Folding table

Abstract

A folding table which can be folded into a storage position and set up into selected usable positions providing different table top heights. The outer legs are pivotally connecting to spaced apart flanges extending from a bottom surface of a table top. The inner legs are pivotally attached to the outer legs and pivotally joined to a U-shaped link bar at a selected medial position above the inner-outer leg pivot point. The free distal ends of the link bar are pivotally attached to spaced part flanges extending from a bottom surface of the table top. Pivotal movement of the link bar inward legs pivots the table top upward wherein holding means secures the link bar to the inner legs. Pivotal movement of the cross member of the link bar outward allows the inner and outer legs to spread apart at the pivot point lowering the table top to rest upon the distal ends of the inner legs.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A folding table consisting of:
 a table top having a top surface and a bottom surface;   a pair of outer legs each having an upper end and a lower end;   a first pair of spaced apart connector means, each one pivotally connecting a distal end of a respective first upper outer leg and a second upper outer leg to the bottom surface of said table top;   a pair of second inner legs each having an upper and lower end, and positioned inwardly between aid pair of first outer legs;   a pair of leg pivot means each for pivotally joining one of the respective first and second legs so that said first pair of outer legs and second pair of inner legs extend diagonally underneath said table when said table is unfolded to an upright position;   a U-shaped link bar formed with a first arm member and a second arm member spaced apart and parallel to one another joined by a central link bar cross member, said first arm member having a first free end and a said second arm member having a second free end;   a pair of spaced apart link bar connector means each for pivotally connecting said link bar first arm member first free end and said link bar second arm member second free end to said bottom surface of said table;   a first link bar pivot means for pivotally connecting a medial section of said link bar first arm member to a selected point of said second inner leg between said leg pivot means and table supporting distal end of an upper portion of said second inner leg;   a second link bar pivot means for pivotally connecting a medial section of said link bar second arm member to a selected point of said second inner leg between said leg pivot means and table supporting distal end of an upper portion of said second inner leg; and   a stop means comprising a lug capable of contacting and limiting rotation of said link bar.   
     
     
         2 . A folding table consisting of:
 a table top having a top surface and a bottom surface;   a first pair of outer legs each having an upper end and a lower end, each one of said lower end of said pair of outer legs including an outwardly extending lower leg segment formed extending downward at an obtuse angle;   a first pair of spaced apart connector means, each one pivotally connecting a distal end of said upper end of said pair of outer legs to said bottom surface of said table top;   a second pair of inner legs each one having an upper and lower end, and positioned inwardly between said first pair of outer legs, said lower end of said pair of outer legs including an outwardly extending lower leg segment formed extending downward at an obtuse angle;   a inner cross brace member extending between said second pair of inner legs joining said inner legs disposed near said obtuse angle;   an outer cross brace member extending between said second pair of outer legs joining said outer legs disposed near said obtuse angle;   a pair of leg pivot means each for pivotally joining one of the respective first and second legs so that said first pair of outer legs and second pair of inner legs extend diagonally underneath said table when said table is unfolded to an upright position;   a U-shaped link bar formed with a first arm member and a second arm member spaced apart and parallel to one another joined by a central link bar cross member, said first arm member having a first free end and a said second arm member having a second free end;   a pair of spaced apart link bar connector means each for pivotally connecting said link bar first arm member first free end and said link bar second arm member second free end to said bottom surface of said table;   a first link bar pivot means for pivotally connecting a medial section of said link bar first arm member to a selected point of said second inner leg between said leg pivot means and table supporting distal end of an upper portion of said second inner leg;   a second link bar pivot means for pivotally connecting a medial section of said link bar second arm member to a selected point of said second inner leg between said leg pivot means and table supporting distal end of an upper portion of said second inner leg;   said table supporting distal end of said inner leg including an inwardly curved top portion; and   a stop means comprising a lug capable of contacting and limiting rotation of said link bar and including a friction enhancing base.   
     
     
         3 . A folding table having a table top comprising a top and a bottom surface, a pair of first legs each having an upper and lower end, a first pair of lugs each for pivotally connecting one of said respective first upper leg ends to the bottom surface of said table, a pair of second legs each having an upper and lower end, and positioned inwardly between said pair of first legs, a first pair of pivot pins each for pivotally joining one of said respective first and second legs so that said legs can extend diagonally underneath said table when said table is unfolded to an upright position, a U-shaped link bar formed with two parallel members and a cross member, said bar having first and second free ends, a second pair of lugs each for pivotally connecting one of said respective link bar free ends to said bottom surface of said table, and a second pair of pivot pins each for pivotally joining said link bar through a respective one of said parallel members to a respective one of said second legs at said upper end thereof, said link bar being positioned inwardly between said pair of second legs, the improvement comprising:
 a horizontal spreader bar joining said pair of second legs just above said second pivot pins, said spreader bar including a rectangular lug capable of contacting and limiting rotation of said U-shaped link as said U-shaped link is caused to rotate for the purpose of causing said first pair of legs and said second pair of legs to diverge to a first table supporting configuration, said rotatable lug capable of being rotated to a position parallel to said spreader bar, thus allowing said U-shaped link to rotate past said rotatable lug; and   said second legs including a swept back elbows at upper free ends thereof providing stops which contact a bottom surface of said table top, thus allowing said first pair of legs and said second pair of legs to diverge to a lower table top supporting configuration.