Frame for a folding table

Abstract

A foldable table may include a table top and legs movable between an extended position and a collapsed position. A first portion of a side rail may be connected to a first table top section and a second portion of the first side rail may be connected to a second table top section. An engaging portion of the first portion of the side rail may be at least partially disposed in a receiving portion of the second portion of the side rail when the table top is in the folded position and an engaging portion of the second portion of the side rail may be at least partially disposed in a receiving portion of the first portion of the side rail when the table top is in the folded position

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A folding table comprising:
 a table top that is capable movable between a folded position and an unfolded position, the table top comprising:
 a first table top section; and 
 a second table top section, the first table top section and the second table top section generally aligned in the same plane when the table top is in the unfolded position, the first table top section and the second table top section disposed generally adjacent and parallel to each other when the table top is in the folded position; 
   a frame connected to the table top, the frame comprising:
 a first frame rail connected to the first table top section, the first frame rail including a body and an engaging portion; 
 a second frame rail connected to the second table top section, the first frame rail and the second frame rail generally aligned in the same plane, the second frame rail including a body and a receiving portion, the engaging portion of the first frame rail being at least partially disposed in the receiving portion of the second frame rail when the table top is in the folded position; and 
 a connecting member connecting the first frame rail and the second frame rail, the connecting member sized and configured to allow the table top to move between the folded and the unfolded positions; and 
   a first leg support structure connected to the first table top section, the first leg support structure movable between an extended position and a collapsed position relative to the first section of the table top; and   a second leg support structure connected to the second table top section, the second leg support structure movable between an extended position and a collapsed position relative to the second section of the table top.   
     
     
         2 . The table as in  claim 1 , wherein the body and the engaging portion of the first frame rail define at least a portion of a generally L-shaped configuration of the first frame rail; and
 wherein the body and the receiving portion of the second frame rail define at least a portion of a generally L-shaped configuration of the second frame rail.   
     
     
         3 . The table as in  claim 1 , wherein the engaging portion of the first frame rail extends outwardly from the body of the first frame rail; and
 wherein the receiving portion of the second frame rail is formed in at least a portion of the body of the second frame rail.   
     
     
         4 . The table as in  claim 1 , wherein the first frame rail further comprises a receiving portion; and
 wherein the second frame rail further comprises an engaging portion.   
     
     
         5 . The folding table as in  claim 1 , wherein the frame in the folded position has a height that is about twenty percent less than a height of the first portion of the frame and the second portion of the frame. 
     
     
         6 . The folding table as in  claim 1 , wherein the frame rotates about an axis of rotation between the folded and unfolded positions, the axis of rotation being disposed between an upper surface of the engaging portion and a lower surface of the receiving portion when the frame is in the folded position. 
     
     
         7 . A folding table comprising:
 a table top including a first section and a second section, the first and second sections movable between a folded position in which the first and second sections are disposed in a generally adjacent and parallel configuration and an unfolded position in which the first and second sections are generally aligned in the same plane;   a first support structure connected to the first section of the table top, the first support structure movable between an extended position in which the first support structure extends outwardly from the first section of the table top and a collapsed position in which the first support structure is disposed generally parallel and at least proximate the first section of the table top;   a second support structure connected to the second section of the table top, the second support structure movable between an extended position in which the second support structure extends outwardly from the second section of the table top and a collapsed position in which the second support structure is disposed generally parallel and at least proximate the second section of the table top;   a frame comprising:
 a first portion connected to the first section of the table top, the first portion of the frame including a body and one or more engaging portions; and 
 a second portion connected to the second section of the table top, the second portion of the frame including a body and one or more receiving portions, the first portion and the second portion of the frame at least substantially disposed in a plane, the engaging portions of the first portion of the frame spaced apart from the receiving portions of the second portion of the frame when the table is in the unfolded position, the engaging portions at least substantially disposed in the receiving portions when the table is in the folded position; and 
   a connecting member connecting the first portion of the frame and the second portion of the frame.   
     
     
         8 . The folding table as in  claim 7 , wherein the engaging portions of the first portion of the frame and the receiving portion of the second portion of the frame at least substantially overlap when the frame is in the folded position. 
     
     
         9 . The folding table as in  claim 7 , further comprising a first engagement surface of the engaging portion of the one or more engaging portions that contacts a first portion of the receiving portion of the one or more receiving portions when the frame is in the folded position. 
     
     
         10 . The folding table as in  claim 9 , further comprising a second engagement surface of the engaging portion of the one or more engaging portions that contacts a second portion of the receiving portion of the one or more receiving portions when the frame is in the folded position, the first and second engagement surfaces of the engaging portions spaced apart by a distance and disposed at an angle. 
     
     
         11 . The folding table as in  claim 7 , wherein the first portion of the frame has a first height and the second portion of the frame has a second height; and
 wherein the height of the frame in the folded position is at least about fifteen percent smaller than the height of the first portion of the frame and the second portion of the frame.   
     
     
         12 . The folding table as in  claim 7 , wherein the first portion of the frame and the second portion of the frame have generally the same size, shape and configuration; and
 wherein the first portion of the frame and the second portion of the frame have an inverted position relative to a lower surface of the table top to allow the engaging portions to be disposed in the receiving portions when the frame is in the folded position.   
     
     
         13 . The folding table as in  claim 7 , wherein the frame in the folded position has a height that is at least ten percent less than a height of the first portion of the frame and the second portion of the frame. 
     
     
         14 . The folding table as in  claim 7 , wherein the frame in the folded position has a height that is about twenty percent less than a height of the first portion of the frame and the second portion of the frame. 
     
     
         15 . The folding table as in  claim 7 , wherein the engaging portion and the receiving portion are generally aligned and coplanar when the frame is in the folded position and the unfolded position. 
     
     
         16 . The folding table as in  claim 7 , wherein the frame rotates about an axis of rotation between the folded and unfolded positions, the axis of rotation being disposed between an upper surface of the engaging portions and a lower surface of the receiving portions when the frame is in the folded position. 
     
     
         17 . The folding table as in  claim 7 , wherein the frame rotates about an axis of rotation between the folded and unfolded positions, the axis of rotation being disposed below an outermost portion of the first portion of the frame and an outermost portion of the second portion of the frame when the frame is in the folded position. 
     
     
         18 . The folding table as in  claim 7 , further comprising one or more receiving portions of the first portion of the frame and one or more engaging portions of the second portion of the frame, the engaging portions of the second portion of the frame being disposed in the receiving portions of the first portion of the frame when the frame is in the folded position, the engaging portions of the second portion of the frame being spaced apart from the receiving portions of the first portion of the frame when the frame is in the unfolded position. 
     
     
         19 . A frame for a folding table top, the folding table top movable between a folded position in which a first portion of the table top is disposed generally adjacent and parallel to a second portion of the table top and an unfolded position in which the first portion and the second portion of the table top are generally aligned in the same plane, the frame for the folding table top comprising:
 a first portion including an elongated body and an engaging portion extending outwardly from the body;   a second portion including an elongated body and a receiving portion, the first portion and the second portion of the frame at least substantially disposed in the same plane, the first and second portions of the frame including an unfolded position in which the first portion and the second portion of the frame are generally aligned along an axis and the engaging portion is spaced apart from the receiving portion, the first and second portions of the frame including a folded position in which the engaging portion is at least partially disposed in the receiving portion; and   a connecting member pivotally connecting the first portion and the second portion of the frame.   
     
     
         20 . The folding table as in  claim 19 , wherein the first portion of the frame has a first height and the second portion of the frame has a second height; and
 wherein the height of the frame in the folded position is at least about fifteen percent smaller than the height of the first portion of the frame and the second portion of the frame.