Portable folding utility table with center support assembly

• US 6,112,674 A
• Filed: 01/11/1999
• Issued: 09/05/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lifetime Products (Lifetime)
• Original Assignee: Lifetime Products (Lifetime)
• Inventors: Stanford, Carl R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V.
• Application Number:
  US09/228,326
• Time in Patent Office: 603 Days
• Field of Search: 108/132, 108/131, 108/129, 108/130, 108/133, 108/115, 248/439
• US Class Current: 108/132
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 3/0912 the strut being of two parts foldable relative to one another

Abstract

A pivotable folding utility table includes a table top having a pair of support pedestals pivotally attached thereto. A first pivotal support brace, which includes a proximal end and a distal end, is attached at its proximal end to the first support pedestal. A second pivotal support brace, which includes a proximal end and a distal end, is attached at its proximal end to the second support pedestal. The distal ends of the first and second pivotal support braces are adapted to be pivotally attached to a retaining assembly, mounted in relation to the table top. The distal ends of each pivotal support brace are disposed contiguously in relation to each other when engaging the retaining assembly. Specifically, the retaining assembly includes a cross-brace member operably disposed through openings formed in the distal ends of the first and second pivotal support braces, thus providing a pivotal engagement in relation to the table top.

Claims

1. A utility table, comprising:

a frame comprising opposing sides;

a table top disposed in relation to said frame, said table top having a mounting surface and a working surface disposed opposite the mounting surface;

a pair of support pedestals, each support pedestal having a first end attached to said frame;

a retention member engaging said opposing sides of said frame;

a first pivotal support brace having a proximal end attached to the first support pedestal and a distal end engaging said retention member;

a second pivotal support brace having a proximal end attached to the second support pedestal and a distal end engaging said retention member; and

the distal end of the first pivotal support brace being attached to the distal end of the second pivotal support brace by means of said retention member.

2. The utility table as defined in claim 1, wherein the distal end of each pivotal support brace is pivotally attached to the retention member.

3. The utility table as defined in claim 1, wherein the distal end of each of the pivotal support braces comprises an opening having an interior periphery sufficient for engaging said retention member.

4. The utility table as defined in claim 1, wherein the support pedestals are pivotally attached to the mounting surface, thereby permitting each of the support pedestals to be moved between a collapsed position and an extended position.

5. The utility table as defined in claim 4, further comprising at least one securing member disposed in relation to the mounting surface for releasably securing the support pedestal in the collapsed position.

6. The utility table as defined in claim 1, wherein the working surface of the table top is textured.

7. The utility table as defined in claim 1, wherein the working surface of the table top comprises an outer periphery, the outer periphery having at least a portion being beveled.

8. The utility table as defined in claim 1, wherein the table top is formed of plastic.

44. The utility table as defined in claim 1, wherein the table top is unitary.

9. A utility table, comprising:

a frame comprising opposing side rails;

a table top disposed in relation to said rigid frame said table top having a mounting surface and a working surface disposed opposite the mounting surface;

a pair of support pedestals, each support pedestal having a first end attached to the mounting surface of the table top, thereby permitting each of the support pedestals to be moved between a collapsed and an extended position;

a retention member engaging said opposing side rails of said frame;

a first pivotal support brace having a proximal end attached to the first support pedestal and a distal end pivotally attached to the mounting surface;

a second pivotal support brace having a proximal end attached to the second support pedestal and a distal end pivotally attached to the mounting surface; and

the distal end of the first pivotal support brace and the distal end of the second pivotal support brace engagably secured to each other by means of said retention member.

10. The utility table as defined in claim 9, further comprising at least one securing member disposed in relation to the mounting surface for releasably securing the support pedestal in the collapsed position.

11. The utility table as defined in claim 9, further comprising at least one mount disposed in relation to the mounting surface, the mount configured to receive and retain the retention member.

12. The utility table as defined in claim 9, wherein the distal end of each of the pivotal support braces comprises an opening having an interior periphery sufficient for engaging said retention member.

13. The utility table as defined in claim 9, wherein the working surface is textured.

14. The utility table as defined in claim 9, wherein the frame further comprises opposing end rails.

15. The utility table as defined in claim 9, wherein each support pedestal comprises a first member pivotally engaged to the mounting surface of the table top and a second extension member configured for telescoping engagement with the first member, thereby permitting the height of the support pedestal to be disposed between a lengthened position and a retracted position.

16. The utility table as defined in claim 9, wherein the table top is formed of plastic.

17. The utility table as defined in claim 9, wherein the mounting surface of the table top comprises a plurality of depressions for structural support.

18. The utility table as defined in claim 9, wherein the working surface of the table top comprises an outer periphery, the outer periphery having at least a portion being beveled.

19. The utility table as defined in claim 9, wherein the proximal ends of the braces are bifurcated to facilitate engagement with the respective support pedestal.

45. The utility table as defined in claim 9, wherein the table top is unitary.

20. A utility table, comprising:

a rigid frame comprising opposing side rails;

a unitary table top disposed in relation to said rigid frame, said table top having a mounting surface and a working surface disposed opposite the mounting surface;

a pair of support pedestals, each of said support pedestals having a first end pivotally attached to said rigid frame, wherein said support pedestals are movable between a collapsed position and an extended position;

a cross brace member engaging said opposing side rails of said frame;

a first pivotal support brace having a proximal end attached to the first support pedestal and a distal end adapted to be pivotally attached to said rigid frame;

a second pivotal support brace having a proximal end attached to the second support pedestal and a distal end adapted to be pivotally attached to said rigid frame; and

the distal end of the first pivotal support brace attached at the distal end of the second pivotal support brace.

21. The utility table as defined in claim 20, wherein said distal end of each of said pivotal support braces are pivotally attached to said cross brace member.

22. The utility table as defined in claim 20, wherein said distal end of each of said pivotal support braces comprises an opening having an interior periphery sufficient for engaging said cross brace member.

23. The utility table as defined in claim 20, wherein said rigid frame comprises at least one retaining aperture adapted to engage said cross brace member.

24. The utility table as defined in claim 20, wherein said rigid frame further comprises opposing end rails.

25. The utility table as defined in claim 20, wherein each of said opposing side rails comprises at least one retaining aperture adapted to engage a first support pedestal in pivotal engagement.

26. The utility table as defined in claim 25, wherein said first support pedestal comprises a cross pole member operably disposed between corresponding retaining apertures formed in said opposing side rails.

27. The utility table as defined in claim 20, wherein each of said opposing side rails comprises at least one retaining aperture adapted to engage a second support pedestal in pivotal engagement.

28. The utility table as defined in claim 27, wherein said second support pedestal comprises a cross pole member operably disposed between corresponding retaining apertures formed in said opposing side rails.

29. The utility table as defined in claim 20, further comprising a securing member disposed in relation to said mounting surface for releaseably securing said support pedestals in said collapsed position.

30. A utility table, comprising:

a rigid frame comprising opposing side rails;

a table top disposed in relation to said rigid frame, said table top having a mounting surface and a working surface disposed opposite the mounting surface;

a retention member engaging said opposing side rails of said frame;

a first support pedestal pivotally attached to said rigid frame;

a second support pedestal pivotally attached to said rigid frame at a spaced apart distance from said first support pedestal; and

said first and second support pedestals being movable between a collapsed position and an extended position.

31. The utility table as defined in claim 30, further comprising a pivotal support brace having a proximal end attached to said first support pedestal and a distal end adapted to be pivotally attached to said retention member.

32. The utility table as defined in claim 31, wherein said distal end of said pivotal support brace comprises an opening having an interior periphery sufficient for engaging said retention member.

33. The utility table as defined in claim 30, further comprising a pivotal support brace having a proximal end attached to said second support pedestal and a distal end adapted to be pivotally attached to said retention member.

34. The utility table as defined in claim 33, wherein said distal end of said pivotal support brace comprises an opening having an interior periphery sufficient for engaging said retention member.

35. The utility table as defined in claim 30, wherein said rigid frame comprises opposing end rails.

36. The utility table as defined in claim 35, wherein each of said opposing side rails comprises at least one retaining aperture adapted to engage said second support pedestal in pivotal engagement.

37. The utility table as defined in claim 36, wherein said second support pedestal comprises a cross pole member operably disposed between corresponding retaining apertures formed in said opposing side rails.

38. The utility table as defined in claim 30, wherein each of said opposing side rails comprises at least one retaining aperture adapted to engage said first support pedestal in pivotal engagement.

39. The utility table as defined in claim 38, wherein said first support pedestal comprises a cross pole member operably disposed between corresponding retaining apertures formed in said opposing sid e rails.

40. The utility table as defined in claim 30, further comprising a securing member disposed in relation to said mounting surface for releasably securing said support pedestal in said collapsed position.

41. The utility table as defined in claim 30, wherein said table top is formed of plastic.

42. The utility table as defined in claim 30, wherein said mounting surface of said table top comprises a plurality of depressions for structural support.

43. The utility table as defined in claim 30, wherein said working surface of said table top comprises an outer periphery, said outer periphery having at least a portion being beveled.