CN112040809B

CN112040809B - Folding locking mechanism for furniture legs and furniture with such a mechanism

Info

Publication number: CN112040809B
Application number: CN201980028801.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 格雷格·肖兰德
Original assignee: Panna Tara Investment Co ltd
Current assignee: Panna Tara Investment Co ltd
Priority date: 2018-03-22
Filing date: 2019-03-22
Publication date: 2023-03-10
Anticipated expiration: 2039-03-22
Also published as: CN112040809A; SE1850322A1; SE542872C2

Abstract

According to an aspect of the inventive concept, there is provided a folding locking mechanism (100) for a furniture leg, comprising a first connecting member (103) arranged at an end portion of a first leg portion (101) and a second connecting member (104) arranged at an end portion of a second leg portion (102). The end portion of the first leg portion and the end portion of the second leg portion are hingedly connected to each other so that the leg portions can be arranged in a straight position and a folded position. The first connection member includes a pin (105) configured to be received in a recess (106) of the second leg portion when the first and second leg portions are arranged in the straight position. The second connection member comprises a spring biased pin (107) arranged to be guided in a hole (108) of the second leg portion such that the pin may engage with the pin (105) when the pin is received in a recess (106) in the end of the second leg portion, thereby releasably locking the first and second leg portions in a straight position.

Description

Folding locking mechanism for furniture legs and furniture with such a mechanism

Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to a locking mechanism for folding furniture legs.

Background

In today's environment, there is an increasing demand for more flexible furniture where the legs can be easily folded and moved.

Different types of locking mechanisms have been manufactured for folding the legs. U.S. Pat. No. 2,695,827 discloses such a locking member for folding table legs. In this form of locking member, the latch member is pivotally mounted on a projecting ear on a cross-member fixed to the lower surface of the table and is biased via a spring to engage a cross-member connecting the upper ends of a pair of legs of the table to hold the legs of the table in an upright or unfolded position. In this type of table, when the legs are upright, the legs are substantially perpendicular to the top of the table. However, the manufacture of such locking mechanisms can be quite complex. The mechanism may also be formed of many small parts that are easily actuated, cause instability of the table, or require two hands to operate the locking mechanism.

Therefore, there is a need for a locking mechanism that can be easily manipulated and securely locked. Further, there is a need to increase the damage resistance of the locking mechanism while reducing its overall size.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to at least partially satisfy the above requirements. This and other objects are achieved by a locking mechanism for a folding leg. Further embodiments of the disclosure are provided in the dependent claims.

According to an aspect of the inventive concept, there is provided a fold lock mechanism for a furniture leg. This locking mechanism may include a first connecting member disposed at an end portion of the first leg portion and a second connecting member disposed at an end portion of the second leg portion. The end portion of the first leg portion and the end portion of the second leg portion may be hingedly connected to each other so that the leg portions may be arranged in a straight position and a folded position. The first connection member may include a pin configured to be received in a recess of the second leg portion when the first and second leg portions are arranged in the straight position. The second connection member may comprise a spring biased pin arranged to be guided in a hole of the second leg portion such that when the pin is received in the recess of the second leg end, the pin may engage with the pin, releasably locking the first and second leg portions in the straight position.

By using a pin engaged with a spring biased pin, a simple, rigid, and effective locking mechanism is achieved. The mechanism also provides a convenient and simple mechanism for operating on the folding leg.

It is also envisaged that the spring mechanism may be formed by other resilient means that operate in a similar manner to a spring.

According to one embodiment, the first connection member may be arranged in the leg direction such that it protrudes from an end portion of the first leg portion. This protruding end portion may thus be understood as a portion extending from the leg portion in the longitudinal direction.

In one embodiment, the pin may be tapered to facilitate engagement between the pin and the pin.

In one embodiment, the pin may be arranged to extend in a transverse direction of the first connection member. The term "transverse" herein denotes a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction or length direction of the first connecting member, so that the pin is fitted into the recess of the second leg portion. Alternatively or additionally, the term "lateral" may be understood as a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the first leg portion.

In one embodiment, the recess may extend transversely into the second leg end. The term "transversely" may here denote a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second leg portion, such that the pin may fit into the recess of the second leg portion. This recess thus extends into the second leg portion. In this way, the recess can fit or accommodate the pin when the leg portion is in the straight position. The recess may for example be a bore hole extending into the material of the leg portion.

In one embodiment, the spring biased pin may be arranged in the transverse direction to extend into the side of the second leg end and into the recess. This makes the engagement with the pin simple and effective. Preferably, this direction is also perpendicular to the direction of the recess.

In one embodiment, the spring-biased pin may be movable from a distal open position to a proximal closed position. The term "proximal" herein refers to a state in which the pin is in a proximal position relative to the center of the second leg portion. The term "distal" herein refers to a state in which the pin is in a distal position with respect to the center of the second leg portion. The open position here represents a state in which the spring-biased pin is not engaged with the pin and the leg portions can be folded. The closed position here means a state in which the spring-biased pin is engaged with the pin and the leg portion is locked in the folded state.

In one embodiment, the pin may include engagement means in the form of a through hole or cavity or shoulder in the pin. By using through holes, the pin and the peg can be locked together firmly, so that a strong stability of the leg can be achieved. When the engagement means is a through hole in the pin and the pin extends into the pin, the pin may be well secured in the through hole of the pin so that no movement occurs. When a cavity or shoulder in the pin, the pin is secured to the cavity edge or shoulder edge of the pin to prevent any movement.

In one embodiment, the hinge may be arranged to allow the leg portions to move relative to each other about the pivot axis.

In another aspect of the inventive concept there is provided a piece of furniture comprising a first leg portion, a second leg portion, and a fold locking mechanism as described in the previous aspect. This aspect may generally present the same or corresponding advantages as the previous aspect.

In one embodiment, the furniture comprises a third leg portion arranged at the other end portion of the second leg portion. The third leg portion extends in a transverse direction relative to the extension of the first and second leg portions. In other words, the third leg portion may be arranged to extend between the first and second leg portions. The storage locking mechanism includes a third connecting member attached to the furniture. The third connection member comprises a further spring-biased pin and a further hole, wherein the further spring-biased pin is arranged to be guided in the further hole such that the further spring-biased pin can engage with a further recess in the third leg part, thereby releasably locking the first and second leg parts in the folded position.

This solution enables an efficient and simple way of locking the first leg part and the second leg part in the folded position.

The present locking mechanism may be used in furniture generally in gardens, offices or kitchens. In particular, on balconies, such locking mechanisms may be very suitable for folding or folding tables, stools, chairs and similar furniture, in order to increase the use of space.

Drawings

The above as well as additional objectives, features, and advantages of the present inventive concept will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals will be used for like elements unless otherwise specified.

Fig. 1 and 2 each show the locking mechanism in cross-section when the leg portions are folded or in a straight position.

Figure 3 shows the locking mechanism in perspective view when the leg portions are folded.

Fig. 4A to 4E show the locking mechanism in perspective view. In particular, the spring biased pin is shown in a cross-sectional view of the second leg portion and shows how the spring biased pin engages the pin when the leg portions are in different positions.

Figure 5 shows in perspective view a storage locking mechanism on a piece of furniture when the leg portions are in a folded position.

Figure 6 illustrates a table that uses a locking mechanism on a foldable leg to lock the leg in a straight position.

Unless explicitly stated to the contrary, the figures only show those elements necessary to illustrate example embodiments, while other elements may be omitted or merely suggested for clarity. As shown in the drawings, the sizes of elements and regions may be exaggerated for illustrative purposes, and thus provided to show an overall structure of the embodiments.

Detailed Description

Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings illustrate a presently preferred embodiment, however, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

Referring to fig. 1-4, various views of a fold lock mechanism 100 for a foldable leg are shown. The legs include a first leg portion 101 and a second leg portion 102.

Fig. 1 shows the leg in a folded position, fig. 2 shows the leg in a straight position, and fig. 3 shows the leg in a position between the folded and straight positions.

The first connection member 103 may be disposed at an end portion of the first leg part 101. The first connection member 103 may be arranged to protrude from an end portion of the first leg part 101 in the leg direction.

The second connecting member 104 may be disposed at an end portion of the second leg portion 102. The end portion of the first leg portion 101 and the end portion of the second leg portion 102 may be joined together with a hinge 109. The hinges 109 may be arranged to allow the leg portions to move relative to each other about a pivot axis. The end portions of the leg portions may then be moved between the folded position and the straight position.

The hinge 109 may be fixed at the leg end or at the side of the end portion of the leg, e.g. via screws. According to a non-limiting example, the hinge 109 may be a joint hinge formed of steel for optimal strength.

The pin (peg) 105 may be arranged in a transverse direction of the first connection member 103. In particular, the pin 105 may be arranged in the protruding end portion 110 of the first connection member 103. The transverse direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first leg portion. The pin 105 may be configured to be received in the recess 106 of the second leg portion 102. Thus, the pin 105 can fit in the recess 106 of the second leg portion 102 when the leg portion is in the straight position. Further, the second leg portion 102 may include a recess 106 and a second connection member 104. The recess 106 may extend perpendicularly into the second leg portion 102 from a first side of the second leg portion for fitting a pin from the first connecting member 103. The recess 106 may pass completely through the second leg portion 102 on the other side as a through hole, or the recess 106 may only partially pass down into the second leg portion 102.

The second connection member 104 may comprise a spring biased pin 107 arranged to be guided in a hole 108. The spring biased pin 107 may be arranged in the transverse direction in a hole 108, protruding into the side of the second leg portion 102 and extending into the recess 106. This protruding direction of the hole 108 is perpendicular to the direction of the recess 106 and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second leg portion 102. Here, this spring biased pin 107 is operable between an open position and a closed position. The open position is when the pin 107 is in a distal position relative to the center of the second leg portion 102 and the spring is biased. The closed position is when the pin 107 is in a proximal position relative to the center of the second leg portion and the spring is fully extended to engage the pin 107 with the pin 105.

The pin 105 may comprise engagement means in the form of a through hole, but it may also be in the form of a cavity or shoulder. The pin 105 may also be tapered to facilitate engagement with the spring-biased pin 107. The engagement of the pin 107 with the peg 105 provides a rigid structure when the leg portions are locked.

The first leg portion 101 and the second leg portion 102 may be releasably locked in a straight position via a locking mechanism, such that the locking mechanism is configured to lock if the pin 105 is engaged with the spring biased pin 107 and unlock if the pin 105 is not engaged with the spring biased pin 107. In other words, when the spring-biased pin 107 is closed, it engages with the pin 105 and the leg portion is locked in a straight position. The leg portions may fold when the spring is opened or the spring biased pin 107 is released from engagement with the pin 105.

Fig. 4A-4C illustrate how the spring biased pin 107 may engage the pin 105 when the leg portions are moved from the partially folded position in fig. 4A and 4B to the straight position in fig. 4C. Fig. 4D illustrates the situation when the spring biased pin 107 can be released from engagement with the pin 105 and the first and second leg portions are moved from the straight position to the partially folded position as shown in fig. 4E.

Fig. 5 illustrates the storage locking mechanism 115 on the furniture when the first leg portion 101 and the second leg portion 102 are in the folded position. This furniture may be, for example, a table 111. The third leg portion 116 may be arranged at the other end portion of the second leg portion 102. This other end portion of the second leg portion 102 may be located at an opposite end of the second leg portion 102 as compared to the end portion disposed at the second connecting member 104. Alternatively, the third leg portion 116 may be arranged at the other end portion of the first leg portion 101. However, the third leg portion 116 may be arranged only at the other end portion of the first leg portion 101 or the other end portion of the second end portion 102, not at both of them at the same time.

Hereinafter, only an embodiment when the third leg portion is disposed at the other end portion of the second leg portion 102 will be described. The third leg portion 116 may extend in the transverse direction between the first leg portion 101 and the second leg portion 102. This third leg portion 116 may act as a stabilizer for the table 111 when the first leg portion 101 and the second leg portion 102 are in a straight position. Another recess 117 may be located in the third leg portion 116. The third connecting member 114 may be attached to the table 111. This third connection member 114 may comprise a further spring biased pin 112 arranged to be guided in a further hole 113 of the third connection member 114. When the first and

second leg portions

101, 102 are in the folded position, the second spring-biased pin 112 may engage another recess 117 in the third leg portion 116, releasably locking the first and

second leg portions

101, 102 in the folded position.

The term "another" may also be referred to herein as a "second," such as a second recess, a second spring-biased member, a second bore, or a second end portion.

In a non-limiting example, the fold-locking mechanism 100 may preferably be used on a leg of a table, but may also be used on a leg of a chair. The fold-locking mechanism may be made of metal (e.g. stainless steel) to allow for optimal stability, but may also be made of plastic to be as light as possible. The first connecting member 103 may be formed, for example, as a metal plate or a metal plate that can be screwed into the end portion of the first leg portion 101. The pin 105 may be screwed into the connecting member. Alternatively, the first connecting member 103 and the pin may be formed as one metal or plastic piece. The hole 108 may be formed by drilling a hole in the first side of the second leg portion 102. Spring-biased pin 107 may be made of metal or plastic and threaded into hole 108 to achieve a fixed position for receiving spring-biased pin 107, wherein pin 107 may be movable. The recess 106 may be formed by drilling a hole in the second leg portion 102 such that the hole 108 extends perpendicularly outward into the recess 106. The leg portions may be made of any kind of plastic, metal or wood, for example, and may be in the shape of a cylinder or a square, for example. The third connecting member 114 may be made of wood or plastic and attached to the table by screws. Another recess 117 is formed by drilling a hole in the third leg portion 116. The further spring-biased pin 112 may be made of plastic or metal and is screwed into the further hole 113.

Fig. 6 illustrates a fold-over locking mechanism 100 for use on a leg of a table 111 (e.g., a balcony table). In this example, the foldable legs are in a straight position and the fold-locking mechanism 100 locks the first leg portion 101 and the second leg portion 102 in this position. The first and second leg portions may then be folded up against the underside of the table 111 in a simple manner. Thus, when the first and second leg portions are folded, the storage locking mechanism 115 attached to the table may lock the first and

second leg portions

101, 102 in the folded position with the aid of the further spring-biased pin 112. A spring biased pin 112 disposed in the third connecting member 114 may engage another recess 117 in the third leg portion 116 to lock the first and second leg portions in the folded position.

In the foregoing, the inventive concept has been described with reference mainly to a limited number of examples. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other examples than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the inventive concept, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A fold lock mechanism (100) for a furniture leg, the fold lock mechanism comprising:

a first connecting member (103) arranged at an end portion of the first leg portion (101); and

a second connecting member (104) arranged at an end portion of a second leg (102), wherein the end portion of the first leg and the end portion of the second leg are hingedly connected to each other such that the legs are rotatable relative to each other about a pivot axis and are arrangeable in a straight position and a folded position;

wherein:

the first connection member comprises a pin (105) arranged in a protruding end portion (110) of the first connection member (103) and arranged in a lateral direction of the first connection member (103), wherein the protruding end portion is a portion extending from a first leg portion in a longitudinal direction, while the lateral direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first leg portion (101), whereby the pin (105) is configured to move into a recess (106) of the second leg portion when the first and second leg portions are arranged in the straight position such that the pin is received in the recess;

the second connection member comprises a spring biased pin (107) arranged to be guided in a hole (108) in the second leg portion such that the pin can engage with the pin (105) when the pin is received in a recess (106) in the second leg end, releasably locking the first and second leg portions in the straight position.

2. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the pin (105) is tapered to slide against the spring biased pin (107).

3. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the recess (106) extends transversely into the second leg end.

4. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the spring-biased pin (107) is arranged in the transverse direction of the second leg portion to project into the side of the second leg end and into the recess (106).

5. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the spring biased pin (107) is movable from a distal open position to a proximal closed position relative to the centre of the second leg portion.

6. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the pin (105) comprises an engagement means in the form of a through hole, a cavity, or a shoulder.

7. A piece of furniture (111) comprising a first leg portion, a second leg portion and a fold-locking mechanism (100) according to claim 1.

8. Furniture (111) according to claim 7, further comprising:

a third leg (116) arranged at a second end portion of the second leg, the third leg (116) extending in a transverse direction relative to the extension of the first and second legs; and

a storage locking mechanism (115) comprising a third connection member (114) attached to the furniture, the third connection member comprising a further spring biased pin (112) and a second hole (113), wherein the further spring biased pin (112) is arranged to be guided in the second hole (113) such that the further spring biased pin (112) is engageable with a further recess (117) in the third leg portion (116) to releasably lock the first and second leg portions in a folded position.