MXPA97008824A - Table fold - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a folding article that includes a top part having an associated locking mechanism to releasably lock a glued end in an unfolded position that supports the upper part, characterized in that it comprises: at least one strut extending between the upper part and the folding end, the strut having a first end and a second end, the first end of the strut are operatively fixed to the upper part and the second end of the strut having a symbol cup formed therein, said symbol cup being located in operational relation with the foldable limb, the strut being pivotally mounted along the underside of the upper part between at least a first position interconnected with said foldable limb and a second guard position, disconnected from said foldable limb; seat along the foldable limb, said seat being abigated in operational relationship with said symbol cup, and spring-driven plunger carried by one of said plunger cup and said foldable limb, said plunger being spring-biased between at least a first position wherein the plunger is pushed into said seat and a second position wherein said plunger is a second position where said plunger is pulled from a seat to permit the movement of said strut towards said position.

Description

FOLDING TABLE TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to folding tables, and in particular to a folding table having articulated limbs to allow the folding and unfolding of the extremities. The invention is described with particular reference to computer tables and / or conferences, those skilled in the art will recognize the wide applicability of the inventive principles described hereinafter. The folding tables also known in the art. They are commonly used in homes, offices, training rooms, cafeterias, and other areas when additional table space is required. When not in use, the tables are folded and stored in a non-obstructive way. However, the folding and securing mechanisms of the folding tables of the prior art tend to be complex, have a multitude of movable parts and are generally incorporated in the union of the end and the top of the table, making the mechanism inseparable of folding and the extremity. This reduces the flexibility of the designs. Recently, folding tables are commonly used to support electronic devices, particularly personal computers and the like. The computers personal, along with another femal pair, such as a printer, telephone and personal work items represent a considerable amount of weight that will be borne by the table. Foldable tables of the prior art, particularly those with a large extension and conventional bending and securing mechanisms, tend to bow under the weight. Moreover, the additional weight can cause the extremities to open. On the other hand, the added weight may cause the folding mechanism of some prior art tables to collapse and bend upwards to the weight of the load as indicated above. A number of table designs having folding limbs or mechanisms are known in the art. For example, the patent of E.U.A. No. 5,337,657 ('657), issued on August 16, 1994, illustrates a form of said table. Although the '657 patent, for example, speaks of a "beam" extending across the table, the beam is a thin, corrugated laminated steel plate that is not designed to operate and does not work in the manner of the support beam structure of the present invention. In addition, these electronic devices such as computers, monitors, printers and telephones have power or connection cables or wires that usually hang from the back end of the table. Suspended cables are not aesthetic and present a risk of Safety if the user gets stuck in exposed cables. This invention provides a galena structure for cable that adapts to a number of structures of that. This adaptability is achieved through the use of independent cable management units that can be fixed to any of a variety of table structures without interfering with other table functions.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND It is among the main objects of the present invention to provide such a folding one having an end assembly that allows the table ends to be folded for storage or stacking. Another object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible one in which the folding mechanisms are located along the ex remites and not on the upper part of the associated table. Another object of the invention is to provide a folding table in which the collapsible ends can be easily extended or shortened without requiring the modification of the folding mechanism. It is also another object of the invention to provide a folding table in which a support beam extending along the table operates with a weight bearing member and not as a component of the end folding mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide a collapsible table in which a load exerted on the top-of-the-table functions to maintain the ends in an unfolded position and resist collapse of the folding mechanism under a load. It is also another object of the invention to provide a folding table in which the clamps extending from the top of the table towards the folding ends are designed to exert a positive pressure on the extremities, when the limbs are in their unfolded position, so that the weight on the table works to maintain the limbs in their unfolded and support position under the top of the table. Another object of the invention is to provide a rewireable cable guide under the upper part of the table to house electric cables or wire extending from electronic devices resting on the upper part of the table. Another object of the invention is to provide a rernovable cable guide such that it can be stored in a separate form from the table when the collapsible ends are moved from an unfolded position to a folded position. Another object of this invention is to provide a plunger assembly that is easy to operate and constructed in a simple manner for use with a folding table. These and other objects of the folding table of the present invention will be apparent from the description and the attached drawings. In accordance with the invention briefly mentioned, a folding table is provided in a preferred and illustrative manner, with an upper part and a pair of folding limbs supporting the upper part. A clamp member at each end of the clamp has an end assembly attached to each clamp member. A top support beam extends along the top of the table in the area between the clamp members. The support v ga is pivotally mounted to the top of the table. Each end assembly has a hinge structure near its upper end and a foot structure at its lower end. The hinge is designed to allow the limb to bend and bend inward against the top of the table. A pair of end clamps are fixed to the support beam and move with the beam. Each end clamp is also fixed rernovibly to a corresponding limb by means of a spring-biased plunger assembly. When the clamps are attached to the limb, they transfer force down from the top of the table to the limbs at a point under the hinges to keep the limbs in the unfolded position. The pistons can be removed from their interlock position with the limbs, making it possible for the clamps to be pivoted out of the way and allowing the limbs to be folded down or folded. The Clamps have a triangular shape in the preferred embodiment. A cable galena assembly is fixed and I slowly removed the clamps under the top of the table. The cable galena has a cable tray to accommodate hanging cables and any associated wiring equipment. The cable tray has a hinged cover that can be opened to expose the cables or close to cover the cables. The cover also functions as a discretion panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative embodiment of the folding table of the present invention, showing an illustrative embodiment of the cable galena in an open position; Figure 2 is the view of the folding table of Figure 1, showing the upper part of the table in faded form; Figure 3 is an exploded view of the foldable one shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is an exploded view of a folding end assembly of the folding table shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a front elevation of the table folding shown in Figure 1, showing the cover of the cable galena in an open position, and not showing the rear network wall to give simplicity to the drawing; Figure 6 is a front elevation of the folding table of the present invention, the cover of the cable tray being in a closed position; Figure 7 is a front elevation of the foldable one of the present invention, showing the end clamps in their stored position, and the cable galena being removed; Figure 8 is a front elevation view of the folding table of the present invention, the folding ends being in a folded position; Figure 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the cable galena assembly, not showing the cover and the rear wall to give simplicity to the drawing; Figure 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a limb and plunger, taken along line 10-10 of Figure 2; Figure 11A is a perspective view of an embodiment of an end hinge of the present invention; Figure 11B is a perspective view of another embodiment of an end hinge of the present invention; Figure 12 is an exploded view of a second illustrative embodiment of the folding table of the present invention; Figure 13 is a front view of the folding table of Figure 12, with the ends in a folded position; Figure 14 is an isometric view of the folding table of Figure 1, illustrating the operation of the cable galena of the present invention; and Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of a plurality of folding tables of the present invention arranged end-to-end. The corresponding reference numbers indicate corresponding elements along the different drawings.

BEST WAY TO CARRY OUT THE INVENTION An illustrative embodiment of the foldable one of the present invention is generally indicated in the drawings with the reference numeral 1. As best seen in Figures 1 and 2, the table 1 includes a support frame assembly, generally indicated by the reference number 3, which supports a table top part 5 substantially planar and rectangular. It will be appreciated that the table top 5 can have any conventional configuration and can have one or more openings, such as an opening 6, formed therein to allow the introduction of cables. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the frame assembly 3 can be used to support a table top of any length and can be conveniently modified to elevate the table top 5 at any distance from the floor. In frame assembly 3 includes two separate folding end assemblies 7 and 9, respectively. A support beam 11 extends between the respective end assemblies to provide substantial support to the top of the table and prevent the top of the table from arching under the weight of objects placed on the top of the table, without import the extension of the top of the table. A cable galena assembly 13 is suspended below the beam and serves to conveniently house electric or similar cables extending downwardly from objects resting on the top-table 5. The former main components of the folding table 1 are they will now be described in greater detail, with reference principally to Figure 3. The end assembly 7, the end assembly 9 being almost identical to it, has a substantially hollow and elongated body section 15. The end assembly 9 is different from the end assembly 7 only in specific details described below, and except for such details, is not described in detail. The body section 15, in the illustrated embodiment, has a cross section generally oval, although other shapes are compatible with the broader aspects of this invention. Each body section 15 has an opening 16 along the length thereof which allows access in the body for the concealment of wires or wires, or the like. The opening 16 may have an optional cover 17 (FIG. 14) for better hiding the cables and the opening. Inner support clamps 18 (Figure 10) with threaded holes 19 formed in the ends, extend along the interior cavity of the body to provide rigidity to the body and provide anchors for other components. A surface engaging foot 20 is fixed to the lower end of the body 15 by means of a plurality of screws 21 or other suitable fastening devices. The screws 21 engage threaded holes (not shown) at the lower end of the support clamps. The end assembly 7 also has a plurality of elastic protective stops 2? associated with this. The stops 22 are used to protect the tables during storage, for example. A protective and decorative band 23 is placed between the lower end of the body 15 and closes the junction between the body and the foot 19. The foot 20 has a substantially elongated tip section 24 and a slightly shorter heel section 25. The foot 20 has a total length suitable for providing stability and avoiding the inclination of the table. There is a first adjustable slider 27 fixed tightly to a I 1 boss 29 threaded internally on the end of the tip section 24 and an adjustable slider 31 screwed into a protrusion 33 threaded internally on the end of the heel section 25. The respective sliders can be rotated to level the foot on its surface of support. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, you can use a symmetric p s desired. A hinge 35 is fixed to the upper end of the body 15 with screws 37, or by any other suitable device that couples threaded holes 19. The hinge 35, shown in greater detail in Figure 11B, has a general configuration of a clam shell. with a supeporous half 39 fixed to a lower half 41 along a hinge pin 43. Figure HA illustrates a second embodiment of the hinge. In Figure HA, it should be noted that the upper half 39 'and the lower half 41' of the hinge 35 'employed with the end assembly 9, for example, has a plurality of openings 51 formed therein. The openings 51 allow the? N- <; roduction of electric wires or cables in the body 15 of the end assembly 9 as will be explained in greater detail later. The lower half 41 of each hinge is fixed to the upper end of the body 15, as mentioned above, and the upper half 39 is fixed to a table top mounting bracket 47 with a plurality of screws 49 or other fixation device suitable.

Each clamp 47 has a first clamp member 53 elongated and substantially planar and a second clamp member 55 integral but short at a right angle to the first clamp member in the illustrated embodiment. The respective base members are secured to the lower surface of the table top 5 with screws 56 or other suitable fixing means. At the junction of the respective clamp members there is a generally ovoid opening 57 formed at a first end of the clamp member 53, which is defined on the lower side (referring to Figure 3), by means of a circumferential dependent skirt. It will be appreciated that the skirt 59 in the assembled arrangement of the parts will appear as part of the upper end of the body 15. As previously mentioned, an elongated beam 11 runs along the underside of the top-of-table 5, between the two clamp members 53. As shown, the beam 11 is generally L-shaped, and has a generally vertically disposed wall 63 and a short perpendicular edge 65 extending outwardly from the wall 63 along the length of the wall. a lower end of it. The beam 11 has a plurality of hinges 69 fixed to the wall 63. In the embodiment shown, three hinges 69 are spaced at equal distances along the length of the beam. The upper half of each hinge is fixed to the underside of the table top with screws 71 or other means of proper fixation. A pair of locks 73 and 75 are fixed to the wall 63 with screws 11 or the like. The locks 73 function to hold the limbs in a folded position as will be explained further below. A first clamp 81 is mounted between the beam 11 and the end assembly 7 and a second clamp 83 is mounted between the beam 11 and the end assembly 9. The clamps 81 and 83 are identical to each other in the illustrated embodiment, and preferably have a triangular silhouette. As illustrated, each clamp 81, 83 is fixed to the beam 11 by means of a plurality of screws 85 or other suitable fastening device. Each clamp 81, 83 has an upper end 84A and a lower end 84B. The mfepor end 84B has a plunger protrusion 87 formed therein. An inclined spring plunger 89 having a plunger pin 90 is mounted on each protrusion 81, as shown in greater detail in Figure 10. There is a complementary bracket 91 attached to the inside face of each end assembly, just below the hinges 35, which accept and align the pin-90 with an opening 92 formed in the respective ends. When the table 1 is completely assembled with the extremities deployed as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the respective pins 91 are inclined within opening 92 to secure the lower end 84B of the respective clamps 81, 83 to the end assemblies. The structural arrangement described above it satisfies many main objectives of the present invention. First, the beam 11 functions primarily as a load carrier and does not constitute an element of the folding mechanism, as is the case with many prior art folding devices. Second, by placing pressure down on the ga 11 by placing load on the top of the table, the pressure is transferred to the inner surface of the limbs by means of the clamps 81, 83 to urge the limbs. outwards against the hinges 35, acting the force to hold the limbs in their unfolded position. Therefore, instead of acting to cause the collapse of a folding table, the load on the folding table of the present invention acts to stabilize the entire structural combination during use. The cable galena assembly 13, shown in greater detail in Figures 3 and 9, includes a cable grommet 93. The cable grommet 93 includes a substantially flat tray section 95, shown in greater detail in FIG. 9, defined by a bottom wall 96. A hinge 97 extends to the front edge of the cable. tray section 95. A raised edge 99 extends along the trailing end of the tray section 95. The raised edge 99 is designed to allow attachment of the aforementioned screen 67. The screen 67 delineates a rear wall of the cable galena assembly 13. An end of the hinge 97 has a plurality of holes 98 formed therein for attaching a cover bracket 101 to the end. The fixation is achieved with rivets 103 or a suitable bra device. The cover support 101 is a substantially substantially U-shaped member. A cable gallery cover 105 is attached to the cable galena by inserting the cover bracket 101 into a channel 107 formed on the interior face of the cover 101. A pair of detents 109 are attached to each corner of the upper end of the cover. 105. The cable galena uses two skeleton frames. The first skeleton frame is defined by an end portion 106 at one end of the tray and a second end portion 106 at the other end of the tray. The end portions 106 receive the detents 109 to hold the cover 101 in its closed position. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the detents 109 may alternatively be mounted on the end portion 106 instead of the cover 109 if desired. Other similar arrangements are compatible with the broader aspects of this invention. The second skeleton frame is a cable galena mounting frame 111 which is adapted and arranged to allow the removal and fixation of the cable gallery assembly 13 to the brackets 81 and 83. The mounting frame 111 is a frame 113 in C-shaped and elongated, having a horizontal bar member 113 and two opposing extreme sections 114 opposed vertically. The end plates 115 and 117 are welded or otherwise secured to the interior of the end sections 114. The cable frame 111 is fixed to the shell 96 by means of a pair of clamps 118 in the form of L by welding or other suitable means. It will be appreciated that the second skeleton frame is separated from the first skeleton frame but connected at each end by means of clamps 118 extending between the end members 106 and the end sections 114 or the mounting parts 115 and 117. It should be noted that there is a central nip 1.19 in the bar member 113 pair to accommodate the limb locks 73 and 75 of the extremity. Each plate 115 and 117 has a pair of vertically aligned lock-like openings 1199 and 121 formed therein. There is a pair of vertically aligned mounting pins 123 and 125 exiting from the bracket 81, 83. The respective openings 119 and 121 are designed to engage the pins 123 and 125 to mount the cable galena assembly in a rotatable manner to the cable assemblies. clamp member 81, 83. This novel structure allows removing the cable galena assembly, if it is not needed, or using it interchangeably with another table having screws or mounting pins arranged in a similar manner. Figures 5-B illustrate the collapsible characteristics of the folding table 1 of the present invention. First, Figure 5 shows the table completely assembled with the cable galena cover 105 open. Figure 6 shows the table 1 completely assembled with the cover of the cable gallery 105 closed to give an aesthetically pleasing final finish to that and to function as a panel of discretion. To close the cover 105, the cover is pivoted on the hinge 97. The retainers 109 couple the end portions 106 to secure the cover in place, to hide the wires strung on the screen and to serve as a panel. discretion. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the tray 95 is designed to support a plurality of electrical or similar wires or cables extending from devices resting on the top-of the table, even if the wires can be hidden within an assembly. end, for example the end assembly 9, introducing the cables through openings 6 and 57, through the openings 51 in the upper hinge part 39 and downwardly through the channel 16 in the body 15. and off the bottom of channel 16 to a source of electrical energy, for example. On the other hand, the cables may fall from the table adjacent to the end assembly 9 and extend along the tray towards the end assembly 7 or vice versa, depending on the location of an electrical outlet, for example, as will be described in FIG. detail later. The folding feature of the table 1 is shown in figures 7 and 8. First, the rope galena 13 is removed from the mounting screws. The pistons 89 are removed from the holes 92 and from the retaining clamps 97. The beam of Supports 11, which supports the triangular clamps 81 and 83, is pivoted on the hinges 69 until the clamps are leveled towards the lower surface of the top of the table. The extremities are then lowered or pivoted inward on the hinges 35 until they are parallel to the top of the table, as shown in Figure 8. The limbs are secured in the folded position by inserting them into the locks 73 and 75. It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made in the foldable one in the present invention without departing from the scope of the appended claims. For example, a collapsible end assembly, indicated generally by the reference numeral 9 ', is shown in Figure 4 and illustrates the flexibility of the novel folding end assembly design. The end assembly 9 'employs a spacer 130 between the skirt 59' and the hinge 35 '. The spacer 130 is used to lower the hinge 35 'employed on the end assembly relative to the position of the hinge 35 employed on the opposite end assembly. Figures 12 and 13 illustrate one embodiment of the folding table of the present invention, generally indicated by the reference numeral 150, which employs the end assembly 9 'of figure 4 in conjunction with a table having a table top 152 relatively shorter than those previously described. Due to the use of the separator 130, the extremity 15 'can be folded down and folded under the end 15 of the opposite end assembly 7. Still, the body 15 of the end assemblies can be made longer, if the application requires a higher table. The basic elements of the folding table of the present invention are interchangeable and the table can be made taller or shorter easily by the use of, or removal of, the separator 130, or by the use of an external assembly body. 15 longer term. Figure 14 illustrates a folding table 1 of the present invention with an electrical plug strip 160 seated in the tray of the cable tray. A cable 162 connectable to a power source such as a wall socket enters the opening 16 in the leg 15 through an attachment 164. The cable 162 is electrically connected to the strip 160. The strip 160 has a plurality of diaphragms. individual plugs 166 to connect vain electrical devices that rest on the top of the table. In addition, an extension 170 with a plug 171 is positioned between the two skeleton frames of the cable tray and exists under the top of the table. There is an extension plug 172 in the opposite extrusion of the strip 160. As should be appreciated, a plurality of tables 1 of the present invention can be aligned end to end, as shown in FIG. 15. The extension 170 of FIG. a table can be attached to the socket 172 of an adjacent table, electrically connecting all electronic devices on all tables 1.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the multi-component design silhouette can be altered. For example, clamp members 81, 83 are generally shown with a triangular shape. Other forms are compatible with this invention. Likewise, screw-type fasteners are used in the assembly of various structural components. If desired, other fasteners can be used. Since these variations are merely illustrative, the foregoing description- and the accompanying drawings should be considered illustrative only and should not be considered in a limiting sense.

Claims (28)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - On a folding table that has a top part, the improvement comprising a collapsible folding end assembly, said end assembly includes an abutment fixed to said upper part, an extremity fixed to said clamp, a foot fixed thereto. limb in support relation thereto and a hinge assembly positioned between said limb and said bracket to allow pivotal pivotal movement of said limb.

2. The improvement in accordance with claim 1, further including a supporting beam pivotally mounted to said upper part, said beam extends along said upper part.

3. The improvement according to claim 2, which further includes a second fastener attached to said beam to be pivotally mounted therewith, said clamp being interconnectable with said extremity in the position of table support and operative of said extremity.

4. The improvement according to claim 3, which further includes a cable passage structure fixed to said opening-a.

5. The improvement according to claim 4, which further includes a plunger assembly fixed to said second clamp pair to interconnect r-ernoviblernente said second abr-azadera to said extremity.

6. The improvement according to claim 5, which further includes a reception assembly mounted to said upper part and adapted to hold said extremity in its folded position.

7. - The improvement according to claim 4, wherein said cable passage structure includes a bottom wall having a length dimension, a frame including a rear frame part, said rear frame part includes? N pair of separate end pieces, said end pieces mount said cable passage to said second clamp.

8. The improvement in accordance with claim 7, wherein said cable passage is mounted remotely removed to said second clamp.

9. The improvement according to claim 7, wherein at least one end has a channel formed therein, said channel is adapted to communicate with said cable passage in the operative position of said table.

10. The improvement according to claim 9, which further includes a spacer-positioned between said end and said clamp to allow adjustment of the ex-rem position in the folded position of said table.

11. A folding table comprising an upper part; a pair of first clamp members separated fixed to said upper part; an upper supporting beam extending along said upper part in the area between said first separated clamp members, said beam being pivotally mounted to said upper part; a pair of end assemblies, each of said end assemblies has a hinge structure at a first end and a foot structure at a second end thereof, said hinge structure provides a pivotal pivotable movement for said end with regarding their respective first embrace; a pair of second clamps, each for said respective end assemblies, each of said second clamps being fixed to said beam and being pivotal therewith; a locking assembly associated with each of said second clamps and the extremity associated with said second clamp, said locking assembly being associated with said second clamp on an extrusion thereof opposite the end of the second clamp Fixed to said beam, said locking assembly allows the transmission of forces applied to said upper part, towards said extremity in order to maintain said extremity in an open position.

12. The folding table according to claim 11, further comprising a rernovible cable gallery associated with said second clamps.

13. The folding table according to claim 12, wherein said cable ribbon comprises In addition, a first skeleton frame, a second skeleton frame and a cable char-wave.

14. The foldable one according to claim 12, wherein said cable galena further comprises a cover fixed with hinges to the cable tray.

15. The folding table according to claim 11, wherein the locking assembly further comprises a spring inclined plunger assembly and a plunger receiving structure on said extremity.

16. In a table assembly including an upper part, at least a pair of limbs supporting said upper part and a clamp associated with said upper part, the improvement comprising a cable galena assembly for containing electrical accessories which are used in conjunction with said table, said cable galena assembly comprises a lower wall; a front panel pivotally mounted to said bottom wall; a first frame skeleton attached to said lower wall; a second frame skeleton fixed to said lower wall in spaced relation to said first frame skeleton; a flexible rear wall fixed between said lower pair and said second frame skeleton; a fastening structure associated with said second frame skeleton adapted to allow attachment of said cable galena assembly to said at least one fastener; and? n fastener mounted to one of said first frame skeleton and said front panel to hold said panel in connection relation with said first frame skeleton.

17. The cable galena assembly according to claim 16, wherein said fixing structure further comprises at least one end assembly part, said end assembly part having at least one mounting aperture formed therein and arranged to couple at least one mounting element on said at least one clamp.

18. The cable galena assembly according to claim 15, further comprising an electrical connector strip, said electric connector strip having at least one electrical access plug thereon.

19. The cable galena assembly according to claim 18, wherein said electrical connector strip has at least one extension thereon for electrical connection to an adjacent electrical connector.

20.- One that foldable that compr-ende a top part; a pair of separated first clamp members fixed to said upper part; a top support beam extending along said top portion in the area between said first separated clamp members, said beam being pivotally mounted to said top portion; a pair of end assemblies, each of said end assemblies having a hinge structure at a first end and a foot structure at a second end thereof, said hinge structure provides a hinged pivotal movement for said extremity with respect to its respective first clamp; a pair of second clamps, one of each of said respective end assemblies being associated with one of said second clamps, each of said second clamps being fixed to said beam to be pivotally mounted with the same; a locking assembly associated with each of said second clamps and said ends, said locking assembly allows the transmission of a force supplied to said upper part toward said ends to maintain said extremity in an open position; and a cable galena mounted to said second clamps, said cable galena includes a bottom wall, a front panel pivotally mounted to said bottom wall, a pair of skeleton frames defining a channel therebetween, a flexible rear wall mounted between said lower wall and said skeleton frame and a fixing structure associated with said skeleton frame adapted to allow the fixing of said cable bundle to said second clamp.

21. A folding table comprising an upper part, at least one clamp member fixed to said upper part, a supporting beam pivotally mounted to said upper part; an end assembly to support said table; a vertically spaced hinge of said intermittent upper part to said end assembly and said clamp member, said hinge allows said end assembly to be folded in a direction toward the upper part; at least one clamp has a first end fixed to said support beam and has a second extrusion; and a removable connection between the second end of said second clamp and said end assembly which engages said clamp with said end in a position of said clamp, and which disconnects said clamp from said second clamp assembly. limb to allow said clamp to rotate with said beam.

22. A locking mechanism for releasably locking a folding table end in an unfolded position comprising: at least one opening that extends between an upper part of the table and the collapsible end, the clamp has a plunger projection formed thereon adjacent to the collapsible extremity; a piston biased by spring on said protuberance; and a plunger seat on said foldable limb adjacent said plunger boss, said plunger inclined by resorvoir being movable from a first position in which the plunger is inclined within said plunger seat to a second position in which said plunger seat Plunger is removed from said plunger seat.

23. The locking mechanism according to claim 22, wherein the plunger seat is positioned below a hinge on said collapsible end. 2k.

The locking mechanism according to claim 22, wherein the clamp is fixed by means of hinges to the underside of the upper part of the table.

25. The locking mechanism according to claim 24, wherein the clamp is fixed by means of hinges to a support va that extends along the lower side of the upper part of the table.

26.- The locking mechanism according to claim 23, wherein the downward force on said upper part of the latter ensures more to the foldable end in an unfolded position.

27. A clamp and plunger mechanism for releasably securing the clamp to a table end assembly comprising: a clamp having a first end and a second end; a plunger housing on said clamp adjacent to the table end assembly; a plunger movably mounted within said plunger housing; a spring inclined within the housing for tilting said plunger to a first position; and a plunger seat on said table end assembly arranged to seat said plunger when said plunger is in said first position, said plunger is movable toward a second position in which said plunger is removed from said plunger seat to allow said plunger Clamp moves away from said extremity assembly.

28. - The assembly in accordance with the claim 27, wherein said plunger housing comprises a tubular wall integrally connected to the second end of the clamp, said tubular wall defining an internal bore; and an inclined spring seated in said hole. 29.- On a table that has a table top supported by separate folding end assemblies and a support beam extending along the top of the table, at least one releasable clamp between the top and bottom of the table. and the end assembly, the clamp-a has a plunger projection thereon adjacent to the tip assembly and a spring-biased plunger in said boss, said plunger is movable from a first position in which it engages and locks said finger assembly. limb with which the limb assembly is maintained in an unfolded configuration towards a second position in which the plunger is removed from said limb assembly to thereby allow said extremity assembly to fold.