SE1850322A1 - Locking mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

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

Description

LOCKING MECHANISM Technical fieldThe present disclosure generally relates to a locking mechanism for foldingfurniture legs.

BackgroundThere is an increasing demand in today's environment for more flexible furniture where legs easily may be folded and moved.

Different types of locking mechanisms have been made for foldinglegs. One such lock for a folding table leg is disclosed in US. Patent No.2,695,827. ln this form of lock, a latch member is pivotally mounted on aprojecting ear on a cross-rail secured to the undersurface of the table andbiased by means of a spring to engage a cross-member which connects theupper ends of a pair of legs for the table, thereby holding the legs of the tablein an erected or unfolded position. ln this type of table, the legs, whenerected, are essentially perpendicular to the top of the table. However, suchlocking mechanisms may be quite complicated to manufacture. Themechanism may also be formed of many small parts that easily brakes,causes the table to be unstable or where the locking mechanism needs twohands to operate.

Therefore, there is a need for a locking mechanism that can easily bemaneuvered and securely locked. Further there is also a need for increasingthe locking mechanism's resistance to damage and at the same timedecrease its overall dimensions.

SummaryAn objective of the present disclosure is therefore to at least partially fulfill the above requirements. This and other objectives are achieved by a lockingmechanism for folding legs. Further embodiments of the present disclosureare provided in the dependent claims.

According to an aspect of the present inventive concept there isprovided a folding lock mechanism for furniture legs. This lock mechanismmay include a first connecting member arranged at an end portion of a firstleg part and a second connecting member arranged at an end portion of a second leg part. The end portions of the first and second leg parts may behingedly connected to each other such that the leg parts are arrangeable in astraight position and in a folded position. The first connecting member mayinclude a peg configured to be accommodated in a recess of the second legpart when the first and second leg parts are arranged in the straight position.The second connecting member may include a spring biased pin arranged tobe guided in a hole of the second leg part such that the pin can be engagedwith the peg when the peg is accommodated in the recess of the second legend part, thereby releasably locking the first and second leg parts in thestraight position.

By using a peg that engages with a spring biased pin, an easy, rigidand efficient locking mechanism is achieved. The mechanism also provides aconvenient and simple mechanism operating on folding legs.lt is also envisaged that the spring mechanism may be formed of other elasticmeans working in a similar way as a spring.

According to one embodiment, the first connecting member may bearranged in the leg direction such that it protrudes from the end portion of thefirst leg part. This protruding end portion may thus be understood as a portionextending in the longitudinal direction from the leg part. ln one embodiment, the peg may be tapered in order to facilitate theengagement between the peg and the pin. ln one embodiment, the peg may be arranged to extend in thetransversal direction of the first connecting member. The term “transversal”hereby means a direction which is essentially perpendicular to thelongitudinal, or length direction of the first connecting member such that thepeg fit into the recess of the second leg part. Alternatively, or additionally, theterm “transversal” may be understood as a direction perpendicular to thelength direction of the first leg part. ln one embodiment, the recess may extend transversally into thesecond leg end part. The term “transversally” may hereby mean a directionwhich is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second leg part suchthat the peg may fit into the recess of the second leg part. Thus, this recessextends into the second leg part. ln this way the recess may fit oraccommodate the peg when the leg parts are in a straight position. Therecess may e.g. be a bore hole extending into the material of the leg part. ln one embodiment, the spring biased pin may be arranged in atransversal direction protruding into the side of the second leg end part and 3 extending into the recess. This enables a simple and efficient engagementwith the peg. Preferably, the direction is also perpendicular to the direction ofthe recess.ln one embodiment, the spring biased pin may be movable from adista| open position to a proximal closed position. The term “proxima|” herebyrefers to a state wherein the pin is in a proximal position relative to the centerof the second leg part. The term ”dista|” hereby refers to a state wherein thepin is in a dista| position relative to the center of the second leg part. An openposition hereby means the state when the spring biased pin do not engagewith the peg and the leg parts may be folded. A closed position hereby meansthe state when the spring biased pin engages with the peg and the leg partsare locked in a folded state.ln one embodiment, the peg may comprise engaging means in the form of a through hole or in the form of a cavity or a shoulder in the peg.

By using a through hole, the pin and the peg may be securely lockedtogether such that a great stability of the legs may be achieved. When theengaging means is a through hole in the peg, and the pin extends into thepeg, the pin may be very fixed in the through hole of the peg such that nomovement may occur. When there is a cavity or shoulder in the peg, the pinlies fixed against the cavity edge or the shoulder edge of the peg to stop anymovements. ln one embodiment, the hinge may be arranged to allow the leg partsto move relative each other around a pivot axis. ln another aspect of the present inventive concept there is provided apiece of furniture comprising a first leg part, a second leg part and a foldinglock mechanism as in the previous aspect. This aspect may generally presentthe same or corresponding advantages as the previous aspect. ln one embodiment, the piece of furniture comprises a third leg partarranged at a further end portion of the second leg part. The third leg partextends in a transversal direction to the extension of the first and second legparts. ln other words, the third leg part may be arranged to extend betweenthe first leg part and the second leg part. The storing lock mechanismincludes a third connecting member attached to the piece of furniture. Thethird connecting member includes a further spring biased pin and a furtherhole, wherein the further spring biased pin is arranged to be guided in thefurther hole such that the further spring biased pin can be engaged with a further recess in the third leg part, thereby releasably locking the first andsecond leg parts in a folded position.

This solution enables an efficient and simple way of Iocking the firstand second leg parts in the folding position.

The present locking mechanism may generally be used for furniture'sin gardens, offices or kitchens. ln particular, on balconies such a lockingmechanism may be very usable for folding or collapsing tables, stools, chairsand similar pieces of furniture in order to increase the use of space.

Brief description of the drawinqs The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of thepresent inventive concept, will be better understood through the followingillustrative and non-limiting detailed description, with reference to theappended drawings. ln the drawings like reference numerals will be used forlike elements unless stated otherwise.

Fig. 1 to 2 each show the locking mechanism, in cross section, whenthe leg parts are folded or in a straight position.

Fig. 3 shows the locking mechanism in perspective, when the leg partsare partly folded.

Figs. 4A-4E shows the locking mechanism in perspective. Specifically,the spring biased pin is shown with a cross view of the second leg part andhow the spring biased pin is engaging with the peg when the leg parts are indifferent positions.

Fig. 5 shows the storing locking mechanism on the furniture, inperspective, when the leg parts are in a folded position.

Fig. 6 shows a table using the locking mechanism on a foldable leg tolock the leg parts in a straight position.

Unless explicitly stated to the contrary, the drawings show only suchelements that are necessary to illustrate the example embodiments, whileother elements, in the interest of clarity, may be omitted or merely suggested.As illustrated in the figures, the sizes of elements and regions may beexaggerated for illustrative purposes and, thus, are provided to illustrate thegeneral structures of the embodiments.

Detailed descriptionExemplifying embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show currentlypreferred embodiments, but the invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided forthoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the skilled person.

With reference to Figures 1 to 4 different views of a folding lockmechanism 100 for a foldable leg are illustrated. The leg comprises a first legpart 101 and a second leg part 102.

Figure 1 illustrates the leg parts in a folded position, figure 2 illustratesthe leg parts in a straight position, and figure 3 illustrates the leg parts in aposition between the folded position and the straight position.

A first connecting member 103 may be arranged at an end portion 110of the first leg part 101. The first connecting member 103 may be arranged inthe leg direction protruding from the end portion 110 of the first leg part 101.

A second connecting member 104 may be arranged at an end portionof a second leg part 102. The end portions of the first 101 and second legparts 102 may be joined together with a hinge 109. The hinge 109 may bearranged to allow the leg parts to move relative each other around a pivotaxis. The end portions of the leg parts may then be movable between thefolded position and the straight position.

The hinge 109 may be fixed at the leg part ends or at the sides of theend portions of the leg part, e.g. by means of screws. The hinge 109 mayaccording to a non-limiting example be a joint hinge formed of steel to enablethe best strength.

A peg 105 may be arranged in the transversal direction of the firstconnecting member 103. ln particular, the peg 105 may be arranged in theprotruding end portion 110 of the first connecting member 103. Thistransversal direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the firstleg part. The peg 105 may be configured to be accommodated in a recess106 of the second leg part 102. Thus, when the leg parts are in a straightposition the peg 105 may fit in the recess 106 of the second leg part 102.Further, the second leg part 102 may include the recess 106 and a secondconnecting member 104. The recess 106 may protrude perpendicular into the second leg part 102 from a first side of the second leg part in order to fit thepeg from the first connecting member 103. The recess 106 may go fullythrough the second leg part 102 on the other side as a through hole or therecess 106 may just go partly down into the second leg part 102.

The second connecting member 104 may include a spring biased pin107 arranged to be guided in a hole 108. The spring biased pin 107 may bearranged in the hole 108 in a transversal direction protruding into a side of thesecond leg part 102 and extending into the recess 106. This protrudingdirection of the hole 108 is perpendicular to the direction of the recess 106and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second leg part 102.Here, this spring biased pin 107 may operate between an open position and aclosed position. The open position is when the pin 107 is in a distal positionrelative to the center of the second leg part 102 and the spring is biased. Theclosed position is when the pin 107 is in a proximal position relative to thecenter of the second leg part with the spring fully extended to engage the pin107 with the peg 105.

The peg 105 may include engaging means in the form of a throughhole, but it may also be in the form of a cavity or a shoulder. The peg 105may also be tapered to facilitate engagement with the spring biased pin 107.The engagement of the pin 107 and the peg 105 provides a rigid constructionwhen the leg parts are locked.

The first 101 and second leg parts 102 may be releasably locked in thestraight position by means of the locking mechanism such that the lockingmechanism is configured to lock if the peg 105 is engaging with the springbiased pin 107, and unlock if the peg 105 is not engaging with the springbiased pin 107. ln other words, when the spring biased pin 107 is closed itengages with the peg 105, and the leg parts are locked in a straight position.When the spring is opened or the spring biased pin 107 is released from theengagement with the peg 105, the leg parts may be folded.

Figures 4 A to C show how the spring biased pin 107 may engage withthe peg 105 when the leg parts are moved from a partly folded position infigure 4A and B to a straight position in figure 4C. Figure 4D illustrates whenthe spring biased pin 107 may be released from the engagement with the peg105 and the first and second leg parts are moved from the straight position tothe partly folded position as shown in Figure 4E.

Figure 5 illustrates the storing lock mechanism 115 on a piece offurniture when the first 101 and second leg part 102 are in a folded position.

This piece of furniture may be for example a table 111. A third leg part 116may be arranged at a further end portion of the second leg part 102. Thisfurther end portion of the second leg part 102 may be at the opposite end ofthe second leg part 102 compared to the end portion that is arranged at thesecond connecting member 104. Alternatively, the third leg part 116 may bearranged at a further end portion of the first leg part 101. However, the thirdleg part 116 may only be arranged on either the further end portion of the firstleg part 101 or at the further end portion of the second end part 102, and notarranged at both at the same time.ln the following, only the embodiment when the third leg part is arranged at the further end portion of the second leg part 102 will bedescribed. The third leg part 116 may extend in a transversal directionbetween the first leg part 101 and the second leg part 102. This third leg part116 may work as a stabilizer for the table 111 when the first 101 and secondleg part 102 are in a straight position. A further recess 117 may be located inthe third leg part 116. A third connecting member 114 may be attached to thetable 111. This third connecting member 114 may comprise a further springbiased pin 112 arranged to be guided in a further hole 113 of the thirdconnecting member 114. When the first 101 and second leg part 102 are inthe folded position, the second spring biased pin 112 may engage with thefurther recess 117 in the third leg part 116 and thereby releasably locking thefirst 101 and second leg part 102 in the folded position.

The term “further” may hereby also be referred to as “second” e.g. secondrecess, second spring biased member, second hole or second end portion. ln a non-limiting example, the folding lock mechanism 100 may preferably be used on legs for tables but may also be used on legs to chairs.The folding lock mechanism may be made of metal as for example stainlesssteel to allow for the best stability, but may also be made of plastic to becomeas light as possible. The first connecting member 103 may for example beformed or a sheet metal that may be screwed into the end portion of the firstleg part 101. The peg 105 may be screwed into the connecting member.Alternatively, the first connecting member 103 and the peg may be formed inone piece of metal or plastic. The hole 108 may be formed by drilling into thefirst side of the second leg part 102. The spring biased pin 107 may be madeof metal or plastic and screwed into the hole 108 to achieve a fixed position for a housing to the spring biased pin 107 where the pin 107 may be movable.

The recess 106 may be formed by drilling into the second leg part 102, such that the hole 108 extends perpendicular out into the recess 106. The leg partsmay for example be made of any kind of plastic, metal or wood and may befor example cylindrical or square shaped. The third connecting member 114may be made of wooden or plastic and attached to the table by screws. Thefurther recess 117 is formed by drilling into the third leg part 116. The furtherspring biased pin 112 may be made of plastic or metal and screwed into thefurther hole 113 Figure 6 illustrates the folding lock mechanism 100 used on a leg for atable 111, as for example a balcony table. ln this example, the foldable leg isin the straight position and the folding lock mechanism 100 is locking the first101 and second leg part 102 in this position. The first and second leg partsmay then in a simple manner be folded up against the underside of the table111. When the first and second leg parts then are folded, the storing lockmechanism 115 which is attached to the table may lock the first 101 andsecond leg part 102 in the folded position with help of the further springbiased pin 112. The spring biased pin 112, arranged in the third connectingmember 114 may engage with the further recess 117 in the third leg part 116to lock the first and second leg parts in the folded position. ln the above the inventive concept has mainly been described withreference to a limited number of examples. However, as is readilyappreciated by a person skilled in the art, other examples than the onesdisclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the inventiveconcept, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (11)

1. A folding lock mechanism (100) for furniture legs comprising: a first connecting member (103) arranged at an end portion of a firstleg part (101); and a second connecting member (104) arranged at an end portion of asecond leg part (102), wherein the end portions of the first and second legparts are hingedly connected to each other such that the leg parts arearrangeable in a straight position and in a folded position; wherein: the first connecting member comprises a peg (105) configured to beaccommodated in a recess (106) of the second leg part when the first andsecond leg parts are arranged in the straight position; the second connecting member comprises a spring biased pin (107)arranged to be guided in a hole (108) in the second leg part such that the pincan be engaged with the peg (105) when the peg is accommodated in therecess (106) of the second leg end part, thereby releasably locking the firstand second leg parts in the straight position.

2. The mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the first connectingmember is arranged to protrude, in the leg direction, from the end portion ofthe first leg part.

3. The mechanism according to any of the previous claims, wherein thepeg (105) is tapered in order to slide against the spring biased pin (107).

4. The mechanism according to any of the previous claims, wherein thepeg (105) is arranged in a transversal direction of the first leg part.

5. The mechanism according to any of the previous claims, wherein therecess (106) extends transversally into the second leg end part.

6. The mechanism according to any of the previous claims, wherein thespring biased pin (107) is arranged in a transversal direction of the second legpart, protruding into the side of the second leg end part and extending into therecess (106).

7. The mechanism according to any of the previous claims, wherein thespring biased pin (107) is movable from a distal open position to a proximalclosed position, relative a center of the second leg part.

8. The mechanism according to any of the previous claims, wherein thepeg (105) comprises engaging means in the form of a through hole, a cavityor a shoulder.

9. The mechanism according to any of the previous claims, wherein thehinge (109) may be arranged to allow the leg parts to move relative eachother around a pivot axis.

10. A piece of furniture (1 11) comprising a first leg part, a second leg partand a folding lock mechanism (100) according to any one the precedingclaims.

11. The piece of furniture (111) according to claim 10, further comprising a third leg part (116) arranged at a second end portion of the secondleg part, the third leg part (116) extending in a transversal direction to theextension of the first and second leg parts; and a storing lock mechanism (115) comprising a third connecting member(114) attached to the piece of furniture, the third connecting membercomprising a further spring biased pin (112) and a second hole (113), whereinthe further spring biased pin (112) is arranged to be guided in the further hole(113) such that the further spring biased pin (112) can be engaged with afurther recess (117) in the third leg part (116), thereby releasably locking thefirst and second leg parts in a folded position.