US20030167980A1 - Folding structure - Google Patents
Folding structure Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20030167980A1 US20030167980A1 US10/373,407 US37340703A US2003167980A1 US 20030167980 A1 US20030167980 A1 US 20030167980A1 US 37340703 A US37340703 A US 37340703A US 2003167980 A1 US2003167980 A1 US 2003167980A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- leg
- stud
- folded
- supporting
- leg stud
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B3/00—Folding or stowable tables
- A47B3/08—Folding or stowable tables with legs pivoted to top or underframe
- A47B3/0809—Folding or stowable tables with legs pivoted to top or underframe with elastic locking means
- A47B3/0815—Folding or stowable tables with legs pivoted to top or underframe with elastic locking means the resilient force of the elastic locking means acting in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the leg
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C4/00—Foldable, collapsible or dismountable chairs
- A47C4/04—Folding chairs with inflexible seats
- A47C4/18—Folding chairs with inflexible seats having a frame made of metal
- A47C4/20—Folding chairs with inflexible seats having a frame made of metal with legs pivotably connected to seat or underframe
Abstract
The invention relates to a folding structure provided with a lock structure for the folding leg stud, which is capable of releasing the respective locked state by pressing the lock lever being in almost the same standby position even when the leg stud is deployed or folded.
In this folding structure, even when the lock device as described above is used, the leg stud is allowed for compact storage without taking much space and thus a highly reliable folding structure can be provided.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to a folding structure having a lock device for locking a leg stud foldably mounted on a basal plate such as a top board or a seat board in a deployed position and a folded position respectively.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- In the related art, as a folding structure such as a desk in which a foldable leg stud is locked, a lock device disclosed in Japanese Examined Utility Model Publication No.61-32507 is known. In this structure, since the leg stud is locked when it is in the deployed state but not in the folded state, there arise problems such that it may unexpectedly move in the deploying direction when the folded leg stud is lifted up for transportation.
- Therefore, it is desired that the leg stud be locked not only in the deployed state, but also in the folded state.
- Since the locking positions of the leg stud between the deployed state and the folded state are away from each other by the extent corresponding to the rotational angle of the leg stud, a locking structure including separate locking members is conceivable. However, there is a drawback that the structure is increased in size and in complexity.
- Therefore, deployment of a lock device in which locking and unlocking operations of the leg stud can be performed by means of an identical lock lever both in the deployed position and a the folded position analogously has been expected.
- On the other hand, in the folding structure provided with this type of lock device, since the leg stud is folded over the lock device, the height in the folded state increases correspondingly.
- Therefore, there are recognized problems in that an extra space for storage is required and in that they take up much space when it is stacked one on another.
- With such problems in view, it is a first subject of the invention to provide a reliable locking structure of the folding leg stud in which the respective locked states may be released by pressing a lock lever in the standby position toward the basal board both for deploying and folding the leg stud.
- It is a second subject of the invention to provide a locking structure of the folding leg stud provided with a stopper on a supporting bracket for rotatably attaching the leg stud for limiting the deployed position and the folded position of the leg stud so that the overall structure is simplified and thus the costs are saved.
- With the drawbacks described above in view, it is a third subject of the invention mainly to provide a novel folding structure in which the leg stud can be folded without taking much space even with the lock device as described above.
- It is a fourth subject of the invention to provide a reliable folding structure that allows for compact storage.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a lock device in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention in the mounted state;
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a table in accordance with the first embodiment;
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lock device showing a state in which the leg stud is in the folded position;
- FIG. 4 is a side view of the same;
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lock device showing a state in which the leg stud is in the deployed position;
- FIG. 6 is a side view of the same;
- FIG. 7A is a partial side view of the lock device showing a state in which the leg stud is in the deployed position;
- FIG. 7B is a partial side view of the lock device showing a state in which the leg stud is in the folded position;
- FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing the mounted state of the lock device for a table in accordance with a second embodiment;
- FIG. 9 is a side view of the lock device in a state in which the leg stud is in the folded position;
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a table in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention;
- FIG. 11 is a front view of the leg stud in a folded position;
- FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a table in accordance with the fourth embodiment;
- FIG. 13 is a front view of the same;
- FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a principal portion of the third embodiment;
- FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the principal portion in a state in which the leg stud is in the deployed position;
- FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the principal portion in a state in which the leg stud is in the folded position;
- FIG. 17 is a side view of the principal portion in a state in which the leg stud is in the deployed position;
- FIG. 18 is a side view of the principal portion in a state in which the leg stud is on route between the folded position and the deployed position;
- FIG. 19 is a side view of the principal portion in a state in which the leg stud is in the folded position;
- FIG. 20A is a partial side view showing the locking state of the lock device in a state in which the leg stud is in the deployed position;
- FIG. 20B is a partial side view showing the locking state of the lock device in a state in which the leg stud is in the folded position;
- FIG. 21 is a partial perspective view showing a leg stud in accordance with another embodiment;
- FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the lock device showing a state in which the leg stud is in the deployed position in accordance with a fifth embodiment;
- FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the lock device showing a state in which the leg stud is in the folding position in accordance with a fifth embodiment; and
- FIG. 24 is a side view of the lock device showing a state in which the leg stud is in the deployed position in accordance with a fifth embodiment.
- Referring now to the drawings, an embodiment in which a folding structure is applied to a table will be described.
- A table T1 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 comprises a top board A, a pair of
leg studs 5 mounted on the top board A so as to be rotatable between the deployed position and the folded position, and alock device 1 for locking theleg stud 5 in the deployed position and in the folded position. - In the figure, the reference sign C designates a proximal cap of the leg stud, D designates a height adjustment screw of the leg stud, E designates a caster, F designates a side end cap of the leg stud, and G designates a horizontal adjustment screw.
- The
leg stud 5 in the figure comprises a supportingleg portion 5 a and aleg base portion 5 b extending in the fore-and-aft direction at the lower end thereof. - The
leg stud 5 is rotatably attached to the supportingbracket 2 fixed on the backside of the top board A with a first pin P1 via acam bracket 3 of thelock device 1 provided at the upper end of the supportingleg portion 5 a so as to be rotatable between the deployed position and the folded position. - The
lock device 1 comprises, as shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 6, the supportingbracket 2 including alock lever 4 rotatably attached thereto with a second pin P2 and thecam bracket 3 to be rotatably attached to the supportingbracket 2 with the first pin P1 in combination. - In other words, the supporting
bracket 2 comprises abasal plate portion 20 integrally therewith, and is secured integrally on the backside of the top board A with atap screw 12. - The supporting
bracket 2 includes aside plate 2 a, whereof the end on the leg stud side forms adeployment stopper 21 defining a prescribed angle (angle of deployment of the leg stud; 90 degrees in the example shown in the figure) with respect to the top board A. - Therefore, the angle of deployment of the
leg stud 5 may be determined to a desired angle by adjusting the angle of that end, that is, the deployment stopper 21, with respect to the top board A. - The lower edge of the
side plate 2 a of the supportingbracket 2 is provided with a recess serving as alock pin stopper 22, which will be described later, and afold stopper 23 formed at the lowest edge thereof for supporting the leg stud 5 (the supportingleg portion 5 a in this embodiment) in a folded position. - The
lock lever 4 is rotatably attached to theside plate 2 a of the supportingbracket 2 with the second pin P2 in the position away from the position in which the first pin P1 is passed through, so that it is capable of tilting. - A
coil spring 8 is routed between thelock lever 4 and the supportingbracket 2 via thehooks 9 fixedly provided thereon respectively for urging thelock lever 4 in the locking direction (the direction in which alock pin 7 moves toward the top board A). - The
lock lever 4 has a pair of left andright side plates 4 a each formed with a hole for passing the second pin P2 at the midway thereof, and is provided with thelock pin 7 that serves as a locking portion fixedly at the front end, and alever handle 41 that serves as an operating strip molded at the rear end integrally therewith with a bent portion interposed therebetween. - The
lever handle 41 may be covered with resin or rubber to improve a tactile impression. - The
cam bracket 3 fixed on theleg stud 5 has a channel shape in cross section, and the left andright side plates 3 a thereof serve as locking cam strips 30. The bottom of the channel extends outward to form afold receiving surface 36 for receiving thefold stopper 23, which will be described late, when it is brought into contact therewith. - The
locking cam strip 30 comprises a deploymentlock receiving portion 32 and a foldlock receiving portion 35, and atrace cam 34 formed between the receivingportions lock pin 7 of thelock lever 4 is always kept in contact therewith by the urging force. - The
locking cam strip 30 is formed with the foldlock receiving portion 35 in the position where thelock pin 7 engages so that the lever handle 41 is disposed between the folded supportingleg portion 5 a and the top board A in the standby position, that is, in almost parallel therewith, when theleg stud 5 is folded (See FIG. 3, FIG. 4). - In the case of the example shown in the figure, the locking
cam strip 30 is formed with a notch to form apassage section 33 on the proximal side along the supportingleg portion 5 a in such a manner that thelock pin 7 is fitted into the space between the lockingcam strip 30 and the supportingleg portion 5 a when theleg stud 5 is folded, and is formed with the foldlock receiving portion 35 recessed in thepassage section 33 in the position orthogonal thereto. - The fold
lock receiving portion 35 is adapted to be in alignment with thelock pin stopper 22 in a position in which the leg stud is folded as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. - The opened side of the
passage section 33 continuing into the foldlock receiving portion 35 projects as alock claw portion 31 and constrains thelock pin 7 even when a force of theleg stud 5 in the deploying direction is exerted thereon. - The
locking cam strip 30 is formed with a deploymentlock receiving portion 32 in the position away from the foldlock receiving portion 35 to the extent corresponding to the angle between the deployed position and the folded position of theleg stud 5 about a fulcrum to which theleg stud 5 is rotatably attached (P1). - When the
leg stud 5 is deployed as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, thelock pin 7 engages the deploymentlock receiving portion 32, and in that position, the lever handle 41 takes almost the same position as the standby position that is taken when theleg stud 5 is folded. - In such arrangement, when the
leg stud 5 is deployed, the supportingleg portion 5 a is brought into contact with thedeployment stopper 21 of the supportingbracket 2, which defines a locking surface R1, for preventing further rotation as shown in FIG. 7A, and thelock pin 7 of thelock lever 4 engages the deploymentlock receiving portion 32 that forms a deployment locking point R2 for locking theleg stud 5 in the deployed position. - At this moment, the lever handle41 takes the standby position away from the backside of the top board A in substantially parallel therewith as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.
- When the lever handle41 is pressed toward the top board (the direction a in the figure) and the
lock lever 4 is rotated about the second pin P2, thelock pin 7 comes out from the deploymentlock receiving portion 32 and thus is released therefrom. Then theleg stud 5 is rotated in the folding direction (the direction b) about the first pin P1, and is displaced to the locking surface R5 on which theleg stud 5 is brought into contact with the fold stopper 23 (See FIG. 6, FIG. 7B). - In order to rotate the
leg stud 5 in the folding direction, by moving the hand away from thelever handle 41, thelock pin 7 is tilted against thetrace cam 34 formed on the edge of thelocking cam strip 30 by a urging force, and in the folding position shown in FIG. 4, it is moved from thepassage section 33 over the deploymentlock claw portion 31 and then is automatically fitted into and engaged with the foldlock receiving portion 35, and thus is constrained by the fold locking point R3 and the bottom dead center of the lock lever R4, so that the reverse rotation of theleg stud 5 in the deploying direction (the direction c) is constrained (See FIG. 7b). - In this embodiment, the first pin P1 is set slightly below the second pin P2, and the locking points R2, R3 between the
lock pin 7 and therespective receiving portions leg stud 5. - As described above, the lever handle41 is disposed between the
leg stud 5 and the top board A in almost parallel therewith when theleg stud 5 is folded, and moves back to the position almost the same as the standby position which is taken when theleg stud 5 is deployed (See FIG. 3, FIG. 4). - In order to deploy the
leg stud 5 again from the folded position, the lever handle 41 is pressed toward the top board A in the direction a analogously, theleg stud 5 is tilted in the deploying direction about the first pin P1 while tilting thelock lever 4 about the second pin P2, then thelock pin 7 is freed from the foldlock receiving portion 35 and is allowed to move over thelock claw portion 31 and get out from thepassage section 33. - Since the
lock pin 7 gives a force to theleg stud 5 in the deploying direction within the range of its rotational trajectory when theleg stud 5 is kept in a stationary state, theleg stud 5 is urged in the deploying direction and thus it can easily be deployed. - Subsequently, the
leg stud 5 is gripped and rotated in the deploying direction (direction c), and is displaced to the position where it comes into contact with thedeployment stopper 21 shown in FIG. 6. - In this case, the locking
pin 7 that is not subjected to a pressing force now is brought into contact with and moved along thetrace cam 34 of thelocking cam strip 30 by a resilient force, and then is automatically fitted into the deploymentlock receiving portion 32 in the position where theleg stud 5 is brought into contact with thedeployment stopper 21. - As described above, the standby position of the lever handle41 at this moment is almost the same position as the standby position that is taken when the
leg stud 5 is folded. - In this embodiment, an angle formed by the
deployment stopper 21 defined by the edge of theside plate 3 a of the supportingbracket 3 and the top board A is the angle at which theleg stud 5 is held. Therefore, the angle of theleg stud 5 when being deployed is not limited to perpendicular, but it may be set to a desired angle, such as tapered legs that are broaden toward the floor. - Likewise, the angle formed between the
leg stud 5 and the top board A in the folded position is determined by the distance from the top board (height) of thefold stopper 23. Therefore, theleg stud 5 in the folded state is not necessarily in parallel with the top board A as the example shown in the figure, but the folded position may be set at any desired angle by varying the height of thefold stopper 23. - Since this embodiment comprises the supporting
bracket 2 having thelock lever 4 rotatably attached thereon and thecam bracket 3 as described above, it may be mounted freely irrespective of the types or the configurations of theleg stud 5. - In other words, while the case where the
leg stud 5 is T-shape in plan view is shown in the embodiment, it may be any other configuration. - For example, as a table T2 in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, when the
leg stud 5 is U-shape in plan view or inverted angular U and comprises a pair of supportinglegs 5 a′ and an upperhorizontal member 5 c connecting the upper ends thereof, the supportingbracket 2 of thelock device 1 and thecam bracket 3 are increased in width and set to have a height not more than the height of the upperhorizontal member 5 a. - The
fold stopper 23 is disposed between thedeployment stopper 21 and thelock pin stopper 22, so as to be able to come into contact with thefold receiving surface 36 of the upperhorizontal member 5 a in the folded state. - The
spring 8 is fitted on the second pin P2, and engaged with thelock lever 4 at one end and with the bottom of the channel of the supportingbracket 2 at the other end, so as to urge thelock lever 4 in the locking direction. - Since other constructions are the same as those of the
lock device 1 of the table T1 described in the first embodiment, the identical parts are designated by the identical numerals and will not be described again. - A table T3 in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 comprises the top board A, the
leg stud 5 rotatably attached to the top board A so as to be capable of being deployed and folded freely, and alock device 1 for locking theleg stud 5 in the deployed position and in the folded position. - The
leg stud 5 of this embodiment is substantially inverted U-shape comprising a pair of supportingleg portions 51, and ahorizontal member 52 connecting the upper ends of the supportingleg portions 51. - The
leg stud 5 is rotatably attached to the supportingbracket 2 fixed on the backside of the top board A with the first pin P1 via thecam bracket 3 of thelock device 1 provided at the center of thehorizontal member 52 so as to be rotatably between the deployed position and the folded position. - The
horizontal member 52 has acenter portion 52 a formed into the horizontal surface, and both of the left and right ends 52 b incline gradually inwardly or toward the inside of the leg studs in the deployed position, that is, toward the top board A when the leg stud is folded. - In the example shown in the figure, as is clear from FIG. 14, the
horizontal member 52 is provided with acylindrical portion 53 integrally attached to the end thereof, aleg stud body 54 is fitted into thecylindrical portion 53 from above in the figure, and aprotective cap 55 formed of synthetic resin or rubber is engaged from the lower side of the figure, so that both of them are secured to form the supportingleg portion 51. - Though the
protective cap 55 and theleg stud body 54 are fixed together with a screw to form a single unit in the example shown in the figure, the way to fix them together as a single unit is not specifically limited and theleg stud body 54 may be fixed directly to thecylindrical portion 53. - In such an arrangement, as shown in FIG. 11, the
horizontal member 52 of theleg stud 5 is positioned away from the backside of the top board A due to the existence of thelock device 1 when theleg stud 5 is folded. - On the other hand, since the supporting
leg portion 51 is positioned close to the top board A due to the inclination of the horizontal member on both ends, it never project over thehorizontal member 52. - FIG. 21 shows a supporting
leg portion 51′ according to another embodiment. - In this case, a
plate bracket 56 is integrally attached to the end of thehorizontal member 52, and thebracket 56 is formed with a screw hole. - On the other hand, a
leg stud body 54′ is formed of a wooden column, and formed with arecess 54 a′ on the upper inner side. The bottom wall of therecess 54 a′ is formed with a pair of upper and lower holes. - The
bracket 56 is fitted into therecess 54 a′ and retained, and then a receivingportion 57 having cylindrical nuts integrally formed thereon is positioned from the outside, and each nut is fitted into the hole. - Then, a screw that is not shown in the figure is screwed through the screw hole on the
bracket 56 and the hole on the bottom wall that is aligned thereto into the nut of the receivingportion 57, so that thebracket 56 and the receivingportion 57 are secured. - Accordingly, the
leg stud 5 having a supportingleg portion 51′ formed of pure wood can be used in the above described embodiment. - As a matter of course, the connecting structure between the supporting
leg portion 51 and thehorizontal member 52 is not limited to the embodiment described above. - When stacking the tables A in accordance with this embodiment, the thickness of the table A is not more than the thickness up to the
horizontal member 52, and thus it allows for a compact storage. In this arrangement, it is possible to decrease the thickness of the table, but it is necessary to set the top board A to the length at least twice the length of theleg stud 5. - Therefore, dephasing the left and
right leg studs 5 in the lateral direction so that they are positioned alternately is contemplated to reduce the length of top board A to some extent, but it also has a limit. In addition to it, it is required to increase the width of the top board A. - Accordingly, a table T4 in accordance with the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 has a construction in which the
leg studs 5 are folded one on another. - In this case, only the
horizontal member 52 of one of theleg studs 5 is inclined so that the sides to which the supportingleg portions 51 are connected come closer to the top board A when being folded. Therefore, the supportingleg portions 51 are disposed closer to the top board A with respect to thecenter portion 52 a of thehorizontal member 52 when being folded. - Then, the supporting
leg portions 51 of the opposite leg stud (5′ for the convenience of explanation) are disposed so as to be overlaid thereon. - In this arrangement, the length of the top board A can be reduced as much as possible as shown in the figure, and the width can be determined corresponding to the width of the
leg stud 5, thereby realizing further size reduction. - In this embodiment, the supporting
leg portions 51 are formed in plate shape but not in column shape, and the dimensions thereof are determined so that the height of the overlapped supportingleg portions 51 of the opposedseparate leg studs 5 does not exceed the height of thecenter portion 52 a of thehorizontal member 52. - Here, in the tables T3, T4 according to the third and fourth embodiment, the
same lock device 1 that is shown in FIG. 17 through FIG. 20 is used. - The
lock device 1 of FIG. 17 through FIG. 19 is the same as thelock device 1 of the tables T2 in the second embodiment, and thelock device 1 of FIG. 20 is different from thelock device 1 of the tables T1 and T2 in the first and the second embodiment in that thefold stopper 23 is not provided, and other constructions are the same. - In other words, the
lock device 1 comprises a supportingbracket 2 including thelock lever 4 rotatably attached thereto with the second pin P2, and thecam bracket 3 to be rotatably attached to the supportingbracket 2 with the first pin P1 in combination. - The
side plate 2 a of the supportingbracket 2 is formed with a recess at the lower edge thereof, which serves as thelock pin stopper 22, and thefold stopper 23 is not formed as described above. Since other constructions are the same as the lock device of the preceding embodiments, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals and are not described again. - FIG. 17 shows a state in which the leg stud is deployed, which corresponds to FIG. 6 illustrating the first embodiment.
- FIG. 19 shows a state in which the leg stud is folded, which corresponds to FIG. 4 illustrating the first embodiment.
- FIG. 18 shows a state in which the leg stud is in the course of moving from the folded position to the deployed position.
- FIG. 20A shows a locked state when the leg stud is deployed, FIG. 20B is an explanatory drawing showing a locked state with the leg stud folded, which correspond to FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrating the first embodiment respectively.
- Since the
fold stopper 23 is not provided on the supportingbracket 2, theleg stud 5 does not come into contact with the supportingbracket 2 when being folded. - Other constructions are the same.
- In this embodiment, since the
lock device 1 comprises the supportingbracket 2 including thelock lever 4 rotatably attached thereto and thecam bracket 3, it can be mounted freely irrespective of the types or configurations of theleg stud 5. - In other words, while the
horizontal member 52 of theleg stud 5 was inclined at both ends in the preceding embodiment, it may be any arbitrary configurations such as a construction in which thehorizontal member 52 is bent at a right angle or a construction in which thehorizontal member 52 is bent with a shoulder. - The
spring 8 may be fitted on the second pin P2, and engaged with thelock lever 4 at one end and with the bottom of the channel of the supportingbracket 2 at the other end, so as to urge thelock lever 4 in the locking direction. - The supporting
bracket 2 may be formed with a side as a fold stopper that comes into contact with thecenter portion 52 a of thehorizontal member 52 when being folded. - Material of the top board A or of the
leg stud 5 may be metal, wood, and resin. What is essential is that the supportingbracket 2 or thecam bracket 3 can be secured. The configuration is not limited to pipe, and may be pure material, round material, or square material. - The target object to which the
lock device 1 is attached is not limited to the table, but may be a desk, a chair, or other furniture or structures as far as the leg stud can be folded and deployed. - The dimensions of the supporting bracket or the cam bracket are arbitrary, and especially the length along the axis of rotation may be very long. Though a single lock device is provided for each leg stud, it is also possible to provide a plurality of lock devices in the center portion of a single horizontal member.
- The deployment
lock receiving portion 32, the foldlock receiving portion 35 and the intermediate cam surface on thecam bracket 3 are not limited to the examples shown in the figures, but the cam surface may be provided in a plurality of positions separately. - Though the example in which the
cam bracket 3 includes a pair of locking cam strips 30 is shown, it is also possible to provide in a single position. - FIG. 22 to FIG. 24 show a fifth embodiment of this invention.
- In this embodiment, a
horizontal member 52 provided of astand stopper 80 which projects toward a top board. - The
stand stopper 80 is box-shape or block-shape, and integrally attached to thecenter portion 52 a of thehorizontal member 52. - In this case, the
stand stopper 80 comprises arear plate portion 81, atop plate portion 82, and the left and rightside plate portions 83. - The end of the
rear plate portion 81 is welded to thehorizontal member 52, and the end of the left and rightside plate portions 83 are welded to the projectedportion 36′, which is prolonged from thefold receiving surface 36 of thecam bracket 3 and projected from thehorizontal member 52. - The
basal plate portion 20 of the supportingbracket 2 is set up widely, so as to be able to come into contact with the top of theplate portion 82 of thestand stopper 80 when theleg stud 5 is deployed. - The
stand stopper 80 is not limited to the configuration shown in the figures, and may be any arbitrary configurations to have enough intency. - When the
leg stud 5 is deployed, thedeployment stopper 21 contacts with the projectedportion 36′ and constrains thefold receiving surface 36. - Furthermore, the
stand stopper 80 contacts with thebasal plate portion 20 and constrains the supportingbracket 2. - And the space between the
horizontal member 52 and the supportingbracket 2 is filled up with thestand stopper 80. - Accordingly, the
leg stud 5, it is deployed and stood up, can be kept strong and stable in the above described embodiment. - In addition, when the
leg stud 5 developed or is folded up, the tip of thecylindrical portion 53 is formed hemispherical, and which is projected to the top board A side (below in FIG. 22) rather than thehorizontal member 52. - Therefore the position of the cylindrical portion53 (the projected position from the horizontal member 52) is defined by the rotation locus at the tip of the
cylindrical portion 53 as a relative relation with the position of the 1st pin P1 so that there may always be untouched the top board A when theleg stud 5 is moving during developed to be folded up. - In this embodiment, the
stand stopper 80 showed the case where it formed apart from thehorizontal member 52, however thestand stopper 80 may be formed in thehorizontal member 52 as a part of it. - In short, it is possible to vary in design without modifying the scope of the invention as a matter of course.
- As is described thus far, in the folding structure in accordance with the present invention, the supporting bracket including a lock lever thereon is secured on the basal plate, a cam bracket is fixed on the leg stud, and both of them are rotatably mounted, so that the leg stud can be rotatably mounted to the basal plate.
- The present invention provides a reliable lock structure of the folding leg stud in which locking state may be released by pressing the lock lever in the standby position toward the basal plate, even when the leg stud is deployed, or folded.
- In addition, the overall structure is simplified and thus the costs may be reduced by providing a stopper that constrains the deployed position and the folded position of the leg stud on the supporting bracket to which the leg stud is rotatably mounted.
- Further, in the folding structure in this invention, by inclining both end of the horizontal member of the leg stud toward the basal plate, the supporting leg portions at both ends of the horizontal member can be disposed in contact with the top board while the horizontal member of the leg stud is positioned away therefrom when being folded via a lock device.
- Consequently, the size of the basal plate of the folding structure such as the top board is not constrained significantly by the leg stud, and thus the basal plate can be downsized. When stacking them one on another, since it can be reduced in thickness as much as possible, it is superior in space saving.
Claims (9)
1. A folding structure comprising:
a supporting bracket fixed on the basal plate such as a top board or a seat board, and provided with a leg stud rotatably mounted at one end thereon;
a lock lever rotatably supported at the other end of the supporting bracket, provided with a locking portion formed of a lock pin at one end and an operating strip at the other end, and urged in the locking direction; and
a locking cam strip fixed to the leg stud so that the locking portion is always in contact therewith;
the locking cam strip further comprising:
a fold lock receiving portion formed in the position where the locking portion engages in a standby position in which the operating strip is disposed between the folded leg stud and the basal plate when the leg stud is folded, and
a deployment lock receiving portion provided in the position away from the fold lock receiving portion by the angle corresponding to the angle between the deployed position and the folded position of the leg stud about a fulcrum at which the leg stud is rotatably attached, and formed in the position where the locking portion engages when the leg stud is deployed with the operating strip taking almost the same position as the standby position which is taken when the leg stud is being folded;
wherein the respective locking state is released by pressing the lock lever in the standby position toward the basal plate when the leg stud is in the deployed position and in the folded position.
2. A folding structure as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the locking cam strip is formed on a side plate of the cam bracket secured to the leg stud, and wherein the cam strip comprises a passage section to which the locking portion comes into the space between the locking cam strip and the leg stud when folding the leg stud, and a fold lock receiving portion recessed in the passage section for engaging the locking portion.
3. A folding structure as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein the supporting bracket is formed at the end thereof with a recessed locking portion stopper that comes in alignment with the fold lock receiving portion displaced when the leg stud is folded for rotatably supporting the locking portion.
4. A folding structure as set forth in claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein the supporting bracket is formed with a deployment stopper at one end thereof for determining the deployed position of the leg stud by being brought into contact with the leg stud when the leg stud is deployed.
5. A folding structure as set forth in claim 1 , 2, 3 or 4, wherein the supporting bracket is formed with a fold stopper at the lowest edge thereof for determining the folded position of the leg stud by being brought into contact with the leg stud when the leg stud is folded.
6. A folding structure as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the pair of leg studs provided on both end portions of the folding structure comprises a pair of supporting leg portions and a horizontal member for connecting the supporting leg portions, and wherein each horizontal member is formed in such a manner that the sides to which the supporting portions are connected move closer to the basal plate when the leg stud is folded, so that the supporting leg portions are disposed in the positions closer to the basal plate with respect to the horizontal member when the let stud is folded.
7. A folding structure as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the pair of leg studs provided in the both end portions of the folding structure each comprises a pair of supporting leg portions and the horizontal member for connecting the supporting leg portions, and are adapted to be folded in such a manner that the supporting leg portions of the opposed leg studs are placed one on another, and wherein only one of the horizontal members is formed in such a manner that the sides to which the supporting leg portions are connected move closer to the basal plate when the leg stud is folded so that the supporting leg portions are disposed closer to the basal plate with respect to the horizontal member when the leg stud is folded, and wherein the supporting leg portions on the side of the other horizontal member are disposed so as to be superimposed on the supporting leg portions on one side.
8. A folding structure as set forth in claim 6 or 7, wherein the horizontal member is obliquely inclined at both ends thereof and the supporting leg portions are secured at the ends thereof.
9. A folding structure as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the pair of leg studs provided on both end portions of the folding structure comprises a pair of supporting leg portions and a horizontal member for connecting the supporting leg portions, and wherein the horizontal member is formed with a stand stopper which is brought into contact with a basal plate portion of the supporting bracket fixed on the basal plate when the let stud is deployed.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/099,837 US20050183641A1 (en) | 2002-03-05 | 2005-04-05 | Folding structure |
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2002-059595 | 2002-03-05 | ||
JP2002059595A JP3648207B2 (en) | 2002-03-05 | 2002-03-05 | Folding pedestal lock structure |
JP2002-121238 | 2002-04-23 | ||
JP2002121238A JP2003310356A (en) | 2002-04-23 | 2002-04-23 | Folding structure |
JP2002-200673 | 2002-07-09 | ||
JP2002200673A JP2004041330A (en) | 2002-07-09 | 2002-07-09 | Folding structure |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/099,837 Continuation US20050183641A1 (en) | 2002-03-05 | 2005-04-05 | Folding structure |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20030167980A1 true US20030167980A1 (en) | 2003-09-11 |
Family
ID=27792042
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/373,407 Abandoned US20030167980A1 (en) | 2002-03-05 | 2003-02-24 | Folding structure |
US11/099,837 Abandoned US20050183641A1 (en) | 2002-03-05 | 2005-04-05 | Folding structure |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/099,837 Abandoned US20050183641A1 (en) | 2002-03-05 | 2005-04-05 | Folding structure |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US20030167980A1 (en) |
Cited By (27)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20050172868A1 (en) * | 2002-03-29 | 2005-08-11 | Carlo Cattaneo | Fold-away legs for support surfaces |
US20050235886A1 (en) * | 2004-04-27 | 2005-10-27 | Paul Koning | Folding leg latch assembly |
US20070095257A1 (en) * | 2005-10-31 | 2007-05-03 | Hernandez Hector R | Folding table assembly |
US20070261609A1 (en) * | 2006-05-15 | 2007-11-15 | Aichi Co., Ltd. | Locking device and furniture |
US20090114127A1 (en) * | 2006-07-21 | 2009-05-07 | Meco Corporation | Folding table and chair |
US20090205541A1 (en) * | 2008-02-14 | 2009-08-20 | Dsa International | Flip-Top Table Mechanism |
US20090255772A1 (en) * | 2008-04-15 | 2009-10-15 | Gary Sherrell | Fully recessed translation biased cantilever leg luggage device |
US7631847B2 (en) | 2007-02-27 | 2009-12-15 | Techtronic Power Tools Technology Limited | Power tool bracket |
US20110061573A1 (en) * | 2006-07-21 | 2011-03-17 | Meco Corporation | Folding table and chair |
ITBO20090736A1 (en) * | 2009-11-10 | 2011-05-11 | Metal Work Srl | STRUCTURE FOR TABLES OR DESKS |
US20120042809A1 (en) * | 2010-08-18 | 2012-02-23 | DSA International, Inc. | Folding Leg Latch Assembly |
US20130269574A1 (en) * | 2012-04-11 | 2013-10-17 | Christopher Cooper | Expandable and collapsible tables and related methods |
EP2856909A1 (en) * | 2013-10-04 | 2015-04-08 | Keysheen Industry (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. | Table with leg pivotably mounted to table top |
US20150137439A1 (en) * | 2013-11-15 | 2015-05-21 | Russell Bransford | Panel carrier |
CN106213793A (en) * | 2016-08-30 | 2016-12-14 | 宁波渠成进出口有限公司 | Foldable desk |
CN108185692A (en) * | 2018-02-26 | 2018-06-22 | 杭州德昌五金家具有限公司 | Switching mechanism and furniture |
US10292489B2 (en) * | 2016-08-31 | 2019-05-21 | Wilkhahn Wilkening + Hahne Gmbh + Co. Kg | Table |
US10499728B2 (en) * | 2015-09-02 | 2019-12-10 | Kesseböhmer Produktions GmbH & Co. KG | Furniture frame for securing a foldable furniture pillar |
USD879514S1 (en) | 2018-04-16 | 2020-03-31 | Playground Store Limited | Desk |
USD895325S1 (en) | 2018-04-16 | 2020-09-08 | Playground Store Limited | Desktop with stowed legs |
US11051611B2 (en) | 2018-04-16 | 2021-07-06 | Playground Store Limited | Desk system |
US11140976B2 (en) * | 2019-05-17 | 2021-10-12 | Lifetime Products, Inc. | Leg assemblies |
CN114258274A (en) * | 2019-08-21 | 2022-03-29 | 凯斯宝玛控股公司 | System for fixing a furniture leg to a piece of furniture and method for fixing a furniture leg to a piece of furniture |
CN114305892A (en) * | 2021-11-26 | 2022-04-12 | 北京特种机械研究所 | Vehicle-mounted foldable double-layer rescue stretcher support and mounting method thereof |
US11297938B2 (en) * | 2018-11-06 | 2022-04-12 | Kojima Metal Fitting Corporation | Long leg fixing device |
US11412841B2 (en) * | 2020-02-27 | 2022-08-16 | New-Tec Integration (Xiamen) Co., Ltd. | Folding table |
US20220304461A1 (en) * | 2021-03-25 | 2022-09-29 | The Stanley Works Israel Ltd. | Automatic locking mechanism and worktable |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE202006017166U1 (en) | 2006-11-09 | 2007-01-11 | Waibel, Walter | Pivot for attaching table legs to cross-bar mounted under table top comprises U-shaped mounting whose arms are pivoted at their ends on bar, allowing them to rest in sloping position against it when they are folded down |
US8297208B2 (en) * | 2009-06-09 | 2012-10-30 | Ditto Sales, Inc. | Tilting tabletop mechanism |
US8960104B2 (en) | 2012-04-27 | 2015-02-24 | Steelcase Inc. | Table |
JP5754432B2 (en) * | 2012-10-15 | 2015-07-29 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | Assembly palette |
CN204273631U (en) * | 2014-11-19 | 2015-04-22 | 厦门新技术集成有限公司 | A kind of same table |
US11866991B1 (en) * | 2016-07-08 | 2024-01-09 | Ricardo Fernandez | Detachable door systems |
KR102350750B1 (en) * | 2020-05-07 | 2022-01-14 | 박병규 | Solid wood small table with reading desk |
Citations (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3604372A (en) * | 1968-09-30 | 1971-09-14 | Samsonite Corp | Connector for folding table leg |
US3845728A (en) * | 1971-09-14 | 1974-11-05 | Castelli Sas Anonima | Folding table |
US4060275A (en) * | 1976-09-21 | 1977-11-29 | Hansen M James | Collapsible table |
US4561622A (en) * | 1982-08-05 | 1985-12-31 | Eberhard Heinzel | Folding table catch |
US4838181A (en) * | 1988-06-20 | 1989-06-13 | L.H.L. Incorporated | Table leg coupling assembly |
US5323713A (en) * | 1992-07-29 | 1994-06-28 | Northwest Metal Products, Inc. | Locking mechanism for folding table legs |
US5638761A (en) * | 1993-08-02 | 1997-06-17 | Berco Industries | Foldable table leg |
US5673633A (en) * | 1995-05-31 | 1997-10-07 | Pfister; Joel W. | Table leg system |
US5913272A (en) * | 1998-06-19 | 1999-06-22 | Ditto Sales, Inc. | Folding table release latch apparatus |
US6202571B1 (en) * | 1999-07-27 | 2001-03-20 | Spec Furniture Inc. | Lock mechanism for folding leg |
US6386119B1 (en) * | 2000-10-19 | 2002-05-14 | Kae Chih Enterprises Co., Ltd. | Foldable leg for furniture |
US6394005B1 (en) * | 2000-07-28 | 2002-05-28 | Valley Design Enterprises, Inc. | Articulating locking mechanism |
-
2003
- 2003-02-24 US US10/373,407 patent/US20030167980A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2005
- 2005-04-05 US US11/099,837 patent/US20050183641A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3604372A (en) * | 1968-09-30 | 1971-09-14 | Samsonite Corp | Connector for folding table leg |
US3845728A (en) * | 1971-09-14 | 1974-11-05 | Castelli Sas Anonima | Folding table |
US4060275A (en) * | 1976-09-21 | 1977-11-29 | Hansen M James | Collapsible table |
US4561622A (en) * | 1982-08-05 | 1985-12-31 | Eberhard Heinzel | Folding table catch |
US4838181A (en) * | 1988-06-20 | 1989-06-13 | L.H.L. Incorporated | Table leg coupling assembly |
US5323713A (en) * | 1992-07-29 | 1994-06-28 | Northwest Metal Products, Inc. | Locking mechanism for folding table legs |
US5638761A (en) * | 1993-08-02 | 1997-06-17 | Berco Industries | Foldable table leg |
US5673633A (en) * | 1995-05-31 | 1997-10-07 | Pfister; Joel W. | Table leg system |
US5845589A (en) * | 1995-05-31 | 1998-12-08 | Pfister; Joel W. | Folding table leg system |
US5913272A (en) * | 1998-06-19 | 1999-06-22 | Ditto Sales, Inc. | Folding table release latch apparatus |
US6202571B1 (en) * | 1999-07-27 | 2001-03-20 | Spec Furniture Inc. | Lock mechanism for folding leg |
US6394005B1 (en) * | 2000-07-28 | 2002-05-28 | Valley Design Enterprises, Inc. | Articulating locking mechanism |
US6386119B1 (en) * | 2000-10-19 | 2002-05-14 | Kae Chih Enterprises Co., Ltd. | Foldable leg for furniture |
Cited By (41)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7314011B2 (en) * | 2002-03-29 | 2008-01-01 | Leonardo S.R.L. | Fold-away legs for support surfaces |
US20050172868A1 (en) * | 2002-03-29 | 2005-08-11 | Carlo Cattaneo | Fold-away legs for support surfaces |
US20050235886A1 (en) * | 2004-04-27 | 2005-10-27 | Paul Koning | Folding leg latch assembly |
US7350469B2 (en) * | 2004-04-27 | 2008-04-01 | Paul Koning | Folding leg latch assembly |
US20090241805A1 (en) * | 2005-10-31 | 2009-10-01 | Alltrade Tools Llc | Folding Table Assembly |
US20070095257A1 (en) * | 2005-10-31 | 2007-05-03 | Hernandez Hector R | Folding table assembly |
US7341006B2 (en) * | 2005-10-31 | 2008-03-11 | Alltrade Tools Llc | Folding table assembly |
US20080210143A1 (en) * | 2005-10-31 | 2008-09-04 | Alltrade Tools Llc | Folding Table Assembly |
US7546810B2 (en) * | 2005-10-31 | 2009-06-16 | Alltrade Tools Llc | Folding table assembly |
US20070261609A1 (en) * | 2006-05-15 | 2007-11-15 | Aichi Co., Ltd. | Locking device and furniture |
US7836833B2 (en) * | 2006-05-15 | 2010-11-23 | Aichi Co., Ltd. | Locking device and furniture |
US20090114127A1 (en) * | 2006-07-21 | 2009-05-07 | Meco Corporation | Folding table and chair |
US20110061573A1 (en) * | 2006-07-21 | 2011-03-17 | Meco Corporation | Folding table and chair |
US7631847B2 (en) | 2007-02-27 | 2009-12-15 | Techtronic Power Tools Technology Limited | Power tool bracket |
US20090205541A1 (en) * | 2008-02-14 | 2009-08-20 | Dsa International | Flip-Top Table Mechanism |
US8171863B2 (en) * | 2008-02-14 | 2012-05-08 | DSA International, Inc. | Flip-top table mechanism |
US20090255772A1 (en) * | 2008-04-15 | 2009-10-15 | Gary Sherrell | Fully recessed translation biased cantilever leg luggage device |
US8033369B2 (en) | 2008-04-15 | 2011-10-11 | Club Glider Holdings, Llc | Fully recessed translation biased cantilever leg luggage device |
ITBO20090736A1 (en) * | 2009-11-10 | 2011-05-11 | Metal Work Srl | STRUCTURE FOR TABLES OR DESKS |
US8413594B2 (en) * | 2010-08-18 | 2013-04-09 | DSA International, Inc. | Folding leg latch assembly |
US20120042809A1 (en) * | 2010-08-18 | 2012-02-23 | DSA International, Inc. | Folding Leg Latch Assembly |
US20130269574A1 (en) * | 2012-04-11 | 2013-10-17 | Christopher Cooper | Expandable and collapsible tables and related methods |
EP2856909A1 (en) * | 2013-10-04 | 2015-04-08 | Keysheen Industry (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. | Table with leg pivotably mounted to table top |
US20150137439A1 (en) * | 2013-11-15 | 2015-05-21 | Russell Bransford | Panel carrier |
US10343275B2 (en) * | 2013-11-15 | 2019-07-09 | Affinity Tool Works, Llc | Panel carrier |
US10499728B2 (en) * | 2015-09-02 | 2019-12-10 | Kesseböhmer Produktions GmbH & Co. KG | Furniture frame for securing a foldable furniture pillar |
CN106213793A (en) * | 2016-08-30 | 2016-12-14 | 宁波渠成进出口有限公司 | Foldable desk |
US10292489B2 (en) * | 2016-08-31 | 2019-05-21 | Wilkhahn Wilkening + Hahne Gmbh + Co. Kg | Table |
CN108185692A (en) * | 2018-02-26 | 2018-06-22 | 杭州德昌五金家具有限公司 | Switching mechanism and furniture |
USD895325S1 (en) | 2018-04-16 | 2020-09-08 | Playground Store Limited | Desktop with stowed legs |
USD879514S1 (en) | 2018-04-16 | 2020-03-31 | Playground Store Limited | Desk |
US11051611B2 (en) | 2018-04-16 | 2021-07-06 | Playground Store Limited | Desk system |
US11297938B2 (en) * | 2018-11-06 | 2022-04-12 | Kojima Metal Fitting Corporation | Long leg fixing device |
US11140976B2 (en) * | 2019-05-17 | 2021-10-12 | Lifetime Products, Inc. | Leg assemblies |
US11723454B2 (en) | 2019-05-17 | 2023-08-15 | Lifetime Products, Inc. | Leg assemblies |
CN114258274A (en) * | 2019-08-21 | 2022-03-29 | 凯斯宝玛控股公司 | System for fixing a furniture leg to a piece of furniture and method for fixing a furniture leg to a piece of furniture |
US20220273095A1 (en) * | 2019-08-21 | 2022-09-01 | Kesseböhmer Holding Kg | System for fixing a furniture leg to a furniture and method for fixing the furniture leg to the furniture |
US11412841B2 (en) * | 2020-02-27 | 2022-08-16 | New-Tec Integration (Xiamen) Co., Ltd. | Folding table |
US20220304461A1 (en) * | 2021-03-25 | 2022-09-29 | The Stanley Works Israel Ltd. | Automatic locking mechanism and worktable |
US11819120B2 (en) * | 2021-03-25 | 2023-11-21 | The Stanley Works Israel Ltd. | Automatic locking mechanism and worktable |
CN114305892A (en) * | 2021-11-26 | 2022-04-12 | 北京特种机械研究所 | Vehicle-mounted foldable double-layer rescue stretcher support and mounting method thereof |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20050183641A1 (en) | 2005-08-25 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20050183641A1 (en) | Folding structure | |
US20040083932A1 (en) | Folding and tilting table | |
US20010009322A1 (en) | Collapsible skateboard | |
US4923259A (en) | Adjustable keyboard drawer assembly | |
US6938951B1 (en) | Foldable chair with safety locks | |
US5941181A (en) | Folding table leg apparatus | |
US5725279A (en) | Folding seat hinge | |
JP4806753B2 (en) | Fall prevention device, storage furniture | |
JP3648207B2 (en) | Folding pedestal lock structure | |
JP2009154630A (en) | Floor lock | |
JP4518649B2 (en) | Chair armrest equipment | |
JPH09294633A (en) | Lock device of top board in foldable type table | |
JPH0612680Y2 (en) | Folding chair | |
JP5371258B2 (en) | Folding leg fixing device | |
JP4241966B2 (en) | table | |
US6598240B1 (en) | Toilet seat device having support for children | |
JP2006280567A (en) | Furniture and coupling device using for furniture | |
JP3300678B2 (en) | Vehicle luggage support device | |
JP2005132289A (en) | Tray for vehicle steering wheel and automobile | |
JPH10211023A (en) | Top plate fixing device for folding table | |
JP2002051870A (en) | Elbow rest device for chair | |
JP7332340B2 (en) | Locking device for folding worktables | |
JP3584217B2 (en) | Chair | |
JP2819052B2 (en) | Table legs leg upset mechanism | |
JP2536195Y2 (en) | Chair gas spring operating device |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MASS-SET KABUSHIKI KAISHA, JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SUZUKI, TOSHIO;REEL/FRAME:013818/0445 Effective date: 20021226 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |