Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a collapsible combined table and dolly that is portable and capable of securely transporting items of various sizes and configurations. The collapsible combined table and dolly provides ease of operation through a collapsible/expandable table top and convenient means for transporting and storing items for use in the display/workspace of the table.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The field of the invention is generally related to a multi-purpose portable table and hand truck or dolly of the type used for displaying and transporting items.  
         [0002]     Multi-purpose portable tables are often utilized for both indoor and outdoor activities to provide support for displaying items or a work/play space for a wide variety of activities. However, the term “portable table” is often relative because many such tables though movable and transportable are, in fact, very difficult to transport. In addition, even when the portable table is amenable to being transported, the user often must make several trips from their original location to their destination in order to separately and individually transport items that are to be located on the workspace of the table. In order to overcome these shortcomings, background art portable tables have often been enhanced by being equipped with wheels and base plates that facilitate transporting the portable table and moving items to be used in the workspace of the table. However, further enhancements of portable tables could provide an even more user friendly portable table apparatus.  
         [0003]     Some examples of background art in this field of invention include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,565,382 and 4,934,718. The 382&#39; patent is a combined portable table top  11  and hand truck  10  with an open-sided load supporting rack  28  for transporting items and with retaining means  32  for controlling the items being transported. The 718&#39; patent is a multi-purpose hand truck  1  having an open-sided toe plate  7  for transporting items and a table top  10  for a workspace. However, the open-sided nature of the plate for transporting items of the hand trucks of the 718&#39; and 382&#39; patents do not allow the hand trucks of these patents to be effective for carrying small items that can not be easily restrained or that may roll and thus, need to be contained while in transport.  
         [0004]     Other examples of the background art in this field of invention include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,064,989 and 5,161,811. The 989&#39; patent is a wheeled dolly  10  with a foldable supporting frame  6  having an open-sided support member  19  for transporting items when used as a dolly/hand truck. The 811&#39; patent is a trolley/hand truck with a foldable seat  22  instead of a table top and a support frame  13  that, as in the 989&#39; patent, provides an open-side support member for transporting items when used as a hand truck. In addition, both the wheeled dolly of the 989&#39; patent and the trolley/hand truck of the 811&#39; patent provide a minimal amount of supporting surface (i.e., merely the support frame members) behind the items being transported when used as a hand truck. Thus, the 989&#39; and 811&#39; patents have the same shortcomings as the 382&#39; and 718&#39; patents discussed above and additional disadvantages with regard to the limited amount of supporting surface available for use when transporting items.  
         [0005]     Yet other examples of the background art in this field of invention include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,957,472 and 6,371,495. The 472&#39; patent is an apparatus  10  forming a combined hand truck and table top/machine support  16 . The combined hand truck and table top of the 472&#39; patent includes an open-sided base plate  34  for transporting items, and thus, the 472&#39; patent has the same shortcomings as the 382&#39;, 718&#39; and 811 &#39; patents discussed above.  
         [0006]     The 495&#39; patent is a table frame  60  with fold out legs  40  and a trolley  30  with a support plate  90 . In contrast to the above discussed patents, support plate  90  further includes support blocks  92  which partially enclose the sides of the support plate  90 . However, the 495&#39; patent is still not effective for transporting small items that can not be easily restrained or that may roll between the openings in the support blocks.  
         [0007]     Therefore, there is a need in the art for a combined multi-purpose portable combined table and dolly/hand truck that can be easily set-up; and conveniently move and securely transport items of various shapes, sizes and configurations from one location to another.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention is directed to a collapsible combined table and dolly that is portable and capable of securely transporting items of various sizes and configurations. The present invention provides ease of operation through a collapsible/expandable table top and convenient means for transporting and storing items for use in the display/workspace of the table.  
         [0009]     An embodiment of the present invention is a collapsible combined table and dolly comprising: a support frame; a handle adjustably connected to an upper portion of the support frame; a table rotatably connected to the upper portion of the support frame by a first set of hinges; expandable support means rotatably connected to the table and the support frame; a release/locking mechanism that, in cooperation with the expandable support means, releases the table and raises the table to an upright position and locks the table in a collapsed position; telescoping legs rotatably connected to the table by a second set of hinges; wheels rotatably connected to a back side of a lower portion of the support frame that include a locking mechanism; a dolly supporting plate connected to a front side of the lower portion of the support frame; sides configured to enclose the dolly supporting plate and configured to at least one of contain and store items transported by the combined table and dolly; and supporting legs configured to support the dolly supporting plate.  
         [0010]     Preferably, the handle is configured to be adjustable or can be removable to provide for a flush table surface. Further, the adjustable handle preferably includes spring loaded pins that facilitate the height adjustment or total removal of the adjustable handle. Alternatively, the adjustable handle may include manual pins with clips for height adjustment.  
         [0011]     Preferably, the release mechanism is configured to release the table from a collapsed configuration so that the table rises to an open configuration. Further, the release mechanism is preferably foot-activated. Furthermore, the table preferably includes hydraulic or gas-charged struts as the expandable support mechanism that is configured to gradually raise the table top into the open configuration.  
         [0012]     Preferably, the locking mechanism is foot-activated and configured to lock the wheels of the table and dolly. Further, the wheels preferably include ball bearings so the combined table and dolly can be configured for towing by a low-speed vehicle, such as a golf-cart.  
         [0013]     Preferably, the dolly support plate further includes wire mesh that encloses the sides of the support plate. Alternatively, the support plate may include sides at least one of wire mesh panels and solid panels that can be collapsed or folded down flat and to the level of the surface plate in order to further increase the useful area of the surface plate. Further, the wire mesh is preferably configured to securely contain items while the items are being at least one of transported by the dolly and stored beneath the table. Alternatively, the dolly support plate may be made of a solid material that contains items of all sizes.  
         [0014]     Preferably, the telescoping legs include spring loaded pins configured to provide for height adjustment of the telescoping legs. Further, the telescoping legs are preferably made of at least one of aluminum, steel and plastic. In one embodiment, the telescoping legs are connected to one another by a brace located between the telescoping legs. Moreover the telescoping legs include grips at the ends of the telescoping legs that contact the ground and leg locking braces to further stabilize the table by locking the telescoping legs into position.  
         [0015]     Preferably, the table is made of at least one of aluminum, steel, plastic and wire mesh. Further, the table is preferably configured to support at most 150 pounds. Furthermore, the table is preferably configured to include hinges that rotate the telescoping legs into an extended position in the open configuration and clips that lock the telescoping legs in a collapsed position in a collapsed configuration.  
         [0016]     Preferably linking pins, linking notches and bands can be configured to provide a secure interconnect of a first combined table and dolly to a second combined table and dolly in order to extend the size of the surface of the table. In addition, table connecting pins are used to link the tables of multiple combined table and dolly apparatus to extend and provide one contiguous table surface by connecting tables end-to-end using a bracket to connect the pins and hold the tables in place. Alternatively linking pins and linking notches can be used to connect tables side-by-side. In an alternative embodiment, linking pins and linking notches may also be mounted on the ends of the table and used to connect the tables end-to-end.  
         [0017]     Preferably, when the telescoping legs are retracted, the table closes into a vertical position by manual pressure until the release/locking mechanism that is configured to hold the table in the closed position is engaged. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]     The invention can be described in greater detail with the aid of the following drawings.  
         [0019]      FIG. 1 . is a front elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the collapsible combined table and dolly in an open configuration.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2 . is a right side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the collapsible combined table and dolly in an open configuration.  
         [0021]      FIG. 3 . is a rear elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the collapsible combined table in an open configuration.  
         [0022]      FIG. 4 . is a top side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the collapsible combined table and dolly in an open configuration.  
         [0023]      FIG. 5 . is a bottom side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the collapsible combined table and dolly in an open configuration.  
         [0024]      FIG. 6 . is a right side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the collapsible combined table and dolly in a collapsed configuration.  
         [0025]      FIG. 7 . is a front elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the collapsible combined table and dolly in a collapsed configuration.  
         [0026]      FIG. 8 . is a back elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the collapsible combined table and dolly in a collapsed configuration.  
         [0027]      FIG. 9 . is a front elevational view of an alternative exemplary embodiment of the collapsible combined table and dolly in an open configuration.  
         [0028]      FIG. 10 . is a fragmental view in elevation of the height alignment assembly of the alternative embodiment with portions broken away to show functional details.  
         [0029]      FIG. 11 . is a side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of two collapsible combined table and dolly apparatus in a linked configuration.  
         [0030]      FIG. 12 . is a side elevational view of an alternative exemplary embodiment of two collapsible combined table and dolly in a linked configuration. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0031]     Example applications of the collapsible combined table and dolly include industrial, delivery, and construction settings as well as craft shows, flea markets, catering or other events where easily manageable display/work space is required.  
         [0032]      FIG. 1 . is a front side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the collapsible combined table and dolly in an open configuration. In particular,  FIG. 1  shows the table  1  in the open position and supported by the telescoping legs  3 ,  4  and expandable supporting means  7 ,  8 . The telescoping table legs  3 ,  4  are preferably made of at least one of aluminum, steel and plastic. The table  1  is attached to the support frame  13  by hinges  25 ,  26 . The expandable supporting means  7 ,  8  are attached to both the table  1  and the support frame  13  and ball studs and clips. Preferably, the expandable supporting means  7 ,  8  are hydraulic or gas struts. The hydraulic or gas-charged struts  7 ,  8  are configured to gradually raise the table  1  to an open configuration. The hydraulic or gas-charged struts  7 ,  8  rotate on the ball studs as the table opens. Typical hydraulic or gas-charged struts may be obtained from Monroe Shocks and Struts, One International Drive, Monroe, Mich. 48161; or STRUTWISE, 14468 88 Avenue, Surrey BC V3S 2R9, Canada. An exemplary gas-charged strut is the Monroe Max-Lift® Gas-Charged Lift Support.  
         [0033]     In addition,  FIG. 1  shows the telescoping legs  3 ,  4  are attached to the table  1  through hinges  23 ,  24 . The telescoping table legs  3 ,  4  preferably include spring loaded pins (not shown) that can be aligned using the height alignment holes  27 ,  28 . With height alignment, the telescoping table legs  3 ,  4  can be configured to properly adjust the height of the table  1  in accordance with the level of the surface that each individual telescoping table leg  3 ,  4  is contacting. The telescoping table legs  3 ,  4  also preferably include grips  5 ,  6  at the ends that are contacting the surface. The grips  5 ,  6  are preferably made of rubber to provide some traction for the combined table and dolly in the open configuration.  
         [0034]     Further,  FIG. 1  shows a dolly support plate  9  that is connected to the support frame  13 . The dolly support plate  9  preferably includes a wire mesh bottom  10  and wire mesh or solid sides  33 ,  34 ,  35 ,  36  that can enclose and contain items of various shapes, sizes and configurations that may be transported by the dolly or stored beneath the table. Alternatively, the bottom  10  of the dolly support plate  9  may be also be made of a solid materials, such as plastic, aluminum or steel, in order to prevent items that are stored or transported from falling out or off of the dolly support plate  9 . In addition, the dolly support plate  9  also includes support legs  11 ,  12  with grips, preferably of rubber, for traction.  
         [0035]     Furthermore,  FIG. 1  shows wheels  17 ,  18  that make the combined table and dolly easily movable. Preferably, the wheels  17 ,  18  include ball bearings so the combined table and dolly can be configured for towing by a low-speed vehicle, such as a golf cart. Moreover,  FIG. 1 , shows locking means  19 ,  20  that can be, but are not limited to, foot activated. The locking means  19 ,  20  are configured to lock the wheels  17 ,  18  of the combined table and dolly when the table  1  is in use. Typical locking means can be obtained from Associated Technocrats Pvt. Ltd, A-318, Ansal Chambers-I3, Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi-110 066, India. An exemplary device is the DURATOOL HDTC-35 Toggle Clamp. In addition, a release/locking mechanism  52  is configured to both release the table top to an open position and secure the collapsed table top in a closed position. The release/locking mechanism  52  can be, but are not limited to, foot activated.  
         [0036]     Moreover,  FIG. 1  shows table connecting pins  21 ,  22 . Table connecting pins  21 ,  22  are used to link the tables  1  of multiple combined table and dolly apparatus to extend and provide one contiguous table surface by connecting tables end-to-end using a bracket to connect the pins  21 ,  22  and hold the tables in place. Alternatively linking pins  53  and linking notches  54  can be used to connect tables side-by-side. In an alternative embodiment, linking pins  53  and linking notches  54  may also be mounted on the ends of the table and used to connect the tables end-to-end. Various embodiments of these linked table configurations are shown in  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12  and will be discussed in more detail below. In addition, pins located by the handle allow for handle height adjustment.  
         [0037]      FIG. 2 . is a right side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the collapsible combined table and dolly in an open configuration.  FIG. 2  shows the table  1  in the open position and supported by the telescoping leg  3  and expandable supporting means  7 . The table  1  is attached to the support frame  13  by hinge  25 . The expandable supporting means  7  is attached by ball studs and clips to both the table  1  and the support frame  13 . The telescoping leg  3  is attached to the table  1  through hinge  23 . The telescoping table leg  3  also includes grip  5  at the end that contacts the ground. In addition, the support legs  11 ,  12  of the surface plate  9  include grips  11 ′,  12 ′ that contact the ground.  
         [0038]     Further,  FIG. 2  shows dolly support plate  9  is connected to the support frame  13 . The dolly support plate  9  preferably includes a wire mesh bottom  10 . Alternatively, bottom of the dolly support plate  9  may be also be made of a solid material.  
         [0039]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , wire mesh or solid sides  55  can be folded upward and secured in a raised position to fully enclose the dolly support plate  9 . Cut-outs and hooks are located in at least the corners of the wire mesh or solid sides  55  in order to easily lock and unlock the sides  55  together when folded upward to fully enclose the dolly support plate  9 . The cut-outs are preferably square and the hooks are preferably L-shaped and provide an interlocking mechanism that secures the sides  55 . A hinge on the wire mesh or solid sides  55  allows the sides to fold down and outward to a position flush with the surface of the dolly support plate  9 . The folded down position of the wire mesh or solid sides  55  provides an expanded surface area for the dolly support plate  9 . Typical foldable wire mesh sides can be obtained from Midwest Homes for Pets, Box 1031, Muncie, Ind. 47308. An exemplary wire mesh device with sides that can be folded up or down is Model 1624UL.  
         [0040]     In addition, the dolly support plate  9  also includes support leg  11 . Further,  FIG. 2  shows wheel  17  with locking means  19  and notches  54  for connecting tables side-by-side. The notches  54  are matched by complimenting pins  53  located on the opposite side of the table  1 .  
         [0041]     Furthermore,  FIG. 2  shows the operation of the adjustable handle  15  that is configured to include spring loaded or manual pins  29  so that the adjustable handle  15  can be at least one of adjusted in height or totally removed. The height adjustment is obtained by way of aligning the spring loaded or manual pins  29  with the height adjustment slots  31 ,  32 . Alternatively, the adjustable handle  15  can be totally removed to provide a flush surface for the table  1 .  
         [0042]      FIG. 3 . is a rear elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the collapsible combined table and dolly in an open configuration.  FIG. 3  shows the table  1  in the open position and supported by the telescoping legs  3 ,  4  and expandable supporting means  7 ,  8 . The table  1  is attached to the support frame  13  by hinges  25 ,  26 . The expandable supporting means  7 ,  8  are attached to both the table  1  and the support frame  13  by clips and ball studs. The telescoping leg  3 ,  4  are attached to the table  1  through hinges  23 ,  24 . The telescoping table leg  3 ,  4  also includes grips  5 ,  6  at the ends that are in contact with the ground.  FIG. 3  also shows adjustable handle  15 , wheels  17 ,  18  with locking means  19 ,  20 , and table linking pins  21 ,  22 , and release/locking mechanism  52 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 4 . is a top side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the collapsible combined table and dolly in an open configuration.  FIG. 4  shows the table  1  and table linking pins  21 ,  22 , linking pins  53 , and notches  54  are located near at least one of the front, rear, left and right sides of table  1 . Linking pins  53  on one side of the table  1  have corresponding linking notches  54  on the opposite side of the table  1  (e.g., front-rear, left-right). Also shown in  FIG. 4  are the adjustable handle  15 , wheels  17 ,  18  locking means  19 ,  20 , and release/locking mechanism  52 .  
         [0044]      FIG. 5 . is a bottom side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the collapsible combined table and dolly in an open configuration.  FIG. 5  shows the table  1  and table linking pins  21 ,  22  located near the front edge of table  1 . Alternatively, linking pins  53  and linking notches  54  may be used for linking tables. The telescoping legs  3 ,  4  are attached to the table  1  through hinges  23 ,  24 . Also shown in  FIG. 5  are the wheels  17 ,  18  and locking means  19 ,  20 . Further,  FIG. 5  provides a bottom view of the support plate  9  that includes a wire mesh bottom  10  with wire mesh or solid sides  33 ,  34 ,  35 ,  36 . The front end side of the support plate  9  further includes support legs  5 ,  6 .  
         [0045]      FIG. 6 . is a right side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the collapsible combined table and dolly in a collapsed configuration.  FIG. 6  shows the table  1  in the collapsed position and supported with the telescoping leg  3  and expandable supporting means  7  located within the inside surface of table  1 . The dolly/table  1  is supported in the collapsed position by the wheels  17 ,  18  and the support legs  11 ,  12  of the support plate  9 . The collapsed table  1  is attached to the support frame  13  by hinge  25 . Further,  FIG. 6  shows dolly support plate  9  is connected to the support frame  13 .  
         [0046]     As shown in  FIG. 6 , wire mesh or solid sides  55  can be folded upward and secured in a raised position to fully enclose the dolly support plate  9 . Cut-outs and hooks are located in at least the corners of the wire mesh or solid sides  55  in order to easily lock and unlock the sides  55  together when folded upward to fully enclose the dolly support plate  9 . The cut-outs are preferably square and the hooks are preferably L-shaped and provide an interlocking mechanism that secures the sides  55 . A hinge on the wire mesh or solid sides  55  allows the sides to fold down and outward to a position flush with the surface of the dolly support plate  9 . The folded down position of the wire mesh or solid sides  55  provides an expanded surface area for the dolly support plate  9 . Typical foldable wire mesh sides can be obtained from Midwest Homes for Pets, Box 1031, Muncie, Ind. 47308. An exemplary wire mesh device with sides that can be folded up or down is Model 1624UL.  
         [0047]     In addition, the dolly support plate  9  also includes support leg  11 . Further,  FIG. 6  shows wheel  17  with locking means  19 , and linking pins  53  and notches  54  for connecting tables side-by-side. The notches  54  are matched by complimenting linking pins  53  located on the opposite side of the table  1 .  
         [0048]     Furthermore,  FIG. 6  shows wheel  17  with locking means  19 . Moreover, adjustable handle  15  is configured to include spring loaded or manual pins  29  so that the adjustable handle  15  can be at least one of adjusted in height or totally removed. The height adjustment is obtained by way of aligning the spring loaded pins  29  with the height adjustment slots  31 . In addition, linking pins  53  and linking notches  54  for connecting tables are included.  
         [0049]      FIG. 7 . is a front elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the collapsible combined table and dolly in a collapsed configuration. In particular,  FIG. 7  shows the table  1  in the collapsed position and with the telescoping legs  3 ,  4  and expandable supporting means  7 ,  8  folded within the inside surface of the table  1 . The telescoping table legs  3 ,  4  also preferably include grips  5 ,  6  at the ends. Further,  FIG. 7  shows a dolly support plate  9  that is connected to the support frame  13 . Wheels  17 ,  18  make the combined table and dolly easily movable and locking means  19 ,  20  that are configured to lock the wheels  17 ,  18  of the combined table and dolly when required. Moreover,  FIG. 7  shows table connecting pins  21 ,  22 , linking pins  53  and linking notches  54 . Table connecting pins  21 ,  22 , linking pins  53  and linking notches  54  are used to link the table  1  of multiple combined table and dolly apparatus to provide an extended and continuous table surface.  
         [0050]      FIG. 8 . is a back elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the collapsible combined table and dolly in a collapsed configuration.  FIG. 8  shows the telescoping legs  3 ,  4  and expandable support means  7 ,  8  folded within the inside surface of table  1 . The table  1  folds down through the connection to hinges  25 ,  26 . The table  1  is secured in the collapsed position through a release/locking mechanism  52 . The telescoping legs  3 ,  4  fold against the table through hinges  23 ,  24  and are secured by clips  41 ,  42 . The collapsed telescoping legs  3 ,  4  preferably include grips  5 ,  6  at the ends and the height of adjustable handle  15  may be determined using height adjustment holes  31 ,  32 . Moreover, table connecting pins  21 ,  22 , linking pins  53 , and linking notches  54  are used to link the tables  1  of multiple combined table and dolly apparatus. A cross brace is used between the telescoping legs  3 ,  4 .  
         [0051]     Further,  FIG. 8  shows a dolly support plate  9  that is connected to the support frame  13 . The support plate  9  also includes support legs  11 ,  12  with grips  11 ′,  12 ′. Wheels  17 ,  18  make the combined table and dolly easily movable and locking means  19 ,  20  that are configured to lock the wheels  17 ,  18  of the combined table and dolly when required.  
         [0052]      FIG. 9 . is a front elevational view of an alternative exemplary embodiment of the collapsible combined table and dolly in an open configuration. In particular,  FIG. 9  shows the table  1  in the open position and supported by the telescoping legs  3 ′,  4 ′ and expandable supporting means  7 ,  8 . The telescoping legs  3 ′,  4 ′ of the alternative embodiment further include height alignment assemblies  27 ′,  28 ′. The telescoping legs  3 ′,  4 ′ are also connected in the alternative embodiment by crossbar element  29 . The telescoping table legs  3 ′,  4 ′ and crossbar element  29  are preferably made of at least one of aluminum and steel. Typical telescoping legs can be obtained from Carrand Companies, Inc., 1415 West Artesia Boulevard, Rancho Dominguez, Calif. 90220. The table  1  is attached to the support frame  13  by hinges  25 ,  26 . The expandable supporting means  7 ,  8  are attached to both the table  1  and the support frame  13 . Preferably, the expandable supporting means  7 ,  8  are hydraulic or gas-charged struts. The hydraulic or gas-charged struts  7 ,  8  are configured to gradually release the table  1  into an open configuration. As discussed above, an exemplary device is the Monroe Max-Lift® Gas-Charged Lift Support.  
         [0053]     In addition,  FIG. 9  shows the telescoping legs  3 ′,  4 ′ are attached to the table  1  through hinges  23 ,  24 . The telescoping table legs  3 ′,  4 ′ preferably can be aligned using the height alignment assemblies  27 ′,  28 ′. With height alignment, the telescoping table legs  3 ′,  4 ′ can be configured to properly adjust the height of the table  1  to achieve a level table surface in accordance with the level of the surface that each individual telescoping table leg  3 ′,  4 ′ is contacting. The telescoping table legs  3 ′,  4 ′ also preferably include grips  5 ,  6  at the ends that are contacting the surface. The grips  5 ,  6  are preferably made of rubber to provide some traction for the combined table and dolly in the open configuration.  
         [0054]     Further,  FIG. 9  shows a dolly support plate  9  that is connected to the support frame  13 . The dolly support plate  9  preferably includes a wire mesh bottom  10  and sides that can enclose items of various shapes, sizes and configurations that may be transported by the dolly or stored beneath the table. Alternatively, the bottom  10  of the dolly support plate  9  may be also be made of a wire mesh or solid materials such as plastic, aluminum, steel in order to prevent items that are stored or transported from falling out or off of the dolly support plate  9 . In addition, the dolly support plate  9  also includes support legs  11 ,  12  with grips  11 ′,  12 ′.  
         [0055]     Furthermore,  FIG. 9  shows wheels  17 ,  18  that make the combined table and dolly easily movable. Preferably, the wheels  17 ,  18  include ball bearings so the combined table and dolly can be configured for towing by a low-speed vehicle, such as a golf cart. Moreover,  FIG. 9 , shows locking means  19 ,  20 . The locking means  19 ,  20  are configured to lock the wheels  17 ,  18  of the combined table and dolly when the table  1  is in use. Moreover,  FIG. 9  shows table connecting pins  21 ,  22 , linking pins  53  and linking notches  54 . Table connecting pins  21 ,  22 , linking pins  53  and linking notches  54  are used to link the table  1  of multiple combined table and dolly apparatus to provide one extended and contiguous table surface.  
         [0056]      FIG. 10 . is a fragmental view in elevation of the height alignment assembly  27 ′,  28 ′ of the alternative embodiment with portions broken away to show functional details.  FIG. 10  shows the telescoping legs  3 ′,  4 ′ with pin holes  51  set for predetermined height adjustments. The height alignment assembly  27 ′,  28 ′ includes a pivot mechanism  33  with a pin  35  for insertion into a pin hole  51  at a desired height. The pin  35  is kept in place by the pressure supplied by spring  37  against the pivot mechanism  33 . When a change in the height of a telescoping leg  3 ′,  4 ′ is desired, the pivot mechanism  33  is pressed so as to: (1) compress the spring  37 ; (2) move the pivot mechanism  33  in an inward direction  34 ; and (3) withdraw the pin  35  from a current pin hole  51 . The alignment assembly  27 ′,  28 ′ is then moved either up or down to locate an other pin hole  51 ′ at another desired height. Resilient surface  34  provides the user with a firm grip on the alignment assembly  27 ′,  28 ′ when the height adjustment is to be made. Once the other pin hole  51 ′ at the desired height is located, the pivot mechanism  33  is released and the pin  35  is inserted in the other pin hole to set the height of the telescoping leg  3 ′,  4 ′.  
         [0057]      FIG. 11 . is a side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment linking two collapsible combined table and dolly apparatus in a linked configuration. A first collapsible combined table and dolly is represented in the  FIG. 11  with primed reference numbers (e.g.,  1 ′,  3 ′,  5 ′) in accordance with the descriptions above. A second collapsible combined table and dolly is represented in the  FIG. 11  in accordance with the descriptions and the view of  FIG. 2  above. A linking clip or band  39  can be used to connect the first and second collapsible combined table and dolly apparatus by connecting the linking clip or band  39  to linking pins  22  and  21 , respectively. This linked table configuration allows one to combine multiple tables and extend the length of the work/display surface, as well as providing multiple storage locations beneath the tables  1 ,  1 ′. In an alternative embodiment, linking pins  53  and linking notches  54  may also be mounted on the front and rear ends of the table and used to connect the tables end-to-end. Alternatively linking pins  53  and linking notches  54  can also be used to connect tables side-by-side. Linking pins  53  and linking notches  54  can be used for connecting tables  1 ,  1 ′ in a side-by-side configuration. The linking notches  54  are matched by complimenting linking pins  53  located on the opposite side of the tables  1 ,  1 ′.  
         [0058]      FIG. 12 . is a side elevational view of an alternative exemplary embodiment linking two collapsible combined table and dolly in a linked configuration. A first collapsible combined table and dolly is represented in the  FIG. 12  with primed reference numbers (e.g.,  1 ′,  3 ′,  5 ′) in accordance with the descriptions above. A second collapsible combined table and dolly is represented in the  FIG. 12  in accordance with the descriptions above. A linking clip or band  39  is used to connect the first and second collapsible combined table and dolly apparatus by connecting to linking pins  22  and  21 , respectively. This linked table configuration allows one to combine multiple tables and extend the length of the work/display surface, as well as providing multiple storage locations beneath the tables  1 ,  1 ′. In an alternative embodiment, linking pins  53  and linking notches  54  may also be mounted on the front and rear ends of the table and used to connect the tables end-to-end. Alternatively linking pins  53  and linking notches  54  can also be used to connect tables side-by-side. Linking pins  53  and linking notches  54  can be used for connecting tables  1 ,  1 ′ in a side-by-side configuration. The linking notches  54  are matched by complimenting linking pins  53  located on the opposite side of the tables  1 ,  1 ′.  
         [0059]     The foregoing description illustrates and describes the present invention. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only the preferred embodiments of the invention, but as mentioned above, it is to be understood that the invention is capable of use in various other combinations, modifications, and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings and/or skill or knowledge of the relevant art. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain best modes known of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such or other embodiments and with the various modifications required by the particular applications or uses of the invention. Accordingly, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form or application disclosed herein. Also, it is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments.