Patent Publication Number: US-2005115476-A1

Title: Collapsible table

Description:
This application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 61/525,704 filed on Nov. 28, 2003, the same being incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates generally to collapsible tables. More particularly, the present invention relates to a collapsible table with shelves that is particularly suitable for use in trade shows or the like.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      At tradeshows, vendors and salespersons often use collapsible tables to display their products and services. The vendors sometimes bring their own collapsible large banquet-style tables with them if they are traveling by ground and with a vehicle large enough to transport the tables. Alternatively, such tables are often available to vendors by renting them from the facility at which tradeshow is being held. However, the rental tables are usually expensive to rent. In addition to paying for the tables, the vendors are often also charged for the time and labor that it takes workers to set up and tear down the tables. When the rental tables are not banquet-type tables but rather complex tables requiring some level of assembly, the vendors are usually charged for the time and labor that it takes workers to assemble the tables. Moreover, the rental tables are usually very generic looking and provide no visual impact to tradeshow attendees.  
      Conventional collapsible banquet-style tables that are commonly used at tradeshows can be seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,550,404, 6,530,331, 6,431,092, and 6,112,674. The banquet-style tables generally have a large horizontal tabletop and legs that fold up and underneath the table surface. The tables are usually very big and heavy and therefore the portability of such tables is severely limited by the large size of the tabletop. Moreover, the banquet-style tables do not have any storage or shelf space nor do they include any customizable skirts or banners. A vendor can tape or clip on a personalized banner, although if the vendor is renting the table, the owner of the venue may not allow such use of the tables.  
      A collapsible display table that addresses some of the above-listed problems is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,127. U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,127 is directed to a collapsible display table with a truss framework that supports a folding tabletop and a shelf. However, other than the shelf, the table according to the &#39;127 patent does not provide a user with very much storage space. In addition, other than the shroud shown in  FIG. 16 , the table according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,127 does not disclose any type of skirt that can be used to add to the visual impact of the table. The table of this patent has many components presenting an assembly procedure which is more difficult and time consuming than is desirable.  
      Because the general problems discussed above have not been addressed, there is a current need for a cost-efficient collapsible table that takes up minimal space and can be easily transportable in the collapsed state. The collapsible table would preferably have no separate discrete parts and would be entirely self-contained. The table further would preferably include a detachable skirt that covers the legs and shelves of the table and give the user the ability to customize the appearance of the table. In addition, all of these goals must be achieved while at the same time the table must facilitate quick and easy setup and teardown of the collapsible table.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The collapsible item of furniture according to the present invention provides a vendor with a lightweight table that is easy to set up to an erected state and to collapse to a collapsed state and meets the needs described above.  
      In preferred embodiments the principal components of the item of furniture are configured as a table are interconnected and self-contained; the principle components remain part of the assembly in the collapsed state. The table preferably includes the principle components of a tabletop, at least one shelf and a plurality of folding legs. The legs are attached to the tabletop and are foldable between an extended and erected position and a folded and transport position or a collapsed state. The one or more shelves are slidably positioned on the legs and have a nested position adjacent to the underside of the tabletop and a use position. In the use position the shelf locks the extended legs in place. A hinge or pivot point on the legs is positioned displaced down the legs from the lower surface of the tabletop a distance approximately the thickness of the shelf or shelves to define a suitable nesting region for the shelves intermediate the folded legs and the underside of the tabletop.  
      A drawer may be attached to the underside of the tabletop or shelves, providing the vendor with multiple places to store samples, brochures, and other materials during the tradeshows. In preferred embodiments, the tabletop, the shelves, and the drawer may be molded of plastics, for example by blow molding.  
      A feature and advantage of the table is that it is easy to erect and to collapse to the transport configuration by one person.  
      A feature and advantage of the preferred embodiments of the invention is that the blow or rotationally molded tabletop and shelves provide a lightweight and structurally strong and robust piece of furniture.  
      A feature and advantage of the invention is that a common mold may be used for different shelves. For example the two shelves below the table top in a preferred embodiment may be identical although one uses circumferential stops on the legs to secure it in place and the other uses the horizontal cross member to secure it in place in the erected state.  
      A feature and advantage of the preferred embodiment is that the table is inexpensive to manufacture with lower cost materials and minimal labor.  
      A feature and advantage of the invention is that means are provided for accessories such as a post to support video screens or signage.  
      By bringing a table according to the present invention, a vendor no longer needs to rent tables at the venue of the tradeshow. Because of its weight and small size in the collapsed state, the table can easily be transported in the back seat or trunk of a car and can even be brought along on an airplane trip. Without the necessity of having to rent a table, the collapsible table according to the present invention is very economical and saves a vendor many rental costs normally associated with attending a tradeshow. In addition, a vendor can use a customizable skirt on the collapsible table that has a visual impact on the tradeshow attendees.  
      The invention herein is depicted as a table but it is recognized that other configurations such as collapsible podiums or stack of shelves may also suitably incorporate the invention herein.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a top front perspective view of a collapsible table according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a top rear perspective view of a collapsible table according to an embodiment of the present invention depicting the collapsible table with a skirt;  
       FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of a collapsible table according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 4   a  is a rear elevation view of a collapsible table according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 4   b  is a front elevation view of a collapsible table according to an embodiment of the present invention depicting the first shelf at an alternate position on the legs;  
       FIG. 5  is a bottom front perspective view of the tabletop of a collapsible table according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 6  is a bottom rear perspective view of the tabletop of a collapsible table according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 7  is a bottom rear perspective view of the first shelf of a collapsible table according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 8  is a top front perspective view of a drawer according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 9  is a bottom rear perspective view of a drawer according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 10  is a bottom front perspective view of a collapsible table according to an embodiment of the present invention depicting the foldable legs in a partially nested position;  
       FIG. 11  is a bottom side perspective view of a collapsible table according to an embodiment of the present invention depicting the foldable legs in a nested position;  
       FIG. 12  is a top front exploded view of a collapsible table according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 13  is a bottom front exploded view of a collapsible table according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 14   a  is a top front perspective view of a collapsible table according to the present invention depicting the table with a customizable skirt;  
       FIG. 14   b  is a top front perspective view of a collapsible table according to the present invention depicting the table with a customizable skirt;  
       FIG. 15  is a top rear perspective view of a collapsible table according to the present invention depicting the table with a customizable skirt;  
       FIG. 16  is a side elevation view of a leg hinge portion according to the present invention depicting the hinge in an extended position; and  
       FIG. 17  is a side elevation view of a leg hinge portion according to the present invention depicting the hinge in a folded position.  
       FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a kit comprising the invention herein. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      Referring to  FIGS. 1-18 , an item of furniture configured as a collapsible table  10  is shown that provides quick and easy setup and takedown and is highly suitable for use at trade shows. The collapsible table  10  according to the present invention preferably comprises a top horizontal member configured as a tabletop  12 , a shelf  14 , a secondary shelf  16 , a first leg  18 , a second leg  20 , a third leg  22 , and a fourth leg  24 . The table also preferably includes a customizable skirt  26  removably attached to the collapsible table  10  as depicted in  FIGS. 14   a ,  14   b , and  15 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the tabletop  12  includes a working surface  30  and a tabletop underside  40  oriented generally parallel to the working surface  30 , a tabletop front side  32 , a tabletop left side  34 , a tabletop rear side  36 , and a tabletop right side  38 . The tabletop front side  32 , tabletop left side  34 , tabletop rear side  36 , and tabletop right side  38  define a periphery  40 . 1 . The tabletop  12  according to the present invention further includes a tabletop aperture  42  preferably located proximate the tabletop rear side  36  and intermediate the tabletop left side  34  and tabletop right side  38  positioned for use as a wire conduit or a holder for a post for signage or a video or message screen. A slot  44  located proximate the tabletop right side  38  and intermediate the tabletop front side  32  and tabletop rear side  36  may be used such as for a business card deposit slot. A skirt flange  46  follows the periphery  40 . 1  at the tabletop underside  40 , and a drawer  48  slidably engageable with the tabletop  12 .  
      As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 3 ,  4   a ,  4   b ,  12 , and  13 , the tabletop  12  further includes a left hanger  50  and a right hanger  52  securely mounted to the tabletop underside  40 . The hangers are preferably blow-molded or injection molded thermoplastic and are connected to the tabletop underside  40  proximate the tabletop front side  32  using screws. The hangers can also be connected to the tabletop underside  40  with bolts, nails, rivets, by welding or other fastening means. Alternatively, the hangers can be integrally formed with the tabletop  12 , for example during the molding process.  
      The skirt flange  46  as can be seen in  FIG. 5  comprises a flange outer surface  54  and a flange inner surface  56  and is preferably integrally attached to the tabletop  12 . The skirt flange  46  projects from the tabletop underside  40  and extends along the tabletop left side  34 , tabletop rear side  36 , and tabletop right side  38 . It is contemplated that the skirt flange  46  be integral with the tabletop  12 . The skirt flange  46  may extend fully or partially around the periphery  40 . 1 . There is preferably a plurality of support members  58  that are integral with the flange inner surfaces  56  and the tabletop underside  40  that provide the skirt flange  46  and tabletop  12  with added rigidity and strength.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the tabletop includes a first channel  60  and a second channel  62  extending lengthwise on the tabletop underside  40 . The first channel  60  is located proximate the tabletop front side  32  and substantially spans between the tabletop left side  34  and the tabletop right side  38 . The second channel  62  is located proximate the tabletop rear side  36  and substantially spans intermediate the tabletop left side  34  to the tabletop right side  38 . The first channel  60  and the second channel  62  preferably include a plurality of channel touch-offs  64  preferably spaced equidistantly within the channels providing the channels with added stability. The channel touch-offs  64  project upwardly towards the working surface  30  and are preferably rigidly melted or welded to the working surface  30 . The channel touch-offs  64  may come into contact with the working surface  30  without melting or welding to the working surface  30 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 5, 6 ,  10 , and  13 , the tabletop underside  40  further includes a left drawer support  66 , a right drawer support  68 , and at least one drawer stop  70 . The left drawer support  66  and the right drawer support  68  are oriented in a direction from the tabletop front side  32  to the tabletop rear side  36  and the left drawer support  66  and the right drawer support  68  are preferably parallel to one another other. The left drawer support  66 , right drawer support  68 , and at least one drawer stop  70  are preferably integrally attached to the tabletop  12  but can be constructed of metal, thermoplastics, or other conventional materials and rigidly connected to the tabletop  12  with screws, bolts, rivets, or other fastening means. There is preferably a left slide  72  attached to the left drawer support  66  and a right slide  74  rigidly attached to the right drawer support  68 . The slides are preferably conventionally constructed of steel or aluminum and are connected to the drawer supports with bolts or screws. The at least one drawer stop  70  is integrally attached to the tabletop underside  40  and is located proximate the tabletop rear side  36  and intermediate the left track  66  and the right track  68 . The tabletop underside  40  may further include a latch catch  76  located proximate the tabletop front side  32  and intermediate the left drawer support  66  and the right drawer support  68 .  
      Still referring to  FIGS. 5, 6 ,  10 , and  13 , the tabletop underside  40  may include a plurality of tabletop touch-offs  78 . The tabletop touch-offs  78  are generally dispersed about the tabletop bottom surface  40  and formed into the tabletop  12  during the manufacturing process to add further stability and support to the tabletop  12 . The tabletop touch-offs  78  project upwardly from the tabletop underside  40  towards the working surface  30  and are preferably rigidly melted or welded to the working surface  30 . However, it is also contemplated that the tabletop touch-offs  78  come into contact with the working surface  30  without melting or welding to the working surface  30 .  
      The tabletop  12  is preferably manufactured by blow-molded thermoplastic such as polyethylene. However, it is contemplated that the tabletop  12  be manufactured using injection molding, rotational molding, or other methods of thermoplastic forming. In other embodiments of the present invention, the tabletop  12  and shelves could be constructed of materials such as wood, wood products, metal, or other materials.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the drawer  48  has a drawer front edge  80  and a drawer rear edge  82 , a drawer left side  84 , a drawer right side  86 , a drawer top surface  87 , and a drawer bottom side  88 . The drawer  48  may have an utensil tray  90  located proximate the drawer front edge  80 , a drawer handle  92  located on the drawer front edge  80 , and a main tray  94  having a tray bottom surface  96 . The drawer  48  includes a left flange  98  that projects from the drawer left side  84  and extends from the drawer front edge  80  to the drawer rear edge  82  and a right flange  100  that projects from the drawer right side  86  and extends from the drawer front edge  80  to the drawer rear edge  82 . The drawer  48  also preferably includes a latch configured as a detent  102  that projects from the drawer top surface  87  and is located at a position intermediate the drawer left side  84  and the drawer right side  86 . The drawer bottom side  88  preferably includes a plurality of reinforcing recesses  104 . As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the plurality of reinforcing recesses  104  are preferably parallel to each other and extend between the drawer left side  84  and the drawer right side  86 . The reinforcing recesses  104  extend between the drawer bottom side  88  and the tray bottom surface  88 . The drawer  48  preferably includes at least one drawer touch-off  106  extending between the drawer bottom side  88  and the tray bottom surface  96 .  
      The drawer  48  is slidably engageable with the tabletop  12 . The left flange  98  slidably engages with the left hanger  50  and left slide  72  and the right flange  100  slidably engages with the right hanger  52  and right slide  74 . As the drawer  48  slides from the tabletop front side  32  towards the tabletop rear side  36 , the left flange  98  slidably engages with the left slide  72  and the right flange  100  slidably engages with the right slide  74 . The drawer  48  preferably slides completely into the tabletop  12  until the drawer rear edge  82  comes into contact with the at least one drawer stop  70 . When the drawer  48  is completely into the tabletop  12 , as seen in  FIG. 1 , the drawer rear edge  82  is in contact with the at least one drawer stop  70  and the drawer front edge  80  is preferably flush with the tabletop front side  32 . The drawer  48  rests on the left hanger  50 , the right hanger  52 , the left slide  72 , and the right slide  74 . The detent  102  engages with the latch catch  76  to prevent the drawer  48  from freely sliding out of the tabletop  12 .  
      The drawer  48  is preferably blow molded thermoplastic. However, the drawer  48  could alternatively be manufactured using injection molding, rotational molding, or other methods of thermoplastic forming. In other embodiments of the present invention, the drawer  48  could be constructed of materials such as wood, metal or wood products.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  3 ,  10 ,  11 ,  12 , and  13 , the plurality of legs comprises the first leg  18 , the second leg  20 , the third leg  22 , and the fourth leg  24 . Each includes a proximal or top portion  108 , a distal or bottom portion  110 , a stop portion  112 , and a pivot or hinge portion  114 . As seen in  FIG. 12 , each top portion  108  includes a head  116  and a top hinge end  118 . Each bottom portion  110  includes a foot  120  and a bottom hinge end  122 . The foot  120  preferably includes a foot cap  124  slidably engageable with the foot  120 .  
      The hinge portion  114  can be seen in  FIGS. 16 and 17  and includes a top hinge portion  126  and a bottom hinge portion  128  each with attachment divots  129 . The top hinge portion  126  and the bottom hinge portion  128  are pivotally attached with a pin or bolt. The bottom hinge portion  128  has a stop surface  120  that cooperates with a stop surface  131  on the top hinge portion  126  to allow the hinge to open to only 180°. The bottom hinge portion  128  is slidably joined to the bottom hinge end  122  and the top hinge portion  126  is slidably joined to the top hinge end  118 . When the hinge portion  114  is joined to the top portion  108  and the bottom portion  110 , the top portion  108  and the bottom portion  110  are pivotable about the pin or bolt connecting the top hinge portion  126  and the bottom hinge portion  128 . The top portions  108  and the bottom portions  110  of the second leg  20 , third leg  22 , and fourth leg  24  are preferably connected in a similar manner.  
      The top portion  108  of each leg is preferably shorter than the bottom portion  110 . The overall length of the first leg  18 , the second leg  20 , the third leg  22 , and the fourth leg  24  are preferably equal. The top portions  108  of the first leg  18  and the second leg  20  are preferably equal in length and preferably slightly shorter than the top portions  108  of the third leg  22  and the fourth leg  24 . The bottom portions  110  of the third leg  22  and the fourth leg  24  are preferably equal in length and slightly shorter than the bottom portions  110  of the first leg  18  and the second leg  20 . The first leg  18 , second leg  20 , third leg  22 , and fourth leg  24  each include a stop portion  112  located proximate the bottom hinge ends  122 . The stop portion  112  is preferably comprised of a first half  129  and a second half  130  and the stop portions  112  are generally connected to the legs with a bolt or screw.  
      The first leg  18 , second leg  20 , third leg  22 , and fourth leg  24  are preferably constructed of steel tubing and can be attached to the hinge portion by inserting the top or bottom hinge portion inside the tubing and deforming the tubing at the divots, but can be constructed of other metals, thermoplastics, wood, composite, or other suitable materials.  
      The first leg  18  is preferably rigidly connected to the second leg  20  with a first support bar  132 . The third leg  22  is preferably rigidly connected to the fourth leg  24  with a second support bar  134 . The first support bar  132  and the second support bar  134  are preferably constructed of tubular steel but could be constructed of other metals, thermoplastics, wood, or other suitable materials. The legs can be connected to the support bars using a number of different methods, including but not limited to weldaments, screws, bolts, clamps or other connecting means.  
      The first leg  18  is rigidly connected to the fourth leg  24  with a first connection member  136 . The second leg  20  is rigidly connected to the third leg  22  with a second connection member  138 . The first connection member  136  and second connection member  138  are preferably constructed of stamped steel but could be constructed of aluminum, thermoplastic, wood, or wood products. The first leg  18  could also be hingedly attached to the fourth leg  24  with the first connection member  136  and the second leg  20  could be hingedly attached to the third leg  22  with the second connection member  138 .  
      The first connection member  136  and the second connection member  138  are rigidly connected to the tabletop  12 . The first connection member  136  slidably engages with the first channel  60  and the second connection member  138  slidably engages with the second channel  62 . The first connection member  136  and second connection member  138  are then preferably rigidly connected to the channels with screws or bolts.  
      Referring to the figures, particularly  FIGS. 1, 7 ,  12 , and  13 , details of the shelves  14  and  16  are illustrated. The shelves include a shelf top surface  140 , a shelf bottom surface  142 , a shelf front edge  144 , a shelf rear edge  146 , a shelf left side  148 , and a shelf right side  150 . The shelf top surface  140  and the shelf bottom surface  142  are generally parallel or have parallel portions to each other. The shelf front edge  144 , shelf rear edge  146 , shelf left side  148 , and shelf right side are generally oriented perpendicularly to the shelf top surface  140  and the shelf bottom surface  150 . The shelf also preferably includes a first leg aperture  152 , a second leg aperture  154 , a third leg aperture  156 , a fourth leg aperture  158 , and shelf orifice  160 . The first leg aperture  152  is located proximate the intersection of the shelf front edge  144  and the shelf left side  148 . The second leg aperture  154  is located proximate the intersection of the shelf left side  148  and the shelf rear edge  146 . The third leg aperture  156  is located proximate the intersection of the shelf rear edge  146  and the shelf right side  150 . The fourth leg aperture  158  is located proximate the intersection of the shelf right side  150  and the shelf front edge  144 . The leg apertures are preferably slightly smaller in size than the stop portions  112 . It is contemplated that the leg apertures comprise a grommet that is slidably inserted into the apertures. The shelf also includes a shelf orifice  160  that, as shown in the figures, is located proximate the tabletop rear edge  146  and intermediate the shelf left side  148  and the shelf right side  150 , but could be located on any portion of the shelf  14 .  
      The shelf bottom surface  142  includes a first support bar cutout  162  and a second support bar cutout  164 . The first support bar cutout  162  preferably spans the distance between the first leg aperture  152  and the second leg aperture  154  and is substantially the same size as the first support bar  132 . The second support bar cutout  164  spans the distance between the third leg aperture  156  and the fourth leg aperture  158  and is substantially the same size as the second support bar  134 . The first support bar cutout  162  and a second support bar cutout  164  preferably include a plurality of cutout touch-offs  166  providing the cutouts with added stability. The cutout touch-offs  166  project upwardly from the cutouts to the shelf top surface  140  and are preferably rigidly melted or welded to the shelf top surface  140 . However, it is also contemplated that the cutout touch-offs  166  come into contact with the shelf top surface  140  without melting or welding to the shelf top surface  140 .  
      The shelf bottom surface  142  further preferably includes at least one strengthening recess  168 . The at least one strengthening recess  168  preferably spans a distance slightly less than the distance between the first support bar cutout  162  and the second support bar cutout  164 . The at least one strengthening recess  168  projects upwardly from the shelf bottom surface  142  and are preferably rigidly melted or welded to the shelf top surface  140 . However, it is also contemplated that the at least one strengthening recess  168  comes into contact with the shelf top surface  140  without melting or welding to the shelf top surface  140 .  
      The shelf bottom surface  142  further includes a plurality of shelf touch-offs  170  preferably located around the perimeter of the shelf  14 . The shelf touch-offs  170  are generally formed in the shelf  14  during the manufacturing process and add further stability and support to the shelf  14 . The shelf touch-offs  170  project upwardly from the shelf bottom surface  142  towards the shelf top surface  140  and are preferably rigidly melted or welded to the shelf top surface  140 . However, it is also contemplated that the shelf touch-offs  170  come into contact with the shelf top surface  140  without melting or welding to the shelf top surface  140 .  
      The secondary shelf  16  has substantially the same structure as the shelf  14 . The secondary shelf  16  includes a first leg aperture  152 , a second leg aperture  154 , a third leg aperture  156 , a fourth leg aperture  158 , and a shelf orifice  160 . The leg apertures on the secondary shelf are larger than the stop portions  112 . The bottom surface  142  on the secondary shelf  16  also includes a first support bar cutout  162 , a second support bar cutout  164 , at least one strengthening recess  168 , and a plurality of shelf touch-offs  170 . Because the shelf  14  and the secondary shelf  16  include substantially the same features, the shelf  14  and the secondary shelf  16  can be interchangeable.  
      The shelf  14  and secondary shelf  16  are preferably blow molded thermoplastic, such as polyethylene. However, the shelf  14  and secondary shelf  16  could alternatively be manufactured using injection molding, rotational molding, or other methods of thermoplastic forming. In one embodiment of the present invention the shelf  14  and secondary shelf  16  could be constructed of materials such as metal, wood, or wood products.  
      The customizable skirt  26  is depicted in  FIGS. 14   a ,  14   b , and  15 . The skirt  26  is preferably removably connected to the skirt flange  46  using hook and loop fasteners (“Velcro®”). It is contemplated that the skirt  26  be connected to the skirt flange  46  in a number of other ways, including but not limited to, magnetic strips, clamps, clips, snaps or other conventional attachment means. The skirt  26  is preferably connected to the collapsible table  10  in a manner that allows the user to remove and attach the skirt  26  quickly. The skirt  26  is preferably constructed of sheet material such as cardboard or fabric, but can be constructed of other wood products, paper, or plastic. The skirt  26  allows a user to customize the appearance of the collapsible table  10 . As can be seen in  FIG. 14   a , a customizable skirt  26  preferably includes a plurality of slats or strips  27  defined by thin recesses, which allow the customizable skirt  26  to be formed around the skirt flange  46  or periphery  40 . 1  of the tabletop  12 . The slats also allow a user to roll up the customizable skirt  26  into a compact roll or shape when it is not in use.  
      To initially assemble the collapsible table  10 , the secondary shelf  16  is placed onto the legs. At this point, the stop portions  112  are not yet connected to the legs. Also, at this point, the first leg  18  is not connected to the fourth leg  24  with the first brace member  136  and the second leg  20  is not connected to the third leg  22  with the second brace member  138 . The first leg  18  slides into the first leg aperture  152  of the secondary shelf  16 . The second leg  20  slides into the second leg aperture  154  of the secondary shelf  16 . The third leg  22  slides into the third leg aperture  156  of the secondary shelf  16 . The fourth leg  24  slides into the fourth leg aperture  158  of the secondary shelf  16 . The secondary shelf  16  slides down the legs over the top portions  108  and the bottom portions  110  until the secondary shelf  16  lands onto the first support bar  132  and the second support bar  134 . When the secondary shelf  16  is resting on the support bars, the first support bar  132  slidably fits into the first support bar cutout  162  of the secondary shelf  16  and the second support bar  134  slidably fits into the second support bar cutout  164  of the secondary shelf  16 . Preferably the support bars are substantially the same size as the support bar cutouts and the support bars and support bar cutouts frictionally fit together.  
      After the secondary shelf  16  has been placed onto the legs and the secondary shelf  16  is resting on the support bars, the first half  128  and second half  130  of the stop portions  112  are connected to the legs. The stop portions  112  are preferably constructed of injection-molded thermoplastic and are connected to the legs with screws. The stop portions  112  could also be connected to the legs using a number of different methods, including but not limited to screws, bolts, rivets, or other suitable connecting means. As can be seen in  FIG. 4   b , the stop portions  112  can be selectively placed at a desired position (e.g., position  112   a  or position  112   b ) on the legs. By doing so, the height of the first shelf  14  can be placed at a desired position (position  14   a  or position  14   b ) on the legs.  
      Next, the shelf  14  is placed onto the legs. The first leg  18  slides into the first leg aperture  152  of the shelf  14 . The second leg  20  slides into the second leg aperture  154  of the shelf  14 . The third leg  22  slides into the third leg aperture  156  of the shelf  14 . The fourth leg  24  slides into the fourth leg aperture  158  of the shelf  14 . The shelf  14  slides down the legs until the shelf  14  lands onto the stop portions  112 . Because the shelf apertures are slightly smaller in size than the stop portions  112 , the stop portions  112  hold the shelf  14  vertically in position.  
      The first leg  18  and the fourth leg  24  are then rigidly connected with the first brace member  136 . The first brace member  136  is preferably connected to the first leg  18  and the fourth leg  24  using weldaments. The second leg  20  and the third leg  22  are rigidly connected with the second brace member  138 . The second brace member  138  is preferably connected to the second leg  20  and the third leg  22  using weldaments. Finally, the legs and brace members are rigidly connected to the tabletop. The first brace member  136  is connected to the first channel  60  using bolts or screws. The second brace member  138  is rigidly connected to the second channel  62  using bolts or screws.  
      Once the collapsible table  10  is assembled, it can be used in an upright use position for using the collapsible table  10  or collapsed into a nested position for easy storage or transport. To collapse the table  10  into the nested position, the skirt  26  is removed from the skirt flange  46 . Next, the table  10  is arranged so that the working surface  30  is facing downward or on the ground. The shelf  14 , with the aid of gravity and the user, will fall downward and pass slide over the leg top portions  108  so that the top surface  140  of the shelf  14  lies adjacent to the tabletop underside  40 . As the shelf  14  falls downward, it remains substantially parallel to the tabletop  12 .  
      Next, the secondary shelf  16 , with the aid of gravity and the user, will fall so that the top surface  140  of the secondary shelf  16  slides over the legs bottom portions  110 , the stop portions  112 , the top portions  108 , and the top surface  140  of the secondary shelf  16  will come into contact with the bottom surface  142  of the shelf  14 . As the secondary shelf  16  falls downward, it remains substantially parallel to the tabletop  12 .  
      After that, the two legs with the shorter top portions  108 , the first leg  18  and second leg  20  as depicted in the figures, are folded from the extended portion to a folded position such that the top portion  108  is substantially perpendicular to the bottom portion  110 . The legs will hold the shelf  14  and secondary shelf  16  into a nested position. Finally, the two legs with longer top portions  108 , the third leg  22  and the fourth leg  24  as depicted in the figures, are folded from the extended position to a folded position such that the top portion  108  is substantially perpendicular to the bottom portion  110 . The third leg  22  and fourth leg  24  being folded from an extended position to a folded position can be seen in  FIGS. 14-17 . The table in a fully collapsed state can be seen in  FIGS. 18-20 . When the table  10  is in the fully collapsed state, the legs retain the shelves in a nested position.  
      To reverse the procedure and set the collapsible table  10  up into its use position, the third leg  22  and the fourth leg  24  are unfolded from a folded position to an extended position. Then the first leg  18  and second leg  20  are unfolded from their folded position to an extended position. The table  10  is then flipped over so that the feet  120  on the first leg  18 , second leg  20 , third leg  22 , and fourth leg  24  are on the ground.  
      The secondary shelf  16  will slide down the legs over the top portions  108  and the bottom portions  110  until the secondary shelf  16  lands onto the first support bar  132  and the second support bar  134 . When the secondary shelf  16  is resting on the first support bar  132  and second support bar  134 , the first support bar  132  slidably fits into the first support bar cutout  162  of the secondary shelf  16  and the second support bar  134  slidably fits into the second support bar cutout  164  of the secondary shelf  16 . Because the support bars are substantially the same size as the support bar cutouts, the support bars and support bars frictionally fit together.  
      Next, the shelf  14  slides down the legs over the top portions  108  until the shelf  14  lands onto the stop portions  112 . Because the leg apertures on the shelf  14  are slightly smaller in size than the stop portions  112 , the shelf is wedged onto the stop portions  112  and the stop portions  112  preclude the shelf  14  past the stop portions  112 . When in the use position, the shelf  14  and the secondary shelf  16  provide the table with stability and lock the foldable legs into place. Finally, the customizable skirt  26  may be attached to the skirt flange  46  with Velcro®.  
      Although the table  10  according to the present invention is depicted and described comprising four legs, it is contemplated that the table could be constructed with as few as two legs. For example, the table could be constructed of two, three, five, or any other number of legs and still embody the inventive features of the present invention.  
      Referring to  FIG. 18 , the table is highly suitable for use as a display table at a trade show. As such, the invention also includes the “kit” of an enclosure such as a bag  200  along with the collapsible table  10  and skirt  26 . The collapsed table and folded skirt fit with the closeable bag  200 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the apertures  42 ,  106 ,  160  may support a post  220  that supports a display device  222  such as a flat screen or signage.  
      Another embodiment of the present invention is a collapsible shelf system. A collapsible shelf system preferably comprises substantially the same structure and components of the collapsible table  10 . However, the collapsible shelf system preferrably comprises at least three shelves. In addition, the dimensions of the shelf system would preferably be selected so that the collapsible shelf system could be used as a shelf. In a collapsed configuration, the at least three shelves of the collapsible shelf system would preferably rest against a shelf top that is similar to the tabletop  12  of the collapsible table  10 . When the collapsible shelf system is in a use position, the at least three shelves would slide down the legs of the shelf system and rest upon a plurality of stop portions included on the legs. In certain embodiments the legs could have holes extending there through to permit adjustability and additional shelves by insertion of stop portions configured as simple as removable pins.  
      Another embodiment of the present invention is a collapsible podium. A collapsible podium preferably comprises substantially the same structure and components of the collapsible table  10 . However, the dimensions of the podium would preferably be selected so that the collapsible podium could be used as a podium when in a use position and collapsed into a collapsed configuration when not in use.  
      The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof; and it is, therefore, desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.