US 8,726,817 B2Granted

Folding table with locking member

AssigneeLifetime Products, Inc.

InventorsJoel Bennett, Kent Ashby

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Abstract

A table may include a table top and a leg assembly. The leg assembly may be moved between use and storage positions, and the movement of the leg assembly may move a cross member between a first position in which the cross member resists folding of the table top and a second position in which the cross member facilitates folding and unfolding of the table top. The table top may include first and second sections with portions that overlap and/or interlock when the table top is unfolded. When the table top is in the unfolded position, movement of the leg assembly towards the use position may move the cross member towards the overlapping and/or interlocking portions, which may move the overlapping and/or interlocking portions towards each other. When moved towards each other, the overlapping and/or interlocking portions may be securely connected.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A table comprising:

a foldable table top comprising a first section and a second section, the first section and the second section movable about an axis of rotation between an unfolded position and a folded position, the first and second sections generally aligned in the same plane in the unfolded position, the first and second sections generally disposed adjacent and parallel to each other in the folded position;
an inner surface of the first section of the table top;
an inner surface of the second section of the table top, the inner surface of the first section of the table top and the inner surface of the second section of the table top being disposed at least adjacent when the table top is in the unfolded position;
a projection extending from the first section of the table top;
a recess in the second section of the table top, the projection being at least partially disposed in the recess when the table top is in the unfolded position;
a receiving portion at least partially disposed in an outer surface of the projection;
a cross member disposed at least proximate and movable relative to a lower surface of the table top, the cross member movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, the cross member disposed in the receiving portion of the projection when the table top is in the unfolded position and the cross member is in the locked position, the cross member spaced apart from the receiving portion of the projection when the table top is in the unlocked position;
and
one or more support members connected to the table top, the support members movable between a use position in which the support members support the table top and a collapsed position in which the support members are disposed at least proximate the table top;
wherein the table top is locked in the unfolded position when the cross member is disposed in the receiving portion of the projection and in the locked position.

7 more elements

A table comprising:

a foldable table top comprising a first section and a second section, the first
section and the second section movable between an unfolded position and a folded position, the first and second sections generally aligned in the same plane in the unfolded position, the first and second sections generally disposed adjacent and parallel to each other in the folded position;
a hinge connecting the first section of the table top and the second section of the table top, the hinge providing an axis of rotation for the table top between the folded and the unfolded positions;
and
a cross member including a first portion disposed within an opening in the hinge, the cross member movable within the opening in the hinge between a first position in which the cross member is not aligned from the axis of rotation and a second position in which the cross member is aligned with the axis of rotation;
wherein the cross member resists folding of the table top in the first position because the cross member is not aligned with the axis of rotation;
and
wherein the cross member facilitates folding and unfolding of the table top in the second position because the cross member is aligned with the axis of rotation.

5 more elements

A method of using a table, the table including a foldable table top including a first section and a second section connected by a hinge, the first and second sections of me table top movable about an axis of rotation between an unfolded position in which the first and second sections are generally aligned in the same plane and a folded position in which the first and second sections are generally disposed adjacent and parallel to each other, a leg assembly movable between an extended and collapsed position relative to the first section of the table top, a cross member connected to the hinge, the cross member movable between a first position in which the cross member is not aligned and spaced apart from the axis of rotation to prevent folding of the table top and a second position in which the cross member is aligned with the axis of rotation to facilitate folding and unfolding of the table top, and a brace assembly connected to the leg assembly and the cross member, the method comprising:

moving the leg assembly from the extended position to the collapsed position relative to the first section of the table top;
wherein the movement of the leg assembly between the extended position and the collapsed position moves the cross member between the first position and the second position.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/846,659Filed 18 Mar 2013 · continuation
Priority: 3 Feb 2010
Published: US 2013/0255545 A13 Oct 2013
Granted: 20 May 2014
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

A47B 3/087
With foldable top leaves: with struts supporting the legs
A47B 3/08
Folding or stowable tables: with legs pivoted to top or underframe
A47B 3/0818
With legs pivoted to top or underframe: with manually actuated locking means
A47B 3/0912
The struts being permanently connected to top and leg or underframe and leg: the strut being of two parts foldable relative to one another

Family

Application61/301,122Us provisional application · filed 3 Feb 2010
Application13/019,942Parent of this continuation · filed 2 Feb 2011
US 2013/0255545 A1Pre-grant publication · published 3 Oct 2013
US 8,397,653 B2Parent of this continuation
US 2011/0203493 A1Published application
US 8,726,817 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.