Abstract:
A folding table and chair each have an unobtrusive folding mechanism that cannot be easily seen when unfolded for use. Because the folding mechanism is not readily seen, folding tables and chairs of a number of well-known and popular styles can be provided that are suitable for use as everyday home furniture. Folding furniture may be particularly desirable for apartment and condominium dwellers who have limited living space and need to occasionally store bulky furniture to fully use such space. The folding furniture of the invention is also easier to move than traditional furniture, including the hinge of the table, which can also serve as a carrying handle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/878,310, filed on Jul. 23, 2007, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety; which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 60/832,136, filed on Jul. 21, 2006, the disclosure of which is also expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The invention is directed to a folding table and chair. In particular, the table can be easily folded to make it more compact and transported for storage or relocation; and the chair can be folded flat to facilitate storage. 
         [0004]    2. Related Art 
         [0005]    Many folding tables that include a handle, or other carrying means, for transportation flat include a separate structure that is visible when the table is unfolded. 
         [0006]    An example of such a table is a typical “suitcase” style folding table. The suitcase table includes a handle mounted to an outer edge of a table leaf. A hinge, or other folding mechanism, is disposed at the center of the table and connects the opposing leaves. The suitcase table&#39;s legs have a sliding leg-lock arrangement that is widely used in folding tables. The legs can be folded within the thickness of the skirt surrounding the edge of each leaf. The table can be folded in half such that the skirt of each leaf contacts one another to form an outer planar surface that forms the “suitcase” with the legs folded inside. The skirt may include a latching mechanism so that the leaves can be secured together. The secured, folded table can be transported by means of the separate handle that is not located on the same side of the outer planar surface of the suitcase as the hinge. 
         [0007]    Many of the mechanisms that permit the suitcase table to fold and be transported are visible when the table is in use. Accordingly, these visible mechanisms are unsightly and make the typical folding table undesirable for everyday home use. 
         [0008]    In smaller domiciles, furniture that is easily moved and storable is desired so that occupants can take full advantage of limited living space, which especially important in urban environments. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, there is a need for a foldable table and chair that hides the folding and carrying mechanisms so that the table is sufficiently stylish and decorative for everyday use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The invention meets the foregoing need and by providing a folding mechanism and carrying mechanism, respectively, that is not readily visible when unfolded, which results in a table and chair having appearances more similar to non-folding tables and chairs that are decorative and suitable for everyday use, as well as other advantages apparent from the discussion herein. 
         [0011]    The invention describes a table with a table top and one or more legs connected to the table top with a pivot joint. The table includes a locking mechanism located within a recess in the table top and able to lock the pivoting legs in a position substantially perpendicular to the table top. The table also includes a release mechanism located in the recess that has an upper surface substantially planar with the upper surface of the table top. The release mechanism engages the locking mechanism and releases the pivoting leg so that it can be folded to a position substantially parallel to the table top. 
         [0012]    The locking mechanism may consist of a lever located at the end of a clasp. The release mechanism may consist of a push button. The table may have three legs. The table may have four legs. 
         [0013]    Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention may be set forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the invention as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the detailed description serve to explain the principles of the invention. No attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention and the various ways in which it may be practiced. In the drawings: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an exemplary folding table constructed according to the principles of the invention in an unfolded position; 
           [0016]      FIG. 1A  shows a side elevational view of a folding table constructed according to the principles of the invention in an unfolded position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 1B  shows an enlarged perspective view of a push button release used in a folding table constructed according to the principles of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 1C  shows a perspective view of the table of  FIG. 1  in a folded position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  shows a side perspective view of the table of  FIG. 1  in a folded position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2A  shows an enlarged view of the folding mechanism of the table of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of a locking mechanism constructed according to the principles of the invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of an exemplary folding chair constructed according to the principles of the invention in an unfolded position; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4A  shows an enlarged view of a locking mechanism for the chair of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4B  shows a side elevational view of the chair of  FIG. 4  in a folded position; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of another exemplary folding table constructed according to the principles of the invention in an unfolded position; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  shows a dining set incorporating the table of  FIG. 5  with chairs constructed in accordance with the principles of the chair illustrated in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  shows yet another exemplary folding table constructed according to the principles of the invention having a slat-style design; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of yet another exemplary folding table constructed according to the principles of the invention having a transitional style; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of another exemplary folding chair constructed according to the principles of the invention in an unfolded position; 
           [0030]      FIGS. 9A ,  9 B,  9 C show the chair of  FIG. 9  in various stages of folding; 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  shows a dining set incorporating the table of  FIG. 8  with chairs constructed in accordance with the principles of the chair illustrated in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 11  shows a perspective view of yet another exemplary folding table constructed according to the principles of the invention having a traditional style; 
           [0033]      FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of yet another exemplary folding chair constructed according to the principles of the invention in an unfolded position; 
           [0034]      FIG. 12A  shows an enlarged perspective view of a push button release implemented in the chair of  FIG. 12  that is similar to the push button release illustrated by  FIG. 1B ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 13  shows a dining set incorporating the table of  FIG. 11  with chairs constructed in accordance with the principles of the chair illustrated in  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 14  shows a perspective view of yet another exemplary folding table constructed according to the principles of the invention having a mission style; 
           [0037]      FIG. 15  shows a perspective view of yet another exemplary folding chair constructed according to the principles of the invention in an unfolded position; 
           [0038]      FIG. 16  shows a dining set incorporating the table of  FIG. 14  with chairs constructed in accordance with the principles of the chair illustrated in  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 17  shows a perspective view of an exemplary folding table constructed according to the principles of the invention in an unfolded position; 
           [0040]      FIG. 18  shows top view of the table of  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 19  shows a front elevation view of the table of  FIG. 17 ; and 
           [0042]      FIG. 20  shows a bottom view of the table of  FIG. 17  in a folded position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0043]    The embodiments of the invention and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments and examples that are described and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and features of one embodiment may be employed with other embodiments as the skilled artisan would recognize, even if not explicitly stated herein. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques may be omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments of the invention. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the invention may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the examples and embodiments herein should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the appended claims and applicable law. Moreover, it is noted that like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
         [0044]      FIG. 1  shows a folding table  100  constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention. The table may include two leaves  122 ,  123  that make up a table top  120 . Each table leg  110  may be pivotably connected to one of the leaves  122 ,  123  that can be unlocked to fold via a push button release  105 .  FIG. 1A  is a side view of the unfolded table  100  that shows two leaves  122 ,  123  joined together by a hinge  124 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 1B  is an enlarged view of the push button release  105 . The button  105  may be disposed in a recess  125  of the table top  120 . Here, the button  105  is pushed down to unlock the leg  110  so that it may fold, but the button may be any suitable mechanism for disengaging a lock or latch that holds the leg  110  in place when the table  100  is unfolded for use. 
         [0046]      FIG. 1C  illustrates table  100  in a folded position. In a folded position, the leaves  122 ,  123  are spaced apart, primarily by the thickness of the legs  110 . This space may expose the hinge  124  so that it can be used as a handle for carrying the table  100  in the folded position for transportation or storage. 
         [0047]      FIG. 2  is a side view of table  100  that illustrates that it may rest flat on the ground or other surface in a folded position, supported by an edge of the leaves  122 ,  123  opposite the hinge  124 .  FIG. 2A  is a close-up view of the hinge  124 . The hinge  124  may include a handle  201  that is held in place by collars  203 , which are coupled to the leaves  122 ,  123  by flanges  205 . The handle can be fixedly coupled to the collars of one leaf while being pivotably connected to the collars of the other leaf. Alternatively, the handle can be pivotably connected to all of the collars and held in place by end caps  207  disposed on the outer collars to prevent longitudinal movement of the handle. Preferably, most of the handle  201  is disposed above the edges of the leaves  122 ,  123  in the folded position to facilitate carrying of the table  100 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 3  shows a latching mechanism  300  that may engage push button  105  to releasably lock leg  110  in relation to table top  120 . The latching mechanism  300  may be coupled to table top  120  using support plate  303 . The leg may be coupled to the latching mechanism  300  using hinge plate  305  that is rotatably connected the support plate  303  at pin  315 . A latch  301 , which may be biased towards the push button release  105  by a mechanism such as a spring (not shown), can be provided to fix the hinge plate  305  in relation to both the support plate  303  and table top  120 . The latch  301  may include a lever  309  that is adapted to engage push button release  105  within recess  125  of  FIG. 1B . The latch may also include a clasp  311  that holds an upper planar surface of the hinge plate  305  to a lower planar surface of the support plate to “lock” the leg  110  in an unfolded position that is generally perpendicular to the table top  120 . 
         [0049]    Pressing the lever  309  downwardly releases the hinge plate  305  so that it may be rotated about pin  315  to allow the leg  110  to rotate into a folded position that is generally parallel to the table top  120 . To unfold the leg  110 , it can be rotated so that an edge of hinge plate  303  will push the clasp  311  against biasing force provided by the latch  301  so that leg  110  can fully rotate. When the upper planar surface of hinge plate  305  abuts the lower planar surface of the support plate  303 , the clasp  311  will spring back due to the biasing force of latch  301  to lock the leg  110  in place. The clasp  311  may have a tapered surface  313  adapted to engage a leading edge of hinge plate  305  to facilitate unfolding of the leg  110 . This kind of arrangement is advantageous for the easy concealment of the mechanism used to lock/unlock the legs of a folding table. 
         [0050]      FIG. 4  shows a folding chair  400  constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention. The chair  400  includes a back  403  and a seat  405  having a cushion  406 . The back may be supported by rear legs  407  that extend from the surface the chair  400  is resting on to the top of back  403 . The seat  405  can be pivotably coupled to rear legs  407 . The front of seat  405  may be supported by front legs  409  that are substantially shorter in length than rear legs  407 . Extra lateral support may be provided by support  415  that is connected to front legs  409  on a front end and pivotably connected to a cross-support  416  at a back end. The support  415  primarily provides lateral support in a front-to-back direction, and the cross-support  416  primarily provides lateral support in a side-to-side direction. Here, seat  405 , legs  407 ,  409 , support  415 , and cross-support  416  include a frame  411  preferably made of lightweight cast aluminum. But other materials that are known to be suitable for constructing folding chairs can be used in accordance with the principles of the invention. 
         [0051]    Each of the front legs  409  may include a slot and keyhole arrangement for locking the chair  400  in an unfolded position.  FIG. 4A  shows the front leg  409  having a slot  422  and a keyhole  423  within the leg that both engage a tab  417  of support  415 . When the tab  417  is seated in the slot  422 , the support  415  is locked relative to the cross-support  416  and the front leg  409 , thereby preventing the seat  405  from pivoting and “locks” the chair  400  in the unfolded position. Moving the tab  417  to the keyhole  423  “unlocks” the chair  400  and allows the tab to move in a manner that permits the support  415  to rotate relative to the front leg  409 , which, in turn, permits a pivotal motion of the seat  405  to allow folding of the chair  400 .  FIG. 4B  illustrates chair  400  in a folded position. 
         [0052]      FIG. 5  shows a modern style dining table  500  constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention. Each leaf  522 ,  523  may comprises two wooden slabs  526 ,  528 ,  530 ,  532  that conceal the seam where the table  500  is folded. The table  500  also may include the previously described push button release  105  for locking/unlocking legs  510 . Here, the push button release  105  is shown as an aluminum button to accent the wooden slabs  526 ,  528 ,  530 ,  532 . A skilled artisan would recognize that a variety of materials can be used with the table of the invention, including the material for the push button release, depending on the aesthetic look desired.  FIG. 6  shows a dining set including table  500  with chairs  400 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 7  shows a slat style dining table  600  constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention. The table leaves  622 ,  623  can be made up of slats  630 . The push button release  105  can be made of a wood or other material, contrasting to the slats  630  for adding a stylish appeal. 
         [0054]      FIG. 8  shows a transitional table  650  constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention. The table  650  may include tapered legs  660  and a beaded skirt  665  for an elegant look. The push button release can be covered by a veneer  656  to match the table top  670  made up of leaves  672 ,  673 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 9  illustrates a transitional folding chair  700  using an alternative folding mechanism. The chair  700  includes a back  703 , a seat  705  having a cushion  706 , rear legs  707 , front legs  709 , support  715 , and cross-support  716 . Here, the chair  700  also includes a front cross-support  717  that provides side to side lateral support in a similar manner to the cross-support  716 . The support  715  may be joined to the front cross-support  717  at the front end, and pivotably connected to the cross-support  716  at the rear end. The front cross-support  717  is pivotably connected to the front legs  709 . 
         [0056]      FIGS. 9A ,  9 B, and  9 C illustrate the various steps of folding the chair  700 .  FIGS. 9 and 9A  show the chair  700  in an unfolded position suitable for use.  FIG. 9B  shows that the seat  705  may be rotated off of pegs  720 , which permits the support  715  and front legs  709  to pivot upwardly to fold the chair  700 . The chair in a folded position is illustrated by  FIG. 9C .  FIG. 10  shows the dining set including table  650  with chairs  700 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 11  shows a traditional style table  750  constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention. The table  750  may include engraved details  776  in the leaves  772 ,  773 . The legs  760  can have the appearance of classic lathe turned legs that end in boxed shoulders  775  integrated into the skirt  765 . The push button release, which may covered by a veneer  756  to match the table, operates to lock/unlock the legs  760 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 12  illustrates a traditional folding chair  800  using yet another folding mechanism. As can be seen in  FIG. 12A , the front legs  809  may be folded by pressing a push button release  815  disposed within a recess  825  of the seat  805  that functions similar to the previously described release for a folding table. Pressing the push button release  805  unlatches the front legs  809  so that the seat  805  may be rotated and the chair  800  will lay substantially flat for storage.  FIG. 13  shows a dining set including table  750  with chairs  800 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 14  shows a perspective view of yet another exemplary folding table constructed according to the principles of the invention having a mission style. In particular,  FIG. 14  shows a mission style table  850  constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention. The leaves  872 ,  873  may include ceramic or stone tiles  876  for creating the mission look. The legs  860  may be straight and sturdy to provide a hand made look consistent with the mission style. The push button release  105  may be made to match either the tiles or wood of table. 
         [0060]      FIG. 15  shows a perspective view of yet another exemplary folding chair constructed according to the principles of the invention in an unfolded position. In particular,  FIG. 15  shows a mission chair  900  that may preferably include the alternative folding mechanism shown in  FIG. 9 , but other folding mechanisms that are consistent with the principles of the invention may also be used. 
         [0061]      FIG. 16  shows a dining set incorporating the table of  FIG. 14  with chairs constructed in accordance with the principles of the chair illustrated in  FIG. 15 . In particular,  FIG. 16  shows a dining set including table  850  with chairs  900 . 
         [0062]    According to an alternative aspect of the invention, a table  100  may be provided that has a solid, one-piece table top  120  as shown in  FIG. 17 . Such a table  100  may not have leaves  122 ,  123  or a hinge  124 . It may, however, have one or more folding legs  100  and a push release button  105 . The button  105  may be pushed down to unlock the leg  100  so that it may fold, or the button  105  may be any other suitable mechanism for disengaging a lock or latch that holds leg  110  in position when the table  100  is unfolded. The button  105  may function as described above with respect to  FIG. 1B , although other configuration and mechanisms, as understood by one skilled in the relevant arts, are contemplated and with the scope of the invention.  FIG. 18  displays the top of the table  100 , and  FIG. 19  shows the side of the table. 
         [0063]      FIG. 20  illustrates the underside of the table  100  when the legs  100  are folded. The legs  110  are folded at an angle relative to the sides of the table  100 , although any configuration of the legs in a folded position is contemplated and within the scope of the invention. 
         [0064]    The invention provides unobtrusive folding mechanisms for both a table and chair that provides a folding table and chair, both of which may be constructed in a number of styles, that are sufficiently decorative for regular, everyday home use. 
         [0065]    While the invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications in the spirit and scope of the appended claims. These examples given above are merely illustrative and are not meant to be an exhaustive list of all possible designs, embodiments, applications or modifications of the invention.