Table with folding legs and internal frame

Abstract

A blow-molded or other plastic table has an internal frame. The internal frame preferably includes at least first and second support beams disposed lengthwise in the top, and more preferably also has both lateral and medial support beams, and a cross member that couples the lateral and medial support beams. The lateral and medial support beams need not extend the length of the table, and indeed in some embodiments they extend less than half the length of the table. Such a configuration allows the top to be manufactured, shipped, and stored in halves or other pieces. The lateral support beams can also be disposed to overlap, with or without touching one another. The top is preferably blow molded, and includes a core having a first plurality of baffles. Such baffles can be disposed in any suitable manner, including longwise and cross-wise.

1 . A table, comprising: 
 an internal frame disposed within a molded plastic top; and    a folding leg disposed underneath the top.    
   
   
       2 . The table of  claim 1  wherein the internal frame includes first and second support beams disposed lengthwise in the top.  
   
   
       3 . The table of  claim 1  wherein the internal frame includes a third support beam that is disposed between the first and second support beams.  
   
   
       4 . The table of  claim 3  wherein the internal frame includes a cross member that couples the first, second, and third support beams.  
   
   
       5 . The table of  claim 4  wherein at least one of the support beams and cross member comprises a metal.  
   
   
       6 . The table of  claim 1  wherein the internal frame includes a first support disposed lengthwise in the top, and having a length of less than half as long as the top.  
   
   
       7 . The table of  claim 6  wherein the internal frame includes a second support disposed to overlap a portion of the first support along a length of the top.  
   
   
       8 . The table of  claim 7  wherein the first support does not touch the second support.  
   
   
       9 . The table of  claim 1  wherein the internal frame includes left and right lateral supports, and a medial support.  
   
   
       10 . The table of  claim 9  wherein the top has a length, and the medial support is less than half the length of the top.  
   
   
       11 . The table of  claim 1  further comprising first and second parallel medial support beams.  
   
   
       12 . The table of  claim 1  wherein the top comprises a core having a first plurality of baffles.  
   
   
       13 . The table of  claim 12  wherein the first plurality of battles disposed parallel to a length of the table.  
   
   
       14 . The table of  claim 12  wherein the core further comprises a second plurality of baffles disposed parallel to a width of the table.  
   
   
       15 . The table of  claim 1  wherein the internal frame includes a medial support beam to which the folding leg is attached.  
   
   
       16 . The table of  claim 11  wherein the folding leg is farther attached to a pivot, which is disposed widthwise in a depression underside the top.  
   
   
       17 . The table of  claim 1  wherein the top is split into first and second sections, with each of the sections having a portion of the internal frame.  
   
   
       18 . The table of  claim 17  wherein the first and second sections are pivotally couple to one another.  
   
   
       19 . The table of  claim 17  wherein the first and second sections are completely removable from one another.  
   
   
       20 . The table of  claim 17  wherein the first and second sections are completely removable from one another.