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Table base

Tables and chairs are supported by legs that extend from a base. Some table and chairs include foldable legs. Folding legs take up less room and facilitate storage of the table or chair when it is not being used. Table bases in a variety of decorative forms have been fabricated from metallic castings and welded constructions. Casting operations require high volume to be economical, and the resulting product is often heavier than other types of table base construction. Welding operations must generally be followed by additional polishing to smooth the surface and remove the weld marks. A folding table base is provided which includes a mounting plate adapted to be secured to the bottom of a table. A hinge plate is hingedly connected to the side of the mounting plate. The hinge plate is adapted to pivot between a first position and a second position. A leg is secured to the hinge plate and extends generally orthogonal thereto. A latching mechanism is secured to the bottom of the table. In many table base constructions, a central post or bolt is used to support an interface plate for the table top. This post or bolt is then mounted to the table base legs by a nut or other threaded engagement.

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