A foldable table that provides a stable operational position in which the table legs may extend beyond the footprint of the table, and a folded, storage position in which the table legs may be tucked within the footprint of the table. An aspect provides table legs that may slide and pivot within soc
A foldable table that provides a stable operational position in which the table legs may extend beyond the footprint of the table, and a folded, storage position in which the table legs may be tucked within the footprint of the table. An aspect provides table legs that may slide and pivot within sockets of a table top, to enable the legs to lock into the extended position and to also pivot flat against a horizontal undersurface of the table top.
대표청구항▼
1. A foldable leg assembly comprising: a socket, wherein the socket defines a rotational axis and a radial direction that is radial to the rotational axis,wherein the socket has a first face generally perpendicular to the rotational axis, and a second face opposite to the first face and generally pe
1. A foldable leg assembly comprising: a socket, wherein the socket defines a rotational axis and a radial direction that is radial to the rotational axis,wherein the socket has a first face generally perpendicular to the rotational axis, and a second face opposite to the first face and generally perpendicular to the rotational axis, andwherein the first face defines a first opening and a first slot, and the second face defines a second opening and a second slot, the first opening having a first ledge, the second opening having a second ledge, and the first slot and the second slot extending generally radial to the rotational axis; anda leg attached to the socket, the leg comprising a head portion and an extension portion,wherein the head portion rotates around the rotational axis, and along the radial direction of the socket, from a folded position to an extended position, and has a first post and a first resilient tab and a second post and a second resilient tab,wherein the extension portion is configured to rest on a horizontal surface when in the extended position,wherein each of the first slot and the second slot is configured to extend in a generally vertical direction with respect to the horizontal surface and has a first lower end and a second upper end,wherein the first post of the head portion is disposed in and slidable within the first slot and the second post of the head portion is disposed in and slidable within the second slot,wherein in the folded position the first post is disposed at the first lower end of the first slot, the second post is disposed at the first lower end of the second slot, and the head portion is rotatable within the socket,wherein in the extended position the first post is disposed at the second upper end of the first slot, the second post is disposed at the second upper end of the second slot, and the head portion is rotationally fixed within the socket,wherein in the extended position the first resilient tab is disposed within the first opening and against the first ledge and the second resilient tab is disposed within the second opening and against the second ledge, to prevent movement of the head portion within the socket,wherein the first slot and the first ledge of the socket and the first post and the first resilient tab of the head portion are configured such that the first post is disposed at an uppermost position in the first slot when a distal end of the first resilient tab engages the first ledge of the socket,wherein the second slot and the second ledge of the socket and the second post and the second resilient tab of the head portion are configured such that the second post is disposed at an uppermost position in the second slot when a distal end of the second resilient tab engages the second ledge of the socket, andwherein the socket comprises a third face disposed generally in between the first face and the second face and wherein the first opening and the second opening are disposed at a narrowed section of an upper portion of the third face. 2. The foldable leg assembly of claim 1, further comprising a table top on which the socket is disposed, the table top having a first side and a second side when viewed from a top plan view, wherein the socket extends from the first side of the table top and is disposed adjacent to a corner of the table top when viewed from the top plan view, the corner defining where the first side meets the second side of the table top when viewed from the top plan view,wherein the first side is generally transverse to the second side,wherein the table top defines a recessed storage compartment that is recessed with respect to a top surface of the table top,wherein, at a bottom side of the table top, the recessed storage compartment has an outer side wall substantially parallel to the second side, an inner side wall substantially parallel to the second side, and a horizontal undersurface extending between the outer side wall and the inner side wall,wherein the extension portion of the leg defines a longitudinal hollow cavity, andwherein in the folded position the recessed storage compartment of the table top is disposed within the hollow cavity of the extension portion of the leg such that the extension portion of the leg is disposed over the outer side wall, the inner side wall, and the horizontal undersurface of the recessed storage compartment. 3. The foldable leg assembly of claim 2, wherein the extension portion of the leg includes an inner side, an outer side, and a transverse side extending between the inner side and the outer side, wherein the inner side, the transverse side, and the outer side provide an open construction defining the hollow cavity, andwherein in the folded position the outer side of the extension portion of the leg is disposed opposing the outer side wall of the recessed storage compartment, the inner side of the extension portion of the leg is disposed opposing the inner side wall of the recessed storage compartment, and the transverse side of the extension portion of the leg is disposed opposing the horizontal undersurface of the recessed storage compartment. 4. The foldable leg assembly of claim 2, wherein the second side of the table top defines an outside wall of the table top, wherein, at the bottom side of the table top, the table top defines a first channel between the outside wall of the table top and the outer side wall of the recessed storage compartment, and a second channel between the inner side wall of the recessed storage compartment and an adjacent central recessed storage compartment, wherein the first and second channels extend in a direction generally parallel to the second side, andwherein in the folded position the outer side of the extension portion of the leg is disposed inside the first channel and the inner side of the extension portion of the leg is disposed inside the second channel. 5. The foldable leg assembly of claim 1, wherein the first resilient tab and the second resilient tab are temporarily deflectable such that, from the extended position, a first force applied to the first resilient tab deflects the first resilient tab such that the first resilient tab clears the first ledge, anda second force applied to the second resilient tab deflects the second resilient tab such that the second resilient tab clears the second ledge,at which point the head portion of the first leg is movable in a direction away from the socket. 6. The foldable leg assembly of claim 5, wherein, in the extended position, the first resilient tab and the second resilient tab are configured in an opposing arrangement such that the first force and the second force generally oppose each other in a direction generally parallel to the rotational axis, and wherein the first resilient tab and the second resilient tab are configured such that simultaneous application of the first force and the second force releases the first resilient tab from the first ledge and the second resilient tab from the second ledge so that the head portion is movable in the direction away from the socket. 7. The foldable leg assembly of claim 1, further comprising a table top on which the socket is disposed, wherein the socket is disposed on, and protrudes beyond, a side of the table top when viewed from a top plan view,wherein, in the extended position, the first resilient tab is disposed within the first opening of the socket and beyond the side when viewed from the top plan view, andwherein the first face defining the first opening and a face of the first resilient tab disposed in the first opening are disposed generally transverse to the side. 8. The foldable leg assembly of claim 1, wherein the third face comprises a rounded face that is generally parallel to the first rotational axis. 9. The foldable leg assembly of claim 1, wherein the head portion has a first contact surface and an interior of the socket has a second contact surface, and wherein in the extended position the first contact surface and the second contact surface contact each other to prevent rotation of the head portion within the socket. 10. The foldable leg assembly of claim 1, wherein the first ledge of the first opening of the socket is spaced apart a first distance from an upper contacting surface of the first slot of the socket, wherein the distal end of the first resilient tab is spaced apart a second distance from an upper contacting surface of the first post of the head portion,wherein the first distance is substantially equal to the second distance, andwherein in the extended position there is simultaneous engagement of: the distal end of the first resilient tab and the first ledge of the first opening of the socket, andthe upper contacting surface of the first post of the head portion and the upper contacting surface of the first slot of the socket. 11. The foldable leg assembly of claim 1, further comprising a table top on which the socket is disposed, wherein the socket is disposed adjacent to a corner of the table top when viewed from a top plan view, the corner having a first side and a second side when viewed from the top plan view,wherein the rotational axis is generally parallel to the first side and generally transverse to the second side,wherein the extension portion of the leg extends from the head portion at an angle outwardly with respect to the radial direction such that, in the extended position, the extension portion of the leg extends farther outwardly beyond the second side of the corner of the table top than if the extension portion were parallel to the radial direction, andwherein in the folded position the extension portion is generally parallel to the second side. 12. A foldable leg assembly comprising: a socket, wherein the socket defines a rotational axis and a radial direction that is radial to the rotational axis,wherein the socket has a first face generally perpendicular to the rotational axis, and a second face opposite to the first face and generally perpendicular to the rotational axis,wherein the first face defines a first opening and a first slot, and the second face defines a second opening and a second slot, the first opening having a first ledge, the second opening having a second ledge, and the first slot and the second slot extending generally radial to the rotational axis;anda leg attached to the socket, the leg comprising a head portion and an extension portion,wherein the head portion rotates around the rotational axis, and along the radial direction of the socket, from a folded position to an extended position, and has a first post and a first resilient tab and a second post and a second resilient tab,wherein each of the first slot and the second slot extends in a generally vertical direction with respect to a distal contact surface of the extension portion on which the foldable leg assembly rests in the extended position and has a first lower end and a second upper end,wherein the first post of the head portion is disposed in and slidable within the first slot and the second post of the head portion is disposed in and slidable within the second slot,wherein in the folded position the first post is disposed at the first lower end of the first slot, the second post is disposed at the first lower end of the second slot, and the head portion is rotatable within the socket,wherein in the extended position the first post is disposed at the second upper end of the first slot, the second post is disposed at the second upper end of the second slot, and the head portion is rotationally fixed within the socket,wherein in the extended position the first resilient tab is disposed within the first opening and against the first ledge and the second resilient tab is disposed within the second opening and against the second ledge, to prevent movement of the head portion away from the socket,wherein the first slot and the first ledge of the socket and the first post and the first resilient tab of the head portion are configured such that the first post is disposed at an uppermost position in the first slot when a distal end of the first resilient tab engages the first ledge of the socket,wherein the second slot and the second ledge of the socket and the second post and the second resilient tab of the head portion are configured such that the second post is disposed at an uppermost position in the second slot when a distal end of the second resilient tab engages the second ledge of the socket, andwherein the socket comprises a third face disposed generally in between the first face and the second face and wherein the first opening and the second opening are disposed at a narrowed section of an upper portion of the third face. 13. The foldable leg assembly of claim 12, wherein the first resilient tab and the second resilient tab are temporarily deflectable such that, from the extended position, a first force applied to the first resilient tab deflects the first resilient tab such that the first resilient tab clears the first ledge, anda second force applied to the second resilient tab deflects the second resilient tab such that the second resilient tab clears the second ledge,at which point the head portion of the leg is movable in a direction away from the socket. 14. The foldable leg assembly of claim 13, wherein, in the extended position, the first resilient tab and the second resilient tab are configured in an opposing arrangement such that the first force and the second force generally oppose each other in a direction generally parallel to the rotational axis, and wherein the first resilient tab and the second resilient tab are configured such that simultaneous application of the first force and the second force releases the first resilient tab from the first ledge and the second resilient tab from the second ledge so that the head portion is movable in the direction away from the socket. 15. The foldable leg assembly of claim 12, wherein in the extended position the socket has a lower opening facing in a direction toward the distal contact surface of the extension portion, and an upper exterior surface opposite to the lower opening and disposed between the first face and the second face, wherein the upper exterior surface is defined by the third face, wherein the head portion of the leg rotates within the lower opening of the socket, andwherein in the extended position the first resilient tab and the second resilient tab are visible and accessible from above the upper exterior surface of the socket. 16. The foldable leg assembly of claim 15, further comprising a table top on which the socket is disposed, wherein the socket is disposed adjacent to a corner of the table top when viewed from a top plan view, andwherein in the extended position the first resilient tab and the second resilient tab are visible and accessible from above the table top. 17. A method of operating a foldable leg assembly between a folded position and an extended position, the foldable leg assembly having a socket and a leg, the socket defining a rotational axis and a radial direction that is radial to the rotational axis, the method comprising: positioning the leg in the folded position within the socket,wherein the socket has a first face generally perpendicular to the rotational axis, and a second face opposite to the first face and generally perpendicular to the rotational axis,wherein the first face defines a first opening and a first slot, and the second face defines a second opening and a second slot, the first opening having a first ledge, the second opening having a second ledge, the first slot extending generally radial to the rotational axis from a first end to a second end, and the second slot extending generally radial to the rotational axis from a first end to a second end,wherein the leg comprises a head portion and an extension portion,wherein the head portion rotates around the rotational axis, and along the radial direction of the socket, from the folded position to the extended position,wherein a first side of the head portion has a first post and a first resilient tab and a second side of the head portion has a second post and a second resilient tab,wherein the extension portion is configured to rest on a horizontal surface when in the extended position,wherein each of the first slot and the second slot extends in a generally vertical direction with respect to the horizontal surface,wherein the first post of the head portion is disposed in and slidable within the first slot and the second post of the head portion is disposed in and slidable within the second slot,wherein in the folded position the first post is disposed at the first end of the first slot, the second post is disposed at the first end of the second slot, and the head portion is rotatable within the socket,wherein in the extended position the first post is disposed at the second end of the first slot, the second post is disposed at the second end of the second slot, and the head portion is rotationally fixed within the socket,wherein in the extended position the first resilient tab is disposed within the first opening and against the first ledge and the second resilient tab is disposed within the second opening and against the second ledge, to prevent movement of the head portion within the socket,wherein the first slot and the first ledge of the socket and the first post and the first resilient tab of the head portion are configured such that the first post is disposed at an uppermost position in the first slot when a distal end of the first resilient tab engages the first ledge of the socket,wherein the second slot and the second ledge of the socket and the second post and the second resilient tab of the head portion are configured such that the second post is disposed at an uppermost position in the second slot when a distal end of the second resilient tab engages the second ledge of the socket, andwherein the socket comprises a third face disposed generally in between the first face and the second face and wherein the first opening and the second opening are disposed at a narrowed section of an upper portion of the third face;rotating, from the folded position, keeping the first post disposed at the first end of the first slot and the second post disposed at the first end of the second slot, the leg within the socket in a first rotational direction around the rotational axis and along the radial direction toward the extended position, until the first resilient tab is aligned with the first opening along a longitudinal axis of the first slot and the second resilient tab is aligned with the second opening along a longitudinal axis of the second slot; andmoving the head portion farther within the socket so that the first post moves to the second end of the first slot, the second post moves to the second end of the second slot, the first resilient tab engages the first opening, and the second resilient tab engages the second opening, thereby preventing translational and rotational movement of the head portion within the socket. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: applying a first force to the first resilient tab that deflects the first resilient tab such that the first resilient tab disengages with the first opening;applying a second force to the second resilient tab that deflects the second resilient tab such that the second resilient tab disengages with the second opening;moving the head portion in a direction away from the socket so that the first post moves to the first end of the first slot and the second post moves to the first end of the second slot; androtating, keeping the first post disposed at the first end of the first slot and the second post disposed at the first end of the second slot, the leg within the socket in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, around the rotational axis and along the radial direction to the folded position. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein in the extended position the socket has a lower opening facing the horizontal surface on, and an upper exterior surface opposite to the lower opening and disposed between the first face and the second face, wherein the upper exterior surface is defined by the third face, wherein the head portion of the leg rotates within the lower opening of the socket, andwherein applying the first force to the first resilient tab and the second force to the second resilient tab comprises accessing the first resilient tab and the second resilient tab from above the upper exterior surface of the socket and squeezing the first resilient tab and the second resilient tab toward each other. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the third face comprises a rounded face that is generally parallel to the first rotational axis.
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