Folding table equipped with improved latch mechanism that holds table top sections coplanar and prevents accidental injury during unfolding

Claim 1

In a folding table of the type in which the top of the table has hingedly connected sections that have adjacent edges and are coplanar when the table is unfolded and set up for use, wherein each of said table top sections has leg means hingedly connected thereto, and leg struts connecting the leg means of one table top section with the other table top, wherein the axis of the hinge connection between the table top sections is so located with respect to the adjacent edges of the table top sections that those edges are closely contiguous when the table top sections are coplanar, improved means for eliminating the hazard of accidentally pinching one's fingers between the adjacent edges of the table top sections as those edges approach contiguity during unfolding of the table, and which comprises: A. coacting latch elements operable upon being brought into a predetermined engaged relationship, to hold the table top sections against unintended displacement out of coplanar relationship, (1) one of said latch elements being a lever pivotally mounted at the underside of one of the table top sections to swing about an axis spaced from and parallel to that of the hinged connection between the table top sections, to and from a defined position in which one edge of said lever faces the hinge axis but is spaced therefrom, (a) said edge having a notch, and (b) spring means biasing said lever to its said defined position, (2) the other latch element being a bolt of a size to fit in said notch, (a) said bolt being fixed on the leg strut that has one of its ends hingedly connected with the same table top section on which said lever is pivotally mounted and its other end connected with the leg means of the other table top section, and (b) the length of said strut and the locations of its connections with the first identified table top section and the leg means of the other table top section being such that as the table top sections approach coplanar orientation, the bolt carried by said strut collides with said edge of said lever at a point spaced from its notch and thereby blocks further movement of the table top sections towards coplanar orientation as long as said lever remains in its said defined position; and B. means including at least one manually actuatable handle for moving said spring biased lever out of its said defined position, said manually actuatable handle being movably mounted at the underside of one of the table top sections and being connected with said lever to swing the same about its pivotal mounting in opposition to the biasing force thereon, far enough to permit entry of said bolt into said notch during unfolding of the table for use and to permit said bolt to leave said notch preparatory to folding up the table for storage.