Locking mechanism for a fold-in-half table

Abstract

A table may include a table top that is capable of being folded-in-half. The table may also include legs that are movable between an extended position and a collapsed position. Advantageously, the folding table top and the collapsible legs may allow the table to be easily transported and stored. The table may also include a locking mechanism that may secure the table top in the unfolded position. The locking mechanism may include a locking member that is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position.

1 . A table comprising: 
 a table top including a first portion and a second portion that are capable of being moved between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration;    a frame connected to the table top, the frame comprising: 
 a first side rail connected to the first portion of the table top; and  
 a second side rail connected to the second portion of the table top;  
   a first bolt receiving section at least partially defined by the first side rail of the frame;    a second bolt receiving section at least partially defined by the second side rail of the frame;    a locking bolt that is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, the locked position including a portion of the locking bolt being disposed within the first bolt receiving section and the second bolt receiving section to secure the table top in a fixed position, the unlocked position including the locking bolt disposed outside the second bolt receiving section to allow the table top to be freely moved between the folded and unfolded positions, the locking bolt comprising: 
 an elongated body; and  
 a handle extending from the elongated body, the handle being sized and configured to be grasp by a user to facilitate movement of the locking bolt between the locked position and the unlocked position, at least a portion of the handle being integrally formed with the elongated body; and  
   one or more legs that are movable relative to the table top between an extended position and a collapsed position.    
   
   
       2 . The table as in  claim 1 , wherein the handle includes a first portion with a first alignment member and a second portion with a second alignment member, the first and second alignment members being sized and configured to allow the first portion and the second portion of the handle to be interconnected.  
   
   
       3 . The table as in  claim 2 , wherein the first alignment member includes an inwardly extending portion and the second alignment portion includes an outwardly extending portion that is sized and configured to engage the inwardly extending portion.  
   
   
       4 . The table as in  claim 3 , wherein the inwardly extending portion has a generally V-shaped configuration and the outwardly extending portion has a generally V-shaped configuration.  
   
   
       5 . The table as in  claim 2 , wherein the first portion further includes a third alignment member and the second portion further includes a fourth alignment member, the third and fourth alignment members being sized and configured to secure the first portion and the second portion of the handle in a generally fixed position.  
   
   
       6 . The table as in  claim 2 , wherein the first alignment member includes an outwardly extending portion and the second alignment portion includes an inwardly extending portion adapted to engage the outwardly extending portion.  
   
   
       7 . The table as in  claim 1 , further comprising an elongated opening in the first side rail that is sized and configured to allow at least a portion of the handle to extend through the opening.  
   
   
       8 . A table comprising: 
 a table top including a first section and a second section that are capable of being moved between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration;    a frame connected to the table top; and    a locking bolt that is capable of being moved between a first position in which the table top is secured in a fixed configuration and a second position in which the table top may be freely moved between the folded and unfolded positions, the locking bolt comprising: 
 a body;  
 a handle;  
 a first outwardly extending arm; and  
 a second outwardly extending arm, the first and second outwardly extending arms being deformable to secure the locking bolt in the first position.  
   
   
   
       9 . The table as in  claim 8 , wherein the first arm of the locking bolt is sized and configured to engage at least a portion of the table frame when the bolt is in the first position; and the second arm of the locking bolt is sized and configured to engage at least a portion of the table frame when the bolt is in the first position.  
   
   
       10 . The table as in  claim 8 , wherein the first arm is sized and configured to engage at least a portion of the table frame with a snap fit, a friction fit, or an interference fit when the bolt is in the first position; and the second arm is sized and configured to engage at least a portion of the table frame with a snap fit, a friction fit, or an interference fit when the bolt is in the first position.  
   
   
       11 . The table as in  claim 8 , wherein the first arm is sized and configured to engage a first socket at least partially defined by a portion of table frame when the bolt is in the first position; and the second arm is sized and configured to engage the first socket when the bolt is in the first position.  
   
   
       12 . The table as in  claim 8 , wherein the first arm includes a first catch that is sized and configured to engage a socket at least partially defined by a portion of table frame when the bolt is in the first position; and wherein the second arm includes a second catch that is sized and configured to engage the socket when the bolt is in the first position.  
   
   
       13 . The table as in  claim 8 , wherein the body of the bolt includes a first end, a second end, and a tapered portion that is at least partially disposed between the first end and the second end.  
   
   
       14 . The table as in  claim 8 , wherein the bolt is constructed from injected molded plastic.  
   
   
       15 . A table comprising: 
 a table top including a first section and a second section that are capable of being moved between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration;    a frame connected to the table top;    a slot disposed in the frame, the slot including a first locking portion;    a locking member that is capable of being moved between a first position in which the table top is secured in a fixed configuration and a second position in which the table top may be freely moved between the folded and unfolded configurations, the locking member comprising: 
 a body; and  
 a handle that is at least partially disposed within the slot in the frame, the handle being movable among a plurality of locations within the slot, the handle being sized and configured to be received and retained within the first locking portion of the slot when the locking member is in the first position; and  
   one or more legs that are movable relative to the table top between an extended position and a collapsed position.    
   
   
       16 . The table as in  claim 15 , wherein the first locking portion is sized and configured to engage the handle with a snap, a friction or an interference fit.  
   
   
       17 . The table as in  claim 15 , wherein the slot further includes a second locking portion that is sized and configured to receive and retain the handle in a generally fixed position when the locking member is in the second position.  
   
   
       18 . A table comprising: 
 a table top including a first section and a second section that are capable of being moved between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration;    a table frame connected to the table top;    a first locking member receiving portion;    a second locking member receiving portion; and    a locking member that is capable of being moved between a first position in which the table top is secured in a fixed configuration and a second position in which the table top may be freely moved between the folded and unfolded configurations, the locking member comprising: 
 a body including a first end and a second end, the first end being sized and configured to be received into the first locking member receiving portion, the second end being sized and configured to be received into the second locking member receiving portion; and  
 a handle; and  
   one or more legs that are movable relative to the table top between an extended position and a collapsed position;    wherein the locking member is disposed within the first locking member receiving portion and the second locking member receiving portion when the locking member is in the first position; and    wherein the locking member is disposed outside the second locking member receiving portion when the locking member is in the second position to allow the table top to be freely moved between the folded and unfolded positions    
   
   
       19 . The table as in  claim 18 , wherein the first end of the body of the locking member has a tapered portion that is sized and configured to be received into the first locking member receiving portion and the second end of the body of the locking member has a tapered portion that is sized and configured to be received into a second locking member receiving portion.  
   
   
       20 . A table comprising: 
 a table top including a first section and a second section that are capable of being moved between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration;    a table frame connected to the table top; and    a bolt movable between a first position in which the table top is secured in a fixed configuration and a second position in which the table top may be freely moved between the folded and unfolded configurations, the locking bolt comprising: 
 a first portion including a first alignment member; and  
 a second portion including a second alignment member, the first and second alignment members being sized and configured to secure the first handle portion and the second handle portion in a generally fixed relative position.