US4444124A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Foldable trestle type table
Assignee: Howe Furniture Corp
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Filing: 1981-10-26
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Granted: 1984-04-24
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Expires: 2001-10-26
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides a foldable table having a pair of generally "I"-shaped legs pivotally mounted to the underside of a table top and movable between a folded storage position in which the legs are parallel to the table top, and an operative position in which the legs are normal to the table top. At least one downwardly extending member having notches is mounted to the underside of the table top to receive the tops of the table legs when they are in their unfolded, operative position. A trestle bar connects the two table legs between their tops and bottoms, and a movable bracket assembly is mounted to the top of each leg for pivoting the legs into different notches in the member when the legs are unfolded. The movable bracket assembly carries latches which are aligned with and insertable into slots on the tops of the table legs when the legs are in their unfolded, operative positions.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan C. Burr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 09:24
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47B; A47B3/00; A47B3/08; A47B3/091; A47B3/0918
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
282 words
A foldable table comprising: a top having an upper and lower surface, a pair of opposed legs and means for pivotally mounting said pair of opposed legs to the lower surface of said top, said pair of legs being selectively foldable between a first compact position in which said pair of legs are folded onto said lower surface of said top and a second unfolded, operative position in which said pair of legs are substantially normal to said lower surface of said top, at least one latch carried by said means for pivotally mounting said legs to said top, at least one of said pair of opposed legs having a slot defined therein and being so positioned such that said slot is aligned with and receives said latch only when said one leg is in said unfolded, operative position, for securing said leg in said unfolded, operative position by said latch received in said slot, a trestle bar disposed between said pair of opposed legs, means for movably connecting each end of said trestle bar to the leg adjacent thereto such that the range of relative movement between said legs and said trestle bar is between a first position in which said legs are normal to said trestle bar and a second position in which said legs are parallel to said trestle bar, said trestle bar being parallel to said table top when said table is both in its said first compact position and its said second unfolded, operative position, said legs being folded over said trestle bar and both of said legs and said trestle bar being parallel to said table top when said legs are in said first compact position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
282 words
A foldable table comprising: a top having an upper and lower surface, a pair of opposed legs and means for pivotally mounting said pair of opposed legs to the lower surface of said top, said pair of legs being selectively foldable between a first compact position in which said pair of legs are folded onto said lower surface of said top and a second unfolded, operative position in which said pair of legs are substantially normal to said lower surface of said top, at least one latch carried by said means for pivotally mounting said legs to said top, at least one of said pair of opposed legs having a slot defined therein and being so positioned such that said slot is aligned with and receives said latch only when said one leg is in said unfolded, operative position, for securing said leg in said unfolded, operative position by said latch received in said slot, a trestle bar disposed between said pair of opposed legs, means for movably connecting each end of said trestle bar to the leg adjacent thereto such that the range of relative movement between said legs and said trestle bar is between a first position in which said legs are normal to said trestle bar and a second position in which said legs are parallel to said trestle bar, said trestle bar being parallel to said table top when said table is both in its said first compact position and its said second unfolded, operative position, said legs being folded over said trestle bar and both of said legs and said trestle bar being parallel to said table top when said legs are in said first compact position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The table of claim 1 including a second latch carried by said means for pivotally mounting, said other of said pair of opposed legs having a second slot defined therein and being so positioned such that said second slot is aligned with and receives said second latch only when said other of said pair of opposed legs is in said unfolded, operative position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The table of claims 1 or 2 wherein said first and second latches are spring biased towards said legs when said legs are in said unfolded, operative positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The table of claim 1 further including at least one downwardly extending member affixed to said lower surface of said base, said member having at least a first notch defined therein and being so positioned to receive one of said pair of opposed legs when said one of said pair of opposed legs is in said unfolded, operative position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The table of claim 4 wherein said downwardly extending member includes a second notch defined therein and so positioned to receive the other of said pair of opposed legs when said other of said pair of opposed legs is in said unfolded, operative position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The foldable table of claims 4 or 5 wherein said means for pivotally mounting includes a movable bracket rotatably mounted at one end thereof to said downwardly extending member affixed to said lower surface of said table top, and rotatably mounted at the other end thereof to one of said pair of legs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The foldable table of claim 6 wherein said movable bracket is dimensioned such that said one of said pair of legs is received within said at least one notch in said downwardly extending member when said table is in said unfolded position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
The foldable table of claim 6 wherein said means for pivotally mounting includes a second movable bracket rotatably mounted at one end thereof to said downwardly extending member affixed to said lower surface of said table top, and rotatably mounted at the other end thereof to the other of said pair of legs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The foldable table of claim 8 wherein said second movable bracket is dimensioned such that said other of said pair of legs is received in said second notch in said downwardly extending member when said table is in said unfolded position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
75 words
The foldable table of claim 5 including a second downwardly extending member affixed to the lower surface of said table top, said second member having third and fourth notches defined therein for receiving said first and second legs, respectively, when said table is in said unfolded, operative position, said downwardly extending members being mounted parallel to each other and said notches in said first member being aligned, respectively, with said notches in said second member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The table of claim 1 wherein said means for movably connecting includes at least one hinge connecting each end of said trestle bar to said adjacent leg.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The table of claim 11 wherein said at least one hinge is so dimensioned to prevent each of said pair of legs from pivoting more than 90° relative to said trestle bar.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-04-24 | 1987-10-24 | 1988-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-04-24 | 1991-10-24 | 1992-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-04-24 | 1995-10-24 | 1996-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |