Article of furniture having a folding mechanism

摘要

An article of furniture can include a base attached to a frame to support the frame on a floor. A tabletop may be attached to the frame. The frame and/or the tabletop may be attached to a folding mechanism so that first and second sections of the tabletop are moveable so that the tabletop is adjustable from an unfolded position to a folded position and vice versa. The folding mechanism may include a plurality of spring elements connected to a plurality of hinges that are configured to help control an amount of force needed for adjusting the tabletop's position and the rate of speed at which the tabletop is rotatable between its folded and unfolded positions.

主权项

1. An article of furniture comprising:
a base; a frame connected to the base; a tabletop connected to the frame; and a folding mechanism connected to at least one of the frame and the tabletop such that a first section of the tabletop and a second section of the tabletop are moveable relative to each other so that the tabletop is moveable from an unfolded position to a folded position, the folding mechanism comprising: a plurality of hinges and a plurality of spring elements attached to the hinges, the hinges comprising: a first hinge, a second hinge, and a third hinge, the second hinge being between the first and third hinges, the hinges being spaced apart from each other, each of the hinges having a first portion that is rotatable relative to a second portion about an axis of rotation, the axis of rotation of the first hinge being aligned with the axis of rotation of the second hinge and the axis of rotation of the third hinge to define an axis of rotation about which the first section of the tabletop is rotatable when the tabletop is moved from the unfolded position to the folded position; and wherein the folding mechanism also comprises: a first arm; a second arm; a third arm; and a fourth arm; and wherein the spring elements comprise:
a first spring element connected between the first portion of the first hinge and the second arm,a second spring element connected between the second portion of the first hinge and the first arm;a third spring element connected between the first portion of the third hinge and the fourth arm,a fourth spring element connected between the second portion of the third hinge and the third arm;a fifth spring element connected between the second portion of the second hinge and the first arm;a sixth spring element connected between the second portion of the second hinge and the third arm;a seventh spring element connected between the first portion of the second hinge and the second arm; andan eight spring element connected between the first portion of the second hinge and the fourth arm.