Latch mechanism for folding table

In a folding table assembly including first and second table sections, each of which defines an inner end and an outer end, wherein the table sections are pivotably interconnected at their inner ends via a pivot arrangement for movement of the table assembly between a folded, storage position and an unfolded, operative position, wherein each table section includes a table top defining a pair of spaced sides, and a frame for supporting the table top above a supporting surface, the improvement comprising:

• a catch member mounted to one of the table sections, wherein the catch member is separate from the pivot arrangement and is mounted to said one of the table sections at a location outwardly of the pivot arrangement;
• and
• a latch member mounted to the other of the table sections, wherein the latch member is separate from the pivot arrangement and is mounted to said other of the table sections at a location outwardly of the pivot arrangement, wherein the latch member is movable between an engaged position in which the latch member engages the catch member for maintaining the table assembly in its folded, storage position, and a disengaged position in which the latch member is disengaged from the catch member for allowing the table assembly to be moved from its folded, storage position toward its unfolded, operative position, wherein the latch member is movable between its engaged and disengaged positions by operation of an actuator member including first and second actuator areas, each of which is located adjacent one of the sides of the table top for enabling a user to move the latch member from its engaged position toward its disengaged position from either side of the table top.

A latch arrangement for a folding table assembly including first and second table sections, each of which defines an inner end and an outer end, wherein the table sections are pivotably interconnected at their inner ends for movement of the table assembly between a folded, storage position and an unfolded, operative position, wherein each table section includes a table top and a frame including a leg arrangement for supporting the table top above a supporting surface, comprising:

• a movable latch member mounted to the first table section, wherein the leg arrangement of each table section includes an upper cross-member spaced from the inner end of the table section, wherein the movable latch member is mounted to the upper cross-member of the first table section;
• a stationary catch member mounted to the upper cross-member of the second table section;
• wherein the latch member is pivotably mounted to the upper cross-member of the first table section for movement about a pivot axis between an engaged position in which the latch member is engaged with the catch member, and a disengaged position in which the latch member is disengaged from the catch member, wherein the moveable latch member is engageable with the stationary catch member as the table assembly is moved to its folded, storage position from its unfolded, operative position, wherein engagement of the latch member with the catch member functions to maintain the table assembly in its folded, storage position;
• and
• a latch member actuator interconnected with the latch member, wherein the latch member actuator is adapted for manual engagement by a user, and includes a first manually engageable actuator area located adjacent a first side defined by the table top and a second manually engageable actuator area located adjacent a second side defined by the table top, whereby the latch member actuator is manually movable from its engaged position to its disengaged position by manual engagement with one of the actuator areas from either side of the table top;
• wherein the first table section includes a pair of structural apron members to which the table top is mounted, and wherein the cross-member and the latch member actuator are pivotably mounted to and extend between the structural apron members.