Expandable table

Abstract

An expandable table that has a frame, at least one leg supporting the frame, first and second top portions movably connected or interconnected to the frame, an intermediate top portion movably connected or interconnected to the frame, and a movement mechanism connected or interconnected to the frame. The movement mechanism is configured to cause the first and second top portions to move along a longitudinal axis of the frame. The movement mechanism is also configured to cause the intermediate top portion to move normal to said longitudinal axis of a plane of movement of said first and second top portions.

1 . An expandable table comprising a frame, at least one leg supporting said frame, first and second top portions movably connected or interconnected to said frame, and a movement mechanism connected or interconnected to said frame, said movement mechanism configured to cause said first and second top portions to move along a longitudinal axis of said frame between fully unexpanded and fully expanded positions, said movement mechanism configured to cause said second top portion to move between a stowed position and a upper position, said second top portion positioned at least partially under a bottom surface of said first top portion when said table is positioned in the fully unexpanded position, a top surface of said second top portion positioned in generally the same plane as a top surface of said first top portion when said table is positioned in the fully expanded position, said movement mechanism causing said first and second top portions to move along said longitudinal axis of said frame when said table is positioned between said fully unexpanded position and expanded position. 
     
     
         2 . The expandable table as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a top surface of said table lies within a top horizontal plane of said table, said movement mechanism is configured to cause said first top portion to only move within only one horizontal plane that is parallel to said top horizontal plane of said table, said movement mechanism is configured to enable said second top portion to move within two horizontal planes that are parallel to said top horizontal plane of said table. 
     
     
         3 . The expandable table as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said movement mechanism is configured to enable said second top portion to tilt and become non-parallel to said top horizontal plane of said table when said second top portion is moved between said stowed position and said upper position. 
     
     
         4 . The expandable table as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said movement mechanism is configured to enable said second top portion to tilt and become non-parallel to said top horizontal plane of said table when said second top portion is moved between said stowed position and said upper position. 
     
     
         5 . The expandable table as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said movement mechanism includes a multi-level guide arrangement to enable said second top portion is moved between said stowed position and said upper position. 
     
     
         6 . The expandable table as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said movement mechanism includes a multi-level guide arrangement to enable said second top portion is moved between said stowed position and said upper position. 
     
     
         7 . The expandable table as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said movement mechanism includes a ramp portion and a slot portion, said ramp portion designed to cause a front portion of said second top portion to tilt upwardly and move to an upper rail portion on said movement mechanism when said second top portion is moved from said stowed position and said upper position, said slot portion designed to enable a rear portion of said second top portion to be moved upwardly to said upper rail portion on said movement mechanism after said front portion of said second top portion has been tilted upwardly and moved on to said upper rail portion on said movement mechanism. 
     
     
         8 . The expandable table as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said movement mechanism includes a ramp portion and a slot portion, said ramp portion designed to cause a front portion of said second top portion to tilt upwardly and move to an upper rail portion on said movement mechanism when said second top portion is moved from said stowed position and said upper position, said slot portion designed to enable a rear portion of said second top portion to be moved upwardly to said upper rail portion on said movement mechanism after said front portion of said second top portion has been tilted upwardly and moved onto said upper rail portion on said movement mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . A method for expanding and contracting an expandable table comprising the steps of:
 a. providing an expandable table, said expandable table including a frame, at least one leg supporting said frame, first and second top portions movably connected or interconnected to said frame, and a movement mechanism connected or interconnected to said frame, a top surface of said table lying in a top horizontal plane, said second top portion at least partially positioned beneath said first top portion;   b. providing a movement mechanism to enable movement of said first and second top portions, said movement mechanism configured to cause said first and second top portions to move along a longitudinal axis of said frame between fully unexpanded and fully expanded positions;   c. moving said first top portion in a first direction that is away from a center of said table, said first direction along a longitudinal axis of said frame, said first direction generally parallel to said top horizontal plane;   d. moving said second top portion in a direction opposite said first direction;   e. moving said second top portion upwardly until a top surface of said second top portion lies in generally the same plane as a top surface of said first top portion; and,   f. moving said first and second top portions toward one another until inner side edges of said first and second top portions contact or are closely adjacent to one another.   
     
     
         10 . The method as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said movement mechanism is configured to cause said first top portion to only move within only one horizontal plane that is parallel to said top horizontal plane of said table, said movement mechanism is configured to enable said second top portion to move within two horizontal planes that are parallel to said top horizontal plane of said table. 
     
     
         11 . The method as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said movement mechanism is configured to enable said second top portion to tilt and become non-parallel to said top horizontal plane of said table when said second top portion is moved between a stowed position and an upper position. 
     
     
         12 . The method as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said movement mechanism is configured to enable said second top portion to tilt and become non-parallel to said top horizontal plane of said table when said second top portion is moved between a stowed position and an upper position. 
     
     
         13 . The method as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said movement mechanism includes a multi-level guide arrangement to enable said second top portion be moved between a stowed position and an upper position. 
     
     
         14 . The method as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said movement mechanism includes a multi-level guide arrangement to enable said second top portion be moved between said stowed position and said upper position. 
     
     
         15 . The method as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said movement mechanism includes a ramp portion and a slot portion, said ramp portion designed to cause a front portion of said second top portion to tilt upwardly and move to an upper rail portion on said movement mechanism when said second top portion is moved from said stowed position and said upper position, said slot portion designed to enable a rear portion of said second top portion to be moved upwardly to said upper rail portion on said movement mechanism after said front portion of said second top portion has been tilted upwardly and moved onto said upper rail portion on said movement mechanism. 
     
     
         16 . The method as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said movement mechanism includes a ramp portion and a slot portion, said ramp portion designed to cause a front portion of said second top portion to tilt upwardly and move to an upper rail portion on said movement mechanism when said second top portion is moved from said stowed position and said upper position, said slot portion designed to enable a rear portion of said second top portion to be moved upwardly to said upper rail portion on said movement mechanism after said front portion of said second top portion has been tilted upwardly and moved on to said upper rail portion on said movement mechanism. 
     
     
         17 . An expandable table comprising a frame, at least one leg supporting said frame, top portion and a bottom portion, and a movement mechanism connected or interconnected to said frame, said movement mechanism configured to cause one or both of said top portion and said bottom position to move along a longitudinal axis of said frame between fully unexpanded and fully expanded positions, said movement mechanism configured to cause said bottom portion to move both normal and parallel to said longitudinal axis of said frame, said bottom position positioned at—least partially below said top portion when in said unexpanded position, said lower portion positioned adjacent to said top portion when in said expanded position, a top face of said lower portion and a top face of said top portion position in the same or substantially same plane when in the expanded position. 
     
     
         18 . The expandable table as defined in  claim 17 , wherein said movement mechanism is configured to automatically cause said bottom portion to move between a lower position and an upper position based on the orientation and movement of said top portion along said longitudinal axis of said frame, said lower portion positioned at least partially under said top portion when in said lower position. 
     
     
         19 . The expandable table as defined in  claim 17 , wherein said movement mechanism is configured to enable manual movement of said bottom portion between a lower position and an upper position, said lower portion positioned at least partially under said top portion when in said lower position. 
     
     
         20 . The expandable table as defined in  claim 17 , wherein one or both of said top portion and said bottom portion includes an opening designed to receive an umbrella pole. 
     
     
         21 . The expandable table as defined in  claim 17 , wherein said movement mechanism includes a multi-level guide arrangement for causing upward or downward movement of said bottom portion when said bottom portion moves between said lower position and said upper position.