Abstract:
Folding modular tables include a square table top and hinged vertical supports with hinged horizontal feet. Four coupling members are arranged under the table top, three of one gender and one of the other gender. Two preferred embodiments are provided: one has three male coupling members and one female, the other has three female and one male. By providing these two embodiments, the tables can be coupled to each other in a variety of configurations with the vertical supports and horizontal feet all aligned in such a way as to facilitate the placement of chairs under the table tops.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/980,222 filed Nov. 3, 2004. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to folding tables. More particularly, the invention relates to modular folding tables which can be connected to each other in a variety of configurations. 
     2. Brief Description of the Prior Art 
     Modular tables have been known in the art for many years. Some of these tables are designed to be used with chairs and some are not. With regard to the tables intended to be used with chairs, the location of the table legs becomes an issue. It is important that the table legs be arranged so as to allow a chair to be pulled up underneath the table. This is not so difficult with a single table but with modular connecting tables, it can become a challenge. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide modular folding tables. 
     It is also an object of the invention to provide modular folding tables which have leg arrangements that permit chairs to be pulled up under the tables. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide modular folding tables which can be connected to each other in a number of different configurations. 
     Certain of the foregoing and related objects are also attained in a modular table, comprising a square table top; at least one vertical support coupled to said table top; and four coupling members, each being centrally located adjacent an edge of said table top, three of said coupling members being of one gender and one being of the other gender. 
     Most desirably, said at least one vertical support includes two vertical supports coupled off center to said table top. The vertical supports are preferably hingedly coupled to said table top. Most advantageously, the table includes two horizontal feet, one coupled to each vertical support. Most desirably, the feet are hingedly coupled to said vertical supports. Preferably, the table further includes at least one cross member coupling said vertical supports to each other and at least one cross member coupling said feet to each other. The table advantageously further comprises four folding struts, one coupling each vertical support to said table top and one coupling each foot to a respective vertical support. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the tables include a square top hingedly coupled to a pair of vertical supports close to one side of the square top and a pair of horizontal feet hingedly coupled to the bottom of the vertical supports and extending substantially the entire width of the table top. The vertical supports are preferably coupled to each other by at least one cross member as are the horizontal feet. A pair of folding struts are coupled between the table top and the vertical supports and a similar pair of struts are coupled between the vertical supports and the horizontal feet. When the struts are folded, the table top and horizontal feet can be folded toward the vertical supports resting substantially parallel thereto, forming a more compact configuration for storage. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, table coupling members are centrally located under each edge of the table top. The table coupling members are either male or female and two table embodiments are provided. In one embodiment, the table top is provided with three female coupling members and one male coupling member. In the other embodiment, the table top is provided with three male coupling members and one female coupling member. By providing these two embodiments, the tables can be coupled to each other in a variety of configurations with the vertical supports and horizontal feet all aligned in such a way as to facilitate the placement of chairs under the table tops. Four types of table configurations are shown as examples: straight line, square, L-shape and T-shape. Further according to the invention, the tables are sold in a set of four, two of each embodiment, and, optionally, a set of table cloths for each of several configurations are included with the set. 
     In a further preferred embodiment, a modular table kit is provided which includes a plurality of tables of a first type and at least one table of a second type, said tables of said first type having a square table top, at least one vertical support coupled to said table top, and four coupling members, each being centrally located adjacent an edge of said table top, three of said coupling members being of a first gender and one being of a second gender; and said tables of said second type having a square table top, at least one vertical support coupled to said table top, and four coupling members, each being centrally located adjacent an edge of said table top, one of said coupling members being of the first gender and three being of the second gender. Preferably the kit further comprises a plurality of table cloths, each being seamed to neatly fit a different configuration of said tables coupled together. Advantageously, with regard to all of the tables, said at least one vertical support includes two vertical supports mounted off center. Desirably each vertical support has a horizontal foot, each vertical support is hingedly coupled to a respective table top, and each foot is hingedly coupled to a respective vertical support. Most advantageously, the kit further comprises with regard to each table, four folding struts, one coupling each vertical support to the table top and one coupling each foot to a respective vertical support. Most desirably, the kit further comprises with regard to each table, at least one cross member coupling vertical supports to each other and with regard to each table, at least one cross member coupling the feet to each other. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a table according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the table partially folded; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the table completely folded; 
         FIG. 4  is a transparent plan view of a first embodiment of a table according to the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a transparent plan view of a second embodiment of a table according to the invention; 
         FIGS. 6-8  illustrate the steps of connecting male and female coupling members; 
         FIGS. 9-16  are schematic transparent views illustrating different configurations of connected tables; and 
         FIGS. 17 and 18  illustrate different tablecloths configured to match the table configurations of  FIGS. 12 and 14  respectively. 
         FIGS. 19 to 27  are views of an alternate embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 1-3 , a table  10  according to the invention includes a square top  12  hingedly coupled to a pair of vertical supports  14 ,  16  close to one side of the square top  12  and a pair of horizontal feet  18 ,  20  hingedly coupled to the bottom of the vertical supports  14 ,  16  and extending substantially the entire width of the table top. The vertical supports  14 ,  16  are preferably coupled to each other by at least one cross member  22  and the horizontal feet  18 ,  20  are preferably coupled to each other by two cross members  24 ,  26 . A pair of folding struts  28 ,  30  are coupled between the table top  12  and the vertical supports  14 ,  16  and a similar pair of struts  32 ,  34  are coupled between the vertical supports  14 ,  16  and the horizontal feet  18 ,  20 . As illustrated, the vertical supports  14 ,  16  and the folding struts  28 ,  30  are coupled to the table top  12  via a pair of perpendicular table top supporting members  36 ,  38 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , when the struts  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34  are folded, the table top  12  and horizontal feet  18 ,  20  can be folded toward the vertical supports  14 ,  16  resting substantially parallel thereto, forming a more compact configuration for storage. 
     According to the invention table coupling members are centrally located under each edge of the table top. The table coupling members are either male or female and two table embodiments are provided.  FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment where the table top  12  is provided with three male coupling members M and one female coupling member F. As illustrated, the male coupling member M comprises a semicircular plate  40  which has been punched and bent to exhibit an upstanding central flange  42 . The female coupling member  44  is a semicircular plate  44  which has been punched and bent to exhibit an upstanding edge flange  46  and a curved slot  48 . The female coupling member F is rotatable about a pivot  50 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the other embodiment of a table according to the invention where the table top  12 ′ is provided with three female coupling members F and one male coupling member M. Although a particular male and female coupling member construction has been shown, it will be appreciated that different types of male and female coupling members could be used so long as there are three of one gender and one of the other gender. 
       FIGS. 6-8  show how the exemplary male and female coupling members are used to connect tables to each other. As shown in  FIG. 6 , two table tops are brought edge to edge with male and female coupling members aligned. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the flange  46  of the female coupling member F is grasped with finger and thumb and twisted to cause the female coupling member to rotate with the curved slot  48  engaging the upstanding flange  42  of the male coupling member. Twisting is completed as shown in  FIG. 8 . The curved slot  48  may be designed to provide a camming action which forces the edges of the table tops together. It will also be appreciated that the table tops could be provided with a tongue and groove configuration to assure that the combined table tops present a smooth continuous surface. 
       FIGS. 9-16  illustrate several ways in which the tables can be coupled to each other. These figures are schematic views of the tops of the tables with the locations of the male coupling members illustrated by M, the female couplings illustrated by F and the location of the vertical supports illustrated by O.  FIG. 9  simply shows that one table of either embodiment can be used alone.  FIGS. 10-12  show than an unlimited number of tables can be coupled in a row with the vertical supports all on one side to allow chairs to fit on the other side by using alternating embodiments  12 ,  12 ′.  FIG. 13  shows how two tables having tops  12  and  12 ′ can be coupled to each other and to two tables having tops  12  and  12 ′ resulting in a square with the vertical supports of all the tables in the center close together.  FIGS. 14 and 15  show left and right L-shaped configurations using two table tops  12  and two  12 ′.  FIG. 16  shows a T-shaped configuration which is formed with two table tops of each type. It will therefore be appreciated that with a set of four tables, two of each type, all of the configurations shown in  FIGS. 9-16  can be arranged. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the tables are packaged in a set together with a number of different table cloths, each being seamed to fit neatly over a different configuration of attached tables. Two examples of these tablecloths are shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18  which respectively show a tablecloth  60  designed for the table configuration of  FIG. 12  and a tablecloth  62  designed for the table configuration of  FIG. 14 . Of course other configurations can be used to match other table configurations. 
       FIGS. 19 to 27  describe the details of the latch mechanism. 
     In this new arrangement as illustrated in  FIGS. 19-27 , the latch means comprises a fixed catch  70 , and a latch mechanism  72 . The fixed catch  70 , comprises a flat, generally elongate base plate portion  74 , with two screw holes at each end by which it can be mounted via screws to the underside of a table top  12 , such that it can be disposed preferably in the middle of one side of said table top. A generally hook-like end portion and, in particular, a C-shaped hook  76 , depends from one of the outer edges thereof, opening away from the edge of the table. 
     The latch mechanism  72 , comprises a latch base  78 , a latch arm  80 , a latch handle  82 , a flange piece  84 , and a spring  86 . The latch base  78 , includes a central raised hub  88  and two laterally extending end portions  90 , in which screw holes are formed by which it can be mounted via screws to the underside of a table top such that it can be disposed preferably in the middle of one side of said table top. The central hub  88 , further has a hole  91 , centrally formed thereon so as to permit a pin  92 , to pass through. Also formed on said central hub  88 , of said latch base  78 , is a generally arcuate slot  94 , having two ends which extend approximately  90  degrees apart wherein one end defines an open position of said latch mechanism and wherein the other end defines a closed position of said latch mechanism. The arcuate slot end which defines the closed position has an offset slot  96 , having two ends, one end defining the closed position and the other end defining the locking position. 
     A latch arm  80  having two ends has a hook-like end portion and, in particular, a C-shaped hook at one end  98  and is rotatably mounted on said central hub via a pin  92  extending integrally from the latch handle  82 . The latch arm also has a cam follower  100  integrally formed on the bottom at the opposite end from the C-shaped hook  98  of the latch arm. Also formed in the general center of the latch arm is a slot  102  through which the pin  92  of the handle  82  passes through and through which the cam follower  104  of the handle is guided through. 
     The latch handle  82  has a circular base and has an elongated portion  106  extending radially outward from the circular base. On the underside and in the center of the handle is an integrally formed pin  92  which couples the latch handle  82 , the latch arm  80 , the latch base  78  and the flange piece  84  together. Extending radially outward from the center of the handle is a cam follower  104  which travels within the slot aperture  102  formed on the latch arm. 
     The spring  86  having two ends is coupled at one end to the latch base  78  via an integrally formed tab  108  and and coupled at a second end to the flange piece  84  having an upstanding flange and which is coupled to the latch base  78  via the handle pin  92 . 
     In operation, the latch means is controlled by rotationally movement of the latch arm of the latch mechanism. As shown in  FIGS. 19A ,  19 B and  19 C, in the open position the latch arm and latch handle are parallel with the latch base. The cam follower of the latch arm that travels along the arcuate path of the latch base is at one end that defines the open position. The spring of the latch mechanism is in a fully rested position. 
     The latch handle is then turned clockwise approximately 90 degrees which in turn also moves the latch arm 90 degrees so that both latch arm and latch handle are perpendicular to the latch base so as to define a closed position, as shown in  FIGS. 20A ,  20 B and  20 C. In the closed position, the C-like hook of the latch arm overlaps the C-like hook of the catch centrally located on another table top that has been aligned with the table top of the latch mechanism and is held in place by the spring which is now fully extended. The cam follower of the latch arm is also now at the other end of the arcuate slot which defines the closed position. 
     In order to place the latching mechanism in the locked position, the latch arm is turned again 90 degrees clockwise so that the latch arm is once again parallel with the latch base, although the latch arm is still perpendicular with the latch base as shown in  FIGS. 21A ,  21 B and  21 C. The latch arm is moved rearwardly away from the catch so that the C-like hook end portions grip one another due to the cam action of the cam follower of the latch handle within the slot of the latch arm. The cam follower of the latch arm has now moved into the offset slot which defines a locking position. The spring, which is now in a semi-extended state maintains the locked position. 
     There have been described and illustrated herein embodiments of modular folding tables. While particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it is not intended that the invention be limited thereto, as it is intended that the invention be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. For example, although the mechanical, interlocking male-female locking means described and illustrated above are most advantageous, other locking means (e.g., Velcro fasteners) may possible by be employed to suit other applications. It will therefore be appreciated by those skilled in the art that yet other modifications could be made to the provided invention without deviating from its spirit and scope as so claimed.