Table closure mechanism

• US 7,472,656 B2
• Filed: 08/12/2002
• Issued: 01/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oakworks, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Oakworks, Inc.
• Inventors: Riach, Jeffrey M.
• Primary Examiner(s): WILKENS, JANET MARIE
• Application Number:
  US10/216,656
• Publication Number:
  US 20030070596A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,339 Days
• Field of Search: 312/333, 108/93, 108/94, 108/59, 108/102, 108/103, 108/142, 108/143, 108/140, 108/139, 108/64, 108/65, 108166-169, 108/171, 108/172, 108/174, 108/115, 292/102, 292/107, 292/108, 292/209, 292/210, 292/303, 292/304, 292/DIG.49, 292/63, 292/38
• US Class Current: 108/168
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 3/083 with foldable top leaves
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 87/002 Combination of tables; Linking or assembling means therefor

Abstract

A closure mechanism for maintaining a foldable table in a closed configuration and for allowing opening thereof. In one embodiment, the closure mechanism includes a keeper mounted to a first table section, a clasp mounted to a second table section that is adapted to engage the keeper to secure the first and second table sections together in the closed configuration, and a plunger adapted to deflect the clasp to thereby disengage the clasp from the keeper to allow opening of the foldable table. In one embodiment, the clasp includes a hook that engages the keeper, and a flexible central portion that allows deflection of the hook to disengage the hook from the keeper.

Claims

1. A foldable table, comprising:

a closure mechanism for maintaining the foldable table in a closed configuration and for allowing opening thereof, said closure mechanism including,

a keeper mounted to a first table section of said foldable table;

a clasp mounted to a second table section of said foldable table, said clasp being adapted to engage said keeper to secure said first and second table sections of said foldable table together in said closed configuration; and

a plunger adapted to deflect said clasp to thereby disengage said clasp from said keeper to allow opening of said foldable table, wherein said clasp is rotatable relative to said plunger.

2. The closure mechanism of claim 1, wherein said clasp includes a hook that engages said keeper.

3. The closure mechanism of claim 2, wherein said clasp includes a flexible central portion that allows deflection of said hook to disengage said hook from said keeper.

4. The closure mechanism of claim 1, wherein said keeper includes a hook groove.

5. The closure mechanism of claim 2, wherein said keeper includes an angled surface that facilitates engagement of said hook into said hook groove.

6. The closure mechanism of claim 1, wherein said plunger is mounted to said second table section together with said clasp and extends beyond said second table section.

7. The closure mechanism of claim 6, wherein said plunger includes a flexible center portion that allows deflection of said plunger in a manner to deflect said clasp.

8. The closure mechanism of claim 6, wherein said plunger includes a handle.

9. The closure mechanism of claim 8, wherein said handle includes informational marking.

10. The closure mechanism of claim 6, wherein said plunger includes at least one flange that maintains positioning of said clasp relative to said plunger.

11. The closure mechanism of claim 1, wherein said clasp is positionable underneath said second table section by rotating said clasp relative to said plunger.

12. The closure mechanism of claim 1, wherein said plunger is integral with said clasp, and extends beyond said second table section.

13. The closure mechanism of claim 12, wherein said plunger includes a handle.

14. The closure mechanism of claim 13, wherein said handle includes informational marking.

15. The closure mechanism of claim 1, wherein said closure mechanism is made of at least one of metal, fiberglass, nylon, and plastic.

16. A foldable table, comprising:

a closure mechanism for maintaining the foldable table in a closed configuration and for allowing opening thereof, said closure mechanism including,

a keeper mounted to a first table section;

a clasp mounted to a second table section of said foldable table, said clasp being adapted to engage said keeper to secure said first and second table sections of said foldable table together in said closed configuration, said clasp including a reinforced area and a central portion, said central portion having a thin cross-section smaller than a cross-section of said reinforced area; and

a plunger that extends beyond said second table when said foldable table is in said closed configuration, said plunger being adapted to deflect said clasp to thereby disengage said clasp from said keeper to allow opening of said foldable table.

17. The closure mechanism of claim 16, wherein said clasp includes a hook that engages said keeper.

18. The closure mechanism of claim 17, wherein said clasp includes a flexible central portion that allows deflection of said hook to disengage said hook from said keeper.

19. The closure mechanism of claim 18, wherein said keeper includes a hook groove sized to receive said hook.

20. The closure mechanism of claim 19, wherein said keeper includes an angled surface for facilitating engagement of said hook into said hook groove.

21. The closure mechanism of claim 16, wherein said plunger includes a handle with an informational marking.

22. The closure mechanism of claim 16, wherein said closure mechanism is made of at least one of metal, fiberglass, nylon, and plastic.