Table leg lock

A table leg lock having a spring clip carried by a plate for engaging an annular groove in the table leg. The spring clip when pulled laterally engages a pair of flanges to spread the clip for removal of the table leg. The leg lock has application when supported by a floor or connected to the underside of a table surface.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to a table leg lock which may be used in 
recreational vehicles, patio decks, and similar table supporting 
foundations where it is desirable to remove the table. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The table leg lock of this invention includes a socket plate carrying a 
spring clip about a center opening and a table leg having an annular 
groove near one end. The spring clip is shiftably carried by the plate 
about the central opening for engagement with the annular groove of the 
table leg to lock the leg against longitudinal movement. The spring clip 
may be shifted into an open position to release the leg for removal. As 
the spring clip is shifted into its open position, flanges engage the clip 
to cam the clip ends outwardly to clear the table leg groove. After 
release, the spring clip is cammed back into its locking position. 
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide for a novel table 
leg lock. 
Another object of this invention is to provide for a table leg lock having 
a spring clip. 
Another object of this invention is to provide for a table leg lock 
adaptable for connection to a floor structure or to the underside of a 
table top. 
Other objects of the invention will become apparent upon a reading of the 
following description taken with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The preferred embodiment of this invention is not intended to limit or 
restrict the invention to the precise form disclosed. Rather, it is chosen 
and described in order to best describe the invention so that others 
skilled in the art may utilize its teachings. 
Initially, it should be understood that while the table leg lock of the 
invention is illustrated connected to a floor structure, the invention is 
equally applicable in connection to the underside of a table top with only 
minor modifications to the plate required. 
As illustrated in the drawings, table leg lock 10 includes a socket plate 
12 having an outer surface 14 and inner surface 16. Plate 12 is 
illustrated as having a circular periphery and further includes a central 
opening 18 into socket part 20 which extends from the inner surface, as 
illustrated. In the figures, plate 12 is supported upon floor 8 with 
socket part 20 accommodated by an opening within the floor. Socket part 20 
includes an end wall 21. A pair of inverted L-shaped flanges 22, 24 extend 
outwardly from plate outer surface 14 adjacent opening 18 in a 
diametrically opposite relationship to one another. A pair of spaced 
guides 26, 28 extend outwardly from surface 14 at one side of opening 18 
between flanges 22, 24. A pair of stops 30, 32 extend from plate surface 
14 and are positioned between flange 22 and guide 26 and flange 24 and 
guide 28 respectively as illustrated. 
A spring clip 34 is shiftably carried by plate 12 over outer surface 14 and 
retained by flanges 22, 24 and guide 26, 28. Spring clip 34 includes a 
handle 36 and spaced legs 38, 40 extending from the handle. Handle 36 is 
bent away from surface 14 at an approximate 90.degree. angle from clip 
legs 38, 40. Clip leg 38 includes a proximal arcuate section 44, and a 
distal arcuate section 46 separated by a generally C-shaped section 48. 
C-shaped section 48 includes an angled component 50 near arcuate section 
46. Similarly leg 40 includes a proximal arcuate section 52 and a distal 
arcuate section 54 separated by a C-shaped section 56. Section 56 includes 
an angled component 58 near its arcuate section 54. As illustrated in FIG. 
4, sections 48 and 56 of spring clip 34 are fitted about plate flanges 22, 
24 with its legs 38, 40 fitted about plate guides 26, 28 when the clip is 
in its locking position. Spring clip 34 is shiftable relative to plate 12 
between a locking position of FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 and the unlocked position 
of FIGS. 2 and 5. In its locking position, arcuate sections 44, 46, 52, 54 
of legs 38 and 40 are inset relative to opening 18 of plate 12. In its 
unlocked position, legs 38 and 40 of the clip are spread by flanges 22, 24 
with the arcuate sections of the legs being shifted outwardly of opening 
18. 
A table leg 62, only partially shown, is sized for an accommodating snug 
fit within socket part 20. Leg 62 is preferably tapered towards its end 64 
so as to more easily be positioned in the socket part. An annular groove 
66 is formed about leg 62 near its end 64. The upper end of leg 62 which 
is not shown will be connected to a table top. 
In use, with clip 34 in its locking position table leg 62 is inserted into 
opening 18 and down into socket part 20. The arcuate sections of spring 
legs 38 and 40 slide over the outer tapered surface of leg 62 which urges 
the legs slightly outwardly. When the spring clip legs 38, 40 are in 
alignment with table leg groove 66, the legs spring together to seat their 
arcuate sections 44, 46, 52, 54 within groove 66 to secure the leg against 
longitudinal movement relative to plate 12. 
To release table leg 62, a user grasps handle 36 and pulls in the direction 
of arrow 60 of FIG. 5. As spring clip 34 is pulled in the direction of 
arrow 60 away from the leg, angled sections 50, 58 of leg sections 48, 56 
engage flanges 22, 24 to cam legs 38 and 40 away from one another. This 
shifts the arcuate leg sections 44, 46, 52, 54 of the clip out of table 
leg groove 66. C-shaped sections 48, 56 of the clip contact stops 30, 32 
to halt further movement of the spring clip in the direction of arrow 60 
with the clip remaining connected to plate 12. With the clip's arcuate leg 
sections removed from groove 66, the table leg may be pulled and 
disconnected from plate 12. Spring clip 34 shifts back into its locking 
position of FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 after being released by the user due to the 
camming contact of clip components 50, 52 with plate flanges 22, 24. 
It should be understood that, while the invention is illustrated as a table 
leg lock carried by the vehicle floor 8, the leg lock of the invention is 
equally applicable to connect the leg to the table top. 
It should be further understood that the invention is not to be limited to 
the precise forms disclosed but rather may be modified within the scope of 
the appended claims.