FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a latch assembly, in particular, a latch release assembly for a folding table with multiple latches.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Folding and convertible furniture provides users with the ability to convert a piece of furniture for other uses or for space-saving storage. Folding and flip-nest type tables are often used in educational and commercial settings to provide desks and tables that can be stored in a space-saving configuration. Latch assemblies are often used to secure folding tables in a specific orientation or configuration. As the size of a folding table increases, additional hardware is required to allow the table to fold and be safely secured in a desired orientation. The positioning of the hardware mechanisms required to move or flip the tabletop from an operative position to the storage position can be difficult to use and expensive to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a latch release assembly for simultaneously releasing two or more latches, such as for a latch assembly for an item of convertible or nesting furniture. The latch release assembly is operable to adjust or modify the orientation of at least a portion of an article of furniture, i.e. the table top of a folding or flip-nest type table. The latch release assembly provides for substantially simultaneous actuation to multiple release levers of latches of a folding table to allow the table to open from a horizontal orientation to an upright vertical orientation. The latch release assembly includes a rigid elongate member for connecting at least two latch release levers. The rigid elongate member is sufficiently rigid to transfer a force along the elongate member to actuate each of the latch release levers simultaneously.

According to one form of the invention, a latch release assembly for folding furniture includes a connection member and a plurality of latchable hinges in spaced arrangement. Each of the latchable hinges includes a first bracket or base, a second bracket or base, a hinge between the first bracket and the second bracket, a catch portion on the first bracket that is spaced apart from the hinge, and a latch release lever that is pivotably coupled the second bracket. A portion of the latch release lever, such as the distal end of the lever, is positioned and dimensioned to engage the catch portion to secure the latchable hinge in a closed position. The latch release lever is pivotable to release from the catch portion to open or release the latchable hinge. The connection member is attached to each of the latch release levers at a distal end portion of the latch release lever, such that a user may simultaneously actuate or pivot the latch release levers by applying a release force to the connection member. In one aspect, the latchable hinges are linearly spaced from each other and mechanically attached to a surface, such as an underside of a table top to provide a pivotable latch mechanism between the table top and a support frame of a pivotable, folding, or actuating table. The latchable hinges are releasable to allow the pivotable table to pivot from a horizontal or operating orientation to a vertical or storage orientation to allow multiple pivotable tables to nest with each other for space-saving storage.

In one aspect, the connection member comprises a rigid elongated member having cutouts or slots on both ends. The cutouts are configured to fixedly couple at a respective end portion of the latch release lever of each of the latchable hinges. The connection member may be formed from an elongate circular rod.

In another form of the present invention, a pivotable table assembly includes a table top, a table support frame, a pair of latchable hinges disposed in spaced arrangement on a bottom portion of the table top and an elongated connection member fixedly coupled to a latch release lever of each of the latchable hinges. The table top is pivotable about the latchable hinges to allow the table to be stored in a space-saving orientation. The latchable hinges are supported from below by the table support frame. The elongated connection member is configured to substantially simultaneously actuate each of the latchable hinges to allow the table top to fold or pivot about the latchable hinges.

Therefore, the present invention provides a simple latch release assembly for simultaneously releasing two or more latches of a folding or flip-nest type table. The latch release assembly may be configured to operate latchable hinges for various types of folding furniture, including desks, chairs, and the like. A rigid elongate connection member is fixedly attached to the latch release lever of each of multiple latchable hinges. An application of force to the connection member transfers from the connection member to the latch release levers to actuate and release the latchable hinges substantially simultaneously.

These and other objects, advantages, purposes, and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings.

