Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No 2019903601 filed on 26 September 2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates, generally, to a table and, more particularly but not necessarily exclusively, to a demountable table that functions as a dining table. Those skilled in the art will appreciate though that the table could have other applications, for example, as a side table, a desk, or the like.

Background

[0003] Articles of furniture, such as tables, take up a large volume which is problematic for transportation and special storage purposes. A problem with providing tables in demountable form is that tools are required for assembling the table and the assembly procedure can, sometimes, be quite complex.

[0004] Further, demountable tables are generally of a single size which reduces their versatility. People are increasingly living in smaller accommodation where a large table would be inappropriate. However, there are circumstances where an occupant of premises may wish to entertain guests where a larger table would be beneficial.

[0005] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each of the appended claims. Summary

[0006] In some aspects of the disclosure, there is provided a table which includes a support structure including a frame, the frame being configured to be displaced between a first, retracted configuration and a second, extended configuration; a table top arrangement carried by the support structure, the table top arrangement comprising at least two table tops, the table tops being configured to be stacked on each other when the frame is in its first configuration and to be arranged side-by side on the frame when the frame is in its second, extended configuration, the table tops having complementary restraining formations to restrain relative movement between the table tops when stacked; and a locating mechanism carried by the support structure, the locating mechanism co-operating with a lowermost table top when the frame is in its retracted configuration and to co-operate with the at least two table tops when the frame is in its extended configuration to inhibit lateral movement of the table tops relative to the support structure.

[0007] The locating mechanism of the support structure may interact with the restraining formations of the lowermost table top when the frame is in its retracted configuration and may interact with the restraining formations of the at least two table tops when the frame is in its extended configuration to inhibit lateral movement of the table tops relative to the support structure.

[0008] The support structure may include a plurality of legs for supporting the frame in an elevated position relative to a floor. The locating mechanism may comprise a plurality of spatially separated locating formations, each leg carrying a locating formation at an operatively top region of the leg.

[0009] Each leg may be removably attachable to the frame. Each leg may be removably attachable to the frame via an insert received in the operatively top region of the leg, the insert including the locating formation. [0010] A periphery of an operatively bottom surface of each table top may be bevelled to define a first restraining formation of each table top and a periphery of an operatively top surface of each table top may be bevelled downwardly towards the bottom surface to define a complementary, second restraining formation of each table top.

[0011] Each table top may be polygonal in outline having a plurality of comers, there being the same number of legs and inserts as there are comers of the tabletop and each insert may define a pair of chamfers arranged at the same angle to each other as an included angle of an associated comer of each table top.

[0012] In this specification, the term “chamfer” is to be understood as an angled surface but not necessarily one arranged at 45°. Further, in an embodiment, each table top may be substantially square in outline with an included angle of each comer being a 90° angle. It will be appreciated that the pair of chamfers of each insert may then meet at 90°.

[0013] Each insert may define a land which, in use, bears against the operatively bottom surface of the supeqacent table top, the chamfers forming two sides of the land and the land of the insert may carry a further locating element, in the form of a pin or spigot, which cooperates with a corresponding formation of the superjacent table top further to restrain lateral displacement of the table top relative to the support stmcture.

[0014] The frame may include a pair of spaced extensible side members interconnected by a pair of spaced end members. The side members may be telescopically extensible.

[0015] The support stmcture may carry a levelling mechanism to facilitate levelling of the table tops relative to each other when they are placed on the extended frame.

The levelling mechanism may include at least a pair of spaced, displaceable levelling elements, the levelling elements being displaceable to their levelling configurations when the frame is in its extended configuration to facilitate levelling of the table tops relative to each other and the levelling elements being retained in a storage configuration when the frame is in its retracted configuration.

[0016] The table may include a storage unit carried by the support structure, the storage unit being accessible by at least one of: extension of the frame and removal of at least one of the table tops.

[0017] Each of at least some of the legs may carry a low-friction element at its free end to facilitate extension and retraction of the frame. Each low friction element may be in the form of a wheel or castor.

[0018] Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0019] Embodiments of the disclosure will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: -

[0020] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a table in a first configuration;

[0021] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the table in a partially extended configuration;

[0022] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the table in a fully extended, second configuration;

[0023] Fig. 4 shows, on an enlarged scale, a perspective view of a leg construction of the table; [0024] Fig. 5 shows, on an enlarged scale, an exploded, perspective view of the leg construction and its mounting to a frame of the table;

[0025] Fig. 6 shows, on an enlarged scale, the mounting of the leg to the frame of the table;

[0026] Fig. 7 shows a sectional side view of the mounting of the leg to the frame of the table;

[0027] Fig. 8 shows, on an enlarged scale, a detail of the mounting of the leg to the frame of the table is demarcated by Circle ‘A’ in Fig. 7 of the drawings;

[0028] Fig. 9 shows a sectional end view of the table in its first configuration;

[0029] Fig. 10 shows, on an enlarged scale, a detail of the table demarcated by Circle Έ’ in Fig. 9 of the drawings;

[0030] Fig. 11 shows a plan view of table tops of the table in their first configuration;

[0031] Fig. 12 shows a sectional side view of the table tops taken along line XII- XII in Fig. 11 of the drawings;

[0032] Fig. 13 shows, on an enlarged scale, a detail of the table tops demarcated by Circle ‘C’ in Fig. 12 of the drawings;

[0033] Fig. 14 shows a plan view of the table in its second, extended configuration;

[0034] Fig. 15 shows a sectional end view of the table taken a long line XV-XV in Figure 14 of the drawings;

[0035] Fig. 16 shows, on an enlarged scale, a levelling element of the table in a first, non-levelling position as demarcated by Circle ‘D’ in Fig. 15 of the drawings; [0036] Fig. 17 shows, on an enlarged scale, the levelling element of the table in the process of being rotated to a second, levelling position;

[0037] Fig. 18 shows a perspective view of the table with the table tops removed;

[0038] Fig. 19 shows, on an enlarged scale, a perspective view of one of the levelling elements in its first, non-levelling position as demarcated by Circle Έ’ in Fig. 18 of the drawings; and

[0039] Fig. 20 shows, on an enlarged scale, a perspective view of the levelling element of Fig. 19 in its second, levelling position.

Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments

[0040] In the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally designates an embodiment of a table. While the table 10 is intended particularly for use as a dining table, those skilled in the art will appreciate that a table of similar configuration can be used in other applications, for example, as a side table, as a sideboard, as a desk, or the like.

[0041] The table 10 includes a support structure 12 including a frame 14 (Fig. 2). The frame 14 is configured to be displaced between a first, retracted configuration as shown, for example, in Fig. 1 of the drawings and a second, extended configuration as shown, for example, in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

[0042] A table top arrangement 16, shown in greater detail in Figs. 11-13 of the drawings, is carried by the support structure 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the table top arrangement 16 comprises two table tops 18 and 20. It will, however, be appreciated that, in other embodiments the table top arrangement 16 could comprise more than two table tops with the frame 14 of the support arrangement 12 then being further extensible.

[0043] The table tops 18 and 20 are configured to be stacked on each other when the frame 14 of the support structure 12 is in its first, retracted configuration. Further, as shown, for example, in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the table tops 18 and 20 are configured to be arranged side-by-side on the frame 14 of the support structure 12 when the frame is in its second, extended configuration.

[0044] The table tops 18 and 20 have complementary restraining formations 22 (Fig. 13) to restrain relative movement between the table tops 18 and 20 when stacked. As illustrated in greater detail in Figs. 11-13 of the drawings, the table tops 18 and 20 are identical so it does not matter in which order the table tops 18 and 20 are stacked on each other.

[0045] The table 10 includes a locating mechanism 24, a part of which is shown on an enlarged scale in Fig. 4 the drawings, carried by the support structure 12. The locating mechanism 24 co-operates with a lowermost table top 18 when the frame 14 is in its retracted configuration and, further, co-operates with both table tops 18 and 20 when the frame 14 is in its extended configuration so as to inhibit lateral movement of the table tops 18 and/or 20 relative to each other and to the support structure 12.

[0046] Referring to Fig. 18 of the drawings, the frame 14 of the support structure 12 comprises a pair of laterally spaced side members 26 interconnected by a pair of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending end members 28. The side members 26 are telescopic side members to facilitate extension and retraction of the frame 14. More particularly, each side member 26 comprises a sequence of relatively slidable elements 30, 32 and 34. For each side member 26, the side element 32 is arranged operatively inwardly and alongside the side element 30 and, similarly, the side element 34 is arranged operatively inwardly and alongside the side element 32 when the frame 14 is in its retracted configuration.

[0047] A protrusion or ribs 36 is arranged on an operative top surface of an operatively free end of each side element 30. The rib 36 supports the table top 18 in a level orientation relative to the frame 14 and underlying floor (not shown). [0048] The support structure 12 includes a plurality of legs 38, a leg being arranged at each comer of the frame 14 of the support structure 12. Each table top 18, 20 is substantially polygonal and, more particularly, substantially square when viewed in plan. A leg 38 is associated with each comer of the table tops 18, 20 when the table tops 18, 20 are in their stacked configuration. Each leg 38 is connected to an end of one of the end members 28 of the frame 14 via a connector 40, 42. In the case of the end member 28 spanning the side elements 30 of the frame 14, each connector 40 is substantially rectilinear.

[0049] In the case of the end member 28 spanning the side elements 34 of the frame 14, each end member 42 is kinked having a portion 44 which is, in effect, an extension of the end member 28 so that a spacing between the legs 38 connected to the frame 14 via the connectors 42 is the same as the spacing between the legs 38 connected to the frame 14 via the connectors 40.

[0050] Each of the legs 38 connected to the frame 14 via the connectors 42 carries a castor, or other wheeled component, 46 at its operatively lower end to facilitate displacement of the frame 14 between its extended and retracted configurations.

[0051] The frame 14 carries a storage unit or storage tray 48 between the end members 34. Access to the storage tray 48 can be effected, when the frame 14 is in its retracted configuration, by either extending the frame 14 or, instead, lifting the stacked table tops 18, 20 off the frame 14. When the frame 14 is in its extended configuration, access to the storage tray 48 is effected by lifting the table top 20.

[0052] Each leg 38 is connected to its associated connector via an insert 50 (shown more clearly in Fig. 5 of the drawings). The insert 50 is a moulding of a synthetic plastics material and has a spigot portion 52 with a tongue 54 extending from a side of the spigot portion 52. The spigot portion 52 is a press fit within a socket 53 defined the top of its associated leg 38 and the tongue 54 extends through a slot 55 (Fig. 6) in a side of an operatively top region of the leg 38. [0053] Each connector 40, 42 is a hollow extrusion, or other polygonal tubular element, having an opening 56 (Fig. 5) at its free end. The tongue 54 of the insert 50 is a snug fit within the connector 40, 42 as shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings. The tongue 54 of the insert 50 is retained in position within its associated connector 40, 42 via a retaining element, for example, in the form of a grub screw (Fig. 8).

[0054] As described above, the locating mechanism 24 comprises a plurality of locating formations 60. Each leg 38 has a locating formation 60 of the locating mechanism 24 associated with it. More particularly, the locating formation 60 is formed integrally with the spigot portion 52 of the insert 50 as a one-piece element.

[0055] Reverting to Figs. 11-13 of the drawings, and more particularly, Fig. 13 of the drawings, each table top 18, 20 comprises a planar element 62 with a border element 64 secured to, and extending about, the entire periphery 66 of the planar element 62. In other words, for a square table top 18, 20, four such border elements 64, with mitred ends, are provided, as shown in Fig. 11 of the drawings. Each border element 64 has a bevelled lower portion 68 to define a first restraining formation 22 of each table top 18, 20

[0056] Each border element 64 further has a bevelled upper portion 70 to form a complementary, second restraining formation 22 of each table top 18, 20. It will be appreciated that the angle of the bevelled lower portion 68 of each border element 64 of the table tops 18, 20 is the same as the angle of the bevelled upper portion 70. As a result, when the table top 20 is placed on the table top 18, the bevelled lower portions of the border elements 64 rest on the bevelled upper portions 70 of the border elements 64 of the table top 18. Since the table tops 18 and 20 are polygonal and the border elements 64 extend about the entire periphery 66 of each of the table tops 18 and 20, the table top 20 is restrained against lateral motion relative to the table top 18 by their respective bevelled portions 68 and 70.

[0057] It will, however, be appreciated that, in some embodiments, the border elements may not extend continuously about the entire periphery of each of the table tops 18, 20 as long as they are arranged at, and extend from, each comer of each table top 18, 20.

[0058] Each border element 64 is a timber edge and is secured, for example, by adhesive, to the periphery 66 of its associated planar element 62 of the table top 18, 20.

[0059] The locating formations 60 of the locating mechanism 24 interact with the bevelled lower portion 68 of the lowermost table top 18, 20, when the frame 14 is in its retracted configuration to restrain the table tops 18, 20 against lateral movement relative to the frame 14, when the frame 14 is in its retracted configuration. Each locating formation 60 includes a pair of orthogonally arranged chamfers 74 carried on the top of the insert 50. The chamfers 74 have substantially the same angle as the angle of the lower bevelled portion 68 of the border elements 64 of the lowermost table top 18, 20 of the table 10. It will be understood that the angle of each chamfer 74 is not necessarily 45° and, in the illustrated embodiment, is of the order of about 10° to 20° to the horizontal and, for example, is about 15° to the horizontal.

[0060] Each locating formation further includes a locating element, or locating pin 76 arranged on the top of the insert 50 and extending upwardly to be received in a corresponding receiving formation, or bore, 78 (Fig. 10) defined in an operatively lower surface of the planar element 62 of the relevant table top 18, 20. The locating pin 76 received in the bore 78 further serves to restrain movement of the lowermost table top 18, 20 relative to the support structure 12 of the table 10.

[0061] It will also be noted that a top of the locating formation 60 of each insert 50 is substantially flat, defining a land 78 which, when the lowermost table top 18, 20 rests thereon, imparts further stability to the table 10. The locating pin 76 extends from the land 78

[0062] As described above, a rib 36 is arranged at the top of the free end of each side element 30 of the side members 26 of the frame 14. The ribs 36 projects upwardly to a height corresponding to the lands 78 of the inserts 50 on those legs 38 associated with the side elements 30. When the frame 14 is in its retracted configuration, the lowermost table top rests on the inserts 50 of all four legs 38 so that the table tops 18,

20 are level.

[0063] However, when the frame 14 is in its extended configuration, the table top 18, 20 overlying the side elements 30 of the frame 14 only have the benefit of two of the inserts 50 for levelling purposes. The ribs 36 thus provide the remaining support to provide a level table top 18, 20.

[0064] As shown most clearly in Figs. 15-20 of the drawings, the frame 14 of the support structure 12 includes a levelling mechanism 80 comprising a pair of laterally spaced, rotatably displaceable levelling elements 82. Each levelling element 82 is rotatably displaceable between a stored, inoperative configuration, as shown in Figs. 16 and 19 of the drawings, and an operative position as shown in Fig. 20 of the drawings. When in its operative position, each levelling element 82 has an edge 84 which stands proud of the side elements 32 and 34 of the side members 26 of the frame 14. The edge 84, when the levelling element 82 is in its operative position, is at the same height relative to the tops of the side members 26 of the frame 14 as the lands 78 of the inserts 50 in the legs 38 associated with the side elements 34 of the frame 14. In so doing, the levelling elements 82 facilitate levelling of the table top 20 overlying the side elements 34 of the side members 26 of the frame 14 when the frame 14 is in its extended configuration.

[0065] The table 10 is intended to be provided to a purchaser or user in a demounted configuration. For example, the table 10 is provided to the user with the legs 38, each containing its associated insert 50, detached from the frame 14 of the support structure 12. As described above, the table tops 18, 20 are not secured to the frame 14 in any way and are provided separate from the frame 14 of the support structure 12.

[0066] When the user receives the demounted or dismantled table 10, the user assembles it by inserting the tongue 54 of each insert 50 into one of the connectors 40, 42. As all the connectors 40, 42 have the same sized aperture 56, it does not matter which insert 50 is inserted into which connector 40, 42. It is, of course, recommended that those legs 38 having the castors 46 be attached to the end member 28 of the support structure 12 having the connectors 42 to facilitate extension and retraction of the frame 14, in use.

[0067] Once each insert 50 has been inserted into its associated connector 40, 42, each insert 50 is retained in position via its associated grub screw 58. The storage tray 48 is inserted between the side elements 34 of the frame 14. The storage tray 48 is a loose fit and is retained in position, when the frame 14 is in its extended configuration, by the levelling elements 82 in their operative configuration.

[0068] The table 10 can be used in its retracted configuration, for example, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings by having the table tops 18 and 20 stacked on top of each other. When it is desired to use the table in its extended configuration, the frame 14 is extended, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. This can be effected without complete removal of the table tops 18 and 20 but, to gain access to the levelling elements 82, the table tops 18 and 20 need to be removed. Each levelling element 82 is then rotated from the position shown in Fig. 19 of the drawings to the position shown in Fig. 20 of the drawings. The table tops 18 and 20 are then placed on the extended frame 14, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, and the table 10 can be used in its extended configuration.

[0069] It is an advantage of the described embodiments that a table 10 is provided which can be shipped in a demounted, flat pack-style. This has the advantage that, for storage and/or shipping purposes, the volume occupied by the demounted table 10 is considerably reduced.

[0070] Once the table 10 has been delivered to the user, it is a simple task for the user to erect the table without the need for any special tools or skills. The only tool needed is a screwdriver or Allen key to place the grub screws 58 in position. No other tools are required at all to assemble the table 10. [0071] It is still a further advantage of the described embodiment that a table 10 is provided which can be used in a retracted or an extended configuration. Once again, it is a very simple procedure to switch between a retracted or an extended configuration and can easily be done by one person. Both in its extended and its retracted configuration, the table 10 is stable due to the table tops having the complementary restraining formations and the support structure having the locating mechanism for locating the table tops relative to the support structure.

[0072] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.