BANQUET TABLE

Abstract

A foldable table includes a table tops and legs mounted for movement relative to the table top.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/467,543 filed on Mar. 6, 2017, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a table and in particular to a tabletop support unit. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a foldable banquet table having a tabletop support unit including movable leg units.

SUMMARY

A foldable table in accordance with the present disclosure includes a table top and first and second table-top elevators. In illustrative embodiments, the table-top elevators include table legs and can be moved by a user relative to the table top to opened positions as the table is unfolded to support the table top in an elevated position above the ground. The table-top elevators can be moved by a user to closed positions as the table is folded for storage.

In illustrative embodiments, each table-top elevator includes an H-shaped pivotable table-top support that is configured to include two table legs and mounted on the underside of the table top. Each table-top elevator also includes a support-retainer linkage that has an inner end that is mounted on the underside of the table top and an opposite outer end that is mounted on its companion H-shaped pivotable table-top support. Each support-retainer linkage is configured to provide means for retaining its companion H-shaped table-top support in an expanded use position that is oriented to lie at about a 90° angle to an underside of the table top when the table is unfolded and for controlling pivoting movement of the H-shaped table-top support relative to the table top between the expanded use position and a collapsed storage positon that is oriented to mate with and extend along the underside of the table top when the table is folded.

In illustrative embodiments, the table top and each of the H-shaped table-top supports are made of wood and cooperate to form a farmhouse-style table when the table is unfolded and the H-shaped table-top supports are moved to assume their expanded use positions. Each H-shaped table-top support comprises wooden first and second legs having square cross-sectional shapes and a wooden cross-member strut interconnecting the first and second legs and having a rectangular cross-sectional shape. The foldable table also includes a wooden rim appended to the underside of the table top and arranged to surround the H-shaped table-top supports in their collapsed storage positions as well as in their expanded use positions.

In illustrative embodiments, each support-retainer linkage includes an outer arm mount coupled to the cross-member strut included in the companion H-shaped table-top support, a stationary inner arm mount coupled to the underside of the table top, and a movable strut-reinforcement arm having an outer end pivotably coupled to the outer arm mount and an inner end slidably coupled to the stationary inner arm mount. During folding and unfolding of the table, the inner end of the movable strut-reinforcement arm slides along the length of the stationary inner arm mount as the outer end of the strut-reinforcement arm pivots on the outer arm mount in response to pivoting movement of the companion H-shaped table-top support relative to the table top.

In illustrative embodiments, each support-retainer linkage further includes an arm-lock latch used to lock the strut-reinforcement arm to the companion stationary inner arm mount on the underside of the table top automatically when the table is unfolded. The arm-lock latch is configured to provide means for automatically and releasably locking the inner end of the strut-reinforcement arm in a fixed position on the stationary inner arm mount in response to operator-controlled pivoting movement of the companion H-shaped table-top support from the collapsed storage position to the expanded use position during unfolding of the table so that such H-shaped table top support is retained in that expanded use position when the foldable table is opened and the table top is supported on the first and second table-top elevators in an elevated position above an underlying floor.

In illustrative embodiments, a latch-release pedal is also included in each support-retainer linkage. A user can press on this latch-release pedal to release the arm-lock latch to free the companion strut-reinforcement arm to be moved relative to the companion stationary inner arm mount that is coupled to the underside of the table top. Such freedom of movement of the strut-reinforcement arm allows a user to move the H-shaped table-top support relative to the table top from the collapsed storage position along the underside of the table top through an angle of about 90° to the expanded use position.

Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of foldable table in accordance with the present disclosure showing that a table top has been elevated above an underlying floor by a two-legged first table-top elevator coupled to a near end of the table top and a two-legged second table-top elevator coupled to a far end of the table top and suggesting that each table-top elevator includes an H-shaped table-top support and two hinges for pivotably coupling that H-shaped table-top support to the underside of the table top;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the foldable table of FIG. 1 after the table has been inverted and turned end for end to show the components that cooperate to form the first table-top elevator on the right and the second table-top elevator on the left and showing that each of the table-top elevators includes (1) a pivotable H-shaped table-top support comprising two legs and a cross-member strut and (2) a support-retainer linkage comprising an outer arm mount coupled to the companion cross-member strut, a stationary inner arm member coupled to the underside of the table top, an arm-lock latch coupled to an outer end of the stationary inner arm member, and a movable strut-reinforcement arm having an outer end pivotably coupled to the companion outer arm mount on the cross-member strut and an inner end slidably coupled to the stationary inner arm mount on the underside of the table top and suggesting that the inner end is formed to include a pin (P) that is gripped automatically by the arm-lock latch that is mounted on the outer end of the stationary inner arm mount as shown in more detail in FIG. 6 to retain the strut-reinforcement arm in the extended position shown in FIGS. 2A and 6 when the table is unfolded and the H-shaped table-top support is pivoted to the expanded use position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2A showing that each support-retainer linkage comprises an arm-lock latch and a latch-release pedal coupled to one end of its companion arm-lock latch and showing that the inner ends of the movable strut-reinforcement arms of the two support-retainer linkages are arranged to lie in END-TO-END relation to one another in arm-receiving channels formed in the stationary inner arm mounts when the table is folded and the H-shaped table-top supports are pivoted on their hinges to assume their collapsed storage positions on the underside of the table;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a single elongated monolithic beam that is shown on the underside of the table top in FIGS. 2A and 2B and is formed to include the stationary inner arm mount of each of the support-retainer linkages and shows that each support-retainer linkage further includes an arm-lock latch that is configured to engage a pin that is included in the inner end of a companion strut-reinforcement arm as suggested in FIG. 6 and also shows that each stationary inner arm mount includes two upstanding side walls and that each side wall is formed to include a pin-receiving slot for slidably receiving one of the ends of the pin;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the assembly shown in FIG. 3 showing the arm-receiving channels that are formed between the upstanding side walls of each stationary inner arm mount to receive the strut-reinforcement arms when the H-shaped table-top supports are moved from the expanded use positions shown in FIG. 2 to the collapsed storage positions shown in FIG. 2B;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the assembly shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 with the pin of each strut-reinforcement arm shown as suggested in FIG. 2A being retained in a stationary position on the strut-reinforcement arm by the arm-lock latch when each H-shaped table-top support occupies its expanded use position;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the circled region of FIG. 2A showing that a spring-loaded locking pawl of the arm-lock latch included in the support-retainer linkage of the first table-top elevator is engaged in clamping relation to a pin included in the inner end of the strut-reinforcement arm and also suggesting the arm-lock latch includes a pawl-pivoting latch-release pedal that is coupled to one end of the pivotable locking pawl and that can be pressed by a user to pivot the spring-loaded locking pawl in a clockwise direction about a pawl-pivot axis from the pin-engaging locked position engaging the pin included in the strut-reinforcement arm as shown in FIG. 6 to a pin-releasing unlocked position (not shown) disengaging the pin;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the table of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the table of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 9 is an end elevation view of a right end of the table of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A foldable table 10 in accordance with the present disclosure can be unfolded for use as shown in FIGS. 1, 8, and 9 or folded for storage as shown in FIG. 2B. Table 10 includes a table top 12, a first table-top elevator 14, and a second table-top elevator 16 as shown, for example, in FIGS. 1 and 2A. Each of table-top elevators 14, 16 includes two legs 21, 22 and can be moved relative to table top 12 by a user in accordance with the present disclosure to an opened position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A during unfolding of table 10 or to a closed position shown in FIG. 2B during folding of table 10.

Each table-top elevator 14, 16 is configured in accordance with the present disclosure to lock automatically to table top 12 when it is moved by a user to assume its opened position as suggested in FIGS. 2A and 6. A pedal or pad 35 included in each tabletop elevator 14, 16 and shown, for example, in FIG. 6 can be pressed by a user when table 10 is inverted as shown in FIG. 2A to free each table-top elevator 14, 16 to be moved by the user to assume the closed position shown in FIG. 2B to fold table 10 for storage.

Each of the first and second table-top elevators 14, 16 includes a table-top support 20 that is mounted for pivotable movement on table top 12 during folding and unfolding of table 12. Each table-top support 20 illustratively comprises first and second legs 21, 22 and a cross-member strut 23 arranged to extend between and interconnect legs 21, 22 as shown in FIG. 2A. Legs 21, 22 and strut 23 are arranged in illustrative embodiments to provide an H-shaped table-top support 20 as suggested in FIGS. 1 and 9. In illustrative embodiments, each of table top 12 and the pivotable H-shaped table-top supports 20 are made of wood and configured to provide foldable table 10 with a farmhouse-style appearance.

First and second hinges 24, 25 are also included in each table-top elevator 14, 16 as suggested in FIG. 2B. Each first hinge 24 is coupled to a companion first leg 21 and to the underside 12U of table top 12 and each second hinge 25 is coupled to a companion second leg 22 and to the underside 12U of table top 12. Hinges 24, 25 are configured to support the companion H-shaped table-top support 20 for pivotable movement about a support-pivot axis 20A illustrated in FIG. 2B through an angle of about 90° between an expanded use position that is oriented to lie at about a right angle relative to underside 12U of table top 12 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A and a collapsed storage position that is oriented to extend along underside 12U of table top 12 as shown in FIG. 2B during folding and unfolding of table top 10.

Each of the first and second table-top elevators 14, 16 also includes a support-retainer linkage 30 that extends between and interconnects underside 12U of table top 12 and a companion pivotable H-shaped table-top support 20 as shown, for example, in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Each support-retainer linkage 30 includes an outer arm mount 31 coupled to cross-member strut 23 of the companion H shaped table-top support 20 and a stationary inner arm mount 32 coupled to underside 12U of table top 12 as shown, for example, in FIG. 2A.

Support-retainer linkage 30 also includes a movable strut-reinforcement arm 33 having an outer end 330 that is pivotably coupled to outer arm mount 31 and an inner end 331 that is slidably coupled to stationary inner arm mount 32 and lockable automatically to stationary inner arm mount 32 when table 10 is unfolded. Each movable strut-reinforcement arm 33 is configured to move relative to table top 12 from an extended position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A to a retracted position shown in FIG. 2B when table 10 is folded. Each support-retainer linkage 30 is locked in the extended position automatically to retain the companion H shaped table-top support 20 in the expanded use position when table 10 is unfolded as shown, for example, in FIGS. 2A and 6. Movable strut-reinforcement arm 33 pivots relative to the outer arm mount 31 anchored an cross-member strut 23 and slides relative to stationary inner arm mount 32 anchored on underside 12U of table top 12 during pivotable movement of H-shaped table-top support 20 relative to table top 12 and between the expanded use position shown in FIG. 2A and the collapsed storage position shown in FIG. 2B.

Each support-retainer linkage 30 further includes an arm-lock latch 34 associated with stationary inner arm mount 32 as shown, for example, in FIGS. 2B and 6. Each arm-lock latch 34 is and configured to provide means for releasably locking the inner end 331 of strut-reinforcement arm 33 in a fixed position on the stationary inner arm mount 32 in response to operator-controlled pivoting movement of the companion H-shaped table-top support 20 from the collapsed storage position to the expanded use position during unfolding of table 10 to cause movement of strut-reinforcement arm 33 relative to table top 12 from the retracted position to the extended position so that such H-shaped table top support 20 is retained in that expanded use position when the foldable table 10 is unfolded and table top 12 is supported on first and second table-top elevators 14, 16 in an elevated position above an underlying floor.

In illustrative embodiments, arm-lock latch 34 includes a spring-loaded locking pawl 340 mounted for pivotable movement on the stationary inner arm mount 32 about a pawl-pivot axis 340A as suggested in FIG. 3. Locking pawl 340 includes a convex pin-receiving cam surface 342 and an oppositely facing concave pin-motion blocker surface 344 as shown, for example, in FIG. 6. Cam surface 342 and blocker surface 344 converge and meet at a tip 343 of locking pawl 340 in an illustrative embodiment as suggested in FIG. 6.

Inner end 331 of strut-reinforcement arm 33 includes a pin (P) that is arranged to engage and ride on the pin-receiving cam surface 342 of locking pawl 340 as the H-shaped table-top support 20 is pivoted from the collapsed storage position to assume the expanded use position. Such riding engagement moves the locking pawl 340 temporarily against a pawl-biasing spring 345 coupled to locking pawl 340 and stationary inner arm mount 32 as suggested in FIG. 3 to allow concave pin-motion blocker surface 344 of the locking pawl 340 to engage and trap the pin (P) as suggested in FIGS. 5 and 6 one pin (P) passes under tip 343 of locking pawl 340 and pawl-biasing spring 345 pivots locking pawl 340 back toward the underside so as to retain the H-shaped table-top support 20 in the expanded use position and the strut-reinforcement arm 33 in the extended position when table 10 is unfolded.

As suggested in FIG. 2A, a center beam 32B is mounted in a stationary position on underside of 12U of table top 12. Center beam 32 is formed to include the inner arm mount 32 of the support-retainer linkage 30 of each of the first and second table-top elevators 14, 16. Center beam 32 is monolithic in illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure. It is within the scope of the present disclosure to provide separate inner arm mounts 32 for each of first and second table top elevators 14, 16 for use in a center-fold table in which one of the inner arm mounts 32 is coupled to an underside of a first half-section of table top 12 and the other inner arm mount 32 is coupled to an underside of a second half-section of table top 12 that is pivotably coupled to the first half-section along a centerline of table top 12.

When a user pivots one of the H-shaped table-top supports 20 about support-pivot axis 20A from the collapsed storage position shown in FIG. 2B to the expanded use position shown in FIG. 2A during unfolding of table 10, the companion movable strut-reinforcement arm 33 pivots at outer arm mount 31 on cross-member strut 23 about an arm-pivot axis 33A and slides along stationary inner arm mount 32 to cause strut-reinforcement arm 33 to move from the retracted position shown in FIG. 2B to the extended position shown in FIG. 2A. During such movement of arm 33, the pin (P) included in the inner end 331 of strut-reinforcement arm 33 engages first the convex pin-receiving cam surface 342 to cause the spring-biased locking pawl 340 to pivot about pawl-pivot axis 340A and subsequently passes the tip 343 of locking pawl 340 and then engages the concave pin-motion blocker surface 344 of the spring-biased locking pawl 340 as shown in FIGS. 2A and 6 to retain the H-shaped table-top support 20 in the expanded use position and the strut-reinforcement arm 33 in the extended position.

Each stationary inner arm mount 32 includes first and second laterally spaced-apart side walls 321, 322 and a bottom wall 323 arranged to extend between and interconnect lower edges of side walls 321, 322 as shown, for example, in FIGS. 3-5. These walls 321-323 cooperate to form a longitudinally extending arm-receiving channel 324 as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6 sized to receive strut-reinforcement arm 33 therein when strut-reinforcement arm 33 is moved to assume the retracted position when table 10 folded as shown in FIG. 2B. Each side wall 321, 322 of each stationary inner arm mount 32 is formed to include a longitudinally extending pin-receiving slot 321P, 322P as shown in FIG. 3 for receiving free ends of the pins (P) during movement of strut-reinforcement arm 33 from its extended position shown in FIG. 2A to its retracted position shown in FIG. 2B.

Center beam 32B is mounted on the underside 12U of table top 12 and an inner end 331 of each strut-reinforcement arm 33 is slidably coupled to center beam 32B as shown, for example, in FIGS. 2A and 2B. An outer end 330 of each strut-reinforcement arm 33 is pivotably coupled to an outer arm mount 31 coupled to a cross-member strut 23 included in a companion pivotable H-shaped table-top support 20. Illustratively, a pin (P) included in each inner end 331 is arranged to slide back and forth in pin-receiving slots 321P, 322P formed in a companion stationary inner arm mount 32 during pivotable movement of outer end 330 about arm-pivot axis 33A during folding and unfolding of table 10.

When the H-shaped table-top supports 20 are pivoted relative to table-top 12 by a user during unfolding of table 10, a pin (P) in each strut-reinforcement arm 33 engages automatically with a companion arm-lock latch 34 in accordance with the present disclosure to retain that strut-reinforcement arm 33 in the extended position and its companion H-shaped table top support 20 in the expanded use position so that the associated table-top elevator 14 or 16 is retained in the opened position as table 10 is unfolded. In accordance with the present disclosure, the pivotable H-shaped table-top supports 20 lock into position automatically when they are pivoted to assume their expanded use positions as table 10 is unfolded without any secondary action from the user.

In illustrative embodiments, arm-lock latch 34 includes a spring-loaded locking pawl 340 mounted for pivotable movement on the stationary inner arm mount 32. Locking pawl 340 is formed to include a convex pin-receiving cam surface 342 and a concave pin-motion blocker surface 344 as shown in FIG. 6.

In illustrative embodiments, inner end 331 of strut-reinforcement arm 33 includes a pin (P) that is arranged to move back and forth in a longitudinally extending pin-receiving slot 321P formed in the stationary inner arm mount 32 as suggested in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The pin (P) in the inner end 331 of the strut-reinforcement arm 32 is moved outwardly relative to the stationary inner arm mount 32 to engage the convex pin-receiving cam surface 342 of the spring-loaded locking pawl 340 as the H-shaped table-top support 14 is pivoted from the collapsed storage position to assume the expanded use position. Such engagement with the moving pin (P) moves locking pawl 340 temporarily against a biasing spring 345 coupled to the stationary inner arm mount 32 and away from the underside 12U of table top 12 to allow the pin (P) to pass under the tip 343 of locking pawl 340 to reach the concave pin-motion blocker surface 344 of locking pawl 340. Then a pawl-biasing spring 345 pivots locking pawl 340 back towards the underside 12U of table top 12 to engage and trap the pin (P) in a fixed position in the pin-receiving slot 321P so as to retain the H-shaped table-top support 20 in the expanded use position as shown in FIG. 6.

In illustrative embodiments, latch-release pedal 35 of support-retainer linkage 30 is coupled to locking pawl 340 to pivot therewith about a pawl-pivot axis 340A as suggested in FIG. 6. A user can press the pedal 35 toward the underside 12U of the table top 12 to pivot locking pawl 340 against a biasing force provided by the pawl-biasing spring 345 from a pin-engaging position to a pin-releasing position so that inner end 331 of strut-reinforcement arm 33 is free to slide on the stationary inner arm mount 32 and the outer end 330 of strut-reinforcement arm 33 is free to pivot relative to outer arm mount 31 as the H-shaped table-top support 20 is pivoted on its hinges 24, 25 from the expanded use position to the collapsed storage position during folding of the table 10.

A foldable table 10 includes a table top 12, a first table-top elevator 14 coupled to a first end of table top 12, and a second table-top elevator 16 coupled to an opposite second end of table top 12 as shown in FIG. 1. Each table-top elevator 14, 16 can be moved by a user from an expanded use position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A to a collapsed storage position shown in FIG. 2B.

First table-top elevator 14 includes a pivotable first table-top support 20 that is mounted for pivotable movement on an underside 12U of table top 12 as suggested in FIGS. 2A and 2B. First table-top elevator 14 also includes a first support-retainer linkage 30 that is mounted on underside 12U of table top 12 and coupled to the pivotable first table-top support 20 to retain the pivotable first table-top support 20 in an expanded use position in which first table-top support 20 is oriented to lie at about a right angle to underside 12U of table top 12 when table 10 is unfolded as suggested in FIG. 2A and to control pivoting movement of the pivotable first table-top support 14 relative to table top 12 between the expanded use position and a collapsed storage position in which first table-top support 20 is oriented to extend along underside 12U of table top 12 when table 10 is folded as suggested in FIG. 2B.

First support-retainer linkage 30 includes an outer arm mount 31 coupled to the pivotable first table-top support 20 to pivot therewith, a stationary inner arm mount 32 coupled to underside 12U of table top 12, and a movable arm 33 as suggested in FIGS. 2A and 6. Movable arm 33 includes an outer end 330 pivotably coupled to outer arm mount 31 and an inner end 331 slidably coupled to the stationary inner arm mount 32 and arranged to slide along a length of the stationary inner arm mount 32 in response to pivoting movement of the pivotable first table-top support 20 relative to table top 12.

First support-retainer linkage 30 further includes an arm-lock latch 34 associated with the stationary inner arm mount 32 as suggested in FIGS. 2B and 6. Arm-lock latch 34 is configured to provide means for automatically and releasably locking inner end 331 of movable arm 33 in a fixed position on the stationary inner arm mount 32 in response to operator-controlled pivoting movement of the pivotable first table-top support 20 from the collapsed storage position to the expanded use position during unfolding of table 10 so that first table-top support 20 is retained in the expanded use position when foldable table 10 is unfolded and table top 12 is supported on the first and second table-top elevators 14, 16 above an underlying floor.

Arm-lock latch 34 includes a locking pawl 30 mounted for pivotable movement about a pawl-pivot axis 340A as suggested in FIG. 6. Locking pawl 340 includes a first end and an opposite second end. The first end is formed to include a convex pin-receiving cam surface 342 and a concave pin-motion blocker surface 344 located between the convex pin-receiving cam surface 342 and pawl-pivot axis 340A. Concave pin-motion blocker surface 344 is arranged to engage a pin (P) included in inner end 331 of movable arm 33 to retain first table-top support 20 in the expanded use position when table 10 is unfolded.

Arm-lock latch 34 further includes a pawl-biasing spring 345 coupled to locking pawl 340 and to the stationary inner arm mount 32 as suggested in FIGS. 3 and 6. Pawl-biasing spring 345 is arranged to pivot locking pawl 340 to a pin-engaging position in which concave pin-motion blocker surface 344 engages pin (P) to block movement of pin (P) relative to the stationary inner arm mount 32 in response to pivoting movement of the pivotable first table-top support 20 to the expanded use position as shown in FIG. 6.

First support-retainer linkage 30 further includes a latch-release pedal 35 coupled to the opposite second end of locking pawl 340 as shown in FIG. 6. Latch-release pedal 35 is configured to provide means for receiving a latch-release force applied by a user to cause locking pawl 340 to pivot about pawl-pivot axis 340A to disengage pin (P) and free movable arm 33 to move relative to the stationary inner arm mount 32 and the pivotable first table-top support 20 so as to allow movement of the pivotable first table-top support 20 from the expanded use position to the collapsed storage position.

Locking pawl 340 is mounted for pivotable movement on the stationary inner arm mount 32 about pawl-pivot axis 340A between an arm-retaining position in which locking pawl 340 engages inner end 331 of movable arm 33 when first table-top support 20 reaches the expanded use position to retain first table-top support 20 in the expanded use position and an arm-releasing position in which locking pawl 340 disengages inner end 331 of movable arm 33 to free inner end 331 of movable arm 33 to slide on the stationary inner arm mount 32 during pivotable movement of first table-top support 20 relative to table top 12 toward the collapsed storage position. Pawl-biasing spring 345 is coupled to locking pawl 340 and to the stationary inner arm mount 32 and configured to urge locking pawl 340 normally to the arm-retaining position. Latch-release pedal 345 is coupled to locking pawl 340 to provide means for receiving a latch-release force applied by a user to cause locking pawl 340 to pivot about pawl-pivot axis 340A to disengage inner end 331 of movable arm 32 to allow pivotable movement of first table-top support 20 from the expanded use position to the collapsed storage position.

Locking pawl 340 includes a cam surface 342 facing away from pawl-pivot axis 340A and a motion-blocker surface 344 facing toward pawl-pivot axis 340 and cooperating with cam surface 342 to form a tip 343 as shown in FIG. 6. Motion-blocker surface 344 is arranged to engage inner end 331 of movable arm 33 when first table-top support 20 occupies the expanded use position to block movement of first table-top support 20 relative to table top 12. Cam surface 342 is arranged to engage inner end 331 of movable arm 33 during movement of inner end 331 relative to the stationary inner arm mount 32 as first table-top support 20 is moved by a user from the collapsed storage position to the expanded use position to receive a pivot-inducing force applied by inner end 331 to cause locking pawl 340 to pivot about pawl-pivot axis 340A away from underside 12U of table top 12 against a biasing force applied by pawl-biasing spring 345 and allow inner end 331 of movable arm 33 to pass tip 343 and then engage motion-blocker surface 344 in response to pivoting movement of tip 343 of locking pawl 340 toward underside 12U of table top 12.

Inner end 331 of movable arm 33 includes a longitudinally extending sleeve (S) and a pin (P) coupled to sleeve (S) as shown in FIG. 6. Pin (P) is arranged to engage cam surface 342 of locking pawl 340 during movement of first table-top support 20 from the collapsed storage position to the expanded use positon and to engage motion-blocker surface 344 upon movement of first table-top support 20 to assume the expanded use position.

Sleeve (S) includes first and second sleeve side walls (S1, S2) arranged to lie in laterally spaced-apart relation to one another as shown in FIG. 6. Pin (P) is arranged to extend through apertures formed in each of first and second sleeve side walls (S1, S2). A portion of pin (P) that is arranged to extend away from each of first and second sleeve side walls (S1, S2) and is positioned to engage in sequence each of cam surface 342 and motion-blocker surface 344 of locking pawl 340 during movement of first table-top support 20 from the collapsed storage position to the expanded use position.

Pin (P) includes a first end arranged to slide back and forth in a first longitudinally extending pin-receiving slot 321P formed in sleeve during movement of first table-top support 20 between the collapsed storage position and the expanded use position. Pin (P) also includes an opposite second end arranged to slide back and forth in a second longitudinally extending pin-receiving slot 322P during movement of the first table-top support 20 between the collapsed storage position and the expanded use position. First end of pin (P) is positioned to engage in sequence each of cam surface 342 and motion-blocker surface 344 of locking pawl 340 during movement of the first table-top support 20 from the collapsed storage position to the expanded use position.

Inner end 331 of movable arm 33 includes a pin (P) that is engaged automatically by arm-lock latch 34 to retain movable arm 33 in an extended position extending away from the stationary inner arm mount 32 when table 10 is unfolded and first table-top support 20 is pivoted to the expanded use position. A first end of pin (P) is arranged to slide back and forth in a first pin-receiving slot 321P formed in the stationary inner arm mount 32 during movement of movable arm 33 between the extended position and a retracted position lying in an arm-receiving channel 324 formed in the stationary inner arm mount 322 in response to pivoting movement of first table-top support 20 from the expanded use position to the collapsed storage position. Arm-lock latch 34 is arranged to engage first end of pin (P) when first table-top support 20 is pivoted to the expanded use position. An opposite second end of pin (P) is arranged to slide back and forth in a second pin-receiving slot 322P formed in the stationary inner arm mount 32 during movement of movable arm 33 between the extended position and the retracted position.

Inner end 331 movable arm 33 includes a longitudinally extending sleeve (S) as shown in FIG. 6. Pin (P) is coupled to the longitudinally extending sleeve to move therewith and arranged to extend transversely away from the longitudinally extending sleeve (S) to engage pin (P) upon arrival of first table-top support 20 at the expanded use position.

First table-top support 20 includes a first leg 21, a second leg 22 arranged to lie in spaced-apart relation to first leg 21, and a cross-member strut 23 arranged to extend between and interconnect the first and second legs 21, 22. Outer arm mount 31 is coupled to cross-member strut 23 to move therewith to support movable arm 33 for pivotable movement relative to cross member strut 23 of first table-top support 20 during movement of first table-top support 20 between the expanded use position and the collapsed storage position. It is within the scope of the present disclosure to provide a component comprising cross-member strut 23 and outer arm mount 31.

First leg 21, second leg 22, and cross-member strut 23 cooperate to provide first table-top support 20 with an H shape. First table-top support 20 further includes a first hinge 24 coupled to first leg 21 and to table top 12 to support first leg 21 for pivotable movement about a first support-pivot axis 20A during pivotable movement of first table-top support 20 between the expanded use position and the collapsed storage position. First table-top support 20 also includes a second hinge 25 coupled to second leg 22 and to table top 12 to support second leg 22 for pivotable movement about first support-pivot axis 20A during pivotable movement of first table-top support 20 between the expanded use position and the collapsed storage position.

Second table-top 16 elevator includes a pivotable second table-top support 20 that is mounted for pivotable movement on underside 12U of table top 12 and a second support-retainer linkage 30 that is mounted on underside 12U of table top 12 and coupled to the pivotable second table-top support 20 to retain the pivotable second table-top support 20 in an expanded use position in which second table-top support 20 is oriented to lie at about a right angle to underside 12U of table top 12 when table 10 is unfolded and to control pivoting movement of the pivotable second table-top support 20 relative to table top 12 between the expanded use position and a collapsed storage position in which second table-top support 20 is oriented to extend along underside 12U of table top 12 when table 10 is folded. Second support-retainer linkage 30 includes a second outer arm mount 31 coupled to the pivotable second table-top support 20 to pivot therewith, a second stationary inner arm mount 32 coupled to underside 12U of table top 12, and a second movable arm 33 having an outer end 330 pivotably coupled to the second outer arm mount 31 and an inner end 331 slidably coupled to second stationary inner arm mount 32 and arranged to slide along a length of second stationary inner arm mount 32 in response to pivoting movement of the pivotable second table-top support 20 relative to table top 12.

Second inner arm mount 32 and the inner arm mount 32 of the first table-top support 20 cooperate to form a monolithic center beam 32B on underside 12U of table top 12. Inner ends 331, 331 of movable arm and second movable arm 30 are arranged to lie in end-to-end relation to one another in arm-receiving channels 324 formed in stationary arm mount 32 and the second stationary arm mount 32 as shown in FIG. 2B when table 10 is folded and pivotable first and second table-top supports 20, 20 are pivoted to assume collapsed storage positions on the underside 12U of table top 12.

Second support-retainer linkage 30 further includes a second arm-lock latch 34 associated with the second stationary inner arm mount 32. Second arm-lock latch 34 is configured to provide means for automatically and releasably locking inner end 331 of second movable arm 33 in a fixed position on second stationary inner arm mount 32 in response to operator-controlled pivoting movement of the pivotable second table-top support 20 from the collapsed storage position to the expanded use position during unfolding of table 10 so that second table-top support 20 is retained in the expanded use position when foldable table 10 is unfolded and table top 12 is supported on the first and second table-top elevators 14, 16 above an underlying floor.

Claims

1. A foldable table comprising

a table top,

a first table-top elevator coupled to a first end of the table top, and

a second table-top elevator coupled to an opposite second end of the table top,

wherein the first table-top elevator includes a pivotable first table-top support that is mounted for pivotable movement on an underside of the table top and a first support-retainer linkage that is mounted on the underside of the table top and coupled to the pivotable first table-top support to retain the pivotable first table-top support in an expanded use position in which the first table-top support is oriented to lie at about a right angle to the underside of the table top when the table is unfolded and to control pivoting movement of the pivotable first table-top support relative to the table top between the expanded use position and a collapsed storage position in which the first table-top support is oriented to extend along the underside of the table top when the table is folded, the first support-retainer linkage includes an outer arm mount coupled to the pivotable first table-top support to pivot therewith, a stationary inner arm mount coupled to the underside of the table top, and a movable arm having an outer end pivotably coupled to the outer arm mount and an inner end slidably coupled to the stationary inner arm mount and arranged to slide along a length of the stationary inner arm mount in response to pivoting movement of the pivotable first table-top support relative to the table top.

2. The foldable table of claim 1, wherein the first support-retainer linkage further includes an arm-lock latch associated with the stationary inner arm mount and configured to provide means for automatically and releasably locking the inner end of the movable arm in a fixed position on the stationary inner arm mount in response to operator-controlled pivoting movement of the pivotable first table-top support from the collapsed storage position to the expanded use position during unfolding of the table so that the first table-top support is retained in the expanded use position when the foldable table is unfolded and the table top is supported on the first and second table-top elevators above an underlying floor.

3. The foldable table of claim 2, wherein the arm-lock latch includes a locking pawl mounted for pivotable movement about a pawl-pivot axis, the locking pawl including a first end and an opposite second end, the first end is formed to include a convex pin-receiving cam surface and a concave pin-motion blocker surface located between the convex pin-receiving cam surface and the pawl-pivot axis, and the concave pin-motion blocker surface is arranged to engage a pin included in the inner end of the movable arm to retain the first table-top support in the expanded use position when the table is unfolded.

4. The foldable table of claim 3, wherein the arm-lock latch further includes a pawl-biasing spring coupled to the locking pawl and to the stationary inner arm mount and arranged to pivot the locking pawl to a pin-engaging position in which the concave pin-motion blocker surface engages the pin to block movement of the pin relative to the stationary inner arm mount in response to pivoting movement of the pivotable first table-top support to the expanded use position.

5. The foldable table of claim 4, wherein the first support-retainer linkage further includes a latch-release pedal coupled to the opposite second end of the locking pawl to provide means for receiving a latch-release force applied by a user to cause the locking pawl to pivot about the pawl-pivot axis to disengage the pin and free the movable arm to move relative to the stationary inner arm mount and the pivotable first table-top support so as to allow movement of the pivotable first table-top support from the expanded use position to the collapsed storage position.

6. The foldable table of claim 2, wherein the arm-lock latch includes a locking pawl mounted for pivotable movement on the stationary inner arm mount about a pawl-pivot axis between an arm-retaining position in which the locking pawl engages the inner end of the movable arm when the first table-top support reaches the expanded use position to retain the first table-top support in the expanded use position and an arm-releasing position in which the locking pawl disengages the inner end of the movable arm to free the inner end of the movable arm to slide on the stationary inner arm mount during pivotable movement of the first table-top support relative to the table top toward the collapsed storage position, a pawl-biasing spring coupled to the locking pawl and to the stationary inner arm mount and configured to urge the locking pawl normally to the arm-retaining position, and a latch-release pedal coupled to the locking pawl to provide means for receiving a latch-release force applied by a user to cause the locking pawl to pivot about the pawl-pivot axis to disengage the inner end of the movable arm to allow pivotable movement of the first table-top support from the expanded use position to the collapsed storage position.

7. The foldable table of claim 6, wherein the locking pawl includes a cam surface facing away from the pawl-pivot axis and a motion-blocker surface facing toward the pawl-pivot axis and cooperating with the cam surface to form a tip, the motion-blocker surface is arranged to engage the inner end of the movable arm when the first table-top support occupies the expanded use position to block movement of the first table-top support relative to the table top, and the cam surface is arranged to engage the inner end of the movable arm during movement of the inner end relative to the stationary inner arm mount as the first table-top support is moved by a user from the collapsed storage position to the expanded use position to receive a pivot-inducing force applied by the inner end to cause the locking pawl to pivot about the pawl-pivot axis away from the underside of the table top against a biasing force applied by the pawl-biasing spring and allow the inner end of the movable arm to pass the tip and then engage the motion-blocker surface in response to pivoting movement of the tip of the locking pawl toward the underside of the table top.

8. The foldable table of claim 7, wherein the inner end of the movable arm includes a longitudinally extending sleeve and a pin coupled to the sleeve and arranged to engage the cam surface of the locking pawl during movement of the first table-top support from the collapsed storage position to the expanded use positon and to engage the motion-blocker surface upon movement of the first table-top support to assume the expanded use position.

9. The foldable table of claim 8, wherein the sleeve includes first and second sleeve side walls arranged to lie in laterally spaced-apart relation to one another and the pin is arranged to extend through apertures formed in each of the first and second sleeve side walls, and a portion of the pin that is arranged to extend away from each of the first and second sleeve side walls and is positioned to engage in sequence each of the cam surface and the motion-blocker surface of the locking pawl during movement of the first table-top support from the collapsed storage position to the expanded use position.

10. The foldable table of claim 8, wherein the pin includes a first end arranged to slide back and forth in a first longitudinally extending pin-receiving slot formed in the sleeve during movement of the first table-top support between the collapsed storage position and the expanded use position and an opposite second end arranged to slide back and forth in a second longitudinally extending pin-receiving slot during movement of the first table-top support between the collapsed storage position and the expanded use position and wherein the first end of the pin is positioned to engage in sequence each of the cam surface and the motion-blocker surface of the locking pawl during movement of the first table-top support from the collapsed storage position to the expanded use position.

11. The foldable table of claim 2, wherein the inner end of the movable arm of the first support-retainer linkage includes a pin that is engaged automatically by the arm-lock latch to retain the movable arm in an extended position extending away from the stationary inner arm mount when the table is unfolded and the first table-top support is pivoted to the expanded use position.

12. The foldable table of claim 11, wherein a first end of the pin is arranged to slide back and forth in a first pin-receiving slot formed in the stationary inner arm mount during movement of the movable arm between the extended position and a retracted position lying in an arm-receiving channel formed in the stationary inner arm mount in response to pivoting movement of the first table-top support from the expanded use position to the collapsed storage position and wherein the arm-lock latch is arranged to engage the first end of the pin when the first table-top support is pivoted to the expanded use position.

13. The foldable table of claim 12, wherein an opposite second end of the pin is arranged to slide back and forth in a second pin-receiving slot formed in the stationary inner arm mount during movement of the movable arm between the extended position and the retracted position.

14. The foldable table of claim 11, wherein the inner end of the movable arm includes a longitudinally extending sleeve and the pin is coupled to the longitudinally extending sleeve to move therewith and arranged to extend transversely away from the longitudinally extending sleeve to engage the pin upon arrival of the first table-top support at the expanded use position.

15. The foldable table of claim 1, wherein the first table-top support includes a first leg, a second leg arranged to lie in spaced-apart relation to the first leg, and a cross-member strut arranged to extend between and interconnect the first and second legs, and the outer arm mount is coupled to the cross-member strut to move therewith to support the movable arm for pivotable movement relative to the cross-member strut of the first table-top support during movement of the first table-top support between the expanded use position and the collapsed storage position.

16. The foldable table of claim 15, wherein the first leg, second leg, and cross-member strut cooperate to provide the first table-top support with an H-shape, and the first table-top support further includes a first hinge coupled to the first leg and to the table top to support the first leg for pivotable movement about a first support-pivot axis during pivotable movement of the first table-top support between the expanded use position and the collapsed storage position and a second hinge coupled to the second leg and to the table top to support the second leg for pivotable movement about the first support-pivot axis during pivotable movement of the first table-top support between the expanded use position and the collapsed storage position.

17. The foldable table of claim 1, wherein the second table-top elevator includes a pivotable second table-top support that is mounted for pivotable movement on the underside of the table top and a second support-retainer linkage that is mounted on the underside of the table top and coupled to the pivotable second table-top support to retain the pivotable second table-top support in an expanded use position in which the second table-top support is oriented to lie at about a right angle to the underside of the table top when the table is unfolded and to control pivoting movement of the pivotable second table-top support relative to the table top between the expanded use position and a collapsed storage position in which the second table-top support is oriented to extend along the underside of the table top when the table is folded, the second support-retainer linkage includes a second outer arm mount coupled to the pivotable second table-top support to pivot therewith, a second stationary inner arm mount coupled to the underside of the table top, and a second movable arm having an outer end pivotably coupled to the second outer arm mount and an inner end slidably coupled to the second stationary inner arm mount and arranged to slide along a length of the second stationary inner arm mount in response to pivoting movement of the pivotable second table-top support relative to the table top.

18. The foldable table of claim 17, wherein the second inner arm mount and the inner arm mount of the first table-top support cooperate to form a monolithic center beam on the underside of the table top.

19. The foldable table of claim 17, wherein the second support-retainer linkage further includes a second arm-lock latch associated with the second stationary inner arm mount and configured to provide means for automatically and releasably locking the inner end of the second movable arm in a fixed position on the second stationary inner arm mount in response to operator-controlled pivoting movement of the pivotable second table-top support from the collapsed storage position to the expanded use position during unfolding of the table so that the second table-top support is retained in the expanded use position when the foldable table is unfolded and the table top is supported on the first and second table-top elevators above an underlying floor.

20. The foldable table of claim 17, wherein the inner ends of the movable arm and the second movable arm are arranged to lie in end-to-end relation to one another in arm-receiving channels formed in stationary arm mount and the second stationary arm mount when the table is folded and pivotable first and second table-top supports are pivoted to assume collapsed storage positions on the underside of the table top.