10/669,740, entitled Blow-Molded Table with"H"Center Support Assembly, filed September 24,2003, and co-pending U. S. Patent Application Serial No./, entitled Blow-Molded Table with Center Handle, filed October 24,2003 (attorney docket No. 15865.8a. 1), each of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention [002] The present invention generally relates to furniture and, in particular, to a table with a center handle.

Description of Related Art [003] Tables are widely used almost every day at home and in the office.

Conventional tables are commonly available in a number of sizes and configurations. For example, conventional tables are often four, six or eight feet in length and often have a width of two or three feet. Conventional tables, however, can be difficult to move and store because of there large size and outwardly extending legs. [004] Tables with folding legs have been developed in order to allow the tables to be more easily transported and stored. In particular, the folding legs are generally movable between an extended or use position in which the legs support the table top above a support surface, and a collapsed or storage position in which the legs are positioned next to or adjacent the bottom surface of the table top. When the legs are in the collapsed or storage position, the tables are much easier to move and transport because the tables are much less bulky and cumbersome.

[005] When a conventional table with folding legs is transported, a person generally grips the edge or outer perimeter of the table top. Disadvantageously, gripping the edge or perimeter of the table top is often very difficult because it may be difficult to grasp and/or uncomfortable to hold for more than a few seconds. In addition, because the edge or perimeter is difficult to hold, the person may inadvertently drop the table and that may injure the person and/or damage the table.

Further, because of the size of the table and the portion of the table that is being held, the person transporting the table must generally hold the table in an awkward, uncomfortable position and they must frequently change their grip on the table.

Finally, when moving the table, the lower edge of the table has a tendency to collide frequently with the person's feet or legs.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [006] A need therefore exists for a table that eliminates the above-described disadvantages and problems.

[007] One aspect of the invention is a table with a lifting and transporting mechanism that enables a person to more easily carry and transport the table.

[008] Another aspect is a table with a table top including a top surface and a bottom surface. A first leg assembly is preferably attached to the table top and a second leg assembly is also preferably attached to the table top. The table may also include a first connecting member that is attached to the bottom surface of the table top, and the first connecting member may have an outer side and an inner side. A handle is desirably attached to the inner side of the first connecting member and a space is preferably formed between the handle and the bottom surface of the table top so that a person can easily grip the handle in order to move or lift the table.

[009] A further aspect is table may include a handle that is sized and configured to help transport or move the table. The handle may include a connecting portion and at least a portion of the connecting portion may be attached to the inner side of the first connecting member. The connecting portion may also include an angled L-iron and at least a portion of the angled L-iron may be connected to the inner side of the first connecting member. Thus, for example, the handle may be formed discretely from the first connecting member. On the other hand, for example, the connecting portion may be formed discretely from the handle portion.

[010] The table may also include a second connecting member that generally faces the first connecting member. The table may further include a first connecting bar that is disposed between the first connecting member and the second connecting member. In addition, the table may include a first support assembly with a first end and a second end, and the first end is preferably connected to the first leg assembly and the second end is preferably connected to the first connecting bar. Further, a second connecting bar may be disposed between the first connecting member and the second connecting member to form a generally 11-shaped connecting assembly.

The second support assembly preferably has a first end and a second end, and the first end may be connected to the second leg assembly and the second end may be connected to the second connecting bar.

[011] Another aspect is a table with a connecting assembly that has a generally II-shape. That is, in addition to the first and second facing connecting members, the table may include a third connecting member that is generally placed in the same plane as the first connecting member on the bottom surface of the table top, and a fourth connecting member that is placed in generally the same plane as the second connecting member on the bottom surface of the table top. Preferably the third connecting member faces the fourth connecting member, and a second connecting bar may be disposed between the third connecting member and the fourth connecting member.

[012] Yet another aspect is a table with a table top that is constructed from blow-molded plastic. The table top, however, could be also be constructed from extrusion molded plastic, injection molded plastic, and the like. Preferably, at least a portion of the support is integrally formed in the table top as part of a one-piece structure. For example, the first connecting member may be integrally in the bottom surface of the table top as part of a one-piece structure. In addition, the first leg assembly and the second leg assembly may be pivotably connected to the table top.

[013] Advantageously, when the table is in the folded position, one or more handles are located near the center of the table top. In addition, space is preferably provided for a person's fingers between the handle and the table top. Therefore, a person can easily lift the folding table and move it to a desired location. In addition, because the table is easily lifted from the ground, the person's feet are unlikely to collide with the table when it is being moved.

[014] These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS l015] To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: [016] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the table with a center handle, illustrating the table with the legs in a collapsed or storage position.

[017] Figure 2 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the table with a center handle, illustrating the table with the legs in the collapsed or storage position.

[018] Figure 3 is a perspective view of yet another exemplary embodiment of the table with a center handle, illustrating the table with the legs in the collapsed or storage position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [019] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a table incorporating features of the present invention. The table includes a table top 1 including a top surface and a bottom surface. Preferably the table top 1 is formed of blow-molded plastic. The bottom surface of the table top 1 includes a lip 2 formed on the outer periphery of the bottom surface and extending outwardly therefrom.

The lip 2 forms a perimeter 13.

[020] A frame is attached to the lip 2. The frame is composed of two side rails 21, two end rails 22, two sets of leg assemblies 23, and two support assemblies 24.

The two side rails 21 are spaced apart and attached to lip 2 on opposing sides of the table top 1. The two end rails 22 are spaced apart and each is pivotally attached to the same end of two side rails 21. Each leg assembly 23 includes two leg tubes 231 connected by a cross bar 232. One end of each set of leg assemblies 23 is secured to the two end rails 22.

[021] Each support assembly 24 includes three rod elements 241,242, and 243.

Two rod elements, the first 241 and the second 242, are separately and pivotally connected at one end a lower part of a leg tube 231. At the other end, each is pivotally connected together to one end of the third rod element 243. The pivotal connection of these three rod elements is selectively encircled by a locking ring 244 to keep the leg assemblies 23 from folding and thereby to strengthen the support provided by the leg assemblies 23. The other end of the rod element 243 is pivotally connected to the bottom surface of the table top by a connecting rod 32. The connecting rod 32 is configured to have the opposing ends thereof connect to a connecting assembly 3.

[022] The connecting assembly 3 is formed on a central portion of the bottom surface of the table top 1. The connecting assembly 3 includes a first pair of connecting members 31 spaced apart and fixed to the bottom surface of the table top 1. The connecting members 31 are parallel to the side rails 21. A first connecting rod 32 is disposed transversely or perpendicularly to the two connecting members 31. In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, a pair of connecting rods 32 are connected to the connecting members 31, thus forming a II structure. Additional retention members may be formed on the bottom surface of the table top between the connecting member 31 to engage the connecting rods 32 to provide reinforcement thereto.

[023] A handle 4 is configured to attach to each connecting member 31 of connecting assembly 3, thus providing the user a means by which to transport the table when folded. The handles 4 include a handle portion and a connecting portion.

In one embodiment, the connecting portion is an angled L-iron 41. The handles 4 are attached to the inner sides of the connecting members 31 by means of the L-irons 41. Preferably, a space remains between the handle portion and the bottom surface of the table top 1 so that a user may grip the handle 4. The handle portion of the handle 4 may be formed of a hard, durable material such as, but not limited to, metal, plastic or ceramic material.

[024] As shown in Figure 3, each of the connecting members 31 may be separated into right and left portions. The right portions of opposing beams 31 are configured to engage a connecting rod 32, while the left portions are configured to engage the other connecting rod 32. The right portion or left portion may be slightly longer than the other so that the handles 4 can be attached thereto. Alternatively, the right portion and left portion may be symmetrical so that a first end of the handle 4 is connected to a right portion and the second end of the handle is connected to a left portion.

[025] When the user desires to store the table, the user turns the table upside down so that the leg assemblies 23 are extended upward. The user folds the leg assemblies 23 against the bottom surface of the table top 1. The handles 4 provide space for the user to grip the table. Because the handle 4 is preferably centrally located, the table is balanced on both sides of the handle 4 so that the user can easily wield the folded table. In addition, because the user can easily lift the table, space is provided between the bottom edge of the table and the ground for the person to move their feet, thus preventing the user from colliding with the table when walking.

[026] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.