Linking assembly, foldable frame and picnic table having same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11540622-B2
Application number	US-202117142741-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 6, 2021
Priority date	Mar 5, 2020
Publication date	Jan 3, 2023
Grant date	Jan 3, 2023

Abstract

A foldable frame includes a table frame, one or more bench frames, and first and second leg assemblies to support the table and bench frames. Each of the first and second leg assemblies include one or more table legs and one or more bench legs generally shorter than the one or more table legs. The foldable frame also includes a plurality of linking assemblies to connect the bench legs to the one or more bench frames so that each of the first and second leg assemblies can be rotated as a single unit. When unfolded, the table and bench frames are placed at different heights. When folded, the table and bench frames are placed at a common plane with the first and second leg assemblies folded onto the common plane. The foldable frame is easy to use and convenient for transportation and storage.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A foldable frame comprising:
a table frame;
a first bench frame;
first and second linking assemblies, the first linking assembly connected to the first bench frame at a first side of the foldable frame and the second linking assembly connected to the first bench frame at a second side of the foldable frame; and
first and second leg assemblies, each comprising one or more table legs, a first bench leg, and a leg-linking member connecting the first bench leg with the one or more table legs, the first bench leg having a length shorter than the one or more table legs, wherein:
the one or more table legs of the first leg assembly are pivotally coupled with the table frame at the first side of the foldable frame;
the first bench leg of the first leg assembly is pivotally coupled with the first linking assembly;
the one or more table legs of the second leg assembly are pivotally coupled with the table frame at the second side of the foldable frame; and
the first bench leg of the second leg assembly is pivotally coupled with the second linking assembly;

wherein:
the first linking assembly allows the first leg assembly to rotate as one unit and the second linking assembly allows the second leg assembly to rotate as another one unit, and when the first and second leg assemblies are unfolded, the first bench frame is positioned lower than the table frame;
the first linking assembly is pivotally connected to the first bench frame at the first side of the foldable frame and the first bench leg of the first leg assembly is pivotally connected to the first linking assembly such that an upper end portion of the first bench leg of the first leg assembly abuts the first bench frame when the first leg assembly is unfolded and separates from the first bench frame when the first leg assembly is folded;
the second linking assembly is pivotally connected to the first bench frame at the second side of the foldable frame and the first bench leg of the second leg assembly is pivotally connected to the second linking assembly such that an upper end portion of the first bench leg of the second leg assembly abuts the first bench frame when the second leg assembly is unfolded and separates from the first bench frame when the second leg assembly is folded;
the first bench frame comprises a first bench-lateral member at the first side of the foldable frame and a second bench-lateral member at the second side of the foldable frame;
the first linking assembly is pivotally connected to the first bench frame adjacent to the first bench-lateral member such that the upper end portion of the first bench leg of the first leg assembly abuts first bench-lateral member of the first bench frame when the first leg assembly is unfolded and separates from the first bench-lateral member of the first bench frame when the first leg assembly is folded; and
the second linking assembly is pivotally connected to the first bench frame adjacent to the second bench-lateral member such that the upper end portion of the first bench leg of the second leg assembly abuts the second bench-lateral member of the first bench frame when the second leg assembly is unfolded and separates from the second bench-lateral member of the first bench frame when the second leg assembly is folded.

2. The foldable frame of claim 1 , wherein the first bench leg of the first or second leg assembly is integrally formed with the leg-linking member.

3. The foldable frame of claim 2 , further comprising:
a second bench frame disposed at a side of the table frame opposite to the first bench frame; and
third and fourth linking assemblies, the third linking assembly connected to the second bench frame at the first side of the foldable frame and the fourth linking assembly connected to the second bench frame at the second side of the foldable frame, wherein:
each of the first and second leg assemblies further comprises a second bench leg shorter than the one or more table legs and connected to the one or more table legs by the leg-linking member;
the second bench leg of the first leg assembly is pivotally coupled with the third linking assembly; and
the second bench leg of the second leg assembly is pivotally coupled with the fourth linking assembly,

wherein the first and third linking members collectively allow the first leg assembly to rotate as one unit, the second and fourth linking members collectively allow the second leg assembly to rotate as another one unit, and when the first and second leg assemblies are unfolded, both of the first and second bench frames are positioned lower than the table frame.

4. The foldable frame of claim 3 , wherein the first and second bench legs of a respective leg assembly in the first and second leg assemblies have a same length or different lengths.

5. The foldable frame of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first supporting assembly pivotally connected to the first leg assembly and table frame and configured to control rotation of the first leg assembly with respect to the table frame and to help support the table frame when the first leg assembly is unfolded; and
a second supporting assembly pivotally connected to the second leg assembly and table frame and configured to control rotation of the second leg assembly with respect to the table frame and to help support the table frame when the second leg assembly is unfolded.

6. The foldable frame of claim 1 , wherein the first bench frame further comprises first and second bench-longitudinal members spaced apart from each other, wherein
the first and second bench-lateral members are connected to or integrally formed with the first and second bench-longitudinal members; and
each of the first and second linking assemblies is pivotally connected to at least one of the first and second bench-longitudinal members.

7. The foldable frame of claim 6 , wherein a respective linking assembly in the first and second linking assemblies comprises:
a first linking member having a first end portion pivotally connected to the first bench-longitudinal member adjacent to a corresponding bench-lateral member in the first and second bench-lateral members; and
a second linking member having a first end portion pivotally connected to the second bench-longitudinal member adjacent to the corresponding bench-lateral member,
wherein the first bench leg of a corresponding leg assembly in the first and second leg assemblies is pivotally connected to second end portions of the first and second linking members.

8. The foldable frame of claim 7 , wherein an engaging member is disposed at the upper end portion of the first bench leg of the corresponding leg assembly and configured to abut the corresponding bench-lateral member when the corresponding leg assembly is unfolded.

9. The foldable frame of claim 8 , wherein the engaging member comprises a first segment and a second segment bended with respect to the first segment, wherein when the corresponding leg assembly is unfolded:
the first segment abuts a lower side of the corresponding bench-lateral member to support the first bench frame; and
the second segment abuts an interior side of the corresponding bench-lateral member to help prevent separation of the first bench leg from the corresponding bench-lateral member or to help stabilize the first bench leg of the corresponding leg assembly.

10. The foldable frame of claim 7 , wherein the corresponding linking assembly further comprises a third linking member disposed between the first and second linking member, and connected to or integrally formed with the first and second linking members.

11. A foldable frame comprising:
a table frame;
a first bench frame;
first and

Assignees

• Inno Sports Co Ltd

Inventors

• Choi Kwan Jun

Classifications

• A47B3/14 Primary

  Foldable table and seat units · CPC title

• A47B3/0913

  the strut being of two parts slidable relative to one another, e.g. telescopic struts · CPC title