US5261735A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Deployable video conference table
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1992-02-03
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Granted: 1993-11-16
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Expires: 2012-02-03
Abstract
Abstract A deployable table stowable in and deployable from a storage compartment based upon a non-self rigidizing 4-hinge arch support structure that collapses or folds upon itself to stow and that expands to deploy. The work surfaces bypass each other above and below each other to allow the deployment mechanism to operate. This assembly includes first and second primary pivot hinges disposed respectively at the opposite ends of the storage compartment, first and second lateral frame members having proximal ends connected respectively to the first and second pivot hinges, a medial frame member offset from and pivotally connected to distal ends of the first and second members through third and fourth medial pivot hinges, left-side, right-side and middle trays connected respectively to the first, second and third frame members and being foldable into and out of the storage compartment by articulation of the first, second, third and fourth joints. At least one of the third an fourth joints are locked to set the first, second and third frame members in a desired angular orientation with respect to each other.
Inventors
- 👤 Marc M. Cohen
- 👤 Peter Lissol
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 04:21
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47B; A47B83/00; A47B83/001; A47B21/00; A47B83/04; A47B83/045; A47B2200/00; A47B2200/0066; A47B2200/0067; A47B2200/0069
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A deployable table stowable in and deployable from a storage compartment, comprising: a 4-hinge arch support structure including first and second primary pivot hinges disposed respectively at the opposite ends of the storage compartment, first and second lateral frame members having proximal ends connected respectively to the first and second pivot hinges, a medial frame member offset from and pivotally connected to distal ends of the first and second members through third and fourth medial pivot hinges; left-side, right-side and middle trays connected respectively to the first, second and third frame members and being foldable into and out of the storage compartment by articulation of the first, second, third and fourth joints; and means for locking at least one of the third and fourth joints to set the first, second and third frame members in a desired angular orientation with respect to each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A deployable table stowable in and deployable from a storage compartment, comprising: a 4-hinge arch support structure including first and second primary pivot hinges disposed respectively at the opposite ends of the storage compartment, first and second lateral frame members having proximal ends connected respectively to the first and second pivot hinges, a medial frame member offset from and pivotally connected to distal ends of the first and second members through third and fourth medial pivot hinges; left-side, right-side and middle trays connected respectively to the first, second and third frame members and being foldable into and out of the storage compartment by articulation of the first, second, third and fourth joints; and means for locking at least one of the third and fourth joints to set the first, second and third frame members in a desired angular orientation with respect to each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A deployable table according to claim 1, further comprising means for pivoting the four-arch support structure in unison about an axis orthogonal to the pivot axes of the first, second, third and fourth hinges.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
A deployable table according to claim 2, wherein the pivoting means comprises first and second levers, each including first and second ends, a pivot pin about which each of the first and second levers is pivotally movable, the first end of each lever having mounted thereto a corresponding one of the first and second hinges, each lever including means for adjusting the angular position of each corresponding lever.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A deployable table according to claim 3, wherein each adjusting means comprises a mounting plate having a plurality of holes formed on a common radius, and a locking pin passing through each corresponding lever and into one of the plurality of holes of the corresponding mounting plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A deployable table according to claim 1, further comprising means for rotating each of the first, second and third frame members about respective rotation axes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
110 words
A deployable table according to claim 5, wherein the rotating means comprises, for each of the first, second and third frame members, a pair of stationary members connected to adjacent ones of the first, second, third and fourth hinges, wherein each frame member includes a pair of rotary members connected to opposite ones of the ends of each corresponding one of the first, second and third frame members in opposing relationship with each corresponding pair of stationary members, and means for interlocking at least one of the rotary members of each pair of rotary members with an opposing one of the stationary members of each corresponding pair of stationary members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
A deployable table according to claim 6, wherein the interlocking means comprises a plurality of holes provided in at least one of the rotary members, and a locking pin extending through each corresponding stationary member and into one of the plurality holes of the corresponding rotary member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A deployable table according to claim 1, wherein each of the left-side, right-side and middle trays includes a primary surface and a leaf pivotally connected to the primary surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
A deployable table according to claim 8, wherein each of the left-side, right-side and middle trays includes a pivot pin interconnecting the primary surface and the leaf to provide relative pivotal movement between each primary surface and each corresponding leaf, and means for fixing the angular orientation of each leaf relative to each corresponding primary surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A deployable table according to claim 9, wherein the fixing means comprises a lever disposed on one end of each pivot pin for providing a compressive load which interlocks each primary surface with its corresponding leaf.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
91 words
A deployable table according to claim 1, wherein each of the third and fourth medial pivot hinges includes first and second hinge plates interconnected through a hinge pin, and wherein the locking means comprises a first locking arm fixedly connected to the first hinge plate of the third hinge and being releasably connectable to the second hinge plate of the third hinge, and a second locking arm fixedly connected to the first hinge plate of the fourth hinge and being releasably connectable to the second hinge plate of the fourth hinge.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
A deployable table according to claim 11, wherein each of the first and second locking arms includes a plurality of holes and a locking pin fitted in one of the plurality of holes and extending therethrough into a hole provided in the corresponding second hinge plate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
127 words
A deployable video conference center comprising: a work station including a plurality of video monitors, at least one video camera, and a support structure which defines a storage compartment; an articulate table assembly stowable in and deployable from the storage compartment; and a door covering the compartment when the table assembly is stowed in the compartment, the articulate table assembly including a 4-hinge arch support structure including first and second primary pivot hinges disposed respectively at the opposite ends of the storage compartment, first and second lateral frame members having proximal ends connected respectively to the first and second pivot hinges, and a medial frame member offset from and pivotally connected to distal ends of the first and second members through third and fourth medial pivot hinges.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
127 words
A deployable video conference center comprising: a work station including a plurality of video monitors, at least one video camera, and a support structure which defines a storage compartment; an articulate table assembly stowable in and deployable from the storage compartment; and a door covering the compartment when the table assembly is stowed in the compartment, the articulate table assembly including a 4-hinge arch support structure including first and second primary pivot hinges disposed respectively at the opposite ends of the storage compartment, first and second lateral frame members having proximal ends connected respectively to the first and second pivot hinges, and a medial frame member offset from and pivotally connected to distal ends of the first and second members through third and fourth medial pivot hinges.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
81 words
A video conference center according to claim 13, wherein the table assembly further includes: left-side, right-side and middle trays connected respectively to the first, second and third frame members and being foldable into and out of the storage compartment by articulation of the first, second, third and fourth joints; and means for locking at least one of the third and fourth joints to set the first, second and third frame members in a desired angular orientation with respect to each other.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
A video conference center according to claim 14, further comprising means for pivoting the 4-hinge arch support structure in unison about an axis orthogonal to the pivot axes of the first, second, third and fourth hinges.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
69 words
A video conference center according to claim 15, wherein the pivoting means comprises first and second levers, each including first and second ends, a pivot pin about which each of the first and second levers is pivotally movable, the first end of each lever having mounted thereto a corresponding one of the first and second hinges, each lever including means for adjusting the angular position of each corresponding lever.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
A video conference center according to claim 16, wherein each adjusting means comprises a mounting plate having a plurality of holes formed on a common radius, and a locking pin passing through each corresponding lever and into one of the plurality of holes of the corresponding mounting plate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
A video conference center according to claim 14, further comprising means for rotating each of the first, second and third frame members about respective rotation axes, thus allowing the whole frame structure to expand or fold-in around the respective rotation axes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
95 words
A video conference center according to claim 18, wherein the rotating means comprises, for each of the first, second and third frame members, a pair of stationary members connected to adjacent hinges, a pair of rotary members connected to opposite ends of each corresponding one of the first, second and third frame members in opposing relationship with the corresponding pair of stationary members, and means for interlocking at least one of the rotary members of each pair of rotary members with an opposing one of the stationary members of each corresponding pair of stationary members.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
48 words
A video conference center according to claim 19, wherein the interlocking means comprises a plurality of holes provided in at least one of the rotary members, and a locking pin extending through each corresponding stationary member and into one of the plurality holes of the corresponding rotary member.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-11-15 | 1997-05-17 | 1997-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-11-15 | 2001-05-17 | 2001-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-11-15 | 2005-05-17 | 2005-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |