FOLDING TABLE AND CHAIR
A folding table and chair each have an unobtrusive folding mechanism that cannot be easily seen when unfolded for use. Because the folding mechanism is not readily seen, folding tables and chairs of a number of well-known and popular styles can be provided that are suitable for use as everyday home furniture. Folding furniture may be particularly desirable for apartment and condominium dwellers who have limited living space and need to occasionally store bulky furniture to fully use such space. The folding furniture of the invention is also easier to move than traditional furniture, including the hinge of the table, which can also serve as a carrying handle.
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This application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/878,310, entitled FOLDING TABLE AND CHAIR, filed Jul. 23, 2007, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 60/832,136, filed on Jul. 21, 2006, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The invention is directed to a folding table and chair. In particular, the table can be easily folded to make it more compact and transported for storage or relocation; and the chair can be folded flat to facilitate storage.
2. Related Art
Many folding tables that include a handle, or other carrying means, for transportation include a separate structure that is visible when the table is unfolded.
An example of such a table is a typical “suitcase” style folding table. The suitcase table includes a handle mounted to an outer edge of a table leaf. A hinge, or other folding mechanism, is disposed at the center of the table and connects the opposing leafs. The suitcase table's legs have a sliding leg-lock arrangement that is widely used in folding tables. The legs can be folded within the thickness of the skirt surrounding the edge of each leaf. The table can be folded in half such that the skirt of each leaf contacts one another to form an outer planar surface that forms the “suitcase” with the legs folded inside. The skirt may include a latching mechanism so that the leafs can be secured together. The secured, folded table can be transported by means of the separate handle that is not located on the same side of the outer planar surface of the suitcase as the hinge.
Many of the mechanisms that permit the suitcase table to fold and be transported are visible when the table is in use. Accordingly, these visible mechanisms, are unsightly and make the typical folding table undesirable for everyday home use.
In smaller domiciles, furniture that is easily moved and storable is desired so that occupants can take full advantage of limited living space, which is especially important in urban environments.
Accordingly, there is a need for a foldable table and chair that hides the folding and carrying mechanisms so that the table is sufficiently stylish and decorative for everyday use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe invention meets the foregoing need by providing a folding mechanism and carrying mechanism, respectively, that is not readily visible when unfolded, which results in a table and chair having appearances more similar to non-folding tables and chairs that are decorative and suitable for everyday use, as well as other advantages apparent from the discussion herein.
Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention a folding table is provided that includes a table top comprising two opposing leafs connected by a folding mechanism, pivotable legs coupled to one of the opposing legs, a latching mechanism disposed within the table top securing at least one leg in an extended position generally perpendicular to the table top. In the table's folded position, the folding mechanism is configured to serve as a handle for transporting the folding table.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a folding chair is provided that comprises: a back including a plurality of rear legs; a seat frame assembly pivotably connectable to the back; a plurality of front legs pivotably connectable to the seat frame assembly; and a clip configured to lock the front legs in a position generally parallel to the back, when the chair is in a folded position. The at least one of the plurality of legs may be pivotally coupled to the seat frame assembly. The folding chair may further comprise a lower support configured to be pivotally connectable to at least one of the plurality of legs. The seat frame assembly may further comprise an elongated member configured to be pivotally connectable to the back; or a seat support member configured to be affixed to the elongated member. The seat support member may be welded to the elongated member. The seat frame assembly may further comprise a side member configured to pivotally connect to the elongated member; or a connecting extension configured to be affixed to at least one of the plurality of front legs. The elongated member may comprise an ear portion, wherein the ear portion may be configured to pivotally connect to the back. The seat frame assembly may further comprise a rear cross-member configured to connect to the elongated member. The clip may be connected to the rear cross-member. The folding chair may further comprise: a lower support configured to be connected to at least one of the plurality of front legs and at least one of the plurality of rear legs. The lower support assembly may comprise: a first cross-bar configured to be pivotally connected between two of the plurality of front legs; a second cross-bar configured to be pivotally connected between two of the plurality of rear legs; a cross-brace configured to be connected between the first cross-bar and the second cross-bar; and a knuckle configured to connect the cross-brace to one of the first cross-bar or the second cross-bar.
According to a still further aspect of the invention, a folding chair is provided that includes a back, the chair comprises: a seat frame assembly pivotably connectable to the back; a plurality of front legs pivotably connectable to the seat frame assembly; and a clip configured to lock the front legs in a position generally parallel to the back when the chair is in a folded position. The seat frame assembly may comprise: a rear portion configured to connect to the back; and a front portion configured to connect to at least one of the plurality of front legs, wherein the front portion is further configured to pivot with respect to the rear portion. The front portion may comprise: a side member configured to be pivotally connected to the rear portion; and a connecting extension configured to connect to at least one of the front legs. The rear portion may comprise: a cross-member configured to be connected to the clip.
According to a still further aspect of the invention, a folding chair is provided that comprises a plurality of front legs and a back which includes a plurality of rear legs, the chair comprising: a seat frame assembly pivotably connectable to the back; a lower support configured to be pivotally connectable to at least one of the plurality of legs; and a clip configured to lock the front legs in a position generally parallel to the back; wherein the frame assembly comprises: an elongated member configured to be pivotally connectable to the back; a rear cross-member configured to connect to the clip; a seat support member configured to be affixed to the elongated member; a side member configured to pivotally connect to the elongated member; a connecting extension configured to be affixed to at least one of the plurality of front legs; and wherein the lower support comprises: a first cross-bar configured to be pivotally connected between two of the plurality of front legs; a second cross-bar configured to be pivotally connected between two of the plurality of rear legs; a cross-brace configured to be connected between the first cross-bar and the second cross-bar; and a knuckle configured to connect the cross-brace to one of the first cross-bar or the second cross-bar.
Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention may be set forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the invention as claimed.
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the detailed description serve to explain the principles of the invention. No attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention and the various ways in which it may be practiced. In the drawings:
The embodiments of the invention and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments and examples that are described and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and features of one embodiment may be employed with other embodiments as the skilled artisan would recognize, even if not explicitly stated herein. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques may be omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments of the invention. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the invention may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the examples and embodiments herein should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the appended claims and applicable law. Moreover, it is noted that like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
Pressing the lever 309 downwardly releases the hinge plate 305 so that it may be rotated about pin 315 to allow the leg 110 to rotate into a folded position that is generally parallel to the table top 120. To unfold the leg 110, it can be rotated so that an edge of hinge plate 303 will push the clasp 311 against biasing force provided by the latch 301 so that leg 110 can fully rotate. When the upper planar surface of hinge plate 305 abuts the lower planar surface of the support plate 303, the clasp 311 will spring back due to the biasing force of latch 301 to lock the leg 110 in place. The clasp 311 may have a tapered surface 313 adapted to engage a leading edge of hinge plate 305 to facilitate unfolding of the leg 110. This kind of arrangement is advantageous for the easy concealment of the mechanism used to lock/unlock the legs of a folding table.
Each of the front legs 409 may include a slot and keyhole arrangement for locking the chair 400 in an unfolded position.
It is noted that the lock-pins 1060 need not be provided in the pair of recesses 1065, but, instead, may protrude from the seat back 1040. It is further noted that the frame assembly 1180 may be affixed to the seat back 1040 using any other mechanism that allows for rotational motion of the ear portion 1510.
The lower support assembly 1300 may be affixed to the front legs 1110 and the rear legs of the seat back 1040 by means of a plurality of fasteners 1070. The fasteners 1070 may include, for example, but are not limited to, pins, screws, lock-pins, rods, or the like, which allow rotational motion of the portion of the lower support assembly 1300 to which the fasteners 1070 are coupled, so as to allow for pivotal motion of the seat 1340 in the direction A (shown in
The rear assembly portion 1184 of the seat frame assembly 1180 may include a pair of elongated members 1514, which may be interconnected by a rear cross-member 1520 and a front-cross member 1530 as seen in
The seat support members 1512 may include a plurality of holes (or recesses) 1518 for receiving the fasteners 1350, so as to affix the seat 1340 to the seat frame assembly 1180. The elongated members 1514 may each include a plurality of holes (or recesses) 1516 for receiving fasteners (not show) (such as, e.g., screws, nails, pins, bolts, clips, or the like) to affix the seat sides 1150 to the elongated members 1514.
The elongated members 1514, the seat support members 1512, and the cross-members 1520, 1530, may be made from a material, such as, for example, steel, aluminum, carbon-graphite, plastic, fiberglass, or the like, or any combination thereof.
The front assembly portion 1182 may include a pair of side members 1552, a front member 1540 and a pair of connecting extensions 1550. The front member 1540 may have an L-shape with a lower section 1542 to provide enhanced rigidity. The connecting extensions 1550 may be positioned in the front two corners of the seat frame assembly 1180. Each connecting extension 1550 may include, for example, a cylindrical configuration having a through-hole for receiving and passing the fastener 1170 there-through, so that the front assembly portion 1182 may be affixed to the front legs 1110 of the chair 1000. The front member 1540 may include a plurality of holes (or recesses) 1544 for receiving fasteners (not shown) (such as, e.g., screws, pins, rivets, nails, clips, or the like) to affix to the front-leg cross-member 1115.
The rear assembly portion 1184 may be coupled to the front assembly portion 1182 by a pair of pivoting members 1125 (such as, e.g., a pin, a lock-pin, a rod, a bolt, or the like). In lieu of (or in addition to) the pair of pivoting members 1125, a single rod, or the like, may be provided between the opposing side members 1552. A stop (not shown) may be provided on the elongated members 1514 and/or the side members 1552 to prevent the front and rear assembly portions 1182, 1184 from rotating beyond a predetermined angle (such as, e.g., 0°—i.e., where the elongated members 1514 are in-line with the side portions 1552, as shown in
Alternatively, the knuckles 1380 may be configured to fixedly engage each of the cross-bars 1340, preventing the cross-bars 1340 from rotational movement with respect to the knuckles 1380 or the cross-brace 1370, so that the entire lower support assembly 1300 would rotate as a single unit in the direction A shown in
The cross-bars 1340, the cross-brace 1370 and the knuckles 1380 may be made from a material, such as, for example, steel, aluminum, carbon-graphite, plastic, fiberglass, or the like, or any combination thereof.
The invention provides unobtrusive folding mechanisms for both a table and chair that provides a folding table and chair, both of which may be constructed in a number of styles, that are sufficiently decorative for regular, everyday home use.
While the invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications in the spirit and scope of the appended claims. These examples given above are merely illustrative and are not meant to be an exhaustive list of all possible designs, embodiments, applications or modifications of the invention.
Claims
1. A folding chair, comprising:
- a back including a plurality of rear legs;
- a seat frame assembly pivotably connectable to said back;
- a plurality of front legs pivotably connectable to said seat frame assembly; and
- a clip configured to lock said front legs in a position generally parallel to said back, when said chair is in a folded position.
2. The folding chair according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of legs are pivotally coupled to said seat frame assembly.
3. The folding chair according to claim 1, further comprising:
- a lower support configured to be pivotally connectable to at least one of the plurality of legs.
4. The folding chair according to claim 1, wherein the seat frame assembly comprises:
- an elongated member configured to be pivotally connectable to said back.
5. The folding chair according to claim 4, wherein the seat frame assembly further comprises:
- a seat support member configured to be affixed to said elongated member.
6. The folding chair according to claim 5, wherein said seat support member is welded to said elongated member.
7. The folding chair according to claim 4, wherein said seat frame assembly further comprises:
- a side member configured to pivotally connect to said elongated member.
8. The folding chair according to claim 1, wherein said seat frame assembly comprises:
- a connecting extension configured to be affixed to at least one of said plurality of front legs.
9. The folding chair according to claim 4, wherein said elongated member comprises an ear portion.
10. The folding chair according to claim 9, wherein said ear portion is configured to pivotally connect to said back.
11. The folding chair according to claim 4, wherein said seat frame assembly further comprises:
- a rear cross-member configured to connect to said elongated member.
12. The folding chair according to claim 11, wherein said clip is connected to said rear cross-member.
13. The folding chair according to claim 1, further comprising:
- a lower support configured to be connected to at least one of said plurality of front legs and at least one of said plurality of rear legs.
14. The folding chair according to claim 13, wherein said lower support assembly comprises:
- a first cross-bar configured to be pivotally connected between two of said plurality of front legs;
- a second cross-bar configured to be pivotally connected between two of said plurality of rear legs;
- a cross-brace configured to be connected between said first cross-bar and said second cross-bar; and
- a knuckle configured to connect said cross-brace to one of said first cross-bar or said second cross-bar.
15. A folding chair that includes a back, comprising:
- a seat frame assembly pivotably connectable to said back;
- a plurality of front legs pivotably connectable to said seat frame assembly; and
- a clip configured to lock said front legs in a position generally parallel to said back when said chair is in a folded position.
16. The folding chair according to claim 15, wherein said seat frame assembly comprises:
- a rear portion configured to connect to said back; and
- a front portion configured -to connect to at least one of said plurality of front legs,
- wherein said front portion is further configured to pivot with respect to said rear portion.
17. The folding chair according to claim 16, wherein said front portion comprises:
- a side member configured to be pivotally connected to said rear portion; and
- a connecting extension configured to connect to at least one of said front legs.
18. The folding chair according to claim 16, wherein said rear portion comprises:
- a cross-member configured to be connected to said clip.
19. A folding chair that comprises a plurality of front legs and a back which includes a plurality of rear legs, the chair comprising:
- a seat frame assembly pivotably connectable to said back;
- a lower support configured to be pivotally connectable to at least one of the plurality of legs; and
- a clip configured to lock said front legs in a position generally parallel to said back;
- wherein said frame assembly comprises: an elongated member configured to be pivotally connectable to said back; a rear cross-member configured to connect to said clip; a seat support member configured to be affixed to said elongated member; a side member configured to pivotally connect to said elongated member; a connecting extension configured to be affixed to at least one of said plurality of front legs; and
- wherein said lower support comprises: a first cross-bar configured to be pivotally connected between two of said plurality of front legs; a second cross-bar configured to be pivotally connected between two of said plurality of rear legs; a cross-brace configured to be connected between said first cross-bar and said second cross-bar; and a knuckle configured to connect said cross-brace to one of said first cross-bar or said second cross-bar.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 17, 2009
Publication Date: Jul 16, 2009
Applicant: Meco Corporation (Greeneville, TN)
Inventor: Douglas G. WRIGHT (Morristown, TN)
Application Number: 12/372,336
International Classification: A47C 4/00 (20060101);