Folding table

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a folding table. The folding table includes a table top supported by a frame and connected to a base. The base includes two pedestal assemblies and two support beams connected between the pedestal assemblies. A portion of a latch assembly is connected to the table top and another portion of the latch assembly is connected to one of the pedestal assemblies. A gas cylinder assembly is connected to the table top and to one of the support beams. Methods of operating the folding table are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A folding table comprising:
 a base having first and second pedestal assemblies connected by first and second support beams;   a table top assembly having a table top and a frame, the frame having two or more support members;   first and second linkage assemblies, each having first and second link members;   a cylinder assembly having a gas cylinder, first and second attachment members, and first and second cylinder pivot assemblies; and   a first latch assembly comprising a first portion attached to a bottom surface of the table top and a second portion attached to one of the first and second pedestal assemblies, wherein the first portion comprises a handle, one or more handle mounts, a first lock member, a first spring and a stop.   
     
     
         2 . The folding table of  claim 1 , wherein the first spring is connected to an activation bar on the handle and to one of the bottom surface of the table top and the first lock member, wherein the first spring is configured to bias the handle inwards towards the center of the table top. 
     
     
         3 . The folding table of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion comprises a second lock member pivotally connected to one of the first and second pedestal assemblies by a third pivot assembly, and a second spring, wherein the second spring is configured to bias the second lock member pivotally about the third pivot assembly towards a lock stop. 
     
     
         4 . The folding table of  claim 3 , wherein the second lock member comprises an engagement protrusion and an engagement slot, wherein the engagement protrusion is configured to be engaged by an activation bar of a handle on the first portion, and wherein the engagement slot is configured to receive an engagement member of a first lock member on the first portion. 
     
     
         5 . The folding table of  claim 1 , wherein each second link member comprises a straight guide slot disposed at an angled orientation within a body of the second link member. 
     
     
         6 . The folding table of  claim 5 , further comprising a guide member connected to one of the first and second pedestal assemblies and configured to be positioned within the guide slot, wherein the guide member is configured to slidably move within the guide slot when the table is moved towards an opened or closed position. 
     
     
         7 . The folding table of  claim 1 , wherein for each of the first link members, the first link member is pivotally connected to one of the first and second pedestal assemblies by a first pivot assembly, and pivotally connected to one of the second link members by a second pivot assembly, wherein a first end of the first link member is configured to pivot in relation to the first or second pedestal assembly and a second end of the first link member is configured to pivot in relation to one of the second link members. 
     
     
         8 . The folding table of  claim 1 , wherein for each of the second link members, a first end of the second link member is connected to one of the first link members and also to a first support member, and a second end of the second link member is connected to a second support member. 
     
     
         9 . The folding table of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second support members comprise a C-channel and the first and second ends of the second link member are positioned within the C-channels of the first and second support members respectively. 
     
     
         10 . The folding table of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second pedestal assemblies and first and second support beams are comprised of one of powder coated steel square tubing and powder coated steel alloy square tubing. 
     
     
         11 . The folding table of  claim 1 , wherein the first attachment member and the first cylinder pivot assembly connect the gas cylinder to a bottom surface of the table top, and wherein the second attachment member and the second cylinder pivot assembly connect the gas cylinder to the second support beam, wherein attachment locations of the gas cylinder to the bottom surface of the table top and to the second support beam are configured to obtain a vector angle of the gas cylinder, wherein the vector angle determines a tipping point at which the gas cylinder begins to assist an opening or closing force exerted on the table top. 
     
     
         12 . The folding table of  claim 1 , further comprising second latch assembly, wherein a first portion of the first latch assembly is attached to a bottom surface of the table top and a second portion of the first latch assembly is attached to the first pedestal assembly, and wherein a first portion of the second latch assembly is attached to a bottom surface of the table top and a second portion of the first latch assembly is attached to the second pedestal assembly. 
     
     
         13 . A latch assembly for a folding table comprising:
 a first portion attached to a surface of a table top, the first portion comprising a handle, one or more handle mounts, a first lock member, a first spring and a stop; and   a second portion attached to a base, the second lock member comprising an engagement protrusion and an engagement slot.   
     
     
         14 . The latch assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the first spring is connected to an activation bar on the handle and to one of the surface of the table top and the first lock member, wherein the first spring is configured to bias the handle inwards towards the center of the table top. 
     
     
         15 . The latch assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the second portion comprises a second lock member pivotally connected to the base by a third pivot assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The latch assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the second portion comprises a second spring, wherein the second spring is configured to bias the second lock member pivotally about the third pivot assembly towards a lock stop. 
     
     
         17 . The latch assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the engagement protrusion is configured to be engaged by an activation bar of the handle on the first portion., and wherein the engagement slot is configured to receive an engagement member of a first lock member on the first portion. 
     
     
         18 . The latch assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the engagement slot is configured to receive an engagement member of the first lock member on the first portion. 
     
     
         19 . A method of closing a folding table, the method comprising:
 pulling a handle connected to a bottom surface of a table top by a first spring in a direction away from a first lock member connected to the bottom surface of the table top, the pulling comprising a force that overcomes a biasing force of the first spring, wherein an activation bar of the handle engages with an engagement protrusion of a second lock member connected to a base, wherein the second lock member pivots away from the first lock member until an engagement member of the first lock member is clear of an engagement slot of the second lock member;   lifting, with a first force, an edge of the table top upward in a direction away from the base, wherein the first force is enough for the table top to a position for which a tipping point of a cylinder assembly is reached, wherein the cylinder assembly begins to exert a second lifting force on the table top;   continuing to lift the edge of the table top with a lesser amount of the first force; and   guiding the table top into a fully closed position.