wherein, The deployment mechanism further includes a slotted bracket fixed to the frame to receive the pivot component, allowing the extended leaf to move radially inward and outward.

16. The expandable desk of claim 12, wherein, The guide surface includes a peak at the middle of the end of the guide surface, a raised portion of the peak extending upward from the starting level to the guide surface, and a lower portion defining a termination level below the peak of the guide surface.

17. The expandable desk of claim 16, wherein, During the deployment of the extended leaf, the follower begins at the starting level, travels upward along the raised portion of the guide surface, passes the peak of the guide surface, and stops in the falling portion of the guide surface.

18. The expandable desk of claim 12, wherein, The side edges of the wedge-shaped segment include at least one magnet, which engages with a magnet in the side edges of an adjacent main segment in the compact configuration, and with a magnet in the side edges of an adjacent expandable leaf in the extended configuration.

19. The expandable desk of claim 12, wherein, The side edge of the main table section includes at least one groove configured to receive a column extending from the side edge of an adjacent main section in the compact configuration, and a column extending from the side edge of an adjacent expandable leaf in the extended configuration.

20. The expandable desk of claim 12, wherein, The side edge of the extended leaf includes at least one groove configured to receive a column extending from the side edge of an adjacent main segment in the extended configuration.

21. The expandable desk of claim 12, wherein, The main table section includes a slider that is slidably received in an end-open channel in the main guide rail.

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