Folding table

Abstract

A portable table (1), comprising a table top (11) and a frame (1a) having two front legs (2, 3) and two rear legs (4, 5) as well as two front arms (6, 7) and two rear arms (8, 9). The front arms and front legs are fastened on a first, front connecting element (12), and the rear arms and rear legs are fastened on a second, rear connecting element (13). The first, front connecting element is connected to the second, rear connecting element by at least one first connecting rod (14). Coupling elements connecting the arms to in each case one first or second longitudinal rod (54, 55), are arranged on the upper ends of the arms. The table top comprises at least one device (65a, 65b, 66a, 66b) by means of which the table top is releasably fastenable on the frame.

Claims

1. A portable table, comprising: a table top and a frame, wherein the frame comprises two front legs and two rear legs, as well as two front arms and two rear arms, wherein the front legs and the rear legs have in each case a first, lower free end which is directed toward a support and a second, upper end, wherein the front arms and rear arms have in each case a second, upper end which is directed toward the table top, and a first, lower end, wherein the front legs, by way of their second, upper end which is located opposite the first, lower free end, and the front arms, by way of their first, lower end which is located opposite the second, upper end, are fastened on a first, front connecting element, wherein the rear legs, by way of their second, upper end which is located opposite the first, lower free end and the rear arms, by way of their first, lower end which is located opposite the second, upper end, are fastened on a second, rear connecting element, wherein the first, front connecting element is connected to the second, rear connecting element by means of at least one first connecting rod, wherein a first coupling element, which connects a front, left arm to a first longitudinal rod which is arranged parallel to the at least one first connecting rod, is arranged on the second, upper end of the front, left arm and in that a second coupling element, which connects a rear, left arm to the first longitudinal rod, is arranged on the second end of the rear, left arm, and wherein a third coupling element, which connects a front, right arm to a second longitudinal rod which is arranged parallel to the at least one first connecting rod, is arranged on the second end of the front, right arm, wherein a fourth coupling element, which connects a rear, right arm to the second longitudinal rod, is arranged on the second end of the rear, right arm, wherein the table top comprises at least one device by which the table top is releasably fastenable on the frame, and wherein each of the first to fourth coupling elements is formed in an angled and integral manner and comprises a first sleeve portion for receiving a front end or rear end of one of the two longitudinal rods, and comprises a second sleeve portion which is arranged at an angle to the first sleeve portion and is realized for receiving an upper end of an arm of the frame.

2. The portable table according to claim 1, wherein the table top is releasably fastenable by the at least one device on the first longitudinal rod or on the second longitudinal rod or on at least one of the first to fourth coupling elements.

3. The portable table according to claim 2, wherein the table top is releasably fastenable on the first longitudinal rod and on the second longitudinal rod.

4. The portable table according to claim 2, wherein the table top is releasably fastenable on at least two of the first to fourth coupling elements.

5. The portable table according to claim 1, wherein the table top is connectable to the frame in a positive locking and/or non-positive locking manner by means of the at least one device.

6. The portable table according to claim 1, wherein the table top is composed of individual table elements which are couplable together.

7. The portable table according to claim 6, wherein the individual table elements are identically realized.

8. The portable table according to claim 7, wherein the individual table elements comprise in each case a rectangular base surface and comprise a longitudinal axis which is arranged transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the at least one first connecting rod of the frame.

9. The portable table according to claim 7, wherein of the individual table elements either a frontmost table element or a rearmost table element has an orientation which comprises an orientation which has been rotated by 180 degrees in the circumferential direction of the table relative to an orientation of the table element which is arranged between the frontmost table element and the rearmost table element.

10. The portable table according to claim 6, wherein the individual table elements comprise in each case a base surface which forms a top surface of the table top, wherein the base surface is delimited by four side faces which extend substantially at right angles to the base surface.

11. The portable table according to claim 10, wherein a first side face, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the table element, and a second side face, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the table element and is located opposite the first side face, comprise in each case at least one downwardly open recess for the support of the table element on at least one longitudinal rod.

12. The portable table according to claim 11, wherein the second side face, which extends in each case in the longitudinal direction of a frontmost table element and of a rearmost table element, comprises at least one downwardly open recess for clamping the frontmost table element and the rearmost table element onto in each case at least one of the coupling elements.

13. The portable table according to claim 6, wherein a first side face of the individual table elements, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the table element, comprises in each case at least one spacer which is directed to the respective adjacent table element.

14. The portable table according to claim 13, wherein each table element comprises on the first side face two spacers which are spaced apart from one another and have different outside diameters.

15. The portable table according to claim 6 wherein the individual table elements are coupled together by means of at least one elastic cord.

16. The portable table according to claim 15, wherein the elastic cord comprises at least one end which is fastened on a frontmost table element or on a rearmost table element.

17. The portable table according to claim 6, wherein the table top is composed of individual table elements in the form of plate elements or profile elements which comprise in each case at least one open recess, which is directed toward the support, for positive locking or non-positive locking to the frame.

18. The portable table according to claim 17, wherein the at least one open recess is located on a side face of the respective table element, the at least one open recess being directed toward the support, for positive locking and or non-positive locking to the first and the second longitudinal rod.

19. The portable table according to claim 1, wherein the first longitudinal rod and the second longitudinal rod are realized in each case by two tube portions.

20. The portable table according to claim 19, wherein the first longitudinal rod and the second longitudinal rod are realized in each case by two tube portions which are interconnectable by means of a plug-in connection.

21. The portable table according to claim 1, wherein the first longitudinal rod and the second longitudinal rod are realized in each case in a tubular manner and in each case are connected by means of an elastic cord to at least one of the two front arms or to at least one of the two rear arms.

22. The portable table according to claim 1, wherein the first, front connecting element is connected by means of a first connecting rod and a second connecting rod to the second, rear connecting element.

23. The portable table according to claim 22, wherein the second connecting rod is arranged parallel to the first connecting rod.

24. The portable table according to claim 22, wherein the two connecting rods are interconnected by means of an elastic cord.

25. The portable table according to claim 1, wherein the front legs and the rear legs, as well as the front arms and the rear arms are designed in each case as tube portions, and wherein the two front legs are interconnected by means of at least one first elastic cord, wherein the two rear legs are interconnected by means of at least one second elastic cord, wherein the two front arms are interconnected by means of at least one third elastic cord, and wherein the two rear arms are interconnected by means of at least one fourth elastic cord.

26. The portable table according to claim 25, wherein the first, front connecting element and the second, rear connecting element are connected to a fifth elastic cord, wherein the first longitudinal rod is connected to the two front arms by means of the third elastic cord, and the second longitudinal rod is connected to the two rear arms by means of the fourth elastic cord.

27. The portable table according to claim 1, wherein each of the first to fourth coupling elements comprises, in a longitudinal direction of a respective longitudinal rod, an axial projection with a smaller diameter than the outside diameter of a first sleeve portion, wherein a circumferential flange, which surrounds the axial projection, on the coupling element forms a stop face for an inside surface of a second side face of the frontmost or rearmost table element of the table top, said second side face extending in the longitudinal direction of a frontmost or rearmost table element and perpendicular to a base surface of the frontmost or rearmost table element, such that the table top is stretched as a result of pulling or tensioning the frontmost or rearmost table element over at least one of the front coupling elements and at least one of the rear coupling elements, or wherein each of the first to fourth coupling elements comprises a circumferential groove, in which the second side face of the frontmost or rearmost table element is able to engage or rather can be tensioned by way of a corresponding recess, such that a position of the table top on the frame is fixed in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal rods.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below by way of the drawings which simply serve for explanation, are not to be interpreted as restricting and in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the folding table according to a first embodiment, in the assembled state with table top fitted;

(3) FIG. 2a shows a perspective view of the raised table top of the folding table of FIG. 1:

(4) FIG. 2b shows a perspective view of the frame of the folding table of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 3a shows a detailed view of two table elements, separated from one another, of the table top of FIG. 2a;

(6) FIG. 3b shows a section of the front region of the table top of FIG. 2a, three table elements being shown in the assembled state;

(7) FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of the section Z of FIG. 3a, which shows a recess in the side face of a table element;

(8) FIG. 5 shows a detailed view of the section Y of FIG. 2b;

(9) FIG. 6a shows a detailed view of the plug-in connection of the two table elements according to FIG. 3a in a perspective view;

(10) FIG. 6b shows a detailed view of the plug-in connection of the two table elements according to FIG. 3a in a sectional representation;

(11) FIG. 6c shows a detailed view of the plug-in connection of the two table elements according to FIG. 3a in a perspective view;

(12) FIG. 6d shows a detailed view of the plug-in connection of the two table elements according to FIG. 3a in a sectional representation;

(13) FIG. 7 shows a perspective bottom view of the folding table of FIG. 1, the connecting cords of the table elements not being shown and the rear legs being shown incompletely;

(14) FIG. 8a shows a detailed view of the section X of FIG. 5a with a longitudinal rod;

(15) FIG. 8b shows a detailed view of the section X of FIG. 5a in a larger enlargement and without a longitudinal rod;

(16) FIG. 9a shows a bottom view of the table top of FIG. 2a with a connecting cord;

(17) FIG. 9b shows a detailed view of the section Q of FIG. 9a;

(18) FIG. 9c shows a detailed view of the section W of FIG. 9a;

(19) FIG. 10 shows an exploded representation of the frame of FIG. 2b without any table top, with inserted rubber ropes, the running of the cord between the individual tube segments being shown in a schematic manner;

(20) FIG. 11 shows an exploded representation of the frame of FIG. 2b without any table top;

(21) FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the folding table of FIG. 1 in the folded state packed down as small as possible;

(22) FIG. 13 shows a schematic representation of a view of the first connecting element of the table of FIG. 1 in a front view;

(23) FIG. 14 shows a schematic representation of a coupling element according to a first preferred embodiment, FIG. 14a, 14b each showing a perspective view, and

(24) FIG. 14c a side view, FIG. 14d a view from the front or rather along the longitudinal axis L54/L55, and FIG. 14e a view from above.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(25) FIG. 1 shows a portable table or rather folding table 1 according to the invention according to a first exemplary embodiment in the assembled state. In this case, a table top 11 or rather table plate rests on a frame 1a. The table top 11, which is shown detached from the frame 1a in FIG. 2a, in the exemplary embodiment shown consists of eight connecting, or rather releasably interlinkable table elements 60, 60a, 60b, which are realized in the form of rectangular plate or rather profile elements. The table top 11, in the present exemplary embodiment, comprises a length 111 of approximately 600 mm, which corresponds to eight times the width b60 of one table element 60. The table top 11 also comprises a width b11 of 400 mm, the width b11 corresponding to the length 160 of a table element 60. The thickness of the table plate or rather table top corresponds to the thickness h60 of a table element 60 and in the present specific exemplary embodiment is 13 mm.

(26) The frame 1a shown detached from the table top 11 in FIG. 2b comprises two front legs 2, 3 and two rear legs 4, 5 as well as two front arms 6, 7 and two rear arms 8, 9. The legs 2, 3, 4, 5 comprise in each case a free end 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a, which faces downward or rather faces the support 10 or rather the ground, on each of which a foot 44 is fastened which is realized to some extent as a buffer. The two front legs 2, 3 are fastened in a first, front connecting element 12, and the two rear legs 4, 5 are fastened in a second, rear connecting element 13. The front connecting element 12 and the rear connecting element 13, in this case, are interconnected by two connecting rods 14, 15, which are arranged parallel to one another and one above the other thereby realizing a space 48, along the respective longitudinal axis thereof L14 or rather L15.

(27) The two front arms 6, 7 are additionally fastened on the first, front connecting element 12, which is shown in an enlarged manner and schematically in a view from the front in FIG. 13, and the two rear arms 8, 9 are fastened on the rear connecting element 13, the arms 6, 7, 8, 9 being inserted in each case by way of their lower end 6a, 7a, 8a, 9a into two upper tube sleeves 28, 29 of the respective connecting element 12, 13. The arms 6, 7, 8, 9 comprise in each case a free end 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b which points away from the support 10 or rather upward. A coupling element 50, 51, 52, 53, which connects the respective arm 6, 7, 8, 9 to a longitudinal rod 54, 55, is fastened on the upper free end 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b of the arms 6, 7, 8, 9. The first, left longitudinal rod 54 connects the front, left arm 6 to the rear, left arm 8, and the second, right longitudinal rod 55 connects the front, right arm 7 to the rear right arm 9. Each of the angular coupling elements 50, 51, 52, 53, in this case, is designed such that a first sleeve portion 50a, 51a, 52a, 53a is realized to receive an end 54c, 54d, 55c, 55d of the respective longitudinal rod 54, 55, and that a second sleeve portion 50b, 51b, 52b, 53b, which is arranged at an angle to the first sleeve portion 50a, 51a, 52a, 53a, is realized to receive the upper end 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b of the respective arm 6, 7, 8, 9 which is fastened on said coupling element 50, 51, 52, 53. In this case, according to the detailed view in FIG. 4, which shows the section Y of FIG. 2b, the first sleeve portion 50a, in an axial portion along the longitudinal axis L54 of the longitudinal rod 54, is realized to a certain extent as a hollow cylinder which is closed on one side and in an axial portion comprises a gap in the circumferential direction U54, i.e. is upwardly open and consequently comprises a substantially semi-circular cross section transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis L54 of the longitudinal rod 54. It is also possible to realize said semi-circle in a more closed manner such that, as a result, a latching connection is created. The angle 3, which lies between the two sleeve portions 50a, 50b and is shown in FIG. 5, is less than 90 degrees.

(28) In the axial direction L54, the front, left coupling element 50, which is shown in FIG. 5 as an example for all four coupling elements 50, 51, 52, 53, comprises an axial projection 57, the outside diameter d57 of which is smaller than the outside diameter d50 of the first sleeve portion 50a of the coupling element 50. As a result, a circumferential flange 58 is formed at the transition to the projection 57 on the outside end of the coupling element 50. Said flange serves on the two front coupling elements 50, 52 as a stop for the inside surface 62a of a side face 62 of the frontmost plate element 60a, and on the two rear coupling elements 51, 53 as a stop for the inside surface 62a of a side face 62 of the rearmost plate element 60b. Said projections 57 of the coupling elements 50, 51, 52, 53 serve for stretching the table top 11, when said table top is stretched or rather pulled over the frame 1a. The other three coupling elements 51, 52, 53 are realized analogously just as the front left coupling element 50.

(29) The further preferred exemplary embodiment of the coupling element 50 in FIG. 4 (also applies, however, in a representative manner to the other three coupling elements 51, 52, 52) comprises, on the projection 57 of the first sleeve portion 50a, a circumferential groove 50c, in which the respective recess 66a, 66b of the outside table elements 60a, 60b can engage. The outside table elements 60a, 60b can be fixed even better on the frame 1a in this manner and are fixed in their position in the direction along the longitudinal axis L54, L55 of the longitudinal rods 54, 55. In other words, in the preferred exemplary embodiment of FIG. 14, the projection 57 comprises a, to some extent, inner portion 50c with a smaller diameter, and an outer portion 50d with a greater diameter, which forms the front or rather rear closure of the projection 57. The inner portion 50c consequently forms a circumferential groove or rather an annular groove. In this case, the diameter d57 of the inner portion 50c is only marginally smaller than the diameter of the recess 66a, 66b in the side face 62 of the frontmost table element 60a or rather rearmost table element 60b. The width b66 on the lower edge 62c of the second side face 62 is insignificantly smaller than the outside diameter d57 of the projection 57 in the region of the annular groove or rather of the inner portion 50c and consequently the recess 66a or rather 66b has to be spread open slightly in order to clamp/clip the frontmost table element 60a onto the respective front coupling element 50, 52. In addition, in said preferred exemplary embodiment, in the one axial portion of the first sleeve portion 50a, the upwardly open gap in the circumferential direction U54 of the first sleeve portion 50a is smaller than in FIG. 5, such that, as a result, a latching connection for the respective longitudinal rod 54, 55 is created. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 14, a groove 50e, which extends over part of the circumference U54, is arranged between the upwardly open axial portion of the first sleeve portion 50a and the closed axial portion of the first sleeve portion 50a, as a result of which the upwardly open axial portion and the closed axial portion of the first sleeve portion 50a are spaced apart from one another and, to some extent, two clamping jaws 50f, 50g are formed. This serves additionally, along with the saving in material and consequently weight, for increased flexibility of the two clamping jaws of the upwardly open circumferential portion when the longitudinal rod 54 or rather 55 is clamped.

(30) The two longitudinal rods 54, 55, in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, are arranged parallel to the two connecting rods 14, 15 and, when viewed in a direction transversely with respect to their longitudinal axes L54, L55, opposite one another and parallel to one another. In the exploded view of FIG. 11, it can be seen that the first longitudinal rod 54 and the second longitudinal rod 55 are realized in each case from two tube portions 54a, 54b, or rather 55a, 55b, which are preferably interconnectable by means of a plug-in connection. They are interconnected by means of an adapter element 54e or rather 55e. So that the elastic cord 19 is able to be run through the respective adapter element 54e, the adapter element also comprises an axial passage opening or rather a through-bore. A first portion of the adapter element 54e is admitted in one of the two tube portions 54a, 55a and is fixedly connected thereto, the respective other tube portion 54b, 55b of the respective longitudinal rod 54, 55 being able to be fitted onto the second portion of the adapter element 54e which projects out of the first tube portion 54a, 55a or rather being releasably connectable to the first tube portion 54a, 55a via the adapter element 54e.

(31) According to FIG. 13, each connecting element 12, 13 comprises six tubular sleeves 26-32 fastened thereon which serve for receiving the respective legs 2, 3 or rather 4, 5, arms 6, 7 or rather 8, 9 and the two connecting rods 14, 15. When viewed from the front, the front connecting element 12 and, when viewed from the rear, the rear connecting element 13 comprise a left, lower tubular sleeve 26 for receiving the left, front leg 2 or rather the right, rear leg 5, as well as a right lower tubular sleeve 27 for receiving the right, front leg 3 or rather the left rear leg 4. Equally, when viewed from the front, the front connecting element 12 and, when viewed from the rear, the rear connecting element 13 comprise a left, upper tubular sleeve 28 for receiving the left, front arm 6 or rather the right, rear arm 9, as well as a right, upper tubular sleeve 29 for receiving the right, front arm 7 or rather the left, rear arm 8. In each connecting element, the four tubular sleeves 26, 27, 28, 29 for receiving the respective two legs 2, 3 or rather 4,5 and the respective arms 6, 7 or rather 8, 9 are interconnected substantially by means of a plate 20, which at the same time serves as a reinforcement rib 38, 39 between the respective two lower tubular sleeves 26, 27, or rather the respective upper tubular sleeves 28, 29.

(32) In the exemplary embodiment shown, the arms 6, 7, 8, 9 are fastened further outside, i.e. further forward or rather further rearward on the respective connecting element 12, 13 than the corresponding legs 2, 3, 4, 5.

(33) In addition, each connecting element 12, 13 comprises two central tubular sleeves 34, 35, which are arranged one above the other and parallel to one another, for receiving one end of a connecting rod 14, 15 each, said connecting rod connecting the front connecting element 12 to the rear connecting element 13. Said central tubular sleeves 34, 35 are arranged transversely with respect to the direction of extension of the plate 20 or rather with respect to the plane of the plate 20 of the respective connecting element 12, 13, or rather pierce the plate 20 to some extent. The central tubular sleeves 34, 35 in the exemplary embodiment shown are closed on the front side 22 of the front connecting element 12, or rather on the rear side of the rear connecting element 13. The two connecting rods 14, 15 extend along their longitudinal axes L14, L15 from front to rear and are arranged one above the other, spaced apart from one another, thereby forming a space 48.

(34) The front legs 2, 3 and rear legs 4, 5 are each arranged with respect to one another at a first acute angle 1 which, in the present exemplary embodiment, is approximately 80 degrees. The front arms 6, 7 are also arranged with respect to one another at a second acute angle 2, which is smaller than the angle 1 spanned between the front legs 2, 3 and, in the present exemplary embodiment, is approximately 70 degrees.

(35) In the exploded view in FIG. 10, showing the running of the cord, it can be seen that in each case two legs 2, 3 or rather 4, 5 and in each case two arms 6, 7 or rather 8, 9 are interconnected in each case by an elastic cord 16, 17, 18, 19. The table 1, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5, comprises five such elastic cords 16, 17, 18, 19, 59. In this case, each elastic cord 16, 17, 18, 19, which runs through a leg 2, 3, 4, 5 or an arm 6, 7, 8, 9, is turned around in the connecting element 12, 13 in order to enter there into the leg 2, 3, 4, 5 respectively adjacent in the circumferential direction U of the table 1 or rather into the arm 6, 7, 8, 9 respectively adjacent in the circumferential direction U of the table 1, which arm/leg is pivotally mounted on the same connecting element 12, 13. Each elastic cord 16, 17, 18, 19, in this case, comprises two ends. Each of said ends, as illustrated in FIG. 11, is anchored in a tube plug 42. The tube plug 42, in this case, comprises a cylindrical portion, which comprises a cavity or rather a recess, and is provided on its side facing the periphery with a bottom, which comprises a circumferential flange, which rests on the end of the respective leg or arm and closes the tubular portion of the respective leg or arm. The elastic cord 16, 17, 18, 19 comprises, at its two ends, for example, a knot which is inserted into the recess of the tube plug 42 on assembly and finds a stop in a tapering of the recess, it being possible for the elastic cord to enter into the respective tubular portion through the tapered recess.

(36) The way in which the elastic cord 16 runs is explained below as an example by way of the two front legs 2, 3, but is also applicable in an analogous manner to the way in which the elastic cord 17 of the rear legs 4, 5 runs.

(37) As can be seen in the exploded representation in FIG. 10 or 11, the elastic cord 16 runs from its anchor point with its first end in the tube plug 42 of the left, front leg 2 through the tubular portion of the front left leg 2. At the front connecting element 12, the right leg 3 enters into the lower opening 30a of the left, lower tubular sleeve 26a (shown in detail in FIG. 13) and the elastic cord 16 leaves the front connecting element 12 through the upper opening 26b, its direction is turned around here and it enters into the tubular portion of the right, front leg 3 through the upper opening 27b of the right, lower tubular sleeve 27. The elastic cord 16 then runs through the right, front leg 3 until it is anchored at its second end again in a tube plug 42 of the right, front leg 3.

(38) The tube plug 42 forms the closure on the arms 6, 7, 8, 9 or rather the upper end of the arm 6, 7, 8, 9. A foot 44 is additionally mounted on the legs 2, 3, 4, 5 over the end of the respective leg 2, 3, 4, 5 which is closed by way of the tube plug 42. In this case, the end of the leg 2, 3, 4, 5 is received in a blind hole 47 in the foot and is fastened therein, for example stuck down or pressed thereon. The foot 44 shown in FIG. 10 additionally comprises a tip 46 for supporting the table 1 on the support 10. The foot 44 additionally comprises an annulus produced from several radial wings 45 which extend radially outward from one another at regular intervals and enlarge the surface of the foot 44 in contact with the support 10. This is particularly helpful when the support is soft, such as, for example, a forest floor, where the tip 46 sinks into the ground. The form and design of the feet can be constructed to deviate and be exchangeable in dependence on the ground conditions.

(39) Each connecting element 12, 13, of which the front connecting element 12 is shown in more detail in FIG. 13 as an example, forms, to some extent, a bulb with six tubular sleeves 26, 27, 28, 29, 34, 35. In this case, the upper tubular sleeves 28, 29 for the arms 6, 7 are interconnected at their lower end by a first or rather lower reinforcement rib 38, and at their upper end by way of a second or rather upper reinforcement rib 39. The lower tubular sleeves 26, 27 for the legs 2, 3 are then to some extent integrally moulded in one piece on said reinforcement ribs 38, 39. The tubular sleeves 26, 27 for the legs 2, 3 pass through the respective upper reinforcement rib 39. As a result, the upper end of the respective tubular sleeve 26, 27 comes to rest on the opposite side of the respective upper reinforcement rib 39 as the lower end of the respective tubular sleeve 26, 27. Consequently, the upper openings 26b, 27b of the front leg-tubular sleeves 26, 27 are arranged on the rear side 23 of the front connecting element 12, and the lower openings 26a, 27a on the front side 22 of the front connecting element 12. In other words, in each case one upper tubular sleeve 28, 29 intersects a lower tubular sleeve 26, 27 on a left and on a right side of the connecting element 12 shown. The rear connecting element is designed in an analogous manner, the view of the front connecting element from the front V corresponding to the view of the rear connecting element from the rear H.

(40) The connecting element 12 seems somewhat as if it is formed from a plate 20 (which forms the reinforcement ribs), on which the six tubular sleeves are integrally formed, the plate extending at the angle 2 in the plane spanned by the respective arms 6, 7 substantially in a direction transversely with respect to the extension direction L14, L15 of the connecting rods 14, 15. The plate 20, in this case, is substantially in the form of a circle segment.

(41) FIG. 12 shows a table 1 according to the invention in a collapsed state packed down as small as possible, it being worthy of note that one single stack or a different arrangement is also possible. First of all, the table top 11 is lifted from the frame 1a and folded up. In this case, of the eight table elements 60, 60a, 60b in each case four are placed on top of one another, which produces two stacks of table elements. When folding up the shown frame 1a, the two connecting rods 14, 15 remain connected to the respective connecting element 12, 13. The respective two legs 2,3/4,5 and arms 6,7/8,9 are pulled out of the respective tubular sleeve 26,27/28,29/30,31/32,33 and laid parallel to the longitudinal axis L14, L15 of the connecting rods 14, 15 on said connecting rods 14, 15. When folding the frame 1a, the two tube portions 54a, 54b or rather 55a, 55b of the longitudinal rods 54, 55 are additionally separated from one another and laid on the connecting rods 14, 15 and on the arms 6, 7, 8, 9 and legs 2, 3, 4, 5. The folded frame 1a is then laid on the folded table top and they are packed or rather stowed together.

(42) In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the table elements 60 are realized as perforated plate elements or rather profile elements. The holes 71 present in the exemplary embodiment shown are material gaps with a hexagonal basic form which serve, in particular, for weight reduction and result in the table element 60 having a grid-like structure. However, the plates can also be continuous and have a closed surface.

(43) FIG. 3a shows the frontmost table element 60a and FIG. 3a the next table element 60 adjacent the frontmost table element 60a in detail. The table elements 60, 60a, in this case, comprise a base surface 70, the totality of the base surfaces 70 of all the table elements 60, 60a, 60b forming the table top 11 forming the table surface of the portable table 1. The base surface 70 of each table element 60 is delimited by four side faces 61, 62, 63, 64 which extend downward perpendicularly from the base surface 70, i.e. toward the frame 1a or rather toward the support 10. Consequently, the table element 60 is realized, to some extent, as a plate element which comprises, to some extent, a U-shaped cross section, the legs of the formed U extending downward. In this case, the first side face 61 is arranged parallel to the second side face 62, which is situated opposite the first side face in a direction transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis L60 of the table element 60. The third side face 63 is arranged at right angles to the first and second side faces 61, 62 and parallel to the fourth side face 64, which is situated opposite the third side face 63 in a direction along the longitudinal axis L60 of the table element 60.

(44) A table element 60, 60a, 60b, in the present exemplary embodiment, has a length 160 of 400 mm, measured along the longitudinal axis L60 and consequently in a direction transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis L14 of the connecting rod L14, or rather with respect to the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal rod L54. The width b60 of a table element 60, in this case, in the present exemplary embodiment, is approximately 70 mm, measured transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis L60 of the table element along the third or rather fourth side face 63, 64. The thickness h60 of a table element or rather the height of the side faces 61, 62, 63, 64 here is approximately 75 mm.

(45) In the bottom view in FIG. 7, it can be seen that each table element 60, 60a, 60b, on the underside 70a of its base surface, comprises a plurality of cross struts 49 which serve for stability. Said cross struts 49 are arranged in a direction transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis L60 of the table element 60, extend downward from the base surface 70 toward the support 10 and connect the first side face 61 to the second side face 62.

(46) As shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, the second side face 62 of the frontmost table element 60a comprises two recesses 66a, 66b which are spaced apart from one another and serve for fastening the table top 11 on the front two coupling elements 50, 52. In this case, the first recess 66a, which is shown in an enlarged manner in FIG. 4, is clamped onto the front, left coupling element 50, and the second recess 66b is clamped onto the front, right coupling element 52. The recess 66a, 66b, in this case, consequently snaps over the axial projection 57 of the respective coupling element 50, 52, by the width b66 on the lower edge 62c of the second side face 62 being insignificantly smaller than the outside diameter d57 of the projection 57 and the recess 66a or rather 66b consequently having to be spread open slightly in order to clamp/clip the frontmost table element 60a onto the respective front coupling element 50, 52. The outside diameter d54, d55 of the two longitudinal rods 54, 55 is marginally smaller than the width b66 of the first recess 66a and of the second recess 66b on the lower edge 62c of the second side face 62, as well as marginally smaller than the width b65 of the first recess 65a and of the second recess 65b on the lower edge 61c of the first side face 61. Consequently, all the table elements 60 rest with their recesses 65a, 65b, 66a, 66b on the longitudinal rods 54, 55, whilst the recesses 66a, 66b of the frontmost and the rearmost table elements 60a, 60b are only clampable onto the coupling elements 50, 51, 52, 53 as a result of overcoming a friction force. However, it is possible for all the table elements not only to rest on but to be connected to the substructure by means of a latching connection.

(47) The table top 11 projects above the longitudinal rods 54, 55 in a direction along the longitudinal axis L60 of a table element 60, which is arranged transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis L54 of the longitudinal rods 54, 55. The table top 11 equally also projects above a plane which is spanned by the four feet 44 of the frame 1a on the support 10.

(48) In the exemplary embodiment shown, the table elements 60, 60a, 60b are interconnected by an elastic connecting cord 77, as shown in FIGS. 9a-c, the front and the rear ends of the elastic cord 77 being arranged as knots 41a, 41b on the underside 70a of the rearmost table element 60b. This is shown in an enlarged manner in the view of a detail in FIG. 9b. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 9a, the eight table elements 60 are coupled together by means of only one elastic connecting cord 77, i.e. the connecting cord 77 is anchored on the underside 70a of the rearmost table element 60b by way of a first knot 41a, run through all the table elements 60 located in between up to the frontmost table element 60a, turned around on the underside 70a of the frontmost table element 60a along the inside surface 61a of the first side face 61, as shown in an enlarged manner in FIG. 9c, and run again through all the table elements 60 located in between up to the rearmost table element 60b and there is anchored once again by means of a knot 41b on the inside surface 61a of the first side face 61.

(49) When leaving each table element 60b, the elastic cord 77 passes through the passage opening 75 of the first spacer 67 in the first side face 61, crosses the space 69, is then guided through the first hole 73 in the second side face 62 of the first adjacent table element 60, then along the underside of the base surface 70, and once again through the passage opening 75 of the first spacer of the first adjacent table element 60, etc. In the transition to the frontmost table element 60a, the elastic connecting cord 77 leaves the passage opening 75 of the first spacer 67 in the first side face 61 of the table element 60 which is arranged adjacent the frontmost table element 60a, passes through the space 69 and then passes through the passage opening 76 of the second spacer 68 to the inside surface 61a of the first side face 61 of the frontmost table element 60a. Here, therefore, two first side faces 61 are located opposite one another as the frontmost table element 60a has been rotated by 180 degrees in order to avoid spacers protruding on the front outside surface beyond the table plate. Consequently, all the table elements 60, 60b, which are realized in an identical manner, have this same orientation, with the exception of the frontmost table element 60a, which has the opposite orientation. As a result of rotating the frontmost table element 60a about 180 degrees, in each case a first spacer 67 comes to rest opposite a second spacer 68. The first spacer 67 comprises a smaller outside diameter d67 than the outside diameter of the second spacer 68, and, in this case, is only marginally smaller than the inside diameter d68 of the second spacer 68, which enables a releasable or even loose plug-in connection between the first spacer 67 and the second spacer 68. When tightening the front two table elements 60, 60a elastically or rather laying them next to each other, on account of the smaller outside diameter d67 of the first spacer 67, the first spacer 67 of the adjacent table element 60 next to the frontmost table element 60a can then be inserted into the second spacer 68 of the frontmost table element 60a. This prevents the frontmost table element 60a being at a double spacing, which would be produced from the sum of the length 167 of the first spacer 67 and the length 168 of the second spacer 68, from the next adjacent table element 60 in the adjoining space 69, the two lengths 167, 168 being identical, and in the present exemplary embodiment, being approximately 4 mm. The table elements 60 arranged between the frontmost table element 60a and the rearmost table element 60b consequently abut against one another, whilst a plug-in connection by means of the respective spacers 67, 68 is produced between the frontmost table element 60a and the next adjacent table element 60. As an alternative to this, instead of the frontmost table element 60a, the rearmost table element 60b could also be arranged in a rotated manner and the plug-in connection would then be between the spacers 67, 68 of the rearmost table element 60b and the spacers 67, 68 of the table element 60 adjacent the rearmost table element 60b.

(50) After putting together the foldable frame 1a and unfolding or rather undoing the table elements 60, 60a, 60b forming the table top 11, the frontmost table element 60a and the rearmost table element 60b are stretched over the front and rear ends of the frame 1a or rather over the four coupling elements 50, 51, 52, 53, which bestows a certain inherent tension and stability on the table top 11. In this case, the tensioning of the elastic connecting cord 77 is adjusted in such a manner that the table elements 60, 60a, 60b are arranged in a slightly tensioned manner on the frame, the frontmost table element 60a and the rearmost table element 60b being clamped on the coupling elements 50, 51, 52, 53 and the remaining table elements resting in each case with or without clamping on the first and the second longitudinal rods 54, 55.

LIST OF REFERENCES

(51) TABLE-US-00001 1 Portable table 1a Frame of 1 2 Left, front leg of 1a 2a Lower, first end of 2 2b Upper, second end of 2 3 Right, front leg of 1a 3a Lower, first end of 3 3b Upper, second end of 3 4 Left, rear leg of 1a 4a Lower, first end of 4 4b Upper, second end of 4 5 Right, rear leg of 1a 5a Lower, first end of 5 5b Upper, second end of 5 6 Left, front arm of 1a 6a Lower, first end of 6 6b Upper, second end of 6 7 Right, front arm of 1a 7a Lower, first end of 7 7b Upper, second end of 7 8 Left, rear arm of 1a 8a Lower, first end of 8 8b Upper, second end of 8 9 Right, rear arm of 1a 9a Lower, first end of 9 9b Upper, second end of 9 10 Support 11 Table top 12 First, front connecting element 13 Second rear connecting element 14 First, lower connecting rod 15 Second, upper connecting rod 16 First elastic cord 17 Second elastic cord 18 Third elastic cord 19 Fourth elastic cord 20 Plate of 12, 13 22 Outside surface of 12, 13 26 Left, lower tubular sleeve of 12 for 2 26a First, lower opening in 26 26b Second, upper opening in 26 27 Right, lower tubular sleeve of 12 for 3 27a First, lower opening in 27 27b Second, upper opening in 27 28 Left, upper tubular sleeve of 12 28a First, lower opening in 28 28b Second, upper opening in 28 29 Right, upper tubular sleeve of 12 29a First, lower opening in 29 29b Second, upper opening in 29 34 Lower, central tubular sleeve of 12 for 14 35 Upper, central tubular sleeve of 12 for 15 38 Lower reinforcement rib 39 Upper reinforcement rib 41a First knot on 77 41b Second knot on 77 42 Tube plug 44 Foot 45 Wing of 44 46 Tip of 44 47 Blind hole in 44 48 Space between 14, 15 49 Cross strut on 60 50 First coupling element 50a First sleeve portion of 50 50b Second sleeve portion of 50 50c Inside portion of 50a with a smaller diameter, or rather circumferential groove of 50 50d Outside portion of 50a with a larger diameter, or rather circumferential groove of 50 50e Groove in 50a 50f First clamping jaw of 50a 50g Second clamping jaw of 50a 51 Second coupling element 51a First sleeve portion of 51 51b Second sleeve portion of 51 52 Third coupling element 52a First sleeve portion of 52 52b Second sleeve portion of 52 53 Fourth coupling element 53a First sleeve portion of 53 53b Second sleeve portion of 53 54 First longitudinal rod 54a Front tubular portion of 54 54b Rear tubular portion of 54 54c Front end of 54 54d Rear end of 54 54e Adapter element of 54 55 Second longitudinal rod 55a Front tubular portion of 55 55b Rear tubular portion of 55 55c Front end of 55 55d Rear end of 55 55e Adapter element of 55 57 Projection on 50/51/52/53 58 Circumferential flange on 50/51/52/53 59 Fifth elastic cord 60 Table element 60a Frontmost table element 60b Rearmost table element 61 First side face of 60 61a Inside surface of 61 61c Lower edge of 61 62 Second side face of 60 62a Inside surface of 62 62c Lower edge of 62 63 Third side face of 60 64 Fourth side face of 60 65a First recess in 61 for 54 65b Second recess in 61 for 55 66a First recess in 62 for 54 66b Second recess in 62 for 55 67 First spacer on 61 68 Second spacer on 61 69 Space in 11 70 Base surface 70a Underside of 70 71 Hole, material saving in 70 73 First hole in 62 for 77 74 Second hole in 62 for 77 75 Third hole in 61 for 77, passage opening in 67 76 Fourth hole in 61 for 77, passage opening in 68 77 First connecting cord of 11 1 First acute angle between 2.3/ 4.5 2 Second acute angle between 6.7/8.9 b11 Width of 11 b60 Width of 60 b66 Width of 66a on 62c d50 Outside diameter of 50 d57 Outside diameter of 57 d67 Outside diameter of 67 d68 Inside diameter of 68 h60 Thickness of 60, or rather height of 61, 62, 63, 64 L26 Longitudinal axis of 26 L27 Longitudinal axis of 27 L28 Longitudinal axis of 28 L29 Longitudinal axis of 29 l11 Length 11 L14 Longitudinal axis of 14 L15 Longitudinal axis of 15 L54 Longitudinal axis of 54 L55 Longitudinal axis of 55 L60 Longitudinal axis of 60 l60 Length of 60 l67 Length of 67 l68 Length of 68 U1 Circumferential direction of 1 U54 Circumferential direction of 54 V Front view H Rear view L View from the left R View from the right X Cutout of detail in FIG. 7 for FIG. 8a Y Cutout of detail in FIG. 2b for FIG. 5 Z Cutout of detail in FIG. 3a for FIG. 4