Linkage assembly for folding tables and the like

Claim 2

A linkage assembly for folding table legs and the like, comprising: a. a table top member including a support means providing a first abutment means and a second abutment means, b. a leg member including an inner end, and bearing means engaging the first abutment means in an erected position and the second abutment means in the folded position, c. link means connecting the leg member to the support means, the link means including a first pivot means connecting the link means to the leg member and a second pivot means connecting the link means to the support means to permit the inner end of the leg member to move translationally, transversely of the table top member, and d. locking means including separable latch means selectively engageable for locking the leg member in the erected position.

Claim 3

A linkage assembly as defined in claim 1, in which: e. the support means includes an apron member having at least one side substantially parallel to the table top to provide an abutment face, and an end substantially perpendicular to the table top to provide another abutment face, and f. the leg member includes a side face providing the bearing means, said side face engaging the apron end in the erected position and the apron side in the folded position.

Claim 4

A linkage assembly as defined in claim 1, in which: e. the table top member includes an upper face, f. the leg member is substantially upright in the erected position, and g. in the erected position, the first pivot means is perpendicularly closer to the upper face and to the leg member than is the second pivot means.

Claim 5

A linkage assembly as defined in claim 1, in which: e. the locking means includes a pivotal latch member and a cooperating pin member and cam means urging the latch member into engagement with the pin member, and f. one of the last said members is attached to the support means and the other of said members is attached to the leg member.

Claim 6

A linkage assembly as defined in claim 4, in which: g. the locking means includes adjustment means selectively relocating the center of rotation of the latch member.

Claim 7

A linkage assembly as defined in claim 1, in which: e. the link means includes a link member, f. the link member is disposed in side-by-side relation to the leg member, and g. one of the last said members includes a stop engaging the other of said members to preclude relative rotation of one of said members in one direction as the leg moves into the folded position.

Claim 8

A folding table comprising: a. a table unit including a pair of oppositely disposed side apron members attached to the table top unit, each apron member including first and second abutment means, b. a pair of oppositely disposed, substantially U-shaped leg units each attached to the table top unit in inwardly folding relation to the other leg unit, each leg unit including a pair of leg members interconnected by a bight-forming, end apron member, c. each leg unit including bearing means engaging The first abutment means in an open leg position and engaging the second abutment means in a folded leg position, d. like means interconnecting opposite ends of the leg unit to associated side apron members, each link means including a first pivot means connecting said link means to a leg unit and a second pivot means connecting said link means to a side apron member to permit the end apron member to move translationally, transversely of the table top unit, and e. locking means including separable latch means selectively engageable for locking opposite ends of the leg units to the table top unit in the erected position.

Claim 9

A folding table comprising: a. a table unit including a pair of oppositely disposed side apron members attached to the table top unit, each apron member including first and second abutment means, b. a pair of oppositely disposed, substantially U-shaped leg units each attached to the table top unit in inwardly folding relation to the other leg unit, each leg unit including a pair of leg members interconnected by a bight-forming, end apron member, c. each leg unit including bearing means engaging The first abutment means in an open leg position and engaging the second abutment means in a folded leg position, d. like means interconnecting opposite ends of the leg unit to associated side apron members, each link means including a first pivot means connecting said link means to a leg unit and a second pivot means connecting said link means to a side apron member to permit the end apron member to move translationally, transversely of the table top unit, and e. locking means including separable latch means selectively engageable for locking opposite ends of the leg units to the table top unit in the erected position.

Claim 10

A linkage assembly as defined in claim 7, in which: f. each locking means includes a pivotal latch member and a cooperating pin member, g. one of the last said members is attached to the apron member, and the other of said members is attached to the leg unit, and h. an elongate extension member interconnects associated latch members to lock one of the leg units by rotation of said latch members.

Claim 11

A folding table as defined in claim 8, in which: i. the associated latch members are fixedly attached to the extension member to provide concerted latching action, j. each extension member includes a projecting portion at each end extending beyond each associated latch member to provide the pivotal attachment of the latch members to the apron members, k. each apron member includes an oversized journal receiving one end of the projecting portion in adjustable relation, and l. adjustment means is attached to each projecting portion to selectively locate the latching member within the journal.

Claim 12

A folding table as defined by claim 9, in which: f. each locking means includes a pivotal latch member attached to the apron member at one end and including a cam face at the other end, and a cooperating pin member attached to the leg and engageable by the cam face, g. an elongate extension member interconnects associated latch members whereby rotation of the extension member rotates each of the latch members, and h. the pivot center of each latch member is disposed substantially equidistant from its associated pin member in the erected and the folded positions whereby the cam face engages said associated pin member in both the erected and the folded positions.