Table with truss support structure

Abstract

A folding table may include a tabletop, a frame, a truss support structure, and support structures. The tabletop may include a first tabletop section and a second tabletop section that are generally aligned in the same plane in the unfolded position and are disposed generally adjacent and parallel in the folded position. The frame is connected to the tabletop and may include a side rail with a first rail section connected to the first tabletop section and a second rail section connected to the second tabletop section. The truss support structure may be connected to the first rail section and the second rail section of the side rail. The truss support structure extends across an interface between the first and second tabletop sections in the unfolded position. The support structures may support the tabletop above a surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A folding table comprising:
 a tabletop that is movable between a folded position and an unfolded position, the tabletop comprising:
 a first tabletop section; and 
 a second tabletop section, the first tabletop section and the second tabletop section generally aligned in the same plane when the tabletop is in the unfolded position, and the first tabletop section and the second tabletop section disposed generally adjacent and parallel to each other when the tabletop is in the folded position; 
   a frame connected to the tabletop, the frame comprising a side rail that includes a first rail section connected to the first tabletop section and a second rail section connected to the second tabletop section;   a truss support structure connected to the first rail section and the second rail section of the side rail, the truss support structure extending across an interface between the first tabletop section and the second tabletop section when the tabletop is in the unfolded position; and   one or more support structures configured to support the tabletop above a surface.   
     
     
         2 . The folding table as in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first rail section and the second rail section are disposed in an offset configuration, the truss support structure at least partially disposed between the first rail section and the second rail section; and   the offset configuration enables an outer surface of the first rail section and an outer surface of the second rail section to both contact a lower surface of the tabletop when the tabletop is in the folded position.   
     
     
         3 . The folding table as in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first opening at least partially defined by the first rail section;   a second opening at least partially defined by the second rail section;   a center cross member of a frame that is at least partially disposed in the first opening and the second opening, the center cross member being aligned with an axis of rotation about which the frame rotates between the folded and unfolded positions, the axis of rotation being located between an outer surface of the side rail and an inner surface of the side rail;   a center support member of the truss support structure that is coupled to the center cross member;   a first support member of the truss support structure comprising a first end connected to the center support member and a second end connected to the first rail section; and   a second support member of the truss support structure comprising a first end connected to the center support member and a second end connected to the second rail section.   
     
     
         4 . The folding table as in  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a connecting member attached to the first rail section;   a first end of the first support member pivotally connected to the center support member; and   a second end of the first support member includes an adjusting mechanism; wherein the first support member is slidably disposed within the connecting member.   
     
     
         5 . The folding table as in  claim 4 , wherein:
 when the tabletop is in the folded position, the center support member is at least substantially disposed between the first rail section and the second rail section and the second end of the first support member is spaced apart from the connecting member; and   when the tabletop is in the unfolded position, the center support member is disposed substantially normal to a lower surface of the tabletop, the second end of the first support member is disposed at least proximate the connecting member, and the adjusting mechanism contacts the connecting member.   
     
     
         6 . The folding table as in  claim 3 , wherein:
 the first support member comprises a first link including an engaging portion and a second link including a receiving portion, the engaging portion slidably disposed in the receiving portion;   the first end of the first support member pivotally connected to the center support member;   the second end of the first support member pivotally connected to the second rail section; and   movement of the first link relative to the second link causes movement of the engaging portion within the receiving portion and adjusts a length of the first support member.   
     
     
         7 . The folding table as in  claim 6 , wherein:
 when the tabletop is in the unfolded position, the center support member is disposed at least substantially normal to a lower surface of the tabletop and the engaging portion contacts a first end of the receiving portion; and   when the tabletop is in the folded position, the center support member is at least substantially disposed between the first rail section and the second rail section and the engaging portion is positioned between the first end and a second end of the receiving portion.   
     
     
         8 . The folding table as in  claim 3 , wherein:
 a first end of the center support member is coupled to the center cross member;   the first support member and the second support member are connected at a second end of the center support member; and   when the tabletop is in the unfolded position, the center support member is disposed at least substantially normal to a lower surface of the tabletop such that the second end of the center support member is displaced from the lower surface of the tabletop.   
     
     
         9 . A folding table comprising:
 a tabletop that is movable between a folded position and an unfolded position, the tabletop comprising:
 a first tabletop section; and 
 a second tabletop section, the first tabletop section and the second tabletop section generally aligned in the same plane when the tabletop is in the unfolded position, the first tabletop section and the second tabletop section disposed generally adjacent and parallel to each other when the tabletop is in the folded position; 
   a frame connected to the tabletop, the frame comprising a first side rail that includes a first rail section connected to the first tabletop section and a second rail section connected to the second tabletop section;   a truss support structure connected to the frame, the truss support structure extending across an interface between the first tabletop section and the second tabletop section when the tabletop is in the unfolded position, the truss support structure at least disposed between the first rail section and the second rail section when the tabletop is in the folded position, and the truss support structure configured to transfer at least a portion of a load applied to an upper surface of the tabletop into inward resultant forces that press the first tabletop section against the second tabletop section; and   one or more support structures configured to support the tabletop above a surface.   
     
     
         10 . The folding table as in  claim 9 , wherein:
 the frame includes a center cross member that extends across a center portion of the tabletop, the center cross member being aligned with an axis of rotation about which the first tabletop section and the second tabletop section rotate between the folded and unfolded positions; and   the truss support structure comprises:
 a center support member coupled to the center cross member; 
 a first support member connected to the center support member and to the first rail section; and 
 a second support member connected to the center support member and to the second rail section. 
   
     
     
         11 . The folding table as in  claim 10 , wherein:
 a length of the first support member is adjustable; and   a length of the second support member is adjustable.   
     
     
         12 . The folding table as in  claim 11 , wherein:
 the first support member comprises a first link including a pin and a second link including a slot, the pin disposed in the slot;   a first end of the first support member is pivotally connected to the center support member;   a second end of the first support member is pivotally connected to the frame; and   translation of the pin in the slot adjusts the length of the first support member.   
     
     
         13 . The folding table as in  claim 12 , wherein:
 when the tabletop is in the unfolded position, the center support member is disposed at least substantially normal to a lower surface of the tabletop and the pin is in contact with a first end of the slot; and   when the tabletop is in the folded position, the center support member is at least substantially disposed between the first rail section of the first side rail and the second rail section of the first rail; and the pin is positioned between the first end and a second end of the slot.   
     
     
         14 . The folding table as in  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a connecting member attached to the first rail section of the first side rail, the first support member comprising a generally cylindrical rod with a first end pivotally connected to the center support member and the rod slidably disposed within the connecting member.   
     
     
         15 . The folding table as in  claim 9 , wherein:
 the first rail section of the first side rail is disposed a first distance from a first side of the tabletop;   the second rail section of the first side rail is disposed a second distance from the first side, the first distance being different from the second distance; and   the truss support structure is at least partially disposed between the first rail section of the first side rail and the second rail section of the first side rail.   
     
     
         16 . A folding table comprising:
 a tabletop that is movable between a folded position and an unfolded position, the tabletop comprising:
 a first tabletop section; and 
 a second tabletop section, the first tabletop section and the second tabletop section generally aligned in the same plane when the tabletop is in the unfolded position, and the first tabletop section and the second tabletop section disposed generally adjacent and parallel to each other when the tabletop is in the folded position; 
   a frame connected to the tabletop, the frame comprising:
 a first side rail that includes a first rail section connected to the first tabletop section and a second rail section connected to the second tabletop section; 
 a second side rail that includes a first rail section connected to the first tabletop section and a second rail section connected to the second tabletop section; and 
 a center cross member that extends across a center portion of the tabletop, the center cross member being aligned with an axis of rotation about which the first tabletop section and the second tabletop section rotate between the folded and unfolded positions; 
   a first truss support structure connected to the first rail section of the first side rail, the second rail section of the first side rail, and the center cross member, the first truss support structure configured to extend across an interface between the first tabletop section and the second tabletop section when the tabletop is in the unfolded position and is at least substantially disposed between the first rail section of the first side rail and the second rail section of the first side rail when the tabletop is in the folded position;   a second truss support structure connected to the first rail section of the second side rail, the second rail section of the second side rail, and the center cross member, the second truss support structure configured to extend across the interface when the tabletop is in the unfolded position and is at least substantially disposed between the first rail section of the second side rail and the second rail section of the second side rail when the tabletop is in the folded position;   a first support structure connected to the first tabletop section, the first support structure being movable between an extended position and a collapsed position relative to the first tabletop section; and   a second support structure connected to the second tabletop section, the second support structure movable between an extended position and a collapsed position relative to the second tabletop section.   
     
     
         17 . The folding table as in  claim 16 , wherein:
 the first rail section of the first side rail includes an interface end positioned at the interface between the first tabletop section and the second tabletop section;   the second rail section of the first side rail includes an interface end positioned at the interface;   the first rail section of the second side rail includes an interface end positioned at the interface;   the second rail section of the second side rail includes an interface end positioned at the interface;   the first rail section of the first side rail defines at least a portion of an opening at the interface end;   the second rail section of the first side rail defines at least a portion of an opening at the interface end;   the first rail section of the second side rail defines at least a portion of an opening at the interface end;   the second rail section of the second side rail defines at least a portion of an opening at the interface end; and   the center cross member disposed in the openings.   
     
     
         18 . The folding table as in  claim 17 , wherein:
 the first and second truss support structures each include a center support member, a first support member, and a second support member;   the center support members each include a first end coupled to the center cross member and a second end extending away from the center cross member;   a first end of the first support member and a first end of the second support member pivotally connected to the center support member;   a second end of the first support member and a second end of the second support member pivotally connected to the frame;   when the tabletop is in the unfolded position, the center support members are disposed at least substantially normal to a lower surface of the tabletop such that the second ends of the center support members are displaced from the lower surface of the tabletop; and   when the tabletop is in the folded position, the center support member of the first truss support structure is at least substantially disposed between the first rail section and the second rail section of the first side rail and the center support member of the second truss support structure is at least substantially disposed between the first rail section and the second rail section of the second side rail.   
     
     
         19 . The folding table as in  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a first connecting member attached to the first rail section of the first side rail;   a second connecting member attached to the second rail section of the first side rail;   a third connecting member attached to the first rail section of the second side rail; and   a fourth connecting member attached to the second rail section of the second side rail,   wherein:   the first support members and the second support members are rods;   a first adjusting mechanism is positioned at an end of the first support member of the first truss support structure;   a second adjusting mechanism is positioned at an end of the second support member of the first truss support structure;   a third adjusting mechanism is positioned at an end of the first support member of the second truss support structure;   a fourth adjusting mechanism is positioned at an end of the second support member of the second truss support structure;   the first support member of the first truss support structure is slidably disposed within the first connecting member;   the second support member of the first truss support structure is slidably disposed within the second connecting member;   the first support member of the second truss support structure is slidably disposed within the third connecting member;   the second support member of the second truss support structure is slidably disposed within the fourth connecting member;   when the tabletop is in the folded position, the ends of the first support members are separated from the first and the third connecting members such that portions of the first support members are positioned in the first and the third connecting members, and the ends of the second support members are separated from the second and the fourth connecting members such that portions of the second support members are positioned in the second and the fourth connecting members; and   when the tabletop is in the unfolded position, the adjusting mechanisms contact the connecting members.   
     
     
         20 . The folding table as in  claim 18 , wherein:
 the first support members and the second support members each include a first link that includes a pin which is translationally coupled to a second link that defines a slot in which the pin of the first link is positioned;   movement of the first links relative to the second links translates the pins in the slots and adjusts lengths of the first and second support members;   when the tabletop is in the unfolded position, the pins are in contact with first ends of the slots; and   when the tabletop is in the folded position, the pins are positioned between the first ends and second ends of the slots.