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(11) | EP 1 050 239 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Folding leg |
| (57) The present invention relates to a folding leg with an integral member that comprises
a first abutment surface for abutting the underside of the tabletop in the extended
position of the leg and comprises a second abutment surface for abutting the surface
on which the tabletop rests when the leg is in the retracted position. |
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a folding leg of the kind set forth in the preamble of claim 1. The folding leg permits a table to collapse into a position suitable for transport and storage.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A variety of folding table legs is known from the prior art. Folding tables are commonly used in environments where furniture is actively arranged and frequently placed in storage. For example in hotels, restaurants, schools, universities and offices.
[0003] Nearly all these constructions have a relatively complicated construction for arresting the leg in the extended position. US-A-3,777,675 uses a wishbone construction in the form of a collapsible link to arrest the leg in the extended position. In order to fold the leg, the link has to be pushed to collapse. The wishbone construction reduces the space available under the tabletop, moreover unintended unlocking for example due to contact with the knee of a person sitting at the table cannot be excluded.
[0004] US-A-3,695,567 uses a bracket having a uniform base plate with an upstanding detent and stop for arresting the leg in the extended position. The pivoting movement of the leg from the retracted to the extended position being limited by the stop while the leg is arrested in the extended position by a resilient latch fitted in the leg that engages with the detent. In order to release the leg it is necessary to withdraw the latch, which is operated directly under the tabletop and thus cumbersome to reach.
[0005] US-A-5,638,761 discloses a folding table leg comprising an arm for arresting the leg in the extended position slidably engaged at one end in a track, the other end of the arm being pivotally attached to the leg. The folding leg is provided with a bracket for attaching the leg pivotally to a tabletop. The sides of the bracket form blocks that function as a spacer when the tables are stacked. The sliding arm construction reduces the space available under the tabletop, moreover unintended unlocking due to contact with for example the knee of the person sitting at the table cannot be excluded.
[0006] US-A-5,636,578 uses a parallelogram construction which protrudes into the space under the table to allow the leg to pivot with respect to the tabletop. The leg is arrested in the extended position by a resilient latch fitted to the underside of the tabletop. Apart from being extremely complicated this construction has the disadvantage that in order to release the leg it is necessary to withdraw the latch, which is operated directly under the tabletop and thus cumbersome to reach.
[0007] The known means for locking and unlocking the leg thus are cumbersome in operation, are complicated, protrude into the space under the table and do not provide a spacing function stacking the tables.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is the object of the invention to provide a folding leg of the kind referred to above, which is simple, without parts intruding the space under the tabletop when the leg is in its extended position and which provides a spacer for stacking the tables when the leg is in its retracted position. This object is achieved by the characterising features of claim 1. By providing an integral member extending from the leg in a direction substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis, with a first abutment surface for abutting with the underside of the tabletop to which the leg is to be secured when the leg is in the extended position, and a second abutment surface for abutting with the surface on which the tabletop rests when the leg is in the retracted position the integral member forms a spacer when the tables are stacked, thereby separating individual tables preventing scratching and other damage.
[0009] According to an embodiment of the invention, the first abutment surface and the longitudinal extension of the leg form an acute angle so that the load on the leg will positively lock the leg in the extended position.
[0010] According to an embodiment of the invention, the second abutment surface is substantially parallel with the tabletop when the leg is in said retracted position.
[0011] According to an embodiment of the invention, the second abutment surface is soft and resilient so that it will not damage the upper surface of the tabletop on which it rests when the tabletops are stacked for storage.
[0012] According to an embodiment of the invention the second abutment surface has a high friction coefficient, so that the tabletop will not slide over the tabletop on which it rests when the tabletops are stacked for storage.
[0013] The invention also comprises assemblies of two folding legs in which legs are interconnected by a member forcing the two legs to pivot synchronously. Further, the invention also includes tables comprising a tabletop with a pair of opposing leg assemblies secured to the tabletop.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] In the following detailed part of the description of the present invention, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments of the foldable leg shown in the drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a front view of a tabletop provided with the folding legs in the extended position,
Figure 2 is a side view of a tabletop provided with the folding legs in the extended position,
Figure 3 is a front view of a stack of tabletops provided with folding legs in the retracted position,
Figure 4 is a detailed view on the side of the folding leg in the extended position,
Figure 5 is a detailed view from below on the fastening means without the folding leg itself, and
Figure 6 is a detailed view on the front of the folding leg in the extended position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] With reference to the figures, a table includes a tabletop 2 and a pair of folding leg assemblies 11 secured to the bottom surface of the tabletop 2. The leg assemblies 11 each include two legs 1 interconnected by a tube 8. Each of the legs 1 is pivotally connected to a mounting plate 4. Hereto, the mounting plate 4 is provided with a bracket 6 and a pivot 5 is inserted in openings in the bracket. The pivot 5 is secured to the leg 1 and the leg 1 is thus secured to the mounting plate. The leg 1 can pivot between a retracted position in which it is parallel and adjacent to the underside of the tabletop 2 and an extended position for supporting the tabletop 2. In the extended position, the leg 1 does not form a straight angle with the tabletop for reasons which will be explained later. The mounting plate can be secured to the table top 2 through screws (not shown) inserted in through-holes 10 in the mounting plate 4.
[0016] According to a preferred embodiment the legs 1 are steel tubular members and the integral member 3 is formed by a bended portion of the leg 1. This integral member 3 forms a stop that limits the pivotal movement of the leg 1. When the leg is in its extended position, a first abutment surface 12 on the integral member 3 abuts with the underside of the tabletop 2. The first abutment surface 12 forms an acute angle with the longitudinal extension of the leg 1. The angle is preferably in the range of 85-65°, according to the preferred embodiment approximately 80°. The acute angle between the first abutment surface 12 and the longitudinal extension of the leg 1 causes the force created by the load of the tabletop to positively arrest the leg 1 in the extended position.
[0017] In order to hold the leg 1 in the extended positiones, also when the load of the tabletop 2 is not present for example when the table is lifted, e.g. to transport the table to another place, it is necessary to secure the leg 1 in the extended position with further locking means. These further locking means assure that the leg 1 will not dangle and perhaps fold towards the retracted position when the table is put down on the floor. Hereto the mounting plate 4 is provided with a resilient clamp 9a. This clamp is formed by a curved resilient lip extending from the mounting plate 4. The curved section of the lip engages with the circumference of the integral member 3.
[0018] When then tables need to be stored, the leg 1 is folded to its retracted position. Hereto the operator only needs to overcome the locking force of the resilient clamp 9a. A second resilient clamp 9b in the form of a curved resilient lip extends from the mounting plate 4 to hold the leg 1 in the retracted position under the tabletop. When the leg 1 is pivoted to the retracted position the circumference of the leg 1 engages with the curved section of the lip. Thus the leg can be retained in the retracted position for transport and storage.
[0019] In the retracted position, the integral member 3 extends downwards from the tabletop 2. Thus, the integral member 3 forms a spacer for separating individual tables when stacked. In order to prevent scratching and other damage, the proximal end of the integral member, which is called the second abutment surface 13, is soft and elastic. The second abutment surface 13 has a high coefficient of friction so that the tabletop will not slide over the tabletop on which it rests when the tabletops are stacked for storage. The second abutment surface 13 is substantially parallel with the tabletop 2 when the leg 1 is in the retracted position. The second abutment surface 13 is formed by a tube insert of a polymer material, in particular polyethylene.
[0020] Although the invention has here been described as an assembly 11 of two legs 1 to be connected by a tube 8, it is possible to use legs 1, which are not interconnected. The legs 1 do not have to be made of tubular steel. Any other suitable material such as aluminium, wood plastic, etc. can be used. The integral element 3 and the leg 1 do not necessarily have to be made from one piece of material. The integral element 3 can be secured to the leg 1 in any suitable manner such as bolting, welding gluing etc.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
1. Folding leg (1) for a tabletop (2) comprises suitable means for fastening (4) the
leg securely to the underside of a tabletop (2), while allowing the leg (1) to pivot
between a retracted position for storing or carrying said tabletop (2) and an extended
position for supporting said tabletop (2), characterised by the leg (1) comprising an integral member (3) extending from the leg (1) in a
direction substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis, the integral member (3) comprising
a first abutment surface (12) for abutting with the underside of the tabletop (2)
to which the leg (1) is to be secured when the leg is in the extended position, and
a second abutment surface (13) for abutting with the surface on which the tabletop
(2) rests when the leg is in the retracted position so that the integral member (3)
forms a spacer when the tables are stacked.
2. Folding leg (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the first abutment surface (12) and the longitudinal extension of the leg
(1) form an acute angle, preferably between 85 and 65°, in particular about 80°, so
that the load on the leg (1) will positively lock the leg (1) in the extended position.
3. Folding leg (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the second abutment surface (13) is substantially parallel with the tabletop
(2) when the leg (1) is in said retracted position.
4. Folding leg (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the second abutment surface (13) is soft and resilient, so that it will not
damage the upper surface of the tabletop (2) on which it rests when the tabletops
(2) are stacked for storage.
5. Folding leg according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the second abutment surface (13) is made of a polymer, in particular polyethylene.
6. Folding leg according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the second abutment surface (13) has a high friction coefficient, so that
the tabletop (2) will not slide over the tabletop (2) on which it rests when the tabletops
(2) are stacked for storage.
7. Folding leg according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the integral member (3) is formed by a bended portion of the leg (1).
8. Folding leg according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in the fastening means (4) are provided with resilient locking means (9b) to retain
the leg (1) in the retracted position.
9. Folding leg according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the fastening means (4) are provided with resilient locking means (9a) to
retain the leg (1) in the extended position.
10. Assembly (11) of two folding legs (1) according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the two legs (1) are interconnected by a member (8) forcing the two legs
(1) to pivot synchronously.
11. Table comprising a tabletop (2) with a pair of opposing leg assemblies (11) according
to claim 10 secured to the tabletop (2).