ES2875857T3 - Set of folding legs with a folding tie member for a furniture support structure - Google Patents

Abstract

An assembly of collapsible legs (24) comprising: a first leg (30) and a second leg (40) attached to one or more spindles that are rotatably secured adjacent to a lower portion (14) of a support structure of furniture (10); a first brace member (34) secured to the first leg (30) and a second brace member (44) secured to the second leg (40), the first brace member (34) including an upper portion (36) secured to the first leg (30), the second brace member (44) including an upper portion (46) secured to the second leg (40), each of the first and second brace members (34,44) including a lower portion (38 ,48) secured adjacent to the lower portion (14) of the cabinet support structure (10), and a pivot member (39,49) for connecting the upper portion (36,46) to the lower portion (38, 48) such that each of the first and second brace members (34,44) is movable between an extended position and a closed position; and a handle (50) disposed between the first brace member (34) and the second brace member (44), the handle (50) being dimensioned and configured to assist in manipulating the pivot members (39,49) of the first and second brace members (34,44) from the extended position to the closed position, wherein the first and second legs (30,40) are in a position of use when the first and second brace members (34,44) are in the extended position, and the first and second legs (30,40) are in a collapsed position when the first and second brace members (34,44) are in the closed position, characterized in that the handle (50) includes a cross member (52 ) having a first end secured to the first brace member (34) and a second end (44) secured to the second brace member (44); and a portion of the handle (54) extending in a substantially perpendicular direction from the bottom (14) of the furniture support structure (10) when the first and second brace members (34,44) are in the closed position.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Set of folding legs with a folding tie member for a furniture support structure

Countryside

This description refers to a support structure for the folding furniture. More particularly, this description relates to collapsible tie members having a handle for manipulating the tie members between an extended position and a closed position.

Background

Conventional folding leg assemblies for furniture support structures, such as tables and benches, often include tie-rod members. One end of the tie member typically connects to the bottom of the support structure, while the opposite end of the tie member connects to one or more legs. When the tie member is in an extended position, the one or more legs connected to the tie member are in a use position (ie, the legs support the support structure at a particular height above the ground). When the tie members are in a closed position, the legs are in a folded position, typically arranged along the bottom surface of the support structure, to store and / or transport the support structure.

One problem associated with conventional tie members is that it is often difficult for a user to manipulate the tie members between the extended position and the closed position. Patent document JP2959716, for example, describes a table with folding legs provided with articulated tie members intended to address this problem by further providing a traction element connected to the articulated part of the tie members to facilitate their manipulation. Another problem is that the support structure, particularly the larger / longer support structures, can be difficult to transport in the folded position. Documents KR 100746965 B1, KR 2011 0000488U and US 5865 128 A further describe the prior art.

What is needed, therefore, is a folding leg assembly that has tie members that are easily manipulated between the extended position and the closed position, as well as a system to help transport the support structure when the tie members are in position. the closed position.

Summary

The present disclosure provides a folding leg assembly as claimed in claim 1, having a first leg and a second leg attached to one or more pivotally secured shafts adjacent to the bottom of a furniture support structure. A first tie member is secured to the first leg and a second tie member is secured to the second leg. Each tie member includes an upper portion secured to the respective leg, a lower portion secured adjacent to the bottom of the furniture support structure, and a pivot member for connecting the upper portion to the lower portion, such that each tie member is movable between an extended position and a closed position. The first and second legs are in a use position when the first and second members are in the extended position and the first and second legs are in a folded position when the first and second members are in the closed position. A handle is disposed between the first tie member and the second tie member, which is dimensioned and configured to aid in manipulation of the pivot members of the first and second tie member between the extended position and the closed position. The handle includes a cross member having a first end secured to the first tie member and a second end secured to the second tie member; and a handle portion extending outwardly from the cross member in a substantially perpendicular direction from the bottom of the furniture support structure when the first and second tie members are in the closed position.

According to certain embodiments, the collapsible leg assembly includes a spring attached to the upper and lower portions of each of the first and second tie members to bias the respective tie member into the extended position. In some embodiments the upper and lower portions of each of the first and second tie members define a cavity adjacent to the pivot member and springs or other extensible mechanisms are disposed within the cavities.

According to certain embodiments, the folding leg assembly includes one or more fasteners secured adjacent to the bottom of the furniture support structure to receive the first and second legs in the folded position. In some embodiments the first and second legs include a support member connecting the legs to each other, and at least one of the one or more fasteners is positioned to receive the support member when the first and second legs are in the folded position.

The handle may include a cross member having a first end secured to the first tie member and a second end secured to the second tie member. According to some embodiments, the handle further includes a portion of the handle that extends from the cross member in a direction opposite the first and second legs when the first and second members are in the extended position. In accordance with the invention, the handle portion is sized and configured to extend substantially perpendicular from the bottom of the support structure when the first and second tie members are in the closed position.

According to the description, a collapsible furniture support structure includes a support structure that includes an upper surface, a lower surface opposite the upper surface, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. A first set of collapsible legs is secured to the lower surface of the support structure adjacent to the first end and includes a first leg having an upper end portion and a second leg having an upper end portion, each of the upper end portions. of the first and second legs are secured to a shaft rotatably secured to the underside of the support structure surface adjacent the first end. The first set of folding legs further includes a first tie member secured to the first leg and a second tie member secured to the second leg, each of the first and second tie members includes an upper portion secured to the first and second leg respectively. , a lower portion secured adjacent to the lower surface of the furniture support structure, and a pivot member for connecting the upper portion to the lower portion. A first handle is disposed between the first tie member and the second tie member and is dimensioned and configured to aid in manipulation of the pivot members of the first and second tie member between an extended position and a closed position. The support structure further includes a second set of collapsible legs secured to the lower surface of the support structure adjacent the second end. The second set of folding legs includes a third leg having an upper end portion and a fourth leg having an upper end portion, each of the upper end portions of the third and fourth legs are secured to a shaft rotatably secured to the lower surface of the support structure adjacent to the second end. The second set of folding legs further includes a third tie member secured to the third leg and a fourth tie member secured to the fourth leg, each of the third and fourth tie members includes an upper portion secured to the third and fourth leg. respectively, a lower portion secured adjacent to the lower surface of the furniture support structure, and a pivot member for connecting the upper portion to the lower portion. A second handle is disposed between the third tie member and the fourth tie member and is sized and configured to aid in manipulation of the pivot members of the third and fourth tie members between an extended position and a closed position.

The support structure can include an elongated top surface. In some embodiments, the support structure of the folding furniture is a bench.

The collapsible furniture support structure may further include a spring attached to the upper and lower portions of each of the first, second, third, and fourth tie members to bias the respective tie member into the extended position. In some embodiments, each of the upper and lower portions of the first, second, third, and fourth tie members define a cavity adjacent to the pivot member and springs or other extensible mechanisms are disposed within the cavities.

The folding furniture support structure may further include one or more fasteners secured adjacent to the bottom surface of the support structure to receive the first, second, third, and fourth legs in a folded position when the first, second, third, and fourth members suspenders are in their closed positions. The first and second legs may include a first support member that connects the first and second legs to each other and the third and fourth legs include a second support member that connects the third and fourth legs to each other, and the support structure further includes at least one first fastener positioned adjacent to the bottom surface of the support structure to receive the first support member when the first and second legs are in the folded position and a second fastener positioned adjacent to the bottom surface of the support structure to receive the second support member when the third and fourth legs are in the folded position.

Each of the first and second handles may include a cross member having a first side secured to the first and third tie members respectively and a second side secured to the second and fourth tie members respectively. Each of the first and second handles may further include a portion of the handle that extends from the cross member in a direction opposite to the legs of its respective set of collapsible legs when the first, second, third, and fourth tie members are in the position. extended. The handle portion can be sized and configured to extend substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the support structure when the first, second, third, and fourth tie members are in the closed position.

Brief description of the drawings

Other advantages of the description are apparent with reference to the detailed description when examined in conjunction with the figures, which are not to scale to more clearly show the details, where like reference numerals indicate similar elements throughout the various views, and in where:

Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a collapsible bench having identical tie members on opposite halves of the collapsible bench in an extended position, in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 2 is a bottom perspective view of the tie member of one half of the folding bench of Figure 1 in the extended position;

Figure 3 is a side plan view of the tie member of Figure 2 in the extended position;

Figure 4 is a rear elevational view of the tie member of Figure 2 in the extended position;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the bottom of the tie member of Figure 2 in the extended position; Figure 6 is a bottom perspective view of the folding bench of Figure 1 in the closed position;

Figure 7 is a bottom perspective view of the tie member of Figure 2 in the closed position; and Figure 8 is a plan view of the bottom of the tie member of Figure 2 in the closed position. Detailed description

Referring to Figures 1-8, a furniture support structure 10, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, includes a flat top surface 12, a bottom surface 14 opposite top surface 12, a first end 16 , a second end 18 opposite the first end 16, a first side 20 and a second side 22 opposite the first side 20. The upper surface 12 preferably has a rectangular shape as shown, but can also be square, oval, circular or irregular within the spirit of the present description. The upper surface 12 is preferably formed of blow molded plastic, but other materials can also be applied. Secured to bottom surface 14 are a plurality of collapsible leg assemblies 24. In preferred embodiments, bottom surface 14 includes frame members 15, and collapsible leg assemblies 24 are attached to frame members 15 as described. below.

The furniture support structure 10 of the present disclosure, and more particularly the folding leg assemblies 24 for the support structure 10, are best used with respect to furniture support structures having an elongated top surface 12. Even more specifically , the folding leg assemblies 24 of the present disclosure are believed to be particularly suitable for structures 10 which have an elongated top surface 12 and which are intended to be relatively low, such as the bench as shown. However, the present disclosure can also be used for many different structures such as tables, chairs, stools, television trays, etc., which have folding leg assemblies and other folding mechanisms. Therefore, while a bench 10 is shown and described in the present description, it should be understood that the description could also be used with respect to other surfaces that are supported by folding leg assemblies and other folding mechanisms.

As best shown in Figure 2, each folding leg assembly includes a first leg 30 and a second leg 40. Each leg is attached to a shaft 32, 42 that is rotatably secured to a frame member 15 which is extends along the length of the bottom surface 14. As shown, each leg can be secured to a separate shaft 32, 42. However, according to alternative embodiments, the first leg 30 and the second leg 40 can be secured to a single axis extending along the width of the bottom surface 14. As shown, a support member or pedestal 60 is preferably provided to secure the first leg 30 to the second leg 40 and provide additional support when support structure 10 is in a position of use.

Secured to the first leg 30 is a first tie member 34 and secured to the second leg 40 is a second tie member 44. Each tie member 34, 44 includes an upper portion 36, 46 and a lower portion 38, 48. The upper portion 36, 46 of each tie member 34, 44 is secured to its respective leg, and the lower portions 38, 48 are secured to frame members 15 that extend along the bottom surface 14. Each tie member 34, 44 further includes a pivot member 39, 49 for connecting the upper portion 36, 46 to the lower portion 38, 48, such that each tie member 34, 44 is movable between an extended position and a closed position. The shafts 32, 42 allow the legs 30, 40 to rotate when the tie members 34, 44 move between the extended position and the closed position, so that the legs are movable between a position of use (Figures 1-5) and a folded position (Figures 6-8).

A handle 50 is preferably disposed between the first tie member 34 and the second tie member 44 to manipulate the pivot members 39, 49 of the first and second tie member. As a result of the handle 50 connecting the pivot members 39, 49, both tie members 34 and 44 are operable to be manipulated simultaneously between the extended position and the closed position (i.e., the pivot members 39, 49 are they manipulate simultaneously by using the handle 50). In preferred embodiments, handle 50 includes a cross member 52 having a first end secured to first tie member 34 and a second end secured to second tie member 44, and a portion of handle 54 that extends from cross member 52 so that it is easy for a user to grasp the handle 50 by using the handle portion 54. In preferred embodiments, the cross member 52 is welded at opposite ends to the tie members 34 and 44.

With reference to Figures 1 through 5, the first and second legs 30, 40 of each set of folding legs 24 are in a use position when the first and second members 34, 44 are in the extended position. In accordance with preferred embodiments, the handle portion 54 is sized and configured to extend in the opposite direction to that of the first and second legs 30 and 40 (i.e., extend away from the legs), for easier access to the handle portion while the support structure 10 is in the position of use. Referring to Figures 6-8, the first and second legs 30, 40 are in a collapsed position when the first and second members 34, 44 are in the closed position. When the first and second legs 30, 40 are in the folded position, the handle portion 54 is preferably sized and configured to extend substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface 14 to aid in transporting the support structure 10.

Referring to Figures 2 and 5, each tie member 34, 44 preferably includes a spring 56 or similar extensible mechanism attached to upper portions 36, 46 and lower portions 38, 48 of each of the first and second tie members 34 , 44 to push the respective tie member to the extended position. In preferred embodiments, upper portions 36, 46 and lower portions 38, 48 form cavities 31,41 through pivot members 39, 49, and springs 56 or similar extensible mechanisms are disposed within cavities 31, 41.

Referring to Figures 5-7, support structure 10 preferably includes one or more fasteners 58 secured adjacent bottom surface 14 to receive first and second legs 30, 40 in the folded position. As shown, the fasteners 58 are preferably positioned to receive the first and second legs 30, 40 through the pedestal 60. Therefore, according to this embodiment, a fastener 58 can be used to secure the first and second legs 30, 40 of a set of folding legs 24 adjacent the bottom surface 14 of frame 10 in the folded position, as they are positioned to receive the pedestal 60 (or other type of support member) connecting the first and second legs 30, 40. Additional fasteners 58 can be used to help secure legs 30, 40 adjacent to bottom surface 14 of support structure 10.

Claims (5)

1. A set of folding legs (24) comprising: a first leg (30) and a second leg (40) attached to one or more shafts that are rotatably secured adjacent to a bottom portion (14) of a furniture support structure (10); a first tie member (34) secured to the first leg (30) and a second tie member (44) secured to the second leg (40), the first tie member (34) including an upper portion secured (36) to the the first leg (30), the second tie member (44) including an upper portion (46) secured to the second leg (40), each of the first and second tie members (34,44) including a lower portion (38 , 48) secured adjacent to the lower part (14) of the furniture support structure (10), and a pivot member (39,49) to connect the upper portion (36,46) to the lower portion (38, 48) such that each of the first and second tie members (34,44) is movable between an extended position and a closed position; and a handle (50) disposed between the first tie member (34) and the second tie member (44), the handle (50) is sized and configured to help manipulate the pivot members (39,49) of the first and second tie members (34,44) from the extended position to the closed position, wherein the first and second legs (30,40) are in a use position when the first and second tie members (34,44) are in the extended position, and the first and second legs (30,40) are in a folded position when the first and second tie members (34,44) are in the closed position, characterized in that the handle (50) includes a cross member (52) having a first end secured to the first tie member (34) and a second end (44) secured to the second tie member (44); and a handle portion (54) that extends in a substantially perpendicular direction from the bottom (14) of the furniture support structure (10) when the first and second tie members (34,44) are in the closed position The folding leg assembly (24) according to claim 1 further comprising a spring (56) attached to the upper (36,46) and lower (38,48) portions of each of the first and second tie members. (34,44) to push the respective tie member (34,44) towards the extended position. The folding leg assembly according to claim 2, wherein the upper (36,46) and lower (38,48) portions of each of the first and second tie members (34,44) define a cavity (31 , 41) adjacent to the pivot member (39,49), and the springs (56) are disposed within the cavities (31,41). 4. The folding leg assembly (24) according to claim 1 further comprising one or more fasteners (58) secured adjacent to the bottom (14) of the furniture support structure (10) to receive the first and second legs (30,40) in the folded position. The folding leg assembly (24) according to claim 1, wherein the first and second legs (30,40) each include a support member connecting the first and second legs (30,40) relative to each other, the set of folding legs (24) further comprising at least one fastener (28) located adjacent to the lower surface (14) of the support structure (10) to receive the support member when the first and second legs (30,40) are in the folded position.