Portable table

Abstract

Collapsible tables, including collapsible table tops, and collapsible table frames. The table top comprises multiple, relatively rigid, leaf elements which interlock with each other and/or articulate, and pull apart or fold for storage. Optional recesses in the edges of the table top releasably receive mounting structure on the table frame, or resilient mounting structure on edges of the table top is received in corresponding receivers on the table frame, thereby to releasably couple the table top and frame to each other. The frames include support arms underlying the table top. Loads from the table top typically pass through the support arms and thence to the frame. Improved structure supports the support arms from the frame body, passes loads to the frame body, as well as guiding and controlling movement of the support arms when the frame is being collapsed or expanded.

1 . A table top comprising a plurality of leaf elements, at least first and second ones of which are detachably connected to each other and arranged in side by side relationship with respect to each other to form a generally continuous upper surface of said table top, said table top having a length, and a width, each said detachably connected leaf element having a length and respective first and second side edges extending generally along a straight line along the width of the table top, and a width, and third and fourth opposing end edges extending along the length of the table top, each said detachably connected leaf element comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, said plurality of leaf elements comprising, in combination, interface structure on respective ones of said leaf elements adapted and configured to mount said table top to a compatible table frame, each said detachably connected leaf element further comprising at least one of a connector tab or a connector receptacle slot disposed at an intermediate location on at least one of the first and second side edges, each said detachably connected leaf element further comprising at least two of end tabs and/or receptacle end slots, disposed adjacent the opposing end edges thereof, the combination of said connector tabs in said connector receptacle slots and said end tabs in said end receptacle slots comprising tab-connector combinations which are effective to releasably join said detachably connected leaf elements together in forming the generally continuous upper surface of said table top, whereby a force imposed on one said detachably connected leaf element, including at a said end edge thereof, can be transferred to an adjacent one of said detachably connected leaf elements through one or more of the respective tab-connector combinations without traveling any substantial distance from the respective said end edge, along the respective side edge of the respective said leaf element.  
   
   
       2 . A table top as in  claim 1  wherein end ones of said leaf elements have a first said side edge bearing said tabs and slots and a second said side edge free from said tabs and slots, and wherein intermediate ones of said leaf elements, disposed inwardly of said end leaf elements in said table top as assembled, have first and second opposing side edges both bearing said tabs and slots.  
   
   
       3 . A table top as in  claim 2  wherein said end leaf elements and said intermediate leaf elements further comprise readily visually discernable differences, in addition to said tabs and slots, to distinguish said end leaf elements from said intermediate leaf elements, whereby said end leaf elements can readily be visually distinguished from said intermediate leaf elements, thereby to assist a user in selecting the serial order of said leaf elements in said table top during assembly of said table top.  
   
   
       4 . A table top comprising a plurality of leaf elements arranged in side by side relationship with respect to each other, and joined to each other, to form a generally continuous upper surface of said table top, said table top having a length, and a width, each said leaf element having a length, and respective first and second side edges extending along the width of the table top, and a width, and respective third and fourth opposing end edges, extending along the length of the table top, said plurality of leaf elements comprising, in combination, interface structure on respective ones of said leaf elements adapted and configured to mount said table top to a compatible table frame, each said leaf element further comprising structure assisting in effecting the joinder of said leaf elements to each other in side by side relationship, end ones of said leaf elements and intermediate ones of said leaf elements being distinguished by surface texture differences molded into the respective ones of said leaf elements.  
   
   
       5 . A table top comprising a plurality of leaf elements arranged in side by side relationship with respect to each other, and joined to each other, to form a generally continuous upper surface of said table top, said table top having a length, and a width, each said leaf element having a length, and respective first and second side edges, extending along the width of the table top, and a width, and respective third and fourth opposing end edges, extending along the length of the table top, said plurality of leaf elements comprising, in combination, interface structure on respective ones of said leaf elements for mounting said table top to a compatible table frame, each said leaf element further comprising structure assisting in effecting the joinder of said leaf elements to each other in side by side relationship, said end leaf elements and said intermediate leaf elements further comprising visually discernable differences, whereby said end leaf elements can readily be visually distinguished from said intermediate leaf elements, thereby to assist a user in selecting the serial order of said leaf elements in said table top during assembly of said table top.  
   
   
       6 . A table top as in  claim 5 , including intermediate connector tabs and slots at intermediate locations of adjoining edges of said leaf elements and end tabs and slots at ends of said adjoining edges of said leaf elements, such that said tabs and slots, in combination, maintain a generally continuous upper surface of said table top, and wherein a force imposed on one said leaf element, including at a said end edge thereof, can be transferred to an adjacent one of said leaf elements through one or more of the respective tab-connector combinations without traveling any substantial distance from the respective said end edge along the respective side edge of the respective said leaf element.  
   
   
       7 . A collapsible table frame adapted and configured to support a compatible table top thereon, said table frame comprising: 
 (a) a collapsible table frame body;    (b) first and second pairs of frame top joints mounted for pivotation with respect to a top of said collapsible table frame body; and    (c) first and second table top support arm assemblies, each said table top support arm assembly comprising a pair of table top support arms, first and second table top support arm holders, a support arm pillar for supporting the respective said table top support arm holders, and a connector connecting said top support arm holders to each other and to said support arm pillar, each said table top support arm on the respective said table top support arm assembly having an outward end extending away from said support arm pillar and an inward end proximate said support arm pillar, at least one of said support arms on each said top support arm assembly comprising a flared portion thereof as an integral part of the respective said support arm, proximate the inward end of the respective said support arm, wherein said inward ends of each pair of said table top support arms extend inwardly to slidably connect to said collapsible table frame through respective ones of said table top support arm holders whereby, when said table frame is set up, said flared portion of the respective said table top support arm serves as a stop to arrest sliding of the respective support arm through the respective said support arm holder.    
   
   
       8 . A collapsible table frame as in  claim 7  wherein, when the table frame is fully erected, the two support arms in each pair of said table top support arms are parallel to each other and the respective support arms in the pair, in combination, extend along generally parallel lines between respective ones of the frame joints, and wherein bottom ends of said two support arm pillars are mounted for pivotation with respect to said collapsible table frame body.  
   
   
       9 . A collapsible table frame as in  claim 7 , further comprising a plug extending into a respective one of said support arms at or adjacent the flared portion.  
   
   
       10 . A collapsible table frame as in  claim 7  wherein, in order to erect said collapsible table frame, each said table top support arm rotates about a said frame top joint such that the inward end thereof moves upward and the support arm slides through a respective said table top support arm holder away from a respective said top joint, with said table top support arm holders in each table top support arm assembly rotating in opposite directions as the respective table top support arms slide outwardly and upwardly as said table frame is erected, sliding movement of said table top support arms being susceptible of being arrested by said flared portions of said top support arms as said table frame reaches a fully erected configuration.  
   
   
       11 . A collapsible table frame as in  claim 7 , further comprising a flexible container having a container body having an upper edge and a lower extremity and at least one side extending generally between the upper edge and the lower extremity, and at least one connector attached to said collapsible container, said connector communicating with and being attached said collapsible table frame.  
   
   
       12 . A collapsible table frame adapted and configured to support a compatible table top thereon, said table frame comprising: 
 (a) a collapsible table frame body;    (b) first and second pairs of frame top joints mounted for pivotation with respect to a top of said collapsible table frame body; and    (c) first and second table top support arm assemblies, each said table top support arm assembly comprising a pair of table top support arms, a support arm pillar for supporting the respective said table top support arm holders, and a pin connecting said top support arms to each other and to said support arm pillar, each said table top support arm on the respective said table top support arm assembly having an outward end extending away from said support arm pillar and an inward end proximate said support arm pillar, said support arm pillar comprising a slot having a top, and extending along a length thereof downwardly to a bottom of the slot, said pin extending through said pillar at said slot, said slot further comprising a hook at the top thereof, whereby when said table frame is set up, said pin rises in the slot to a position adjacent the hook so that said hook can be placed under said pin thus to provide support to said pin and thus to said support arms while said frame is in the set up configuration.    
   
   
       13 . A method of assembling a table top to a collapsible table support frame, comprising: 
 (a) substantially erecting the collapsible table support frame, including extending opposing table top support arms of a table top support arm assembly;    (b) positioning the opposing table top support arms a minimal distance inward from a fully erected configuration;    (c) aligning a compatible table top, having mounting flanges extending downwardly from a bottom of the table top, with outer ends of the table top support arms; and    (d) extending the table top support arms into assembling engagement with the mounting flanges on the table top and thereby fully erecting the collapsible table support frame as the table top is being assembled to the table support frame.    
   
   
       14 . A method as in  claim 13 , including apertures in the flanges, and including extending end portions of the support arms into and through the apertures such that the end portions extend outwardly from the apertures when the table is fully assembled.  
   
   
       15 . A collapsible table frame adapted and configured to support a compatible table top thereon, said table frame comprising: 
 (a) a collapsible table frame body comprising first and second pairs of side legs and third and fourth pairs of front and rear legs, the legs in each said pair of legs being mounted for pivotation with respect to each other so as to cross while pivoting with respect to each other, each of said third and fourth pairs of legs being joined to each of said first and second pairs of legs;    (b) first, second, third, and fourth frame top joints comprising upwardly disposed portions of said collapsible table frame body, mounted for pivotation with respected to ones of said front, side, and rear legs; and    (c) first and second table top support arm assemblies, each said table top support arm assembly comprising a pair of table top support arms, each said table top support arm having an outward end disposed toward the respective said top joint, and an inward end, the inward ends of said table top support arms being pivotally connected to each other at a pivot joint, and including a locking elbow bracket extending from the pivot joint to a respective one of said side legs between the respective said top joint and the pivot locus of the respective pair of said side legs.    
   
   
       16 . A collapsible table frame as in  claim 15  wherein said locking elbow defines an acute angle of at least about 40 degrees with respect to one of said support arms in the respective support arm assembly when said table frame is fully erected and said locking elbow bracket is locked.  
   
   
       17 . A collapsible table frame as in  claim 15 , further comprising a flexible container having a container body having an upper edge and a lower extremity and at least one side extending generally between the upper edge and the lower extremity, and at least one connector attached to said flexible container, said connector communicating with and being attached to said collapsible table frame.  
   
   
       18 . A collapsible table frame adapted and configured to support a compatible table top thereon, said table frame comprising: 
 (a) a collapsible table frame body;    (b) first and second pairs of frame top joints mounted for pivotation with respect to a top of said collapsible table frame body; and    (c) first and second table top support arm assemblies, each said table top support arm assembly comprising a pair of table top support arms, first and second table top support arm holders, and a support arm pillar for supporting the respective said table top support arm holders, each said table top support arm having an outward end extending away from said support arm pillar and an inward end proximate said support arm pillar, and including first and second slots on opposing sides of each support arm, extending from a first slot end proximate said inward end of the respective said support arm, and extending toward said outward end, each said table top support arm assembly further comprising a pin connecting said support arm holders to each other and to said support arm pillar, and extending through the slots in said support arms, whereby when said table frame is set up, said slots are adjacent said pin at the first slot ends.    
   
   
       19 . A collapsible table frame as in  claim 18  wherein said inward ends of each pair of said table top support arms extend inwardly to slidably connect through respective ones of said table top support arm holders of said table top support arm assemblies, wherein when the table frame is fully erected, each pair of said table top support arms are parallel to each other and the respective support arms in the pair, in combination, extend in a generally straight line between respective ones of the frame joints, wherein bottom ends of said support arm pillars are mounted for pivotation with respect to said table frame body.  
   
   
       20 . A collapsible table frame as in  claim 18  wherein, in order to erect said collapsible table frame, each said table top support arm rotates about a said frame top joint such that the inward end thereof moves upward and the support arm slides through a respective said table top support arm holder away from a respective top joint, with said table top support arm holder in each table support assembly rotating in opposite directions as the respective table top support arms slide outwardly and upwardly as said table frame is erected, sliding movement of said table top support arms being susceptible of being arrested by the first ends of the slots in said table top support arms contacting the respective pins.  
   
   
       21 . A collapsible table frame as in  claim 18 , further comprising a flexible container having a container body having an upper edge and a lower extremity and at least one side extending generally between the upper edge and the lower extremity, and at least one connector attached to said flexible container, said connector communicating with and being attached to said collapsible table frame.  
   
   
       22 . A table top comprising a plurality of leaf elements, at least first and second ones of which are detachably connected to each other and arranged in side by side relationship with respect to each other to form a generally continuous upper surface of said table top, said table top having a length, and a width, each said detachably connected leaf element having a length, and respective first and second side edges, extending generally along a straight line along the width of the table top, and a width, and third and fourth opposing end edges, extending along the length of the table top, said plurality of leaf elements comprising, in combination, interface structure on respective ones of said leaf elements adapted to mount said table top to a compatible table frame, each said detachably connected leaf element further comprising, as connecting elements, at least one of a connector protuberance or a connector receptacle, disposed at an intermediate location on at least one of the first and second side edges, each said detachably connected leaf element further comprising at least two of said end protuberances and/or said end receptacles disposed at the respective said side edges, and adjacent the respective said end edges of the respective said detachably connected leaf element.  
   
   
       23 . A table top comprising a plurality of leaf elements, at least first and a second ones of which are detachably connected to each other and arranged in side by side relationship with respect to each other to form a generally continuous upper surface of said table top, said table top having a length, and a width, each said detachably connected leaf element having a length, and respective first and second side edges, extending generally along a straight line along the width of the table top, and a leaf element width, the respective side edges having corresponding lengths thereof, each said detachably connected leaf element further comprising third and fourth opposing end edges, extending along the length of the table top, said plurality of leaf elements comprising, in combination, interface structure which is adapted and configured to mount said table top to a compatible table frame, each said detachably connected leaf element further comprising, as connecting elements, at least one of a connector protuberance or a connector receptacle, disposed at an intermediate location on at least one of the first and second side edges, each said detachably connected leaf element further comprising at least two of said end protuberances and/or said end receptacles disposed at the respective said side edges, adjacent the respective said end edge of the respective said detachably connected leaf element, each of said end protuberances and/or end receptacles being separated from the respective opposing end edges by a distance D 1  along the respective side edge, each of said end protuberances and/or end receptacles being separated from a most proximate connector protuberance or connector receptacle by a distance D 2  along the respective side edge, the magnitude of the distance D 1  being substantially less than half the magnitude of the distance D 2 , at least a portion of the length of the respective said side edge, along the length of said leaf element, being devoid of support structure which is adapted to support an adjacent one of said leaf elements.  
   
   
       24 . A table top comprising a plurality of leaf elements, at least first and second ones of which are detachably connected to each other and arranged in side by side relationship with respect to each other to form a generally continuous upper surface of said table top, said table top having a length, and a width, each said detachably connected leaf element having a length, and respective first and second side edges, extending generally along a straight line along the width of the table top, and a leaf element width, the respective side edges having corresponding lengths thereof, each said detachably connected leaf element further comprising third and fourth opposing end edges extending along the length of the table top, said plurality of leaf elements comprising, in combination, interface structure adapted and configured to mount said table top to a compatible table frame, each said detachably connected leaf element further comprising at least two end protuberances and/or end receptacles, each of said end protuberances and/or end receptacles being separated from the respective opposing end edges thereof by a distance D 1  along the respective side edge, and being separated from a projected location P 1  of an adjacent connector protuberance or connector receptacle by a distance D 3 , the projected location P 1  being defined by the intersection of an imaginary line Ln 1  which extends between the respective end protuberance and/or end receptacle at a respective said side edge, and an imaginary line Ln 2  which extends from an adjacent said connector protuberance or connector receptacle through such imaginary line Ln 1  at a perpendicular angle, the magnitude of the distance D 1  being substantially less than half the magnitude of the distance D 3 .  
   
   
       25 . A table top as in  claim 3 , said visually discernable differences being color coding, effective to distinguish said end leaf elements from said intermediate leaf elements, thereby to assist a user in selecting the serial order of said leaf elements in said table top during assembly of said table top.  
   
   
       26 . A table top as in  claim 5 , said visually discernable differences being color coding, effective to distinguish said end leaf elements from said intermediate leaf elements, thereby to assist a user in selecting the serial order of said leaf elements in said table top during assembly of said table top.  
   
   
       27 . A table top as in  claim 1  wherein ones of said plurality of leaf elements are hingedly connected to each other so as to facilitate articulation of the respective leaf elements with respect to each other.  
   
   
       28 . A table top as in  claim 5  wherein ones of said plurality of leaf elements are hingedly connected to each other so as to facilitate articulation of the respective leaf elements with respect to each other.  
   
   
       29 . A table top as in  claim 22  wherein ones of said plurality of leaf elements are hingedly connected to each other so as to facilitate articulation of the respective leaf elements with respect to each other.  
   
   
       30 . A table top as in  claim 23  wherein ones of said plurality of leaf elements are hingedly connected to each other so as to facilitate articulation of the respective leaf elements with respect to each other.  
   
   
       31 . A table top as in  claim 27  wherein said ones of said plurality of leaf elements are permanently hingedly connected to each other.  
   
   
       32 . A table top as in  claim 28  wherein said ones of said plurality of leaf elements are permanently hingedly connected to each other.  
   
   
       33 . A table top as in  claim 29  wherein said ones of said plurality of leaf elements are permanently hingedly connected to each other.  
   
   
       34 . A table top as in  claim 30  wherein said ones of said plurality of leaf elements are permanently hingedly connected to each other.  
   
   
       35 . A table top, having a top and a bottom, a length and a width, and end edges extending along the width of said table top at opposing ends of the length, said table top comprising a plurality of leaf elements extending along the width of said table top, said plurality of leaf elements comprising first and second end ones of said leaf elements at opposing ends of the length of said table top, said end leaf elements comprising outer sides thereof extending along the end edges of said table top, recesses being defined in said end leaf elements proximate said outer sides, in one of the end edges of said table top, the top of said table top, and the bottom of said table top, said recesses being adapted and configured to receive mounting structure of a table frame, and thereby to mount said table top to such table frame, said recesses comprising inhibition structure adapted and configured to inhibit movement of such table frame mounting structure along the width of said table top when such mounting structure of such table frame is mounted to said table top.  
   
   
       36 . A table top as in  claim 35  wherein said inhibition structure comprises side walls of said recesses, extending along the length of said table top.  
   
   
       37 . A collapsible table frame adapted and configured to support a compatible table top thereon, said table frame comprising a collapsible table frame body comprising first and second table top support arm assemblies, said first and second table top support arm assemblies having respective first and second lengths, and each having first and second opposing ends, and comprising, at or adjacent the first and second ends, upstanding mounting structure adapted and configured to engage respective opposing end edges of such compatible table top, thereby to prevent substantial movement of such compatible table top along the length of at least one of the respective said table top support arms.  
   
   
       38 . A collapsible table frame as in  claim 37  wherein the respective said mounting structure comprises a detent adapted and configured to secure said collapsible table frame to such compatible table top.  
   
   
       39 . A collapsible table, comprising: 
 (a) a collapsible table frame adapted and configured to support a compatible table top thereon, said collapsible table frame comprising a plurality of frame elements, including first and second support arms, and upstanding mounting structure extending upwardly from ones of said frame elements; and    (b) a table top, having a top and a bottom, and a length and a width defining a perimeter of said table top, said table top comprising a plurality of leaf elements extending along the width of said table top, the perimeter of said table top being defined by edges of said table top, said upstanding mounting structure on said ones of said frame elements engaging respective ones of said edges of said table top, and thereby securely and releasably mounting said table top and said collapsible table frame to each other.    
   
   
       40 . A collapsible table as in  claim 39 , said upstanding mounting structure comprising mounting tabs.  
   
   
       41 . A collapsible table as in  claim 40  wherein said mounting tabs extend upwardly from said support arms.  
   
   
       42 . A collapsible table as in  claim 40  wherein said mounting tabs extend upwardly from ends of said support arms.  
   
   
       43 . A collapsible table as in  claim 40  wherein said mounting tabs engage respective opposing end edges of said table top.  
   
   
       44 . A collapsible table as in  claim 42  wherein a said mounting tab comprises a detent which engages said table top, and which thereby secures said table top and said collapsible table frame to each other.  
   
   
       45 . A collapsible table as in  claim 39  wherein said edges of said table top are defined by respective edges of said leaf elements.  
   
   
       46 . A collapsible table as in  claim 40 , further comprising recesses in at least one of said edges of said table top, the top of said table top, and the bottom of said table top, ones of said mounting tabs being received in ones of said recesses thereby to mount said table top and said collapsible table frame to each other.  
   
   
       47 . A collapsible table as in  claim 46  wherein said recesses comprise inhibition structure adapted and configured to inhibit movement of said table frame and said mounting tabs with respect to each other.  
   
   
       48 . A collapsible table as in  claim 47 , a respective said recess comprising side walls thereof, extending transverse to the predominant direction of extension of the respective said edge of said table top adjacent the respective said recess.  
   
   
       49 . A collapsible table as in  claim 46 , at least one of said recesses being disposed in an end edge of said table top.  
   
   
       50 . A collapsible table as in  claim 46 , said recesses being disposed in end edges of said table top.  
   
   
       51 . A collapsible table as in  claim 50  wherein a said mounting tab comprises a detent which engages said table top at a said recess, and which thereby secures said table top and said collapsible table frame to each other.  
   
   
       52 . A collapsible table as in  claim 42  wherein a said mounting tab comprises a detent which engages said table top, and which thereby secures said table top and said collapsible table frame to each other.  
   
   
       53 . A collapsible table as in  claim 42 , said table top comprising recesses extending inwardly along the length of said table top, from end edges of said table top, said mounting tabs comprising detents which releasably engage said table top in the respective said recesses.  
   
   
       54 . A collapsible table as in  claim 39 , further comprising a flexible container having a container body having an upper edge and a lower extremity and at least one side extending generally between the upper edge and the lower extremity, and at least one connector attached to at least one of the upper edge, the lower extremity, and the at least one side, said connector communicating with and being removably attached to said frame.  
   
   
       55 . A collapsible table as in  claim 39 , further comprising a flexible container having a container body having an upper edge and a lower extremity and at least one side extending generally between the upper edge and the lower extremity, and at least one connector attached to said flexible container, said connector communicating with and being removably attached to said mounting structure.