Many pieces of furniture, but especially tables, have extensions or flaps and there have been many designs in the past which allow such extensions to be supported in their position. For example, gate-leg tables have a leg which can be swung, gate-like, from a first position, which allows the table-top extension to hang alongside the leg from the main top, to a second position, which supports the table-top extension co-planarwith the main top. Such gate-leg tables usually have two extensions, either or both of which can be swung upwards into the extension position to increase the effective size of the table top.

However, to support the movable leg or legs, a rather massive gate-like structure is required.

Therefore, othertypes of support may be provided fortable-top extensions and the like, for example pivoted struts which can be positioned at an angle between the table top and an upright part of the piece of furniture to hold the extension. Another support type has a vertically hinged flap pivotable into a position underlying the extension to support it.

According to the invention there is provided a furniture leg having one or more arms each pivotally mounted at one end to the leg and pivotable from a first position into a second position in which it projects transversely to the leg ; and a bolt slidably disposed within the or each arm for movement along the arm between a non-operative position in which the bolt is housed within the arm and an operative position in which an end of the bolt extends out of the one end of the arm; the leg having a socket adjacent to the pivot point of the or each arm for receiving an end of the bolt when the arm is in its projecting position and the bolt is moved to its operative position, whereby the arm is held in its projecting position.

Preferably, the arm lies substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the leg when in its first position and may be housed within the leg.

The or each arm may be disposed within a groove or slot in the leg when in its first position substantially parallel to the leg and pivotally mounted in a header or capping on the top of the leg.

Thus the present invention provides a simple and stylish method of supporting a table-top extension, the arm being able to lie flush with the surface of the leg, so that the arm is not readily apparent when in its first position.

The or each socket may be formed in the header or capping and the socket may includes an aperture through the side of the header or capping.

The or each arm preferably comprises a channel section and the respective bolt includes a flat plate slidable within the channel section of the respective arm. The bolt may have an operating projection or knob extending from the bolt to enable a user to move the bolt along the arm.

The leg may have two arms orientated substantially at right angles to one another, in which case the ends of the respective bolts which are received in the sockets may be angled so as to prevent the end of one bolt interfering with the end of the other bolt.

The invention also includes a piece of furniture such as a table including such a leg or legs. The table top extension may be pivotable between a retracted position and an operative position in which it extends the table top and the extension could be mounted on the arm for movement between its retracted and extended positions. Alternatively, the table top extension may be removably locatable on the table in a position in which it extends the table top and can be stored elsewhere when not in use.

One example of a table having a leg according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 shows, diagrammatically, part of a table without an extension in place ; Figure 2 shows, diagrammatically, part of a table with an extension in place ; Figures 3A-D show a leg of the table in a number of positions; Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the leg ; and Figures 5A-E show the top of the leg in detail.

The example table 1 shown in figures 1 & 2 (only part of which is shown in the figures) has a mainly wooden leg 2 and a curved glass top 3 with a main part 3'and a removable extension part 3", generally arcuate and part annular in shape which can be fitted to the edge of the main part 3'to increase the usable area of the table 1. The rails which connect the leg 2 shown with other identical or similar legs are not shown, but may be conventional.

As can be seen in figures 1 & 2, and in more detail in the remaining figures, the leg 2 has a pair of arms 4 each of which is pivotable from a retracted position (see figure 1), in which it is closely housed in a slot 5 in the side of the leg and extends flush with the surface of and generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the leg 2, to an extended position (see figure 2) in which it is substantially at right angles to the leg to support the top extension part 3". The arms 4 are pivotally mounted in a metal header 6 which fits,

as a cap, on the top of the leg 2 and the bottom of the slots 5 have an arcuate cutout 7 which allows entry to the slot to enable the end of the respective arm to be levered out from its retracted position.

Figures 3A to 3C show a sequence of steps in which the leg 2 is adjusted from a first position with neither arm 4 extended, via a second position with one arm extended, to a third position with both arms extended. Figure 3D shows one of the arms in multiple positions between the retracted and extended positions.

The detailed construction of the leg 2, arms 4 and header 6 will now be described with reference to figures 4 to 5E, figures 5B to 5E being views from the underside of the arms.

The wooden leg 2 has a pair of elongate slots or grooves 5 as mentioned above, each of which extends from a middle point of the leg to the top of the wooden part of the leg and a metal header or cap 6 which is hollow and box-like and which has a pair of slots 8 which, when the header is secured to the top of the wooden main part of the leg 2, are in alignment with the slots 5. The header 6 is secured to an offset square sectioned spigot 9 by means of an inner socket portion 10 which is a push fit onto the spigot 9. The inner socket portion 10 is spaced from the outer walls 11 of the header which have the slots 8 and has a pair of sockets or apertures 12 (see figure 5C) spaced under the top 13 of the header and aligned with the top of the slots 8 as will be described in more detail below. An abutment or stop 14 is located immediately below the top 13 of the header.

Each arm 4 is a metal channel having a bight portion 15 and side flanges 16 and slidable supports a flat, plate-like bolt 17 within the channel section. The arms 4 are supported in the slots 8 by pivot pins or screws 19 supported in flanges (not shown) in the space between the outer walls 11 and the inner socket 10. An abutment 18 stops each bolt 17 from being slid out of the free end of the respective arm 4 and the end of the bolt 17 which in use engages in the socket or aperture 12 is angled as shown at 20 so that it does not foul or impede the movement of the bolt of the other arm when it is used to support the arm. A knob or projection 21 on the bolt 17 allows it to be pushed into or out of the respective socket or aperture 12. The bolts 17 are retained in the arms 4 by webs 22 (see figure 5C).

Figure 5A shows, from above, one arm 4, extended into its operative position with the bolt engaged in the corresponding aperture or socket 12 and supported against the abutment 14 on the underside of the top 13 of the header 6. Figure 5B is a view of the other arm in the same position, but from below. The angled end 20 can be seen in figure 5B. Figure 5C is a similar view to figure 5B, but showing the bolt 17 retracted to allow the

arm 4 to be folded back into its retracted position. Figures 5D and 5E show just the arm 4 and bolt 17, ie without the header or cap 6, for clarity, with the bolt 17 in, respectively, the extended and retracted positions.

It will be appreciated that the single example shown in these figures cannot show modifications and additions which may be desirable for different styles of leg or different types of furniture, and the figures are shown by way of illustration only.