1. A workpiece conveying apparatus for a pressing machine, comprising:
a rotary base configured to be mounted so as to be rotatable about a substantially perpendicular axis;
a first arm having a proximal end side that is pivotally supported by the rotary base so as to be rockable within a substantially perpendicular plane;
a coupler pivotally supported on a distal end side of the first arm, so as to be rockable within a plane substantially parallel to a rocking plane of the first arm;
a second arm having a proximal end side that is mounted to the coupler so as to be rockable within a plane intersecting with a rocking plane of the coupler;
a cross bar mounted to a distal end side of the second arm so as to be rockable within a plane substantially parallel to a rocking plane of the second arm; and
a workpiece holding device mounted to the cross bar.
2. A workpiece conveying apparatus for a pressing machine according to claim 1, wherein the rotary base is installed so as to be movable in a direction substantially orthogonal to a workpiece conveying direction.
3. A workpiece conveying apparatus for a pressing machine according to claim 1, wherein the coupler is mounted so as also to be turnable about a major axis of the first arm.
4. A workpiece conveying apparatus for a pressing machine according to claim 1, wherein the cross bar is mounted so as also to be tiltable in a direction intersecting with the rocking plane of the second arm.
5. A workpiece conveying apparatus for a pressing machine according to claim 1, wherein a mounting position of the workpiece holding device with respect to the cross bar is shiftable.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A method of using a table that includes a table top, a first leg assembly, a second leg assembly, a first securing member that is sized and configured to receive and retain the first leg assembly in a collapsed position and a second securing member that is sized and configured to receive and retain the second leg assembly in a collapsed position, the table top being constructed from molded plastic and including an upper portion, a lower portion and a hollow interior portion that are integrally formed during the molding process as part of a unitary, one-piece construction, the first securing member and the second securing member being integrally formed in the lower portion of the table top as part of the unitary, one-piece construction, the first securing member and the second securing member including a hollow interior portion that is in communication with the hollow interior portion of the table top, the first leg assembly being movable between the collapsed position and an extended position relative to the table top, the second leg assembly being movable between the collapsed position and an extended position relative to the table top, the method of use comprising:
moving the first leg assembly into the extended position when it is desired to use the table;
moving the second leg assembly into the extended position when it is desired to use the table;
moving the first leg assembly into the collapsed position when it is desired to move or store the table, the first securing member retaining the first leg assembly being disposed in a generally fixed position relative to the table top when the first leg assembly is in the collapsed position; and
moving the second leg assembly into the collapsed position when it is desired to move or store the table, the second securing member retaining the second leg assembly being disposed in a generally fixed position relative to the table top when the second leg assembly is in the collapsed position.
2. A method of constructing a table top, the method comprising:
blow-molding a table top from plastic, the table top including an upper portion, a lower portion and a hollow interior portion that are integrally formed during the molding process as part of a unitary, one-piece construction;
integrally forming a first securing member in the lower portion of the table top as part of the unitary, one-piece construction, the first securing member being sized and configured to receive and retain a first leg assembly in a collapsed position relative to the table top, the first securing member including a hollow interior portion that is in communication with the hollow interior portion of the table top; and
integrally forming a second securing member in the lower portion of the table top as part of the unitary, one-piece construction, the second securing member being sized and configured to receive and retain a second leg assembly in a collapsed position relative to the table top, the second securing member including a hollow interior portion that is in communication with the hollow interior portion of the table top.
3. The method of constructing a table top as in claim 2, further comprising forming a mounting member in the lower portion of the table top, the mounting member being sized and configured to receive and retain a cross bar in a generally fixed position relative to the table top.
4. A method of constructing a table top, the method comprising:
blow-molding a table top from plastic, the table top including an upper portion, a lower portion and a hollow interior portion that are integrally formed during the molding process as part of a unitary, one-piece construction; and
integrally forming a mounting member in the lower portion of the table top as part of the unitary, one-piece construction, the mounting member being sized and configured to receive and retain a cross bar in a generally fixed position relative to the table top, the mounting member including a hollow interior portion that is in communication with the hollow interior portion of the table top.
5. The method of constructing a table top as in claim 4, further comprising:
integrally forming a first securing member in the lower portion of the table top as part of the unitary, one-piece construction, the first securing member being sized and configured to receive and retain a first leg assembly in a collapsed position relative to the table top, the first securing member including a hollow interior portion that is in communication with the hollow interior portion of the table top; and
integrally forming a second securing member in the lower portion of the table top as part of the unitary, one-piece construction, the second securing member being sized and configured to receive and retain a second leg assembly in a collapsed position relative to the table top, the second securing member including a hollow interior portion that is in communication with the hollow interior portion of the table top.
6. A table comprising:
a table top constructed from blow-molded plastic, the table top including an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side, a second side and a hollow interior portion that are integrally formed during the blow-molding process as part of a unitary, one-piece structure;
a first downwardly extending lip that is disposed at least proximate the first side of the table top, the first lip being integrally formed with the table top as part of the unitary, one-piece structure during the blow-molding process;
a second downwardly extending lip that is disposed at least proximate the second side of the table top, the second lip being integrally formed with the table top as part of the unitary, one-piece structure during the blow-molding process;
a first side rail constructed from metal and connected to the first lip by one or more fasteners;
a second side rail constructed from metal and connected to the second lip by one or more fasteners;
a first support pedestal selectively movable between an extended position and a collapsed position relative to the table top, the first support pedestal being at least substantially disposed between the first side rail and the second side rail when the first support pedestal is in the collapsed position;
a first securing member integrally formed in the table top as part of the unitary, one-piece structure during the blow-molding process, the first securing member including a receiving portion that is sized and configured to receive the first support pedestal in the collapsed position, the first securing member including an engaging portion that is sized and configured to deform andor deflect to retain the first support pedestal in the collapsed position;
a second support pedestal selectively movable between an extended position and a collapsed position relative to the table top, the second support pedestal being at least substantially disposed between the first side rail and the second side rail when the second support pedestal is in the collapsed position; and
a second securing member integrally formed in the table top as part of the unitary, one-piece structure during the blow-molding process, the second securing member including a receiving portion that is sized and configured to receive the second support pedestal in the collapsed position, the second securing member including an engaging portion that is sized and configured to deform andor deflect to retain the second support pedestal in the collapsed position.
7. The table as in claim 6, further comprising a mounting member integrally formed in the lower portion of the table top as part of the unitary, one-piece structure during the blow-molding process, the mounting member being sized and configured to receive and retain a cross bar in a generally fixed position relative to the table top.
8. A method of constructing a table, the method comprising:
constructing a table top from blow-molded plastic, the table top including an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side, a second side and a hollow interior portion that are integrally formed during the blow-molding process as part of a unitary, one-piece structure;
integrally forming a first downwardly extending lip with the table top as part of the unitary, one-piece structure during the blow-molding process, the first lip being disposed at least proximate the first side of the table top;
integrally forming a second downwardly extending lip with the table top as part of the unitary, one-piece structure during the blow-molding process, the second lip being disposed at least proximate the second side of the table top;
connecting a first metal side rail to the first lip by one or more fasteners;
connecting a second metal side rail to the second lip by one or more fasteners;
connecting a first support pedestal to the table top, the first support pedestal being selectively movable between an extended position and a collapsed position relative to the table top, the first support pedestal being at least substantially disposed between the first side rail and the second side rail when the first support pedestal is in the collapsed position;
integrally forming a first securing member in the table top as part of the unitary, one-piece structure during the blow-molding process, the first securing member including a receiving portion that is sized and configured to receive the first support pedestal in the collapsed position, the first securing member including an engaging portion that is sized and configured to deform andor deflect to retain the first support pedestal in the collapsed position;
connecting a second support pedestal to the table top, the second support pedestal being selectively movable between an extended position and a collapsed position relative to the table top, the second support pedestal being at least substantially disposed between the first side rail and the second side rail when the second support pedestal is in the collapsed position; and
integrally forming a second securing member in the table top as part of the unitary, one-piece structure during the blow-molding process, the second securing member including a receiving portion that is sized and configured to receive the second support pedestal in the collapsed position, the second securing member including an engaging portion that is sized and configured to deform andor deflect to retain the second support pedestal in the collapsed position.
9. The method of constructing a table as in claim 8, further comprising integrally forming a mounting member in the lower portion of the table top as part of the unitary, one-piece structure during the blow-molding process, the mounting member being sized and configured to receive and retain a cross bar in a generally fixed position relative to the table top.
10. A method of manufacturing a table, the method comprising:
forming a table top from plastic, the table top including an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side and a second side;
disposing a first side rail at least proximate the first side of the table top;
disposing a second side rail at least proximate the second side of the table top;
connecting a first support pedestal to the table top, the first support pedestal selectively movable between an extended position and a collapsed position relative to the table top, the first support pedestal being at least substantially disposed between the first side rail and the second side rail when the first support pedestal is in the collapsed position;
integrally forming a first securing member in the table top as a unitary part of the table top, the first securing member being at least substantially disposed between the first side rail and the second side rail, the first securing member being sized and configured to selectively receive and retain a portion of the first support pedestal when the first support pedestal is in the collapsed position;
connecting a second support pedestal to the table top, the second support pedestal selectively movable between an extended position and a collapsed position relative to the table top, the second support pedestal being at least substantially disposed between the first side rail and the second side rail when the second support pedestal is in the collapsed position; and
integrally forming a second securing member in the table top as a unitary part of the table top, the second securing member being at least substantially disposed between the first side rail and the second side rail, the second securing member being sized and configured to selectively receive and retain a portion of the second support pedestal when the second support pedestal is in the collapsed position.
11. The method as in claim 10, further comprising a hollow interior portion of the table top disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface of the table top; further comprising a hollow interior portion of the first securing member that is in direct communication with the hollow interior portion of the table top; and further comprising a hollow interior portion of the second securing member that is in direct communication with the hollow interior portion of the table top.
12. The method as in claim 11, wherein the table top is constructed from blow-molded plastic; and wherein the hollow interior portion of the table top, the hollow interior portion of the first securing member and the hollow interior portion of the second securing member are integrally formed as a unitary part of the table top during the blow-molding process.
13. The method as in claim 10, further comprising an engaging portion and a receiving portion of the first securing member, the engaging portion being sized and configured to engage the first support pedestal when the first support pedestal is being moved from the extended position to the collapsed position, the receiving portion being sized and configured to receive the portion of the first support pedestal in the collapsed position; and further comprising an engaging portion and a receiving portion of the second securing member, the engaging portion being sized and configured to engage the second support pedestal when the second support pedestal is being moved from the extended position to the collapsed position, the receiving portion being sized and configured to receive the portion of the second support pedestal in the collapsed position.
14. A method of manufacturing a table, the method comprising:
forming a table top from plastic, the plastic table top including an upper portion, an underneath portion and an outer perimeter;
connecting a first support pedestal to the table top, the first support pedestal selectively movable between an extended position and a collapsed position relative to the table top;
connecting a second support pedestal to the table top, the second support pedestal selectively movable between an extended position and a collapsed position relative to the table top;
integrally forming a first securing member in the underneath portion of the table top as a unitary part of the table top, the first securing member being sized and configured to selectively receive and retain a portion of the first support pedestal in the collapsed position, the first securing member extending downwardly from the underneath portion of the table top and being spaced apart from the outer perimeter of the table top; and
integrally forming a second securing member in the underneath portion of the table top as a unitary part of the table top, the second securing member being sized and configured to selectively receive and retain a portion of the second support pedestal in the collapsed position, the second securing member extending downwardly from the underneath portion of the table top and being spaced apart from the outer perimeter of the table top.
15. The method as in claim 14, further comprising connecting a frame to the table top, the frame including a first side rail and a second side rail, the first support pedestal being at least substantially disposed between the first side rail and the second side rail when the first support pedestal is in the collapsed position, the second support pedestal being at least substantially disposed between the first side rail and the second side rail when the second support pedestal is in the collapsed position, the first securing member being at least substantially disposed between the first side rail and the second side rail, and the second securing member being at least substantially disposed between the first side rail and the second side rail.
16. The method as in claim 14, further comprising a generally downwardly extending lip disposed about the outer perimeter of the table top, the lip being integrally formed as a unitary part of the table top, the first securing member and the second securing member being spaced apart from the lip.
17. The method as in claim 14, wherein the first securing member is integrally formed in the underneath portion of the table top independently from any other structures that are integrally formed in the underneath portion of the table top; and wherein the second securing member is integrally formed in the underneath portion of the table top independently from any other structures that are integrally formed in the underneath portion of the table top.
18. A method of manufacturing a table, the method comprising:
forming a table top with an upper surface with a generally uniform wall thickness, a lower surface including a generally uniform wall thickness, and a hollow interior portion that is formed during the manufacturing process and at least partially disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface of the table top;
connecting a support pedestal to the table top, the support pedestal selectively movable between an extended position and a collapsed position relative to the table top;
integrally forming a securing member in the lower surface of the table top as a unitary part of the table top, the securing member being sized and configured to selectively receive and retain a portion of the support pedestal when the support pedestal is in the collapsed position, the securing member having a wall thickness generally equal to the wall thickness of the lower surface of the table top, the securing member being spaced apart from an outer edge of the table top.
19. The method as in claim 18, wherein the wall thickness of the upper surface of the table top is generally equal to the wall thickness of the lower surface of the table top.
20. The method as in claim 18, wherein the securing member includes a hollow interior portion in communication with the hollow interior portion of the table top.
21. The method as in claim 18, further comprising a frame connected to the lower surface of the table top, the frame including a first side rail and a second side rail, the support pedestal being at least substantially disposed between the first side rail and the second side rail when the first support pedestal is in the collapsed position, the securing member being at least substantially disposed between the first side rail and the second side rail.
22. The method as in claim 18, further comprising a lip disposed about a perimeter of the table top, the lip being integrally formed as a unitary part of the table top, the lip including a hollow interior portion in communication with the hollow interior portion of the table top.
23. The method as in claim 18, further comprising a mounting member integrally formed in the lower portion of the table top as a unitary part of the table top, the mounting member being sized and configured to selectively receive and retain at least a portion of a retaining assembly, the mounting member having a wall thickness generally equal to the wall thickness of the lower surface of the table top.
24. The method as in claim 23, wherein the mounting member includes a hollow interior portion in communication with the hollow interior portion of the table top.
25. The method as in claim 18, further comprising a plurality of depressions integrally formed in the lower surface of the table top as a unitary part of the table top, the depressions extending from the lower surface of the table top towards the upper surface of the table top, the depressions being sized and configured to increase the strength of the table top.
26. The method as in claim 18, wherein at least a substantial portion of the securing member is disposed between at least four depressions that are arranged in a generally rectangular-shaped configuration.
27. The method as in claim 18, wherein at least a substantial portion of the securing member is disposed between at least six depressions that are arranged in a generally hexagon-shaped configuration.
28. The method as in claim 18, wherein at least a substantial portion of the plurality of depressions have a generally uniform configuration.
29. The method as in claim 18, wherein at least a substantial portion of the plurality of depressions are arranged in a generally uniform pattern that covers at least a substantial portion of the lower portion of the table top.