Expandable Table

Abstract

The expandable table comprises a base or pedestal that rests on the floor or other support surface, a frame supported by the pedestal, and a tabletop. The tabletop comprises a plurality of main table sections that join at a common center to form a small table and a plurality of expansion leaves that can be inserted between the main table sections as needed to create a table with larger surface area. Pivot member connect the outer section of the expansion leaf to the frame so as to rotate about a pivot axis between the deployed position and the storage position and a lift guide attached to an expansion rail of the frame. Lift guides attached to the frame guide the inner section of the expansion leaf along an inclined path between the storage position and the deployed position when the outer section is rotated about a pivot axis. In some embodiments, a removable stopper prevents the main table sections from sliding off the end of the main rails. The stopper can be removed to allow installation and/or replacement of a wedge-shaped segment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 a frame comprising an apron, a plurality of main rails extending radially between a center of the frame and the apron, and a plurality of expansion rails extending between respective main rails and the apron;   a plurality of main table sections that, in a compact configuration, join at a center to form a small table surface, the main table sections being slidably mounted to respective main rails of the frame so as to diverge when the main table sections slide radially outward from the center;   a plurality of expansion leaves configured for insertion between the main table sections in the expanded configuration, each expansion leaf comprising an outer section and an inner section hingedly connected to the outer section so as to fold in a storage position and to unfold in a deployed position;   a deployment mechanism to facilitate deployment of the expansion leaves from a storage position in the compact configuration to a deployed position in the expanded configuration, the deployment mechanism comprising, for each expansion leaf:
 a pivot member connecting the outer section of the expansion leaf to the frame so as to rotate about a pivot axis between the deployed position and the storage position; 
 lift guide attached to an expansion rail of the frame and having a guide surface engaged by a follower on the expansion leaf to guide the inner section of the expansion leaf along an inclined path between the storage position and the deployed position when the outer section is rotated about the pivot axis. 
   
     
     
         2 . The expandable table of  claim 1 , wherein the axis of the pivot member is offset vertically from the plane of the outer section such that the expansion leaf rotates into the plane of the table surface in the deployed position and drops below the plane of the table surface in the storage position. 
     
     
         3 . The expandable table of the  2 , wherein the outer section and inner section of the expansion leaf assume a folded configuration the storage position. 
     
     
         4 . The expandable table of  claim 3 , wherein the deployment mechanism further comprises a slotted bracket secured to frame to receive the pivot member so that the expansion leaf moves radially inward and outward. 
     
     
         5 . The expandable table of  claim 4 , wherein the guide surface includes a peak intermediate the ends of the guide surface, a launch portion extending upward from a starting level to the peak of the guide surface, and a landing portion defining an ending level lower than the peak of the guide surface. 
     
     
         6 . The expandable table of  claim 5 , wherein, during deployment of the expansion leaf, the follower begins at the starting level, travels upward along a launch portion of the guide surface, over the peak of the guide surface, and comes to rest in the landing portion of the guide surface. 
     
     
         7 . The expandable table of  claim 1 , wherein the side edges of the wedge shaped sections include at least one magnet that engages with a magnet in a side edge of an adjacent main segment the compact configuration and with a magnet in a side edge of an adjacent expandable leaf in the expanded configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The expandable table of  claim 1 , wherein the side edges of the main table sections include at least one slot configured to receive a post extending from a side edge of an adjacent main segment the compact configuration and with a post extending from a side edge of an adjacent expandable leaf in the expanded configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The expandable table of  claim 1 , wherein the side edges of the expansion leaves include at least one slot configured to receive a post extending from a side edge of an adjacent main segment in the expanded configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The expandable table of  claim 1 , wherein the main table sections comprise slides that are slidably received in open-ended channels in the main rails. 
     
     
         11 . The expandable table of  claim 10 , further comprising removable stoppers insertable into the open ends of the main rails to prevent the main table sections from sliding off of the main rails when the removable stoppers are installed and to allow the main table sections to be removed when the removable stoppers are removed.