Locking mechanism for a table leg assembly

Abstract

A table may include a tabletop and a support structure sized and configured to support the tabletop above a surface. The support structure may be movable between use and collapsed positions relative to the tabletop, and a locking mechanism may lock the support structure in a fixed position relative to the tabletop. The locking mechanism may include a locking member eccentrically rotatable relative to a lower portion of the tabletop, and the locking member may be rotatable between a locked position in which the locking member engages a locking notch and an unlocked position in which the locking member is spaced part from the locking notch. The locking mechanism may a control mechanism that facilitates movement of the locking member between the locked and unlocked positions. A retaining assembly may be sized and configured to retain the control mechanism in a fixed position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A table comprising:
 a tabletop;   a support structure sized and configured to support the tabletop above a surface, the support structure movable between a use position and a collapsed position relative to the tabletop;   a bracket rotatably connecting the support structure to the tabletop, the bracket including a locking notch; and   a locking mechanism sized and configured to lock the support structure in a fixed position relative to the tabletop, the locking mechanism comprising:
 a locking member eccentrically rotatable relative to a lower portion of the tabletop, the locking member rotatable between a locked position in which the locking member engages the locking notch when the support structure is in the use position and an unlocked position in which the locking member is spaced part from the locking notch when the support structure is in the use position; 
 a control mechanism connected to the locking member, the control mechanism facilitating movement of the locking member between the locked and unlocked positions; and 
 a retaining assembly connected to the tabletop, the retaining assembly sized and configured to retain the control mechanism in a fixed position. 
   
     
     
         2 . The table of  claim 1 , further comprising a plate connected to the tabletop, the bracket rotatably connected to the plate, the locking member rotatably connected to the plate. 
     
     
         3 . The table of  claim 2 , further comprising a projection rotatably connecting the locking member to the plate, an axis of rotation of the projection not aligned with a central axis of the locking member to provide eccentric rotation of the locking member relative to the plate. 
     
     
         4 . The table of  claim 1 , further comprising a frame connected to the tabletop, the support structure rotatably connected to the frame, the locking member rotatably connected to the frame. 
     
     
         5 . The table of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining assembly includes a base connected to the lower portion of the tabletop; and
 wherein the control mechanism of the locking mechanism is disposed in a receiving portion of the retaining assembly to lock the locking mechanism in the locked position.   
     
     
         6 . The table of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining assembly includes a biasing member that is sized and configured to bias the retaining assembly into a closed position. 
     
     
         7 . The table of  claim 1 , wherein when the locking mechanism is in the locked position and the support structure is in the use position, the locking mechanism locks the support structure in the use position;
 wherein when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked position, the support structure is movable between the use and collapsed positions; and   wherein when the support structure is in the collapsed position, the locking mechanism is disposed in the locked position.   
     
     
         8 . The table of  claim 1 , where when the locking mechanism is in the locked position and the support structure is in the use position, the locking mechanism is unlocked by eccentric rotation of the locking member. 
     
     
         9 . The table of  claim 1 , wherein the locking member engages the locking notch with a cam motion as the locking mechanism is moved from the unlocked position to the locked position with the support structure disposed in the use position. 
     
     
         10 . The table of  claim 1 , wherein the locking member is connected to a first portion of a frame on a first side of the tabletop and a second portion of the frame on a second side of the tabletop; and
 wherein the support structure includes a first leg rotatably connected to the first side of the tabletop and a second leg rotatably connected to the second side of the tabletop.   
     
     
         11 . A locking mechanism for a support structure for a table, the support structure sized and configured to support a tabletop above a surface, the support structure movable between a use position and a collapsed position relative to the tabletop, the locking mechanism comprising:
 a plate sized and configured to be connected to a tabletop;   a strut rotatably connected to the plate, the strut movable between a first position in which a support structure is disposed in a use position and a second position in which the support structure is disposed in a collapsed position;   a locking notch disposed in the strut; and   a locking member eccentrically connected to the plate with an axis of rotation of the locking member offset from a central axis of the locking member, the locking member movable between a locked position in which the locking member engages the locking notch and an unlocked position in which the locking member is spaced apart from the locking notch.   
     
     
         12 . The locking mechanism of  claim 11 , wherein the strut is connected to a support structure. 
     
     
         13 . The locking mechanism of  claim 11 , wherein the strut is part of a support structure. 
     
     
         14 . The locking mechanism of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a control mechanism connected to the locking member, the control mechanism facilitating movement of the locking member between the locked and unlocked positions; and   a retaining assembly sized and configured to be connected to a tabletop, the retaining assembly sized and configured to retain the control mechanism of the locking member in a fixed position.   
     
     
         15 . A method of locking a support structure of a table in a fixed position, the table including a tabletop and a support structure movable between a use position and a collapsed position relative to the tabletop, the table including a locking member eccentrically rotatable relative to a lower portion of the tabletop, the locking member eccentrically rotatable between a locked position in which the locking member engages a locking notch and an unlocked position in which the locking member is spaced apart from the locking notch, the method comprising:
 moving the support structure of the table from the collapsed position to the use position; and   rotating the eccentrically rotatable locking member from the unlocked position to the locked position to fix the support structure in the use position.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein rotating the eccentrically rotatable locking mechanism allows the locking member to be disposed in the locking notch and spaced apart from the locking notch without a user moving the support structure. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising disposing the locking member in the fixed position by positioning a control mechanism of the locking member in a retaining assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 unlocking the support structure from the locked position by moving the control mechanism away from the retaining assembly;   rotating the control mechanism to move the locking member from the locked position to the unlocked position; and   moving the support structure from the use position to the collapsed position.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 rotating the control mechanism towards the retaining assembly; and   securing the locking member in the fixed position by disposing the control mechanism of the locking member in the retaining assembly.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 rotating the eccentrically rotatable locking member about a projection connected to a plate, an axis of rotation of the locking member offset from a central axis of the locking member; and   rotating the support structure about a pivot point connected to the plate.