Folding table base

[0002] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/607,233 filed Jun. 30, 2000 for “A Folding Table Base,” now abandoned which in turn is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/258,721 filed Feb. 26, 1999, for “A Folding Table Base,” now U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,271.

[0003] This invention relates generally to folding tables, and in particular to a folding table base for easily folding and unfolding table legs that latch open.

[0004] Tables and chairs are supported by legs that extend from a base. Some table and/or chairs include foldable legs. Folding legs take up less room and facilitate storage of the table or chair when it is not being used. Prior folding tables include a base having two foldable arms extending therefrom. The arms include a pair of legs extending from each of the arms. Each arm is foldable between a horizontal (closed) position and a vertical (open) position. These arms are traditionally locked into a vertical position by folding braces that include two members joined by a pivot point. These braces extend between the bottom of the table and each arm. When the arms are in the vertical position, the braces are straight and form an angle with respect to the bottom of the table. Generally this angle is about 45 degrees. The legs of the table are locked into the vertical position by sliding a collar down over each folding brace such that the two members can not pivot with respect to each other. To close the legs of this prior table, the collar is moved upward so each brace can bend at the pivot point approximately 90 degrees, thus allowing each arm to fold from the vertical position to the horizontal position. These types of folding tables are awkward to fold and unfold and often require more than one person to manipulate. In addition, these prior folding tables are prone to pinching fingers during set-up and take-down. Many prior folding tables are also wobbly, unstable and lack aesthetic appeal.

[0005] Therefore, a need exists for a folding table that is sturdy in construction, easy to manipulate and compact when folded to facilitate easy storage.

[0006] A folding table base is provided which includes a mounting plate adapted to be secured to the bottom of a table. A hinge plate is hingedly connected to the side of the mounting plate. The hinge plate is adapted to pivot between a first position and a second position. A leg is secured to the hinge plate and extends generally orthogonal thereto. A latching mechanism is secured to the bottom of the table. The latching mechanism includes a latch mounting plate and a pull latch. The pull latch being slidably mounted on the latch mounting plate such that the pull latch is operable between a latched position and an unlatched position. The latching mechanism engages the hinge plate when the pull latch is in the latched position and disengages the hinge plate when the pull latch is in the unlatched position.

[0007] Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:

[0008] FIG. 1 is a top view of a folding table base according to the present invention in the open position;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the folding table base in the closed position;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an adjustable leg according to the present invention having a first section and a second section;

[0011] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a latching mechanism according to the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 5 is a side view of a leg attached to the folding table base of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 6 is a side view of the adjustable leg of FIG. 3 attached to the folding table base of FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 7 is a front view of FIG. 5 showing the leg attached to the folding table base;

[0015] FIG. 8ais a side view of a hinge plate for use with the folding table base of FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 8bis a front view of the hinge plate of FIG. 8a;

[0017] FIG. 9ais a top view of a pull latch for use with the latching mechanism of FIG. 4;

[0018] FIG. 9bis a end view of the pull latch of FIG. 9a;

[0019] FIG. 10 is a side view of the second section of the adjustable leg of FIG. 3;

[0020] FIG. 11 is a side view of the first section of the adjustable leg of FIG. 3;

[0021] FIG. 12ais a top view of a hinge for use with the folding table base of FIG. 1;

[0022] FIG. 12bis a end view of the hinge of FIG. 12a;

[0023] FIG. 13ais a perspective view of a pair of adjustable legs and a table for use with the folding table base of FIG. 1;

[0024] FIG. 13bis an exploded perspective view of a portion of an adjustable leg and locking device for use with the folding table base of FIG. 1;

[0025] FIG. 13cis an enlarged vertical section of the leg shown in FIG. 13bwith the parts assembled and with the two sections of the leg locked together;

[0026] FIG. 13da side elevation of the leg shown in FIGS. 13band 13cwith the parts assembled and with the two sections of the leg unlocked;

[0027] FIG. 13eis the same side elevation shown in FIG. 13drotated 90 degrees around the axis of the leg;

[0028] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a hinge plate for use with the folding table base of FIG. 15 to allow lateral adjustment of the legs of the table;

[0029] FIG. 15 is a top view of a folding table base including the hinge plate of FIG. 14;

[0030] FIG. 16ais a side view of a rod for use with the hinge plate of FIGS. 14 and 15;

[0031] FIG. 16bis a bottom plan view of a modified hinge plate to allow lateral adjustment of the legs of the table;

[0032] FIG. 17ais a side view of a vertically and laterally adjustable leg in a first position; and

[0033] FIG. 17bis a side view of the vertically and laterally adjustable leg of FIG. 17ain a second position.

[0034] FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of a modified leg and base structure for use in the folding table base of FIG. 1;

[0035] FIG. 19 is a side elevation of the modified leg and base structure of FIG. 18 with all the parts assembled;

[0036] FIG. 20 is a bottom plan view of the central portion of the base structure shown in FIG. 19; and

[0037] FIG. 21 is a plan view of an apertured plate mounted in the lower interior of the upper telescoping tube.

[0038] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, a specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a folding table base 10. The base 10 includes a mounting plate 12 and a hinge plate 14. The mounting plate 12 is adapted to be secured to the bottom of a table (such as the table 13 shown in FIG. 13a) by fasteners such as nails, screws, bolts, etc. The hinge plate 14 is pivotally connected to a side 16 of the mounting plate 12 by a hinge 20, best illustrated in FIGS. 12aand 12b. The hinge 20 is secured to the mounting plate 12 by welding, riveting, fastening, etc. The hinge plate 14 is adapted to pivot between a first position and a second position. Typically, the first position corresponds to a horizontal position or coplanar (in relation to the base plate 12) and the second position corresponds to a vertical position (in relation to the base plate 12). Returning to FIG. 1, a leg 18 is secured to the hinge plate 14 and extends generally orthogonal thereto. The leg 18 can be secured to the hinge plate 14 by welding, riveting, fastening, etc.

[0040] A latching mechanism 30 is also secured to the bottom of the table. The latching mechanism 30 can be secured by fasteners such as nails, screws, bolts, etc. The latching mechanism 30 includes latch mounting plates 32 and 33 and a pull latch 34, best illustrated in FIGS. 9aand 9b.The pull latch 34 being slidably mounted on the latch mounting plates 32 and 33 such that the pull latch 34 is operable between a latched position 36 and an unlatched position 38. (The pull latch 34 is shown in the unlatched position 38 in phantom).

[0041] Referring again to FIG. 1, the pull latch 34 includes a handle portion 40 and two locking members 42 and 44. The locking members 42 and 44 are disposed at respective ends of the handle portion 40 and extend generally orthogonal thereto. The latching mechanism 30 engages the hinge plate 14 when the pull latch 34 is in the latched position and disengages the hinge plate 14 when the pull latch 34 is in the unlatched position. The locking members 42 and 44 of the latching mechanism 30 engage the hinge plate 14 at two displaced locations on the hinge plate. This insures that the hinge plate 14 is securely latched in the horizontal (open) position by the latching mechanism 30. Thus, the leg 18 is securely and stably extended in a vertical (open) position. Pulling the pull latch 34 to the unlatched position 38 disengages the latching mechanism 30 from the hinge plate 14 allowing the leg 18 to be folded from a vertical position, illustrated in FIG. 1, to a horizontal position, illustrated in FIG. 2. At that point, the pull latch 34 can be released which will return the pull latch 34 to the latched position 36, as illustrated in FIG. 2. This allows for easily folding the table into a compact, easy to store unit.

[0042] FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment where the latch mounting plates 32 and 33 each comprise a pair of angle mounts 54aand 54b.Each angle mount 54 is identical in construction, as illustrated in FIGS. 8aand 8b.Each angle mount is secured to the bottom of the table by one or more fasteners (not shown) such as nails, screws, bolts, etc. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the pull latch 34 is slidably mounted between a first pair of angle mounts 54a,54b(comprising first latch mounting plate 32) and a second pair of angle mounts 54a,54b(comprising second latch mounting plate 33). Fasteners 56a,b(e.g., bolts) are inserted through holes 58a,bin a first angle mount 54awhile corresponding fasteners 57a,b(e.g., nuts) are secured to the ends of the fasteners 56a,bprotruding out of the corresponding holes 58a,bin a second angle mount 54b.

[0043] In one embodiment, the pull latch 34 is biased in the latched position by springs 46 and 48. The springs 46 and 48 are located in generally rectangular openings 50 and 51, respectively. The opening 50 and 51 are located in the respective locking members 42 and 44 of the pull latch 34. In this embodiment, a fastener 56ais inserted through a hole 58ain a first angle mount 54aof latch mounting plate 32, and through a sleeve 59adisposed in an opening 52. The fastener extends out of the corresponding hole 58ain a second angle mount 54band a corresponding fastener 57ais secured to the end thereof, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Likewise, a fastener 56bis inserted through a hole 58bin the first angle mount 54aof latch mounting plate 32, and through a sleeve 59bdisposed in the opening 50. The fastener extends out of the corresponding hole 58bin the second angle mount 54band a corresponding fastener 57bis secured to the end thereof. Similarly, a fastener 56cis inserted through a hole 58cin a first angle mount 54aof latch mounting plate 33, and through a sleeve 59cdisposed in an opening 53. The fastener extends out of the corresponding hole 58cin a second angle mount 54band a corresponding fastener 57cis secured to the end thereof, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Likewise, a fastener 56dis inserted through a hole 58din the first angle mount 54aof latch mounting plate 33, and through a sleeve 59ddisposed in the opening 51. The fastener extends out of the corresponding hole 58din the second angle mount 54band a corresponding fastener 57dis secured to the end thereof.

[0044] The spring 46 is inserted in the generally rectangular opening 50 between the front 50aof the opening 50 and the fastener 56b.Similarly, the spring 48 is inserted in the generally rectangular opening 51 between the front 51aof the opening 51 and the fastener 56d.Therefore, when the pull latch 34 is pulled from the latched position 36 to the unlatched position 38, the springs 46 and 48 are compressed between the fronts 50a,51aof the openings 50, 51 and the respective bolts 56b,d.Releasing the pull latch 34 allows the springs 46, 48 to uncompressed, thus moving the pull latch 34 from the unlatched position 38 to the latched position 36, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4.

[0045] FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment where the leg 18 includes a foot 70 secured to a distal end 72 of the leg 18. The foot 70 is generally orthogonal to the leg 18. In one aspect, the foot 70 is tubular, as illustrated in FIG. 5. In another aspect, the foot 70 is a flat plate (not illustrated). FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of the leg 18 and its attachment to the hinge plate 14 of the folding table base 10.

[0046] FIGS. 3 and 6 illustrate still another embodiment where the leg is telescopically adjustable. In this embodiment, a leg 18′ includes a first tubular section 60 and a second tubular section 62 which is slidably disposed within the first tubular section 60. The second tubular section 62 is secured to the hinge plate 14 and extends generally orthogonal thereto. A foot 71 is secured to the distal end 72 of the first tubular section 60. The first tubular section 60 has a plurality of holes 65 disposed therethrough. The second tubular section 62 has a plurality of holes 66 disposed therethrough. The leg 18′ is secured in a particular position by a pin 64 inserted through one pair of aligned holes 65 and 66. FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of the second section 62 while FIG. 11 illustrates the first section 60 of the adjustable leg 18′.

[0047] In another embodiment of the invention, the leg 18′ is secured in place by a spring tab 74, as illustrated in FIG. 13a.The lower end of each spring tab 74 is secured to the outer surface of the lower leg section 60 by welding, fastening, etc. The upper end of each tab 74 carries a pin 75 that is just long enough to pass through a pair of registered holes 60aand 62ain the lower and upper leg sections 60 and 62, thereby locking the two sections together at the desired height. To hold the locking pin 75 in place, a short sleeve 76 is telescoped over both tabs 74 so as to hold the upper ends of the tabs against the surface of the lower leg section 60, as illustrated in FIG. 13b.An inside flange 77 on the upper end of the sleeve 76 abuts the upper end of the lower leg section 60 to limit the downward movement of the sleeve 76 so that it remains in place over the locking tabs 74, as can be seen in FIG. 13b.

[0048] When it is desired to unlock the two leg sections, the sleeve 76 is manually moved upwardly along the upper leg section 62 to clear the tabs 74, as illustrated in FIGS. 13cand 13d.This permits the free ends of the tabs 74 to be pulled outwardly away from the surface of the section 60, as illustrated in FIG. 13b,to remove the pins 75 from the holes in both leg sections 60 and 62. The length of the leg can then be adjusted as desired and then again locked by the spring action of the tabs 74. In the particular example illustrated in FIGS. 13a-13d,the upper leg section 62 is provided with six different holes 62a,but it will be appreciated that any desired number of holes may be provided, and at any desired spacing within the range of telescoping overlap between the two leg sections 60 and 62.

[0049] In the illustrative embodiment, each locking tab 74 is attached to the leg section 60 by a pair of rivets 78, but of course other fastening devices or techniques, such as welding, may be employed if desired. The locking pins 75 are attached to the tabs 74 by staking pins formed as integral parts of the tabs, but here again alternative fastening means such as welding may be employed if desired.

[0050] The spring tab 74 is bent at its tip, as illustrated in FIG. 13b, such that when one pair of holes 60aand 62aare aligned, the tip of spring tab 74 will protrude into the holes 60aand 62athus locking the first and second section 60 and 62 in place.

[0051] In a further embodiment (not shown), another folding table base 10 is secured to the bottom of the table. In this way, the table has two folding table bases 10 disposed on respective ends of the table for easily folding legs 18 from a closed position to an open position where the legs 18 are stably locked. After use of the table, the legs 18 can be easily folded to a closed position which facilitates easy storage of the table.

[0052] FIGS. 14-15 illustrate another embodiment where the folding table base 10 includes a leg sliding mechanism 190 mechanically secured to the bottom of a table. In one aspect of this embodiment, the leg sliding mechanism 190 is mechanically secured to the bottom of the table by fasteners. In another aspect of this embodiment, the leg sliding mechanism 190 is mechanically secured to the bottom of the table by being secured to a hinge plate 114 that is pivotally connected to a side 116 of a mounting plate 112 by a hinge 120. The hinge 120 is secured to the mounting plate 112 by welding, riveting, fastening, etc. The mounting plate 12 is secured to the bottom of the table by fasteners such as nails, screws, bolts, etc. The hinge plate 114 is adapted to pivot between a first position and a second position, as detailed above with respect to hinge plate 14. The leg sliding mechanism 190 includes a leg 118 extending generally orthogonal thereto. The leg sliding mechanism 190 is adapted to slide between a first position and a second position such that the leg 118 is laterally adjustable with respect to the table. A locking mechanism 163 secures the leg sliding mechanism in a particular position.

[0053] In still another aspect of this embodiment, the leg 118 is secured to a leg plate 175 and extends generally orthogonal thereto. The leg 118 is secured to the leg plate 175 by, for example, welding. The leg plate 175 is secured to a pair of hollow pipes 178aand 178bby, for example, welding. A pair of rods 180aand 180bare disposed in the hollow pipes 178aand 178b,respectively. The hollow pipes 178a,bslide back and forth on the rods 180a,bso the leg 118 can be adjusted laterally (front to back with respect to the table). This allows the legs 118 to be moved laterally away from where a person sits so the legs 118 do not hit the person's legs. The rods 180a,bare secured between angle mounts 184aand 184bby fasteners 186. The rods 180a,bare identical in construction, as illustrated in FIG. 16, and include fastener receptacles 184.

[0054] In a further aspect of this embodiment, the locking mechanism 163 comprises a pair of pins 164a,b.In this aspect, the hollow pipes 178a,beach have a plurality of holes 165 disposed therethrough. The rods 180a,beach have a plurality of holes 166 disposed therethrough. The hollow pipes 178a,bare secured in a particular position by inserting the pins 164a,bthrough one pair of aligned holes 165 and 166. Alternatively, the locking mechanism 163 comprises a pair of spring tabs (not shown) that operate essentially as described above in relation to spring tab 74.

[0055] FIG. 16billustrates a modified design in which the leg 118 is attached to a single outer tube 188 that telescopes over a single inner tube 189 attached to the hinge plate 114. In this embodiment the lateral position of the leg 118 is adjusted by simply sliding the tube 188 along the tube 189 to the desired position, and then locking the two tubes together in that position by use of the same type of locking mechanism 163 described above.

[0056] In another aspect of this embodiment, the legs 118 each include a foot like the foot 70 illustrated in FIG. 5. In a further aspect of this embodiment, the legs 118 are each adjustable, like the leg 18′ illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6.

[0057] In still another aspect of this embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 17aand 17b,the vertically adjustable legs 118′ each include a laterally adjustable foot 171 The laterally adjustable foot 171 includes a foot sleeve 195, a foot tube 196 and a foot lock 197. The foot sleeve 195 slides back and forth on the foot tube 196. The foot sleeve 195 is locked in a particular position on the foot tube 196 by the foot lock 197. In one aspect, the foot lock 197 comprises a spring tab that operates essentially as described above in relation to spring tab 74. In another aspect, the foot lock 197 comprises a pin (not shown) that operates essentially as described above in relation to pin 64. Therefore, when the legs 118′ are moved laterally away from the user, the stability of the table is maintained by moving each leg tube 196 laterally toward the user, and vice versa.

[0058] With the exception of the lateral movement of the leg 118, the operation of the hinge plate 114 is the same as the hinge plate 14 described above. Therefore, a detailed description of how the latching mechanism interacts with the hinge plate 114, etc has been omitted.

[0059] FIGS. 18-21 illustrate a modified leg and base structure in which the foot 200 comprises four tubular elements 200a,200b,200cand 200dwelded together to form a pair of orthogonal members 201 and 202 that provide more stable support for the table. In addition, as can be seen in FIGS. 19 and 20, a square tube 203 extends upwardly from the foot 200 through the interior of the lower telescoping tubular section 60 to assist in registering the holes in the telescoping tubular sections 60 and 62. The relationship between the square tube 203 and the lower tubular section 60 is fixed because they are both welded to the same foot structure. To align the holes in the upper tubular section with the holes in the lower section 60, a plate 204 (see FIG. 21) having a square aperture 205 only slightly larger than the outside dimensions of the tube 203 is mounted in the lower portion of the interior of the upper tubular section 62. Thus, when the upper section 62 is telescoped down into the lower section 60, the upper section 62 can be rotated slightly until the aperture 205 in the plate 204 registers with the square tube 203, and then the telescoping movement can be continued with the plate 204 riding downwardly over the outer surface of the square tube 203. The plate 204 and the tube 203 thus hold the two tubular sections 60 and 62 in a fixed azimuthal relationship to each other, so that the holes in the two sections 60 and 62 are aligned with each other for smoothly receiving the locking pins 75 when the sleeve 76 presses the pins 75 radially inwardly.

[0060] While the invention has been described above with specific reference to various embodiments utilizing legs that have a circular cross-sectional configuration, it will be understood that other cross-sectional configurations, such as square, rectangular, oval, octagonal, etc., may be employed without departing from the invention.

[0061] Other aspects, features, advantages and modifications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon studying this invention. All such aspects, features, advantages and modifications of the present invention are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.