GB2511342A

GB2511342A - Stabilising bracket for furniture

Info

Publication number: GB2511342A
Application number: GB201303610A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathan Martin Michaelis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-02-28
Filing date: 2013-02-28
Publication date: 2014-09-03
Anticipated expiration: 2033-02-28
Also published as: GB2511342B; GB201303610D0

Abstract

A means for stabilising furniture without causing obstruction consists of mounting brackets 3 with shaped cutouts 5 that engage with docking frame parts 4 so that when they are clamped together, via screw 6, a rigid structure is formed. The stabilising means is particularly useful for stabilising a table top to a table frame in a wheelchair accessible foldable table. In such an arrangement a mounting bracket 3 may be attached to the underside of a folding table top 10 such that table top 10 can be secured , in an in use position, to a table frame 4 using clamp 6.

Description

STABILISING BRACKET FOR FURNITURE

The present invention relates to a stabilising means for furniture that does not cause obstruction. More particularly, a means for stabilising a wheelchair-accessible foldable table.

People using wheelchairs often have difficulty accessing tables because of obstructions to their knees, armrests, footrests and other parts of themselves and their wheelchairs. Tables need to be high enough for them to access and free from obstacles underneath. It is the structural parts of many tables that are there to provide stability that cause these obstructions. This is particularly the case for folding tables. Tables without such obstructive structures are usually not rigid enough for many users and uses.

The invention described herein provides a means for stabilising furniture without causing obstruction. A typical application is a wheelchair-accessible folding table. The invention provides the following features: * A first assembly which is to be mounted to a second assembly.

* A second assembly with at least one docking frame part.

* At least one mounting bracket fixed to the first assembly positioned so as not to cause any obstructions.

* Clamping means to hold the mounting bracket or brackets to the docking frame part or parts.

* The mounting bracket or brackets shaped to engage with the docking frame part or parts in order to make a rigid structure when clamped.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which: Figure 1 -General view underneath of a first assembly showing mounting brackets.

Figure 2 -General view of a second assembly with docking frame parts.

Figure 3 -General view underneath of the first assembly aligned with the second assembly prior to the mounting brackets being clamped to the docking frame parts.

Figure 4 -Close up view underneath of the first assembly aligned with the second assembly prior to the mounting brackets being clamped to the docking frame parts.

Figure 5 -Close up view underneath with the mounting brackets clamped to the docking frame parts.

Figure 6 -General view of the complete assembly clamped up.

Figure 7 -General view of both assemblies unclamped with the first assembly starting to be folded down.

Figure 8 -General view of both assemblies unclamped with the first assembly folded down.

Figure 9 -General view of both assemblies unclamped with the first assembly folded down and the left hand side of the second assembly folded in.

Figure 10 -General view of both assemblies unclamped with the first assembly folded down and both the left and right hand sides of the second assembly folded in.

Figure 1 shows a first assembly. The first assembly 1 has mounting brackets 3 and a guide rail 8 fixed to a lid 10.

Figure 2 shows a second assembly. The second assembly 2 has docking frame parts 4, top horizontal bars 9, retaining pins 11, adjustable height vertical frame sub-assemblies 12, a rear bar 13, hinged joints 14 and dual-lock castors 15.

Figure 3 shows the first assembly mounted on the second assembly but not clamped together. The mounting brackets 3 of the first assembly 1 are aligned with the docking frame parts 4 of the second assembly 2 but not yet clamped together.

Figure 4 shows a close up part of the first assembly mounted on the second assembly but not clamped together. The mounting bracket 3 has a shaped cutout 5 which is aligned with the docking frame part 4 ready to be clamped together by means of a screw 6 that will screw into a threaded hole 7 which has a significant countersunk lead-in to enable easy alignment and fitting. The top horizontal bar 9 on one side fits between the guide rail 8 and the lid 10.

Figure 5 shows a close up part of the first assembly mounted on the second clamped together. The mounting bracket 3 has been clamped to the docking frame part 4 by means of the screw 6. The cutout shape 5 fits with the docking frame part 4 to make a stable and rigid structure.

Figure 6 shows the complete assembly clamped up. The unit is very accessible with the rear bar 13 very low down to avoid it causing obstruction.

Figure 7 shows the assemblies unclamped with the first assembly starting to be folded down.

Assembly 1 has been unclamped from assembly 2 and is in the process of being folded down. The assemblies are kept together with assembly 1 able to slide on assembly 2 as the top horizontal bar 9 remains between the lid 10 and the guide rail 8.

Figure 8 shows both assemblies unclamped with the first assembly folded down completely.

Assembly 1 is still held at one end by the guide rail 8. The other end of assembly 1 is held by the mounting bracket 3 being held between the retaining pins 11. The length of the guide rail 8 allows this arrangement to work when the adjustable height vertical frame sub-assemblies 12 are adjusted to different heights.

Figure 9 shows both assemblies unclamped with the first assembly folded down and the left hand side of the second assembly folded in. The left hand side of the second assembly 2 has been folded around the one of its hinges 14. There are a total of five castors l5so that the complete unit retains some stability to enable it to be moved around easily when it is folded up completely.

Figure 10 shows the complete assembly fully folded. The right hand side of the second assembly 2 has been folded around the one of its hinges 14. Dimensions of the hinge arrangements are different each side to enable to complete folding of the unit.

The embodiment shown has docking frame parts 4 aligned vertically. The invention applies equally to arrangements with a docking frame part or parts aligned in other directions.

The embodiment shown has cylindrically shaped docking frame parts 4. The invention applies equally to other shapes for the docking frame parts.

The embodiment shown has the mounting brackets 3 shaped 5 so they fit closely to the profile of the docking frame parts. The invention applies equally to other shapes for the mounting bracket or brackets as long as they form a rigid structure when clamped to the docking frame part or parts.

The embodiment shown uses a screw 6 through the mounting brackets 3 to clamp them to the docking frame parts 4. The invention applies equally to other clamping arrangements.

The embodiment shown uses dual-lock castors 15 that can lock the rolling of the castor wheel and the swiveling of the castor around its vertical axis. The invention applies equally to use of other sorts of castors, wheels or feet.

The embodiment shown uses a guide rail 8 and retaining pins 11 as means of stowing the first assembly 1. The invention applies equally to use of other means to stow the first assembly and to not using any stowing means.

The embodiment shown allows the guide rail 8 to slide around the top horizontal bar 9 so that the first assembly 1 can be easily removed completely for ease of transport. The invention applies equally if a means is used that prevents easy separation of the first assembly 1 from the second assembly 2.

The embodiment shown uses hinged means for folding the assembly. The invention applies equally if alternative means are employed to fold the assembly or if the assembly cannot be folded.

The embodiment shown is a table. The invention applies equally to other furniture items and uses.

In a specific embodiment of the invention, the dimensions of the table allow access by people in wheelchairs with the rear bar low enough to afford clearance for wheelchair footrests.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A means for stabilising furniture without causing obstruction comprising: a first assembly which is to be mounted to a second assembly; a second assembly with at least one docking frame pad; at least one mounting bracket fixed to the first assembly positioned so as not to cause any obstructions; clamping means to hold the mounting bracket or brackets to the docking frame part or parts; wherein the bracket or brackets are shaped to engage with the docking frame part or pads in order to make a rigid structure when clamped.
2. A means for stabilising furniture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the docking frame part or parts are aligned vertically with the mounting bracket or brackets.
3. A means for stabilising furniture as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the docking frame parts which dock with the mounting brackets are cylindrically shaped.
4. A means for stabilising furniture as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting brackets are shaped to be a close fit with the docking frame pads when docked.
5. A means for stabilising furniture as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamping means between the mounting bracket or brackets and the docking frame part or pads is provided by tightening a screw through the mounting bracket into the frame part.
6. A means for stabilising furniture as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein the hole in the frame part has a very deep countersink in order to facilitate alignment of and screwing in of the screw.
7. A means for stabilising furniture as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide rail is used as a means for retaining the first assembly on the second assembly when the structure is not fully assembled.
8. A means for stabilising furniture as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein the guide rail length allows it to function when the second assembly has been adjusted to different heights.
9. A means for stabilising furniture as claimed in either or both of the two preceding claims, wherein clearance between the guide rail and communicating parts of the second assembly allow the two assemblies to be separated easily.
10. A means for stabilising furniture as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein docking pins are used as means for retaining the first assembly onto the second assembly when the structure is folded.
11. A means for stabilising furniture as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein there is a means for folding the second assembly.
12. A means for stabilising furniture as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein hinges are used as the means for folding the second assembly.
13. A means for stabilising furniture as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein dual-lock castors are fitted to provide stability when locked whilst allowing movement of the furniture when released.
14. A means for stabilising furniture as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein an additional castor or castors is fitted to provide some stability when the assembly is folded.
15. A means for stabilising furniture as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the furniture is accessible for users of wheelchairs.
16. A means for stabilising furniture as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein any horizontal bar running across the furniture is very low down and positioned towards the rear of the furniture so that it does not obstruct wheelchair footrests.
17. A means for stabilising furniture as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the furniture is a table.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS: 1. A folding table movable from an, in use, erect configuration into a collapsed configuration for storage; the table comprising a table top mountable to a foldable table frame, wherein the table top is movable from a substantially horizontal position when in the erect configuration to a substantially vertical position during arrangement of the table into the collapsed configuration; the table top including at least one mounting bracket and at least one guide rail positioned on an underside of the table top; the foldable table frame including a cylindrical docking part; wherein, in the erect configuration the table top is clamped to the table frame by tightening a screw through each mounting bracket/s into the cylindrical docking part/s so as to form a stable structure when the table top and table frame are clamped together in the erect configuration; the arrangement being such that guide rail/s engage with the table frame so as to prevent separation of the table top and table frame during movement of the table top between the substantially horizontal and substantially vertical positions.2. A folding table with a stabilising means as claimed in claim 1 wherein the table frame folds using vertical axis hinged joints of different lengths so that different parts of the table frame fold around each other flat. flee3. A folding table with a stabilising means as claimed in any one of the preceding * claims, wherein docking pins that engage with the mounting bracket are used as means for retaining the table top onto the table frame when the structure is folded.* 4. A folding table with a stabilising means as claimed in any one of the preceding + claims, wherein in addition to any castors fitted for use when the piece of table is assembled, *:::: an additional castor or castors is fitted to provide some stability when the assembly is folded. ******* * 5. A folding table with a stabilising means as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the table is accessible for users of wheelchairs and any horizontal bar running across the table is very low down and positioned towards the rear of the table so that it does not obstruct wheelchair footrests.