Easy Fold Locking Mechanisms

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a support system for a gaming table including a first support bar of a gaming-table support, a second support bar of a gaming-table support, a third support bar of a gaming-table support, and a gaming-table support locking apparatus. The third support bar has an arcuate shape and is in a pivotable connection with the second support bar. The gaming-table support locking apparatus includes a first locking bar and a second locking bar. The second locking bar is configured to be in one of two states of being: a first state that allows the third support bar to rotate with respect to the second support bar; and a second state that prevents the third support bar to rotate with respect to the second support bar.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gaming-table apparatus comprising:
 two side support panels, wherein each of the two side support panels include:
 a first support bar of a gaming-table support; 
 a second support bar of a gaming-table support attached to the first support bar and substantially perpendicular to the first support bar; 
 a third support bar of a gaming-table support attached to the second support bar, the third support bar having an arcuate shape and in a pivotable connection with the second support bar; 
 a gaming-table support locking apparatus attached to the third support bar and the first support bar, wherein the gaming-table support locking apparatus includes:
 a first locking bar; 
 a second locking bar connected to the first locking bar, wherein the second locking bar is configured to be in one of two states of being:
 a first state that allows the third support bar to rotate with respect to the second support bar; and 
 a second state that prevents the third support bar to rotate with respect to the second support bar; and 
 
 
   a backboard panel disposed between two side support panels and including at least one hinged basketball rim.   
     
     
         2 . The gaming-table apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a safety latch disposed on the second support bar, wherein the latch is configured to engage the third support bar. 
     
     
         3 . The gaming-table apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the safety latch includes a fastener configured to engage with a window on the third support bar. 
     
     
         4 . The gaming-table apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the safety latch is elongated. 
     
     
         5 . The gaming-table apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second support bar is configured to engage the ground. 
     
     
         6 . The gaming-table apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the third support bar is attached to a fourth support bar. 
     
     
         7 . The gaming-table apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first locking bar is telescopically engaged with the second locking bar. 
     
     
         8 . The gaming-table apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the second locking bar defines a window, and the first locking bar includes a button configured to be in one of two states of being:
 a locked state that prevents the first locking bar to move telescopically with the second locking bar, wherein the button in engaged with the window, and wherein the button extends beyond the window; and   a freed state that allows the first locking bar to move telescopically with the second locking bar and wherein the button is not engaged with the window.   
     
     
         9 . A gaming-table apparatus comprising:
 two side support panels, wherein each of the two side support panels includes:
 a first bar of a gaming-table support; 
 a second bar of the gaming-table support; and 
 a gaming-table support locking apparatus, wherein the gaming-table support locking apparatus comprises:
 a first hinge bar defining a tab notch, 
 a second hinge bar defining a window, and 
 a tab connector connected to the second hinge bar and configured to permit the second hinge bar in one of two states of being:
 a locked state that prevents rotation of the first hinge bar relative the second hinge bar, and 
 an unlocked state that permits rotation of the first hinge bar relative the second hinge bar; and 
 
 
   a backboard panel, disposed between the two side support panels and including at least one hinged basketball rim.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the tab connector comprises a base configured for arrangement within the window formed by the second hinge bar, wherein the base is pivotably-connected to the second hinge bar within the window. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the tab connector comprises a locking section defined by a locking section height that extends from the base and through both of the window formed by the second hinge bar and the tab notch formed by the first hinge bar. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the tab connector comprises a release section defined by a release section height that extends from the base and through the window formed by the second hinge bar. 
     
     
         13 . A gaming table apparatus comprising:
 two side support panels, wherein each of the two side support panels include:
 a first support bar; 
 a second support bar; 
 a locking mechanism attached to at least one of the support bars, the locking mechanism including:
 a first locking bar; and 
 a second locking bar connected to the first locking bar, wherein the second locking bar is configured to be in one of two states of being:
 a first state that allows the second support bar to rotate with respect to the first support bar; and 
 a second state that prevents the second support bar to rotate with respect to the first support bar; 
 
 
   a backboard panel disposed between the two side support panels;   a cross bar disposed between the two side support panels; and   a return net disposed between the two side support panels, the return net including a first portion connected to the backboard panel and a second portion connected to the cross bar.   
     
     
         14 . The gaming table apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the backboard panel includes at least one rim. 
     
     
         15 . The gaming table apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the backboard panel includes a scoreboard. 
     
     
         16 . The gaming table apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the return net has a downward slope that extends toward the floor as it extends away from the backboard panel. 
     
     
         17 . The gaming table apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein each side support panel includes a side boundary net. 
     
     
         18 . The gaming table apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the first locking bar and the second locking bar are composed of a rigid material. 
     
     
         19 . The gaming table apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the rigid material is one of a rigid plastic and metal. 
     
     
         20 . The gaming table apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein when the second locking bar is in the second state, the first locking bar and the second locking bar align to form a straight line.