Vladimir MARTlNOV - Varna, Bulgaria Svetlozar NUNEV - Varna, Bulgaria

COLLAPSIBLE TABLE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a collapsible table, which can be implemented in the field of the business, as a subsidiary table with paper a wall operations and in the retail trade at the market places. It can also be used for cocktail- parties, picnics etc.

BACKGROUND ART

Collapsible aluminum tables are known for paper a wall operations or for tourist purposes. They are built of one, two or three panels of aluminum profile bars, formed as a rectangular frame by means of plastic closing corners and a sheet of laminated fibreboard or

plywood. The tables are provided with foldable tubular legs, which in folded position of the table are folded at the panel. The separate panels are connected by means of metallic hinges with low and high arms, which are mounted to the aluminum frame by means of screws. Said tables have the disadvantage that in all constructive solutions are available both a connecting plastic corner and a hinge (metallic or plastic). Thus difficulties of technological and exploitation character are arising, namely:

- different lengths of the panels of the table; - a gap is available between the panels of the table in folded position, due to the thickness of the metallic hinge;

- uneven surface of the table in working (straight) position due to the gap, which is needed for the motion of the metallic hinges.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention seeks to provide a collapsible table having a compact structure and an even surface in working position, to be stable and convenient for transportation and to have high manufacturability. In accordance with the invention, this object is accomplished in a collapsible table consisting of separate panels and the numbers of panels may be two or three. The connection between the basic panel and the second panel in one hand and the basic panel and the third (getting across) panel on the other hand is performed by means of hinge devices, which are arranged in the very corners of the panels and said hinge devices have jointly the functions of hinges, around which are rotating the second, respectively the third panel and the functions of connecting corners for the aluminum profile bars, forming the edges of the panels. Each of the hinge devices is made of two parts, hingedly connected by means of an axis, around which is rotating the part mounted on the second, respectively the third (getting across) panel. In one of the parts of the hinge device is formed a cotter (spline), whilst in the other part is formed a groove. Through the cotter and the groove are made bores, into which the axis is mounted. Each part of the hinge device is provided with two stems with a rectangular cross section and a knurled surface, said stems being perpendicular to each other. The stems are driven into a cavity of aluminum profile bars, forming the frames of the of the panels and due to the knurled surface of the stems a tight comer connection is achieved. The hinge devices, connecting the basic panel and the third (getting across) panel are performed by means of elongated cotters and grooves, so that in folded position of the device to be created a gap between the both parts of the device, said gap being equal to the thickness of the

aluminum profile bar. At the end corners of the second and the third panels are fixed closing corners, which are of "left' and "right" type, being mirror configurations. On each panel are mounted one left and one right closing corner. Each closing corner has two stems with a rectangular cross section and a knurled surface, said stems being perpendicular to each other. These stems are driven into the cavity of the aluminum profile bars, forming the frames of the panels and due to the knurled surface of the stems a tight corner connection is achieved. All panels are made of rectangular flats, which are driven into the channel of the aluminum profile bars.

For the placing of the table on the ground, to the panels are fixed foldable legs, made of metallic tubes with circular or rectangular cross section. For the transportation of the table in folded position, a handle is attached to the aluminum profile bar, adjacent to the longitudinal part of the frame of the second or the third panel.

With the variant embodiment of the table consisting of two panels (basic and second panel), said panels are connected by means of hinge devices with short cotter and groove and the panels being closed at their remote end corners by means of left and right closing corners. The hinge devices and the closing corners are driven into the cavity of the aluminum profile bars. The woody flats are driven into the channel of the aluminum profile bars. A handle is attached to the aluminum profile bar, adjacent to the longitudinal part of the frame of the second panel.

A variant embodiment of a table is also invented, consisting of only a basic panel in working position. The panel is closed at its corners by means of closing corners. A handle is attached to the aluminum profile bar, adjacent to the longitudinal part of the frame of the panel for the transportation of the table. For the purpose of the invention are also created hinge devices. Each of the devices is made of two parts, hingedly connected by means of an axis, around which is rotating the part mounted on the second, respectively the third (getting across) panel. In the body of one of the parts of the hinge device is formed a cotter, whilst in the body of the another part is formed a groove. Through the cotter and the groove are made bores, in which the axis is mounted. The hinge devices, connecting the basic panel to the third (getting across) panel are provided with elongated cotters and grooves, so that in folded positions of the devices, between their parts to be created a gap equal to the thickness of the aluminum profile bar. To each of the bodies of both parts of the hinge device are fixed two stems with a rectangular cross section and a knurled surface, said stems being perpendicular to each other. The front sides of the bodies of both parts of the hinge device are provided with "L"-shaped voids, in which

are placed the arms of the groove, respectively the cotter, with a straight position of the device (working position of the table). Said voids lay on the arms of the groove and the cotter thus ensuring a strength and stability of the connection between the panels. In the bodies of the both parts of the hinge device is made a rectangular channel which is a natural extention of the channel in the aluminum profile bar, in which is placed the woody flat of the table.

For the purpose of the invention are also created closing corners of left and right type, which are mirror configuration. The closing corner is consisting of a body to which are fixed two stems with a rectangular cross section and a knurled surface, said stems being perpendicular to each other. In the back part of the body is formed a void, in which are placed (with the folding of the table) the elongated groove and the elongated cotter of the hinge device for connecting of the basic panel and the third (getting across) panel with the variant of the three-panel table. In the body of the closing corner is made a rectangular channel, which is a natural extention of the channel in the aluminum profile bar, in which is placed the woody flat of the table. The collapsible table in accordance with the invention has a number of advantages, as follows:

- increased stability of the table due to the using of the grooves and the cotters of the hinge devices, placed at the very corners of the panels;

- even and stable working surface of the table in working position;

- compactness of the table in folded position and protection of the corners against accidental shocks;

- increased productivity with the producing of the table due to the fact that all panels of the table have equal dimensions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES IN THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of examples and with reference to the accompanying in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a table, consisting of three panels;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a table, consisting of three panels with folded legs;

Fig. 3 is A-A cross-sectional view of a table, consisting of three panels; Fig. 4 is B-B cross-sectional view of one panel of the table;

Fig. 5 illustrates the way of folding the second panel;

Fig. 6 illustrates the table with a finally folded second panel and way of folding the third (getting over) panel;

Fig. 7 illustrates the table with a finally folded second and third panels;

Fig. 8 illustrates the table in a position ready for transportation;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a table, consisting of two panels, with folded legs; Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a table, consisting of two panels, in working position;

Fig. 11 represents a table, consisting of two panels in folded position;

Fig. 12 represents a table, consisting of one basic panel with folded legs;

Fig. 13 represents a table, consisting of one basic panel in working position;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the hinge device for connecting of the basic and the second panel, in working position of the table;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the hinge device for connecting of the basic and the second panel, in folded position of the table; Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the hinge device for connecting of the basic and the third panel, in working position of the table;

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the hinge device for connecting of the basic and the third panel, in folded position of the table;

Fig. 18 is a perspective view, illustrating the components of the hinge device for connecting of the basic and the second panel.

Fig. 19 is a perspective view, illustrating the components of the hinge device for connecting of the basic and the third panel.

Fig. 20 is a perspective view of a right closing corner of an end panel of the table; Fig. 21 is a perspective view of a left closing corner of an end panel of the table;

Fig. 22 a cross-sectional view of the aluminum profile bar for fixation of the hinge devices, the closing corners and the laminated fibreboard.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with the examples shown one preferable embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. The table is consisting of panels 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3, connected by means of hinge devices and to said panels are fixed foldable legs 9 of metallic tubes. The connection between the basic panel 1.1 and the second panel 1.2 is performed by means of two hinge devices 2, placed in the adjacent corners of the panels 1.1, 1.2. Each of the devices 2 is made of two parts A and B, hingedly connected by means of an axis a, passing through a bore d _a , made in the formed in part A cotter b and through bores d _b , made in the formed in part B groove c. To each of the bodies f, g, of each of the parts A, B of the hinge devices 2 are fixed two perpendicular to each other knurled stems e, with rectangular cross section. The free

ends of said stems are driven into the cavities 7 of the aluminum profile bars 6, forming the adjacent corners of the panels 1.1, 1.2. The connection between the basic panel 1.1 and the third panel 1.3 is performed by means of two hinge devices 3, placed in the adjacent corners of the panels 1.1, 1.3. Each of the devices 3 is made of two parts A and B, hingedly connected by means of an axis a, passing through a bore d _a , made in the formed in part A elongated cotter m and through bores d _b , made in the formed in part B elongated groove n. To each of the bodies f, g, of each of the parts A, B of the hinge devices 3 are fixed two perpendicular to each other knurled stems e, with rectangular cross section. The free ends of said stems are driven into the cavities 7 of the aluminum profile bars 6, forming the adjacent corners of the panels 1.1, 1.3. At each of the remote end corners of the second panel 1.2 and the third panel 1.3 are mounted one right 4 and one left 5 closing corner, each corner having two fixed to the body q stems e, perpendicular to each other, with a knurled surface. The free ends of said stems are driven into the cavities 7 of the aluminum profile bars 6, forming the remote ends of the panels 1.2, 1.3. The working surfaces of panels 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 are made of woody flats 11, which are driven into the channel 8 of the aluminum profile bars 6, arranged on all edges of the panels 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 and into the channel p, made in the bodies f, g of the parts A, B of the devices 2,3 and into the channel p, in the bodies q of the devices 4, 5. The channel 8 of the aluminum profile bars has a special step-shaped cross section enabling the using of woody flats with different thickness with the producing of panels 1.1, 1.2, 1.3. For the placing of the table on the ground, to the panels 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 are fixed legs 9, made of metallic tubes, having circular or rectangular cross section. For the transportation of the table in folded position, a handle 10 is attached to the aluminum profile bar 6, adjacent to the longitudinal part of the frame of the panel 1.2.

In figures 9,10 and 11 is shown a variant embodiment of a table, consisting of a basic panel 1.1 and second panel 1.2, connected by means of hinge devices 2, the panels 1.1, 1.2 being closed at their remote end corners by means of closing corners 4, 5. The hinge devices 2 and the closing corners 4, 5 are driven into the cavity 7 of the aluminum profile bars 6. The woody panel is driven into the channel 8 of the aluminum profile bars 6. A handle 10 is attached to the aluminum profile bar 6, adjacent to the longitudinal part of the frame of the panel 1.2. In figures 12 and 13 is shown a variant embodiment of a table, consisting of a basic panel 1.1 in working position. The panel 1.1 is closed at its corners by means of closing corners 4 and 5. A handle 10 is

attached to the aluminum profile bar 6, adjacent to the longitudinal part of the frame of the panel.

An embodiment of specially created for the purpose of the invention hinge device 2 is shown in figures 14, 15 and 18. The device is made of two parts A ₅ B, hingedly connected by means of an axis a, passing through the bore d _a , made in the formed in part A cotter b and through bores d _b , made in the formed in part B groove c. To each of the bodies f, g, of each of the parts A, B of the hinge devices 2 are fixed two perpendicular to each other knurled stems e, with rectangular cross section. The stems e of the part A are fixed to the body f, whilst the stems e, of the part B are fixed to the body g. The front sides of the bodies f, g of both parts A, B of the hinge device are provided with "L"- shaped voids j, in which are placed the arms of the groove c, respectively the cotter b, with a straight position of the device (working position of the table). The upper surfaces of the bodies f and g with straight position of the hinge device (working position of the table) are arranged in one plain, whilst in folded position of the device, (working position of the table), the stems e of the parts A and B are arranged one above another. In each of the bodies f, g is made a rectangular channel p. An embodiment of specially created for the purpose of the invention hinge device 3 is shown in figures 16, 17 and 19. The device is made of two parts A, B, hingedly connected by means of an axis a, passing through a bore d _a , made in the formed in part A elongated cotter m and through bores d _b , made in the formed in part B elongated groove n. To each of the bodies f, g, of each of the parts A, B of the hinge devices 3 are fixed two perpendicular to each other knurled stems e, with rectangular cross section. The stems e of the part A are fixed to the body f, whilst the stems e ofthe part B are fixed to the body g. The front sides of the bodies f, g of both parts A, B of the hinge device are provided with "L"-shaped voids j, in which are placed the arms of the elongated groove n, respectively the elongated cotter m, with a straight position of the device (working position of the table). The upper surfaces of the body f and g, with straight position of the hinge device (working position of the table), are arranged in one plain, whilst in folded position of the device, (working position of the table), the stems e of the part A and the part B are arranged one above another. In each of the bodies f, g is made a rectangular channel p.

An embodiment of right closing corner 4 of an end panel of the table is shown in fig. 20, whilst in fig. 21 is shown an embodiment of a left closing corner 5, said left and right closing corners being mirror configuration. The closing corner is consisting of a body q to which are fixed two stems e, perpendicular to each other with rectangular cross section and with knurled surfaces. In the back side of the body q is

formed a void r ₅ in which are placed (with the folding of the table) the elongated groove n and the elongated cotter m of the hinge device 3 for connecting of basic panel and the third (getting across) panel, with the variant of the three-panel table. In the body q of the closing corner is made a rectangular channel p, which is a natural extention of the channel 8 in the aluminum profile bar 6, in which is placed the woody panel 11 of the table.