Portable folding utility table with integral receiving members

• US 20020092444A1
• Filed: 03/12/2002
• Published: 07/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lifetime Products (Lifetime)
• Original Assignee: Lifetime Products (Lifetime)
• Inventors: Stanford, Carl R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,530,331 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 108/126
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/02 Underframes
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/08 Table tops; Rims therefor not restricted to table tops A47B95/04
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 3/08 with legs pivoted to top or underframe
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 3/0809 with elastic locking means A47B3/083, A47B3/087 and A47B3/091 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 3/091 with struts supporting the legs in combination with foldable top leaves A47B3/087
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 3/0911 the struts being permanently connected to top and leg or underframe and leg
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 3/0912 the strut being of two parts foldable relative to one another
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2049/2008 inside the article
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/00 Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/0031 Making articles having hollow walls
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/04 Extrusion blow-moulding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/20 of articles having inserts or reinforcements ; Handling of inserts or reinforcements
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 7/00 Producing flat articles, e.g. films or sheets B29D24/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/065 HDPE, i.e. high density polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/0032 Pigments, colouring agents or opacifiyng agents
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/0044 Stabilisers, e.g. against oxydation, light or heat
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/16 Fillers
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/448 Tables
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/085 spaced apart pieces on the surface of a layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/30 characterised by a layer formed with recesses or projections, e.g. hollows, grooves, protuberances, ribs apertured layer B32B3/266; layer with cavities or internal voids B32B3/26
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 108/901 : Synthetic plastic industrial platform, e.g. pallet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49947 : by applying separate fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4998 : Combined manufacture including applying or shaping of fluent material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1352 : Polymer or resin containing [i.e., natural or synthetic]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24008 : including fastener for attaching to external surface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24182 : Inward from edge of web or sheet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24479 : including variation in thickness

Abstract

A pivotable folding utility table includes a table top having a pair of support pedestals pivotally attached thereto. A first pivotal support brace including a distal end and a proximal end attached to the first support pedestal. A second pivotal support brace including a distal end and a proximal end attached to the second support pedestal. The distal ends of the first and second pivotal support braces pivotally attached to a retaining assembly preferably mounted in relation to the table top. 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. Alternatively, a second retaining assembly including a cross-brace member may be mounted in relation to the table top, wherein the distal end of the first pivotal support brace pivotally engages the first retaining member and the distal end of the second pivotal support brace pivotally engages the second retaining member. In addition, the first and second support pedestals may comprise at least one support leg, wherein each support leg of the first and second support pedestals are laterally offset from each other so as to permit an offset displacement of the support legs when the support pedestals are disposed in a collapsed position.

Claims

1. A utility table comprising:

a table top constructed from blow-molded plastic, the table top including a first end, a second end, a working surface and a mounting surface;

a first support pedestal pivotally connected to the table top, the first support pedestal being selectively movable between an extended position and a collapsed position;

a second support pedestal pivotally connected to the table top, the second support pedestal being selectively movable between an extended position and a collapsed position;

a center support assembly disposed between the first end of the table top and the second end of the table top;

a mounting member integrally formed in the mounting surface of the table top as part of a unitary structure, the mounting member being sized and configured to receive and retain a portion of the center support assembly.

2. The utility table as in claim 1, wherein the center support assembly includes a cross brace member and the cross brace member is received and retained by the mounting member.

3. The utility table as in claim 2, further comprising a second mounting member integrally formed in the mounting surface of the table top as part of the unitary structure;

and wherein the cross brace member is received and retained by both mounting members.

4. The utility table as in claim 1, wherein the mounting member includes an engagement portion, an opening and a groove;

and wherein a portion of the center support assembly is inserted through the opening and into the groove in a snap fit configuration.

5. The utility table as in claim 1, further comprising:

a first pivotal support brace interconnecting the first support pedestal with the center support assembly; and

a second pivotal support brace interconnecting the second support pedestal with the center support assembly.

6. The utility table as in claim 1, further comprising a supporting portion of the mounting member extending longitudinally along a length of the table top.

7. The utility table as in claim 6, further comprising an outer surface of the supporting portion that extends from an engagement portion of the mounting member to the mounting surface of the table top.

8. The utility table as in claim 1, further comprising at least one securing member integrally formed in the mounting surface of the table top as part of the unitary structure, the securing member being sized and configured to receive a portion of one of the support pedestals in the collapsed position.

9. The utility table as in claim 8, wherein the securing member includes an engagement portion and a receiving portion, and wherein the portion of the support pedestal is inserted into the securing member in a snap fit configuration.

10. The utility table as in claim 8, further comprising an outer surface of the securing member that extends from an engagement portion of the securing member to the mounting surface of the table top.

11. A utility table comprising:

a table top constructed from blow-molded plastic, the table top including a first end, a second end, a working surface and a mounting surface;

a frame connected to the mounting surface of the table top;

a first support pedestal pivotally connected to the frame, the first support pedestal being selectively movable between an extended position and a collapsed position;

a second support pedestal pivotally connected to the frame, the second support pedestal being selectively movable between an extended position and a collapsed position;

a retaining assembly disposed between the first end of the table top and the second end of the table top, the retaining assembly including a cross brace member;

a mounting member integrally formed in the mounting surface of the table top as part of a unitary structure, the mounting member being sized and configured to receive the cross brace member of the retaining assembly.

12. The utility table as in claim 11 further comprising a second mounting member integrally formed in the mounting surface of the table top as part of the unitary structure;

and wherein the cross brace member is received and retained by both mounting members.

13. The utility table as in claim 11, wherein the mounting member includes an engagement portion, an opening and a groove;

and wherein a portion of the cross brace member is inserted through the opening and into the groove in a snap fit configuration.

14. The utility table as in claim 11, further comprising:

a first pivotal support brace interconnecting the first support pedestal with the cross brace member of the retaining assembly; and

a second pivotal support brace interconnecting the second support pedestal with the cross brace member of the retaining assembly.

15. The utility table as in claim 11, further comprising a supporting portion of the mounting member extending longitudinally along a length of the table top.

16. The utility table as in claim 15, further comprising an outer surface of the supporting portion that extends from an engagement portion of the mounting member to the mounting surface of the table top.

17. The utility table as in claim 11, further comprising at least one securing member integrally formed in the mounting surface of the table top as part of the unitary structure, the securing member being sized and configured to receive a portion of one of the support pedestals in the collapsed position.

18. The utility table as in claim 17, wherein the securing member includes an engagement portion and a receiving portion, and wherein the portion of the support pedestal is inserted into the securing member in a snap fit configuration.

20. The utility table as in claim 19, wherein each mounting member includes an engagement portion, an opening and a groove;

and wherein the cross brace member is inserted through the opening and into the groove in a snap fit configuration.

21. The utility table as in claim 19, further comprising:

a first pivotal support brace interconnecting the first support pedestal with the first retaining assembly; and

a second pivotal support brace interconnecting the second support pedestal with the second retaining assembly.

22. The utility table as in claim 19, further comprising at least one securing member integrally formed in the mounting surface of the table top as part of a unitary structure, the securing member being sized and configured to receive a portion of one of the support pedestals in the collapsed position.

23. The utility table as in claim 22, wherein the securing member includes an engagement portion and a receiving portion, and wherein the portion of the support pedestal is inserted into the securing member in a snap fit configuration.

24. The utility table as in claim 22, further comprising an outer surface of the securing member that extends from an engagement portion of the securing member to the mounting surface of the table top.

25. The utility table as in claim 19, further comprising a first pair and a second pair of securing members integrally formed in the mounting surface of the table top as part of a unitary structure, the first pair of securing members being sized and configured to receive a portion of the first support pedestal in the collapsed position and the second pair of securing members being sized and configured to receive a portion of the second support pedestal in the collapsed position.

27. The utility table as in claim 26, wherein the securing member includes an engagement portion and a receiving portion, and wherein the portion of the support pedestal is inserted into the securing member in a snap fit configuration.

28. The utility table as in claim 26, wherein an outer surface of the securing member extends from an engagement portion to the mounting surface of the table top.

29. The utility table as in claim 26, further comprising a first pair of securing members sized and configured to cooperatively receive a portion of the first support pedestal, and further comprising a second pair of securing members sized and configured to cooperatively receive a portion of the second support pedestal.

30. The utility table as in claim 29, wherein the securing members of the first pair are disposed substantially parallel to one another on the mounting surface;

and wherein the securing members of the second pair are disposed substantially parallel to one another on the mounting surface.

31. The utility table as in claim 29, wherein the securing members of the first pair are disposed on the mounting surface in an offset configuration;

and wherein the securing members of the second pair are disposed on the mounting surface in an offset configuration.

32. The utility table as in claim 26, further comprising a mounting member integrally formed in the mounting surface of the table top as part of a unitary structure, the mounting member being sized and configured to receive and retain a portion of a center support assembly.

33. The utility table as in claim 26, further comprising a mounting member integrally formed in the mounting surface of the table top as part of a unitary structure, the mounting member being sized and configure d to receive a nd retain a cross bar.

36. The utility table as in claim 35, further comprising:

a first pivotal support brace including a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being pivotally connected to the first support pedestal, the distal end being pivotally connected to the retaining assembly by disposing the cross brace member of the retaining assembly within an aperture in the distal end of the first pivotal support brace; and

a second pivotal support brace including a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being pivotally connected to the second support pedestal, the distal end being pivotally connected to the retaining assembly by disposing the cross brace member of the retaining assembly within an aperture in the distal end of the second pivotal support brace.

38. The utility table as in claim 37, further comprising:

a first pivotal support brace including a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being pivotally connected to the first support pedestal, the distal end being pivotally connected to the first retaining assembly by disposing the cross brace member of the first retaining assembly within an aperture in the distal end of the first pivotal support brace; and

a second pivotal support brace including a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being pivotally connected to the second support pedestal, the distal end being pivotally connected to the second retaining assembly by disposing the cross brace member of the second retaining assembly within an aperture in the distal end of the second pivotal support brace.

19. A utility table comprising:

a table top constructed from blow-molded plastic, the table top including a first end, a second end, a working surface and a mounting surface;

a frame connected to the mounting surface of the table top;

a first support pedestal pivotally connected to the frame, the first support pedestal being selectively movable between an extended position and a collapsed position;

a second support pedestal pivotally connected to the frame, the second support pedestal being selectively movable between an extended position and a collapsed position;

a first retaining assembly disposed between the first end of the table top and the second end of the table top, the retaining assembly including a cross brace member;

a second retaining assembly disposed between the first end of the table top and the second end of the table top, the retaining assembly including a cross brace member;

a first mounting member integrally formed in the mounting surface of the table top as part of a unitary structure, the first mounting member being sized and configured to receive the cross brace member of the first retaining assembly; and

a second mounting member integrally formed in the mounting surface of the table top as part of a unitary structure, the second mounting member being sized and configured to receive the cross brace member of the second retaining assembly.

26. A utility table comprising:

a table top constructed from blow-molded plastic, the table top including a working surface and a mounting surface;

a first support pedestal pivotally connected to the table top, the first support pedestal being selectively movable between an extended position and a collapsed position;

a second support pedestal pivotally connected to the table top, the second support pedestal being selectively movable between an extended position and a collapsed position; and

at least one securing member integrally formed in the mounting surface of the table top as part of a unitary structure, the securing member being sized and configured to receive a portion of one of the support pedestals in the collapsed position.

34. A utility table comprising:

a table top constructed from blow-molded plastic, the table top including a working surface and a mounting surface;

a frame connected to the mounting surface of the table top;

a first support pedestal pivotally connected to the frame, the first support pedestal being selectively movable between an extended position and a collapsed position;

a second support pedestal pivotally connected to the frame, the second support pedestal being selectively movable between an extended position and a collapsed position; and

a first securing member integrally formed in the mounting surface of the table top as part of a unitary structure, the first securing member being sized and configured to receive a portion of the first support pedestal in the collapsed position; and

a second securing member integrally formed in the mounting surface of the table top as part of a unitary structure, the second securing member being sized and configured to receive a portion of the second support pedestal in the collapsed position.

35. A utility table comprising:

a table top constructed from blow-molded plastic, the table top including a first end, a second end, a working surface and a mounting surface;

a frame connected to the mounting surface of the table top;

a first support pedestal pivotally connected to the frame, the first support pedestal being selectively movable between an extended position and a collapsed position, the first support pedestal also having two legs;

a second support pedestal pivotally connected to the frame, the second support pedestal being selectively movable between an extended position and a collapsed position, the second support pedestal also having two legs;

a retaining assembly disposed between the first end of the table top and the second end of the table top, the retaining assembly including a cross brace member;

a mounting member integrally formed in the table top as part of a unitary structure, the mounting member being sized and configured to receive the cross brace member of the retaining assembly;

a first pair of securing members integrally formed in the table top as part of a unitary structure, the first pair of securing members being sized and configured to receive a portion of the first support pedestal in the collapsed position; and

a second pair of securing members integrally formed in the table top as part of a unitary structure, the second pair of securing members being sized and configured to receive a portion of the second support pedestal in the collapsed position.

37. A utility table comprising:

a table top constructed from blow-molded plastic, the table top including a first end, a second end, a working surface and a mounting surface;

a frame connected to the mounting surface of the table top;

a first support pedestal pivotally connected to the frame, the first support pedestal being selectively movable between an extended position and a collapsed position, the first support pedestal also having two legs;

a second support pedestal pivotally connected to the frame, the second support pedestal being selectively movable between an extended position and a collapsed position, the second support pedestal also having two legs;

a first retaining assembly disposed between the first end of the table top and the second end of the table top, the retaining assembly including a cross brace member;

a second retaining assembly disposed between the first end of the table top and the second end of the table top, the retaining assembly including a cross brace member;

a first mounting member integrally formed in the table top as part of a unitary structure, the first mounting member including a recess that is sized and configured to receive the cross brace member of the first retaining assembly;

a second mounting member integrally formed in the table top as part of a unitary structure, the second mounting member including a recess that is sized and configured to receive the cross brace member of the second retaining assembly;

a first securing member integrally formed in the table top as part of a unitary structure, the first securing member being sized and configured to receive a portion of the first support pedestal in the collapsed position; and

a second securing member integrally formed in the table top as part of a unitary structure, the second securing member being sized and configured to receive a portion of the second support pedestal in the collapsed position.