Handle for a portable table

Abstract

A table may include a table top capable of being folded-in-half. In particular, the table top may include first and second portions that are capable of being moved being moved between a folded position in which the first portion is disposed proximate the second portion and an unfolded position in which the first portion and the second portion are generally aligned in the same plane. The table may also include first and second legs that are movable between an extended position and a collapsed position relative to the table top. In addition, the table may include a handle that facilitates carrying of the table. The handle may include a gripping portion that is sized and configured to be gripped by a user and the handle may be attached to the table top. The table may further include a handle retention assembly that secures the handle in a fixed position.

1 . A portable folding table comprising:
 a table top comprising:
 a first half of the table top; 
 a first lip extending downwardly from the first half of the table top; 
 a second half of the table top; and 
 a second lip extending downwardly from the second half of the table top, the first half and the second half of the table top movable between a folded position and an unfolded position; 
   a frame;   a first leg movable between an extended position and a collapsed position relative to the first half of the table top;   a second leg movable between the extended position and the collapsed position relative to the second half of the table top; and   a handle connected to the table top, the handle comprising:
 a strap constructed from a relatively flexible material, the strap having a thickness that allows the strap to be disposed between the first lip and the second lip when the table top is in the folded position; 
 a first attachment portion formed from a first end of the strap, the first attachment portion connected to the frame, the first attachment portion formed by looping the first end of the strap about a portion of the frame; 
 a second attachment portion formed from a second end of the strap, the second attachment portion connected to the frame, the second attachment portion formed by looping the second end of the strap about a portion of the frame; and 
 a gripping portion disposed between the first end and the second end of the strap, the gripping portion being sized and configured to be grasp by the user when the handle is in a use position; and 
   wherein, when the handle is in a use position and the table top is in the folded position, the strap of the handle is disposed between the first lip and the second lip; and   wherein, when the handle is in the use position and the table top is in the folded position, the gripping portion of the handle is disposed proximate an outer surface of the first lip and an outer surface of the second lip.   
     
     
         2 . The portable table as in  claim 1 , further comprising a handle retention assembly with a flexible strap that is sized and configured to selectively receive and retain the gripping portion of the handle. 
     
     
         3 . The portable table as in  claim 1 , wherein the first attachment portion includes a portion of the first end of the strap that is folded over upon itself and the second attachment portion includes a portion of the second end of the strap that is folded over upon itself. 
     
     
         4 . The portable table as in  claim 1 , further comprising a handle retention assembly that is sized and configured to receive and retain at least a portion of the handle in a generally fixed position relative to the lower surface of the table top. 
     
     
         5 . The portable table as in  claim 1 , further comprising a handle retention assembly that is sized and configured to receive and retain at least a portion of the handle in a generally fixed position between the first portion of the table top and the second portion of the table top when the table top is in the folded position. 
     
     
         6 . The portable table as in  claim 1 , wherein the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion of the handle are attached to a side rail of the frame. 
     
     
         7 . The portable table as in  claim 1 , wherein the first lip is disposed along a first side of the first portion of the table top and a second side of the first portion of the table top; and
 wherein the second lip is disposed along a first side of the second portion of the table top and a second side of the second portion of the table top.   
     
     
         8 . A portable table comprising:
 a table top comprising:
 a first half of the table top; 
 a first lip extending downwardly from the first half of the table top; 
 a second half of the table top; and 
 a second lip extending downwardly from the second half of the table top, the first half and the second half of the table top being capable of being moved between a folded position and an unfolded position, the unfolded position including an upper surface of the first half of the table top generally aligned with an upper surface of the second half of the table top, the folded position including a generally planar lower surface of the first lip being disposed at least adjacent and generally parallel to a generally planar lower surface of the second lip; 
   a first leg movable between an extended position and a collapsed position relative to the table top;   a second leg movable between the extended position and the collapsed position relative to the table top;   a frame including a first portion connected to the first half of the table top and a second portion connected to the second half of the table top; and   a handle comprising:
 a strap; 
 a first attachment portion formed from a portion of the strap and connected to the first portion of the frame; 
 a second attachment portion formed from a portion of the strap and connected to the first portion of the frame; and 
 a gripping portion disposed between the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion of the strap, the gripping portion being disposed proximate and spaced outwardly from an outer surface of the first lip and an outer surface of the second lip when the handle is in a use position; 
   wherein, when the handle is in the use position and the table top is in the folded position, the strap of the handle is disposed between the first lip and the second lip.   
     
     
         9 . The portable table as in  claim 8 , further comprising a handle retention assembly that is sized and configured to receive and retain the handle in a generally fixed position proximate the lower surface of the table top. 
     
     
         10 . A table top constructed from plastic comprising:
 a first portion of the table top;   a first lip extending downwardly from the first portion of the table top, the first lip including a lower surface that is spaced apart from the first portion of the table top, the first lip being integrally formed with the first portion of the table top as part of a unitary, one-piece structure;   a second portion of the table;   a second lip extending downwardly from the second portion of the table top, the second lip including a lower surface that is spaced apart from the second portion of the table top, the second lip being integrally formed with the second portion of the table top as part of a unitary, one-piece structure; and   wherein the first portion of the table top and the second half of the table top are capable of being moved between a folded position and an unfolded position, the unfolded position including an upper portion of the first portion of the table top generally aligned with an upper portion of the second portion of the table top, the folded position including a lower surface of the first lip disposed at least adjacent a lower surface of the second lip;   a frame comprising:
 a first portion connected to the first portion of the table top; and 
 a second portion connected to the second portion of the table top; and 
   a handle comprising:
 a strap including a first end connected to the first portion of the frame by disposing the first end of the strap around a portion of the frame and a second end connected to the first portion of the frame by disposing the second end of the strap around a portion of the frame; and 
 a gripping portion that is sized and configured to be grasp by the user when the handle is in the use position, the gripping portion being disposed between the first end of the strap and the second end of the strap; 
 wherein the strap has a thickness that allows the strap to be disposed between the first lip and the second lip when the table top is in the folded position; and 
 wherein, when the handle is in a use position and the table top is in the folded position, the gripping portion is disposed proximate an outer surface of the first lip and an outer surface of the second lip. 
   
     
     
         11 . The table top as in  claim 10 , further comprising a handle retention assembly that is sized and configured to receive and retain the handle in a generally fixed position at least proximate the lower portion of the first portion of the table top when the handle is in the storage position. 
     
     
         12 . The table top as in  claim 10 , wherein the gripping portion is constructed from a more rigid material and the connecting portion is constructed from a more flexible material when compared to the griping portion. 
     
     
         13 . The table top as in  claim 10 , wherein the gripping portion is constructed from a relatively flexible material and the gripping portion is constructed from a material that is less flexible than the connecting portion. 
     
     
         14 . The table top as in  claim 10 , wherein the gripping portion is disposed outwardly and away from the first portion and the second portion of the table top when the table top is in the folded position to facilitate moving the table. 
     
     
         15 . The table top as in  claim 10 , wherein the handle is at least partially constructed from a relatively flexible material with a relatively small thickness to allow the connecting portion of the handle to be disposed between a lower surface of the first lip and a lower surface of the second lip when the table top is in the folded position. 
     
     
         16 . The table as in  claim 10 , further comprising a handle retention assembly that is sized and configured to receive and retain the handle in a storage position, the handle retention assembly including a flexible strap that is connected to the table top. 
     
     
         17 . The table as in  claim 10 , wherein the first end of the strap is looped around the first portion of the frame and the second end of the strap is looped around the first portion of the frame. 
     
     
         18 . The table as in  claim 10 , wherein the first lip and the second lip do not include any notches or openings that are sized and configured to receive any portion of the handle. 
     
     
         19 . The table as in  claim 10 , further comprising a handle retention assembly that is sized and configured to receive and retain the handle in a generally fixed position proximate the lower portion of the first section of the table top when the handle is in the storage position. 
     
     
         20 . The table as in  claim 10 , further comprising a handle retention assembly that is sized and configured to receive and retain the handle in a generally fixed position when the handle is in the storage position, the handle retention assembly including a retention area that is sized and configured to receive a portion handle, the handle retention assembly being spaced apart from the lip and being connected to the lower portion of the first section of the table top.