Locking mechanism for a folding table
AssigneeLifetime Products, Inc.
InventorsJinlong Cai, 361021 Baik
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A foldable table may include a table top and legs that are movable between an extended position and a collapsed position. The table top may include a first section and a second section that are connected by a hinge assembly. A locking member may be sized and configured to lock the hinge assembly in a fixed position. Advantageously, moving the legs between the extended and collapsed positions may cause the locking mechanism to move between the locked and unlocked positions. Thus, when the legs are in the extended position and the locking mechanism is in the locked position, the table top may be secured in the unfolded position.
Claims19
A locking mechanism for a folding table, the folding table including a table top and at least one support structure sized and configured to support the table top above a surface, the support structure movable between a use position and a collapsed position, the locking mechanism comprising:
- a rotatable member connected to the table top, the rotatable member rotatable between a first position and a second position relative to the table top;
- a first connector connected to the rotatable member, the rotation of the rotatable member between the first and second positions causing the first connector to move between a first position and a second position;
- a second connector connected to the first connector, the movement of the first connector between the first and second positions causing the second connector to move between a first position and a second position;
- and
- a locking member connected to the connecting member, the locking member movable between a locked position to secure the folding table in a fixed position and an unlocked position to allow the table to be folded and unfolded, the movement of the second connector between the first and second positions causing the locking member to move between the locked and unlocked positions.
The locking mechanism as in claim 7, further comprising a first flange and a second flange of the hinge assembly, the rotatable member inserted through an opening in the first flange and the second flange, the connecting member at least partially disposed between the first and second flanges.
A locking mechanism for a fold-in-half table, the fold-in-half table including a table top, a frame, and at least one support structure sized and configured to support the table top above a surface, the support structure movable between a use position and a collapsed position, the locking mechanism for a fold-in-half table comprising:
- a cross member rotatably connected to the table top, the cross member rotatable between a first position and a second position relative to the table top;
- a first connector connected to the rotatable member;
- a second connector coupled to the first connector;
- and
- a locking member movable between a locked position and an unlocked position.
A locking mechanism for a folding table, the folding table including a table top with a first section and a second section, a hinge assembly connecting the first section and the second section of the table top, a support structure sized and configured to support the table top above a surface, the support structure movable between a use position and a collapsed position relative to the table top, a cross brace connected to the support structure, the locking mechanism comprising:
- a rotatable member;
- a first connecting member coupled to the rotatable member;
- a second connecting member coupled to the first connecting member;
- and
- a locking member connected to the second connecting member, the locking member movable between a locked position and an unlocked position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.