Folding table with locking mechanism
AssigneeLifetime Products, Inc.
InventorsJu-Young Jin, Cai Yixian
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.
Claims17
A folding table comprising:
- a table top comprising a first portion and a second portion, the table top movable between a folded position and an unfolded position;
- a frame comprising a first portion connected to the first portion of the table top and a second portion connected to the second portion of the table top;
- a hinge assembly connecting the first portion of the frame and the second portion of the frame;
- a support structure movable between an extended position and a collapsed position relative to the first portion of the table top;
- a cross member disposed at least proximate a center portion of the table top, the cross member movable between a first position and a second position;
- a cross brace coupled to the support structure and the cross member, the cross brace movable between an extended position and a collapsed position;
- and
- a locking mechanism including a locked position in which the hinge assembly is secured in a fixed position and an unlocked position, the movement of the support structure between the extended and collapsed positions causing the locking mechanism to move between the locked and unlocked positions;
- wherein the movement of the support structure from the collapsed position to the extended position causes the cross brace to move from the collapsed position to the extended position;
- wherein the movement of the cross brace from the collapsed position to the extended position causes the cross member to move from the first position to the second position;
- and
- wherein the movement of the cross member from the first position to the second position causes the locking mechanism to move from the unlocked position to the locked position;
- and
- wherein when the support structure is in the extended position and the locking mechanism is in the locked position, the table top is secured in the unfolded position.
A method of securing a folding table in a locked position or an unlocked position by moving a support structure between a collapsed position and an extended position, the folding table including a table top with a first portion and a second portion movable between a folded position and an unfolded position, a hinge assembly connecting the first portion of the table top and the second portion of the table top, a support structure movable between an extended position and a collapsed position relative to the first portion of the table top, a cross member movable between a first position and a second position, a cross brace coupled to the support structure and the cross member, and a locking mechanism including a locked position in which the hinge assembly is secured in a fixed position and an unlocked position, the method comprising:
- disposing the folding table with the table top in the unfolded position and the support structure in the collapsed position;
- and
- moving the support structure from the collapsed position to the extended position, which causes the cross brace to move from the collapsed position to the extended position, which causes the cross member to move from the first position to the second position, which causes the locking mechanism to move from the unlocked position to the locked position;
- wherein the cross brace is connected to the cross member in a fixed position so that movement of the cross brace between the extended and collapsed positions causes rotation of the cross member between the first and second positions;
- and
- wherein the cross member is rotationally coupled to the locking mechanism so that rotation of the cross member between the first and second positions causes the locking member to move between the locked and unlocked positions.
A folding table comprising:
- a table top comprising a first portion and a second portion, the table top movable between a folded position and an unfolded position;
- a frame comprising a first portion connected to the first portion of the table top and a second portion connected to the second portion of the table top;
- a hinge assembly connecting the first portion of the frame and the second portion of the frame;
- a support structure movable between an extended position and a collapsed position relative to the first portion of the table top;
- a cross member connected to the hinge assembly, the cross member rotatable between a first position and a second position;
- a cross brace coupled to the support structure and the cross member, the cross brace movable between an extended position and a collapsed position;
- a locking mechanism rotatably coupled to the cross member, the locking mechanism including a locked position and an unlocked position;
- at least a portion of a first gear connected to the cross member;
- at least a portion of a second gear connected to the first gear;
- and
- a locking member connected to the second gear, the rotational movement of the cross member between the first and second positions causing the first gear to rotate, the second gear to rotate and the locking member to move between the locked and unlocked positions.
- wherein movement of the support structure between the extended and collapsed positions causes the locking mechanism to move between the locked and unlocked positions;
- and
- wherein when the support structure is in the extended position and the locking mechanism is in the locked position, the table top is secured in the unfolded position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.