Support structure for a table

Abstract

A table may include a table top and a support structure connected to the table top. The support structure may include a pair of legs that are movable between extended and collapsed positions relative to the table top. The support structure may also include a brace assembly with a first portion connected to the legs and a second portion connected to the table top. The first portion of the brace assembly may be a unitary, one-piece structure or it may include multiple interconnected components. The first portion of the brace assembly is preferably curved upwardly and inwardly towards a center portion of the table top.

1 . A table comprising:
 a table top; and   a support structure connected to the table top and movable between a use position and a collapsed position relative to the table top, the support structure comprising:
 a first leg; 
 a second leg; and 
 a brace assembly movably connected to the first leg and the second leg, the brace assembly comprising:
 a first portion connected to the first leg and the second leg, the first portion having a curved configuration that curves towards a central portion of the table top when the support structure is in the use position; and 
 a second portion including a first end connected to the first portion of the brace assembly and a second end connected to the table top. 
 
   
   
   
       2 . The table as in  claim 1 , wherein the first leg and the second leg are generally disposed in a first plane;
 wherein the first portion of the brace assembly is disposed at an angle from the first plane when the support structure is in the use position; and   wherein the first portion of the brace assembly is generally disposed in the first plane when the support structure is in the collapsed storage position.   
   
   
       3 . The table as in  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the brace assembly is constructed from a unitary, one-piece metal tube. 
   
   
       4 . The table as in  claim 3 , wherein the first portion of the brace assembly includes a receiving portion that is sized and configured to receive a part of the second portion of the brace assembly when the support structure is in the collapsed position; and
 wherein the second portion of the brace assembly is disposed outside of and is spaced apart from the receiving portion when the support structure is in the use position.   
   
   
       5 . The table as in  claim 4 , wherein the first portion of the brace assembly is movably connected to the second portion of the brace assembly by a bracket. 
   
   
       6 . The table as in  claim 3 , wherein the first portion of the brace assembly is the only structure connected to the first leg and the second leg between a lower end and an upper end of the first leg and the second leg. 
   
   
       7 . The table as in  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the brace assembly includes a bracket, the bracket including a receiving portion that is sized and configured to receive a part of the second portion of the brace assembly when the support structure is in the collapsed position. 
   
   
       8 . The table as in  claim 7 , wherein the part of the second portion of the brace assembly is disposed outside of and is spaced apart from the receiving portion when the support structure is in the use position. 
   
   
       9 . The table as in  claim 8 , wherein the first portion of the brace assembly is movably connected to the second portion of the brace assembly by the bracket. 
   
   
       10 . A table comprising:
 a table top; and   a support structure movable between a use position and a collapsed position relative to the table top, the support structure comprising:
 a cross member connected to the table top; 
 a first leg connected to the cross member; 
 a second leg connected to the cross member; and 
 a brace assembly including a first portion connected to the first leg and the second leg, the first portion of the brace assembly having an arch-shaped configuration with an apex of the arch extending upwardly and inwardly towards a center portion of the table top when the support structure is in the use position, the brace assembly including a second portion with a first end connected to the first portion of the brace assembly and a second end connected to the table top. 
   
   
   
       11 . The table as in  claim 10 , wherein the first and second legs are generally disposed in a first plane;
 wherein the first portion of the brace assembly is offset from the first plane at an angle when the support structure in the use position; and   wherein the first portion of the brace assembly is generally disposed in the first plane when the support structure is in the collapsed position.   
   
   
       12 . The table as in  claim 10 , wherein the first portion of the brace assembly has a generally constant radius of curvature between a first end connected to the first leg to a second end connected to the second leg. 
   
   
       13 . The table as in  claim 10 , further comprising a receiving portion in the first portion of the brace assembly that is sized and configured to receive a part of the second portion of the brace assembly when the support structure is in the collapsed position. 
   
   
       14 . The table as in  claim 10 , wherein the first portion of the brace assembly is constructed from a unitary, one-piece metal tube. 
   
   
       15 . The table as in  claim 10 , wherein the first portion of the brace assembly includes a bracket, the bracket including a receiving portion that is sized and configured to receive a part of the second portion of the brace assembly when the support structure is in the collapsed position. 
   
   
       16 . A table comprising:
 a table top;   a support structure connected to the table top, the first support structure movable between an use position that facilitate use of the table and a collapsed position that facilitates shipping or storage of the table, the support structure comprising:
 a first leg; 
 a second leg; and 
 a brace assembly, the brace assembly including a first portion connected to the first leg and the second leg, the first portion having a curved configuration that extends upwardly and towards a center portion of the table top when the support structure is in the use position, the brace assembly including a second portion that is connected to the first portion of the brace assembly and the table top. 
   
   
   
       17 . The table as in  claim 16 , further comprising a bracket connecting the first portion of the brace assembly to the second portion of the brace assembly, the bracket including an engaging portion that engages a part of the second portion of the brace assembly when the support structure is in the collapsed position. 
   
   
       18 . The table as in  claim 17 , wherein the first portion of the brace assembly is curved inwardly by a distance that is greater than a length of the bracket when the support structure is in the use position. 
   
   
       19 . The table as in  claim 16 , further comprising a receiving portion in the first portion of the brace assembly that is sized and configured to receive a part of the second portion of the brace assembly when the support structure is in the collapsed position. 
   
   
       20 . The table as in  claim 16 , wherein the first portion of the brace assembly is disposed between and generally aligned with the first leg and the second leg when the support structure is in the collapsed position.
 central portion of the table top when the first and second legs are in the extended use position.