AU2012244282A1 - Locking Mechansim - Google Patents

Abstract

There is disclosed herein a locking mechanism (12) for a table (10). The table (10) having a support surface (11) and one or more legs (14) movably mounted to the support surface (11) so as to be movable between a folded position where the leg (14) is folded against said support surface (11) and an extended position whereby said leg (14) extends substantially orthogonally with respect to said support surface (11). Each leg (14) has a support member (15) connectable thereto at a first end and has a free second end. The locking mechanism (12) comprises a first member (26) mountable to the support surface (11) and configured to receive the second end of the support member (15) such that the second end of said support member (15) is free to slide within the first member (26) between a first position corresponding to the folded position of the leg (14) and a second position corresponding to the extended position of the leg (14); and a second member (20) mountable to the first member (26) so as to be pivotably movable with respect to the second member (26). The second member (20) is configured to engage the second end of the support member (15) when the leg (14) is in the extended position. Ng

Description

LOCKING MECHANISM RELATED APPLICATION The present applications claims priority from earlier filed Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2011904646 filed 9 November 2011, the entire contents 5 of which are incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to folding tables and in particular, to a locking mechanism for locking supporting legs of a folding table in position during use of said table. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 10 Folding tables, commonly referred to as trestle tables, are widely used in a variety of situations. Traditionally, folding tables have particular application to corporate and commercial environments, where the need to cater for a variety of different needs and requirements require different furniture settings. Typically, in conference or catering environments there is a need to provide 15 furniture settings that adapt to the number of participants attending, as well as the overall space available to accommodate the participants. In such situations, the use of folding tables that are able to be folded away or stored in a substantially flat manner when not in use, provides a particular advantage over conventional tables that are limited in their storability. 20 In many modern domestic arrangements, where the availability of space is often limited, there is a desire to provide furniture options that are simple and also easy to change or modify. In this regard, in situations where a dining area may also function as a living area, or where a spare room may be converted into a home office, the ability to install a table that can be folded and stored away when no 25 longer required, is highly desirable. Such a problem is also applicable to a variety of commercial, office and or hospitality environments where a common area, such as an area often reserved for dining, requires conversion into an entertainment or auditorium for specific events. One problem with conventional foldable tables is that the folding mechanism that connects the legs or supports to the underside of the table surface is often 5 difficult to operate. Further to this, in order to provide a mechanism having sufficient rigidity and support, most conventional folding mechanism are expensive to manufacture . Typically, where mechanisms have been developed to provide enhanced rigidity so as to accommodate a substantial weight whilst resisting the tendency for the 10 legs to fold, the mechanism is often difficult to activate and deactivate, often requiring two people to set up the table. Whilst such an arrangement may prove beneficial once in use in that the legs are typically locked in position, in situations where the table must be regularly used and then stowed away, the act of setting up such tables and folding the tables for storage can be a significant task that 15 adds to the overall costs of an organisation. Thus, there is a need to provide a simple and effective mechanism for controlling and locking the legs of a foldable table that is simple to use and economical to manufacture. The above references to and descriptions of prior proposals or products are not 20 intended to be, and are not to be construed as, statements or admissions of common general knowledge in the art. In particular, the above prior art discussion does not relate to what is commonly or well known by the person skilled in the art, but assists in the understanding of the inventive step of the present invention of which the identification of pertinent prior art proposals is but 25 one part. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention there is provided a locking mechanism for a table, the table having a support surface and one or more legs movably mounted to said support surface so as to be movable between a folded position where the leg is folded against said support surface and an extended position whereby said leg extends substantially orthogonally with respect to said support surface, each leg having a support member connectable thereto at a first 5 end and having a free second end, the locking mechanism comprising: a first member mountable to said support surface and configured to receive said second end of the support member such that the second end of said support member is free to slide within said first member between a first position corresponding to said folded position of the leg and a second 10 position corresponding to said extended position of the leg; and a second member mountable to said first member so as to be pivotably movable with respect to the second member, the second member being configured to engage said second end of the support member when the leg is in the extended position. 15 In one embodiment, the second member may comprise a locking end and a handle portion. The second member may be mounted to the first member along a pivot axis located between said locking end and the handle portion. The second member may be mounted to the first member by a bolt or pin member that extends therethrough and defines the pivot axis. 20 A biasing member may be located between the handle portion of the second member and the first member to bias the locking end of the second member in a locked position. In the locked position the locking end of the second member may engage with the second end of the support member when the leg is in the extended position. The biasing member may be a compression spring. 25 In an embodiment, the locking end of the second member has a slot formed therein to engage the second end of the support member when the leg is in the extended position. The slot may extend substantially orthogonally to the direction of travel of the second end of the support member and has a width substantially equal to the width of the support member. During use, application of pressure to the handle portion of the second member may cause the locking end of the second member to lift from the first member to release the second end of the support member. Once released, the second end of 5 the support member may be free to slide within the first member as the leg is moved from the extended position to the folded position. In such an arrangement, the pressure applied to the handle portion may be stored in the compression spring such that the removal of the pressure causes the locking end of the second member to return to the locked position. 10 In another embodiment, the first member may be secured to an underside of the support surface. The first member may be configured such that when it is secured to an underside of the support surface a gap or recess may be formed in a central region thereof between the underside of the support surface and the body of the first member. This gap or recess may define a track along which the 15 second end of the support member may be free to travel. A region of the first member located adjacent the locking end of the second member may have a slot formed therein. The slot may extend from the gap or recess formed between the underside of the support surface and the first member so as to be in communication therewith, towards a distal end so as to provide an 20 extension of the track along which the second end of the support member is free to travel. The slot may extend away from the undersurface of the support surface towards the distal end thereof. The distal end of the slot may define a position of the support member that corresponds to the leg being in the extended position. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a table 25 comprising: a support surface; one or more legs movably mounted to said support surface so as to be movable between a folded position where the leg is folded against said support surface and an extended position whereby said leg extends substantially orthogonally with respect to said support surface, each leg having a support member connectable thereto at a first end and having a free second end; and 5 a locking mechanism for locking the one or more legs in said extended position, the locking mechanism comprising: a first member mountable to said support surface and configured to receive said second end of the support member such that the second end of said support member is free to slide within said first member 10 between a first position corresponding to said folded position of the leg and a second position corresponding to said extended position of the leg; and a second member mountable to said first member so as to be pivotably movable with respect to the second member, the second 15 member being configured to engage said second end of the support member when the leg is in the extended position. In yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a locking mechanism for a table having one or more folding leg supports, the locking mechanism comprising: 20 a housing member mountable to said table and configured to receive a hinge rod of the one or more folding leg supports; a pivot arm pivotally mountable to said housing member so as to be movable between a first position and a second position; and a biasing member mountable between said locking member and said pivot 25 arm so as to bias said pivot arm into said first position; wherein, the hinge rod is free to slide within the housing member as the one or more leg supports are moved between a folded position and an extended position when the pivot arm is in said second position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention may be better understood from the following non-limiting 5 description of preferred embodiments, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an underside of a table employing a locking mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side view of the table of Fig. 1 with the legs in an extended position; 10 Fig. 3 is a side view of the table of Fig. 1 with the legs in a folded position; Fig. 4 is a top view of the table of Fig. 1 with the legs in an extended position; Fig. 5 is a side view of a locking mechanism in accordance with an 15 embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 is an exploded side view of the locking mechanism of Fig. 5; Fig. 7A and 7B is a side view and a cross-sectional side view of the locking mechanism of Fig. 5 in a locked or biased position; and Fig. 8A and 8B is a side view and a cross-sectional side view of the 20 locking mechanism of Fig. 5 in an unlocked or unbiased position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred features of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention. The present invention will be described in relation to the application of the mechanism for use in a trestle table, or the like, whereby the support legs are foldable with respect to the table surface, to facilitate storage of the table when 5 not in use. However, it will be appreciated that the locking mechanism of the present invention may be used in a variety of different applications, other than tables, whereby one or more support legs are able to be extended from a folded position to support a surface. Such applications may include, but not limited to, saw horses, chairs, benches and work platforms. 10 Referring to Figure 1, a partial view of a table 10 is shown in an upturned position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The table 10 generally comprises a substantially planar support surface 11 which is supported above a ground or reference surface by one or more support legs 14. The planar support surface 11 has a top surface upon which items may be 1s received and supported, and an undersurface. The support legs 14 are typically located adjacent an edge or end of the table 10 and may take a variety of forms. In the embodiment as shown in Figure 1, the legs 14 comprise a single unit having a pair of vertical members attached at a lower end to a substantially horizontal foot portion 14a. The foot portion 14a is 20 configured to be received on a floor surface so as to support the planar support surface 11 in an elevated position above the floor surface. The vertical members of the legs 14 are attached at an upper end to a substantially horizontal shaft 14b. The shaft 14b is then mounted to an underside of the planar support surface 11 by way of a pair of end hinge members 16 which are screwed or otherwise attached 25 to the support surface 11, as may be necessary. A central hinge member 17 may also be employed to further secure the shaft 14b to the support surface 11. The end hinge members 16 and the central hinge member 17 are configured to permit rotational movement of the shaft 14b about a central axis thereof, such that the legs 14 are able to be moved in the direction of arrow A, between an extended position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and a folded position as shown in Fig. 3. In the folded position the legs 14 are folded so as to be positioned substantially against the undersurface of the support surface 11. As is shown in Figure 1, a locking mechanism 12, in accordance with one 5 embodiment of the present invention is mounted to an undersurface of the support surface 11 of the table 10. The locking mechanism 12 will be described in more detail below, and is configured to receive a support member or hinge rod 15 associated with the legs 14. As is shown in more detail in Figs 1 and 4, the hinge rod 15 is in the form of a substantially U-shaped length of material, such as 10 a steel rod or wire. The hinge rod 15 is connected at its free ends to an inside surface of the vertical members of the legs 14. The lower or horizontal portion of the U-shaped hinge rod 15 is received within the locking mechanism 12. In this arrangement, the free ends of the hinge rod 15 are free to pivot or rotate within recesses provided in the vertical members of the legs 14 such that folding 1s movement of the legs 14 in the direction of arrow A will result in the lower or horizontal portion of the hinged rod 15 sliding, in a constrained manner, along the undersurface of the support surface 11, within the locking mechanism 12. The exact manner in which this is achieved will be described in more detail below. One or more clamps 18 are provided on the undersurface of the support surface 20 11. The clamps 18 have an open upper end which is configured to receive the vertical portion of the hinged rod 15 when the legs 14 are in the folded position as is shown in Fig. 3. The clamps 18 act to hold and retain the region of the hinged rod 15 in the folded position. Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the locking mechanism 12 is shown in isolation in 25 both an assembled form (Fig. 5) and exploded form (Fig. 6). The locking mechanism 12 generally comprises a first member or housing member 26 and a second member or pivot arm 20 that is mounted to the housing member 26. The pivot arm 20 is configured to fit over the housing member 26 and is a substantially hollow member defined by an upper surface and downwardly projecting side walls. The pivot arm has a pair of opposing ends, that are defined as the handle portion 20a and locking end 20b. The height of the pivot arm 20 tapers towards the handle portion 20a so as to define a clearance between the underside of the handle portion 20a and the housing member 26 when the locking 5 mechanism 12 is assembled. The locking end 20b is defined by the end wall of the pivot arm and has a notch or slotted region 24 formed therein that is opened towards an underside thereof. A front edge of the notched or slotted region 24, namely the edge adjacent the locking end 20b of the pivot arm 20, forms a lip that extends lower than the back edge thereof. The manner in which the notch or 10 slotted region 24 of the pivot arm 20 functions will be described in more detail below. The housing member 26 is secured to an undersurface of the support surface 11 of the table or the like by substantially flat feet members 27. The feet members have holes 27a formed therein that receive screws or similar retaining members 15 that enable the housing member 26 to be securely retained in position against the support surface 11. The lower surface of the housing member 26 has a clearance region 29 formed therein that extends between the feet members 27. The clearance region 29 is formed such that when the housing member 26 is mounted to an undersurface of the support surface 11 of a table or the like (as is shown in 20 Fig. 7A), the clearance region 29 forms a space or passage between the housing member 26 and the support surface 11 to accommodate the hinge rod 15 of the legs 14. This clearance region 29 defines a path along which the hinge rod 15 is able to travel as the legs 14 are moved between an extended and a folded position, as 25 will be discussed in more detail below. A slot 30 is formed in the housing member 26 and is in communication with the clearance region 29. The slot 30 is configured so as to be elevated above the support surface 11 when the housing member 26 is mounted thereto, and extends towards a distal end 31 of the housing member 26. The slot 30 is also configured to accommodate the hinge rod 30 15 as the legs 14 move to an extended position. In this regard, the slot 30 is formed such that when the legs 14 are in the extended position the hinge rod 15 is received at an end of the slot 30. The pivot arm 20 is mounted to the housing member 26 by way of bolt 22. Whilst a bolt 22 is shown, it will be appreciated that a rivet, pin or similar 5 element may also be employed and the present invention is not to be limited to a bolt. The pivot arm 20 has a recess or hole 23 formed therethrough located in a central region thereof to receive the bolt 22. A similar recess or hole 28 is formed in a central region of the housing member 26 so as to align with the recess or hole 23 formed in the pivot arm when the pivot arm 20 is positioned 1o over the housing member 26, in the manner as shown in Fig. 5. When positioned in this manner the bolt 22 is able to be received within the aligned recess or holes 23, 28, so as to provide a point of connection therebetween. It will be appreciated that, as the housing member 26 is fixed to the support surface 11, the pivot arm 20 is free to rock or pivot about the bolt 22, which functions as the 15 fulcrum for the locking mechanism 12. A compression spring 21 is provided between the pivot arm 20 and the housing member 26. The spring 21 is mounted so as to be located adjacent a handle portion 20a of the pivot arm 20. As discussed previously, the handle portion 20a of the pivot arm 20 has a degree of clearance between the underlying housing 20 member 26, such that the handle portion 20a may be depressed towards the housing member 26 in the direction of arrow B. Due to the nature of the rocking or pivoting arrangement between the pivot arm 20 and the housing member 26, downward movement of the handle portion 20a of the pivot arm will result in upward movement of the locking end 20b of the pivot arm in the direction of 25 arrow C, and vice versa. By depressing the handle portion 20a in a downward direction, energy is stored in the spring 21 to provide a return force that returns the handle portion 20a to a biased position as is shown in Figure 5. In the biased position, the handle portion 20a is spaced from the housing member 26 and the locking end 20b of the pivot handle is firmly received over the end of the housing member 26 as is shown. This biased position as shown in Figure 5 is the locked position. Referring to Figs. 7A and 7B and Figs 8A and 8B, the manner in which the locking mechanism 12 functions to lock the legs 14 of a table in an extended or 5 upright position is shown. In Figs. 7A and 7B the locking mechanism 12 is in the locked or biased position, whilst in Figs. 8A and 8B the locking mechanism 12 is shown in the unlocked or unbiased position. Referring firstly to Figures 7A and 7B, the manner in which the locking mechanism functions as the legs 14 are moved from a folded position to an 1o extended position is shown. As discussed above, when the legs 14 are in the folded position, the hinge rod 15 is located in the clearance region 29 adjacent an end thereof, as represented by letter 'D'. In this position the legs 14 extend substantially along the undersurface of the support surface 11 of the table and the vertical regions of the hinge rod are captured in the clamps 18. In this position, 15 the table 18 is able to be stored when not in use, as is shown in Figure 3. In order to use the table, the legs 14 are activated by a user gripping the legs 14 and unfolding them to an extended position, as shown in Figure 1. As the user extends the legs from the folded position to the extended position, the hinge rod 15 is caused to move in a sliding manner along the clearance region 29, namely 20 that region between the support surface 11 and the housing member 26, in the direction of the arrows as shown in Figure 7A. As the hinge rod 15 advances within the clearance region 29, it is caused to enter slot 30 where it is further caused to travel a path that deviates above the support surface 11, as can be seen more clearly in Figure 7B. When the hinge rod 15 25 reaches point 'E' it contacts the walls of the pivot arm 20, as is shown more clearly in Figure 7A. Further movement of the legs 14 to the extended position results in the hinge rod 15 applying a pushing force to the pivot arm 20, against the biasing force of the spring 21. This causes the locking end 20b of the pivot arm 20 to move in an upwardly vertical direction, as shown in Fig. 8A, thus allowing the hinge rod 15 to progress further along the slot 30 towards the final position 'F'. In this position, the legs 14 are fully extended. When the hinge rod 15 is in position 'F', it is located in the notched or slotted region 24 of the pivot arm 20. This allows the pivot arm 20 to move to the biased 5 position under action of spring 21, as is shown in Figs 7A and 7B. In this position the hinge rod 15 is captured within the notched or slotted region 24 and 30 is thus locked in position. In such an arrangement, any force applied to collapse or fold the legs 14 will be resisted by the walls of the notched or slotted region 24 and the slot 30 acting against the hinge rod 15, which prevents 10 horizontal and vertical movement of the rod 15. In order to facilitate collapsing or folding of the legs 14, a downward force must be applied on the handle portion 20a of the pivot arm 20 against the spring 21. This is shown in Figure 8A. Due to the pivoting motion of the pivot arm 20 about bolt 22, the locking end 20b of the pivot arm 20 is caused to be raised from 15 the housing member 26 such that the hinge rod 15 is no longer constrained from movement by the notched or slotted region 24 of the pivot arm. The hinge rod 15 is thus free to travel within the slot 30 to position 'D' where the legs 14 of the table are in a folded position. The table may then be stored as required. It will be appreciated that the locking mechanism 12 of the present invention 20 provides a simple mechanism that controls the folding motion of the legs of a table or the like. As the housing member 26 is fixed to an underside of the table surface 11 over the hinge rod 15 of the legs 14, the hinge rod 15 is constrained to only move in a substantially horizontal plane as the legs 14 move between a folded position and an extended position. The biased pivotal motion of the pivot 25 arm 20 of the locking mechanism functions to snap lock the hinge rod 15 in the extended position, thus preventing further movement of the hinge rod within the mechanism 12. When the hinge rod is in the locked position, the hinge rod is firmly received against the front radial section of the slot 30 (position 'F'). In this position, when the pivot arm 20 is brought down over the hinge rod 15, the notched or slotted region 24 is snugly received about the hinge rod 15 to prevent any movement of the hinge rod 15. To facilitate such a snug fit and locking of the hinge rod 15 in position, the inner end face of the locking end 20b of the pivot arm is provided 5 with angled projections 32 (see Figs 7B and 8B) which firmly contacts the distal end of the housing member 26 so as to provide a locking point between the pivot arm 20 and the housing member 26. This locking or mating arrangement is shown in Fig. 7B, and ensures that the notched or slotted region 24 is consistently positioned about the hinge rod 15 each time the mechanism is in the locked or 10 biased position. It will be appreciated that to achieve this snug fitting, the hole 28 formed in the housing member 26 may have an oblong or elongated configuration (see Fig 6) to provide for a degree of movement between the pivot arm 20 and the housing member 26 as the mechanism 12 moves to the locked or biased position. 1s However, in an alternative design, the holes 23, 28 may have no clearance such that during use there is minimal movement between the pivot arm 20 and the housing member 26. In such an arrangement there is minimal clearance between the hole 23 of the pivot arm 20, the hole 28 of the housing member 26, and the bolt 22, thus ensuring that there is a snug fit of components when moved between 20 the biased and unbiased positions. It will be appreciated that the notched or slotted region 24 of the pivot arm 20 also facilitates a snug fit by locking the hinge rod 15 in position when the pivot arm is in the biased position. The locking mechanism of the present invention provides for a simple and effective mechanism whereby movement of the legs is substantially controlled in 25 the horizontal and vertical planes and locking of the legs is controlled in a horizontal plane by way of a pivot arm that is activated by a pressing action. In this regard, the action of locking the legs is controlled in a vertical plane by way of the housing member 26 receiving the hinge rod 15 in position F and the pivot arm moving in a vertical plane by way of the pressing action. Such a mechanism 30 is simple to use and easy to deactivate, without requiring significant forces and complicated mechanisms. Throughout the specification and claims the word "comprise" and its derivatives are intended to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. That is, the word 5 "comprise" and its derivatives will be taken to indicate the inclusion of not only the listed components, steps or features that it directly references, but also other components, steps or features not specifically listed, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. Orientational terms used in the specification and claims such as vertical, 10 horizontal, top, bottom, upper and lower are to be interpreted as relational and are based on the premise that the component, item, article, apparatus, device or instrument will usually be considered in a particular orientation, typically with the locking mechanism uppermost. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and 15 variations may be made to the methods of the invention described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (17)

1. A locking mechanism for a table, the table having a support surface and one or more legs movably mounted to said support surface so as to be movable between a folded position where the leg is folded against said 5 support surface and an extended position whereby said leg extends substantially orthogonally with respect to said support surface, each leg having a support member connectable thereto at a first end and having a free second end, the locking mechanism comprising: a first member mountable to said support surface and configured to 10 receive said second end of the support member such that the second end of said support member is free to slide within said first member between a first position corresponding to said folded position of the leg and a second position corresponding to said extended position of the leg; and a second member mountable to said first member so as to be pivotably 15 movable with respect to the second member, the second member being configured to engage said second end of the support member when the leg is in the extended position.

2. A locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the second member comprises a locking end and a handle portion and the second member is 20 mounted to the first member along a pivot axis located between said locking end and said handle portion.

3. A locking mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the second member is mounted to the first member by a bolt or pin member that defines said pivot axis. 25

4. A locking member according to claim 3, wherein a biasing member is located between the handle portion of the second member and the first member to bias the locking end of the second member in a locked position which engages with the second end of the support member when the leg is in the extended position. 15

5. A locking member according to claim 4, wherein the locking end of the second member has a slot formed therein to engage the second end of the support member when the leg is in the extended position.

6. A locking member according to claim 5, wherein the slot extends 5 substantially orthogonally to the direction of travel of the support member and has a width substantially equal to the width of the support member.

7. A locking member according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the biasing member is a compression spring.

8. A locking member according to claim 7, wherein application of pressure 10 to the handle portion of the second member causes the locking end of the second member to lift from the first member to release the second end of the support member such that the second end of the support member is free to slide within the first member as the leg is moved from the extended position to the folded position. 15

9. A locking mechanism according to claim 7 wherein the pressure applied to the handle portion is stored in the compression spring such that the removal of said pressure causes said locking end of the second member to return to said locked position.

10. A locking mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, 20 wherein the first member is secured to an underside of the support surface.

11. A locking mechanism according to claim 10, wherein the first member is configured such that when it is secured to an underside of the support surface a gap or recess is formed in a central region thereof between the underside of the support surface and the body of the first member that 25 defines a track along which the support member is free to travel.

12. A locking mechanism according to claim 11, wherein a region of the first member located adjacent the locking end of the second member has a slot formed therein that is located remote from the undersurface of the support surface and which is in communication with the gap or recess formed in 30 the central region of the first member to provide an extension of the track along which the support member is free to travel.

13. A locking mechanism according to claim 12, wherein a distal end of the slot defines a position of the support member that corresponds to the leg being in the extended position. 5

14. A locking mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support member is in the form of a substantially U-shaped rod.

15. A table comprising: a support surface; 10 one or more legs movably mounted to said support surface so as to be movable between a folded position where the leg is folded against said support surface and an extended position whereby said leg extends substantially orthogonally with respect to said support surface, each leg having a support member connectable thereto at a first end and having a 15 free second end; and a locking mechanism for locking the one or more legs in said extended position, the locking mechanism comprising: a first member mountable to said support surface and configured to receive said second end of the support member such that the second 20 end of said support member is free to slide within said first member between a first position corresponding to said folded position of the leg and a second position corresponding to said extended position of the leg; and a second member mountable to said first member so as to be 25 pivotably movable with respect to the second member, the second member being configured to engage said second end of the support member when the leg is in the extended position.

16. A locking mechanism substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying Figures. 17

17. A table substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying Figures.