Table with receiving members
View Patent ↗A table may include a table top and one or more legs, which may be movable between an extended and a collapsed position relative to the table top. The table may also include one or more securing members that are sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the one or more legs in the collapsed position. Additionally, the table may include one or more mounting members that are sized and configured to receive another portion of the table such as a cross bar. Advantageously, the securing members and mounting members may be attached to the table top by a snap, friction or interference fit, which may allow the securing members and mounting members to be attached to the table top at any time during the manufacturing process. It may also allow the table to be used with different types of securing members, mounting members and legs. In addition, it may allow the securing members and mounting members to be replaced, if desired.
1. A table comprising:
a table top constructed from blow-molded plastic, the table top including an upper surface, a lower surface and a hollow interior portion that is at least partially disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface, the hollow interior portion being formed during the blow-molding process;
a leg assembly movable between a collapsed position and an extended position relative to the table top;
a first receiving portion integrally formed in the lower surface of the table top as part of a unitary, one-piece construction during the blow-molding process; and
a first securing member including an engaging portion that is sized and configured to be selectively connected to the first receiving portion, the first securing member being sized and configured to receive and retain at least a portion of the leg assembly when the leg assembly is in the collapsed position.
2. The table of claim 1 , wherein the engaging portion of the first securing member includes one or more projections that are sized and configured to be inserted into and received within the first receiving portion to connect the first securing member to the first receiving portion.
3. The table of claim 1 , wherein the first securing member is connected to the first receiving portion using a snap fit, a friction fit or an interference fit.
4. The table of claim 1 , wherein the first receiving portion includes one or more projections that are sized and configured to engage the first securing member when the first securing member is connected to the first receiving portion.
5. The table of claim 1 , wherein the first receiving portion includes an opening that is sized and configured to receiving the engaging portion of the first securing member, the opening having a smaller size than the engaging portion of the first securing member.
6. The table of claim 5 , wherein the engaging portion of the first securing member includes one or more outwardly extending flanges, the outwardly extending flanges having a size slightly larger than the opening to the first receiving portion and being sized and configured to be received within the first receiving portion.
7. The table of claim 1 , further comprising a second receiving portion and a second securing member, the second securing member being sized and configured to be selectively connected to the second receiving portion, the second securing member being sized and configured to receive and retain at least a portion of the leg assembly when the leg assembly is in the collapsed position.
8. A table comprising:
a table top including an upper portion and a lower portion;
a frame connected to the table top;
a leg assembly movable relative to the table top between a collapsed position and an extended position;
a receiving portion integrally formed in the table top as part of a unitary, one-piece construction, the receiving portion including an opening; and
a receiving member including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being sized and configured to be coupled to the receiving portion formed in the table top by disposing at least a portion of the first portion in the opening of the receiving portion, the second portion being sized and configured to receive and retain a portion of the table in a fixed position.
9. The table as in claim 8 , wherein the receiving portion is at least substantially disposed inwardly from the lower portion of the table top.
10. The table as in claim 8 , wherein the table top includes a hollow interior portion at least partially disposed between the upper portion and the lower portion of the table top; and
wherein the receiving portion includes a lip with a hollow interior portion, the hollow interior portion of the lip being integrally formed with the hollow interior portion of the table top.
11. The table as in claim 8 , wherein the receiving member is connected to the receiving portion by a snap, friction or interference fit.
12. The table as in claim 8 , wherein the receiving member is a mounting member that is sized and configured to receive and retain at least a portion of the frame in a generally fixed position.
13. The table as in claim 8 , wherein the receiving member is a securing member that is sized and configured to receive and retain at least a portion of the leg assembly in a generally fixed position.
14. The table as in claim 8 , wherein the first portion of the receiving member includes an upper surface that is sized and configured to be generally aligned with the lower portion of the table top.
15. The table as in claim 8 , wherein the receiving member is sized and configured to be selectively attached to the receiving portion.
16. The table as in claim 8 , wherein the table top is constructed from plastic with a first set of characteristics and the receiving member is constructed from plastic with a second set of characteristics, the first set of characteristics being different than the second set of characteristics.
17. The table as in claim 8 , wherein the table top is constructed from a material with a first set of characteristics and the receiving member is constructed from a different material with a second set of characteristics, the first set of characteristics being different than the second set of characteristics.