SUPPORT ASSEMBLY FOR A DROP LEAF
A fixed top, for example a top of a dinner table (11) has a drop leaf (12) fastened by a hinge (13). The support assembly for the drop leaf consists of two links, one of which (16, 17) fastened to the fixed top (11) and the other (20, 21) fastened to the drop leaf (12), which are coupled together by a hinge (24) so that the links become approximately parallel or form an acute angle together when the drop leaf is swung back to a position approximately parallel with and in back of the fixed top and so that the links form a blunt angle when the extension drop leaf is swung out to extend the fixed top. A releasable locking link (26, 27) is arranged to lock the links in the position in which the extension drop leaf forms an extension of the fixed top.
This invention relates to a support assembly for a drop leaf fastened by a hinge to a fixed top.
OBJECT OF INVENTION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of invention to provide a support assembly for a drop leaf of a fixed top, for example a drop leaf of a drop leaf table, which provides stability and permits for the drop leaf to be swung in under and behind the fixed top.
This is achieved by two links—one of which fastened to the fixed top and the other of which fastened to the drop leaf—which are coupled together by a hinge so that the links become approximately parallel or form an acute angle together when the drop leaf is swung in to a position approximately parallel with and in behind the fixed top and so that the links form a blunt angle when the drop leaf is swung out to extend the fixed top, and a releasable locking device arranged to lock the links in a position where the drop leaf forms the extension of the fixed top.
The drop leaf will be very stable in its extended position, which permits for the use of a long drop leaf without instability and permits for the drop leaf being swung in under the fixed top. The fixed top can for example be a worktop or the top of a dinner table.
The invention is defined by the claims.
In order to be swung in under the table, the leaf must fit between the table legs. The leaf could for example be narrower than the table top or the table legs could be placed outside the table top. Alternatively, a centre post could be used instead of legs.
The locking link 26, 27 is separately shown in
The locking device could be embodied in other manners than the shown. Its upper member 26 could for example be directly coupled to the hinge 24, or its lower member 27 could be directly coupled to the hinge 13 or to the table top 11 or the leaf 12. Alternately, a locking link could for example be coupled from the upper hinge 13 and to the links 16,17 respectively 20, 21.
The shown embodiment is only one example of the invention. For example, the plate 19 could be longer and one portion of the hinge 13 could be fastened directly to the plate 19. The plate 23 could also be longer and the other portion of the hinge could be directly fastened to this plate. In that way, the assembly will be a single unit which is fastened partly to the table top, partly to the leaf. The two links 16, 17 and 20, 21 respectively are shown formed by two arms each, but this is not necessary, they could be formed by single arms or by more than two arms.
The assembly could not only be used in drop-leaf tables but also for other applications where a fixed top need to be extended by a drop leaf. The described example shows a horizontal top, but the invention is not restricted to this example.
Claims
1. A support assembly for a drop leaf fastened by a hinge to a fixed top, characterised by
- two links, one of which fastened to the fixed top and the other fastened to the drop leaf, which are coupled together by a hinge so that the links become approximately parallel or form an acute angle together when the drop leaf is swung back into a position approximately parallel with and in back of the fixed top and so that the links form a blunt angle when the drop leaf is swung out to form an extension of the fixed top, and
- a releasable locking device arranged to lock the links in the position where the drop leaf forms an extension of the fixed top.
2. The support assembly in claim 1, characterised in that the locking device is a locking link.
3. The support assembly in claim 2, characterised in that the locking link is coupled between the two hinges.
4. The support assembly in claim 3, characterised in that the locking link comprises a first portion coupled to one of the hinges and a second portion coupled to the other hinge and a latching device to lock the two portions together.
5. The support assembly in claim 1 applied on a drop-leaf table.
6. The support assembly in claim 2 applied on a drop-leaf table.
7. The support assembly in claim 3 applied on a drop-leaf table.
8. The support assembly in claim 4 applied on a drop-leaf table.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 4, 2008
Publication Date: Feb 25, 2010
Inventor: Olsson Tegelmark Dag (Avesta)
Application Number: 12/521,177
International Classification: A47B 13/00 (20060101); A47B 1/04 (20060101); A47B 13/02 (20060101);