WO2000076830A1 - Cart for folding tables - Google Patents

Abstract

A cart (10) with castors (24) for folding tables allowing one person to load, fold, erect, and unload folding tables therefrom. The cart (10) includes a base (12) over an underlying surface, such that a table (T) tipped with with its lower edge (E1) resting upon the base (12) is overbalanced toward the lower edge (E1), with the weight of the table (T) still resting upon its lower two legs, allowing a single person to easily tip the table (T) onto the cart with the lower edge of the table gently falling onto the base (12). A non-vertical support structure (14) is sloped such that a table (T) with its legs extended and having its top resting thereagainst will lean toward the support structure (14). The cart's base (12) includes a series of ridges (30) and channels (32) parallel to the plane of the support structure (14) for holding the lower edge of the tables placed thereon.

Description

CART FOR FOLDING TABLES

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to hand trucks, carts, and the like, and more specifically to a hand cart for facilitating the folding, loading, carriage, storage, unloading, and erection of conventional folding tables having opposed pairs of inwardly folding legs secured by inwardly disposed folding diagonal braces . The present cart has a configuration permitting a single person to accomplish the above operations easily, by allowing the tables to be tilted angularly onto and off the cart and to be tipped for the folding and unfolding of the legs.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventional heavy, elongate folding tables are almost universally used for various large gatherings (church suppers, hotel banquets, school events, etc.) . These tables have found favor for such functions due to their relatively large size and durability, and the folding leg feature which allows them to be stored relatively compactly. However, the durability of such tables results in a relatively heavy weight for such units, generally on the order of about forty pounds for a table having a length of about five feet and a width of about two feet, with these numbers varying depending upon the exact size of the table.

While the weight of such tables is not excessive for the average young adult male, their length, width, and the extended legs can make such tables quite awkward to handle. Given that many times older adult volunteers or perhaps younger children assist in setting up and putting away such tables at various church, school, and other organizational functions, the weight and bulk of such tables can generally require at least two persons per table, both for setting up such tables and for folding them and putting them away. Generally, such tables are picked up by one person at each end, tipped to extend or fold the legs as required, and set up for use or placed flat on a cart or the like for movement to a storage area, or perhaps carried directly to the storage area by one person at each end of the table. The result is relatively slow, tedious, and can still be quite taxing for the personnel involved.

Accordingly, a need will be seen for a cart for folding tables which is configured to allow a single person to remove and erect such tables from the cart, or fold and store such tables on the cart, without undue strain. The present cart comprises a base having a height allowing the tables to be tipped laterally onto the base without undue weight resting on the base, and a raised support structure allowing the tables to be tipped further thereagainst (or against another parallel table) and to remain in on edge position for the folding of the legs. The cart configuration allows all of the above tilting, tipping, and leg folding operations to be accomplished without undue force or strain by a single person, with the operation easily reversed for removing the tables from the cart . A discussion of the related art of which the present inventor is aware, and its differences and distinctions from the present invention, is provided below.

U. S. Patent No. 3,889,814 issued on June 17, 1975 to Joseph A. Rice, titled "Cot Storage Cart," describes a generally rectangular cart having a base with a plurality of spaced apart slats defining a corresponding series of slots therebetween. The cart includes uprights at each of the corners, with upper members extending horizontally between the members on three of the four sides. A fourth horizontal upper member is removably installable across the fourth side. The upper member opposite the removable member includes a series of channels therein, corresponding to the slots in the base. The slots and channels provide for the vertical alignment and storage of a plurality of cots or the like between the upper members of the device. In contrast, the present cart for folding tables is open about three of its four sides, thereby allowing table ends to extend beyond the edges of the cart when placed thereon. Also, the non-vertical slope of the rearwardly disposed raised support structure allows tables to be tipped with their tops resting thereagainst, where they remain with legs either extended or retracted due to their overbalanced disposition. Each of the tables of the present invention rests against an adjoining table when a plurality of tables is placed upon the present cart, thereby obviating any need for the added complexity of an upper member having a series of restraining channels therein, as in the Rice storage cart.

U. S. Patent No. 4,033,597 issued on July 5, 1977 to Ambroise 0. Boyer, titled "Apparatus For Carrying Glass Panels, " describes a cart having a generally horizontal base formed of a series of heavy channels, with a series of pairs of vertical posts extending from opposite lateral base members. The base includes laterally oriented slots or channels for fork lift tines . The Boyer cart provides for the carriage and temporary storage of automobile windshields or the like thereon, and as a result differs considerably from the present cart . The upright posts of the Rice cart preclude the tipping of the edge of a table directly onto the base, as provided by the present cart . The table edge would catch between the two relatively high posts on each side of the Rice cart, before dropping downwardly against the base when sufficient vertical orientation was attained. Moreover, the plurality of posts would preclude the folding of the legs of tables stored on the Rice cart, which is essential in a cart for folding tables. No non-vertical sloped support member is provided in the Rice cart for leaning any articles thereagainst, while the present cart provides such for leaning a first table placed on the cart thereagainst for folding the legs without requirement for further support of the table, with subsequent tables resting against the first table or against one another, unlike the Rice cart . It should also be noted that the wheels of the Rice cart are steerable at only one end of the cart, whereas the fully castering wheels at each corner of the present cart enable it to be turned laterally through doorways and the like for clearance for the width of the tables carried thereon.

U. S. Patent No. 5,037,117 issued on August 6, 1991 to Richard C. Hershberger, titled "Folding Table Caddie, " describes a cart for the storage of folding tables. The structure differs considerably from the present invention, in that the device basically comprises a pair of wheeled horizontal channels with foldable vertical uprights pivotally secured to one end thereof. The two channels are spaced apart from and parallel to one another and the uprights are extended and locked into position by corresponding braces . Tables are then stacked on edge across the two horizontal members, with the first table resting upon the non-vertical brace members. Additional components may be used to secure the two channels and their extended uprights together, and to hold the upper edge of the first table placed thereon. While the Hershberger caddie provides for compact storage when not in use, the need for such compact storage is not seen, as the tables stored thereon when they are not in use, require sufficient volume for the erected Hershberger table caddie in any event. The erected caddie can thus be stored in the same storage area when the tables are in use and removed therefrom. The present cart for folding tables does not itself fold, but provides a rigid and solid construction as required for perhaps several hundred pounds of tables being placed thereon. Moreover, the relatively low horizontal components of the Hershberger cart portions result in considerable force along the lower edge of a table which is allowed to fall onto the channels as the table is tipped. The height of the base of the present cart precludes such force and the potential damage which may result to the table.

U. S. Patent No. 5,163,695 issued on November 17, 1992 to Lee A. Pakowsky, titled "Dolly Attachment For Carrying Flat Furniture Components," describes a folding frame assembly including straps for securing the lower frame cross-members to the lower cross- members of a conventional rectangular wheeled furniture dolly. A strap is also provided for securing a flat object to the extended upright frame member of the device. The device is unsuited for carrying a plurality of flat objects (folded tables, etc.) as the lower edge of the object being carried is adjacent one edge of the dolly, with the remaining space on the dolly being taken up by the device itself. Also, it is well known that such dollies are relatively low to preclude need for lifting a heavy article of furniture to any great height to rest thereupon. The low height would allow the edge of a tipped table to impact the dolly with a considerable amount of force, unlike the configuration of the present invention.

U. S. Patent No. 5,226,656 issued on July 13, 1993 to Donald G. Mayer, titled "Wheeled Carrier For Panel Materials," describes a base having a series of spaced apart cleats thereacross, defining a corresponding series of article retaining channels therebetween. These channels are the sole means of supporting and holding articles upon the carrier of Mayer. It will be seen that any lateral force upon such articles, will impart a considerable leverage along the base, possibly damaging the article and/or adjacent cleats. The present cart provides for the tables stored thereon to rest against one another, with no lateral forces being imparted to their lower edges or to the adjacent cart structure.

U. S. Patent No. 5,244,221 issued on September 14, 1993 to John S. Ward, titled "Multi-Use Hand Truck," describes a hand cart or truck which is particularly well suited for the carriage of one or more door panels thereon, for use in building construction and the like. As in the Mayer device described above, the Ward device secures the panels vertically upon the cart, by means of the lower edges of the panels being retained within closely fitting channels. Lateral loads upon the panels imparts considerable force along the relatively narrow support area of the channels and corresponding portions of the panels resting therein, thereby possibly damaging the panels and/or channels of the hand truck. Moreover, the channels of the Ward hand truck must precisely fit the thickness of the panels carried thereon for secure carriage and storage of such panels, as is the case with the Mayer device discussed above. U. S. Patent No. 5,318,316 issued on June 7, 1994 to David P. Shurtleff, titled "Cart For Vertically Oriented Longitudinally Extending Objects," describes a two wheeled cart having a single channel therein for the carriage of a single panel (door, etc.) therein. One side or jaw of the channel is hinged to provide some adjustability. However, the same problem arises here as in the devices of the U. S. Patents to Mayer and Ward, discussed above, in that the relatively wide panel produces considerable force at the relatively small jaw. The Shurtleff device requires that the person handling the device and panel being carried therein, also hold the panel to preclude its tipping within the channel with its hinged jaw. This is not a problem with the current cart .

U. S. Patent No. 5,584,399 issued on December 17, 1996 to William E. King, titled "Space Efficient Versatile Storage Frame System, " describes a device having at least one embodiment comprising a rectangular base with an upright structure at one end thereof. The upright structure includes brace members disposed at a non-vertical angle, for resting planar articles thereagainst. The device may be equipped with wheels beneath the base. However, King is silent regarding any specific angle of the non-vertical upright, and any advantage provided thereby in the leaning of a table thereagainst for folding or extending the legs of the table. Moreover, the King device does not provide a relatively high base for ease of tilting tables thereon, nor any cross-members or cleats thereacross to preclude the slippage of the bottom edges of any articles stored thereon, as provided by the present invention.

U. S. Patent No. 5,788,251 issued on August 4, 1998 to Rudolph 0. Johnson, titled "Table Lift And Transporter, " describes a device having a tubular frame with table gripping means in the upper portion thereof. The Johnson device includes an opposed pair of members which may be selectively adjusted to grip the relatively narrow horizontal flanges along the underside of the lateral members conventionally found in folding tables. The device is also configured for ease of tilting to pick up a table which has been tilted onto one edge and the legs previously folded. The Johnson device can only carry one table at a time horizontally, as opposed to the present device which can carry a plurality of generally vertically oriented tables .

U. S. Patent No. 5,820,145 issued on October 13, 1998 to Paul Osowski, titled "Cart For Transporting Tables, Sheet Material And The Like Of Various Sizes," describes a two wheeled cart having a V-shaped channel for resting the lower edge of a panel therein. An upright is disposed adjacent the V-channel, for resting the upper portion of the panel thereagainst. An adjustable retaining hook is installed on the upright, for hooking over the upper edge of the panel. No means is disclosed for precluding damage to the lower edge of a table which is tipped into the channel, as provided by the specific configuration of the present invention. Also, the generally vertical orientation of a table being carried by the Osowski device, would result in the table tipping away from the upright if not held thereagainst if the table legs were extended, whereas the present device provides a sufficient non-vertical slope for tables carried thereon, to assure that they do not tip even with legs extended. The present cart can accommodate a large number of tables, whereas the Osowski cart can hold only one table.

U. S. Patent No. 5,871,219 issued on February 16, 1999 to Kenneth M. Elliott, titled "Table Dolly," describes a laterally symmetrical cart having a plurality of inwardly sloped supports to each side of a central vertical structure. Tables are stacked atop the sloped supports on each side of the central structure. The tables must be picked up and legs folded before being placed upon the Elliott cart; no means is apparent for allowing the cart to support the table partially while it is positioned and the legs folded, as provided by the present cart invention.

U. S. Patent No. D-248,937 issued on August 15, 1978 to Henry D. Figueroa, titled "Cart For Transporting Collapsible Tables," illustrates a device having a tubular frame with three support wheels. The frame includes a spaced apart pair of generally upright members having cushioned upper ends projecting above a horizontal upper member. The device is tilted against the underside of a table which has previously been tipped on edge with its legs folded, and the cushioned upper ends of the uprights are hooked beneath the lateral edge member of the table. The device is then tilted back to rest on its wheels. The Figueroa cart can thus hold and carry only a single table at a time, as opposed to the multiple table capacity of the present table cart. Moreover, the Figueroa design does not appear to provide any support for a table during the intermediate stages of folding the legs during the loading process, as provided by the present cart invention. U. S. Patent No. D-288,739 issued on March 10, 1987 to Leon W. Johnson, Jr. et al . , titled "Portable Cart For Automobile Hardtop, " illustrates a design comprising a generally rectangular base frame with a vertical support structure along one edge thereof. While the support structure includes opposed angular members at its upper corners, no means is apparent for orienting planar panels (e. g., tables) with their surfaces sloped away from their legs, to provide stability for the table in such a position with its legs extended until they may be folded. Moreover, Johnson, Jr. et al . do not provide any separation means between a plurality of such articles in the base of their design, as provided in the present invention. French Patent Publication No. 1,323,664 published on March 4, 1963 illustrates a laterally symmetrical cart having a plurality of rods extending outwardly and upwardly from forward and rearward centrally disposed vertical members. Another lower series of horizontal rods is also provided. The upper rods serve to hold planar articles thereon in the same manner as the sloped support surfaces of the device of the Elliott U. S. Patent, discussed further above, with the exception that the plurality of closely spaced rods in the French Patent Publication hold each panel separately. No means is apparent in the French Patent Publication for supporting a plurality of panels on edge at a slight non-vertical angle, for holding the panels stable during the folding of legs extending therefrom, as provided by the present cart invention.

British Patent Publication No. 1,084,866 published on September 27, 1967, titled "Improvements In Or Relating To Devices For Transporting Articles," describes a cart having a basic structure resembling that of the device of the Elliott U. S. Patent and French Patent Publication, both discussed further above. The device of the British Patent Publication differs in that a plurality of sloped bins or trays are provided on each side of the central upright members, rather than flat support surfaces or rods. Accordingly, no large planar objects (e. g., tables, etc.) will fit in the cart of the British Patent Publication, which according to the specification is adapted for the carriage of books thereon.

Soviet Patent Publication No. 1,158,429 published on May 30, 1985 describes (according to the English abstract and drawings) a cart having a plurality of shelves hingedly attached to uprights along one side of the cart. The upper shelf has a mechanism for selectively holding the upper shelf in a raised position above the other shelves, or for allowing the upper shelf to lower and rest atop the next uppermost shelf. The generally horizontal disposition of the shelves in their rest states preclude the placement of any large planar articles (tables, etc.) essentially on edge on the cart of the Soviet Patent Publication. West German Patent Publication No. 3,604,657 published on August 20, 1987 describes (according to the English abstract and drawings) a cart or trolley having a laterally adjustable vertical frame with a series of rods extending laterally from each side of the vertical frame. The device is more closely related to the apparatus of the French '664 Patent Publication discussed further above, than to the present invention, with the same point being noted that the laterally extending rods preclude the placement of any large panels generally on edge, on the cart . Swiss Patent Publication No. 670,605 published on June 30, 1989 describes (according to the English abstract and drawings) a cart or trolley having a base and a non-vertically sloped support surface for carrying large planar panels (doors, etc.) thereon. The panels rest against the steeply sloped support surface, with additional security being provided by an adjustable bar which is spring loaded to bear against the panel (s) and sandwich them between the bar and the non-vertical support. No disclosure is made relating to the specific height of the base of the cart for facilitating the tipping of tables thereon, nor for the specific slope of the non-vertical support member for supporting tables thereagainst with their legs extended before folding. The present cart for folding tables invention provides a very specific height above the surface for the base and a very specific slope for the support structure for such tables which allows the tables to rest thereagainst with their legs extended, which features are not shown or described in the prior art .

Finally, Soviet Patent Publication No. 1,661,032 published on July 7, 1991 illustrates (according to the English abstract and drawings) a cart or trolley having a series of laterally adjustable arms extending from a central vertical support structure. The device more closely resembles the carts and racks of the French '664 and German '657 Patent Publications discussed further above, than the present cart for folding tables invention, with the same point of distinction being noted, i. e., the laterally extending arms preclude the placement of any large panels thereon in an essentially on-edge orientation with their major axes parallel to the vertical support member, whereas the present cart invention provides a clear space adjacent the offset vertical support for the placement of large panels (tables) in such an orientation.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention comprises a cart for folding tables comprising a relatively high rectangular base which is supported upon four castering wheels. An upright support surface extends from one side or edge of the base, with the support surface having a steep but non-vertical downward slope from its upper edge toward the opposite side or edge of the cart . A series of slats or ridges extend along the base, parallel to the face of the upright support surface, with the ridges or slats defining a corresponding series of slots or channels therebetween for holding the edges of a series of folding tables or the like which may be placed thereon.

The present cart provides for a table to be tipped laterally so that the lower edge of the tipped table rests in one of the slots of the base, with nearly all of the weight of the table still being supported by the legs closest to the lower edge. The height of the base above the underlying supporting surface (floor, etc.) is such that the weight of the table resting upon the edge of the table within one of the base channels, is very little in comparison to the weight still resting upon the two legs which still rest upon the underlying surface. In other words, the table is only very slightly overbalanced toward the lower edge, when it is resting upon the present cart. This allows one person to lift one edge of the table and tilt it toward the cart, without requiring great strength to keep the table from falling onto its lower edge with any significant force. The steep, non-vertical slope of the support structure of the cart is such that after the lower edge of the table has been placed in one of the channels of the base, the upper edge may be lifted so that the table top is resting against the support structure (or against another table which is in turn resting directly or indirectly against the structure) , with the table in a stable orientation, i. e., leaning against the support structure (or other table) rather than falling back toward the lower legs. This allows one person to easily fold the legs of the table against the underside of the table top, without requiring that person to simultaneously hold the table in an on-edge orientation to preclude its falling back upon the lower legs . The folding of the legs against the underside of the table top, moves the center of gravity of the table even closer to the table top, thus increasing the stability of the folded table resting upon the present cart. The above described operation is easily reversed for unloading and erecting tables from the present cart.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the present cart for folding tables in an unladen condition, showing various features thereof . Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the present cart positioned beneath a folding table, showing the initial step in loading a folding table onto the present cart .

Figure 3 is a side elevation view of the present cart with a person tipping a folding table onto the cart for storage and carriage thereon.

Figure 4 is a side elevation view showing the next step in the loading of a table onto the present cart, with the table being placed completely upon the cart for folding the table legs.

Figure 5 is a side elevation view of the present cart, showing the storage of a plurality of folded tables thereon.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings .

BEST MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a cart for folding tables, with a perspective view of the present cart in an unladen state being shown in Figure 1 of the drawings and designated by the reference character 10. The present cart 10 is specifically configured to provide for ease of loading and unloading of conventional folding tables thereonto and therefrom, as will be seen in Figures 2 through 5 of the drawings, and discussed in detail further below.

The present cart 10 generally comprises a base portion 12 with a table support structure 14 extending upwardly therefrom. The base 12 is preferably constructed as a generally rectangular structure with first through fourth sides, respectively 16, 18, 20, and 22. The present cart 10 is preferably mounted on wheels or rollers for portability, with a plurality of fully castering or swiveling wheels 24 being installed beneath the base portion 12. The fully castering wheels 24 allow the cart 10 turned in any direction and to be rolled sideways through relatively narrow doorways and other narrow passages with a load of relatively elongate tables being carried thereon. At least one of the wheels may include a conventional foot or toe actuated locking brake means thereon if so desired, as indicated by the brake actuation lever 26 shown in broken lines on the right side wheel 24 of Figure 2.

The base 12 has an upper surface 28 with a height above the underlying surface S (shown in Figures 2 through 5) which is predetermined to provide for the tipping of one edge of a folding table thereon, with the table being just slightly overbalanced toward its lower edge which is resting upon the upper surface 28 of the cart 10. The upper surface 28 of the cart 10 includes a series of spaced apart ridges 30, comprising individual ridges 30a, 30b, 30c, etc. defining a corresponding series of channels 32a, 32b,

32c, etc. therebetween. The ridges may be formed by a series of slats installed across the upper surface

28 of the base 12 and parallel to the plane of the support structure 14, with a corresponding series of slots therebetween.

The table support structure 14 of the cart 10 comprises a pair of opposed, spaced apart risers, respectively 34 and 36, which extend upwardly from opposite sides 18 and 22 of the base 12 adjacent and immediately inboard of the first side 16. The risers 34 and 36 each have a parallel, non-vertical but steeply sloped table support face 38, for leaning the top of a table thereagainst when a first table is placed upon the upper surface 28 with its lower edge resting in the channel or slot 32a between the table support faces 38 of the risers 34 and 36 and the first ridge or slat 30a. The table support faces 38 of the two risers 34 and 36 are angled or sloped upwardly and outwardly from the base 12, so that a table leaning thereagainst with its legs extending over the plane of the base 12, is in a stable orientation with no tendency to fall back upon its legs. A lateral handle 40 may be provided across the upper ends of (or elsewhere across or between) the two risers 34 and 36, if so desired. The present cart for folding tables may be formed or constructed of virtually any practicable materials (metals, high density plastics, etc.), as desired. The exemplary cart 10 of Figure 1 is formed of a series of planks or boards forming the sides 16 through 22, the slats 30a, 30b, 30c, etc. across the upper surface 22, the risers 34 and 36, and even the handlebar 40. The structure of the present cart 10 lends itself well to the relatively simple cutting and carpentry operations required for construction from wood, which provides a solid and durable structure for the present cart 10.

Figures 2 through 5 comprise a series of schematic side elevation views showing the use of the present cart 10 in loading, folding, and carrying a series of folding tables thereon. The present cart 10 is particularly useful with conventional folding tables, exemplified by the first folding table FI shown in Figures 2 through 5. The elongate folding table FI includes a table top T having opposite first and second lateral edges El and E2 , with an opposed pair of folding supports U (only one of which is shown in the end views of the folding table FI of Figures 1 through 4, but it will be understood that the folding table FI is conventional and symmetrical) . Each of the supports U includes a first leg LI and opposite second leg L2 , generally corresponding to the same sides of the table FI as the first and second edges El and E2.

The present cart 10 is first rolled beneath an erected folding table FI with its base portion 12 positioned partially beneath table top T, and the two risers 34 and 36 of the table top support structure 14 facing the first edge El of the table FI, as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. A person then lifts the opposite second edge E2 of the table T to tip the first edge El downwardly toward the first channel 32a of the base 12 of the cart 10, as shown in Figure 3. If the cart 10 is inadvertently positioned with the risers 34 too close to the first edge El of the table T, the first edge El will contact the table top support faces 38 of the two risers 34 and slide downwardly until it comes to rest in the first slot or channel 32a of the cart 10.

It will be noted in the drawing Figures that the center of gravity CG of the folding table FI with its folding supports U extended, is located very slightly below the top of the table FI . This due to the fact that the table top T is considerably heavier than the remainder of the structure of the table FI, i. e., the tubular folding supports U and legs LI and L2.

The present cart for folding tables 10 is constructed with the upper surface 28 of the base 12 disposed above the underlying surface S at a predetermined height such that a folding table FI which is tipped thereon with its lower edge El resting upon the upper surface 28 of the base 12 and its first legs LI resting upon the underlying level surface S, is oriented with its center of gravity CG positioned vertically above a point PI which is only slightly outside of the span of the legs LI and L2. In other words, the first legs LI of the folding table FI are carrying nearly all of the weight of the table FI, with only a slight amount of the weight of the table FI resting upon the base 12 of the cart 10. Thus, when a person tilts the table FI toward the base 12 and risers 34 and 36 of the cart 10, the table FI is stable, attempting to lower itself back to rest upon its four legs LI and L2 , until the table FI is tipped to the degree that its center of gravity CG is positioned directly over the first legs LI where they rest upon the underlying surface S. Beyond this point, the table FI is unstable, tending to fall toward its first edge El.

However, by this time the first edge El is so close to the upper surface 28 of the cart 10, that only a very slight additional tilt of the table FI can occur before the first edge El is resting upon the cart 10. Thus, very little force is imposed upon the first edge El of the table FI and the upper surface 28 of the cart 10, if the table FI is dropped onto the cart 10 from its neutrally stable position during the tilting operation. This enables a single person to tilt a folding table FI onto the cart 10, with the majority of the strength required being for lifting the second edge E2 of the table FI; very little, if any, strength is required to retard the fall of the first edge El of the table FI after the tilt of the table FI passes its point of neutral stability.

From the position shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, the person lifts the second edge E2 of the table FI further to rotate the table FI about its first or lower edge El, which is now resting in the first channel or slot 32a of the cart 10. The second or upper edge E2 is lifted and rotated about the lower first edge El until the top T of the table FI is resting against the table top support faces 38 of the two risers 34 and 36, as shown in Figure 4 of the drawings. The non-vertical slope defined by the table top support faces 38 is such that the center of gravity CG of the table FI with its top T leaning thereagainst, projects to a point P2 slightly beyond the table's first edge El resting in the first channel or slot 32a of the base 12. Thus, the table FI would tend to fall over to an inverted position, resting upon its top T, if it were not for the restraint of the risers 34 and 36 of the cart 10. As in the case of the first tilted position of the table FI shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, the present cart 10 is constructed with the table top support faces 38 of the risers 34 and 36 having a predetermined slope 38 such that the table FI is only very slightly overbalanced toward its top T when resting against the support faces 38, in order to preclude any requirement for substantial restraining strength for preventing the table top T from falling with substantial force as it is tilted past the vertical. Yet, the angle of the support faces 38 provides a sufficient slope to position the table FI in a stable position with its top T resting against the risers 34 and 36, even with the supports U of the table FI extended as shown in Figure 4 of the drawings.

At this point, the person may walk about the table FI which has been loaded onto the cart 10 to fold the two supports U, without any requirement to hold the table FI in position on the cart 10. The support folding operation need not be carried out with any haste or substantial strength on the part of the person folding the table FI, due to the stable position of the table FI as it leans or rests against the risers 34 and 36. It will be seen that this stable position will become even more stable as the supports U of the table FI are folded against the underside of the table top T, thus positioning the center of gravity of the table FI even closer to the top T, i. e., slightly further to the right of the position shown in the drawing of Figure 4.

The above described operation describes in detail the loading of only a single folding table FI on the present cart for folding tables 10. However, the present cart 10 is capable of holding a series of such folding tables, as illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings. In Figure 5, the first folding table FI is positioned with its top resting or leaning against the two risers 34 and 36 and with its two supports U folded against the underside of its top T in the conventional manner for storing such folding tables FI . The operation shown in Figures 2 through 4 and described further above for placing and storing a folding table FI upon the present cart 10, may be repeated as desired to place and store additional folding tables F2 , F3 , F4 , etc. on the cart 10, with the storage capacity of the cart 10 being limited only by the length of the two sides 18 and 22 of the base 12 which extend from the two risers 34 and 36, and the number of channels or slots 32 provided for holding each of the first edges of a series of folding tables. The fully castering wheels 24 allow the cart 10 to be rolled sideways, i. e., with the longitudinal axes of the folding tables carried thereon oriented in the direction of travel, for rolling the cart 10 through doorways or passages. It has been found that a cart capacity of about ten tables is optimum, as indicated by the tables FI through F10 shown in Figure 5, as this provides a cart 10 with second and fourth sides 18 and 22 which are sufficiently short to pass laterally through conventional thirty inch wide doorways without difficulty. However, the cart 10 may be constructed to hold a larger or smaller number of tables, as desired. Deployment of folding tables from the present cart 10 is accomplished essentially by reversing the procedure described above. The cart 10 is positioned as desired to deploy a folding table therefrom in the desired location (e. g., folding table F10 shown in broken lines in Figure 5) , and the supports of the table are extended from beneath the table top, in the manner shown in Figure 4 of the drawings . The table is then tipped away from the next adjacent table (e. g., folding table F9) against which its top was resting or leaning, and the second edge lowered to place the first legs upon the supporting surface. The table may then be tilted further about the first legs by lowering the second edge, until all four legs of the table are resting upon the supporting surface. The cart 10 is repositioned as desired for deployment of the next table, and the process is repeated as desired.

In summary, the present cart for folding tables provides a much needed means for a single person to recover and fold a series of deployed folding tables, easily and quickly without undue stress and strain. The predetermined height of the base and angle of the table top supporting risers, enable a person to tilt a table onto the present cart without excessive effort due to the slightly overbalanced position of the tilted table during the initial and final stages of placing the table on the present cart. The dimensions of the cart and full castering on all wheels enable it to be rolled easily through standard size doorways, for movement into a hall for erection of tables carried thereon, or for storage of the cart, either with or without tables stored thereon. Deployment of tables from the present cart is accomplished just as easily as placement of tables onto the cart. The person erecting the tables need only unfold the table supports from the last table on the cart, i. e., the table farthest from the table top supporting risers, and pull the upper edge of the table away from the risers or adjacent table (s) on the cart. The upper edge of the table is lowered to place the top in a horizontal position after the lower legs have contacted the underlying surface. The present cart for folding tables will thus prove to be a most useful accessory for various clubs, associations, and organizations which have need to erect and store a series of folding tables from time to time, for banquets, meetings, or any other occasion as required.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. A cart for folding tables, comprising: a base having an upper surface for supporting the lower edge of a table tipped thereon; said upper surface of said base having a height above an underlying support surface such that the lower edge of the table tipped thereon has only a slight amount of weight resting upon said base, and the lower legs of the table resting upon the support surface have only slightly less than the entire weight of the table resting thereon; said base further having a first side with a support structure extending upwardly therefrom, for supporting a table top; and said support structure having a steep slope extending upwardly and outwardly from said base such that the table having the top thereof placed against said support structure and with the legs thereof extended over said base, is leaning slightly against said support structure in a stable orientation.

2. The cart for folding tables according to claim 1, including a plurality of ridges disposed along said upper surface of said base and parallel to said support structure, with said ridges defining a corresponding plurality of table edge holding channels therebetween .

3. The cart for folding tables according to claim 2, wherein said ridges comprise a plurality of spaced apart slats.

4. The cart for folding tables according to claim 1, wherein said base has a rectangular planform.

5. The cart for folding tables according to claim¹ 1, including a plurality of wheels disposed beneath said base .

6. The cart for folding tables according to claim 5, wherein each of said wheels is a swiveling caster.

7. The cart for folding tables according to claim 5, including brake means for at least one of said wheels.

8. The cart for folding tables according to claim 1, wherein said support structure comprises opposed first and second risers extending upwardly from opposite ends of said first side of said base, with each of said risers having a table top support face defining said slope of said support structure.

9. The cart for folding tables according to claim

8, including handle means extending between said first and second risers of said support structure.

10. The cart for folding tables according to claim

I, wherein said cart is constructed of wood.

II. At least one folding table and a cart therefor, comprising in combination: at least one elongate table having at least a top, at least a first edge for tipping onto said cart, and an opposed pair of folding supports, with each of said supports having at least a first leg extending therefrom and corresponding to said first edge; said cart including a base having an upper surface for supporting said first edge of said table when tipped thereon; said upper surface of said base of said cart having a height above an underlying support surface such that said first edge of said table when tipped thereon has only a slight amount of weight resting upon said base, and said first legs of said table resting upon the support surface have only slightly less than the entire weight of said table resting thereon; said base further having a first side with a support structure extending upwardly therefrom, for supporting said top of said table; and said support structure having a steep slope extending upwardly and outwardly from said base such that said table having said top thereof placed against said support structure and with said folding supports of said table extended over said base, is leaning slightly against said support structure in a stable orientation.

12. The folding table and cart combination according to claim 11, including a plurality of ridges disposed along said upper surface of said base of said cart and parallel to said support structure thereof, with said ridges defining a corresponding plurality of table edge holding channels therebetween.

13. The folding table and cart combination according to claim 12, wherein said ridges comprise a plurality of spaced apart slats.

14. The folding table and cart combination according to claim 11, wherein said base of said cart has a rectangular planform.

15. The folding table and cart combination according to claim 11, including a plurality of wheels disposed beneath said base of said cart.

16. The folding table and cart combination according to claim 15, wherein each of said wheels is a swiveling caster.

17. The folding table and cart combination according to claim 15, including brake means for at least one of said wheels.

18. The folding table and cart combination according to claim 11, wherein said support structure of said cart comprises opposed first and second risers extending upwardly from opposite ends of said first side of said base of said cart, with each of said risers having a table top support face defining said slope of said support structure.

19. The folding table and cart combination according to claim 18, including handle means extending between said first and second risers of said support structure of said cart.

20. The folding table and cart combination according to claim 11, wherein said cart is constructed of wood.