GB2254000A

GB2254000A - "improvements relating to furniture"

Info

Publication number: GB2254000A
Application number: GB9206815A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joseph Speight
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-03-28
Filing date: 1992-03-26
Publication date: 1992-09-30
Also published as: GB9206815D0; GB9106730D0

Abstract

A piece of furniture such as a table or bench has a top (1) and legs (7, 8) hinged to the underside about parallel axes so that they can fold flat below the top. A flap (3) is hinged about a transverse axis to one side of the legs (7, 8) and, with the table erected, slopes downwardly underneath the top to trap and stabilize the legs in slots (6). With the legs folded, the flap (3) can also hinge flat below the top. The legs can be rectangular board-like members. <IMAGE>

Description

"Improvements relating to Furniture" This invention relates to furniture, and in particular to folding tables or desks. However, the principles could be applied to other pieces, such as benches. For convenience, reference will mostly be made to tables.

One very common arrangement of a table with folding legs is for the legs to be hinged so that they fold towards each other while a toggle-like brace doubles back on itself. When the table is erected, each brace straightens and goes slightly over-centre to become self-locking.

However, these are vulnerable to being inadvertently "broken", leading to collapse. Also, especially when they close with a scissor-like action, they can be dangerous to stray fingers.

It is the aim of this invention to provide a folding table of greater stability and security, and with more inherent safety.

According to the present invention there is provided a foldable piece of furniture such as a table or bench, having a top, legs hinged below the top about parallel axes, and a flap hinged below the top about an axis transverse to those of the leg hinges, the flap and legs being movable between a stowed position where they are in a flat, layered arrangement with the top, and an erected position where the legs are stabilised by entry into slots in the flap.

Preferably, the legs will be substantially rectangular, board-like members, and they will usually be set one near each end if the table is rectangular. The flap will generally be hinged along or near one edge of the top and, in the erected position, it will slope downwards underneath the table top to engage the legs. There may be means to hold the flap in that sloping attitude, for example a catch device that holds the flap to a leg.

Conveniently, the top will be apertured near one edge to provide a handle, and this may be near the centre of the edge to which the flap is hinged. The flap may be cut away over a portion near its hinge to expose said apertures when folded flat. That will give free access from both sides to the handle.

In order to allow the legs and flap to fold flat with one another, their hinge axes may have to be in different planes parallel to that of the top.

For a better understanding of the invention, one embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a table in its erected condition, Figure 2 is an underneath plan view of the table when folded, and Figure 3 is an end elevation of the erected table.

The table has a rectangular top 1 and on the underside along one longitudinal edge there is a thick batten 2. A rectangular flap 3 of the same length as the top 1 is hinged to this batten and it can swing downwards from a stowed position as shown in Figure 2 where it lies parallel with the top 1. At the centre of this hinged edge it has a cutout portion 4 which, in the stowed position, exposes an elongated hole 5 in the top which provides a carrying handle for the table. Also, the flap 3 has two symmetrically disposed slots 6 parallel to and near the shorter edges and opening to the free long edge.

The table has parallel legs 7 and 8, each of rectangular board-like form and of a thickness matching the width of the slots 6. The leg 7 is hinged directly to the underside of the top 1 about an axis perpendicular to the hinge axis of the flap 2. The leg 8 is hinged to a batten 9 secured transversely to the underside of the top, this batten being of a thickness equal to the thickness of the legs 7 and 8, and half the thickness of the batten 2. The legs 7 and 8 may have holes (not shown) to receive sliding bolts 10 fitted to the flap 3.

It will be seen from Figure 2 that the legs 7 and 8 can fold together in overlapping fashion, and then the flap 3 can be folded over them. The hinge axes are spaced vertically below the top to make this folding as compact as possible. Of course, if the table is long in relation to the legs, the latter may not need to overlap, in which case the batten 9 is unnecessary, and the batten 2 can be half the shown thickness. If desired, there may be some means to secure the various components in this stowed condition.

To erect the table, the top 1 is held horizontal with the flap and legs underneath, and when they are released they fall down to hang vertically. The flap can then be pushed back to the inclined position shown in Figure 3 where the legs 7 and 8 are embraced by the slots 6. When the bolts 10 are slid across, the flap is held and the legs are secure.

It will be understood that there may be more than two legs if the top is very much elongated. Also, to enhance the appearance, the batten 2 may be developed into a skirt that extends down further to conceal the hinge, and this may be taken around other edges of the top 1.

Claims

1. A foldable piece of furniture such as a table or bench, having a top, legs hinged below the top about parallel axes, and a flap hinged below the top about an axis transverse to those of the leg hinges, the flap and legs being movable between a stowed position where they are in a flat, layered arrangement with the top, and an erected position where the legs are stabilised by entry into slots in the flap.

2. A piece of furniture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the legs are substantially rectangular board-like members.

3. A piece of furniture as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the flap is hinged along or near one edge of the top and, in the erected position, slopes downwards underneath the top to engage the legs, there being means to hold the flap in that sloping attitude.

4. A piece of furniture as claimed in claim 3, wherein the holding means include a catch device that holds the flap to a leg.

5. A piece of furniture as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the top is apertured near one edge to form a handle.

6. A piece of furniture as claimed in claim 5 as appendant to claim 3, wherein the aperture is near the edge to which the flap is hinged.

7. A piece of furniture as claimed in claim 6, wherein the flap is cut away over a portion near its hinge to expose said aperture when folded flat.

8. A piece of furniture as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hinge axes of the legs and that of the flap are in different planes parallel to the top.

9. A piece of furniture substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.