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CA-3230214-C - MOLDED PLASTIC STRUCTURES

CA3230214CCA 3230214 CCA3230214 CCA 3230214CCA-3230214-C

Abstract

A structure, such as a tabletop, may be constructed from plastic, such as blow-molded. The tabletop may include an upper surface, a lower surface (16), and a hollow interior portion disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface (16). A lip (30) may extend downwardly relative to the lower surface (16) of the tabletop, and the lip (30) including an outer surface and an inner surface. A plurality of supports (100) may be disposed in the inner surface of the lip (30), and a plurality of joints (114) may be disposed in the inner surface of the lip (30). A joint (114) may be disposed between adjacent supports (100). A distal portion (52) of the lip (30) may include a compression edge. A lower portion (104) of the supports may contact the compression edge, and/or a lower portion of the joints (114) may contact the compression edge.

Inventors

  • Mitch Johnson
  • Kevin Boydston
  • Leo Cai

Assignees

  • LIFETIME PRODUCTS, INC.

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20220812
Priority Date
20210827

Claims (20)

  1. 34 What is claimed is: 1. A blow-molded plastic structure comprising: a tabletop including an upper surface, a lower surface, and a hollow interior portion disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface of the tabletop; a lip extending downwardly relative to the lower surface of the tabletop, the lip including an outer surface and an inner surface; a plurality of supports disposed in the inner surface of the lip; a plurality of joints disposed in the inner surface of the lip, wherein a joint is disposed between adjacent supports; and a compression edge disposed in a distal portion of the lip; wherein the joint disposed between adjacent supports at least substantially prevents fluid flow between the adjacent supports.
  2. 2. A blow-molded plastic structure comprising: a tabletop including an upper surface, a lower surface, and a hollow interior portion disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface of the tabletop; a lip extending downwardly relative to the lower surface of the tabletop, the lip including an outer surface and an inner surface; at least two supports disposed in the inner surface of the lip; one or more joints disposed in the inner surface of the lip, a joint of the one or more joints disposed between adjacent supports of the at least two supports, the joint disposed between the adjacent supports at least substantially prevents fluid flow between the adjacent supports; and a compression edge disposed in a distal portion of the lip between the adjacent supports of the at least two supports.
  3. 3. The blow-molded plastic structure of claim 1 or 2, wherein the tabletop, the lip, the supports, and the joints are integrally formed as part of a unitary, one-piece structure during the blow-molding process.
  4. 4. The blow-molded plastic structure of claim 1 or 2, wherein the tabletop includes a perimeter; and wherein a combined length of the plurality of the plurality of supports and the plurality of joints, or a combined length of the plurality of the at least two supports and the one or more joints comprises a length that is: greater than fifty percent (50%) of the perimeter, greater than sixty percent (60%) of the perimeter, greater than seventy percent (70%) of the perimeter, greater than eighty percent (80%) of the perimeter, or greater than ninety percent (90%) of the perimeter.
  5. 5. The blow-molded structure of claim 1, wherein adjacent supports of the plurality of supports are spaced generally an equidistance apart, or wherein adjacent joints of the plurality of joints are spaced generally an equidistance apart along at least a portion of a side of the tabletop.
  6. 6. The blow-molded structure of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a side rail of a frame, the side rail including an upper portion that supports the lower surface of the tabletop, a first segment that supports one or more of the supports, and a second segment that supports a distal portion of the lip.
  7. 7. The blow-molded structure of claim 1 or 2, wherein a lower portion of the supports contact the compression edge; and wherein a lower portion of the joints contact the compression edge. 36
  8. 8. The blow-molded structure of claim 1 or 2, wherein an average height of the supports is generally equal to an average height of the joints.
  9. 9. The blow-molded structure of claim 1 or 2, further comprising an attachment portion disposed in the inner surface of the lip, a lower portion of the attachment portion contacting the compression edge, or further comprising an attachment portion disposed in the inner surface of the lip, a height of the attachment portion generally equal to an average height of the supports and generally equal to an average height of the joints.
  10. 10. A molded plastic tabletop comprising: an upper surface; a lower surface; a hollow interior portion at least partially disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface of the tabletop; a lip extending downwardly relative to the lower surface of the tabletop, the lip including an inner surface; a plurality of supports disposed in the inner surface of the lip; a plurality of joints disposed in the inner surface of the lip, wherein a joint is disposed between adjacent supports of the plurality of supports; and a compression edge disposed in at least a portion of the lip; wherein a lower portion of one or more of the supports contacts the compression edge; and wherein a lower portion of one or more of the joints contacts the compression edge.
  11. 11. A molded plastic tabletop comprising: an upper surface; a lower surface; a hollow interior portion at least partially disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface of the tabletop; 37 a lip extending downwardly relative to the lower surface of the tabletop, the lip including an inner surface; two or more supports disposed in the inner surface of the lip; one or more joints disposed in the inner surface of the lip, wherein a joint of the one or more joints is disposed between a pair of adjacent supports of the two or more supports; and a compression edge disposed in at least a portion of the lip; wherein a portion of one or more of the supports contacts the compression edge; and wherein a portion of one or more of the joints contacts the compression edge.
  12. 12. The molded plastic tabletop of claim 10 or 11, further comprising a frame, the frame including an upper portion that buttresses the lower surface of the tabletop, a first segment that buttresses one or more of the supports, and a second segment that buttresses a distal portion of the lip, or further comprising an attachment portion disposed in the inner surface of the lip, a height of the attachment portion generally equal to an average height of the supports and generally equal to an average height of the joints.
  13. 13. The molded plastic tabletop of claim 10 or 11, wherein an average height of the supports is generally equal to an average height of the joints.
  14. 14. The molded plastic tabletop as in claim 11, wherein a joint of the one or more joints at least substantially prevents fluid flow between adjacent supports of the two or more supports.
  15. 15. The blow-molded plastic structure of claim 2, wherein the joint at least substantially extends between the adjacent supports of the at least two supports; and wherein the compression edge at least substantially extends between the adjacent supports of the at least two supports.
  16. 16. The blow-molded plastic structure of claim 2, wherein adjacent supports of the at least two supports are spaced generally an equidistance apart along a side of the blow-molded plastic structure, or wherein adjacent supports of the at least two supports are spaced generally an equidistance apart along at least a portion of the tabletop. 38
  17. 17. A molded plastic tabletop comprising: an upper surface; a lower surface; a hollow interior portion at least partially disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface of the tabletop; a lip extending downwardly relative to the lower surface of the tabletop, the lip including an inner surface; a plurality of supports disposed in the inner surface of the lip; and a plurality of joints disposed in the inner surface of the lip; wherein an average height of the plurality of supports is generally equal to an average height of the plurality of joints.
  18. 18. The molded plastic tabletop of claim 17, further comprising an attachment portion disposed in the inner surface of the lip, a height of the attachment portion generally equal to an average height of the supports and generally equal to an average height of the joints.
  19. 19. The molded plastic tabletop of claim 10 or 17, wherein a joint of the plurality of joints at least substantially prevents fluid flow between adjacent supports of the plurality of supports.
  20. 20. The molded plastic tabletop of claim 17 or 18, further comprising a frame, the frame including an upper portion that buttresses the lower surface of the tabletop, a first segment that buttresses one or more supports of the plurality of supports, and a second segment that buttresses a distal portion of the lip.

Description

MOLDED PLASTIC STRUCTURES BACKGROUND Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to structures including at least a portion 5 constructed from plastic and, more particularly, to furniture, such as tables, that may include molded plastic components. Description of Related Art Many different types of tables are known, and tables are used for a variety of purposes. 10 For example, conventional tables may include legs that are pivotally attached to a tabletop and the legs may be movable between a use position in which the legs extend outwardly from the tabletop and a storage position in which the legs are folded against the tabletop. Conventional tables with relatively large tabletops and folding legs are often referred to as “banquet tables” and these tables are frequently used in assembly halls, 15 banquet halls, convention centers, hotels, schools, churches, and other locations where large groups of people meet. These tables can often be positioned in an assortment of configurations and used in a variety of settings. When the banquet tables are no longer needed, the table legs can be moved into the storage position and the tables may be more easily moved or stored. 20 Conventional tables often include tabletops constructed from materials such as wood, particleboard, or metal. Tabletops constructed from wood, particleboard, or metal, however, are often relatively heavy and this may make the table awkward or difficult to move. Tabletops constructed from wood or metal are also relatively expensive and these types of tabletops must generally be treated or finished before use. For example, 25 tabletops constructed from wood must generally be sanded and painted, and metal tabletops must be formed into the desired shape and painted. In addition, because wooden and metal tabletops are relatively heavy, the cost of shipping and transportation of the tables may be increased. The weight of the tabletop may also make the tables more difficult to move and store. 30 In order to decrease the weight of conventional tables, tabletops may be constructed from relatively lightweight materials such as plastic. Tabletops constructed from lightweight materials, however, may require large reinforcing members or other structural parts such as braces, brackets, supports, and the like to strengthen the tabletop. While these additional parts may increase the strength of the tabletop, the added parts may also increase the weight of the table. These additional parts may also result in increased manufacturing costs and require additional time to assemble the table. In addition, extra fasteners may be required to assemble and connect these parts to the table, which may require extra time and labor during the manufacturing process. The additional parts and 5 fasteners may further increase the cost of the table and make the table more difficult to manufacture. Conventional tables may include a frame connected to the tabletop. The frame may include a pair of side rails connected to sides of the tabletop using fasteners. Multiple fasteners may be required to securely connect the frame to the tabletop. When a large 10 load or force is applied to some known tables, the frame may bend or deform. In addition, a large load or force may cause the fasteners used to connect the frame to the tabletop to detach or separate from the tabletop. The fasteners may damage and/or tear through the tabletop if the load or force exceeds a certain amount. The tabletops of some known tables may be damaged if a relatively large load or force is 15 applied. For example, a portion of the tabletop may bend or deform if a large load or force is applied to the tabletop. For instance, if a load or force is applied to an outer portion of the tabletop, the outer portion of the tabletop may bend or deform. The outer portion of the tabletop may also be dented, pushed in, gouged, or broken if an excessive force is applied. BRIEF SUMMARY A need therefore exists for a table that eliminates or diminishes the above-described disadvantages and problems. One aspect is a structure that may be at least partially constructed from plastic. For 25 example, the structure may be at least partially constructed from molded plastic. If desired, all or a portion of the structure may be constructed from blow-molded plastic. Another aspect is a structure that may include a generally planar portion. For example, the structure may be a tabletop and the tabletop may include a generally planar portion. For instance, the tabletop may have a generally planar upper portion or surface, and/or a 30 generally planar lower portion or surface. The tabletop may also include projecting or protruding structures, such as a lip. The lip may extend downwardly relative to the lower portion of the tabletop, and the lip may be disposed about an exterior of the tabletop. The lip may extend about all or a portion of the tabletop, and the lip may form at least a portion of a sidewall or outer edge of