EP3405070B1

EP3405070B1 - Folding table with two-position leg lock

Info

Publication number: EP3405070B1
Application number: EP16806977.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Wen-Sheng Lin
Original assignee: Zhuhai Shichang Metals Ltd
Current assignee: Zhuhai Shichang Metals Ltd
Priority date: 2015-06-08
Filing date: 2016-06-07
Publication date: 2020-11-18
Anticipated expiration: 2036-06-07
Also published as: WO2016199014A1; EP3405070A1; EP3405070A4; PL3405070T3; ES2855898T3; US20160353875A1

Description

Folding tables are commonly used where temporary entertainment or work surfaces are needed. Conventional folding tables generally stand on multiple legs, and the legs rotate 90 degrees for storage. Such conventional designs are suitable when the at least one dimension (e.g., length, width, or diameter) of table top is greater than the length of the legs. For example, in many conventional folding tables, each leg individually folds up along one side of the table top and does not extend beyond the 10 size of the table top surface. The hallmarks of such conventional 90 degree leg rotation designs are simplicity and set-up speed.
High top folding tables, such as folding cocktail tables, present unique design challenges because the folding legs are often longer than any dimension of the table top and, thus, require additional storage space. As the length of the legs increase, stability becomes a concern, forcing designers to look beyond the simple 90 degree leg rotation designs common in conventional folding tables for alternatives that allow fast and easy set-up, compact storage, and stability. It is with these considerations in mind that the present invention was conceived.
US2005120922 is considered the closest prior art, in that it shows a folding table with a set of regular legs and a set of foldable legs that can be locked in a storage and in a use position.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The invention is defined in the attached claims.
The following summary discusses various aspects of the invention described more fully in the detailed description and claimed herein. It is not intended and should not be used to limit the claimed invention to only such aspects or to require the invention to include all such aspects.
A folding table with a two position leg lock is described herein and illustrated in the accompanying figures. Aspects of the folding table include an upper support member, such as a table top or frame, a pair of regular (i.e., non-foldable) legs, and a pair of foldable legs. The regular legs and the foldable legs are configured to cooperatively support the table top in a substantially horizontal orientation in a use configuration. In various embodiments, the folding table includes a pair of notches defined by the lip of the table top. The notches allow the legs to lie substantially flush with the bottom of the lip and provide a generally flat profile while in the storage configuration.
The foldable legs include a base leg portion that is pivotally connected to one of the leg extensions by foldable leg connectors. In operation, the base leg portions and the extensions pivot about the connectors moving from the use configuration where lower ends of the base leg portions point in the opposite direction from the upper ends of the leg extensions to a storage configuration where the lower ends of the base leg portions point in the same direction as the upper ends of the leg extensions.
A lock mechanism allows the foldable legs and the extensions to be selectively fixed in the use configuration or the storage configuration. Aspects of the two position lock mechanism include, by way of example, a lock pin main connector extending from one of the leg extensions. The lock pin is biased to normally extend beyond the outside edge of the leg extension toward the base leg member. An actuator or handle allows an operator to apply a force opposing the bias to retract the lock pin thereby disengaging the lock mechanism.
A use receptacle and a storage receptacle configured to operatively receive the lock pin are defined by the base leg segment. The lock pin and the receptacles lie on the circumference of a circle with a radius, r, and centered on the foldable leg connector. When in the use configuration, the lock pin and the use receptacle are aligned. And, when in the storage configuration, the lock pin and the storage receptacle are aligned.
When the lock pin is operatively engaged with one of the receptacles, the relative positions of the base leg segment and the leg extension become fixed. Because they are connected together and the positions of the their upper ends are locked by the attachment to the table top, the regular legs and the foldable legs cannot move relative to one another, the folding table is locked in the current configuration until released.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood by reference to the following figures, wherein elements are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details and wherein like reference numbers 30 indicate like elements throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the folding table in a use configuration;
FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of one embodiment of the folding table in a storage configuration;
FIG. 3A is a simplified sectional side elevation view of one embodiment of the folding table in the use configuration, taken along section line 3-3;
FIG. 3B is a simplified sectional side elevation view showing the folding table from FIG. 3A in an intermediate position between the use configuration and the storage configuration;
FIG. 3C is a simplified sectional side elevation view showing the folding table from FIG. 3A in the storage configuration; and
FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the folding table in the use configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A folding table with a two position leg lock is described herein and illustrated in the accompanying figures. Aspects of the folding table include a pair of regular, non foldable legs and a pair of foldable legs that move between a use configuration and a storage configuration. The foldable legs incorporate a two position lock mechanism that selectively allows the legs to be locked in either the use configuration where the legs cooperatively support the table top or the storage configuration where the legs are positioned parallel to the table top. The table top includes a notched lip that allows the legs to lie substantially flush against the bottom surface of the table top.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the folding table in a use configuration. The folding table 100 includes a table top 102, a pair of regular (i.e., non-foldable) legs 104, and a pair of foldable legs 106. Each foldable leg 106 includes a base leg segment 108 and a leg extension 110. Each fixed (i.e., non-folding) leg 104, base leg segment 108, and leg extension 110 has an upper end 112 and a lower end 114. The folding table described herein is suitable for use in variety of folding table implementations, including, without limitation, folding cocktail tables where the length of the legs exceeds the diameter or other relevant dimension the table top 102.
In the embodiment depicted in Figure 1, the folding table 100 is shown in the use configuration. The regular legs 104 and the foldable legs 106 are configured to cooperatively support the table top 102 in a substantially horizontal orientation when in the use configuration. Generally, the upper ends 112 of the regular legs 104 and the leg extensions 110 are connected to the table top 102, either directly or indirectly. The lower ends 114 of the regular legs 104 and base leg segments 108 generally engage the ground or other supporting surface when the folding table 100 is in the use configuration.
Each of the regular legs 104 is operatively connected to one of base leg segments 108 of the foldable legs 106 by main connectors 116 aligned on a first common pivot axis. The main connectors 116 are generally located centrally along the regular legs 104. The exact placement of the main connectors 116 varies depending upon the height of the folding table 100 and the spacing between the upper ends 112 of the regular legs 104 and the foldable legs 106. In operation, the regular legs 104 and foldable legs 106 operate as double levers with the main connectors 116 operating as the fulcrums about which the interconnected legs pivot in a scissor-like manner.
Each base leg segment 108 of the foldable legs 106 is operatively connected to one of the leg extensions 110 by foldable leg connectors 118 generally aligned on a second common pivot axis. The foldable leg connectors 118 are generally located proximate to the upper ends 112 of the base leg segments 108 and proximate to the lower ends 114 of the leg extensions 110. In other words, the foldable leg connectors 118 are to vary the overall length of the foldable legs 106 depending upon the relative orientation of the leg extensions 110 to the base leg segments 108. When in the use configuration, the foldable legs 106 are fully extended (i.e., the lower ends 114 of the base leg segments 108 and the leg extensions 110 are oriented in the same direction), and the combined length of the base leg segment 108 from the lower end 114 to the foldable leg connector 118 and the leg extension 110 from the upper end 112 to the connector is substantially equal to the length of the fixed leg 104.
In operation, the base leg segments 108 and the extensions 110 pivot about the connectors 118 moving from the use configuration where lower ends 114 of the base leg segments 108 point in the opposite direction from the upper ends 112 of the leg extensions 110 to a storage configuration where the lower ends 114 of the base leg segments 108 point in the same direction as the upper ends 112 of the leg extensions 110. A lock mechanism 122 allows the foldable legs 106 and the extensions 110 to be selectively fixed in the use configuration or the storage configuration.
In some embodiments, each of the fixed legs 104, the base leg segments 108, and the leg extensions 110 on one side of the folding table 100 move independently from those on the other side of the folding table 100. In other embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment, one or more optional cross members 120 connect the regular legs 104, base leg segments 108, and leg extensions 110. When included, the cross members 120 provide structural stability by fixing the positions of the individual regular legs 104, base leg segments 108, and leg extensions 110 relative to each other. More specifically, the cross members 120 maintain the distance between the individual regular legs 104, base leg segments 108, and leg extensions 110 to facilitate folding and unfolding the table 100 by moving the paired regular legs 104, base leg segments 108, and leg extensions 110 together, which reduces binding on the connectors 116, 118. The cross members 120 may also offer ancillary functionality. For example, depending upon position, the cross members 120 may serve as handles for repositioning the legs or carrying the table 100 or footrests. In the illustrated embodiment, two techniques for implementing the cross members 120 are shown. The cross member 120 connecting the leg extensions 110 is illustrated as forming a continuous structure with a U-shape, while the cross members 120 connecting the regular legs 104 and the base leg segments 108, respectively, are separate pieces. The number and positions of the cross members can be varied for reasons such as, but not limited to, aesthetics, structural integrity, and ancillary functionality.
In various embodiments, the folding table 100 includes a pair of notches 124 defined by the lip 126 of the table top 102. The notches 124 allow the legs 104, 106 to lie substantially flush with the bottom of the lip 126 and provide a generally flat profile while in the storage configuration. The lip 126 optionally extends below the attachment points where the legs connect to the table top and provides support to keep the legs and attachment points elevated to reduce the risk of damage (e.g., bending) when the bottom of the folding table rests on a supporting surface. The lip 126 is optionally sized to substantially match or exceed the thickness of the legs 104, 106 to provide a level base when the folding table 100 is in the storage configuration, which facilitates stacking of the folding tables.
Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of one embodiment of the folding table 100 in a storage configuration. The underside of the table top 102 includes attachment points 202 where the upper ends 112 of the regular legs 104 and the leg extensions 110 are pivotally secured to the table top 102. Various types of attachment points may be used. In the illustrated embodiment, two different types of attachment points 202 are implemented. The attachment points 202 used with the regular legs 104 are brackets 202a that hold a pivot arm (e.g., a cylindrical tube) 204 that connects the upper ends 112 of the regular legs 104 and defines the pivot axis. The brackets 202a provide support and allow the pivot arm 204 to rotate. The attachment points 202 used with the leg extensions 110 are tabs 202b with each tab 202b supporting a pivot pin that connects to the upper end of one of the leg extensions 110. In some embodiments, the attachment points 202 are located on a frame 206 that is attached to and supports the table top 102. In other embodiments, the attachment points 202 are connected directed to the table top 102.
In embodiments incorporating a frame 206, the table top 102 is optional.
This allows the folding table described herein to be implemented as folding table frame with a table top 102 to be added at a later time. For reference, the term upper support member broadly encompasses a table top, a frame, or combination thereof.
When in the storage configuration, the regular legs 104 and the foldable legs 106 lie in the same plane. However, the points of origin (i.e., the attachment points 202) for the regular legs 104 and the foldable legs 106 are offset. Because the regular legs 104 and the foldable legs 106 are connected at a fixed location (i.e., main connectors 116), it becomes necessary to compensate for the offset between the points of origin in order place the regular legs 104 and the foldable legs 106 into the storage configuration.
By folding the foldable legs 106 at the foldable leg connector 118 such that the lower ends 114 of the base leg segments 108 and the leg extensions 110 are oriented in the opposite directions, the effective length of the foldable legs 106 is reduced to compensate for the offset.
In the main embodiment, the legs members 108 have different lengths. The additional length of the longer base leg segment 108 is used to implement the lock mechanism 122. An example of a suitable lock mechanism 122 is a lock pin main connector extending from one of the leg extensions 110. The lock pin 208 is biased to normally extend beyond the outside edge of the leg extension 110 toward the base leg segment 108. For example, a captured spring may bias the lock pin 208 toward the extended position. An actuator or handle 210, such as the depicted ring, allows an operator to apply a force opposing the bias to retract the lock pin thereby disengaging the lock mechanism 122. In the illustrated embodiment, the lock pin 208 is captured by the leg extension 110 to minimize the risk of loss. Further, a permanently mounted locking mechanism 122 is not a requirement and a free lock pin may be used. If desired, the free lock pin may be attached by a cable to minimize the risk of loss. Other lock mechanisms, such as, detents and other mechanisms for preventing relative movement of two connected members may be used.
Further, the illustrated embodiment shows the regular legs 104 positioned on the outside of the foldable legs 106 and the leg extensions 110 positioned to the inside of the base leg segments 108. Aspects of the folding table 100 are described herein using the depicted leg arrangement to provide a frame of reference. However, the folding table 100 may be suitably implemented using other leg arrangements and, as such, any directional references, such as inward or outward, inside or outside, and the like should not be read as limiting the folding table 100 to the depicted implementation.
Figures 3A-C are simplified sectional side elevation views, taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2, showing the folding table in various positions and aspects of the lock mechanism 122. The arrow B on the base leg segment 108 and arrow E the leg extension 110 point to the upper ends 112 and provide an visual indication of the relative orientations of the segments of the foldable leg 106 in the use configuration (FIG. 3A), an exemplary intermediate position between the use configuration and the storage configuration (FIG. 3B), and the storage configuration (FIG. 3C).
As shown in Figure 3A, the lock mechanism 122 includes a lock pin 208 extending from one of the leg extensions 110. A use receptacle 304 and a storage receptacle 306 defined by the connected base leg segment 108, which are normally hidden by the leg extension 110 while in the use and storage configurations (and various positions in between), are illustrated in phantom.
The lock pin 208 is offset from the foldable leg connector 118 by a selected distance in the direction of the lower end 114 of the leg extension 110. The use receptacle 304 is offset from the foldable leg connector 118 by a selected distance in the direction of the lower end 114 of the leg extension 110. The storage receptacle 306 is offset from the foldable leg connector 118 by substantially the same distance in the direction of the upper end 112 of the leg extension 110. In other words, the lock pin 208 and the receptacles 304, 306 lie on the circumference of a circle with a radius, r, and centered on the foldable leg connector 118. Thus, when in the use configuration, the lock pin 208 and the use receptacle 304 are aligned, and, when in the use configuration, the lock pin 208 and the storage receptacle 306 are aligned. It will be appreciated that some variation of the distances is permissible within the alignment tolerances of the lock pin 208 and the receptacles 304, 306.
The receptacles 304, 306 are configured to receive the lock pin 208 in operative engagement. When the lock pin 208 is aligned with and inserted into one of the receptacles 304, 306, the position of the connected base leg segment 108 becomes locked relative to the leg extension 110. Locking the foldable leg 106 prevents the regular legs 104 and foldable legs 106 from moving.
In Figure 3A, the lock pin 208 is operatively engaged with the use receptacle thereby securing the folding table 100 in the use configuration. In the use configuration, the base leg segment 108 and the leg extension 110 are parallel and oriented in the same direction to provide the maximum length for the foldable leg 106, which is the same length as the fixed leg 104.
In Figure 3B, the lock pin 208 is extended but not engaged and may need to be retracted to allow the foldable leg to be placed into the use or storage configuration, as desired.
In Figure 3C, the lock pin 208 is operatively engaged with the storage receptacle 306 thereby securing the folding table 100 in the storage configuration. The legs are oriented to 104, 106 point away from the fixed leg attachment point 302a. In the storage configuration, the base leg segment 108 and the leg extension 110 are parallel but oriented in opposite directions to provide the minimum length for the foldable leg 106. The minimum length of the foldable leg 106 combined with the distance between the fixed leg attachment point 302a and the foldable leg attachment 30 point 302b is the same as the length of the fixed leg 104. In this view, the fixed leg 104 is behind the foldable leg 106 and is not visible.
Figure 4 is a rear elevation view of the folding table. In addition to providing another perspective of various aspects of the folding table 100 previously discussed herein, the illustrated embodiment includes a set of tab stops 402 attached to the rear of the base leg segments 108. The tab stops 402 extend inward toward the leg extensions 110. As the foldable leg 106 is unfolded into the use configuration and the base leg segments 108 align with the leg extensions 110, the tab stops 402 contact the rear surface of the leg extensions 110 and prevent further movement. This protects the foldable leg 106 from rotating beyond the position of the use configuration during deployment.
The various features and aspects described in reference to the particular embodiments of the invention described herein are intended to be considered independent and optional. The depiction of any particular embodiment containing a combination of one or more features or aspects is not intended to require all such features or aspects to be incorporated into all embodiments of the invention. The disclosure should be read to encompass intermediate embodiments omitting one or more features or aspects disclosed as a combination in a particular embodiment and alternate embodiments composed of selected features or aspects from one or more disclosed embodiments even though all such combinations or alternative embodiments were not expressly enumerated. By way of example in the present application, any particular embodiment or implementation of the folding table 100 may selectively include or omit independent and optional features, such as and without limitation, the table top 102, the cross members 120, the notches 124, the lip 126, the frame 206, and the tab stops 402.
The foregoing description of embodiments for this invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide illustrations of the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

Claims

A folding table having a storage configuration and a use configuration, the folding table comprising:
an upper support member configured to be substantially horizontal when in the use configuration;

a set of regular legs (104), each fixed leg having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of each fixed leg pivotally connected to the upper support member;

a set of foldable legs (106), each foldable leg (106) having a base leg segment (108) and a leg extension (110), each base leg segment (108) and each leg extension (110) having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of each leg extension (110) pivotally connected to the upper support member, the upper end of each base leg segment (108) pivotally connected to the leg extension at a first pivot axis, each base leg segment (108) pivotally connected to one of the regular legs at a second pivot axis;

a set of lock receptacles (304,306) defined by the set of foldable legs (106), the set of lock receptacles (304,306) comprising a use receptacle (304) positioned on one side of the first pivot axis and a storage receptacle (306) positioned on the opposite side of the first pivot axis, the use receptacle (304) and the storage receptacle (306) being offset from the first pivot axis by a selected distance; and

a lock pin (208) for selectively engaging one of the use receptacle (304) and the storage receptacle (306) to selectively lock the leg extension to the first base segment (108) in the use configuration and the storage configuration and to prevent movement of the foldable legs (106) relative to the regular legs (104),

characterized in that the first base leg segment (108) is longer than the other base leg segment (108).
The folding table of claim 1 wherein the second pivot axis is located in a middle area of the regular legs allowing the regular legs (104) and the foldable legs (106) to move in scissor-like manner.
The folding table of claim 1 wherein the upper support member is a table top or a frame configured to support a table top.
The folding table of claim 3 wherein the regular legs (104) are longer than the widest dimension of the table top.
The folding table of claim 3 wherein the table top comprises a perimetrical lip projecting from the table top, the lip defining at least one notch receiving the regular legs (104) and the foldable legs (106) when in the storage configuration.
The folding table of claim 1 wherein:
the set of lock receptacles (304,306) is defined by a first one of the base leg segments (108), the use receptacle (304) positioned between the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis, the storage receptacle (306) positioned between the first pivot axis and the upper end of the first base leg segments (108); and the lock pin (208) is carried by the leg extension connected to the first base leg segment.
The folding table of claim 1 wherein:
the set of lock receptacles (304,306) is defined by a first one of the leg extensions, the use receptacle (304) positioned between the first pivot axis and the lower end of the leg extension, the storage receptacle (306) positioned between the first pivot axis and the upper end of the first leg extension; and the lock pin (208) is carried by a first one of the base leg segments (108) connected to the first leg extension.
The folding table of claim 1 wherein the lock pin (208) is normally biased to extend in the direction of the base leg segment (108) or the leg extension (110) which defines the set of lock receptacles.
The folding table of claim 1 wherein the lock pin (208) is selectively retractable to disengage the lock pin (208) from the use receptacle (304) or the storage receptacle (306) allowing the base leg segments (108) and the leg extensions (110) to pivot relative to one another and the regular legs (104) and the foldable legs (106) to pivot relative to one another.