Building ping-pong table and confused about how to make it raise to 90 degrees with joints.?

Question

Hi all,
I decided to try my hand at making a ping-pong table out of two pieces of 4' x 8' solid wood (I forgot what the type was but definitely thicker than plywood and does not bow in on itself). The hardware dept cut two pieces at 4' L by 5' W and two pieces at 1' L by 2.5' W for the middle. I connected the two long pieces to the short/thin middle pieces by joints that allow you to fold the table in on itself for more room. It is sitting on top of our dining table, so space is limited. Before I paint it, I was curious as to how one gets a table like this to raise at a 90 degree angle so that you can hit against a backboard for practice. Other than placing a heavy object behind the raised section, I am at a loss. Any help would be appreciated. Here is a rough schematic:

______________________5 W______________________
4 L
(joint x2)
________2.5 W_________ ________2.5 W___________
1 L
(joint x2)
______________________5 W______________________
4 L

Thanks!

Answer 1

http://www.ping-pong.com/manuals/HT8291.pdf
I would think you'd have to use some sort of blind hinge like kitchen cabinets use---only bigger with some sort of locking bar. Or maybe a piano hinge would do it and not interfere with play.

Answer 2

Could the table be considered a post-modern artistic statement? You know, in a "the ping pong table is society and the missing ping pong ball is contentment" kind of way. Didn't think so.