Table

Abstract

To provide a table which can be folded into a compact form by removing a top plate divided into a plurality of sheets, and is excellent in strength, handleability, convenience and versatility.SOLUTION: A pair of right and left legs 2 whose upper end parts are rotatably supported by a pair of top plate support members 1 extending in the horizontal direction, and a pair of upper and lower horizontal frames 3 for connecting the legs 2 to each other in the front and rear direction near the upper end parts and near the lower end parts of the legs 2 are provided. The table includes a frame structural body F and a plurality of detachable top plates P1 to P3 arranged inside the top plate support member 1, the frame structural body F including a horizontal-direction frame 3 divided into two so as to be foldable in the vicinity of a central portion, a vertical-direction frame 4 configured to couple the horizontal-direction frames 3 to each other in a vertical direction and support the horizontal-direction frames 3, and a reinforcing frame 5 having an upper end portion pivotally supported by each of the upper horizontal-direction frames 3 divided into two and a lower end portion vertically movable along the vertical-direction frame 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] To provide a table which can be folded into a compact form by removing a top plate divided into a plurality of pieces, can be quickly and easily folded and assembled, and has excellent strength, ease of handling, convenience and versatility. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, tables have been proposed that are easy to transport and store by removing the divided top plate and folding it into a compact form (Patent Documents 1 and 2). Such tables are required to be lightweight, strong, and easy to assemble and fold. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5325710 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-196939 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional tables may be easy to fold, but they lack strength (load-bearing capacity) and stability. Furthermore, conventional tables have not taken into consideration the possibility of sharing a tabletop with tables of different sizes or changing the size of the table.

[0005] Furthermore, conventional tables do not take into consideration the possibility of transforming the table to be used for other purposes. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to solve the above problems and to provide a table that can be disassembled into a compact form by removing multiple tabletops and foldable, and that is strong, easy to handle, and convenient to use. Another object of the present invention is to provide a versatile table that can utilize the tabletop of other small-sized tables as is. It is another object of the present invention to provide a table that can be used for other purposes by utilizing the deformation of the table. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) The present invention is a device comprising: (a) a pair of front and rear rod-shaped tabletop support members arranged to extend horizontally; (b) a pair of left and right legs whose upper ends are rotatably supported near the left and right ends of each tabletop support member and which can be folded inward along the tabletop support members or raised in a direction approximately perpendicular to the tabletop support members; and (c) a pair of upper and lower horizontal frames which connect the two legs in the front-rear direction near the upper and lower ends of the two legs arranged in corresponding front-rear positions, the outer ends of which are rotatably supported relative to the legs and further divided into two parts near the center so as to be foldable, and the inner ends of which are rotatably supported relative to a first connecting member arranged there. a frame structure comprising: a horizontal frame that can be folded and aligned in a linear manner by being folded; (d) a vertical frame having both upper and lower ends fixed to the first connecting members so as to connect and support the pair of upper and lower first connecting members in the vertical direction; (e) a second connecting member that is annularly mounted so as to be slidable in the vertical direction along the vertical frame; and (f) a reinforcing frame whose upper end is journaled to each of the two divided upper horizontal frames and whose lower end is journaled to the second connecting member, and which can be oriented in a substantially horizontal direction or a substantially vertical direction as the second connecting member moves up and down; (g) a table consisting of a plurality of removable main tabletops arranged in the front-to-rear direction inside the tabletop support member.

[0007] (2) In addition to the above configuration, the table of the present invention may have a main tabletop equipped with a tabletop-side fixing portion for fixing the pair of front and rear tabletop support members in a connected state in the front-to-rear direction, and may be configured to prevent deformation of the frame structure by connecting the tabletop-side fixing portion to frame-side fixing portions provided at the left and right ends of the tabletop support members. (3) Furthermore, the table of the present invention may further include a removable auxiliary tabletop arranged in the left-right direction inside the tabletop support member, and multiple removable main tabletops may be arranged in the front-to-back direction inside the auxiliary tabletop. (4) In addition to the above configuration, the table of the present invention has a tabletop equipped with a tabletop-side fixing portion for fixing the pair of front and rear tabletop support members in a connected state in the front-to-rear direction, and by connecting the tabletop-side fixing portion to the frame-side fixing portions provided on the left and right ends of the tabletop support members, deformation of the frame structure can be prevented, and the auxiliary tabletop may be arranged so as to span between the left and right tabletops equipped with the tabletop-side fixing portions. (5) In the table of the present invention, the table top support member may have a locking portion on its inner surface that engages with the auxiliary table top. (6) The table of the present invention may be capable of being used as a backrest or as a cornhole game tool by folding the right or left leg and tilting the top. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] (1) In the table of the present invention configured as described above, the legs of the frame structure supporting the tabletop are supported by horizontal frames, vertical frames, and reinforcing frames, making it possible to provide a table with excellent strength and stability. Furthermore, by narrowing the gap between the tabletop support members, the second connecting member can be moved downward, and at the same time the horizontal frame can be folded so that it overlaps, allowing the horizontal frame, reinforcing frame, and vertical frame to all face the same direction, allowing the entire unit to be folded compactly. (2) Furthermore, in the table of the present invention, by connecting the fixing portions provided on the main tabletop and the tabletop support member, the main tabletop and the tabletop support member can be integrated, and the strength of the frame structure can be easily increased.

[0009] (3) Furthermore, in the table of the present invention, by arranging an auxiliary tabletop along the inside of the tabletop support member, it is possible to arrange multiple removable main tabletops in the front-to-back direction inside the auxiliary tabletop, thereby making it possible to reuse tabletops used for smaller tables. Therefore, tables of different sizes can be selected appropriately and not only can they be stored and operated with a small number of tabletops, but tabletops of the same size and compatible with each other can also be used during manufacturing and sales, resulting in efficiency, cost reduction and improved convenience. Furthermore, by adopting this configuration, the auxiliary tabletop can be removed, and all the tabletops except those at the left and right ends can be removed, narrowing the gap between the two tabletop support members, allowing the tabletop to be used to hang objects by hanging a rod or the like between the two raised upper first connecting members. (4) In the table of the present invention, by arranging the auxiliary tabletop so that it spans between the left and right tabletops that have the tabletop-side fixing portions, the strength of the frame structure is increased and tabletops used for smaller tables can be used as they are. (5) In the table of the present invention, if the inner surface of the table top support member is provided with a locking portion that engages with the auxiliary table top, the auxiliary table top can be stably held on the frame structure, and the stability and strength of the table can be easily increased. (6) The present invention proposes a new use for the table by using the tabletop in an inclined position, thereby increasing the convenience and product value of the table. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 shows a table according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) is a perspective view showing the table in use, (B) is a side view showing the table in use, and (C) is a front view showing the table in use. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a table according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) is a front view showing the legs folded, (B) is a bottom view showing the legs and frames folded, and (C) is a front view showing the legs and frames folded. [Figure 3] 3(A) to 3(C) are plan views showing a table and its components according to one embodiment of the present invention, and are diagrams showing the procedure for assembling the table up to a state where it can be used. [Figure 4] Figures 4(A) and (B) are plan views of a table according to one embodiment of the present invention, where (B) shows the appearance of placing a stove in the center of the table, and (C) shows another embodiment of a smaller table and its components. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows a table embodying the present invention with only one leg folded, where (A) is a front view, (B) is a perspective view showing the frame structure with all tabletops removed, and (C) is a perspective view showing the state with only some of the tabletops removed. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows the state in which each frame of a table embodying the present invention is folded partway down, where (A) is a bottom view with the legs folded, (B) is a perspective view showing the state in which each frame is folded partway down, (C) is a perspective view showing the state in which only the top panels at the left and right ends are attached, and (D) is a front view showing the state in which a rod is placed on the upper end of the folded horizontal frame. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention relates to a horizontal frame comprising: a pair of front and rear rod-shaped tabletop support members arranged to extend horizontally; a pair of left and right legs whose upper ends are rotatably supported near the left and right ends of each tabletop support member and which can be folded inward along the tabletop support members or raised in a direction approximately perpendicular to the tabletop support members; and a pair of upper and lower horizontal frames which connect the two legs in the front and rear directions near the upper and lower ends of the two legs arranged at corresponding front and rear positions, the outer ends of which are rotatably supported relative to the legs, and which are further divided into two so as to be foldable near the center, and the inner end of which is rotatably supported relative to a first connecting member arranged therein, so that the horizontal frames can be extended linearly or folded and arranged approximately parallel to each other. a frame structure including a frame, a vertical frame having both upper and lower ends fixed to the first connecting members so as to connect and support the pair of upper and lower first connecting members in the vertical direction, a second connecting member attached to the frame so as to be able to slide in the vertical direction along the vertical frame, and a reinforcing frame having an upper end journaled to each of the two divided upper horizontal frames and a lower end journaled to the second connecting member, the reinforcing frame being able to change between a state facing approximately horizontally and a state facing approximately vertically as the second connecting member moves up and down, and a plurality of removable main tabletops arranged in the front-to-rear direction inside the tabletop support member, and the table can be suitably embodied in the embodiments described below.

[0012] A foldable table T1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Table T1 of one embodiment of the present invention can be disassembled and folded into a compact form, making it convenient to transport and store, and is suitable for use in outdoor activities such as camping.It is composed of multiple divided top panels P1 to P3 and a frame structure F (skeleton) that is placed on top and supports them. The top plates P1 to P3 are preferably mainly made of synthetic resin, and the frame structure F is mainly made up of a plurality of lightweight metal frames 1 to 5 and synthetic resin parts that connect them.

[0013] A pair of rod-shaped tabletop support members 1, one in front and one in back, which are parallel to each other and extend in the left-right and horizontal directions, are arranged at the upper end of the frame structure F. A step portion 6 is formed on the inside of the tabletop support members 1, and the tabletops P1 to P3 can be placed on the step portion 6 so that they fit onto the step portion 6. The table tops P1 to P3 in the table T1 of one embodiment of the present invention are composed of two long table tops P2 arranged along the front-to-back direction at the left and right ends of the table top support member 1, two long auxiliary table tops P3 arranged on the step portion 6 of the table top support member 1 along the left-to-right direction, and 16 short main table tops P1.

[0014] The longer tabletop P2 is arranged so as to span the left and right ends of the tabletop support member 1 and is fixed to the tabletop support member 1. The longer tabletop P2 is fixed by engaging a frame-side fixing portion 1a consisting of a hook-shaped protrusion attached to the tabletop support member 1 while being biased outward by a spring with a tabletop-side fixing portion 7 consisting of recesses formed at both ends of the longer tabletop P2. The auxiliary top board P3 has front and rear edges that are folded multiple times to increase its strength, and also has a step portion 6 formed thereon so that the main top board P1 can be stably placed thereon. The auxiliary top plate P3 is placed so that it spans between the longer top plates P2 arranged on the left and right, and at the same time, the locking portion 8 protruding from the inner surface of the top plate support member 1 engages horizontally with a through hole provided on the outer surface of the auxiliary top plate P3, thereby firmly attaching the auxiliary top plate P3 to the top plate support member 1 and maintaining that attached state.

[0015] The main top plate P1 is designed to be placed in the front-to-back direction on a step portion 6 formed on the inside of the auxiliary top plate P3, and further, in order to improve the efficiency of assembly and folding and the ease of handling during storage and transportation, the main top plates P3 are connected by links fixed to both ends in the longitudinal direction so that they form a set and can be folded and stacked.

[0016] The frame structure F is composed of a pair of front and rear rod-shaped tabletop support members 1, a pair of left and right legs 2 fixed so that they can be folded and rotated near the left and right ends of each tabletop support member 1, and multiple frames 3 to 5 that connect each of the left and right two of the total four legs 2. More specifically, the pair of two front and rear legs are supported by seven frames 3 to 5 as follows. A pair of upper and lower horizontal frames 3 (divided into two at the center, with the inner ends connected to each other by a first connecting member so as to be foldable and rotatable): a total of four frames, upper and lower Vertical frame 4 (connecting the first connecting members to each other in the vertical direction): 1 piece Reinforcement frame 5: 2 pieces

[0017] The above frames 3 to 5 are connected and fixed to each other as described below, and can be folded compactly so that they are approximately parallel to each other as shown in Figures 2(B) and 2(C), or unfolded and spread out as shown in Figure 1(B). The legs 2 are supported at their upper ends rotatably near the left and right ends of the tabletop support member 1, and can be folded inward to fit along the tabletop support member 1, or raised in a direction approximately perpendicular to the tabletop support member 1. In addition, in order to maintain the leg 2 raised in a direction approximately perpendicular to the tabletop support member 1, a locking member 2a is attached to the tabletop support member 1, connecting the tabletop support member 1 to the upper end of the leg 2 and preventing the leg 2 from rotating. Furthermore, the legs 2 are connected to the tabletop support member 1 via metal fittings that are roughly shaped like the letter "U." As shown in Figures 2(A) and 2(C), the metal fitting supporting the left leg 2 is longer than the metal fitting supporting the right leg, allowing the left and right legs 2 to be stacked parallel to one another.

[0018] The horizontal frame 3 is a pair of upper and lower horizontal frames 3 that connect the two legs 2 in the front-to-rear direction near the upper and lower ends of the two legs 2, which are arranged at corresponding positions in the front and rear, and the outer end is rotatably supported relative to the legs 2, and is further divided into two so that it can be folded near the center, and the inner end is rotatably supported relative to a first connecting member 3a arranged there, so that it can be extended in a straight line or folded and arranged approximately parallel to each other. The tabletop support member 1 and the horizontal frame 3 are connected via an L-shaped metal fitting 2b. The horizontal frame 3 rotates on the plane between the pair of front and rear legs 2 when folded.

[0019] The vertical frame 4 has both upper and lower ends fixed to the pair of upper and lower first connecting members 3a so as to connect and support the pair of upper and lower first connecting members 3a in the vertical direction. A second connecting member 5a is annularly attached to the vertical frame 4 so as to be slidable in the up and down direction along the vertical frame 4. The reinforcing frame 5 has its upper end journalled to each of the two divided parts of the upper horizontal frame 3, and its lower end journalled to the second connecting member 5a, and is configured to be oriented in either an approximately horizontal direction or an approximately vertical direction as the second connecting member 5a moves up and down.

[0020] To fold the table T1 configured as above into a compact state, first remove the main top plates P1, then remove the auxiliary top plate P3, and then remove the longer top plates P2 arranged and fixed at the left and right ends. From this state, it is possible to reduce the spacing between the top plate support members 1 and align them so that they are touching, allowing the entire table to be in a compact form. When the spacing between the top plate support members 1 is being reduced, the state is as shown in Figure 6, and in this state the upper first connecting member 3a rises, allowing it to protrude above the top plate P1.If the first connecting members 3a are connected to each other with a separately prepared rod 9 or the like, the device can be used for drying cloth or heating food by holding it in a hanging position.

[0021] As the spacing between the tabletop support members 1 is reduced, the frames 3 to 5 arranged between the legs are folded along the longitudinal direction of the legs 2, and by rotating and folding together with the legs 2 toward the tabletop support member 1, the entire unit can be made compact as shown in Figures 2(B) and 2(C). In order to rotate the legs 2 toward the tabletop support member 1, it is necessary to release the legs 2 from the fixed state by the locking members 2a that connect the tabletop support member 1 and the upper ends of the legs 2 in advance. To assemble the table T1 configured as above, the above steps can be reversed.

[0022] Next, a table T2 according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Unlike table T1 of the previous embodiment, table T2 of this embodiment does not have an auxiliary top plate P3, but has a frame structure F that adopts a configuration similar to that of table T1 of the previous embodiment, so the same symbols are used and explanations of those parts are omitted. The table top support members 1 constituting the table T2 of this embodiment are not provided with locking portions 8 for engaging with the auxiliary table top P3, but may be provided with protrusions 10 for attaching plates 11. The table T2 of this embodiment is made slightly smaller in size than the table T1 of the previous embodiment (see FIG. 4), that is, the distance between the two table top support members 1 is narrowed and the longer table top P2 is made the same length as the main table top P1, so that the main table top P1 of the same size as the main table top P1 used in the previous table T1 can be shared and placed inside the table top support members 1. The top board side fixing portion 7, which is provided on the longer top board P2 in the table T1 of the above embodiment, may be provided on the main top board P1 (see FIG. 4(C)).

[0023] The tables T1 and T2 configured as described above can be easily manufactured using conventionally known metal processing techniques, resin molding techniques, and pivot support methods. The tables T1 and T2 in the above embodiments can be made compact overall by removing all of the table tops P1 to P3 and folding the frame structure F, but as shown in Figure 4(B), it can also be used as a cooking table on which a stove 12 is placed by removing only the main central table top P1 and hanging a plate 11 using the protrusion 10 provided on the inner surface of the table top support member 1 or the auxiliary table top P3 (see Figure 1(C)).

[0024] As shown in Figure 5, the table T1 of the present invention can be used as a backrest and for abdominal muscle training by folding the right or left leg 2 and tilting the top plate. Also, by tilting the top plate and removing a part of the main top plate, the table T1 of the present invention can be used as a cornhole game tool (see Figure 5(C)).

[0025] The present invention is not limited to the tables of the above embodiments, and may be implemented by appropriately changing the shape, dimensions, and fixed location of each tabletop or each part of the frame structure without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the present invention may be implemented by adopting three or more tabletops connected to each other in a bamboo blind or accordion-like shape and made compactly foldable as "removable multiple tabletops." The present invention may also be implemented by not connecting multiple tabletops to each other. [Industrial Applicability]

[0026] The present invention can be suitably used industrially as a table that can be quickly and easily folded and assembled, and that is excellent in strength, ease of handling, convenience, and versatility. [Explanation of symbols]

[0027] 1 Top plate support member 1a Frame side fixing part 2 Legs 2a Locking member 2b Metal fittings 3 Horizontal frame 3a First connecting member 4 Vertical Frame 5 Reinforcement frame 5a Second connecting member 6 Step part 7 Top plate side fixing part 8 Locking part 9 bars 10 protrusions 11 Plate 12 Stove F Frame structure (framework) P1 Main top plate P2 Tabletop with a fixed part on the tabletop side (or a longer tabletop) P3 Auxiliary Top Plate T1 Table (large) T2 Table (small)

Claims

1. A) a pair of front and rear rod-shaped tabletop support members arranged to extend horizontally; a) a pair of left and right legs whose upper ends are rotatably supported near the left and right ends of each tabletop support member, and which can be folded inward along the tabletop support member or raised in a direction approximately perpendicular to the tabletop support member; (c) A pair of upper and lower horizontal frames that connect two legs arranged at corresponding front and rear positions near the upper and lower ends of the legs in the front-rear direction, the outer ends of which are rotatably supported relative to the legs, and the horizontal frames are further divided into two so as to be foldable near the center, and the inner ends of which are rotatably supported relative to a first connecting member arranged therein, so that the horizontal frames can be extended linearly or folded and aligned approximately parallel; d) a vertical frame having both upper and lower ends fixed to the first connecting members so as to connect and support the pair of upper and lower first connecting members in the vertical direction; E) a second connecting member annularly mounted so as to be slidable in the up and down direction along the vertical frame; f) a reinforcing frame whose upper end is pivotally supported by each of the two divided upper horizontal frames and whose lower end is pivotally supported by the second connecting member, and which can be oriented in a substantially horizontal direction or a substantially vertical direction as the second connecting member moves up and down; A frame structure comprising: (g) a plurality of removable main top plates arranged in the front-rear direction inside the top plate support member; A table comprising:

2. The table described in claim 1 has a main tabletop equipped with a tabletop side fixing portion for fixing the pair of front and rear tabletop support members in a connected state in the front-to-rear direction, and deformation of the frame structure is prevented by connecting the tabletop side fixing portion to frame side fixing portions provided at the left and right ends of the tabletop support members.

3. Further provided is a removable auxiliary tabletop arranged along the left-right direction inside the tabletop support member, 2. The table according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of removable main tabletops can be arranged in the front-to-rear direction inside the auxiliary tabletop.

4. The tabletop has a tabletop-side fixing portion for fixing the pair of front and rear tabletop support members in a connected state in the front-to-rear direction, and by connecting the tabletop-side fixing portion to the frame-side fixing portion provided at the left and right ends of the tabletop support members, deformation of the frame structure can be prevented.

4. The table according to claim 3, wherein the auxiliary tabletop is disposed so as to span between the left and right tabletops having the tabletop-side fixing portions.

5. 4. The table according to claim 3, wherein the table top support member has a locking portion on an inner surface thereof that engages with the auxiliary table top.

6. The table according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that the table can be used as a backrest or as a cornhole game tool by folding the right or left legs and tilting the top.

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