Fusion Designs Introduces New One-Hand Butterfly Leaf Mechanism for Dining Tables

Furniture World News Desk on 10/1/2024

Fusion Designs, a manufacturer of solid wood, domestically produced case goods, has once again brought innovation to the dining category with the introduction of a butterfly leaf that expands the table and then automatically glides and locks it in in place with a consumer using just one hand.

“The leaf has been the disdain of many hosts and hostesses for decades. Whether it be storing the leaves, lifting them, trying to lock them in place –it is almost on par with the frustration of threading a sewing needle,” said Fusion Designs President Marcus Bontrager. “We have been evolving our innovation in this category for some time, but this new design brings a level of ease and functionality not seen in the category before.”

All of Fusion’s expandable dining tables will start incorporating the new feature that starts with a conveniently placed handle that lifts the butterfly leaf out with one hand. When a consumer lifts the easy to maneuver leaf, it opens and then follows a steel, ball-bearing slide with magnets on the ends that tightly lock it place.

 “Setting the table is hard enough, so consumers just want to get to entertaining, and gather family and friends around the table, making any extra step a hassle. Now, they can just reach in, pull the handle, and the leaf will automatically position itself. All they need to do is close the table. It’s much easier to use and less clunky than the older versions,” he added.  

Additionally, the improved mechanism is built out of steel, while most imported versions of leaf locks are made using less expensive brass, a softer metal, that will likely eventually fail.

Moving forward, all of Fusion Designs’ dining tables with a butterfly leaf will incorporate the new and improved mechanism. The new product was engineered and designed by Alan Bontrager, chief operating officer.

About Fusion Designs
Founded in 1995, Fusion Designs specializes in high-quality, American-made solid wood, built-to-order case goods collections for bedroom, dining room, home office and entertainment sold to leading retailers across the U.S. Handcrafted in Indiana from domestically sourced wood species like oak, maple, cherry and hickory, and available in a choice of 35 finishes, the expansive portfolio of contemporary, transitional and mid-century modern designs is set apart by mortise and tenon construction techniques, upscale features like soft-close drawers and hand-wiped finishes that highlight the natural beauty of the woods, as well as a lifetime warranty. For more information, visit www.fusiondesign.us.