Five-bar folding mechanism and method with quick release functionality

A five-bar folding mechanism for use with a five-bar linkage comprising a first arm and a second arm rotatively coupled to a same joint, the first arm and second arm defining an angle therebetween, the mechanism comprising:

• an energy storage element coupled to the first arm and configured to be engaged by the second arm upon the angle being smaller than a designated angle, and to store mechanical energy upon said first arm and said second arm being brought further into co-alignment;
• wherein the energy storage element is further configured to release the stored mechanical energy upon the five-bar linkage being unfolded;
• wherein said energy storage element comprises a spring;
• and
• wherein the energy storage element is a torsion spring pin protruding outwardly from the first arm.

A five-bar folding mechanism for use with a five-bar linkage comprising a first arm and a second arm rotatively coupled to a same joint, the first arm and second arm defining an angle therebetween, the mechanism comprising:

• an energy storage element coupled to the first arm and configured to be engaged by the second arm upon the angle being smaller than a designated angle, and to store mechanical energy upon said first arm and said second arm being brought further into co-alignment;
• wherein the energy storage element is further configured to release the stored mechanical energy upon the five-bar linkage being unfolded;
• wherein said energy storage element comprises a spring;
• and
• wherein said energy storage element comprises:
• an elongated member coupled to the spring, the elongated member protruding outwardly laterally from the first arm and mounted in a linear channel oriented transversely with respect to the length of the first arm.

A five-bar folding method for use with a five-bar linkage comprising two active links and two passive links, the two active links being rotatably coupled at a first end thereof to a same joint and coupled at a second end thereof to one of the two passive links, the two passive links being coupled together at an end effector, comprising the steps of:

• pulling, by a user, on the end effector to initiate folding of the five-bar linkage in an initial opened configuration, thereby reducing an angle defined between the two active links of said five-bar linkage;
• upon the angle being smaller than a designated angle, an energy storage element coupled to a first link of said two active links engaging the other active link;
• pushing, by a user, simultaneously on two joints coupling an active link to a passive link to further decrease said angle and further engage the other active link against the energy storage element to store mechanical energy therein;
• upon said two active links and said two passive links being in co-alignment, folding by the user the two passive links with respect to the two active links.