Folding table

Abstract

A folding table that includes a base with two pedestal assemblies having base frames pivotally connected to each other is provided. One base frame is attached to a table top and both base frames are connected by a linkage assembly. A gas cylinder assembly is connected to the linkage assembly. A latch assembly attached to the bottom surface of the table top engages with a stop member on the base frame that is not attached to the table top. A latch assembly for a folding table and 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, the first pedestal assembly comprising a first base frame and the second pedestal assembly comprising a second base frame; 
 first and second base pivot assemblies connecting the first and second pedestal assemblies; 
 a linkage assembly connecting the first and second pedestal assemblies, the linkage assembly having first and second link members and two or more link pivot assemblies; 
 a table top assembly having a table top and a frame, the frame having two or more support members; 
 a cylinder assembly having a gas cylinder connected to the linkage assembly by two of the two or more link pivot assemblies; and 
 a latch assembly comprising a first portion attached to a bottom surface of the table top, the first portion comprising a handle, a handle mount and a connecting member, and a second portion, the second portion comprising a lock member and a lock member mount, 
 wherein the second base frame is fixedly attached to the bottom surface of the table top within a portion of the perimeter of the frame, the second base frame comprising first and second base frame members connected by first, second and third base frame support members, wherein the second base frame support member is pivotally connected to the first and second base frame members. 
 
     
     
       2. The folding table of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting member is connected to the handle and to the lock member, the connecting member comprising a wire and a ring. 
     
     
       3. The folding table of  claim 1 , wherein the lock member is attached to the table top by the lock member mount. 
     
     
       4. The folding table of  claim 1 , wherein the lock member is attached to the frame by the lock member mount. 
     
     
       5. The folding table of  claim 1 , wherein the lock member mount comprises a spring configured to bias the lock member towards the center of the table top. 
     
     
       6. The folding table of  claim 1 , further comprising a stop member disposed on the first base frame, the stop member configured to engage the lock member when the folding table is in an open position. 
     
     
       7. The folding table of  claim 6 , wherein the stop member is L shaped and has a spring like biasing force. 
     
     
       8. The folding table of  claim 1 , wherein a first end of the first link member is pivotally connected to a leg support member of the first pedestal assembly by a first link pivot assembly, and a second end of the first link member is pivotally connected to the second base frame by a second link pivot assembly. 
     
     
       9. The folding table of  claim 8 , wherein a first end of the second link member is pivotally connected to a leg support member of the second pedestal assembly by a third link pivot assembly, and a second end of the second link member is pivotally connected to the first base frame by a fourth link pivot assembly, the first, second, third and fourth link pivot assemblies configured to position the table top in essentially a vertical position when the folding table is in the closed position. 
     
     
       10. The folding table of  claim 9 , wherein a first end of the cylinder assembly is pivotally connected to a first portion of the linkage assembly by the second link pivot assembly, and a second end of the cylinder assembly is pivotally connected to a second portion of the linkage assembly by the third link pivot assembly, wherein attachment locations of the gas cylinder to the first and second portions of the linkage assembly 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. 
     
     
       11. 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 tubing and powder coated steel alloy tubing. 
     
     
       12. The folding table of  claim 1 , wherein the first base frame is configured to fit within another portion of the perimeter of the frame when the table is in the open position. 
     
     
       13. A folding table comprising:
 a base having first and second pedestal assemblies, the first pedestal assembly comprising a first base frame and the second pedestal assembly comprising a second base frame; 
 first and second base pivot assemblies connecting the first and second pedestal assemblies; 
 a linkage assembly connecting the first and second pedestal assemblies, the linkage assembly having first and second link members and first and second link pivot assemblies, wherein a first end of the second link member is pivotally connected to a leg support member of the second pedestal assembly by a third link pivot assembly; 
 a table top assembly having a table top and a frame, the frame having two or more support members; and 
 a cylinder assembly having a gas cylinder connected to the linkage assembly by two of the two or more link pivot assemblies, wherein a first end of the cylinder assembly is pivotally connected to a first portion of the linkage assembly by the second link pivot assembly, and a second end of the cylinder assembly is pivotally connected to a second portion of the linkage assembly by the third link pivot assembly, wherein attachment locations of the gas cylinder to the first and second portions of the linkage assembly 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. 
 
     
     
       14. The folding table of  claim 13 , wherein a first end of the first link member is pivotally connected to a leg support member of the first pedestal assembly by the first link pivot assembly, and a second end of the first link member is pivotally connected to the second base frame by the second link pivot assembly. 
     
     
       15. The folding table of  claim 13 , wherein a second end of the second link member is pivotally connected to the first base frame by a fourth link pivot assembly, the first, second, third and fourth link pivot assemblies configured to position the table top in essentially a vertical position when the folding table is in the closed position. 
     
     
       16. The folding table of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a latch assembly comprising a first portion attached to a bottom surface of the table top, the first portion comprising a handle, a handle mount and a connecting member, and a second portion, the second portion comprising a lock member and a lock member mount. 
 
     
     
       17. A folding table comprising:
 a base having first and second pedestal assemblies;   the first pedestal assembly comprising a first base frame and a first pair of legs pivotably coupled to the first base frame;   the second pedestal assembly comprising a second base frame and a second pair of legs pivotably coupled to the second base frame;   the first and second pedestal assemblies pivotably coupled together for movement between a folded position and an unfolded position;   a linkage assembly having a first link member and a second link member, each of the first and second link members coupled to the first and second pedestal assemblies and configured to coordinate movement of the first and second pedestal assemblies between the folded and unfolded positions;   a table top attached to one of the first or second pedestal assemblies for movement therewith between an opened position corresponding to the unfolded position of the first and second pedestal assemblies and a closed position corresponding to the folded position of the first and second pedestal assemblies; and   a gas cylinder coupled to the base and configured to bias the first and second pedestal assemblies toward the folded position,   wherein attachment locations of the gas cylinder are configured to create a vector angle of the gas cylinder, and 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.   
     
     
       18. The folding table of claim 17, wherein the first base frame includes two spaced apart first base frame members and two spaced apart first base frame support members extending between the first base frame members, and wherein the second base frame includes two spaced apart second base frame members and two spaced apart second base frame support members extending between the second base frame members. 
     
     
       19. The folding table of claim 18, wherein the first pair of legs are coupled to one of the first base frame support members that is pivotably coupled to the first base frame members, and wherein the second pair of legs are coupled to one of the second base frame support members that is pivotably coupled to the second base frame members. 
     
     
       20. The folding table of claim 19, further comprising a first leg support member coupled to the first pair of legs and a second leg support member coupled to the second pair of legs. 
     
     
       21. The folding table of claim 20, wherein the first link member is coupled to the first base frame and the second leg support member, and wherein the second link member is coupled to the second base frame and the first leg support member. 
     
     
       22. The folding table of claim 17, wherein a first end of the gas cylinder is coupled to a first portion of the linkage assembly and a second end of the gas cylinder is coupled to a second portion of the linkage assembly. 
     
     
       23. The folding table of claim 17, wherein a first end of the gas cylinder is coupled to the first base frame and a second end of the gas cylinder is coupled to the first pair of legs. 
     
     
       24. The folding table of claim 17, wherein a first end of the gas cylinder is coupled to the first base frame and a second end of the gas cylinder is coupled to the second pair of legs. 
     
     
       25. The folding table of claim 17, wherein a first end of the gas cylinder is coupled to the first base frame and a second end of the gas cylinder is coupled to the second base frame. 
     
     
       26. The folding table of claim 17, wherein a first end of the gas cylinder is coupled to the second base frame and a second end of the gas cylinder is coupled to the first pair of legs.