Folding table with increased seating space

A method for producing a folding table with increased seating space, said method comprising:

• affixing a plurality of legs to an underside of a tabletop;
• and
• configuring the legs to be movable, bi-directionally, between an unfolded position and a folded position by installing two or more folding mechanisms, and installing each of the folding mechanisms comprises:
• affixing a central support bar to the underside of the tabletop via a hinged bracket;
• securing a central portion of a transverse support bar assembly against the central support bar such that the central portion is configured to slide along the central support bar;
• attaching one end of a first side support bar of the transverse support bar assembly to the central portion, and another end of the first side support bar to one of the legs;
• and
• attaching one end a second side support bar of the transverse support bar assembly to the central portion, and another end of the second side support bar to another one of the legs;
• and
• the method further comprises:
• securing each of a plurality of support brackets to the underside of the tabletop adjacent to a corresponding one of the legs, wherein each support bracket comprises a portion that:
• extends below the underside of the tabletop;
• is situated at an outer side of the corresponding one of the legs, said outer side being a side away from which the corresponding one of the legs folds;
• and
• provides support for the corresponding one of the legs when the corresponding one of the legs is in the unfolded position;
• connecting a first one of the legs to a second one of the legs via a first connecting bar that is situated against the underside of the tabletop;
• connecting a third one of the legs to a fourth one of the legs via a second connecting bar that is situated against the underside of the tabletop;
• securing the first connecting bar against the underside of the tabletop via one or more braces, said braces that allow the first connecting bar to rotate in place about a central longitudinal axis of the first connecting bar, wherein rotation of the first connecting bar allows the first and the second legs to move, in unison, between the folded and unfolded positions;
• and
• securing the second connecting bar against the underside of the tabletop via one or more braces, said braces that allow the second connecting bar to rotate in place about a central longitudinal axis of the second connecting bar, wherein rotation of the second connecting bar allows the third and the fourth legs to move, in unison, between the folded and unfolded positions;
• and
• wherein:
• the first connecting bar forms the only direct connection between the first and second legs and the second connecting bar forms the only direct connection between the third and fourth legs.

A folding table, said table comprising:

• a tabletop, said tabletop defining four corners, each corner being adjacent to a perimeter of the tabletop;
• four straight legs affixed to an underside of the tabletop, said legs configured to be movable, bi-directionally, between an unfolded position and a folded position, wherein each one of the four legs is situated at one of the four corners;
• a plurality of support brackets, wherein each support bracket:
• is secured to the underside of the tabletop adjacent to a corresponding one of the legs;
• and
• comprises a portion that:
• extends below the underside of the tabletop;
• is situated at an outer side of the corresponding one of the legs, said outer side being a side away from which the corresponding one of the legs folds;
• and
• provides support for the corresponding one of the legs when the corresponding one of the legs is in the unfolded position;
• and
• two or more folding mechanisms, each folding mechanism comprising:
• a central support bar affixed to the underside of the tabletop via a hinged bracket;
• and
• a transverse support bar assembly, said transverse support bar assembly comprising:
• a central portion configured to slide along the central support bar;
• a first side support bar that extends from the central portion to one of the legs;
• and
• a second side support bar that extends from the central portion to another one of the legs;
• wherein:
• the first side support bar is a straight bar that forms an acute angle at a point of attachment with the central portion, and the second side support bar is a straight bar that forms an acute angle at a point of attachment with the central portion, and the transverse support bar assembly thus forms a V-shape;
• and
• each of the first and second side support bars forms an offset attachment with one of the legs, and the point of attachment is within four inches below the underside of the tabletop when the legs are in the unfolded position.