Folding table and seating system

Abstract

A folding table and seating apparatus has a generally oval shape and seating structures spaced around the periphery of the table. The folding table includes a pair of semicircular shaped tabletop sections folding along the straight edge of each section. A lock maintains the table in the unfolded position and is released by an end handle that extends downward from the center axis near the edges of the tabletop sections. The framework extends downward and out to eight stools, four stools spaced apart around the curving periphery of each tabletop section in a first seating configuration. In a second seating configuration, the framework supports four benches, two benches spaced apart around the curving periphery of each tabletop section. A support portion of the framework extends below each stool to provide spaced apart supports around the entire table or two legs extend downward from each bench. The benches and stools are interchangeable. The spacing of the pivot points of the benches provides for folding of the tabletop on a folding linkage without requiring the benches to slide relative to the framework.

1 . A folding table and seating apparatus, comprising:
 two opposed table top members, each of the table top members having a straight edge and an arcing edge, wherein the straight edges oppose one another;   a frame supporting each table top member, the frame including a first frame portion extending substantially laterally along the straight edge and a second frame portion extending substantially perpendicular to the straight edge;   a folding linkage folding the table top members between a use position wherein the table top members form a horizontally extending table top and a storage position wherein the table top members substantially face one another; and   a bench extending between the first frame portion and the second frame portion.   
   
   
       2 . A folding table and seating apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the bench is the only connection between the first frame portion and the second frame portion beyond the table top. 
   
   
       3 . A folding table and seating apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the bench pivotally mounts on the first frame portion and the second frame portion. 
   
   
       4 . A folding table and seating apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the bench pivotally mounts on the first frame portion at a first bench pivot and pivotally mounts on the second frame portion at a second bench pivot. 
   
   
       5 . A folding table and seating apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the table top pivots about the frame at a first table pivot and pivots about the other table top at a second table pivot, wherein the distance from the first table pivot to the second table pivot is equal to the distance from the first bench pivot to the second bench pivot. 
   
   
       6 . A folding table and seating apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein pivot axes of the first table pivot, the second table pivot, the first bench pivot and the second bench pivot are parallel. 
   
   
       7 . A folding table and seating apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the benches are interchangeable with stools. 
   
   
       8 . A folding table and seating apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein each bench is interchangeable with two stools. 
   
   
       9 . A folding table and seating apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the frame comprises vertical seating supports and wherein the stools and benches mount directly to the vertical seating supports. 
   
   
       10 . A folding table and seating apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the area below a center portion underneath the bench is frame free. 
   
   
       11 . A method of folding a table and seating assembly, the table and seating assembly having a table top folding linkage and a seating folding linkage, the method comprising:
 folding the table top folding linkage along a first axis extending through a first pivot and a second axis extending through a second pivot, the first and second pivots connected by a first member;   simultaneously folding the seating folding linkage along a third axis extending through a third pivot and a fourth axis extending through a fourth pivot, the third and fourth pivots connected by a second member;   wherein the distance between the first pivot and the second pivot equals the distance between the third pivot and the fourth pivot.   
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the second member comprises a bench. 
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the first member comprises a table top frame member. 
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the table and seating assembly comprises a first table top member and a second table top member, and wherein each table top member includes an associated table top folding linkage and seating folding linkage. 
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein each table top member includes two benches. 
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the first axis, second axis, third axis and fourth axis are parallel.