GB2214796A

GB2214796A - Folding leg assembly for furniture

Info

Publication number: GB2214796A
Application number: GB8803446A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Inventerprise Limited; David Stern
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-02-15
Filing date: 1988-02-15
Publication date: 1989-09-13
Anticipated expiration: 2008-02-15
Also published as: GB2214796B; GB8803446D0

Abstract

A folding leg assembly for furniture comprises a cylindrical barrel (11) for attachment, e.g. to the underside of a table top and a leg (5) having a horizontally extending portion (7) which fits into the barrel so that the leg can be moved between an operative position and a closed position in which it lies against the table top. Teeth (29) on a collar (28) fixed to the horizontal portion of the leg fit into respective slots (27) in one end of the barrel to lock the leg in its open or closed position. A biasing spring (19) normally holds the teeth in engagement with the slots. The horizontal portion of the leg can be moved along the barrel against the spring bias to disengage the teeth from the slots and allow the leg to be moved from one position to the other. <IMAGE>

Description

FOLDING LEG ASSEMBLY FOR FURNITURE This invention relates to folding leg assemblies for occasional furniture.

It is an object of the invention to provide a folding leg assembly of inexpensive construction which can readily be fitted by amateurs or professionals.

This invention consists in a leg assembly for furniture, comprising a cylindrical barrel for attachment to furniture, a leg having a first part and a second part extending transversely to the first part, the first part being engaged for pivotal movement about its axis in the cylindrical barrel, spring biassing means acting between the first part of the leg and the barrel, and complementary elements on the barrel and the first part of the leg which engage one another under the influence of the spring biassing when the first part of the leg is rotated to move and to hold the leg to its open position.

Preferably, the complementary elements also engage when the leg is in its folded position to hold the leg in that position. Suitably the elements comprise a tooth or teeth formed on the first part of the leg and a slot or slots formed on one end of the barrel, arranged so that in both the folded and open positions of the leg the tooth or teeth fit into an appropriate slot or slots to hold the leg in position.

Preferably, the spring biassing is effected by a helical compression spring which embraces the first part of the leg and acts between a stop near the free end of the first part of the leg and the adjacent end of the barrel.

Preferably, the barrel is formed with lateral flanges by means of which it can be fixed to an item of furniture.

The invention also includes an item of furniture fitted with leg assemblies as defined above.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 illustrates the under side of an occasional table fitted with four leg assemblies in accordance with the invention, showing the legs in the folded position, Figure 2 shows the open position of one of the legs, Figure 3 is a perspective view showing details of a leg assembly, Figure 4 is a plan view of the barrel and part of the leg of a leg assembly, Figure 5 is a section through the collar, teeth and tubular leg of a leg assembly, and Figure 6 is a section through the barrel of a leg assembly, showing the teeth engaged in slots in the barrel.

The drawings show an occasional table made by fitting four leg assemblies in accordance with the invention to a rectangular table top 3. Each leg assembly has a metal leg 5 comprising a first part 7 and a second part 9 as a continuation of the first part at, or substantially at, right angles. The first part 7 of the leg extends within a generally cylindrical barrel 11 formed with lateral flanges 12 with screw holes 13. The first part 7 of each leg 5 is thus mounted in the corresponding barrel 11 for rotation about its axis between a folded position and an open position.

A helical biassing spring 19 embraces the end of the first part 7 of the leg projecting from the barrel 11 and engages a pin 21 near the free end of the part 7 of the leg and the adjacent end 23 of the barrel.

At the opposite end 25 the barrel is formed with three slots 27 which are open at the end 25 of the barrel. Fixed to the first part 7 of the leg, by a pin 31, is a collar 28, which may a bronze or brass casting.

The collar has two teeth 29 which, in both the folded and opened positions of the leg, engage in two of the three slots 27. In each position, the spring 19 holds the teeth in engagement with the slots.

To move the leg from one position to the other, it is pulled against the biassing force of the spring 19, to disengage teeth 29 from the slots 27.

The leg is then rotated towards the other position until the teeth engage again in the appropriate slots 27, and the leg is released to allow the spring to pull the teeth into engagement with the slots, to hold the leg rigidily in position. The slots are arranged so that the two positions of the leg are separated by 900. For example, as shown in Figure 5, the slots are yosixioned OVe1 90 il.tervals around the barrel. and the two teeth are 900 apart.

A plastic cap 33 may be fitted over the end of the part 7 of the leg 5.

Figures 1 and 2 show the leg assembly fitted to a table top 3, the flanges 19 being simply screwed to the underside of the table top. ihen each leg is in its folded position, the part 9 of the leg lies flat against the underside of the table top. In the open position, the part 9 of each leg extends at right angles to the table at the top.

The leg assemblies could be used in other ways, for example, fixed to the edges of the table top, or used to make other furniture, such as a seat.

The leg assembly could be used in the manufacture of furniture, or could be sold separately for use by amateurs.

Claims

1. A leg assembly for furniture, comprising a cylindrical barrel for attachment to furniture, a leg having a first part and a second part ewtenuing transversaly to the first part, the firs; part being engaged for pivotal movement about its axis in the cylindrical barrel, spring biassing means acting between the first part of the leg and the barrel, and complementary elements on the barrel and the first part of the leg which engage one another under the influence of the spring biassing when the first part of the leg is rotated to move the leg to its open position thereby to hold the leg in that position.

2. A leg assembly as claimed in Claim 1, in which the complementary elements also engage when the leg is in its folded position to hold the leg in that position.

3. A leg assembly as claimed in Claim 2, in which the complementary elements comprise a tooth or teeth formed on the first part of the leg and a slot or slots formed on one end of the barrel, arranged so that in both the folded and open positions of the leg the tooth or teeth fit into an appropriate slot or slots to hold the leg in position.

4. A leg assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the spring biassing is effected by a helical compression spring which embraces the first part of the leg and acts between a stop near the free end of the first part of the leg and the adjacent end of the barrel.

5. A leg assembly tor furniture, substantially A described wth reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings 7. An item of furniture fitted with leg assemblies as claimed in any preceding claim.

5. A leg assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the barrel is formed with lateral flanges by means of which it can be foxed to an item of furniture.