Stowable table

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017112274-A1
Application number	US-201615333344-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 25, 2016
Priority date	Oct 27, 2015
Publication date	Apr 27, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A stowable table includes a table portion movable between a horizontal deployed position and a non-horizontal stowed position. The table portion may be configured to be stowed in a receiving structure. A holder may be configured to receive a liquid receptacle and rotatably coupled to the table portion about a pivot axis. The holder may also be slidably coupled to the table portion and slidable between a setback position in which the pivot axis is set back from an end of the table portion when the table portion is in the deployed position, and an aligned position in which the pivot axis is substantially aligned with the table portion end when in the stowed position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A stowable table comprising:
a table portion movable between a horizontal deployed position and a non-horizontal stowed position, the table portion being configured to be stowed in a receiving structure; and a holder configured to receive a liquid containing receptacle, wherein the holder is rotatably coupled to the table portion about a pivot axis; wherein the holder is slidably coupled to the table portion and is slidable between a set back position in which the pivot axis is set back from an end of the table portion when the table portion is in the deployed position and an aligned position in which the pivot axis is adjacent to the table portion end when in the stowed position.

2 . The stowable table of claim 1 , wherein the stowable table further comprises a carrier to which the holder is rotatably coupled about the pivot axis, the carrier being slidably coupled to the table portion.

3 . The stowable table of claim 1 , wherein the stowable table further comprises a first resilient element configured to bias the holder to the set back position.

4 . The stowable table of claim 1 , wherein the stowable table further comprises a first weighted portion configured to bias the holder to the aligned position when the table portion is in the stowed position.

5 . The stowable table of claim 4 , wherein the first weighted portion is coupled to the holder by a flexible member and a pulley.

6 . The stowable table of claim 4 , wherein the first weighted portion is coupled to the holder by a rack and pinion mechanism.

7 . The stowable table of claim 6 , wherein the rack and pinion mechanism comprises a first rack coupled to the first weighted portion, a second rack coupled to the holder, and a pinion gear provided between the first and second racks.

8 . The stowable table of claim 1 , wherein the stowable table is configured such that an interaction with the receiving structure causes the holder to move from the set back position to the aligned position.

9 . The stowable table of claim 1 , wherein the stowable table further comprises a first actuator configured to move the holder between the set back and aligned positions.

10 . The stowable table of claim 1 , wherein the holder comprises a second weighted portion spaced apart from the pivot axis such that gravity biases the holder into an upright position.

11 . The stowable table of claim 1 , wherein the stowable table further comprises a second actuator configured to maintain the holder in an upright position.

12 . The stowable table of claim 1 , wherein the holder is flush with the table portion when in the deployed position.

13 . The stowable table of claim 12 , wherein an edge of the holder is aligned with the end of the table portion when the pivot axis is in the set back position and the table portion is in the deployed position.

14 . A stowable table comprising:
a table portion movable between a deployed horizontal position and a stowed non-horizontal position; and a holder pivotally and slidably coupled to the table portion by a rack and pinion and configured to receive a liquid receptacle in both the deployed and stowed positions, the holder movable to be generally aligned with the table portion when deployed and generally perpendicular to the table portion when stowed.

15 . The stowable table of claim 14 further comprising a weight disposed within and movable within the table portion.

16 . The stowable table of claim 14 further comprising a weight on a bottom surface of the holder.

17 . The stowable table of claim 14 further comprising a receiving structure adapted to receive the table portion in the stowed position.

18 . A stowable table comprising:
a table portion movable between stowed and deployed positions; a weight movable relative to the table portion; and a cup holder coupled to the table portion and the weight, the cup holder pivoting to remain substantially horizontal and sliding to move toward an edge of the table portion as the table moves between the stowed and deployed positions and the weight moves away from the edge.

19 . The stowable table of claim 18 further comprising a spring disposed between the table portion and the cup holder.

20 . The stowable table of claim 18 further comprising a rack and pinion assembly coupling the cup holder to the table portion.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• De Saulles Stephen
• Hoggarth Marcus

Classifications

• B60N3/101

  fixed · CPC title

• B60N3/004

  of foldable trays mounted on the back-rest · CPC title

• B60N3/102 Primary

  storable or foldable in a non-use position · CPC title

• A47B5/00 Primary

  Suspended or hinged panels forming a table; Wall tables (bed tables A47B23/00; {adapted for use in vehicles A47B31/06}; in combination with other furniture A47B83/00; arm-rest tables for chairs A47C) · CPC title

• B60N3/002 Primary

  of trays · CPC title