FOLDING LEG BRACKET

Abstract: A bracket for a folding table-leg, the table leg (15) being pivotally mounted on the bracket (10) for movement from a folded position flat against the underside of the table, to a locked position extending generally downwardly from the underside of the table, the bracket comprising means (11) for fixing to the underside of the table, means (12, 13, 17, 18) to allow pivotal movement of the leg between the folded and locked positions, and means (14) to lock the leg in the extended position on axial movement of the leg into the bracket.

Description: FOLDING LBS BRACKET This invention relates to a bracket- for mounting of a folding table leg to the underside of a table. Folding leg tables have many applications where storage space is minimal and it is desirable to fold the table up to a smaller size, by folding the legs up against the underside of the table. Typical applications include caravanning and camping tables where the table must be folded up for transport. It is also convenient to be able to provide an additional table normally stored in a closet or the like, such as a card table, when extra table area is required. Known folding-leg tables have included complex lever arrangements or stays to lock the legs in their extended positions, and such arrangements requiring a number of moving parts and require continual maintenance in view of their complexity. Such lever type brackets or stays can also become unsafe after continual use, as their rigidity and locking mechanism become less effective due to wear. It is the object of this invention to provide a simple folding leg bracket that overcomes the foregoing disadvantages of the conventional arrangements. To achieve this object, the bracket of this invention has virtually no moving parts to wear out, and the locking action becomes more secure as additional loads are placed on the table. In accordance with this invention, there is provided a bracket for a folding table-leg, the table leg being pivotally mounted on the bracket for movement from a folded position flat against the underside of the table, to a locked position extending generally downwardly from the underside of the table, the bracket comprising means for fixing to the underside of the table, means to allow pivotal movement of the leg between the folded and locked positions, and means to lock the leg in the extended position on axial movement of the leg into the bracket. Preferably the pivotal mounting of the leg to the bracket allows for axial movement of the leg, and a recess is provided within the bracket to receive the pivoted end of the leg to lock it in the extended position. Conveniently the bracket has a base portion adapted to be fixed to the underside of the table, and a pair of upstanding webs forming, a generally U-shape. Each web is provided with a slot to receive a pivot pin carried by the leg. The base portion of the bracket is provided with a 10 recess to accommodate the end of the table leg when it is axially moved into the bracket. Conveniently the bracket includes a stop member to arrest the pivotting movement of the table leg when it assumes the extended position. One embodiment of the invention will now be --> described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which : Figure 1 is a perspective of the bracket; Figure 2 is an end elevation of the bracket; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side elevation of ^ 20 the bracket; Figure 4 is a side elevation of the bracket; and Figure 5 is a plan view of the bracket. The bracket 10 comprises a base portion 11 and two upstanding webs 12, 13 together forming a generally U-shaped 25 structure. The base portion 11 is fixed to table 20 by screws or. the like 21. A circular bore 14 of a diameter equivalent to the diameter of table leg 15 is provided in base portion 11. Axial movement of table leg 15 in the direction of arrow 30 A enables the end 16 of leg 15 to be located in bore 14, to lock leg 15 in place in the extended position. Both webs 12, 13 are provided with elongated holes or slots 17, 18 arranged to receive the ends of pivot pin 19 carried by leg 15. Movement of leg 15 in axial direction 35 B lifts the end of leg 15 clear from the sides of bore 14 to allow the leg to be pivoted to its folded position against the underside of the table. Base portion 11 also includes an upstanding portion 22 acting as a stop to arrest pivotal movement of leg 15 when it assumes the extended position. The slots are embodied in raised upstanding sections the inner surfaces 23 of which have a slight curvature to accommodate and assist in the guidance of the leg into the bore 14. Also, the ends of the curves provide for a firm fit of the leg when in the folded position.

Claims: THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. A bracket for a folding table leg, the table leg being pivotally mounted on the bracket for movement from a folded position flat against the underside of the table, to a locked position extending generally downwardly from the underside of the table, the bracket comprising means for fixing to the underside of the table, means to allow pivotal movement of the leg between the folded and locked positions, and means to lock the leg in the extended posi¬ tion on axial movement of the leg into the bracket. 2. A bracket according to claim 1, wherein the pivotal means is so adapted as also to allow for said axial movement of the leg. 3. A bracket according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the lock means comprises a recess to receive the leg end on said axial movement of the leg. 4. A bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein the fixing means comprises a base portion having holes or the like by means of which the bracket can be fixed to the underside of the table. 5. A bracket according to claim 4, wherein the bracket is of generally U-shape (when viewed from an end) and comprising said base portion and a pair of spaced, upstand¬ ing webs. 6. A bracket according to claim 5, wherein the webs are each provided with a slot, which constitutes the pivotal means, to receive a pivot pin carried by the leg, the length of the slot enabling said axial movement of the leg to take place as desired. OMPI 7. A bracket according to claim 3 or claim 4, 5 or 6 (when appended to claim 3), wherein the recess is in the base portion defined in claim 4. 8. A bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein the bracket further comprises a stop member to arrest any tendency the leg might have to move pivotally out of the locked position. 9. A bracket according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the recess is in the form of a circular bore flanked by generally vertically disposed guideways built into the upstanding webs defined in claim 5, the guideways bearing the slots defined in claim 6. 10. A bracket for a folding table leg substantially as herein described and optionally with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Inventors: HARVEY RUSSELL LINDSAY, HARVEY, RUSSELL, LINDSAY
Applicants: ENSAT PTY LTD, ENSAT PTY. LTD.
Application year: 1983
Main classification: A47B3
IPC codes: A47B3