FOLDABLE TABLE WITH TRAVERSING LEG

A foldable table includes a table top, a table top elevator configured to support the table top above an underlying floor, and a leg motion-control unit. The table top includes a left panel and a right panel pivotably coupled together to change between an expanded position and a collapsed position. The table top elevator includes left legs pivotably coupled to the left panel of the table top and right legs pivotably coupled to the right panel of the table top. The leg motion-control unit configured to control motion of the left and right legs.

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Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/035,396, filed 5 Jun. 2020, the disclosure of which is now expressly incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a table, and particularly to a folding table. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a center-fold table with stowable legs.

SUMMARY

A foldable table may comprise a table top and a table top elevator. The table top may have a topside surface and an underside surface opposite the topside surface. The table top elevator may be configured to support the table top above an underlying floor.

In some embodiments, the table top elevator may include left legs pivotably coupled to the table top adjacent to a left end of the table top and right legs pivotably coupled to the table top adjacent to a right end of the table top. Each of the left legs and right legs may be configured to pivot relative to the table top about an associated pivot axis from a stowed storage position to an extended use position. In the stowed storage position, the left and right legs extend along the underside of the table top. In the extended use position, the left and right legs extend from the underside of the table top.

In some embodiments, the foldable table may further comprise leg motion-controller means for coordinating motion of the left or the right legs during movement of the left or the right legs from the stowed storage position to the extended use position. The foldable table may further comprise leg motion controller means for automatically retaining the left or the right legs in the extended use position in response to movement of the left or the right legs to the extended use position without user activation of a lock included in the leg motion-controller so that movement of the left legs or the right from the stowed storage position to the extended use position causes retention of the left or the right legs in the extended use position. The foldable table may further comprise leg motion-controller means for releasing the left or the right legs to move from the extended use position to the stowed storage position by engaging the lock using only one hand.

Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable table including a table top made up of left and right panels, a table top elevator having left and right legs that support the table top above an underlying floor, and a leg motion-control unit with left and right control assemblies that provide means for controlling motion of the left and the right legs during motion from a stowed storage position as shown in FIG. 5 to an extended use position as shown in FIG. 6 and and for automatically retaining the left and the right legs in the extended use position during use of the foldable table;

FIG. 2 is a detail view of FIG. 1 showing each of the left and the right leg motion-control assemblies includes a slide made up of bands fixed to a corresponding left or right panel of the table top to define a track along the underside of the table top, a guide link pivotably coupled to corresponding left or right legs and captured in the track for sliding motion along the table top so that motion of the legs is controlled by the guide link, and a lock coupled to the table top and configured to selectively engage the guide link to block movement of the guide link (and hence the legs) when the legs are in the extended use position;

FIG. 3 is and exploded view of the led motion-control unit of FIG. 2 showing the lock includes a plate configured to be coupled to the table top, a lock pin configured to move relative to the plate along a pin axis from a normally closed position as shown in FIG. 9 to an open position, and a spring configured to provide a bias force to the lock pin to urge the lock pin toward the closed position;

FIGS. 4-7 are a series of side elevation views showing that the foldable table is movable from a folded configuration to an unfolded configuration;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the foldable table in the folded configuration showing the left and the right panels in a collapsed position in which the left and right panels extend along one another;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the foldable table in the process of moving to the unfolded configuration with the left and the right panels of the table top pivoted from the collapsed position to an expanded position in which the left and the right panels extend away from one another so as to expose the left and the right legs in the stowed storage position;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the foldable table in the process of moving to the unfolded configuration by moving each guide link from a proximal end of the track spaced apart from the lock toward a distal end of the track towards the lock to cause the left and the right legs to pivot from the stowed storage position to the extended use position;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the foldable table in the unfolded configuration showing the left and the right legs pivoted from the stowed storage position to the extended use position and each guide link is engaged by the associated lock at the distal end of the track to retain the left and right legs;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the foldable table of FIG. 7 with a portion of the table top broken away to show the leg motion-control unit;

FIG. 9 is a detail view of FIG. 8 showing the leg motion-control unit in the closed position and engaged with the guide link to block movement of the legs when the legs are in the extended use position;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second foldable table similar to the foldable table of FIGS. 1-9, the second foldable table including a table top made up of left and right panels, a table top elevator having left and right legs that support the table top, and a leg motion-control unit with left and right control assemblies that provide means for controlling motion of the left and the right legs during motion from the stowed storage position to the extended use position and showing the control assemblies include a cam lock for selectively retaining the left and the right legs in the extended use position during use of the foldable table;

FIG. 11 is a detail view of FIG. 10 showing each control assembly of the leg motion-control unit includes a slide made up of bands fixed to a corresponding left or right panel of the table top to define a track along the underside of the table top, a guide link pivotably coupled to corresponding left or right legs and captured in the track for sliding motion along the table top so that motion of the legs is controlled by the guide link, and the cam lock coupled to the table top and configured to selectively engage the guide link to block movement of the guide link (and hence the legs) when the legs are in the extended use position;

FIGS. 12-14 are a series of cross-section views showing that cam lock pivots from a normally closed position to an open to receive the guide link and retain the guide link so that the legs remain in the extended use position;

FIG. 12 is a cross-section view of the foldable table in the process of moving the guide link to change the left and right legs from the stowed storage position to the extended use position;

FIG. 13 is a cross-section view of the foldable table with the guide link engaged with a cam surface of the cam lock to cause the cam lock to pivot from the normally closed position to the open position relative to the table top to receive the guide link; and

FIG. 14 is a cross-section view of the foldable table showing the cam lock has moved back to the normally closed position over the guide link to block movement of the guide link (and hence the legs) to retain the legs in the extended use position.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A foldable table 10 according to the present disclosure includes a table top 12, a table top elevator 14 that supports the table top above an underlying floor 11, and a leg motion-control unit 16 as shown in FIGS. 1-9. The table top 12 includes a left panel 30 and a right panel 32. The table top elevator 14 includes left legs 40F, 40R coupled to the left panel 30 of the table top 12 and right legs 42F, 42R coupled to the right panel 32 of the table top 12. The leg motion-control unit 16 includes a left leg motion-control assembly 18L and a right leg motion-control assembly 18R.

The leg motion-control unit 16 is configured to provide means for coordinating motion of the left or the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R during motion of the legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R from a stowed storage position, shown in FIG. 5, to an extended use position, shown in FIG. 7. The leg motion-control unit 16 is also configured to provide means for automatically retaining the left or the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R in the extended use position during use of the foldable table 10 as shown in FIG. 5.

The leg motion-control unit 16 allows a user to change the left or the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R from the stowed storage position to the extended use position and automatically retain the left or the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R in the extended use position using only one hand. The leg motion-control unit 16 automatically retains the left or the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R upon arrival of the left or the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R to the extended use position without user activation of a lock. In this way, movement of the left or the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R from the stowed storage position to the extended use position causes retention of the left or the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R in the extended use position. The leg motion-control unit 16 also provides means for releasing the left or the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R using only one hand to allow the left or the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R to move from the extended use position to the stowed storage position.

The table top 12 is movable from a collapsed position, shown in FIG. 4, to an expanded position, shown in FIG. 5. In the collapsed position, the left and the right panels 30, 32 are arranged to extend along one another reducing the footprint of the table top 12 and covering an underside 35 of the table top 12. In the expanded position, the left and the right panels 30, 32 are arranged to extend away from one another and expose the underside 35 of the table top 12. To facilitate motion of the table top 12, the left and the right panels 30, 32 are coupled to one another by a pivot joint 34 so that the left and the right panels 30, 32 are mounted to pivot relative to one another about an axis 33.

The left and the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R are each coupled to a corresponding left or right panel 30, 32 adjacent to a front 30F, 32F or rear 32R, 30R of the panels 30, 32 the table top 12 as shown in FIG. 5. The left legs 40F, 40R are coupled to the left panel 30 adjacent to a left end 30E of the table top 12, while the right legs 42F, 42R are coupled to the right panel 32 adjacent to a right end 32E of the table top 12. The left and the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R are each mounted to pivot relative to the table top 12 about an associated pivot axis 44, 46 so as to move from stowed storage position as shown in FIG. 5 to the expanded use position as shown in FIG. 7.

The foldable table 10 is movable from a folded configuration as shown in FIG. 4 to an unfolded configuration as shown in FIG. 7. In the folded configuration, the left and the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R are in the stowed storage position so that the left and the right panels 30, 32 are in the collapsed position. In the unfolded configuration, the left and the right panels 30, 32 are in the expanded position and the left and the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R are in the extended use position.

The leg motion-control unit 16 includes the left leg motion-control assembly 18L and the right leg motion-control assembly 18R as shown in FIG. 5. The left leg motion-control assembly 18L is coupled to the left panel 30 of the table top 12 and to the left legs 40F, 40R of the table top elevator 14. The right leg motion-control assembly 18R is coupled to the right panel 32 of the table top 12 and to the right legs 42F, 42R of the table top elevator 14. The left and the right leg motion-control assemblies 18L, 18R are substantially similar.

Each of the left and the right leg motion-control assemblies 18L, 18R illustratively includes a slide 20, a guide link 22, and a link lock 24 as shown in FIGS. 2-7. The slide 20 cooperates with the underside 35 of the table top 12 to define a track 38 along the underside 35 of the table top 12. The guide link 22 is located in the track 38 for sliding motion along the underside 35 of the table top 12. The guide link 22 is pivotably coupled to the associated left or right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R so that motion of the left and right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R from the stowed storage position to the extended use position is controlled by the guide link 22. The link lock 24 is coupled to the table top 12 and configured to selectively engage the guide link 22 to block movement of the guide link 22 when the legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R are in the extended use position.

The slide 20 includes bands 26, 28 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Each of the bands 26, 28 are fixed to the associated panel 32 of the table top 12 over a channel 36 formed in the underside 35 of the panel 32 to define the track 38 along the underside 35 of the table top 12. The track 38 extends between a proximal end 38P of the track 38 spaced apart from the link lock 24 and adjacent to the pivot joint 34 and a distal end 38D of the track 38 adjacent to the corresponding end 30E, 32E of the table top 12.

The guide link 22 has a U-shape including a mid-portion 50 and opposed ends 52, 54 that extend from the mid-portion 50 as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 6, and 7. The mid-portion 50 is located in the track 38 for sliding motion along the underside 35 of the table top 12. The opposed ends 52, 54 are opposite the mid-portion 50 and pivotably coupled to the associated left or right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R. One end 52 is pivotably coupled to the forward leg 40F, 42F, while the other end 54 is pivotably coupled to the rear leg 40R, 42R.

When the left or the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R are in stowed storage position, the guide link 22 is at the proximal end 38P of the track 38. To change the left and the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R to the extended use position, the guide link 22 is moved from the proximal end 38P of the track 38 toward the distal end 38D of the track 38 to cause the left and the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R to pivot from the stowed storage position to the extended use position. The link lock 24 is located at the distal end 38D of the track 38 so that when guide link 22 is moved to pivot the left or the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R to the extended use position, the link lock 24 engages the guide link 22 to retain the left or the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R to the extended use position.

In the illustrative embodiment, the link lock 24 includes a plate 60, a lock pin 62, and a spring 64 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 9. The plate 60 is coupled to the table top 12. The lock pin 62 is coupled to the plate 60 and moveable relative to the plate 60 along a pin axis 65 from a normally closed position as shown in FIG. 9 to an open position. The spring 64 is located between the lock pin 62 and the plate 60 and configured to provide a bias force to the lock pin 62 to urge the lock pin 62 toward the normally closed position.

In the normally closed position, the lock pin 62 engages the guide link 22 so that movement of the guide link 22 is blocked when the associated left or right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R are in the extended use position as shown in FIG. 9. In the open position, the lock pin 62 is spaced apart from the guide link 22 so that movement of the guide link 22 is permitted.

In the illustrative embodiment, the mid-portion 50 of the guide link 22 is shaped to include a pin hole 56 that receives the lock pin 62 as shown in FIG. 9. The lock pin 62 extends into the pin hole 56 in the closed position. The lock pin 62 is spaced apart from the pin hole 56 in the open position.

In the illustrative embodiment, the lock pin 62 is shaped to include a shaft 70, a first lip 72, and a second lip 74 as shown in FIG. 9. The shaft 70 extends between a first end 76 and a second end 78 spaced apart axially from the first end 76 relative to the pin axis 65. The first lip 72 extends radially outward from and circumferentially around the shaft 70 relative to the pin axis 65. The second lip 74 extends radially outward from and circumferentially around the shaft 70 relative to the pin axis 65.

The first end 76 of the shaft 70 engages the guide link 22 in the illustrative embodiment. The second end 78 is spaced apart from the first end 76 and defines a handle 80 for moving the lock pin 62.

The first lip 72 is spaced apart axially from the first end 76, while the second lip 74 is spaced apart axially between the second end 78 and the first lip 72. The shaft 70 extends through the plate 60 such that the first lip 72 is on one side of the plate 60, while the second lip 74 is on the other side of the plate 60. The second lip 74 has a greater diameter than the hole formed in the plate 60 through which the shaft 70 extends.

The spring 64 is located axially between the first and second lips 72, 74 relative to the pin axis 65. In the illustrative embodiment, the spring 64 is located axially between the plate 60 and the first lip 72. The spring 64 applies the bias force to the first lip 72 to urge the lock pin 62 toward the open position.

In the illustrative embodiment, the first end 76 of the lock pin 62 is rounded as shown in FIG. 9. The rounded surface, or cam surface, of the first end 76 allows movement of the guide link 22 into contact with the lock pin 62 to cause the lock pin 62 to move toward the open position. The movement of the guide link 22 compresses the spring 64 to move the lock pin 62 toward the open position.

As the guide link 22 is moved toward the link lock 24, the guide link 22 engages the first end 76 of the lock pin 62. When the guide link 22 is moved toward the distal end 38D of the track 38 into contact with the first end 76 of the lock pin 62, the lock pin 62 slides along the pin axis 65 from the normally closed position to the open position to allow the guide link 22 to pass the lock pin 62.

The lock pin 62 remains in the open position until the pin hole 56 in the guide link 22 aligns with the first end 76 of the lock pin 62. The spring 64 then biases the lock pin 62 into the pin hole 56 to block movement of the guide link 22, retaining the left or the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R in the extended use position.

To release the left or the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R, the user must apply the opening force to the handle 80 of the lock pin 62 to overcome the bias force. The opening force spaces the first end 76 of the lock pin 62 from the pin hole 56, which allows the guide link 22 to move relative to the table top 12.

A method of unfolding and folding the foldable table 10 may include several steps. To change the foldable table 10 from the folded configuration as shown in FIG. 4 to the unfolded configuration as shown in FIG. 7, the method begins by pivoting the left and the right panels 30, 32 away from each other to the expanded position to expose the underside 35 of the table top 12, and thus the leg motion-control unit 16.

Once, the table top 12 is in the expanded position, the left or the right leg motion-control assembly 18L, 18R may be used to change the left or the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R from the stowed storage position to the expanded use position. To do so, the guide link 22 is moved from the proximal end 38P of the track 38 to the distal end 38D of the track 38 so that the link lock 24 engages the guide link 22. The link lock 24 then retains the left or the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R in the expanded use position.

The same steps are repeated for the other of the left or right leg motion-control assembly 18L, 18R. With both the left and the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R in the expanded use position, the foldable table 10 is ready to be used.

To change the foldable table 10 from the unfolded configuration to the folded configuration, the user applies the opening force to the lock pin 62 of the link lock 24 to cause the lock pin 62 to change from the closed position to the open position. This allows the guide link 22 to move relative to the table top 12 so that the left or the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R may be moved from the extended use position to the stowed storage position.

The same steps are repeated for the other of the left or right leg motion-control assembly 18L, 18R. With both the left and the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R in the stowed storage position, the table top 12 may be pivoted to the collapsed position to cover the underside 35 of the table top 12.

Another embodiment of a foldable table 210 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 10-14. The foldable table 210 is substantially similar to the foldable table 10 shown in FIGS. 1-9 and described herein. Accordingly, similar reference numbers in the 200 series indicate features that are common between the foldable table 10 and the foldable table 210. The description of the foldable table 10 is incorporated by reference to apply to the foldable table 210, except in instances when it conflicts with the specific description and the drawings of the foldable table 210.

The foldable table 210 includes a table top 212, a table top elevator 214 that supports the table top 212 above the underlying floor 11, and a leg motion-control unit 216 as shown in FIG. 10. The table top 212 includes a left panel 230 and a right panel 232. The table top elevator 214 includes left legs 240F, 240R coupled to the left panel 230 of the table top 212 and right legs 242F, 242R coupled to the right panel 232 of the table top 212. The left and the right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R are each mounted to pivot relative to the table top 212 so as to move from the expanded use position to the stowed storage position. The leg motion-control unit 216 includes a left leg motion-control assembly 218L and a right leg motion-control assembly 218R.

The leg motion-control unit 216 is configured to provide means for controlling motion of the left or the right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R during motion of the legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R between the extended use position and the stowed storage position. The leg motion-control unit 216 is also configured to provide means for automatically retaining the left or the right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R in the extended use position during use of the foldable table 10.

In the illustrative embodiment, each of the assemblies 218L, 218R include a cam lock 224 for selectively retaining the left and the right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R in the extended use position during use of the foldable table 210. The cam lock 224 includes a cam latch 266 coupled to the table top to pivot relative to the table top from a normally closed position as shown in FIGS. 12 and 14 to an open position as shown in FIG. 13. The cam latch 266 pivots from the normally closed position to the open position when the associated left or right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R are moved from the stowed storage position to the extended use position.

Each of the left and the right leg motion-control assemblies 218L, 218R illustratively includes a slide 220, a guide link 222, and the cam lock 224 as shown in FIGS. 11-14. The slide 220 includes bands 226, 228 are fixed to the table top 212 over a channel 236 formed in the underside 235 of the table top 212 to define a track 238 along the underside 235 of the table top 212. The guide link 222 is located in the track 38 for sliding motion along the underside 235 of the table top 212. The guide link 222 is pivotably coupled to the associated left or right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R so that motion of the left and right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R between the extended use position and the stowed storage position is controlled by the guide link 222. The cam lock 224 is coupled to the table top 212 and configured to selectively engage the guide link 222 to block movement of the guide link 222 when the legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R are in the extended use position.

The cam latch 266 included in the cam lock 224 pivots open and then closes in response to movement of the guide link 22 to the distal end 238D of the track 238 when the corresponding left or right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R are pulled to the extended use position. The cam lock 224 includes an cam surface 282 so that when the guide link 222 is moved toward the distal end 238D of the track 238 into contact with the cam surface 282, the cam latch 266 pivots from the normally closed position to the open position. This allows the guide link 222 to pass the cam latch 266 to the distal end 238D of the track 238. Then the cam latch 266 pivots back toward the normally closed position to retain the guide link 22 at the distal end 238D of the track 238.

This allows the user to change the left or the right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R to the extended use position and automatically retain the left or the right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R in the extended use position using only one hand. The movement of the left or the right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R from the stowed storage position to the extended use position causes retention of the left or the right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R in the extended use position. The cam latch 266 also provides means for releasing the left or the right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R using only one hand to allow the left or the right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R to move from the extended use position to the stowed storage position.

The cam lock 224 includes the cam latch 266 and a spring 264 as shown in FIGS. 11-14. The cam latch 266 is coupled to the table top 212 to pivot relative to the table top 212 between the normally closed position and open position about a cam axis 267. The spring 264 is located between the cam latch 266 and the table top 212. The spring 264 is configured to provide a bias force to the cam latch 266 to urge the cam latch 266 toward the closed position.

The cam latch 266 is shaped to include the cam surface 282 and an engagement surface 284 as shown in FIGS. 11-14. The cam surface 282 is shaped so that when the guide link 222 is moved toward the distal end 238D of the track 238, as indicated by arrow 290, into contact with the cam surface 282, the cam latch 266 pivots from the normally closed position to the open position. This allows the guide link 222 to pass the cam latch 266 to the distal end 238D of the track 238 as shown in FIG. 13. The spring 264 the biases the cam latch 266 to pivot back toward the normally closed position to retain the guide link 22 at the distal end 238D of the track 238. The engagement surface 284 has the same profile shape as the guide link 222 to engage and retain the guide link 222 to block movement of the legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R are in the extended use position.

In the illustrative embodiment, the cam latch 266 is shaped to include indentations 286 as shown in FIGS. 11-14. The indentations 286 extend into the cam latch 286 to provide a handle grip for the user. The handle grip is configured to assist in assist in receiving an opening force applied to the cam latch 266 by the user when changing the associated left or right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R from the extended use position to the stowed storage position.

The guide link 222 has a U-shape including a mid-portion 250 and opposed ends 252, 254 that extend from the mid-portion 250 as shown in FIGS. 11-14. The mid-portion 250 is located in the track 238 for sliding motion along the underside 235 of the table top 212. The opposed ends 252, 254 are opposite the mid-portion 250 and pivotably coupled to the associated left or right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R. One end 252 is pivotably coupled to the forward leg 240F, 242F, while the other end 254 is pivotably coupled to the rear leg 240R, 242R.

To change the left and the right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R to the extended use position, the guide link 222 is moved toward the cam lock 224 located at the distal end 38D of the track 238 to cause the left or the right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R to pivot from the stowed storage position to the extended use position. The mid-portion 250 of the guide link 222 is moved toward the distal end 238D of the track 238 into the cam surface 282 to cause the cam latch 266 to pivot toward the open position as shown in FIG. 13.

As the guide link 222 continues to move toward the distal end 238D of the track 238, the guide link 22 moves past an end 283 of the cam latch 266. The engagement surface 284 is contoured to match the shape of the mid-portion 250 of the guide link 222 to cause the cam latch 266 to pivot back to the closed position as shown in FIG. 14. The engagement surface 284 of the cam latch 266 engages the mid-portion 250 of the guide link 222 and block movement of the left or the right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R in the extended use position

To release the left or the right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R, the user must apply the opening force to the cam latch 266 of the cam lock 224 to overcome the bias force. The opening force pivots the end 283 of the cam latch 266 away from the table top 212 to create a space for the guide link 222 to pass through, which allows the guide link 222 to move relative to the table top 212.

A method of unfolding and folding the foldable table 210 may include several steps. The method for unfolding the foldable table 210 is substantially similar to the method of unfolding the foldable table 10. Once, the table top 212 is in the expanded position, the left or the right leg motion-control assembly 218L, 218R may be used to change the left or the right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R from the stowed storage position to the expanded use position. To do so, the guide link 222 is moved toward the distal end 238D of the track 238 so that the cam lock 224 engages the guide link 222. The cam lock 224 then retains the left or the right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R in the expanded use position.

The same steps are repeated for the other of the left or right leg motion-control assembly 218L, 218R. With both the left and the right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R in the expanded use position, the foldable table 10 is ready to be used.

To change the foldable table 210 from the unfolded configuration to the folded configuration, the user applies the opening force to the cam latch 266 of the cam lock 224 to cause the cam latch 266 to pivot from the closed position to the open position. This allows the guide link 222 to move relative to the table top 212 so that the left or the right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R may be moved from the extended use position to the stowed storage position. The same steps are repeated for the other of the left or right leg motion-control assembly 218L, 218R.

While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the foregoing drawings and description, the same is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected.

Claims

1. A foldable table comprising

a table top having a topside surface and an underside surface opposite the topside surface,
a table top elevator configured to support the table top above an underlying floor, the table top elevator including left legs pivotably coupled to the table top adjacent to a left end of the table top and right legs pivotably coupled to the table top adjacent to a right end of the table top, each of the left legs and right legs configured to pivot relative to the table top about an associated pivot axis from a stowed storage position in which the left and right legs extend along the underside of the table top to an extended use position in which the left and right legs extend from the underside of the table top, and
leg motion-controller means for (i) coordinating motion of the left legs during movement of the left legs from the stowed storage position to the extended use position, (ii) automatically retaining the left legs in the extended use position in response to movement of the left legs to the extended use position without user activation of a lock included in the leg motion-controller so that movement of the left legs from the stowed storage position to the extended use position causes retention of the left legs in the extended use position, and (iii) releasing the left legs to move from the extended use position to the stowed storage position by engaging the lock using only one hand.

2. The foldable table of claim 1, further comprising leg motion-controller means for (i) coordinating motion of the right legs during movement of the right legs from the stoward storage position to the extended use position, (ii) automatically retaining the right legs in the extended use position in response to movement of the right legs to the extended use position without user activation of another lock included in the leg motion-controller so that movement of the right legs from the stowed storage position to the extended use position causes retention of the right legs in the extended use position, and (iii) releasing the right legs to move from the extended use position to the stowed storage position by engaging the associated lock using only one hand.

3. The foldable table of claim 2, wherein the leg motion-controller includes a left leg motion-control assembly configured to coordinate motion of the left legs during movement of the left legs from the stowed storage position to the extend use position and a right leg motion-control assembly configured to coordinate motion of the right legs during movement of the right legs from the stowed storage position to the extend use position, each of the left and right leg motion-control assemblies including a slide fixed to the underside surface of the table top over a channel formed in underside surface of the table top to define a track along the underside surface of the table top, a guide link located in the track for sliding motion along the underside surface of the table top and pivotably coupled to the associated left or right legs so that motion of the left and right legs between the extended use position and the stowed storage position is controlled by the guide link in the track, and the associated lock coupled to the table top and configured to selectively engage the guide link to block movement of the guide link when the associated left or right legs are in the extended use position.

4. The foldable table of claim 3, wherein the guide link has a U-shape including a mid-potion located in the track for sliding motion along the underside of the table top and opposed ends opposite the mid-portion and pivotably coupled to the associated left or right legs.

5. The foldable table of claim 3, wherein the slide includes a first band and a second band spaced apart from the first band that extend over the channel formed in the associated left or right panel of the table top to define the track along the underside of the table top.

6. The foldable table of claim 3, wherein the lock includes a cam latch coupled to the table top to pivot relative to the table top from a normally closed position to an open position in response to movement of the guide link toward a distal end of the track when the associated left or right legs are moved from the stowed storage position to the extended use position and a spring located between the cam latch and the table top and configured to provide a bias force to the cam latch to urge the cam latch toward the normally closed position when the guide link reaches the distal end of the track.

7. The foldable table of claim 6, wherein the cam latch is formed to include a cam surface shaped so that when the guide link is moved toward the distal end of the track into contact with the cam surface the cam latch pivots from the normally closed position to the open position to allow the guide link to pass the cam latch to the distal end of the track and the cam latch pivots back toward the normally closed position to retain the guide link at the distal end of the track.

8. The foldable table of claim 7, wherein the cam latch is shaped to include indentations sized to receive fingers of a user that provide a handle grip configured to assist in receiving an opening force applied to the cam latch by the user when changing the associated left or right legs from the extended use position to the stowed storage position.

9. The foldable table of claim 3, wherein the link lock includes a plate coupled to the table top, a lock pin coupled to the plate and moveable relative to the plate along a pin axis from a normally closed position in which the movement of the guide link is blocked when the associated left or right legs are in the extended use position and an open position in which movement of the guide link is permitted, and a spring located between the lock pin and the plate and configured to provide a bias force to the lock pin to urge the lock pin toward the normally closed position.

10. The foldable table of claim 9, wherein the mid-portion of the guide link is formed to include a pin hole and the lock pin extends into the pin hole when the associated left or right legs are in the extended use position to block movement of the guide link.

11. A foldable table comprising

a table top including a left panel, a right panel, and a pivot joint that interconnects the left panel and the right panel to allow movement of the table top from a collapsed position in which the left panel and the right panel are arranged to extend along one another so as to cover an underside of the table top and an expanded position in which the left panel and the right panel are arranged to extend away from one another and exposing the underside of the table top,
a table top elevator configured to support the table top above an underlying floor, the table top elevator including left legs pivotably coupled to the left panel of the table top and right legs pivotably coupled to the right panel of the table top, each of the left legs and right legs configured to pivot relative to the table top about an associated pivot axis from a stowed storage position in which the left and right legs extend along the underside of the table top and an extended use position in which the left and right legs extend from the underside of the table top, and
a leg motion-control unit configured to control motion of the left legs and motion of the right legs from the stowed storage position to the extend use position during use of the foldable table and configured to retain the left and right legs in the extended use position during use of the foldable table, the leg motion-control unit including a left leg motion-control assembly configured to coordinate motion of the left legs during movement of the left legs from the stowed storage position to the extend use position and a right leg motion-control assembly configured to coordinate motion of the right legs during movement of the right legs from the stowed storage position to the extend use position,
wherein each of the left and right leg motion-control assemblies includes a slide fixed to the underside of the table top over a channel formed in the associated left or right panel of the table top to define a track along the underside of the table top, a guide link located in the track for sliding motion along the underside of the table top and pivotably coupled to the associated left or right legs so that motion of the left and right legs between the extended use position and the stowed storage position is controlled by the guide link in the track, and a link lock coupled to the table top and configured to selectively engage the guide link to block movement of the guide link when the associated left or right legs are in the extended use position.

12. The foldable table of claim 11, wherein the guide link has a U-shape including a mid-potion located in the track for sliding motion along the underside of the table top and opposed ends opposite the mid-portion and pivotably coupled to the associated left or right legs.

13. The foldable table of claim 12, wherein the slide includes a first band and a second band spaced apart from the first band that extend over the channel formed in the associated left or right panel of the table top to define the track along the underside of the table top.

14. The foldable table of claim 13, wherein the link lock includes a cam latch coupled to the table top to pivot relative to the table top from a normally closed position to an open position in response to movement of the guide link toward a distal end of the track when the associated left or right legs are moved from the stowed storage position to the extended use position and a spring located between the cam latch and the table top and configured to provide a bias force to the cam latch to urge the cam latch toward the normally closed position when the guide link reaches the distal end of the track.

15. The foldable table of claim 14, wherein the cam latch is formed to include a cam surface shaped so that when the guide link is moved toward the distal end of the track into contact with the cam surface the cam latch pivots from the normally closed position to the open position to allow the guide link to pass the cam latch to the distal end of the track and the cam latch pivots back toward the normally closed position to retain the guide link at the distal end of the track.

16. The foldable table of claim 15, wherein the cam latch is shaped to include indentations sized to receive fingers of a user that provide a handle grip configured to assist in receiving an opening force applied to the cam latch by the user when changing the associated left or right legs from the extended use position to the stowed storage position.

17. The foldable table of claim 13, wherein the link lock includes a plate coupled to the table top, a lock pin coupled to the plate and moveable relative to the plate along a pin axis from a normally closed position in which the movement of the guide link is blocked when the associated left or right legs are in the extended use position and an open position in which movement of the guide link is permitted, and a spring located between the lock pin and the plate and configured to provide a bias force to the lock pin to urge the lock pin toward the normally closed position.

18. The foldable table of claim 17, wherein the mid-portion of the guide link is formed to include a pin hole and the lock pin extends into the pin hole when the associated left or right legs are in the extended use position to block movement of the guide link.

19. The foldable table of claim 11, wherein the link lock includes a cam latch coupled to the table top to pivot relative to the table top from a normally closed position to an open position in response to movement of the guide link toward a distal end of the track when the associated left or right legs are moved from the stowed storage position to the extended use position and a spring located between the cam latch and the table top and configured to provide a bias force to the cam latch to urge the cam latch toward the normally closed position when the guide link reaches the distal end of the track.

20. The foldable table of claim 19, wherein the cam latch is formed to include a cam surface shaped so that when the guide link is moved toward the distal end of the track into contact with the cam surface the cam latch pivots from the normally closed position to the open position to allow the guide link to pass the cam latch to the distal end of the track and the cam latch pivots back toward the normally closed position to retain the guide link at the distal end of the track.

Patent History
Publication number: 20210378396
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 4, 2021
Publication Date: Dec 9, 2021
Inventors: Jason A. Boyer (Columbus, IN), Kyle J. Lawrence (Greenfield, IN)
Application Number: 17/339,347
Classifications
International Classification: A47B 3/08 (20060101); A47B 3/087 (20060101);