Foldable table

Abstract

A collapsible table has an elongate blow-molded table top comprising two table top halves. A support frame comprising first and second pairs of support members is attached to the bottom surface of the table top halves. A pair of hinge assemblies pivotally connect the first pair of support members to the second pair of support members so that the two table top halves are pivotally connected together. This allows the first and second table top halves to be folded together in a storage position. At least one of the hinge assemblies includes a spring-loaded latch member for latching and unlatching the hinge assembly. When the hinge assembly is latched, the table top halves are locked into an open position for normal use. When the hinge assembly is unlatched, the table top halves may be folded together for storage.

1 . A collapsible table comprising: 
 an elongate table top comprising a first table top half and a second table top half, the first and second table top halves each having a substantially planar top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface;    a support frame attached to the bottom surface of the table top, the support frame comprising a first pair of support members disposed adjacent outer edges of the bottom surface of the first table top half and a second pair of support members disposed adjacent outer edges of the bottom surface of the second table top half;    a pair of hinge assemblies for pivotally connecting the first pair of support members to the second pair of support members, whereby the first table top half is pivotally connected to the second table top half, thereby allowing the first and second table top halves to be folded together in a storage position, at least one of the hinge assemblies comprising: 
 a first hinge member secured to one of the first pair of support members, the first hinge member comprising an opposing pair of substantially parallel first hinge tabs, each first hinge tab having a central first tab aperture and a peripheral tab notch;  
 a second hinge member secured to one of the second pair of support members, the second hinge member comprising an opposing pair of substantially parallel second hinge tabs, each second hinge tab having a central second tab aperture and a tab slot, the second hinge tabs disposed between and substantially parallel to the first hinge tabs, wherein the first tab apertures are substantially aligned with the second tab apertures;  
 a latch member pivotally disposed between the second hinge tabs and rotatable between a latched position and an unlatched position, the latch member having: 
 at least one latch aperture substantially aligned with the first tab apertures and the second tab apertures; and  
 at least one latch slot at least partially overlapping the tab slots of the second hinge member;  
 
 a hinge pin disposed through the first tab apertures of the first hinge member, the second tab apertures of the second hinge member and the at least one latch aperture of the latch member, the hinge pin allowing the first hinge member, the second hinge member and the latch member to rotate in relation to each other; and  
 a pawl pin disposed through the tab slots of the second hinge member and through the at least one latch slot of the latch member, the pawl pin operable to slide laterally within the tab slots and the at least one latch slot as the latch member rotates in relation to the first and second hinge members,  
 wherein the pawl pin slides to a first position within the tab slots of the second hinge member as the latch member rotates to the latched position, and wherein the pawl pin slides to a second position within the tab slots of the second hinge member as the latch member rotates to the unlatched position,  
 wherein the pawl pin engages the peripheral tab notches of the first hinge member as the pawl pin slides to the first position, thereby preventing rotation of the first hinge member in relation to the second hinge member, and  
 wherein the pawl pin disengages from the peripheral tab notches of the first hinge member as the pawl pin slides toward the second position, thereby allowing rotation of the first hinge member in relation to the second hinge member.  
   
   
   
       2 . The collapsible table of  claim 1  further comprising means for urging the pawl pin to move toward the first position.  
   
   
       3 . The collapsible table of  claim 2  wherein the means for urging the pawl pin to slide toward the first position comprises a spring disposed between the second hinge tabs of the second hinge member, the spring for pushing against the pawl pin thereby urging the pawl pin to slide laterally in the tab slots of the second hinge member.  
   
   
       4 . The collapsible table of  claim 3  wherein: 
 the pawl pin includes at least one notch in a peripheral surface thereof; and    the spring includes at least one spring arm that engages the at least one notch in the peripheral surface of the pawl pin.    
   
   
       5 . The collapsible table of  claim 4  wherein the pawl pin is prevented from sliding axially within the tab slots of the second hinge member by engagement of the at least one spring arm in the at least one notch.  
   
   
       6 . The collapsible table of  claim 3  further comprising means for retaining the spring between the hinge tabs of the second hinge member.  
   
   
       7 . The collapsible table of  claim 6  wherein the means for retaining the spring further comprise: 
 a spring pin disposed through a coil in the spring, the spring pin having opposing ends; and    a pair of opposing spring pin apertures in the second hinge member for receiving the opposing ends of the spring pin.    
   
   
       8 . The collapsible table of  claim 1  wherein the table top halves are formed from blow-molded plastic.  
   
   
       9 . A collapsible table comprising: 
 an elongate table top formed from blow-molded plastic, the table top comprising a first table top half and a second table top half, the first and second table top halves each having a substantially planar top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface;    a support frame attached to the bottom surface of the table top, the support frame comprising a first pair of support members disposed adjacent outer edges of the bottom surface of the first table top half and a second pair of support members disposed adjacent outer edges of the bottom surface of the second table top half;    a pair of hinge assemblies for pivotally connecting the first pair of support members to the second pair of support members, whereby the first table top half is pivotally connected to the second table top half, thereby allowing the first and second table top halves to be folded together in a storage position, at least one of the hinge assemblies comprising: 
 a first hinge member secured to one of the first pair of support members, the first hinge member comprising an opposing pair of substantially parallel first hinge tabs, each first hinge tab having a central first tab aperture and a peripheral tab notch;  
 a second hinge member secured to one of the second pair of support members, the second hinge member comprising an opposing pair of substantially parallel second hinge tabs, each second hinge tab having a central second tab aperture and a tab slot, the second hinge tabs disposed between and substantially parallel to the first hinge tabs, wherein the first tab apertures are substantially aligned with the second tab apertures;  
 a latch member pivotally disposed between the second hinge tabs and rotatable between a latched position and an unlatched position, the latch member having: 
 at least one latch aperture substantially aligned with the first tab apertures and the second tab apertures; and  
 at least one latch slot at least partially overlapping the tab slots of the second hinge member;  
 
 a hinge pin disposed through the first tab apertures of the first hinge member, the second tab apertures of the second hinge member and the at least one latch aperture of the latch member, the hinge pin allowing the first hinge member, the second hinge member and the latch member to rotate in relation to each other;  
 a pawl pin disposed through the tab slots of the second hinge member and through the at least one latch slot of the latch member, the pawl pin operable to slide laterally within the tab slots and the at least one latch slot as the latch member rotates in relation to the first and second hinge members,  
 wherein the pawl pin slides to a first position within the tab slots of the second hinge member as the latch member rotates to the latched position, and wherein the pawl pin slides to a second position within the tab slots of the second hinge member as the latch member rotates to the unlatched position,  
 wherein the pawl pin engages the peripheral tab notches of the first hinge member as the pawl pin slides to the first position, thereby preventing rotation of the first hinge member in relation to the second hinge member, and  
 wherein the pawl pin disengages from the peripheral tab notches of the first hinge member as the pawl pin slides toward the second position, thereby allowing rotation of the first hinge member in relation to the second hinge member; and  
   a spring disposed between the second hinge tabs of the second hinge member and engaging the pawl pin, the spring for pushing against the pawl pin thereby urging the pawl pin to slide laterally in the tab slots of the second hinge member;    
   
   
       10 . A collapsible table comprising: 
 an elongate table top formed from blow-molded plastic, the table top comprising a first table top half and a second table top half, the first and second table top halves each having a substantially planar top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface;    a support frame attached to the bottom surface of the table top, the support frame comprising a first pair of support members disposed adjacent outer edges of the bottom surface of the first table top half and a second pair of support members disposed adjacent outer edges of the bottom surface of the second table top half;    a pair of hinge assemblies for pivotally connecting the first pair of support members to the second pair of support members, whereby the first table top half is pivotally connected to the second table top half, thereby allowing the first and second table top halves to be folded together in a storage position; and    a handle assembly attached to the support frame, the handle assembly configurable in a use position wherein the handle assembly is operable for use in carrying the table when the table top halves are folded together, the handle assembly further configurable in a stowed position when the handle assembly is not being used to carry the table, the handle assembly comprising: 
 a flexible strap having opposing ends attached to a central portion of one of the support members of the support frame;  
 a grip attached to the strap;  
 fasteners for securing the opposing ends of the strap to the support member; and  
 a retaining strap for securing the grip adjacent the bottom surface of one of the table top halves when the handle assembly is in the stowed position.  
   
   
   
       11 . The collapsible table of  claim 1  wherein the grip includes a longitudinal passage through which the flexible strap passes.  
   
   
       12 . The collapsible table of  claim 1  wherein the retaining strap includes a hook-and-loop closure which wraps around the grip when the handle assembly is in the stowed position.