Folding table

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to a folding table, more particularly to a folding table which bears a load evenly and which is resistant to deformation.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,674 discloses a folding table, which includes a table top, a pair of support pedestals pivotally attached to the table top, a pair of pivotal support braces and a retaining assembly. Each of the support braces, which have proximal and distal ends, is attached to a respective one of the support pedestals at the proximal end thereof. The distal ends of the support braces are pivotally attached to the retaining assembly, which is mounted in relation to the table top. Because the distal ends of the support braces are connected to a central supporting point of the table top via the retaining assembly, when a load is borne on the table top at a position distal from the central supporting point, a sufficient and even support can not be provided and thus, the table top is liable to deform.

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a folding table which bears a load evenly and which is resistant to deformation.

[0007] Accordingly, the folding table of this invention includes a pair of support pedestals, a longitudinal support rail, a pair of foldable support braces, and a table top.

[0008] The support pedestals are spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction. Each of the support pedestals has a top end formed with an end rail that extends in a transverse direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, and a bottom end adapted to be placed on a ground surface. The end rail has distal end segments opposite to each other in the transverse direction, and an intermediate segment between the distal end segments.

[0009] The longitudinal support rail extends in the longitudinal direction, and has opposite rail ends disposed respectively on top of the intermediate segments of the end rails of the support pedestals.

[0010] Each of the support braces includes a pedestal connecting portion and a rail connecting portion. The pedestal connecting portion has a first end connected pivotally to a respective one of the support pedestals, and an opposite second end. The rail connecting portion has a first end connected pivotally to the support rail, and an opposite second end connected pivotally to the second end of the pedestal connecting portion.

[0011] The table top has a top surface and a bottom surface. The support rail abuts against the bottom surface of the table top. The end rails of the support pedestals are pivotally retained on the bottom surface of the table top.

[0012] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0013] FIG. 1 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the folding table according to this invention;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the folding table of FIG. 1 in an assembled state;

[0015] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a first support pedestal and a first foldable support brace of the folding table of FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a second support pedestal and a second foldable support brace of the folding table of FIG. 1 in an assembled state;

[0017] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the preferred embodiment showing one of the support pedestals is in a collapsing state;

[0018] FIG. 6 is a schematic bottom view of the preferred embodiment of the folding table according to this invention in a collapsed state; and

[0019] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the preferred embodiment of the folding table according to this invention in an extended state.

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred embodiment of the folding table according to this invention is shown to include a pair of support pedestals 30, 40, a longitudinal support rail 26, a pair of foldable support braces 50, 60, and a table top 10.

[0021] The support pedestals 30, 40 are spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction. Each of the support pedestals 30, 40 has a top end formed with an end rail 23, 24 that extends in a transverse direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, and a bottom end adapted to be placed on a ground surface. Each end rail 23, 24 has distal end segments opposite to each other in the transverse direction, and an intermediate segment between the distal end segments.

[0022] The longitudinal support rail 26 extends in the longitudinal direction, and has opposite rail ends disposed respectively on top of the intermediate segments of the end rails 23, 24 of the support pedestals 30, 40.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, each of the support braces 50, 60 includes a pedestal connecting portion formed from two angled links 52, 53, 62, 63 and a rail connecting portion 51, 61. Each angled link 52, 53, 62, 63 has a first end connected pivotally to a respective one of the support pedestals 30, 40, and an opposite second end. The rail connecting portion 51, 61 has a first end 55, 65 connected pivotally to the support rail 26, and an opposite second end connected pivotally to the second end of the respective pair of angled links 52, 53, 62, 63. The rail connecting portions 51, 61 of the support braces 50, 60 are connected pivotally to the support rail 26 at two supporting points 261, 262 that are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction. Each of the support braces 50, 60 further includes a locking collar 54, 64 sleeved on the rail connecting portion 51, 61 and slidable therealong so as to conceal the second ends of the angled links 52, 53, 62, 63 and the rail connecting portion 51, 61 therein in order to maintain the support brace 50, 60 in an unfolded state. In this embodiment, each of the angled links 52, 53, 62, 63 of each of the support braces 50, 60 is formed with a notch 521, 531, 621, 631. The rail connecting portion 51, 61 of each of the support braces 50, 60 is formed with a pair of projections 511, 512, 611, 612 that extend into a corresponding one of the notches 521, 531, 621, 631 so as to help position the support brace 50, 60 in an unfolded state or in a folded state. It should be apparent to one skilled in the art that the positions of the notches and the projections on the support braces 50, 60 can be interchanged to achieve the same result.

[0024] The table top 10 has a top surface and a bottom surface. The support rail 26 abuts against the bottom surface of the table top 10.

[0025] Referring back to FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment of the folding table according to this invention further includes a pair of side rails 21, 22 and a cross rail 25.

[0026] The side rails 21, 22 extend in the longitudinal direction, are spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction, and have the support rail 26 disposed therebetween. Each of the side rails 21, 22 has opposite ends connected pivotally and respectively to an adjacent pair of the distal end segments of the end rails 23, 24 of the support pedestals 30,40 so as to form a frame 20. Each of the side rails 21, 22 is mounted securely on the bottom surface of the table top 10. The end rails 23, 24 of the support pedestals 30, 40 are thus pivotally retained on the bottom surface of the table top 10.

[0027] The cross rail 25 extends in the transverse direction, is disposed between the end rails 23, 24 of the support pedestals 30, 40, and is spaced apart from the end rails 23, 24 in the longitudinal direction. The cross rail 25 has opposite rail ends connected respectively to the side rails 21, 22, and an intermediate rail portion that is disposed between the rail ends. The intermediate rail portion is disposed below and supports the support rail 26 thereon. The cross rail 25 is fastened to the support rail 26 by a screw fastener 250.

[0028] Moreover, the bottom surface of the table top 10 is formed with a pair of mounts 11, 12 that protrude from the bottom surface on opposite sides of the support rail 26. Each of the mounts 11, 12 is formed with a notch 111, 121 for engaging the cross rail 25. The bottom surface of the table top 10 is further formed with a longitudinal recess 13 for receiving the support rail 26. The bottom surface of the table top 10 is further formed with a pair of securing members 14, 15 for securing releasably and respectively the support pedestals 30, 40 when the support pedestals 30, 40 are folded toward the bottom surface of the table top 10 to collapse the table, as best shown in FIG. 6.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 7, when a load is borne on the table top 10 of the folding table of this invention, the longitudinal support rail 26, and the two supporting points 261, 262 thereof can provide additional support to bear the load sufficiently and evenly as compared to the folding table disclosed in the aforesaid U.S. patent. Moreover, since the folding table of this invention provides more supporting points for bearing the load than the folding table disclosed in the aforesaid U.S. patent, the folding table of this invention is less susceptible to deformation.

[0030] Additionally, the engagement between the notches and the projections provided on the support braces can help position the support braces in the unfolded and folded states.

[0031] While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.