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US 8,359,983 B2Granted
Adjustable table apparatus and method
AssigneeHalcon Corp.
InventorsScott Gerald Williamson, Benjamin St. Mane Conway, Mark Von Der Heide, Jorge Enrique Ramos Herrera, James Lawrence
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Some embodiments of a table system can include a table that is readily adjustable between a deployed position and a storage position. In particular embodiments, when the table is in the unlocked condition, the tabletop surface can be readily pivoted from a generally horizontal position to a generally vertical position, for example, for purposes of storing or transporting the table.
Claims50
A table apparatus, comprising:
- a tabletop including an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface of the tabletop extending in a generally horizontal orientation when the table apparatus is in a deployed position;
- a base coupled to the tabletop and configured to extend from a floor surface and toward the tabletop;
- and
- first and second pivotable leg panels extending generally vertically downward away from the lower surface of tabletop when the upper surface of the tabletop is in the generally horizontal orientation, the first pivotable leg panel being pivotable relative to the base about a first generally vertical axis while the upper surface of the tabletop is in the generally horizontal orientation, the second pivotable leg panel being pivotable relative to the base about a second generally vertical axis while the upper surface of the tabletop is in the generally horizontal orientation, wherein pivoting the first and second pivotable leg panels about the first and second generally vertical axes adjusts the tabletop from a locked condition to an unlocked condition,
- wherein when the tabletop is in the unlocked condition, the tabletop is pivotable about a generally horizontal axis to adjust the upper surface of the tabletop from the generally horizontal orientation to a generally vertical orientation.
2 more elements
A table apparatus, comprising:
- a tabletop including an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface of the tabletop extending in a generally horizontal orientation when the table apparatus is in a deployed position, and the tabletop being adjustable about a generally horizontal axis to adjust the upper surface of the tabletop from the generally horizontal orientation to a generally vertical orientation;
- a base coupled to the tabletop and configured to extend from a floor surface and toward the tabletop;
- first and second pivotable leg panels extending generally vertically downward away from the lower surface of tabletop when the upper surface of the tabletop is in the generally horizontal orientation, the first and second pivotable leg panels each having a major surface extending generally vertically and being defined by a panel width and a panel height, the panel width and the panel height being substantially greater than a panel thickness;
- the first pivotable leg panel being pivotable relative to the base about a first generally vertical axis while the upper surface of the tabletop is in the generally horizontal orientation;
- and
- the second pivotable leg panel being pivotable relative to the base about a second generally vertical axis while the upper surface of the tabletop is in the generally horizontal orientation.
3 more elements
A method of adjusting a table apparatus, comprising:
- rotating a first leg panel relative to a first base assembly about a first generally vertical axis while a tabletop extends in a generally horizontal orientation, the first leg panel having a first major surface extending generally vertically and being defined by a first panel width and a first panel height, the first panel width and the first panel height being substantially greater than a first panel thickness;
- rotating a second leg panel relative to a second base assembly about a second generally vertical axis while the tabletop is in a generally horizontal orientation, the second leg panel having a second major surface extending generally vertically and being defined by a second panel width and a second panel height, the second panel width and the second panel height being substantially greater than a second panel thickness;
- after rotating the first and second leg panels about the first and second generally vertical axes, rotating the tabletop about a generally horizontal axis from the generally horizontal orientation to a generally vertical orientation while the first and second base assemblies are each maintained in a generally vertical orientation to engage a floor surface.
A table apparatus, comprising:
- a tabletop including an upper surface and a lower surface, the tabletop extending in a generally horizontal orientation when the table apparatus is in a deployed position, the tabletop being pivotable about a generally horizontal axis to adjust the tabletop from the generally horizontal orientation to a generally vertical orientation;
- a first lock mechanism to retain the tabletop in the generally horizontal orientation, the first lock mechanism being actuated in a linear motion to unlock the tabletop in response to a pivoting motion of a first leg member;
- and
- a second lock mechanism to retain the tabletop in the generally horizontal orientation, the second lock mechanism being spaced apart from the first lock mechanism, the second lock mechanism being actuated in a linear motion to unlock the tabletop in response to a pivoting motion of a second leg member.
1 more element
A table apparatus, comprising:
- a tabletop including an upper surface and a lower surface, the tabletop extending in a generally horizontal orientation when the table apparatus is in a deployed position, the tabletop being pivotable about a generally horizontal axis to adjust the tabletop from the generally horizontal orientation to a generally vertical orientation;
- first and second base assemblies extending between a floor surface and the tabletop, each of the first and second base assemblies comprising wheels to engage the floor surface;
- a first floor brake mechanism to secure the first base assembly in a generally stationary position relative to the floor surface when the tabletop is in the generally horizontal orientation, the first floor brake mechanism extending at least partially through the first base assembly and being spring biased away from the floor surface such that the first floor brake mechanism is configured to rise away from the floor surface in response to adjustment of the tabletop from the generally horizontal orientation to a generally vertical orientation;
- and
- a second floor brake mechanism to secure the second base assembly in a generally stationary position relative to the floor surface when the tabletop is in the generally horizontal orientation, the second floor brake mechanism being spaced apart from the first floor brake mechanism, the second floor brake mechanism extending at least partially through the second base assembly and being spring biased away from the floor surface such that the second floor brake mechanism is configured to rise away from the floor surface in response to adjustment of the tabletop from the generally horizontal orientation to a generally vertical orientation.
2 more elements
A table apparatus, comprising:
- at least one base extending generally vertically from a floor surface;
- a tabletop positioned over the at least one base and including an upper surface and a lower surface that extend toward four corners of the tabletop, the upper surface of the tabletop being configured to extend in a generally horizontal orientation;
- and
- four tabletop leveling mechanisms mounted proximate to the lower surface of the tabletop such that each of the four tabletop leveling mechanisms is mounted in a position vertically closer to the lower surface of tabletop than to the at least one base, each of the four tabletop leveling mechanisms including a rotatable adjustment member proximate to the lower surface of the tabletop, the rotatable adjustment member being fully rotatable to at least partially control a height adjustment of a respective corner of the four corners of the tabletop.
1 more element
A table apparatus, comprising:
- a tabletop positioned over the at least one base and including an upper surface and a lower surface that extend toward four corners of the tabletop, the upper surface of the tabletop being configured to extend in a generally horizontal orientation;
- and
- four gang mechanisms mounted proximate to the lower surface of the tabletop such that each of the four gang mechanisms resides in a respective cavity in the lower surface of the tabletop, wherein each gang mechanism is adjustable between a non-deployed position in which the entire gang mechanism is retained at or above of the lower surface of the tabletop when the upper surface of the tabletop is in the generally horizontal orientation and a deployed orientation in which at least a portion of the gang mechanism is configured to couple with another tabletop.
A table apparatus, comprising:
- a tabletop positioned over the at least one base and including an upper surface and a lower surface that extend toward four corners of the tabletop, the upper surface of the tabletop being configured to extend in a generally horizontal orientation;
- and
- four gang mechanisms mounted proximate to the lower surface of the tabletop such that each of the four gang mechanisms is mounted proximate to a respective one of the four corners of the tabletop and is configured to couple with another tabletop, wherein each gang mechanism is spaced apart from a perimeter of the tabletop when in a non-deployed position and extends for a longitudinal length that is a maximum dimension for the gang mechanism, wherein the longitudinal length of the gang mechanism located proximate to a first corner of the tabletop extends generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal lengths of the two gang mechanisms located proximate to the two corners of the tabletop that are neighboring the first corner of the tabletop.
A table apparatus, comprising:
- a tabletop positioned over at least one base and including an upper surface, a lower surface, and at least one table edge, the upper surface of the tabletop being configured to extend in a generally horizontal orientation;
- and
- a gang mechanism mounted proximate to the lower surface of the tabletop and proximate to the table edge, wherein the gang mechanism includes a movable member having a single degree of freedom, the movable member of the gang mechanism being adjustable between a non-deployed position in which the movable member is spaced apart from a perimeter of the tabletop and a deployed position in which the movable member of the gang mechanism is configured to couple with another tabletop.
A table apparatus, comprising:
- a tabletop positioned over at least one base and including an upper surface, a lower surface, and at least one table edge, the upper surface of the tabletop being configured to extend in a generally horizontal orientation;
- and
- a gang mechanism mounted proximate to the lower surface of the tabletop and proximate to the table edge, wherein the gang mechanism includes a fixed member and a movable member that is movable between a non-deployed position in which the movable member is spaced apart from a perimeter of the tabletop and a deployed position in which the movable member of the gang mechanism is configured to couple with another tabletop, wherein the movable member of the gang mechanism is retained in the non-deployed position by a magnetic force between first magnetically attractive component of the movable member and a second magnetically attractive component of the fixed member.
A table apparatus, comprising:
- a tabletop including an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface of the tabletop extending in a generally horizontal orientation when the table apparatus is in a deployed position, and the tabletop being adjustable about a generally horizontal axis to adjust the upper surface of the tabletop from the generally horizontal orientation to a generally vertical orientation;
- and
- first and second pivotable leg panels extending generally vertically downward away from the lower surface of tabletop when the upper surface of the table top is in the generally horizontal orientation, wherein each of the first and second pivotable leg panels are biased to automatically adjust from a lower vertical height to a higher vertical height in response to the tabletop being pivoted about the generally horizontal axis to adjust the upper surface of the tabletop from the generally horizontal orientation to the generally vertical orientation.
A table apparatus, comprising:
- at least a first base to extend generally vertically from a floor surface;
- a tabletop positioned above the first base and including an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface of the tabletop extending in a generally horizontal orientation when the table apparatus is in a deployed position;
- a least a first pivotable leg panel extending generally vertically downward away from the lower surface of tabletop when the upper surface of the tabletop is in the generally horizontal orientation, the first pivotable leg panel being pivotable relative to the first base and the tabletop about a first generally vertical axis while the upper surface of the tabletop is in the generally horizontal orientation;
- and
- an adjustable catch mechanism to secure the first pivotable leg panel in a generally aligned orientation with the first base when the first pivotable leg panel is pivoted toward the first base, the adjustable catch mechanism comprising a first catch component mounted to the first base such that the first catch component is manually adjustable relative to the first base.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.