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US 7,464,653 B2Granted
Expansible table
AssigneeStatecraft International Inc.
InventorMartin J. Dodge
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A table comprises a table base having a table top, horizontally-fixed sections positioned atop the table base, and a plurality of self-storing expansion leaves that have at least a first length and a second length. The expansion leaves have a first length when stored within the table base and a second length when placed between the fixed sections. Double pivoting hinges connect the expansion leaves to the table base.
Claims20
A table comprising:
- (a) a table base having a first table top, the first table top having an outer edge;
- (b) a plurality of sections positioned on the first table top;
- (c) the table base having a bottom;
- (d) a plurality of self-storing expansion leaves, unattached to one another, each having a stored length when the leaves are stored under the table top, and an installed length when the leaves are positioned coplanar to the sections on the table top, the stored length being different than the installed length;
- (e) the plurality of sections and the plurality of installed leaves define a second table top;
- (f) whereby the leaves when coplanar to the sections on the table top have a first end and a second end, and the first end partially forms an outer edge of the second table top;
- and
- (g) whereby the expansion leaves are attached to at least one hinge that is attached to the table base bottom the hinge enabling movement between the stored and coplanar positions.
5 more elements
A non-rectangular table comprising:
- (a) a table top having a plurality of sections;
- (b) the table top having a convergence point;
- (c) a base having a plurality of expansion leaves, the expansion leaves are unattached to one another;
- (d) the base having a bottom whereby the expansion leaves are on at least one hinge, the hinge being attached to the bottom and enabling positioning of the expansion leaves to be coplanar to the table top sections;
- (e) whereby the table top has a first surface area comprising the plurality of sections, and a second surface area that is at least partially defined both by the plurality of sections and by the plurality of expansion leaves when positioned coplanar to the sections;
- (f) the table top having a major axis and a minor axis that are orthogonal to one another, the sections and leaves being symmetrical about both the major axis and the minor axis when the leaves are positioned coplanar to the sections;
- and
- (g) the plurality of expansion leaves have a first and second end, and the second end of each of the plurality of expansion leaves has side portions that substantially converge at the convergence point of the table top when the leaves are positioned coplanar to the sections.
5 more elements
A table comprising:
- (a) a table top having a first surface area, the first surface area having a major axis and a minor axis that are orthogonal to one another;
- (b) the table top having a convergence point;
- (c) a table base;
- (d) the table base having a bottom;
- (e) means for expanding outwardly along the major axis and the minor axis the table top to expose expansion leaves stored under the table top;
- and
- (f) means for positioning the expansion leaves to be coplanar with the table top to form a second surface area the expansion leaves being on a hinge attached to the table base bottom whereby the expansion leaves have a first and second end, and the second end of each of the plurality of leaves has side portions that substantially converge at the convergence point of the table top when the table top forms the second surface area.
4 more elements
A method for expanding a table having a table base with a bottom and a plurality of table top sections defining a first surface area, the table having a convergence point and having a major and minor axis that are orthogonal to one another, the method comprising:
- (a) withdrawing the sections along the major axis and minor axis to expose a plurality of expansion leaves, pivotally attached to the table base bottom and stored with the table base;
- (b) positioning the expansion leaves that are on at least one hinge to be coplanar to the sections;
- and
- (c) whereby the expansion leaves, when positioned adjacent to the sections, each have side portions that substantially converge at the table convergence point.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.