Horizontally supported planar surfaces – Having means for supporting an electrical component
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-27
2001-01-09
Chen, Jose V. (Department: 3624)
Horizontally supported planar surfaces
Having means for supporting an electrical component
C108S132000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170407
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of folding support legs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Some prior art folding table legs comprise an articulated cross-support mechanism which spans between the leg and the underside of the tabletop. Often, the cross-support mechanism has a hinge in its middle which permits it to fold back upon itself when the leg is collapsed against the tabletop, but which is designed to prevent the cross-support from pivoting much past 180° at its full extension, when the leg is erected. These cross-supports maintain their spanning strength through the use of gravity or some form of friction lock which works to keep the cross-support extended. Such support legs tend to be flimsy and easily collapsed by accident once erected.
Additionally, many collapsible table leg designs fail to provide means for maintaining the table leg in its collapsed position. In order to keep the legs from extending and becoming obstructive, it is typically necessary to ensure that the table is transported and stored in an upside-down position.
Furthermore, many collapsible tables fail to provide means for organizing power cords and cables from computers and other electronic devices. As a result, these cords and cables typically fall haphazardly down the back of the table and are at risk of being tangled up with someone's feet when they are stretching their legs underneath the table.
Accordingly, it has been recognized that there is a need for a collapsible table support mechanism, which is sturdy, simple to use, and which is capable of locking the support in both its collapsed and extended positions. It has also been recognized that there is a need for a collapsible table support mechanism which provides a mechanism for keeping power cords and cables from devices in use on the table together, thereby reducing the risk that such cables might be tangled up with a user's feet when seated at the table.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed towards folding support legs.
The folding table leg mechanism of the subject invention is for use with a tabletop having a tabletop plane, and includes a leg support having an extension portion and a base portion fixedly mounted to the extension portion, and a mounting mechanism for pivotally connecting the leg support to the tabletop. The mounting mechanism has a hinge joint for pivoting the leg support in a pivot plane substantially perpendicular to the tabletop plane, from a collapsed position in which the leg support is substantially parallel to the tabletop plane to an erect position in which the leg support is substantially perpendicular to the tabletop. The mounting mechanism also has a rotation joint for rotating the leg support about a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the tabletop plane when the leg support is in the erect position, from a first rotational position to a second rotational position. The mechanism may also include a cord tray pivotally coupled to the leg support wherein the cord tray pivots with the leg support when the leg support is pivoted between the collapsed position and the erect position, but wherein the cord tray remains fixed in position relative to the tabletop when the leg support is rotated between the first rotational position and the second rotational position.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3695567 (1972-10-01), Weagle
patent: 4238100 (1980-12-01), Shy
patent: 5205223 (1993-04-01), Ball et al.
patent: 5337657 (1994-08-01), Diffrient
patent: 5640912 (1997-06-01), Diffrient
patent: 5673632 (1997-10-01), Sykes
patent: 5927214 (1999-07-01), Schwartz et al.
patent: 5934201 (1999-08-01), Diffrient
patent: 5992333 (1999-11-01), Lai
patent: 6003447 (1999-12-01), Cox et al.
Bereskin&Parr
Chen José V.
Spec Furniture Inc.
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