A folding frame comprises four vertical legs and at least one shelf pivotally connected to each of the four vertical legs, each shelf being capable of folding vertically upward. The folding frame further comprises two support beams positioned beneath and on opposite ends of each shelf, each support beam being pivotally connected to two of the four vertical legs and capable of folding horizontally inward. The folding frame is moveable between an extended position with each shelf being horizontal and supported by two of the support beams, and a collapsed position with each shelf being folded vertically upward and the support beams being folded horizontally inward.
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0. 36. A folding table comprising:
first, second, third and fourth legs;
a first pivot arm having a first end and a second end, with the first end of the first pivot arm pivotally connected to the first leg;
a second pivot arm having a first end and a second end, with the first end of the second pivot arm pivotally connected to the second leg;
a table surface pivotally connected to the second end of the first pivot arm via a first pivot hinge, and the table surface pivotally connected to the second end of the second pivot arm at a second pivot hinge;
at least two shelves, with each shelf including a first panel connected to a second panel by a hinge, with the first panel pivotally connected to the first and second legs, and with the second panel pivotally connected to the third and fourth legs; and
with the first and second pivot arms movable through more than 180 degrees of rotation, wherein the first and second pivot arms are parallel to the first and second legs, respectively, as the table is moved from a folded to an unfolded position.
0. 20. A folding frame comprising:
first, second, third and fourth vertical legs;
at least two shelves, with each shelf pivotally connected to each of the four vertical legs, and each shelf being capable of folding vertically upward;
two support beams positioned beneath and on opposite ends of each shelf, each support beam being pivotally connected to two of the four vertical legs and capable of folding horizontally;
first and second pivot arms each having first and second ends, with the first end of each pivot arm pivotally connected to the first and second legs, respectively;
the second end of each pivot arm pivotally connected to a table surface; and
wherein the folding frame is moveable between an extended position with each shelf being horizontal and supported by two of the support beams, and the table surface is supported in a horizontal position on top of the four vertical legs, and a collapsed position with each shelf being folded vertically upward and the support beams being folded horizontally, and the table surface is folded into a vertical position alongside the first and second legs by pivoting the pivot arms in an arc of more than 180 degrees.
0. 24. A folding table comprising:
first, second, third and fourth legs;
a first pivot arm having a first end and a second end, with the first end of the first pivot arm pivotally connected to the first leg;
a second pivot arm having a first end and a second end, with the first end of the second pivot arm pivotally connected to the second leg;
a table surface pivotally connected to the second end of the first pivot arm via a first pivot hinge, and the table surface pivotally connected to the second end of the second pivot arm at a second pivot hinge;
at least two shelves, with each shelf including a first panel connected to a second panel by a hinge, with the first panel pivotally connected to the first and second legs, and with the second panel pivotally connected to the third and fourth legs;
first and second support beams positioned beneath and adjacent to opposite ends of each shelf, with the first support beam pivotally connected to the first and fourth legs and with the second support beam connected to third and fourth legs, and with the first and second support beams foldable inwardly towards each other; and
the first and second pivot arms moveable through an arc of more than 180 degrees, and the table surface connected only to the first and second pivot arms.
0. 1. A folding frame comprising:
four vertical legs;
at least one shelf pivotally connected to each of the four vertical legs, each shelf being capable of folding vertically upward;
two support beams positioned beneath and on opposite ends of each shelf, each support beam being pivotally connected to two of the four vertical legs and capable of folding horizontally inward; and
wherein the folding frame is moveable between an extended position with each shelf being horizontal and supported by two of the support beams, and a collapsed position with each shelf being folded vertically upward and the support beams being folded horizontally inward.
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0. 14. A folding frame comprising:
four vertical legs;
at least one rectangular shelf pivotally connected to each of the four vertical legs via studs, each shelf having two panels connected by at least one hinge, each hinge enabling the shelf to fold vertically upward;
two support beams positioned beneath and on opposite ends of each shelf, each support beam being hinged to two of the four vertical legs, each support beam having a center hinge enabling the support beam to fold horizontally inward;
wherein the folding frame is moveable between an extended position with each shelf being horizontal and supported by two of the support beams, and a collapsed position with each shelf being folded vertically upward and the support beams being folded horizontally inward;
at least one cross plate and one cross beam mounted to the folding frame; and
at least one position-limiting device to keep the support beams rigid when the folding frame is in the extended position.
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0. 37. The folding table of
0. 38. The folding table of
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1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates in general to folding frames. More particularly, this invention relates to a folding frame that can be conveniently opened for use with four vertical legs and multiple shelves. The folding frame can be collapsed through a simple procedure to a compact format.
2. Description of the Related Art
Inexpensive foldable furniture has been quite popular for numerous years. Foldable furniture (or folding frames) are pieces of furniture that can be expanded for typical use and collapsed for storage or shipping. A few examples of folding frames include folding kitchen islands, serving carts, workbenches, drafting tables, craft tables, gardening carts, and storage shelves.
Although traditional folding frames can collapse to a certain extent, the folded profile of a traditional frame still tends to be bulky. Even in the collapsed format, traditional folding frames take up more room than necessary.
Instead of creating folding frames, some companies ship products in ready-to-assemble packages. This method allows furniture products to be shipped in a compact format, but requires assembly by the end user and does not allow for compact storage.
Thus, the need arises for a preassembled folding frame that can be stored and shipped in a compact format, and can be extended to a full-size piece of furniture such as a table or cart with multiple shelves. In addition, it is desirable that the procedure for transitioning between the collapsed position and the extended position be simple.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,123,207, Mast discloses a shipping rack easily convertible to an extended mode for storing and shipping product, a display mode for displaying product, and a collapsed mode for storing the rack itself. The rack includes a pair of central support columns and a pair of outer posts on either side of the columns. A plurality of shelves is pivotally mounted between the posts and columns. In the extended mode, the shelves are horizontal. As the columns are raised with respect to the posts, the shelves pivot to the desired inclination. Once the shelves are essentially vertical and the posts are drawn close to the central columns, the rack is in the collapsed mode. The rack can be secured in any mode by a strut. A spring counterbalance system installed within one of the central columns assists the mode conversion of the rack.
Instead of supporting the shelves by using a central support column, the subject invention uses support beams running in a horizontal direction to support the shelves. As the folding frame is transitioned into a collapsed position, the support beams of the subject invention fold horizontally inward. Mast does not describe the use of inward folding support beams.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,547, Goldberg discloses a collapsible storage rack assembly including a plurality of upstanding, generally inverted U-shaped frame members between which extend a plurality of vertically spaced, hingedly collapsible shelf assemblies. Using crossbeams for frame support and foldable movement, the storage rack can be easily and quickly opened for use by moving the frame members away from each other. In a similar manner, the storage rack can be easily collapsed by moving the frame members toward each other and into juxtaposition, with the shelf assemblies collapsing by upward hinging movement. In the closed and collapsed position, the shelf assemblies are substantially completely nested within the frame members, thereby facilitating convenient handling, shipment, and storage of the construction.
Instead of using cross-braces to allow for collapsing of the frame, the subject invention employs support beams that fold horizontally inward. The support beams of the subject invention also function to support the weight of the foldable shelves in the extended position. Goldberg does not describe the use of inward folding support beams to support the shelves.
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a folding frame that can be collapsed into a compact format.
A second object of the invention is to provide a folding frame that does not require assembly.
A third object of the invention is to provide a folding frame that extends into a full-size piece of furniture with multiple layers of shelves.
A fourth object of the invention is to provide a folding frame with a simple procedure for transitioning between the collapsed position and the extended position.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention provides a folding frame comprising four vertical legs and at least one shelf pivotally connected to each of the four vertical legs, each shelf being capable of folding vertically upward. The folding frame further comprises two support beams positioned beneath and on opposite ends of each shelf, each support beam being pivotally connected to two of the four vertical legs and capable of folding horizontally inward. The folding frame is moveable between an extended position with each shelf being horizontal and supported by two of the support beams, and a collapsed position with each shelf being folded vertically upward and the support beams being folded horizontally inward.
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Other embodiments of the invention will appear to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. Possible applications of the folding frame include, but are not limited to, folding kitchen islands, serving carts, workbenches, drafting tables, craft tables, gardening carts, and storage shelves. It is intended that the specification and examples to be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.
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